Paul preached boring sermons. He was about the only preacher recorded in the Bible that actually bored someone to death.
And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. (Acts 20:9 ESV)
But the power of Paul's letters can still be felt among us today.
For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." (2 Corinthians 10:10 ESV)
This is the secret. You will never find any quotable quotes from Paul, but the power of the Holy Spirit is in his words.
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NASB)
So if we listen to inspiring preachers, we must examine ourselves to see if we are moved by the preacher or by the Holy Spirit.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Qualifications Of Overseers/Elders and Deacons Compared
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV)
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 - 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. 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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. (Titus 1:5-9 ESV)
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13 HCSB)
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 - 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. 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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. (Titus 1:5-9 ESV)
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13 HCSB)
| Characteristic | Overseer ἐπίσκοπον | Deacon Διακόνους |
|---|---|---|
| Have the desire | 1 Timothy 3:1 | |
| Above reproach, ἀνεπίλημπτον | 1 Timothy 3:2 | |
| Blameless, ἀνέγκλητος | Titus 1:6 | |
| Blameless, ἀνέγκλητον | Titus 1:7 | 1 Timothy 3:10 |
| Husband of one wife | 1 Timothy 3:2,Titus 1:6 | 1 Timothy 3:12 |
| Children are believers | Titus 1:6 | |
| Household well managed | 1 Timothy 3:4-5 | 1 Timothy 3:12 |
| Dignified, σεμνότητος | 1 Timothy 3:4 | |
| Dignified, σεμνούς | 1 Timothy 3:8 | |
| Sober, νηφάλιον | 1 Timothy 3:2 | |
| Self-controlled, σώφρονα | 1 Timothy 3:2,Titus 1:8 | |
| Respectable, κόσμιον | 1 Timothy 3:2 | |
| Hospitable, φιλόξενον | 1 Timothy 3:2,Titus 1:8 | |
| Able to teach, διδακτικόν | 1 Timothy 3:2 | |
| A lover of good, φιλάγαθον | Titus 1:8 | |
| Upright, δίκαιον | Titus 1:8 | |
| Holy, ὅσιον | Titus 1:8 | |
| Disciplined, ἐγκρατῆ | Titus 1:8 | |
| Gentle, ἐπιεικῆ | 1 Timothy 3:3 | |
| Peaceable, ἄμαχον | 1 Timothy 3:3 | |
| Not self-willed, μὴ αὐθάδη | Titus 1:7 | |
| Not quick tempered, μὴ ὀργίλον | Titus 1:7 | |
| Not given to (much) wine | 1 Timothy 3:3,Titus 1:7 | 1 Timothy 3:8 |
| Not lover of money or greedy of dishonest gain | 1 Timothy 3:3,Titus 1:7 | 1 Timothy 3:8 |
| Not a striker | 1 Timothy 3:3,Titus 1:7 | |
| Not double-tongued, μὴ διλόγους | 1 Timothy 3:8 | |
| Not a recent convert | 1 Timothy 3:6 | |
| Good reputation with outsiders | 1 Timothy 3:7 | |
| Teach sound doctrine, refute false teaching | Titus 1:9 | |
| Hold on to the faith | 1 Timothy 3:9 | |
| Tested | 1 Timothy 3:10 | |
| Women or Deacon's Wife, γυναῖκας | 1 Timothy 3:11 | |
| Dignified, σεμνάς | 1 Timothy 3:11 | |
| Not slanderers, μὴ διαβόλους | 1 Timothy 3:11 | |
| Clear-minded, νηφαλίους | 1 Timothy 3:11 | |
| Faithful in all things, πιστὰς ἐν πᾶσιν | 1 Timothy 3:11 |
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
The Day of the LORD
The Day of the LORD is a day of wrath and a time for repentance. But there will be warnings and the Lord shall come as a thief in the night.
Let the nations be roused and come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit down to judge all the surrounding nations. Swing the sickle because the harvest is ripe. Come and trample the grapes because the winepress is full; the wine vats overflow because the wickedness of the nations is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:12-14 HCSB)
This is part of Zephaniah 1:7-18, a long passage on the day of the Lord.
The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the LORD. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. (Zephaniah 1:14-18 ESV)
Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes. (Joel 1:15 ESV)
Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. (Joel 2:1-2 ESV)
On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. (Isaiah 24:21 ESV)
Full context in Obadiah 1:15-21.
For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. (Obadiah 1:15 ESV)
For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. (Malachi 4:1 ESV)
You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it might stand in battle on the day of the LORD. (Ezekiel 13:5 HCSB)
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2 ESV)
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 will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:10 ESV)
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 ESV)
Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. (Malachi 4:5 NASB)
Behold, a day is coming for the LORD, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. (Zechariah 14:1-5 ESV)
I will produce portents both in the sky and on the earth - blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sunlight will be turned to darkness and the moon to the color of blood, before the day of the LORD comes - that great and terrible day! It will so happen that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered. For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who survive, just as the LORD has promised; the remnant will be those whom the LORD will call. (Joel 2:30-32 NET)
And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:19-21 ESV)
The day of the Lord is also mentioned in the judgement of the northern kingdom of Israel:
Woe to those who wish for the day of the LORD! Why do you want the LORD's day of judgment to come? It will bring darkness, not light. Disaster will be inescapable, as if a man ran from a lion only to meet a bear, then escaped into a house, leaned his hand against the wall, and was bitten by a poisonous snake. Don't you realize the LORD's day of judgment will bring darkness, not light - gloomy blackness, not bright light? (Amos 5:18-20 NET)
The day of the Lord is also mentioned in the judgement of Babylon:
The sound of a tumult is on the mountains as of a great multitude! The sound of an uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together! The LORD of hosts is mustering a host for battle. They come from a distant land, from the end of the heavens, the LORD and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! (Isaiah 13:4-6 ESV)
Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. (Isaiah 13:9-11 ESV)
The day of the Lord is also mentioned in the judgement of Egypt:
That day is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood. For the Lord GOD of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates. (Jeremiah 46:10 ESV)
For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. A sword shall come upon Egypt, and anguish shall be in Cush, when the slain fall in Egypt, and her wealth is carried away, and her foundations are torn down. (Ezekiel 30:3-4 ESV)
Let the nations be roused and come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit down to judge all the surrounding nations. Swing the sickle because the harvest is ripe. Come and trample the grapes because the winepress is full; the wine vats overflow because the wickedness of the nations is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:12-14 HCSB)
This is part of Zephaniah 1:7-18, a long passage on the day of the Lord.
The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the LORD. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. (Zephaniah 1:14-18 ESV)
Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes. (Joel 1:15 ESV)
Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. (Joel 2:1-2 ESV)
On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on the earth. (Isaiah 24:21 ESV)
Full context in Obadiah 1:15-21.
For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. (Obadiah 1:15 ESV)
For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. (Malachi 4:1 ESV)
This is part of Isaiah 2:6-4:6, a long passage on the day of the Lord.
For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up - and it shall be brought low; (Isaiah 2:12 ESV)You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it might stand in battle on the day of the LORD. (Ezekiel 13:5 HCSB)
For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2 ESV)
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 will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:10 ESV)
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 ESV)
Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. (Malachi 4:5 NASB)
Behold, a day is coming for the LORD, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. (Zechariah 14:1-5 ESV)
I will produce portents both in the sky and on the earth - blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sunlight will be turned to darkness and the moon to the color of blood, before the day of the LORD comes - that great and terrible day! It will so happen that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered. For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who survive, just as the LORD has promised; the remnant will be those whom the LORD will call. (Joel 2:30-32 NET)
And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:19-21 ESV)
The day of the Lord is also mentioned in the judgement of the northern kingdom of Israel:
Woe to those who wish for the day of the LORD! Why do you want the LORD's day of judgment to come? It will bring darkness, not light. Disaster will be inescapable, as if a man ran from a lion only to meet a bear, then escaped into a house, leaned his hand against the wall, and was bitten by a poisonous snake. Don't you realize the LORD's day of judgment will bring darkness, not light - gloomy blackness, not bright light? (Amos 5:18-20 NET)
The day of the Lord is also mentioned in the judgement of Babylon:
The sound of a tumult is on the mountains as of a great multitude! The sound of an uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together! The LORD of hosts is mustering a host for battle. They come from a distant land, from the end of the heavens, the LORD and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! (Isaiah 13:4-6 ESV)
Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. (Isaiah 13:9-11 ESV)
The day of the Lord is also mentioned in the judgement of Egypt:
That day is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood. For the Lord GOD of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates. (Jeremiah 46:10 ESV)
For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. A sword shall come upon Egypt, and anguish shall be in Cush, when the slain fall in Egypt, and her wealth is carried away, and her foundations are torn down. (Ezekiel 30:3-4 ESV)
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Church Leadership
Church leaders are
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 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. (Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV)
The overseer / elder
Qualification
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:2-7 ESV)
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 - 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. 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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. (Titus 1:5-9 ESV)
Appointed, with prayer and fasting
Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (Acts 14:23 NLT)
Deacon
Qualification
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13 HCSB)
Elected
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:2-4 ESV)
Exercise of authority
Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. (1 Peter 5:2-3 NLT)
But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28 ESV)
But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. (Luke 22:26 ESV)
The flock should
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 ESV)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17 HCSB)
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. (1 Timothy 5:17 ESV)
Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19 HCSB)
- Appointed by the Holy Spirit
- Gifted by Jesus Christ
- To overseer and to shepherd
- To teach and to defend the doctrines
- Held accountable for the flock
- Not to lord over the flock
- Not to serve for gain
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 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. (Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV)
The overseer / elder
Qualification
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:2-7 ESV)
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 - 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. 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, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 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. (Titus 1:5-9 ESV)
Appointed, with prayer and fasting
Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (Acts 14:23 NLT)
Deacon
Qualification
Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13 HCSB)
Elected
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:2-4 ESV)
Exercise of authority
Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. (1 Peter 5:2-3 NLT)
But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28 ESV)
But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. (Luke 22:26 ESV)
The flock should
- respect / obey the leaders
- pray for them
- imitate their faith
- pay them well
- not to entertain false accusation
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 ESV)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17 HCSB)
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. (1 Timothy 5:17 ESV)
Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19 HCSB)
Monday, July 24, 2017
Aristotle, First Principles Thinking, Limitations and Presuppositions
"The things best to know are first principles and causes, but these things are perhaps the most difficult for men to grasp, for they are farthest removed from the senses ..." - Aristotle
I am not sure did Aristotle said this or someone put words into his dead mouth. Anyway, we are told that Aristotle always look for "the first basis from which a thing is known" or first principles for every new thought he started. But it is the same Aristotle that said that a heavier object will fall at a faster speed. Why did he not apply his first principles thinking and do some experiment to prove it?
Like all human, Aristotle suffered from this - limitation.
First principle thinking is wonderful, except that it has to cope with two limitations:
Without faith, you cannot even take one step forward. How do you know that the ground in front of you can take your weight when you did not conduct any experiment to prove that it can?
I am not sure did Aristotle said this or someone put words into his dead mouth. Anyway, we are told that Aristotle always look for "the first basis from which a thing is known" or first principles for every new thought he started. But it is the same Aristotle that said that a heavier object will fall at a faster speed. Why did he not apply his first principles thinking and do some experiment to prove it?
Like all human, Aristotle suffered from this - limitation.
First principle thinking is wonderful, except that it has to cope with two limitations:
- Limited time and resources
It is not possible do everything from first principles. There is not enough time, skills, knowledge, resources and power to do that. You have to choose. How are you going to make your choice? That brings us to the second limitation. - Presuppositions
Everybody has presuppositions. There is not enough time, skills, knowledge, resources and power to remove all presuppositions.
Without faith, you cannot even take one step forward. How do you know that the ground in front of you can take your weight when you did not conduct any experiment to prove that it can?
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Sola Scriptura vs Sola Ecclesia
Who has authority to interpret the Bible? Who has the final say - the Bible or the Church?
The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him. (1 John 2:27 HCSB)
Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Transmission of Divine Revelation Part 1 Section 1 Chapter 2 Article 2, 100
The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him.
Who should you believe, the Bible or the Roman Catholic Church? Let us examine some of the other verses in the Bible.
Jesus had given the authority to all disciples.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
He had promised that the Holy Spirit as the Counselor/Helper/Comforter/Advocate will guide.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. (John 14:16-18 HCSB)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit - the Father will send Him in My name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26 HCSB)
When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father - the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father - He will testify about Me. (John 15:26 HCSB)
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. (John 16:13 HCSB)
The apostles confirmed this.
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. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13 ESV)
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. (1 John 2:20 ESV)
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should 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. (1 John 2:27 ESV)
Those who examine the Scriptures were considered more noble.
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11 ESV)
Just as we eat our food daily for nourish, we read the Bible daily for spiritual nourishment.
But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4 HCSB)
The Bible is the living word of God and has the power to convict.
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 HCSB)
But the natural man cannot accept it.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)
The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him. (1 John 2:27 HCSB)
Catechism of the Catholic Church - The Transmission of Divine Revelation Part 1 Section 1 Chapter 2 Article 2, 100
The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him.
Who should you believe, the Bible or the Roman Catholic Church? Let us examine some of the other verses in the Bible.
Jesus had given the authority to all disciples.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
He had promised that the Holy Spirit as the Counselor/Helper/Comforter/Advocate will guide.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. (John 14:16-18 HCSB)
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit - the Father will send Him in My name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26 HCSB)
When the Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father - the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father - He will testify about Me. (John 15:26 HCSB)
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. (John 16:13 HCSB)
The apostles confirmed this.
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. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13 ESV)
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. (1 John 2:20 ESV)
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should 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. (1 John 2:27 ESV)
Those who examine the Scriptures were considered more noble.
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11 ESV)
Just as we eat our food daily for nourish, we read the Bible daily for spiritual nourishment.
But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4 HCSB)
The Bible is the living word of God and has the power to convict.
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 HCSB)
But the natural man cannot accept it.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)
Friday, July 21, 2017
Checkpoints in New Testament Canonization
Here is a short, simple summary of checkpoints in the canonization process of the New Testament.
AD 50 - AD 95 The authors themselves
New Testament authors knew they were writing authoritative Scripture and also quoted other parts of the New Testament as authoritative Scripture. Churches were circulating these books although no one seemed to have thought of making an authorized list of books.
AD 110 Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna
These immediate disciples of the apostles wrote letters (Ignatius 7, Polycarp 1) with quotations from the New Testament.
AD 140 Marcion's truncated New Testament canon
Marcion of Sinope, founded a heretical sect and produced a list of accepted (which he used to support his doctrine) and rejected New Testament books. In doing so, he kind of listed the New Testament books in circulation during his time.
Accepted - Luke Galatians 1Corinthians 2Corinthians Romans 1Thessalonians 2Thessalonians Ephesians (which Marcion called Laodiceans) Colossians Philemon Philippians
Rejected - Matthew John
AD 180 Muratorian fragment
The Muratorian Canon (also called the Muratorian Fragment) is an ancient list of New Testament books - the oldest such list found. The original document, which was probably written in Greek, is dated to about AD 180 and lists 22 of the 27 books of the New Testament.
Includes - Four gospels, Acts, 13 Pauline Epistles (exclude Hebrews), 1John and one more (not sure 2John or 3John) Jude, Revelation, Wisdom of Solomon
Omits - Hebrews, James, 1Peter, 2Peter, 2John or 3John
AD 322 Eusebius of Cæsaria
Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History 3.25.1-7 has 4 lists:
1. accepted works - 4 gospels, Acts, 14 Pauline letters, 1Peter, 1John, Revelation, total 22 books
2. disputed works - James, Jude, 2Peter, 2John, 3John
3. rejected works - Revelation (but it was on the accepted list)
4. heretical works - did not contain any works now regarded as part of the New Testament
AD 367 Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius's 39th Festal Letter listed the complete New Testament canon (27 books) for the first time.
A more detailed reference can be found in The Development of the Canon of the New Testament - Cross Reference Table Writings and Authorities and The Development of the Canon of the New Testament.
AD 50 - AD 95 The authors themselves
New Testament authors knew they were writing authoritative Scripture and also quoted other parts of the New Testament as authoritative Scripture. Churches were circulating these books although no one seemed to have thought of making an authorized list of books.
AD 110 Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna
These immediate disciples of the apostles wrote letters (Ignatius 7, Polycarp 1) with quotations from the New Testament.
AD 140 Marcion's truncated New Testament canon
Marcion of Sinope, founded a heretical sect and produced a list of accepted (which he used to support his doctrine) and rejected New Testament books. In doing so, he kind of listed the New Testament books in circulation during his time.
Accepted - Luke Galatians 1Corinthians 2Corinthians Romans 1Thessalonians 2Thessalonians Ephesians (which Marcion called Laodiceans) Colossians Philemon Philippians
Rejected - Matthew John
AD 180 Muratorian fragment
The Muratorian Canon (also called the Muratorian Fragment) is an ancient list of New Testament books - the oldest such list found. The original document, which was probably written in Greek, is dated to about AD 180 and lists 22 of the 27 books of the New Testament.
Includes - Four gospels, Acts, 13 Pauline Epistles (exclude Hebrews), 1John and one more (not sure 2John or 3John) Jude, Revelation, Wisdom of Solomon
Omits - Hebrews, James, 1Peter, 2Peter, 2John or 3John
AD 322 Eusebius of Cæsaria
Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History 3.25.1-7 has 4 lists:
1. accepted works - 4 gospels, Acts, 14 Pauline letters, 1Peter, 1John, Revelation, total 22 books
2. disputed works - James, Jude, 2Peter, 2John, 3John
3. rejected works - Revelation (but it was on the accepted list)
4. heretical works - did not contain any works now regarded as part of the New Testament
AD 367 Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius's 39th Festal Letter listed the complete New Testament canon (27 books) for the first time.
A more detailed reference can be found in The Development of the Canon of the New Testament - Cross Reference Table Writings and Authorities and The Development of the Canon of the New Testament.
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