Category Archives: Discipleship Series

Discipleship Series, General Principles, Life College

Hope for the intelligent and the danger of hypocrisy

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I have been an amateur biblical scholar for many years now.  I have read lots, attended lectures and numerous conferences and bible studies, read the bible through every year at least once, transcribed the New Testament, learnt NT Greek and read extensive church (& secular) history over the 30 years since I became a Christian.  However all of this has been done in an informal manner and I have only once done a formal bible college course module.

I respect anyone that has spent all their working lives studying the Scriptures.  I don’t presume to know as much as them.  I do know what it is like to study something in depth.  I am an expert on mobile telephony and several other related fields due to the 30 years or more I have spent studying those subjects full time throughout my working life to this date.  There is no substitute for time and intelligence when studying something.

So why was Jesus so hard on the learned and those who had spent their whole lives studying the Scriptures in His day?  There seems to be two reasons:

  1. “Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” Matthew 23, etc.  They said but didn’t do.
  2. “You search the Scriptures because you think in them you have eternal life.  And it is these that bear witness of Me and you are unwilling to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39 NASB.  They did not study in the context of knowing and loving Jesus in the Spirit and coming to Him with their studies.

There probably would not be much hope for the learned and those who spend their lives studying the Scriptures in the Scriptures if it wasn’t for Nicodemus (John 3) and, even more significantly, Paul.    Paul in particular redeems all those who have intelligence and an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Scriptural.  But it is of course very significant that until he met the Holy Spirit in a personal, traumatic way (Acts 8) he was actually working against the God he professed to be working for.  Afterwards he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision continuously proving his lack of hypocrisy by his actions.

Those who have the time, inclination and propensity for studying the Scripture full time are few in this world.  For these people the danger is that the Scripture becomes a sort of god in it’s own right of which John 5:39 rightly warns us.  There seem to be a lot of churches around (evangelical ones as well) where there is a lot of emphasis on the Scripture but very little evidence of Jesus manifested in their lives.  I would not be alone in that assertion.  If anyone starts making a big fuss about what translation to use, for instance, I’d like to see their lives first.  There is a danger that people who spend most of their time studying these things may find it more difficult to find time to go visiting widows and orphans, the sick in hospital or prisoners.  I’m speaking as much to myself as anyone else in this.

church, Discipleship Series, General Principles

Apostolic Ministry Today

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Many people consider the 12 apostles as a class apart into which they substitute Paul for Judas. That is backed up by the fact that John says that the wall of the “the holy city, Jerusalem” which descended from heaven had twelve foundations on which were the names of the twelve apostles (Rev. 12:14). However the term apostle is used in a more general way as well. For instance in Romans16:7 two people are mentioned (one a woman) who are called apostles but don’t belong to the twelve.

The word apostle is a direct transliteration of the word “apostolos” in Greek meaning “sent out one”. In Latin the word is “misseo” from which we get the word “missionary”. Our common use of the word “missionary” to describe someone sent out from the church to plant (or assist in planting) churches elsewhere has no parallel in Scripture other than in the use of the word “apostle” since it means the same thing and would have been read in that way by the original readers of, for example, Luke 10:1:

10 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.

So when I say I believe in apostolic ministry today I am saying that I believe that every missionary sent by God to plant churches is partaking in an apostolic ministry today. Some missionaries are not sent by God and others are assisting in church growth by bringing another gifting to the place they are sent to such as prophecy (often manifested in preaching), teaching, etc. (see 1 Cor. 12: 28-29, Ephesians 4:11-12). So the word “missionary” as we commonly use it does not just include the apostolic ministry but these other ministries as well.

There are therefore much fewer apostles (in the biblical ministry sense) who are missionaries than there are missionaries in general. However I believe that this ministry does exist and is happening today all over the world.

Of course people are free to disagree with me on this. I believe the Scripture in our age of grace is not prescriptive on such

matters. The Holy Spirit doesn’t mind much what you call yourself as long as you are working with Him and not against Him in His purposes. Better to be working in the field planting churches or assisting them than sitting around discussing what you call someone who is!

Discipleship Series, General Principles, good news

Submission

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When Jesus was 12 He went up to Jerusalem with His parents.  When they went home He stayed behind, beginning the work His Father had called Him to do.  But they didn’t understand that when He told them.  So He went back with them and stayed in submission to them until the Jewish age of majority which was 30 in those days.  You can read about it in Luke 2:41-52.

I would hope I would recognise when my 12 or 13 year old was being called by God to do a work.  But I still think I would find it hard if they stayed behind without telling me when we had all gone somewhere together!  They would want to have a good reason!

Being subject to His parents for a further 18 years when they didn’t understand what His life’s calling was must have been hard.  If you find yourself in a similar situation think of that.

 

Discipleship Series, General Principles, good news, His Story

Loving the Greek…..

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The New Testament was originally written in Greek since that was the “English” or “lingua Franca” of the the first century.  So I thought it would be a good idea to learn the NT or Koine Greek some years ago.  I must admit though that the vast range of English translations we have seem to capture most of the nuances of the Greek word meanings as far as I can tell.  But I am no expert.

There are a few things that the NT Greek does bring out:

1.  The simplicity of the language John uses compared with Paul.  It is really very easy to read John’s gospel and letters in the Greek especially in comparison to Paul’s.  It is a real and compelling miracle to see the depth of meaning and the deep subjects that John is able to explore with so few words.   I really don’t know anything equivalent in English.  However Revelation is no easier to read in Greek than it is in English which is one of the reasons many scholars believe that a different John wrote it.

2.  The Greek uses the continuous form of the verb “to be” far more than the English translations I have read do.  I am guessing that is because it would be being far more awkward to be reading.  But what the Greek brings out is a very important theological point or continuity rather:  You must keep on being saved to be saved.  There is no emphasis in the New Testament on point decisions or actions like the English translations seem to imply.  The examples are everywhere in the N.T. (Colossians 3:1 keep on seeking, Romans 8:1, 4 are not walking, etc., etc.).

3.  Of all the English translations I have read I have yet to come across one which brings out the distinctions in the Greek words for love in John 21:15-17. Knowing the differences significantly adds to the understanding of Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter and the qualifications for being a minister in God’s church.  Only the amplified version really brings it out but you can lose the significance in all the words.  Here is my version:

15 When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you agape Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I phileo You. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

16 Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you agape Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I phileo You. He said to him, Shepherd My sheep.

17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you phileo Me? Peter was grieved that He should ask him the third time, Do you phileo Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I phileo You! Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

Agape means love like Jesus’ love when He died for us on the Cross.  A supernatural love that comes straight from the Father.  Peter knew he didn’t love Jesus like that – not after his three denials on the night Jesus needed him most.  He wasn’t going to make the same mistake he had made before the crucifixion (John 13:37).

But he also knew that he had phileo –  a brotherly affection and natural love for Jesus.  So he had responded honestly.  He didn’t mind Jesus questioning his agape love but he was upset when he questioned even his phileo love.  He would have been devastated to discover that he didn’t even have that!

But actually Jesus was out to encourage him.  For each time He questioned Peter and each time Peter answered honestly and without pretense Jesus found in him someone He could trust.  Someone who could feed the young and tend to the needs of and even feed the more mature.

Some teachers would say that Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-4) added the agape to the phileo that Peter had.  And perhaps it did.  But for me I think I know what answer I would give to Jesus if I was asked the same questions, Pentecost or no Pentecost.

Only He knows really how qualified I am, or anyone is, to spiritually feed and tend His lambs or sheep.  But the qualifications are definitely not academic ones.  You don’t have to learn the Greek to love His people enough to feed them.

Discipleship Series, General Principles, good news

Fear

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 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12: 4-6. (Matthew: 10:28-31)

Fear and do not fear: one sentence after another.  First note that Jesus is speaking to His friends.  This is very important since Jesus says (in John 15:14) that you are His friends if you do what He commands you and it also presumes relationship with Him.

1.  Do not be afraid (v. 4 above).  That is do not be afraid of men. The original Greek word that was used  is the same one that we get our word for phobia from (e.g. arachnaphobia, technophobia, etc.).  If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32).  So don’t have phobias about what men can do.  They can only affect your body.

2.  Fear Him (v. 5).  It would be easier, perhaps nicer, if fear wasn’t the exact same word but it is, even in the Greek.  We do need to be afraid of God even if we are friends of Jesus because God can put both our body and soul in Hell after we die. And that is much worse than our body dying.

3.  Do not fear (v.6).  Same word again!  This time Jesus is assuring His friends that they don’t have to be afraid about being put into Hell.  Even though God can do it, He won’t do it to them because they are His friends.

The point is that we need to stay being His friends, i.e. in relationship with Jesus and obeying His commands. Otherwise why would Jesus tell us to fear Him?

Discipleship Series, General Principles, good news, His Story

On Eagle’s Wings

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Dr. Loye Miller (1918) published the following account, as given to him by one of his students:

Last summer while my father and I were extracting honey at the apiary about a mile southeast of Thacher School, Ojai, California, we noticed a golden eagle teaching its young one to fly. It was about ten o’clock. The mother started from the nest in the crags, and roughly handling the young one, she allowed him to drop, I should say, about ninety feet, then she would swoop down under him, wings spread, and he would alight on her back. She would soar to the top of the range with him and repeat the process. One time she waited perhaps fifteen minutes between flights. I should say the farthest she let him fall was 150 feet.

My father and I watched this, spellbound, for over an hour. I do not know whether the young one gained confidence by this method or not. A few days later father and I rode to the cliff and out on Overhanging Rock. The eagle’s nest was empty. (Miss F.E. Shuman)

Deuteronomy 32:11-12 says this:

As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,
12 So the Lord alone led him,
And there was no foreign god with him.

In Exodus 19:4 God says this:

4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.’

Some other good commentary on the subject can be found here.

Discipleship Series, General Principles, good news

Disciples, Saints and Overcomers

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Disciples is the term used in the four gospels and Acts, Saints is the term used in the letters and Overcomers is the term used in Revelation (chapters 2 & 3).  And I believe they all refer to the same thing – they mean Christians who are loving the Lord their God with all their hearts and all their minds and all their souls and all their strength and their neighbours as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40).

Disciples take up their cross daily and lose their lives so they may save them (Luke 14:26-27).  Saints live holy lives dedicated to their God and the fellowship of other saints.  Overcomers keep on coming over and over again to the Lord no matter what.  They all by faith and patient endurance take hold of the promises God has in store for those who love Him (Hebrews 6:11-12).

And the New Testament is written for them not for anyone else really.

Unless you are born again you cannot be a disciple and you cannot see the things they see (John 3:3 & 5). However being born again is not enough, you must also walk daily with Jesus if you want to gain the promises made to overcomers (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21) .

Creation, Discipleship Series, General Principles

Hidden

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The  Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory (John 1:14).

We are creatures variously described in the bible as an earthen vessel (2 Cor. 4:7); a branch (John 15:4), a member of His body (1 Cor. 12:27) but even in those descriptions there is something more than just a creature described.  We contain God Himself in some way, just like the body of Mary did and the earthly body of Jesus did and now the heavenly body of Jesus does also.  When you are born again a connection occurs with God that is beyond a simple creature/ creator relationship.  Its the relationship of a family.

So if that is the case then why are we not all Supermen?  Surely we should be imbued with astonishing, miraculous powers and be able to conquer the world, etc.

I think that some of us will be in positions of power in the ages to come if we are found worthy of that.  The way we are found worthy is by continuing to abide in the crucified Christ for crucified is the way He has chosen to live through us in this age (Gal. 2:20, 6:14).

God is regularly misunderstood, spat at, despised and dishonoured in this world for so He has chosen that it should be.  His aim is to have a remnant that love Him not because they have to, or because there is anything to gain in this life by doing so or even just because we will have a great position in His kingdom to come but because He loves us and is lovely.  Its the great romance at the heart of a lot of films.  We are being wooed by Him who appears to us in pauper’s clothes but is in fact the prince of the realm.  He asks us to join Him and be like He is, with the glory hidden in a jar of clay for a time (2 Cor. 4:7).

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.  

Colossians 3:3,4.

He is worth waiting for and He thinks you are too.

church, Discipleship Series, General Principles

The Safeguards of the Christian Faith

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Faith is a gift – or so the Bible says in Ephesians 2:8 – and faith is substance and assurance (Hebrews 11:1). So those with faith might not require much else. They believe in Jesus having, like me, that assurance in their hearts where they can hear and feel the Holy Spirit. The other side of that though is that they can be deceived. So God has put in place two other things to help, the Scripture and the Church. So we have three things which keep us on the straight and narrow so to speak.

Here is a check for the church or group you are in:

Do they honour the personal in dwelling Spirit of God in you (1 John 4:2) and do they honour the Scripture ?

Some big groups do not: churches with a clergy say you cannot know God safely unless you are guided by clergy.  Some would rather you did not read the Scripture at all but let it be read and interpreted to you through the same clergy.

Sound familiar? So they remove two safeguards and leave you with only one. And what if that turns out to be corrupt?

Discipleship Series, Eschatology, General Principles, heaven

Using our imagination

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I think that one of the biggest problems facing evangelical Christianity in the west is a lack of imagination.  Fear seems to be the biggest obstacle.  We are afraid to let our minds go in case we get into vain imaginations and get puffed up.  So one verse in the Scripture (Colossians 2:18) prevents us from using a God given gift.  But without imagination we can get terribly confined in our thinking.

This can particularly apply to how we think about what happens when we die.  An unimaginative view puts us immediately in either heaven or hell whereas the Scripture would seem to indicate lots of events before that state is arrived at.   It is not that straight forward.  First our disembodied spirits go somewhere.  I think that somewhere is the same place they go when we worship when we are alive (see my article on the Sea).  I’m not sure where those who don’t know how to worship in the Spirit go – perhaps to some holding place like Sheol or Hades (see Luke 16).

Then there is the Lord’s return which I believe happens before His Millennium reign on earth.  At that point those who are able to look Him in the eye and those who died in Christ receive their new bodies and reign with Him for the thousand years.  Then comes the amazing period of non-time, non-eternity called the Judgement Day when everyone who is not a judge is judged.  And then after all that comes the New Heaven and the New Earth.

So it is not simply a case of heaven and hell.  Actually it is quite complex.  That is not surprising seeing as we are in time and natural 3D space and the events in the hereafter are in eternity and in who knows how many dimensions.

I was walking down by the canal near where I work at lunch time as I often do.  There are dragon flies, moorhens, teeming fish (the water was as clear as crystal and you could see every fish), swans and all sorts of plant life.  At one stage I looked across at a simple bank of bulrushes all moved by the wind into one lovely pattern.

Any God who can think up that kind of thing – let alone create it – can surely think up even more wonders that will keep us all going for eternity.

Revelation helps – not the book, the experiences- I got a revelation while walking down by the canal.  It was simply that I will feel very comfortable in my new body in the new earth and heaven.  It will feel very natural (if that makes sense).  It was a revelation that came and went again but left behind an impression.

We need revelation, without it we are groping in the dark.  Revelation and imagination are inseparable.  You can’t have one without the other.