March 18, 2001 Volume 2 Number 11
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The NT Church Description: Work and Worship The church established in 33 A.D. was busy doing the Will of God. As we look for the NT church during our time period we must consider the conduct of those Christians as individuals and in their conduct as the church. We have considered the NAME of the NT church and also it’s ORGANIZATION. Let’s now look at the WORK and WORSHIP of the church. In 1Timothy 3:15, Paul writes, “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Paul, an apostle, wrote to Timothy so that he may know how to conduct himself in the house of God, which of course, is the church. From the NT Scriptures, we find the church involved in three “works.” They preached the gospel; they edified the saints (Christians), and provided for needy Christians. Our Lord told the disciples in Matt 28:18-20 to teach all things that he had taught them. That which the Lord taught is also referred as the gospel. 1 Thess 1:8 says, “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.” Paul commends the church in Thessalonica for the work of sounding forth the word of God. It is the responsibility of the church to preach the gospel to the lost. It is also the responsibility of the church to edify the saints. Paul writes in the book of Ephesians in Ch. 4:15-16, “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Edification is the process of growth. When someone obeys the gospel he is born again and is known as a “babe” (Heb 5:12-14). The process of growth begins. Teaching newly converted Christians more and more about what God would want them to know does it. This is the way spiritual growth occurs. The final work that the church is to be involved in benevolence. Acts 11:29 says, “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.” Notice that the relief went to brethren. In other words, the church is to provide for the needy but it is limited to needy Christians. As individual Christians we can assist anyone in need (Gal 6:10). This may fly in the face of conventional wisdom concerning the work of the church but it is the very reason we are studying this subject. God’s thoughts and ways are not mans (Isa 55:8-9) so it should not surprise us that what God designed is different than what we may think. Man has unfortunately created work for the church, which God has not. The work of the church is not political. Although many “churches” are involve themselves in politics by supporting a particular candidate or contributing funds to a party, or even turning their pulpits over to political speech it is not a work of the church. When God told us what the church is to do he excluded all other works. Many churches are also involved in social reform. We have heard a lot in the news about “faith based” charities helping those in need. While it is good to help those who are in need God has not authorized the church to do this. The church is not to be involved in community relief programs, soup kitchens, drug awareness programs, or any other man made works. This would include recreational programs. I love playing sports as much as the next guy but nowhere in the NT does it show the church sponsoring a sports activity. Is it fun to get together with Christians and play baseball? Sure, but what does that have to do with the work of the church? NOTHING! Finally, the church should not support any human institutions such as orphanages, retirement homes, or colleges. Once again seek the wisdom of God’s word and His instructions and you will find the truth concerning the church. The New Testament Church Description The WORK of the CHURCH: 1 Tim 3:15 1. Preach the Gospel: 1Thess 1:8 2. Edify (teach) the saints: Eph 4:15-16 3. Benevolence: Acts 11:29 The Work of the Church is NOT: 1. Political 2. Social Reform 3. Recreational 4. Support of Human Institutions
I read recently the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm." The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength. We don't often view our weaknesses in the same way, but we should. I am reminded of the time that Paul prayed fervently for God to remove some affliction unknown to us, what he called a "thorn in the flesh." Refusing to remove it, God said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9. That seems to make no sense, and yet we see throughout the Bible how God is able to work despite the weaknesses of men and women, showing forth his power -- David with his small stature against Goliath the giant, Gideon a man of no significant background leading a greatly outnumbered band of men, Jesus taking on humanity in the form of a helpless baby. In fact, the greatest demonstrations of God's power have come when men and women have felt the weakest. Remember that the next time you feel inadequate. "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me....For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor 12:9b-10. How are we using our weaknesses? RDT,sr Word Studies In The
Book Of Mormon (satire, 1. A literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. 2. Irony or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity.). "And they were built after a manner that they were exceeding tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish." (The Book Of Mormon, Ether 2:17) In the study of the Book of Mormon, many sincere students have stumbled over the phrase in Ether 2:17, where the Lord was talking to the brother of Jared, and commanded him to build a barge the "length of a tree." I believe the trouble lies in our ignorance of the "reformed Egyptian" language. At this time I would like to clear up this matter for those who might be weak in the faith. The word "length" (Egyptian, bologna) is from an Egyptian word which means "linear extension from end to end, usually the greatest dimension or a surface of body." (1) So, when we apply this to a tree, we find that it has reference to the vertical measurement of it. There is much debate among scholars as to whether the roots of the tree should be included in the measurement. Most liberal scholars believe that the roots should be considered. However, this position causes many difficulties for the dedicated student. We realize that the same tree could have different root structures depending on the type of soil. I feel that we would be taking something away from the text if we accepted the liberal interpretation of this word. The real problem with this verse comes when we try to determine the type of tree the Lord was talking about. According to Aesop (2) , there are four words translated "tree" in the Book of Mormon. They are: a) Shrubeto, b) Busha, c) Brancheo, and d) Skyskraperito. The latter word is the one found in our text. I believe you can understand the significance of the word when you realize that our English word "skyscraper" is a transliteration of this rare word. The only other time this word is found in the original text is in 1 Nephi 8:10. A distant form of skyskraperito is found in Jacob 5:10, where it is translated "wild olive tree." (3) Knowing that the barge in Ether 2:17 was to be the length of a large tree, the interpretation of the passage is made much easier. Recent archeological evidence indicates that some Egyptian trees were capable of reaching over 200 lengths of hair (this also would be an interesting study). It is my desire that you will diligently study the Book of Mormon, and realize that it is true. Just as true as today's tabloid papers. Footnotes 1 The Egyptian-English Lexicon of the Book of Mormon, P. T. Barnum 2 Aesop's Expository Dictionary of Egyptian Words, pg. 1108 3 Synonyms of the Book of Mormon, Walt Disney, pg. 1356
The preceding article is presented here with tongue planted firmly in cheek. While the study of God’s word is the noblest of occupations, we are reminded of the untold numbers who are being deceived by those who are teaching “another revelation”, “...another gospel: which is not another; but there are some who trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” Gal 1:6-7 Be not deceived! RDT,sr The Spirit Expressly
Says ... The question is not does God work today, but how does He work. The answer is through Providence. But, what is Providence? Providence is God working behind the scenes, or indirectly in the affairs of the world. Consider these examples:
In addition, once God worked directly in the lives and events of the world by miracles, but now, He works indirectly or behind the scenes through Providence. Food For Thought “Don't let yesterday use too much of today.” We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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