Advent Calendar, 16 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures

I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:

<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Friday 2 Peter 3:3-14 “The Day of the Lord”

"Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless." (2 Peter 3:3-14, NKJV)

Glory Revealed

Theme: The transfiguration of Jesus

Objectives:

Know: Jesus’s transfiguration revealed the divine glory that was His in Heaven.

Think: Obeying and glorifying God through my life are second nature to me.

Do: Bring glory to God by listening to and obeying the risen Christ.

Scriptures: Matthew 17:1-13

Notes and questions:

B1 The parallel verses are Mark 9:1-13 and Luke 9:28-45.

B2 Both Matthew and Mark read 6 days but Luke has 8 days. A contradiction? No. Consider Adam Clarke’s explanation: After six days - Mark 9:2, has the same number; but Luke says, Luke 9:28, after eight days. The reason of this difference seems to be the following: Matthew and Mark reckon the days from that mentioned in the preceding chapter, to that mentioned in this; Luke includes both days, as well as the six intermediate: hence, the one makes eight, the other six, without any contradiction. The bottom line is the different way of counting. Matthew and Mark are more literal, while Luke is counting part of the days as days, so about 8 days.

B3 Why did the Lord Jesus only take Peter, James, and John up on the mountain?

B4 Why did the Lord Jesus have an “inner circle?”

B5 The high mountain mentioned by Matthew has been guessed at, but nobody knows for sure.

B6 Matthew 17:3,

• What’s going on with the Lord Jesus’s face and clothes? Why?
• Why are Moses and Elijah there? Why Moses and Elijah anyway? Does this tell anything about the erroneous doctrine of soul sleep?
• Does this have anything to support the resurrection?

B7 Matthew 17:4,

• Most versions have “Let me make” or “I will make” rather than the KJV, NKJV, WPT, WEB, which have “Let us.” Wilbur Pickering has a note from his study—Instead of "let us", perhaps 0.5% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, have "I will" (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).
• What is Peter talking about here?
• He probably is referring to the Feast of Tabernacles. Israel built small tents/temporary living quarters as they traveled the 40 years in the wilderness.
• Also, per Adam Clarke—That is, when he saw Moses and Elijah ready to depart from the mount, Luke 9:33, he wished to detain them, that he might always enjoy their company with that of his Lord and Master, still supposing that Christ would set up a temporal kingdom upon earth.

B8 Matthew 17:5,

• Who was speaking from the bright cloud?
• Why did He say, “Listen to Him?”
• Why does the Father state that He is well-pleased with His Son?

B9 Matthew 17:6: Why were the Apostles afraid? Is this a different fear than what is recorded in James 2:19 You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

B10 Matthew 17:7,

• Why did Jesus come and touch them?
• What character trait is Jesus showing?

B11 Matthew 17:8, Why the change? Before they heard the voice from the cloud, Jesus was transfigured and talking with Moses and Elijah?

B12 Matthew 17:9, Why couldn’t they tell anyone this glorious happening until after the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead?

B13 Matthew 17:10-13,

• Why did the Apostles ask about Elijah coming before Messiah?
• It was a common teaching (correct) that Elijah was to come before Messiah.
• The Apostles were convinced that Jesus is the Messiah.
• There was a conflict in their mind. This is the answer Jesus gave to them.
• Compare Luke 1:17
• Does this passage hint at more than one coming?

B14 Read—1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself [fn] purged our [fn] sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:1-4)

• How does this verse apply to our study?
• How does this testify to the greatness of the Lord Jesus?

B15 Read—16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, [fn] which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, [fn] 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God [fn] spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:16-21)

• For how long did the transfiguration affect Peter?
• How should it affect us?

B16 Do we need experiences to confirm our faith?

B17 Next time:

• Written in stone
• Theme: Rules to live by
• Scriptures: Exodus 20:1-21

Remember the reason for celebrating Christmas

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home

Ordination Questions

I'm including a link to a downloadable document outlining my answers to ordination questions. The questions are from a Christian Missionary and Alliance site and reflect their beliefs. Since I am a Free Will Baptist, there are some questions I didn't answer. I am not ordained. I wanted to answer the questions for my own sake, then thought I would share them.

Link to C&MA ordination questions.

Link to the Free Will Baptist Treatise

Link to the ordination questions as PDF

Link in case you want to view it as a gdocx

Here are the most Free Will Baptist related questions. The words to "see longer post" refer to the same questions in the C&MA post. (You might have to search as the C&MA document is ~50 pages.

Doctrine

1.       Do you believe without reservation that the Bible is the verbally inspired, infallible Word of God and that it is the only rule of faith and practice?	Yes, it is the only source of 100% truth. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21
2.       What do you believe about evolution and the Genesis account of Creation?	6, 24 hour days. God must be believed. Genesis 1 and 2, Exodus 20:11
3.       What is the gospel?	We have all broken God’s law. The sentence is hell. The Lord Jesus came, lived His life, died, buried, rose again, and ascended. We must   place our trust into Him calling out to Him to have mercy and save us from our sins and punishment. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 1 John 3:5

What is salvation?

1.       How would you proceed to explain the way of salvation to a lost soul?	10 Commandments. Exodus 20 Judgment Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 21:8 Sentence Matthew 13:42 Hell Matthew 13:42, Luke 16:24, Revelation 20:14 Savior, who is the only one, Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5
2.       Explain your views on baptism.	Pouring, immersing, sprinkling makes no difference. Only believers may be baptized. Hebrews 10:22, Acts 2:17-18, Acts 2:33, Acts 10:45, Romans 6:4
3.       What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?	Remembering what the Lord Jesus did for us as Savior. 1 Corinthians 11
4.       Should feet washing be observed? Explain.	Yes, Jesus said so. John 13 especially John 13:14.
5.       What do you believe about apostasy and the perseverance of the believer?	A person came apostatize and thus lose salvation. The warning verses are to be taken at face value. Hebrews 6, Hebrews 10, and other passages as Revelations 3:5.

Give your interpretation of the following doctrines:

1.       -God		See longer post.
2.       -Deity of Christ		See longer post.
3.       -The Virgin Birth of Christ		See longer post.
4.       -The Work of the Holy Spirit		See longer post.
5.       -Repentance		See longer post.
6.       -Faith		See longer post.
7.       -Justification		See longer post.
8.       -Regeneration		See longer post.
9.       -Atonement		See longer post.
10.  -Sanctification		See longer post.
11.  -Final Judgment		See longer post.
12.  -Heaven		See longer post.
13.  -Hell		See longer post.
14.  -Satan		See longer post.
15.  -Second Coming		See longer post.
16.  -Resurrection		See longer post.
17.  What is the church?		See longer post.
18.  Who is eligible for membership?		Only those who are saved as outlined above.
19.  How should the church discipline a member?		See longer post.
20.  How should the work of the church be financed?		Gifts and offerings. Tithes are not required, but if those who want to, it is OK.
21.  What are the duties of a minister?		1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus.
22.  What is the mission of the church in the light of Matt. 28:19, 20?	Preach the Gospel, teach the disciples both doctrine and Christian life, live the Gospel in good works to all, and to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Denomination

1.       Who is a Free Will Baptist?	Treatise
2.       What is meant by the term “free moral agent?”	God has given a measure of free will. He has done this in His sovereignty. The Holy Spirit initiates salvation which allows us to have a freed will to resist or not resist. God is the only one with sovereign free will.
3.       Have you read the Free Will Baptist Treatise completely and do you subscribe to the doctrines and practices that are outlined in it?	Yes. I believe that humans are body, soul, and spirit. Regarding intoxicating beverages, see above.
4.       Is there anything in the treatise that you do not believe or would not teach?	As above.
5.       If you ever changed your views on any of these doctrines what would you do?	Let the congregation know, and let them decide if I should remain as pastor. If they have been taught doctrine and apologetics correctly, they will know.
6.       What are the grounds for relinquishing your ordination credentials?	Adultery, murder, porn, drunkenness, etc.
7.       What is the relationship for the local church to the denomination?	Support through prayer and money. Listen closely and take advice seriously.
8.       References: provide three character and three credit references.	On request.
9.       Do you solemnly pledge to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints and to faithfully uphold the Free Will Baptist doctrines outlined in the Treatise?	Yes.

Advent Calendar, 15 Dec 16

Advent Weekly Themes, Daily Scriptures

I expanded Pastor Dr. James Leonard's recommendation by supplying the Scripture reading and placing each day on a separate page.

Please read these passages, think on them, and study them.

Pastor Dr. James Leonard"s post can be found here:

<http://treasuresoldandnewbiblicaltexts.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-weekly-themes-daily-scriptures.html>

Thursday Philippians 4:4,10-13 “Joy and Contentment”

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4, NKJV)

Philippians 4:10-13

"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:10-13, NKJV)