Tag: corinthians

  • agapē a fruit of Love from a Higher Branch

    agapē a fruit of Love from a Higher Branch

    Charity (agape)

    This is our chief aim, the unconditional love of the Father given to us through his Son. Affection, friendship and romantic love are each the training ground for charity to grow. It’s also a rival to the three.

    C.S. Lewis – Four Types of Love

    Even with a half-dozen mentions of the agape love including definitions last time, as you can see from Lewis’ quote this is a fruit of a higher UNCONDITIONAL LOVE – a gift of God the Father through Jesus Christ.

    ἀγάπη – agapē

    feminine noun

    The KJV translates Strong’s G26 in the following manner: love (86x), charity (28x), dear (1x), charitably (with G2596) (1x), feasts of charity (1x).

    From ἀγαπάω (G25)


    We also followed a relational connection between some of ‘The 4 Loves’ last time, but let’s see some of the connecting branches of the love agape as well.

    ἀγαπάω (G25) – agapaō

    verb

    The KJV translates Strong’s G25 in the following manner: love (135x), beloved (7x).

    You may say, ‘God is love,’ a use of agape as a noun; but the relational verb for loveagapaō requires an action of personal relationship.

    The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

    First Letter of the Apostle John 4:8 LSB


    a LOVE of persons OR of things

    • of persons
      • to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly
    • of things
      • to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing
    Lewis also cautions that these could become idolatry as well, rather than the intended love of God the Father through His only Son Jesus Christ. 

    Root Word (Etymology)
    Perhaps from agan (much) [or cf φιλέω (G5368) phileō, also a verb to love or to kiss ]

    Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

    the Apostle Paul writing to the churches

    or

    Greet one another with a kiss of love.

    the Apostle Peter writing to the churches

    The KJV translates Strong’s G5384 in the following manner: friend (29x).

    Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

    Gospel of John 15:13 KJV

    How would you describe your LOVE for a friend?

    Agape embraces another with affection like no other love.


    ἀγαπητός – agapētos

    the adjective from From ἀγαπάω (G25) agape

    Strong's Number G27 matches the Greek ἀγαπητός (agapētos), which occurs 61 times in 60 verses in the MGNT Greek.

    Outline of Biblical Usage

    beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love

    God the Father, Jesus and all the Apostles use it. 

    Peter, for example:

    Therefore, beloved G27, since you are looking for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our beloved G27 brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, \

    2 Peter:3:14-15 LSB

    And the Apostle Paul in several epistles: 

    I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved G27 children.

    Therefore, my beloved G27, flee from idolatry.

    Therefore, my beloved G27 brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

    1 Corinthians 4:14, 10:14, 15:58 LSB

    For the Love of God [O.T.]

    And recalling love from the Scriptural roots of Jesus and the Apostles in the Hebrew Bible: 

    A song. A psalm of David.

    (WLC 108:5)כִּי־גָדוֹל מֵעַל־שָׁמַיִם חַסְדֶּךָ וְעַד־שְׁחָקִים אֲמִתֶּךָ׃

    For your faithful love is higher than the heavens,

    and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

    Psalm 108:6 CSB

    Yet from the root word חֶסֶד
    ḥeseḏ:

    For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens,
    And Your truth reaches to the skies.

    Ps 108:6 NASB95

    For Your mercy is great above the heavens,
    And Your truth reaches to the clouds.

    Ps 108:6 NKJV

    Do you see the high relational LOVE between God the Father, Jesus the Son and those who in and by the Spirit love the Lord?

    Mercy, Lovingkindness and agape love cannot be simply jargon among those saints saved in Christ Jesus.


    agapētos agapaō .. agapē

    Finally, your search for LOVE in New Testament Greek will draw you to one holy Scripture penned in a letter of the one Jesus loved. 

    ἀγαπητοί ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν καὶ πᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ γεγέννηται καὶ γινώσκει τὸν θεόν

    Α΄ Ιωάννη (1 John) 4 :: Morphological Greek New Testament (MGNT)

    It's all Greek to me too, so let me help you out. 

    Beloved

    Strong’s G27agapētos From ἀγαπάω agapaō (G25)

    let us love

    g25 agapaō

    one another,

    allēlōn

    for love

    hoti agapē (G26)

    is from God;

    eimi ek θεός theos

    and everyone who loves

    kai pas ho agapaō (G25)

    has been [begotten] born of God

    gennaō ek θεός theos

    and knows God.

    kai ginōskō θεός theos

    1 John 4:7 LSB

    INTERLINEAR MORPHOLOGICAL Greek New Testament


    Questions of Agape Love

    source: BibleHub.com STUDY Questions

    Beloved,

    In what ways can you demonstrate “agape” love to those in your church community this week?

    And, dear friend, here's one to make it yet more personal

    How does the command to love one another serve as evidence of being “born of God” in your personal spiritual journey?

    more from 1 John 4:7 study


    Talk of JESUS .com

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  • Consecration, Ceremonies and Rites

    Consecration, Ceremonies and Rites

    Two weeks ago in my Saturday Post SERIES addressing the jargon of the church I asked, “Can you picture a process of ‘consecration?’

    • You probably picture consecration as a rite of sorts, most specifically a public religious rite.

    That’s right and an important view of occasions of consecration.


    We also defined anointing, but today I'm not quite ready for  'sanctification' without first briefly examining what some view as consecration in this Common Era.

    Even though some rites seem Biblical, some Common Era christians claim their rights in place of observing a religious consecration to God.

    And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

    Exodus 28:41 KJV


    Consecration a Public Picture

    What do you see here?

    Short answer:

    • Two religious ceremonies,
      • one Jewish and
      • one (perhaps) christian.

    Consecration, whether Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist — Orthodox, Reformed, unaffiliated — Roman Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian or evangelical — atheist or naturist — – consecration is part of a public proclamation of faith — a religious rite.


    Who is consecrated?

    The answer here seems simple enough. In this instance, the priests who are exclusive Aaron and his sons.

    And by extension into an Old Testament context, the Levites are the ONLY Priests anointed and consecrated to serve the LORD on behalf of the church (that is, the Hebrew chosen) as a separate and holy people to God our Father of all creation.

    The LORD will judge some Priest and strike them down to death in some instances. The Priest of God and especially the one High Priest bear a weight of accountability for the entire congregation of the Hebrew people.

    What is consecrated?

    The garments of the priests – the linen cloths and holy garments.

    On certain occasions the priest must consecrate all the people and everything in the place of worship.

    Even certain times carry an obligation of consecration to the Lord our God:

    The LORD instructed Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When a man or woman makes a special vow, a Nazirite vow, to consecrate himself to the LORD..

    “He is holy to the LORD during the time of consecration.

    Numbers 6:1-2 ,6 CSB

    Many Christians speak the priestly blessing of Numbers


    More than simply a benediction

    The LORD said to Moses,
    Say to Aaron and his sons, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

    Numbers 6:22-23 RSV
    the LORD bless you and keep you.. AND be gracious to you - a highest grace of God

    SAY to Aaron and his sons (the Priests)” — “SAY to them (the people of Israel)” receiving the blessing of the LORD through HIS command!

    DO NOT MISS the weight what the LORD says here. 

    דָבַר dâbar, daw-bar’; a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue:—answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter


    Now you may have recited this COVENANTAL BLESSING in your earlier days; perhaps in English, Latin, some other language, or even in its original Hebrew of the Torah: 

    יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ׃ ס

    יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ׃ ס

    יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם׃ ס

    Yᵊhōvâ bāraḵ šāmar

    Yᵊhōvâ ‘ôr pānîm ‘ôr ‘ēl ḥānan

    Yᵊhōvâ nāśā’ pānîm ‘ēl śûm šālôm

    Source: BlueLetterBible.org 

    a New Covenantal Relationship between God and His Church

    And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

    Gospel of Luke 22:20 RSV

    But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren.

    And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

    Gospel of Matthew 23:8-9 RSV

    Instructions of the One Son of God, our only Lord and Savior Christ Jesus

    a Catholic conversation

    “I think a lot of people have a problem with consecration to Mary.

    Fr. H. She’s not Jesus. Gender neutral language, okay, she’s not Jesus-

    we don’t want to be gender neutral with the mother of God.

    Fr. H. No we don’t.

    It’s not directed apparently at least when we say consecration to Mary, maybe you’re going to straighten that out. But the other thing is we have no idea what the word consecration means. What does that mean concentration to?

    Fr. H. Well, this is an important topic. And of course, but that’s not the most important aspect of the topic… The term consecration comes in mostly in the 17th century… All right. So that means giving everything over to someone else.

    But the word consecration in Catholic theology, and I really don’t like to question what has become a term in popular devotion. And I’m perfectly happy to say consecrate yourself to Mary, it’s a perfectly good expression, but probably the word entrustment is more precise.

    “Consecration has an expression that is meant for such things which are given over to God, in the service of God, liturgically especially in him only…

    Father‘ H. – Roman Catholic theologian

    Is every consecration ‘Holy?’

    CONSECRATION of Priests according to Scripture, consecration to holiness in ceremonial rites of the Church, leadership of Christ’s flock — like with the Levites, NONE to be taken lightly.

    Numbers 16 Korah's rebellion picture of pit

    Convocations of Bishops

    Error by many Bishops of Rome.

    Many Priests and Pastors of all Common Era christian churches have worn the shepherd’s robes of heresy with cunning common rebellion against Jesus Christ, Who IS and WAS and WILL be.

    Do we not commonly witness these in everyday culture? 

    Who so quickly dismisses Scripture and twists the Lord’s instruction?

    ἐπίσκοπος – episkopos – masculine noun

    A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

    1 Timothy 2:11-12 BSB

    rite of consecration of Bishop in the Anglican Church

    Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher.. He must manage his own household well.. He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil…

    excerpt from the First Epistle of Paul to Timothy 3: RSV

    Pronouns: this, these, etc.
    Yet Christ's Apostle is clear in his instruction concerning consecration of leadership of the Church.

    God's word is clear as to the humble roles of Christ's servants, both husbands (of a woman) and wives (of a man). NO adultery. NO divorce. NO fornication. NO sinful flesh usurping God-given roles.

    NO idolatry of Rite (or of no rite). NO worship of Saint (capital 'S') or Angel. NO idolatry of self or knowledge or earth or sea or tree. NO following of prophet, for the false proclaim false gods.

    JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

    OUR CONSECRATION to GOD is to HOLINESS! And in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we worship ONLY HIM.


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  • Consecration, Sanctification – more Biblical jargon

    Consecration, Sanctification – more Biblical jargon

    • Can you picture what takes place when you hear Biblical words like ‘anoint?’
    • OR Can you picture a process of ‘consecration?’
    • Can you explain ‘sanctification?’

    THIS WEEK we continue defining Biblical jargon, switching from passive verbs like consecrate to their nouns, i.e. consecration.

    In case you missed our focus on anointing last week, take a look:

    Roger@TalkofJesus.com

    And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

    Exodus 28:41 KJV


    The Anointed, the Consecrated and the Sanctified ones

    I have employed a different part of speech here for the same concept.

    Anointing

    NOTES:

    NOTE: The ANOINTED and the CONSECRATED hold the office of PRIEST.

    And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

    Exodus 30:30 KJV


    NOTE: Saul, the ANOINTED and the CONSECRATED King holds the office of KING, but NOT PRIEST as does Samuel.

    Samuel also said unto Saul,

    The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

    1 Samuel 15:1 KJV

    1 Samuel 16 excerpt KJV

    .. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward…



    Consecration

    Once again let's look at Hebrew Scripture of the Old Testament. 

    And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place. And Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

    And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.

    Exodus 29:31-33 KJV

    • Did you get all that ABOUT the food of the Priests?
    • See any significant symbolism to remind us of the LORD’s grace?
    • Read on and observe that the anointed Priests remain in the Tabernacle for seven days in order to remain holy to the LORD.

    מִלֻּא

    masculine noun from מָלָא (H4390) –

    a fulfilling (only in plural), i.e. (literally) a setting (of gems), or (technically) consecration (also concretely, a dedicatory sacrifice):—consecration, be set.

    source: Strong’s H4394 – millu’


    a Covenant broken by Priests

    Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things.

    They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

    Ezekiel 22:26 ESV


    Vision of a Future Temple

    Then the man brought me to the gate that faces the east, and there I beheld the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. The sound of his coming was like the sound of a mighty torrent of waters, and the earth shone with his glory.

    The vision I beheld was like the man I had seen when he had come to destroy the city, and like the vision I had seen by the River Chebar, and I fell prostrate.

    6 Say to the rebels of the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: I have endured enough of these abominable practices in which you engage, O house of Israel. You have allowed foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and body, to enter my sanctuary and profane it when you offer to me my food, the fat and the blood. Thus, you have broken my covenant with all of your loathsome practices…

    But as for the Levites who abandoned me when Israel strayed far from me by following its idols, they must suffer the consequences for their iniquity.

    22 Priests may not marry either widows or divorced women, but only virgins of the race of Israel. However, they may marry women who are the widows of priests.

    They shall teach my people to distinguish between the sacred and the profane, and they shall make known to them the difference between what is clean and what is unclean.

    Ezekiel 41 excerpt; Ezekiel 44 excerpt New Catholic Bible


    Just a bit more from the restoration of fallen Israel.

    Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly. And .. one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra,

    “We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this.

    Now therefore, let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and those who have been born to them, according to the advice of my master and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.

    READ more of Ezekiel 10 NKJV

    Consecration of a New Covenant

    Here is where some confusion and considerable controversy can divide the Church. 

    And for their sake I consecrate myself, [fn] that they also may be sanctified [fn] in truth.

    Gospel of John 17:19 ESV
    from The High Priestly Prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ

    A deeper study of John 17 and various English translations, though not possible today, will point to the symbolism and mystery in the Lord’s words here.

    Briefly, we’ll approach the chief controversy among divisions between Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant churches:

    Holy Communion

    .. the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said,

    “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

    In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying,

    “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

    For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

    First Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth 11:23-26 ESV


    For today, I will simply ask one question concerning our eternal High Priest Jesus’ consecration of the communion bread and wine:

    I can hardly wait to hear YOUR COMMENTS on consecration, in general, and also specifically on Holy Communion. 

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