THOUGH THE LETTER IS ASCRIBED TO PETER (1:1), THE ACTUAL WRITING WAS DONE BY SLVANUS (5:12), FORMERLY ONE OF PAUL'S TRAVELLING COMPANIONS, 1 THESS THESSALONIANS 1:1; 2 CORINTHIANS 1 :19 POSSIBLY. PETER DICTATED THE SUBSTANCE OF THE LETTER TO SILVANUS, BUT LEFT THE FINAL WORDING TO HIM.
THE LETTER APPARENTLY WAS WRITTEN IN ROME ABOUT 63-64 A.D., SHORTLY BEFORE PETER'S MARTYRDOM DURING THE NERONIC PERSECUTION. IT IS ADDRESSED TO "THE EXILES OF THE DISPERSION IN PONTUS, GALATIA, CAPPADOCIA, ASIA AND BITHYNIA," 1:1. THE REFERENCE IS TO GENTILE CHRISTIANS IN THE FIVE PROVINCES OF ASIA MINOR, 1:14; 2:9,10; 4:3,4. THE TERM "DISPERSION," ORIGINALLY USED OF JEWS SCATTERED AROUND THE MEDITERRANIAN WORLD, IS HERE USED FIGURATIVELY TO REFER TO THOSE NEW MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD WHO WERE SCATTERED AROUND THE WORLD LIKE STRANGERS, BUT WHOSE
TRUE HOME IS HEAVEN. PETER WRITES TO STRENGTHEN HIS READERS IN THE NEW LIKE THEY ENTERED IN AT BAPTISM. THEY WERE SUFFERING SOME KIND OF PERSECUTION (3:16,17), THOUGH NOT NECESSARILY ONE ORGANIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE LETTER MAKES NO REFERENCE OF ANY DEMAND FOR EMPEROR WORSHIP, CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY, IMPRISONMENT, OR MARTY'S DEATH. (IT EXHORTS THE RECIPIENTS TO OBEY THE EMPEROR AND THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES, 2:13-17). MOST LIKELY THE READERS WERE SUFFERING AT THE HANDS OF PAGAN NEIGHBORS WHO WERE ABUSING THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST. THE LETTER CONTAINS HINTS THAT MORE SEVERE PERSECUTION LAY JUST AROUND THE CORNER, 4: 12-19. WHAT MIGHT IT HAVE BEEN? PETER WROTE AT THE TIME WHEN RUMORS WERE ABROAD THAT NERO WAS PLANNING TO INSTIGATE ANTI- CHRISTIAN MEASURES. EVENTUALLY THESE MEASURES DEVELOPED INTO A "FIERY TRIAL." BECAUSE MOVEMENTS BEGAN IN ROME SOON SPREAD, PETER HAD REASON TO PREDICT THAT THE SUFFERING OF HIS EASTERN COLLEAGUES WOULD SOON INTENSIFY.
IN 5:13 PETER WRITES, " SHE WHO IS AT BABYLON, WHO IS LIKEWISE CHOSEN, SENDS YOU GREETINGS" BABYLON HAD DEVASTATED ANCIENT ISRAEL, BUT WAS HERSELF EVENTUALLY DESTROYED. CHRISTIANITY APPLIED THE NAME "BABYLON" TO ROME. PETER'S SENTENCE, THEN, WAS A GREETING FROM THE CHURCH AT ROME TO THE CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR-- BUT IT WAS MORE. IT HINTED THAT THOUGH THE HOSTILE WORLD ( BABYLON--ROME) WAS MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT FOR--THE AWAY--
FROM--HOME PEOPLE OF GOD, GOD WOULD DESTROY IT.
"NOTE:" PETER WROTE HIS FIRST LETTER TO GENTILE CHRISTIANS IN ASIA MINOR. THEIR PAGAN NEIGHBORS WERE RIDICULING THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH, AND THE THREAT OF A MORE ORGANIZED ROMAN PERSECUTION HOVERED ON THE HORIZON. PETER URGED HIS READERS TO STAND FIRM IN THEIR FAITH. NO MATTERS WHAT DIFFICULTIES CAME THEIR WAY, THEY WERE TO COPY CHRIST IN EVERY SITUATION. THE WORD TRANSLATED AS "EXAMPLE" (2:21). IS 'HYPOGRAMMOS," A WORD USED TO DESCRIBE THE LINE OF PERFECT WRITING ACROSS THE TOP OF THE CHALK-BOARD WHICH A STUDENT COPIES TO IMPROVE WRITING SKILLS. UNTIL THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY, FEW QUESTIONS WERE RAISED ABOUT PETRINE AUTHORSHIP. SINCE THAT TIME, MANY HAVE QUESTIONED IT AND SUGGESTED THAT THE LETTER IS A PSEUDONYMOUS WORK. THOSE WHO ASCRIBE IT TO PETER POINT TO ITS REFERENCES TO JESUS SUFFERING (2:21-23; 3:18; 4:1). ITS RECOLLECTIONS OF JESUS SAYINGS (1:6-12). AND ITS RELATIONSHIPS TO PETER'S SPEECHES IN ACTS, 1:16:22; 2:14-36); 3: 12-26; 4: 8:12; ONLY THROUGH JESUS. WHENEVER PETER MENTIONS WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US IN CHRIST., HE CONTINUES WITH A STATEMENT ABOUT THE OBLIGATION GOD'S ACTION PUTS ON US. WE HAVE BEEN RANSOMED, NOT WITH SILVER OR GOLD, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST. , THE LAMB WHO WITHOUT BLEMISH OR SPOT. THEREFORE WE MUST BE OBEDIENT CHILDREN, 1:13-21: 14, 20.WE HAVE TASTED THE KINDNESS OF THE LORD. WE MUST PUT AWAY ALL EVIL THINGS. 2:1-3. WE MUST LIVE AS HOLY PEOPLE, 2:9,1O. WE MUST LEAVE THE SINS OF THE PAST BEHIND 4:1-6. THE END IS NEAR. THEREFORE WE MUST DEMONSTRATE A LOVE WHICH BEFIT THOSE WHO ARE STEWARDS OF GOD'S GRACE.
4;7-11
1 PETER 1:3-4:11 CONTAINS SOME OF THE CLEAREST STATEMENTS ABOUT BAPTISM.
SOME BELIEVE THIS SECTION HAS BEEN ADAPTED FROM AN EARLY BAPTISMAL LITURGY.
PRAISE GOD THAT IN MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW LIFE AND OPE. HIS GIFT IS BASED ON RESURRECTION OF JESUS. IT PROMISES NOT MERELY AN IMPERMANENT
EARTHLY LAND, BUT AN ETERNAL INHERITANCE IN HEAVEN. GOD GUARDS THOSE OF US WHO, THROUGH FAITH, ARE TO RECEIVE IT, AND WILL REVEAL IT TO US ON THE LAST DAY, (9 1:3-5). SUFFERING AND DEATH PRECEDED CHRIST'S RESURRECTION
SIMILARLY, TRIALS GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE WALK THE NEW LIFE OF FAITH BRINGS. WE WHO ARE TO RECEIVE THE FULLNESS OF SALVATION AT THE PAROUSIA MUST EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE SUFFERING IN THIS LIFE. (1:6-9). THE SPIRIT IN CHRIST WAS ACTIVE IN THE PROPHETS TO PREDICT THE SALVATION TO COME AND THE APOSTLES TO PROCLAIM IT. (1:10:12). YOU ONCE WALKED IN IGNORANCE OF GOD, AND THIS PRODUCED GODLESS BEHAVIOR. NOW YOUR NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IN HOLINESS (14:17) A HIGH PRICE WAS PAID FOR YOUR SALVATION-- THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (18-21). NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE TRUTH IN CHRIST, LOVE ONE ANOTHER (22). YOUR "REBIRTH'" INTO THE NEW LIFE IS NOT THE RESULT OF NATURAL PROCESSES, NOR THE PRODUCT OF HUMAN SEED. THE CHANGE CAME ABOUT THROUGH THE "SEED" WHICH PRODUCED IT ( THE WORD OF GOD, (23-25).
THAT WHICH IS CONTRARY TO CHRIST, LIVE UP YO YOUR HIGH CALLING AND LONG FOR THE SPIRIT'S FOOD WHICH WILL ABLE YOU TO GROW IN CHRIST (2:1-30). CHRIST IS THE NEW CORNERSTONE OF GOD'S NEW TEMPLE. HE INCORPORATES THEM INTO "LIVING STONES " WHO ARE TO REFLECT THE SERVANT LIFE OF THE SERVANT. (2:1-8
OLD ISRAEL WAS ONCE CONSIDERED THE CHOSEN ELECT. YOU WHO FORMED THE NEW ISRAEL CAN NOW LAY CLAIM TO THOSE TITLES. " YOU ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD. " HOLY NATION" SET AP IF YOU HAVE TO SUFFER BECAUSE OF CHRIST, REJOICE! WHAT YOU MAY HAVE TO SUFFER, EQUIP YOURSELVES WITH HUMILITY AND A STRONG FAITH TO DEAL WITH SATAN WHO SEEKS TO DESTROY YOU.
MY SPIRITUAL SON MARK, GREET YOU, GREET ONE ANOTHER. PEACE TO ALL WHO ARE IN CHRIST (512-14).
Friday, October 12, 2018
Thursday, October 11, 2018
ASPECTS OF CHRIST'S WORK.
THE THREAD THAT RUNS THROUGHOUT CHRIST WORK, IS TO SPEAK OF THREE ASPECTS OF CHRIST'S WORK, NAMELY HIS ROLES AS; PROPHET, PRIEST, KING. ;HIS WORK AS "WISE MAN.".TO THESE WE SHALL ADD A FOURTH. CHRIST AS A PROPHET WITHIN THE LIFE OF ISRAEL. CHRIST'S WORK HAD A STRONGLY PROPHETIC CHARACTER. HE"FORETOLD," OR PROCLAIMED, THE MIND AND THE WILL OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER., JOHN 17:8. AS MOSES LED OLD ISRAEL OUT OF BONDAGE AND WAS THE ONE THROUGH WHOM GOD MADE THE OLD COVENANT AT SINAI, SO CHRIST LED MANKIND OUT OF BONDAGE TO SIN, SATAN, JUDGMENT, AND DEATH, REVELATION 5:9. THROUGH THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD ON THE CROSS. HE ESTABLISHED A NEW COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, HEBREWS 8:6-12; JEREMIAH 31; 31-34; READ FIRST " OLD COVENANT EXODUS 24:3:11; MARK 14:22-25.
CHRIST AS PRIEST : THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIEST CONDUCTED THE WORSHIP RITUALS AT VARIOUS SHRINES IN ISRAEL, AND OFFERED THE SPECIFIED SACRIFICES. HE WAS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. JESUS WAS AND IS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. HE ALSO IS MEDIATOR BETWEEN HIS HEAVENLY FATHER AND MANKIND. HE OFFERED UP IN SACRIFICE NOT SOME DUMB ANIMAL, BUT "HIMSELF" AS THE "LAMB OF GOD" WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD" JOHN 1 :29,36; HEBREWS 9:11-14. STILL TODAY HE BRINGS THE NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE BEFORE THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER (ROMANS 8;34) , AND SERVES THEM THROUGH WORD AND SACRAMENTS!
CHRIST AS KING: THE NEW TESTAMENT USES A NUMBER OF TERMS TO DESCRIBE JESUS AUTHORITY IN THE UNIVERSE. THE NEW TESTAMENT ESPECIALLY THE GOSPELS, OFTEN REFERS TO JESUS ROLE AS "KING." (E.G.. JOHN 18:33-19:22. IT IS TRADITIONAL TO SPEAK OF JESUS RULING A THREE-FOLD KINGDOM:
. A KINGDOM OF POWER: HE RULES THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE (EPHESIANS 1:20,21).
A KINGDOM OF GRACE: HE RULES THE CHURCH (EPHESIANS 1:22).
A KINGDOM OF GLORY: HE RULES HEAVEN AND THE WORLD TO COME COLOSSIANS
1:15-20). (REV. 3:14).
CHRIST AS WISE MAN: THE OLD TESTAMENT CONTAINS A BODY OF LITERATURE KNOWN AS "WISDOM"--- PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, AND JOB. WISDOM WRITERS SOUGHT INSIGHTS INTO THE DIVE PLAN BEHIND THE UNIVERSE, AND DIRECTIONS FOR MEANINGFUL LIFE. TO POSSESS WISDOM WAS TO BE EQUIPPED TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE CREATOR AND HIS CREATION. JESUS NOT ONLY TAUGHT TRUE WISDOM, BUT WAS THE LIVING DISPLAY OF WISDOM, 1 CORINTHIANS 1 :24. IT IS LITTLE WONDER THAT THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST PAID HOMAGE TO HIM AS THE GREATEST OF ALL WISDOM TEACHER, (MATTHEW 2:11-12), SEE ALSO (1: KINGS 4:34), SOLOMON .(10:23-25). DOING ALL THIS JESUS HAS TIME TO SHOW US THE VISIBLE FATHER. JOHN RECORDS A SIGNIFICANT CONVERSATION BETWEEN JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES ( 14:7-11): PHILIP; " LORD SHOW US WHAT THE FATHER IS LIKE.
HE IS INVISIBLE. WE CANNOT SEE HIM. IF WE COULD SEE HIM AND KNOW WHAT HE IS LIKE, WE WOULD BE SATISFIED.
JESUS: HAVE I BEEN WITH YOU SUCH A LONG TIME, PHILIP, AND DO YOU STILL NOT KNOW WHO I AM? IF YOU HAVE SEEN ME, YOU HAVE SEEN THE INVISIBLE FATHER. I MAKE HIM VISIBLE THROUGH MY PERSON, WORDS, AND WORKS.
THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES ARE RELEVANT:
CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD," COLOSSIANS 1:15.
"NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN GOD; THE ONLY SON, WHO IS IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER, HE HAS MADE HIM KNOWN. " JOHN 1:18 (PSALM 2:7) 1013: B.C) A.D).
"... the god OF THIS WORLD 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 LIKENESS OF GOD.," 2 CORINTHIANS 1:4) "HE CHRIST REFLECTS THE GLORY OF GOD AND BEARS THE VERY STAMP OF HIS NATURE," HEBREWS 1:3).
WE CAN DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR INVISIBLE GOD IS LIKE BY THINKING THROUGH WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE PERSON OF THE VISIBLE SON. CONSIDER: THE MANNER IN WHICH JESUS DEALT WITH PEOPLE IN NEED. (MATTHEW 8:1-4 (MESSIANIC SECRET).
THE TONE OF VOICE HE USED WHEN SPEAKING TO THOSE FEELING CRUSHED BY THE BURDEN OF HEIR SIN. LUKE 7: 36-50; NOTE VERSE (48-50)
JESUS SITS AT THE RIGHT OF THE FATHER. IN EPHESIANS 1 :19-23 PAUL SAYS: GOD'S LIMITLESS POWER WAS AT WORK IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, 1:19-20. THAT SAME MIGHTY POWER IS AT WORK IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN CHRIST. 1:19).
HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT, AFTER THE FATHER RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, " HE MADE HIM SIT AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.,"1:20. WHAT DOES PAUL MEAN BY THIS STATEMENT? THESE WORDS HAVE THEIR ROOTS IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST, WHERE IT WAS A CUSTOM TO PORTRAY THE RULER OF THE REALM SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF "god" OF THE CITY OR NATION. THE IDEA WAS THAT THE KING RULED IN THe NAME OF, AND FOR, HIS "GOD;" HE HELD THE PLACE OF HONOR AND POWER. PAUL, THEN, IS SAYING THAT AFTER THE FATHER RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, HE GAVE HIM THE PLACE OF HONOR AND POWER IN THE UNIVERSE! HIS IS A SOURCE OF GREAT COMFORT TO CHRISTIANS. IT TELLS THEM HISTORY IS NOT "JUST ONE FOOL" THING AFTER ANOTHER" BECAUSE OF WHAT THE FATHER ACCOMPLISHED IN CHRIST THROUGH THE EVENTS OF THE CROSS. AND THE EMPTY TOMB, LIFE IS NO LONGER "A TALE TOLD BY AN IDIOT, FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING NOTHING," AS ONE OF SHAKESPEARE'S CHARACTERS SUGGESTS IN A WAY NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS TO HUMAN EYES, EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS CONTRIBUTES TO GOD'S GRAND DESIGN FOR THE UNIVERSE.
JUST THINK! THROUGHOUT THE COUNTLESS GALAXIES OF OUR CREATED ORDER, WITH ITS BILLION OF SUNS AND PLANETS, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! OUR ELDER BROTHER (MATT:46-50) HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE AUTHORITY TO RUN THE UNIVERSE AND THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR, ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN. WE KNOW THE ONE WHO IS IN CHARGE!
THOUGH AT TIMES WE KNOW MEN AT TIMES APPEAR TO BE IN CONTROL OF HISTORY, CHRIST IS IN CONTROL--- CHRIST, WHO LOVED US ENOUGH TO GIVE UP LIFE ITSELF. THEREFORE, WE CHRISTIANS HAVE A PRECIOUS SENSE OF SECURITY ABOUT LIFE, DEATH, AND ETERNITY. WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS ( IN ALL ,PLACES AND AT ALL TIMES, PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7).
CHRIST AS PRIEST : THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIEST CONDUCTED THE WORSHIP RITUALS AT VARIOUS SHRINES IN ISRAEL, AND OFFERED THE SPECIFIED SACRIFICES. HE WAS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. JESUS WAS AND IS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. HE ALSO IS MEDIATOR BETWEEN HIS HEAVENLY FATHER AND MANKIND. HE OFFERED UP IN SACRIFICE NOT SOME DUMB ANIMAL, BUT "HIMSELF" AS THE "LAMB OF GOD" WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD" JOHN 1 :29,36; HEBREWS 9:11-14. STILL TODAY HE BRINGS THE NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE BEFORE THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER (ROMANS 8;34) , AND SERVES THEM THROUGH WORD AND SACRAMENTS!
CHRIST AS KING: THE NEW TESTAMENT USES A NUMBER OF TERMS TO DESCRIBE JESUS AUTHORITY IN THE UNIVERSE. THE NEW TESTAMENT ESPECIALLY THE GOSPELS, OFTEN REFERS TO JESUS ROLE AS "KING." (E.G.. JOHN 18:33-19:22. IT IS TRADITIONAL TO SPEAK OF JESUS RULING A THREE-FOLD KINGDOM:
. A KINGDOM OF POWER: HE RULES THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE (EPHESIANS 1:20,21).
A KINGDOM OF GRACE: HE RULES THE CHURCH (EPHESIANS 1:22).
A KINGDOM OF GLORY: HE RULES HEAVEN AND THE WORLD TO COME COLOSSIANS
1:15-20). (REV. 3:14).
CHRIST AS WISE MAN: THE OLD TESTAMENT CONTAINS A BODY OF LITERATURE KNOWN AS "WISDOM"--- PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, AND JOB. WISDOM WRITERS SOUGHT INSIGHTS INTO THE DIVE PLAN BEHIND THE UNIVERSE, AND DIRECTIONS FOR MEANINGFUL LIFE. TO POSSESS WISDOM WAS TO BE EQUIPPED TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE CREATOR AND HIS CREATION. JESUS NOT ONLY TAUGHT TRUE WISDOM, BUT WAS THE LIVING DISPLAY OF WISDOM, 1 CORINTHIANS 1 :24. IT IS LITTLE WONDER THAT THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST PAID HOMAGE TO HIM AS THE GREATEST OF ALL WISDOM TEACHER, (MATTHEW 2:11-12), SEE ALSO (1: KINGS 4:34), SOLOMON .(10:23-25). DOING ALL THIS JESUS HAS TIME TO SHOW US THE VISIBLE FATHER. JOHN RECORDS A SIGNIFICANT CONVERSATION BETWEEN JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES ( 14:7-11): PHILIP; " LORD SHOW US WHAT THE FATHER IS LIKE.
HE IS INVISIBLE. WE CANNOT SEE HIM. IF WE COULD SEE HIM AND KNOW WHAT HE IS LIKE, WE WOULD BE SATISFIED.
JESUS: HAVE I BEEN WITH YOU SUCH A LONG TIME, PHILIP, AND DO YOU STILL NOT KNOW WHO I AM? IF YOU HAVE SEEN ME, YOU HAVE SEEN THE INVISIBLE FATHER. I MAKE HIM VISIBLE THROUGH MY PERSON, WORDS, AND WORKS.
THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES ARE RELEVANT:
CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD," COLOSSIANS 1:15.
"NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN GOD; THE ONLY SON, WHO IS IN THE BOSOM OF THE FATHER, HE HAS MADE HIM KNOWN. " JOHN 1:18 (PSALM 2:7) 1013: B.C) A.D).
"... the god OF THIS WORLD 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 LIKENESS OF GOD.," 2 CORINTHIANS 1:4) "HE CHRIST REFLECTS THE GLORY OF GOD AND BEARS THE VERY STAMP OF HIS NATURE," HEBREWS 1:3).
WE CAN DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR INVISIBLE GOD IS LIKE BY THINKING THROUGH WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE PERSON OF THE VISIBLE SON. CONSIDER: THE MANNER IN WHICH JESUS DEALT WITH PEOPLE IN NEED. (MATTHEW 8:1-4 (MESSIANIC SECRET).
THE TONE OF VOICE HE USED WHEN SPEAKING TO THOSE FEELING CRUSHED BY THE BURDEN OF HEIR SIN. LUKE 7: 36-50; NOTE VERSE (48-50)
JESUS SITS AT THE RIGHT OF THE FATHER. IN EPHESIANS 1 :19-23 PAUL SAYS: GOD'S LIMITLESS POWER WAS AT WORK IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, 1:19-20. THAT SAME MIGHTY POWER IS AT WORK IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN CHRIST. 1:19).
HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT, AFTER THE FATHER RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, " HE MADE HIM SIT AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.,"1:20. WHAT DOES PAUL MEAN BY THIS STATEMENT? THESE WORDS HAVE THEIR ROOTS IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST, WHERE IT WAS A CUSTOM TO PORTRAY THE RULER OF THE REALM SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF "god" OF THE CITY OR NATION. THE IDEA WAS THAT THE KING RULED IN THe NAME OF, AND FOR, HIS "GOD;" HE HELD THE PLACE OF HONOR AND POWER. PAUL, THEN, IS SAYING THAT AFTER THE FATHER RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, HE GAVE HIM THE PLACE OF HONOR AND POWER IN THE UNIVERSE! HIS IS A SOURCE OF GREAT COMFORT TO CHRISTIANS. IT TELLS THEM HISTORY IS NOT "JUST ONE FOOL" THING AFTER ANOTHER" BECAUSE OF WHAT THE FATHER ACCOMPLISHED IN CHRIST THROUGH THE EVENTS OF THE CROSS. AND THE EMPTY TOMB, LIFE IS NO LONGER "A TALE TOLD BY AN IDIOT, FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING NOTHING," AS ONE OF SHAKESPEARE'S CHARACTERS SUGGESTS IN A WAY NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS TO HUMAN EYES, EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS CONTRIBUTES TO GOD'S GRAND DESIGN FOR THE UNIVERSE.
JUST THINK! THROUGHOUT THE COUNTLESS GALAXIES OF OUR CREATED ORDER, WITH ITS BILLION OF SUNS AND PLANETS, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! OUR ELDER BROTHER (MATT:46-50) HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE AUTHORITY TO RUN THE UNIVERSE AND THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR, ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN. WE KNOW THE ONE WHO IS IN CHARGE!
THOUGH AT TIMES WE KNOW MEN AT TIMES APPEAR TO BE IN CONTROL OF HISTORY, CHRIST IS IN CONTROL--- CHRIST, WHO LOVED US ENOUGH TO GIVE UP LIFE ITSELF. THEREFORE, WE CHRISTIANS HAVE A PRECIOUS SENSE OF SECURITY ABOUT LIFE, DEATH, AND ETERNITY. WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS ( IN ALL ,PLACES AND AT ALL TIMES, PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7).
Monday, October 8, 2018
AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER . EPHESIANS ( 1:19-23,)
PAUL SAYS: GOD'S LIMITLESS POWER WAS AT WORK IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, 1:19,20. THE SAME MIGHTY POWER IS AT WORK IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN CHRIST, 1:19
HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT, AFTER THAT, AFTER THE FATHER RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, "HE MADE HIM SIT AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES" WHAT DOES PAUL MEAN BY THIS STATEMENT? THESE WORDS HAVE THEIR ROOTS IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST, WHERE IT WAS THE CUSTOM TO PORTRAY THE RULER OF A REALM SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE "god" OF THE CITY OR NATION. THE IDEA WAS THAT THE KING RULED IN NAME OF, AND FOR, HIS god; HE HELD THE PLACE OF HONOR AND POWER. PAUL, THE, IS SAYING THAT AFTER THE FATHER RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, HE GAVE HIM THE PLACE OF HONOR AND POWER IN THE UNIVERSE! CHRIST RULES AND RUNS THE UNIVERSE FOR HIS FATHER, AND HE DOES WITH THE WELFARE OF HIS CHURCH IN MIND",... FOR THE CHURCH," EPHESIANS 1:22. CHRIST IN CHARGE OF THE UNIVERSE! THIS IS A SOURCE OF GREAT COMFORT O CHRISTIANS. IT TELLS THEM THAT HISTORY IS NOT JUST "JUST ONE FOOL THING AFTER ANOTHER". BECAUSE OF WHAT THE FATHER ACCOMPLISHED I CHRIST THROUGH THE EVENTS OF THE CROSS AND THE EMPTY TOMB, LIFE IS NO LONGER " A TALE TOLD BY AN IDIOT, FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING NOTHING," AS ONE OF SHAKESPEARE'S CHARACTERS SUGGEST. IN A WAY NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS TO HUMAN EYES, EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS CONTRIBUTES TO GOD'S GRAND DESIGN FOR THE UNIVERSE. JUST THINK! THROUGHOUT THE COUNT
LESS GALAXIES OF OUR CREATED ORDER, WITH ITS BILLIONS O SUNS AND PLANETS, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. IT BOGGLES THE MIND TO THINK OUR ELDER BROTHER (MATT 12:46-50) HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE AUTHORITY TO RUN THE UNIVERSE, AND THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR, ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN. WE KNOW THE ONE WHO IS IN CHARGE! THOUGH AT TIMES MEN APPEAR TO BE IN CONTROL OF HISTORY. CHRIST IS IN CONTROL- CHRIST, WHO
HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT, AFTER THAT, AFTER THE FATHER RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, "HE MADE HIM SIT AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES" WHAT DOES PAUL MEAN BY THIS STATEMENT? THESE WORDS HAVE THEIR ROOTS IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST, WHERE IT WAS THE CUSTOM TO PORTRAY THE RULER OF A REALM SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE "god" OF THE CITY OR NATION. THE IDEA WAS THAT THE KING RULED IN NAME OF, AND FOR, HIS god; HE HELD THE PLACE OF HONOR AND POWER. PAUL, THE, IS SAYING THAT AFTER THE FATHER RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, HE GAVE HIM THE PLACE OF HONOR AND POWER IN THE UNIVERSE! CHRIST RULES AND RUNS THE UNIVERSE FOR HIS FATHER, AND HE DOES WITH THE WELFARE OF HIS CHURCH IN MIND",... FOR THE CHURCH," EPHESIANS 1:22. CHRIST IN CHARGE OF THE UNIVERSE! THIS IS A SOURCE OF GREAT COMFORT O CHRISTIANS. IT TELLS THEM THAT HISTORY IS NOT JUST "JUST ONE FOOL THING AFTER ANOTHER". BECAUSE OF WHAT THE FATHER ACCOMPLISHED I CHRIST THROUGH THE EVENTS OF THE CROSS AND THE EMPTY TOMB, LIFE IS NO LONGER " A TALE TOLD BY AN IDIOT, FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING NOTHING," AS ONE OF SHAKESPEARE'S CHARACTERS SUGGEST. IN A WAY NOT ALWAYS OBVIOUS TO HUMAN EYES, EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS CONTRIBUTES TO GOD'S GRAND DESIGN FOR THE UNIVERSE. JUST THINK! THROUGHOUT THE COUNT
LESS GALAXIES OF OUR CREATED ORDER, WITH ITS BILLIONS O SUNS AND PLANETS, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. IT BOGGLES THE MIND TO THINK OUR ELDER BROTHER (MATT 12:46-50) HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE AUTHORITY TO RUN THE UNIVERSE, AND THE WORLD IN PARTICULAR, ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN. WE KNOW THE ONE WHO IS IN CHARGE! THOUGH AT TIMES MEN APPEAR TO BE IN CONTROL OF HISTORY. CHRIST IS IN CONTROL- CHRIST, WHO
LOVED US ENOUGH TO GIVE UP LIFE ITSELF. THEREFORE, WE CHRISTIANS HAVE A PRECIOUS SENSE OF SECURITY ABOUT LIFE, DEATH, AND ETERNITY. WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS, IN ALL PLACES AND AT ALL TIMES, PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7. REMEMBER GOD HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER CHRIST'S FEET. IN EPHESIANS 1:22, PAUL WRITES"... AND HE HAS MADE HIM HEAD OVER ALL THINGS FOR THE CHURCH." ONCE AGAIN, ANCIENT PRACTICES UNDERLIE PAUL'S MEANING. IN ANCIENT NEAR EAST, A KING HAD THE FACES AND FIGURES OF ENEMIES HE HAD OVERCOME CARVED OR WOVEN ONTO HIS FOOT STOOL. THE VISUAL MESSAGE IN RESTING HIS FEET ON THE FOOTSTOOL WAS OBVIOUS - THOSE WHOSE IMAGES APPEARED ON THE FOOTSTOOL WERE UNDER HIS AUTHORITY. PAUL'S MESSAGE, THEN, IS THAT EVERY POWER, RULE, NAME AUTHORITY, AND PRINCIPALITY IN THE UNIVERSE- WHETHER PRESENT AND FUTURE IS UNDER CHRIST FEET." THE APOSTLE GOES ON TO STRESS CHRIST RULES ALL THINGS. " FOR THE CHURCH 1:22. CHRIST'S FEET ARE RESTING ON A FOOTSTOOL THE CROWN SUPERIMPOSED ON THE FEET POINTS TO CHRIST ROLE AS AUTHORITY AS KING OF THE UNIVERSE. THE SIX SYMBOLS ON THE SIDE OF THE FOOT STOOL, 1). THE POWER OF SIN: JESUS DID NOT SUBMIT TO IT ON ANY OCCASION, JOHN 8: 46. THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE HE WAS THE HUMBLE SERVANT WHO SOUGHT ONLY TO DO THE FATHER'S WILL., LUKE 2:42. HE BREAKS ITS HOLD ON US BY DECLARING US FORGIVEN, LUKE 7: 48-50. JESUS KEPT THE "LAW" PERFECTLY,AND DESTROYED ITS AUTHORITY OVER HUMANITY. IN COLOSSIANS 2:13-15, PAUL USES THE PICTURE OF A ROMAN GENERAL RETURNING IN TRIUMPHANT PROCESSION AFTER CONQUERING HIS FOES TO STATE THAT CHRIST CONQUERED THE LAW. IT "DIED" WITH HIM. NEXT FOLLOWS JUDGMENT AND CONDEMNATION. CHRIST VICTORY OVER THE LAW DESTROYED ITS AUTHORITY TO JUDGE AND CONDEMN THOSE WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM, ROMANS (8:1,2,33,34).
SATAN: CHRIST'S MINISTRY WAS A STRUGGLE TO OVER SATAN AND HIS REALM. CHRIST WON, (MARK 3 : 22-27.) 1 JOHN 3;8).
THE HEAVENLY POWERS: THE CROWN WITH THE ASTROLOGICAL REFERS TO THE TERMS PAUL USES, EPHESIANS 1:21; 6:12; COLOSSIANS 1:16; ROMANS 8:38 CHRIST HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERY SO-CALLED POWER IN THE UNIVERSE. HE IS LORD OF ALL! FINALLY DEATH: CHRIST IS LORD OF DEATH AND THE GRAVE. IT MUST OBEY HIS COMMAND TO GIVE UP ITS VICTIMS. LUKE 7:11-17; JOHN 5:25-29; 11:25,26.
IN PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11, PAUL WRITES: " GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED CHRIST, AND BESTOWED ON HIM THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.
SATAN: CHRIST'S MINISTRY WAS A STRUGGLE TO OVER SATAN AND HIS REALM. CHRIST WON, (MARK 3 : 22-27.) 1 JOHN 3;8).
THE HEAVENLY POWERS: THE CROWN WITH THE ASTROLOGICAL REFERS TO THE TERMS PAUL USES, EPHESIANS 1:21; 6:12; COLOSSIANS 1:16; ROMANS 8:38 CHRIST HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERY SO-CALLED POWER IN THE UNIVERSE. HE IS LORD OF ALL! FINALLY DEATH: CHRIST IS LORD OF DEATH AND THE GRAVE. IT MUST OBEY HIS COMMAND TO GIVE UP ITS VICTIMS. LUKE 7:11-17; JOHN 5:25-29; 11:25,26.
IN PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11, PAUL WRITES: " GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED CHRIST, AND BESTOWED ON HIM THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.
Saturday, October 6, 2018
ASPECTS OF CHRIST WORK.
IT IS TRADITIONAL TO SPEAK OF THREE ASPECTS OF CHRIST'S WORK, NAMELY HIS ROLES AS:
1. PROPHET
2. PRIEST
3. KING.
TO THESE WE SHAL ADD A FOURTH: HIS WORK AS "WISE MAN."
CHRIST AS A PROPHET, WE WILL DISCUSS THE ROLE OF A PROPHET WITHIN THE LIFE OF ISRAEL. CHRIST WORK HAD A STRONGLY PROPHETIC CHARACTER (DEUT.18:18).
"FORETOLD," OR PROCLAIMED, THE MIND OR WILL OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER,
JOHN (17:8) AS MOSES LED OLD ISRAEL OUT OF BONDAGE, AND WAS THE ONE THROUGH WHOM GOD MADE THE OLD COVENANT AT SINAI, SO CHRIST LED MANKIND OUT OF BONDAGE TO SIN, SATAN, JUDGEMENT AND DEATH, "REVELATION" (5:9). THROUGH THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD ON THE CROSS., HE ESTABLISHED A NEW COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, HEBREWS ( 8:6-12) JEREMIAH (31:31-34) read first, EXODUS (24:3-11); MARK (14:22-25).
CHRIST AS PRIEST: THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIEST CONDUCTED THE WORSHIP RITUALS AT THE VARIOUS SHRINES IN ISRAEL, AND OFFERED THE SPECIFIED SACRIFICES. HE WAS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN HIS HEAVENLY FATHER AND MANKIND. HE OFFERED UP IN SACRIFICE NOT SOME "DUMB ANIMAL," "BUT HIMSELF" AS THE "LAMB OF GOD. THAT TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD,"
(JOHN (1:29,36); HEBREWS (9:11-14). STILL TODAY HE BRINGS THE NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE BEFORE THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER (ROMANS 8:34), AND SERVES THEM THROUGH HIS WORD AND SACRAMENTS.
"CHRIST AS KING" THE NEW TESTAMENT USES A NUMBER OF TERMS TO DESCRIBE JESUS AUTHORITY IN THE UNIVERSE; THE NEW TESTAMENT ESPECIALLY THE GOSPELS, OFTEN REFERS TO JESUS ROLE AS "KING"e.g. JOHN (18:33-19:22). IT IS TRADITIONAL TO SPEAK OF JESUS RULING A THREE- FOLD KINGDOM.:
A. KINGDOM OF POWER: HE RULES THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE (EPHESIANS 1:20,21).
B. KINGDOM OF GRACE: HE RULES THE CHURCH (EPHESIANS 1:22).
C. KINGDOM OF GLORY: HE RULES HEAVEN AND THE WORLD TO COME (COLOSSIANS 1;15-20).
CHRIST AS WISE MAN; THE OLD TESTAMENT CONTAINS A BODY OF LITERATURE KNOWN AS "WISDOM-" PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, AND JOB. WISDOM WRITERS SOUGHT INSIDES INTO THE DIVINE PLAN BEHIND THE UNIVERSE, AND DIRECTIONS FOR A MEANINGFUL LIFE. TO POSSESS WISDOM WAS TO BE EQUIPPED TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE CREATOR AND HIS CREATION. JESUS NOT ONLY TAUGHT TRUE WISDOM, BUT WAS THE LIVING DISPLAY OF WISDOM., 1 CORINTHIANS 1:24. IT IS LITTLE WONDER THAT THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST PAID HOMAGE TO HIM AS THE GREATEST OF ALL WISDOM TEACHERS, MATTHEW 2:1-12; SEE ALSO 1 KINGS
( 4:34), 10 :23-25). HE VISIBLE SON SHOWS US THE INVISIBLE FATHER. JOHN RECORDS A SIGNIFICANT CONVERSATION BETWEEN JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES (14:7-11): PHILIP: "LORD SHOW US WHAT THE FATHER IS LIKE. HE IS INVISIBLE. WE CANNOT SEE HIM AND KNOW WHAT HE IS LIKE, WE WOULD BE SATISFIED."
JESUS: " I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU SUCH A LONG TIME, PHILIP, AND DO YOU STILL NOT KNOW WHO I AM? IF YOU SEE ME, YOU HAVE SEEN THE INVISIBLE FATHER. I MAKE HIM VISIBLE THROUGH MY PERSON, WORDS, AND WORKS.
THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES ARE RELEVANT: CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, " COLOSSIANS 1:15).
" NO ONE HAS SEEN GOD; THE ONLY SON, WHO IS IN THE BOSOM OF OF THE FATHER, HE HAS MADE HIM KNOWN," JOHN (1:18 2:7) PSALM (2:7). tHE "god OF THIS WORLD HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS, TO KEEP THEM FROM SEEING THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF GLORY OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE LIKENESS," 2 CORINTHIANS (1:4). " HE CHRIST REFLECTS THE GLORY OF GOD AND BEARS THE VERY STAMP OF HIS NATURE," HEBREWS 1:3). WE CAN DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR INVISIBLE GOD IS LIKE BY THINKING THROUGH WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE PERSON OF THE VISIBLE SON. CONSIDER: THE MANNER JESUS DEALT WITH THE PEOPLE IN NEED, MATTHEW (8:1-4 MESSIANIC SECRET). THE TONE OF HIS VOICE HE USED WHEN SPEAKING TO THOSE FEELING CRUSHED BY THE BURDEN OF THEIR SIN, LUKE 7:36-50; NOTE VERSES (48-50) CLAIM TO BE GOD, (44) HOSPITALITY (GEN 18:4)
FOOT WASHING. THE BOLDNESS HE MANIFESTED WHEN CONFRONTING DEMONS AND AND THOSE WHO SET OUT TO TEAR HIS TEACHINGS TO SHREDS, MARK 1:25; JOHN 8:42-47). HIS READINESS TO SURRENDER HIMSELF INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO WANTED TO DO AWAY WITH HIM, MARK 1O:17-22; JESUS FATE WAS SELF- CHOSEN. THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHES THAT AS JESUS WAS WHILE ON EARTH, THE FATHER IS NOW! AS JESUS TREATED PEOPLE THEN, SO THE FATHER TREATS US NOW.
AS JESUS DISPOSITION IS. AS JESUS WAS AND IS, THE FATHER IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE.
1. PROPHET
2. PRIEST
3. KING.
TO THESE WE SHAL ADD A FOURTH: HIS WORK AS "WISE MAN."
CHRIST AS A PROPHET, WE WILL DISCUSS THE ROLE OF A PROPHET WITHIN THE LIFE OF ISRAEL. CHRIST WORK HAD A STRONGLY PROPHETIC CHARACTER (DEUT.18:18).
"FORETOLD," OR PROCLAIMED, THE MIND OR WILL OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER,
JOHN (17:8) AS MOSES LED OLD ISRAEL OUT OF BONDAGE, AND WAS THE ONE THROUGH WHOM GOD MADE THE OLD COVENANT AT SINAI, SO CHRIST LED MANKIND OUT OF BONDAGE TO SIN, SATAN, JUDGEMENT AND DEATH, "REVELATION" (5:9). THROUGH THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD ON THE CROSS., HE ESTABLISHED A NEW COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, HEBREWS ( 8:6-12) JEREMIAH (31:31-34) read first, EXODUS (24:3-11); MARK (14:22-25).
CHRIST AS PRIEST: THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIEST CONDUCTED THE WORSHIP RITUALS AT THE VARIOUS SHRINES IN ISRAEL, AND OFFERED THE SPECIFIED SACRIFICES. HE WAS THE MEDIATOR BETWEEN HIS HEAVENLY FATHER AND MANKIND. HE OFFERED UP IN SACRIFICE NOT SOME "DUMB ANIMAL," "BUT HIMSELF" AS THE "LAMB OF GOD. THAT TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD,"
(JOHN (1:29,36); HEBREWS (9:11-14). STILL TODAY HE BRINGS THE NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE BEFORE THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER (ROMANS 8:34), AND SERVES THEM THROUGH HIS WORD AND SACRAMENTS.
"CHRIST AS KING" THE NEW TESTAMENT USES A NUMBER OF TERMS TO DESCRIBE JESUS AUTHORITY IN THE UNIVERSE; THE NEW TESTAMENT ESPECIALLY THE GOSPELS, OFTEN REFERS TO JESUS ROLE AS "KING"e.g. JOHN (18:33-19:22). IT IS TRADITIONAL TO SPEAK OF JESUS RULING A THREE- FOLD KINGDOM.:
A. KINGDOM OF POWER: HE RULES THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE (EPHESIANS 1:20,21).
B. KINGDOM OF GRACE: HE RULES THE CHURCH (EPHESIANS 1:22).
C. KINGDOM OF GLORY: HE RULES HEAVEN AND THE WORLD TO COME (COLOSSIANS 1;15-20).
CHRIST AS WISE MAN; THE OLD TESTAMENT CONTAINS A BODY OF LITERATURE KNOWN AS "WISDOM-" PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, AND JOB. WISDOM WRITERS SOUGHT INSIDES INTO THE DIVINE PLAN BEHIND THE UNIVERSE, AND DIRECTIONS FOR A MEANINGFUL LIFE. TO POSSESS WISDOM WAS TO BE EQUIPPED TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE CREATOR AND HIS CREATION. JESUS NOT ONLY TAUGHT TRUE WISDOM, BUT WAS THE LIVING DISPLAY OF WISDOM., 1 CORINTHIANS 1:24. IT IS LITTLE WONDER THAT THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST PAID HOMAGE TO HIM AS THE GREATEST OF ALL WISDOM TEACHERS, MATTHEW 2:1-12; SEE ALSO 1 KINGS
( 4:34), 10 :23-25). HE VISIBLE SON SHOWS US THE INVISIBLE FATHER. JOHN RECORDS A SIGNIFICANT CONVERSATION BETWEEN JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES (14:7-11): PHILIP: "LORD SHOW US WHAT THE FATHER IS LIKE. HE IS INVISIBLE. WE CANNOT SEE HIM AND KNOW WHAT HE IS LIKE, WE WOULD BE SATISFIED."
JESUS: " I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU SUCH A LONG TIME, PHILIP, AND DO YOU STILL NOT KNOW WHO I AM? IF YOU SEE ME, YOU HAVE SEEN THE INVISIBLE FATHER. I MAKE HIM VISIBLE THROUGH MY PERSON, WORDS, AND WORKS.
THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES ARE RELEVANT: CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, " COLOSSIANS 1:15).
" NO ONE HAS SEEN GOD; THE ONLY SON, WHO IS IN THE BOSOM OF OF THE FATHER, HE HAS MADE HIM KNOWN," JOHN (1:18 2:7) PSALM (2:7). tHE "god OF THIS WORLD HAS BLINDED THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS, TO KEEP THEM FROM SEEING THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF GLORY OF CHRIST, WHO IS THE LIKENESS," 2 CORINTHIANS (1:4). " HE CHRIST REFLECTS THE GLORY OF GOD AND BEARS THE VERY STAMP OF HIS NATURE," HEBREWS 1:3). WE CAN DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR INVISIBLE GOD IS LIKE BY THINKING THROUGH WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE PERSON OF THE VISIBLE SON. CONSIDER: THE MANNER JESUS DEALT WITH THE PEOPLE IN NEED, MATTHEW (8:1-4 MESSIANIC SECRET). THE TONE OF HIS VOICE HE USED WHEN SPEAKING TO THOSE FEELING CRUSHED BY THE BURDEN OF THEIR SIN, LUKE 7:36-50; NOTE VERSES (48-50) CLAIM TO BE GOD, (44) HOSPITALITY (GEN 18:4)
FOOT WASHING. THE BOLDNESS HE MANIFESTED WHEN CONFRONTING DEMONS AND AND THOSE WHO SET OUT TO TEAR HIS TEACHINGS TO SHREDS, MARK 1:25; JOHN 8:42-47). HIS READINESS TO SURRENDER HIMSELF INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO WANTED TO DO AWAY WITH HIM, MARK 1O:17-22; JESUS FATE WAS SELF- CHOSEN. THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHES THAT AS JESUS WAS WHILE ON EARTH, THE FATHER IS NOW! AS JESUS TREATED PEOPLE THEN, SO THE FATHER TREATS US NOW.
AS JESUS DISPOSITION IS. AS JESUS WAS AND IS, THE FATHER IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
COLOSSIAN HERESY COLOSSIANS.
WHILE PAUL WAS A PRISONER IN ROME, HE WAS VISITED BY EPAPHRAS FROM COLOSSAE, A CITY OF ASIA MINOR ABOUT 125 MILES EAST OF EPHESUS. EPAPHRAS BROUGHT NEWS ABOUT THE PROGRESS BEING MADE IN THE GENTILE CHURCH. THERE; POSSIBLY HE HAD OVERSIGHT OF IT 1: 5-8. THOUGH HIS REPORT WAS POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING (1:6), HE FELT SOME ANXIETY. THE CHURCH IN COLOSSAE WAS UNDER THREAT.. A "NEW TEACHING" WAS GAINING A FOOTHOLD, AND ENDANGERING THE GOSPEL. EPAPHRAS SOUGHT PAUL'S HELP TO ANALYZE AND COMBAT IT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE PRECISELY WHAT THE HERESY WAS, FOR PAUL DOES NOT DEFINE IT, BUT CONFRONTS IT WITH THE GOSPEL: INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE HERESY INVOLVED THE FOLLOWING: IT ATTACHED IMPORTANCE TO THE POWERS OF THE SPIRIT WORLD. IN REFERRING TO THESE, IT USED TERMS SUCH AS " THRONES, DOMINION, PRINCIPALITIES, NAMES, AUTHORITIES, POWERS." POSSIBLY IT ALSO INVOLVED ANGEL WORSHIP., 2:18. THE FALSE TEACHERS ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO RITUALISTIC OBSERVANCES IN RELATION TO FEASTS AND FASTS, FOOD AND DRINK, NEW MOONS AND SABBATHS, AND PROBABLY ALSO CIRCUMCISION, 2:11, 16ff. OF. THEY PROCLAIMED THEIR IDEAS AS THE TRUE WAY OF SELF- DISCIPLINE AND SUBJECTION OF THE FLESH., 2:20ff. AN ASCETIC ELEMENT WAS ALSO INVOLVED, "DO NOT HANDLE," "DO NOT TASTE," "DO NOT TOUCH (2 :21), " A RIGOR OF DEVOTION AND SELF-ABASEMENT AND SEVERITY TO THE BODY, " 2:23. THE FALSE TEACHERS DECLARED THAT THEY POSSESSED A HIGHER, MORE PROFOUND OCCULT KNOWLEDGE DERIVED FROM GOD., 2:4, 8, 18. WHEN PAUL USES TERMS SUCH AS KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM,UNDERSTANDING AND MYSTERY, MOST LIKELY HE IS USING WORDS THE HERETICS THEMSELVES USED, BUT INJECTING INTO THEM THEIR GOD-INTENDING MEANING. COLOSSIANS DOES NOT TELL US HOW THESE THREE ELEMENTS WERE RELATED TO ONE ANOTHER..
"PAUL HAS THE ANSWERS TO THE HERESY!" CHRIST IS THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE AND WHATEVER POWERS EXIST WITHIN IT. HE IS HE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, THE CONQUEROR OF EVERY EVIL FORCE OPPOSED TO GOD AND HUMANITY., 1:15ff; 2:9ff. ALL THE "FULLNESS" OF THE GODHEAD DWELLS IN HIM. ( MOST LIKELY THE TERM "FULNESS" WAS ONE OF THE FALSE TEACHERS USED; PAUL MAKES IT SERVE HIS OWN PURPOSES.) HE WHO EXALTS ANGELS, EMPHASIZING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE GOOD SPIRITUAL POWERS AND THE FEAR OF THE EVIL " PRINCIPALITIES" IS MISGUIDED. CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL; ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN PLACED BENEATH IS FEET. THE WAY TO HOLINESS AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IS NOT THROUGH ASCETICISM OR BY SELF-CENTERED EFFORTS TO CONTROL THE PASSIONS. THESE PRACTICES LEAD TO SPIRITUAL PRIDE. THE WAY TO HOLINESS AND FELLOWSHIP IS THROUGH PUTTING ON CHRIST., SETTING ONE'S WHOLE AFFECTION ON HIM, AND PUTTING OFF ALL THAT IS CONTRARY TO HIS WILL,
2:2O ff; 3:1ff. PAUL INSISTS THAT IT IS VAIN TO SUGGEST THAT ANY EARTHLY PHILOSOPHY CAN BE THE TRUE WISDOM, 2:8. TRUE WISDOM IS FOUND ONLY IN THAT MYSTERY, THAT "OPEN SECRET" WHICH IS CHRIST. HE DWELLS IN ALL WHO RECEIVE HIM AND MAKES NO DISTINCTION OF PERSONS, 1:27; 3:1ff. PAUL SAW THAT THE COLOSSIAN HERESY CALLED INTO QUESTION THE WAY OF SALVATION IN CHRIST.
IT OBSCURED HIS UNIQUE GREATNESS AND DENIED THE COMPLETE SUFFICIENCY OF HIS ATONEMENT. IT PROCLAIMED AND INVOKED OTHER POWERS AND PRACTICES
AS MEDIATORS BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY. IT WAS ALL THE MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CLAIMED NOT TO SUPPLANT, BUT TO SUPPLEMENT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. PAUL'S AWARENESS OF THIS LED, HIM TO EMPHASIZE AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THE COLOSSIANS WERE FULL AND COMPLETE IN THE GOSPEL THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT AND THAT THE TREASURES OF DIVINE WISDOM ARE TO BE FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE, 2:2,3,9, 1O. THE LETTER PROCLAIMS THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST REPEATEDLY, MAJESTICALLY AND TRIUMPHANTLY. NOTE: BECAUSE MANY PARALLELS EXIST BETWEEN EPHESIANS AND COLOSSIANS, NO FURTHER COMMENT IS OFFERED.
"PAUL HAS THE ANSWERS TO THE HERESY!" CHRIST IS THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE AND WHATEVER POWERS EXIST WITHIN IT. HE IS HE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, THE CONQUEROR OF EVERY EVIL FORCE OPPOSED TO GOD AND HUMANITY., 1:15ff; 2:9ff. ALL THE "FULLNESS" OF THE GODHEAD DWELLS IN HIM. ( MOST LIKELY THE TERM "FULNESS" WAS ONE OF THE FALSE TEACHERS USED; PAUL MAKES IT SERVE HIS OWN PURPOSES.) HE WHO EXALTS ANGELS, EMPHASIZING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE GOOD SPIRITUAL POWERS AND THE FEAR OF THE EVIL " PRINCIPALITIES" IS MISGUIDED. CHRIST IS LORD OF ALL; ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN PLACED BENEATH IS FEET. THE WAY TO HOLINESS AND FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IS NOT THROUGH ASCETICISM OR BY SELF-CENTERED EFFORTS TO CONTROL THE PASSIONS. THESE PRACTICES LEAD TO SPIRITUAL PRIDE. THE WAY TO HOLINESS AND FELLOWSHIP IS THROUGH PUTTING ON CHRIST., SETTING ONE'S WHOLE AFFECTION ON HIM, AND PUTTING OFF ALL THAT IS CONTRARY TO HIS WILL,
2:2O ff; 3:1ff. PAUL INSISTS THAT IT IS VAIN TO SUGGEST THAT ANY EARTHLY PHILOSOPHY CAN BE THE TRUE WISDOM, 2:8. TRUE WISDOM IS FOUND ONLY IN THAT MYSTERY, THAT "OPEN SECRET" WHICH IS CHRIST. HE DWELLS IN ALL WHO RECEIVE HIM AND MAKES NO DISTINCTION OF PERSONS, 1:27; 3:1ff. PAUL SAW THAT THE COLOSSIAN HERESY CALLED INTO QUESTION THE WAY OF SALVATION IN CHRIST.
IT OBSCURED HIS UNIQUE GREATNESS AND DENIED THE COMPLETE SUFFICIENCY OF HIS ATONEMENT. IT PROCLAIMED AND INVOKED OTHER POWERS AND PRACTICES
AS MEDIATORS BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY. IT WAS ALL THE MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CLAIMED NOT TO SUPPLANT, BUT TO SUPPLEMENT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. PAUL'S AWARENESS OF THIS LED, HIM TO EMPHASIZE AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THE COLOSSIANS WERE FULL AND COMPLETE IN THE GOSPEL THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT AND THAT THE TREASURES OF DIVINE WISDOM ARE TO BE FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE, 2:2,3,9, 1O. THE LETTER PROCLAIMS THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST REPEATEDLY, MAJESTICALLY AND TRIUMPHANTLY. NOTE: BECAUSE MANY PARALLELS EXIST BETWEEN EPHESIANS AND COLOSSIANS, NO FURTHER COMMENT IS OFFERED.
EPHESIANS.
EPHESIANS WAS A LARGE SEAPORT ON THE WESTERN COAST OF ASIA MINOR, A ROMAN PROVINCE. PAUL SPENT TIME THERE DURING HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 18: 19-21), AND MADE IT HIS BASE DURING THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 19 1-20:1), SPENDING ABOUT THREE YEARS THERE. IT IS UNUSUAL THAT THE LETTER CONTAINS ONLY ONE PERSONAL REFERENCE-- TO TYCHICUS, 6;21;
SEE COLOSSIANS 4:7. INDICATIONS ARE THAT EPHESIANS WAS INITIALLY A CIRCULAR LETTER DESIGNED FOR A WIDER DISTRIBUTION; THE TITLE, "TO THE EPHESIANS," WAS PROBABLY NOT IN THE ORIGINAL LETTER--IT IS MISSING IN THE MOST RELIABLE MANUSCRIPTS. EPHESIANS IS A LETTER IN FORM ONLY. IT IS ACTUALLY A THEOLOGICAL TREATISE. THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS DEAL WITH DOCTRINE, AND OUTLINE WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED AND DONE FOR THE REDEMPTION OF THE UNIVERSE. THE LAST THREE CHAPTERS DEAL WITH PRACTICE, AND INSTRUCT CHRISTIANS HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD'S INITIATIVE. THE STRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT, FOR IT DECLARES THAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A RESPONSE TO WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANKIND.
(NOTE: THE CHURCH TOOK OVER THE WORD FOR "CHURCH" (EKKLYSIA) FROM THE GREEK SECULAR WORLD, AND ENRICHED THE MEANING. IN GREEK COMMUNITIES, THE WORD REFERRED TO THE LOCAL "COUNCIL" WHICH MET TO DISCUSS LOCAL AFFAIRS). AFTER THE OPENING GREETING AND (1:1,2), chs, 1-3 SET FORTH GOD'S GREAT PLAN HIDDEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD, TO MAKE CHRIST THE HEAD OF A NEW FAMILY OF HUMANITY, ONE WHICH WILL EMBRACE BOTH JEW AND GENTILE.. IN CHAPTERS 3-6, PAUL OUTLINES THE GOOD WORKS GOD'S NEW CREATION, THE CHURCH IS TO PERFORM. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS HELP CRYSTALLIZE PAUL' MESSAGE. IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK 1:3-14 IS ONE LONG SENTENCE THAT NEVER REALLY STOPS TO CATCH ITS BREATH. ITS EXPRESSIONS LITERALLY TUMBLE OVER ONE ANOTHER AS THEY SUMMON THREADER TO JOIN IN
PRAISING HIM. " WHO ACCOMPLISHES ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE COUNSEL OF HIS WILL" 1:11. ( RSV HAS BROKEN THIS ONE GREEK SENTENCE INTO SIX ENGLISH SENTENCES.) THIS OPENING "OVERTURE" IS MADE UP OF THREE SECTIONS WHICH DEAL IN TURN WITH THE WORK OF THE FATHER (3-6), SON (7:12), AND THE HOLY SPIRIT (13,14). THE FATHER DESIGNED THE PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE. THE SON IS THE ONE THROUGH WHOM HE PUT IT INTO EFFECT. THE SPIRIT IS THE GUARANTEE THAT GOD'S PEOPLE WILL FINALLY RECEIVE THE ETERNAL INHERITANCE WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF GOD'S WORK IN LIBERATING HUMANITY. EACH SECTION CONCLUDES WITH A SUMMONS TO PRAISE, 1:6, 12,14. EPHESIANS TAKES IN THE TOTAL SWEEP OF REDEMPTIVE HISTORY. PAUL BEGINS HIS PRESENTATION WITH A STATEMENT ABOUT GOD'S DECISION "BEFORE" THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD(1:4), CARRIES IT FORWARD THROUGH THE FULNESS OF TIME." (1:1O) TO THAT MOMENT WHEN, AT THE END OF OUR PRESENT HISTORY, THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST WILL EMBRACE ALL THINGS. IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, 1:22. THROUGHOUT HIS LETTER, PAUL BIDS HIS READERS BE ON GUARD AGAINST HAVING A GOD WHO IS TO SMALL. THE KEY THOUGHT THAT OCCURS IN 1:9,10. IN THESE TWO VERSES, THE APOSTLE DECLARES THAT THE UNIVERSE IS NOT SOME RAMSHACKLE STRUCTURE
STUMBLING ALONG ON ITS OWN, AND HISTORY IS NOT JUST ONE FOOL THING THING AFTER ANOTHER. GOD IS AT WORK IN THE UNIVERSE AND HISTORY ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE. HE HAS A PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING IN IT.
HIS PLAN IS NO SECRET, FOR HE MADE IT PUBLIC. HE IS AT WORK TO BRING ABOUT AN ULTIMATE UNITY AND HARMONY OF ALL CREATED THINGS IN CHRIST. GOD HAS NOT ONLY TOLD HUMANITY ABOUT HIS PLAN, BUT HAS INVOLVED THEM IN IT, FOR THE CHURCH IS THE INSTRUMENT THROUGH WHICH HE IS A WORK TO ACHIEVE HIS PLAN. THE CHURCH IS TO BE A MICROCOSM, A DISPLAY IN MINIATURE, OF GOD'S PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE. EVEN "THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES" ARE FINDING WHAT THIS PLAN IS BY LOOKING AT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CHURCH, 3:10. WHEN PAUL REFERS TO THE TRINITY (1:3-14), HE DOES NOT SIMPLY CONCERN HIMSELF WITH HOW THERE CAN BE THREE PERSONS IN ONE GODHEAD, BUT HE SUMMONS ALL CREATION TO PRAISE HIM WHO ACTED IN LOVE FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY. GOD'S LOVE IS NOT MOTIVATED BY ANYTHING LOVABLE IN WHAT HE SEES. HE ACTS TO MAKE ALIVE THOSE WHO ARE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS., 2:1. THIS DEATH DOES NOT HAVE TO DO WITH COLD, RIGID BODIES--- FOR HUMAN HEARTS, MINDS AND LIMBS ARE VERY MUCH ALIVE WITH ACTIVITY. HOWEVER, THIS "LIFE" ACTIVITY IS NOT IN RESPONSE TO GOD'S LOVE AND WILL, BUT IN RESPONSE TO " THE COURSE" OF THIS WORLD," AND "THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR" (2:2) AND THE PASSIONS OF THE "FLESH." BEFORE GOD INTERVENES IN OUR LIVES, WE HEED THE WHIMS OF THE BODY AND MIND, AND LIKE THE REST OF HUMANITY ARE SUBJECT TO GOD'S WRATH AND JUDGMENT, 2:2,3. WE ARE SEPARATED FROM CHRIST, NOT NUMBERED AMONG THE PEOPLE OF GOD. WITHOUT GOD, WITHOUT HOPE IN THE WORLD, " FAR OFF," 2:12,13.
GOD ACTED TO CHANGE ALL THAT. HE HAS BLESSED, CHOSEN RESCUED US, DESTINED US TO BE HIS CHILDREN, LAVISHED HIS GRACE ON US, REVEALED HIS GRACIOUS WILL TO US, AND APPOINTED US TO LIVE FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY, 1:3-14. HE HAS ENLIGHTENED OUR HEARTS (1:18) AND WORKED IN US WITH MIGHTY POWER., 1:19. HE HAS MADE US ALIVE IN CHRIST, 2:5-7. HE ACCOMPLISHED ALL THROUGH CHRIST, AND OFFERS ALL IN CHRIST. PAUL USES EXPRESSIONS LIKE "IN CHRIST" NINE TIMES IN 1: 3-14. HE WANTS TO BE SURE THAT NO ONE MISSES THE POINT! PAUL WANTS HIS READERS TO REMEMBER THAT PROCURING THEIR SALVATION WAS NO EASY AFFAIR, IT INVOLVED THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD., 1;7 THE ONLY WAY HUMANITY COULD BE SET FREE FROM HATRED OF GOD, AND ITS DEATH IN SIN, WAS BY THE SACRIFICE OF THE ONE DIVINE LIFE. WE ARE SAVED BY CHRIST'S BLOOD- THERE ARE NO "IF'S" OR "BUTS" ABOUT THIS "BLOOD LANGUAGE" BECAUSE IT FAILS TO UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE, AS THEY ARE BORN INTO THIS WORLD, ARE IN OPEN REVOLT AGAINST THE CREATOR. GOD SENT HIS SON TO CALVARY TO OFFER FORGIVENESS TO THOSE WHO COULD OFFER ONLY SIN TO HIM. GOD'S GREATEST REDEMPTIVE ACT TOOK PLACE WHEN HE RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD. 1;18-20. THE ACT WAS THE PIVOTAL POINT OF HISTORY, AND A DEMONSTRATION OF GOD'S LIMITLESS POWER AND MIGHT. AFTER GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, HE "MADE HIM SIT AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES," 1:20,21. THIS MEANS THAT THE FATHER HAS ENTRUSTED TO CHRIST THE TASK OF RUNNING THE UNIVERSE. THROUGHOUT ITS COUNTLESS GALAXIES, ITS MILLION OF SUNS AND PLANETS, CHRIST IS LORD. HE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO RULE ALL THINGS. THE IMAGERY USED IN THIS VERSE,PROBABLY STEMS FROM THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF REPRESENTING A KING SEATED NEXT TO THE GOD OF A CITY OR NATION. TO OCCUPY THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD MEANT THAT THE RULER EXERCISED POWER IN THE NAME OF, AND FOR, HIS god. 1:22, PAUL WRITES, " HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER. HIS" FEET." THE IMAGERY OF PUTTING ONE'S ENEMIES IS UNDER ONE'S FEET IS DERIVED FROM THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF HAVING THE FACES OF FIGURES OF A NATION'S VANQUISHED OPPONENTS WOVEN OR ENGRAVED
ONTO THE FOOTSTOOL OF ITS CONQUERING KING. PAUL USES THIS PICTURE TO POINT OUT THAT CHRIST IS ALREADY LORD, THAT ALL HIS ENEMIES HAVE BEEN CONQUERED, AND THAT, AS HISTORY PROCEEDS, THEY ARE BEING MADE SUBJECT TO HIM. GOD APPOINTED CHRIST AS HEAD OVER ALL THINGS "FOR THE CHURCH, WHICH IS HIS BODY, " 1:22,23. PAUL USES THE TERM "BODY" TO DECLARE THAT IN SOME MYSTERIOUS WAY, THE CHURCH IS TO BE AN EXTENSION OF ITS LORD. IT IS TO CARRY ON HIS WORK. IT IS HIS INSTRUMENT TO CARRY OUT HIS MISSION OF GATHERING ALL THINGS UNDER CHRIST'S LORDSHIP. THE CHURCH IS NOT SOMETHING SPIRITUAL AND INVISIBLE THAT HOVERS ABOVE LIFE AND SOCIETY. IT IS THAT REPRESENTATIVE BODY OF CHRIST WHICH GOD HAS CREATED TO WORK AMONG PEOPLE, WITH ALL THEIR BURDENS, TRAGEDIES AND FRUSTRATIONS.
"NOTE": IF GOD IS NOT THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE, SATAN IS-- TEMPTING PEOPLE TO USE THE CREATIVE ORDER AND EVERY SITUATION FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT, TO MAKE SELF THE GREAT NUMBER ONE . BOTH JEW AND GENTILE ( THAT IS ALL PEOPLE) ARE NOW TH LOOK FOR DIRECTION IN LIFE TO THE TEACHINGS AND EXAMPLE OF CHRIST. THROUGH CHRIST'S CROSS ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER ONLY IN CHRIST IS THERE HOPE OF PUTTING THE HUMAN RACE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.2"11-19. SATAN IS ON THE PROWL AGAIN ,6:10-18. A FIERCE STRUGGLE RAGES IN THE UNIVERSE BETWEEN SATAN AND HIS POWERS OF DARKNESS, AND THE AUTHORITY OF GOD. TRUE THE OUTCOME OF THE STRUGGLE HAS ALREADY BEEN DETERMINED . CHRIST HAS CONQUERED, CHRIST IS LORD. BUT SATAN THE FATHER OF LIES, REMAINS ON THE BATTLEFIELD AND WORKS TO DECEIVE PEOPLE INTO THINKING HE IS STILL LORD. "SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE," WAS ONCE MOVED TO CALL "EPHESIANS" "ONE OF THE SUBLIMEST "WONDERFUL" COMPOSITIONS OF MEN," HIS EVALUATION IS ENTIRELY ACCURATE.
SEE COLOSSIANS 4:7. INDICATIONS ARE THAT EPHESIANS WAS INITIALLY A CIRCULAR LETTER DESIGNED FOR A WIDER DISTRIBUTION; THE TITLE, "TO THE EPHESIANS," WAS PROBABLY NOT IN THE ORIGINAL LETTER--IT IS MISSING IN THE MOST RELIABLE MANUSCRIPTS. EPHESIANS IS A LETTER IN FORM ONLY. IT IS ACTUALLY A THEOLOGICAL TREATISE. THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS DEAL WITH DOCTRINE, AND OUTLINE WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED AND DONE FOR THE REDEMPTION OF THE UNIVERSE. THE LAST THREE CHAPTERS DEAL WITH PRACTICE, AND INSTRUCT CHRISTIANS HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD'S INITIATIVE. THE STRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT, FOR IT DECLARES THAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A RESPONSE TO WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANKIND.
(NOTE: THE CHURCH TOOK OVER THE WORD FOR "CHURCH" (EKKLYSIA) FROM THE GREEK SECULAR WORLD, AND ENRICHED THE MEANING. IN GREEK COMMUNITIES, THE WORD REFERRED TO THE LOCAL "COUNCIL" WHICH MET TO DISCUSS LOCAL AFFAIRS). AFTER THE OPENING GREETING AND (1:1,2), chs, 1-3 SET FORTH GOD'S GREAT PLAN HIDDEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD, TO MAKE CHRIST THE HEAD OF A NEW FAMILY OF HUMANITY, ONE WHICH WILL EMBRACE BOTH JEW AND GENTILE.. IN CHAPTERS 3-6, PAUL OUTLINES THE GOOD WORKS GOD'S NEW CREATION, THE CHURCH IS TO PERFORM. THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS HELP CRYSTALLIZE PAUL' MESSAGE. IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK 1:3-14 IS ONE LONG SENTENCE THAT NEVER REALLY STOPS TO CATCH ITS BREATH. ITS EXPRESSIONS LITERALLY TUMBLE OVER ONE ANOTHER AS THEY SUMMON THREADER TO JOIN IN
PRAISING HIM. " WHO ACCOMPLISHES ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE COUNSEL OF HIS WILL" 1:11. ( RSV HAS BROKEN THIS ONE GREEK SENTENCE INTO SIX ENGLISH SENTENCES.) THIS OPENING "OVERTURE" IS MADE UP OF THREE SECTIONS WHICH DEAL IN TURN WITH THE WORK OF THE FATHER (3-6), SON (7:12), AND THE HOLY SPIRIT (13,14). THE FATHER DESIGNED THE PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE. THE SON IS THE ONE THROUGH WHOM HE PUT IT INTO EFFECT. THE SPIRIT IS THE GUARANTEE THAT GOD'S PEOPLE WILL FINALLY RECEIVE THE ETERNAL INHERITANCE WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF GOD'S WORK IN LIBERATING HUMANITY. EACH SECTION CONCLUDES WITH A SUMMONS TO PRAISE, 1:6, 12,14. EPHESIANS TAKES IN THE TOTAL SWEEP OF REDEMPTIVE HISTORY. PAUL BEGINS HIS PRESENTATION WITH A STATEMENT ABOUT GOD'S DECISION "BEFORE" THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD(1:4), CARRIES IT FORWARD THROUGH THE FULNESS OF TIME." (1:1O) TO THAT MOMENT WHEN, AT THE END OF OUR PRESENT HISTORY, THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST WILL EMBRACE ALL THINGS. IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, 1:22. THROUGHOUT HIS LETTER, PAUL BIDS HIS READERS BE ON GUARD AGAINST HAVING A GOD WHO IS TO SMALL. THE KEY THOUGHT THAT OCCURS IN 1:9,10. IN THESE TWO VERSES, THE APOSTLE DECLARES THAT THE UNIVERSE IS NOT SOME RAMSHACKLE STRUCTURE
STUMBLING ALONG ON ITS OWN, AND HISTORY IS NOT JUST ONE FOOL THING THING AFTER ANOTHER. GOD IS AT WORK IN THE UNIVERSE AND HISTORY ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE. HE HAS A PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING IN IT.
HIS PLAN IS NO SECRET, FOR HE MADE IT PUBLIC. HE IS AT WORK TO BRING ABOUT AN ULTIMATE UNITY AND HARMONY OF ALL CREATED THINGS IN CHRIST. GOD HAS NOT ONLY TOLD HUMANITY ABOUT HIS PLAN, BUT HAS INVOLVED THEM IN IT, FOR THE CHURCH IS THE INSTRUMENT THROUGH WHICH HE IS A WORK TO ACHIEVE HIS PLAN. THE CHURCH IS TO BE A MICROCOSM, A DISPLAY IN MINIATURE, OF GOD'S PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE. EVEN "THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES" ARE FINDING WHAT THIS PLAN IS BY LOOKING AT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CHURCH, 3:10. WHEN PAUL REFERS TO THE TRINITY (1:3-14), HE DOES NOT SIMPLY CONCERN HIMSELF WITH HOW THERE CAN BE THREE PERSONS IN ONE GODHEAD, BUT HE SUMMONS ALL CREATION TO PRAISE HIM WHO ACTED IN LOVE FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY. GOD'S LOVE IS NOT MOTIVATED BY ANYTHING LOVABLE IN WHAT HE SEES. HE ACTS TO MAKE ALIVE THOSE WHO ARE DEAD IN TRESPASSES AND SINS., 2:1. THIS DEATH DOES NOT HAVE TO DO WITH COLD, RIGID BODIES--- FOR HUMAN HEARTS, MINDS AND LIMBS ARE VERY MUCH ALIVE WITH ACTIVITY. HOWEVER, THIS "LIFE" ACTIVITY IS NOT IN RESPONSE TO GOD'S LOVE AND WILL, BUT IN RESPONSE TO " THE COURSE" OF THIS WORLD," AND "THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR" (2:2) AND THE PASSIONS OF THE "FLESH." BEFORE GOD INTERVENES IN OUR LIVES, WE HEED THE WHIMS OF THE BODY AND MIND, AND LIKE THE REST OF HUMANITY ARE SUBJECT TO GOD'S WRATH AND JUDGMENT, 2:2,3. WE ARE SEPARATED FROM CHRIST, NOT NUMBERED AMONG THE PEOPLE OF GOD. WITHOUT GOD, WITHOUT HOPE IN THE WORLD, " FAR OFF," 2:12,13.
GOD ACTED TO CHANGE ALL THAT. HE HAS BLESSED, CHOSEN RESCUED US, DESTINED US TO BE HIS CHILDREN, LAVISHED HIS GRACE ON US, REVEALED HIS GRACIOUS WILL TO US, AND APPOINTED US TO LIVE FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY, 1:3-14. HE HAS ENLIGHTENED OUR HEARTS (1:18) AND WORKED IN US WITH MIGHTY POWER., 1:19. HE HAS MADE US ALIVE IN CHRIST, 2:5-7. HE ACCOMPLISHED ALL THROUGH CHRIST, AND OFFERS ALL IN CHRIST. PAUL USES EXPRESSIONS LIKE "IN CHRIST" NINE TIMES IN 1: 3-14. HE WANTS TO BE SURE THAT NO ONE MISSES THE POINT! PAUL WANTS HIS READERS TO REMEMBER THAT PROCURING THEIR SALVATION WAS NO EASY AFFAIR, IT INVOLVED THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD., 1;7 THE ONLY WAY HUMANITY COULD BE SET FREE FROM HATRED OF GOD, AND ITS DEATH IN SIN, WAS BY THE SACRIFICE OF THE ONE DIVINE LIFE. WE ARE SAVED BY CHRIST'S BLOOD- THERE ARE NO "IF'S" OR "BUTS" ABOUT THIS "BLOOD LANGUAGE" BECAUSE IT FAILS TO UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE, AS THEY ARE BORN INTO THIS WORLD, ARE IN OPEN REVOLT AGAINST THE CREATOR. GOD SENT HIS SON TO CALVARY TO OFFER FORGIVENESS TO THOSE WHO COULD OFFER ONLY SIN TO HIM. GOD'S GREATEST REDEMPTIVE ACT TOOK PLACE WHEN HE RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD. 1;18-20. THE ACT WAS THE PIVOTAL POINT OF HISTORY, AND A DEMONSTRATION OF GOD'S LIMITLESS POWER AND MIGHT. AFTER GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, HE "MADE HIM SIT AT HIS RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES," 1:20,21. THIS MEANS THAT THE FATHER HAS ENTRUSTED TO CHRIST THE TASK OF RUNNING THE UNIVERSE. THROUGHOUT ITS COUNTLESS GALAXIES, ITS MILLION OF SUNS AND PLANETS, CHRIST IS LORD. HE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO RULE ALL THINGS. THE IMAGERY USED IN THIS VERSE,PROBABLY STEMS FROM THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF REPRESENTING A KING SEATED NEXT TO THE GOD OF A CITY OR NATION. TO OCCUPY THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD MEANT THAT THE RULER EXERCISED POWER IN THE NAME OF, AND FOR, HIS god. 1:22, PAUL WRITES, " HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER. HIS" FEET." THE IMAGERY OF PUTTING ONE'S ENEMIES IS UNDER ONE'S FEET IS DERIVED FROM THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF HAVING THE FACES OF FIGURES OF A NATION'S VANQUISHED OPPONENTS WOVEN OR ENGRAVED
ONTO THE FOOTSTOOL OF ITS CONQUERING KING. PAUL USES THIS PICTURE TO POINT OUT THAT CHRIST IS ALREADY LORD, THAT ALL HIS ENEMIES HAVE BEEN CONQUERED, AND THAT, AS HISTORY PROCEEDS, THEY ARE BEING MADE SUBJECT TO HIM. GOD APPOINTED CHRIST AS HEAD OVER ALL THINGS "FOR THE CHURCH, WHICH IS HIS BODY, " 1:22,23. PAUL USES THE TERM "BODY" TO DECLARE THAT IN SOME MYSTERIOUS WAY, THE CHURCH IS TO BE AN EXTENSION OF ITS LORD. IT IS TO CARRY ON HIS WORK. IT IS HIS INSTRUMENT TO CARRY OUT HIS MISSION OF GATHERING ALL THINGS UNDER CHRIST'S LORDSHIP. THE CHURCH IS NOT SOMETHING SPIRITUAL AND INVISIBLE THAT HOVERS ABOVE LIFE AND SOCIETY. IT IS THAT REPRESENTATIVE BODY OF CHRIST WHICH GOD HAS CREATED TO WORK AMONG PEOPLE, WITH ALL THEIR BURDENS, TRAGEDIES AND FRUSTRATIONS.
"NOTE": IF GOD IS NOT THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE, SATAN IS-- TEMPTING PEOPLE TO USE THE CREATIVE ORDER AND EVERY SITUATION FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT, TO MAKE SELF THE GREAT NUMBER ONE . BOTH JEW AND GENTILE ( THAT IS ALL PEOPLE) ARE NOW TH LOOK FOR DIRECTION IN LIFE TO THE TEACHINGS AND EXAMPLE OF CHRIST. THROUGH CHRIST'S CROSS ALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER ONLY IN CHRIST IS THERE HOPE OF PUTTING THE HUMAN RACE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.2"11-19. SATAN IS ON THE PROWL AGAIN ,6:10-18. A FIERCE STRUGGLE RAGES IN THE UNIVERSE BETWEEN SATAN AND HIS POWERS OF DARKNESS, AND THE AUTHORITY OF GOD. TRUE THE OUTCOME OF THE STRUGGLE HAS ALREADY BEEN DETERMINED . CHRIST HAS CONQUERED, CHRIST IS LORD. BUT SATAN THE FATHER OF LIES, REMAINS ON THE BATTLEFIELD AND WORKS TO DECEIVE PEOPLE INTO THINKING HE IS STILL LORD. "SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE," WAS ONCE MOVED TO CALL "EPHESIANS" "ONE OF THE SUBLIMEST "WONDERFUL" COMPOSITIONS OF MEN," HIS EVALUATION IS ENTIRELY ACCURATE.
Monday, October 1, 2018
THE CAPTIVITY LETTERS.
AFTER COMPLETING HIS THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY, PAUL FOLLOWED HIS USUAL PRACTICE OF VISITING JERUSALEM. WHEN A JEWISH MOB ATTACKED HIM, ROMAN AUTHORITIES TOOK HIM INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY, AND TRANSFERRED HIM TO A PRISON IN CAESAREA. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS IN CONFINEMENT, PAUL APPEALED FOR HIS CASE TO BE HEARD BY CAESAR IN ROME. TO ROME AND CAESAR HE WENT.
DURING HIS TWO YEAR IMPRISONMENT IN ROME, HE WAS NOT REDUCED TO TOTAL INACTIVITY. HE HAD HIS OWN LODGINGS, AND HIS FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS WERE PERMITTED TO VISIT HIM, ACTS 28:30. PAUL DID NOT LIMIT HIS WITNESS TO PERSONAL CONTACTS IN ROME. HE WROTE LETTERS TO MINISTER TO OTHERS FURTHER AFIELD. FOUR LETTERS, TRADITIONALLY REFERRED TO AS "THE CAPTIVITY LETTERS" ARE ASCRIBED TO THIS PERIOD. 1.) EPHESIANS, WHICH DEFINES THE NATURE AND LIFE OF THE CHURCH CHURCH). (2-COLOSSIANS, WHICH PROCLAIMS CHRIST OR COSMIC SIGNIFICANCE. (3. PHILIPPIANS, WHICH ENCOURAGES A SUFFERING CHURCH TO WAIT WITH EXPECTANT JOY. (4 PHILEMON, WHICH GIVES INSIGHTS INTO HOW THE GOSPEL CAN TRANSFORM A LIFE. SOME SUGGEST THAT ONE OR MORE OF THESE LETTERS WAS WRITTEN AT EPHESUS OR CAESAREA, BUT THESE SUGGESTIONS CREATE AS MANY PROBLEMS AS THEY SOLVE. THE BOOKS WERE NOT WRITTEN IN THE ORDER WRITTEN ABOVE. EPHESIANS WILL RECEIVE THE MOST ATTENTION, AND COLOSSIANS LESS; THESE TWO LETTERS ARE VERY SIMILAR-- COMMENTS MADE ABOUT EPHESIANS APPLY EQUALLY WELL TO MANY PASSAGES IN COLOSSIANS. EPHESUS WAS A LARGE SEAPORT ON THE WESTERN COAST OF ASIA MINOR, A ROMAN PROVINCE. PAUL SPENT TIME THERE DURING HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 19: 1-21), AND MADE IT HIS BASE DURING THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY ( ACTS 19:1-20:1), SPENDING THREE YEARS THERE. IT IS UNUSUAL THAT THE LETTER CONTAINS ONLY ONE PERSONAL REFERENCE- TO TYCHICUS 6:21; SEE COLOSSIANS 4;7. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE EPHESIANS WAS INITIALLY A CIRCULAR LETTER DESIGNED FOR A WIDER DISTRIBUTION; THE TITLE, TO THE "EPHESIANS," WAS PROBABLY NOT IN THE ORIGINAL LETTER- IT IS MISSING IN THE MOST RELIABLE MANUSCRIPTS. EPHESIANS
IS A LETTER IN FORM ONLY. IT IS A THEOLOGICAL TREATISE. THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS DEAL WITH DOCTRINE, AND OUTLINE WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED AND DONE FOR THE REDEMPTION OF THE UNIVERSE. THE LAST THREE CHAPTERS DEAL WITH PRACTICE, AND INSTRUCT CHRISTIANS HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD'S INITIATIVE. THIS STRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT, FOR IT DECLARES THAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A RESPONSE TO WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANKIND. THE "CHURCH" TOOK OVER THE WORD FOR "CHURCH" (EKKLYSIA) FROM THE GREEK SECULAR WORLD, AND ENRICHED ITS MEANING. IN GREEK COMMUNITIES, THE WORD REFERRED TO THE LOCAL "COUNCIL" WHEN THE WORD EKKLESIA IS USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IT IS WITH CONSCIOUS REFERENCE TO THIS OLD TESTAMENT CONCEPTION. ONE CAN HARDLY SAY, THEREFORE, THAT JESUS FOUNDED THE CHURCH. THE TRUTH RATHER IS THAT HE REDEEMED. FOR CENTURIES THERE HAD BEEN A PEOPLE WHO LOOKED UPON THEMSELVES AS SET APART FOR GOD. WHEN CHRISTIANS APPLIED THE TERM EKKLESIA TO THEMSELVES
THEY RE-DEFINED THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN TERMS OF THE NEW ACTS OF GOD FOR THEIR REDEMPTION. IT WAS NOT TO BE IDENTIFIED WITH ISRAEL AFTER THE FLESH, BUT WITH INDIVIDUALS FROM EVERY TRIBE, NATION, PEOPLE, AND TONGUE (REV 7:9,etc). ITS ADHERENTS WERE NOT THOSE WHO WERE STRICTLY LOYAL TO TORAH, FOR CHRIST WAS THE END OF THE LAW(ROM. 1O:4). IT CENTER WAS NOT IN A TEMPLE WHERE SACRIFICES WERE CONTINUALLY OFFERED, BUT IN CHRIST WHO HAD DIED FOR THEIR SINS AND BEEN RAISED BY GOD FROM THE DEAD(1COR. 15:3ff).
THOUGH MEMBERSHIP IN THE PEOPLE OF GOD WAS DETERMINED BY A DIFFERENT CRITERIA, THE BASIC CONCEPTION OF A CHURCH GOES BACK TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. THE TRUE REMNANT ABOUT WHICH THE PROPHETS HAD SPOKEN, HAD FOUND FULFILMENT IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. THE GOSPELS CLEARLY INDICATE THAT THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF JESUS DID NOT DEAL WITH THE CHURCH. IT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE REPENTANCE WHICH WAS NECESSARY IF MEN SHOULD ENTER IT BY THE GRACIOUS MERCY OF GOD (MARK 1, 14-15). JESUS ANNOUNCED THE NEARNESS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, A MESSAGE WHICH GAVE TREMENDOUS URGENCY TO HIS ETHICAL DEMANDS. A CRISIS WAS AT HAND; MAN MUST STAND READY TO PAY ANY PRICE TO ENTER GOD'S KINGDOM (LUKE 10:14, 25-33). COLOSSIANS, PHILEMON, EPHESIANS, AND PHILIPPIANS ARE TRADITIONALLY CALLED CAPTIVITY LETTERS. PAUL WROTE THEM WHILE IMPRISONED IN ROME. IN EPHESIANS ( WHICH PROBABLY WAS A CIRCULAR LETTER ), PAUL SPEAKS OF GOD'S PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE IN RELATION TO CHRIST. THE LETTER DEFINES THE NATURE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH.
COLOSSIANS WAS WRITTEN TO COUNTER A THREAT BEING POSED BY FALSE TEACHERS WHO ATTACHED CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO POWERS OF THE SPIRIT WORLD, RITUALISTIC OBSERVANCES, AND THEIR OWN BRAND OF "KNOWLEDGE."
HEY OBSCURED CHRIST'S GREATNESS AND DENIED THE SUFFICIENCY OF HIS ATONEMENT PAUL CONTERED THE THREAT WITH PROFOUND TRUTHS ABOUT THE PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST. PAUL WROTE PHILIPPIANS TO THANK A CONGREGATION WHICH WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO HIM FOR THEIR CONTINUING INTEREST IN HIS WELFARE. HE ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE TO WALK IN THE PATHS OF HIM WHO, THOUGH HE WAS GOD, HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT, EVEN TO THE POINT OF DEATH ON THE CROSS. PHILEMON WAS ADDRESSED TO THE OWNER OF A RUNAWAY SLAVE. ONESIMUS, WHO HAD COME TO FAITH THROUGH HIS ASSOCIATION WITH PAUL. PAUL ENCOURAGES PHILEMON TO RECEIVE HIS FORMER "USELESS" SLAVE AS A "USEFUL" BROTHER IN CHRIST.
PAUL INSISTS THAT PEOPLE EITHER LIVE, UNDER THE POWER OF THE "DEADLY"
TRIO" OF SATAN OF SATAN-WORLD FLESH OR UNDER THE POWER OF THE RISEN LORD WHO IS PRESENT THROUGH HIS SPIRIT AND SPEAKS THROUGH HIS WORD. THOSE WHO LIVE UNDER THE POWER OF THE "DEADLY TRIO" REJECT GOD AS KING AND MAKE THEIR OWN LITTLE MIND THE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE LIFE'S MEANING OF A FORGIVING GOD.
DURING HIS TWO YEAR IMPRISONMENT IN ROME, HE WAS NOT REDUCED TO TOTAL INACTIVITY. HE HAD HIS OWN LODGINGS, AND HIS FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS WERE PERMITTED TO VISIT HIM, ACTS 28:30. PAUL DID NOT LIMIT HIS WITNESS TO PERSONAL CONTACTS IN ROME. HE WROTE LETTERS TO MINISTER TO OTHERS FURTHER AFIELD. FOUR LETTERS, TRADITIONALLY REFERRED TO AS "THE CAPTIVITY LETTERS" ARE ASCRIBED TO THIS PERIOD. 1.) EPHESIANS, WHICH DEFINES THE NATURE AND LIFE OF THE CHURCH CHURCH). (2-COLOSSIANS, WHICH PROCLAIMS CHRIST OR COSMIC SIGNIFICANCE. (3. PHILIPPIANS, WHICH ENCOURAGES A SUFFERING CHURCH TO WAIT WITH EXPECTANT JOY. (4 PHILEMON, WHICH GIVES INSIGHTS INTO HOW THE GOSPEL CAN TRANSFORM A LIFE. SOME SUGGEST THAT ONE OR MORE OF THESE LETTERS WAS WRITTEN AT EPHESUS OR CAESAREA, BUT THESE SUGGESTIONS CREATE AS MANY PROBLEMS AS THEY SOLVE. THE BOOKS WERE NOT WRITTEN IN THE ORDER WRITTEN ABOVE. EPHESIANS WILL RECEIVE THE MOST ATTENTION, AND COLOSSIANS LESS; THESE TWO LETTERS ARE VERY SIMILAR-- COMMENTS MADE ABOUT EPHESIANS APPLY EQUALLY WELL TO MANY PASSAGES IN COLOSSIANS. EPHESUS WAS A LARGE SEAPORT ON THE WESTERN COAST OF ASIA MINOR, A ROMAN PROVINCE. PAUL SPENT TIME THERE DURING HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY (ACTS 19: 1-21), AND MADE IT HIS BASE DURING THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY ( ACTS 19:1-20:1), SPENDING THREE YEARS THERE. IT IS UNUSUAL THAT THE LETTER CONTAINS ONLY ONE PERSONAL REFERENCE- TO TYCHICUS 6:21; SEE COLOSSIANS 4;7. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE EPHESIANS WAS INITIALLY A CIRCULAR LETTER DESIGNED FOR A WIDER DISTRIBUTION; THE TITLE, TO THE "EPHESIANS," WAS PROBABLY NOT IN THE ORIGINAL LETTER- IT IS MISSING IN THE MOST RELIABLE MANUSCRIPTS. EPHESIANS
IS A LETTER IN FORM ONLY. IT IS A THEOLOGICAL TREATISE. THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS DEAL WITH DOCTRINE, AND OUTLINE WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED AND DONE FOR THE REDEMPTION OF THE UNIVERSE. THE LAST THREE CHAPTERS DEAL WITH PRACTICE, AND INSTRUCT CHRISTIANS HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD'S INITIATIVE. THIS STRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT, FOR IT DECLARES THAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A RESPONSE TO WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR THE SALVATION OF HUMANKIND. THE "CHURCH" TOOK OVER THE WORD FOR "CHURCH" (EKKLYSIA) FROM THE GREEK SECULAR WORLD, AND ENRICHED ITS MEANING. IN GREEK COMMUNITIES, THE WORD REFERRED TO THE LOCAL "COUNCIL" WHEN THE WORD EKKLESIA IS USED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IT IS WITH CONSCIOUS REFERENCE TO THIS OLD TESTAMENT CONCEPTION. ONE CAN HARDLY SAY, THEREFORE, THAT JESUS FOUNDED THE CHURCH. THE TRUTH RATHER IS THAT HE REDEEMED. FOR CENTURIES THERE HAD BEEN A PEOPLE WHO LOOKED UPON THEMSELVES AS SET APART FOR GOD. WHEN CHRISTIANS APPLIED THE TERM EKKLESIA TO THEMSELVES
THEY RE-DEFINED THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN TERMS OF THE NEW ACTS OF GOD FOR THEIR REDEMPTION. IT WAS NOT TO BE IDENTIFIED WITH ISRAEL AFTER THE FLESH, BUT WITH INDIVIDUALS FROM EVERY TRIBE, NATION, PEOPLE, AND TONGUE (REV 7:9,etc). ITS ADHERENTS WERE NOT THOSE WHO WERE STRICTLY LOYAL TO TORAH, FOR CHRIST WAS THE END OF THE LAW(ROM. 1O:4). IT CENTER WAS NOT IN A TEMPLE WHERE SACRIFICES WERE CONTINUALLY OFFERED, BUT IN CHRIST WHO HAD DIED FOR THEIR SINS AND BEEN RAISED BY GOD FROM THE DEAD(1COR. 15:3ff).
THOUGH MEMBERSHIP IN THE PEOPLE OF GOD WAS DETERMINED BY A DIFFERENT CRITERIA, THE BASIC CONCEPTION OF A CHURCH GOES BACK TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. THE TRUE REMNANT ABOUT WHICH THE PROPHETS HAD SPOKEN, HAD FOUND FULFILMENT IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. THE GOSPELS CLEARLY INDICATE THAT THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF JESUS DID NOT DEAL WITH THE CHURCH. IT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE REPENTANCE WHICH WAS NECESSARY IF MEN SHOULD ENTER IT BY THE GRACIOUS MERCY OF GOD (MARK 1, 14-15). JESUS ANNOUNCED THE NEARNESS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, A MESSAGE WHICH GAVE TREMENDOUS URGENCY TO HIS ETHICAL DEMANDS. A CRISIS WAS AT HAND; MAN MUST STAND READY TO PAY ANY PRICE TO ENTER GOD'S KINGDOM (LUKE 10:14, 25-33). COLOSSIANS, PHILEMON, EPHESIANS, AND PHILIPPIANS ARE TRADITIONALLY CALLED CAPTIVITY LETTERS. PAUL WROTE THEM WHILE IMPRISONED IN ROME. IN EPHESIANS ( WHICH PROBABLY WAS A CIRCULAR LETTER ), PAUL SPEAKS OF GOD'S PLAN FOR THE UNIVERSE IN RELATION TO CHRIST. THE LETTER DEFINES THE NATURE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH.
COLOSSIANS WAS WRITTEN TO COUNTER A THREAT BEING POSED BY FALSE TEACHERS WHO ATTACHED CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO POWERS OF THE SPIRIT WORLD, RITUALISTIC OBSERVANCES, AND THEIR OWN BRAND OF "KNOWLEDGE."
HEY OBSCURED CHRIST'S GREATNESS AND DENIED THE SUFFICIENCY OF HIS ATONEMENT PAUL CONTERED THE THREAT WITH PROFOUND TRUTHS ABOUT THE PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST. PAUL WROTE PHILIPPIANS TO THANK A CONGREGATION WHICH WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO HIM FOR THEIR CONTINUING INTEREST IN HIS WELFARE. HE ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTINUE TO WALK IN THE PATHS OF HIM WHO, THOUGH HE WAS GOD, HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT, EVEN TO THE POINT OF DEATH ON THE CROSS. PHILEMON WAS ADDRESSED TO THE OWNER OF A RUNAWAY SLAVE. ONESIMUS, WHO HAD COME TO FAITH THROUGH HIS ASSOCIATION WITH PAUL. PAUL ENCOURAGES PHILEMON TO RECEIVE HIS FORMER "USELESS" SLAVE AS A "USEFUL" BROTHER IN CHRIST.
PAUL INSISTS THAT PEOPLE EITHER LIVE, UNDER THE POWER OF THE "DEADLY"
TRIO" OF SATAN OF SATAN-WORLD FLESH OR UNDER THE POWER OF THE RISEN LORD WHO IS PRESENT THROUGH HIS SPIRIT AND SPEAKS THROUGH HIS WORD. THOSE WHO LIVE UNDER THE POWER OF THE "DEADLY TRIO" REJECT GOD AS KING AND MAKE THEIR OWN LITTLE MIND THE AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE LIFE'S MEANING OF A FORGIVING GOD.
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