Talk of JESUS .com

Tag: Christ

GOD’S WORD for His Church
IN THE BEGINNING

God created the heavens and the earth.

IN THE BEGINNING

was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;

in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
Gospel of Mark 7:6b-7a RSV

Doctrine for lost sheep of Christ’s Church

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Proverbs 4:1-2 King James Version

From a chief of sinners zealous for the Word of Scripture:

To my beloved fellow believers of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Why must a believer study doctrine?

In the scriptures of the New Testament the Apostle Paul encourages the Romans of the church, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Since I have shared several studies of Doctrine from the Bible I will not rehash these in today’s conclusion to this study of Church Doctrine; however if you would like to learn more click continue reading below.
https://talkofjesus.com/what-is-doctrine
- My more recent concern for Church doctrine addressed deconstruction of Bible-based Doctrine presented as a new way to make the church relevant.
A 21st c. RECALL of the CHURCH

These include: Did God really say, Church?, Everythingology for an all-inclusive church & several more..

Why should the sheep become theologians?
- In this current series we have glanced at doctrine from several esteemed theologians, pastors of different churches.
  - Disclaimer: I am NOT a pastor but a church member zealous for the word of the Lord God and Jesus Christ.
  - To any extent you seek to study God from Scripture you become a theologian studying the will of the Lord.
“Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Gospel of Luke 6:46 Legacy Standard Bible – Question of Jesus Christ to his followers

Can our Pastor Preach a self-defined Jesus?

Best NOT Preach This

For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor. 3:11

And I might add from the Apostle’s letter to the church at Corinth quoted in this previous post:

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
1 Corinthians 3:18

Why YOUR shepherd should preach Scripture

In Paul’s letter to Timothy about preaching the Apostle says:

.. you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15b Legacy Standard Bible

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
[Therefore, I ask, what justification can any shepherd of the church offer for correcting God’s word while preaching ‘the bible says..?’]

Applying Scripture to the Church
- Scripture may apply only to the time in which it was written OR
- Old or New Testament Scripture may apply to these last days since the Apostles OR
- a Scripture may apply only until a day it is fulfilled.
But the BIBLE says what God says; nothing more, nothing less and certainly not anything other than the Scripture you may read for yourself.

Whenever the written word of God points to the church the godly must humbly obey. But of course you must know your Bible in order to apply God’s inspired word appropriately.
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(Don't just take some preacher's word for it that 'the Bible says' what he says.)
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In the Apostolic Age

Scripture of Christ by the hand of His Apostle John:

from The Apocalypse of John from Jesus Christ writing to seven churches:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come..
- God WAS and IS and WILL BE–the Father of all, the Son Christ Jesus the Ever-living Word of Salvation to redeemed sinners and the Holy Spirit of the Holy God who breaths life into the lifeless souls of sinful man.
- The Lord speaks to His Church through the Spirit and the Word of Scripture.
Scripture of Christ by the hand of His Apostle Paul:

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things,

not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.

But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake.
Second letter from the Apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth 4:2-5 Christian Standard Bible
- How many Christians are there in your local VISIBLE CHURCH?
  - NOT as many as most claim.
    
    For many are perishing, blinded by the god of this age.
In earlier centuries of these last days

.. the Bible possesses reproving power to correct all error unaligned with its teaching.
The Bible Convictions of John Wycliff
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MORE about the Bible translator John Wycliff
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A Doctrine to Die for (as Christ also died for His Church)

No human leader–not even the Pontiff of Rome–can claim to be head of the church on earth. Sovereign headship belongs to Christ alone. “The greater part of the clergy is heretical and the highest are the worst.”
John Wycliff , who hand-copied the first version of the Wycliff English Bible in the year of our Lord, 1382 – source

While it is yet today–until the day of reckoning
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For Yahweh of hosts will have a day of reckoning
Against everyone who is proud and high
And against everyone who is lifted up,
That he may be made low.
- Isaiah 2:12 LSB
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Once more I will defer to the theological trumpet of John Stott from THE RADICAL DISCIPLE

But fundamental to Christian behavior is the lordship of Jesus Christ. “Jesus is Lord” remains the basis of our life.

.. Is the church the lord of Jesus Christ so that it has liberty to edit and manipulate, accepting what it likes and rejecting what it dislikes?
The Radical Disciple on the challenge of ethical relativism

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
Gospel of John 14:21

Christ’s Commandment for the Church

And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. – Acts of the Apostles 11:26

Search the Scriptures and you will find this the only place followers of the way of Jesus Christ, disciples of His teaching and doctrine are called ‘Christians.’

ἐκκλησία – ekklēsia or church is used 114 times in the New Testament.
- If you are a disciple of the teachings (doctrines) of the Lord Jesus Christ do you suppose God’s inspired word chooses to call us out as a church rather than referring to a building for Christians?
What must we do?

Conclusion: Christ’s Doctrine for His Church

The Gospel of Matthew 22:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

And He said to him,

“‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
- Do you do that, my fellow disciple of the doctrines of Christ Jesus?
And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said,

“Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
Gospel of Matthew 12:49-50 LSB

Matthew 18:

“Now if your brother sins against you,

go and show him his fault, between you and him alone; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
- My beloved brother or sister of the Church, do you do that?
“But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.
- Do you, my fellow disciple of Jesus, call upon one or two other followers of Jesus from your church to witness such a word against a member of the Lord’s body broken for you?
“And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;
- Can you, my fellow brother in Christ, actually take such a serious division of doctrine or belief to your church?
and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as the Gentile and the tax collector.
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Of course this analogy of Jesus spoke to times before the risen Christ baptized gentiles into the Church. 
The charge of Jesus is to throw him out and have nothing to do with this unrepentant sinner who would lightly claim to be a christian.
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The DOCTRINE of the CHURCH is a life and death issue.

“Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
Gospel of Matthew 19:16
- Do you, my fellow disciple of Jesus, know what happened to the man who asked our Lord this question?
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” .. he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:18-20

The Doctrine of the Church is a LIFE and DEATH issue. And also at issue is not only death, but JUDGMENT.

We are NOT SAVED simply by calling ourselves ‘christian,’ clinging to grace yet hiding from God.

“You are My friends if you do what I command you.
“This I command you, that you love one another.
Gospel of John 15:14,17

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
October 29, 2022
Who has believed our message?
יְשַׁעְיָהוּ (Isaiah) 53 :: מִי הֶאֱמִין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵנוּ וּזְרוֹעַ יְהוָה עַל־מִי נִגְלָֽתָה׃

and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

Paul and Barnabas SENT with the Gospel

Now in the church that was at Antioch [Syria]..

.. the Holy Spirit said,

“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

ACTS of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas 13:1a,2b NKJV

Saulos of Tarsus has just completed an exhortation in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch.

Who is asking to hear more of the Gospel?

The response of the brothers gathered for worship on the Sabbath will determine who has believed the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ (Χριστός Greek) of the Jews.

Many proselytes also sought the message of God in this Hellenist-Roman city near Pisidia Antioch.

Who has heard these messengers of Good News?
Saul’s Sermon – part 1

Saul’s Sermon – part 2
Acts of the Apostles 13:

“Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
Acts 13:40-41 NKJV

ACTS 13:42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Although some Bibles translate from the Greek, ‘the people,’ Luke clearly points to the Goyim or gentiles [ethnos] included in the Sabbath, many who are proselytes seeking the true God.

Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas,
who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts of the Apostles 13:43 New King James Version

The physician and gospel-writer Luke has included some details in his account of their response:
- πολύς Ἰουδαῖος
  - MANY of the Jews
- AND of the
- σέβω προσήλυτος
  - God-fearing proselytes
Mission accomplished?
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So it would seem..
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One week later:

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

We might speculate from Luke’s account that too many gentiles in this capitol city of Galatia, Antioch (with most of the citizens either Roman or Greek) may have shown up to hear Paul at this little local Jewish synagogue.

So it may have been surrounded by much bigger crowds than a small synagogue could hold.
- “MANY JEWS,” but also many “God-fearing” Greek and Roman citizens of Antioch
- PLUS crowds from nearby towns.
What should the Jews expect?

Judean or Hellenist, the Jews knew their Scriptures.

Each Sabbath the Law and the Prophets were read not only in the Temple of Roman-occupied Jerusalem, but read in every synagogue throughout the Roman Empire.
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Context of this time of Paul's first mission;
A.D. 47-49, the years of this mission trip:
Claudius is Emperor of Rome.
Claudius had intended to bestow Judea to his family friend Herod Agrippa but instead appointed a Prefect or Governor.
Tiberius Julius Alexander, a Roman general born of a Jewish father became Judea's Governor

(And closer to Cypress, Asia and Pisidian Antioch)

Sergius Paulus may have been the first of several successive senators named Lucius Sergius Paullus, of Antioch, Pisidia - 
source
Could the Roman Governor of Galatia have been one in the same as we just convinced of the Gospel in Paphos?
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The renowned Saul of Tarsus has just proclaimed that those in Jerusalem

.. had fulfilled all that was written concerning a savior iēsous..

“But God raised Him from the dead.

Last Sabbath the Jews of Antioch heard Saul proclaim the gospel of Christ crucified and risen! We are now more than a decade after this fulfillment of Scripture. Furthermore, by now many more must have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Those who seek God MUST know more!

So they go to Antioch to hear Paul’s Gospel.

What did the Gentiles expect?

What rumors and witness had circulated among these Romans of Galatia and Greeks seeking Good News of the One God?

(For these Gentiles had formerly worshiped many gods.)
- .. the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
  - – Acts 10:45
- Some Jews in Jerusalem had said, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
  - – Acts 11:18
- Several years ago a Roman Centurion in Capernaum had met Jesus, who healed his paralyzed servant by only His word.
  - – Matthew 8
- Other Roman Centurions had followed The Way once they had witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion personally.
  - “Truly this was the Son of God!”
  - – Gospel of Matthew 27:54
- Many Romans knew the witness of Cornelius of the Italian Regiment from not so long ago:
.. I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing [and Jesus’ Apostle Simon Peter proclaimed to me and my family in Caesarea] “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.“
Witness of the Roman Centurion Cornelius, excerpts from ACTS 10

So the Crowds converged in Antioch to hear the Gospel

Acts in Pisidian Antioch continued:

The next Shabbat almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.

But when the Yehudim saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Sha’ul, and blasphemed.
Acts of the Apostles 13:[44,]45 Hebrew Names Version

No Second Sermon in the Synagogue

Now what?

ACTS of the Apostles 13 of Saul of Tarsus and Joseph of Cypress in Pisidian Antioch: To be continued…
October 26, 2022
Distinction between the Kingdom and the Church of Christ
Kingdom OR Church?

Is distinction lacking in the Gospel of YOUR Church?

WE like to think that OUR Church has a great vision of Gospel grace, but do we PREACH any distinction between DOCTRINES and the WORK of evangelical ‘christians’ from OUR stages of worship?

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him for “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
Romans 10:12-13 LSB
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That's very nice - a good glance at WHO could be part of the church. 
BUT the Bible bids us to make some distinctions.
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So you will return and see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every worker of wickedness will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them aflame,” says Yahweh of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”
Malachi 3:18-19 [4:1]

What are the distinctions of Denominations?
- ARE SOME ‘christian‘ churches the chaff of wicked false teaching?
- Is the gospel of YOUR church drawing in sinners while making no distinction of sin?
- SHOULD some DENOMINATIONS be sifted as anathema to Christ’s Church?
  - (So they want to leave PROCLAIMING their SIN proudly?
  - Let them go!)
WICKEDNESS is nothing NEW in any 21st century church OR limited to the Old Testament.
- Do SOME lead worship or TEACH a class you attend NEVER ASKING:
  - Do YOU make any distinction?
  - between
    the damned of the world
    and the repentant sinner SAVED by CHRIST JESUS?
Listen to Paul’s approach to making distinction between gifts and their usefulness to believers of the church:

.. what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching? Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Church at Corinth 6b-8

Listen to the trumpet! SOME in the church are chaff!

FOUR Distinctions of Church Doctrine

As we continue discussion from our last Saturday Post just a reminder here that teaching is doctrine. (And so is preaching doctrine, as well as what doctrines which we neglect to preach. – RH)

The theologian Lloyd-Jones outlines

What are the distinctions of Denominations?

The First Distinction

The essential difference between the church and the kingdom of God is that the church is an “expression” of the kingdom, but cannot be “equated” with it.
The church is an expression of the kingdom “wherever the Lord Jesus Christ is acknowledged as Lord.”
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones – source

The Second Distinction

The Distinction between the Spiritual, Invisible Church

AND

the Local, Visible Church

FROM Paul and all the brothers who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia: – Galatians 1:2

ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις ho ekklēsia –TO: The Churches

Paul and his Christian brothers write to the churches. They are not claiming to write to everyone in Galatia or Corinth or EVERYONE anywhere else in the idol-worshiping gentile world.

Is that OUR approach?
- Isn’t it nice to watch some preacher online (or on T.V.) and conveniently claim to the culture that you are ‘a christian?”
  - ARE YOU?
    Simply because YOU watched some christian preacher saying graceful things?
Lloyd-Jones declares that Paul speaks not of “one unit divided into local branches” but of individual churches or a plurality of units in Galatia.

Of course we’re talking about the SPIRITUAL INVISIBLE CHURCH here.

Which ‘christian’ are YOU?
- Spiritual Christian of the Invisible Church PLUS a Local MEMBER of a Visible Church
- NOT a member of Christ’s Invisible Church, BUT a visible MEMBER of YOUR LOCAL church
- NOT a Spiritual Christian OR a MEMBER of any visible Local Church
  - (YOU just ‘go to church’ occasionally.)
- Spiritual Christian of the Invisible Church, BUT invisible worshiper NOT a MEMBER of ANY LOCAL CHURCH.
The Third Distinction

Biblical Unity or Ecumenical Unity?

‘The ecumenical movement has tended to minimize doctrinal definitions of what makes someone a Christian.. ecumenical unity is a far cry from Biblical unity.’

“..believers cannot have church unity without unity around the apostle’s teaching..

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.

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. 2 John 1:9-11 ESV

“..the Doctor explains:

The significance he [John the Elder] attaches to doctrine and to truth is so great that he says, in effect, ‘You mustn’t receive the man into your house because if you do you’re encouraging him. If you give him a meal and send him on his journey you are encouraging his false doctrine. Don’t do it.’”
Lloyd-Jones, The Church and the Last Things

If there are spiritual and doctrinal marks that make one church true and another church false, then those marks must be clearly stated and explained.
The Doctor’s Doctrine, p. 106

The Fourth Distinction

As if dealing with the previous three distinctions was not already enough to consider, Lloyd-Jones now adds an even more challenging look at THREE marks of a TRUE CHURCH.

The Distinction between Right and Wrong
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Of course by now we must NOT be asking once more, 'What is truth?' as if truth or 'right and wrong' are a matter of subjective personal opinion rather than an objective Biblical standard by which Christians may claim God's Word as Good News to those who will believe.
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1. the Word is truly preached
2. the sacraments are truly administered, AND (look out, here..)
3. discipline is truly exercised
Right Preaching and Wrong Preaching

The church is “essential to believers,” because conversion means they are “born as babes in Christ” and desperately need to be “instructed” and “warned against error and safeguarded against heresy.”
Lloyd-Jones, The Church and the Last Things
Of course since I am NOT a preacher, I could say anything I want IF subjective truth rather than Biblical truth was our standard of right and wrong.

But by the standard of doctrine rooted in Biblical truth NO theologian (even Lloyd-Jones or your preacher) should take subjective liberties in preaching the Gospel.
2 Timothy 4:

I solemnly 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:
- preach the word;
- be ready in season and out of season;
- reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching.
And what does the Apostle Paul prophesy to his disciple of the way, the truth and the life as REASON ENOUGH to remain faithful to Scripture?

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Second Letter of the Apostle Paul to Timothy 4:3-4 LSB

ARE WE THERE YET?

Preaching in the last days
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Again, the standard isn't mine (IF you accept the Doctrinal line in the sand of Scripture.
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.. in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts..

The Apostle Peter reminds the church in is final letter, The Day of the Lord Will Come:

The Lord .. is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up].

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way,

what sort of people ought you to be…

What sort of men and women proclaiming Christ Jesus OUGHT WE to be?

READ more from 2 Peter 3:11-
September 24, 2022