Exploring Christ's Spiritual Laws

Webers.Home · Apr 14, 2019

.
1Tim 5:20 . .Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Once it's discovered that an accuser's allegations are libelous, then it's time
to get up in front of the entire congregation and expose him for the cheap
goods he really is because nobody's reputation is safe in the hands of
someone like that. This is where the testimony of the aforementioned two or
three witnesses comes into play.

"I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself
a brother but is a slanderer. With such a man do not even eat. Expel the
wicked man from among you." (1Cor 5:11-13)

A roast of this nature can be a very humiliating experience for a church
member, and when the others see how it goes, they'll think twice before
making spurious allegations against aldermen.

However, if the accusations prove to be true, then the shoe is on the other
foot. Then it's time to expose the elder.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 16, 2019

.
1Tim 5:21 . . 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.

I seriously doubt that very many modern Christian churches are following
Paul's instructions in regards to spurious accusations against elders. They
probably find it much easier to just gloss over issues rather than comply
with the mandated procedure for roasting and expelling. (as if any of this is
ever optional)

Another thing that modern churches are very good at these days is covering
up an elder's indiscretions when what they really deserve is a public
hanging, so to speak. Happens all the time.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like
whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside
are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on
the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full
of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matt 23:27-28)

How very true that is of the staff of some of the churches in this day and
age.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 17, 2019

.
1Tim 5:22a . . Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily.

The laying on of hands was a commissioning ritual back in the day. (Acts
6:1-6, Acts 13:1-3)

The ruling seems primarily concerned with the avoidance of fast-tracking
candidates for aldermen, senior pastors, associate pastors, deacons, and
deaconesses; in other words: church officials; whether high ranking or low
ranking.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 18, 2019

.
1Tim 5:23 . . No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake
of your stomach and your frequent ailments.

In the days prior to the proliferation of antiseptics, antibiotics, inoculations,
and a host of other mass-produced treatments; wine was an important
remedy for just about everything from indigestion to open wounds. (e.g.
Mark 15:23, and Luke 10:34)

Medicine has come a long ways in the last 2,000 years so that even if a little
wine would still help whatever ailed Timothy's tummy, there's probably
much better over-the-counter, non-alcoholic remedies available for his
condition in our day.

Paul mentioned that his friend had other problems too. I have no clue what
those might have been; but I have to ask: Why didn't Paul utilize his
apostolic gift of healing to cure his friend? My answer is: probably because
Timothy's problems didn’t require a miracle. For example Mark 16:13 where
Christ' men utilized oil to treat certain people rather than miracles. In other
words: when First Aid will do, surgery is unnecessary.

I think that Timothy simply wasn't taking proper care of himself and/or
getting enough rest. His diet may have been inadequate too. The old adage
- God helps those who help themselves --is very true in some cases. My
view is: if you can fix your own flat tire, then don't expect God to fix it for
you. Like when a farmer prays for a good crop, he really needs to say amen
with a hoe.

What else might be taken from 1Tim 5:23? Well; I would say do NOT rely
upon so-called faith healing. Too many children are being lost these days to
treatable conditions because their parents are putting so much trust in their
church's interpretation of passages like Jas 5:14-15. If Paul recommended a
remedy for Timothy's tummy; don't you think he would recommend a
remedy for your child's treatable condition? Yes; of course he would. In
many, many cases; people don't need a miracle; they just need a doctor.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 19, 2019

.
1Tim 6:1-2 . . Let all who are under the yoke as slaves regard their own
masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine
may not be spoken against. And let those who have believers as their
masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but let
them serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are
believers and beloved.

I've heard that Masons practice favoritism; but Christians should never
impose upon a fellow believer in that manner. Give your Christian employer
the respect and subordination due his position; and give him a full day's
work for a full days' pay. People are watching, and they pick up on things
like disparity.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 20, 2019

.
1Tim 6:2 . .Teach and preach these principles.

Pastors should ensure their congregations are taught these things even
when they don't care to hear them; and should never let the indifference of
their flocks smother the voice of God.

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus-- who is
to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom -
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when
hey will not endure sound doctrine; but desiring to have their ears pleased,
they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own
longings; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to
fiction." (2Tim 4:1-2)

A good pastor can't be blamed when members of his congregation drift away
to cults; but he can at least make an effort to ensure they have some truth
under their belts before they go because if perchance they become
disillusioned with the cult, they'll have something solid to fall back on.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 21, 2019

.
1Tim 6:3-6 . . If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree
with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine
conforming to godliness; he is conceited and understands nothing; but he
has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words,
out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and
constant friction between men of depraved minds and deprived of the truth.

I'm pretty sure that the "conceit" Paul wrote about is relative to know-it-alls.
Those kinds of people are often self-taught; and with them there is no such
thing as a second opinion: only their own. And like the man said; they tend
to be quarrelsome-- forever debating about petty stuff.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 22, 2019

.
1Tim 6:8 . . And having food and raiment let us be content therewith.

According to 1Tim 1:1-3, this epistle wasn't written to a church, rather, it
was written to one of Paul's contemporaries-- a fellow church officer --so
when he uses a pronoun like "us" I think it's safe to assume, unless
indicated otherwise, that he's not speaking to a congregation.

Paul's instructions are handy for steering church officers away from wanting
too much out of life.

"Piety with contentment is great gain." (1Tim 6:6)

The koiné Greek word for contentment is sometimes translated "sufficient".
In other words, when good is adequate, better isn't necessary. Good is
easier on budgets than better too. So then: if a church officer can get by
with things that are less than best, then he shouldn't waste time and energy
concerning himself with improving his situation.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 23, 2019

.
1Tim 6:11 . . But you-- O man of God --flee these things and pursue
righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) believed that
Christian virtues, especially compassion, are an impediment to achieving
greatness; which is just another way of saying that nice guys finish last.

The koiné Greek word for "flee" is pheugo (fyoo'-go) which means: not to
walk away; but rather, to run away; as if for your life. (cf. 1Cor 6:18)

FYI: What is a man of God?

A: Well; first off we should point out that the Greek word for "man" in that
passage is anthropos (anth'-ro-pos) which refers to h.sapiens; viz: human
beings, of either gender, not just males; so it would be far more useful to
translate that phrase "people of God".

People of God are typically inspired individuals; for example: Moses was a
man of God (Deut 33:1) and David was a man of God (Neh 12:24).
Numerous passages in the Old Testament identify men of God as prophets.
In that respect; Abraham was a man of God (Gen 20:7) and a whole bunch
of other people too, including women; e.g. Miriam (Ex 15:20) Deborah (Judg
4:4) Asahiah (2Kgs 22:14) and Huldah (2Chron 24:32).

Obviously then, if your church's officers aren't inspired; then they aren't
men of God; they're just church managers on a career path and/or mini
Czars for whom power and prestige are irresistible.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 24, 2019

.
1Tim 6:13-14 . . I charge you in the sight of God-- who gives life to
everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate
made the good confession --to keep this command without spot or blame
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The koiné Greek word for "commandment" in that passage is entole (en-tol
ay') which means: an injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription. It's
difficult to tell if Paul had a specific instruction in mind or if he intended
Timothy to accept his entire epistle as the law of Christ. If the latter is the
case, then the NLT's version is the better one; which reads like this:

"And I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ
Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey his
commands with all purity. Then no one can find fault with you from now until
our Lord Jesus Christ returns."

The NLT's version encompasses all of Christ's wishes, which up to this point
has totaled 345; with more to come.

The koiné word for "without spot/purity" is aspilos (as'-pee-loswhich means:
unblemished.

It takes a pretty concentrated, uncompromising effort for a man to finish up
a life of Christian service with an unblemished record. He's really got to mind
his p's and q's the meanwhile maintaining graciousness; which consists of
being honest, trustworthy, reliable, affable, tactful, genial, sociable,
generous, charitable, altruistic, cheerful, reasonable, sensitive, thoughtful,
patient, peaceable, kind, considerate, temperate, tolerant, approachable,
helpful, supportive, unselfish, compassionate, sympathetic, mild, not easily
provoked, humble, and courteous; plus characterized by a lack of
stubbornness, assertiveness, despotism, conceit, and arrogance.

NOTE: The epistles of Titus, 1Timothy, 2Timothy, and to some extent
1Peter, are sometimes referred to as "pastoral" because they contain a large
number of instructions related to the function of ordained Christian
ministers.

Had Martin Luther King Jr complied with those instructions instead of going
off-reservation into political activism and civil disobedience, he might've
lived to a ripe old age. As it is, King died a martyr to a worldly cause instead
of Christ's. That aspect of his ministry will no doubt go up in smoke as wood,
hay, and stubble as per 1Cor 3:5-15. (cf. John 15:1-8)
_

Webers.Home · Apr 26, 2019

.
1Tim 6:17-19 . . Command those who are rich in this present world not to
be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God,
who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Command them to do good,
to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for
themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they
may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Webster's defines "conceit" as an excessive appreciation of one's own worth
and/or virtue. It's is all too common for the rich and famous to exhibit a
masters-of-the-universe demeanor, so to speak. In other words: conceited
people think of themselves as self-reliant; they don't need God for anything;
no, they can get by just fine without Him. In their mind's eye, only the weak
need God's help.

"that which is life indeed" refers to the divine nature about which Peter
wrote at 2Pet 1:2-11, and the fruit of the Spirit about which Paul wrote at
Gal 5:22-25, which are of far greater lasting value than the fruits of earthly
wealth.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 27, 2019

.
1Tim 6:20a . .Turn away from impious chatter

This probably refers to sophistry, which Webster's defines as the use of
reasoning or arguments that sound correct but are actually false and/or
subtly deceptive. Sophistry is fairly common in perpetual bull sessions that
never get to the bottom of anything.

This isn't the first time that Paul warned about unholy rhetoric. The same
alert was sounded at Eph 4:11-14 where Paul describes people whose line of
bull sounds very convincing but is nevertheless quite unreliable.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 29, 2019

.
1Tim 6:20-21 . . Avoid impious bull sessions with those who oppose you
with their so-called knowledge. Some people have wandered from the faith
by following such foolishness.

That's likely referring to discoveries in chemistry, astronomy, geology,
archeology, medicine, genetics, paleontology, history, literature, physics,
engineering, mathematics, etc.

People throw that kind of stuff up to Christians all the time in attempts to
debunk their religion and prove that it deserves no more credibility than
myth, superstition, and/or religious fantasy.
_

Webers.Home · Apr 30, 2019

.
2Tim 1:8a . . Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,

That passage has been translated a number of ways; for example:

1• Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord

2• Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord

3• You must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.

4• Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord

5• Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord

I prefer No.2 because it fits with the passages below:

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his
Father's glory with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)
_

Webers.Home · May 1, 2019

.
2Tim 1:8b . . Don't be ashamed of me his prisoner; but Join with me in
suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

The power of God is involved in one's suffering for the gospel when He sets
you up for it.

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on
him, but also to suffer for him." (Phil 1:29)

Suffering for the Gospel doesn't necessarily include martyrdom. The more
common forms of suffering are privation, humiliation, threats, hunger, loss
of friends and family, ostracizing, ridicule, mockery, harsh criticism,
judgmental remarks, insults, intimidation, name calling, demeaning
comments, ugly insinuations, slander, teasing, harassment, bullying,
unfairness, prejudice, intolerance, disassociation, and betrayal; in other
words, the kinds of stuff that really get you right down in the gut.

NOTE: The Devil and his invisible minions are always at work secretly
pushing the buttons of people all around pastors; and the very ones pastors
really have to look out for are the people under their noses running their
own churches.

An Evangelical Lutheran Church minister named Rev John H. Beck conducted
a three-year study of church conflict; and his findings are not comforting.
According to an article in the Aug 24, 2009 edition of the Oregonian in
Portland OR: the issues that cause congregational conflict are typically (1) a
pastor and his staff not getting along, (2) a board wanting to take a different
direction, and (3) two strong-willed people getting into it and others in the
congregation taking sides.

What's going on there? Well, that's not too hard to figure out is it? The Devil
is pushing the buttons in those churches while The Lord is outside the
building banging on the door trying to get somebody's attention to let him
in.
_

Webers.Home · May 2, 2019

.
2Tim 1:13 . . Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard
from me.

The koiné Greek word for "hold fast" is echo (ekh'-o) which means: to
clutch, cling, or adhere to.

The word for "pattern" is hupotuposis (hoop-ot-oop'-o-sis) which means: a
sketch; viz: a blueprint and/or a schematic diagram.

When Noah was commissioned to build the ark, he wasn't left with no clue
as to what it was supposed to look like. God gave him a design to work with.
And when Moses was tasked to fabricate articles of worship for the
Tabernacle, he too was given designs; in other words, Moses and Noah both
made everything according to God-given specifications; viz: Christianity is a
God-given religion; He has not left its design to human imagination.

Putting this in construction-speak: if the blueprint calls for welding, and the
builder substitutes bolting, he'll have to do it over. If the blueprints call for
oak panels, and the builder substitutes pine, he'll have to do it over; and do
it right the next time or be rejected again.

Practically nothing is manufactured without first planning it out on a
drawing. Sometimes drawings are created on the fly. I've had plans handed
to me that were nothing in the world but a free-hand sketch on a piece of
scrap paper; while others were gorgeous, finely-detailed computer-assisted
drawings. Either way, CAD or free-hand, I was expected to follow
specifications to the letter and not take it upon myself to revise the
engineers' instructions without their consent.

What this boils down to is: modern churches have been handed down from
Paul a God-given pattern for their operations. When they depart from His
pattern, then they are no longer following Christ; rather, they are
attempting to lead him.
_

Webers.Home · May 3, 2019

.
2Tim 1:14 . . With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us; carefully
guard what has been entrusted to you.

This probably refers to congregations whose spiritual welfare is the
responsibility of church officers. The officers found in dereliction of duty are
known as non vigilant watchdogs and self-seeking, incompetent shepherds;
for example:

"Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute
dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They
are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are
shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each
seeks his own gain. (Isa 56:10-11)
_

Webers.Home · May 4, 2019

.
2Tim 2:2 . . And the things you have heard me say (in the presence of
many witnesses) entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach
others.

Paul's instructions were given to Timothy "in the presence of many
witnesses" indicating that his instructions were never intended to be
privileged information for the eyes-only of an elite category of super saints.
The things he taught were transferred publicly rather than deep inside a
secret chamber whose access was restricted to a special clique.

I also suspect that Paul sand-bagged Timothy. By instructing him in the
hearing of witnesses, Timothy could never fall back on the tiresome old
excuse of saying "I didn't know I was supposed to do that." Well, witnesses
would certainly testify that he did know what he was supposed to do
because they themselves heard Paul instruct him with their own ears.

It's a wise church that fully understands a pastor's duties and responsibilities
just in case a time comes when they need to hold his feet to the fire;
especially a complacent pastor or one that's gotten mixed up in political
activism and civil disobedience. If a church doesn't know what a pastor's
sacred obligations are, then there's no way they can know whether or not
they're getting their money's worth. In my opinion, an ignorant church is a
private pond stocked with hatchery fish.

Paul's directive in this matter was also a practical consideration as nobody
resides forever on this earthen globe. Pastors die; that's just a fact of life.
And they also get diseases like dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. It's a
wise pastor busy training his replacements so that all his knowledge and
experience isn't lost to future church generations. Abraham was commended
for this very thing.

"For I have chosen Abraham, in order that he may command his children
and his household after him to keep the way of Jehovah. (Gen 18:18-20)

A good example of the result of neglecting to train reliable men in "all the
things you have heard me say" is the church of Laodicea described in Rev
3:14-20.

According to Col 2:1-2 and Col 4:13-16; the Laodicean Christians were at
one time solid believers. But between the time of Paul's writing his letter to
the Colossians, and John writing the 3rd chapter of Revelation, the
congregation meeting in Nymphas' home somehow went dead. It was still
Christian in name, yes; but it no longer followed Christ.

The Laodicean church had all the trappings of a Christian church; except for
one salient feature: the Christ of Christianity wasn't even a member let
alone the captain of its industry. It was literally a christless Christian church.
He's depicted outside the building banging on the door trying to get
somebody's attention to let him in. Not a single member of that church was
one of his believing followers, not one; no, not even the senior pastor.
_

Webers.Home · May 5, 2019

.
2Tim 2:3-7 . . Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs— he wants to
please his commanding officer.

A soldier's primary responsibility is to accomplish the mission assigned by
their commanders. They don't give themselves leave to abandon their posts
to go off on their own personal agenda doing other stuff. Desertion and
dereliction of duty are courts martial offenses.

I truly believe that if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr had stayed in church and
complied with the Bible's directives for ordained Christian ministers as per
the epistles of Titus, 1&2 Timothy, and to some extent 1Peter instead of
getting involved in political activism and civil disobedience, he could have
served Christ another thirty-five years instead of getting himself
assassinated when he was only 39 years old.

Was Dr. King a martyr? Well, if he was, it certainly wasn't in a cause for
Christ. No, it was for a worldly cause. Dr. King marginalized his pastoral
responsibilities. He put duty to the color of his skin first, and duty to Christ
second. That was a very bad move for an ordained Christian minister
obligated to a congregation above all other interests.

"He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists,
and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the
work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Eph 4:11-12)

"Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers,
and teaching them." 1Tim 4:13)

"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's
sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:

. . . Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as
overseers-- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God
wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it
over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the
Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never
fade away." (1Pet 5:1-4
_

Webers.Home · May 6, 2019

.
2Tim 2:8 . . Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of
David, according to my gospel

There are Bible-toting missionaries out there going door to door all over the
world teaching that Jesus Christ's crucified dead body wasn't restored to life;
they're saying it's still dead, and his remains are squirreled away somewhere
on Earth in a condition and a location known only to God.

That is NOT the kind of gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about
himself.

Others are adamantly opposed to any ideas that even so much as suggest
that Jesus Christ is David's biological progeny. That too is NOT the kind of
gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about himself.
_

Exploring Christ's Spiritual Laws

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member