What does the word "Revival" mean to you...
To me it means to renew that promise I made yrs ago to God.
Maybe you made the same promise..."If you save me, I will serve you no matter what."
Have you made that promise?
If so, do you keep it?
It is so easy for us to let our promises to God slide. But God expects you to keep them. Are you serving Faithfully? Or are you MIA... Missing In Action?
God needs us to fulfill our promises and duties...
When you are MIA you suffer...
Other Christians suffer...
Jobs go undone...
People are not helped...
Souls go to Hell...
Are you shirking your duties?
Do you make your other brothers and sisters pick up the slack because you are not fulfilling your promises?
Have you promised God something...
Maybe you bargained with God in prayer....
Maybe like this...
"Oh God, if you give me... ____________... I promise I will attend church more, pray more, be a better Christian, read your bible more, witness more, serve in church more, help others.......blah, blah, blah"
Then God answered your prayer....
Whatever it is you promised God you would do... God expects you to keep your promises..
If you don't keep your promise, can you really expect God to answer your prayers the next time you try to bargain with him?
Our church will be having Revival services the last part of the week.
A local pastor, John Vetter, will be preaching.
For me, these services are important, because it is a time for me to examine myself, and to make some changes in my life that reveal God's love in a more clear way to the world.
It is a time to allow God to clean my heart, get all the junk out, and renew my spirit.
Even as a Pastor, I make mistakes... and need to repent.
Is there something you need to repent of?
Is there a promise you are not keeping?
If so, talk honestly to God... He will forgive you.... then keep your promise.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Early Memory of Church
The following is one of my earliest memories of church..
This is the way I remembered it as a 6 yr old boy...
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, the sun was bright, flowers were just beginning to bloom, and birds were beginning to sing on the banks of Elk River. I was 6 years old, and was riding with my mom and dad and sister to church. Dad had just been called to preach the year before, and had only preached a few times. As a matter of fact, one of my earliest memories was in that church. My family was sitting in the back of the church, and I looked at dad and asked him if we could go home, I had already watched this service on TV! But that morning was different, I could tell something was wrong, but I didn’t know all the details. I overheard dad telling mom that, “If Gene thinks he is going to take the church from Pastor Ray, there will be a fight and a half.”
You see, Ray had been pastor for around 3 yrs, and the church had grown from around 15 in attendance to around 75 in attendance. Ray had worked hard building that little WVBC church at Falling Rock. Before Ray came to the church, Gene was pastor. Gene realized that the church wasn’t growing, so he resigned and brought in Ray to be pastor, but Gene still attended the church and had a lot of influence on the decisions of the church.
Rumors had been circulating that Gene wanted to be pastor again, and was going to take over the church. And it seemed that everything was coming to a head that Sunday morning.
We arrived at the church, and set in our usual seats. After Sunday School devotions, we went to our classes, my class was in the little building across the parking lot, and the Pastor’s wife was my teacher. At 11 O’clock, we crossed the parking lot to go to the worship service. I set down with my parents, and service began. There were about 60 in attendance that morning, and all seemed to be going well up until the time, Pastor Ray stood to take the pulpit.
He walked up behind the pulpit, and right behind him was Gene and one of the Deacons. Gene told Ray that he was not going to preach in that church again, and that he was now the pastor. Gene and the Deacon picked Ray up and threw him into the choir chairs. Some men started to come to Ray’s defense, but Ray stood up, and stopped them. Ray dusted himself off, and started walking down the aisle toward the entrance of the church. Ray’s wife, and children with tears in their eyes, followed him, and out the door they went along with the congregation. Only 8 people were left inside. On the outside, it seemed like total confusion to this 6 year old boy. What had just happened? I had never seen this on TV before! What do we do now? Ray invited us all to his house, and we had service in his front lawn. I remember watching for Gene to drive up. I was scared at that point, and thought that Gene would try to start something at Ray’s home. But he didn’t.
That was essentially the end of that church. My family started going to another church, other families just quit going. Ray started pastoring another church a year later. And by the time I was married, he was pastor of my wife’s home church. He was my pastor when I announced my calling to preach, and he was the one I chose to preach the Charge message at my ordination.
What happened to the church Gene took over? That little church beside the road has been shut down and re-opened many times since by other preachers, but it has never been a light in that community since then… Ironically, its name was New Light Baptist when we went there. Later in years, I asked Ray why he didn’t fight back, and he said that he felt that morning that God told him to be Christ-like, and that meant to him to be humble. That was one of my earliest memories of church.
This is the way I remembered it as a 6 yr old boy...
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, the sun was bright, flowers were just beginning to bloom, and birds were beginning to sing on the banks of Elk River. I was 6 years old, and was riding with my mom and dad and sister to church. Dad had just been called to preach the year before, and had only preached a few times. As a matter of fact, one of my earliest memories was in that church. My family was sitting in the back of the church, and I looked at dad and asked him if we could go home, I had already watched this service on TV! But that morning was different, I could tell something was wrong, but I didn’t know all the details. I overheard dad telling mom that, “If Gene thinks he is going to take the church from Pastor Ray, there will be a fight and a half.”
You see, Ray had been pastor for around 3 yrs, and the church had grown from around 15 in attendance to around 75 in attendance. Ray had worked hard building that little WVBC church at Falling Rock. Before Ray came to the church, Gene was pastor. Gene realized that the church wasn’t growing, so he resigned and brought in Ray to be pastor, but Gene still attended the church and had a lot of influence on the decisions of the church.
Rumors had been circulating that Gene wanted to be pastor again, and was going to take over the church. And it seemed that everything was coming to a head that Sunday morning.
We arrived at the church, and set in our usual seats. After Sunday School devotions, we went to our classes, my class was in the little building across the parking lot, and the Pastor’s wife was my teacher. At 11 O’clock, we crossed the parking lot to go to the worship service. I set down with my parents, and service began. There were about 60 in attendance that morning, and all seemed to be going well up until the time, Pastor Ray stood to take the pulpit.
He walked up behind the pulpit, and right behind him was Gene and one of the Deacons. Gene told Ray that he was not going to preach in that church again, and that he was now the pastor. Gene and the Deacon picked Ray up and threw him into the choir chairs. Some men started to come to Ray’s defense, but Ray stood up, and stopped them. Ray dusted himself off, and started walking down the aisle toward the entrance of the church. Ray’s wife, and children with tears in their eyes, followed him, and out the door they went along with the congregation. Only 8 people were left inside. On the outside, it seemed like total confusion to this 6 year old boy. What had just happened? I had never seen this on TV before! What do we do now? Ray invited us all to his house, and we had service in his front lawn. I remember watching for Gene to drive up. I was scared at that point, and thought that Gene would try to start something at Ray’s home. But he didn’t.
That was essentially the end of that church. My family started going to another church, other families just quit going. Ray started pastoring another church a year later. And by the time I was married, he was pastor of my wife’s home church. He was my pastor when I announced my calling to preach, and he was the one I chose to preach the Charge message at my ordination.
What happened to the church Gene took over? That little church beside the road has been shut down and re-opened many times since by other preachers, but it has never been a light in that community since then… Ironically, its name was New Light Baptist when we went there. Later in years, I asked Ray why he didn’t fight back, and he said that he felt that morning that God told him to be Christ-like, and that meant to him to be humble. That was one of my earliest memories of church.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Meet Kelly
It has been a long time since I posted something. So I thought I would start posting again on a regular basis...
I want you to meet my fictional friend, Kelly...
For those that know me, don't try to figure out who Kelly is. She is a summation of many different people I have known in my life.
Meet Kelly… Kelly is a single mother of 2. She has never been married, and her 2 girls have 2 different fathers who doesn’t want anything to do with them.
She goes out with her friends on weekends and is looking for love in all the wrong places. She has a minimum wage job that will only work her 25 hours a week. She is renting a runned down trailer off a slum lord. Her trailer has windows broken out, a leaky roof, and pipes under the sink that leak…and the land lord has refused to fix them, but she doesn’t want to move because she can’t find anything else around for $150 a month. She struggles to keep her utilities on, and has learned how to play the system. She knows which agencies will help her and which ones won’t. She knows when the food pantry opens, and the workers at DHHR know her on a first name basis. A treat to her is finding enough change in the couch cushions to take her 2 girls to McDonalds to buy something off the dollar menu.
She lies awake at night, and thinks back to her days in high school. She was popular, she was a cheerleader, captain of the volleyball team, and could have any guy she wanted. She had plans on going to college to be a LPN. And made good grades.
Her life was bright, and happy… until that day the nurse at the health department told her she was pregnant. IF only she hadn’t went out with him!
She wonders is there anything in this life worthwhile, will her life get any better? What will her daughters grow up to be like. There has got to be a way out of this, but how?
What would you say to Kelly if you met her?
Read 1 Samuel 22:1-2 – “So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him. Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.”
Did you catch that?
David took a bunch of misfits and created a mighty army out of them.
David took a bunch of "Kellys" and created a mighty army out of them.
He took people in trouble, people who were in debt, and people who were miserable in life...
He discipled them and made them into warriors...
Here is what 1 Chronicles 12:21-22 says about them (21) And they helped David against the band [of the rovers]: for they [were] all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.
(22) For at [that] time day by day there came to David to help him, until [it was] a great host, like the host of God.
David was a picture of Jesus, and since the church is Jesus' body, David was simply doing what the church should be doing...
We should be looking for the "Kellys" in our life...
Who knows what would happen if the church would reach out to the "Kellys."
All we have to do is look around to find misfits… like Kelly in the Opening illustration..
They are our next door neighbors.
They are our friends
They are the cashiers at our favorite stores..
They are the people behind the counters at the fast food restaurant.
They are your family..
They are the ones that pass you by on the street…
They won’t tell you their problems, but when they lay in bed at night, that is all they can think of.
David took a bunch of misfits and turned them into a mighty army…
David was a picture of Jesus…
Jesus is doing the same thing…
Matthew 11:28 nlt
(28) Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Effective churches are the ones that realize this principle…
I want you to meet my fictional friend, Kelly...
For those that know me, don't try to figure out who Kelly is. She is a summation of many different people I have known in my life.
Meet Kelly… Kelly is a single mother of 2. She has never been married, and her 2 girls have 2 different fathers who doesn’t want anything to do with them.
She goes out with her friends on weekends and is looking for love in all the wrong places. She has a minimum wage job that will only work her 25 hours a week. She is renting a runned down trailer off a slum lord. Her trailer has windows broken out, a leaky roof, and pipes under the sink that leak…and the land lord has refused to fix them, but she doesn’t want to move because she can’t find anything else around for $150 a month. She struggles to keep her utilities on, and has learned how to play the system. She knows which agencies will help her and which ones won’t. She knows when the food pantry opens, and the workers at DHHR know her on a first name basis. A treat to her is finding enough change in the couch cushions to take her 2 girls to McDonalds to buy something off the dollar menu.
She lies awake at night, and thinks back to her days in high school. She was popular, she was a cheerleader, captain of the volleyball team, and could have any guy she wanted. She had plans on going to college to be a LPN. And made good grades.
Her life was bright, and happy… until that day the nurse at the health department told her she was pregnant. IF only she hadn’t went out with him!
She wonders is there anything in this life worthwhile, will her life get any better? What will her daughters grow up to be like. There has got to be a way out of this, but how?
What would you say to Kelly if you met her?
Read 1 Samuel 22:1-2 – “So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him. Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.”
Did you catch that?
David took a bunch of misfits and created a mighty army out of them.
David took a bunch of "Kellys" and created a mighty army out of them.
He took people in trouble, people who were in debt, and people who were miserable in life...
He discipled them and made them into warriors...
Here is what 1 Chronicles 12:21-22 says about them (21) And they helped David against the band [of the rovers]: for they [were] all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.
(22) For at [that] time day by day there came to David to help him, until [it was] a great host, like the host of God.
David was a picture of Jesus, and since the church is Jesus' body, David was simply doing what the church should be doing...
We should be looking for the "Kellys" in our life...
Who knows what would happen if the church would reach out to the "Kellys."
All we have to do is look around to find misfits… like Kelly in the Opening illustration..
They are our next door neighbors.
They are our friends
They are the cashiers at our favorite stores..
They are the people behind the counters at the fast food restaurant.
They are your family..
They are the ones that pass you by on the street…
They won’t tell you their problems, but when they lay in bed at night, that is all they can think of.
David took a bunch of misfits and turned them into a mighty army…
David was a picture of Jesus…
Jesus is doing the same thing…
Matthew 11:28 nlt
(28) Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Effective churches are the ones that realize this principle…
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Why do good people suffer
Why should I suffer?
Do you ever wonder, “Does God really care about me?” Have you ever questioned why God allows suffering to occur? While I’m not going to pretend to know everything, I do know that God loves you. .I do know that God gave his only son to die for this lonely, pathetic, world. I also know that Jesus came to save you and I from Hell. God allowed Jesus to bear the sins of the world on that old rugged cross. Jesus was sinless, yet he suffered the cruelest death known to man. If anyone could complain Christ would have the right! But he never opened his mouth in defense.
Rest assured that God is protecting you from the evil one. When Satan fires those fiery darts at us it is God that shields us from them. “But”, you say, “I’m a Christian and I’m going through some very rough times right now . Does that mean that God doesn’t love me?” Let me reassure you that God loves you and knows exactly what you’re going through. So let’s look at some reasons that God would allow his children to suffer.
1. To develop faith- Suffering produces dependence on the Lord, it takes us beyond self-sufficiency.
(I Peter 5:10 ) when our backs are against the wall then we have to turn to God.
2. Suffering reveals true character- It shows what’s in our heart, the true nature of our character. Moses talking to the Israelites says in Deut. 8:2, “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”
3. To expose hidden or hurtful sin- Sometimes our trials are chastisements. During times of pain we should pray as David prayed in Ps 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
4. To learn obedience- Suffering trains us to obey God. Sometimes experience is the best teacher. Even Jesus learned obedience through suffering. In Hebrews, speaking of Jesus, it says in Heb 5:8, “Though he were a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.”
5. To keep down pride- Paul had a thorn in the flesh that God refused to remove. (2 Cor 12:7) Pain and suffering has a way of reminding us of our limitations.
6. Last but not least- to glorify God- some of my favorite phrases in the bible start with, “and it came to pass”. Even in the midst of a storm you can rest assured that it will “come to pass”, in other words, all problems in life are only temporary, and when your suffering ends you faith will be stronger, and when your faith grows you glorify God.
No one likes valleys, we all want to be on mountain tops. Just remember this -- in order to have a mountain it takes two valleys and a whole lot of dirt!
Do you ever wonder, “Does God really care about me?” Have you ever questioned why God allows suffering to occur? While I’m not going to pretend to know everything, I do know that God loves you. .I do know that God gave his only son to die for this lonely, pathetic, world. I also know that Jesus came to save you and I from Hell. God allowed Jesus to bear the sins of the world on that old rugged cross. Jesus was sinless, yet he suffered the cruelest death known to man. If anyone could complain Christ would have the right! But he never opened his mouth in defense.
Rest assured that God is protecting you from the evil one. When Satan fires those fiery darts at us it is God that shields us from them. “But”, you say, “I’m a Christian and I’m going through some very rough times right now . Does that mean that God doesn’t love me?” Let me reassure you that God loves you and knows exactly what you’re going through. So let’s look at some reasons that God would allow his children to suffer.
1. To develop faith- Suffering produces dependence on the Lord, it takes us beyond self-sufficiency.
(I Peter 5:10 ) when our backs are against the wall then we have to turn to God.
2. Suffering reveals true character- It shows what’s in our heart, the true nature of our character. Moses talking to the Israelites says in Deut. 8:2, “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”
3. To expose hidden or hurtful sin- Sometimes our trials are chastisements. During times of pain we should pray as David prayed in Ps 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
4. To learn obedience- Suffering trains us to obey God. Sometimes experience is the best teacher. Even Jesus learned obedience through suffering. In Hebrews, speaking of Jesus, it says in Heb 5:8, “Though he were a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.”
5. To keep down pride- Paul had a thorn in the flesh that God refused to remove. (2 Cor 12:7) Pain and suffering has a way of reminding us of our limitations.
6. Last but not least- to glorify God- some of my favorite phrases in the bible start with, “and it came to pass”. Even in the midst of a storm you can rest assured that it will “come to pass”, in other words, all problems in life are only temporary, and when your suffering ends you faith will be stronger, and when your faith grows you glorify God.
No one likes valleys, we all want to be on mountain tops. Just remember this -- in order to have a mountain it takes two valleys and a whole lot of dirt!
Friday, March 7, 2008
This Warrior is a Child
I have been listening and singing this all morning....
Warrior is a Child by Twila Paris
Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armorThe warrior is a child
Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemiesThat lay me at His feet
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile 'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armorDeep inside this armor
This warrior is a child.
Warrior is a Child by Twila Paris
Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armorThe warrior is a child
Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemiesThat lay me at His feet
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor the warrior is a child
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile 'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armorDeep inside this armor
This warrior is a child.
Monday, February 25, 2008
You might be a pastor if....
I stole this off a thread on Baptistboard!!! http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?p=1189549#post1189549
I was laughing my head off...
Any pastor can relate to these...
YOU MIGHT BE A PASTOR IF...
~ Everybody stops talking when you enter the room.
~You've ever lied at a funeral.
~ You always read the obituaries.
~ You've ever suffered anxiety attack while playing Bible Trivia Pursuit.
~ You wonder why people who have some time to kill want to spend it with you.
~ You get your second wind when you say "And in conclusion"
~ The ideas you bounce off board members really do.
~ Your car tires are balding faster than your head.
~ You wish someone would steal some of your sheep.
~ You've seen more religion at a pool hall than you've seen at a Church softball match.
~ Your Bible has more side notes than printed text.
~ "Annual Church Meeting" and "Armageddon" are one and the same to you.
~ You jiggle all the toilet handles before you leave the church
building.
~ You've waded in a creek wearing a necktie.
~ You've ever dreamed you were preaching only to waken and discover that you were.
~ You'd rather negotiate with terrorists than the church organist.
~ You see a picnic as no picnic.
~ You've ever wanted to fire the church and form a congregation search committee.
~ You've been tempted to take up an offering at a family reunion.
~ You've ever wanted to give the sound man some feedback of your own.
~ You've ever wanted to lay hands on a deacon, and you didn't mean praying for him.
~ You often feel like you are herding cats instead of shepherding sheep.
~ Your sermons have a happy ending...everyone's happy when it ends.
~ You've never preached on TV, because your wife made you get down before you broke something.
~ You feel that it is your job to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
I was laughing my head off...
Any pastor can relate to these...
YOU MIGHT BE A PASTOR IF...
~ Everybody stops talking when you enter the room.
~You've ever lied at a funeral.
~ You always read the obituaries.
~ You've ever suffered anxiety attack while playing Bible Trivia Pursuit.
~ You wonder why people who have some time to kill want to spend it with you.
~ You get your second wind when you say "And in conclusion"
~ The ideas you bounce off board members really do.
~ Your car tires are balding faster than your head.
~ You wish someone would steal some of your sheep.
~ You've seen more religion at a pool hall than you've seen at a Church softball match.
~ Your Bible has more side notes than printed text.
~ "Annual Church Meeting" and "Armageddon" are one and the same to you.
~ You jiggle all the toilet handles before you leave the church
building.
~ You've waded in a creek wearing a necktie.
~ You've ever dreamed you were preaching only to waken and discover that you were.
~ You'd rather negotiate with terrorists than the church organist.
~ You see a picnic as no picnic.
~ You've ever wanted to fire the church and form a congregation search committee.
~ You've been tempted to take up an offering at a family reunion.
~ You've ever wanted to give the sound man some feedback of your own.
~ You've ever wanted to lay hands on a deacon, and you didn't mean praying for him.
~ You often feel like you are herding cats instead of shepherding sheep.
~ Your sermons have a happy ending...everyone's happy when it ends.
~ You've never preached on TV, because your wife made you get down before you broke something.
~ You feel that it is your job to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I HATE SATAN
I just had to say that... I hate satan.
He tears families apart.
He destroys lives
He seperates Christians
He tries to destroy churches...
And I can't wait until he is in the lake of fire burning, suffering, day and night forever and ever!!!
Sometimes I wonder if Hell is too good for that creature.
I just had to get that off of my chest.
Christians stay strong in the Lord.
Satan is trying to devour us...
He hates us.. He will do anything he can to destroy us.
He doesn't fight fair.
Remember though that in the end, WE WIN...
Did you read that Satan? YOU ARE A LOSER!!!!
For my LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, promised that your gates will fall, and we as Christians will be victorious! So stuff that in your pipe and smoke it.
He tears families apart.
He destroys lives
He seperates Christians
He tries to destroy churches...
And I can't wait until he is in the lake of fire burning, suffering, day and night forever and ever!!!
Sometimes I wonder if Hell is too good for that creature.
I just had to get that off of my chest.
Christians stay strong in the Lord.
Satan is trying to devour us...
He hates us.. He will do anything he can to destroy us.
He doesn't fight fair.
Remember though that in the end, WE WIN...
Did you read that Satan? YOU ARE A LOSER!!!!
For my LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, promised that your gates will fall, and we as Christians will be victorious! So stuff that in your pipe and smoke it.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Two of my favorite female vocalists
Bonnie Rait, and Norah Jones...
Tabatha can't understand why I like them, but there is something different in their voices.... They sure beat the teeny bopper pop junk out there today... Here they are singing Tennessee Waltz..
Tabatha can't understand why I like them, but there is something different in their voices.... They sure beat the teeny bopper pop junk out there today... Here they are singing Tennessee Waltz..
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The 7 steps to understanding the Bible
In order to properly apply a Bible scripture to your life, you have to properly interpret the scripture.
If you apply the scripture without the proper interpretation it is called eisegesis. This is using the Bible in a wrong way. It is making the Bible say what you want it to say. It is adding to the Bible.
When you first interpret the scripture, then apply it, it is called exegesis. This is drawing the meaning of the text from the text. This is what we should be doing.
Here is a list to run through when you approach a scripture. Remember to always pray first. It is God that directs your steps.
1) Lexical: When you read a passage, do you know what all the words mean? Define all questionable words. Remember, as someone has said before, “If the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense.”
2) Literary: What section of the Bible are you in? Prophecy, narrative, poetry, letters, history, etc. A proper understanding of each section will help you know when to take the scripture literally, of figuratively. Whether it is to be General doctrine or specific doctrine…
3) Historical/Cultural: When was the book written? What was going on in history at the time the book was written? What did this passage mean to the original readers?
4) Theological: What are the other scriptures in the Bible that deal with the same subject as this scripture? Imagine all the writers of the scripture sitting around a table discussing this scripture, what would they say?
5) Contextual: Look at the scriptures surrounding this scripture, in what context is the verse written in?
6) Orthodox: If the meaning of the scripture can be debatable, how has the church interpreted this passage in the past? That may give you an idea. You are not bound to believe someone’s interpretation, but it may give you fresh way to look at the passage.
AFTER, and ONLY AFTER, you interpret what the passage says:
If you try to apply a scripture before you understand the meaning behind the scripture you will be guilty of eisegesis (reading your meaning into scripture) The goal of any Bible student should be exegesis (extracting the meaning FROM scripture, and applying it to your life) So, AFTER understanding the meaning of the scripture as the original readers would have understood it, you can then apply it to your situation...
7) Application: Ask, “What does this mean for me today?” “Why did God put this in the Bible?” “If this wasn’t in the Bible, how would it affect my life?” “What can I get out of this passage that will help me, or help others?”
SO, go ahead, and pick a scripture and practice. I may go over a few here in the next few days to show you how it's done...
Here is a worksheet you can cut and paste to help you work through this process...
The 7 steps to understanding the Bible
Worksheet:
Scripture: ________________________
Author: ________________________ Date of writing: _________
Type of writing: (literary style) ___________________________
Lexical (definitions of words):
Historical/cultural influences:
Theological (Other scripture in the Bible that are connected to this passage):
Context of surrounding scripture:
Orthodox (What has been the teaching of the church?):
How does passage this apply to me?
If you apply the scripture without the proper interpretation it is called eisegesis. This is using the Bible in a wrong way. It is making the Bible say what you want it to say. It is adding to the Bible.
When you first interpret the scripture, then apply it, it is called exegesis. This is drawing the meaning of the text from the text. This is what we should be doing.
Here is a list to run through when you approach a scripture. Remember to always pray first. It is God that directs your steps.
1) Lexical: When you read a passage, do you know what all the words mean? Define all questionable words. Remember, as someone has said before, “If the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense.”
2) Literary: What section of the Bible are you in? Prophecy, narrative, poetry, letters, history, etc. A proper understanding of each section will help you know when to take the scripture literally, of figuratively. Whether it is to be General doctrine or specific doctrine…
3) Historical/Cultural: When was the book written? What was going on in history at the time the book was written? What did this passage mean to the original readers?
4) Theological: What are the other scriptures in the Bible that deal with the same subject as this scripture? Imagine all the writers of the scripture sitting around a table discussing this scripture, what would they say?
5) Contextual: Look at the scriptures surrounding this scripture, in what context is the verse written in?
6) Orthodox: If the meaning of the scripture can be debatable, how has the church interpreted this passage in the past? That may give you an idea. You are not bound to believe someone’s interpretation, but it may give you fresh way to look at the passage.
AFTER, and ONLY AFTER, you interpret what the passage says:
If you try to apply a scripture before you understand the meaning behind the scripture you will be guilty of eisegesis (reading your meaning into scripture) The goal of any Bible student should be exegesis (extracting the meaning FROM scripture, and applying it to your life) So, AFTER understanding the meaning of the scripture as the original readers would have understood it, you can then apply it to your situation...
7) Application: Ask, “What does this mean for me today?” “Why did God put this in the Bible?” “If this wasn’t in the Bible, how would it affect my life?” “What can I get out of this passage that will help me, or help others?”
SO, go ahead, and pick a scripture and practice. I may go over a few here in the next few days to show you how it's done...
Here is a worksheet you can cut and paste to help you work through this process...
The 7 steps to understanding the Bible
Worksheet:
Scripture: ________________________
Author: ________________________ Date of writing: _________
Type of writing: (literary style) ___________________________
Lexical (definitions of words):
Historical/cultural influences:
Theological (Other scripture in the Bible that are connected to this passage):
Context of surrounding scripture:
Orthodox (What has been the teaching of the church?):
How does passage this apply to me?
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The pentecostal dog
I got this off a post on Baptistboard....
A Baptist preacher and his wife decided to get a new
dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be a Baptist. They visited kennel after kennel and explained their needs. Finally, they found a
kennel whose owner assured them he had just the dog they wanted.
The owner brought the dog to meet the pastor and his wife. "Fetch the Bible," he commanded. The dog bounded to the bookshelf, scrutinized the books, located the Bible, and brought it to the owner.
"Now find Psalm 23," he commanded. The dog dropped the Bible to the floor, and showing marvelous dexterity
with his paws, leafed through and finding the correct
passage, pointed to it with his paw. The pastor and his wife were very impressed and purchased the dog.
That evening, a group of church members came to
visit. The pastor and his wife began to show off the dog, having him locate several Bible verses.
The visitors were very impressed. One man asked, "Can he do regular dog tricks, too?" "I haven't tried yet," the pastor replied.
He pointed his finger at the dog. "HEEL!" the pastor commanded. The dog immediately jumped on a chair,
placed one paw on the pastor's forehead and began to
howl. The pastor looked at his wife in shock and said, "Good Lord! He's Pentecostal !"
A Baptist preacher and his wife decided to get a new
dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be a Baptist. They visited kennel after kennel and explained their needs. Finally, they found a
kennel whose owner assured them he had just the dog they wanted.
The owner brought the dog to meet the pastor and his wife. "Fetch the Bible," he commanded. The dog bounded to the bookshelf, scrutinized the books, located the Bible, and brought it to the owner.
"Now find Psalm 23," he commanded. The dog dropped the Bible to the floor, and showing marvelous dexterity
with his paws, leafed through and finding the correct
passage, pointed to it with his paw. The pastor and his wife were very impressed and purchased the dog.
That evening, a group of church members came to
visit. The pastor and his wife began to show off the dog, having him locate several Bible verses.
The visitors were very impressed. One man asked, "Can he do regular dog tricks, too?" "I haven't tried yet," the pastor replied.
He pointed his finger at the dog. "HEEL!" the pastor commanded. The dog immediately jumped on a chair,
placed one paw on the pastor's forehead and began to
howl. The pastor looked at his wife in shock and said, "Good Lord! He's Pentecostal !"
Friday, February 8, 2008
Another Gospel
What does the Bible say about those who preach another Gospel?
Galations 1:6-10 NIV
(6) I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
(7) which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
(8) But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
(9) As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!(10) Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul Called by God
So What is the Gospel?
Well, it is not a lovey dovey version that some preachers try to promote.
Some will preach anything to appease their audience.
Some refuse to say anything negative, and then cushion their heresy by saying they are called to preach "encouragement"...
Without sharing with people what sin is, and pointing out that they are condemned without Christ's sacrifice, the preacher is not doing his job of warning people of Hell...
By just patting someone on the back and saying "God wants you to have a victorious life" is not the Gospel...
The Gospel is Balanced...
Every human must hear what sin is...
The Bible says that the law was the Schoolmaster to point us to grace.
Without hearing the law, a person will never understand whythey are condemned to Hell. But once they understand that God set boundries for us humans to live in.. and when we cross a boundry, we have sinned against God.
For instance, when God said, do not commit Adultery, and someone commits adultery, they have crossed the boundry, and just sinned...
Add on top of this the statement Jesus made, that even if one lusts in their heart, they have committed adultery.
So, what person has not committed Adultery?
Or Have you ever stolen something? Anything? Even something small? If so, you are a thief...
Or have you ever lied about anything? anything?
Are you lying now?
If you have, you can now properly call yourself a liar.
Now God says in Revelation that liars will not go to Heaven.
(Don't look to Candy man preacher to tell you this... He would lose his congregation)
But here is the balance...
While you were yet Sinners Christ died for you...
Rom 5:8-10 KJV
(8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
(10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
See that, If you are justified (which is a legal word meaning to be declared righteous) with God, you will not face wrath....
So that leads to how a person is jusified....(declared righteous)
Rom 10:9-13 KJV
(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
See that? Beleiveth unto righteousness...
So what does one have to believe? That Jesus was born from a virgin, lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, and rose again.
Because He was sinless, He could be your substitute... God placed the wrath that was legally intended for you on Jesus on the Cross... Jesus became sin, although he knew no sin....
If you believe that, and confess it to God, you are saved...
It is really simple...
So why do candy men preachers not want to tell you that you are a sinner on your way to Hell?
Paul also addresses this....
2Ti 4:3-4 KJV
(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(4) And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
What is Paul's suggestion?:
2Ti 4:2 KJV
(2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
This was Paul writing to a young pastor...
Telling him to stand for truth, and rebuke the false teachers...
Paul also tells us that 2Ti 3:1-6 KJV
(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
(2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
(3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
(4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
(5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
(6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Now, let me ask you this... do you know any false teachers that have lead silly women away with lust?
Now don't get mad at me...
God instructed Paul to write it...
Go talk to God...
Galations 1:6-10 NIV
(6) I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
(7) which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
(8) But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!
(9) As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!(10) Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul Called by God
So What is the Gospel?
Well, it is not a lovey dovey version that some preachers try to promote.
Some will preach anything to appease their audience.
Some refuse to say anything negative, and then cushion their heresy by saying they are called to preach "encouragement"...
Without sharing with people what sin is, and pointing out that they are condemned without Christ's sacrifice, the preacher is not doing his job of warning people of Hell...
By just patting someone on the back and saying "God wants you to have a victorious life" is not the Gospel...
The Gospel is Balanced...
Every human must hear what sin is...
The Bible says that the law was the Schoolmaster to point us to grace.
Without hearing the law, a person will never understand whythey are condemned to Hell. But once they understand that God set boundries for us humans to live in.. and when we cross a boundry, we have sinned against God.
For instance, when God said, do not commit Adultery, and someone commits adultery, they have crossed the boundry, and just sinned...
Add on top of this the statement Jesus made, that even if one lusts in their heart, they have committed adultery.
So, what person has not committed Adultery?
Or Have you ever stolen something? Anything? Even something small? If so, you are a thief...
Or have you ever lied about anything? anything?
Are you lying now?
If you have, you can now properly call yourself a liar.
Now God says in Revelation that liars will not go to Heaven.
(Don't look to Candy man preacher to tell you this... He would lose his congregation)
But here is the balance...
While you were yet Sinners Christ died for you...
Rom 5:8-10 KJV
(8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
(10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
See that, If you are justified (which is a legal word meaning to be declared righteous) with God, you will not face wrath....
So that leads to how a person is jusified....(declared righteous)
Rom 10:9-13 KJV
(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
See that? Beleiveth unto righteousness...
So what does one have to believe? That Jesus was born from a virgin, lived a sinless life, died a sacrificial death, and rose again.
Because He was sinless, He could be your substitute... God placed the wrath that was legally intended for you on Jesus on the Cross... Jesus became sin, although he knew no sin....
If you believe that, and confess it to God, you are saved...
It is really simple...
So why do candy men preachers not want to tell you that you are a sinner on your way to Hell?
Paul also addresses this....
2Ti 4:3-4 KJV
(3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(4) And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
What is Paul's suggestion?:
2Ti 4:2 KJV
(2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
This was Paul writing to a young pastor...
Telling him to stand for truth, and rebuke the false teachers...
Paul also tells us that 2Ti 3:1-6 KJV
(1) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
(2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
(3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
(4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
(5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
(6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Now, let me ask you this... do you know any false teachers that have lead silly women away with lust?
Now don't get mad at me...
God instructed Paul to write it...
Go talk to God...
Love kid's style
CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE
"One of the people has freckles and so he finds somebody else who has freckles too." Andrew, age 6
"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell...that's why perfume and deodorant is so popular." Mae, age 9
"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be painful." Manuel, age 8
ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE
"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." John, age 9
"If falling in love is anything like learning to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." Glenn, age 7
ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE
"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me, I'm handsome as anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." Brian, age 7
CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS
"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." Gavin, age 8
"They are just practicing for when they might have to walk down the aisle someday and do the holy matchimony thing." John, age 9
SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
"Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs...and don't worry if their parents are right there." Manuel, age 8
"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." Alonzo, age 9
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF ADULTS EATING DINNER IN A RESTAURANT ARE IN LOVE?
"Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold...other people care more about their food." Bart, age 9
"It's love if they order one of those desserts that's on fire. They like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are---on fire." Christine, age 9
HOW TO MAKE LOVE ENDURE
"Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash." Dave, age 8
"Don't forget your wife's name..that will mess up the love." Erin, age 8
CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE
"Love will find you. Even if you hide from it. I have been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." Dave, age 8
"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding the fourth grade hard enough." Regina, age 10
"One of the people has freckles and so he finds somebody else who has freckles too." Andrew, age 6
"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell...that's why perfume and deodorant is so popular." Mae, age 9
"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be painful." Manuel, age 8
ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE
"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." John, age 9
"If falling in love is anything like learning to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." Glenn, age 7
ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE
"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me, I'm handsome as anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." Brian, age 7
CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS
"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." Gavin, age 8
"They are just practicing for when they might have to walk down the aisle someday and do the holy matchimony thing." John, age 9
SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
"Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs...and don't worry if their parents are right there." Manuel, age 8
"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." Alonzo, age 9
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF ADULTS EATING DINNER IN A RESTAURANT ARE IN LOVE?
"Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will get cold...other people care more about their food." Bart, age 9
"It's love if they order one of those desserts that's on fire. They like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are---on fire." Christine, age 9
HOW TO MAKE LOVE ENDURE
"Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash." Dave, age 8
"Don't forget your wife's name..that will mess up the love." Erin, age 8
CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE
"Love will find you. Even if you hide from it. I have been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." Dave, age 8
"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding the fourth grade hard enough." Regina, age 10
Monday, January 21, 2008
Last Things:
There are two types of Eschatology, Individual eschatology (which deals with the future of an individual) and Cosmic eschatology (which deals with the future of all creation).
As to Individual Eschatology every human will experience physical death[1], which is the soul separating from the body[2]. Believers are then in the presence of Christ[3], while unbelievers are in the torments of Hell[4]. At some point in the future, there will be both a resurrection of the body for the believer and unbeliever[5]. In which the soul and body reunite[6]. During the believer’s resurrection, they will receive a glorified body[7] and stand in front of Christ to give account of their Christian stewardship[8], and then will be with Christ forevermore[9]. Following the unbeliever’s resurrection, the unbeliever will be sentenced to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire[10].
As to Cosmic Eschatology, Jesus Christ will physically return to rule the earth from David’s throne, Jerusalem, for a period of time, 1000 years[11]. Before this, there will be a period of seven years of Tribulation[12]. 3 ½ years of Great Tribulation in which God will pour out his wrath on the people of the earth. Due to the promises in God’s Word that believers will not experience the Wrath of God[13], I believe that Christ will return to take His church to safety before Great Tribulation[14]. After all is said and done, God will give believers a new Heaven and New Earth, in which we will be with Christ forevermore.[15]
[1] Hebrews 9:27
[2] James 2:26 ; Ecclesiastes 12:7
[3] 2 Corinthians 5:8
[4] Luke 16:22-23
[5] Revelation 20:4-6
[6] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
[7] 1 Corinthians 15:43 ; Philippians 3:21
[8] 2 Corinthians 5:10
[9] 1 Thessalonians 4:17
[10] Revelation 20:14-15
[11] Revelation 20:4
[12] Daniel 9:25-27 ; Daniel 12 ; Revelation 12:14 ; Revelation 11:3 ; Matthew 24:21
[13] 1 Thessalonians 5:9 ; Revelation 3:10
[14] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
[15] Revelation 21
There are two types of Eschatology, Individual eschatology (which deals with the future of an individual) and Cosmic eschatology (which deals with the future of all creation).
As to Individual Eschatology every human will experience physical death[1], which is the soul separating from the body[2]. Believers are then in the presence of Christ[3], while unbelievers are in the torments of Hell[4]. At some point in the future, there will be both a resurrection of the body for the believer and unbeliever[5]. In which the soul and body reunite[6]. During the believer’s resurrection, they will receive a glorified body[7] and stand in front of Christ to give account of their Christian stewardship[8], and then will be with Christ forevermore[9]. Following the unbeliever’s resurrection, the unbeliever will be sentenced to eternal torment in the Lake of Fire[10].
As to Cosmic Eschatology, Jesus Christ will physically return to rule the earth from David’s throne, Jerusalem, for a period of time, 1000 years[11]. Before this, there will be a period of seven years of Tribulation[12]. 3 ½ years of Great Tribulation in which God will pour out his wrath on the people of the earth. Due to the promises in God’s Word that believers will not experience the Wrath of God[13], I believe that Christ will return to take His church to safety before Great Tribulation[14]. After all is said and done, God will give believers a new Heaven and New Earth, in which we will be with Christ forevermore.[15]
[1] Hebrews 9:27
[2] James 2:26 ; Ecclesiastes 12:7
[3] 2 Corinthians 5:8
[4] Luke 16:22-23
[5] Revelation 20:4-6
[6] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
[7] 1 Corinthians 15:43 ; Philippians 3:21
[8] 2 Corinthians 5:10
[9] 1 Thessalonians 4:17
[10] Revelation 20:14-15
[11] Revelation 20:4
[12] Daniel 9:25-27 ; Daniel 12 ; Revelation 12:14 ; Revelation 11:3 ; Matthew 24:21
[13] 1 Thessalonians 5:9 ; Revelation 3:10
[14] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
[15] Revelation 21
Friday, January 18, 2008
THE CHURCH
The Church:
A New Testament church is an assembly of baptized, born-again, believers[1]. It is the divinely established vehicle God chose through which the world may know Jesus[2]. The word, “church”, “Ecclesia”, means, “called out assembly.” It refers to a local assembly of baptized believers, under the discipline of the Word of God[3], which has been called out for a specific purpose, to continue the ministry of Jesus throughout the world[4]. The phrase “The Church” represents the whole of Christendom[5], all believers in Christ at all times and places. It is both an organism and an organization. It is an organism in that it is made up of many members that God has divinely placed in the body of Christ to work together[6]. It is moving forward through history; ever changing it’s methods[7] to share the unchangeable message of the Gospel[8]. It is an organization in that Christ is its only head[9]. It’s scriptural officers are Pastor and Deacon whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy and Titus. Each member is equal and has the same authority as another[10]. It has two ordinances, Baptism[11] and the Lord’s Supper[12]. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer[13], into the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Ghost[14]. It is the picture of our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life[15]. It is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relationship[16] in that it places the believer into the local church thus symbolizing the placement of the believer into the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit, at the point of regeneration[17]. The second ordinance is the Lord’s Supper[18]. It is through this ordinance that we commemorate the atoning death of Christ[19]. The two symbols of this ordinance are the bread, representing the broken body of Christ, and the cup representing His blood[20]. Each element symbolizes the dying love of Christ. Each Christian should use this ordinance to examine his or her life in order to become closer to Christ[21].
[1] Acts 2:37-41
[2] Matthew 16:16-18
[3] Acts 2:41-47 ; Matthew 28:19
[4] Matthew 28:16-20
[5] Matthew 16:18 ; Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:4, 5:23 ; Revelation 7:9-17
[6] 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
[7] 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
[8] Galatians 1:8
[9] Ephesians 5:23
[10] Romans 12 ; 1 Corinthians 12
[11] Matthew 28:19 ;
[12] Luke 22:19-20
[13] John 3:23 ; Mark 1:10 ; Acts 8:36-39 ; Romans 6:3-5
[14] Matthew 28:19
[15] Romans 6:3-5 ; Colossians 2:12
[16] Acts 2:41-47 ; Matthew 28:19-20
[17] 1 Corinthians 12:13
[18] Luke 22:19-20
[19] 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
[20] Luke 22:19-20
[21] 1 Corinthians 11:28
A New Testament church is an assembly of baptized, born-again, believers[1]. It is the divinely established vehicle God chose through which the world may know Jesus[2]. The word, “church”, “Ecclesia”, means, “called out assembly.” It refers to a local assembly of baptized believers, under the discipline of the Word of God[3], which has been called out for a specific purpose, to continue the ministry of Jesus throughout the world[4]. The phrase “The Church” represents the whole of Christendom[5], all believers in Christ at all times and places. It is both an organism and an organization. It is an organism in that it is made up of many members that God has divinely placed in the body of Christ to work together[6]. It is moving forward through history; ever changing it’s methods[7] to share the unchangeable message of the Gospel[8]. It is an organization in that Christ is its only head[9]. It’s scriptural officers are Pastor and Deacon whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles of Timothy and Titus. Each member is equal and has the same authority as another[10]. It has two ordinances, Baptism[11] and the Lord’s Supper[12]. Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer[13], into the name of The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Ghost[14]. It is the picture of our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life[15]. It is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relationship[16] in that it places the believer into the local church thus symbolizing the placement of the believer into the Body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit, at the point of regeneration[17]. The second ordinance is the Lord’s Supper[18]. It is through this ordinance that we commemorate the atoning death of Christ[19]. The two symbols of this ordinance are the bread, representing the broken body of Christ, and the cup representing His blood[20]. Each element symbolizes the dying love of Christ. Each Christian should use this ordinance to examine his or her life in order to become closer to Christ[21].
[1] Acts 2:37-41
[2] Matthew 16:16-18
[3] Acts 2:41-47 ; Matthew 28:19
[4] Matthew 28:16-20
[5] Matthew 16:18 ; Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:4, 5:23 ; Revelation 7:9-17
[6] 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
[7] 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
[8] Galatians 1:8
[9] Ephesians 5:23
[10] Romans 12 ; 1 Corinthians 12
[11] Matthew 28:19 ;
[12] Luke 22:19-20
[13] John 3:23 ; Mark 1:10 ; Acts 8:36-39 ; Romans 6:3-5
[14] Matthew 28:19
[15] Romans 6:3-5 ; Colossians 2:12
[16] Acts 2:41-47 ; Matthew 28:19-20
[17] 1 Corinthians 12:13
[18] Luke 22:19-20
[19] 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
[20] Luke 22:19-20
[21] 1 Corinthians 11:28
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Salvation...
Now we come to why Jesus died: Salvation:
Salvation involves the whole process by which we are taken from being completely useless in the sight of God and on our way to Hell, to being all that God has created us to be.[1] It occurs in three phases. First, the Christian has been saved from the guilt and penalty of Sin (Justification)[2], second, the Christian is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin in his life (Sanctification)[3] and finally, when the Lord returns, we will be saved from all the physical results of sin and of God’s curse on the world (Glorification).[4]
When one admits to God they are a sinner, and turns to God for Salvation[5] through Jesus[6], one is born-again (Regenerated) we are created anew[7]. We are also united with Christ, therefore giving us the right to be justified[8]. Justification is a judicial term. It is the act of God where by we are declared righteous[9]. When we express saving faith, which is the personal appropriation of the work of Jesus Christ and nothing short of total trust in the shedding of Christ‘s blood to take away our sin[10], God adds righteousness and perfection to our record[11]. God is the only source with the power to declare righteousness.[12] Justification does not declare the sinner “not guilty” but “as-not-guilty”. The act does not make one righteous, but declares one to be[13] based upon our union with Christ. We are also adopted, thereby giving us rights as a son of God[14]. We are joint-heirs with Christ[15]. Sanctification is the act of God whereby He sets apart the believer at the point of conversion[16] to preserve[17] and keep us secure through His Spirit[18]. Sanctification is also a progressive work whereby we grow in grace until the point of Glorification[19]. Glorification is the final stage of Salvation whereby we are completely redeemed, and fashioned like unto Jesus’ glorious body[20].
[1] Ephesians 2:5-10
[2] Romans 5:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ; John 3:17
[3] Romans 6:22
[4] Romans 8:18-23
[5] 2 Corinthians 7:10 ; Acts 2:37-38
[6] Acts 4:12 ; Romans 10:9-10,13
[7] John 3:3 ; 2 Corinthians 5:17 ; Titus 3:5 ; Revelation 1:5
[8] Galatians 2:20 ; Romans 8:1; John 15:5-4
[9] Romans 3:21-30 ; Romans 4:2-9,22 ; Romans 5:1,9-11,16-21
[10] Mark 16:16 ; Acts 4:12 ; Acts 16:31 ; Romans 10:9-10 ; Ephesians 2:8-9 ; 1Peter 1:5 ; Romans 4:1-10
[11] Galatians 3:6 ; Romans 4:3-6,11,22,24 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; James 2:23
[12] Isaiah 54:17
[13] Romans 3:26
[14] 2 Corinthians 6:18 ; Romans 8:15
[15] Romans 8:17
[16] 1 Corinthians 6:11
[17] Jude 1 ; I Thessalonians 5:23
[18] Ephesians 1:13-14 ; Ephesians 4:30
[19] 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ; Philippians 1:6
[20] Romans 8:29-30 ; Philippians 3:20-21
Salvation involves the whole process by which we are taken from being completely useless in the sight of God and on our way to Hell, to being all that God has created us to be.[1] It occurs in three phases. First, the Christian has been saved from the guilt and penalty of Sin (Justification)[2], second, the Christian is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin in his life (Sanctification)[3] and finally, when the Lord returns, we will be saved from all the physical results of sin and of God’s curse on the world (Glorification).[4]
When one admits to God they are a sinner, and turns to God for Salvation[5] through Jesus[6], one is born-again (Regenerated) we are created anew[7]. We are also united with Christ, therefore giving us the right to be justified[8]. Justification is a judicial term. It is the act of God where by we are declared righteous[9]. When we express saving faith, which is the personal appropriation of the work of Jesus Christ and nothing short of total trust in the shedding of Christ‘s blood to take away our sin[10], God adds righteousness and perfection to our record[11]. God is the only source with the power to declare righteousness.[12] Justification does not declare the sinner “not guilty” but “as-not-guilty”. The act does not make one righteous, but declares one to be[13] based upon our union with Christ. We are also adopted, thereby giving us rights as a son of God[14]. We are joint-heirs with Christ[15]. Sanctification is the act of God whereby He sets apart the believer at the point of conversion[16] to preserve[17] and keep us secure through His Spirit[18]. Sanctification is also a progressive work whereby we grow in grace until the point of Glorification[19]. Glorification is the final stage of Salvation whereby we are completely redeemed, and fashioned like unto Jesus’ glorious body[20].
[1] Ephesians 2:5-10
[2] Romans 5:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ; John 3:17
[3] Romans 6:22
[4] Romans 8:18-23
[5] 2 Corinthians 7:10 ; Acts 2:37-38
[6] Acts 4:12 ; Romans 10:9-10,13
[7] John 3:3 ; 2 Corinthians 5:17 ; Titus 3:5 ; Revelation 1:5
[8] Galatians 2:20 ; Romans 8:1; John 15:5-4
[9] Romans 3:21-30 ; Romans 4:2-9,22 ; Romans 5:1,9-11,16-21
[10] Mark 16:16 ; Acts 4:12 ; Acts 16:31 ; Romans 10:9-10 ; Ephesians 2:8-9 ; 1Peter 1:5 ; Romans 4:1-10
[11] Galatians 3:6 ; Romans 4:3-6,11,22,24 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; James 2:23
[12] Isaiah 54:17
[13] Romans 3:26
[14] 2 Corinthians 6:18 ; Romans 8:15
[15] Romans 8:17
[16] 1 Corinthians 6:11
[17] Jude 1 ; I Thessalonians 5:23
[18] Ephesians 1:13-14 ; Ephesians 4:30
[19] 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ; Philippians 1:6
[20] Romans 8:29-30 ; Philippians 3:20-21
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