From kthomas at ntslink.net Sat Sep 1 09:22:51 2007 From: kthomas at ntslink.net (kenneth Thomas) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2007 09:22:51 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Poem, Those Unanswered Prayers Message-ID: <46D975BB.000003.03936@KENSCOMPUTER> Those Unanswered Prayers By Kenneth E. Thomas Those unanswered prayers we wonder "Why must He so often say no?" We ask in faith knowing He can give He?s in charge of all things we know! He has been given from the Father above "all authority in heaven and in earth" So why does it seem when I ask in faith For "yes" answers there?s such a dearth? Then I come to my own mortal senses And I thank Him for saying, "No" For should I get what I think I need It may be bad for me don?t you know?! I don?t think I need these hardships But the testing of my faith is good For it builds up character within me So I trust Him for all things as I should! So help me Lord to rely on Your wisdom To always say "not my will but Thine" Then I will be able to accept "no" answers Which You give me from time to time! (Jas. 1:2-8, 12,17; Rom. 5:3-4; Matt. 27:38,39; Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; Lk. 18:1-14; Jas. 5:13-18) Kenneth E. Thomas Pekin church of Christ 1451 Valle Vista Blvd. Pekin, IL 61554 1 (309) 347-3582 - Office 1 (309) 347-5645 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/8bae1f0f/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 251 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/8bae1f0f/attachment-0003.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/8bae1f0f/attachment-0004.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 33792 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/8bae1f0f/attachment-0005.gif From jerry at eldorable.kscoxmail.com Sat Sep 1 14:10:08 2007 From: jerry at eldorable.kscoxmail.com (Jerry Blount) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2007 13:10:08 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] David's great idea vs. God's standard of right and wrong...The Creation Museum Message-ID: <0f8101c7eccb$b6f56440$1c02a8c0@dadsdell> Jerry Blount to the list.... I have been out of pocket for nearly a month. So, it's time to get back to work! This posting will have two topics. One short, one long. 1) The new creation museum in Kentucky. Well, I went there. Their website is http://www.creationmuseum.org/ I wish to say this one carefully. I fully support their effort. I also heartily recommend that folks take their kids there. The presentation is great. However, it is not a museum. It is more of a presentation. The number of "real" artifacts is negligible. They did a good job of providing a demonstrated alternative to the explanations given through the evolutionist's religious stranglehold on our education system. Again, I do recommend it as a family outing. I was pleased with what they chose to display. I was also pleased with the "questionable" artifacts that they avoided. It is however really false advertising to call it a museum. It is mostly a collection of reproductions, not fossils. Unfortunately, the government museums have a stranglehold on both the artifacts, and the information. This "museum" sets parents free from some of that stranglehold. I therefore, consider this "museum" to be a positive development. I also think it was well worth the admission. The lines were horrible! 2) Today's article. David's great idea vs. God's standard of right and wrong. After our last email dealing with the reader's question over "Contemporary services". I had several requests to explain a portion of a remark (and an experiment) proposed in that article. Here is the portion of my last article that we'll look at today, and delve into further. "How can you tell the difference between a "good" idea and a "bad" idea. The bottom line is that they have not asked these questions for so long they have forgotten that the Bible literally gives you the questions to ask. What questions? That's the problem! This ignorance is the most obvious failing of a congregation, and it's leadership. Let me propose another experiment. If you are in one of these liberal congregations go up to your elders/bishops/pastors (in the Bible these are the same person). Now, ask them to show you in the bible where to find God's questions to determine right and wrong. Ask for one passage to give you a basis to determine if something like this is a good idea. or straight from the devil's heart! If your elders can show you an appropriate passage.. You should walk away with three or four basic principled statements/questions from the Mouth of God. If they can't. they are unfit as elders! " Now the obvious question. how many of you did this? How many of you can do what is referenced above? How do you prepare your grandkids to tell the difference between a good idea and a "liberal" innovation that destroys Jesus' headship of His own church? Within the kingdom of our heart . Is Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? In the article that follows, I'll provide you with a method that came straight from the Lord God. He is supposed to be our King, Let's let Him lead us through this question. You might note that this article is actually a lesson from my personal Bible study series that I use to teach folks how to use the Bible to answer their questions and to help them to lead themselves to the God who created them. Note: many of you on this list have already seen this article. I posted it about a year ago but I can't remember which groups I posted it on... so please bear with the repeat. How to tell right from wrong in a "God directed" manner is worth repeating. wouldn't you agree? When you work the study below. you'll be left with three simple questions to determine right vs. wrong in the service of God. Jerry Blount Pleasant Valley church of Christ 3317 Amidon rd. Wichita Kansas, 67204 3163204321 WWW.letJesusleadus.org David's great idea vs God's standard of right and wrong... Learn Your Bible Lesson #12 We have journeyed through the scriptures noting both the comfortable and the uncomfortable subjects indiscriminately. We have seen the followers of God at their best and at their worst. The obvious intent of studying the scriptures is to learn the ways of God and better our lives by application of this knowledge. How may we answer the questions of life and godliness that may come up in the future? The times and seasons do change, as do the fine points of the questions before each generation. I note the "fine points" because the underlying basic questions remain the same. We live in a time that society as a whole is paying the price for experimenting with, (rejecting) the laws of God. Often the results are interlocking. For example... it is illegal to teach that God created the world. Our children are taught in the schools that they are in the image of an ape. The result? A generation has arisen that believes they are animals, so they act like it! Discipline is also out of style (lesson 13). We didn't lock up enough criminals...therefore it wasn't long before we were unable to build prisons fast enough for the ones we (suddenly) recognized needed to be locked up. Many churches have lost faith in the appeal of gospel (salvation from sin). Now many promote their childcare above their worship. The prowess of their sports team is promoted above the level of their Bible study. The church has been torn by a group of people deciding to go beyond scripture. If God didn't forbid them outright to do something they charge full steam ahead! We will soon be having sermons picturing Jesus hanging on the cross and dying for the sake of our children. That sounds great doesn't it? Dying to establish free childcare and a Church of Christ ball team! No it doesn't sound good. This behavior undermines the seriousness of sin and the incredible price paid to establish the church. Today conservative Christianity is ridiculed on all fronts. That's ok, "if God is for us who can be against us?" Note the incident below. David came up with a good idea in the service of God. He wanted to build the temple. God asks David the questions we should also ask. The ones David didn't ask or forgot to ask. Let's see. Should the church have a drinking fountain, a parking lot, a choir, instrumental music, a central organization, a pope, head elder, women preachers or elders, baseball team, garage sale, fund-raiser, schools, day care, operate like a bank, business, etc. A local Christian church had a carnival recently! Pick any subject and make the choice. you can answer with tradition we've always done it, what you want, or what God wants. The Episcopals have decided to have "gay" priests because it's what they want. Can we say anything if we make our decisions in the same way (albeit on a smaller scale)? Do you have the courage to ask God's questions? It's somewhat difficult to take issue with the list of questions below. if you believe that the Bible is the word of God. Let's ask the questions God asked. and see if we have the courage to implement the answers before our great grandkids ordain "gay" elders in the Church of Christ! 2 Samuel 7 1. Now it came about when the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies, Note, this has always been the time of greatest danger for the people of God. during times of rest, with no defined enemy. That's when we have always had the big ideas and better ways to serve God. 2. that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains." This really is a good idea, and sound reasoning isn't it? How can David keep a straight face and dwell in a house of cedar? How is it a good thing that God doesn't have the same things going for Him that the people of the world have? 3. Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your mind, for the LORD is with you." This is not a question of the godliness of the men involved. Two godly men have evaluated this "good idea" and it sounds great! Sound familiar? This is how the church got a ball team! This is how we got an organ! And if we keep on, it is how we'll embrace homosexuals. right now it's offensive but if we keep on "not judging" what God has judged. we'll soon arrive! 4. But in the same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, The crucial mistake here is that both men forgot to ask God for His opinion before they decided this was a good idea! Did your church ask God before they built a kitchen? (I Corinthians 11:22 "What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.") God has given His opinion! He has also given his opinion on women preachers, and elders (I Timothy 1:12. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.) 5. "Go and say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD, "Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in? When did we decide the church shouldn't ask this question? God obviously wants us to ask, "Is this the church's job?" Should the church have a hospital, ball team, choir, or an "in-house" restaurant? Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes no. God demands that we ask! 6. "For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. Note that God is not bothering to ask a question here. He is making a statement to the effect that you have no example. Based on this statement I would note that we should ask the question, "Do we have and approved example to base our authority on?" Did the church of the NT set up a central bank. Like the Roman Catholics have? Can one congregation hold the deed for (rule over) another congregation? 7. "Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?' "' God is asking question #3. "Did I ask for this?" This is obviously the same as asking for a direct command. Note the implied law of silence kicking in here. We could look further into Hebrews 7 for this to be spelled out. When God asks question #3 if the answer is "no." doesn't it mean something? Doesn't it mean "leave it alone?" 8. "Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9. "I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. 10. "I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, God is kind here. He loves David but the point is none the less clear. Be happy with the lot in life that God gave you. The church is not the government! It is not the world's welfare agency. It is not the family ("church must not be burdened, so that it may... I Timothy 5:18). Note that God is asking the same things anti's ask. This refusal to ask and answer God's questions. has allowed the churches to go in directions that have to be appalling to God. For example. entertainment, carnivals etc! 11. even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you. David, you have been walking on God's turf. God wants to make a house for you, not you make a house for God. This reminds me of the apostle Paul's comment (For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2:16). We find ourselves trying to lead or teach God rather than the other way around. 12. "When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13. "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14. "I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, This is perhaps the most important reference for us in our day and time. God does want the temple built. It is a good work. These two godly men are right about seeing the need for the work. God just wants someone other than them to do it. God is God! God has the right to make His decisions. Can we learn to be content with God's decisions? Can we learn to allow Him to lead? It is this question that led to all the division in the kingdom. It is the answer that we give to this question that has caused people to blindly follow along generation after generation, each moving further and further from the truth! If it is someone else's job other than the church who are we to question? Not every job belongs to the church! 15. but My loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took {it} away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16. "Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.""' 17. In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. Tragically gone are the days when men of God open their Bibles to answer all these questions. This principle is in fact how we find ourselves refusing to speak where God has spoken. Because we have refused to observe His silence where He was silent! 18. Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, "Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? ( Indeed! Who am I? Or who are you? If God speaks, or doesn't!) 19. "And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future. And this is the custom of man, O Lord GOD. 20. "Again what more can David say to You? (Amen! What more can we say?) For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD! 21. "For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know. God has let us know the critical question is whether we will listen. You can find the same principles of authority in Acts 15, although they are not spelled out as clearly. This observation is important because we live under the NT. The underlying principles of authority in the service of another (God in this case) are timeless, however. Good ideas (regardless of who comes up with them) must be questioned on a logical basis. 1) Are you (the church etc) "the one for this job (the one who should)? 2) Did the NT church do this (example) 3) Did God ask for it (speak a word)? If the answer is no. be satisfied with what He has said! God may want a good work done. by someone else (a bank for example). When God has made His decision what more can we say. but thank God for letting us know! "Come and eat our chicken in the fellowship hall" rather than "as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby" (I Peter 2:2). It is easy to throw rocks. We must avoid living in a glass house. "You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?" (Romans 2:21) Looking to the future, let's make an incident from our past our focal point for this study. Please Read II Sam 7 & I Chronicles 17:1-18. 1) Today no one is openly persecuting Christians (in this part of the world) II Sam 7:1 How is this similar to our story? _______ ______________________________ 2) What particular dangers do wealth and peace hold? I Chronicles 17:1 ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________ 3) Were David and Nathan both godly men?_______ Were they seeking to do "great things" for God? ___________________________ 4) What "new thing" did they think needed done? _____________ _______________________________________________________ 5) What does God actually want of us? Rom 12:1,2______________ ______________________________________________________ 6) What did God say to them? I Chronicles 17:3-6 ________________________________________________________ 7) When dealing with the future questions of life, is it appropriate to ask "did God say we can't?" ____________Is it just as appropriate to ask "did God say we should?"__________________ Did David ask whether HE should? ________________ 8) Is there a difference between the questions of "Can we" and "Should we"? _________________________________ 9) Previous to David and Nathan deciding to build the temple had God forbidden anyone to build a temple for Him? ______________ 9a) When did God say they couldn't build the temple? __________ 10) When will our next revelation from God come? Jude 3, Revelation 20:11-15 , Revelation 22:18-19_____________________ b) Can we afford to wait until then to find out if God approves of our actions and innovations? ___________________________________ 11) What question does God himself ask of David & Nathan? I Chronicles 17:6, II Samuel 7:7 _____________________________ 12) What New Testament promise is made to us? II Timothy 3:16,17 _______________________________________________________ b) Key in on the comment about scripture completely furnishing us. If we want to establish a "Church of Christ" daycare, where should we be able to find the instructions? ___________________________ c) If those instructions are not found in scripture and we believe this is the work of the church and proceed anyway. What are we saying about Paul's promise? ________________________________ 13) According to Jesus, (in the judgment) What will be the failure of the majority of those claiming the name of Christ? Matthew 7:21-29 ________________________________________________________ 14) Did God want the temple to be built? I Chronicles 17:11-14 ________________________________________________________ 15) Does God care about when things are done? Galatians 4:4 ________________________________________________________ 16) Does when it is done, affect whether God approves of it? Acts 19:1-5 ____________________________________________ 17) Does God care about who does a thing? __________________ 18) Is it appropriate to first ask if a thing needs to be done, then to ask who should do it? _________________________________________ 19) In addition to being godly men & knowledgeable men, David and Nathan were also both _________________________. 20) What was their one failure in considering this matter? _____ ________________________________________________________ Each generation must ask and answer the question of how may I best serve God and find the abundant life offered by Jesus Christ. (John 10:10) "If a man love me, he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23) "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, that your joy might be full." (John 15:10-11). As we come to grips with all the unknowns that might arise we will do well to rely on Jesus' promise and warning "I am the way the truth and the life. No one cometh to the Father but by me." John 14:6 What is the will of God for you? In this life... "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; fear God, and keep His commandments; For this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work unto judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 In conclusion, let me note a couple of random things. Did you know that at one point.the majority of "God's people" decided it was a good thing to literally burn their babies in sacrifice in devotion to God? What is the craziest thing you have ever heard of. done in the name of God? That is the nuttiest thing I have ever heard of . but how could you use the above stated principles to explain what was wrong with this insanity? That was the task God gave to one generation of His people. They actually failed! Today we live in a world where the churches are headed backwards, morally. These are the principles that will save us. Do we remember them well enough to use and teach them? For the record this study in from the OT, we live under the NT. Once you are aware of these principles however, you will be able to spot the Apostles using these same principles as a given. They are clearly stated in the OT then used in the NT. This is one place OT and NT are in perfect sync with one another. Yours in Christ Jerry Blount Minister for Pleasant Valley church of Christ 3317 Amidon rd. 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Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 7966 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/960abee7/attachment-0007.jpe From harperwest at yahoo.com Sat Sep 1 15:18:56 2007 From: harperwest at yahoo.com (Steven C. Harper) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2007 13:18:56 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] A> Make Your Escape Message-ID: <000601c7ecd5$537d2c90$6401a8c0@Steven> From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. Editor: Steven Harper September 2, 2007 Make Your Escape When Joseph was first tempted by Potiphar's wife, he willingly took the escape route God provided. To her initial temptation Joseph answered, "Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (Gen. 39:8, 9). His first escape was answering the temptation by pointing out what it actually was: sin. But Potiphar's wife persisted! She tried daily to get him to lie with her, but he refused again and again (v. 10), taking the escape God provided each time. Then, one day she caught him alone with her and she literally grabbed him by his outer clothing (vv. 11, 12). Joseph had to go to 'Plan B'! This time, words were not going to be sufficient, so Joseph left his outer clothing behind and fled from her presence (v. 12). Joseph saw the open door and literally made his escape. Joseph was not tempted beyond his ability to endure, but was provided a way of escape every time. Note that he took the way of escape every time and, because of this, he did not sin. Yes, he ended up suffering because Potiphar's wife lied (39:13ff), but this was nothing for which Joseph should have been ashamed (cf. 1 Pet. 2:19, 20). Joseph's behavior was commendable to God! Consider the life of the man named Saul, who would become better known as the apostle Paul. Immediately after his conversion he was found in Damascus preaching Christ in the synagogues, that He was the Son of God (Acts 9:20). This must have highly irritated many of the Jews who were his partners just days before for they plotted to put him to death soon afterwards (v. 23). Paul was not tempted to quit preaching, however; a literal way of escape was provided by God when his brethren in Christ "took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket" (v. 25). Paul did not quit preaching because he chose to make his escape from the temptation to do so. You see, Paul believed eternal life was more important than even his physical life. When he and Barnabas were in Lystra, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came up and stirred up the crowds against them and had Paul stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead (Acts 14:19). While this may have tempted some to give up preaching the gospel, Paul did not give up. We read in the very next verse that when the disciples gathered around him, "he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (vv. 20-22). [Paul could speak from very recent experience about that last line!] Paul's escape from the temptation to quit preaching allowed him to courageously continue, and many of his brethren were strengthened because he did. We could list many other trials that would serve as temptations to quit (cf. 2 Cor. 11:23-33), but let us sum it up like this: Paul did not ever succumb to the trials and persecutions that came because of his faith in Jesus Christ. In each case, he took the way of escape that allowed him to continue living a faithful life but, just as importantly, to also continue preaching the words of salvation. Imagine how much less the world would have been had he given up and allowed the temptation to quit overrule his desire to serve the Lord. And, of course, we must consider Jesus. Yes, Jesus was tempted. Despite some of the twisting [and willing denial and avoidance] of Scripture by some brethren within the last couple of decades, the Bible still says Jesus "in every respect has been tempted as we are" (Heb. 4:15); it still says, "because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted" (2:18). Jesus was tempted as we are, but He did not sin, and His example is certainly one worthy of note, if only to learn how He overcame every temptation. That example is one for us to follow (1 Pet. 2:21, 22). We know the story of how the devil came to Him after He had fasted forty days and forty nights. The enemy comes when we are weak, and with Jesus it was no different, but Jesus was prepared. When tempted to make bread for His physical needs, Jesus resisted with Scripture (Matt. 4:4); when He was tempted for pride's sake to throw Himself from the pinnacle of the Temple, Jesus resisted by using Scripture (v. 7); and when the devil offered Him the glory of all the kingdoms of the world if He would only bow to him, Jesus answered with Scripture yet again (v. 10). In each case, Jesus had a way of escape and He took it each time. We do not have a record of all the other times Jesus was tempted, but we know this was surely not the only time (Luke 4:13) and we know that Jesus made His escape every time. Let us learn that Scripture is often the best means of escaping temptation, which means [1] we must learn the Scriptures so we will have multiple means of escaping temptations and [2] we must learn to use those Scriptures if we really want to escape. Right now - somewhere out there - a brother is faced with a temptation to sin. Maybe he has lived a faithful life for years without such a temptation, but by chance and circumstance he has been led to where he now is. He always thought he would never be tempted to commit this sin, but that belief was really based on the faulty idea that he would never be in such a situation where he would be tempted; now that he is, he is having difficulty finding a way of escaping. He is discovering a desire he thought he had put to death long ago (Col. 3:5), and he is shaken to think that these desires have arisen within him, and he doesn't quite know what to do. The desires seem to be blocking out all that he knows and believes and he actually wants to fulfill these fleshly desires. He studies his Bible diligently and reminds himself of what the Scriptures do say about this particular temptation; by coincidence [?], he reads some articles that were recently written by brethren that deal with this particular temptation and hears a lesson by a preacher that addresses it, too. It seems that everywhere he looks now, someone is talking about this particular temptation - the dangers it presents to disciples and the answers for it. Still, the pull of the temptation is great and he finds himself in a precarious situation: he knows what is right, but his desires are just as strong. Now - as always - there are two options: give in to the temptation and face a certain end (Jas. 1:14, 15) or reject the temptation and become stronger. Maybe you have been this person. Maybe you are this person. If you are, please listen closely to these next few words. First, admit that the temptation is based on your own desire (Jas. 1:13, 14). If your desire is causing you problems, it is time to put to death those desires and set your mind on the heavenly things (Col. 3:2). Second, get away - or stay away -from situations where you will face this temptation again. Third, don't fool yourself again by thinking "I would never do that" or "That will never tempt me"; it may be that you were strong enough to resist this temptation, but have become weakened by inattention or failure to spiritually exercise yourself as you should. Finally, flee when you can and must. The devil is just waiting for someone to drop their guard (1 Pet. 5:8). Don't hesitate to make your escape. -- Steven Harper -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/098ec4d2/attachment.html From tssullivan at charter.net Sat Sep 1 15:51:58 2007 From: tssullivan at charter.net (T. Sean Sullivan) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2007 15:51:58 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 002 Iss 028 Message-ID: <001601c7ecd9$f36b43a0$6466a8c0@sean1a4c1f786> The Messenger Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ 306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059 731-627-3514 bibleanswers at charter.net www.mainstreetcofc.com Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan VOLUME 002::ISSUE 028::September 02, 2007 ARTICLE ONE: Diligent Development: 2 Peter 1:5-10 Lesson 007 ARTICLE TWO: Diligent Development: 2 Peter 1:5-10 Lesson 008 Article One: Diligent Development: 2 Peter 1:5-10 Lesson 007 We have followed the personal development of a Christian from 2 Peter 1:5-10. So far on our list we have considered our relationship with God and now we are concluding our list and our series of lesson with consideration for our relationship with our brethren. We have also noted how each of these steps is necessary for the achieving of our goal and our effectiveness for God. This step is no different. We need our brethren to have a fully functional congregation. Maintaining a good working relationship with our brethren is necessary since we cannot survive everything in this life solo-we need our brethren. We have the greatest of goals set out before us, an ominous task at best-let's not try to be make it there by ourselves. In order to sustain our relationship with our brethren we must meet the needs of our brethren. Let's examine in closer detail the requirements of brotherly kindness and how it causes us to be more effective in our service to God. What Is Brotherly Kindness First, brotherly kindness is a sense of reliability. We need to be there for our brethren whenever or however the situation calls. This need exists simply because, among the world, we are the few and they are the many (Matthew 7:13-14). We know and trust in the fact that a few can be strong if they are of one mind (Philippians 2:1-2). We need to be able to rely on each other for strength. Another aspect of brotherly kindness is the willingness to offer our brethren the benefit of the doubt. We have already established that we are in this together: "with the same goal", "on the same road". It should go without saying that we would give each other the benefit of the doubt but sometime things that make good sense and not put to good use. The Bible warns against those who would have "evil suspicions" (1 Timothy 6:4) and we are also instructed in dealing with personal problems expeditiously (Matthew 18:15-17). The great factor of brotherly kindness is simply love. Love is all encompassing (John 13:34-35). Every aspect of brotherly kindness is wrapped up into the things that we have discussed so far in this lesson. I trust you because I love you. I can rely on you because you love me. Where Is Brotherly Kindness From? If the factors are reliability, trust, and love, we need to consider the source of those things. How can I establish my reliability? What can I do, to instill in my brethren that I can be trusted? The easiest way! BE HERE (Hebrews 10:24-25). Be here to exhort one another. If you can be counted on at every service, that speaks well of you and your reliability. How do I develop trust? We must fight suspicion. It is easy to fall into the trap of suspicion. We need to keep focused on the fact that none of us are perfect, but we all are after the same goal. So often we react without a true knowledge of the situations that we are involved in. When we have a problem with a brother or sister we need to go to that one and make sure we understood them correctly (Matthew 18:15-17 Go to that one privately and work it out). This is the only way to eliminate any doubt or to make right that which is wrong. How do we develop love? Love is a command. The other aspects of trust and reliability will lock it in. Not mush! Not pretended love. The love of brethren is not to be conjured and canned waiting for the next time that it might be demonstrated. God expects our love to be much more. Brotherly Kindness at Work Epaphroditus is a great example of brotherly kindness (Philippians 2:25-30). He was willing to give and give and give for the needs of his brethren. We need to compare ourselves to his example. There is always room for additional things to be done and we will never run out of work. No one can argue that Paul demonstrates brotherly kindness in his example as a Christian. He was willing to "spend and be spent" for the sake of his brethren (2 Corinthians 12:15). His willingness was much more than words (2 Corinthians 11:23-28 spec. 28). How about you and me? Are you living in and supplying brotherly kindness? Conclusion: So often we are of the mindset that wants to know, "what will I profit from this." As brethren we are in this not for personal profit, although that is taken care of, but for each other. We are all in this together (Ephesians 4:13-17). I need to rely on you so that you can help me and I can help you to become an effective working Christian. We can and will reach our goals, together. ~tss Article Two: Diligent Development: 2 Peter 1:5-10 Lesson 008 In the life of a Christian, love must be all encompassing. It is to be seen in every facet of our life. Love must be in our relationship with one another and God. Also, love must be in our relationship with those outside. Some have placed too much emphasis on love. The have exalted love higher than truth. This is a tragic mistake; a sin committed with a "loving pursuit" is still a sin. For example: love is given the wrong place when I place one's feelings before their soul: I may not want to point out a problem because it might hurt your feelings. I justify or rationalize my lack of action by saying that I love my brother to much to hurt their feelings. We have been studying the characteristics of Christianity recorded by Peter in his second epistle. Each successive point or characteristic is built upon the last then finally our list culminated in with the term LOVE. As we develop each step in the list our love for God, for His truth, and for our brethren and our fellow man. Let's take some time to consider the last stop on our way to effective working Christianity. What Is Love? Love is our Cause: 1 John 4:8 states, "God is love". Because of love God created mankind, those who could be free choice seek Him and love Him in return (Acts 17:27). Love is our hope: God, through His love for us, provides a way of escape from our own wrongdoing (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). Love us to be part of our identity. We are recognized as the disciples of Christ by our love (John 13:34-35). Love is our hope. God has graciously provided freedom through His Son and also the promise of everlasting life in Heaven (John 14:1-6). Love is part of who we are. Through Inspiration, Paul, writes a wonderful description of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. This description is everything that love is and is supposed to be. The last description associated with Paul's list of things in 1 Corinthians 13 is "Love never fails". Love is to be unconditional. When times are good or bad we are to love each other (Romans 12:9-15). We love, even when we must discipline (Matthew 18:15-18; James 18:20). Where Is Love From? Love must be from the heart-unto God (Matthew 22:37) and others (Romans 12:9 "without hypocrisy). Love is founded through knowledge. Our love of God is from knowing who He is-our Creator, and who we are-His creation (Acts 17:28). Our love for our brethren is from the knowledge of our shared goals and hope through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:6)-the knowledge of each other's faith (John 13:34-35). Our love for others is from the knowledge of the plight of their souls while in sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Also we know that we can, and must, help them know the truth (Matthew 28:18-20). Love at Work God's love toward man is clearly demonstrated by the offering of Jesus Christ, His Son, for our sins (Romans 5:6-8). Christ's love toward man is made evident by His willingness to participate in the Father's plan for our salvation (Romans 5:6-7). What about love in our own lives? Our love toward God: We have faith in Him (Romans 10:17; Hebrew 11:6). We conform to His standard-virtue (John 14:15). We desire to increase our knowledge of His word (2 Peter 3:18). We appropriately control our own selves (Romans 12:1-2). We persevere never doubting Him (Hebrew 10:35-39). We respect Him and His will in all things (Matthew 6:33). Our love toward our brethren: Are you practicing brotherly kindness? (John 13:34-35). Our love toward others is telling others about Christ (Matthew 28:18-20) and in so doing we share our hope through Him (1 Peter 1:3-9). Conclusion: We now have a challenge. We must strengthen our love and commit ourselves to each of the things that we have studied thus far in this series. We end the series with these words-2 Peter 1:5-10 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble." If you are a Christian, rejoice in the knowledge of God's love and His salvation. If you are not a Christian, now is your opportunity to start on the course and begin your life anew as a Christian. Are you willing to begin building your new life in Christ? ~tss. If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list. Sean -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/7d4d532f/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 3247 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/7d4d532f/attachment-0001.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9365 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070901/7d4d532f/attachment-0001.gif From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Sat Sep 1 18:50:29 2007 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2007 19:50:29 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Good News for Norwalk: Volume II, Number 35: September 2-7, 2007 Message-ID: Good News for Norwalk For I am not ashamed of the good news, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16) A publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio Volume II, Number 35: September 2-7, 2007 Special Gospel Meeting Edition -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The "Folly" of God This was not the expected script. The time, of course, was right. Four grand empires had been prophesied (cf. Daniel 2, 7); Babylon and Medo-Persia were long gone, the age of the Greeks was over, and Rome was now in power. He was supposed to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); it was expected that He would grow up in the land of his father David with a proper pedigree. Nevertheless, the Child was born to a teenage girl in a most controversial way and was raised in Nazareth in Galilee (Matthew 1-2). Nazareth represented a backwater, worthy of ridicule and disdain (John 1:46). What prophet would come from Galilee (John 7:41,52)? He did not go to school, as far as we can tell, and did not study under a notable rabbi (cf. John 7:15). His teachings, however, were amazing. For three years He went about Galilee, Judea, Samaria, and the Transjordan proclaiming "the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 4:23). It was not, however, what was expected. In this Kingdom, the first would be last, and the last first (Matthew 19:30). The humble would be exalted; the exalted would be humbled (Matthew 23:12). It would not be a place to find, and yet it would be everywhere (cf. Luke 17:20-21). His teachings directly and intentionally turned the world upside down (cf. Luke 6:20-26). Around 34 years of age He went up to Jerusalem, heralded by many as the Messiah, only to be captured, mistreated, convicted, and crucified as a common criminal, while His followers scattered (cf. Matthew 21-27, etc.). While this had been the end of the story for so many "messiahs", this story was not yet finished. It was claimed that on the third day He rose again by the power of God and received authority from on high (Matthew 28, Philippians 2:5-10). What did this Ruler then do? He sent out His twelve disciples to promote the message of His Kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2). They and their associates traversed the known world, preaching that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified for the sins of mankind and was made both Lord and Christ by God the Father (Colossians 1:6, Acts 2:36, 1 Corinthians 15:1-9). Who could believe such a story? The story is so fantastic, so unexpected, and so entirely contrary to received wisdom; it could not have come from the mind of man. Paul establishes the following in 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21-25: For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God...For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe. Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. The story might be foolishness to the world, but we can be confident that God's folly surpasses man's wisdom. We have every reason to believe the Good News regarding Christ Jesus, and we encourage you to consider your lives and strive to be found pleasing to Him! Ethan R. Longhenry evangelist at norwalkchurch.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Meeting! Be Our Guest! Gospel Meeting September 2-7 with Garreth Clair of Hilliard, Ohio September 2: 9:30am, 10:30am, 6:00pm September 3-7: 7:30pm each evening church of Christ 386 North Edgewood Drive Norwalk, Ohio 44857 Plan to be there! Invite your friends! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies! Our location: 386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits) Norwalk, Ohio 44857 Our assemblies: Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm Our Bible studies: Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm For More Information If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist at norwalkchurch.org. Good News for Norwalk is a publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio, for the promotion of God's truth in our world. For more information about the church of Christ in Norwalk, please visit our website at norwalkchurch.org. Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio (http://www.norwalkchurch.org) Website: http://www.deusvitae.com AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056 MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae at hotmail.com Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus Subscribe to Good News for Norwalk! goodnewsfornorwalk-subscribe at norwalkchurch.org From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Sat Sep 1 20:57:16 2007 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2007 21:57:16 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] S:> Churches of the New Testament: Ephesus Message-ID: http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html Churches of the New Testament: Ephesus I. Introduction A. Acts 20:26-27 B. Asia Minor fertile ground for the Gospel 1. No less true in Ephesus, province of Asia 2. Paul spent much time there C. Church in Ephesus perhaps best attested in the Scriptures 1. Likely 40 year span 2. Paul, Timothy, John D. Let us consider the NT on Ephesus II. Geography and History A. Ephesus: gateway to Asia 1. major city of Roman province of Asia, modern-day Turkey 2. 238 miles east of Corinth 3. 500 miles WNW of Antioch of Syria 4. 615 miles northwest of Jerusalem B. Strategic location 1. In ancient times, situated at mouth of Cayster River 2. Highway led from Ephesus through Asia Minor to Mesopotamia 3. Major commercial center 4. Harbor eventually silted up; Ephesus now landlocked C. History 1. Inhabited for long time, made Athenian colony in 11th century BCE 2. Captured by Lydians, Persians, Macedonians 3. 188 BCE: captured by Rome, handed over to king of Pergamum 4. 133 BCE: returned to Rome D. Temple of Artemis 1. Ephesus famous as a commercial center, but also for temple 2. Acts 19:35: meteorite fell to earth, looked like a woman, likely first identified as fertility goddess 3. Greeks associated it with Artemis (Roman Diana) 4. Massive temple built: 360 feet long, 180 feet broad 5. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world 6. Prized by its citizens E. Ephesus, then, large commercial center 1. Religious undertone 2. Gospel spreads, however, in this pagan climate III. Paul and the Founding of the Church in Ephesus, 52-57 CE A. When Paul first in area of Ephesus, did not preach (Acts 16:6) 1. Forbidden by the Holy Spirit 2. Reason unknown to us, known to God B. When Paul leaves Corinth, heads to Ephesus (52-54) 1. Acts 18:18-23 2. Aquila and Priscilla with him 3. Preaches in synagogue, does not remain, likely on account of vow 4. Travels to Caesarea, Antioch of Syria, back through Galatia and Phrygia C. Work of Aquila and Priscilla (53-54) 1. Found Apollos of Alexandria, well-versed in the Scriptures and John the Baptist (Acts 18:24-25) 2. Aquila and Priscilla take him aside, expound the Way more accurately (v. 26) 3. Apollos converts; sent to Corinth to encourage brethren (vv. 27-28) 4. Acts 18:27: presence of brethren indicates how work of Paul, Aquila, Priscilla bore fruit, and/or Jews who converted on Pentecost had returned (cf. Acts 2:9, 41) D. Paul's return (54-57) 1. Acts 19:1-10 2. Finds disciples of John, expounds way of Jesus and Holy Spirit, they convert 3. Teaches in synagogue for three months, Jews revile Word, Paul moves on 4. Goes to school of Tyrannus, preaches 2 years there 5. "All Asia" hears the Gospel 6. 1 Corinthians written at this time (1 Corinthians 16:8, 19) 7. Likely Corinthian visit (2 Corinthians 13:1-2) 8. Word does well in Asia; Paul has Asiarchs as friends (Acts 19:31) E. Events in Ephesus 1. Diseases cured, demons cast out by God through Paul (Acts 19:11-12) 2. Sons of Sceva attempt to use name of Jesus through Paul, defeated by demon; whole city fears, magnifies Jesus (Acts 19:13-16) 3. Sorcerers burn magic books worth 50,000 pieces of silver (Acts 19:18-20) F. End of Paul's Stay in Ephesus 1. Paul intends to leave for Greece, Jerusalem, Rome (Acts 19:21) 2. Sends Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia (Acts 19:22) 3. Then Demetrius et al incite riot against Paul for Temple of Artemis (Acts 19:23-27) 4. Whole city in an uproar; "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" shouted (Acts 19:28-31) 5. Mob (ekklesia) comes together in amphitheater, tumult for two hours, calmed down finally by town clerk, establishes that any grievance should be taken to political assembly (ekklesia; Acts 19:32-41) 6. Paul leaves soon after (Acts 20:1), probably before his intended time (1 Corinthians 16:8) G. Paul's Asian Suffering 1. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10: description of Paul's suffering in Asia 2. Some correlate it to Demetrius' riot (Acts 19:23-41); evidence does not seem to correlate to severity of Paul's language 3. 1 Corinthians 15:28, Acts 20:19: Paul's trials in Ephesus, mostly from Jews 4. Acts 21:27-29: Jews of Asia incite riot that leads to Paul's Jerusalem imprisonment 5. Likely, then, that Paul suffers greatly from the hands of the Jews, either immediately before or after Demetrius' riot, almost to the point of death 6. Perhaps partly explains Paul's reticence to return to Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem and the fact that he never does return (Acts 20:25, 38) H. Church then well-established, although adversaries remain IV. Paul and the Ephesians, 58-62 A. Paul then goes to Greece, begins his return 1. Acts 20:1-4 2. Two Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus, mentioned as being with Paul B. Sails around Asia Minor 1. Acts 20:5-15 2. Goes from Macedonia to Troas, Troas around to Miletus C. Intentionally misses Ephesus 1. Paul wants to make it to Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16) 2. Summons Ephesian elders to Miletus (Acts 20:17) D. Paul's speech to Ephesian Elders 1. Acts 20:18-38 2. Paul reminds them of his conduct and trials suffered in Ephesus 3. Informs them of what he is about to suffer 4. Reveals that they will never see his face again 5. Declares his innocence of their blood, having preached God's whole counsel 6. Advised them to pay attention to the flock 7. Warned them of the upcoming apostasy, precipitated in part by some of elders themselves 8. Again speaks of his manner of living 9. Prays with them 10. They accompany him to the boat, sorrowful that they will not see him again E. Paul departs, never to return again F. Ephesian letter 1. During Roman imprisonment (60-62), Paul writes letter to Ephesians (Ephesians 1:1, 6:20) 2. Notable for being overall bereft of personal information or anecdotes 3. Address to Ephesians, demonstration of Tychicus informing them of his condition (Ephesians 1:1, 6:21-23) 4. Otherwise, no distinguishing features 5. Perhaps an encyclical? G. Nevertheless, plenty of excellent information 1. Our election of God, redemption of all men, including Gentiles (Ephesians 1-2) 2. Exhortation to proper Christian conduct (Ephesians 3-6) 3. Some information about the nature of the church in Ephesians 4 and 5 H. Ephesians 4 1. vv. 1-3: excellent encapsulation of point of letter 2. vv. 4-5: there is but one body (=one church, Colossians 1:18) 3. vv. 11-16: establishment of roles in the church to its own building up, so that it may develop and grow properly I. Ephesians 5:19 J. Ephesians 5:23-33 1. Husband and wife, but also Christ and the church 2. Church is to submit to Christ 3. Christ as head of church, its Savior 4. Christ loved the church, gave Himself for her, sanctified her, desires to present her to Himself holy and blameless 5. Christ loves the church as His own flesh 6. Genesis 2:24 as applicable to the church: church is to leave the world of sin, join to Christ, become one with Him K. No indication that letter contains anything specifically relevant to Ephesus not true elsewhere 1. Letter gives no indication of situation in Ephesus proper 2. Any attempt, then, to extrapolate issues concerning which Paul specifically speaks to Ephesus would be pure speculation 3. Nevertheless, much to be gained in terms of understanding the relationship of Christians with one another, church with Christ V. Timothy and Ephesus, 63-67 A. While Paul may not have returned to Ephesus, Timothy is stationed there (1 Timothy 1:3) 1. 63-64 2. Paul encouraged Timothy to remain in Ephesus 3. Some were teaching false doctrines, perhaps based on myths and genealogies (1 Timothy 1:3-4) 4. Wanted to teach the Law of Christ, did not understand it (1 Timothy 1:5-10) B. 1 Timothy 2 1. 2:1-4: Petition and prayer for all, especially in authority 2. 2:8-15 Proper roles of men and women C. 1 Timothy 3 1. 3:1-13: Qualifications of elders, deacons, their wives 2. Based on 5:17-20, likely that elders remained in Ephesus 3. Timothy, then, instructed on how they should conduct themselves, the conduct of others perhaps to be appointed 4. 3:14-15: Hoped to see Timothy soon (whether Ephesus or not, or realized or not, unknown); wrote to know how to conduct self in church, pillar and ground of truth D. 1 Timothy 4 1. 4:1-6: warning of upcoming apostasy, regarding marriage and food 2. 4:7: avoidance of myth, perhaps like 1:3-4 3. 4:4-16: Timothy as proper model of conduct, living a life of godliness, exhorting brethren to do likewise E. 1 Timothy 5 1. 5:1-3: proper conduct among Christians of different stations 2. 5:3-16: instruction concerning widows 3. 5:17-20: instruction concerning elders F. 1 Timothy 6 1. 6:3-6: characterization of false teachers 2. 6:9-10, 17-19: instruction to rich, those who desire to be rich 3. 6:20-21: warning concerning false gnosis G. State of Ephesus, 63 1. Things seem overall well 2. Some need to be rebuked for false teachings based on speculation 3. Warnings for the future H. 3-4 years later, 2 Timothy written (67) I. Timothy in Asia, likely Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:19, 1:16-18) J. Paul and the Asians 1. Many deserted him (1:15) 2. Likely not all Asian Christians, just Asian Christians in Rome 3. Onesiphorus and household a wonderful exception (1:16-17) 4. Had helped in Ephesus greatly (1:18) K. Paul's Instructions in 2 Timothy 1. 2:2: Timothy to teach what he heard to others 2. 2:11-14: stay away from fables, teach pattern of Christ 3. 2:16-18: avoid foolish babbling like Hymenaeus and Philetus, teaching the resurrection is past (proto-Gnosticism?) 4. 4:1-4: Time coming when Christians will not endure sound doctrine, swerve to myths 5. 4:5: Timothy to persevere L. Paul in bad shape 1. Exhorts Timothy strongly to come to him by winter (2 Timothy 4:9, 21) 2. Sends Tychicus to Ephesus, perhaps to relieve Timothy (2 Timothy 4:12) 3. Soon after, meets the end of his earthly life M. State of Ephesus, 67 1. Relatively unchanged 2. Some need rebuking 3. Future warnings ominous N. 1 Peter 1. Written near time of 1 Timothy 2. Asia, Ephesus included (1 Peter 1:1) 3. Indication of persecution in some form (1 Peter 1:6) 4. Letter otherwise has general instruction, as spoken of with Galatia VI. John and Ephesus, 90s A. Final NT witness to the church in Ephesus is in Revelation 1. Written by John the Apostle 2. Lived later in life in Ephesus, died there (Eusebius, History of the Church 3.1.1, 3.23.1-5) B. Ephesus as the first of the seven churches of Asia, Revelation 2:1-7 C. Date of Revelation 1. 60s or 90s? 2. Consistent second century witness: 90s (Eusebius, ibid., 3.18.1-4; Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 5.30.13) 3. Hard to explain away 4. 90s also consistent with entire lack of mention of John in Paul's letters to the Ephesians, 1/2 Timothy (or why 1 Timothy was necessary) and John's not mentioning Paul or Timothy 5. Date for the study, then, ca. 90-96 CE D. Ephesus in Revelation: the Good (Revelation 2:1-3, 6) 1. Jesus knew their works 2. Patient, steadfast, not wearied 3. Cannot bear evil men, exposed false apostles 4. Rejected deeds of Nicolatians E. Nicolatians 1. Nothing revealed in NT 2. Information in Eusebius, History of the Church 3.29.1-3, Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies 3.4 3. Purported to derive from Nicolaus, one of the seven appointed men in Acts 6:5 4. Claim that Nicolaus had beautiful wife that led to jealousy 5. Nicolaus as offering wife to any brother to marry 6. Nicolatians, then, engaged in sexually deviant behavior with each other's wives 7. If true, understandable and good to hate their deeds! F. Ephesus in Revelation: the Bad (Revelation 2:4-5) 1. Despite all this, Jesus had something against them 2. "Left their first love" 3. The passion and zeal, love for things of Christ, had gone 4. Exhortation to repent and to return to those works or candlestick would be removed 5. Loss of standing-- loss of souls! G. State of Ephesus, 90s 1. While the church stood firm against error and persevered... 2. ...they had lost the fire 3. They needed to return to the faith of old H. Later evidence: Ignatius of Antioch (ca. 115) 1. Speaks of "bishop" and "presbytery" (Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians 1-2) 2. Clear, however, that many opposed concept (3-7, 30) 3. Need to avoid Gnostic heresy, Ephesus stands firm (8-10, 17) 4. Demonstration, then, that Ephesus got caught up in the progressive apostasy beginning in second century with the leadership, just as Paul predicted (Acts 20:29-31) VII. Conclusion A. Ephesus as prominent church 1. Plenty of information about it 2. 40 year span 3. As Ephesus was important, prominent city, so the church B. Ephesus stood for truth over the years 1. Some required rebuke 2. Overall, however, firm in the Apostolic age C. In the end, however, tragic 1. By 90s, exhorted to return as in the 60s! 2. Ephesus was to remain as it had begun: committed disciples standing for truth despite Jewish and Greek opposition, zealous for Christ 3. Ephesus lost its zeal and then the truth D. Let us learn from Ephesus E. Let us strive to be as God intended for Ephesus, and not as Ephesus turned out F. Invitation/songbook Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio (http://www.norwalkchurch.org) Website: http://www.deusvitae.com AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056 MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae at hotmail.com Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus Subscribe to Good News for Norwalk! goodnewsfornorwalk-subscribe at norwalkchurch.org From tennesseejac at comcast.net Sun Sep 2 07:27:03 2007 From: tennesseejac at comcast.net (Jack Wise) Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2007 07:27:03 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Bulletin Article: HIS NAME WAS JAKE Message-ID: <000001c7ed5c$9dcde8c0$6500a8c0@jack> HIS NAME WAS JAKE Jake's parents were normal compared to other parents. They both worked. They had two other children, girls, whom they cared for. Shelter and food and everyday child maintenance were provided for. His parents were on and off "church" goers of a local denomination. Even though they lacked total dedication, they were loving caring parents who were good to their children. Jake was a typical young man of fourteen who enjoyed the normal boy stuff. Fishing, four wheeling, and playing video games was part of his life. Like many of his contemporaries, Jake was starting to find out a little more each day what kind of man he would eventually become. Amongst other things in his life, he found girls interesting, and had a young girl whom he called his "girl friend", though they never officially went on a date. Jake hung himself. Alcohol and drugs were ruled out. Insanity, anger, hatred, getting even, loneliness, or any other emotion we can imagine fails to answer the "why" he hung himself. He told another young man that life wasn't worth living because his girl friend broke up with him. That may answer the immediate "cause" but "why" can only be found in the scriptures. Jake committed suicide. In simple terms, he murdered himself. When Noah and his sons left the ark, God blessed them and told them to be fruitful and multiply upon the earth. He then gave strict teachings concerning the blood. Man could not eat the blood, for the life of the flesh is in the blood, Gen 9:4; Lev 17:11. God then explains to Noah that whoever sheds man's blood, then by man shall his blood be shed. Life must be given for life! When Jesus came to this earth, He shed His blood, Heb 9:11-14, for mankind that they might have life and have it more abundantly, John 10:10. Without Jesus blood, man would be eternally lost. Jesus life had no effect for Jake because Jake took his own life, he stood alone. Jake didn't put God first. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matt 5:6) Jake failed to seek the kingdom of God first , Matt 6:33. He should have practiced loving God with his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his strength, and with all his mind (Luke 10:27) This is the first and great commandment! (Matt 22:38) Jake placed his affections in the wrong place. He should have set his affections above, and not on the earth (Col 3:1-2) The GREEK word for "affection" is phroneo which means to direct one's mind to, to seek, to strive. We learn a lesson through our brother the apostle Peter. During the fourth watch at night, there was a terrible wind storm that rocked the ship. Jesus came walking unto the disciples on the water. Peter said, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." Jesus invited Peter to come to him and Peter left the ship and began to walk on the water! "But when he saw the boisterous wind, "he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." (Matt 14:24-30) What caused this change in Peter, going from brave to having little faith, as Jesus said? (Matt 14:31) Because Peter set his eyes away from Jesus and became too concerned with the affairs of world around him! Jake's thoughts deceived him. He told himself there was nothing to live for. Paul said our minds can become corrupted even as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty (2 Cor 11:3). We are to guard our minds. Jake convinced himself that his family, friends, and future were worth nothing compared to the ache in his heart over one girl. All he felt was agony. Jake will never come to the peace God offers, "which passeth all understanding, that is able to keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7) Jake should have redirected his mind to think on good things. (Phil 4:8) Whatever the problem man confronts, taking matters into their own hands causes more sorrows, pains, and undo stress. The family Jake left behind now has to deal with the agony of missing him and the manner in which he died. If Jake had realized God's deep concern and love for him, then he could have taken his problem to God and cast his cares upon Him (1 Pet 5:7) We are warned to be anxious for nothing but in "every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Phil 4:6) Murdering oneself during troublesome time is not the solution. There is a refuge we can turn too and that is the Lord, (Psa 9:9) He is our refuge and our fortress, "in him will I trust." (Psa 91:2) Burdens of life are overwhelming at sometimes or so it may seem. Submitting to the cares of the world causes us to become unfruitful for the kingdom of heaven! Jack Wise -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070902/7d94d0bc/attachment-0001.html From tennesseejac at comcast.net Sun Sep 2 07:58:35 2007 From: tennesseejac at comcast.net (Jack Wise) Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2007 07:58:35 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] =?utf-8?q?Bulletin_Article=3A_God=E2=80=99s_Grace_And_?= =?utf-8?q?Faith_And_God=E2=80=99s_Word?= Message-ID: <000501c7ed60$ff64fc00$6500a8c0@jack> God?s Grace And Faith And God?s Word God?s grace has no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness! (Eph 5:11) The only way to access God?s grace is by faith, Rom 5:2. Thus, faith is not expecting God to accept our practices but by faith we practice God?s works. Otherwise we become guilty of Eph 2:8-9! ?For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.? These works, practices, are those which man invent and expect to God accept them based upon faith because they are done in His name. Paul clarifies this in 2 Tim 1:9 ?Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,? Turning back to Eph again we read in Eph 2:11 ?For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.? God has already determined what is and what is not acceptable practices, works, before you or I were ever conceived. In the New Testament singing and making melody in the heart is God?s works ordained before the foundation of the world. Singing and making melody on a mechanical instrument is the work of man. Phil 4:7 states ?And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.? How can one have peace that passeth understanding outside of the written word of God? How do we know the mind or knowledge of God? Paul said ?For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.? (1 Cor 2:16) Paul, writing to the Ephesians brethren said ?Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.? (Eph 5:17) Paul, teaching the Romans, wrote that they ??be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:2) How can they have a mind transformation? By understanding the will of God!!! In Summary: We have the mind of Christ. We can understand His mind, His will. His will transforms our minds to prove what is: ?Good ?Acceptable ?Perfect The GREEK word for perfect is teleios which means: 1) brought to its end, finished 2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness 3) perfect 4) that which is perfect a) consummate human integrity and virtue b) of men 1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature We conclude that God?s will revealed to man through the word for the purpose of our faith to bring us to the perfect or mature man in the scriptures! Eph 4:11-15 and 1 Cor 13:8-12 reinforces this. Remember, Paul revealed to us the mind of Christ that we might transform our minds from the world to prove the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God?s! Paul, with confidence, said ?Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.? In the same context of Phil 4:7, Paul states ?And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding??. (verse 9). This peace comes by imitating Paul the apostle (1 Cor 11:1) We need correct and perfect knowledge of God to be saved. What we lack we should ask God to reveal to us, James 1:5; James 3:15-18. Every time we learn more of God?s word, it corrects us?it perfects us. (2 Tim 3:16-17) James 1:25 ?But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.? He who is a doer of the perfect word of God, is blessed! Jack Wise -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070902/ae3810fb/attachment-0001.html From kthomas at ntslink.net Sun Sep 2 14:39:09 2007 From: kthomas at ntslink.net (kenneth Thomas) Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2007 14:39:09 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Poem, Is It Wrong To Argue Religion? Message-ID: <46DB115D.000003.01720@KENSCOMPUTER> Is It Wrong To Argue Religion? By Kenneth E. Thomas "It is wrong to argue about religion" Spiritual weaklings often times say But bring up his favorite politician And he will argue with you all day! Yet some won?t argue religion or politics Two very important subjects I would say The one mostly bears on the here and now The other where for eternity we will stay! Some fight for their political candidate Then are mute when the Lord is attacked This just proves where their priorities lie That their life is not on the right track! Jesus the Christ often argued about religion, If you say one shouldn?t you condemn my Lord Jesus often condemned the Scribes and Pharisees For their hypocrisy in dealing with God?s word! He said we should "judge righteous judgment" Which means show what?s wrong by God?s word To say that all judging in therefore sinfully wrong Flies in Jesus? face and is therefore totally absurd! We are told to "earnestly contend for the faith" Which was "one time for all time delivered to saints" So don?t let the naysayer cause you my dear brother To give heed to his unbiblical and ungodly restraints! (Matt. 15:1-9; Matt. 23:23-39; Jno. 7:24; 8:36-45; Isa. 1:18; 2 Tim. 4:1-8; Jude 3; 1 Thess. 5:21; Rom. 16:16-18). Kenneth E. Thomas Pekin church of Christ 1451 Valle Vista Blvd. Pekin, IL 61554 1 (309) 347-3582 - Office 1 (309) 347-5645 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070902/a8f84181/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 251 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070902/a8f84181/attachment-0003.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070902/a8f84181/attachment-0004.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 36179 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070902/a8f84181/attachment-0005.gif From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Sun Sep 2 22:54:44 2007 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2007 23:54:44 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Renewed In Spirit / New Material Available! Message-ID: Greetings, everyone! We are pleased to announce that new material is available at Renewed in Spirit (renewedinspirit.org). The "renewed" Renewed in Spirit has now been operational for one year, and we are pleased to enter our second year of providing you with articles to encourage you in your faith. Please do not hesitate to contact us and let us know how we are doing, and feel free to visit the website and participate in the discussions! -------------------------------------------- Editorial Evangelism in the 21st Century (2): Isolationism and Community Ethan R. Longhenry Previously we began considering the nature of evangelism in the twenty-first century by considering the twenty-first century context and the different types of people that we find around us. We demonstrated that even though much has changed over two millennia, many aspects of the twenty-first century mirror the situation into which the Gospel was first brought back in the first century. Nevertheless, there are many glaring differences between our current society and society in the first century, and many of these differences represent significant stumbling-blocks to evangelism. Perhaps no stumbling-block is as acutely felt as the isolationist trend in our society with its subsequent loss of community. How can the Gospel overcome? Read more at renewedinspirit.org! -------------------------------------------- White Fields Edwin Crozier We all talk about doing evangelism, but how many of us really think anything we could possibly do will make a difference? Look at the people we work with. They are so worldly. If they are not, they are already caught up in a religion of their choice. How could anything we do ever make an impact? Read more at renewedinspirit.org! -------------------------------------------- Not Chosen Perry Hall Let us go back to an uncomfortable time to an uncomfortable setting. For some, this might have happened this past week; for others, years or decades ago. The scene is a familiar one. Everyone one of us has probably experienced it from one side or the other. The game might have been kickball or dodge ball, basketball or baseball. It might have even been "Red Rover, Red Rover". What is the scene? Two captains are picked. They are the popular kids, athletic and good looking kids. Systematically each captain goes through each kid, picking their friends, picking the other popular, athletic and good looking kids. Picking the kids they want to be with, or those who can help them win. The number dwindles and dwindles until there is only one left. As the process lengthens each child still waiting fidgets, embarrassed and hurting, waiting for relief that comes from not being the last one still standing there. If you were the captain, what did you feel like being the captain? It felt good, did it not? If you were not the captain, have you ever been the last one chosen, chosen only because there was no one else? Have you ever been totally left out because sides would not have been uneven? Not being chosen hurts. We could expand the scene to include other scenarios. Friends leave you out, leave you behind when they go to see a movie or go to a party. Someone we are romantically involved with tells us, "I think we should see other people." You and I can pick our own scene when we were left behind and wondered, "Why not me? What is wrong with me?" Not being chosen hurts. But what if we are not picked and God is the one choosing? What if God does not choose us? Have you ever felt like a loser? If so, this article is for you. Read more at renewedinspirit.org! -------------------------------------------- For the ladies... Editorial A Matter of Perspective Sarah L. Longhenry My thoughts have been consumed recently with the pending birth of our child. Perhaps you have something to which you are looking forward anxiously-a new job, a change in school, a move, a wedding-and you know how such seems to consume everything you do. Soon, time becomes less about living day by day and more about thinking in terms of how many there are left until x happens. Life becomes all about the future and not so much about the present. While I believe that we are supposed to plan and consider future events-especially in terms of our spiritual progress in life-there is a lot of wisdom in the New Testament that we can gain as far as how we deal with such changes. Read more at renewedinspirit.org! Proverbs 31: An Analysis of the Virtuous Wife, Part 11 Brooke Williams She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:20). The virtuous wife thinks not only of her own family, but her heart also aches for those around her whose needs she can help meet. She is willing to lend a helping hand to those who need it. The picture presented here is that she is reaching out to the poor. Her hand may have money or material items in it to help, or it may be holding another hand in sympathy. It may also be doing work that the person in need cannot do without her help. All three are important ways to reach out to those around us, whether in the household of faith, or others who may not yet know Christ but can see Him living in us. Read more at renewedinspirit.org! -------------------------------------------- We again thank you for your support over our first year, and hope to have many more to come in serving you in Christ Jesus. ELDV Ethan R. Longhenry / editor at renewedinspirit.org Editor, Renewed in Spirit an interactive online spiritual publication http://www.renewedinspirit.org From kthomas at ntslink.net Mon Sep 3 11:34:18 2007 From: kthomas at ntslink.net (kenneth Thomas) Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 11:34:18 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Poem, The Sleep Of A Laboring Man Is Sweet? Message-ID: <46DC378A.000003.00200@KENSCOMPUTER> "The Sleep Of A Laboring Man Is Sweet!" By Kenneth E. Thomas Adam and Eve were to "dress and keep the garden" Honest laboring has always been God?s requirement It is only in the purely secular pursuits of this life That men are allowed to go into full retirement! Paul wrote:"Let him who stole steal no longer, But rather let him labor, working with his hands ... That he may have to give him who has need." And: "He who will not work, neither let him eat." In spiritual matters our Lord set the perfect example "I must work the works of Him who sent Me While it is day; The night is coming when no one can work." Surely this declaration means none of us should shirk! "The fields are white unto harvest" said the Lord Then He lamented "but the laborers are few" "There is room in the kingdom of Christ my brother There is plenty of work that each of us should do!" (Gen. 2:15; Eccl. 5:12; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10; Jno. 9:4; Jno. 4:35; 2 Tim. 4:1-8). Kenneth E. Thomas Pekin church of Christ 1451 Valle Vista Blvd. Pekin, IL 61554 1 (309) 347-3582 - Office 1 (309) 347-5645 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070903/27dbfbcf/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 251 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070903/27dbfbcf/attachment-0003.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070903/27dbfbcf/attachment-0004.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 36179 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070903/27dbfbcf/attachment-0005.gif From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Mon Sep 3 22:07:19 2007 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 23:07:19 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] S:> Elders and Members Message-ID: http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html Elders and Members I. Introduction A. Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5 1. God's plan involves every local church to have elders 2. This is how churches are "set in order" B. Many times we speak of qualifications, and such is good 1. 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-7 2. If an eldership is to be had, men must be qualified 3. Important for young men to prepare, plan for that role C. Nevertheless, what are the functions of elders? D. What are the responsibilities of members to elders? E. Let us consider these important aspects today II. Functions of Elders A. The functions of elders can be described using the three main terms used to describe the office in the New Testament B. Elder -- presbuteros (1 Peter 5:1) 1. Literally, "old man" 2. Indicates older age and therefore experience 3. Most descriptive term of the person, least of function 4. Nevertheless, ancient parallels 5. Deuteronomy 21:2-4, Exodus 3:16, Joshua 23:2, Ruth 4:2, 4, 9, etc. 6. Indication of "elder" as position of authority based on experience 7. Common in ancient world (Genesis 50:7, Joshua 9:11) 8. Not surprising, then, to see similar use in NT C. Overseer -- episkopos (1 Timothy 3:1) 1. Also translated "bishop" 2. As we will see, roles of oversight and shepherding related 3. Oversight, however, involves decision-making and general direction (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2) 4. Elders as point men for decisions that need making 5. Oversee/supervise/manage all affairs of the church 6. Evangelism, teaching, church benevolence, etc. are all to be supervised and planned by them or by their delegations D. Shepherd -- poimon (1 Peter 5:2) 1. Also translated "pastor" 2. To understand concept of spiritual shepherd, must consider physical shepherd 3. Shepherd responsible for welfare of the sheep 4. Must give them food and drink (Genesis 29:7, Exodus 2:19) 5. Must be on the lookout for predators (1 Samuel 17:34-35) 6. Must watch the sheep to keep them together, recapture any wandering sheep (Matthew 18:12) 7. Such represents a figure for the role of Christ, and by extension that of the elder (cf. John 10:11) 8. Elders, then, are responsible for direction and the spiritual sustenance of the brethren 9. Elders are to be on the lookout for false teachings and be able to withstand them (Titus 1:9) 10. Elders must be constantly vigilant to maintain the flock of God with which they have been entrusted (Acts 20:28) E. We can see, then, the nature of the functions of elders 1. A great responsibility indeed! 2. Much work and effort must go into the task 3. We can see the need for qualifications-- serious role requiring men above reproach who can handle the task with skill! III. Responsibilities of Members A. What, then, are the responsibilities of members toward the elders? B. First of all, members must be willing to submit to the authority! 1. Hebrews 13:17 2. The first commands here are to "obey leaders" and "submit to them" 3. The reason given is quite clear: they are giving account 4. Such is the seriousness of the responsibility-- on the day of Judgment, elders will be called into account for not only their own lives but how they directed the church, and therefore how they directed each member (cf. Ezekiel 3:17-21) 5. They can only direct, however, if members are willing to be directed 6. That is a question that each member must pose to him or herself 7. If one refuses to submit to the elders, one stands opposed to God and His authority structure! 8. Acts 20:28-- God has given the elders the authority over the flock which was purchased by His Son's blood; who are we to argue with God on that? 9. It may not be popular in America, but in the church there most certainly is accountability-- to God, to the elders, and to one another (Acts 17:30-31, Hebrews 13:17, Galatians 6:1-2) C. Likewise, members are to do their best to make the job enjoyable! 1. Such represents the end of the exhortation in Hebrews 13:17 2. It is of "no advantage" to us if they do the task "with groaning" 3. We do not get the impression that the sheep should be belligerent, contentious, or difficult for the elders in the least! D. Members are to respect elders 1. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 2. Elders are to receive honor for their work in the Lord 3. This should be made manifest by the members 4. Do the members demonstrate respect for the elders? 5. Do they let the elders know how they are respected by word and deed? 6. Again-- shepherding is serious! E. Members are only to accuse elders in serious circumstances 1. 1 Timothy 5:19-20 2. Timothy is not to receive any accusation against an elder unless fully documented by two or three witnesses 3. Such indicates to us the seriousness of the position! 4. If such evidence exists, yes, elders are to be rebuked before all (1 Timothy 5:20) 5. It is possible for elders to fail grievously (Acts 20:30) 6. Nevertheless, as it should be with all brethren, it must certainly be with elders-- they must be respected and honored until evidence proves them guilty of wrongdoing 7. If the evidence of wrongdoing is not there, then in terms of accusations, silence must prevail! 8. The responsibility is too grave, the matters at hand are too serious to admit idle gossip and mere speculation F. We can see, then, the responsibility of members toward elders 1. Elders who serve well do so out of love for God and the brethren 2. Members must respect the authority of the elders and the responsibility with which they have been entrusted 3. If we are found to be rebellious against elders, or do not respect their authority, what will the One who gave them authority say (Acts 20:28)? 4. If we do not respect the one who has been given authority from God that we have seen (elders), how can we respect Jesus Christ to whom all authority has been given and whom we have not seen (cf. 1 John 4:20)? G. Therefore, those who do not respect elders without Biblical cause will be found disrespecting God Himself! H. We do not want to be found in that position! IV. Conclusion A. We have seen the nature of elders and members today B. We have seen the responsibilities of elders in terms of experience, overseeing, and shepherding C. We have seen that members are to respect and honor the elders and submit to them D. Let us strive to maintain these proper relationships so that we may all be pleasing to God E. Invitation/songbook Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio (http://www.norwalkchurch.org) Website: http://www.deusvitae.com AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ#: 28317056 MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae at hotmail.com Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus Subscribe to Good News for Norwalk! goodnewsfornorwalk-subscribe at norwalkchurch.org From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Sep 4 04:49:16 2007 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 05:49:16 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) QUESTION AND ANSWER Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Tuesday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. It is good to be back at my computer after a few days away. Here is a question and answer that may be helpful in your studies: QUESTION AND ANSWER QUESTION: -- Would you please explain Eph. 6:10-13? Espec- ially the statement: "Spiritual forces of wicked- ness in the heavenly places"? ANSWER: -- This text reads: "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand" . The emphasis in this entire text is on the battle we face in Christ. It is "not against flesh and blood" (that is, physical or material), this is a spiritual battle. Notice that our fight is against "principalities, powers, rulers of darkness." Satan rules the realm of darkness, while God rules the light: "And this is the message which we have heard from Him and annou- nce unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth" (1 Jno. 1:5,6). That is why we are told that God, "called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9). Again, this battle is not a battle fought with physical weap- ons. "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalt- ed agains the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:4,5). Our battle is one for men's minds and hearts. That means that the "the powers, principalities adn rulers of darkness" is in the spiritual realm, not the physical. The same is true with the phrase about which you ask. The "spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places" re- fers to the effort of Satan to entice us and others into sin. Thus, the "spiritual hosts" of that phrase has to refer to those whom Satan uses to undermine our efforts to live for Christ. They are working in his behalf to oppose Christians. As Paul wrote, "Even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11: 14,15). In this battle for the souls of men the only weapon we have been given is "the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Eph. 6:17). That Word (Sword) can change people's hearts and minds, and thus overcome Satans's hold and make them servants of Christ. ----- Clem Thurman in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 56, No. 29, July 20, 2007. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070904/2a2b65d3/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Sep 4 04:49:25 2007 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 05:49:25 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION (1) Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my ancient files. Use to the glory of God. INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION (1) The Silver Thermomenter: -- It is easier to describe and to evaluate the tangible than to describe of evaluate the intangi- ble. Because this is so, the Lord's churches are often led to place undue emphasis on numbers added to their member- ship and to the size of their weekly contributions than truth merits. These tend to become the criteria by which growth and development are measured. These are tangible; they can be seen and counted. Consequently, the size of a contribut- ion, or its increase or decrease over a given period of time, too often becomes the thermometer -- a "silver thermometer" -- by which is estimated the spiritual temperature of the spirit- ual body. This charge is confirmed by the amount of space given in church bulletins to the monetary side of the congregation's life: income and ependitures. It is likewise established by the amount of time devoted to church finance in the meetings of elders and deacons. Then, too, how often through the past few years has one been treated in periodicals to the financial side of a church's life as he reads the report made by a preac- her of his "tenure of office" with the congregation? This is not to be critical; it is to point out the evidence for the conten- tion that there is a tendency today to measure the spiritual life of a congregation by the amount of money contributed each Lord's day. The aim of this discussion is to show that the size of a church's contribution may or may not indicate the true spirit- ual temperature of its members. The attitude of a Christian towards the money he possesses may become the acid test of his love for Christ; but the size of his contribution may in no wise be a true measurement of his spiritual character. Lessons From Israel's History: -- The first half of the eighth century before Christ was an era of prosperity and wealth in both Israel and Judah. Jereboam II began to reign in Israel in 790 B.C.. He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath unto the sea of the Arabah. The luxury and wealth of the period are described by the prophets Amos and Hosea. Amos especially. Mad extravagencies followed the accumulat- ion of wealth, corrupting the morals and worship of the people. The worship followed the pattern of social and moral corruptions. Doctrinal apostasy was responsible for both the moral and spiritual conditions. Three years after Jeroboam began to reign in Israel, Uzziah began to reign in Judah. Uzziah put down the enemies of Judah, the Philistines and the Arabians, exacting tribute from many. He undertook a building program which fortified Jerusalem and its environs. He hewed out numerous cisterns fro the large herds and flocks accumulated. He loved and encouraged husbandry among the people. He prepared and armed a large and efficient army. All of these things led to wealth and luxury in the land of Judah; and also they led to pride in Uzziah's heart, which caused him to enter into the temple and burn incense, contrary to the law of God. Luxury and extravagance were followed among those of Judah by a dispositon of independence toward God. The wealth and extravagance in Israel is vividly described by Amos, as he speaks of the "winter-house with the summer- house, and the houses of ivory;" which he declared should have an end. He describes the children as sitting in Samaria "in the corner of a couch, and on silken cushions of a bed" (Amos 3:12). The luxury-loving people are pictured as lying upon beds of ivory, stretching themselves upon their couch- es, and eating the lambs out of the flock and calves out of the stall; as those that spent their time in singing idle songs to the sound of the viol, drinking wine in bowls, and anointing themselves with the chief oils, but who had no concern for the condition of the poor (Amos 6:1-6). This spirit of extravagance and luxury invaded the sacred precincts of worship. In irony the prophet cries, "Come to Beth-el, and transgress; to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes every three days; and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill-offerings and publish them: for this pleaseth you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord Jehovah" (Amos 4:4,5). Here was quantity but not quality. Quantity alone was no index to their spiritual righteousness! Wherefore God declar- ed, "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies." Take them away! In their stead, "Let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a migh- ty stream" (Amos 5:21-24). Extravagencies in worship, but void of holiness and devotion to God, moved Him to declare, "The wind hath wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be put to shame because of their sacrifices" (Hos. 4:19). Israel was not content with the simple worship prescribed by divine wisdom. As a "luxurant vine, that putteth forth his fruit," i.e. that multiplied his altars: "according to the good- ness of their land they have made goodly pillars" (Hos. 10:1). As he multiplied altars for sinning, altars were made unto him for sinning (Hos. 8:11). The point is this: becoming wealthy, Israel was extravagant in the erection of altars and in her mat- erial display of religious ritual; but in it all there was no devot- ion to Jehovah: "For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth early away" (Hos. 6:4). The thing God desired above all else He found not: "For I desire good- ness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offering" (Hos. 6:6). The "silver thermometer" was no accurate indication of the people's love for the true God. ---- (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord will- ing, JWS). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070904/57a2ca84/attachment-0001.html From kerux at bellsouth.net Tue Sep 4 06:52:05 2007 From: kerux at bellsouth.net (kerux) Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 07:52:05 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] A>Lessons On The Home (Kent Heaton) Message-ID: <007c01c7eeea$05397cc0$5401a8c0@kentpc> Lessons On The Home (Kent Heaton) The home is the foundation of life. Whether we come from a rich or poor background the home is where we all begin. Many homes today are dysfunctional and in disarray. Marriages are destroyed, children neglected and the elderly abused. Television talk shows thrive on the chaos the people find themselves. The news is filled with violence through spousal abuse, abandonment, immorality, perversion - all direct attacks against the sanctity of the home. Honest people are looking for answers. Desperate homes are seeking guidance to bring order and happiness to life. Children are crying out for security and comfort. Elderly want to enjoy their final days with dignity. Where can we find the answers that work? There are thousands of books written that try to answer these questions. Men have spent centuries examining these same issues time and time again to no avail. Is there a source that all these challenges can be met and the home can be a place of enjoyment and peace? The answer can only be found in the book we call the Bible. The Bible is a book written by Him who created man and woman. We did not evolve from some slime to rise from the pits of evolution as an animal. Jehovah God made us in His image to bear His image. He wants man and woman to find happiness in the home. His plan is secure for children to find warmth and sanctuary within the arms of their parents. The elderly are blessed by children who nurture and care for their needs. These answers are found in God's word. Husbands are exhorted to love their wives in the manner that Jesus Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25). This union is found in the home as one of loving the wife, nourishing and cherishing her (v29) and caring for her needs as his own life. Wives find the beauty of marriage from a man who is devoted to her life and is willing to subject her life to his tender care (vv22,23) and respecting him (v33). Children are obedient to parents in respect and honor in accordance with the plan of God (Ephesians 6:1-3). This respect is brought about by the leadership of the father who does not provoke his children to be angry but rather brings "them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). The elderly are respected and treated with dignity. Honoring mother and father (Ephesians 6:1) does not apply only to small children but grown children with aged parents. Their needs must be taken care of and the respect due them should be always given. Paul reminded young Timothy to respect and honor the elderly - no matter if they were parents or not: "Do not rebuke an older man but exhort him as you would a father; treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are real widows" (1 Timothy 5:1-3). There are many children who need to learn this of their own parents. The home can be filled with happiness and joy. It must be a place that a husband and wife can find romance, love, security and each other to fulfill the joy designed by God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2). The home can be a place that children long to be a part of and the family unit shares together in the joys and sorrows of life. Elderly parents can live in the peace and security their children will love them in every way. With these exhortations in mind, the Trenton Church of Christ would invite you to be part of a series of lessons designed to challenge our hearts to find the joy God intended the home to be. Beginning Sunday, September 9th, a series of lessons on the home will be given by Steve Belue from Pensacola, Florida. Bring your Bibles and bring your families as we learn more about the home as God intended it to be. Services will be at 7:30pm each night. You will receive a warm welcome. Come learn about the HOME. Kent Heaton 207 NE Fourth Avenue Trenton, Florida 32693 (Home) 352-463-6916 (Office) 352-463-3793 (Cell) 352-283-3889 kerux at bellsouth.net www.trentonchurchofchrist.com www.northfloridabiblecamp.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070904/598bddbf/attachment-0001.html From tennesseejac at comcast.net Tue Sep 4 10:36:23 2007 From: tennesseejac at comcast.net (Jack Wise) Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 10:36:23 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Newspaper Article: The Sinners Prayer Message-ID: <007501c7ef09$65e63bc0$6500a8c0@jack> Chapman Highway Church Of Christ The Sinners Prayer Here is a sample of the "manmade" sinner's prayer: "God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!" There are many variations to the so called sinner's prayer. That alone should alert to its fallacy. Question: Where do the scriptures teach the sinner's prayer saves? There are none! Question: Where do the scriptures teach the sinner's prayer and faith saves? There are none! Question: Do sinners invite Jesus or does Jesus invite sinners? The bible answer is Jesus invites sinners! "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) Question: Does Rom 10:8-11 teach the sinners prayer? No! Verse 9 teaches "for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness". It does not teach God must enter the heart of a sinner to be saved! Scripture? To have your bible questions answered, write or call: 316 Crossfield Dr. Tn 37920 Knoxville, Tn Jack Wise 573-2329 tennesseejac at comcast.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070904/3f25d414/attachment-0001.html From ZekeFlores1 at cs.com Tue Sep 4 10:18:50 2007 From: ZekeFlores1 at cs.com (ZekeFlores1 at cs.com) Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 11:18:50 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S> Living On The Edge Message-ID: Brethren, Here's a lesson I hope you can use. Zeke Flores Kiber Street church of Christ Angleton, TX www.angletonchristians.com ************************************************************************* Living On The Edge Prov 6:27 Intro: What does it mean to you to "live on the edge?" A. A dangerous job like firefighter, policeman, stuntman? B. A risky hobby like extreme sports? C. Living on the edge might mean different things to different people but it comes down to a willingness to risk it all in order to satisfy a desire or get a thrill. It is the concept of playing with fire, living against the odds. D. Do you live on the edge? I. Christians Living On The Edge A. I don't mean being a firefighter or skiing off a mountain, but do you get dangerously close to sin? 1. We do this by becoming more and more comfortable with questionable behavior. 2. Aerosmith song "Livin' On The Edge" a. "There's something wrong with the world today, don't know what it is; Something wrong with our eyes. We're seeing things in a different way and God know it ain't His; It surely comes as no surprise. We're livin' on the edge." b. How immoral are things in our society that even a rock band as decadent as Aerosmith notices? 3. No doubt values are changing and Christians are being swept up in the changes. Consider: 4. What used to be called: Is now called: modesty old-fashioned indecent adult irresponsible living free chastity being hung up perversion alternate lifestyle self indulgence self fulfillment B. The principle is referred to in Rom 1:32 1. Maybe you don't actually perform such blatant sin but do you look longingly at it or at those who do it? C. Consider these examples. We believe 1. We are against nudity, immodest or suggestive clothes a. But do we flirt with the boundaries of immodesty? 2. We know the dangers of alcohol and drug use a. But do we think it's OK to have a cold beer every now & then just to be sociable? 3. We know murder is wrong, would never kill... a. But do we think, "I can't stand that person... wish he were dead!" 4. Gambling is wrong, would never go to casino. a. But do we buy lottery tickets with our gas? D. You get the point! 1. The Bible teaches that those who play around sin are just as guilty as those who as those who actually do it. a. Rom 2:1-2 2. Since a Christian is freed from it, why go back? a. Rom 6:20-22 II. The Danger Of Living On The Edge A. Though everyone wants to say, "It will never happen to me," eventually you'll get burned. 1. Prov 6:27-28, James 3:5 2. Friends and relatives are a consistent source of grief for the Christian. We want good relationships with the unsaved around us, but how far do we go? a. 1 Cor 15:33 b. If a cube of lead is placed on a cube of gold, the two metals slowly but inevitably begin to penetrate each other. In the same manner we tend to imbibe the spirit, to share the opinions, to partake of the qualities of our intimate associates. Though we may believe that our gold will enrich their lead, the opposite is far more likely to prove true--their lead will debase our gold. B. It keeps you from growing and pleasing God. 1. Rom 8:6-8 a. Once I saw a big bird, maybe an eagle, in a zoo chained to a bolt in a rock in a cage. There was the king of birds, meant to soar in the skies, chained to earth. That is the life of multitudes of believers. Are you allowing the cares of the world, are you allowing the flesh to chain you down, so that you cannot rise? C. Shame always follows because you know better. 1. Prov 5:1-4, 8-14 2. Unfortunately, some get better and better at dealing with their guilt and shame so that it hardly even bothers them anymore! III. Determining NOT To Live On The Edge A. It will be a constant struggle. 1. Rom 7:18-23 2. There will always be the allure of fleshly pleasures that beckon, call to you. B. Realize those things are against you. 1. 1 Pet 2:11, 1 John 2:16 2. The devil is the "god of this world" & he'll use every appeal this world has to offer to trip you up! He hates you and has declared war on your salvation! C. Make a determination every day to live right. 1. Gal 5:16, Eph 5:15-16, Rom 13:14 2. It takes a daily commitment. Long range goals are great, but it's the every day steps that make them a reality. a. Read, read, read your Bible! b. Pray every day all day! c. Worship more! d. Hang out with brethren more! e. Make a decision every day that will change your actions. Conc: While living on the edge might be fun in sports, it can play havoc with the soul. Equally as dangerous is living on the edge of Christianity. Immerse yourself FULLY in God's will! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20070904/ab2c1865/attachment-0001.html From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Tue Sep 4 17:14:53 2007 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 18:14:53 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] S:> Churches of the New Testament: Rome Message-ID: http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html Churches of the New Testament: Rome I. Introduction A. Acts 23:11 B. Rome: the prize C. Capital of the Empire 1. All roads, shipping routes led there 2. Over a million people 3. Ruler of greatest empire then known to man D. Major political and commercial center 1. Every belief, idea, religion ended up there 2. Paul greatly desired to preach there 3. Citizens and rulers alike E. Let us consider Rome II. Geography and History A. Situated on the Italian peninsula 1. On the Tiber River, 15 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea 2. South of Etruscan areas, north of Grecian colonies 3. Center of Mediterranean basin 4. 615 miles northwest of Corinth 5. 1,425 miles northwest of Jerusalem 6. Hills provided protection, central location led to prosperity B. In mythology, founded in 753 BCE 1. Romulus and Remus, twin brothers descended from Aeneas the Trojan of Iliad fame 2. History cannot verify such things 3. Archaeology does indicate that city was established in eighth century BCE C. Monarchy to Republic 1. Began as monarchy, including some Etruscan rulers 2. 509 BCE: Etruscan overlords overthrown, city established as a Republic 3. Governed by senators and consuls D. Burned by Gauls in 386 BCE E. Expansion 1. From 509 onward, city grows in power 2. Becomes sole power in Italian peninsula by 212 BCE 3. Third and second centuries BCE: conflict with Carthage, Phoenician colony, other western Mediterranean power 4. Three successive wars with Carthage in third and second centuries BCE leave Rome as sole western Mediterranean power 5. First centuries BCE and CE: consolidation of power in eastern Mediterranean 6. By time of Christ, Rome as overlord of most of Mediterranean basin F. Republic to Empire 1. First century BCE: internal dissension 2. Series of military leaders as dictators 3. 44 BCE: Augustus takes power; by 27 BCE, essentially an emperor 4. End of Roman Republic, beginning of Roman Empire 5. Would last in some form until middle fifth century CE G. Political and commercial capital of the Empire 1. Large population-- 1,000,000 + 2. Some part of it transitory 3. Everything eventually made it to Rome 4. So would the Gospel III. The Founding of the Church in Rome A. Founding of the church a mystery B. Church already present when Paul writes in 57 (Romans 1:8, 11-15) C. Some Romans at Pentecost in Jerusalem, 30 1. Acts 2:10 2. Both Jews and proselytes 3. Some likely converted (Acts 2:37-38, 41) 4. Likely returned to Rome sometime in 30s D. Evidence for Gospel in Rome in the 40s 1. Not from Bible, but from Roman author Suetonius 2. Writing about time of Claudius (41-54 CE) 3. Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city (The Twelve Caesars, 5.25) 4. Parallel to Acts 18:2 5. If Luke is indicating that the decree was recent, likely then 48-50 CE 6. Most believe Suetonius speaks of Christ; "Chrestus" his misunderstanding 7. Preaching of Gospel does lead to such instigation (Acts 8:1; 13:50; 14:2, 5, 19; 16:20-24; 17:5-9, 13; 18:12-18; 19:23-41) 8. Situation, then, entirely consistent with other evidence 9. Gospel, then, likely being promoted in Rome by late 40s CE IV. Paul Prepares His Way to Rome A. NT revelation about church in Rome begins with Paul's intention to go there 1. Paul spent many years preaching where no churches existed (Romans 15:20-21; 46-57 CE) 2. Then, in the Spirit, purposed to go to Rome after Macedonia, Achaia, and Jerusalem (Acts 19:21, 57 CE) 3. To prepare way, Paul wrote letter to church in Rome, likely from Corinth, ca. 57-58 CE (Romans 16:23; Romans 1:8-13, 15:22-24) B. Romans: Paul's great theological treatise 1. Much of what is written applicable to all Christians 2. Indication, however, of issues existing at Rome 3. Likely informed by associates like Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3-5) 4. Claudius' decree likely not enforced or expired; Jews back in Rome 5. Romans 1-3: all men have sinned 6. Romans 3-5: Christ as redeemer, place of Law 7. Romans 6-8: Obedience to Christ leads to confidence in salvation 8. Romans 9-11 indicates God' s purpose of adding Gentiles to the fold 9. Romans 9: God's ability to choose Gentiles 10. Romans 10: God desires Israel's salvation if they repent 11. Romans 11: olive tree imagery: some broken off, others grafted in, all watch for themselves C. Paul then goes on to provide information on matters of faith D. Romans 12 and 13 1. Christians as living and holy sacrifices, not conforming to world (12:1-2) 2. Church as body-- no one to get puffed up, each has their role in the greater whole, each must use his gifts (12:3-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-28) 3. Abhor evil, cling to good (12:9) 4. Love one another, honor one another, take care of one another (12:10, 13) 5. Bless those who persecute them, be at peace with all men as able (12:14, 18) 6. Good is to conquer evil (12:9-21) 7. Government to be respected and honored, taxes to be paid, neighbors to be loved (Romans 13) E. Romans 14-15:7 1. Contentious issue: eating of food 2. Possibly food sacrificed to idols, most likely Jewish cleanliness laws (cf. "observing of days", Romans 14:5, Colossians 2:14-17) 3. Many good observations 4. Each side not to set each other at naught or condemn (14:3) 5. Resolve to not put stumbling-block in a brother's way (v. 13) 6. Liberty in "food and drink", not "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (v. 17) 7. Should not do anything by which a brother stumbles (v. 21) 8. Good to not be condemned in what is approved (v. 22) 9. Act in faith, what is not of faith is sin (v. 23) 10. Strong should bear with the weak, love the neighbor more than self, as did Christ (15:1-3) 11. Receive each other as Christ received us (15:4-7) F. Romans 15-16 1. Romans strong enough to admonish one another, full of goodness and knowledge (15:14) 2. Wants to impart spiritual gift, comfort each other in faith (1:11) 3. Wants to rest with brethren in Rome (15:32) 4. Brethren to mark those who teach error, stay away from them (16:16-17) 5. Not because Romans are disobedient, but that they not be deceived (16:18-19) G. Church in Rome, 57 1. Relatively strong 2. Full of goodness and knowledge 3. Some issues with Jewish-Gentile differences 4. Given Paul's warm reception 3 years later, likely resolved (Acts 28:15) V. Paul and Rome, 58-67 A. Paul to Rome 1. After writing letter, to Macedonia, around Asia Minor, to Caesarea (Acts 20:2-21:8) 2. Went to Jerusalem, met with brethren, compelled to go to Temple (Acts 21:9-26) 3. There accused of bringing Gentile into Temple, imprisoned by Romans (Acts 21:27-40) 4. Extradited to Caesarea, imprisoned two years of end of Felix's rule, beginning of Festus' rule (58-59, Acts 23:18-24:27) 5. Before Festus, appeals to Caesar, is granted appeal (Acts 25:1-12, 60 CE) 6. After difficult journey, arrives in Italy (Acts 27:1-28:12) 7. Syracuse to Rhegium to Puteoli; brethren in Puteoli (Acts 28:12-14) 8. Met by Roman brethren at Three Taverns, escorted to Rome (Acts 28:12-14) B. Activities in Rome 1. Left under house arrest for two years, able to be visited (60-62; Acts 28:16, 30) 2. Summons respected Jews to him, preaches Gospel (Acts 28:17-28) 3. Some believed, some did not; Paul went to Gentiles 4. Preaches two years in Rome without hindrance (Acts 28:30-31) C. Letters 1. While there, writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians 2. Philippians 4:22: some Christians in Caesar's house, greet Philippians D. Post-Imprisonment (63-?) 1. Not precisely known 2. Paul likely found innocent, let go (Acts 25:18-21, 26:32) 3. Traveled after that, at least to Macedonia and Crete, possibly Spain and other locations also (1 Timothy 1:3, Titus 1:5, Romans 15:24) E. 2 Timothy 1. Back in prison, in dire straits (2 Timothy 1:12, 4:16-18) 2. Probably in Rome, dies soon after 3. Tradition: beheaded in Rome by Nero (Eusebius, History of the Church 2.25.5) F. Neroian Persecution 1. Christians in Rome suffer persecution by Nero, ca. 64-68 CE 2. 64: Rome burned 3. Nero took advantage for himself, city 4. Blamed Christians for the fire (Tacitus, Annals 15.44) 5. Christians subjected to wild animals, burned alive (ibid) 6. No indication of persecution spreading beyond Rome, but Christians now known as distinct group 7. Based upon likely travels, Paul likely dies later than earlier (ca. 65-67) VI. Peter in Rome A. Peter after Jerusalem conference, Acts 15 1. In Antioch when Paul opposed him (Galatians 2:11-14; 53-54 CE?) 2. Likely in Corinth between 52-57 (1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:22) B. Roman evidence 1. 1 Peter 5:13 2. Some attribute "Babylon" to literal place in Iraq 3. Not likely - no evidence 4. Babylon as code for Rome (Revelation 18) 5. 2 Timothy 4:11-- Mark, who is with Peter in 1 Peter 5:13, brought to Rome with Timothy for Paul 6. 1 Peter, then, likely written in Rome to Asia Minor C. Peter the elder 1. 1 Peter 5:1-4: Peter as an elder 2. Thus, an elder in Rome, but not the only elder 3. No reason to believe in later Roman Catholic belief of "chair of Peter" in Rome D. Peter meets his end in Rome 1. Tradition says he was crucified in Rome under Nero (Eusebius, History of the Church 2.25.5) 2. After Paul-- likely 66-68 CE E. Although role not fully known, Peter as elder in Rome, meets end there VII. Rome After the Apostles, 70-115 A. No more NT revelation B. Some evidence from later writers C. 1 Clement, ca. 70 1. Letter from church in Rome to church in Corinth (1 Clement 1) 2. Church in Rome went through difficulties (ibid) 3. Church in Corinth inquired of church in Rome regarding some issues (ibid) 4. Response not as authoritarian church, but as brethren exhorting other brethren 5. Indicates that church in Rome suffering yet respected D. Ignatius, ca. 115 1. Sends letter to Rome, expecting to be martyred there 2. Does not want Roman Christians hindering his martyrdom (Ignatius, Letter to the Romans 2) 3. Does not mention bishop situation a. Rome would not hear of it? b. Rome already had it? c. Ignatius not concerned about them as much as