I just read a ‘mid-Acts’ website that said the only offices today were "missionaries (which were evangelists), and pastors/bishops, and deacons." When I researched the Greek words, I wondered why he didn’t use "ministers/deacons" since the Greek word is used of ‘deacon’ twice, but of ‘minister’ 22 times. The Greek for ‘bishop’ is never translated ‘pastor.’ The Greek word for ‘pastor’ is used of ‘shepherd’ 17 times, and ‘pastors’ once (Eph 4:11).
The KJV Bible only shows 2 offices: bishop and deacon:
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
1 Tim 3:10, 13 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
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.
Years ago when I brought up the subject of the ‘correct, Pauline word’ for the regular preacher in a church assembly today, being a ‘bishop’ instead of a pastor .... I was shocked by the stiff-necked resistance among the ‘pastors’ of ‘Pauline, grace’ churches. Initially, I believed it to be an innocent oversight, or possibly the fault of following ‘tradition’ of Protestant denominations, in their effort to be called by a different name than ‘bishops’ like Catholics and Mormons. But the more I talked about it, the more stubborn the ‘pastors’ became. Several of them went so far as to make mockery of some who admitted their error and amended it, by asking questions like, "When will you get your hat and collar?" Two prominent ‘co-pastors’ even changed their titles from ‘pastor’ .... not to ‘bishop’ (still refusing to submit to their ‘supposed’ Pauline authority) .... but to ‘elder’ on their weekly church bulletin. An admission of guilt, to be sure, but only half-hearted and partial. Trying to make a switch without being noticed or calling attention to it? If you have egg on your face, it is best to admit it, wipe it off, and get on with your ministry. The more you resist, the more hypocritical you appear. Saying one thing ("We believe the KJV Bible is the very words of God in the English language for all matters of faith and practice. We believe Paul is our apostle.") .... and doing another by being ashamed, avoiding, and denying to accept the ‘name’ of the ‘office’ you fill? That was not the case for the KJV word ‘dispensation,’ was it? Oh, no! It was boldly proclaimed from the pulpit, even to the point of picking up and wearing a label of being 'dispensational.' The verse about a 'bishop' being a good work (1 Tim 3:1), is straight-forward, even standing alone, and other verses also support it as well (1 Tim 3:2, Titus 1:7, Phil 1:1). But ‘mid-Acts-ers’ ran to Acts where they tell others is ‘forbidden ground for doctrine’ (chapter 20) to grab the mention of a flock (not even the word ‘pastor’) applied to the Ephesians, which they have never touched with a 10-foot pole during my nearly 30 years of association with them .... and to beat all, they firmly contend that only Israel is ‘the sheep,’ knowing that the meaning of ‘pastor’ is ‘shepherd.’ They apply a double standard, and it makes them look foolish.
The website I saw had ‘pastors/bishops.’ If you believe that .... then be aware that ‘sheep/body’ is the same analogy.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Unto You
This blog exposes the excuses of ‘mid-Acts-ers’ on the subject of different gospels. I have talked with several ‘mid-Acts pickers’ about their teaching that Peter preached a different gospel than Paul preached .... based on the word ‘of’ in Gal 2:7, which is not even in the original Greek language:
Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that
the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me,
as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
I don’t have any issues with ‘of’ in the KJV verse .... but I do have a problem with ‘mid-Acts pickers’ building a doctrine on it, especially in light of the curse pronounced upon any man who preached another gospel, other than the gospel of Christ:
Gal 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
To find out if you really believe the scripture actually says what it means .... then simply test it with the man Peter:
If Peter preached another gospel ---
then let him be accursed.
If Peter did not preach a different gospel ---
then he is safe.
But ‘mid-Acts-pickers’ wrest the verse .... by opting Peter out .... with the phrase "unto you." They say Gal 1:9 does not apply to Peter .... because they say Peter did not preach his ‘different’ gospel ‘unto you Galatians.’
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
I show them where Peter DID write to people in Galatia:
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia (that is, the Galatians), Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
But ‘mid-Acts pickers’ dismiss the fact that Peter and Paul wrote to believers in the same city (Galatia). They say Peter and Paul wrote to 2 different groups of people in Galatia. By dividing Galatia into 2 different types of believers, they release Peter from the curse.
They say that
Peter wrote to the circumcision of Galatia
(which they call the ‘kingdom-church’ saints),
while they say
Paul wrote to the uncircumcision of Galatia
(which they call the ‘mystery-church’ saints)
.... without regard for Paul’s clear comments to the Galatians that circumcision made no difference anymore:
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Paul told the saints at Philippi with the bishops and deacons, "We are the circumcision." However, ‘mid-Acts pickers’ would pick that OUT because they see only ‘Israel’s kingdom-church’ as the circumcision:
Phil 3:1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Though Paul said he preached
"the gospel of Christ" to the Galatians (Gal 1:7) ....
he also said he preached
"the gospel of God" to the Thessalonians.
Acts 17:1-3 shows the information that Paul preached at Thessalonica (said in the following verses to be "the gospel of God") was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Notice the phrase "unto you" is present in all 3 verses when Paul stated that he preached "the gospel of God" unto the Thessalonians:
1 Thess 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Peter also mentioned "the gospel of God" in his 1st epistle (which went to Galatia):
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
So although Peter wrote of "the gospel of God" and Paul also wrote of "the gospel of God" .... according to ‘mid-Acts pickers’ .... Peter’s "gospel of God" would have to be "a different gospel of God" than Paul’s "gospel of God." To say otherwise, would have them preaching the same gospel, and ‘mid-Acts pickers’ can’t have that!
So they make a division between the gospels,
like they made a separation of the kinds of saints.
They use a pattern of warped reasoning. So, did Paul preach a different gospel to the Thessalonians, called "the gospel of God" than he preached to the Galatians, called "the gospel of Christ"?
‘Mid-Acts pickers’ just explain things away that they don’t want. According to them .... the curse on preaching different gospels did not effect Peter .... even though they say he preached a different gospel. They pick it out by saying Peter preached it to a different group of believers (called the circumcision) .... (this they do, regardless of verses that say circumcision or uncircumcision makes no difference .... and we are the circumcision). In the same way, the curse on preaching different gospels did not effect Paul either .... because he preached it in a different place (Thessalonica, not Galatia).
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are caught picking, but their pride won’t let them admit it.
Notice how they pick ‘in’ what they want, and pick ‘out’ what they don’t want, concerning the phrase "unto you" in the very same context:
1 Thess 4:15-16 For this we say unto you (they want this "unto you") by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
This passage joins the day of the Lord (1 Thess 5:2) with the coming of the Lord (1 Thess 4:15). ‘Mid-Acts pickers’ do not want the Lord to come in His day. They want Him to come more than 7 years earlier so that they can escape suffering persecution during the evil day of great tribulation in the 70th week of Daniel:
1 Thess 5:1-2 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (they don’t want this "unto you")
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
While ‘mid-Acts pickers’ are exempting scriptures with the "unto you" phrase, they might as well go ahead and get rid of Eph 6:13, since it shows Paul wrote to saints about standing in "the evil day" (which we understand to be in "the last days" like the context of Amos 6:3):
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you (they don’t want this "unto you") the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ boldly preach that you not only have to divide Paul from the rest of the Bible, but, in some cases, you have to divide Paul from Paul. They have to ‘pick in’ or ‘pick out’ those "unto you" phrases, as the need arises on issues, they want or don’t want.
I’m sure they could identify Phil 1:29 as one such case to pick out, so they can excuse themselves from suffering for Christ’s sake, since Paul included "unto you" in this verse to the saints at Philippi:
Phil 1:29 For unto you (they don’t want this "unto you") it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Yet is is clear from Paul's epistle to Timothy .... that everyone who WILL live godly WILL suffer persecution. It will be especially bad during the last days when great tribulation is going on, and the man of sin is making war against the saints and Israel:
2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Some ‘mid-Acts pickers’ pick in the "unto you" regarding the Lord’s supper (1 Cor 11:20) .... and others pick it out, saying it was the "passover" for Israel. Do you believe in the blood of the new testament, where by everyone who is saved got saved?
1 Cor 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Paul delievered the Lord’s supper to the saints at Corinth, with the same wording he delivered the gospel of salvation (1 Cor 15:2) to them (4 chapters later) .... and with the same "unto you" phrase:
1 Cor 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ don’t rightly divide .... they pick and choose!
This is David Dowell, saying "unto you" .... "Think about it!"
Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that
the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me,
as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
I don’t have any issues with ‘of’ in the KJV verse .... but I do have a problem with ‘mid-Acts pickers’ building a doctrine on it, especially in light of the curse pronounced upon any man who preached another gospel, other than the gospel of Christ:
Gal 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
To find out if you really believe the scripture actually says what it means .... then simply test it with the man Peter:
If Peter preached another gospel ---
then let him be accursed.
If Peter did not preach a different gospel ---
then he is safe.
But ‘mid-Acts-pickers’ wrest the verse .... by opting Peter out .... with the phrase "unto you." They say Gal 1:9 does not apply to Peter .... because they say Peter did not preach his ‘different’ gospel ‘unto you Galatians.’
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
I show them where Peter DID write to people in Galatia:
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia (that is, the Galatians), Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
But ‘mid-Acts pickers’ dismiss the fact that Peter and Paul wrote to believers in the same city (Galatia). They say Peter and Paul wrote to 2 different groups of people in Galatia. By dividing Galatia into 2 different types of believers, they release Peter from the curse.
They say that
Peter wrote to the circumcision of Galatia
(which they call the ‘kingdom-church’ saints),
while they say
Paul wrote to the uncircumcision of Galatia
(which they call the ‘mystery-church’ saints)
.... without regard for Paul’s clear comments to the Galatians that circumcision made no difference anymore:
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Paul told the saints at Philippi with the bishops and deacons, "We are the circumcision." However, ‘mid-Acts pickers’ would pick that OUT because they see only ‘Israel’s kingdom-church’ as the circumcision:
Phil 3:1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Though Paul said he preached
"the gospel of Christ" to the Galatians (Gal 1:7) ....
he also said he preached
"the gospel of God" to the Thessalonians.
Acts 17:1-3 shows the information that Paul preached at Thessalonica (said in the following verses to be "the gospel of God") was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Notice the phrase "unto you" is present in all 3 verses when Paul stated that he preached "the gospel of God" unto the Thessalonians:
1 Thess 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Peter also mentioned "the gospel of God" in his 1st epistle (which went to Galatia):
1 Pet 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
So although Peter wrote of "the gospel of God" and Paul also wrote of "the gospel of God" .... according to ‘mid-Acts pickers’ .... Peter’s "gospel of God" would have to be "a different gospel of God" than Paul’s "gospel of God." To say otherwise, would have them preaching the same gospel, and ‘mid-Acts pickers’ can’t have that!
So they make a division between the gospels,
like they made a separation of the kinds of saints.
They use a pattern of warped reasoning. So, did Paul preach a different gospel to the Thessalonians, called "the gospel of God" than he preached to the Galatians, called "the gospel of Christ"?
‘Mid-Acts pickers’ just explain things away that they don’t want. According to them .... the curse on preaching different gospels did not effect Peter .... even though they say he preached a different gospel. They pick it out by saying Peter preached it to a different group of believers (called the circumcision) .... (this they do, regardless of verses that say circumcision or uncircumcision makes no difference .... and we are the circumcision). In the same way, the curse on preaching different gospels did not effect Paul either .... because he preached it in a different place (Thessalonica, not Galatia).
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are caught picking, but their pride won’t let them admit it.
Notice how they pick ‘in’ what they want, and pick ‘out’ what they don’t want, concerning the phrase "unto you" in the very same context:
1 Thess 4:15-16 For this we say unto you (they want this "unto you") by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
This passage joins the day of the Lord (1 Thess 5:2) with the coming of the Lord (1 Thess 4:15). ‘Mid-Acts pickers’ do not want the Lord to come in His day. They want Him to come more than 7 years earlier so that they can escape suffering persecution during the evil day of great tribulation in the 70th week of Daniel:
1 Thess 5:1-2 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (they don’t want this "unto you")
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
While ‘mid-Acts pickers’ are exempting scriptures with the "unto you" phrase, they might as well go ahead and get rid of Eph 6:13, since it shows Paul wrote to saints about standing in "the evil day" (which we understand to be in "the last days" like the context of Amos 6:3):
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you (they don’t want this "unto you") the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ boldly preach that you not only have to divide Paul from the rest of the Bible, but, in some cases, you have to divide Paul from Paul. They have to ‘pick in’ or ‘pick out’ those "unto you" phrases, as the need arises on issues, they want or don’t want.
I’m sure they could identify Phil 1:29 as one such case to pick out, so they can excuse themselves from suffering for Christ’s sake, since Paul included "unto you" in this verse to the saints at Philippi:
Phil 1:29 For unto you (they don’t want this "unto you") it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Yet is is clear from Paul's epistle to Timothy .... that everyone who WILL live godly WILL suffer persecution. It will be especially bad during the last days when great tribulation is going on, and the man of sin is making war against the saints and Israel:
2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Some ‘mid-Acts pickers’ pick in the "unto you" regarding the Lord’s supper (1 Cor 11:20) .... and others pick it out, saying it was the "passover" for Israel. Do you believe in the blood of the new testament, where by everyone who is saved got saved?
1 Cor 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Paul delievered the Lord’s supper to the saints at Corinth, with the same wording he delivered the gospel of salvation (1 Cor 15:2) to them (4 chapters later) .... and with the same "unto you" phrase:
1 Cor 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ don’t rightly divide .... they pick and choose!
This is David Dowell, saying "unto you" .... "Think about it!"
Thursday, April 15, 2010
"Bein' Berean"
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ frequently get called other names (besides ‘mid-Acts-ers’), in ‘Christian’ chat rooms and in ‘friendly’ (or even ‘hostile’) conversations with relatives or aquaintances. They are labeled as ‘hyper’ or ‘ultra’ by folks who think they are dividing way beyond normal, or at least because they pass the man who pioneered a (used-to-be popular) Bible that bears his own name, to make even more separations. A ‘mid-Acts-er’ is referred to as a ‘dispy’ (meaning ‘dispensational’). Commonly, a ‘mid-Acts-er’ who knows a lot of verses is branded a ‘Berean’ in a derogatory manner. Ahhh, but "bein’ Berean" .... is the one mark ‘mid-Acts-ers’ proudly wear! What people often say to be a slur, they convert into a compliment. They are quick to claim that fame of "bein’ Berean," while pointing out the excellent quality the Bereans had .... that of intently listening and then, checking it out! Some assemblies have made ‘Berean’ a part of their church name. "Bein’ Berean" means you don’t just open wide and swallow anything somebody feeds you; instead, while you chew on it, you look up the references to make sure what you were hearing is recorded in the Bible! That’s what the Bereans did:
Acts 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The pathetic thing about ‘mid-Acts-ers’ feeling flattered to be called ‘Bereans’ .... is that, their very foundational ‘Pauline’ doctrine actually PREVENTS them from accurately "bein’ Berean." Let me explain. ‘Mid-Acts-ers’ teach that Paul had a body of ‘NEW’ truth, a wealth of ‘PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN’ information, called ‘the MYSTERY’ that God committed, not just first, but only to him.
Here is the point: If Paul was preaching untold, secret information (which ‘mid-Acts-ers’ believe he was) .... then the Bereans were really foolish to have even bothered searching the scriptures .... for MYSTERY data that was not there!
The Bereans were, in fact, noble students. They knew to go to the authority of the scriptures to validate Paul’s message. There, in the scriptures, they could confirm the things he taught them were true.
Nine chapters after the issue of "bein’ Berean" in the book of Acts, Paul testified plainly that God had helped him be persistent and consistent in speaking only what the prophets before him had spoken:
Acts 26:19-23 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus,
and at Jerusalem,
and throughout all the coasts of Judaea,
and then to the Gentiles,
that they should repent (What? Paul? repent? also see Acts 20:21)
and turn to God,
and do works meet for repentance. (What? Paul? works fit for repentance?)
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God,
I continue unto this day, (What? Paul, even this far along in his ministry, preached nothing different from what the prophets before him preached?)
witnessing both to small and great,
saying none other things (Does ‘none other things’ really mean ‘none other things’? Paul said nothing else .... but what was according to the scriptures of the prophets.)
than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer,
and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead,
and should shew light unto the people,
and to the Gentiles.
Surely you are aware of all the ‘new creatures’ in Christ before Paul!
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
• Paul’s kinsmen and fellowprisoners were in Christ before him:
Rom 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
• There were apostles in Christ before Paul:
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
• The church of God was before Paul because he persecuted them:
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ often quote two verses in Romans 16:25-26. They focus on ‘my gospel’ and ‘the revelation of the mystery,’ while they commonly and conveniently ignore the part that teaches believers are stablished by the scriptures of the prophets.
Approximately thirty-one times Paul wrote "it is written," in his thirteen epistles.
Paul made approximately eight references to "the scripture."
Twice he said that the gospel he received and delivered was "according to the scriptures," how that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4).
So next time you see ‘mid-Acts-ers’ gloating about "bein’ Berean" .... ask them how they figure the noble Bereans thought they could find Paul’s 'SECRET, MYSTERY information' by searching the scriptures .... if it wasn't there. They couldn't find it .... if it wasn't there.
Oh, but it WAS there:
Acts 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
We all ought to think about "bein' Berean"
and LOOK and FIND 'those things' Paul preached ....
Where? in the scripture!
Rom 4:3a For what saith the scripture?
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
For the next several weeks, each of the blog topics will expose particular ‘mid-Acts’ wrestings (2 Pet 3:15-16).
Acts 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The pathetic thing about ‘mid-Acts-ers’ feeling flattered to be called ‘Bereans’ .... is that, their very foundational ‘Pauline’ doctrine actually PREVENTS them from accurately "bein’ Berean." Let me explain. ‘Mid-Acts-ers’ teach that Paul had a body of ‘NEW’ truth, a wealth of ‘PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN’ information, called ‘the MYSTERY’ that God committed, not just first, but only to him.
Here is the point: If Paul was preaching untold, secret information (which ‘mid-Acts-ers’ believe he was) .... then the Bereans were really foolish to have even bothered searching the scriptures .... for MYSTERY data that was not there!
The Bereans were, in fact, noble students. They knew to go to the authority of the scriptures to validate Paul’s message. There, in the scriptures, they could confirm the things he taught them were true.
Nine chapters after the issue of "bein’ Berean" in the book of Acts, Paul testified plainly that God had helped him be persistent and consistent in speaking only what the prophets before him had spoken:
Acts 26:19-23 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus,
and at Jerusalem,
and throughout all the coasts of Judaea,
and then to the Gentiles,
that they should repent (What? Paul? repent? also see Acts 20:21)
and turn to God,
and do works meet for repentance. (What? Paul? works fit for repentance?)
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God,
I continue unto this day, (What? Paul, even this far along in his ministry, preached nothing different from what the prophets before him preached?)
witnessing both to small and great,
saying none other things (Does ‘none other things’ really mean ‘none other things’? Paul said nothing else .... but what was according to the scriptures of the prophets.)
than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer,
and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead,
and should shew light unto the people,
and to the Gentiles.
Surely you are aware of all the ‘new creatures’ in Christ before Paul!
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
• Paul’s kinsmen and fellowprisoners were in Christ before him:
Rom 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
• There were apostles in Christ before Paul:
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
• The church of God was before Paul because he persecuted them:
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ often quote two verses in Romans 16:25-26. They focus on ‘my gospel’ and ‘the revelation of the mystery,’ while they commonly and conveniently ignore the part that teaches believers are stablished by the scriptures of the prophets.
Approximately thirty-one times Paul wrote "it is written," in his thirteen epistles.
Paul made approximately eight references to "the scripture."
Twice he said that the gospel he received and delivered was "according to the scriptures," how that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4).
So next time you see ‘mid-Acts-ers’ gloating about "bein’ Berean" .... ask them how they figure the noble Bereans thought they could find Paul’s 'SECRET, MYSTERY information' by searching the scriptures .... if it wasn't there. They couldn't find it .... if it wasn't there.
Oh, but it WAS there:
Acts 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
We all ought to think about "bein' Berean"
and LOOK and FIND 'those things' Paul preached ....
Where? in the scripture!
Rom 4:3a For what saith the scripture?
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
For the next several weeks, each of the blog topics will expose particular ‘mid-Acts’ wrestings (2 Pet 3:15-16).
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Refreshed and Loved
When you’re at the ‘Great’ Smoky Mountains GRACE Bible Conference .... you’re sure to have a ‘great’ time! Many of us did just that! Although we have experienced a ‘turning away’ from some who would not practice what they preach, "God said what He meant, and He meant what He said," for example,
• The office of a bishop (1 Tim 3:1)
• The last trump (1 Cor 15:52)
• The first resurrection (Rev 20:4-6)
• We are able ministers of the new testament (2 Cor 3:6)
• We are Abraham’s seed and heir (Gal 3:29)
• Abraham is the father of us all (Rom 4:11,16)
• Jerusalem, which is above, is the mother of us all (Gal 4:26)
(Just to name a few!)
.... we thank God for His mercy and the bishops who ‘refreshed’ us, not being ashamed of ‘all scripture’ that is profitable for doctrine (2 Tim 3:16).
2 Tim 1:15-16 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
My ‘innards’ were ‘refreshed’ by the preached messages and the fellowship with the saints. It was a ‘great’ way to express our faith and encourage others.
Phile 1:4-7 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Why, even a growling Smoky Mountains’ Brother Bear finds it edifying to share the love amongst the brethren and sistern.
1 Thess 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another:
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
What?! From Paul?! Fulfilled the law?! In the dispensation of grace?! Rather than strive to wiggle out of that .... it’s comforting now to feel the love.
Ah, Peter and Paul .... Paul and Peter .... so often wrote of such ‘same’ things. It is really quite a strain to teach that Peter had everything ‘different’ from Paul, like,
• no difference (Acts 15:9, Rom 3:22, Rom 10:12)
• brotherly love (1 Thess 4:9, 1 Pet 1:22)
• being of one mind (Phil 2:2, 1 Pet 3:8)
• the last days (2 Tim 3:1, 2 Pet 3:3)
• the appearing/coming of the Lord (1 Tim 6:14, 2 Tim 4:8, Titus 2:13, 1 Pet 1:7)
• the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (1 Thess 5:2, 2 Pet 3:10)
• watch and be sober (1 Thess 5:6, 1 Pet 4:7)
• the Lord Jesus Christ will judge the quick and the dead (2 Tim 4:1, Acts 10:42, 1 Pet 4:5)
• blameless (1 Cor 1:8, Phil 2:15-16, 1 Thess 5:23, 2 Pet 3:14)
• without spot (Eph 5:27, 1 Tim 6:14, 2 Pet 3:14)
• in time past and but now (Eph 2:11-13, 1 Pet 2:10)
• the flock of God (Acts 20:28-29, 1 Cor 9:7, 1 Pet 5:2-3)
• grace and peace (all of Paul’s intros, all of Peter’s intros)
• the gospel of God (Rom 1:1, Rom 15:16, 2 Cor 11:7, 1 Thess 2:2-9, 1 Pet 4:17)
• eternal glory (2 Tim 2:10, 1 Pet 5:10)
(Just to name a few!).
Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
What rejoicing we experienced at the conference! What happiness to understand that we are not a separate group of God’s children .... split apart from those in Christ before us (Rom 16:7). No longer strangers and aliens (Eph 2:12,19)! We are one with them (John 17:21, Rom 12:5, 1 Cor 12:12, Eph 2:14-16)!
• We are fellowheirs and of the ‘same’ body (Eph 3:6).
• We are fellowcitizens with the saints (Eph 2:19).
• We are partakers with ‘them’ (Rom 11:17, 1 Cor 10:17, Col 1:12).
God doesn’t have different families .... there is but one (singular), the whole family in heaven and earth (Eph 3:15)! Many saints are already in heaven. Some have been there for thousands of years, others only a few days. But God didn’t break down the middle wall of partition on earth (Eph 2:14) .... and then leave one standing up erect in heaven. Neither are ‘body of Christ’ saints on a higher plane than ‘kingdom program’ saints. There is no division between the saints (1 Cor 3:3-9, 1 Cor 1:11-13)!
Yes, the Great Smoky Mountains GRACE Bible Conference was a relaxing, peaceful week enjoyed by all who attended. We thank God for the faithful men (2 Tim 2:2, 1 Cor 4:2) who ministered the Word of God, rightly divided (2 Tim 2:15) between
• the old and the new testaments / covenants (2 Cor 3:6-16, Heb 8:13)
• the letter and the spirit (Rom 2:28-29, Rom 7:6)
• the ministration of death / condemnation and the ministration of life (2 Cor 3:7-9).
1 Cor 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours:
therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
• The office of a bishop (1 Tim 3:1)
• The last trump (1 Cor 15:52)
• The first resurrection (Rev 20:4-6)
• We are able ministers of the new testament (2 Cor 3:6)
• We are Abraham’s seed and heir (Gal 3:29)
• Abraham is the father of us all (Rom 4:11,16)
• Jerusalem, which is above, is the mother of us all (Gal 4:26)
(Just to name a few!)
.... we thank God for His mercy and the bishops who ‘refreshed’ us, not being ashamed of ‘all scripture’ that is profitable for doctrine (2 Tim 3:16).
2 Tim 1:15-16 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
My ‘innards’ were ‘refreshed’ by the preached messages and the fellowship with the saints. It was a ‘great’ way to express our faith and encourage others.
Phile 1:4-7 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Why, even a growling Smoky Mountains’ Brother Bear finds it edifying to share the love amongst the brethren and sistern.
1 Thess 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another:
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
What?! From Paul?! Fulfilled the law?! In the dispensation of grace?! Rather than strive to wiggle out of that .... it’s comforting now to feel the love.
Ah, Peter and Paul .... Paul and Peter .... so often wrote of such ‘same’ things. It is really quite a strain to teach that Peter had everything ‘different’ from Paul, like,
• no difference (Acts 15:9, Rom 3:22, Rom 10:12)
• brotherly love (1 Thess 4:9, 1 Pet 1:22)
• being of one mind (Phil 2:2, 1 Pet 3:8)
• the last days (2 Tim 3:1, 2 Pet 3:3)
• the appearing/coming of the Lord (1 Tim 6:14, 2 Tim 4:8, Titus 2:13, 1 Pet 1:7)
• the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (1 Thess 5:2, 2 Pet 3:10)
• watch and be sober (1 Thess 5:6, 1 Pet 4:7)
• the Lord Jesus Christ will judge the quick and the dead (2 Tim 4:1, Acts 10:42, 1 Pet 4:5)
• blameless (1 Cor 1:8, Phil 2:15-16, 1 Thess 5:23, 2 Pet 3:14)
• without spot (Eph 5:27, 1 Tim 6:14, 2 Pet 3:14)
• in time past and but now (Eph 2:11-13, 1 Pet 2:10)
• the flock of God (Acts 20:28-29, 1 Cor 9:7, 1 Pet 5:2-3)
• grace and peace (all of Paul’s intros, all of Peter’s intros)
• the gospel of God (Rom 1:1, Rom 15:16, 2 Cor 11:7, 1 Thess 2:2-9, 1 Pet 4:17)
• eternal glory (2 Tim 2:10, 1 Pet 5:10)
(Just to name a few!).
Phil 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
What rejoicing we experienced at the conference! What happiness to understand that we are not a separate group of God’s children .... split apart from those in Christ before us (Rom 16:7). No longer strangers and aliens (Eph 2:12,19)! We are one with them (John 17:21, Rom 12:5, 1 Cor 12:12, Eph 2:14-16)!
• We are fellowheirs and of the ‘same’ body (Eph 3:6).
• We are fellowcitizens with the saints (Eph 2:19).
• We are partakers with ‘them’ (Rom 11:17, 1 Cor 10:17, Col 1:12).
God doesn’t have different families .... there is but one (singular), the whole family in heaven and earth (Eph 3:15)! Many saints are already in heaven. Some have been there for thousands of years, others only a few days. But God didn’t break down the middle wall of partition on earth (Eph 2:14) .... and then leave one standing up erect in heaven. Neither are ‘body of Christ’ saints on a higher plane than ‘kingdom program’ saints. There is no division between the saints (1 Cor 3:3-9, 1 Cor 1:11-13)!
Yes, the Great Smoky Mountains GRACE Bible Conference was a relaxing, peaceful week enjoyed by all who attended. We thank God for the faithful men (2 Tim 2:2, 1 Cor 4:2) who ministered the Word of God, rightly divided (2 Tim 2:15) between
• the old and the new testaments / covenants (2 Cor 3:6-16, Heb 8:13)
• the letter and the spirit (Rom 2:28-29, Rom 7:6)
• the ministration of death / condemnation and the ministration of life (2 Cor 3:7-9).
1 Cor 16:18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours:
therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
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