100

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Disciple Up # 100
What Is A Disciple Anyway?
By Louie Marsh, 3-20-2019

DISCIPLE

(1) Usually a substantive (μαθητής, mathētés, “a learner,” from manthánō, “to learn”;

Latin discipulus, “a scholar”):

The word is found in the Bible only in the Gospels and Acts. But it is good Greek, in use from Herodotus down, and always means the pupil of someone, in contrast to the master or teacher

In all cases it implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he is also in practice an adherent. A disciple is a “follower,” someone who adheres completely to the teachings of another, making them his rule of life and conduct.

The word has several applications. In the widest sense it refers to those who accept the teachings of anyone, not only in belief but in life. Thus the disciples of John the Baptist,  14  Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Matthew 9:14 (ESV)

also of the Pharisees, 33  And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” Luke 5:33 (ESV)

But its most common use is to designate the adherents of Jesus.

  • In the widest sense, 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. John 6:66 (ESV)

It is the only name for Christ’s followers in the Gospels.

  • especially the Twelve Apostles, even when they are called simply the disciples, 1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2  The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Matthew 10:1-2 (ESV)

In the Acts, after the death and ascension of Jesus, disciples are those who confess Him as the Messiah, Christians, 1  Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2  And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Acts 6:1-2 (ESV)

26  and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Acts 11:26 (ESV)

Even half-instructed believers who had been baptized only with the baptism of John are disciples: 1  And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2  And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3  And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” Acts 19:1-3 (ESV)

The disciple of Christ today may be described in the words of Farrar, as “one who believes His doctrines, rests upon His sacrifice, imbibes His spirit, and imitates His example.”

Jesus used the term disciple but never Christian.

To Be Disciple Requires Some Radical Commitments:

  • To Becoming Like Jesus NOT the culture
  • To The Bible As God’s Word
  • To being completely accountable for who I am
  • To take ownership of everything I do
  • To view repentance as a lifestyle
  • To rely on the Holy Spirit

 Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 99

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Disciple Up #99
Wounded by the Church, Pt. 3
By Louie Marsh, 3-13-2019

Very common problem –

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/february/wounded-church-harvest-bible-chapel-elders-resign-mars-hill.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/03/08/amid-a-wave-of-church-hurt-one-boston-pastor-tries-to-repair-christians-relationship-with-god/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.baf5369876bf

Focus on ASSESSING my wounds,

3  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:3-4 (ESV)

 You are blessed if you are spiritually poor or mourning, but only if you KNOW that! Without a real, honest, frank self assessment you are in real trouble!

 3  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)

The real hope here is that when we see it, admit it and turn to God for help, HE WILL HEAL US AND HELP US TO GROW THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE NOT JUST GO THROUGH IT.

Closing Promise:

26  He confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the plan of his messengers. He says about Jerusalem, “It will be inhabited.” He says about the cities of Judah, “They will be rebuilt.” He says about their ruins, “I will restore them.” Isaiah 44:26 (GW)

Restoration: Rise From the Ruins

Step Two: Fight to Forgive

By Louie Marsh; 4-28-2013, Parker AZ

 FORGIVENESS IS…

 1) What GOD HAS DONE for me in Jesus.

 22  That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23  But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24  but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25  who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Romans 4:22-25 (ESV)

Forgiveness (what God has done for us in Christ) is a gift given to us by God. In Christ our sins for forgiven immediately when we repent and cry out to God, because of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross and His resurrection. We are declared forgiven and right with God in an instant.

This has to be the starting point for any discussion of forgiveness for the disciple of Jesus, because our forgiveness is motivated by and modeled after Jesus’ forgiving of us.

9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

This forgiveness from God continues to be active in our lives to continue to cleanse us from our sins as we ask Him too.

So God’s forgiveness to me is in two parts or sections, or has two sides to it. One is immediate when I’m declared righteous and a forgiven status with God is credited to me through Christ’s account.

Secondly the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from the guilt of our sins. We know this continues because John wrote that verse in the present tense, which means continual action. The blood of Jesus continually washes us clean when we turn to Him – Hallelujah!

2) DIVORCING MYSELF from the pain.

Original Word: ἀφίημι, aphiēmi

(1) send off or away, let go (MK 4.36); (2) as a legal divorce (1C 7.11); (3) abandon, leave behind (MT 26.56); (4) of duty and obligation reject, set aside, neglect (MK 7.8); (5) of toleration let go, leave in peace, allow (MK 11.6); (6) of sins or debts forgive, pardon, cancel (LU 7.47)

47  Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47 (ESV)

11  (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:11 (ESV)

Its things like this that just make me love the Bible! Who would have ever thought that you could translate a word forgive in one place and divorce in another!

So the first thing that forgiving consists of is letting go. To send off and away from us the pain, hurt, anger, remorse, guilt, etc that is associated with the issue in question. Or to put it another way, and this is how I often think of it, DIVORCE YOURSELF FROM THE PAIN.

3) DISMISSING the hurt and pain.

Original Word: ἄφεσις, aphesis

Usage Notes: denotes “a dismissal, release” (akin to A, No. 1); it is used of the remission of sins, and translated “forgiveness —Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

77  to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, Luke 1:77 (ESV)

Another powerful image, one that supports the first one as well. It doesn’t’ mean dismissing in the sense of belittling it, saying “Oh it’s not that bad.” No it means I am to Let it go, turn it loose, and keep turning it loose until it’s gone! I’ll come back to this image later..

4) RELEASING God’s grace into broken circumstances.

Original Word: χαρίζομαι, charizomai – Usage Notes: “to bestow a favor unconditionally,” is used of the act of “forgiveness,” whether Divine, Eph. 4:32; Col. 2:13; Col. 3:13; or human, Luke 7:42, 43 (debt); 2 Cor. 2:7, 10; 2 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:32 (1st mention). Paul uses this word frequently, but No. 1 only, in Rom. 4:7, in this sense of the word.—Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

You may have noticed this word contains the word Charis – or Grace! Now there’s some good news. Grace is unearned, unmerited favor from God. That’s what we pass on to others each time we forgive.

 God wants his grace to active in every situation and every human heart, but it won’t be and can’t fully be there until I begin to forgive. Then I release it or inject it into myself and the situation.

32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

Note again our forgiving is modeled and motivated by Christ’s forgiveness of us.

FORGIVENESS IS NOT…

 1) Forgiveness is not…

Approving or diminishing sin

  • Enabling sin
  • Denying a wrongdoing
  • Waiting for an apology
  • Forgetting
  • A onetime event
  • Trusting – built slowly, lost quickly
  • Reconciliation – it takes two – “do your best to be at peace with all men…”

  FIGHT TO FORGIVE…

So forgiving means I let go of my anger, resent, and all ill feelings towards those that hurt me.

5  Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6  For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7  so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8  So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9  For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10  Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11  so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (ESV)

The Two Hand Method:

One Hand –– LORD FILL ME WITH THE SPIRIT

  • The Other Hand – LET THE PAIN GO TO GOD

 6  Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 (ESV)

29  For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:29 (ESV)

21  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 (ESV)

Learning to forgive takes time – a lot of time – and is always accompanied by pain. Its part of following Jesus, and like much else in the authentic spiritual life is often painful.

 Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 98

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Disciple Up #98
Wounded By the Church, Pt. 2
By Louie Marsh, 3- 6-2019

Very common problem –

My Personal Story: Don’t focus on blame – focus on responsibility and YOUR responsibility in particular. Get on with fixing that instead of futilely trying to fix blame – let God do that.

DO NOT buy into the Victim Culture! – Rom. 8:37 “…we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us…”

Three Don’ts:

  • Don’t DEMAND MY (OR OTHER’S) rights
  • Don’t focus on WHAT I’VE LOST
  • Don’t let my ANGER OR PAIN drive me

14  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Hebrews 12:14-15 (ESV)

Three Do’s:

  • Focus on WHOSE you are.

1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

Whose am I? My self? My family’s? My culture’s? Or JESUS’?? 

You know what the right answer should be to that question. What you need to do now is to find out if the REAL answer and the RIGHT answer are the SAME answer!

  7  For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 8  If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8 (NIV)

  • Focus on OBEYING God’s Call.

18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 (ESV)

2  to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3  to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 4  They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Isaiah 61:2-4 (ESV)

God’s Call on All Disciples: To Proclaim…

  • The Good News
  • Liberty to the Captives
  • Sight for the blind
  • The Lord’s Favor & Judgment
  • To comfort those who mourn
  • To strengthen them to maturity
  • To restore what has been devastated

3  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4  In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:3-4 (ESV)

You have to keep working for the Lord through this process. He will bring healing and understanding to you through the work you do for him.

 Right now there are people here who aren’t doing anything and others who are doing far too many things. Those of you not really engaged need to step up to those doing too much and say, “Hey, I’ll take that.”

 Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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My books – 

Episode 97

by

Disciple Up #97
Wounded By the Church, Pt 1
By Louie Marsh, 2-27-2019

Very common problem –

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/february/wounded-church-harvest-bible-chapel-elders-resign-mars-hill.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/03/08/amid-a-wave-of-church-hurt-one-boston-pastor-tries-to-repair-christians-relationship-with-god/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.baf5369876bf

My Personal Story: Don’t focus on blame – focus on responsibility and YOUR responsibility in particular. Get on with fixing that instead of futilely trying to fix blame – let God do that.

 The CCR Story and My Response

Restoration: Rising From the Ruins Again

Remember Whose You Are

By Louie Marsh, April 14th, 2013

Christ’s Church on the River, Parker AZ

Three Don’ts:

  • Don’t DEMAND MY (OR OTHER’S) rights

38  “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39  But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40  And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42  Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 43  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:38-45 (ESV)

This runs against our fallen human nature. We want things to be “right” or “fair,” and can easily justify fighting for that. TALK ABOUT MY “RIGHTS” FROM 2 YEARS AGO, AND MY DECISION NOT TO PURSUE THEM.  But what does God say?

19  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21 (ESV)

When I fight for my rights or others, I am pushing God aside and in effect saying, “I got this Lord, don’t worry about it.” But Scripture says we are to leave this to God, for only God knows what is ultimately right and He and He alone is the one judge.

34  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. Luke 23:34 (ESV)

This is the ultimate example of not fighting for your rights. Here is the great act of evil ever committed on planet earth.  How does Jesus respond? Not by claiming his rights, but by in effect saying, “Father, release these people from the consequences of their actions. No consequences Father, just another chance for them to get right with you.”

Don’t focus on WHAT I’VE LOST

19  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)

I lost my job, possibly my career, many friends, my house.  And that struggle became a revelation when I realized what it showed was not how bad they were, but that my heart was in the wrong place.

 Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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My books – 

Episode 96

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Disciple Up # 96
The Gifts & Being Filled with the Spirit
By Louie Marsh, 2-20-2019

Cognitive Dissonance

What is the Relationship Between the Gift of the Spirit and being Filled with the Spirit?

4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 (ESV)

1  Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2  And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3  Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. Acts 6:1-3 (ESV)

15  who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16  for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18  Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19  saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:15-19 (ESV)

44  While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45  And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46  For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, Acts 10:44-46 (ESV)

4  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6  and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV)

11  All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)

Fake Bible Verses From Politicians:

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/speaker-pelosi-called-out-for-repeatedly-using-fake-bible-verse

James McDonald Fired:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/february/james-macdonald-fired-harvest-bible-chapel.html

 Please Get In Touch!Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 95

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Disciple Up #95
What Is the Anointing?
By Louie Marsh, 2-13-2019

The Passages Involved:

8  Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19  They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. 20  But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21  I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 1 John 2:18-21 (NIV)

26  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27  But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:26-27 (ESV)

21  And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22  and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (ESV)

Two Others to Consider:

8  But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. 9  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” Hebrews 1:8-9 (ESV)

18  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, Luke 4:18 (ESV)

Websites Quoted From:

 https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/c21a6153/files/uploaded/UnderstandingTheAnointing.pdf

https://www.billwinston.org/The-Anointing-of-God-Lives-Inside-of-You/

Does 1 John 2:27 Mean I Don’t Need My Sunday School Teacher?

Everyday in the Spirit Page: http://christschurchontheriver.com/spiritual-growth/everyday/

Millennial Cognitive Dissonance

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/february/half-of-millennial-christians-wrong-to-evangelize-barna.html

 Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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My books – 

Episode 94

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Disciple Up # 94

The Holy Spirit Pt 5 – Blasphemy Of the Holy Spirit

By Louie Marsh, 2-6-2019

Several Different Views on this topic, I’ll present the major ones and then discuss my own take on this question.

The Texts In Question:

22  Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23  And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25  Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26  And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27  And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28  But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29  Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30  Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31  Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32  And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Matthew 12:22-32 (ESV)

22  And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” 23  And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24  If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25  And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26  And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27  But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. 28  “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29  but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30  for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” Mark 3:22-30 (ESV)

8  “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9  but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10  And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11  And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12  for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:8-12 (ESV)

16  If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17  All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 1 John 5:16-17 (ESV)

Websites:

https://www.gotquestions.org/blasphemy-Holy-Spirit.html

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/can-a-christian-blaspheme-the-holy-spirit

What Is Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit?

I know I’m going to hell when I die because I’ve blasphemed the Holy Spirit.

 Please Get In Touch!Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 93

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Disciple Up # 93
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Pt. 4
The Perpetuity of the Spiritual Gifts Pt. 2
By Louie Marsh, 1-30-2019

Disciple Up Tie Into Everyday in the Spirit

Everyday in the Spirit – https://goo.gl/vAkHH5

Where to get Everyday in the Spirit Campaign materials –  http://christschurchontheriver.com/spiritual-growth/everyday/

Have the Gifts Passed Away? Part Two

Links to websites discussing this issue.

http://www.bible.ca/tongues-ceased-perfect-come-1Cor13-8-13.htm

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/doctrine/onecor13.htm

https://www.equip.org/perspectives/spiritual-gifts-the-perpetuity-of-spiritual-gifts/

http://www.jesuswalk.com/1corinthians/12_excursus-meaning-of-perfect-1cor13_10.htm

The Passage in Question:

 8  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10  but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11  When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (ESV)

 Gifts Have Ceased View:

The Bible teaches that miraculous gifts were needed for a specific purpose and for a limited time. They were to confirm the Word until the revelation was completed in written form. Then they would vanish from the scene. Paul proves this in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Paul, in verse 10, predicts: But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. Whenever that which is perfect came, the miraculous gifts of the Spirit ceased.

We must know what “perfect” refers to in this text. Then we may know whether or not “that which is perfect” has already come. The word “perfect” means “complete” or “whole.” The phrase, “that which,” indicates the word “perfect” refers to something, not someone. Yet, some apply this to Jesus Christ. He said “that which is perfect.” Paul’s words do not fit the context if we apply them to Jesus.

The Word of God is all-sufficient to produce obedient faith.

A Different View:

There are three main interpretations. “That which is perfect” is fulfilled when:

  1. Canon is complete, or
  2. The Church is mature, or
  3. Christ has come.

Let’s consider each view.

  1. Canon View. This is a relatively new interpretation, first espoused by William Edwy Vine (1873-1943), known for his Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. This view contends that “that which is complete” refers to the New Testament canon or collection of Scriptures that had been written by the end of the apostolic age, though it wasn’t until the Council of Nicea (320 AD) that the books in our New Testament canon were affirmed throughout the church.

Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Professor Emeritus at Westminster Theological Seminary, supports the cessation of the gifts at the end of the apostolic period, but has abandoned 1 Corinthians 13:10 as his proof text. Instead builds his doctrine of cessation from deductions based on Ephesians 2:20, “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.”

One of the chief problems with the concept of the canon being “that which is complete,” is that Paul — and even more, his readers — would have had no understanding whatsoever of the concept of the New Testament canon. Thus the identity of “that which is perfect” as the canon wouldn’t have occurred to his readers. From an exegetical standpoint, I believe the “canon view” is indefensible.

  1. Maturity View. The “maturity” interpretation also is a relatively new, first explained by Roy L. Laurin in his 1950 commentary, 1 Corinthians: Where Life Matures. This view takes teleiosas “a state of maturity” (as it is sometimes used in the New Testament) rather than its core meaning of “perfection, completeness.”
  2. Christ’s Coming or Eschatological View. Taking “that which is complete” as occurring in the period when Christ returns has been by far the majority view of this passage throughout church history, and there are good reasons why this is the case, in addition to the obvious weaknesses of the canon and maturity views.
  3. Teleios is best understood as “perfection” (rather than “maturity”) in light of Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This could have been easily understood by the Corinthian readers.
  4. The neuter form of teleios allows for understanding it as the state of perfection.
  5. An eschatological view of the cessation of spiritual gifts conforms with Paul’s more general statement in 1:7 –“You do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.”
  6. “Face to face” is an Old Testament formula for a theophany which will occur following Christ’s return, so that point seems to be the period of, or after Christ’s return.
  7. Being fully known will only be true after Messiah comes. Isaiah foresaw this time of Messiah’s reign and the gathering of the nations (what we refer to as “the rapture”) when, “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9)

Some Notes of Interest:

 Christian Research Institute:

THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS- Evidence from the Church Fathers
I think it’s also noteworthy to point out that history repudiates the notion that the supernatural gifts ceased with the closing of the canon of Scripture at the end of the Apostolic age. For example, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Irenaeus, Ambrose, and others actually mention the use of supernatural gifts like tongues and prophecy long after the first century. And, of course, the Reformers also believed that the gifts of the Spirit were in perpetuity, not to mention many church leaders who are still alive today. To claim that spiritual gifts are no longer operative is, in my opinion, to fly in the face of both historical and contemporary evidence.

THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS- “Irrevocable”
Scripture tells us that the “gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

Another site adds:

We should note that Paul makes a distinction between the disappearance of the gifts of prophecy and knowledge and that of tongues. This is done using different Greek words and voices. With prophecy and knowledge, he used a word in the passive voice which meant “to be rendered inoperative.” Note also verse 9. But with tongues he used the middle voice and a word that meant “to cease.” The middle voice suggest that this gift would gradually die and disappear on its own. Probably because its primary purpose as a sign to the Jews (see chapter 14:20f) would cease after the fall of Jerusalem. This of course is debated.

 Disciple Up Follow Up Follow Up!!

https://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/harvest-bible-chapel-fires-florida-campus-pastor-for-asking-elders-not-to-let-james-macdonald-preach-during-his-sabbatical.html

Excerpts From the Mancow Muller Article:

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20190125/mancow-speaking-my-truth-to-harvest-bible-chapels-pastor-james

Where We Go From Here

6th The Gifts and the Filling of the Spirit

13th What is The Anointing?, Q&A?

20th – The Blasphemy of the Spirit, Q&A?

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Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 92

by

Disciple Up # 92
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Pt 3
The Perpetuity of the Spiritual Gifts, Pt. 1
By Louie Marsh, 1-23-2019

This can be a controversial topic. Not as much as it used to be but it is still an area where Christians disagree. So we approach this in the spirit of openness and this being a non-essential where it’s ok to have differing opinions.

Important book on this – Counterfeit Miracles By Benjamin B. Warfield, Copyright 1918

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield (November 5, 1851 – February 16, 1921) was professor of theology at Princeton Seminary from 1887 to 1921. He served as the last principal of the Princeton Theological Seminary from 1886 to 1902. After the death of Warfield in office, Francis Landey Patton took over the functions of the office as the first president of seminary. Some conservative Presbyterians[1] consider him to be the last of the great Princeton theologians before the split in 1929 that formed Westminster Theological Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._B._Warfield

Two Main Theories On the Gifts Passing Away:

1) The gifts could only be passed on by the laying on the Apostles hands, thus when the Apostles died and everyone they had laid hands on died the gifts died.

2) 8  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10  but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (ESV) The perfect is the completed New Testament, thus we no longer need the gifts and they have passed away.

Some Logical Consequences:

 1) Which gifts have ceased? No one says the gift of teaching or knowledge or serving, etc. are gone. No, only the miraculous gifts are said to have ceased. But since, as we saw last week, the New Testament itself doesn’t divide the gifts into different categories, then if some are gone should they all be gone?

2) If this is true then that means that you shouldn’t see any manifestation of the gifts anywhere in church history. But of course we do. In fact an overview of church history seems to mirror the Old Testament in many ways. In the OT you have periods of miracles followed by periods where you don’t see many. The same is true of church history.

If you maintain the gifts have ceased then you must explain away EVERY reported occurrence in church history. Good luck.

Theory #1: The Laying On of Apostolic Hands

Pentecost

 1  When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)

NO HANDS.

Samaria

 14  Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15  who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16  for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17  Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18  Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19  saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20  But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21  You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22  Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23  For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24  And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” Acts 8:14-24 (ESV)

22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22 (ESV)

38  And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (ESV)

HANDS

Cornelius

 44  While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45  And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46  For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47  “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. Acts 10:44-48 (ESV)

15  As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17  If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” Acts 11:15-17 (ESV)

NO HANDS

Ephesians

 1  And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2  And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3  And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4  And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5  On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6  And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7  There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19:1-7 (ESV)

 HANDS

SUMMARY:

 In two cases hands are laid on and in two cases hands aren’t laid on  And in one case, hands are laid on but gifts are seen in the text. It’s also important to add that while Paul was an Apostle and had the miraculous gifts he hadn’t had any Apostle lay hands on him as far as we know.

Cessationists argue that the two instances of no Apostolic hands being laid on are “special events,” i.e. the door being opened to the Gentiles to hear the Gospel and the day of Pentecost is obviously unique. Therefore, they will say, their argument stands.

“This does not mean, of course, that only the Apostles appear in the New Testament as working miracles, or that they alone are represented as recipients of the charismata. But it does mean that the charismata belonged, in a true sense, to the Apostles, and constituted one of the signs of an Apostle. Only in the two great initial instances of the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost and the reception of Cornelius are charismata recorded as conferred without the laying on of the hands of Apostles. There is no instance on record of their conference by the laying on of the hands of any one else than an Apostle”. – Warfield, Pg. 21

Here’s what I think. If you look closely at theses events in Acts every single event is a special event.

  • Pentecost – yep.
  • Samaria – a hated group receiving the Gospel – yes.
  • Cornelius household – the door opening to the Gentiles – obviously.
  • Former disciples of John the Baptist being brought into the faith – of course.

This only makes sense because Luke was writing a history and so recorded significant events in the development and growth of the church as it moved from Jerusalem to Rome. He wasn’t recording everyday common things, but the historically important events that moved the faith along. This is what all historians do and Luke is no different.

Here’s another interesting perspective from a more scholarly point of view: http://reformedperspectives.org/magazine/article.asp/link/http:%5E%5Ereformedperspectives.org%5Earticles%5Ejus_holcomb%5ENT.Holcomb.Acts.html/at/Tongues%20in%20Acts

Point of Interest: the interpretive principle – Precedent VS Command.

This Doesn’t Mean Everything “Pentecostal” or “Charismatic” Is Correct.

One example – everyone speaking in tongues at once. Clearly unscriptural.

27  If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28  But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 (ESV)

Disciple Up Follow Up

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/january/james-macdonald-sabbatical-harvest-bible-chapel-lawsuit.html

Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 91

by

 Disciple Up # 91
Spiritual Gifts Pt. 2 – Defining the Gifts & A Disciple Up Follow Up
By Louie Marsh, 1- 16-2019

How to define Spiritual Gifts

The necessity of doing so

The difficulty of doing so – there are no definitions in Scripture and very few examples of the gifts in use where they are clearly labeled as those gifts.

Beware of doing so – which doesn’t mean don’t do it but does mean do it tentatively knowing full well your definition could be wrong or incomplete and is probably the latter.

http://giftstest.com/allgifts
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/spiritual-gifts/
https://mintools.com/gifts-list.htm
https://www.allaboutgod.com/gifts-of-the-spirit.htm

Disciple Up Follow Up: Smell the Irony!

Original Story in episode 82

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/january/harvest-drops-suit-james-macdonald-julie-roys-elephant-debt.html

 Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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