tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23092606140962568002024-03-19T21:37:14.831+10:00Sovereign Awakening: The blog of Ben ValentineThe Personal blog of Benjamin ValentineBen Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-89313485442698972842017-01-12T10:16:00.000+10:002017-03-15T10:18:50.445+10:00Interpreting Revelation and the End-Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How should we understand the book of Revelation and
end-times prophecy?<br />
<br />
When you talk about doing Bible Study and how one interprets the Bible, one of
the common questions you will encounter – both from believers and
non-Christians – will be what about the book of Revelation? How are we to
understand all the prophecies concerning the apocalypse, the return of Christ
and final judgment? What I want to do in this video is give a basic primer on
the basic terms you will encounter when discussion end-times theology.<br />
<br />
(roll intro)<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">FUTURISM VS PRETERISM: <br />
A futurist will interpret the end-times as being future events. <br />
A preterist will argue that texts such as the Book of Revelation are not so
much prophecies foretelling future events, but rather are FORTHTELLINGS of
present and past events that the original readers would have already been
familiar with in their own cultural contexts as occurring within their own time
frame. <br />
<br />
Example: In Luke 21, Jesus talks about the desolation of Jerusalem. A Futurist
may take this to mean the nation of Israel established in the Palestine region
post-WW2 will come under attack. The Preterist will argue that it refers to the
destruction of the Temple in 70 AD by the Romans.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">THE TRIBULATION: The time when the church undergoes an all-out assault by
Satan’s minions. <br />
<br />
THE MILLENIUM: Once the Tribulation is over, the [earthly] time when sin, Satan
and Death are defeated. <br />
Pre-millennials believe that Jesus’ return will mark the beginning of the
Millenium.<br />
Post-millenials believe that Jesus will return at the end of it (i.e., the
Church brings about Jesus’ return). <br />
<br />
THE RAPTURE: When God takes all believers (dead and currently alive) to heaven
to live with Christ forever.<br />
<br />
DISPENSATIONALISM VS COVENANT THEOLOGY<br />
Dispensationalists argue that the Biblical Covenants (Abrahamic > Mosaic
> Davidic > The New Covenant) are TRANSITIONAL in terms of time,
conditions and promises.<br />
Covenant Theology argues that the Covenants are PROGRESSIVE (Redemption, works,
Grace), hence the cautions and promises of one covenant are not necessarily
boxed into “that was Old Testament, we’re in the New” (e.g., we partake of the
New Covenant, the Gospel, via grace through justification by faith. Yet who
does the Bible use as the model for Justification by Faith? Abraham.)<br />
<br />
ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH<br />
<br />
Israel certainly factors into the end-times. “All of Israel will be saved”
(Romans 11:26).<br />
Since the over-arching theme of Romans 9-11 is "What is God going to do
with the Jews now that Christ has come?" <br />
The question is “Who is ‘Israel’?”<br />
a) The nation-state of Israel?<br />
b) Ethnic Jews?<br />
c) Believers in Judaism?<br />
d) Jewish Christians aka Messianic Jews<br />
e) God’s people overall?<br />
<br />
Dispensationalists believe that because the biblical covenants are
transitional, ISRAEL and THE CHURCH are therefore two separate and distinct
entities. God’s plan and relationship with one is not the same as the other.
E.g, in the book of Revelation, the church appears in Chapters 1-3, then in
Chapter 22. What happens in between? The focus turns to Israel.<br />
Covenant Theology advocates REPLACEMENT; the Church replaces Israel as God’s
chosen people, and thus receives and partake of all the blessing, warning and
promises. <br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
Now some would say: What’s all the point of this? There are individuals as well
as ministries who devote hours or tuime, money and resources trying to
interpret how the end-times will play out. Books have been written, movies have
been made. And very often when people try to make precise predictions, they
tend to be embarrassingly wrong as the world’s events play out.<br />
If there is a critical flaw in the Futurist interpretation of Revelation, it
would be that it does open the door to a slippery slope where a theologian who
usually excels in exegetical study gets sloppy and finds themselves they trying
to read things into the text based on whatever they see in today’s headlines.<br />
<br />
Regardless of how you interpret Revelation and the End times, it’s important to
take heed of the words of the Apostle Peter:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">9 </span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as
some count slowness, but is patient toward you,<sup>[</sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A9-14&version=ESV#fen-ESV-30515a" title="See footnote a"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a</span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> not wishing
that any should perish, butthat all should reach repentance. <sup>10 </sup>But the day of the
Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a
roar, and the heavenly bodies<sup>[</sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A9-14&version=ESV#fen-ESV-30516b" title="See footnote b"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">b</span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> will be burned
up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be
exposed. <br />
<sup>11 </sup>Since all
these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be
in lives of holiness and godliness, <sup>12 </sup>waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of
God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved,
and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! <sup>13 </sup>But according to his
promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which
righteousness dwells.<br />
<sup>14 </sup>Therefore,
beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by
him without spot or blemish, and at peace.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <br />
2 Peter 3:9-14</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
How is your view of the end-times impacting what you’re doing now, today? Are
you living a holy, godly life? Can you say that when Jesus returns on the Day
of the Lord you will be found without blemish and at peace? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-14112634463326387642017-01-10T10:10:00.000+10:002017-03-15T10:11:46.635+10:00The Problem with Baby-Boomers in Retirement (Simon Sinek response)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-48891658708281188512017-01-07T10:06:00.000+10:002017-03-15T10:08:36.159+10:006 Must-Have Bible study tools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So in my last video I talked about basic rules for your
personal Bible Study. What I want to do in this video is to walk you through
some must-have tools and resources to give you the cutting edge in rightly
handling God’s word.<br />
<br />
<br />
1. Commentaries<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Bible commentaries</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">aid in the study of Scripture by providing
explanation and interpretation of Biblical text. Whether you are just beginning
to read Scripture or have been studying the Bible daily, commentaries offer
greater understanding with background information on authorship, history,
setting, and theme.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2. Concordances<br />
<br />
A concordance is a listing of words and phrases found in Bible and shows where
the terms occur throughout all books of Scripture. With cross-references for
verses, concordances make it easy to understand the meaning of terms and the
context in which those words are used. <br />
<br />
Suggested resource:<br />
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance is the most widely known and popular and
includes Greek and Hebrew dictionaries for a better understanding of the
original meaning.<span class="apple-converted-space"><br />
<br />
<br />
3. Dictionaries and Lexicons<br />
<br />
</span>Lexicons provide definitions and meaning of Biblical words found in the
original New Testament Greek and Old Testament Hebrew languages of the Holy
Bible. </span><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">They provide a concise meaning of the original
Hebrew and Greek words, often providing Bible verse references as examples. If
there are several Greek words that may translate to the same English word, the
Lexicon will distinguish the connotation that may be lost in the English
translation.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;">This helps in understanding the origins and
root meaning of the ancient language. Additionally, lexicons give the context
and cultural meaning intended by the authors.<span class="apple-converted-space"><br />
<br />
Recommendation: <br />
<i>Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the Old
and New Testaments<br />
<br />
</i><br />
4. Systematic Theologies<br />
<br />
A Systematic theology will outline essential Christian Doctrines based on how
they are presented throughout the entirety of Scripture from Genesis through to
Revelation. Now <i>just like a commentary,
Systematic Theologies will of course lean in favour to the views</i> and
opinions of the scholar, so it may be a good idea to grab a few different ones
just so you get a balanced perspective.<br />
<br />
My recommendations:<br />
<br />
<i>Systematic Theology</i> by Wayne Grudem<br />
<i>Know the Truth </i>by Bruce Milne<br />
and<br />
<i>Pilgrim Theology </i>by Michael Horton<br />
<br />
<br />
6. Study Bibles<br />
<br />
A good study bible will include the standard Bible text, as well as tools such
as commentary, maps, an index and a brief theology overview. Now in today’s
technological age, you can get a study Bible either in hardcopy format, or you
can purchase it as an app from iTunes or Google Play.<br />
<br />
My weapon of Choice: <i>The ESV Study Bible</i><br />
<br />
Which brings me to my last and most versatile tool: <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
6. Bible Study software<br />
<br />
Now lets be honest: having all these thick, hardcover books on your shelf in
your living room on display will command instant respect and just screams
“hardcore nerd.” <br />
<br />
But let’s also be practical: what if you’re on the move and you still want to
have these tools on hand when you need them? <br />
Answer – go digital with Bible software. You just open the app on your tablet
of computer’s desktop, and there you go – instant access to all of your Bible
translations, commentaries, dictionaries at the click of a button.<br />
<br />
Now the price of the various packages and what they contain will vary. On one
end of the scale you have E-Sword which you can download for free and will give
you all of the above resources mentioned with the option of purchasing
additional modules should you choose.<br />
On the other end you have Logos 7, whose starter Library package will set you
back $135, though for the full portfolio you will spend as much as $4000. As
one who uses the Logos starter pack, I will say that you definitely get what
you pay for, and with their new cloud feature, you have the added plus of
downloading any content you already purchased in the event of your computer’s
hard drive getting wiped.<br />
<br />
So whether you decide to go with hard copy or digital, these tools will surely
up your game and uncover those treasures in your studies. <br />
So have fun, and I look forward to talking to you soon! <br />
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Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-55311559542267039302017-01-01T09:56:00.000+10:002017-03-15T09:59:07.239+10:00How to read the Bible Properly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So you’ve picked up a Bible either from church or the
bookstore – and you don’t know where to start, how to read it properly, what
applies to you, what doesn’t. I say: don’t panic – this video is for you. <br />
<br />
<br />
<roll intro><br />
<br />
When reading the Bible, I use a four step process:<br />
Scripture<br />
Observation<br />
Application<br />
Prayer<br />
<br />
S-O-A-P or simply, S.O.A.P.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 1: Identify the </b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">S</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">cripture</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What is the text that you’re studying? Have a basic read-through<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Step 2: Make </b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">O</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">bservations</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
1. <i>What is the historical context?</i> –
Who wrote the text? Where did they write it? When was it written? What is going
on in the word around them?<br />
<br />
2. <i>What is the genre?</i> Is it a
narrative? A poem? Prophecy? Teaching? A letter? The Bible isn’t written in a
single style of writing, so you have to be able to recognize the format.<br />
<br />
3. <i>Who’s involved?</i> Who are the major
characters within the text? <br />
<br />
4. <i>How is God described?</i> What are the
theological themes that describe the nature of God?<br />
<br />
5. <i>Old Testament or New?</i> When reading
an Old Testament passage, does the revelation of the New Testament and what
Jesus did on the cross change our understanding? <br />
<br />
6. <i>How is the writing arranged?</i> Are
there certain words or phrases that are either repeated or emphasized? How does
the author’s use of a certain term apply in other passages related to the text
we’re studying?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>Biblical Times<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'>21<sup>st</sup> Century<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<i
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Time<br>
Culture<br>
Language<br>
Covenant<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</div>
<![if !mso]></td>
</tr>
</table>
<![endif]></v:textbox>
<w:wrap type="tight"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">pply the
Principles</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <br />
Build the Bridge</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1. Grasp the
text on their turf.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> What did the text mean to the original audience?<br />
<br />
<i>2. Measure the width of the gap to cross.</i>
What are the differences (Time, culture, language, covenant) between the
biblical audience and us?<br />
<br />
<i>3. Cross the Bridge</i>. What are the
underlying principles (theological, moral, etc.) that are not limited to time
and culture?<br />
<br />
<i>4. Bring the text home</i>. How should we
as Christians apply the principles in our lives today?<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<b>4. </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">P</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">ray</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Commit what you have learned before God in prayer, thanking him for what you
have learned and asking that he give you the grace to live it out.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Common mistakes to avoid:<br />
</b><br />
1. <i>Inductive vs Deductive</i>. <br />
<br />
<i>Inductive:</i> Examining data to make a
conclusion and deriving the resulting application <br />
<i>Deductive: </i>Having a pre-conceived
application and then picking out the evidences to support it.<br />
<br />
If one approaches a text with an intended application in mind <i>before</i> actually taking the time to
observe the Historical-Grammatical contexts to see whether the text will even
allow for such an application, they can only be expected to misinterpret and
misapply the scriptures. <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>2. Authorial Intent vs Reader response</i><br />
<br />
<i>Reader Response: </i>“This is what <i>I</i> feel the text is saying to <i>me</i> personally…”<br />
<i>Authorial Intent:</i> What did the author
– under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – actually intend to convey?<br />
<br />
Simply put, if a text doesn’t <i>say</i> it,
the text cannot <i>mean</i> it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>3. Don’t overcomplicate the text</i><br />
<br />
In our zeal for spiritual knowledge, it is all-too-easy to fall into the trap
of over-spiritualizing a text to make it seem more complicated and profound
that what it actually is. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 20.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<i>4. Never read a single verse on it’s own!</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 20.0pt;"><br />
Let me tell you a story: You have a man and woman who have been happily
married, both go to church on Sunday. The husband discovers that his wife has
actually been having an extra-marital affair with another man. So the husband
arranges a counseling session with their pastor, who is very straitforward in
telling the wife: “You know that what you’re doing is wrong and your husband is
heartbroken. Why are you doing this?”<br />
The wife says bodly: “I’m allowed to do this, the Bible says so!” <br />
The pastor smiled and rolled his eyes. “Oh really? Where in the Bible?”<br />
The wife replied: “Ephesians 4 says we are to ‘put on the new man’!” <br />
<br />
When reading a verse, read it in context of it’s parent chapter; read the
chapter in context of the book; and read a book in context of the entirety of
scripture.<br />
<br />
<br />
This is just a short summary, but trust me when I say that it’s not
complicated. If you want something that goes a bit more in depth that you can
either watch at home or with your friends in a small group Bible Study, may I
recommend the DVD “Herman Who” by Todd Friel. There’ll be a link in the
description below.<br />
<br />
In my next video I’ll be showing you some of the tools you can use to get the
extra edge in getting the most out of your Bible Study. <br />
See you soon.</span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-44682820084499445872016-12-08T09:51:00.000+10:002017-03-15T09:52:01.614+10:00Do new technologies steal jobs?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OaOZYLvsPic/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OaOZYLvsPic?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">As someone who works in retail, one of my daily duties is to supervise,
maintain and teach people how to use the Self-Service checkout systems. Now
Some people are quick to catch on how to use them, others need a bit more
practice and there are of course those who will avoid them altogether. The most
common excuse: If people use those things, employees lose jobs.<br />
Is this true? Does introducing new technologies into an industry reduce its
workforce?<br />
<br />
First of all, off the bat, having a self-service checkout at a supermarket is
by no means a fool-proof system. In addition to the supervisor, to keep the
self-serve running you also require<br />
- The Sales Manager<br />
- The payroll team to collect and process profits<br />
- IT support <br />
- Technicians to make on-sight repairs when necessary<br />
So in that sense, having a self-service checkout system won’t reduce the number
of staff – you actually require MORE people to keep them up and running
smoothly.<br />
<br />
Secondly, for anyone who’s worked in retail, you will NEVER hear the accusation
that technology results in a loss of jobs from anyone under the age of sixty
who carries a smart-phone in their pocket. These comments typically come from
those around retirement age at most.<br />
<br />
So what’s the reasoning behind equating technology with job loss?<br />
<br />
Let me tell you a story: Around 2006, I worked an admin job for a
government-run printing company here in Brisbane. Now this company at the time
I started working used old analogue printers where in order to print a
document, you would have to prepare a separate plate for each page. Some of the
staff who were operating these machines had been in the industry for up to
twenty, even thirty years.<br />
Now around early 2007, the decision was made to bring in a pair of brand-new
digital color printers which are obviously computerised. As we brought these
machines in, our company also brought on a graphic design team so that not only
could we print documents, we could make our own artwork and graphics to go with
them.<br />
So what happened to the people who were using the old printers? Most of them
while being industry veterans, had no idea how to use a computer, much less
create graphics with Photoshop. My task as an admin assistant was to research
where they could get the training so they could be brought up to speed – which
the company was willing to pay for. Guess how many people signed up for
training? None. How long did they stay with the company? Not very long. Most
ended up retiring early<br />
Why was this? I daresay: complacency – they came to work doing the same tasks,
the same way, day after day, month after month, year after year, with little
change. The company itself did not lose jobs numerically by bringing in new
technology – by necessity it actuality required more people as it grew and
expanded both in it’s methods as well as the final products it sold. What
changed was the criteria for required competency.<br />
And that’s basically Business Management 101: As the market grows, so does
demand for newer, better products. Newer products require research and development
into new technologies. New technologies require new skills and competencies. New
Skills and Competencies come through TRAINING. For a business and it’s
employees to intentionally avoid this would be corporate suicide. <br />
That being said, as these older team members eventually left their positions,
who was to blame? Was it the company? The new graphic design team? Or… just
themselves? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was having a conversation with an acquaintance from Singapore who’s currently
applying for Australian citizenship. He said to me: “Ben, I honestly can’t
understand the work ethic of older Australians.”<br />
“Why’s that?”<br />
He said: “Ben in Singapore, when a young man finishes school, he gets sent to
boot camp to begin National Service in the Defence Forces. Every summer over
the next three years, everything that is said and done by the recruits is
centred upon meeting a standard that affects both yourself and your comrades.
And if you fall below that standard, you work as hard as you can to get there,
or you wash out. And that attitude carries on into work and education. I look
at older Australians and they always want the path of least resistance – they
don’t want to learn anything new, they’re unashamedly critical of higher
education. But the moment you have a younger person – or even a migrant – come
into the company with the latest skills and qualifications and quickly climbs
the promotion ladder, they quickly throw up their hands in protest.”<br />
<br />
Wow.<br />
<br />
So the objection that new technologies
steal jobs is simply not reasonable – At worst, it actually reflects a lazy
work ethic.<br />
<br />
So what do you think: Is this merely a generational issue, or is technology to
blame? I’d love to know what your thoughts are</span>Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-45943602556408530042016-11-16T09:43:00.000+10:002017-03-15T09:45:39.777+10:00Why "GOD'S WONDERFUL PLAN" causes shame and cruelty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MB0zOvjQQa8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MB0zOvjQQa8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Transcript:<br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Consider the typical gospel
presentation:<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="background: #FFF9EE; color: #222222; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. God LOVES you and has a wonderful PLAN for
your life.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: #FFF9EE; color: #222222;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="background: #FFF9EE; color: #222222;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.
Man is SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's
love and plan for his life.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.
Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know
and experience God's love and plan for your life.</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.
We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know
and experience God's love and plan for our lives.<br />
<br />
</span></strong></span></b><strong><span style="background: #FFF9EE; color: #222222; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That sounds like what it commonly taught by churches, student groups, and
missionary groups. But is this a true explanation of the gospel, or even of how
Christians actually live? <br />
<br />
(roll intro)<br />
<br />
So what’s wrong with saying that God has a Wonderful Plan for your life?<br />
</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: #FFF9EE; color: #222222;">Obviously, </span></span><span style="background: #FFF9EE; color: #222222;">The message is man-centred:</span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
<span style="background: #FFF9EE;">If you were to go around asking people what
their idea of God’s wonderful plan for their life was, most of the answers you
would receive would be very carnal in nature, referring to today secular,
materialistic culture. The drawcard this method uses is one of life
enhancement; If you accept Jesus into your life, your life will get better as a
result of following God's plan.</span><br />
<span style="background: #FFF9EE;"> But by what standard exactly are
we defining wonderful? When we look at the lives of the 12 Disciples and what
they went through - hardships, persecutions, imprisonments, shipwrecks,
ostracism, physical assault, martyrdom - as recorded in the book of Acts in
addition to the plights of missionaries today who have experienced horrifying
situations of persecution for sharing the gospel in areas that are hostile
towards it, how can we reconcile a message of life enhancement with the truth
of the adversity Christians suffer from for practicing their faith? How can
anyone faithfully read Acts from cover to cover then look a non-Christian in
the eye and joyfully say<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>"God
has a wonderful plan your life!"</i></span><br />
<span style="background: #FFF9EE;"> It's just not being honest.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: #FFF9EE;"><br />
But what about the believers within the church – what does such a message
ultimately say to those who already profess to be Christians?<br />
If you’ve been in church long enough that you are able to be aware of what
those in your immediate fellowship go through each week, you know all too well
that the grass isn’t greener on the other side. You know that there are genuine
Christians going through health problems, relationship issues, financial
difficulties, tragedies. <br />
But isn’t the gospel that says “God has a Wonderful Plan for your life”
supposed to make Christians rise up and above such things? If the gospel is
“Believe in Jesus, he will make life fulfilling, abundant and prosperous” but
yet you have people inside the church going through the things I just
mentioned, then either:<br />
a) Such people are not Christians because their lives don’t line up with the
message<br />
or <br />
b) That’s just not the true gospel.<br />
<br />
If a church wants to be true to such a message, than obviously the worse thing
you can do is have people going through difficulties talking about it openly to
unbelievers. </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129;">The false gospel of “God has a Wonderful
plan for Your Life” has only served to produce multitudes of people who
perpetually wear these emotionless smiles out of fear that by being honest and
upfront about the realities of life, Christianity will seem empty and lifeless.
Don’t talk about health problems. Don’t discuss relationship breakdowns. Don’t
discuss relatives disowning you because your newfound faith conflicts with
their own beliefs. Don’t say or do anything that would make the gospel seem
like a killjoy for people’s lives.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129;"><br />
<span style="background: white;"><br />
When believers undergoing trials and hardships are told to bring what was
preached from the pulpit into the harvest field, they become the unwilling
victims of accusations of hypocrisy on the part of those who are against
Christianity. The authenticity of our testimony is immediately put under
scrutiny. Who is going to believe the validity of our personal witness if our
circumstances are not visibly better than those without Christ? <br />
</span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white;"><br />
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says</span></sup></b></span><br />
<span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white;">3 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white;">Blessed be the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">God of all comfort,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white;">4 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white;">who comforts us in all our affliction, so
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the
comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.<br />
<br />
Likewise, James 5:13-14 tells us <br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">13 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is
anyone cheerful? Let him</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">sing praise.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the
elders of the church, and let them pray over him,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.<br />
<br />
Both of these texts refer to the church supporting believers who are undergoing
suffering. But in all honesty, when you have a message that says that becoming
a Christian is supposed to make life better, how is such compassion to
expressed? Is it done in the open, is part of the Sunday worship gathering
devoted to congregants praying for each other as well as meeting up during the
week; or is it done quietly in private
behind closed doors lest unbelievers get the wrong impression? If the latter,
then like it or not, what you have done is thrust upon people a culture of
shame that the Bible gives no support for.<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whenever I hear a preacher say “God has a
wonderful plan for your life”, "God wants you to be Prosperous", or
“God wants you to Live your Best Life”, I can't help but automatically think of
the Christians who are daily being murdered by groups like ISIS in the Middle
East and Boko Haram in Africa; I think of parents who have to empty their bank
accounts when one of their children suffers a serious illness that requires
special treatment; I think about those I know within the church who struggle
daily with depression and anxiety.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">I wonder how and why people can tolerate such
preaching on one hand while and weep for the other at the same time - and yet
not see any disconnect between the two. And it does beg the question: during
the week, the pastor who is a faithful sheperd to those entrusted to his care
will either do visitations or open his own door to listen to those who are
struggling, and offer prayer and support. If there is anyone in the church who
should understand the reality of Christian suffering, it should be the pastor, right?
So what exactly goes through their mind when they meet with such people during
the week, yet on Sundays they get behind the pulpit to deliver a
life-enhancement message with the hopes that it will get people saved? Does
that part of their psyche which lets them understand and empathise with others
just get turned off, or do they just not really care at all?<br />
<br />
If you’re a pastor, an evangelist or a missionary, you’re probably watching
thid vid, and right now you’re upset, you’re irritated, you’re angry. You’re
thinking of either leaving a nasty anonymous comment or hitting the dislike
button. Well that’s good because it shows the understand the gravity of your
responsibility. Hopefully you are considering that you need to rethink your
message, take your church through some much needed evaluation, and take the
necessary steps to reconcile with those whose lives have been seriously hurt by
the kind of preaching im talking about. <br />
If on the other hand, you’re not sure and your going to keep this on the shelf
until it blows over, let me warn you: as a pastor of a local church, you may be
currently dealing with what may seem like private trials that can be kept
behind closed doors in secret. But it is inevitable that one day you will ghave
to address an issue of such great tradegy within your church that everyone both
within the congregation and outside the community will be aware of. The onus is
going to be upon you to say and do what is right before the parties involved,
as well as the Lord Jesus himself. And that will be the true test of whether
you really are a true shepard or whether you are a hirling who runs away when
the times get tough.<br />
<br />
Now I’m assuming that the vast majority of people watching this vid are not
iordained pastors or evangelists, but everyday church members, just as I am. If
you understand what I’m saying, you’re wondering where can I go to learn more
or how can I get the word out – I recommend you listen to the sermon “Hell’s
best Kept Secret” by Ray Comfort. This message changed my Christian walk, it
changed the way I share the gospel, how I view salvation, everything. But have
a listen, forward it to others in your church, to your pastor, your evangelism
team. Share it with them and meet up later to talk about it.<br />
I say this with urgency because there will come a time when those who are
ministers of the gospel, the pastors and evangelists, those on television, the
authors of the books you read – they will have to face God on judgment day, not
on the basis of whether they go to heaven or hell, but what did as stewards of
the gospel. No doubt there will be many who will step forward expecting jesus
to say “well done, good and faithful servant” but insterad he will say “how
could you be so cruel to the ones I placed in your care?”<br />
<br />
Church, we cannot keep ignoring the reality of Christians who suffer as a
consequence of their faith – both abroad as well as in our immediate
fellowship. Let’s stop pretending. Let’s end the shame. Let’s end the silence.
Thankyou for watching.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-90096935221959547032016-11-03T09:34:00.000+10:002017-03-15T09:36:39.248+10:0030 Minute Learning Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0Brisbane QLD, Australia-27.4697707 153.02512350000006-27.4697707 153.02512350000006 -27.4697707 153.02512350000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-30757709018099007472016-10-09T09:05:00.000+10:002017-03-15T09:06:31.509+10:00My Conversion Testiomony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-89211119523396610362016-09-29T09:00:00.000+10:002017-03-15T09:01:17.069+10:00My Cerebral Palsy Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-50147090400076309802016-09-29T08:42:00.000+10:002017-03-15T08:45:55.033+10:00What is the Gospel?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-54913992618058206612016-09-29T08:36:00.000+10:002017-03-15T08:38:15.685+10:00Announcing my official Youtube Channel!<br />
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Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-14161245748644804232014-07-09T02:22:00.000+10:002014-07-09T02:22:57.774+10:00 Was Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh” a physical sickness? An expository study of 2 Corinthians 12<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained
by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>2 </sup></b>I know a man in
Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the
body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>3 </sup></b>And I know that this man was caught up into
paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>4 </sup></b>and he heard things
that cannot be told, which man may not utter. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>5 </sup></b>On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own
behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>6 </sup></b>though if I should wish to boast, I would not be
a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no
one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>7 </sup></b>So to keep me from
becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a
thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me
from becoming conceited. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>8 </sup></b>Three
times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>9 </sup></b>But he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power
of Christ may rest upon me. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>10 </sup></b>For
the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships,
persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2 Corinthians 12:1-10</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the Christian supposed to respond in the midst of suffering in hardship?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The above passage taken from the
Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians has long been a source of
encouragement to believers undergoing difficulty – especially the words “My
grace is sufficient.” No matter what challenges the Christian may face, the
Lord is with us to carry us through any and all obstacles.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what was Paul himself referring to
that would spurn him to plead thrice for the mercy of God? Was he simply
referring to his sufferings in general that were applicable only to himself, or
was he referring to something specific yet normative for any believer in
similar circumstances?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Common
Interpretations of “Thorn in the flesh”</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Opposition
to the Apostolic ministry<br />
<br />
</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the most basic level,
the “thorn” could be a metaphor for the opposition that Paul faced for
preaching the gospel. This can be confirmed by the surrounding passages where
Paul talks about both persecution against both his ministry and person as well
as having to confront the false “Super-apostles” who had infiltrated the
Corinthian church:<br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">24 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Five
times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>25 </sup></b>Three times I was
beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and
a day I was adrift at sea; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>26 </sup></b>on
frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my
own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness,
danger at sea, danger from false brothers; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>27 </sup></b>in
toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often
without food, in cold and exposure. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>28 </sup></b>And,
apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for
all the churches. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>29 </sup></b>Who
is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2 Corinthians 11:24–29</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Jewish euphemism</i><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does the phrase “thorn in the flesh”
appear elsewhere in Scripture? Indeed it does:<br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">53 </span></sup></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">And you shall take
possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to
possess it.<b><sup>54 </sup></b>You shall inherit the land by lot
according to your clans. To a large tribe you shall give a large
inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance. Wherever
the lot falls for anyone, that shall be his. According to the tribes of your
fathers you shall inherit. <b><sup>55 </sup></b>But if you do not
drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom
you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides,
and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. <b><sup>56 </sup></b>And
I will do to you as I thought to do to them.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Numbers 33:53-56</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;">Now the angel of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> went up from Gilgal
to Bochim. And he said, “I brought you up from Egypt and brought you into
the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break
my covenant with you, <sup>2 </sup>and you shall make no covenant
with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But
you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done? <sup>3 </sup>So
now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall
become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Judges 2:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">12 </span></sup></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">For if you turn back and
cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make
marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, <b><sup>13 </sup></b>know
for certain that the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your
God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a
snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until
you perish from off this good ground that the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God has given you.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<h1 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="passage-display-bcv"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joshua 23:12-13</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Those who cling to a Dispensational
hermeneutic as taught and promoted by the likes of Darby, C.I. Schofield and
Charles Ryrie will no doubt appeal to the “Law of First mention” – that the
first mention of any given word in scripture is to be the basis of
interpretation for future usage – as the basis for defining Paul’s thorn. Paul
must therefore be likening his struggles to the conditions experienced by
Ancient Israel. The problems I can see with this interpretation are:<br />
1. Contrary to dispensationalism, there is no clear precedent within scripture
itself (let alone the Hebrew or Greek languages) wherein the first mention of
any given word is binding upon definition at the expense of connotation. </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #29303b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">As
an example of the problems inherent in the first mention method consider Cain.
He was the first person in the Bible to bring a botanical offering to God and
that offering was rejected (Genesis 4:2-5). Should we therefore conclude that
all such offerings will be rejected? Of course not, because in Deuteronomy
26:1-4 God commands an offering of fruit to be brought by the children of
Israel and placed on His altar.<br />
2. The historical context of the above three verses refers to national Israel’s
relationship with it’s neighbours under the Mosaic covenant. If Israel were to
break covenant, the surrounding nation would become “thorns”. But this clearly
has nothing to do with the overarching meaning of 2 Corinthians 11-12. Paul is
giving a personal testimony, not a history lesson.<br />
3. It should be remembered that 1 and 2 Corinthians was written to a primarily
gentile audience. For Paul to resort to Jewish slang in the midst of the
Corinthians’ several problem would be of little benefit. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Demonic oppression</i><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XMu7nTD8kgDwteFz_XWgMSz4Vmmx0QLWA0VouI-p4_o-AAJ0QrtnfrX9y4TnmR6jAKOU7sOOzQO0wGSI9xDmzRy-At3mLWqGzEYEz1OC-iXT4YcUz1LkiQP3PP36pWvqSrd26vF_HRC0/s1600/Paul's+Thorn+in+the+Flesh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XMu7nTD8kgDwteFz_XWgMSz4Vmmx0QLWA0VouI-p4_o-AAJ0QrtnfrX9y4TnmR6jAKOU7sOOzQO0wGSI9xDmzRy-At3mLWqGzEYEz1OC-iXT4YcUz1LkiQP3PP36pWvqSrd26vF_HRC0/s1600/Paul's+Thorn+in+the+Flesh.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This would be most obvious from v7: “a
messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited”. The word
for “messenger” is angelos – from where we derive the English “Angel”. In other
words, this is a demon sent to torment Paul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the thorn was an attack from Satan
to attack him spiritually, right? Not necessarily.</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>F<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3a3c3f; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">irst, Paul describes
the purpose for the “thorn” as preventing “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">me from becoming
conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations”</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #3a3c3f; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">. But
Satan's whole design is to produce conceit, pride and arrogance, not prevent
it. That's how Satan tempts people: either with pride in ourselves, or despair
over. Paul's revelations opened the possibiity to pride and self-exaltation.
Satan wanted to make Paul miserable and turn him away from the faith and the
ministry and the value of the visions he had seen. But God wanted to make Paul
humble and turn him away from self-exaltation. So God appointed the thorn of
Satan for the work of sanctification.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A physical ailment</i><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is no secret that sickness and
physical infirmities were a regular part of the lives of the Apostle Paul and
those he worked with:<br />
<br />
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">12</span></a>
Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You
did me no wrong. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">13</span></a> You
know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at
first, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">14</span></a>
and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me,
but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.<br />
<b>Galatians 4:12-14<br />
<br />
</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">25</span></a>
I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow
worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">26</span></a>
for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard
that he was ill. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">27</span></a>
Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him
but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">28</span></a>
I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him
again, and that I may be less anxious.<br />
<b>Philippians 2:25-28</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">22</span></a>
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others;
keep yourself pure. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">23</span></a>
(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach
and your frequent ailments.)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Timothy 5:22-23</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">19</span></a>
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">20</span></a>
Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at
Miletus. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">21</span></a>
Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do
Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.<br />
<b>2 Timothy 4:19-21</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even the Apostle Paul, for whom healings and miracles was a
regular part of his own ministry, still had to call upon Luke to serve as his
personal physician when traveling:<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">12</span></a>
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always
struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully
assured in all the will of God. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">13</span></a>
For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in
Laodicea and in Hierapolis. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">14</span></a>
Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Colossians 4:12-14<br />
<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">10</span></a>
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to
Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">11</span></a>
Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful
to me for ministry.<br />
<b>2 Timothy 4:10-11</b></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
is a seemingly cruel irony in that while Paul himself had the gift of healing
and it greatly aided his preaching of the gospel, he still had a doctor present
to lend support when worse came to worse.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dynamis teleitai astheneia</i>” – the
reality of God-given ailment (and what Faith-Healers don’t want you to know)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Following from the above point, in
this section, I wish to present an exegetical case for why I believe that the
“thorn” may indeed have actually been a metaphor for a physical sickness or
infirmity. Let’s take another look at v8-10 and three specific words that I
believe will provide an irrefutable answer:<br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">8 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Three
times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>9 </sup></b>But he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>power</u></i>
is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>made perfect</u></i> in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>weakness</u></i>.” Therefore I will boast
all the more gladly of my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>weaknesses</u></i>,
so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>10 </sup></b>For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>weaknesses</u></i>, insults, hardships,
persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">Power – δύναμις <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dynamis </i>(supernatural power, mighty deeds, rule) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
Made perfect – τελέω <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleitai</i>
(complete, ended, fulfilled, payed off. Note that on the cross, Jesus declares
“Tetelestai!” when declaring “It is accomplished” or “It is τελέω <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleitai)</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Weakness - ἀσθένεια <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">astheneia</i>
(illness, infirmity, incapacity, timidity, weakness)<br />
<br />
It should be noted that ἀσθένεια <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">astheneia
</i>is the same word that Paul uses in 1 Timothy 5:22-23 to describe Timothy’s
own stomach problems:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">22</span></a>
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others;
keep yourself pure. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">23</span></a> No
longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and
your frequent ailments.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
Strong’s Concordance lists 24 occurances of ἀσθένεια <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">astheneia</i> (cf. Matthew 8:17, Luke 5:15, Luke 8:2, Luke 13:11-12,
John 5:5, John 11:4, Acts 28:9, Romans 6:19, Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 2:3, 2
Corinthians 11:30, 2 Corinthians 12:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 2 Corinthians
13:4, Galatians 4:13, 1 Timothy 5:23,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 5:2, Hebrews 7:28, Hebrews 11:34). Of these 24
occurances, it should be noted that only 8 refer to “weakness” in reference to
the human condition existentially, the remaining 16 refer to either physical
“sickness” or “infirmity”.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there
is no reason why Paul could not be talking about his “thorn” as a physical
sickness.</i></b> Those who would assert that 2 Corinthians 12 says nothing
about physical sickness or infirmity (even if such were a manifestation of demonic
influence as per v7) are either ill-informed as to what the text in of itself
actually says, or are choosing to ignore it altogether.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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</span>“dynamis teleitai astheneia” can thus be rendered as “[my] supernatural
power – [will be] fulfilled completely – [through] physical ailment”. From the
above analysis, we can thus conclude about the nature of the “thorn”:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">1. It is demonic in origin, yet godly by
design and intent<br />
2. It did indeed have a physical manifestation<br />
3. Paul begged God to remove it three times, to no avail.<br />
4. The purpose of the thorn is to buffet Paul so as to mould his character lest
he become conceited.<br />
5. Throughout the whole experience, God’s power would be made visible in it’s fullness.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such obviously refutes that teachings
of Word of Faith adherents who would assert that God has no part in physical
ailment, but rather God always intends to heal; and if healing doesn’t happen,
either the believer lacks the faith or Satan is preventing it. Consider the
following devotional written by Gloria Copeland:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cancer. Heart disease.
Multiple sclerosis. When we think of killer diseases, those are the names that
come to mind. But the truth is, there's a far more deadly killer on the loose
in the Church today. And it's destroyed more lives than any of us can imagine.
It's called tradition. Traditions rob believers of their healing. They steal
the power from the promises of God. Here are three you should beware of:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">1.
The tradition that says it's not always God's will to heal you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It
is God's will to heal you! It says so in His Word. If you don't believe that it
is, then you can't pray in faith believing you'll receive. You're like the
farmer who sits on his porch and says, "I believe in crops, but I'm not
going to plant any seed this year. I'll just believe, and if it's God's will,
my crop will come up." That farmer will never see his crop. Faith is the
seed of healing--if you don't plant it, it won't grow. A prayer that includes
the words, "If it be thy will" won't produce a healing harvest. You
must know without a doubt that healing is always God's will for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">2.
Another tradition we hear is that healing has passed away. That there are no
miracles today. But the Word of God proves that's not true. In Exodus 15:26,
God says, "I am the Lord that healeth thee." He also tells us that He
does not change (Mal. 3:6). He has never changed since the beginning of time.
For healing to pass away, God would have to pass away...and He is not about to
do that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh0u8aJK_fbvt6TWpwvZS_pg7-b1fUgyMVtY2u36Oza4xEwd2Ux9g0uG_i1BH3J6BXPQKUqlytwQVGm_udk83iN0dMBMMfobLPqAWsPGGbxI_RrqfYTbKyQuTeV7sCHc-JgmPCAUW9ubJj-zcKHeXjgSqsGZWQd5ptWAFIIdQX7nakhPNCdy6CrnbW8Ktb-=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gloriacopeland.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/gloria-copeland11.jpg" height="179" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">3.
The third dangerous tradition is this one: "God gets glory from Christians
being sick." That tradition totally violates the Word of God. The Bible
says that people gave glory to God when they saw the lame walk and the blind
see. God receives glory from your healing--not your pain!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The
world is looking for a way out of sickness and disease, not a way into it.
Let's break down those traditions and deliver a hurting world from the most
dangerous killer of all.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
What Gloria Copeland writes off as “tradition” is in Paul’s own words his own
testimony. Here we have an instance of God giving a believing a physical
ailment delivered via a demonic vessel for the purpose of demonstrating His
power while prayers for healing are refused. Demonic oppression and physical
sickness are, in Paul’s own words, not at odds with God’s plan and purposes,
but rather come under it just like anything else in creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The down-to-Earth
Apostle</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Paul speaks in the third person in
v3-6, v7 qualifies that Paul was actually referring to himself. The revelations
he speaks of were not so much the inspiration of scripture, but rather face to
face encounters with phenomena that were simply beyond the realm of normal
human understanding, let alone his own e.g., journeys to heaven, at least four
personal encounters with Jesus in addition to thinks that Paul was forbidden to
speak of. We can only guess what Paul saw, but whatever it was it was
definitely beyond what was the norm. No doubt such experiences would give Paul
every reason to excitedly testify, but instead he is told by God to stay silent
about it.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Compare the words of Paul with those of Jesus in the parable of The Rich
Man and Lazarus:<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“There was a rich
man who was clothed in <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A19%2CEst+8%3A15%2CRev+18%3A16"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">e </span></a>purple and fine linen
and <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A19%2CJames+5%3A5"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">f </span></a>who feasted sumptuously
every day. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">20 </span>And at
his gate <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A20%2CActs+3%3A2"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">g </span></a>was laid a poor man named
Lazarus, covered with sores, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">21 </span>who
desired to be fed with <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A21%2CMatt+15%3A27"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">h </span></a>what fell from the rich
man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">22 </span>The poor man died and was
carried by <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A22%2CLuke+15%3A10%2CMatt+18%3A10%2CActs+12%3A15%2CHeb+1%3A13-14%2CLuke+12%3A8"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">i </span></a>the angels <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A22%2CJohn+13%3A23"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">j </span></a>to Abraham's side. <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A19-31#f1"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[1]</span></a> The rich man also died
and was buried, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">23 </span>and
in <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A23%2CMatt+11%3A23"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">k </span></a>Hades, being in torment, he
lifted up his eyes and <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A23%2CMatt+8%3A11-12"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">l </span></a>saw Abraham far off and
Lazarus <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A23%2CLuke+16%3A22"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">j </span></a>at his
side.<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">24 </span>And he
called out, <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A24%2CLuke+16%3A30%2CJohn+8%3A33%2C39%2C53"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">m </span></a>‘Father Abraham, have mercy
on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A24%2CZech+14%3A12"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">n </span></a>cool my tongue, for <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A24%2CIsa+66%3A24%2CMatt+25%3A41"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">o </span></a>I am in anguish in this
flame.’ <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">25 </span>But Abraham
said, ‘Child, remember that <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A25%2CLuke+6%3A24%2CJob+21%3A13%2CPs+17%3A14"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">p </span></a>you in your lifetime
received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is
comforted here, and you are in anguish. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">26 </span>And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has
been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be
able, and none may cross from there to us.’<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">27 </span>And he said, ‘Then
I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">28 </span>for I have five brothers <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A19-31#f2"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[2]</span></a>—so that he may warn them, lest
they also come into this place of torment.’ <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">29 </span>But Abraham said, ‘They have <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A29%2CLuke+16%3A31%2C24%3A27%2CActs+26%3A22%2C28%3A23"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">q </span></a>Moses and the
Prophets; <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A29%2CJohn+5%3A45-47"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">r </span></a>let them hear them.’ <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">30 </span>And he said, ‘No, <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A30%2CLuke+16%3A24"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">s </span></a>father Abraham, but if
someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">31 </span>He said to him, ‘If they do
not hear <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A31%2CLuke+16%3A29"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">q </span></a>Moses and the
Prophets, <a href="http://www.esvstudybible.org/search?q=Luke+16%3A31%2CMatt+28%3A11-15%2CJohn+12%3A10-11"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">t </span></a>neither will they be
convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;">What was the rich man’s sin that resulted in damnation?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rich man wears purple and fine
linen. Purple is the biblical color for royalty (Esther 8:15). Fine linen
represents righteousness (Revelation 19:8). The tabernacle, where God’s glory
was said to present, had ten curtains of purple linen (Exodus 26:1). Who is
this man who wears a uniform representing royalty and divine righteousness? If
we take this verse as an account of what killed poor Lazarus i.e., Lazarus as a
poor man with a skin disease (leprosy?) that eventually kills him as a result
of a lack care on the part of someone with the spiritual authority to tend to
him, we can easily say that this righteous royal was one of the Pharisees. Yet
Jesus went on to describe the afterlife of these two men. The rich man was damned
for his apathy while Lazarus was brought into heaven to stand at Abraham’s
side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"> Again, who is this rich man supposedly of
righteousness and royalty? And what exactly does he represent? If in this tale
he is not just a Pharisee, who is he and what does he have to do with us? <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key lies in 1 Peter 2:9 where we
get a description of how God sees his church:<i>“But you are a chosen people, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may
declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful
light.”</i> Jesus was in fact, speaking about what would be his own royal
priesthood: his church. Whereas the Good Samaritan was able to treat an
innocent, helpless man despite being a foreigner and a stranger, here we have
the same scenario only that the one God himself has anointed to actually do the
same job merely walks past and couldn’t care less.<br />
<br />
Knowing his eternal predicament (v24-26), the rich man asks
that Lazarus be resurrected as a testimony – that is, a miraculous sign – that
will convince his household and relatives to repent so that they may reside
with Abraham in heaven. To which Abraham replies “They have Moses and the
Prophets”. Who or what is Moses and the Prophets? Moses delivered the Law,
which explains in specific details the standard of God’s holiness in such a way
that it brings conviction of sin (cf. Rom 3:19-20, 7:7-25) and reveals the need
for a savior, since “before faith came, we were held captive under the Law,
imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the Law was our
guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” The
prophetic writings reveal the heart and character of God as well as how he will
accomplish his goal of redemption. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what Abraham is saying:
miracles and signs and wonders <i>alone</i> will not lead people to
the savior any more than accounts of the afterlife. Why? Because if the dead
were to be immediately brought back to life and they were to call everyone to
respond, the underlying motive will be one of self-centered fear. They’re only
interested in their own necks. You don’t need to be born again of the spirit in
order to be shocked into responding with wordly sorrow. Miracles in of
themselves have neither the power to transform nor the authority to convict. It
is only by preaching from <i>“Moses and the Prophets”</i> that the
right heart-motives will arise in a non-believer that will result in genuine
repentance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul is all too aware
that the gentile Corinthians are no more fickle than Jesus’ jewish listeners
towards the subject:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">11 </span></sup></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought
to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these
super-apostles, even though I am nothing. <b><sup>12 </sup></b>The
signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience,
with signs and wonders and mighty works. <b><sup>13 </sup></b>For in
what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I
myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">2 Corinthians
12:11-13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: black; float: left; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg9MRNjkSKKP7xaREEn4RK9twQMdLNFvO-GycBz80-8x_7qKibLK8ImwPIKWl9eJNdeGsD43XOV8pdYhwf4gCcgUJYL9g5Z5RM3RZEq3xCH8VQSMRkiamsg1j9xKZ8Y46pJRg=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://choothomas.org/cover_en.jpg" height="200" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" width="128" /></a><br />In all likelihood, the “super-apostles” probably tried to lyre people astray
with their own bogus accounts of visions and journeys to heaven. Paul in effect
says in response: “Yes, I actually have had these experiences; it’s not as
hyped up as you think it is. In fact, I’d rather not talk about it at all…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Despite what Jesus and
the Apostle Paul have to say about the subject of heavenly visions, there has
been an onslaught of books and films such as Don Piper’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">90 Minutes in Heaven</i>, Todd Burpo’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heaven is for Real</i>, Bill Wise’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">23
Minutes in Hell</i> and the late Choo Thomas’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heaven is so Real!</i></span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"> Paul’s
Christian walk was far from <i>“a form of godliness lacking in power”</i> (2
Timothy 3:5), but even so, 2 Corinthians 12 begs a very important
question:<br />
<br />
<i>if it is indeed the norm for Christians led by the Spirit to have deep and
extraordinary encounters with the divine that reveal more and more of God
progressively as one moves from </i>“glory to Glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18)<i>,
why then, was Paul held back?<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i> Paul was certainly
self-conscious of the fact that his walk with God was far from being perfected
(cf. Romans 7:21-25, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Philippians 3:12-15). Surely such
encounters would leave him overwhelmed with conviction as to who God really is.
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet this was not so. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> It is only reasonable to say
that such experiences were not to be the focal point of Paul’s Christian walk
nor the message that would be at the centre of his apostolic ministry. Instead,
the focus was far more specific: Christ and Him crucified.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wEAko02HD5o?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">18 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Let no
one</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">disqualify you,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">insisting
on asceticism and worship of angels,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">going
on in detail about visions,<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A18-19&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29496a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">a</span></a>]</sup></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">puffed
up without reason by</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">his sensuous mind,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">19 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">not</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">holding
fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through
its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Colossians 2:18-19</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If God does cause
sickness, why pray for healing?</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
Some may still object: “If it is true that God causes physical infirmity and
uses it to conform believers to the likeness of Christ, why should we pray for
healing?”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a good question. From the onset,
such a high view of God’s sovereignty over matters of the believer’s well-being
may clash with the notion of faith with regards to prayer. To start, why does
God heal in the first place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, God heals because he
chooses to reveal himself as a healer:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">“If you will diligently listen to the voice of
the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God, and
do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep
all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the
Egyptians, for I am the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, your
healer (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jehovah ropeca)</i>.”<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exodus 15:26</b></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, God promises to hear the
prayers of his children:<br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">22 </span></sup></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">And whatever you ask
in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”<br />
</span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Matthew 21:22</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">13 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">the
Father may be glorified in the Son.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">If you ask me<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+21%3A22%2C+John+14%3A13-14%2C+1+john+5%3A14&version=ESV#fen-ESV-26671a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">a</span></a>]</sup>anything
in my name, I will do it.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">John 14:13-14</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><sup>14 </sup></b>And this is the confidence that we have toward
him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%;">1 John 5:14</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
This by no means suggests that simply taking “in Jesus’ name” on to the end of
every prayer guarantees that it will be answered, but rather God <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">answers the prayers that are in line with
His sovereign will</i>. The prayer for healing is no different. We cannot judge
God should he choose not to answer prayers for healing as within his
providence, he has sufficient reason for allowing it to continue in such a way
that does not contradict his power or his loving goodness.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been a Christian for 12 years
now, 10 of which I have seen in the intercessory prayer ministry. One thing
that I have recently seen in the disturbing trend where instead of prayer being
an act of humble submission, what passes for “prayer” nowadays is commanding
assertion – “I DECLARE!”, “I SPEAK FORTH!” or even “I COMMAND THEE!” Of course,
the Bible sets forth no precedent for the idea that believer can or should seek
to assert their will over that of God (witchcraft).<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s also consider the prayer of
faith that leads to healing in James 5:10-20<br />
<br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">10 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">As an example of suffering
and patience, brothers, take</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">the prophets
who spoke in the name of the Lord.<b><sup>11 </sup></b>Behold, we consider
those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">the purpose of the Lord, how</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">the Lord is compassionate and merciful.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">12 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">But above
all, my brothers,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">do not
swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be
yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">13 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is anyone
among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">sing praise.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is anyone
among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray
over him,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">anointing
him with oil in the name of the Lord.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">15 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">And the
prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
And</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">if he has committed sins, he
will be forgiven.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Therefore,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">confess your sins to one another and pray for
one another,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">that you may
be healed.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">The prayer
of a righteous person has great power as it is working.<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A10-20&version=ESV#fen-ESV-30354a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">a</span></a>]</sup></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elijah was a
man</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">with a nature like ours, and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and
forthree years and six months it did not rain on the earth.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">18 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then he
prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">19 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">My brothers,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">if anyone among you wanders from the truth and
someone</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">brings him back,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">let him know
that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">will save his soul from death and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";">will cover a multitude of sins.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
By pointing out “</span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;">the prophets who spoke
in the name of the Lord” and “steadfastness of Job” (and if there was anyone
who learned the hard way about God’s sovereignty over suffering, Satan and
sickness it was Job), James is making it crystal clear that the faith spoken of
that should undergird prayers for healing is not to be a blind faith that turns
the other way in response to the reality of suffering and God’s hand in it –
rather, such prayers must take it into account.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should also take heed of the fact that
the overarching theme of James 5 is that when a believer stumbles – whether it
be the result of sin, of sickness, emotional toil, etc) – we should seek to
encourage and edify them it thehopes that God would grant restoration. If the
spiritual gift of healing is for the church today in the 21<sup>st</sup>
century, then this should be the fruit which will indeed point out whether a
person genuinely carries such a gifting – a deep compassion fueld by a desire
to see struggling Christians built up. On the other hand, if such a person
claims to possess such an “anointing” yet is openly condescending or even
hateful towards te suffering Christian, it should be sufficient reason to write
off such a persons gifting and claims to ministry as a counterfeit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Corinthians no doubt lacked such
compassion in response to the Apostle Paul’s sufferings. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What should stop us from cultivating it?</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<br />
<br />
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References:<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="background-color: white;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><span style="background-color: white;"> <a href="http://www.kcm.org/index.php?p=daily_devotional&devo_choices=FTHTOFTH&devo_language=ENG&devo_topic=&date=8%2F24">http://www.kcm.org/index.php?p=daily_devotional&devo_choices=FTHTOFTH&devo_language=ENG&devo_topic=&date=8%2F24</a></span>
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1. The "Culture of Honor" teaching holds that within the context of the local church, the "annointing" is channeled via those that God has placed into authority.<br />
Hence, the key to experiencing more blessing and more spiritual power lies within the extent to which you submit to the authority of the leadership.<br />
So to, if one questions or challenges the actions of one in authority, they risk losing the "blessing”. Pastors then, are elevated to an intermediary role in the believer’s relationship with Christ.</div>
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2. It promotes a biased ecclesiology:<br />
Churches that espouse “Culture of Honor” tend to adhere to a strict episcolism wherein authority is channeled towards a singular authority figure or Bishop (“Apostle” in New Apostolic Reformation vernacular).<br />
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e.g, Senior Pastor>Elders>Deacons>Congregant.<br />
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Rarely do you see “culture of Honor” being taught or applied in either a presbyterian (plurality of elders accountable to a General Assembly) or Congregational (decisions made and leaders appointed via members’ vote) leadership setting.<br />
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3. It encourages licentiousness<br />
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If believers are to give honor irrespective of behaviours, lifestyle or fruit, there can obviously be no valid basis for admonition (Colossians 3:16) or church discipline (Matthew 18:15-20). Furthermore, if a pastoral leader were to say or do anything that would otherwise disqualify them from the pastoral office, the congregant who affirms the "Culture of Honor" is encouraged to simply look the other way rather than call such leaders to account.</div>
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At the practical level, this is a very sure means of control in an environment that downplays critical thinking about things like doctrine and theology; such a teaching effectively silences internal opposition under threat of potential reprobation id you don't comply.</div>
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Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-39784249346286273092014-04-02T18:46:00.000+10:002014-07-02T10:14:51.763+10:00Strange Fire, Vulgar Offerings: When God says “…No, Thank you” to Worship<div class="_4-u3 _5cla" style="border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border-top-style: none; padding: 16px;">
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<b>Introduction</b><br />
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Is there really a right or wrong way to worship God?<br />
This is a question that has divided the body of Christ as well as lead to splits within local churches. Hymns or Contemporary? A capella or instruments?Most would dismiss such questions as being secondary, irrelevant issues – and rightfully so.<br />
Nonetheless as we read the scriptures and look at the examples of worship, we find that there are times when worship is done rightly and God blesses the people. There are time on the other hand, when God takes displeasure when worship may be done incorrectly and chooses to respond in kind.<br />
This article will seek to examine instances where faulty worship was met with an ill-response from God, and how we as New-Covenant believers in the 21<sup>st</sup> century can avoid the same pitfalls.<br />
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<b>When worship makes God frown</b><br />
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<b>1. Reckless offerings</b><br />
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Now Nadab and Abihu,the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them,and they died before the Lord. <b><sup>3 </sup></b>Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.<br />
<b>Leviticus 10:1-3 (ESV)</b></blockquote>
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Aaron was the brother of Moses and High Priest of the newly-founded nation of Israel. As a priest, he consecrated his sons unto God, and they in turn served their father in assisting his priestly duties – in this case, as incense bearers. Upon first glance, their task of bringing incense towards the altar seems menial. Why would God punish these two young men for such a small deed?<br />
The Hebrew word for “unauthorized” inv2 is “zuwr” (Strong’s #H02114), which other translations render as “alien”,foreign”, “strange”, or “loathsome”. The connotation is that if something is“zuwr”, it is not welcome under any circumstances. God had given very clear instructions as to how the people of Israel were to meet with Him in worship (cf. Ezekiel 19), including the explicit command to “consecrate themselves”(19:10), where the meeting was to take place (19:12). When God came, “there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled” (v16). God called Moses to Mt Sinai, but before revealing His law, God sent Moses back down the mountain with a warning:<br />
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Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the LORD to look and many of them perish. Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them. (v21–22)</blockquote>
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This is why the fire of God consumed Nahab and Abihu: the rushed forward eagerly <i>without invitation, without consecration</i>. Outwardly it was an unclean offering, yet inwardly their hearts were not aligned with the Holiness of God. They simply presumed that by going through the motions, God would show up as if they were flicking a switch.<br />
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<b><sup>8 </sup></b>And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, <b><sup>9 </sup></b>“Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>You are to distinguish between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, <b><sup>11 </sup></b>and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the Lord has spoken to them by Moses.”<br />
<b>Leviticus 10:8-11</b></blockquote>
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Verse 8 implicitly suggests that Nahab and Abihu were perhaps under the influence of alcohol; that in turn the priestly duties were to be conducted in a state of complete sobriety wherein a clear line between Holy and Profane was to be drawn lest the manifest presence of God destroy anyone nearby.<br />
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The instruction for God’s people to be consecrated <i>before</i> the time of worship may seem at first like the mirror opposite of the order of worship in a contemporary evangelical church service that is typically:<br />
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1. Corporate Singing<br />
2. Communion<br />
3. Sermon<br />
4. Altar Call/Gospel Invitation<br />
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Here, we have God expecting the people of Israel to have <i>already</i> responded to the call to repent of Sin so that they can enter worship with a clean conscience. Modern church services on the other hand tend to use worship as a means of “Priming the Pump” leading up to the call to respond.<br />
If you’re the MC for a church service,may I suggest (if not dare) the following challenge: Try beginning the service in reverse order with a full presentation of the gospel and call to respond followed by communion, the sermon and conclude it with Worship.<br />
Just see what may happen.<br />
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<b>2. Sanhedrin Showboaters</b><br />
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<b><sup><br />5 </sup></b>“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.<br />
<b> Matthew 6:5-6</b></blockquote>
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When we think of “hypocrites”, we use the term to denote anyone who promotes a standard that they themselves clearly do not follow. In the 1<sup>st</sup> century however, the term “hypocrite” was commonly applied in the context of the performing arts, specifically Greco-Roman drama where the actors (who were typically of the social underclasses) wore masks to identify the character they were playing.</div>
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During the course of the day in Jewish Palestine, there would be times for prayer, whether it be at a local synagogue,on the street in public, or at home in private. Jesus was not condoning one venue over the other; he was specifically condemning those who refused to exercise any discretion in their activities and instead are loud and boisterous, relishing in the attention it gives them. Jesus says of such people: “they have received their reward” – God sees what they’re doing and notes that what goes on in their hearts doesn’t square up with the outward motions. Hence any outward accolades will be the only reward such people will get.</div>
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John the Baptist’s own words about such people are even more harsh:</div>
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<b><sup>7 </sup></b>But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?<b><sup>8 </sup></b>Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. <b><sup>9 </sup></b>And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.<br />
<b>Matthew 3:7-10</b></blockquote>
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“You, of all Israel, come here to repent?” John jeers. “How do you intend to pull off that kind of stunt? And don’t give me any of that ‘Sons of Abraham’ trash – God sees what you do in the synagogues in the name of ‘worship’ and as far as you’re concerned,he can get more satisfaction from a rock.” </div>
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Strong words indeed.</div>
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But the truth is that such individuals are always bound to show up anywhere. Anyone who’s been a Christian long enough has surely encountered such people who may seem outwardly loud and vivacious;they lift up the atmosphere with their energy and are generally well-liked because of it. But when you corner such people when they’re out of sight and behind closed doors, they hardly ever seem to deliver upon any authentic fruit.Their prayers are dull and apathetic. In spite of their outward flair, they will avoid at any cost any situation that will put them the proving grounds of authentic spirituality marked by heartfelt reliance upon God.</div>
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5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root<br />
<b>Mark 4:5-6</b></blockquote>
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When a plant grows in shallow soil, the roots do not grow deep, hence the stem immediately shoots straight up higher and higher, rapidly sprouting leaves and branches in an attempt to receive nourishment above the ground. Since the roots are stunted and are without the nutrients that come from the rich minerals found within deep, fertile soil, the plant becomes malnourished and is soon overwhelmed by the elements (weather, sunlight, disease) and quickly starts to die.</div>
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What the hypocritical worshipper lacks inwardly, they will try to flaunt outwardly. A hypocritical worshipper may at first display an excessive amount of action: they’re responsive to the Word of God, they always have a testimony or story to tell, they enthusiastically want to get involved in every opportunity for service that the church can offer which lets them be in the limelight. After a while however, the signs of burn-out start to show and all of these actions disappear until the “mask”eventually slips off.</div>
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<b style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">3. Vain </b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Repetition</b></span></span><br />
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<b><sup>7 </sup></b>“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. <b><sup>8 </sup></b>Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.<br />
Matthew 6:5-8 (ESV)</blockquote>
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For those belonging to Generation Y, one of the most popular children’s TV shows during the early 90s was <i>Lamb Chop’s Play-Along</i> created and hosted by the late Shari Lewis. Whether one remembers with joy or contempt, of particular note was the show’s closing theme song sung by the character Charlie Horse:</div>
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<i>This is the song that doesn't end</i></blockquote>
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<i>Yes, it goes on and on my friend</i><i>Some people started singing it</i><i><br />not knowing what it was,</i><i>And they'll continue singing it </i><i>forever just because…</i>[repeat ad nauseum]</div>
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Following from the above point, Jesus goes on to say that when people are to pray, they are not to “heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” Other translations would render “gentiles” as“Pagans”. Outside the context of 1<sup>st</sup> century Judaism, one of the common practices among those who embraced the Greco-Roman pantheon was to cry out to their gods with repeated phrases, increasing with volume and intensity with each turn.</div>
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In other words, they think that their gods are conned and intimated and hassled into responding because of loud repetition. An example of this would be in Acts 19:34 where in response to a high quantity of residents of the city of Ephesus turning to Christ and renouncing their worship of the goddess Artemis, a riot breaks out wherein “for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, ‘Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!’”</div>
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Such a practice ultimately suggests that God is not one who takes much attention of the affairs of the world as if to say that he created us, but now steps back to let things run on their own(deism). It also suggests that God is ignorant of people’s circumstances and is not lovingly involved in their lives.</div>
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Sadly, many contemporary worship songs are intentionally composed using what Jesus denounced as a useless, pagan practice.You take a phrase or familiar cliché’, word it into a single sentence, then add two or three chords, then play it until it reaches a crescendo where the church has been whipped up into an emotional high.</div>
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And yet, such “songs” carry in their lyrics very little weight or substance. They don’t necessarily aid teaching.They don’t serve as a means to educate the congregation of the things of God. This is why many conservative evangelical churches are reluctant to jump on the contemporary music bandwagon and are happy to stick to old hymns - The deeper your understanding of the truth of God, the higher your worship experience goes. Worship is directly correlated to understanding. The richer your theology, the more full your grasp of biblical truth, the more elevated your singing becomes. On the other hand, a low, superficial, shallow understanding of God will only serve to lead in either superficial worship or the adoption of practices that are idolatrous.</div>
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We say that "Deep cries to deep", yet I honestly believe that the opposite is trust as true - Shallowness cries out to emptiness; futility cries out to failure.</div>
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<b>4. Chaos and Disorder</b></div>
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For those who not only affirm, but practice the <i>charismata</i> in church service, the Bible very plain as to how that is to be done:</div>
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What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.<br />
As in all the churches of the saints,the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.<br />
Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order.<br />
<b>1 Corinthians 14:26-40 </b></blockquote>
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When one reads the Apostle Paul’s instructions for orderly worship and the operation of Spiritual Gifts incorporate giftings, one can see that the corporate gathering of believers is not to be treated as though it were an“open mike” free-for-all. If one were to infer as to what 1 Corinthians 12-14were to reveal about the character and personality of the Holy Spirit, He is not a party-animal. The reality is that for most, the idea of “Orderly Worship” carries with it as much appeal as the word“Bath” does to a dirty dog. If the character of the Holy Spirit is that of decency and order, why then do so many instead attribute to His personhood chaos, spontaneity and intemperance?</div>
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While many continuationists are faithful in obeying 1 Corinthians 14 to the letter,others – especially those belonging to the Word of Faith Movement and the New Apostolic Reformation - for the sake of being more open to their churches“moving in the spirit” disregard it and allow anything to come forth without discernment or testing. If there is any discernment, the basis for such would not be biblical as per the conditions set in 1 Corinthians 12-14, but rather more pragmatic in nature – Has the believer and church as a whole been able to succeed in attaining to the desired experience? </div>
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Attempts to scrutinize such manifestations are seen as legalistic,Pharisee-like and ultimately put God in the proverbial box, especially if and when the Bible itself is used as the standard of testing. The result being that the Bible is not held as <i>the authority</i> which provides the sole basis of our doctrine and practice, but rather <i>an authority</i> on a par with subjective experiences and testimonies.</div>
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It is of no surprise then, that when you listen to the preaching of churches that seek out and promote disorderly worship and other-wordly manifestations such as “drunk in the spirit”, “Holy Laughter” and the like, the treatment of scripture is more akin to the neo-orthodoxy of 19<sup>th </sup>century liberalism as opposed to an evangelical affirmation of inerrancy – it is no so much an outright denial of the inspiration of scripture as is the case with liberalism, but rather a challenge to the basis of it’s authority.</div>
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<b>5. Cutting Corners</b></div>
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<b><sup>6 </sup></b>“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’<br />
<b><sup>7 </sup></b>By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. <b><sup>8 </sup></b>When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. <b><sup>9 </sup></b>And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts.<br />
<b><sup>10 </sup></b>Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations,and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.<br />
<b><sup>12 </sup></b>But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. <b><sup>13 </sup></b>But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering!Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.<b><sup>14 </sup></b>Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.<br />
<b>Malachi 1:6-14</b></blockquote>
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In this text God rebukes the priests of Israel for not following the Laws governing how sacrifices were to be prepared and presented. Offered to God are animals that are malnourished, sick,deformed. Such offerings are on offence not so much due to the outward action,but rather the priests are intentionally refusing to give God the glory he deserves. In this prophecy, God presents himself as Lord, ruler and Father – he has made his nature and character obvious to all, especially the priests.</div>
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The excuse the priests offer is “What a weariness this is,” (v13). They’re in effect saying, “God, we know that you’re real, that your word is clear, that you are holy and deserving of honor.But that’s honestly too difficult for us, so can you please do us all a favor and back off.” Please note: these people are not like the Athenians in Acts 17 who dedicate a temple to the “unknown God” and are just awaiting clarification. These are God’s covenant people who are seeking to push Him away for the sake of their own comfort. Furthermore, such expressions of spiritual laziness are not general within the population, this is coming from the priests themselves. When those in spiritual authority begin to compromise in worship, the rest of god’s people surely follow by example until apostasy becomes the norm.</div>
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<b>Keeping the Altar pure</b></div>
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So how can we as new-covenant believers in the 21<sup>st</sup> century avoid such grievous mistakes in our own church gatherings?</div>
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<b>1) Eliminate Distractions</b></div>
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Most of us are familiar with the lyrics of Matt Redman’s signature song, “TheHeart of Worship”:</div>
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When the music fades<br />
and all has slipped away<br />
and I simply come.<br />
Longing just to be<br />
something that's of worth<br />
that will bless Your heart.<br />
I'll bring You more than a song,<br />
for a song in itself<br />
is not what You have required.<br />
You search much deeper within,<br />
through the way things appear,<br />
Your looking into my heart.<br />
I'm coming back to the heart of worship<br />
and its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.<br />
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it<br />
when its all about You, its all about You,Jesus.</blockquote>
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While such lyrics may receive a hearty “Amen!” for what they signify, the actual story behind how Redman came up with the song is one of risk and boldness.</div>
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His home congregation, Soul Survivor Church in Watford, UK, had all the proverbial bells and whistles of contemporary evangelical praise and worship – high tech sound system, lighting,professional-level musicians. And yet as time went on, the congregation had grown stale and lukewarm in it’s affections.</div>
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After speaking with senior pastor Mike Pilavachi, a solution was made that had the potential to divide and split the congregation: do a corporate “fast” wherein worship would be done without the band, sound system or lighting in favor a capella singing or acoustic. The first Sunday was met with awkward silence, but eventually the congregation relearned how to worship with authentic passion and conviction. Once “the heart of worship” was restored, the more optional peripherals were eventually brought back – but they were to never again be the center of attention that they once were.</div>
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I know of one pastor, who fearing the risk or distraction during corporate worship, kept the band at the <i>back</i> of the sanctuary behind a curtain while congregants faced forward looking at a screen with the lyrics being projected while the songs were played at low volume. Why? So the church could focus on what they were actually singing from their hearts rather what they were watching with their eyes.</div>
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Here’s a challenge:</div>
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1) Take a sheet of paper, and three pens (black/blue, green and red).</div>
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2) Make a list of EVERYTHING that is done in your corporate worship gathering. Be specific as possible: format, structure, instruments, lighting, sound system, song choice/arrangement)</div>
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3) With your green pen, place a tick <b><i>√</i></b> next to any item you can also do in your personal private devotions at home in private</div>
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4) With your red pen, place a <b><i>X</i></b> next to anything that you <i>don’t</i> do in your personal private devotions</div>
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Now take a careful look at your list and ask yourself “What are the things on this list that I need to bring me closer to God?” If indeed there are things that you’ve given a <b><i>X</i></b> that you feel are 100% necessary to experience the reality ofGod’s presence, the obvious question is “Why can’t I experience that privately?”<b><i> </i></b></div>
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<b>2) Worship Leader as <i>Koheleth</i> (Teacher-Priest)</b></div>
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In the book of Ecclessiastes, King Solomon addresses himself as “the <i>Koheleth</i>”.The term can denote “Gatherer” (in the context of Temple worship) or “Teacher”. Either way, Solomon saw his position as one who gathers the people of Israel together for worship (a priestly duty) and also instructs them as to the things of God (a rabbinical duty).</div>
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While Jesus is the one who ultimately serves as our High Priest who intercedes on behalf of the Elect and God the Father (Hebrews 4), there is nonetheless the onus upon Worship Leaders to bringGod’s people to worship on the basis of presenting the truth of God accurately so as to avoid faulty perceptions of God being expressed with undue passions.</div>
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May I submit then, given the above charge as well as the “up front” position of a Worship Leader during corporate gatherings, whoever the church places in charge of leading Praise and Worship should be someone who would otherwise meet the qualifications of an ordained elder:</div>
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Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.<sup>2 </sup>Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, <sup>3 </sup>not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. <sup>4 </sup>He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. <sup>5 </sup>(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care ofGod’s church?) <sup>6 </sup>He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. <sup>7 </sup>He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.<br />
<sup>8 </sup>In the same way,deacons <sup>m</sup> are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. <sup>9 </sup>They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. <sup>10 </sup>They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.<br />
<sup>11 </sup>In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. <sup>12 A </sup>Deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. <sup>13 </sup>Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.<br />
<b>1 Timothy 3:1-13</b></blockquote>
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<b style="font-size: 14px;"><sup>5 </sup></b><span style="font-size: 14px;">This is why I left you in Crete, </span>so that<span style="font-size: 14px;"> you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every </span>town as<span style="font-size: 14px;"> I directed you— </span><b style="font-size: 14px;"><sup>6 </sup></b><span style="font-size: 14px;">if anyone is above reproach,the husband of one wife, </span>and his<span style="font-size: 14px;"> children are believers </span>and not<span style="font-size: 14px;"> open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. </span><b style="font-size: 14px;"><sup>7 </sup></b>For an<span style="font-size: 14px;"> overseer,</span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b> </b></span>as God's<span style="font-size: 14px;"> steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant </span>or quick<span style="font-size: 14px;">-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, </span><b style="font-size: 14px;"><sup>8 </sup></b>but hospitable<span style="font-size: 14px;">, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, </span>and disciplined<span style="font-size: 14px;">. </span><b style="font-size: 14px;"><sup>9 </sup></b><span style="font-size: 14px;">He must hold firm to </span>the trustworthy<span style="font-size: 14px;"> word as taught, so that he may be able to give </span>instruction in<span style="font-size: 14px;"> sound </span><b style="font-size: 14px;"><sup></sup></b><span style="font-size: 14px;">doctrine and also to rebuke those </span>who contradict<span style="font-size: 14px;"> it.</span><br />
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<b>Titus 1:5-9</b></div>
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- <i>Above reproach</i>: Not attracting accusation or having a reputation as a troublemaker</div>
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- <i>Managing his own family</i>: Is the person at home as consistant in his personal conduct as his leadership within the church?</div>
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- <i>Not a recent convert:</i> They are spiritually mature; not having to be going through what they should be teaching the young believers</div>
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- <i>Reputation with outsiders</i>: A model citizen, not a nuisance; is he salt and light?</div>
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- <i>Keeping hold of the deep truths of the faith</i>: Do they have godly convictions that they’re willing to take a stand for?</div>
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- <i>Instruct in sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it</i>: They have sufficient knowledge of sound doctrine to give instruction in biblical theology as well as pointing out and refuting error</div>
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Is there a reason why so many churches promote such shallow theological standards and requirements for men and women who during a Sunday service will spend as much time singing with the congregation as the Pastor will do preaching to them? Why do we say it’s appropriate for someone who barely knows God’s Word to lead God’s people in singing “the depth, the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God“ (Romans 11:33)? The sad truth is that our churches have produced a generation of worship leaders who are musically talented, yet spiritually inept at learning and teaching.</div>
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At the end of the day, how the church conducts Praise and Worship is to be determined by the theologians and the expositors of Scripture - as opposed to anybody who may know how to sing the CCLI Top 10 songs.</div>
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<b>3) Appeal to conviction, not emotion for the sake of emotionalism</b></div>
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On at least more than one occasion during a corporate gathering at either a Sunday service, small-group Bible Study or a fortnightly prayer meeting, I will look at the lyrics being projected onto a screen and feel a sense of dread in my mind and in my spirit:</div>
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And yet, I would notice other around me who would seem unfazed by such concern, if such were even shared. They would be lifting their voices in song, raising their hands, weeping with tears, on be down on their knees prostrate. For some reason, whether it be out of ignorance or maybe because they saw it as a pattern to be followed, the content of the lyrics was to be disregarded. Under such circumstances, I find myself with difficult trilemma:</div>
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a) Go along with it(conformity)</div>
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b) Do my own thing (individualism)</div>
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c) Pay no attention and do nothing (apathy)</div>
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Of course, in the presence of God, none of the above options seems viable towards myself, to God, or the church.</div>
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20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.<br />
21 Little children,keep yourselves from idols.<br />
<strong>1 John 5:20-21</strong></blockquote>
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When we think ofspiritual idolatry, we tend to view it at the ideological level concerningviews and teachings that go against the Word of God. Yet since the overarchingtheme of 1 John is how love expresses itself as a fruit of living in truth, wemust also be conscious of the fact that idolatry concerns not just whatwe <i>think</i> about the things of God, but also what we <i>feel</i>.If any given teaching or practice seems questionable yet nonetheless draws usin emotionally while on the other hand we may be unfeeling towards things weknow are legitimate and true, we have every reason to be suspect that an act ofdeception has taken place.</div>
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Just as detrimental can be when weattach to much attention upon a specific “mountain top experience” in time thatserves to give much greater meaning to our worship than the subject of ourworship in of itself. This may have happened at a church service, a youth camp,a conference – what may have been a genuine encounter with the presence of God,yet instead of moving onwards, you seek to do everything to return to thatexperience, emulating the atmosphere, the mood, the circumstances; withoutwhich you just can’t do worship.</div>
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For some of you, this comes down tomusical preferences.</div>
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“But I worship God through <i>this</i> music. Nothing else works!”</div>
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You may worship music rather thanmusic pointing to God.</div>
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It may have been a moment where evenin singing a song or hearing a song, the glory of God was revealed to you,meaning that your heart and mind were open to love Jesus, but now you have tosing <i>that song</i>, or you have to singthem in <i>that arrangement</i>.</div>
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The truth is, it is a sin to want tocontinually relive mountaintop experiences. We are to enjoy those sacredmoments that God shows up in glory in our life, and then proceed forwardtrusting that, if and when it’s time, he will meet with us at a different time,perhaps even in a different way altogether.</div>
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<b>4) Acknowledge the attributes of God practically</b></div>
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How many times during a Sunday service have you heard the Worship Leader of apastor step up to the stage and say “Mmm.. I sense that the presence of God ishere…”</div>
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…as if to suggest that perhaps allthis time you have been singing to Him, that… he wasn’t?</div>
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Such statements may sound lofty andspiritual, but in truth it gives away just how shallow and ignorant people’sviews of God really is. Consider: if a non-Christian were to come into youSunday gathering and create a systematic theology based upon their perceptionsas an outsider, most of us would certainly be mortified after hearing thereport of “This is what I think Christians believe based upon what I’ve seenthem say and do.”</div>
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How lovely is your dwelling place,<br />
O Lord of hosts!<br />
<b><sup>2 </sup></b>My soul longs, yes, faints<br />
forthe courts of the Lord;<br />
my heart and flesh sing for joy<br />
to the living God.<br />
<b><sup>3 </sup></b>Eventhe sparrow finds a home,<br />
andthe swallow a nest for herself,<br />
whereshe may lay her young,<br />
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,<br />
myKing and my God.<br />
<b><sup>4 </sup></b>Blessed are those who dwell in yourhouse,<br />
ever singing your praise!<br />
<b>Psalm 84:1-4</b><br />
<b><sup>7 </sup></b>Where shall I go from your Spirit?<br />
Or where shall Iflee from your presence?<br />
<b><sup>8 </sup></b>If I ascend to heaven, you are there!<br />
If I make my bed inSheol, you are there!<br />
<b><sup>9 </sup></b>If I take the wings of the morning<br />
and dwell in theuttermost parts of the sea,<br />
<b><sup>10 </sup></b>even there your hand shall lead me,<br />
and your right handshall hold me.<br />
<b>Psalm139:7-10</b></blockquote>
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The psalmists saw the manifest (localized) presence of God as something to besought and longed after. At the same time however, there was a heartfelt senseof fear and awe that came from constant awareness as to the omnipresence ofGod.</div>
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How different would things be then, ifin our worship meetings we believed and acknowledged the attributes of God?There would be no need to manipulate people or try to get them psyched up intoan emotional frenzy – they just need to acknowledge that he is real, that he isthere, that is free to do as he pleases, whether it be to reveal himself inpower and glory, or to be behind the scenes through quiet providence.</div>
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<b>5) Discern the seasons with wisdom</b></div>
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1 For everything there is a season,<br />
and a time for every matter underheaven:<br />
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;<br />
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;<br />
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;<br />
a time to break down, and a time to build up;<br />
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;<br />
a time to mourn, and a time todance;<br />
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;<br />
a time to embrace, and a time to refrainfrom embracing;<br />
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;<br />
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;<br />
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a<br />
time to keep silence, and a time to speak;<br />
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;<br />
a time for war, and a time for peace.<br />
<b>Ecclesiastes 3:1-8</b></blockquote>
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If you are a Worship Leader, consider the following hypothetical: A well-likedmember of the congregation has an eight year old son in Hospital suffering fromterminal cancer with only weeks, if not days, to live despite having receivedthe best treatment that doctors could provide. One day day you receive thetragic news that the boy lost the battle and died, much to the sadness of hisparents, family and the church's congregation overall.</div>
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You have to lead worship at the next weekend service, knowing that many willstill be grieving. What do you think would be an appropriate arrangement forthe song selection? Would you use an upbeat, "happy-clappy" praisechorus in the hopes of getting people pumped and excited? Or would you seek tobe more somber and contemplative?</div>
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While the above situation may be only a hypothetical, it is in part one of thereasons why I would assert that the person put in charge and arranging andleading praise and worship in a local church be a recognized pastoral leaderrather than just a lay congregant with musical talent only - the former isfamiliar with and knows how to address the various real-life issues congregantswill face in a way that the latter may not necessarily be qualified to handle.</div>
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Scripture tells us that God "comforts us in all our affliction, so that wemay be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort withwhich we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:4). Sadly, thetruth is however that many churches put so much emphasis on Praise in theirworship arrangements that expressions of grief are either left absent or areswept under the proverbial rug. </div>
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Yet throughout the scriptures, we findexamples of grief and lament being expressed as worship unto God:</div>
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As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.<br />
2 My soul thirsts for God, for theliving God. When can I go and meet with God?<br />
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long,"Where is your God?"<br />
4 These things I remember as I pour outmy soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to thehouse of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.<br />
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope inGod, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and<br />
6 my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from theland of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar.<br />
7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves andbreakers have swept over me.<br />
8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer tothe God of my life.<br />
9 I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go aboutmourning, oppressed by the enemy?"<br />
10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long,"Where is your God?"<br />
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hopein God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God<br />
Psalm 42 (New International Version)</blockquote>
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In response to thechorus of a popular praise song composed by a church best known for preachingthe modern message, John Piper says that a God-centred approach to Christianliving</div>
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“is very much aware that every day with Jesus isnot ‘sweeter than the day before.’<br />
Some days with Jesus our disposition is as sour as raw persimmons. Some dayswith Jesus we are so sad we feel our heart will break open. Some days withJesus fear turns us into a knot of nerve ends. Some days with Jesus we are sodepressed and discouraged that between the garage and the house we just want tosit down on the grass and cry. Every day with Jesus is not sweeter than the daybefore. We know it from experience and we know it from Scripture.”</blockquote>
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The false gospel of “God loves you and has aWonderful plan for Your Life” has only served to produce multitudes of peoplewho perpetually wear these emotionless smiles out of fear that by being honestand upfront about the realities of life, Christianity will seem empty andlifeless. Don’t talk about health problems. Don’t discuss relationshipbreakdowns. Don’t discuss relatives disowning you because your newfound faithconflicts with their own beliefs. Don’t say or do anything that would make thegospel seem like a killjoy for people’s lives.</div>
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Furthermore, worship leaders who are awareof such hardships among those that God has placed under their Priesthood mustbe willing to lower the bar and compromise their standards of Christ-likecompassion if they really want to be faithful to a “Praise Only” ideology. Sucha mentality can only prove self-destructive to a church in the log-run.</div>
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<b>A final word: Regulativeor Normative?</b></div>
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How worship is to beconducted in the context of a gathering of believers (on Sunday or elsewhere)has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Simply put, the questionis “To what extent do we seek to apply and live out the Scripture?”</div>
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This debate has usually caused believers to adopt one of twoopinions:</div>
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<i>Normative - </i>Corporatechurch worship services must include all the elements that Scripture commandsand may include others so long as they are not prohibited by Scripture.</div>
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<i>Regulative</i> - Corporate church worship services must include all theelements that Scripture commands or are a good and necessary implication of abiblical text and nothing more, nothing less.</div>
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Expressions of the Normative Principle would probably be seen more incontemporary evangelical churches that on any given Sunday would featureContemporary Christian Music (CCM), use of Multimedia, congregants wear smart-casual fashion.</div>
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Expressions of the Regulative Principle can be found in the moreconservative, “traditional” (I term I use loosely) churches such asPresbyterianism, Anglicanism and other Confessional churches. These churcheswill often be liturgical in nature and have a very rigid order of worship.(Whether these churches as they exist today genuinely do adhere to theregulative principle is debatable).</div>
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Some strengths of the Normative Principle:</div>
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<i>1. It sees the Bible as principles and then gives flexibility for methods</i>.</div>
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Advocates of the Normative Principle will assert that the Bible tends to be filled with principles, not methods,because it has to speak to people across thousands of years, all kinds ofcultures, languages, races, experiences. The Bible says, “Sing to the Lord”-There’s the principle. But what song? Which Instruments? How many vocalists? –That’s the method.</div>
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<i>2. It allows cultural contextualization</i></div>
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Theway the church conducts music around the world cross-denominationally is vastlydiverse. You may have an Anglican Church in England practicing higher liurgywith a choir and pipe organ, yet in Africa you may have an Anglican Church thatholds to the same confessional standards yet does their worship with drums anddancing. Same Jesus, same Bible, same beliefs; doing the same things in their own cultural way.</div>
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<i>3. It calls for consistency betweencorporate vs private worship</i></div>
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Why is it that would treat 1 hour a week by a certain set of rules for how wedo worship at church, and the other 167 hours of the week by a different set ofrules for how we do itat home behind closed doors.</div>
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Some weaknesses of the Normative Principles are:</div>
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<i>1. It can lead to cultural syncretism.</i></div>
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If we do not draw the line between worship that pleases God vs worship thatblasphemes Him, we will eventually draw things into the church from outsidesources that will lead to deception (may I submit that when one studies thehistory of the nation of Israel, pretty every time it goes astray by forsakingthe law, worshipping other gods, et al, mostly occurs in response totoo-friendly contact with other nations).</div>
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<i>2. It can elevate unbiblical elements tothe degree that they push out biblical elements.</i></div>
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The Bible says to have preaching and communion. And some churches don’t havemuch of either because they have other things that they’ve added, like drama,arts, multimedia. Not that these things are evil in of itself, but when theyencroach upon what we are to actually be focusing on in our comporategatherings as scripture commands, we have to say “Stop.”</div>
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<i>3. It facilitates a Consumer mindset.</i></div>
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Itcan make our enjoyment and not God’s pleasure the object of “good worship”,It’s not about your glory. It’s about his pleasure. It’s not about what youlike or I like. It’s about what glorifies God. So you may say, “I don’t likethe band,” but did it glorify God? You may say, “I don’t know if I dug thesermon.”</div>
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Some strengths of the Regulative principle:</div>
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<i>1. It lets God define the terms of how weare to worship.</i></div>
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The Christian comes before God on His terms, not vice-versa. It is the firstand second commandments set to melody.</div>
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<i>2. Affirms a high view of Scripture</i></div>
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The Regulative principle forces believers to “’not go beyond what is written’, Then you will not bepuffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other” (1Corinthians 4:6). Churches that uphold the regulative principle very rarelydrift into liberalism as the Bible is upheld as the basis of worship as well asteaching and doctrine.</div>
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<i>3. External influences are kept at bay</i></div>
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Syncetism, paganism, other religions, compromise andworldliness – such things do not enter the church because the line has beendrawn first of all in how the church conducts worship.</div>
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Some weaknesses of the Regulative Principle:</div>
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<i>1. It’s logically fallacious when takento extremes.</i></div>
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To suggest that because something is absent from scripture it therefore must beexcluded wholly is to commit the fallacy of Argument from Silence</div>
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<i>2. It over-spiritualises corporate gatheringsat the expense of personal devotion</i></div>
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When you walk in the building, adopt totally new mindset of word and deed as ifJesus wasn’t Lord over all, as if he ruled in the church service in a specialway than he does every other portion of the week.</div>
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<i>3. It can lead to hyper-fundamentalism</i></div>
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While the Sunday service is to be for the teaching, edification and gatheringof believers, it is inivatble that if a church is faithful in evangelism, therewill be non-believers present. If there is no flexibility with regards to thelatter, what the church does as the norm could easily be a stumbling blockrather than a stepping stone.</div>
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So which one is it? Normative or Regulative?</div>
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Regarding worship forms, the Bible is clear that God is to be worshiped in ways that He deems acceptable. This explains whyGod judges those who seek to worship Him with either sinful forms externally(eg., Leviticus 10) and sinful hearts internally (e.g., Jeremiah 7:9-10).</div>
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There are certain elements that Scripture prescribes for gathered corporate worship services as the church:</div>
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1. Expository Preaching (2 Timothy 4)</div>
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2. Communion at the Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)</div>
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3. Prayer (1 Timothy 2:1)</div>
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4. Reading Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13)</div>
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5. Financial giving (2 Corinthians 8-9)</div>
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6. Singing and music (Colossians 3:16)</div>
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The problem is that there is no clear prescription of an entire worship service in Scripture.Adherence to a set order of worship then, is nothing more than a man-made invention based on the interpretation of scripture, though not necessarily the black-and-white instruction of it.</div>
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In writing this article, my intent is not to cramp upon those involved in worship ministry whose hearts are sincere,albeit possibly misinformed in their teaching and resulting application. Is peak not as a worship leader or as a musician but as a concerned congregant on the receiving end.</div>
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The bottom line is this: <b><i><u>We should do our best to do worship the way God wants us to.</u></i></b></div>
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<b>Appendix: Worship songs by topic </b></h3>
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<b><br /></b>1.. <b><i>"Trinity"</i></b> -The Nature and Attributes of God,</div>
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“How Great is Our God” Chris Tomlin <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F7ksYWZyEbR8&h=wAQEKBg_j&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/7ksYWZyEbR8</a></a></div>
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“For who You Are”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FIU7D369avGI&h=PAQE0adXy&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/IU7D369avGI</a></a></div>
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“God of Wrath”, David Crowder <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F_ozChP9-RC4&h=pAQFmjG6F&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/_ozChP9-RC4</a></a></div>
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“Our God”, Chris Tomlin <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F12QiZIqNWjc&h=uAQElf3l1&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/12QiZIqNWjc</a></a></div>
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“I Stand in Awe of You”, Mark Altrogge <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FeCacla77PoY&h=KAQFIudrm&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/eCacla77PoY</a></a></div>
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“Indescribable”, Chris Tomlin <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FgWdM4B1HEyI&h=uAQElf3l1&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/gWdM4B1HEyI</a></a></div>
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“Holy, Holy, Holy”, Steven Curtis Chapman <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FIR62awN7rhQ&h=NAQE_Mchu&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/IR62awN7rhQ</a></a></div>
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“O Worship the King”, Chris Tomlin <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FWe9aR22C9BI&h=CAQFgDtQm&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/We9aR22C9BI</a></a></div>
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“Joyful, Joyful”, Charlie Hall <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FgiJlsrPj_D8&h=uAQElf3l1&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/giJlsrPj_D8</a></a></div>
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2. <b><i>"Revelation"</i></b> - The Bible, How God speaksto us,</div>
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“Ancient Words”, Robin Mark <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FaIaiXt-fSwk&h=SAQEoKjPO&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/aIaiXt-fSwk</a></a></div>
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“Every Promise”, Stuart Townend <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FAf478I_CBkc&h=wAQEKBg_j&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/Af478I_CBkc</a></a></div>
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“Speak, O Lord”, Kristyn Getty <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FtX_ISi_2EGM&h=UAQG9iVDp&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/tX_ISi_2EGM</a></a></div>
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“Your Words of Life”, Sovereign Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FfCSYiGEQOaE&h=lAQGQsJ7O&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/fCSYiGEQOaE</a></a></div>
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(A/N: Ever notice that while there are several songs that may use biblicalimagery and phrases, songs about the Bible in of itself are quite few?)</div>
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3. <b><i>"Creation"</i></b></div>
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“All Creatures of Our God and King”, David Crowder <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FHIriASwu5rc&h=qAQGdnqwj&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/HIriASwu5rc</a></a></div>
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“Holy is the Lord”, Chris Tomlin <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FS7J2v2U_hrU&h=HAQHRYtKr&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/S7J2v2U_hrU</a></a></div>
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“Let Creation Sing”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FePYDvCAI4CQ&h=fAQGcUyfm&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/ePYDvCAI4CQ</a></a></div>
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“The Perfect Wisdom of our God”, Kristyn Getty <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FhSnzYnOe6kI&h=NAQE_Mchu&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/hSnzYnOe6kI</a></a></div>
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4. <b><i>"The Fall"</i></b> - Original Sin, Regeneration,being “born again”</div>
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“Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord”, Michael W. Smith <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FJ56qt6xdGTQ&h=pAQFmjG6F&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/J56qt6xdGTQ</a></a></div>
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“From the Inside Out”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FX-afZJ9_TIM&h=cAQGHRXfw&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/X-afZJ9_TIM</a></a></div>
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“Majesty”, Delirious <a><a href="http://youtu.be/vNjH8QDpBFY" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/vNjH8QDpBFY</a></a></div>
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“Oh Lead Me,” Delirious <a><a href="http://youtu.be/pDgLzhofceo" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/pDgLzhofceo</a></a></div>
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“Create in me a clean Heart” (Ps51), Keith Green <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FvD847UcRbL4&h=8AQFegjfI&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/vD847UcRbL4</a></a></div>
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“Awakening”, Chris Tomlin <a><a href="http://youtu.be/0_J9BI6AFO0" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/0_J9BI6AFO0</a></a></div>
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“Thankful”, Caedmon’s Call <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FPykzWOkdKaU&h=fAQGcUyfm&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/PykzWOkdKaU</a></a></div>
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“Come Ye Sinners”, Indelible Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fqfq6rK1h13o&h=yAQFc1phh&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/qfq6rK1h13o</a></a></div>
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“O Great God”, Sovereign Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FeKQHqUo6qOw&h=BAQHOGTBq&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/eKQHqUo6qOw</a></a></div>
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5. <b><i>"Christ"</i></b> - Jesus' incarnation, ministry, death,resurrection, Lordship</div>
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“Shout Your Fame”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FECm6eouhFX0&h=AAQGNNO6a&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/ECm6eouhFX0</a></a></div>
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“In Christ Alone”, Stuart Townend <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FRCeSOY5tisI&h=vAQFqQ3cc&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/RCeSOY5tisI</a></a></div>
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“None but Jesus”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fy0P3fNPT7XQ&h=_AQFOqnhl&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/y0P3fNPT7XQ</a></a></div>
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“The Glory of it all”, David Crowder <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FZg-1yM6insA&h=4AQEFJbOL&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/Zg-1yM6insA</a></a></div>
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“Man of Sorrows”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fs7ZJ5D5q54g&h=sAQEPpaBT&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/s7ZJ5D5q54g</a></a></div>
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“I will glory in my Redeemer”, Sovereign Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FXuRru9jYqOk&h=5AQEoRZEf&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/XuRru9jYqOk</a></a></div>
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“O Praise Him” David Crowder <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FhHk8VtbFvho&h=BAQHOGTBq&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/hHk8VtbFvho</a></a></div>
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“Fairest Lord Jesus”, Garage Hymnal <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F311Cl4oYEyA&h=dAQGQGVMO&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/311Cl4oYEyA</a></a></div>
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“Worthy is the Lamb”,Darlene Zchech <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F4J6oBxqDoq4&h=eAQGmL8C2&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/4J6oBxqDoq4</a></a></div>
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“Christ is Risen”, Matt Maher <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F7bJzhkWVANc&h=MAQHSp7Ex&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/7bJzhkWVANc</a></a></div>
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6. <b><i>"Justifiction"</i></b> - Works vs Grace, The Cross</div>
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“This is Our God”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FhlrrHoM_tUU&h=GAQGAVOOq&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/hlrrHoM_tUU</a></a></div>
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“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”, King’s Kaleidescope<a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FV1aeehlfpr4&h=sAQEPpaBT&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/V1aeehlfpr4</a></a></div>
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“Mighty to Save”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F-08YZF87OBQ&h=RAQFy5sKn&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/-08YZF87OBQ</a></a></div>
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“You Are my King (Amazing Love)”, Newsboys <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FRaPFTFvs8rQ&h=HAQHRYtKr&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/RaPFTFvs8rQ</a></a></div>
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“Jesus Thankyou”, Sovereign Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F1zNEMUZUZhY&h=cAQGHRXfw&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/1zNEMUZUZhY</a></a></div>
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“Jesus Paid it All”, Kristian Stanfill <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FnfWgJRh4U4w&h=7AQGbj10i&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/nfWgJRh4U4w</a></a></div>
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“The Glories of Calvary”, Sovereign Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FetAlRCnjWjo&h=LAQFtEedB&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/etAlRCnjWjo</a></a></div>
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“"Rock of Ages”, Charlie Hall <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FoC0-V7RCUPE&h=OAQGX1CoT&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/oC0-V7RCUPE</a></a></div>
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“When I survey the Wondrous Cross”, Tim Hughes <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F889jL3TsBsU&h=GAQGAVOOq&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/889jL3TsBsU</a></a></div>
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“Before the Throne of God Above”, King’s Kaleidescope <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FGRgWVCL8NT4&h=7AQGbj10i&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/GRgWVCL8NT4</a></a></div>
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“Here is Love”, Matt Redman <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FoTOP304FOG0&h=JAQFt4bHR&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/oTOP304FOG0</a></a></div>
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7. <b>“<i>Warfare”</i></b> – Angels and Demons, the nature of Satan,deliverance<i><br /></i></div>
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“Amazing Grace (My chains are gone)”, Chris Tomlin <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FHkAZteruVAw&h=nAQEmFo1Y&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/HkAZteruVAw</a></a></div>
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“Victor’s Crown” Darlene Zschech <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F_2nBOGA6X2g&h=MAQHSp7Ex&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/_2nBOGA6X2g</a></a></div>
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“O Church Arise”, Kristyn Getty <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fx63cVewXAeg&h=nAQEmFo1Y&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/x63cVewXAeg</a></a></div>
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“Thou O Lord”, BrooklynTabernacle <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fy284YvkYrZo&h=aAQFsc33l&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/y284YvkYrZo</a></a></div>
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<i><br /></i>8 <b><i>"Sovereignty"</i></b> – Providence, Election</div>
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“The Potter’s Hand”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FVH6uHnxGQNM&h=KAQFIudrm&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/VH6uHnxGQNM</a></a></div>
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“Blessed Be Your Name”, Matt Redman <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F8okACq1TowQ&h=7AQGbj10i&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/8okACq1TowQ</a></a></div>
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“Sovereign Hands”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FdvCDEuANWdI&h=YAQFBJee2&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/dvCDEuANWdI</a></a></div>
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“You are the Way”, Sovereign Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FTK0lEwUs1k0&h=5AQEoRZEf&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/TK0lEwUs1k0</a></a></div>
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“God Moves”, Bob Kauflin <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F2pTEboDF090&h=OAQGX1CoT&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/2pTEboDF090</a></a></div>
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9. <b><i>“Endurance”</i></b> – Bearing Fruit, Perseverance</div>
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“Take My Life and Let it Be”, Chris Tomlin <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FmSKEKdNp9Ec&h=QAQF1N1ZU&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/mSKEKdNp9Ec</a></a></div>
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“I Need Thee Every Hour”, Jars of Clay <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FMvmpjmt7Zxw&h=VAQElY3C8&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/Mvmpjmt7Zxw</a></a></div>
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“Great is Thy Faithfulness”, Israel Houghton <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fry4Tb_B6KGc&h=KAQFIudrm&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/ry4Tb_B6KGc</a></a></div>
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“I Surrender all”, Israel Houghton <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FKRZDHmlmKCU&h=1AQFbuUE6&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/KRZDHmlmKCU</a></a></div>
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10. <b><i>"Church"</i></b><i> </i>- Ministry, Fellowship,</div>
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“Better is One Day” Matt Redman <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F3PdXmvMTyx0&h=YAQFBJee2&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/3PdXmvMTyx0</a></a></div>
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“Come People of the Risen King”, Kristyn Getty <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FMJsizuCKq9k&h=2AQEqWA42&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/MJsizuCKq9k</a></a></div>
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“He Reigns”, Newsboys <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FY8R9ZPT2T-I&h=rAQGrf1qH&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/Y8R9ZPT2T-I</a></a></div>
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11. <b><i>The Holy Spirit</i></b></div>
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“Come Holy Spirit”, Planetshakers <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FqofqNs6_Xsk&h=0AQF1eUr2&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/qofqNs6_Xsk</a></a></div>
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“You are Welcome in this Place”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FcfZaSYCfWWM&h=QAQF1N1ZU&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/cfZaSYCfWWM</a></a></div>
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“More love, More Power”, Michael Smith <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FYkYSP0wuNFQ&h=QAQF1N1ZU&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/YkYSP0wuNFQ</a></a></div>
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“Rushing Wind”, Keith Green <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FDqhS17wt_pE&h=FAQGnp-30&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/DqhS17wt_pE</a></a></div>
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“Holy Spirit Living Breath of God”, Kristyn Getty <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FxQkxC-AhhVo&h=7AQGbj10i&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/xQkxC-AhhVo</a></a></div>
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12. <b><i>“Mission”</i></b>– Evangelism, Outreach</div>
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“History Maker”, Delirious <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FWXQRrdKmuvE&h=lAQGQsJ7O&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/WXQRrdKmuvE</a></a></div>
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“Mission’s Flame”, Matt Redman <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F08CqFyc04jE&h=WAQFHlWx1&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/08CqFyc04jE</a></a></div>
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“Hosanna”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FUXCoHxX1OC8&h=_AQFOqnhl&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/UXCoHxX1OC8</a></a></div>
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“O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”, David Crowder<a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F7w3DXMkyj7Q&h=0AQF1eUr2&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/7w3DXMkyj7Q</a></a></div>
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“Shout to the North”, Delirious <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FU-BRLSq_bJM&h=IAQGfE63Q&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/U-BRLSq_bJM</a></a></div>
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“To the Ends of the Earth”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FgNggdRGAs9k&h=gAQGOvGDt&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/gNggdRGAs9k</a></a></div>
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“As You Go”, Sovereign Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FQA2fNiFa9X0&h=sAQEPpaBT&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/QA2fNiFa9X0</a></a></div>
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13. <b><i>"Kingdom"</i></b> - End-times, Eternal Judgment,Heaven/Hell, the return of Christ</div>
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“Come, Now is the time to Worship”, Brian Doerksen <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FRiQs61sFc5s&h=WAQFHlWx1&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/RiQs61sFc5s</a></a></div>
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“Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?”, Delirious <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fi2Iz4cS1PF8&h=wAQEKBg_j&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/i2Iz4cS1PF8</a></a></div>
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“You’ll Come”, Hillsong <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F2RmZFaruXhs&h=wAQEKBg_j&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/2RmZFaruXhs</a></a></div>
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“How Great Thou art”, Paul Baloche <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FPXdP8tGLOOE&h=vAQFqQ3cc&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/PXdP8tGLOOE</a></a></div>
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“I can only imagine” MercyMe <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FBRPGRdbGHSs&h=EAQGZwIAG&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/BRPGRdbGHSs</a></a></div>
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“Revelation Song” Kari Jobe <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FtjY1zfyrg-Y&h=eAQGmL8C2&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/tjY1zfyrg-Y</a></a></div>
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“Let Your Kingdom Come”, Sovereign Grace <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F9kjMaYqhQnw&h=0AQF1eUr2&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/9kjMaYqhQnw</a></a></div>
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“The Light of that City” Brooklyn Tabernacle <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FzpNYz1Ckcz4&h=5AQEoRZEf&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/zpNYz1Ckcz4</a></a></div>
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“All my Tears”, Jars of Clar <a><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FXeyepZmq2ss&h=yAQFc1phh&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/XeyepZmq2ss</a></a><b></b></div>
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Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-82750266464477235852014-02-15T10:31:00.000+10:002014-07-02T10:15:47.134+10:00Healing Debate: James White vs Michael Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-32216483277690625522013-10-05T12:03:00.001+10:002013-10-19T20:21:15.548+10:00Is “Discernment Ministry” a valid practice?<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Introduction<br />
</b><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the basic sense
of the word, “discernment” is simply the ability to decide between truth and
error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful
distinctions in our thinking about truth.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, discernment is an area
where most Christians stumble. They show little ability to measure the things
they are taught against word of God, hence they are not able to take a
decidedly stand against the onslaught of faulty thinking and attitudes that
face them throughout everyday life. Or, as this article will seek to point out,
the process of discernment as both a personal discipline and a ministry to the
body of Christ is viewed as being an unnecessary liability.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How does the Bible define discernment?</b><br />
<br />
It is considered a virtue to have and uphold:<br />
<span class="text"><sup><br />
</sup></span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">8 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> then spoke to Aaron,
saying,</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
<span class="text"><sup>9 </sup>“Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither
you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you
will not die—it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations—</span> <span class="text"><sup>10 </sup>and so as to make a distinction between the holy
and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean,</span> <span class="text"><sup>11 </sup>and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the
statutes which the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> has spoken to them through
Moses.”<br />
Leviticus 10:8-11</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let
him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, And the righteous will walk
in them, But transgressors will stumble in them<br />
Hosea 14:9<br />
<br />
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real
knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are
excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ<br />
<span class="exdous">Philippians 1:9-10</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
God’s word nurtures it:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The
testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.<br />
Psalm 19:7<br />
<br />
Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments.<br />
<span class="exdous">Psalms 119:66<br />
<br />
</span>Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine.
I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my
meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your
precepts.<br />
Psalm 119:98-100<br />
<br />
He who keeps the law is a discerning son, But he who is a companion of gluttons
humiliates his father.<br />
Proverbs 28:7<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
It is in God’s character to offer it graciously:<br />
<br />
</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">6 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then Solomon said, “You
have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as
he walked before You in <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203:6-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8823a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext;">a</span></a>]</sup>truth
and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203:6-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8823b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext;">b</span></a>]</sup>reserved
for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his
throne, as <i>it is</i> this day. <sup>7 </sup>Now, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> my God, You have made Your servant
king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know
how to go out or come in. <sup>8 </sup>Your servant is in the midst of
Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be
numbered or counted. <sup>9 </sup>So give Your servant <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203:6-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8826c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext;">c</span></a>]</sup>an
understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For
who is able to judge this <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203:6-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8826d" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: windowtext;">d</span></a>]</sup>great
people of Yours?”<br />
<sup>10 [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203:6-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8827e" title="See footnote e"><span style="color: windowtext;">e</span></a>]</sup>It was
pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. <sup>11 </sup>God
said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself
<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203:6-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8828f" title="See footnote f"><span style="color: windowtext;">f</span></a>]</sup>long
life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of
your enemies, but have asked for yourself <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203:6-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8828g" title="See footnote g"><span style="color: windowtext;">g</span></a>]</sup>discernment
to understand justice, <sup>12 </sup>behold, I have done according to your
words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has
been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. <sup>13 </sup>I
have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that
there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. <sup>14 </sup>If
you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David
walked, then I will prolong your days.”<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Kings 3:6-14</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Daniel answered before the king and said, "As for the
mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers,
magicians nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. "However, there
is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King
Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and
the visions in your mind while on your bed.<br />
<span class="exdous">Daniel 2:27-28<br />
<br />
</span>Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is
from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which
things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught
by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural
man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness
to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.<br />
<span class="exdous">1 Corinthians 2:12-15<br />
<br />
</span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">5 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But if any of you lacks
wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:5-8&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30272a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup>without reproach, and it will be given to
him.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
<span class="text"><sup>6 </sup>But he must ask in faith without any
doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed
by the wind.</span> <span class="text"><sup>7 </sup>For that man ought not
to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,</span> <span class="text"><sup>8 </sup><i>being</i>
a <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:5-8&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30275b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup>double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<br />
James 1:5-8</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
It is essential for knowing God, and worshipping Him alone:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and
gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning
which he spoke to you, saying, `Let us go after other gods (whom you have not
known) and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that
prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find
out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.<br />
<span class="exdous">Deuteronomy 13:1-3<br />
<br />
</span>"Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy
things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and
they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they
hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.<br />
<span class="exdous">Ezekiel 22:26</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that
which is good and acceptable and perfect.<br />
Romans 12:2</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
<br />
But <a href="http://biblia.com/books/nasb95/1Th5.21-22"><sup>a</sup></a>examine
everything <em>carefully;</em> <br />
<a href="http://biblia.com/books/nasb95/1Th5.21-22"><sup>b</sup></a>hold fast
to that which is good; <br />
22 abstain from every <a href="http://biblia.com/books/nasb95/1Th5.21-22"><sup>1</sup></a>form
of evil. <br />
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
Much of the proverbs are repeated instructions encouraging the cultivation of
discernment:<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A wise
man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire
wise counsel<br />
Proverbs 1:5<br />
<br />
Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous
man and he will increase his learning.<br />
<span class="exdous">Proverbs 9:9<br />
<br />
</span>Wise men store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is
at hand.<br />
<span class="exdous">Proverbs 10:14<br />
<br />
</span>The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools
feeds on folly.<br />
<span class="exdous">Proverbs 15:14<br />
<br />
</span>The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise
seeks knowledge<br />
<span class="exdous">Proverbs 18:15<br />
<br />
</span>Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who
has understanding and he will gain knowledge.<br />
<span class="exdous">Proverbs 19:25<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
How was it that the Psalmist (David) was able to exceed the combined knowledge
and insight of his enemies, teachers and elders? By making the Law the subject
of his daily meditation, he was forced to bring God's word to bear upon all
that he did in life - He had to Think (Psalm 119:97-104)!<br />
<br />
By the same token, when the Word is removed from God's people, they lose their
wisdom, they lose their discernment. They lose the training that God's word
brings upon the human mind. They cannot bring godly reason and analysis into a
given situation, hence they are led astray.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because
you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since
you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."<br />
Hosea 4:6</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
Ergo, reading, studying and thinking through the Bible won't just let you bear
the fruits of godliness, it will make you smarter!</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Discernment and the maturing Christian</b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">The bible clearly
attributes discernment as a characteristic of the healthy, growing and mature
Christian:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">14 <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote0"><sup>1</sup></a>As
a result, we are <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote1"><sup>a</sup></a>no
longer to be children, <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote2"><sup>b</sup></a>tossed
here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the
trickery of men, by <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote3"><sup>c</sup></a>craftiness
<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote4"><sup>2</sup></a>in
<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote5"><sup>d</sup></a>deceitful
scheming;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>15 but <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote6"><sup>1</sup></a>speaking
the truth <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote7"><sup>a</sup></a>in
love, <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote8"><sup>2</sup></a>we
are to <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote9"><sup>b</sup></a>grow
up in all <em><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">aspects </span></em>into
Him who is the <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Ephesians%204.14-15#footnote10"><sup>c</sup></a>head,
Christ Jesus<br />
Ephesians 4:14-15</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"> <br />
<br />
Anyone who is a parent will tell that if there’s one key characteristic of
children that develops with age, it is knowing right from wrong. For an infant
in particular, the parent has to do the decision-making otherwise they be drawn
to try anything with little to know regard for whether it is benign or not. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So to, without proper teaching and
growth, the new believer in Christ is at risk of being open to receive any
given teaching with little insight or skill as to how to properly process it.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This sentiment is echoed in Hebrews
5:12-14<br />
<br />
</span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">12 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For though <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%205:12-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30043a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup>by this time you ought to be teachers, you
have need again for someone to teach you the <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%205:12-14&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30043b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup>elementary principles of the oracles of God,
and you have come to need milk and not solid food.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span class="text"><sup>13 </sup>For everyone who partakes <i>only</i>
of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.</span>
<span class="text"><sup>14 </sup>But solid food is for the mature, who
because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="lang-en" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The author of Hebrews similarly uses as the yardstick for spiritual
maturity the ability to “discern good and evil”. True growth in Christ is
marked not by how aloof one is in their thinking - shifting from one idea to
the next with little to no thought about the particulars – but rather how
grounded they are in their convictions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the case of the Hebrews, there were evidently recipients of the
letter who had been believers for a sufficient period of time to have had
adequate discipleship to the point that they should not only have competent
discernment, but to start passing their knowledge onto others. Unfortunately, this
was not so. <br />
<br />
<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us
press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead
works and of faith toward God, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>of
instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the
dead and eternal judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
this we will do, if God permits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For
in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the
heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>5<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>and
have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>6<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then </i>have fallen away, it is
impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to
themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>7<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For
ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation
useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God;
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>8<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>but
if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed,
and it ends up being burned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">9</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But, beloved, we are convinced of
better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we
are speaking in this way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 18.0pt left 27.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hebrews 6:1-10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="lang-en" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
At best, the faith of these immature believers had stalled. At worse, their
profession of a new life in Christ was questionable altogether.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Discernment
as a Spiritual Gift<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">In addition to discernment
being a virtue to be cultivated as well as a trait among mature Christians, the
Bible also describes the “discerning of spirits” as a legitimate spiritual
gift:<br />
<br />
</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">7 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But to each one is
given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. <sup>8 </sup>For
to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word
of knowledge according to the same Spirit; <sup>9 </sup>to another faith <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:7-11&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28644a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext;">a</span></a>]</sup>by the
same Spirit, and to another gifts of <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:7-11&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28644b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext;">b</span></a>]</sup>healing
<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:7-11&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28644c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext;">c</span></a>]</sup>by the
one Spirit, <sup>10 </sup>and to another the <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:7-11&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28645d" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: windowtext;">d</span></a>]</sup>effecting
of <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:7-11&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28645e" title="See footnote e"><span style="color: windowtext;">e</span></a>]</sup>miracles,
and to another prophecy, and to another the <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:7-11&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28645f" title="See footnote f"><span style="color: windowtext;">f</span></a>]</sup>distinguishing
of spirits, to another <i>various</i> kinds of tongues, and to another the
interpretation of tongues. <sup>11 </sup>But one and the same Spirit works
all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.<br />
1 Corinthians 12:7-11</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
Wayne Grudem in his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Systematic Theology</i>
defines the “Discerning of Spirits” as “the special ability to recognize the
influence the influence of the Holy Spirit or of demonic spirits in a person”.
This is distinct from mere observational deduction; it is a specific insight
where the Spirit of God reveals whether something is of God, or may be demonic,
or of even natural origin.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see this demonstrated in Acts
16:16-18 where Paul and Silas are ministering in Phillipi:<br />
<br />
</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">16 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It happened that as
we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of
divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
<sup>17 </sup>Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying,
“These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2016&version=NASB#fen-NASB-27501g" title="See footnote g"><span style="color: windowtext;">g</span></a>]</sup>the
way of salvation.” <sup>18 </sup>She continued doing this for many days.
But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you
in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2016&version=NASB#fen-NASB-27502h" title="See footnote h"><span style="color: windowtext;">h</span></a>]</sup>moment.<br />
Acts 16:16-18</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">While such a gift obviously
edifies the church and protects it from danger, the gift also serves as a
blessing to believers in that it gives us a foretaste of the coming Kingdom of
Heaven wherein the works of Satan will be revealed and judged:<br />
<br />
</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">11 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Then I saw a great
white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2020:11-15&version=NASB#fen-NASB-31051a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext;">a</span></a>]</sup>presence
earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. <sup>12 </sup>And
I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2020:11-15&version=NASB#fen-NASB-31052b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext;">b</span></a>]</sup>books
were opened; and another <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2020:11-15&version=NASB#fen-NASB-31052c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext;">c</span></a>]</sup>book
was opened, which is <i>the book</i> of life; and the dead were judged from the
things which were written in the <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2020:11-15&version=NASB#fen-NASB-31052d" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: windowtext;">d</span></a>]</sup>books,
according to their deeds. <sup>13 </sup>And the sea gave up the dead which
were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they
were judged, every one <i>of them</i> according to their deeds. <sup>14 </sup>Then
death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death,
the lake of fire. <sup>15 </sup>And if <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation%2020:11-15&version=NASB#fen-NASB-31055e" title="See footnote e"><span style="color: windowtext;">e</span></a>]</sup>anyone’s
name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of
fire.<br />
Revelation 20:11-15<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
Discernment and the Elder/Pastor</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
The ability to discern truth from error is also a compulsory necessity for
those who are to be appointed to the pastoral ministry:<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We’re told that: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If anyone
aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an
overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded,
self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not
violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his
own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if
someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for
God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up
with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must
be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a
snare of the devil. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8 Deacons
likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not
greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a
clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as
deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be
dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let
deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own
households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing
for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Timothy
3:1-13</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached
in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But
the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of
the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with
eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If we
have died with him, we will also live with him;</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12 if we
endure, we will also reign with him;</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">if we
deny him, he also will deny us;</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13 if we
are faithless, he remains faithful—</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">for he
cannot deny himself. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">about
words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to
present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be
ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Timothy
2:8-15</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">16 All
Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be
competent, equipped for every good work. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 I
charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living
and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready
in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete
patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure
sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves
teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the
truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure
suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Timothy
3:16-4:5</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5 This is
why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and
appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach,
the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the
charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God's steward,
must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard
or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled,
upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as
taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also
to rebuke those who contradict it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Titus 1:5-9</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 So I
exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings
of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2
shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under
compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but
eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the
flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading
crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe
yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Peter
5:1-5</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pastor/Teachers are called to:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Set a moral example to the church</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Demonstrate humility and servitude</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Lead people in gospel-centredness</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Teach from God’s word</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Uphold and instruct sound doctrine</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Refute and correct those whose
teaching contradict inspired scripture.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In addition to the moral and
lifestyle qualifications, how much knowledge did a person need to have in order
to fulfill the pastoral office? Enough to sufficiently engage and refute those
those have fallen into error. In Romans 16:17, Pastor/Teachers are instructed
to</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“watch
out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine
that you have been taught; avoid them.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The word for “watch”, <i>skopeō</i>
σκοπέω means to oberve, to mark, to fix attention upon i.e., like a spotter
working in partnership with a sniper we are to target – from afar if need be -
our focus upon those whose teaching and doctrine doesn’t line up.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> So yes, pointing out the errors of those that
have gone astray and are leading the flock in like manner is a valid aspect of
the teaching ministry. How are we to protect the sheep from wolves if we do not
do so?<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ot only is the delivery of sound teaching an essential
aspect of the Pastor/Teachers’ ministry, but also <i>screening</i> that which
the sheep will likely be exposed to in their personal growth as a Christian. <br />
One only has to set foot into the local Christian bookstore and
you will immediately be immersed into a theological smorgasbord of various
books, videos, CDs from differing ministries that seek to impart their
respective views. The question I’d like to ask any church elder is: if you were
to take a random survey of those under your care and examine the receipts
collected from their trips to the local Christian bookstore over a period of
one year, would their spending habits point to a “balanced diet”, or have they
been feeding on content that you know is of a highly questionable nature?<br />
If it were indeed the case that a believer has bought into
aberrant doctrine, then the obvious response would be to meet with that person,
go through the scriptures, and point to the right direction where necessary.
This may seem common when it comes to discipling a young believer, but if you
have someone who has reached a sufficient degree of knowledge to the point that
they can interpret scripture themselves, they can defend and explain doctrines
consistently and can engage in debate when confronted, then there is greater
need for accountability and honesty lest any misunderstandings cause others to
stumble.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This raises the question: what if
someone is already in a position of spiritual authority but either lacks discernment,
or refuses to apply it altogether? Jesus himself used the comparison of a true
shepherd vs a “hireling” to describe his own love for his disciples:<br />
<br />
</span><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">11 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I am the good
shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. <sup>12 </sup>He
who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep,
sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches
them and scatters <i>them</i>. <sup>13 </sup><i>He flees</i> because he is
a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.<br />
John 10:11-13</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
The true overseer of the flock, says Jesus, keeps watch over the sheep, going
as far as to give up everything, even their own life, for the sake of their
safety. The false pastor, the hireling, has no care whatsoever for what God’s
people will be exposed to and will flee from such responsibilities the moment
they have the chance.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be blunt, if a church is being lead by a
pastor who refuses to teach, exercise and model discernment as a virtue and
discipline, then that is a church without a pastor altogether.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Period. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wayward Brothers, Heretics and Apostates</b><br />
<br />
</span><span style="background: #FFF9EE; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How exactly do
leaders of bible-believing congregations go from passionately contending for
orthodox Christian doctrine to yelling “Amen!” to anything, no matter how
obscure and unusual?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: #FFF9EE;"> Most of us know of at least one
Christian friend who started off as a trustworthy peer, committed to solid
discipleship to the point of teaching others, teachable, hungry to learn as
well as to defend their convictions from attack at any angle. Yet over time, changes
of mind take place. At first it may seem like a minor tangent, until you listen
to who they’re listening and what they’re following. You notice they start to
say and do things that they previously would have fought hard against. You hear
them quote ministers who only seasons ago would have been put on the
discernment blacklist. In only a short time, what started as a minor tangent
becomes a large-scale deviation to the point that their Christian walk has
undergone a massive revision that makes you honestly question whether you can
still break bread with them in Christian fellowship. You voice concerns – only
to hear them respond with full assurance that they are correct in their new
direction even though you know it doesn’t stack up with scriptures. Worse still
is when they go on the offensive against you or anyone else for not being as
willing to follow suite.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: #FFF9EE; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For those of us
who are familiar with scripture, we shouldn’t be surprised when we see such
deviations happen:<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: #FFF9EE; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">3</span></a>
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having
itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own
passions, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">4</span></a>
and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.<br />
<b>2 Timothy 4:3-4</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
The Bible gives clear warning of false prophets, false teachers, false
apostles, and false brethren:<br />
<br />
</span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">15 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Beware
of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ravenous
wolves.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You
will</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-23333a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">know
them by their fruits.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-23333b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Grapes
are not gathered from thorn</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">bushes</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">nor figs from thistles, are they?</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">18 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good
fruit.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">19 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Every
tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So then, you will</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-23337c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">know
them</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">by their fruits.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
<span class="woj"><b><sup>21 </sup></b>“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father
who is in heaven</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj"><i>will enter</i>.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj"><b><sup>22 </sup></b>Many will say to Me on</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">that day, ‘Lord, Lord,
did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your
name perform many</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj"><b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-23339d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</sup></b>miracles?’</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj"><b><sup>23 </sup></b>And
then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness</span></span><span class="woj">.’<br />
</span>Matthew 7:15-23<br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">25 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And now, behold, I know that all of
you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my
face. <b><sup>26 </sup></b>Therefore, I <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-27653a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext;">a</span></a>]</sup></b>testify
to you this day that I am <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-27653b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext;">b</span></a>]</sup></b>innocent
of the blood of all men. <b><sup>27 </sup></b>For I did not
shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. <b><sup>28 </sup></b>Be
on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit
has made you <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-27655c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext;">c</span></a>]</sup></b>overseers,
to shepherdthe church of God which He <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-27655d" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: windowtext;">d</span></a>]</sup></b>purchased <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-27655e" title="See footnote e"><span style="color: windowtext;">e</span></a>]</sup></b>with
His own blood. <b><sup>29 </sup></b>I know that after my departure savage
wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;<b><sup>30 </sup></b>and
from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw
away the disciples after them.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
Acts 20:25-30<br />
<br />
<span class="text"><b><sup>7 </sup></b>Or</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">did I commit a sin in
humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">gospel of God to you</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">without charge?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>8 </sup></b>I
robbed other churches by taking wages</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><i>from them</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">to serve you;</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>9 </sup></b>and when I was present with you and was in
need, I was</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">not a burden to anyone; for when</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">the brethren came
from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself
from being a burden to you,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28999a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup></b>and will continue to do so.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>10 </sup></b>As
the truth of Christ is in me,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">Achaia.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>11 </sup></b>Why?
Because I do not love you?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">God knows</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><i>I do</i>!</span><br />
<span class="text"><b><sup>12 </sup></b>But what I am doing I will continue
to do,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">so
that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29002b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup></b>regarded just as we are in the matter
about which they are boasting.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>13 </sup></b>For such men are</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">false apostles,
deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>14 </sup></b>No
wonder, for even</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">Satan disguises himself as an</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">angel of light.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>15 </sup></b>Therefore
it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of
righteousness,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">whose end will be according to their deeds.</span><br />
2 Corinthians 11:7-15<br />
<br />
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But the
Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29749a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext;">a</span></a>]</sup></b>fall
away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits
and doctrines of demons, <b><sup>2 </sup></b>by means of the
hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,<b><sup>3 </sup></b><i>men</i> who forbid
marriage <i>and advocate</i> abstaining from foods which God has
created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the
truth. <b><sup>4 </sup></b>Foreverything created by God is good, and
nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; <b><sup>5 </sup></b>for
it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Timothy 4:1-5<br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If anyone advocates a different
doctrine and does not <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29792a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext;">a</span></a>]</sup></b>agree
with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the
doctrine conforming to godliness, <b><sup>4 </sup></b>he
is conceited <i>and</i> understands nothing; but he <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29793b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext;">b</span></a>]</sup></b>has
a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about
words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil
suspicions, <b><sup>5 </sup></b>and constant friction betweenmen of
depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29794c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext;">c</span></a>]</sup></b>godliness
is a means of gain. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>But godliness <i>actually</i> is
a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. <b><sup>7 </sup></b>For we
have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. <b><sup>8 </sup></b>If
we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. <b><sup>9 </sup></b>But
those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many
foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>For the
love of money is a root of all <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29799d" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: windowtext;">d</span></a>]</sup></b>sorts
of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and
pierced themselves with many griefs.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Timothy 6:3-10<br />
<br />
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>For
men will belovers of self, lovers of
money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to
parents, ungrateful, unholy, <b><sup>3 </sup></b>unloving,
irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29857a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext;">a</span></a>]</sup></b>haters
of good, <b><sup>4 </sup></b>treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers
of pleasure rather than lovers of God, <b><sup>5 </sup></b>holding to
a form of <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29859b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext;">b</span></a>]</sup></b>godliness,
although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>For
among them are those who <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29860c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext;">c</span></a>]</sup></b>enter
into households and captivate <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29860d" title="See footnote d"><span style="color: windowtext;">d</span></a>]</sup></b>weak
women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, <b><sup>7 </sup></b>always
learning and never able to come to the <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29861e" title="See footnote e"><span style="color: windowtext;">e</span></a>]</sup></b>knowledge
of the truth. <b><sup>8 </sup></b>Just as Jannes and
Jambres opposed Moses, so these <i>men</i> also oppose the
truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. <b><sup>9 </sup></b>But
they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to
all, just as <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29863f" title="See footnote f"><span style="color: windowtext;">f</span></a>]</sup></b>Jannes’s
and Jambres’s folly was also.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
2 Timothy 3:1-9</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">17 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These are springs without water and mists driven by a
storm, for whom the<b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30518g" title="See footnote g"><span style="color: windowtext;">g</span></a>]</sup></b>black
darkness has been reserved. <b><sup>18 </sup></b>For speaking
out arrogant <i>words</i> of vanity they entice by
fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones
who live in error, <b><sup>19 </sup></b>promising them freedom while
they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome,
by this he is enslaved.<b><sup>20 </sup></b>For if, after they
have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of
the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them
and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the
first. <b><sup>21 </sup></b>For it would be better for them not to
have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away
from the holy commandment handed on to them.<b><sup>22 [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23,%20Acts%2020:25-30,%20%20%202%20Corinthians%2011:7-15,%20%20%201%20Timothy%204:1-5,%20%20%201%20Timothy%206:3-10,%20%20%202%20Timothy%203:1-9,%20%20%202%20Peter%202&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30523h" title="See footnote h"><span style="color: windowtext;">h</span></a>]</sup></b>It
has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">dog returns to its own vomit</span>,” and, “A
sow, after washing, <i>returns</i> to wallowing in the mire.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
2 Peter 2:17-22<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
To sum up, false teachers are easily identified by:<br />
<br />
- Questionable fruit of character (Matthew 7:15-19)<br />
<br />
- Counterfeit power - miracles, signs and wonders, spiritual gifts,
manifestations – that do not reflect the Holiness of God (Matthew 7:21-23)<br />
<br />
- They will infiltrate church leadership with ambitions of seeking spiritual
authority over others for their own agenda (Acts 20:29-30)<br />
<br />
- They are burdensome, making demands that prove costly and unproductive to the
church (2 Corinthians 11:7-15)<br />
<br />
- Have a desensitized view of morality and evil (1 Timothy 4:1-2)<br />
<br />
- They seek to prohibit and keep people from things that God does give permission
and approval to (1 Timothy 4:3-4)<br />
<br />
- Pre-occupied with trivial matters (1 Timothy 6:3-4)<br />
<br />
- Are Greedy and Materialistic (1 Timothy 6:5-10)<br />
<br />
- Self-centered and impulsive (2 Timothy 3:1-4)<br />
<br />
- Are powerless when it comes to godly living (2 Timothy 3:5)<br />
<br />
- They prey on those weak in the faith who still struggle with sin (2 Timothy
3:6). By the same token, they will keep minimum contact with those who are mature
in the faith with strong assurance.<br />
<br />
- They will make bold claims of having “higher knowledge” or “new revelation”,
but when pressed are actually shallow in their own understanding with little
signs of progress (2 Timothy 3:7, cf. 1 Timothy 6:20-21)<br />
<br />
- Are outwardly full of life, yet driven by sensuality (2 Peter 2:17-20)<br />
<br />
- Are bogged down by past sins, unable to repent and turn away fully (2 Peter
2:20-22)<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Calling out false teachers (or:
“Christians attacking other Christians?”)</b><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><br />
What should be our response to those who propagate false teachings? We are to
obviously keep an eye out for false teachings and false teachers, but when it
comes to a proper response, do we merely refute the teaching only and point
people back to biblical doctrine OR are we to actually go after and call out
the teachers as well?<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, yes, there is indeed
precedent in scripture of “naming names”: <br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">18 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This command I entrust to you,
Timothy, <i>my</i> <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%201:18-20&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29715a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a</span></a>]</sup></b>son, in accordance with the prophecies
previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good
fight, <b><sup>19 </sup></b>keeping faith and a good conscience,
which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%201:18-20&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29716b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">b</span></a>]</sup></b>their faith. <b><sup>20 [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%201:18-20&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29717c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">c</span></a>]</sup></b>Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander,
whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to
blaspheme.<br />
1 Timothy 1:18-20<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wrote to
the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.<b><sup>10 </sup></b>So
when I come, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>I will call
attention to what he is doing</u></i>, spreading malicious nonsense about us.
Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He
also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.<br />
3 John 1:9-10 (Emphasis added)<br />
<br />
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 2 Timothy, the
Apostle Paul goes as far as to give two call outs per chapter:<br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You know that everyone in the
province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Timothy 1:18<br />
<br />
<b><sup><span style="background: white;">15 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white;">Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles
the word of truth. <b><sup>16 </sup></b>Avoid godless
chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more
ungodly. <b><sup>17 </sup></b>Their teaching will spread like
gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeusand Philetus, <b><sup>18 </sup></b>who
have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken
place, and they destroy the faith of some.<br />
</span>2 Timothy 2:15-18<br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">6 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">They are the
kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women,
who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil
desires, <b><sup>7 </sup></b>always learning but never able to come
to a knowledge of the truth.<b><sup>8 </sup></b>Just as Jannes and Jambres
opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men
of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. <b><sup>9 </sup></b>But
they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men,their folly
will be clear to everyone.<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Timothy 3:6-9 (Note, this is a
historical example. Jannes and Jambres are traditionally believed to be the
sorcererors in Pharoahs court who taunted Moses)<br />
<br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">10 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">for
Demas,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to
Thessalonica.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Crescens has gone to Galatia,and Titus</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to
Dalmatia.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">11 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Only
Luke</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">is with me.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Get Mark</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">12 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I sent Tychicus</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to Ephesus.<b><sup>13 </sup></b>When you come, bring the cloak that
I left with Carpus at Troas,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and my scrolls, especially the parchments.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
<span class="text"><b><sup>14 </sup></b>Alexander</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">the metalworker did
me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>15 </sup></b>You
too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our
message.<br />
2 Timothy 4:10-15</span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
So yes, calling out the teacher rather than just refuting the teaching alone,
is indeed biblical. John Piper though, cautions that the extent to which we engage
should be proportionate to the sphere of impact these individuals have upon our
fellowships:<br />
<br />
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My problem is that I don't read these guys enough and don't know them
well enough. If I read a whole bunch of books by so-and-so and had actual
quotes that I could quote and arguments that I could give, I would feel more
adequate to say something.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So that's one criterion: I don't feel like I'm in their world enough to
know them well enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Secondly, if I knew that somebody I knew or my church was being swayed
away by somebody that I felt was preaching a gospel different from our gospel,
I would probably get real specific with the church, for the church's sake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So the first reason may be owing to laziness. I don't think it's owing
to cowardice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I think that what happens when you name names is both good and bad. The
good is that people are warned, and they now know that if they're going to turn
on that TV program they're going to be alert to watch for error and be more
protected, maybe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 9.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The downside is that it so quickly becomes a personal thing rather than
a principial thing. And I just want people to get the principles so right that
they'll spot them anywhere.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">Still,
those who are more passive still object <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Should
Christians really be attacking other Christians? Especially when they should be
out there doing the work of seeking and saving the lost? What will
non-Christians think when they see the body of Christ divided?”</i><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, as we examine the above
descriptions of false teachers, when it comes to the most heinous examples, the
question has to be asked whether some false teachers are even Christians at all
to begin with, in which case, they are strangers to the truth of Christ and
know only the falsehoods that they themselves seek to promote. The Apostle Paul
wrote:<br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wrote you in my letter not to
associate with immoral people; <b><sup>10 </sup></b>I <i>did</i> not
at all <i>mean</i> with the immoral people of this world, or with the
covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go
out of the world. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>But<b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%205:9-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28466a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a</span></a>]</sup></b>actually, I wrote to you not to
associate <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%205:9-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28466b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">b</span></a>]</sup></b>with any so-called brother if
he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a
drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. <b><sup>12 </sup></b>For
what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are
within <i>the church</i>? <b><sup>13 </sup></b>But those who are
outside, God <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%205:9-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28468c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">c</span></a>]</sup></b>judges. <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Remove the wicked man from among yourselves</span>.<br />
1 Corinthians 5:9-13</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
AS much as there is gross sin in the outside world, the church is not to serve
the role of judge and executioner. Rather, such judgment is to be applied to
those <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">within</i> the church who already
profess the name of Christ. The specific sins that Paul lists in this passage
includes idolatry, or to put it practically, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">false teaching</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence, the church is to pay closer attention
to the concerns within it’s own walls than the affairs of the outside world –
obedience to the Great Commission is no excuse to falter in this area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, if we are truly committed
to seeing the lost come into a saving relationship with Christ, we should have
a passionate desire to ensure that these people are presented with an accurate
and faithful portrayal of who God really is as revealed in Scripture rather
than a caricature enforced and promoted by false teachers.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">Why the Modern Church lacks
Discernment</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
A recent Pew Forum survey conducted among Americans who claimed “Evangelical
Protestant” as their religious affiliation was published in USA Today that
showed curious discrepancies between their claimed affiliation versus answers
to more specific queries. Of those sampled:<br />
<br />
- 79% believed that God had a personal nature; 13% believed that God was
impersonal while 7% listed “unsure”.<br />
- 60% were pro-life on the issue of abortion (obviously then, the remaining 40%
are pro-choice) <br />
- 49% saw a conflict between their moral values and what is portrayed in
popular culture<br />
- 29% have attempted to make contact with the dead<br />
- 23% believed that there was “spiritual energy” to be found in nature<br />
- 23% believed that the alignment of the stars and planets had an effect on
their personal welfare (astrology)<br />
- 22% believed in reincarnation (that is, being reborn again and again within
this world)<br />
- 21% practiced Yoga regularly as a “spiritual discipline”<br />
- 17% believed that once can use the “evil eye” to cast curses upon others<br />
- 14% had consulted a psychic for guidance <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn2" name="_ednref2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5Ilc4-_w-bQ" width="560"></iframe> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
While the survey was an examination of American religion, once can’t help but
wonder about the wider body of Christ worldwide given that a significant
portion of professing “evangelicals” seem to be no more or less “spiritual”
than a thorough-going pagan.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why is there no discernment to the
point that such abherent beliefs and practices are adopted by professing
Christians? I’d like to offer six possible reasons: <br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1. The new “Wisdom”, the new “Humility”,
the new “Maturity” and the new “Grace”</i><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read any biography of former british
Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and you almost always see him praised for his
contribution to the victory over the German forces in World War 2. In
Churchill’s own time as Prime Minister however, this was not so. The
predominant policy favored by the government in dealing with Nazi Germany was
that of appeasement – the need to keep open the windows of diplomacy in the
hopes keeping conflict at bay. But Churchill would have nothing of it, he
instead advocated direct engagement to the point that he was slammed as being
difficult and close-minded. Nowadays, he is praised as a hero for having had
the necessary conviction to take a stand.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So to, in spite of what Scripture
teaches about the nature of discernment in relation to wisdom and maturity, the
contemporary church has chosen to revile those who are quick to take a stand
for conviction. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You're now a
narrow-minded person if you draw lines. You have an arrogant spirit if you
think in absolutes. You're an evil person if you have convictions.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is in part due to the encroaching
of relativism and postmodern thinking. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Relativism
</i>is the belief that there is no such thing as absolute truth or objectivity.
There is no definite right or wrong, just subjective value based upon
differences in perception and consideration.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When applied to the context of the
church, the “Postmodern Christian” (if there actually is such a thing) would
assert that there is no one single true system of doctrine, no right or wrong
way to interpret the Bible, no straightforward explanation as to what is Holy
or profane. The proof of this, they would assert, is that when one surveys the
vast landscape of Christendom, there is so much diversity in the form of the
various and differing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>theological views,
interpretations, worship styles and denominations; there is clearly no single
expression of Christianity. Hence, with such thinking, for someone to step up
and begin to explain the “hows” and “whys” undergirding their system of
doctrine is immediately perceived by such people in the negative.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, advocates of “Christian
relativism” will willingly borrow the language of biblical discernment to
further their resistance towards claims of conviction:<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You need to be more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gracious</i> when it comes to belief.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If that’s what you believe, you
really should grow in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">discernment</i>. I
really think you need more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wisdom</i> in
such areas.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, should you show hesitation or are
unsure about a particular area of belief: “You’re really showing true <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maturity</i> in that area.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, such rhetoric robs the
scriptures own standard of grace, discernment, wisdom and maturity evidenced by
being grounded in their beliefs (cf. Ephesians 4) with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sufficient knowledge to declare right from
wrong (cf. Hebrew 5) and juxtaposes it with what the postmodern world decrees
to be the norm by saying it is better to be aloof and ambivalent than rooted
and uncompromising. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But consider the book of Judges: in
the closing chapters (17-21) we see the nation of Israel falling into gross sin
in the form of rape and idolatry. In the final verse, we are told “<span style="background: white;">In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone
did what was right in his own eyes” (21:25). The “each to his own” attitude of
the people of Israel was not seen as humble, gracious or wise, rather it was
seen as a sign of apostasy, having broken covenant with God altogether.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2. The elevation of experience and
testimony over the authority of Scripture</i> <br />
<br />
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Empiricism is the theory that we learn by
experience. At first this seems quite a reasonable means of acquiring knowledge
on the basis that we can treat experience as a tangible entity with which we
can experiment on. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is it reasonable, then, to place scripture under our
own empirical standards? What is the proper relationship between human
experience and God’s word? Does one trump the other? What role does personal
experience have in our own Christian growth and maturity?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Consider the following passages of scripture:</span><br />
<br />
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6 Jesus said to him, “I am l the way, and m the truth, and n the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 o If you had known me, you
would have p known my Father also. [1] From now on you do know him and q have
seen him.”<br />
8 r Philip said to him, “Lord, s show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know
me, Philip? t Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show
us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that u I am in the Father and the Father
is in me? The words that I say to you v I do not speak on my own authority, but
the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that u I am in the
Father and the Father is in me, or else w believe on account of the works
themselves.</span><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
John 14:6-11</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Phillip openly asked Jesus that he would reveal
the glory of God the Father. Such an experience would not have been impossible,
for Moses had a limited experience of God’s glory (Exodus 33:18) and Isaiah saw
the glory of God within the sanctuary of the temple (Isaiah 6). Yet Jesus goes
further to assert that those who see Him see God; he makes an open claim
towards deity. Hence, when Phillip asks Jesus to reveal the Father, no doubt
Jesus is exasperated. <i>“Isn’t it enough for you, Phillip, that after
three years of being with me, of sitting under my teaching as well as preaching
it to others, you still ask for more?”</i></span><br />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
Phillip, mere words were not enough. He wanted something that would entertain
his senses and imagination. Yet instead Jesus admonishes him, bringing into
question whether or not he really understood what Jesus was trying to impart.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I
will go on to visions and x revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man y in Christ
who fourteen years ago was z caught up to a the third heaven—whether in the
body or out of the body I do not know, b God knows. 3 And I know that this man
was caught up into c paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not
know, b God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not
utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not
boast, d except of my weaknesses. 6 Though if I should wish to boast, e I would
not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so
that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.<br />
7 So f to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness
of the revelations, [1] g a thorn was given me in the flesh, h a messenger of
Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 i Three times I
pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.<br />
9 But he said to me, j “My grace is sufficient for you, for k my power is made
perfect in weakness.”<br />
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that l the
power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 m For the sake of Christ, then, n I am
content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For
o when I am weak, then I am strong.</span><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
2 Corinthians 12:1-10</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although Paul
speaks in the third person in v3-6, v7 qualifies that Paul was actually
referring to himself. The revelations he speaks of were not so much the
inspiration of scripture, but rather face to face encounters with phenomena
that were simply beyond the realm of normal human understanding, let alone his
own e.g., journeys to heaven, at least four personal encounters with Jesus in
addition to thinks that Paul was forbidden to speak of. We can only guess what
Paul saw, but whatever it was it was definitely beyond what was the norm. No
doubt such experiences would give Paul every reason to excitedly testify, but
instead he is first told by God to stay silent about it, plus he has “a thorn
in the flesh” (what this specifically is is unclear; some assume it to be a
physical handicap a’la Jacob, a psychological disorder; though given that Paul
attributes the “Thorn” to being of Satan, we can assume that the Thorn may have
had a spiritual origin) that was so painful to endure that he begged at least
three times that it be removed, to which God replied “My Grace is Sufficient.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’s
Christian walk was far from “a form of godliness lacking in power” (2 Timothy
3:5), but even so, 2 Corinthians 12 begs a very important question: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if it is indeed the norm for Christians led
by the Spirit to have deep and extraordinary encounters with the divine that
reveal more and more of God progressively as one moves from “glory to Glory” (2
Corinthians 3:18), why then, was Paul held back?</i> <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul was certainly self-conscious of
the fact that his walk with God was far from being perfected (cf. Romans
7:21-25, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Philippians 3:12-15). Surely such encounters would
leave him overwhelmed with conviction as to who God really is. Yet this was not
so. On what grounds is there for God to label Paul’s thorn as being a means of
grace that would mould Paul’s character?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">It is only reasonable to say that such
experiences were not to be the focal point of Paul’s Christian walk nor the
message that would be at the centre of his apostolic ministry. Instead the
focus was to be on that which could be known even if one did not experience it.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3. Pragmatism and the Market-driven
church<br />
</i><br />
Pragmatism (as distinct from mere practicality) is the belief that rather than
an overarching ethos being what determines values of right and wrong, such is
instead determined by whether one has attained their intended goal. Or, in
shorthand, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The ends justify the means</i>.”
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the relativist, the pragmatist
would point not only to diversity of belief, but also <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">practice</i>. In the realm of Christendom, the pragmatist pledges
commitment not to any conviction of belief, but rather seeks to do that which
brings about success and achievement. Convictions, then, are seen as nothing
more than being preferential in nature.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see this largely in the
Seeker-Friendly (or Market-Driven) philosophy of ministry. </span><span style="background: #FFF9EE; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the name of the movement
suggests, the underlying assumption of seeker-friendly churches is that
unbelievers are seeking the truth. In an age of consumerism, seekers have been
offered numerous religious and ideological products— they are shoppers looking
for the religious system with which they feel most compatible. Because the
“unchurched” are seeking answers, Christians must pitch Christianity in a way
that will appeal to them— helping them to understand that Christianity is
superior to any of the other products available. This is usually achieved by
first “scouting” the potential church’s surrounding community, examining
demographics, surveying residents etc, and tailoring the church based
thereupon. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
contrast, the Bible argues exactly the opposite— that no one is truly seeking
after God or is let alone capable of doing so on their own. In Scripture,
unbelievers are portrayed, not as those who earnestly seek God, but rather as
the spiritually dead (Colossians 2:13), the spiritually rebellious (Ephesians
2:1-3), and the spiritually hardhearted (Ephesians 4:18). Even though God's
self-disclosure through nature and the conscience should cause men to seek Him
(Acts 17:27-29), unbelievers have rejected the truth that they know, becoming
"futile in their thoughts [so that] their foolish hearts were
darkened" (Romans 1:21).</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE; mso-line-height-alt: 15.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
A second tenet of seeker-sensitive methodology is that believers
need to get into the minds of unbelievers in order to reach the lost. To be
effective, evangelists must begin by putting themselves in the shoes of the
unchurched— purposefully making their messages relevant to the felt needs of
the audience.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE; mso-line-height-alt: 15.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In other words, believers need to understand
the felt needs – material, emotional, physical etc. - of seekers if those
seekers are to be effectively reached.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By understanding the specific
demographic and psychographic backgrounds of those in the audience, preachers
can better appeal to their felt needs— showing the lost that the gospel is
relevant to their current life situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE; mso-line-height-alt: 15.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But are
demographic, psychological, and geographic considerations the keys to
evangelism? Is thinking like an unbeliever the way to effectively reach him or
her? Is knowing what the unsaved audience wants to hear the proper means for
preaching the gospel? <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even a brief survey of the biblical
evidence quickly reveals cracks in this seeker-sensitive argument. The early
church, for example, clearly defied the "target audience" approach of
the contemporary seeker church— having been built by the Spirit rather than
statistics. Moreover, Scripture never commands Christians to think like the
unsaved, but rather commands exactly the opposite. Paul simply says</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE; mso-line-height-alt: 15.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"This I say, therefore, and
testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in
the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them,
because of the hardening of their heart"</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ephesians 4:17-18</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE; mso-line-height-alt: 15.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
In other words, Christians are to stop thinking like unbelievers. In Romans
8:6-7, he puts it even more clearly,<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE; line-height: 15.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind
controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God.
It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so."</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
In light of this, believers are to avoid conformity with the world, allowing
their minds to be transformed by God's truth (Romans 12:2), preparing their
minds for action (1 Peter 1:13)— putting off the deeds and thoughts of the
flesh (Ephesians 4:22-24).<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, advocates of the
seeker-friendly/market-driven church will seek to vindicate their pragmatism by
pointing to their large congregations and the high rate of baptisms per year. </span><span style="background: #FFF9EE; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At first, the large congregations
of seeker megachurches seem visually impressive; landmarks that testify to the
fulfilment of the great commission. As such, other pastors naturally look to
their methods, ideals and teachings in the hopes that the same can be achieved
for their own fellowships.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are obvious problems with
pragmatism as a philosophy of ministry:<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, anyone who equates
methodical success with spiritual fruitfulness is bound to alienate and discourage
those who while having faithful attitudes have little results. Says Matt
Chandler:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also find on that note
one of the things we don't preach well <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">but
I think we gotta get better tat talking about is this thing where </span>ministry
that looks fruitless is constantly happening in the scriptures, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">but
there's never been a conference on that; nobody's ever done a conference
where<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the key text is Moses up on the
hill looking out at the promise land saying “We’re here!” only to have God say
back “…No, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they’re</i> here. I’m leaving
you to die on the mountain.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Selah.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Or Jeremiah, where he cries out to
God “You have seduced me! You tricked me!” (Jeremiah 20:7). No one talks about
that.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about John the Baptist? “Are you
the one, or should I wait for another?” <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus answers, “Tell them what you
see: The blind see, the lame walk…” and the part [of the messianic prophecy]
Jesus leaves off is “…the captives go free.” That’s Jesus’ way of saying “I’m
the one, but you have to die down there.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one’s done a conference on that or
written a book about where you toil away for your whole life and be
unbelievably faithful to God, yet see so little on this side of Heaven. <span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn3" name="_ednref3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn3;" title="">[iii]</a></span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background: #FFF9EE; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Secondly, for ordained ministers to
embrace pragmatism is in of itself a profession of unbelief. The pastor seek to
grow his congregation and reach the unchurched, and resorts to man-made
techniques, methods and programs – and yet never actually gets around to making
disciples and expounding the deep treasures to be found in God’s word. It’s
been put on the shelf. Once you abandon the Word of God in favour of man’s
ways, you forsake the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. And once the church kicks
out the Holy Spirit, Christ is sure to follow.</span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In such an environment, to bring
biblical precedent to bear upon how one “does church” eventually becomes
counter-intuitive to those whose most likely response is to be “that’s just a
method…” <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">4. The Appointment of unqualified
leadership to positions of authority</i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><i><br /></i>
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The simple question is: what ever happened to the notion of
the pastor as a genuine man of God? What ever happened to the man of God
who is known as a man of prayer, as a man of deep understanding of Scripture,
who is known as a Bible teacher, who is known as a godly man whose life is a
pattern to follow, who is a discipler of others, who's a builder of spiritual
leaders?<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gone are the days, it seems, where
theologians and expositors were held in high esteem by the church. Instead,
theologians are often characterised as “ivory tower egg-heads”, people of great
intellectual knowledge at the expense of real world application. Sadly, this
false caricature is one that is fostered and promoted by pastors themselves, in
spite of the fact that God’s appointed leaders are to model the life of “<span style="background: white;">a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly
handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Today’s pastors are called to be
not expositors or theologians, but motivational speakers, lifestyle coaches, or
“vision casters” whose goal is not to encourage, promote and teach godly
living, but rather answer felt-needs and present applications for everyday
issues.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The downgrading of the pastoral office
not only cheapens the health of the church top-down, but it enforces the idea
that spiritual leadership is a proficiency that can be learned, not a divine
calling given as a gifting by the Holy Spirit. Some churches goes as far as to
say that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“anyone can be a leader”</i>,
and in turn expect members to eventually take up pastoral duties (not to be
confused with Hebrews 5:12) as their walk with God advances. The obvious, yet
serious problem with that is:<br />
<br />
a) Not everyone will have a pastoral gifting<br />
<br />
</span></span><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">27 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now you are Christ’s body, and individually
members of it. <b><sup>28 </sup></b>And God has <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:27-30&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28663a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a</span></a>]</sup></b>appointed in the church,
first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then <b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:27-30&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28663b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">b</span></a>]</sup></b>miracles, then gifts of
healings, helps, administrations, <i>various</i> kinds of
tongues. <b><sup>29 </sup></b>All are not apostles, are they? All are
not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not <i>workers
of</i><b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012:27-30&version=NASB#fen-NASB-28664c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">c</span></a>]</sup></b>miracles, are they? <b><sup>30 </sup></b>All
do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they?
All do not interpret, do they?<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 12:27-30</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
and b) not everyone in any given congregation will meet the criterion that
qualifies one as a pastoral overseer<br />
<br />
</span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires
to the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">office of<b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29733a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup></b>overseer, it is a fine work he desires</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to
do</span></i></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2 [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29734b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An
overseer, then, must be above reproach,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the
husband of one wife,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">temperate, prudent, respectable,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">hospitable,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">able
to teach,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">not
addicted to wine</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29735c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">or
pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">free
from the love of money.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">4 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He
must be</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">one who</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with
all dignity</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">5 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(but
if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care
of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the church of God?),</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">6 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">not
a new convert, so that he will not become</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">conceited
and fall into the condemnation</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29738d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">incurred
by the devil.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">7 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And
he must</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">have a good reputation with</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">those
outside</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the church</span></i></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, so that he
will not fall into reproach and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the snare of the devil.<br />
<b><sup>8 </sup></b>Deacons likewise</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">must
be</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">men of dignity, not</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29740e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">double-tongued,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29740f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">or
addicted to much wine</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29740g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">or
fond of sordid gain,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">9 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">but</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">holding
to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">10 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if
they are beyond reproach.<b><sup>11 [<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29743h" title="See footnote h">h</a>]</sup></b>Women</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">must</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">likewise</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">be</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">dignified,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">not
malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">12 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Deacons must be</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">husbands of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">only</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">one wife,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29744i" title="See footnote i">i</a>]</span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">good
managers of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">their</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">children and their own households.<b><sup>13 </sup></b>For those
who have served well as deacons</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">obtain for themselves a<b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy%203:1-13&version=NASB#fen-NASB-29745j" title="See footnote j">j</a>]</sup></b>high standing and great confidence in the
faith that is in Christ Jesus<br />
</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Timothy 3:1-13<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let’s </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">examine the qualifications:<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Above
reproach</i>: Not attracting accusation or having a reputation as a
troublemaker in the community. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Husband
of one wife</i>: Is not abusive, or adulterous; committed to upholding the
marriage covenant (based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:31-32, divorcees who
remarry would be limited in their candidacy for pastoral roles) <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Managing
his own family</i>: Is the person at home as consistant in his personal conduct
as his leadership within the church?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not
a recent convert:</i> They are spiritually mature; not having to be going
through what they should be teaching the young believers<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reputation
with outsiders</i>: A model citizen, not a nuisance; is he salt and light?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Keeping
hold of the deep truths of the faith</i>: Do they have godly convictions that
they’re willing to take a stand for?<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Some may argue that such standards are too restrictive and exclusive. That’s
precisely the idea. Churches that ignore those guidelines set themselves
against God’s design and forfeit His blessing. If discernment cannot be applied
in the area of who governs the church, where can it be applied properly, if at
all?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most disastrous examples of
the lack of discernment in the area of leadership and spiritual authority in
our generation is how quickly a person who has fallen into gross sin can be
brought back into their position of authority after morally disqualifying
themselves. It is not uncommon for Christian leaders to scandalize the church
through gross moral failure, then resume leadership almost before the publicity
starts to quiet down (in the case of Todd Bentley for instance). <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly there should be restoration
to church membership pending repentance and counsel, but never to the role of
an overseer. Churches simply cannot ignore biblical precedent for the sake of
accommodating prestige at the expense of holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biblical requirements for pastoral
leaders is intentionally set high, because spiritual authority is to be
exercised <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by example</i>, not title.
Those who continue to scandalize the church are not above reproach. They are
disqualified from leadership as long as such reproach remains. A simple slap on
the wrist with a brief time out just doesn’t do.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the church’s leadership fails in
the area of godliness, the church itself fails to be a convincing witness to
the outside world – no matter how passionate it’s members are in God’s
purposes, or how detailed the statement of faith. No matter how boldly we call
for truth and holiness, if our own leaders’ lives won’t back it up, many will
reject the church as being hypocritical, or simply conclude that true godliness
is but optional, if not unattainable altogether. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">5. Failure to apply Church discipline</i><br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If your brother sins against
you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens
to you, you have gained your brother. <b><sup>16 </sup></b>But
if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge
may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. <b><sup>17 </sup></b>If
he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to
listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a
tax collector.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Matthew
18:15-17</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
When Mark Driscoll came to the University of Queensland in 2008 to do a
lecture, he asked the audience, “How many of you are satisfied with your church’s
standard of discipline?”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With UQ’s Abel Smith theater at full
seating capacity, I would say that less than twenty hands went up.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> If it were indeed the
case that a believer has bought into aberrant doctrine and practices which lead
to gross sin, then the obvious response would be to meet with that person, go
through the scriptures, and point to the right direction where necessary. <br />
On the other hand, if a person refuses to recant in spite of
repeated admonitions from pastoral leaders, there is warrant for proper church
discipline – the final step of which is excommunication, or complete removal
from fellowship on the charge that the church no longer recognizes the guilty
party as one of their own. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Properly done, church disciplines serves
three purposes:<br />
<br />
1. Shows the guilty party that the church does not and will not identify their
lifestyle as being consistent with what they consider to be genuine godliness<br />
<br />
2. Sets an example to the church’s membership as to what is tolerated and what
is not, hence sympathizers are quickly silenced.<br />
<br />
3. Shows the outside world why the church says and does what it does, that the
church is indeed aware of the issues at hand, and is pro-active in responding
internally.<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The discerning church practices
church discipline because they recognise that if a true Christian is living in
sin for a period of time, he will turn to God following admonition. If he is a
false professor on the other hand, he will leave the church and not wrongly<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>console himself that he is right when he
isn't. He is not "innoculated to the gospel" message of repentance in
the future because he is well aware that his fruit has been found to be
dubious. His conduct is made plain for him and everyone else to see. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The practice of church discipline
presupposes that the people of God are indeed aware of what sin is and is not.
On the other hand, when a church practices church discipline lightly or
inconsistently, it shows that there is an abstract or even erroneous
understanding of God’s holy Law.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6. The core issue: denial of Christ’s
headship over the Church</i> <br />
<br />
If there is a common thread linking the above five points together, if would be
this – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christians who refuse to
acknowledge that Jesus is Lord over the Church</i>. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The relativist parrots Satan tempting
Eve in the Garden of Eden by answering the doctrine of Christ by saying “…did
God <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> say that?”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The empiricist and sensationalists
together refuse to heed Christ’s instructions until they are satisfied that he
has first given them a sign.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pragmatist has the nerve to say
“That’s just one way of doing things, Jesus. I can do better because I know
what actually works.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unqualified leader says “I’m here
to do a job, just not that of a shepherd.”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the book of Colossians, we see the
situation where members of the church at Colossae were led astray but false
teachings that were supposedly derived from dreams and visions of angelic
origin brought about by asceticism:<br />
<br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Therefore let no one</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">pass judgment on you</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">in questions of food and drink, or with regard to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">a festival or</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">a new moon or a
Sabbath.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These are a shadow of the things to come, but</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the substance belongs to Christ.<b><sup>18 </sup></b>Let no one</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">disqualify you,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">insisting on
asceticism and worship of angels,going on in detail about visions,<b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%202:16-23&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29496a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup></b></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">puffed up without reason by</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">his sensuous mind,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">19 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">not</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit
together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from
God.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
<span class="text"><b><sup>20 </sup></b>If with Christ</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">you died to the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">elemental spirits of
the world,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to
regulations—</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>21 </sup></b>“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not
touch”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>22 </sup></b>(referring
to things that all perish as they are used)—according to</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">human precepts and
teachings?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>23 </sup></b>These have indeed an appearance of wisdom
in</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">promoting
self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">of no value in
stopping the indulgence of the flesh.<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Colossians 2:16-23</b></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">The solution,
which Paul demonstrates throughout the letter, is to expound the glories of
Christ: his lordship, his divinity, his work on the cross, his victory over
Satan and the forces of darkness. Why do this? Because when God’s people set
their eyes upon Christ, it becomes increasingly transparent whenever someone
goes astray and looks elsewhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Application: How can we as Christians
grow in Spiritual Discernment?<br />
<br />
<br />
</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1. Pray for it</i><br />
<br />
As we have seen earlier, it is in the character of God to give discernment to
those who humbly ask for it:<br />
<br />
</span><span class="text"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">5 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But
if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and
<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:5-8&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30272a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup>without reproach, and it will be given to
him.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span class="text"><sup>6 </sup>But he must ask
in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the
sea, driven and tossed by the wind.</span> <span class="text"><sup>7 </sup>For
that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,</span>
<span class="text"><sup>8 </sup><i>being</i> a <sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:5-8&version=NASB#fen-NASB-30275b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup>double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James 1:5-8</b></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
Let me add an additional point: If you want to see the prayer for discernment
answered, you have to have a willingness to openly call out “right” from
“wrong”. What is the point of crying out to God, to borrow the words of
Solomon, “give Your servant<u><sup> </sup></u>an understanding heart to judge
Your people to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9), if you’re the kind
of person who likes to sit on the fence and do nothing rather than putting your
foot forward to take a stand? Why should God answer such a prayer, if it’s not
an honest one from the heart? <br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2. Commit yourself to serious Bible study</i><br />
<br />
If you’re a born-again Christian, you have already tasted the power of God’s
word in the most profound way possible. At some point it penetrated your heart
and transformed you from being an object of divine wrath to one of God’s love
and mercy. And while such is nothing short of being miraculous, it marks only
the beginning of your relationship with God and His truth. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture never stops transforming the
lives of God’s children. Your lifestyle can be completely altered as you see
sinful attitudes and habits drop away; you can become more like Christ.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who listen to
preaching podcasts on on regular basis, take inventory of who you listen to: do
they preach with an agenda, merely quoting random verses here and there to back
up whatever they seek to put forward? OR, do they do their best to give
exposition, looking at a text exegetically, unpacking specific details in a
systematic manner? <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as the diet based on the food you
eat affects your physical wellbeing, so to does what you ingest spiritually
affect your walk with God. For Bible study to foster discernment means doing
more than just reading it for meditative “devotions” based upon “what does this
mean to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i>?” and instead focusing on
“What does this text <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually</i> say,
and how does it fit into scripture as a whole?” What are the historical,
cultural contexts? How does one doctrinal concept present itself in Genesis and
carry on through to Revelation?<br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3. Learn from those who are already good
at it</i><br />
<br />
Who in your immediate fellowship seems to have the gift of discernment? Who is
the one you know who can pick up instantly whether someone’s doctrine is off,
if scripture is being misinterpreted, or whether something is masquerading as
the Holy Spirit when it is a counterfeit? You know who these people are, learn
their example.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, if you’re in the
company of people who are apathetic, or even lazy towards matters of doctrine
and theology, such will easily rub off upon you and will only dampen your
spiritual growth. <br />
<br />
<br />
4. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t be a “Lone Ranger”<br />
</i><br />
</span><span style="background: #FDFEFF; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not that
we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand
firm in your faith.<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2 Corinthians 1:24</b><br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">24 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And let us consider how we may spur
one another on toward love and good deeds, <b><sup>25 </sup></b>not
giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #FDFEFF; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hebrews
10:24-25</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #FDFEFF; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
</span></b><span style="background: #FDFEFF; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where many falter
in cultivating discernment (if not spiritual growth in general) is that many do
it as an individual exercise, with little support, assistance or encouragement
from others. This itself can cause people to easily stumble and be led astray.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you ask God for discernment and
He does indeed answer such prayer while you dig deeper in your learning, ask
yourself “How will this benefit those in my immediate fellowship?”<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let your newfound fascination for the
things that you are learning spur others to express conviction by way of
worship unto God. When you learn something new, challenge others to open their
Bibles and find the same truth for themselves. Sometimes there comes a time in
the midst of battle when a soldier race to the hill, raise their nation’s flag
and wait to see who will run to stand alongside you as an ally. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
<br />
</b></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">A final Word of encouragement and
caution for pastoral leaders<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">If you’re a pastoral leader, let me
ask you some candid questions. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When someone under your care
approaches and says “I would like to learn more about doctrine and theology”,
what is your initial reaction?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it excitement, that there is indeed
a genuine hunger among people to know more about who God is?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it a feeling of inadequacy; you are
suddenly conscious about whether you have been as diligent in advancing your
own knowledge base?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, do you experience envy at the
prospect that someone may surpass you in knowledge and discernment?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now think about what is actually
happening within your sphere of influence. If you're not teaching your people
these things, who or what will? Or is all you have just a Social Club that
knows how to use Christian jargon anytime you come together?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever considered the possibility
that the key to taking your people deeper into the things of God les not in
sitting in a lounge room spending all night singing repetitive praise choruses <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ad nauseum</i>, but rather opening up your
Bible, and declaring “We are going to study <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">x</i>,
starting from Genesis all the way through to Revelation.”<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re in youth ministry, ask
yourself: does the fact that you minister with teenagers and young adults mean
that when it comes to actual discipleship, you have license to not be so
focused on teaching theology to the point that people grow in discernment due
to their age - OR you actually have to do much <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more</i> for their sake so that when they come of age they will not
feel sheltered, but ready to stand alongside the rest of the church in
fulfilling it’s mission?<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CoNmnAuw33o" width="480"></iframe> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you minister at a University
campus, do your people have a sufficient understanding of Christian Doctrine
and Theology to give a solid defense of the Christian worldview when the need
arises? In the short span of a person’s respective course of study (3-4 years),
can you utilize that time to equip people to handle the challenges our secular
education system will throw at them? <br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul said in his farewell speech
to the Ephesian Church:<br />
<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">26 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Therefore, I declare to you today
that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. <b><sup>27 </sup></b>For
I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.<b><sup>28 </sup></b>Keep
watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made
you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,<b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020:26-31&version=NIV#fen-NIV-27655a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a</span></a>]</sup></b> which he bought with his
own blood.<b><sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020:26-31&version=NIV#fen-NIV-27655b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">b</span></a>]</sup></b> <b><sup>29 </sup></b>I
know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not
spare the flock. <b><sup>30 </sup></b>Even from your own number men
will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after
them. <b><sup>31 </sup></b>So be on your guard! Remember that for
three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Acts
20:26-31</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
<br />
Such resolve should be at the heart of every genuine pastoral ministry. Paul in
effect says: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“While the threat of false
teachers will be as real tomorrow as it is today, I can say with a clear
conscience that should you stumble it was not because I failed to teach you.
Instead I sought to leave no stone unturned by brining the entirety of
Scripture as a whole to bear upon everything it possibly could.” </i><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only today’s pastoral leaders had
even a tenth of such conviction when it came to what God expects of them! <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are the weeping shepherds not
limited by delusions of “relevance” regarding what they will and will not talk
about but instead are driven for the sake of the church to ensure that God’s
people are guarded against the schemes of Satan that will present them both
outside and within the church?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re a pastoral leader, let me
say this by way of final conclusion: if I were to make eye-contact with you
while you teach, would eyes by dry with apathy, or would they be red and raw
because the sincere love you have for those that Christ has placed under your
care compels you to take stand as a watchman, able and willing to call out any dangers
that lie ahead?<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only when such brave and godly
people arise that we will truly have discerning churches.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_ednref2" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn2;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2009
Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life Survey of 2,003 U.S. adults. Margin of
error +/- 2.5 percentage points</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-1313785552718079672013-05-18T17:01:00.000+10:002015-09-27T17:04:14.134+10:00“Allow me to (Re)introduce You to the Holy Spirit” <div class="clearfix" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.08px; zoom: 1;">
<h2 class="_5clb" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;">There are many groups, churches and ministries out there claiming to be in a state of "Revival". But how can w etell the difference between a true move of the Holy Spirit as opposed to a man-made (or even outright satanic) counterfeit?</span></h2>
</div>
<div class="_5k3v _5k3w clearfix" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-top: 16px; overflow: hidden; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;">
<br />This article helps to serve as a systematic primer regarding the nature,character and ministry of the Holy Spirit. For some, this may be familiar information. For others, you may be as the disciples at Ephesus were in Acts 18who had no idea who the Spirit was or what He did.<br />
Regardless, the sad truth about the state of the church today is that we are seeing many things being attributed to the Holy Spirit which as we will hopefully see should be held up against scripture and weighed carefully.<br />
<br /><br /><b>The Attributes of the Holy Spirit<br /></b>- The Holy Spirit is eternal<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>14 </sup></b>how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.<br /><b>Hebrews 9:14</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- The Holy Spirit is omnipotent (all-powerful)<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the MostHigh will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.<br /><b>Luke 1:35</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />
- The Holy Spirit is omnipresent (everywhere)<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
Where shall I go from your Spirit?<br /> Or where shall I flee from your presence?<br /><b><sup>8 </sup></b>If I ascend to heaven, you are there!<br /> If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!<br /><b><sup>9 </sup></b>If I take the wings of the morning<br /> and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,<br /><b><sup>10 </sup></b>even there your hand shall lead me,<br /> and your right hand shall hold me.<br /><b>Psalm 139:7-10</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- The Holy Spirit has a mind and will of it’s own<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”<br /><b>John 3:8</b><br /><b><sup>10 </sup></b>these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything,even the depths of God. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>For who knows person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. <b><sup>12 </sup></b>Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God,that we might understand the things freely given us by God. <b><sup>13 </sup></b>And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.<br /><b>1 Corinthians 2:10-13</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- The Holy Spirit has emotions (and will act upon them)<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>30 </sup></b>And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.<br /><b>Ephesians4:30</b></blockquote>
<b></b><br />
<br /><br />
- The Holy Spirit is God<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>4 </sup></b>Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; <b><sup>5 </sup></b>and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; <b><sup>6 </sup></b>and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.<br /><b>1 Corinthians 12:4-6</b><br /><b><sup>7 </sup></b>For there are three that testify: <b><sup>8 </sup></b>the Spirit and the water and the blood;and these three agree.<br /><b>1 John 5:7-8</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />All of these things are inapplicable to a mere “force” or “power”.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>The Ministry of the Holy Spirit</b><br /><br />- He creates and Sustains life<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>2 </sup></b>The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.<br /><b>Genesis 1:2</b><br /><b><sup>14 </sup></b>If he should set his heart to it<br /> and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,<br /><b><sup>15 </sup></b>all flesh would perish together,<br /> and man would return to dust.<br /><b>Job 34:14-15</b><br />When you send forth your Spirit they are created,<br /> and you renew the face of the ground.<br /><b>Psalm 104:30</b><br /><b><sup>24 </sup></b>The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> <b><sup>25 </sup></b>nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. <b><sup>26 </sup></b>And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, <b><sup>27 </sup></b>that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, <b><sup>28 </sup></b>for<br /> “‘In him we live and move and have our being’;<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">b</a>]</sup></b>as even some of<br /> “‘In him we live and move and have our being’;<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">b</a>]</sup></b>as even some of your own poets have said,<br /> “‘For we are indeed his offspring.<br /> “‘For we are indeed his offspring.<br /><b>Acts 17:24-28</b></blockquote>
<br />(At the most basic level, we can conclude therefore that all living things on Earth are “Spirit-Filled” and “Spirit-led” to an extent)<br /><br /><br />- He has inspired the Scriptures<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>16 </sup></b>All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, <b><sup>17 </sup></b>that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.<br /><b>2 Timothy 3:16-17</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />
<blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>19 </sup></b>And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, <b><sup>20 </sup></b>knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's interpretation.<br /><b>2 Peter 1:19-20</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- He regenerates those appointed to salvation (being “born again”)<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>25 </sup></b>I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness,and from all your idols I will cleanse you. <b><sup>26 </sup></b>And Iwill give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you heart of flesh. <b><sup>27 </sup></b>And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.<br /><b>Ezekiel 36:25-27</b><br /><b><sup>5 </sup></b>Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <b><sup>7 </sup></b>Do not marvel that I said to you,‘You must be born again.’<br /><b>John 3:5-8</b><br /><b><sup>13 </sup></b>And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. <b><sup>14 </sup></b>One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what wassaid by Paul.<br /><b>Acts 16:13-14</b><br /><b><sup>5 </sup></b>For those who live according to the fleshset their minds on the thingsof the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but toset the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. <b><sup>7 </sup></b>For themind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submitto God's law; indeed, it cannot. <b><sup>8 </sup></b>Those whoare in the flesh cannot please God.<br /><b><sup>9 </sup></b>You, however, are not in the fleshbut in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does nothave theSpirit of Christ does not belong to him. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>Butif Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit islife because of righteousness.<br /><b>Romans 8:5-10</b><br /><b><sup>9 </sup></b>Or do you not know thatthe unrighteous<b> </b>willnot inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexuallyimmoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">c</a>]</sup></b> <b><sup>10 </sup></b>northieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers willinherit the kingdom of God. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>And such weresome of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you werejustified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.<br /><b>1 Corinthians 6:9-11</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- He confirms our Salvation<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>14 </sup></b>For all who are ledby the Spirit of God are sons<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> of God. <b><sup>15 </sup></b>For youdid not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you havereceived the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba!Father!” <b><sup>16 </sup></b>The Spirit himself bears witness withour spirit that we are children of God, <b><sup>17 </sup></b>and ifchildren, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs withChrist, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorifiedwith him.<br /><b>Romans 8:14-17</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- He gives knowledge of who God really is and what Jesus commands<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>8 </sup></b>And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin andrighteousness and judgment: <b><sup>9 </sup></b>concerningsin, because they do not believein me; <b><sup>10 </sup></b>concerningrighteousness, because I go to the Father,and you will see me no longer;<b><sup>11 </sup></b>concerning judgment,because the ruler of this world is judged.<br /><b><sup>12 </sup></b>“I still have many things to say toyou, but you cannot bear them now. <b><sup>13 </sup></b>Whenthe Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all thetruth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears hewill speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. <b><sup>14 </sup></b>Hewill glorifyme, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. <b><sup>15 </sup></b>Allthat the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it toyou.<br /><b>John16:8-15</b><br /><b><sup>27 </sup></b>But the anointingthat you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyoneshould teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything,and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.<br /><b>1 John 2:27</b></blockquote>
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- He assists our evangelism by givingwisdom and insight<br />
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<b><sup>11 </sup></b>And when they bringyou before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, donot be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you shouldsay, <b><sup>12 </sup></b>for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hourwhat you ought to say.”<br /><b>Luke 12:11-12</b><br /><b><sup>8 </sup></b>But you will receive power when the HolySpirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalemand in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”<br /><b>Acts1:8</b></blockquote>
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<br /><br />- He equips us to encourage and edify the body of Christ<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>6 </sup></b>Having gifts that differaccording to the grace given to us, let us use them: ifprophecy, inproportion to our faith; <b><sup>7 </sup></b>if service, in ourserving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; <b><sup>8 </sup></b>the one who exhorts, inhis exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one wholeads,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy,with cheerfulness.<br /><b>Romans 12:6-8</b><br /><b><sup>4 </sup></b>Now there arevarieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; <b><sup>5 </sup></b>and there arevarieties of service, but the same Lord; <b><sup>6 </sup></b>and there are varietiesof activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all ineveryone. <b><sup>7 </sup></b>To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit forthe common good.<br /><b>1 Corinthians 12:4-7</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- He appoints [qualified] leadership to teach and govern the church<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>27 </sup></b>for I did not shrinkfrom declaring to you the whole counsel of God. <b><sup>28 </sup></b>Pay careful attention toyourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has madeyou overseers, to care for the church of God, whichhe obtained with his own blood.<br /><b>Acts 20:27-28</b><br /><b><sup>14 </sup></b>Do not neglect the giftyou have, which was given you by prophecy when the council ofelders laid their hands on you. <b><sup>15 </sup></b>Practice these things,immerse yourself in them,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> so that all may see your progress. <b><sup>16 </sup></b>Keep a close watch on yourselfand on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save bothyourself and your hearers.<br /><b>1 Timothy 4:14-16</b></blockquote>
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<br />- He promises to give us the endurance to persevere from start to finish untilour faith in Him is made complete<br /><br /><b><sup>26 </sup></b>Likewise the Spirit helpsus in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep forwords. <b><sup>27 </sup></b>And he who searches hearts knows what is themind of the Spirit, because<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> the Spirit intercedes for thesaints according to the will of God. <b><sup>28 </sup></b>And we know that forthose who love God all things work together for good,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">b</a>]</sup></b> forthose who are called according to hispurpose. <b><sup>29 </sup></b>For those whom he foreknew healso predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in orderthat he might be the firstborn among many brothers. <b><sup>30 </sup></b>And those whom hepredestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,and those whom he justified he also glorified.<br /><b>Romans 8:26-30</b><br /><br /><b><sup>8 </sup></b>Love never ends. As forprophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as forknowledge, it will pass away. <b><sup>9 </sup></b>For we know in partand we prophesy in part, <b><sup>10 </sup></b>but when the perfectcomes, the partial will pass away.<b><sup>11 </sup></b>When I was a child, Ispoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When Ibecame a man, I gave up childish ways. <b><sup>12 </sup></b>For now we see in amirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall knowfully, even as I have been fully known.<br /><b>1 Corinthians 13:8-12</b><br /><br /><b><sup>13 </sup></b>In him you also, when youheard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed inhim, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, <b><sup>14 </sup></b>who is the guarantee<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> of our inheritance until weacquire possession of it,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">b</a>]</sup></b> to the praise of his glory.<br /><b>Ephesians 1:13-14</b><br /><br /><b><sup>3 </sup></b>I thank my God inall my remembrance of you, <b><sup>4 </sup></b>always in every prayer ofmine for you all making my prayer with joy, <b><sup>5 </sup></b>because of yourpartnership in the gospel from the first day until now. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>And I am sure of this,that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completionat the day of Jesus Christ.<br /><b>Philipians 1:3-6</b></blockquote>
<br /><br /><br /><b>The Character/Personality of the HolySpirit</b><br />
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- He is Loving<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>3 </sup></b>Not only that, butwe rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering producesendurance, <b><sup>4 </sup></b>and endurance produces character, and characterproduces hope,<b><sup>5 </sup></b>and hope does not put us to shame, because God'slove has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has beengiven to us.<br /><b>Romans 5:3-5</b><br /><b><sup>30 </sup></b>I appeal to you,brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, tostrive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf<br /><b>Romans 15:30</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- He honors the Truth (both between believers as well as unto God Himself)<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
But a man named Ananias,with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,<b><sup>2 </sup></b>and with his wife'sknowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only apart of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.<br /><br /> <b><sup>3 </sup></b>But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled yourheart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part ofthe proceeds of the land? <b><sup>4 </sup></b>While it remained unsold,did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied toman but to God.”<br /><b><sup>5 </sup></b>When Ananias heard thesewords, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came uponall who heard of it.<br /><b>Acts 5:1-5</b><br /><b><sup>19 </sup></b>Do not quench theSpirit. <b><sup>20 </sup></b>Do not despise prophecies, <b><sup>21 </sup></b>but test everything;hold fast what is good.<br /><b>1 Thessalonians 5:19-21</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- He is peaceful, orderly and decent<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>33 </sup></b>For God isnot a God of confusion but of peace.<br />As in all the churches of the saints…<br />all things should be donedecently and in order.<br /><b>1 Corinthians 14:33, 40</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- He seeks to anchor people upon conviction rather than leave them aloof anddetached<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>11 </sup></b>And he gavethe apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> and teachers,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">b</a>]</sup></b> <b><sup>12 </sup></b>to equip the saints forthe work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, <b><sup>13 </sup></b>until we all attainto the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, tomature manhood,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">c</a>]</sup></b> to the measure of the stature of thefullness of Christ, <b><sup>14 </sup></b>so that we may no longerbe children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by everywind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness indeceitful schemes.<br /><b>Ephesians 4:11-14</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- He honors sobriety and clear-mindedness over debauchery and stupor<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>11 </sup></b>But now I am writing toyou not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he isguilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, orswindler—not even to eat with such a one. <b><sup>12 </sup></b>For what have I to dowith judging outsiders?<br /> Is it not those inside the church<br /> Is it not those inside the church<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> whom you are to judge?<br /><b>1 Corinthians 5:11-12</b><br /><b><sup>15 </sup></b>Look carefully then howyou walk, not as unwise but as wise, <b><sup>16 </sup></b>making the best use ofthe time, because the days are evil. <b><sup>17 </sup></b>Therefore do not befoolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. <b><sup>18 </sup></b>And do not get drunkwith wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with theSpirit, <b><sup>19 </sup></b>addressing one another inpsalms and hymns andspiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, <b><sup>20 </sup></b>giving thanks always andfor everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord JesusChrist, <b><sup>21 </sup></b>submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.<br /><b>Ephesians 5:15-21</b><br />But as for you, teachwhat accords with sound<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> doctrine. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>Mature men are to be sober-minded, dignified,self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.<br /><b>Titus 2:1-2</b></blockquote>
<br /><br />- His character is exemplified best in the fruits he bears within those heindwells:<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>19 </sup></b>Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexualimmorality, impurity, sensuality,<b><sup>20 </sup></b>idolatry,sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries,dissensions,divisions, <b><sup>21 </sup></b>envy,<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. Iwarn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit thekingdom of God.<br /><b><sup> 22 </sup></b>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, <b><sup>23 </sup></b>gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. <b><sup>24 </sup></b>Andthose who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with itspassions anddesires.<br /><b><sup>25 </sup></b>If we live by theSpirit, let us also keep instep with the Spirit. <b><sup>26 </sup></b>Letus not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.<br /><b>Galatians 5:19-26</b></blockquote>
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<b>Counterfeitsthat pretend to be the Holy Spirit</b><br /><br />Now that we have established a biblical precedent regarding who the Holy Spirit<i>is</i>, it is fitting then, to alsoconsider who he <i>is not</i>.<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
Beloved, do notbelieve every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are fromGod, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>By this you know theSpirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has comein the flesh is from God, <b><sup>3 </sup></b>and everyspirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit ofthe antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the worldalready.<br /><b>1 John 4:1-3</b></blockquote>
<br />Based on what I have listed above, I would like to put forward the following aspotentials signs pointing to the presence of a counterfeit masquerading as theHoly Spirit:<br /><br />- Answers/Responds easily to lesser entities (people, animals, objects,environments)<br /><br />- Is narrowly localized and restricted in influence by tangible space<br /><br />- Calls into question - if not outrightdenies – straightforward, biblical truth<br /><br />- Puts down the work and person of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3)<br /><br />- Promotes false assurances of salvation<br /><br />- Preaches a false gospel other than that which Christ gave (cf. Galatians 1:8)<br /><br />- Challenges established spiritual authority and the qualifications requiredfor such (cf. 1 Timothy 3, Titus 2)<br /><br />- Forces people to rely on their own strength rather than God’s grace<br /><br />- Creates unnecessary division<br /><br />- Allows for lies and slander from one believer against another<br /><br />- Praises uncertainty over sureness as a virtue to be cultivated <br /><br />- Is intentionally spontaneous and chaotic; hostile towards structure<br /><br />- Induces altered states of mind and/or body (i.e. a person won’t “keepthemselves together”. Please refer to my prior Note <a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><b>“Drunk in the Spirit” – A move of God ora Counterfeit stupor?</b></a>)<br /><br />- Cultivates the fruit of the flesh more than the fruit of the spirit<br /><br /><br /><b>Conclusion</b><br />Now that we’ve look at the attributes, ministry and character of the HolySpirit vs how to discern counterfeits that attempt to pose as Him, theinevitable question has to be asked: do we honestly know him for who he is?<br /> Think about the times whenever youpray, worship, read your Bible, fellowship with other believers – who or whatis it that shows up?<br /><br />Jesus said:<br /><br /><blockquote style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px;">
<b><sup>5 </sup></b>And he said tothem, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say tohim, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, <b><sup>6 </sup></b>for a friend of mine hasarrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; <b><sup>7 </sup></b>and he will answer fromwithin, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me inbed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? <b><sup>8 </sup></b>I tell you, though hewill not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yetbecause of his impudence<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">a</a>]</sup></b> he will rise andgive him whatever he needs. <b><sup>9 </sup></b>And I tell you, ask,and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, andit will be opened to you. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>For everyone who asksreceives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will beopened. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>What father among you, if his son asks for<b><sup>[<a href="https://www.facebook.com/notes/ben-valentine/allow-me-to-reintroduce-you-to-the-holy-spirit/10151911124853976#" role="button" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">b</a>]</sup></b> a fish, willinstead of a fish give him a serpent; <b><sup>12 </sup></b>or if he asks for an egg,will give him a scorpion? <b><sup>13 </sup></b>If you then, who areevil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will theheavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”<br /><b>Luke 11:5-13</b></blockquote>
<br />For those of us whoworship Jesus as our God, who delight in His sovereignty in times of both lackand prosperity, who delight in His Law as the lamp that guides our path, howcan we not expect God to send his Spirit? Or are we too content with receivingserpents and scorpions?<b><br /></b><br /><b>Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God</b><br /><br /><i>HolySpirit, living Breath of God,<br />Breathe new life into my willing soul.<br />Bring the presence of the risen Lord<br />To renew my heart and make me whole.<br />Cause Your Word to come alive in me;<br />Give me faith for what I cannot see;<br />Give me passion for Your purity.<br />Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.<br /></i><br />
<i>Holy Spirit, come abide within;<br />May Your joy be seen in all I do—<br />Love enough to cover ev’ry sin<br />In each thought and deed and attitude,<br />Kindness to the greatest and the least,<br />Gentleness that sows the path of peace.<br />Turn my striving into works of grace.<br />Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.<br /></i><br />
<i>Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth,<br />Giving life to all that God has made,<br />Show your power once again on earth;<br />Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.<br />Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.<br />Lead us on the road of sacrifice<br />That in unity the face of Christ<br />Will be clear for all the world to see.</i><br /><br />Lyrics by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=N8FKZIz97AU" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=N8FKZIz97AU</a>#!</div>
Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-56447767025770744672013-02-07T23:20:00.001+10:002013-02-07T23:20:30.605+10:00A primer on Continuationist Theology and History
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<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
When dealing with the nature of continuationist theology, it is
important that we realize that we are not dealing a single, unified movement
within Christendom. While “Charismatic” may be used to denote anyone and
everyone who affirms the continuation of the miraculous spiritual gifts of the
New Testament, within the confines of such an umbrella, one will find a
plethora of conflicting views and opinions, that the obvious question is “Where
do I start?” <br />
Without acknowledging the differences and similarities between the
following streams of continuationist theology, one risks stereotyping,
misinformation and the unnecessary appeals to strawman fallacies.<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">1. Pentecostalism</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">
Pentecostalism as a movement does not have a single founder per se, but rather
is the outhrowth of several ministries that arose within the Wesleyen Holiness
movement of the late 19<sup>th</sup> century and early 20<sup>th</sup>. The
Holiness preachers were known for their bold evangelistic ministries, calls to
piety and the need for sanctified living.<br />
Many nonetheless attribute the “dawn” of Pentecostalism to the
ministry of William Seymour and the Asuza Street Revival which began in Los
Angeles during 1906, though similar revivals were also occurring simultaneously
in Wales under Evan Roberts; in Britain with the Salvation Army under General William
Booth, and also the missionary movements spreading throughout south-east asia. <br />
Born in 1870, William Seymour was born into an African-American
slave family in Louisiana. As a young man, he became a student at a newly
formed Bible College based in Houston, Texas in 1905 under the direction of
Charles Parnham, a prominent Wesleyan-Holiness minister. Although Seymour was
granted admission into Parnham’s college, the practice of racial segregation at
that time (of which Parnham was an unabashed endorser) prohibited Seymour from
sitting in on lectures and classes with his fellow students. At best, all
Seymour could do was sit outside the classroom and eavesdrop.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title="">[iii]
</a><br />
After completing his studies, Seymour moved to Los Angeles,
California to begin ministry as an evangelist. Basing his ministry in a small
chapel located on Azusa Street, Seymour begun to conduct revival meetings. It
was in these meetings that congregants who were deep in prayer started to voice
unintelligible utterances. It was Seymour’s belief that these utterances were
in fact the glossia, or Tongues, that came upon the believers during the feast
of Pentecost as recorded in the book of Acts.<br />
These Tongues, Seymour taught, was the outward evidence of the
“Baptism of the Holy Spirit” – subsequent to regeneration, the Holy Spirit
empowers a believer with the Spiritual Gifts necessary for ministry and
witness. Soon, testimonies of these Tongues, as well as prophecies and
miraculous healings were filling the headlines of American news media.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title="">[iv]</a><br />
<br />
The concept of a “Second Blessing” of the Holy Spirit subsequent
to conversion was by no means a new idea. Drawing from the teachings of John
Wesley, the Holiness preachers taught that there was available for believers an
empowering grace for the purpose of Total Sanctification, after which a
believer was free to fulfill their calling to ministry. Consider the following
testimony from R.A. Torrey regarding his experiences with evangelist D.L.
Moody:<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">The seventh thing that was the secret of why God used D. L. Moody
was that he had a very definite enduement with power from on High, a very clear
and definite baptism with the Holy Ghost. Moody knew he had "the baptism
with the Holy Ghost"; he had no doubt about it. In his early days he was a
great hustler; he had a tremendous desire to do something, but he had no real
power. He worked very largely in the energy of the flesh.<br />
But there were two humble Free Methodist women
who used to come over to his meetings in the Y.M.C.A. One was "Auntie Cook"
and the other, Mrs. Snow. (I think her name was not Snow at that time.) These
two women would come to Mr. Moody at the close of his meetings and say:
"We are praying for you." Finally, Mr. Moody became somewhat nettled
and said to them one night: "Why are you praying for me? Why don't you
pray for the unsaved?" They replied: "We are praying that you may get
the power." Mr. Moody did not know what that meant, but he got to thinking
about it, and then went to these women and said: "I wish you would tell me
what you mean"; and they told him about the definite baptism with the Holy
Ghost. Then he asked that he might pray with them and not they merely pray for
him.<br />
Auntie Cook once told me of the intense
fervor with which Mr. Moody prayed on that occasion. She told me in words that
I scarcely dare repeat, though I have never forgotten them. And he not only
prayed with them, but he also prayed alone. <br />
Not long after, one day on his way to England,
he was walking up Wall Street in New York; (Mr. Moody very seldom told this and
I almost hesitate to tell it) and in the midst of the bustle and hurry of that
city his prayer was answered; the power of God fell upon him as he walked up
the street and he had to hurry off to the house of a friend and ask that he
might have a room by himself, and in that room he stayed alone for hours; and
the Holy Ghost came upon him, filling his soul with such joy that at last he
had to ask God to withhold His hand, lest he die on the spot from very joy. He
went out from that place with the power of the Holy Ghost upon him, and when he
got to London (partly through the prayers of a bedridden saint in Mr. Lessey's
church), the power of God wrought through him mightily in North London, and
hundreds were added to the churches; and that was what led to his being invited
over to the wonderful campaign that followed in later years.<br />
Time and again Mr. Moody would come to me and
say: "Torrey, I want you to preach on the baptism with the Holy
Ghost." I do not know how many times he asked me to speak on that subject.
Once, when I had been invited to preach in the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church, New York (invited at Mr. Moody's suggestion; had it not been for his
suggestion the invitation would never have been extended to me), just before I
started for New York, Mr. Moody drove up to my house and said: "Torrey,
they want you to preach at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York. It
is a great big church, cost a million dollars to build it." Then he
continued: "Torrey, I just want to ask one thing of you. I want to tell
you what to preach about. You will preach that sermon of yours on 'Ten Reasons
Why I Believe the Bible to Be the Word of God' and your sermon on 'The Baptism
With the Holy Ghost.'"<br />
Time and again, when a call came to me to go off to
some church, he would come up to me and say: "Now, Torrey, be sure and
preach on the baptism with the Holy Ghost." I do not know how many times
he said that to me. Once I asked him: "Mr. Moody, don't you think I have
any sermons but those two: 'Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible to Be the Word
of God' and 'The Baptism With the Holy Ghost'?" "Never mind
that," he replied, "you give them those two sermons.”<br />
Once he had some teachers at Northfield -- fine
men, all of them, but they did not believe in a definite baptism with the Holy
Ghost for the individual. They believed that every child of God was baptized
with the Holy Ghost, and they did not believe in any special baptism with the
Holy Ghost for the individual. Mr. Moody came to me and said: "Torrey,
will you come up to my house after the meeting tonight and I will get those men
to come, and I want you to talk this thing out with them."<br />
Of course, I very readily consented, and Mr.
Moody and I talked for a long time, but they did not altogether see eye to eye
with us. And when they went, Mr. Moody signaled me to remain for a few moments.
Mr. Moody sat there with his chin on his breast, as he so often sat when he was
in deep thought; then he looked up and said: "Oh, why will they split
hairs? Why don't they see that this is just the one thing that they themselves
need? They are good teachers, they are wonderful teachers, and I am so glad to
have them here; but why will they not see that the baptism with the Holy Ghost
is just the one touch that they themselves need?"<br />
I shall never forget the eighth of July, 1894, to my
dying day. It was the closing day of the Northfield Students' Conference -- the
gathering of the students from the eastern colleges. Mr. Moody had asked me to
preach on Saturday night and Sunday morning on the baptism with the Holy Ghost.
On Saturday night I had spoken about, "The Baptism With the Holy Ghost:
What It Is; What It Does; the Need of It and the Possibility of It." On
Sunday morning I spoke on "The Baptism With the Holy Spirit: How to Get
It." It was just exactly twelve o'clock when I finished my morning sermon,
and I took out my watch and said: "Mr. Moody has invited us all to go up
to the mountain at three o'clock this afternoon to pray for the power of the
Holy Spirit. It is three hours to three o'clock. Some of you cannot wait three
hours. You do not need to wait. Go to your rooms; go out into the woods; go to
your tent; go anywhere where you can get alone with God and have this matter out
with Him." <br />
At three o’clock, we all gathered in front of
Mr. Moody's mother's house (she was then still living), and then began to pass
down the lane, through the gate, up on the mountainside. There were four
hundred and fifty-six of us in all; I know the number because Paul Moody
counted us as we passed through the gate.<br />
After a while Mr. Moody said: "I don't think we
need to go any further; let us sit down here." We sat down on stumps and
logs and on the ground. Mr. Moody said: "Have any of you students anything
to say?" I think about seventy-five of them arose, one after the other,
and said: "Mr. Moody, I could not wait till three o'clock; I have been
alone with God since the morning service, and I believe I have a right to say that
I have been baptized with the Holy Spirit."<br />
When these testimonies were over, Mr. Moody said:
"Young men, I can't see any reason why we shouldn't kneel down here right
now and ask God that the Holy Ghost may fall upon us just as definitely as He
fell upon the apostles on the Day of Pentecost. Let us pray." And we did
pray, there on the mountainside. As we had gone up the mountainside heavy
clouds had been gathering, and just as we began to pray, those clouds broke and
the raindrops began to fall through the overhanging pines. But there was
another cloud that had been gathering over Northfield for ten days, a cloud big
with the mercy and grace and power of God; and as we began to pray, our prayers
seemed to pierce that cloud and the Holy Ghost fell upon us. Men and women,
that is what we all need: the Baptism with the Holy Ghost.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[v]</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> William Seymour’s revival meetings at Azusa Street
lasted from 1906-1910. During this time, Seymour attracted the criticism of the
wider Body of Christ throughout the United States not just for his claims that
the <i>charismata</i> were alive and active
in Los Angeles, but for his other positions such as racial equality,
progressive sanctification (as opposed to total as taught by the Holiness
preachers), an egalitarian view of gender roles in ministry and a
Pre-Millennial eschatology favoring a Pre-Tribulation view of the rapture. Some
of Seymour’s critics dismissed the revival as nothing more than sheer
emotionalism. Others went as far as to label the manifestations as nothing
short of demonic counterfeits.<br />
<br />
The Azusa Street Revival in turn spawned several new movements and
denominations including Foursquare, Church of God in Christ and The Assemblies
of God. Today, the Assemblies of Go is one of the largest protestant
denominations in the USA (The Southern Baptist Convention coming
second). <br />
<br />
The faith statement of the AOG General Assembly is quite detailed
with regards to its doctrine, both in terms of primary essentials as well as
secondary distinctives with many scripture proofs used to support each point.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title="">[vi] These
statements are summarized in the </a>“<i>Statement
of Fundamental Truths”</i><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">1. The </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_inspiration"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Bible is inspired</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> by </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_in_Christianity"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">God</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> and is
"the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct".<br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">2. There is only one true God who exists as a </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Trinity</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
3. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Jesus Christ</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> is the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_God"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Son of God</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> and, as
the second person of the Trinity, is God.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
4. Man was created good by God but was separated from God through </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_sin"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">original sin</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
5. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Salvation</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> "is
received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus
Christ".</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
6. There are two </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordinance_%28Christianity%29"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">ordinances</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Believer%27s_baptism"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Believer's baptism</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> by </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immersion_baptism"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">immersion</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> is a
declaration to the world of the believer's faith in Christ. <br />
The </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Supper"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Lord's Supper</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> is a symbolic remembrance
of Christ's suffering and death.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
7. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism_in_the_Holy_Spirit"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Baptism in the Holy Spirit</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> is a
separate and subsequent experience following conversion. Spirit baptism brings
empowerment to live an overcoming Christian life and to be an effective
witness.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
8. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaking_in_tongues"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Speaking in tongues</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> is the
initial physical evidence of the baptism in the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Holy Spirit</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
9. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctification"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Sanctification</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> is
"an act of separation from that which is evil, and of dedication unto
God". It occurs when the believer identifies with, and has faith in,
Christ in his death and resurrection. It is understood to be a process in that
it requires continual yielding to the Holy Spirit.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
10. The </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Church"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Church</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">'s mission is to seek and
save all who are lost in sin; the Church is the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_of_Christ"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Body of Christ</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> and consists of all people
who accept Christ, regardless of Christian denomination.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
11. Divinely called and scripturally-ordained </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_%28Christianity%29"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">ministers</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> serve
the Church.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
12. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_healing"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">Divine healing</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> of the sick is provided
for in the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atonement_in_Christianity"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">atonement</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
13. The "imminent and blessed hope" of the Church is its </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">rapture</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;">
preceding the bodily </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Return_of_Christ"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">return of Christ</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> to
earth.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
14. The rapture of the Church will be followed by the visible return of Christ
and his reign on earth for a thousand years.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
15. There will be a </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_judgment"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">final judgment</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> and </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_damnation"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">eternal damnation</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> for the
"wicked dead".</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
16. There will be future new </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heaven"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 10pt;">heavens</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"> and a new earth
"wherein dwelleth righteousness".</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">[vii]</span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Statements 1-6 are easily recognizable as consistent with orthodox,
historic Christianity. Statements 7-9 and 12 deal with Pentecostal pneumatology
while 13-16 are eschatological. <br />
<br />
Prominent Pentecostals include:<br />
- Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947)<br />
- Kevin Conner (1927-)<br />
- David Wilkerson (1931-2011)<br />
- Pat Boone (1934-)<br />
- Jack Hayford (1934-)<br />
- Chuck Norris (1940-)<br />
- Dolly Parton (1946-)<br />
- Wayne Cordeiro (1952-)<br />
- Denzel Washington (1954-)<br />
- Geoff Bullock (1955-)<br />
- John Bevere (1959-)<br />
- Darlene Zschech (1965-)<br />
- Judah Smith (1978-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">2. The Charismatic Renewal</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> The Azusa Street revival, as well as it’s sister movements
in Wales, as well as the advent of the Salvation Army brought to the 20<sup>th</sup>
Century Church a renewed enthusiasm, especially when much of the church was
going down the proverbial drain. <br />
The practice of Literary and Higher Criticism in seminaries and
universities throughout the world led the Bible to be seen by professing “Christian”
scholars not as the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God, but rather
as a human work to be reviewed, scrutinized and critiqued as one would any
other writing. To the Liberals, Christianity was in dire need of rescue from
it’s worst enemy and hindrance to progression: itself. The Liberals south to
cleanse the Christian faith from “outdated”, “superstitious” beliefs such as
the miraculous, the deity of Christ, the virgin birth, the literal 6-day
creation, et al; in favor for a worldview consistent with the growing social
trends and customs. To contend otherwise was tantamount to intellectual
suicide.<br />
This was a complete antithesis of true evangelicalism, which was
distinguished by<br />
<br />
- The Need for conversion as a personal experience for the individual<br />
- Active commitment to personal evangelism<br />
- High regard for Biblical authority<br />
- High regard for the Person and Work of Jesus Christ<br />
<br />
In spite of this, evangelicalism wasn’t planning on going down
without a fight. A few committed ministers were committed to refuting the
Liberals, and affirming the <i>fundamentals</i>
of the Christian faith. In popular media, the term “Fundamentalist” is often
used as a by-word to denote anyone who will utilize a religious label with the
intent of harmful extremism; <i>Fundamentalism</i>
as a movement however, was not about <i>extremes</i>
per se, but rather, the affirmation of <i>essentials</i>.
<i><br />
<br />
</i> Not only did [Charles] Darwin’s understanding of natural
selection undermine God’s role in creation and providence, but new approaches
to the study of ancient texts also raised doubts about the divine character of
the Bible. If Darwin’s study of the various mechanisms of nature that might
account for the variety of species seemed to make God unnecessary for the
beginning and preservation of the natural world, so too did the examination of
the Bible’s literary and historical qualities tend to play down the necessity
of divine inspiration for the composition of Scripture. In both cases, the
problems raised by evolutionary theory and by higher criticism, which
emphasized the natural, or human, aspects of human and biblical origins, meant
that the divine contribution either to creation or the inspiration of the Bible
became marginal or even doubtful. Instead of God creating man and woman by divine
fiat, and instead of the Holy Spirit inspiring the prophets and apostles to
write the canonical texts, the new scholarship in biology and biblical studies
taught that science could explain the uniqueness of man or the Bible on grounds
that were observable or quantifiable — as any good science did.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> These intellectual challenges, aided and abetted by new
academic institutions such as the research university and graduate programs
that generated specialized scholarship, were important factors that would eventually
pull Protestants into rival camps. On the one side, the modernists attempted to
accommodate the new science so that the churches would not look like obstacles
to progress and the advance of knowledge. The way modernists embraced the new
ideas was to downplay the supernatural and miraculous aspects of Christianity
as matters that were peripheral to the faith’s ethical and spiritual core. In
effect, modernists attempted to naturalize Christianity so that it would not
conflict with the new science and the social progress it appeared to beckon. <br />
On the other side, fundamentalists dug in their heels (rightly so)
on the supernatural and miraculous character of Christianity and especially the
person and work of Christ. Practically any list of the so‑called fundamentals,
the list of essential doctrines from which fundamentalists took their name,
featured the virgin birth, miraculous deeds, vicarious death, and resurrection
of Christ, along with affirmations of the inerrancy of the Bible because of its
divine authorship, as well as the miraculous nature of regeneration or the new
birth.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title="">[viii]</a><br />
<br />
The Fundamentalist movement gave evangelicalism the necessary
sustenance for orthodoxy to stay alive in such challenging times. It also saw
the rise of new ministries such as the publication of <i>Christianity Today</i> under editor J.I. Packer and the thousands led
to Christ via the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.<br />
<br />
At first, the relationship between Fundamentalism and
Pentecostalism was shaky at best. Maintaning the cessationist position of
mainstream prostestantism from the past centuries, many within early 20<sup>th</sup>
Century Fundamentalism saw the Pentecostals’ emphasis on the experiential, as
well as the exercise of relevatory gifts such as tongues and prophecy as a compromise
to the authority of Scripture. The Pentecostals on the other hand, while by no
means disagreeing with the Fundamentalists’ passion to contend for the
essential convictions of the Christian faith, felt that Fundamentalism was at
risk of becoming dry and legalistic. <br />
<br />
In spite of this conflict, there were nonetheless those from both
evangelicalism and Pentecostalism who were asking the question as to whether
the two movements were indeed mutually exclusive, or whether a middle ground
could be achieved incorporating both he evangelicals’ commitment to affirming
the essential convictions of biblical Christianity, while also allowing for the
experiential elements of Pentecostalism, notably the return of the <i>charismata</i>. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Towards
the sixties and seventies, such mergers did indeed arise; most notably in the
form of The Calvary Chapel movement under Chuck Smith, and The Vineyard under
John Wimber.<br />
<br />
At its beginning, Calvary Chapel operated as a cross-cultural
missions organization that bridged the "generation gap" as it existed
during the Vietnam War period. Calvary Chapel was a hub of the "Jesus
People" phenomenon that existed at that time and was featured in Time
Magazine for its success among "hippies" and young people; one of the
most popularly known converts being musician Keith Green.<br />
Doctrinally, Calvary Chapel is
Dispensational in eschatology, Arminian in view of salvation, while placing a
strong emphasis in verse-by-verse expository preaching. In addition to Chuck
Smith, prominent Calvary Chapel pastors include Chuck Missler and evangelist
Greg Laurie.<br />
<br />
The first Vineyard Church started when
Kenn Gulliksen brought together two Bible studies, both meeting at the houses
of singer/songwriters: </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Norman"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Larry Norman</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> and </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Girard"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chuck Girard</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">. In early 1975, thirteen groups met at
the Beverley Hills Women's club. <br />
In 1977, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wimber"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">John Wimber</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">, an evangelical pastor and teacher on
church growth, founded a </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvary_Chapel"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Calvary Chapel</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> in </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorba_Linda,_California"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yorba Linda, California</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">. <br />
In addition to emphasizing the operation of the <i>charismata</i> within the local church,
Wimber also started to emphasize the need for “Power Evangelism”, that is,
gospel presentation enriched with tangible signs and wonders which would point
unbelievers to the reality of God. Wimber writes:<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Modern humanists – those who embrace secularism, self-reliance,
materialism and rationalism – no longer believe it is possible to arrive to
arrive rationally at objective moral and spiritual truth. Ironically, there are
are many rational inconsistancies in the way humanists think. For example,
while believing in consistent, closed material universe that may be understood
only by scientific enquiry, at the same time they hold <i>relativistic</i> assumptions about religion and morality. Beliving that
“whatever you belive is okay for you” assumes a plurality of maral systems. In
that regard most secularists hold to an internally inconsistent worlview<br />
This accounts for the current growth in many western societies of
philosophies developed from aspects of Eastern and New Age thought, e.g,
Transcendental Meditation. On the surfance, interest in these philosophies
seems to contradict what one would expect from a humanistic worldview, but most
modern humanists are not rigously rational. They frequently acknowledge there
is a spiritual or moral world that lies outside the rational, which can only be
known through personal experience. Even the most rationalistic, humanistic
people seem to recognize intuitively that there is more to human existence than
the material, the rational, the scientific. People everywhere – even Westerners
conditioned to believe there is nothing beyond what scientists tell us – feel
the need to reach out for something more, something beyond the rational,
something spiritual. This gives rise to people getting involved in the New Age
outside of Christianity, and in charismatic experiences within.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[ix]</span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
Wimber's teaching on healing and the ministry of the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Spirit"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Holy Spirit</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> eventually led to conflict with
Calvary Chapel. In a meeting with Calvary Chapel leaders, it was suggested that
Wimber's church stop using the Calvary name and affiliate with Gulliksen's
Vineyard movement. In 1982, Wimber's church changed its name to the Anaheim
Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Gulliksen turned over the churches in under his
oversight to Wimber, beginning his leadership of the Vineyard movement. <br />
Vineyard is not a denomination per se, hence many of it’s early
leaders came from a diverse range of theological backgrounds including
arminians and calvinists, dispensationalists and covenentors. Indeed, most of
such leaders were actually pastors from conservative evangelical backgrounds.<br />
Vineyard also contributed greatly to Contemporary Christian Music.
The older Pentecostal Churches were known for having choirs that sang an
assortment of hymns and lively praise choruses. With Vineyard on the other
hand, “Charismatic” quickly became a worship style in it’s own right.<br />
<br />
In addition to these new movements,
the belief in the continuation of the spiritual gifts also began to cross into
already existing denomination branches who previously would have been at odds
with Pentecostalism over half a century earlier such as the Methodists,
Baptists, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists and even sectors of Anglicanism and
Roman Catholicism. The <i>Charismatic
Renewal</i> marked a new ecumenicism in the Body of Christ. <br />
While many of the “Charismatics” looked upon Pentecostalism as a
forerunning predecessor, not all necessarily agreed with Pentecostal doctrine
such as William Seymour’s eschatology nor his belief in the Baptism of the Holy
Spirit as a secondary experience subsequent to conversion. According to Sam
Storms, a Reformed-Baptist who was one of John Wimber’s early students:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">There are three fundamental elements in the classical
view: </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">First</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">, there is the doctrine of <b><i>subsequence</i>.</b>
Spirit-baptism is always subsequent to and therefore distinct from conversion.
The time intervening between the two events may be momentary or conceivably
years (nine years, for example, in the case of Paula). </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">Second</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">, there is an emphasis on <b><i>conditions</i>.</b> Depending on
whom you read the conditions on which spirit-baptism is suspended may include
repentance, confession, faith, prayers, waiting (“tarrying”), seeking,
yielding, etc. The obvious danger here is in dividing the Christian life in
such a way that <i>salvation</i> becomes a <i>gift</i> to the <i>sinner</i> whereas the <i>fullness
of the Spirit</i> becomes a <i>reward</i> to
the <i>saint</i>. But all is of grace. All
comes with Christ. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Third</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">,
they emphasize the doctrine of <b><i>initial evidence</i>.</b> The initial and
physical evidence of having been baptized in the Spirit is speaking in tongues.
If one has not spoken in tongues, one has not been baptized in the Spirit.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title=""><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[x]</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
Storms’ personal view on the subject however, is not that of classic
Pentecostalism:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
The view that I will contend is that Spirit-baptism is a metaphor a metaphor
that describes what happens when one becomes a Christian. However, this does
not preclude multiple, <i>subsequent </i>experiences
of the<i> </i>Spirit’s activity. After
conversion of the Spirit may yet “come” with varying degrees of intensity,
wherein the Christian is “pverwhelmed”, “empowered”, or in some sense
“endued”. This release of new power, this manifestation of the Spirit’s
intimate presence, is most likely to be identified with what the New Testament
calls the “filling” of the Spirit.<br />
Key to this interpretation is 1 Corinthians 12:3, <i>“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into
one body – Whether Jew or Greek, Slave or Free – and were given one Spirit to
drink.”</i> There are a number of reasons for understanding this text as
descriptive of the conversion experience of all Christians. <br />
1) If the text describes te experience of only some believers, those who lack
this second blessing do not belong to the body of Christ.<br />
2) The context of 1 Corinthians 12 militates against the doctrine of
subsequence. The idea of a Spirit-Baptized elite would have plyed irectly into
the hands of those who were causing division in Corinth. Paul emphasizes here
the <i>common</i> experience of the Holy
Spiritfor everyone, not what one group has that another does not (note the
emphatic “we were all”).<br />
3) Some insist that the preposition <i>eis</i>
does not mean that Spirit-baptism incorporates one <i>“into”</i> the body of Christ. Rather, <i>eis</i>, means something like “with a view of beniffetting” or “for the
sake of”; the idea being that Spirit-baptism prepares them for service/ministry
to the body in which they had <i>previously</i>
been placed by faith in Christ. Grammatically speaking, had this been Paul’s
intent, he would have probably used another preposition that more clearly
expresses the idea (e.g., <i>heneka</i>,
“for the sake of”, or <i>hyper</i> with the
genitive, “in behalf of, for the sake of”).</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title=""><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[xi]</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Pentecostal scholar Douglas Oss counters:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">[Sam]
Storms states that there is no imperative in the New Testament for believers to
be Baptized in the Holy Spirit. Consider what Pentecostals say about the
interpretation of Luke-Acts and Paul. First, the narrative genre expresses
imperatives different than a letter. What is meant in Acts 1:6-8 when Jesus
tells the disciples that the fulfillment of [John] the Baptist’s prophecy is
looming on the horizon, and that they should wait in Jerusalem until they
receive “power” <i>(dunamis)</i> when the
holy Spirit comes upon them? And what theology is communicated through the
fulfillment of this promise throughout the remainder of Acts? Is this not the
narratological equivalent of an imperative? Remember Peter’s sermon, “The
promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom
the Lord will call” (Acts 2:39). Second, Luke must be allowed to explain
redemptive-historical fulfillment in his own terms without importing theology
from Paul and unnaturally imposing it on Luke-Acts. Harmonization must come <i>after</i> divinely ordained diversities are
understand, and Luke’s agenda emphasizes the Spirit’s charismatic power. <br />
To put an epistolary language test to a narrative is
hermeneutically unsound.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title=""><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[xii]</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
While many use the term “neo-pentecostalism” synonymously with “Charismatic”,
such is actually a misnomer given the differing views within the Charismatic
Movement(s) itself. <br />
<br />
Notable figures in the Charismatic Renewal include:<br />
- Chuck Smith (1927-)<br />
- Carter Conlon<br />
- Chuck Missler<br />
- Phil Pringle<br />
- John Wimber<br />
- Greg Laurie<br />
- Jim Cymbala<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">3. Word of Faith</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
Within Christian media Word of Faith (aka “Prosperity Gospel”) is
perhaps the most popularized form of Christianity, making it’s way into
televangelism, books, and radio. While Pentecostalism and the Charismatic
Renewal affirmed and contended for orthodox, historic Christianity, the Word of
Faith movement stretches (and even denies) the core doctrines that serve as the
foundation of such orthodoxy.<br />
<br />
Word of Faith teaching holds that God wants his people to be
financially prosperous, as well as have good health, good marriages and
relationships, and to live generally prosperous lives. <br />
As the name "Word of Faith" implies, this movement
teaches that faith is a matter of what we say more than in whom we trust or
what truths we embrace and affirm in our hearts. A favorite expression in the
Word Faith movement is "positive confession." It refers to the Word
Faith teaching that your words will create, they have creative power. They say,
"What you say you create!" So if you believe it strongly enough to
speak it, you'll create it. You will create your riches. You will create your
health. You will get out of your wheel chair. It determines everything that
happens to you they say. Your confessions, based upon your faith in faith, will
bring things to pass, and God has to act because it is a law. <i>“Speak faith
to your wallet! Speak faith into your marriage! Speak faith into your mortgage!
And let God bless you abundantly!” </i>Faith, according to Word Faith doctrine,
is not submissive trust in God; it is not belief in revealed revelation in the
Scripture. Faith is a formula by which you manipulate the universe, by which
you manipulate things. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Similarly, “negative confession” which puts too much focus
and energy into thinks that are negative can only bring about the opposite of
the wealth, health and prosperity, that is, poverty, sickness and hurt. In
other words, you don't want to say the wrong words or pray the wrong prayers, because
it might happen. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
Word of Faith teaches that God empowers his people (blesses them)
to achieve the promises that are contained in the Bible. Because of this,
suffering does not come from God, but rather, from Satan and/or one’s personal
sin. Additionally, if someone is not experiencing prosperity, it is because they
have given Satan authority over their lives. God is not able to do anything at
all unless the person invites Him to. <br />
<br />
According to Baptist evangelist Justin Peters, The Word of Faith
movement owes it’s existence not so much to Pentecostalism, but rather to
metaphysical cults like Mary Baker-Eadie’s Christian Science and Phineas
Quimby’s New Thought; these cults are known for their utilization of secular
psychology, New Age teaching and the emphasis on self-realization. These cultic
teachings, Peters claims, combined with Pseudo-Christian terminology, led to
the birth of what we know as Word of Faith Movement. <br />
<br />
<br />
Prominent members of the Word of Faith Movement include:<br />
- Esseck W. Kenyon (1867-1948)<br />
- Kenneth Hagin (1917-2003)<br />
- Jimmy Swaggart (1935-)<br />
- Kenneth Copeland (1936-)<br />
- Joyce Meyer (1942-)<br />
- Benny Hinn (1952-)<br />
- Creflo Dollar (1962-)<br />
- Joel Osteen (1963-)<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">4. The Third Wave (aka The New Apostolic Reformation)</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">C. Peter Wagner,
former professor for Church Growth at Fuller seminary, identified three “Waves”
that permeated the twentieth century<br />
1<sup>st</sup> Wave – Pentecostalism via the Azusa Street Revival<br />
2<sup>nd</sup> Wave – The Charismatic Renewal<br />
3<sup>rd</sup> Wave – The New Apostolic Reformation<br />
<br />
Whereas the Pentecostals emphasized the present-day operation of the miraculous
spiritual <i>gifts</i> for the church’s
edification, Wagner and other Third Wavers taught upon the church to reinstate
the “5-fold ministry” <i>offices</i> for the
church’s foundation. <br />
<br />
</span><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">11</span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">And he gave the apostles,
the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors<sup>[</sup></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:11-13&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29267a"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman";">a</span></a></span><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"> and
teachers,<sup>[</sup></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:11-13&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29267b"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b</span></a></span><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"> <sup>12</sup>
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of
Christ, <sup>13</sup>until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,<sup>[</sup></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204:11-13&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29269c"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c</span></a></span><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">]</span></sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"> to the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ<br />
<b>Ephesians 4:11-13 </b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Leading Third Wavers
will say that for the most of church history, the church’s leadership and
identity has been determined (others will even say “Hijacked”) by the offices
of Pastors and Teachers. Hence, if the church is to truly fulfill it’s mission,
it must also allow and raise up those with the prophetic and apostolic gifts.
Rather than leading a single local church, contemporary apostles can oversee
several congregations, if not entire denominations and movements with the
authority to begin new churches missionally, as well as appoint and commission
church leadership.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title="">[xiii]</a><br />
C. Peter Wagner defines the gift of Apostleship as:<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">[The Gift of Apostle is] the special ability that God gives to
certain members of the Body of Christ to assume and to exercise divinely
imparted authority in order to establish the foundational government of an
assigned sphere of ministry within the Church. An apostle hears from the Holy
Spirit and sets things in order accordingly for the Church’s health, growth,
maturity and outreach.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn12" name="_ednref12" title=""><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[xiv]</span></a><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: 7.1pt 72.0pt 108.0pt 144.0pt 180.0pt 216.0pt 252.0pt 288.0pt 324.0pt 360.0pt 396.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Another
key feature of The Third Wave/New Apostolic Reformation is it’s eschatology.
While pentecostals such as the Assemblies of God churches have been known for
teaching a Pre-millennial, Pre-Tribulation Rapture view of the end-times, Third
Wavers by comparison adhere to a strong post-Millennialism. <br />
Kris Valloton from Bethel Church in Redding, California writes in
his book <i>Heavy Rain</i>:<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"> The goal of my book is not to give you another chart
to argue over or to enter into a theological debate on the various views of
end-time prophecy. I simply want to challenge your thinking. I want you to be
aware that, like it or not, your eschatological core values could be affecting
your ministry, and more importantly, your legacy. <br />
We owe it to our children's children's children to have the
courage to question old paradigms that could rob hope from the coming
generations. Hope is the seedbed that faith grows in, and faith is what Jesus
is looking for when He returns to the planet: "When the Son of Man comes,
will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). <br />
Bill Johnson says, "To think that things are going to get
worse and worse in the last days takes no faith." What is more, desiring
Jesus to return now relegates billions of people to hell. Peter understood this
when he said, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count
slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all
to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). It's so important that we put on the
mind of Christ and do not let our circumstances dictate our stances. Every time
we react to the world's condition instead of responding in faith, we find
ourselves under the circumstances. A lot of bad doctrine comes out of a sense
of powerless Christianity. We tend to spiritualize our dysfunction, mask our
fears and excuse our inability to see greater works happen through our lives.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;">I am personally on an eschatological journey. I feel like Abram
when he first met God. The Lord told him to leave his country and journey to a
land He would show him (see Genesis 12:1). Abram didn't know where he was
going; he just knew where he couldn't stay. I know I can't stay in the end-time
theology that is stealing my children's future, instilling fear as a primary
motivation for serving the Father and undermining the Great Commission to make
disciples of all nations. <br />
Even though I am not sure where I am going, I have decided to
allow a few simple core values to determine my eschatological journey. First, I
will not let mystical passages that have been debated for centuries undermine
the clear commands, promises and prophecies we have from the Lord Himself, many
of which I have already discussed at length in this book. Second, I will not
embrace an end-time view that diminishes hope, promotes fear or re-arms the
same devil that Jesus disarmed on the cross (see Colossians 2:13-15). <br />
The book of Revelation was written to be the revelation of Jesus
Christ, not the revelation of the Antichrist (see Revelation 1:1). The book of
Revelation was penned in a prophetic style common to the mystics and it is,
therefore, prone to subjectivity. I won't allow its interpretation to promote
powerless Christianity. The command that has been passed down from generation
to generation with growing momentum is to destroy the works of the devil (see 1
John 3:8). It remains true in every epoch season in life that when we submit to
God.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">This Eschatology,
with it’s emphasis on seeing the church as rising in triumph during the latter
days rather than undergo tribulation has caused those within the New Apostolic
Reformation to take a pro-active stance on issues such as politics (by way of
the so-called “Religious Right”) and social justice.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; tab-stops: 7.1pt 72.0pt 108.0pt 144.0pt 180.0pt 216.0pt 252.0pt 288.0pt 324.0pt 360.0pt 396.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> This theology taught by the New Apostolic
Movement, known as <i>Dominionism</i>,
teaches that in order to see the Kingdom of God made manifest culminating in
the return of Christ (note: postmillennial eschatology), the church must
make a leading upon all sectors of society, namely Arts/entertainment,
education, science, politics, religion and business.<br />
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Perhaps even more controversial is not
so much the political and social agenda of the New Apostolic Reformation <i>outside </i>the church, but rather the
manifestations that occur <i>within</i>:<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Rodney Howard-Browne,
a missionary born in South Africa, came with his family to Tampa Bay, Florida
to plant a church and conduct revival meetings. A notable feature of these
meetings was the phenomenon of “Holy Laughter” – during worship and prayer,
congregants would find themselves overwhelmed with ecstatic joy, culminating in
fits of uncontrollable laughter.<br />
Howard-Browne’s ministry caught the attention of Word of Faith
Ministers such as Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland, as well as affiliates of the
Vineyard Movement such as Randy Clark and John Arnott.<br />
In 1994 at their church just outside of Toronto Airport, Canada,
Vineyard pastors John and Carol Arnott started their own revival meetings based
on their own visits to meetings led by Rodney Howard-Browne and Randy Clark.
Within months, what was a fledging church of one hundred and twenty congregants
quickly grew to a thousand.<br />
In addition to “Holy Laughter”, the “Toronto Blessing”, as it came
to be commonly known as, was also marked by other manifestations such as
convulsions, animal noises and even effects often linked to physical
drunkenness.<br />
<br />
The bizarre nature of the
manifestations caused many to immediately question whether this was indeed a
legitimate revival. The Vineyard Movement itself was left in a state of
disarray; many felt that both the Toronto Blessing as well as the teachings of the
Third Wave were compromising the movement’s evangelical foundations. Others
received the phenomenon with open arms.<br />
<br />
Eventually, due to pressures arising from the spontaneous and at
times uncontrollable nature of the spiritual climates brought about by the
Toronto blessing, in 1996 John Wimber announced that Toronto Airport Christian
Fellowship would no longer belong to the Vineyard Movement on the charge that
the Toronto Blessing had brought into the churches an overemphasis on spiritual
experience, as opposed to the clear teachings of the Scripture as God’s
authoritative and inerrant Word.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_edn13" name="_ednref13" title="">[xv]</a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Prominent Third Wavers include:<br />
- C. Peter Wagner<br />
- Che Ahn<br />
- Cindy jacobs<br />
- Mike Bickle<br />
- Bill Johnson<br />
- Dutch Sheets<br />
- Lou Engle<br />
- Sarah Palin </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">5. “Shades of Grey”</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
As we can see, Continuationism in the 20<sup>th</sup> Century has taken several
forms. While “Charismatic” may be used to denote all continuationists’ who
affirm the use and availability of the <i>charismata</i>
today, it could be said that the internal differences at times far outweigh the
commonalities. <br />
Even among differing continuationists, one will find pastors from
one stream having one hand open to accept another, while at the same time using
the opposite to keep the remaining different streams at bay. <br />
<br />
Hence, to praise or condemn
continuationist theology overall just by looking at only one of the above
streams will not provide a logical and objective assessment without having to
resort to stereotypes and strawman fallacies. Any assessment of a Christian’s
pneumatology must therefore be done at the level of the individual himself. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2309260614096256800#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span lang="EN-US">Bibliography:</span></a><span lang="EN-US"><br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[iii]
There is controversy as to who really is the true founder of Pentecostalism –
Seymour or Parnham. Many are inclined to disqualify Parnham <i>ad hominim</i> due to his endorsement of
segregationism.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[iv]
<a href="http://www.azusastreetmovie.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.azusastreetmovie.com/</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[v]
R.A. Torrey. “Why God used D.L. Moody”. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://ratorrey.webs.com/Why%20God%20Used%20D%20L%20%20Moody%20.htm"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://ratorrey.webs.com/Why%20God%20Used%20D%20L%20%20Moody%20.htm</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[vi]
<a href="http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topic_index.cfm"><span style="color: blue;">http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topic_index.cfm</span></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[vii]
<a href="http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_full.cfm"><span style="color: blue;">http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Statement_of_Fundamental_Truths/sft_full.cfm</span></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[viii]
<a href="http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/holding-line/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/holding-line/</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[ix]
John Wimber. <i>Power Evangelism</i>. Hodder
and Stoughton, 1985. Pg142.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[x]
<a href="http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/baptism-of-the-holy-spirit-part-i/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/baptism-of-the-holy-spirit-part-i/</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[xi]
Wayne Grudem (ed.) <i>Are Miraculous Gifts
for Today? – 4 Views</i>. Zondervan, 1996. Pg 177. <br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[xii]
Ibid. Pg236<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[xiii]
Even among continuationist theologians, the gift of apostleship is subject to
much controversy. Do I believe it can exist today? Short answer: <i>yes</i>. I am in agreement with Samuel
Storms as to what an Apostle today <i>is</i>
and <i>is not</i>. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/are-apostles-for-today/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/are-apostles-for-today/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[xiv]
C. Peter Wagner. <i>Your Spiritual Gifts Can
Help Your Church Grow</i>. Regal, 2005. Pg192.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[xv]
</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1996/january8/6t1066.html?start=1"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1996/january8/6t1066.html?start=1</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-25519591796530189102012-09-27T21:37:00.000+10:002014-07-02T10:17:30.652+10:00“Drunk in the Spirit” – A move of the Holy Spirit or a Counterfeit stupor?<br />
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Over the past decade and a half, revival meetings in Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches (notably Bethel Church under Bill Johnson in Redding, The International House of Prayer under Mike Bickle, Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship under John Arnotte, and the defunct Lakeland Revival under Todd Bentley) have had a part of their worship gatherings occurances of Spritual “Manifestations” – that is, physical reactions to spiritual experiences including but not limited to convultions, trance states, “Holy Laughter” or - as the article seeks to address – the appearance of drunkenness or physical intoxication.<br />
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But is such an experience a genuine expression of an encounter with the Holy Spirit? If so, what is the biblical basis?</div>
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<strong>“…</strong><strong>They are filled with New Wine</strong><strong>”</strong><strong> (Acts 2:13)</strong></div>
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<strong> </strong>Many proponents of being “Drunk in the Spirit” point to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost as setting a precedent for such phenomenon; the Holy Spirit is poured out, and the disciples stagger around as though drunk. Surely this must be the same phenomenon as what often occurs in these modern revival meetings, is it not?</div>
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Let’s examine the Pentecost account in detail in Acts 2:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>5</strong><strong> </strong>Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. <strong>6</strong><strong> </strong>And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. <strong>7</strong><strong> </strong>And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? <strong>8</strong><strong> </strong>And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? <strong>9</strong><strong> </strong>Parthians and Medes andElamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, <strong>10</strong><strong> </strong>Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, <strong>11</strong><strong> </strong>both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” <strong>12</strong><strong> </strong>And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” <strong>13</strong><strong> </strong>But <em>others</em><em> </em><em>mocking</em>said, “They are filled with new wine.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>14</strong><strong> </strong>But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. <strong>15</strong><strong> </strong>For <em>these people are not drunk, as you suppose</em>, since it is only the third hour of the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Acts 2:5-15</span></strong><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> (Emphasis added)</span></span></div>
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Three things to note:</div>
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1) <em>The Disciples were not drunk</em> (v15) – the first thing Peter says in the sermon that would mark the birth of the Acts church is a word of correction: the disciples are all speaking in [known] tongues. While such would definitely seem unusual, Peter is quick to assure observers that the Disciples are perfectly fine, they haven’t had any liquor for their 3rd hour brunch.</div>
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Last time I checked, getting drunk doesn’t necessarily make one multi-lingual or vice versa.</div>
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2) <em>This is an outsider</em><em>’</em><em>s observation </em>(v7-11) <em>–</em><em> </em>The charge of drunkenness comes not from the disciples themselves, but rather from the observing pilgrims who have come to Jerusalem for the Pentecost feast.</div>
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3) <em>Opinions are divided</em> (v12-13) – The pilgrims are immediately split when it comes to their opinions as to what it happening. The common factor is that they all know that something wonderful has just occurred. Some of the pilgrims are <em>“</em><em>amazed and perplexed</em><em>”</em>. Others mock and jeer – and it is from this latter group that the charge of drunkenness is brought forth, not as a word of commendation, but condescension.</div>
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To put forward the day of Pentecost as a biblical example of being “Drunk in the Spirit” is to intentionally twist the scriptures to make it mean something contrary to what the text is really saying.</div>
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<strong>“</strong><strong>And</strong><strong> </strong><strong>do not get drunk with wine, for that is</strong><strong> </strong><strong>debauchery, but</strong><strong> </strong><strong>be filled with the Spirit</strong><strong>”</strong><strong>(Ephesians 5:18)</strong><strong> </strong></div>
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At first glance, one may take this as saying “Either you’re drunk on [physical] wine which leads to corruption, or you get drunk with the Holy Spirit!”</div>
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Let’s look at this verse in context:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. <strong>2</strong><strong> </strong>And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>3</strong><strong> </strong>But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. <strong>4</strong><strong> </strong>Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. <strong>5</strong><strong> </strong>For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. <strong>6</strong><strong> </strong>Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. <strong>7</strong><strong> </strong>Therefore do not become partners with them; <strong>8</strong><strong> </strong>for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light<strong>9</strong><strong> </strong>(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), <strong>10</strong><strong> </strong>and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. <strong>11</strong><strong> </strong>Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. <strong>12</strong><strong> </strong>For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. <strong>13</strong><strong> </strong>But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, <strong>14</strong><strong> </strong>for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">“Awake, O sleeper,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> and arise from the dead,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">and Christ will shine on you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>15</strong><strong> </strong>Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, <strong>16</strong><strong> </strong>making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. <strong>17</strong><strong> </strong>Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. <strong>18</strong><strong> </strong>And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, <strong>19</strong><strong> </strong>addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, <strong>20</strong><strong> </strong>giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, <strong>21</strong><strong> </strong>submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Ephesians 5:1-21</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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The Apostle Paul speaks of being filled with the Holy Spirit not as an alternative to getting drunk, but rather in context of growing in Christ-likeness and personal Holiness. Drunkeness and Spirit-filled living, just like not being <em>“</em><em>foolish, but understanding what the will of the Lord is</em><em>”</em> (v17) are like oil and water: mirror opposites that do not mix.</div>
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<strong>What does God think about Drunkeness?</strong></div>
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It should be noted that the Bible does make a distinction between consuming liquors versus getting intoxicated or drunk. Vineyards are spoken of as illustrations of prosperity (Song of Solomon 2:15), Jesus himself turned water into wine at the Cana wedding (John 2:1-11) and often drank and dined with sinners to the point of being accused of gluttony by his opponents (Matthew 11:19).</div>
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When it comes to actual drunkenness, much of what the bible says in spoken of the in the negative:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>20</strong><strong> </strong>Be not among drunkards<strong>[</strong><strong>a</strong><strong>]</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> or among gluttonous eaters of meat,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>21</strong><strong> </strong>for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> and slumber will clothe them with rags.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Proverbs 23:20-21</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>4</strong><strong> </strong>It is not for kings, O Lemuel,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> it is not for kings to drink wine,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> or for rulers to take strong drink,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>5</strong><strong> </strong>lest they drink and forget what has been decreed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Proverbs 31:4-5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>11</strong><strong> </strong>Woe to those who rise early in the morning,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">who tarry late into the evening</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> as wine inflames them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>12</strong><strong> </strong>They have lyre and harp,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> or see the work of his hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Isaiah 5:11-12</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>11</strong><strong> </strong>But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 Corinthians 5:11</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>3</strong><strong> </strong>For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 Peter 4:3</span></strong></div>
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By comparison, mature believers in Christ are admonished to pursue sobriety in their personal conduct:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. <strong>2</strong><strong> </strong>Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Titus 2:1-2</span></strong></div>
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Also consider which categories drunkenness and self-control fall under when it comes to the fruits of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit:</div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> 19</span></strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong> </strong>The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; <strong>20</strong><strong> </strong>idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions <strong>21</strong><strong> </strong>and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> <strong>22</strong><strong> </strong>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, <strong>23</strong><strong> </strong>gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. <strong>24</strong><strong> </strong>Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. <strong>25</strong><strong> </strong>Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Galatians 5:19-25</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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If drunkenness is a fruit of the flesh while peace, gentleness and self-control are fruits of the Spirit, why should the Holy Spirit manifest itself in the life of a believer as a fruit of the flesh?</div>
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The Bible gives only one valid reason why God would intentionally seek to intoxicate someone, and it is by no means a pretty picture:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>13</strong><strong> </strong>Then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will fill with drunkenness all the inhabitants of this land: the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. <strong>14</strong><strong> </strong>And I will dash them one against another, fathers and sons together, declares the Lord. I will not pity or spare or have compassion, that I should not destroy them.’”</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Jeremiah 13:13-14</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>16</strong><strong> </strong>They shall drink and stagger and be crazed because of the sword that I am sending among them.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>17</strong><strong> </strong>So I took the cup from the Lord's hand, and made all the nations to whom the Lord sent me drink it:<strong>18</strong><strong> </strong>Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and officials, to make them a desolation and a waste, a hissing and a curse, as at this day; <strong>19</strong><strong> </strong>Pharaoh king of Egypt, his servants, his officials, all his people, <strong>20</strong><strong> </strong>and all the mixed tribes among them; all the kings of the land of Uz and all the kings of the land of the Philistines (Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod); <strong>21</strong><strong> </strong>Edom, Moab, and the sons of Ammon;<strong>22</strong><strong> </strong>all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the coastland across the sea; <strong>23</strong><strong> </strong>Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who cut the corners of their hair; <strong>24</strong><strong> </strong>all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mixed tribes who dwell in the desert; <strong>25</strong><strong> </strong>all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of Media; <strong>26</strong><strong> </strong>all the kings of the north, far and near, one after another, and all the kingdoms of the world that are on the face of the earth. And after them the king of Babylon shall drink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>27</strong><strong> </strong>“Then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink, be drunk and vomit, fall and rise no more, because of the sword that I am sending among you.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Jeremiah 25:16-27</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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<strong>Commotion and Spontaneity vs Order and Decency</strong><strong> </strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">For God is not a God of confusion but of peace..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"> All things should be done decently and in order</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 Corinthians 14:33, 40</span></strong></div>
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When one reads the Apostle Paul’s instructions for orderly worship and the operation of Spiritual Gifts incorporate giftings, one can see that the corporate gathering of believers is not to be treated as though it were an “open mike” free-for-all. If one were to infer as to what 1 Corinthians 12-14 were to reveal about the character and personality of the Holy Spirit, one could see that He is not a party-animal.</div>
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The sad truth is that for most, the idea of “Orderly Worship” carries with it as much appeal as the word “Bath” does to a dirty dog. If you were to stand up in one of these church which promote “Drunk in the Spirit”, “Holy Laughter” and other “manifestations”, open up your Bible and read 1 Corinthians 14 out loud, chances are you would immediately be labelled as legalistic and restrictive.</div>
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Generally, how one biblically applies “orderly worship” in the church tends to fall in two categories: </div>
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<em>Normative</em></div>
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Worship must include all the elements that Scripture commands and may include others so long as they are not prohibited by Scripture. </div>
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<em>Regulative</em></div>
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Worship must include all the elements that Scripture commands or are a good and necessary implication of a biblical text and nothing more, nothing less. </div>
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On the other hand, the ideology governing corporate worship in churches endorsing “Drunk in the Spirit” would probably fall into a third category:</div>
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<em>Suggestive</em></div>
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The Bible, being written several centuries ago in a different cultural context to our own, is not binding in application and is thus open to improvement in light of contemporary disciplines and personal experiences. </div>
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If the character of the Holy Spirit is that of decency and order, why then do so many instead attribute to His personhood chaos, spontaneity and intemperance as we see in these contemporary revival movements?</div>
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<strong>The Great Omission</strong></div>
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Throughout the history of warfare, one of the most effective strategies for weakening an enemy is to deprive their armies of essential resources – supplies, food, communication – so that when the time for direct engagement arises, they are not at their full 100% effectiveness.</div>
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So what are the “supply lines” that keep God’s battalions equipped and ready for the mission of being Salt and Light? Two of the most obvious ones are <em>Prayer</em> and <em>The Bible</em>. Prayer establishes a direct line of communication between the Christian Soldier and his Commander in Chief. The Bible outlines the orders, strategies and objectives necessary for the mission to see victory.</div>
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How does a manifestation of drunkenness truly benefit the church in terms of encouraging and equipping believers for ministry as well as empowering the Great Commission when you're in an altered state where God's revelation cannot be articulated or received clearly?<br />
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Such should clearly warrant reason for concern as to whether or such is truly a blessing from God, or an act of deception from Satan.</div>
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Just as worrying is the fact then when it comes to preaching in these Manifestation-focused churches, much of the conclusions and applications derived are based more upon the preacher's. own personal conjecture as opposed to any straightforward exposition of any given text by way of in-sermon exegesis and/or systematic theology that gets to the bottom of what the Bible definitely says in context. </div>
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Sometimes entire services are devoted only to over-extended times of Praise and Worship or contemplative "soaking" in silence while the Bible is left closed and unread.</div>
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<strong>Answers to Common Questions and Objections</strong><strong> </strong></div>
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<li><em> </em><em>"You're trying to put God in a box. God is bigger than the Bible!"</em></li>
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<em> </em>At first it may seem admirable to say that “God is bigger than the Bible”. After all, we see it constantly misused, misinterpreted, misapplied. But is there any truth behind the idea that “God is bigger than the bible” or that the scriptures only contain some of God’s revelation?</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">2 He was in the beginning with God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">3 All things were made through him,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">and without him was not any thing made that was made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>John 1:1-3</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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One must acknowledge "The Word" to be an essential attribute of God. "The Word" would not have come before God, as that would mean God would be subject to a Law higher than himself. At the same, "The Word" could not have existed after God as a created entity, because if the Word-less God were to say to anyone “I love You”, he would have to create the revelation rather than having it spring forth from his own mouth.</div>
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If one makes the statement that “God is bigger than the Bible”, it must also be asked if God is perhaps bigger than some of his other attributes such as holiness, grace and mercy if "The Word" is as much a part of His being.</div>
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Furthermore, what comments like "God is bigger than the Bible" seek to assert is that there are sources of information equal or superior to the inspired a scriptures when it comes to knowing the person of God. Yet the Apostle Paul made it very clear:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us NOT TO GO BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>1 Corinthians 4:6 (emphasis added)</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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I am personally yet to see someone who used the "God is Bigger than the Bible" who was not trying to assert a view of God that was either glaringly unbiblical, and/or called for a rejection of Biblical Innerancy in one form or another.</div>
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The same is equally true when some declares "You're putting God in a box!" This is really a confession of <em>agnosticism </em>- "There may be a God, but he's obviously far too big and transcendent to make any conclusion about His character, therefore any conviction based upon such is of a purely human invention and you really shouldn't be so assertive". Such thinking ultimately denies the fact that yes, God has indeed revealed Himself in a limited but personal manner so that his attributes and character can be understood clearly.</div>
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In addition, such thinking goes against the words of Jesus when he promised the disciples the Holy Spirit:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>John 14:25-27</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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Jesus promised that one of the essential duties of the Holy Spirit is to bring understanding and remembrance of the things of God. In the book of Acts, when we see the gospel proclaimed when men such as Peter on the day of Pentecost or Stephen before the Sanhedran are led and inspired by the Holy Spirit, one of the essential attributes of their speaking is both depth and clarity even though by social standards, these men were just commoners are far as education to the degree that the scribes and lawyers were amazed by what they heard. The Apostles didn’t speak riddles – especially not when they called their listeners to respond in repentance and faith.</div>
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What is most disturbing however is that phrases like "You're putting God in a Box" or "God is bigger than the Bible" are being uttered not by undiscipled laity, but pastoral leaders themselves. The Bible gives clear warning against those who would deny the possibility of intimate relationship with God, yet would nonetheless seek to draw attention to themselves for supposedly being the ones with deeper revelatory insight:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>2 Timothy 3:1-9</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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2) <em>Aren't you afraid of committing the unforgivable sin by blaspheming against the Holy Spirit?</em><em> </em></div>
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<em> </em>Short answer: Not in any way.</div>
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Please allow me to explain why and how I believe this to be so. First of all, what is "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" and why is it unforgivable?</div>
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Off the bat, the concept of an "unforgivable sin" seems like an oxymoron when we consider why Jesus died on the cross:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>1 Peter 3:8</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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The idea of an unforgivable sin subtly suggests that when Jesus uttered "it is accomplished" upon the cross, he only made a statement of <em>potentiality as</em> though he were offering God the Father a blank check as opposed to Him actually fulfilling hat he set out to do; I.e, there are still some sins that the blood of Christ doesn't cover which will still separate us from God (let me admit upfront that I personally hold to the view of Limited Atonement wherein Jesus died for All Sin on behalf of believers only as opposed to dying for some sins on behalf of all people).</div>
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So what is the "unforgivable sin", and why does it blaspheme against the Holy Spirit?</div>
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It isn't Murder, for if this were so, The Apostle Paul would never be saved.</div>
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It isn't suicide, because even as a believer, Paul himself had suicidal thoughts when undergoing intense persecution "For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself" ( 2 Corinthians 1:8) yet he still continued to serve The Lord.</div>
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It isn't unbelief in God. A recent campaign by a group of atheists involved posting videos on YouTube where people declared "I denounce the Holy Spirit" as though they were trying to taunt God into expressing wrath. If that we're so, every born-again Christian would have to fall into that sin category as we were all once Enemies of God who have been reconciled through Christ (Romans 5:10)</div>
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Let's look at how Jesus described it:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. <strong>2</strong><strong> </strong>Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. <strong>3</strong><strong> </strong>Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>4</strong><strong> </strong>“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. <strong>5</strong><strong> </strong>But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.<strong>[</strong><strong>a</strong><strong>]</strong> Yes, I tell you, fear him! <strong>6</strong><strong> </strong>Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?<strong>[</strong><strong>b</strong><strong>]</strong> And not one of them is forgotten before God. <strong>7</strong><strong> </strong>Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>8</strong><strong> </strong>“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, <strong>9</strong><strong> </strong>but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.<strong>10</strong><strong> </strong>And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. <strong>11</strong><strong> </strong>And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,<strong>12</strong><strong> </strong>for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Luke 12:1-11</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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Who is the charge of Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit brought against? The Pharisees. What did they say or do that would spur Jesus to throw out such an accusation? The answer lies in the previous chapter:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>14</strong><strong> </strong>Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marvelled. <strong>15</strong><strong> </strong>But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons”, <strong>16</strong><strong> </strong>while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. <strong>17</strong><strong> </strong>But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.<strong>18</strong><strong> </strong>And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. <strong>19</strong><strong> </strong>And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. <strong>20</strong><strong> </strong>But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Luke 11:14-20</span></strong></div>
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Jesus was ministering deliverance from the demonic, and eyewitnesses – Pharisees, scribes, lawyers – openly attributed such not to being from God, but Satan even though there was irrefutable evidence otherwise. What follows is Jesus giving a sharp rebuke to the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of Israel.</div>
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Based on this incident and Jesus’ words afterwards, I would define Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as thus: <em>To have undeniable proof that any given phenomenon is of godly origin and nature, yet intentionally attribute such as not being genuinely so.</em> The Pharisees were essentially saying “Jesus, you are evil and I am good. Jesus, you are wrong and I am right. Jesus, you are not Lord, but I am. I reject you, Jesus. You are not God, you are not Savior, you are not Lord.” That was the commitment of the Pharisees all the way to the point of murdering Jesus. The reason why it is unforgivable is not so much because you commit the act and God forsakes you, but rather vice versa. Such people are complete strangers to saving grace as their hearts were not humbled in repentance of sin, and crying out to God for mercy.<br />
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It is also important that we know how to distinguish between Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit versus the Testing of Spirits:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 John 4:1-6</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">19 Do not quench the Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">20 Do not despise prophecies,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">22 Abstain from every form of evil.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1 Thessalonians 5:19-22</span></strong><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> </strong></div>
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Sadly, many Christians are so fearful of committing the unforgivable sin of Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit that they simply choose to exercise zero scrutiny towards anything that looks even remotely spiritual. To them, the spiritual realm is a free-for-all providing that it also be given diplomatic immunity against any kind of serious questioning lest they be cutoff from it entirely. The result is that instead of enjoying the freedom in the victory that Christ has achieved over Satan and his minions, such people are left as helpless victims of constant spiritual attack leading to deception and sin. Yet God's will for the growing disciple is the exact opposite:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Ephesians 4:14-16</span></strong><strong style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> </strong></div>
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3) <em>"Being drunk in the Spirit brings me so much joy!"</em><em> </em></div>
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This is what I call Sheryl Crowe discernment: <em>"If it makes you happy, It can't be that bad"</em>.</div>
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One things that is noticeable about being Drunk in the Spirit and other spiritual Manifestations is the sense of euphoria that usually comes upon those involved.</div>
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It should be noted that the emotion of joy in of itself not evil, after all it is listed among the fruits of the spirit! What can be wrong however is not the emotion of joy, but rather, the<em>object </em>of it:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>1 John 5:20-21</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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When we think of spiritual idolatry, we tend to view it at the ideological level concerning views and teachings that go against the Word of God. Yet since the overarching theme of 1 John is how love expresses itself as a fruit of living in truth, we must also be conscious of the fact that idolatry concerns not just what we <em>think</em> about the things of God, but also what we <em>feel</em>. If any given teaching or practice seems questionable yet nonetheless draws us in emotionally while on the other hand we may be unfeeling towards things we know are legitimate and true, we have every reason to be suspect that an act of deception has taken place.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Jeremiah 17:9</span></strong></div>
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4) <em>"It would be sad to see you miss out on a truly life-transforming experience and find your Christian walk falling short..."</em><em> </em></div>
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I'd like to answer this question by pointing to the example of the Corinthian Church. The Apostle Paul was on his second missional journey wherein he happened upon the city of Corinth where the gospel was preached, and converts were personally disciples under the oversight of Paul, Peter and Apollos.</div>
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When Paul felt that the Corinthian believers had reached a sufficient stage of spiritual maturity, he left to continue on his journey. At time went on, it became apparent that Paul's departure may have been premature:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>1 Cornthians 1:10-11</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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Among the concerns that Chloe brought before the Apostles was that a group had arose within the Corinthian Church who called themselves the <em>pneumatikoi</em>, literally "The Spiritual Ones", who had grown arrogant in the areas of spiritual gifts and experiences to the point that there would be competition as to who was considered to be the most spiritual - "I speak in tongues, you can't. I prophesy and perform miracles while everyone else don't."</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>1 Corinthians 12:29-30</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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The obvious answer to the above questions is: "of course not." Why then should any person with <em>x</em> gift feel that are any closer to God in intimacy or maturity?</div>
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As a result of this, the Corinthans found themselves stumbling into gross sin and were quickly divided.</div>
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But note how Paul directly addressed the <em>pneumatikoi:</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>1 Corinthians 4:7-10</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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When believers elevate themselves above others as being more "spiritual" or they lack down upon those who have not had the same or similar spiritual experiences, most of the time the motivations derive from condescension. At best such pride is immature, at worst it is just carnality.</div>
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Compare the mindset of the <em>pneumatikoi</em> with Peter's description of the grace of God:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>2 Peter 1:3-10</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">If God the Holy Spirit is truly omnipresent and </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"His divine power has [already] granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness"</span><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> (2 Peter 1:3) why should there be any need for today's modern </span><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">pneumatikoi </em><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">in these</span><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> </em><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">manifestation-based</span><em style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"> </em><span style="font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;">churches to waste hundreds of dollars traveling to seminars and conferences held throughout the world in the hopes of receiving and taking back the latest "blessing", "Annointing", "impartation" - or in this case, "new wine" along with a "new wine skin" to go with it?</span></div>
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5) <em>This article is divisive!</em><em> </em></div>
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Certainly this issue of whether being "Drunk in the Spirit" and other related "manifestations" are sure to arouse opinions.</div>
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Of course, the last thing we want to see within the church are divisions that give rise to competing factions. But even so, there is only one form of division within the Church that God views as being both pleasing to Him and necessary for the health of the Church - the separations between Holy and profane, true and false, biblical and unbiblical:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>1 Corinthians 11:18-19</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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When God's people are obedient to His word and are continually growing in Christ-likeness and becoming rooted in biblical convictions, there should be an immediate clash with those who do not yet still profess the name of Jesus. If a church existed that had absolutely no divisions at all, the pastorate should have reason to be very worried about the health of it's members.</div>
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So to, when a new teaching or practice comes into a church that claims to be Bible-based and gains rapid acceptance without any call for evaluation or debate, such should immediately be cause for alarm.</div>
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<strong>Conclusion: The Mourning Assembly</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Nehemiah 8:9</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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As we can see, the biblical support for the notion of being "drunk in the Spirit" is far too scarce; not to mention the seriousness of the admonitions against drunkenness in favor of sobriety and sound-mindedness . To intentionally continue to promote such activity with knowledge that it does not line up with scriptural precedent is not just an act of wanton deception, but a denunciation of Scripture in of itself.</div>
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Just what precisely is it that causes believers and even entire churches to fall for this kind of stuff? How exactly do leaders of bible-believing congregations go from passionately contending for orthodox Christian doctrine to yelling “Amen!” to anything, no matter how obscure and unusual?</div>
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Most of us know of at least one Christian friend who started off as a trustworthy peer, committed to solid discipleship to the point of teaching others, teachable, hungry to learn as well as to defend their convictions from attack at any angle. Yet over time, changes of mind take place. At first it may seem like a minor tangent, until you listen to who they’re listening and what they’re following. You notice they start to say and do things that they previously would have fought hard against. You hear them quote ministers who only seasons ago would have been put on the discernment blacklist. In only a short time, what started as a minor tangent becomes a large-scale deviation to the point that their Christian walk has undergone a massive revision that makes you honestly question whether you can still break bread with them in Christian fellowship. You voice concerns – only to hear them respond with full assurance that they are correct in their new direction even though you know it doesn’t stack up with scriptures. Worse still is when they go on the offensive against you or anyone else for not being as willing to follow suite.</div>
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If these practices are being brought into a local church, then it is the obligation of those familiar with Scriptures to call those responsible to account:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Romans 16:17-18</strong><strong> </strong></span></div>
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The word for “watch”, <em>skope</em><em>ō</em> σκοπέω means to oberve, to mark, to fix attention upon i.e., like a sniper we are to target – from afar if need be - our focus upon those whose teaching and doctrine doesn’t line up with the word of God.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">2 John 8-11</span></strong></div>
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If you welcome a teacher into your church <em>with knowledge</em> that what they believe and practice is faulty yet you nonetheless give them a platform to speak, God will hold you as guilty by association as though such falsehoods were indeed coming forth from your own mouth.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="215" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8uZhmyYBPsU" width="460"></iframe>Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-20905652067616749062012-07-20T00:20:00.000+10:002012-07-20T00:20:50.196+10:00What did Jesus mean when he said ‘I said, you are gods’?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">John 10:34 (ESV)</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s take a look at the passage in context:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” <br />
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. <br />
32 Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” <br />
33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”<br />
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">John 10:22-39 (ESV)</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">In v34, Jesus is actually quoting Psalm 82:<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> 1God has taken his place in the divine council;</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> 2“How long will you judge unjustly</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> and show partiality to the wicked? Selah</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> 3Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> 4Rescue the weak and the needy;</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> 5They have neither knowledge nor understanding,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> they walk about in darkness;</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> all the foundations of the earth are shaken.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">6<u>I said, “You are gods</u>,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> sons of the Most High, all of you;</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> 7nevertheless, like men you shall die,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> and fall like any prince.”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Psalm 82:1-7 ESV</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Psalm is addressed to the governing authorities of Israel – the Judges – whom God accuses of corruption because they side with the wicked while neglecting the needy. God openly mocks the Judges by calling them “gods” (Hebrew <i>elohim</i>) as their authority was absolute.<br />
<br />
Let’s look at John 10 in context: Jesus is speaking to a group of unbelieving Jews who demand that Jesus affirm his divinity (in spite of the fact that he has already done so in both word and action). The Jews pick up rocks to stone Him – and that is why Jesus quotes Psalm 82, <i>not in relation to his own claim of divinity, but rather what they’re about to do by stoning</i>. <br />
<br />
Q: What is the greatest assertion of absolute power one human being can force upon another?<br />
A: To engage in matters that would determine the difference between life and death.<br />
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This is why the act of murder is seen as such a gross sin in the eyes of God, as he alone has the right to determine another’s mortality:<br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">39</span></a> “‘See now that I, even I, am he,</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">and there is no god beside me;</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">I kill and I make alive;</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">I wound and I heal;</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFF9EE;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.<br />
<b>Deuteronomy 32:39</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">6 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> kills and brings to life; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">he brings down to Sheol and raises up. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> <b><sup>7 </sup></b> The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> makes poor and makes rich; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">he brings low and he exalts. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> <b><sup>8 </sup></b> He raises up the poor from the dust; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">he lifts the needy from the ash heap <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> to make them sit with princes <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">and inherit a seat of honor. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> For the pillars of the earth are the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>’s, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">and on them he has set the world.<br />
<b>1 Samuel 2:6–8</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div><h1 style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span><sup><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">4 </span></sup><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. <sup>5 </sup>But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, <i>after he has killed</i>, has authority to cast into hell.<u><sup>a</sup></u> Yes, I tell you, fear him!</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Luke 12:4-5 (emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> Even when God may delegate the authority to carry out Capital Punishment, such authority comes with great expectation as those who carry out such rulings are to not only represent the Law, but the holiness of God. <br />
<br />
So Jesus is not saying anyone other than himself is a god; quite the opposite, he’s being very sarcastic. <i>“Why are you guys so upset about me being God when you’re 100% convinced that you have the God-given right to kill me or anyone else?” </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
Also consider this: <i><u>throughout Scripture,</u></i> <i><u>no one has ever been counted as being blessed by God among those who thought themselves to be divine and/or worthy of being worshipped by others</u></i>. Consider the example of Pharaoh. In the times of Ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was revered as an incarnation of Ra, the Sun deity. Note how the Pharaoh responds to the plight of the Israelites when Moses calls for their release from slavery:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” <b><sup>2 </sup></b>But Pharaoh said, “Who is the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><h1 style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Exodus 5:1-2<o:p></o:p></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Pharaoh is unashamed in giving Moses the brush off. To him the true God of Israel is a nobody who just isn’t worth the worry. <br />
In response to this act of rebellion, God unleashed ten plagues upon the land of Egypt. Each time, the Pharaoh is told to release the Israelites, and though Pharaoh is initially willing to go ahead with obeying the command, at the last minute he takes back his word. What is troubling is the condition of Pharaoh’s heart throughout his dealings with God:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Moses and Aaron did just as the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">had commanded.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">and all the water was changed into blood.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">21 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">The fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water. Blood was everywhere in Egypt.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
<span class="text"><b><sup>22 </sup></b>But the Egyptian magicians</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">did the same things by their secret arts,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">and Pharaoh’s heart</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">had said.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>23 </sup></b>Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart.<br />
<b>Exodus 7:20-23</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: white;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Then the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">and strike the dust of the ground,’ and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">came on people and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">18 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">But when the magicians</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">tried to produce gnats by their secret arts,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">they could not.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
<span class="text">Since the gnats were on people and animals everywhere,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>19 </sup></b>the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">was hard and he would not listen,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">just as the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">had said.<br />
<b>Exodus 8:16-19</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><sup><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">34 </span></sup></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. <b><sup>35 </sup></b>So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> had said through Moses.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><h3 style="background: white; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Exodus 9:34-35<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Then the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them <b><sup>2 </sup></b>that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt;">Exodus 10:1-2</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible says that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6/1 Peter 5:5) – and what greater expression of Hubris could there possibly be apart from knowing the Holiness of God, but instead of worshipping Him with fear and reverence, instead asserting oneself to be divine and on equal footing with the Lord himself?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;"> If you know someone who is prooftexting “You are Gods” to suggest that they themselves are a god, you are obligated to not just point out their clear misinterpretation of Scripture, but to point out that what they’re saying is nothing short of wanton blasphemy. Just as it was with Pharaoh, one cannot help but wonder is whether those who would assert such an idea are really in fact speaking not from hearts that are humbled by the holiness of God, but rather are hardened in hostility towards the revelation of who he really is. <br />
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<!--[endif]--><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-18262935010237929792012-05-23T21:29:00.000+10:002012-05-23T21:29:02.413+10:00“Thus Saith the Lord”: What is the difference between “Logos” and “Rhema”?<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
Introduction</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As believers in Christ, we are blessed to have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to guide and grow us, as well as being able to have God speak to us directly through his word – both in our personal reading as well as having it taught by others.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is commonly taught in many churches is that God’s Word takes two forms: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα. One website describes these two greek words as:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God's word in general, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">logos</i> (eternal written word applicable to all people, at all places at all times) and God's specific word, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rhema</i> (a specific insight from scripture that is applicable to a specific person, at a particular place at a particular time). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when God gives you an insight (a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rhema</i>) throughout the day, that undoubtedly came as a result of your prior meditation and reading of the scripture (that is, the logos). Remember, a true <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rhema</i> never conflicts nor replaces the objective <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">logos</i> of the scriptures. When Jesus was speaking for to the disciples in Luke 24, He was giving them the Logos or general word of the law and prophets of things concerning Himself. By God's grace their eyes were opened, they heard what Jesus was saying and they were given a specific word (a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rhema</i>) that the one speaking to them was Christ. They saw that those words had immediate application to them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
But how does the Bible itself use these two words, and what can we learn from it?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This article will hopefully serve as a survey of these two words, and hopefully shed light upon the nature of divine revelation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Tools Used in this Study</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
- Strong’s Concordance and Lexicon<br />
- Vine’s Expository Dictionary<br />
- Logos Bible Software<br />
- English Standard Version<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Survey</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strong’s Concordance lists 331 occurrences of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος (G3056) across 316 New Testament verses, with 70 occurences of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα (G4487) across 67 verses respectively. In the interests of both time as well as posting space, I have chosen not to post every single occurance of each word. For those who are curious,<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος<br />
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G3056"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G3056</span></a><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα<br />
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G4487"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G4487</span></a><br />
<br />
Nonetheless, I thought I would post relevant passages that I felt most aptly convey the proper meaning of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">“If anyone loves me, he will keep my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">word (</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος), and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>24 </sup></b>Whoever does not love me does not keep my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">word (</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος). And the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">word (</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 14:23–24</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
Jesus is not referring to the written scriptures in his use of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος, but rather to the things he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">speaks</i> directly to the discipes. Shouldn’t he have used <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα instead of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος?<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">For to one is given through the Spirit the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">utterance</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) of wisdom, and to another the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">utterance</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) of knowledge according to the same Spirit<sup><br />
</sup><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 12:8</b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>18 </sup></b>I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>19 </sup></b>Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">words</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">words</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) in a tongue. <br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 14:18–19</b><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">It has been said so many times by popular preachers that the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Word<b> </b></span>of Wisdom”, the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Word<b> </b></span>of Knowledge”, Tongues and Words of Prophecy are to be seen as the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Rhema </span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">ῥῆμα</span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">of God to His people, yet here within Paul’s discourse on Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14, it is clear that they are actually </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Logos</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> λόγος </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">14 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>15 </sup></b>And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>16 </sup></b>But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>17 </sup></b>So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">word </b>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα ) of Christ.<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Romans 10:14-17</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <br />
<br />
Is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα refering to spoken words? No, here it has nothing to do with the word being a spoken word or a written word. The word here is the gospel of Christ being preached.<br />
<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">22 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>23 </sup></b>since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>24 </sup></b>for <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br />
“All flesh is like grass </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">and all its glory like the flower of grass. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>The grass withers, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">and the flower falls, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>25 </sup></b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>but the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">word </b>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα )<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the Lord remains forever.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">And this word is the good news that was preached to you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 48.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">1 Peter 1:22-25</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
If <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">a specific insight from scripture that is applicable to a specific person, at a particular place at a particular time”, why does 1 Peter 1:25 say that it will last forever?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also note instances within scripture where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα do appear side by side within a single verse:<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>36 </sup></b>I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">account</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα) for every careless <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">word</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) they speak, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>37 </sup></b>for by your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">words</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) you will be justified, and by your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">words</b> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) you will be condemned.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Matthew 12:36–37<sup><br />
</sup><br />
<sup>34 </sup></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>35 </sup></b>but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>36 </sup></b>As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>37 </sup></b>you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>38 </sup></b>how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>39 </sup></b>And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>40 </sup></b>but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>41 </sup></b>not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>42 </sup></b>And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>43 </sup></b>To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">44 </span></sup></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">While Peter was still saying <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">these things </b>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα), the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the word </b>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος). <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>45 </sup></b>And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. <sup><br />
</sup><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 10:34–45</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><sup>18 </sup></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>19 </sup></b>and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα) made the hearers beg that no further messages (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος) be spoken to them.<sup><br />
</sup><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hebrews 12:18–19 <br />
</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
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</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Review</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
It would seem that the common definition of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
<br />
</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">God's word in general, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">logos</i> (eternal written word applicable to all people, at all places at all times) and God's specific word, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rhema</i> (a specific insight from scripture that is applicable to a specific person, at a particular place at a particular time)</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">is simply not valid given how these words are actually within the New testament itself. The above listings of Matthew 12:36-37, Acts 10:34-45 and Hebrews 12:18-19 demonstrate what is glaringly obvious with regards to the words <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> λόγος and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema </i>ῥῆμα: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Bible itself uses them not to denote separate entities, but rather<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>interchangeable synonyms</u>.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>So where exactly did this notion of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> as the eternal written word of God with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema</i> as the subjective spoken word that speaks to the believer personally arise?<br />
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">1</span></a> In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">2</span></a> He was in the beginning with God. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">3</span></a> All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">4</span></a> In him was life, and the life was the light of men. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">5</span></a> The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">6</span></a> There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">7</span></a> He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">8</span></a> He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2309260614096256800"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">9</span></a> The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.<i><br />
</i><b>John 1:1-9</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
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The greek word for “Word” that John uses in John 1 is of course <i>logos</i>, however John’s use as well as the actual meaning of the word is more than just mere verbatim. Within the context of greek thinking, <i>logos</i> is the “first cause”, it is the originating point from which all existence – logic, reality, knowledge, existence. All manner of creation comes from the <i>logos</i>. <br />
<br />
John’s use of <i>logos</i> has three purposes:<br />
1. He explains the creation account in a manner that the gentile reader versed in the greek worldview will understand<br />
2. He presents the God of the Christians as being vastly superior to the God of the greeks and Romans in the sense that while the latter were merely supernatural beings vastly superior to humans, the Christian God is the actual creator of the cosmos.<br />
3. Creates a clear basis for the gospel being logical in nature and presupposition i.e., “In the beginning was <i>logic</i>, and <i>logic</i> was with God, for God is <i>logic</i>. And <i>logic</i> became flesh.”<br />
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With this is mind, one must acknowledge <i>logos</i>/Logic/Revelation to be an essential attribute of God. <i>logos</i>/Logic/Revelation could not have come before God, as that would mean God would be subject to a Law higher than himself. At the same, <i>logos</i>/Logic/Revelation could not have existed after God as a <i>created</i> entity, because if such were the case, it would be impossible for God and man to communicate in such a way that anything that God spoke would only be confined to the analogous (e.g., if the <i>logos</i>-less God were to say to anyone “I love You”, he would have to <i>create</i> the revelation rather than having it spring forth from his own mouth). Any concept of God that is not qualified by an absolute, objective revelation can only be expected to conclude in agnosticism – an essential belief in the possibility of a God, yet an open lack of belief in specific personal attributes and character.<br />
<br />
It is also wrong to suggest that certain “truths” are stronger than others (e.g., the seeming contrast between God’s justice vs God’s mercy). <i>logos</i>/Logic/Revelation, being an attribute of God, must therefore be singular, not plural, therefore there can only be one “truth.” If <i>logos</i>/Logic/Revelation was either progressive or transitional, this would mean that the nature and character of God is subject to change. If such is the case, “God” ceases to be God as God must be immutable in nature and form.<br />
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Using the <i>logos</i>/Logic/Revelation of God as the foundation for the worldview he is to present in his account of the gospel, John throws down the gauntlet at any other means by which man may wish to seek and comprehend knowledge.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this may be true of John 1 with regards to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i>, obviously not every occurrence of it in the New Testament carries with it the deep theological weight that John presents. Most of the time, it is simply referring to simple vaerbatim. How can this be? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Different words have different meaning.</i> The vocabulary of Biblical Greek is no exception.<br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The modern concept of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos/Rhema</i> can be traced back to the teachings of Charles Farah (1926-2001), a Professor of Theology and History at Oral Roberts University:<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">“The Logos tends to be universal, while the Rhema is often used as a particular; the Logos is eternal, while the Rhema is often contemporary. It is a word a man takes action on; a personal word he hears “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart…” Romans 10:8. Here the word Rhema is used, and I believe, though not all scholars would agree, that Paul is saying this: Because the word is in your heart, it is necessary to use the word Rhema rather than the Logos, because God’s word has become a personal word to you.”<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">As we saw earlier, Farah’s definition of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema</i> is not true to the biblical texts. Additionally, there is a rather dangerous implication of his view of Scripture: Unless the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rhema</i>, the spoken word speaks to you personally, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Logos</i>, the written word, has no power, authority or effect.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compare this with the views of Karl Barth (1886-1968), considered by many to be the father of 20<sup>th</sup> Century neo-orthodoxy:<br />
<br />
</span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">“The Bible is the concrete means by which the Church recollects God’s past revelation, is called to expectation of His future revelation, and is thus summoned and guided to proclamation and empowered for it. <u>The Bible, then, is not in itself and as such God’s past revelation, just as Church proclamation is not in itself and as such the expected future revelation. The Bible, speaking to us and heard by us as God’s Word, bears witness to past revelation</u>. Proclamation, speaking to us and heard by us as God’s Word, promises future revelation. The Bible is God’s Word as it really promises revelation. The promise in proclamation, however, rests on the attestation in the Bible.”</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<span class="commentbody"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">- "Church Dogmatics", Volume 1 (emphasis added)</b></span><br />
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</span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What Barth is essentially saying that the Holy Bible from Genesis through to Revelation is not God’s inspired revelation in of itself, but rather, it becomes God’s Word via empowered proclamation. It is no so much an outright denial of the inspiration of scripture as is the case with liberalism, but rather a challenge to the basis of it’s authority and power.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farah, like Barth, claims that the Bible on it’s own is powerless apart from “encounter”, “Rhema” or anything else that personalizes the Scripture via it being read or spoken. That being said, if one takes this idea out to it’s logical outcome, who or what is the true agent behind Divine Inspiration?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We are</i>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrast this with Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:18</span></span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <br />
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“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.</span></span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">When it comes to the subject of divine inspiration, Jesus clearly put the emphasis on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Content</i> rather than an existential <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Response</i>, or to use the more specific wording from the King James Version – </span></span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">“</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">one jot or one tittle”.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
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<br />
</span></span><span class="commentbody"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Conclusion: A Call for proper Hermeneutics</span></b></span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
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Where did this confusion all start? It began with a faulty interpretation of the Scriptures, which in turn led to the inception of an erroneous view of the Bible overall.<br />
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So how can this be avoided? How does one go about with regards to interpreting the Bible properly (hermeneutics)?<br />
I’d like to put forward four simple steps:<br />
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<br />
</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Step 1: Identify the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scripture</i><br />
</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What is the text that you’re studying?<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 2: Make <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Observations</i></b><br />
1. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is the historical context?</i> – Who wrote the text? Where did they write it? When was it written? What is going on in the word around them?<br />
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2. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is the genre?</i> Is it a narrative? A poem? Prophecy? Teaching?<br />
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3. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who’s involved?</i> Who are the major characters within the text? <br />
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4. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How is God described?</i> What are the theological themes that describe the nature of God?<br />
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5. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Old Testament or New?</i> When reading an Old Testament passage, does the revelation of the New Testament change our understanding? <br />
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6. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How is the writing arranged?</i> Are there certain words or phrases that are either repeated or emphasized? How does the author’s use of a certain term apply in other passages related to the text we’re studying?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Apply the Principles</b> <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Build the Bridge between yourself and the time when the text was written<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">1. Grasp the text on their turf.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> What did the text mean to the original audience?<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2. Measure the width of the gap to cross.</i> What are the differences (Time, culture, language, covenant) between the biblical audience and us?<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3. Cross the Bridge</i>. What are the underlying principles (theological, moral, etc.) that are not limited to time and culture?<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">4. Bring the text home</i>. How should we as Christians apply the principles in our lives today?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Pray</b><br />
Commit what you have learned before God in prayer, thanking him for what you have learned and asking that he give you the grace to live it out.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Common mistakes to avoid:<br />
</b><br />
1. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inductive vs Deductive</i>. <br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inductive:</i> Examining data to make a conclusion and deriving the resulting application <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(exegesis)</b> <br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deductive: </i>Having a pre-conceived application and then picking out the evidences to support it. (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">eisegesis)</b><br />
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If one approaches a text with an intended application in mind <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">before</i> actually taking the time to observe the Historical-Grammatical contexts to see whether the text will even allow for such an application, they can only be expected to misinterpret and misapply the scriptures. <br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2. Authorial Intent vs Reader response</i><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reader Response: </i>“This is what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> feel the text is saying to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i> personally…” <br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Authorial Intent:</i> What did the author – under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – actually intend to convey?<br />
<br />
Simply put, if a text doesn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">say</i> it, the text cannot <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mean</i> it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3. Don’t overcomplicate the text</i><br />
<br />
In our zeal for spiritual knowledge, it is all-too-easy to fall into the trap of over-spiritualizing a text to make it seem more complicated and profound that what it actually is. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">4. Never read a single verse on it’s own!</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
This is especially true if you’re in a church where teaching is usually done in a topical format as opposed to expository or systematic - When reading a verse, read it in context of it’s parent chapter; read the chapter in context of the book; and read a book in context of the entirety of scripture.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, some may object: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“This is far too complicated! If I try to do these things, I’ll never understand the Bible!”<br />
</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen here: When you go through the gospel accounts, look at how Jesus handles the scriptures – “Does it not say…” “Is it not written…” “You have heard it said…” – he always presents his teaching of the Scriptures presuming that people know and understanding. Not once will you see Jesus suggesting that his listener’s inability to understand his teaching was because it was too complicated; he always presupposes clarity.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So to, The </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">New Testament epistles were not written to theologians, they were not written to church leaders, they were not written to scholars, they were written to congregations, to the church of God at Corinth, to the churches of Galatia, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, and so forth. And Paul assumes in every letter and so does Peter, and so does James, and so does John, so does Jude, that their hearers will understand exactly what they write.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re a pastoral leader, please receive the following as a word of encouragement out of love: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">When you teach from the Bible, what does your handling of Scripture say with regards to your convictions concerning your personal view of the Bible? </b><span class="commentbody"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The simple truth is that how we teach the Scriptures sets the pace and example for how those under our care respond to the Bile as well. What is declared from the pulpit will be repeated in the prayer closet and in turn deposited in the Harvest field.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2 Timothy 2:15, pastoral leaders are to <br />
<br />
</span></span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">“</span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”</span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <br />
<br />
</span></span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">It is shameful in the sight of God to be in a position of spiritual authority, yet be ill-equipped in handling and presenting the Word of God. If the handling of scripture on the part of a pastoral leader is done in a way that is haughty, cavalier or even – God forbid – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hostile</i> towards the Scriptures, one can only expect those on the receiving end of such teaching to inevitably adopt a negative attitude towards the Bible. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Says Alistair Begg:<br />
<br />
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">"We wouldn't want a carpenter smashing and crashing around without some obvious indication that he knew what he was doing, and yet in the realm of theology we have people smashing and crashing around with all sorts of tools with no obvious indication that they know what they're trying to do or planning to accomplish."</span><span class="commentbody"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re a pastoral leader, ask yourself this: will you teach the Bible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">exegetically</i> – expounding upon what the text(s) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually</i> says – or will you instead preach a subjective, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">existential</i> message that will only serve whatever <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> want to say whether it is genuinely biblical or not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul said:<br />
<br />
</span><span class="text"><sup><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">26 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <span class="text"><sup>27 </sup>for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.</span> <span class="text"><sup>28 </sup> Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.</span> <span class="text"><sup>29 </sup>I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;</span> <span class="text"><sup>30 </sup>and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.</span> <br />
<span class="text"><sup>31 </sup>Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.</span> <span class="text"><sup>32 </sup>And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.</span> <span class="text"><sup>33 </sup> I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.</span> <span class="text"><sup>34 </sup> You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.</span> <span class="text"><sup>35 </sup>In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, </span><span class="woj">‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’</span><span class="text">”<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Acts 20:26-35</b></span></span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
Such resolve should be something we all strive for: knowing the threat of deception, we will seek to present God’s Word in it’s entirety for the sake of the souls of those under our care. Nonetheless ask yourself in sobriety: do you vocally profess to believe in, obey and teach the scriptures, yet shy away from talking things which while given great attention to within the Bible hardly receive adequate “air-time” from your lips?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">It is truly a dangerous thing when you hear men who carry the Word of God in their hands, yet the lens that they’ve allowed to be placed over their eyes becomes so thick that they can no longer see clearly what it is actually saying. Not only does it ostracize those within the church who are willing to test everything in light of Scripture, but it also encourages a culture within fellowships where people are told to stay away from the Bible and not believe what it says – even and especially when said church may profess to hold the Bible as it’s highest authority.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you building a community of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">discipleship</i>, or a culture of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">censorship</i>?<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Says Matt Chandler:<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d better decide very, very early what you believe about the Scriptures, or you will sell out to the idea that success equals godliness. It’s subtle. Like those who are opponents of our faith. They are not going to come out and [openly] attack. You just have to ask questions and never answer them. You’ll start to say, “You don’t have to go there.” You’d better decide early where your devotion lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">I also don’t think you’ll wake up one morning and say, “I’m selling out.” It will happen incrementally.</span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
So I urge you: if you are a pastoral leader, regardless of rank, position or status: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">learn how to properly read and interpret the Bible. </i>Don’t just leave the discipline of hermeneutics to your fellowship’s intellectual elite or as an extra-curricular activity; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your </i>duty is to train and equip others<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>in the spiritual disciplines. This may mean practically that you actually have to sit down with your people some day and give lessons regarding how to properly exegete the Bible if they’re not likely to learn it anywhere else.<br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">1 Peter 2:2 says <br />
<br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation” (NLT)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way you can reach the full abundance of your walk with Christ is through the careful study of His word – nothing more, nothing less. <br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible says that God has </span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">“magnified Your word above all Your name” </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">(Psalm 138:2).</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> How important it is then, to know the Word of God? Not just owning a Bible and hearing small sound-bites here and there, but understanding what it actually means – for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">meaning</i> of Scriture is in actual fact <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the Scriptures.</i> The message that God wants you to hear lies within the meaning, which requires you to know how it should be rightly understood.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br />
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></div>Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309260614096256800.post-79389069565425001622012-03-05T19:40:00.001+10:002012-03-05T19:41:40.900+10:00"Chronological Snobbery": T.D. Jakes and James MacDonald vs Athanasias and the Nicene Council<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">James MacDonald's invitation of T.D. Jakes to his Elephant Room conference has created a furor throughout the Body of Christ in the past couple months. The reasons being:</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. MacDonald's abrupt resignation from The Gospel Coalition, an organization known for being commited to the proclaimation of Evangelic Orthodoxy, of which MacDonald was a founding member. </span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Jakes' modalistic view of the trinity (stemming from his Oneness Pentecostal backround). </span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With regards to the latter, much of the controversy borne out of Jake’s involvement and MacDonald’s own interactions have raised a very serious question: </span><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“To what extent can a person be embraced as a brother in Christ in spite of them having an unorthodox view of God?”</b><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> My own answer is </span><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Why should this even be an issue of contention for us in the 21st century?” </i><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Athanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. (296-298) – d. 2 May 373] was the 20th bishop of Alexandria, Ehypt. His long episcopate lasted 45 years (c. 8 June 328 - 2 May 373), of which over 17 years were spent in five exiles ordered by four different Roman emperors. He is considered to be a renowned theologian and pastoral leader of the fourth century.</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He is remembered for his role in the conflict with Arianism. In 325, at the age of 27, Athanasius had a leading role against the Arians in the Nicaen council. Nicaea was convoked by Constantine in May–August 325 to address the Arian heresy that Jesus Christ is of a distinct substance from God the Father:</span></span><br />
<br />
___________ <br />
<br />
<b>The Nicene Creed</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We believe in one God, <br />
the Father, the Almighty, <br />
maker of heaven and earth, <br />
of all that is, seen and unseen. <br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, <br />
the only Son of God, <br />
eternally begotten of the Father, <br />
God from God, light from light, <br />
true God from true God, <br />
begotten, not made, <br />
of one Being with the Father; <br />
through him all things were made. <br />
<br />
For us and for our salvation <br />
he came down from heaven, <br />
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary <br />
and became truly human. <br />
<br />
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; <br />
he suffered death and was buried. <br />
On the third day he rose again <br />
in accordance with the Scriptures; <br />
he ascended into heaven <br />
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. <br />
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, <br />
and his kingdom will have no end. <br />
<br />
</div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, <br />
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], <br />
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, <br />
who has spoken through the prophets. <br />
<br />
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. <br />
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. <br />
We look for the resurrection of the dead, <br />
and the life of the world to come. Amen.</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Athaniasian Creed </b><br />
<br />
Whoever desires to be saved should above all hold to the catholic faith.<br />
Anyone who does not keep it whole and unbroken will doubtless perish eternally.<br />
<br />
Now this is the catholic faith:<br />
That we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,<br />
neither blending their persons<br />
nor dividing their essence.<br />
<br />
For the person of the Father is a distinct person,<br />
the person of the Son is another,<br />
and that of the Holy Spirit still another.<br />
But the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one,<br />
their glory equal, their majesty coeternal.<br />
<br />
What quality the Father has, the Son has, and the Holy Spirit has.<br />
The Father is uncreated,<br />
the Son is uncreated,<br />
the Holy Spirit is uncreated.<br />
<br />
The Father is immeasurable,<br />
the Son is immeasurable,<br />
the Holy Spirit is immeasurable.<br />
<br />
The Father is eternal,<br />
the Son is eternal,<br />
the Holy Spirit is eternal.<br />
And yet there are not three eternal beings;<br />
there is but one eternal being.<br />
So too there are not three uncreated or immeasurable beings;<br />
there is but one uncreated and immeasurable being.<br />
<br />
Similarly, the Father is almighty,<br />
the Son is almighty,<br />
the Holy Spirit is almighty.<br />
Yet there are not three almighty beings;<br />
there is but one almighty being.<br />
<br />
Thus the Father is God,<br />
the Son is God,<br />
the Holy Spirit is God.<br />
Yet there are not three gods;<br />
there is but one God.<br />
Thus the Father is Lord,<br />
the Son is Lord,<br />
the Holy Spirit is Lord.<br />
Yet there are not three lords;<br />
there is but one Lord.<br />
<br />
Just as Christian truth compels us<br />
to confess each person individually<br />
as both God and Lord,<br />
so catholic religion forbids us<br />
to say that there are three gods or lords.<br />
<br />
The Father was neither made nor created nor begotten from anyone.<br />
The Son was neither made nor created;<br />
he was begotten from the Father alone.<br />
<br />
The Holy Spirit was neither made nor created nor begotten;<br />
he proceeds from the Father and the Son.<br />
Accordingly there is one Father, not three fathers;<br />
there is one Son, not three sons;<br />
there is one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits.<br />
<br />
Nothing in this trinity is before or after,<br />
nothing is greater or smaller;<br />
in their entirety the three persons<br />
are coeternal and coequal with each other.<br />
So in everything, as was said earlier,<br />
we must worship their trinity in their unity<br />
and their unity in their trinity.<br />
<br />
Anyone then who desires to be saved<br />
should think thus about the trinity.<br />
But it is necessary for eternal salvation<br />
that one also believe in the incarnation<br />
of our Lord Jesus Christ faithfully.<br />
<br />
Now this is the true faith:<br />
That we believe and confess<br />
that our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son,<br />
is both God and human, equally.<br />
He is God from the essence of the Father,<br />
begotten before time;<br />
and he is human from the essence of his mother,<br />
born in time;<br />
completely God, completely human,<br />
with a rational soul and human flesh;<br />
equal to the Father as regards divinity,<br />
less than the Father as regards humanity.<br />
Although he is God and human,<br />
yet Christ is not two, but one.<br />
<br />
He is one, however,<br />
not by his divinity being turned into flesh,<br />
but by God's taking humanity to himself.<br />
He is one,<br />
certainly not by the blending of his essence,<br />
but by the unity of his person.<br />
<br />
For just as one human is both rational soul and flesh,<br />
so too the one Christ is both God and human.<br />
He suffered for our salvation;<br />
he descended to hell;<br />
he arose from the dead;<br />
he ascended to heaven;<br />
he is seated at the Father's right hand;<br />
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.<br />
<br />
At his coming all people will arise bodily<br />
and give an accounting of their own deeds.<br />
Those who have done good will enter eternal life,<br />
and those who have done evil will enter eternal fire.<br />
<br />
This is the catholic faith:<br />
one cannot be saved without believing it firmly and faithfully.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
_____________<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> If, after serious dialogue and debate, the 4th century’s brightest theologians can develop statements of faith that are accepted as biblically valid to the degree that one’s rejection would invoke anathema, what then should stop the theologians of the 21st century from coming together and after their own personal study, declare “Yes, Athanasius was right!” </span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> If the Early Church Fathers got it right back then, why is it suddenly an issue now?</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Perhaps the main reason why could have it’s roots in what C.S. Lewis in Surprised by Joy described as: “Chronological Snobbery”: </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate common to our own age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that account discredited. You must find why it went out of date. Was it ever refuted (and if so by whom, where, and how conclusively) or did it merely die away as fashions do? If the latter, <i>this tells us nothing about its truth or falsehood</i>. From seeing this, one passes to the realization that our own age is also "a period," and certainly has, like all periods, its own characteristic illusions. They are likeliest to lurk in those widespread assumptions which are so ingrained in the age that no one dares to attack or feels it necessary to defend them. (emphasis mine)<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The cliche‘ “Those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it” rings all too true... </span></span></span>Ben Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05244026383473712948noreply@blogger.com0