first Principles by L.O.S. Now Publishing

Body of Christ, Bride of Christ & Divinity of the Church

The Church is also described as Body of Christ cf:

One body with many members

I Cor 12:12-27: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and allthe members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also isChrist. 1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we allbaptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been allmade to drink into one Spirit 1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many 1Co 12:15 If the foot shallsay, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 1Co 12:16 And if the ear shallsay, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 1Co 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him 1Co 12:19 And if they were allone member, where were the body? 1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 1Co 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 1Co 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 1Co 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely partshave more abundant comeliness. 1Co 12:24 For our comely partshave no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another 1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, allthe members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, allthe members rejoice with it 1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular

Rom 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same ofﬁce: Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Church is called the Body

Eph 1:22-23 And hath put allthingsunder his feet, and gave him to be the head over allthingsto the church, Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that ﬁlleth allin all.

There is but one body therefore, one Church

Eph 4:4 There isone body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling

Eph 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Eph 4:13 Tillwe allcome in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto aperfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in allthings, which is the head, even Christ:

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Col1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the ﬁrstborn from the dead; that in allthingshe might have the preeminence

Col1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fillup that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for hisbody's sake, which is the church:

Church of Christ is also described as Bride of Christ:

Isaiah 62:2-5 For Zion's sake willI not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I willnot rest, untilthe righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as alamp that burneth Isa62:2 And the Gentiles shallsee thy righteousness, and allkings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by anew name, which the mouth of the LORD shallname. Isa62:3 Thou shalt also be acrown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and aroyaldiadem in the hand of thy God. Isa62:4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shallthy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shallbe married. Isa62:5 For as ayoung man marrieth avirgin, so shallthy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shallthy God rejoice over thee.

II Cor 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for Ihave espoused you to one husband, that I may present you asachaste virgin to Christ

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as abride adorned for her husband

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Divinity of the Church of Christ:

Some people think allreligions are of divine origin & are of equalvalue to salvation of your soul Others recognize some religions are not divine nor capable of saving your soul. Anything God of heaven is responsible for, anything He has originated is divine.

Divine ﬁgures of speech used to describe Church: Kingdom of God cf:

Mark 9:1And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shallnot taste of death, tillthey have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Col1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Holy names of God & Christ are attached to Church

I Cor. 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

Rom 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss The churches of Christ salute you.

Church Divinely established cf

Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shallthe God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shallnever be destroyed: and the kingdom shallnot be left to other people, but it shallbreak in pieces and consume allthese kingdoms, and it shallstand for ever

Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came into the coasts of CaesareaPhilippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for ﬂesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I willbuild my church; and the gates of hellshallnot prevailagainst it Mat 16:19 And I willgive unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shallbe loosed in heaven. Church is Divine in ownership cf:

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to allthe ﬂock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

I Cor 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which isin you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1Co

6:20 For ye are bought with aprice: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's Jesus could callit “My Church”

Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I willbuild my church; and the gates of hellshallnot prevailagainst it

Church has aDivine foundation with Jesus Christ Chief Cornerstone

I Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Church has aDivine head

Col1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the ﬁrstborn from the dead; that in allthingshe might have the preeminence.

Eph 5:23-24 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, Allpower is given unto me in heaven and in earth

Eph 1:22 And hath put allthingsunder his feet, and gave him to be the head over all thingsto the church,

Church is the temple of God on earth

Eph 2:21-22 Eph 2:21 In whom allthe building ﬁtly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit

It is to the Church God adds those being saved

Is Baptism Essentialfor Salvation

This lesson is aPleafor Unity based upon areturn to the Bible.

First of allmy brethren need to reconsider using the word “essential” for it is not a Bible word linked to Salvation and second it is judgmentaland we need to let God do allthe judging.

Baptism “for the remission of sins” is taught

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shallreceive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to allthat are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shallcall

Many say the Greek word translated “for” means “because of” as if the remission of sins has already happened … but that can’t be true because any Greek student willtellyou Jesus uses the very exact same Greek clause in giving the Last supper predicting His coming death

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Acts 2:21And it shallcome to pass, [that] whosoever shallcallon the name of the Lord shallbe saved

Acts 2:38-39

This is not something that has already happened but future tense

Our baptism is areenactment of the Gospelcf:

I Cor. 15:1-4

The Scriptures teach Gospelmust be obeyed.

II Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shallbe revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,18 In ﬂaming ﬁre taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospelof our Lord Jesus Christ

I Peter 4:17For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] ﬁrst [begin] at us, what shallthe end [be] of them that obey not the gospelof God?

How do you obey the Gospelthe death, burialand resurrection.

Rom. 6:1-4

Some of those who object say: “Baptism is awork & you can’t be saved by works”

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast “works” Greek er’gon

But who does the work when we believe in Jesus? Greek: er’gon

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent God should get the credit for our believing

John 6:44 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I willraise him up at the last day

Who does the work when we are baptized into Christ? Greek: en’erg-iah means work, power labour.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Many say:

How was the Thief on the Cross Saved without being baptized?

With the Thief on the Cross we have:

3 Men Cruciﬁed - 1Died in Sin, 1Died to sin & 1man Died for Sin:

Luke 23:39-47

(1) Who said the Thief on the Cross was not baptized?

Matthew 3:1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mark 1:4-5 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.5 And there went out unto him allthe land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were allbaptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called [unto him] his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

Luke 10:1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come

84 of of the Greatest Preachers who have ever lived one of them the Son of God, Who said: “the Thief on the cross was not baptized”

How did he know Jesus was sinless?

How did he know about the Kingdom?

How did he know Jesus was Lord?

(2) The thief on the cross died under the Law of Moses,

Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Heb. 9:16-17 For where atestament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator 17 For atestament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at allwhile the testator liveth

Christ was not yet dead when He pardoned him such as the pardoning of the sinful woman Luke 7:37-50 & the man Matt. 9:1-7.

(3) You can’t obey acommandment that’s not yet given.

The Great Commission was given 43 days after the cruciﬁxion cf:

Mark 16:15-16

Many say baptism is not essentialbecause Paulsays:

I Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: … ”

Every Gospelpreacher could and should say the very same thing. It would be crazy to baptize any one you has not preached the Gospelto but let’s don’t get the idea the Corinthians were not baptized.

Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with allhis house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Jesus said:

Mark 16:15-16

Now let’s look at the context of Paulis saying in

I Corinthians 1:10-18

V:10Be perfectly joined together ... This comes from aversatile Greek word, meaning "the setting of bones by aphysician, or the mending of nets."[9] The generalmeaning would appear to be "put the broken unity back together"; and thus by the use of such an expression Paulstates by implication the disunity of the church in Corinth

V:11Chlo’-ewas obviously "awoman of character and good standing"; but it should be noted that it was not Chloe who gave Paulthe information regarding Corinth, but her "household," aterm usually applied in the New Testament to the "familia" (household slaves),

V: 12The three groups which were glorying in the names of people have had their counterparts in allages. Such conduct then, as it stillis, was sinful. Paulmoved at once to show how ridiculous is the device of glorying in human teachers

V:13 the question was designed to expose and correct the sin of the three groups glorying in people, but they do not cast the slightest reﬂection upon those who were "of Christ," who were the only ones who could have given the proper response to Paul's question. The other three groups, however, would have been forced to confess that neither Paul, Apollos, or Peter had been cruciﬁed for them, and that they had not been baptized into any of those three names

V:14It was Paul's custom to entrust the physicalact of baptizing converts to an assistant such as John Mark, Silas or Timothy. There were occasions, however, when he found it necessary to do the actual baptizing with his own hands, as in the cases here cited. Paul in this verse, viewed it as providentialthat he had baptized so few of them, thus denying them any excuse for connecting his name with aparty. Both Gaius and Crispus were prominent Christians, Crispus having been the ruler of asynagogue.

V:15

V:16 Stephanas was of "the ﬁrstfruits of Achaia" (1Corinthians 16:15), evidently having been baptized by Paulbefore the beginning of his great work in Corinth (Acts 18:5ff).

V:17Christ sent me not to baptize ... Some have been diligent to make this passage an excuse for denying the necessity of baptism into Christ "If such aview is tenable, how can Paul's baptism of Stephanas, Gaius, and Crispus be explained? Of course, what Paulreferred to here was the ADMINISTRATION OF THE RITE OF BAPTISM, there being nothing here to the effect that Paulpreached salvation without baptism. He like allthe apostles had been commanded to "make disciples of allnations, baptizing them" (Matthew 28:19).

Naaman the Syrian is an example we should consider

II Kings 5:1ff

Luke 4:27And many lepers were in Israelin the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian Synecdoche is aﬁgure of speech where:

awhole is used to express apart: England won the world cup (World cup is the whole and England is the part).

Where apart is used to express awhole: I like your wheels. I’m just working to keep aroof over my head

Synecdoche are used in the Bible to express salvation

Believe as aSynecdoche is used to describe believers we are told that have been baptized.

Acts 2:44 And allthat believed were together, and had allthings common;

Believe as aSynecdoche is used to describe believers where baptism is not mentioned.

Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about ﬁve thousand

Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Baptism as aSynecdoche is used to describe conversion where believe is not mentioned.

Acts 16:14-15 And acertain woman named Lydia, aseller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard [us]: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithfulto the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.

Examples of conversion:

Pentecost

Acts 2:1-42

Samaria

Act 8:3-13

Ethiopian eunuch

Acts 8:26-40

Saulof Tarsus Acts 9, 22 & 26

Acts 22:16

Cornelius' House

Acts 10:34-48

Lydia's household

Acts 16:14-15

Philippian Jailor's household

Acts 16:25-33

Many Corinthians

Acts 18:1-8

Certain Disciples @ Ephesus

Acts 19:1-5

an example that you can’t be taught wrong & baptized right

Baptism is into Christ cf:

Rom. 6:3-6

V:17,

Gal 3:27

I Peter 3:18-21

The Parable of the Sower

What is the Difference in the Kingdom of Heaven & the Kingdom of God?

Lets look at the very same parable in all three of the Synoptic Gospels cf:

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Mark 4: 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:

Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

So there is absolutely no difference in the terms, Mark and Luke refer to it as the Kingdom of God and Matthew refers to it as the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Hebrew’s were children of nature and children of the land.

To fully appreciate the Old Testament nature literature you must understand their point of view.

With them secondary causes did not exist; only the primary cause; various manifestations of nature were personifications of God.

The sun, moon and stars were His witnesses. The thunder and storms were His voice.

The winds were His Messengers and the earthquakes were sounds of His footsteps.

He clothed Himself in the garments of light and rode upon the clouds as His chariot. The whole earth was filled with His glory and immediate presence.

By the time of Jesus the Jews had lost their former interest and love of nature.

The interest of the Scribes, Pharisees and doctors of the Law had begun to rest in trivial traditions, superficial forms of temple rituals and purity.

Today in our modern day city life the display and works of men so hem us in that we can hardly see beyond the street in which we live.

We are so completely occupied in the affairs of men, that it is no wonder that we have so little of God in our lives, when we know and see so little of what God has made.

In a Psalm David could say:

Psalm 8:1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent isthy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

In the 7 parables of Matthew 13 Jesus calls us back to the natural examples of nature to show us how natural and spiritual the Kingdom of God works.

Matthew 13:1-2 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

The Hearing Heart

JESUS receives unprecedented popularity, greatmultitudescome.

GOD speaks and we have the responsibility to listen. Had these people used their GOD given hearing? How serious were they?

Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

A parable is a comparison or a similitude where one thing is compared to another … especially whereby spiritual things are better understood.

A parable is literally something laid alongside of another thing to compare it or explain it.

In the New Testament a parable is an illustration drawn from natural thing to instruct us in spiritual things.

Those who heard Jesus could see in their memory and imaginations the common occurrence of a sower casting seeds to the ground.

Not all the multitude attending Jesus’s ministries were for real … few who heard Him would bring forth fruit to perfection. Thee same is true today with the preaching the Gospel among men.

The soweris JESUS (v: 37); the seedis the Word (v: 19); the earthis the heart (v: 19).

GOD IS SPEAKING THROUGH THE MESSIAH

Hebrew 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds

Is anybody listening?

(A) The two parts to any communication are: What's said and what's heard.

(B) Hearing is judged on the basis of what's said being put into action by the hearer.

(D) Jesus is concerned about the hearing capacity of our heart. The Hebrew word heartequalsthe intellect or mind, the emotions and the will of a person.

The Word must thunder through all aspects of our heart!!!

Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

The way side is the hard beaten path where no plow has broken up the ground.

Matthew 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

The stony places have a thin layer of earth with rock beneath.

Matthew 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Thorns is where the ground has been plowed up, but the weeds have not been cleared away.

Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

This where the earth is deep and the weeds have all removed.

Matthew 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Let every person who feels the need to be instructed about his souls welfare pay attention.

God is speaking through the Messiah and we have a responsibility to listen.

Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Concerning the things of the scheme of salvation which was being revealed was prophetic concern the future state of the Church of Christ is now expressed in parables.

The apostles as first preachers of the Gospel to sinners are also the writers of the New Testament Where by people thou out history will be saved.

… but to them it is not given …because there is gross, earthly and sensual

The Apostles were selected to receive full instruction of the gospel. These were mysteries to others, but plain truths to them.

Matthew 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

It is a natural law that those who have wisdom to listen shall learn more and those who refuse to hear the word will become less and less spiritual.

This is also an illustration that he who processes much or is rich receive presents to curry their favor while a natural law that poor men who have little may be easily preyed on and lose his little.

Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Parables are to lead them into a proper knowledge of God. Jesus used natural representation of spiritual truths.

Because Seeing the miracles of Christ they see not

Because hearing the doctrine of Christ they hear not so as to profit unto salvation

Neither do they understand or have heart touched by it.

Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

The Greek properly translated means again fulfilled. It was fulfilled in the time of Isaiah and it was again filled in the time of Christ.

. These awful words will again be fulfilled for us if we take not the warning.

Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Become fat, inattentive, stupid, and insensible, they ae half asleep while the son of God is preached to him.

Totally closed their eyes to the light of God.

It is deplorable to be sick unto death, yet refuse to be cured.

Isaiah 6:9-10 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Isaiah 6:11-12 Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and therebea great forsaking in the midst of the land.

Matthew 13:16 But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

To the Apostles Jesus opens the truth of the Old Testament and explains the mysteries dimly seen by the ancient prophets. The apostles received an increase of knowledge and wisdom with every miracle Jesus performed, every sermon He preached and every lesson He taught.

Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [thosethings] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [thosethings] which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

The Hebrew prophets looked to the future of the coming of the Messiah, but the Apostles had received a fuller knowledge, greater gifts and more excellent promises than the Jews had received. Jesus said, cf:

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it,and was glad.

Moses looking to that future day made the right choice:

Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

Peter could say of the Old Testament prophets and the Christian dispensation:

I Peter 1:10-12 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace thatshouldcomeunto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have

preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Matthew 13:18-19 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

The person who hears does not let the word into his heart. Not all three evangelist each use a different word to describe the enemy.

Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

Matthew calls him the “wicked one” Mark calls him “Satan” Luke calls him “the devil”

Revelation 12: 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

V:19 The Hard Hearted Hearer – The Intellectual Disciple

(A) Distorted thinking about GOD, ritualism, customs, practices They just can’t put it together and understand. Legalism

(B) Marble hearted disciples who have their own ideas about GOD. Baptized with a baptism of holy fervor instead of remission of sins – refuse to follow the light that they have been given.

I John 3:11-12 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, whowas of that wicked one, and slew

his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

With each failure and rejection, hard defense barriers have been erected

The one who lays the word to heart and obeys it does all that he needs to do to be saved.

Hebrews 4:1-11 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left usof entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh dayon this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this placeagain, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God didfrom his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Hebrews 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith: but if anymandraw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

(D) This kind of person has never allowed Jesus to deal with their emotions (feelings) or their will (life’s daily practices. They have never really come to Jesus.

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Luke 6:46-49 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and

digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat

V:20-21 Shallow Hearted Hearer - The Emotional Disciple

Matthew: 13:20-21 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

(A) A Heart of bedrock covered over with a thin layer of soil.

A Joyful beginning but they are like a tire with a slow leak …

(B) The seed is planted but the root soon reaches rock where it has no nourishment.

I Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:23-26 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein,he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion isvain

Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

V: 22 The Crowded Hearted Hearer – The Carnal Sinful Disciple

While the rains lasts both the thorns and the good seed grows, but when the rains ceases the bad seed prevails and the good is destroyed.

(A) God is demanding of us absolute loyalty and first place in everything in our lives – the thorns are sin.

(B) This disciple has no lives – thorns are sin.

I John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

(D) Can you honestly thank GOD for your pleasures in life while you are doing them. If not they are sin.

I John 5:17-19 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 19 Andwe know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches are in constant warfare with good.

I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows

Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

A Luke 8:15 amplifies Matthew’s account “honest and good hearted, having heard the word, keep it…

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it,and bring forth fruit with patience.

B. Understand

I Kings 3:9 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it,and bring forth fruit with patience.

C. Fruit both souls and Christian Character

Souls:

John 15:1-8 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branchthat beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye arethe branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast theminto the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Christian Character:

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Now comes the Parable of the Tares tares = Greek darnelor false grain.

Matthew 13:24-30 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matthew 13:31-32 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Parable of Leaven

Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Matthew 13:34-35 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

Matthew 13:36-43 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked [one]; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;3 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and

gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Parable of the Treasure Hidden in a Field

Matthew 13:44-50 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Sources: KJV, theWord.com, Clark’s Commentary, Coffman’s Commentary, B.W. Johnson’s People’s N.T. Commentary

Twoquestions?

The Kingdom of Heaven

WhoistheKingoftheKingdomofheaven?Easyone:Jesus Andwhatisthekingdomofheavenlike?Notsoeasy Whenisthekingdomofheaven?Theanswerisnow.JesusisKing rightnow.IsJesusnotourLordandKingrightnow?Hesureis. Jesusspeaksanumberofparablesdescribingtheverykingdomof heaven.Hereareafew:

Mt 13:24 ¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Keyword:sowed Dropdowntoverse30

Mt 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Keyword:harvest

Mt 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: keywordagain:sowed

32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. keyword:grown Droptoverse44

Mt 13:44 ¶ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Mt 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The kingdom of heaven is the church of Christ on earth coexisting with the wicked.

THECHURCHISNOTABUILDING,THECHURCHISNOTTHE ASSEMBLY(therearethosewhoassembleinthechurchthatarenot ofthechurch),THECHURCHISTHEPEOPLEOFGOD.

WhenJesusSpeaksofthekingdomofHeaven,Heisreferringtothe church.Thosewhohavebeenconverted,thosewhoarebornagain. ThosewhohaveobeyedthegospelandbecomeChristian.

Mt 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Relatethiswith:

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. theKingdomofHeavenandthekingdomofGodareused interchangeablythroughouttheNewTestament.

TheKingdomofGod&theChurchofChrist

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Jesushadsaid:

Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Mark 9: 1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 1: 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. TheApostlesarebaptizedwiththeHolySpiritandpowerinActs2and PeterpreachesthefirstGospelsermonresultingin:

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

Verse47tellsuswhattheywereaddedto…

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. AfterthistheKingdomofGodisalwaysspokenofasbeingalreadyin existence.

Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son.

Revelation 1: 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah2:1-4speaksoftheproclamationoftheKingdomofGodfrom MountZionbyGodhimselfinthepersonofhisSon,JesusChristour Lord;

Isaiah 2:1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

Judah cf:

Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

II Samuel 7:12-16 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom

forever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever.

Isaiah 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Last Days cf:

Acts 2:16-17 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Mountain cf:

Daniel 2:44-45 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream [is] certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Lords House cf:

I Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

All Nations cf:

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen

Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Luke 24:45-48 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

Isaiah 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will teach us of His ways, we will have a Divine Teacher cf: John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

cf: James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Where did Jesus our King teach this law? On Mount Zion in Jerusalem

cf: Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the

law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Word of the Lord from Jerusalem cf:

Luke 24:45-49 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Isaiah 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Thus we see in Isaiah 2:1-4 The Kingdom of God which is also known as the Church of Christ will conquer the world peacefully and not by the sword. The peace we experience is Peace with God cf:

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Peace means that the rebellion against God is no longer within our heart; the war is over, and we have submitted to our Maker; and the new status we have in Christ changes everything … God is angry with the wicked every day, and Paul described the Gentiles in their state of rebellion as "children of wrath." That wrath pertains to every person who has not come into Christ and made peace with God.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Most of these wonderful virtues are subjective, lying within the hearts of Christians. Peace is the calm, quiet, and order, which take place in the blood washed soul, instead of the doubts, fears, alarms, and

dreadful forebodings, which every lost sheep feels in their heart and soul. Peace is the first feeling of the fruit of pardon and forgiveness of my sins. Now that we are Christians, God will not be the cause of our troubles … slew foot

Isaiah 54:13-17 And all thy children [shall be] taught of the LORD; and great [shall be] the peace of thy children. 14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. 15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, [but] not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. 16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD

In Isaiah 10 the prophet has described the destruction of the Assyrian Army under the imagery of a mighty forest of trees cut down & laid level with the ground by the axe wielded by the coming Messiah.

Isaiah 10:32-34 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand [against] the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. 33 Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature [shall be] hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled. 34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one. This 11 chapter of Isaiah follows the prophecies of the destruction of both Israel and of Assyria; but … there were no sprouts or shoots coming up from the chopped down forest of Lebanon, since cedars do not produce sprouts after being cut down … God's choice of the metaphor in the word "Lebanon" for Assyria, shows that Assyria would never recover from their destruction. However, Judah was represented by another type of tree, an oak, that will indeed preserve life after being cut down, and will send forth a sprout or shoot to make a new tree. Note that Assyria and Israel are both doomed to be cut down/destroyed In opposition to this image of a mighty army in chapter 10 Isaiah presents the Messiah as a great person who is the subject of this coming 11th Chapter.

Isaiah 11:1 The Messiah to be a descendant of Jesse who was King David’s father cf: Matt.1:6 & Luke 3:31-32.

Branch is a metaphor for the coming Messiah cf: Isaiah 27:6, Jermeiah 23:5-6, Jer. 33:15-16, Zech. 3:8-9, Zech. 6:11-13 & John 19:5.

Isaiah 11:2 Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him cf:

Luke 3:21-23 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age …

Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. cf:

Isaiah 61:1ff

Isaiah 11:3 the fear of the Lord cf:

Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; He shall not Judge after the sight of His eyes cf:

Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Isaiah 11:4 Righteousness cf:

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; The Poor & the Meek of the earth cf:

Matthew 5:3-10

Rod of His mouth & breath of His lips shows the power of Christ’s preaching cf:

Isaiah 49:2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength. (also cf: Rev, 2:12)

II Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Here the Greek Thra-ci-an Sword is used symbolically for Christ’s Coming in Judgment

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Isaiah 11:5-6 little child cf:

Matthew 18:3-4 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Isa 11:7-9 Holy Mountain, what mountain? The Mountain of the Lord’s House we studied about in chapter 2 cf:

Isaiah 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

What is the Mountain of the Lord’s House? The Church of Christ.

I Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Isaiah 11:10

PaulquotesIsaiah11:10andtherebyteachesthisprophecywas alreadyfulfilledinhisday&timewhenhewrotethelettertothe Romans cf:

Rom. 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. A root of Jesse is a metaphor that Christ Himself has twice applied to Himself cf:

Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold,

the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Rev. 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.

TheLord,HebrewYHWH,Thisgatheringisnotgeographicalintothe newmodernstateofIsraelbutspiritual.InthepreviouschapterIsaiah tellsofthisreturningoftheremnant“tothemightyGod”cf:

]Isaiah 10:21 The remnant shall return, [even] the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.

A chapter earlier Jesus Christ is called the mighty God” cf:

Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 11:11-12 FirstgatheringwasfromAssyriaandthesecondgatheringwillbefrom thecomingBabyloniancaptivity.

Isaiah 11:12 Both Gentiles and Jews are to be gathered into one body cf: Ephesians 1:9-10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him

Ephesians 2:11-22 Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow

citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Isaiah11:13-14ThisisacommonOldTestamentpracticeofnaming ancientenemiesofIsraelasrepresentativeoftheGentilesoftheNew TestamentSaints.Thusoldenemiestobecomebrethrenbythe gospel.

Isaiah 11:15 HereisanallusiontotheHebrewpassagethroughtheRedSea. ThetongueisadescriptiveforabaysuchasTheRedSeacf: Exodus14:26-29SevenstreamsTheNileRiverfallsintothe MediterraneanSeaby7streams.ThereisanewExoduscomingand Godismakingahighwayforyoutopassover.

Isaiah11:16AhighwayisoneofIsaiah’smetaphors for the Kingdom of God and the Church of Christ cf:

Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it [shall be] for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

All4GospelwritersquoteIsaiah40:3andareexplicitinstatingthe buildingofthishighwaybeganwiththepreachingofJohntheBaptist.

Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Sources: KJV Bible, Clarkes Commentary, B.W. Johnson Commentary, Coffman’s Commentaries, the Word.com

5 Things we do to Worship God on The Lord’s Day Worship Summaries:

Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, andnot the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God isone LORD: 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might

Verses 4-16 Here is a brief summary of religion, containing the first principles of faith and obedience, found in verse 4-5. These two verses the Jews reckon one of the choicest portions of scripture: they write it in their phy’lact-eries, and think themselves not only obliged to say it at least twice every day. They have this saying among them, Blessedare we,whoeverymorningandeveningsay,Hear,OIsrael,theLordourGodisoneLord.But more blessed are we if we duly consider and improve ourselves. What we are here taught to believe concerning God: that JehovahourGodisoneJehovah.(1.) That the God whom we serve is Jehovah, a Being infinitely and eternally perfect, self-existent, and selfsufficient. (2.) That he is the one only living and true God; He only is God, and he is but one. The firm belief of this self-evident truth would effectually arm them against all idolatry, which was introduced by that fundamental error, that there are gods many. It is past dispute that there is one God, and there isnootherbuthe,

Mar 12:28-32 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this isthe first commandment. 31 And the second islike, namelythis, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

Happy are they that have this one Lord for their God; for they have but one master to please, but one benefactor to seek to. It is better to have one fountain than a thousand cisterns, one all-sufficient God than a thousand insufficient ones.

What we are here taught concerning the duty which God requires of man. It is all summed up in this as its principle, ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart. He had undertaken to teach them to fear God in verse 2; and, in pursuance of his undertaking, Moses here teaches them to love him, for the warmer our affection to Him the greater will be our veneration for him; the child that honors his parents no doubt loves them.

Did ever any prince make a law that his subjects should love him? Yet such is the divine grace that this is made the first and great commandment of God’s law, that we love Him, and that we perform all other parts of our duty to Him from a principle of love. Myson,

givemethyheart.We must highly esteem Him, be well pleased that there is such a Being, well pleased in all his attributes, and relations to us: our desire must be towards him, our delight in Him, our dependence upon Him, and to Him we must be entirely devoted. It must be a constant pleasure to us to think of Him, hear from Him, speak to Him, and serve Him. We must love Him,

John 4:23-24 The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The time is at hand, says the Lord, when a worship of forms, or at holy places, will not meet the demands of the Father. Hemustbe worshiped with the heart, in spirit and in truth. Spiritual worship can be offered in any land, wherever the soul can humble itself before God.

V:24 God is a Spirit. Rather, "God is Spirit." This declaration is fundamental. Since he is Spirit, he must receive spiritual worship, and is everywhere present.

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers

Having been baptized simply upon their repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, these young disciples had many teachings of the faith called Christianity to become acquainted with, and many duties yet unknown, in which they needed to be instructed. In giving an account of these matters, Luke is brief. He closes this section of the history found in Acts with a brief notice of the order established in the new Church, first describing their order of worship. (42) "Andtheycontinuedsteadfastlyintheapostles' doctrine,andinfellowship,andinbreakingofbread,andinprayers."

The apostles were the only teachers of the early Church, and in this work they were executing the second part of their commission, which required them to teach those whom they baptized all things that Jesus had commanded. The same command which made it their duty to teach, made it also the duty of these new Christians to learn from the Apostles and to abide by their instruction. This duty the early Jerusalem brethren faithfully complied with, but it has been grievously neglected by their brethren of later ages and today the change movement departs from the Apostles doctrine.

For the purpose of being taught by the apostles, they must have assembled together, and this was the occasion for manifesting their fellowship,which term expresses their common participation in religious privileges.

It has been urged by some writers, that the term koinonia should here be rendered contribution,instead of fellowship,and that it refers to contributions which were regularly made in the public assemblies, for the poor. That the term is used in this limited sense in at least two places in the New Testament, must be admitted, viz.: in Rom. 15: 26, "It hath pleased them of Macedonia to make a certain contribution for the poor of the saints in Jerusalem;" and in 2 Cor. 9:13, where Paul says the saints "glorify God for your liberal contributionto them and to all men."

But such is not, by any means, its common usage. It usually occurs in such connections as the following: "You were called into the fellowshipof his Son Jesus Christ." "The favor of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowshipof the Holy Spirit be with you." "And truly our fellowshipis with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." "We have fellowshipwith one another."

The radical idea in this term is that of participationincommon.We have fellowship with God, because we are made partakersof the divine nature, as we escape the corruption which is in the world through lust.

We have fellowship with the Son, because of the common sympathies which His life and sufferings have established between himself and us; and with the Spirit, because we partake of the strengthening and enlightening influences of his teachings, and because he dwells in us. We have fellowship with one another, because of the mutual participation in each other's affection and good friendship. The term is also used in reference to the Lord's supper. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the fellowshipof the blood of Christ? The loaf which we break, is it not the fellowshipof the body of Christ?" We partakeincommonof the benefits of his broken body and shed blood, which are symbolized in the fruit of the vine and the breaking of bread. Seeing that Christians enjoy fellowship with so many sources of happiness, the term unrestricted must embrace them all. In the present instance the context imposes no limitation upon its meaning, and it would be quite arbitrary to restrict it to the sense of contribution.

Still, the idea of contributing to the wants of poor brethren is involved in the fellowship of Christians, and by the statement that they continued steadfastly in the fellowship, we understand that they continued in the common participation of religious enjoyments, includingcontributions for the poor.

Together with the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, Luke enumerates "breaking of bread and prayers," as part of the exercises in which the first Christians continued steadfastly. The frequency with which the bread was broken is not mentioned here. It will be discussed later. This brief statement shows merely that this institution, according to the Savior's command, was observed from the very beginning of the Church.

The prayers mentioned are those there were offered in public. The number of prayers offered on any occasion, or the order in which the prayers, the instruction, breaking the loaf, and the other acts of fellowship followed each other, is not told. Luke's silence in reference to these particulars may have arisen from the fact that there was no invariable order of exercises; or may have been intended to prevent the order in the Jerusalem Church from being regarded as an authoritative precedent. It shows clearly the intention of the Holy Spirit that the assemblies of the saints should be left to the exercise of their own discretion in matters of this kind, and furnishes a most singular rebuke to the hundreds of party leaders who have since attempted to impose authoritative rituals upon the congregations.

If the example of the Church in Jerusalem, in this respect, even though it was directed by all of the apostles, was not binding upon other Congregations, what body of uninspired men shall have the presumption to bind what God has purposely left free?

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;but exhorting oneanother:and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1. Lord’s Supper:

Exodus 12:1-15

Exo. 12:22-27 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip [it] in the blood that [is] in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that [is] in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].

24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.

25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.

26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?

27 That ye shall say, It [is] the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.

Exo. 12:29-30 29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.

30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [therewas] not a house where [therewas] not one dead.

Matt. 26:17-30, Mark 14:15-26, Luke 22:13-20

I Corinthians 11:23-32.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first dayof the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight

2. Preaching:

Mark 16:15-16 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and this do in remembrance of me. this do in remembrance of me. this do in remembrance of me. this do in remembrance of me. this do in remembrance of me. this do in remembrance of me.. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

I Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

II Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

II Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];

II Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

3. Singing:

Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

I Cor. 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee

James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms

II Chronicles 29:25-30 25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for sowasthe commandment of the LORD by his prophets. 26 And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with

the trumpets. 27 And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began alsowith the trumpets, and with the instruments ordainedby David king of Israel. 28 And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: andall thiscontinued until the burnt offering was finished. 29 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. 30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

4. Praying:

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them tothisend,that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Luke 11:1-13.

5. Giving:

I Corinthians 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 16:2 Upon the first dayof the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as Godhath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

II Corinthians 9:6-9 But this Isay,He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, solethimgive;not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 9:8 And God isable to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,may abound to every good work: 9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

Sources: KJV Bible, B.W. Johnson’s People’s New Testament Commentary & Clarke’s Commentary.

Evangelist, Elders & Deacons

A Plurality of Shepherds or Elders: A congregation when set in order is, to have a plurality of shepherds or elders. Whenever the scripture speaks of the office, every time it is in the plural form. cf: Acts 14:23, 20:17, 1 Peter 5:1, Philippians 1:1, and James 5:14.

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Therefore, at least two elders are necessary but a congregation may set apart as many shepherds as are fully qualified and the congregation desires.

Evangelist:

Detailed

Instructions for Evangelist are found in I & II Timothy & Titus

One of the most powerful tools of an evangelist is:

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear [thee,then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

As a representative of almighty God, you must be honest and fearless with a Backbone, any man who slanders & gossips about a brother behind his back, and refuses to follow this admonition of the Lord, is not qualified for leadership …

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Apostles and prophets have passed away and were offices of the Apostolic age.

Evangelism of the ungodly and calling a lost world to repentance in the New Testament sense has been all but choked out by a failure to recognize the plain meaning of words. Preach and teach were never confused in the early church.

Let the evangelist first obtain by preaching and then let the “teachers” or ministers teach the scriptures . . . and let the shepherds sustain by fellowship,

teaching holiness, doctrine and the word in general also. This is the plain New Testament sense of the words and the context in which they are found.

Today preaching and teaching have been replaced on the left hand with: a 15 sermonette, where they read 3 verses and pontificate on how such sociology will make you “prosperous, healthy, wealthy and wise with the promise of pie in the sky in the sweet by and by”. On the right hand “the fire breathers” are teaching doctrines (mostly true) dotting I’s and crossing t’s and earnestly contending for the faith. A requirement for all Christians cf: Jude 3. But, it was not meant to supersede “Go ye unto all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature.”

Why do you waste time with them (Luke 15) has always been the attitude of Pharisees and elder bothers towards real gospel preaching: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness, but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.” I Corinthians 1:18

PREACHING: “Keerux – kay’-roox, the preacher, keerussoo- kay-roos’-os, I preach and Kerrugma the speech, or the preaching. – and it’s associated word:

Euanggelistees - yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace the evangelist, euaggelion –yoo-ang-ghel-eeon, the gospel and euaggelizoo, I preach the gospel, frequently occur in the Greek Christian scriptures.

They are completely different words from: didaskalia and didaskoo, I teach, didaskalia and didachee a doctrine, and didaskalia and didaskalos a teacher.

Alexander Campbell said regarding this distinction: “No two such families of words of so many branches, and of so large a currency are more distinguishable or more frequently distinguished in the whole nomenclature of the Christian Scriptures.”

And, of course, he also said: “No inspired writer made a distinction without a difference:” See Alexander Campbell Preacher of Reform & Reformer of Preaching/Fitch/Sweet Publishing Co.

The early preaching had to do not with tenets or doctrine but with precepts to be obeyed because the Word has become flesh and died on the tree for you personally. Preaching is not to impart Church of Christ orthodox views . . . but rather it is to, thunder through the lost mind, heart and emotion producing Godly sorrow for their sins and Bible repentance. Real Bible belief, ie: faith, trust and reliance from the heart and soul that Christ died for “my” sins according to the

scriptures; and trust with reliance that He can and will save me, must be produced prior to baptism or it’s an empty ritual.

I Timothy 5:19-22 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Timothy was a native of Lycaonia. His father was a Greek, but his mother and grandmother were Jews, 2 Tim. 1:5. He was taught the scriptures from his very youth, 2 Tim. 3:15, and was probably converted during Paul's first visit to Lystra, Acts 14:8-20. He was ordained as an evangelist 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6, and, after Paul's second visit to Lystra. Timothy spent most of his time with Paul, Acts 16:1. He did much valuable service for Paul, and was greatly esteemed by him. Acts 17:14; 18:5; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10. His name is associated with Paul in writing a number of letters, 2 Cor. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1. He was at Ephesus and while there received these letters, 1 Tim. 1:3-4. Paul desired to have him with him when death came, 2 Tim. 4:9; 13, 21.

II Timothy 2:1-8 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

II Timothy 3:10-17 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned

[them]; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works

II Timothy 4:1-5 I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: We do not know much of the work of Titus. But from Gal. 2:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:12-13; 7:216, and Titus 1:5 and 3:12 we learn: (1) that he was a Gentile whom Paul carried to Jerusalem, (2) that by the liberty of the gospel the Jerusalem council did not require him to be circumcised. (3) that he a capable and an energetic missionary, (4) that Paul had left him in Crete to finish the work which he had begun there.

The book of Titus is written to counsel Titus concerning the work Paul had left him to do (1:5). It contains: (1) the qualifications of the elders to be selected; (2) the method of dealing with false teachings; (3) instructions to the different classes of the church; (4) exhortations to Titus himself.

Shepherds, Pastors, Elders, Bishops, Presbyters & Overseers

Why are three Greek words and classes of terms and six English words used to refer to one office? The first class: shepherds and pastors Greek: poime’n(POYmen) beautifully describes their work as shepherds or pastors of God’s flock (His people). The second class: elders or presbyters Greek: presbyteros(pres-bi-TERos): speaks of their person as regarding their age and Christian experience. The third class: Bishop or overseers Greek: episkopos(eh-pis-KO-pus) refers to their being teachers visiting the members and superintendents of the congregation. These passages state the qualifications for Elders or shepherds:

I Timothy 3:1-7 This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, presbyteros(pres-bi-TER-os): he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop (pres-bi-TERos): then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Of the fifteen qualifications mentioned in this chapter, seven are listed in this verse.

“… blameless...” This is the great and all-inclusive qualification. Coffman pointed out that the Greek word from which this comes means "one who cannot be laid hold upon,” that is, a man without a handle, one who has given evil men no occasion whatever to, use, pervert, blame or censure him. The late Grover Cleveland Brewer denominated this as really the only qualification for elder, the other qualifications mentioned here and in Titus being merely the checkpoints for determining blamelessness. As Zerr said, of course, "This word has been distorted out of its true meaning, by saying it requires a bishop to be without sin." Sinless perfection is always a goal to be achieved and is not required of Christians, nor is it required of elders. The very fact of Paul's appointing elders in every church immediately after the first missionary journey (Acts 14:23) proves that such officers are absolutely necessary in every congregation that has Christian family men.

This Congregation Main Street however, is an inner-city Mission NOT a congregation in “Green Acres, Carrollton, or Frisco”. Close your eyes and imagine you are in Arizona in the old west … you are the monk of the old Spanish mission, in hostile Indian territory and the natives are on the warpath … that’s Main Street

We are stuck in the Hood down here … let those who would criticize us come on down and let’s see if you are fully qualified and can shepherd this bunch.

I Timothy 3:2 A bishop presbyteros(pres-bi-TER-os): then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders (pres-bi-TER-os) in every city, as I had appointed thee; 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop (eh-pis-KO-pus) must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers

I Peter 5:1-4 The elders presbyteros(pres-bi-TER-os): which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight (eh-pis-KO-pus) [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

All three passages are being collected into one list of qualifications. They are also cataloged as “Negative” (those things that he must not be) and as “Positive” (those things he must be).

Negative: (1) “not given to wine” (2) “not a striker” (34) “not covetous” (4) “not a novice” (5) “not self-willed” (6) “not soon angry” (7) given to filthy lucre (money).

Positive: (1) “blameless” (2) “The husband of one wife” (3) “vigilant” (4) “sober” (5) “of good behavior” (6) “given to hospitality” (7) “patient” (8)“a lover of good men” (9) “just” (10) “holy” (11) “temperate” (12) “apt to teach” (13) “of a good report of them without” (14) “one that ruleth well his own house” and (15) “having his children in subjection with all gravity”.

Remember Paul said” “a bishop MUST be” what he describes in these qualifications – I Timothy 3:2

Bishops or overseers: Comes from the Greek word e-pis-kop-os. A study of this word shows that the translators had to choose another English word every time episkoposwas used in which an elder or shepherd was not the meaning of the word. What word did they choose to use? Almost always they chose “visited”.

Visited

Luke 1:68 Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Visited

Luke 7:16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

Visited

Matthew 25:35-36 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Over

Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Visit

Acts 7:23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

Visit

Acts 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Visit

Acts 15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, [andsee] how they do.

Visitest

Hebrews 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Visit

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

This would seem to indicate visiting the flock of God is one of the chief duties of Bishops and Overseers. The Roman Church system cheats the sheep out of

personal visitation because no Roman bishop can possibly visit the people of his Dioceses.

How do we know that “Bishops & Elders” and “overseer” designates the same person and work that the word “elder” does? Read Titus 1:5 and 7. In verse 5 Paul speaks of “elders” and in verse 7 “bishops” when referring to the same class of persons. Compare I Peter 5:1ff Peter uses elder and overseers interchangeably Also Paul uses elders and overseers interchangeably in Acts 20 cf:

Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers(eh-pis-KO-pus), to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

The “elders” in verse 17 that Paul called to him, he also calls “overseer” in verse 28. Therefore, they also are used interchangeably.

I Timothy 5:22 “Lay hands suddenly on no man ...” means, “Do not get in a hurry to name any man as an elder

“… Neither be partakers of other men's sins ...” This warns that the person responsible for appointing elders who prove unfaithful is, in a sense, partaker of their sins, unless due deliberation, investigation and testing preceded such unfortunate appointment.

“Keep thyself pure ...” This has primary reference to the matter of irresponsible appointment of church elders, just mentioned.” cf: Burton Coffman Commentary

End of first Missionary Journey Acts 13 & 14

Acts 14:24-25 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: (Attalia, sea-port town in Pamphylia.)

Acts 14:26-28 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.

Paul’s charge to the Elders of the church at Ephesus cf:

A View of the Christian Ministry – Acts 20:17-35

Rather than parting as some brethren so often do, with their elders . . . every Christian evangelist, should strive to conduct himself in such a way, so that when he leaves a congregation, he can preach a parting sermon just like Paul. Paul is a beautiful example of a pure heart and clean hands who can speak these words in boldness . . . without bragging in his use of ‘I” this or . . . “I” that . . . his statements are all true and please note his elders are sorry to see him go rather than . . .

Acts 20:16-21 Is a review of Paul’s Three Year Ministry.

Acts 20:16-21 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 [And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable [untoyou], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:18-19 The Gentleness of his ministry.

(a) Humility – “lowliness of mind”.

(b) Tender-hearted – “with tears”.

Acts 20:18-19 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

20:20-21a The integrity of his ministry.

Neglected no truth. (20a)

Neglected no sphere “public or private”. (20b)

Acts 20:20 [And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable [untoyou], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Neglected no race or class, Jew or Gentile. (21a)

The Message of his ministry: (20:21b)

“Repentance toward God . . . faith in Jesus”.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

20:22-27 His Present Position.

20:22 Paul’s present purpose – to go to Jerusalem

Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

20:23 Paul’s present prospect – bonds and afflictions.

Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

20:24 Paul’s final purpose – to fulfill his ministry.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

20:25 A painful feeling – “you shall see my face no more”.

Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

20:26-27 All Responsibilities discharged. “pure from the blood of all men”.

For “the whole counsel of God” declared

Acts 20:26-37 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men]. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel

of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers(eh-pis-KO-pus), to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

The Christian Ministry is a Ministry of Love & Service – Matthew 20:25ff & 25:31ff

“Christianity if emphatically, super-eminently -- yea, transcendentally is the religion of love’ – Thomas Campbell.

Deacons

I Timothy 3:8-13 Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless. 11 Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Sources: KJV Bible, theWord.com, Burton Coffman, B.W. Johnson, Adam Clarke & J.W. McGarvey commentaries, World Conquest, George Faull Acts, along with Google images & Wikipedia.