Jeff had about 22 in this class.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Old Testament and the Letter to the Romans
The letter to the Romans, inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by the Apostle Paul, has a lot of Old Testament in it. I was looking at the footnotes at the bottom of the pages and there are 57 references to the Old Testament listed. In addition, several Bible characters are mentioned in the letter: Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Adam, Isaiah, Elijah and Jesse.
That’s interesting to me because the letter is written to non-Jews, i.e. “Greeks and Barbarians” (1:14)… people who were not raised with Bibles in their homes. Since these people would have no knowledge of the Old Testament then either they were taught the Old Testament in their conversion process or after becoming Christians the Old Testament was taught in their assemblies. I suspect both occurred.
Regardless, Paul’s repeated use of Old Testament references suggests they had a familiarity with it.
Paul’s purpose in writing this letter was to help them become established. Even though their faith was “proclaimed throughout the whole world” (1:8) they still needed to be established. Paul referenced the Old Testament 57 times in this effort to “establish” them.
Even though we now live under a New Law that doesn’t mean we don’t need the old Law.
If we want to be established like the Roman Christians were, then we need to follow Paul’s example in the use of the Old Testament to build a rich and deep faith.
That’s interesting to me because the letter is written to non-Jews, i.e. “Greeks and Barbarians” (1:14)… people who were not raised with Bibles in their homes. Since these people would have no knowledge of the Old Testament then either they were taught the Old Testament in their conversion process or after becoming Christians the Old Testament was taught in their assemblies. I suspect both occurred.
Regardless, Paul’s repeated use of Old Testament references suggests they had a familiarity with it.
Paul’s purpose in writing this letter was to help them become established. Even though their faith was “proclaimed throughout the whole world” (1:8) they still needed to be established. Paul referenced the Old Testament 57 times in this effort to “establish” them.
Even though we now live under a New Law that doesn’t mean we don’t need the old Law.
If we want to be established like the Roman Christians were, then we need to follow Paul’s example in the use of the Old Testament to build a rich and deep faith.
Know Your New Parkway Members - Kirby Crabtree
Pictured are Kirby and Gabby. Gabby is not a member but attends with Kirby. Gabby was raised in Corpus Christi and Kirby is from Tennessee. Gabby works for a company that sells equipment for power lifters. Kirby is big into Civil War re-enactments.
Know Your New Parkway Members - Pat Jackson
Pat comes to us from Maui. I'll send out her info. via e-mail.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Shooting at Starry Gun Range with Int'l Students
Chu(?), me, Oscar and Hiliary. Chu is Hiliary's room mate... I'm not sure of her exact name.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Three Kinds of Believers
There is a theme that runs through the book of Hebrews that warns Christians about the possibility of falling away.
Hebrews 5 & 6 describes three categories of believers: Those who are believers but are failing to grow, believers who are growing and believers who have completely fallen away.
Each group is addressed.
Those who are failing to grow need to be re-taught and be more diligent in their Christian growth (5:11-12, 3:12)
Those who are actively growing need to be teaching and bearing fruit (5:12, 6:7)
Those who have completely fallen away cannot be brought back (6:6)
Failing to grow is due to laziness and lack of effort (6:10-12). Let’s be diligent and help ourselves and each other reach heaven before we drift so far that we cannot be brought back.
Hebrews 5 & 6 describes three categories of believers: Those who are believers but are failing to grow, believers who are growing and believers who have completely fallen away.
Each group is addressed.
Those who are failing to grow need to be re-taught and be more diligent in their Christian growth (5:11-12, 3:12)
Those who are actively growing need to be teaching and bearing fruit (5:12, 6:7)
Those who have completely fallen away cannot be brought back (6:6)
Failing to grow is due to laziness and lack of effort (6:10-12). Let’s be diligent and help ourselves and each other reach heaven before we drift so far that we cannot be brought back.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
The Unforgivable Sin
Mt. 12 contains an account of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man. The enemies of Jesus attributed his power to heal to the power of the Devil. Jesus responds by saying this…
“… Every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Contextually, the sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Many have played with this verse and said things like the unforgivable sin is the sin that is not repented of or it is suicide because that is a sin one cannot repent of. I suspect the reason for saying these things is compassion… compassion to turn those who have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit to come back to God.
Why would God refuse to forgive those who blaspheme against him?
Notice 1 Sam 2:24 and 1 Sam. 2:13-14…
“If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the LORD, who will intercede for them?”
“For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”
The sin of blaspheming (speaking against) God is so grievous to him that he does not offer a sacrifice to atone for it. Therefore there is no forgiveness for it.
We may not like the consequences for those who blaspheme God because of our compassion for loved ones who are in that position but that should not lead us to change the meaning of Matthew 12. Instead we should teach and preach about the seriousness of blaspheming God so that people will think twice before sinning the sin that cannot be forgiven.
“… Every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
Contextually, the sin that cannot be forgiven is the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Many have played with this verse and said things like the unforgivable sin is the sin that is not repented of or it is suicide because that is a sin one cannot repent of. I suspect the reason for saying these things is compassion… compassion to turn those who have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit to come back to God.
Why would God refuse to forgive those who blaspheme against him?
Notice 1 Sam 2:24 and 1 Sam. 2:13-14…
“If one person sins against another, God may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the LORD, who will intercede for them?”
“For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’”
The sin of blaspheming (speaking against) God is so grievous to him that he does not offer a sacrifice to atone for it. Therefore there is no forgiveness for it.
We may not like the consequences for those who blaspheme God because of our compassion for loved ones who are in that position but that should not lead us to change the meaning of Matthew 12. Instead we should teach and preach about the seriousness of blaspheming God so that people will think twice before sinning the sin that cannot be forgiven.
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