Breathing to teach
Jesus has given us life-breath. He had only a little three years to go around in the area where he could come, around his habitat. Distances in his time took many hours to travel. Today we can be somewhere far away in a couple of minutes or just a few hours. What took days for the apostles to go somewhere, takes only a few hours today. but today we do hear more excuses than in Jesus time about having no time to teach others about the Kingdom of God or to have others to learn the Bible.
Travelling Master
To get others to know the Bible we do not have to go far. We even can do it from our home, today. We have marvellous tools which brings us very easily much further than the doorstep. Jehovah Witnesses for a long time took it for granted it was the best way to reach people by bothering them at any moment of the day, ringing the bell and talking to them at the doorstep. But it seems that they today, also have found the modern means of the computer and internet. On the internet they now seem to have opened up and present more literature to the general public. Which is nice, because they also have very good literature, which can bring many more people to God.
Kingdomhall in Essen
But, we should not let them do all the work, and let them get people in their Kingdom hall, while we have other thoughts of which we are sure they are also valuable for the people and leaving them more free. We should get others to know that there are other places of worship where honest God loving people can come together as a congregation.They may offer over there Theocratic Ministry School with a common global curriculum and nest to the weekly services with Watchtower-study they also may offer Pioneer Service School for full-time preachers, and the Kingdom Ministry School for elders and ministerial servants. The Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah Witnesses should be known as the only sort of kingdom hall the world offers good Bible teaching and worship to the One and Only God.
We should be more conscious that we also have a lot to offer to the unbelievers and those looking for the Truth. We Can offer the Truth, but than we may not stay in our little cocoon of our armchair at home. We should get off our ass and do something.
It is more than high time that more people would come out of their house and take up the task Jesus has given them.
Worldly and spiritual works
Jesus, in his three years of preaching, has spend a lot of breath, getting people to see the importance of getting to know his Father, Jehovah God. He also spend a lot of words on getting others to know the Gospel of the Good News, of the coming Kingdom of God. In his time he could find many people interested in him and gasping at his wonders, which he did in the name of his Father.
Interior of a Kingdom hall of Jehovah Witnesses, which could be identical as one of the meeting rooms of Christadelphians
All-right, it is true that our worldly works on their own shall not bring us far and it is not only by the works of the law that we shall be sanctified. Grace has come over us by the offer Jesus brought, but we should remember that without works our faith serves to nothing, because without works the faith is dead. We need the faith to be able to survive, and to be counted righteous we shall have to prove that we are worthy of the grace God has given to all.
Even if we would be Jewish by birth, not sinners from other ethnic backgrounds, we would know that people are not declared to be righteous by obeying sectarian law , but by faith in Jeshua Messiah. All those who call themselves Christians should not only believed in Jeshua, whom they mostly call Jesus Christ. They should know that in order to be declared righteous by faith in the Messiah, and not by sectarian law they also should live accordingly to the Will and Law of God. Jesus has spoken about that many times and has given many parables of what could happen if we do not confirm to the Laws of God. Though no human being will be declared righteous by obeying sectarian law, if we, while trying to be declared righteous by the Messiah, have also been found to be sinners ourselves, it does not mean that Jeshua Messiah is a of sin.
Words and Jesus living in us
Every Christian should take care to die to the Torah, so that he can live for YHVH/JHWH the Elohim Jehovah God. Sin in us should be crucified with the Messiah. From now on it is no longer us who live, but the Messiah who lives in us, and the mortal life we have lived before we became Christians may still be a live that can come onto an end in this world, but it should be a life full of hope by faith in God’s Son who loved us and gave himself for us. We do not disregard the compassion of Jehovah. Because if righteousness is attainable through sectarian law, then the Messiah died for nothing.
For as many as are of works of Torah are under the curse, for it has been written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all that has been written in the book of the Torah, to do them.” And that no one is declared right by Torah before Elohim is clear, for “The righteous shall live by belief.” And the Torah is not of belief, but “The man who does them shall live by them.” Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Torah, having become a curse for us – for it has been written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs upon a tree.”1 – Footnote: 1Dt. 21:23. in order that the blessing of Abmight come upon the nations in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, to receive the promise of the Spirit through belief. (Galatians 3:10-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
And we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those who are in the Torah, so that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world come under judgment before Elohim. Therefore by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right before Him, for by the Torah is the knowledge of sin.1 Footnote: 1Ex. 20:20, Rom. 4:15, Rom. 7:7. But now, apart from the Torah, a righteousness of Elohim has been revealed, being witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets, and the righteousness of Elohim is through belief in יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim, being declared right, without paying, by His favour through the redemption which is in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, whom Elohim set forth as an atonement, through belief in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His tolerance Elohim had passed over the sins that had taken place before, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He is righteous and declares righteous the one who has belief in יהושע {Jeshua}. (Romans 3:19-26 The Scriptures 1998+)
“We, Yehudby nature, and not of the gentiles, sinners, knowing that a man is not declared right by works of Torah, but through belief in יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah, even we have believed in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, in order to be declared right by belief in Messiah and not by works of Torah, because by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right. “And if, while seeking to be declared right by Messiah, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Messiah then a servant of sin? Let it not be! “For if I rebuild what I once overthrew, I establish myself a transgressor. “For through Torah I died to Torah,1 in order to live to Elohim. Footnote: 1See Rom. 7. “I have been impaled with Messiah, and I no longer live, but Messiah lives in me.1 And that which I now live in the flesh I live by belief in the Son of Elohim, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Footnote: 1Rom. 8:10, 2 Cor. 6:16, 2 Cor. 13:5, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:27, 1 John 4:4. “I do not set aside the favour of Elohim, for if righteousness is through Torah, then Messiah died for naught.”
(Galatians 2:15-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
Honouring the Names
We may not blaspheme the honourable name that we bear and that we can only do when we fulfil the Torah of Jehovah, the God Most High. And to help us God has given His Word in the Holy Scriptures, for generations to bear and hear. Lots of Christians do seem to forget that it is written in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible which we consider the inspired and infallible Word of God, that whoever obeys the whole Torah, yet fails in one point is guilty of violating the whole Torah! Yes it sounds hard, and it is reality.
But it is also for that reason that Jesus has given his body and blood as an Offer-lamb to his Father, so that we may be purified by his blood. But his death at the stake does not give us the permission to live like we would like and to go on living a frivolous and sinful live. Having been baptised we are cleansed and received a new start. But we should live up to it. From our transformation and baptism onwards we should speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the Torah of liberty.
Faith and works
Faith Without Works is Dead.
What is the use, Friends, if a man says, “I have faith”, but he doesn’t have any works? Can his faith resurrect him to Life?
If you truly accomplish the sovereign law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you do well, but if you show partiality, you commit sin, being found guilty by the Torah as transgressors. For whoever shall guard all the Torah, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of Torah. So speak and so do as those who are to be judged by a Torah of freedom.1 Footnote: 1See 1:25, and John 8:32-36. For the judgment is without compassion to the one who has shown no compassion. And compassion boasts over judgment. My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him. (James 2:8-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
Many people when they saw Jesus recognized him and his apostles. So the people hurried there by land from all the surrounding cities, arriving ahead of them to be sure to have a place where they could be close to him and hear all what he had to tell. Wherever Jesus came he began to teach the people around him many things. He taught them many things by analogies.
And He began to teach again by the sea, and a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He entered into a boat, to sit in the sea. And all the crowd was on the land facing the sea. And He taught them much in parables, … (Mark 4:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)
And He went away from there and came to His own country, and His taught ones followed Him. And Sabbath having come, He began to teach in the congregation. And many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did He get all this? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such miracles are done through His hands? (Mark 6:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)
And having gone out, יהושע {Jeshua} saw a large crowd and was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. And He began to teach them many matters. (Mark 6:34 The Scriptures 1998+)
Jesus had learned everything from his Father. We also can learn a lot from this Father, because as Jesus read the Torah and knew it very well, we can read the Torah and further Holy Scriptures, study them, and try to understand them. Listening carefully to all the words in the Holy Scripture we shall be able to hear the Voice of God. The Bible writers worked for the Highest Author, the Elohim Hashem, whose name is Jehovah, the God of gods. Jesus is his son and showed us the way to follow. We also should try to hear everything what Jesus has to tell us. Christ his words are written down in the New Testament. that Bible Book is available in many languages, so we should not have any excuse that it would be in a language we could not try to understand.
Listening and opening up the mind
If we are willing to listen to Christ and God’s Words, we shall feel their breath over our lives. We shall feel that they want to be with us and if we are willing to open up our minds to what the Word of God is saying we shall hear more clearly what those words really meant in their time and what they mean in our time.
Hearing the call of Jesus to go out to preach so that the Word of God shall be know all over the world, we should be aware of this important task and take steps to do this, and not leaving it alone to the Jehovah Witnesses.
As they show the world their love for the Word of God, all Christians should do that. In the love of Christ they will continue to grow with precise knowledge and spiritual insight, but they shall have to react according the knowledge they receive. By studying regularly the Word of God the Bible reader shall be able to recognize what is genuine, and be pure and blameless in the Day of the Messiah, being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jeshua Messiah, to the splendor and praise of Jehovah.
Grace was said before the barbeque was served at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair (LOC) (Photo credit: The Library of Congress)
Heralding
Reading the Bible the reader should feel God’s Breath and be fulfilled by the Holy Spirit to become driven by the Good News and willing to share it by as many people as possible. Friends in the service of our Master should have courage to go out and to speak God’s Message fearlessly and bolder than ever.
Some actually herald out of envy and rivalry, but others do it out of good will and in the love of the Messiah, knowing that Jesus and his apostles have been appointed to defend the Good News. But those who herald the Messiah from motives of rivalry and selfish ambition are attempting to cause distress. But either way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is heralded and that is what Christians should bear on their heart.
We who would like to be honest Christians and go through life as Brothers and sisters in Christ, should love the work for the Lord and expect that no brother or sister will ever have anything to be ashamed of, but with resolute boldness will continue, now as always, to exalt the Messiah in our body, either by my our or by our death. Because for us, living should be for the Messiah, and if we die, we still ‘win’.
“Go back to your house, and relate what Elohim has done for you.” And he went away proclaiming through all the city what יהושע {Jeshua } did for him. (Luke 8:39 The Scriptures 1998+)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Master until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26 The Scriptures 1998+)
And this I pray, that your love might extend more and more in knowledge and all discernment, for you to examine the matters that differ, in order to be sincere, and not stumbling, until the day of Messiah, being filled with the fruit of righteousness,1 through יהושע {Jeshua } Messiah, to the esteem and praise of Elohim. Footnote: 1Mt. 3:8-10, Rom. 6:22, Rom. 14:17, 2 Cor. 9:10, Eph. 5:9, Gal. 5:22, Col. 1:10, Heb. 12:11, Jam. 3:18. And I wish you to know, brothers, that what has befallen me has turned out for the advancement of the Good News, so that it has become known to all the palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Messiah; and most of the brothers, trusting in the Master because of my chains, are much more bold to fearlessly speak the word. Some indeed proclaim Messiah even from envy and strife, but some also out of pleasure – the former announce Messiah from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to add distress to my chains, but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defence of the Good News. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Messiah is announced. And in this I rejoice, in fact, I shall rejoice. For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of יהושע {Jeshua } Messiah, according to my intense longing and anticipation that I shall not be ashamed at all, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Messiah shall be made great in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Messiah, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:9-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
No Postponing
Please do not wait until tomorrow. Do not postpone.
You can form a study group so that you are not alone and can develop long lasting Christian friendships. You can host Biblestudies on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc. It is also not bad to write devotions on a blog, for another blog, or even write a ebook containing a collection of devotions. If you do not know where to place them or do not want to start your own blog, try sharing them on blogs from others so that the blog can become a bigger platform, where like minded people can meet and others can find more information and more impressions about the Word of God.
There are also various ways online to host a class or workshop. For those who do work in the community already, it is only a small effort to share the preparation work with others on the net. But you also may consider of conducting a class to teach lessons just like Sunday School on the net. You can invite people to your virtual classroom and allow them to interact, give handouts, and even record your lesson.
Preaching all over the world
All those who call themselves Christian should try to do what Jesus did. They should try to get the message across through scriptures, testimonies, prayers, songs, video’s and so on.
Growing up in the love of Christ, you should feel his breath in and aspiring you. With growing years of Bible study knowledge you should be getting to know enough to be able to share, even if it was a minimum of knowledge. Those who have a gift of writing and/or teaching should use those gifts to enlighten and encourage others, around them, in their community, parish, village, town, at work on their blog or webpages.
So, do not hesitate and use your breath to proclaim Christ Jesus and show the world how it can become more peaceful, and how people who love God can find a better life in the future.
Christ and the Good News of the Gospel should be preached all over the world and then the end can come. We all should be witnesses unto Jesus, like the apostles had to be both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
“But you shall receive power when the Set-apart Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Yerushalayim, and in all Yehudand Shomeron, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 The Scriptures 1998+)
“You know what word came to be throughout all Yehuḏah, beginning from Galil after the immersion which Yoḥanan proclaimed: how Elohim did anoint יהושע {Jeshua } of Natsareth with the Set-apart Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for Elohim was with Him. “And we are witnesses of all He did, both in the country of the Yehudand in Yerushalayim, whom they even killed by hanging on a timber. “Elohim raised up this One on the third day, and let Him be seen, not to all the people, but to witnesses, those having been chosen before by Elohim – to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. “And He commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to witness that it is He who was appointed by Elohim to be Judge of the living and the dead. {1 Footnote: 1 See 17:31, John 5:29, Ps. 96:13, Ps. 98:9, Rev. 19:11. }“To this One all the prophets bear witness, that through His Name, everyone believing in Him does receive forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 10:37-43 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And he said, ‘The Elohim of our fathers has appointed you to know His desire, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice from His mouth. ‘Because you shall be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. ‘And now, why do you delay? Rise up, be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on the Name of יהוה.’ (Acts 22:14-16 The Scriptures 1998+)
“But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.1 Footnote:1See 10:22. “And this Good News of the reign shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. (Matthew 24:13-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
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Read also:
- Our relationship with God, Jesus and each other
- The possibilities of faith: A Faith that can move mountains
- Fear of God reason to return to Holy Scriptures
- Slave for people and God
- Gods hope and our hope
- God’s salvation
- Hope for the future
- One mediator
- The importance of Reading the Scriptures
- The Importance Of Scripture
- Incomplete without the mind of God
- Knowing rabboni
- My exegesis and hermeneutics
- Missional hermeneutics 1/5
- Missional hermeneutics 2/5
- Nurturing a close relationship with God
- Our relationship with God, Jesus and each other
- Working of the hope
- Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation
- Salvation, trust and action in Jesus #3 as a Christian
- Destination of the Righteous
- Christadelphian people
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Related articles:
- Representatives of the “Slave Class” or the Real “faithful and discreet slave”
- The blot not to be seen
- Watchtowers’s new face
- The Bible and names in it
- Bible basic intro
- Bible guide
- Bible in a nutshell
- Bible power to change
- Bible Word of God, inspired and infallible
- Concerning gospelfaith
- Our way of life
- Faith and works
- Faith mouving mountains
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In Dutch:
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Related articles
- Jehovah’s Witness community mourns Whitney Heichel (oregonlive.com)
The gathering included references to scriptures that might lend comfort in a time of crisis, said a congregational elder, but wasn’t materially different from a regular service.It was Saturday that emotions ran high, when the congregation mourned for Heichel at an impromptu gathering at the hall. Jehovah’s Witnesses from Gresham, Portland, Sandy, and Washington met there, said Jim Vaughn, a family spokesman and one of nine elders who lead Heichel’s congregation. - My Willing Spirit (peaceandbeauty.wordpress.com)
Like Bruno, profiled in the July 15 Watchtower as one of those who offered themselves willingly in Ecuador, I want my service to Jehovah to be not dull, but filled with a variety of activities in service to him.
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Jehovah blesses a willing spirit. I am willing and I have no doubt that he will eventually bless my desire to widen further out to visit and help preach in many other territories as well as to contribute in various other ways to his global organization and to this fascinating, never-to-be-repeated work of making disciples and all that encompasses! - My Jehovah’s Witness Weekend Showdown! (brandimbaldwin.com)
It was a gang of them (yes I said gang….they were wearing all black too, lol j/k). About 8 or 10 walking in 90-degree weather with black wool suits, full-length dresses, and Bibles in tow (I’m being a little silly). The girls thought we were playing a fun game of “freeze” or something…After a moment or so I said, “hurry up!” and we all ran up the steps and into the house. I hoped no one spotted us. I turned the tv on, set the girls up with snacks, and as soon as….and I mean As Soon As I sat down on the couch the doorbell rang! - Ten Years Behind A Bible, My Life in the Jehovah’s Witnesses (personal) (everything2.com)
I’d begun reading the Bible at the age of about ten, and the more I read (and re-read), the more disappointed I became in the state of mainstream Christian churches. So, having strayed from the Anglican Church and spent some time skirting around Christianity, I decided to look at some of the “primitive Christian” groups. I admit that I’d shied away from JWs – Dad was very opposed to them, and after a while I dug down and got his reasons. Turns out that after his father died, a cousin of his (who was a Witness) expressed her view that he wasn’t going to Heaven after all (only 144,000 were destined for that reward). She was blackballedby the family, and for many years, Dad would not even mention her name.+
Life as a JW is more than just knocking on doors, it’s about attending meetings. There are five of them (or were, maybe things have changed in the past twenty years). Firstly, there are two back-to-back meetings, usually on a Sunday. One is a public talk, given by an appointed and approved member of the congregation (although visiting elders often give this talk). The talk must be based on an approved outline, and audience members are encouraged to look up any Bible references. This is followed by the study of an article in a Watchtower magazine. Someone is appointed to read each paragraph, and an elder asks questions printed as footnotes. Audience members then answer the question. rinse repeat. Again, subtle brainwashing – over time, verbalising the approved answers has each individual “make the Truth their own”.On a side note, as if this were not enough, family heads (read “men”) are encouraged to sit and study the articles beforehand with their families, even assigning answers for each family member. Junior members are not excluded, even the wee ones are involved in this process. - It takes a village to build a kingdom (gosanangelo.com)
Several years ago, the four congregations of the Jehovah’s Witnesses cq in San Angelo had a dream of building a new Kingdom Hall.
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Known formally as the Salon Del Reino De Los Testigos De Jehova/the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, it sits on three acres across from Shannon Health System’s St. John’s Campus and next door to the Quicksand Golf Course.
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The Kingdom Hall was built in less than three weeks, thanks to hundreds of volunteers who descended on the work site as part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Regional Building Committee. People came from Abilene, Odessa, Borger, Alpine, Lubbock and Amarillo, as well as parts of New Mexico and Oklahoma, working with members of the local congregations. - Jehovah’s Witnesses convention kicks off on high note (observer.org.sz)
“The Bible’s depth is much deeper than any other tool we could ever come across. It provides every detail and leaves no questions raised.”
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Despite the damp and cold weather conditions, about 3 500 people including both adults and children attended the morning session. These thousands of people were not discouraged by the weather as they continued to follow and listen attentively throughout the programme.
Not bounded by labels but liberated in Christ
In the Christian communities these coming day should be very special. In some Christian churches they still take time to remember that special weekend something happened which changed everything for the world.
Though most Christian communities have brought the accent to the birth of Christ and celebrate it on the heathen feast of the goddess Light, we should see the real light in the world and look up at the man who gave his life on the 14th of Nisan some two millennia ago.
It is the moment by which everybody could come a new creation. Through having become to the faith in Christ, it is like old things are past away and in his name we have become a “new creation.”
Though we have the same body as that man from Nazareth and all the men around us, we can follow in the footsteps of the one teacher, rabbi Jeshua, who was loved but hated even more. Because of the action undertaken by that simple workers son some day in glory, we will trade this temporal, earthly body as tent for an eternal heavenly house build not with human hands. Meanwhile, though we live in the same old tent we had in Adam, we are by the 2° Adam new tenants, a “new creation.” As followers of Christ we should have taken on new clothes and though we may have the same old physical brain, we should have been transformed in a new being. Every day again we should be working on our new construction and should we learn to think an entirely new way.
¡Jesús María! (Photo credit: supernova.gdl.mx)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you prove what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect desire of Elohim. ” (Romans 12:2 The Scriptures 1998+)
“For “Who has known the mind of יהוה? Who shall instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Messiah. ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, he is a renewed creature – the old matters have passed away, see, all matters have become renewed!1 Footnote: 1Rom. 6:2-22, Gal. 2:20, Eph. 4:22-24, Col. 3:10, 1 John 3:9-10. ” (2 Corinthians 5:17 The Scriptures 1998+)
As Jesus told us to pray to his Father we should give thanks to the Only One Elohim, the One having qualified us for the portion of or, to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in the light, who rescued us out of the dominion of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the ‘Son of His love’, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. It is this remarkable man, born -4 CT who is the image of the invisible God who went walking through many villages, along the lakes, in the dessert and on the hills, teaching the people to honour his Father who provided a solution against the consequences of the first sin of men. In Christ Jesus Jehovah God did find the first human being who managed to stay without sins. Like we all are created in the image of God, this one man was the only one who would become the first-born of all creation, figuratively existing before all of Gods New Creation, because by this Jewish man all things were reshaped and everything from the past was destructed. He cruised the curse of death.
By Jesus his death on the stake he offered his whole being as a Lamb of God and final substitute for the payment of sins. As the payment for the sin of men was death, now live was given again to all who wanted to accept this ransom. The old guilt is replaced by new forgiveness. By Jesus his action there has come forgiveness over all of us. Consequently, there is now no condemnation to the ones who are willing to give themselves in Christ Jesus. But than they really should not keep on to tradition following the world and having to be bound to human organisations or institutions. They should be liberated. Perhaps they want to have a label on their head, but that should not be the main point. Each one calling himself Christian should withdraw from every one who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from the apostles of Christ. In case the one in front of us, calling from the pulpit is not speaking according the teachings of Christ Jesus and not according the Words of God we should not listen to him or her, but only take Gods Word from the Bible at heart. The focus of those who recognise the man who died at the stake should be to try to live as him and to walk about and conduct themselves not according to flesh like most of the human breed likes to enjoy life. No, we do have chosen to meet each other as brethren and sisters willing to live according to the Spirit. We should not follow Pantheism or Buddhism or a set of special religion, but the mystical union of the believer with Christ in the Holy Spirit. For we know that this will lead to deliverance for us, through our petition and the provision of the Spirit of Christ Jesus, according to our earnest expectations, our eager longing and hope, that in nothing we will be ashamed, but with all boldness we shall be able to stand underneath the wings of Christ in whom we have found confidence.
John MacArthur on Calvin's Pulpit (Photo credit: six steps )
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, this one is not His. “
(Romans 8:9 The Scriptures 1998+)
“There is, then, now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah יהושע, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the Torah of the Spirit of the life in Messiah יהושע has set me free from the law of sin and of death. For the Torah being powerless, in that it was weak through the flesh, Elohim, having His own Son in the likeness of flesh of sin, and concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteousness of the Torah should be completed in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the matters of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the matters of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace. Because the mind of the flesh is enmity towards Elohim, for it does not subject itself1 to the Torah of Elohim2, neither indeed is it able, Footnotes: 1Or does not obey. 2John 15:5, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:18. and those who are in the flesh are unable to please Elohim. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, this one is not His. ” (Romans 8:1-9 The Scriptures 1998+)
As we have chosen to follow יהושע Jeshua / Jesus Christ the Messiah, we should not be concerned to have a human label, being baptised than having to be a “Baptists!”, being renewed or being reformed than having to be “Reformed“, trembling at the Word of God, but therefore not having to be “Quakers!” , following certain rules or methods, but not having to be a “Methodists”. Following the advice of Jesus to come together, to meet or congregate but not having to be “Congregationalists” we should come together as brothers and sisters in Christ. And the coming days we should even feel more united, because we should celebrate the moment Christ Jesus cut the chains of this world and liberated us for ever.
In the early days of Christianity there were congregations of believers, which came together to remember the moment that Jesus took the loaf of bread and shared it with those whom he called his brothers and sisters. United in Christ we have also become Brothers and Sisters in Christ (or Christadelphians) and remember the day Jesus died for our sins, to open the Gate to liberation for ever, to be able to enter the Kingdom of God as renewed bodies.
In our choice to follow Christ Jesus we have become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
“Shimʽon Kĕpha, a servant and emissary of יהושע Messiah, to those who have obtained a belief as precious as ours by the righteousness of our Elohim and Saviour יהושע Messiah: Favour and peace be increased to you in the knowledge of Elohim and of יהושע our Master, as His Mighty-like power has given to us all we need for life and reverence, through the knowledge of Him who called us to esteem and uprightness. ” (2 Peter 1:1-3 The Scriptures 1998+)
“So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the set-apart ones and members of the household of Elohim,1 Footnote: 1Rom. 11:17-24, Isa. 14:1. ” (Ephesians 2:19 The Scriptures 1998+)
Having obtained a like precious faith, let us come together and gather in the name of Christ and let grace and peace be multiplied to us and all around us by a knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Therfore let us not look to find a church formed by men to mens wishes, but look for a community formed and moulded by God to His Will. Like Abraham of old, we “seek a city, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb.11:10). That is to say, we hunger for a godly community in every sense of the word. Law and order, peace and justice, truth and goodness, love and mercy, freedom and creativity. In one word — godly.
Jesus made it clear that He came to start just such a community on the earth. “I will build My Church,” He said, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The word He used is ecclesia, meaning “the community of the called out.”
“What, then is it that we have been called into?” To be sure, it is a community like nothing this world has to offer. The Bible refers to it in such comprehensive terms as The House of the Lord, the City of our God, and the Kingdom of Heaven. It is both local and global, as well as eternal. It is not institutional; but relational. It is gathered in the name of the Lord, governed by the word of the Lord, guided by the Spirit of the Lord, guarded by the power of the Lord, and garnished with the glory of the Lord.
And there is only one way into this Community; it is through faith in the Lord Jesus, evidenced by love for His people, which springs out of obedience to His word.
Do you want to belong to the world or to that community which simply wants to follow Jesus Christ and his Father, as Jesus did, and honour his and our Father with full honour like the Supreme God of gods deserves?
Are you willing to come to this community that forms the Ecclesia as Jesus Christ wishes?
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Dutch version: Niet gebonden door labels maar vrij in Christus
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Read also:
- Our relationship with God, Jesus and eachother
- Called Christian
- Meetings
- Congregate, to gather, to meet
- What and why Ecclesia
- The Ecclesia in the churchsystem
- Brothers in Christ
- If Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life be
- Salvation (soteria) deliverance and preservation wholeness or health.
- A Great Gift commemorated
- Manifests for believers #1 Sex abuse setting fire to the powder
- Manifests for believers #2 Changing celibacy requirement
- Manifests for believers #3 Catholic versus Protestant
- Manifests for believers #5 Christian Union
- Sense or nonsense of “Human Fragility”
- Christian fundamentalism as dangerous as Muslim fundamentalism
- Roman Catholic Church in the United States of America at war
- My faith
- Christadelphian people
- Christadelphian Beliefs What Do Christadelphians Believe & Teach?
In Dutch:
- Een groots geschenk om te herinneren
- Bijeenkomsten een Ontmoetingsplaats voor hen die de Bijbel beter willen leren kennen.
- Verzamelen of Bijeenkomen
- Parochie
- Congregatie
- Pleidooi voor broederschap tussen christenen
- Al of niet verenigen
- Publieke overdracht van Manifest Gelovigen nemen het woord
- Een Manifest voor Gelovigen
- Publieke overdracht van Manifest Gelovigen nemen het woord
- Manifestanten Protestant of Katholiek
- Manifest “Gelovigen nemen het woord”
- Manifest tot protestantse kerk
- Niet winkelend
- Sharia een kwaad voor Islam
- Louise Weiss gebouw en Torens volgens Babels Ziggurat
- Over Broeders en Zusters in Christus
- Gericht op God
- Navolgers van Christus
- Christadelphians over heel de wereld
- Gericht op Jezus
- Wat leren de Christadelphians Wat Geloven & Leren de Christadelphians?
- Intenties van de ecclesia
- Al of niet verenigen
- Verenigen
- Een samenkomst of meeting
- Toebehoren
- Parish, local church community – Parochie, plaatselijke kerkgemeenschap
- Verzamelen, bijeenkomen, samenkomen, vergaderen
- Kleine gemeenschappen voor geloofsvorming en verspreiding
- Congregation – Congregatie
- Maken van een kerk
- Wat en waarom Ecclesia Wat is de reden waarom wij ‘ecclesia’ gebruiken in plaats van ‘kerk’?
- Opbouw van een ecclesia
- Opbouw van een ecclesia en verbonden kosten
- Organistie van de Broeders in Christus
- Krachten voor de Ecclesia opbouw.
- Christelijk Leven
- Vrije keuze om te geloven
- Welk deel van het lichaam ben jij
- Leden in het lichaam van Christus
- Eenheid van het Lichaam van Christus
- Laat ons samen komen
- Het eerste op de lijst van de zorgen van de heilige
- Geketend zijn door de liefde voor een ander
- Karakter omgezet door de invloed van onze omgang
- Een Groots Geschenk om te herinneren
- Geen Wegvluchter
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Related articles
- Jesus begotten Son of God #16 Prophet to be heard (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
- A Great Gift commemorated (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
- Not making a runner (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
- The Spirit Delivers from the Power of the Flesh Romans 8:1-11(thechristiangazette.wordpress.com)There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
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For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, - Christians Behaving Badly (faithcontender.net)
Don’t you hate it when Christianity is painted with a broad brush — that it’s just a bunch of televangelists with carefully coifed hair scamming vulnerable people for money, Pat Robertson claiming to speak for God and saying embarrassing things in the media, Westboro “Baptist Church” picketing funerals and claiming that God hates fags? - 2 Corinthians 4-6 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. - The Christian’s boast is in Christ (alcplatteville.wordpress.com)
Christians are a peculiar people. They live in the flesh. They live in the world. But they are not of the world. They live by faith in Jesus Christ (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17, etc.). Jesus is their confidence. He alone is their boast and their glory.
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Instead of putting yourselves before God and His ways, like Peter who wanted nothing of a suffering Christ and who was rightly rebuked (Matthew 16:21-23), be mindful of the things of God, not the things of men (see also Colossians 3:1-4ff). Consider who you are in the light of God’s Holy Law—a sinner, a sinner in need of God’s salvation in Christ; a sinner for whom Christ died, willingly, that you might live. - Sunday Class Notes: April 1 (lifereference.wordpress.com)
People are frequently quick to condemn others, but who among us is without sin? Can we look around and condemn our brother when we too are sinners? Condemnation is God’s job; our job is to forgive and to encourage and correct with patient endurance, not to condemn. - 1 Corinthians 1-3 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
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Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. - Galatians 2:11-21 (markallenwhite.wordpress.com)
Is your freedom in Christ threatened by your fear of man? - Sanctified in Christ Jesus (justificationbygrace.com)
we are sanctified through Christ Jesus, because it is his blood and the water which flowed from his side in which the Spirit washes our heart from the defilement and propensity of sin. It is said of our Lord, —“Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle or any such thing.”
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Christ shall put an end to all our inbred sins, and through him we shall mount to heaven perfect even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect. - We Are Ambassador’s for Christ Jesus (codybateman.org)
- The “Between” Life(meetingintheclouds.wordpress.com)
Do we live BETWEEN the empty tomb and fellowship with the risen Christ? Are we still clothed with graveclothes – evidence of our old, sinful nature -
or do we wear the graceclothes provided by Christ.
Do we fellowship with Him, drawing strength from Him,
discovering His will for our lives, living in His presence and following Him?
- 2 Corinthians 5:17, “On The Old Overtaken by What is New” (brandondevotional.wordpress.com)
When we believe upon Jesus Christ, that is the Jesus Christ of theGod-breathed scriptures, the old self dies and we are “born again” as anew creation. This new creation lives in us now, but will betransfigured upon our death and resurrection. - Past Perfect (redeemedandredirected.com)
The feasts celebrated by His chosen people became and remain unique andunusual. The term “feasts” in Hebrew literally means “appointedtimes.” They are intended to be a time of meeting between God and manfor “holy purposes,” and they certainly reveal a special story to us asBelievers in Jesus Christ as our Messiah. This week, as Easter
approaches and we celebrate our risen Savior, I thought it would be the
ideal time to revisit the symbolism in three of the seven feasts given
in the pages of the Old Testament.
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Be Your Brother’s Keeper (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Apathy, detachment, disinterest, disregard… no matter what you call it, it’s not an option as a follower of Jesus.
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In the same way that You were intentional in the salvation of man, may I be intentional in ministering to those around me. - Clandestine Christian (tammykennington.wordpress.com)
Before Christ’s death, Nicodemus was a clandestine Christ-follower. He sought Jesus only under the cover of darkness in order to maintain a level of both spiritual satisfaction and social standing.
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Nicodemus seemed unafraid that his affiliation with Christ might damage his reputation.
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As one who claims the name of Christ, do I find myself hiding in the darkness? Am I unwilling to mention the word Jesus outside of church? Is social status of greater concern than boldly living out my faith? Or, do I willingly sacrifice my life as “the fragrance of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15) so others might come to know the Truth? - The Soul confronted with Death (christadelphians.wordpress.com)
Elohim proves His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us.
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“Therefore, set-apart brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, closely consider the Emissary and High Priest of our confession, Messiah יהושע” (Hebrews 3:1 The Scriptures 1998+)
