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Tag: spirit

ANNOUNCEMENT of the Testimony of GOD
And when I came to you, brethren, came not in excellency of word, or wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God.
1 Corinthians 2:1 DBY

Further rebuke of CHRISTIAN MINISTERS

The Apostle Paul begins NOT with a reminder of his considerable credentials but with an apologia for God’s evidence in Christ crucified and risen.

1 Corinthians 2:

I did not come with superiority of word or of wisdom [sophia]..
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Superiority, (elevation, pre-eminence, excellence in) Wisdom would have been what many Hellenists in Corinth might have expected in Paul.
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Note that the Apostle’s approach of rebuke of his Corinthian ‘brothers’ in the faith relies ONLY on the Authority of Almighty God. NOT speech (logos), NOT of wisdom [sophia], but an ANNOUNCEMENT and PROCLAIMATION.

proclaiming to you the witness of God.

καταγγέλλω – katangellō –

to announce, declare, promulgate, make known, to proclaim publicly, publish
Strong’s G2605 – katangellō – BlueLetterBible.org

AND shortly Paul will ask these Corinthian believers:

For who among men knows the depths of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?
1 Corinthians 2:11a LSB

Even so the depths of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

testimony – μαρτύριον – martyrion

The APOSTLE of the RISEN CHRIST JESUS is providing ‘something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle):—to be testified, testimony, witness.

Paul has already written his thanks to God for the Corinthians, ‘even as the witness^G3142 about Christ was confirmed in you – 1 Cor 1:6

DO YOU FEAR GOD?
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Here is my testimony as Christ's apostle to you, my Corinthian brothers and sisters in the Lord:
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Jesus Christ, and Him crucified

And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power..

Listen to some of the descriptions Paul uses here for their condition:
- WEAKNESS of the body: its native weakness and frailty, feebleness of health or sickness
- of the soul: want of strength and capacity requisite
  - to understand a thing
  - to do things great and glorious
  - to restrain corrupt desires
  - to bear trials and troubles
- φόβος – phobos – FEAR, dread, terror
- MUCH TREMBLING
  - quaking with fear
  - with fear and trembling, used to describe the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements,
    
    but religiously does his utmost to fulfil his duty
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Does this description of the Apostle Paul (who rebukes these Corinthians) resemble the pastoral approach of the ministers of YOUR church in any way?
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for ministers mature in Christ

Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.
1 Corinthians 2:6 NLT – Paul’s ‘word to the wise,’ mature ministers of God’s word

Jesus taught followers to be mature

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

“And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

“Therefore you are to be perfect^G5046, as your heavenly Father is perfect^G5046.
Gospel of Matthew 5:38 LSB

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete G5046, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Matthew 19:21 LSB

PAUL writes to the Corinthians who are MATURE ministers of the Lord to “be PERFECT,” become COMPLETE in your TESTIMONY of GOD.

the Mystery of God’s Wisdom

No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, (we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery ) which He destined for our glory before time began.

8 None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 Rather, as it is written:

“No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no heart has imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Isaiah 64:4

But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians 2:10 Berean Study Bible

How are mature ministers of God different?
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The relationship of God and Man can become a Spirit to spirit love in Christ our Lord.
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14 The natural [psychikos] person does not accept the things of the Spirit [pneuma ] of God, for they are folly [foolishness] to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. – ESV

We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 BSB

Natural human? OR Spiritual minister?
- a natural man [anthrōpos] does not accept the depths of the Spirit of God
- 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.
The Apostle again returns to the Prophet Isaiah:

16“For who has known the mind of the Lord [LORD or kyrios – ],

he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord

so as to instruct Him?”
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The APOSTLE here rebukes ministers of the church to be complete or mature in the Lord Jesus Christ:
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But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16b BSB
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Paul will later mention Peter's testimony (1 Cor 15).
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Christ Crucified AND Risen!

Then He opened their minds G3563 to understand the Scriptures…
Gospel of Luke 24:45 LSB

Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God..

11 He tends His flock like a shepherd;

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them close to His heart.

He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

or weighed the mountains on a scale

and the hills with a balance?

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD *,

or informed Him as His counselor?
Isaiah 40:13 BSB
*Or mind of the LORD in the Septuagint (LXX)

NEXT: Meat for Ministers
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and Milk for New Babes
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and we — we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly — as to babes in Christ..

1 Corinthians 2:16b-3:1 – Young’s Literal Translation

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June 27, 2024
Thessalonians and the Righteous Judgment of God
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus,

unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians

WHY are the Thessalonians so special to Paul that the Apostle would write not one but TWO Epistles to their church from Athens?
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After all, hadn't Paul recorded that the Bereans were 'more noble than those in Thessalonica?' 

Actually, this much overstated passage from Acts of the Apostles 17 refers ONLY to the Jews.
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In addition to several Jews, including Jason who had been a leader of the local synagogue, the Church of the Thessalonians had many Macedonians (and perhaps Roman citizens as well.)

And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Acts of the the Apostles 17:4 – Thessalonians during Second Missionary Journey ~ A.D. 50

ACTS 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying,

These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea..
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Jason and other Jews have undoubtedly continued in Christ as members of the church in Thessalonica.
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And they [Berean believers] that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus [who had remained in Berea] for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
Acts of the Apostles 17:15 AKJV

Paul’s unfinished encouragement of the Thessalonians

Paul writes to the Thessalonians from Athens

18 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

How was our first epistle received?

PAUL, TIMOTHY, SILAS (Silvanus), Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others [from Athens and other cities] COMMUNICATED with the Church in places where Paul and Silas had proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. Timothy, Jason and others became part of church leadership in cities throughout Asia Minor, Macedonia and Achaia.

APOSTLES SENT EPISTLES TO COMMUNICATE WITH AND SUSTAIN THE CHURCHES in a similar fashion as when in about A.D. 50 the Council of Jerusalem had sent clarifications of the faith into all the world of their ROMAN provinces.

The Apostles must have sent AND RECEIVED letters and brief messages much more frequently than these exemplary New Testament Epistles record.

Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians
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Once again PLEASE endure a most appropriate formality (17th c. King's English) of the KJV & Authorized KJV for this Apostolic Epistle. 
- RH
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~ A.D. 51 (a few months after Paul’s First Epistle)

.. we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
II Thessalonians 1:4b AKJV

Silas, Timothy, Jason and others had delivered first-hand or second-hand accounts of events in Thessalonica after Paul had escaped.

Paul knew that the Thessalonian believers were suffering. So the Apostle encourages the faithful:

5 which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
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Skipping ahead in Paul's Second Epistle:
II Thessalonians 3:6 
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Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. ..

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

HOW did Paul, Silas and Timothy know about these serious challenges to the Thessalonians?

COMMUNICATION between church leaders and the Apostles.

IF you are SUFFERING on account of your witness of the Lord JESUS Christ GOD has chosen you and GOD will repay those who trouble you.

BUT IF some in your church DO NOT OBEY the commands and example of the Apostles they DO NOT and SHOULD NOT represent Christ as a member of your church.

When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed!

Paul preaches clearly about the Judgment to come.

II THESSALONIANS 1:7-12 AKJV – Paul’s Points concerning Judgment
- .. and to you who are troubled rest with us,
- when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven
- taking vengeance on them
  - that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
- who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
  - and from the glory of his power;
- when he (The Lord Christ JESUS] shall come to be glorified in his saints (all believers),
- and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
- with his mighty angels,
- in flaming fire
Let no man deceive you
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Paul continues in encouraging these faithful Thessalonians currently enduring persecution to look forward to THE DAY Christ will return and draw the saints unto Him in victory over death.
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.. by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and by our gathering together unto him,

be not soon shaken

in mind,

or be troubled,

neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
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Don't believe such things.
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.. for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,

and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2b-4 AKJV

ἄνομος ánomos – Wicked

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:8-10 AKJV

We can hardly overlook Paul’s warning of Satan’s deception which will precede the returning of Christ for those He has saved.

Persecuted Thessalonians would obey the Apostle – having received the Holy spirit AND to whom Paul had already written in his first epistle:
- He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. – 1 Thessalonians 4:8
- Quench not the Spirit. – 1 Th 5:19
- And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Th 5:23
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ONCE MORE PAUL ENCOURAGES BELIEVERS IN THE TRUTH OF THE RETURN AND JUDGMENT OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
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Pray that we might be delivered..
- .. pray for us
- ..that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men:
- for all men have not faith.
- But the Lord is faithful,
- .. and keep you from evil.
- And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
- And .. into the patient waiting for Christ.
Walk away from evil men
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I have already addressed [above] Paul's concern from evil influencers who claim to be 'christians' AND Paul's COMMAND to stay away from such men.
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But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
11 Thessalonians 3:13-15 AKJV

And so, my dear brother or sister in the Lord, WHY NOT respond to Paul’s Epistle by your COMMENT?

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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February 29, 2024
Come over to Macedonia and Help us
2 Routes from Mysia to Macedonia
Acts 16:
the leading of the Spirit
Taking the Gospel into a Greco-Roman world
A vision in Troas
Sailing from Troas to Neapolis
2 Routes from Mysia to Macedonia

Where have Paul, Silas and Timothy been?

Traveling with the Gospel through several towns in the central plain of Turkiye, an area unfamiliar to most Europeans (and distant from US).

These apostles could have continued from Derbe as before as they had journeyed through SYRIA & CILICIA.

Acts 16:

5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
Acts of the Apostles 16:6 ESV – Journey of Paul, Silas & Timothy sent out with the Gospel to the central plain of Turkiye

ORIGINAL ROUTE not taken: Land journey from towns of the central plain near Iconium to Macedonia would be ~500 miles.

Asia – Let’s Not Go There – Acts 16

1st c. Roman region of Asia lies between PHRYGIA to the S & MYSIA to the N
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Last time we mentioned the beginning of their land journey, but these few verses provide no account of which towns or how long these men stayed in this part of the central plain beyond Lystra, Derbe and Iconium before sailing to Europe from Troas.
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⁷And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.

8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.

Troas, Asia Minor

the leading of the Spirit

You may have thought that Paul, Silas and Timothy had wandered from town to town in the mountains aimlessly proclaiming the Gospel wherever they happened on a town or small city. NOT SO.

Here is how 21st century Christians (having to know every reason for every act of any 1st c. apostle of Jesus) will often trip over the mysterious leading of the Spirit.

And just a reminder from the Greek that an apostle is a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders, especially orders from the triune God.

WHY did Paul, Silas and Timothy end up in Troas (perhaps ready to sail back to Antioch or to Cypress once more where Paul could meet up with Barnabas and John Mark)?

How is it that Paul did NOT choose a land route to Europe to begin proclaiming the Gospel to all the world?

Luke tells us:
- ACTS 16:6 ..having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
  - ἁγίου πνεύματος – hagios pneuma – Holy Spirit
- ACTS 16:7 ..but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
  - τὸ πνεῦμα Ἰησοῦ – ho pneuma – the Spirit – (SAME WORD)
    
    definition in part G4151 i.e. a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting
  - Ἰησοῦς – iēsous – of Jesus
CHRISTIAN, do YOU obey the ALL-KNOWING and ETERNAL power of the risen JESUS?

Do you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to direct YOU in directions GOD plans so different from the paths YOU would take?

PAUL not only has encountered the risen JESUS some years back when Christ REDIRECTED this apostle to the gentiles in an entirely different direction,

but Saul of Tarsus AND ALL of these apostles were “sent out” by the HOLY SPIRIT, as well as from their local Church back in Antioch.

The Lord Jesus continues to order his 21st c. disciples of the church into unknown, even mysterious places — into a world unfamiliar to their former witness of God.

Taking the Gospel into a Greco-Roman world

Roman roads & routes of the Aegean Sea later in AD 125

The Lord Jesus continues to order his disciples of the church into unknown, even mysterious places — into a world unfamiliar to their former witness of God.

The increasing presence of Rome in so many strategic ports of the Aegean in Paul’s day dominated all travel in and between the major cities of Eurasia.

The Apostles might have sailed back to Antioch from the Roman-occupied towered town and port of Troas. Yet by the command of the Spirit they took the commercial ferry routes toward Philippi near the north-western shore of the Aegean – a leading Greek city in Europe.

A vision in Troas

ACTS 16:9

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying,

“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”

What will Silas and Timothy think of this sudden change of tickets for an entirely different journey ahead?

And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Troas to Neapolis, Philippi, Macedonia

Sailing from Troas to Neapolis

11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace,

and the following day to Neapolis,
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You'll have difficulty finding 'Nea polis' on a map because it's Greek for "new city." Even on Cypress Paul had been to Nea Paphos, built after an earthquake had destroyed much of Paphos.

Nowadays the city's nickname is "the cyan city" (Η γαλάζια πόλη) and the symbol of the municipality of Kavala is the head of goddess Parthenos, the patron goddess of ancient Neapolis, as depicted in the coinage of the ancient Greek city. - source: Wikipedia
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12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.

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Acts for a 21st c. Church

The Second Missionary Journey of Christ’s apostles Paul, Silas and Timothy

To be continued…

in Europe.
March 1, 2023