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Bible Studies

Acts 6 Building From Within

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The church is exploding . In Acts 2 God added daily. In Acts 6 God multiplied (KJV & NKJV). Now growing pains are setting in. The Apostles could have easily been sucked into this need. But they wisely concluded that they should have others fill it. And because they kept their focus sharpened (v2), and priorities clear, this is the result.

In Chapters 4-5 the church subtracted Ananias and Sapphira. It’s never easy, usually painful, personally. But the good news is that God will explode the work.

During this multiplying, there is a tendency to feel neglected, and this causes murmuring Three things were happening in the early church:

  1. Discriminating – Felt by the Hellenists (Greeks) by the Hebrews. Do we do this? You bet! We do  this almost every Sunday. Former (?) sinners, bikers, “losers”, and those we don’t like.
  2. Professionalizing – If you are aware of a problem, you are probably being called to be the solution. This is the sign of a healthy church.
  3. Prioritizing – Keeping the eye on the prize (Rom 12)

Jesus and the mustard seed comparison is rather puzzling as mustard plant is a smallish bush (Mat 13:31-33, Mar 4:31-32, Luke 13:18). The implication is that the church would start out right, but would grow large and distended, and birds would lodge in it; the birds a symbol of evil. And truly that has come to pass. Acts pleads for simplicity (Act 2:42).

Stay focused on the Word of God as our best source for “Church Growth.” Romans  12 says we are His body. Look at, to, and on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. As with Him:

1) His body was conceived by a miracle, birthed supernaturally. Perhaps He moves in a new virgin territory. And we give God the glory when it happens.

2) All His members functioned – Every member is to function.

3) His body was physically coordinated. How? The body responds to the impulses from the head and responds. Eph 4:15-16 says He is the head, we are the body, the HS the nervous system.

4) Upon birth, the body was attacked. Herod threatened Him immediately. And so us.

5) He grew in wisdom and stature and found favor in God and man. Luk 2:40

6) He was attacked again

7) He cannot be destroyed. Story of Jesus going through the center of the crowd.

8) In His body baptized in water and in spirit. His knowledge of the Word confounded the teachers at age 12. He was receptive to baptism. Mat 3:13-17, Mar 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-23

 

9) Jesus was all these offices (Ephesians 5)

  • Apostolic – Governing – sent by God
  • Prophetic – Guiding ministry
  • Evangelical – Gathering
  • Pastoring – Guarding
  • Teaching – Grounding in Scripture and doctrine

 

10) Flowing in the Gifts in Romans 12 and Manifestations in 1Co 12

 

11) Being broken – recall Jesus on the road to Emmaus. When they broke bread, they recognized Him. So too we must be broken to receive the life of Christ. See v2

 

Acts 6:1

People who are productive have proper priorities. Why give ourselves to the Lord for service?: Rom 12:1-2

 

1)Present your body to the Lord wholly acceptable to God

2) Where we are going to spend eternity.

3) What it does for me presently, it brings us happiness.

 

Acts 6:2-4

Exodus 18:17 shows the original distribution of responsibilities by Moses’ father -in-law, Jethro. God’s intention is to delegate the work. Spiritual gifts are the tool God gives to do the work of the church. In Exodus, God used Jethro to communicate this to Moses. Here the Holy Spirit. Often God will communicate to us through other people. One way to know: It makes sense, it may sting a little, and our and others spirit will be settled in the matter. (v5)

The ones chosen are good, Godly,  and gifted. The leaders concentrate on the most important tasks of leadership:

  1. Prayer – Communication with and on behalf of the people
  2. Ministry of the Word – Correctly hearing back from God and communicating to the people.

Acts 6:5

Stephen was a powerful Bible expositor. Paul says the deaconate would be given great boldness in ministry. Phillip was the father of 4 prophetesses. Prochorus, secretary, bishop of NIcodea(?).

 

Some believe that Nicolas veered off the track into heresy and founded the Nicolaitains. Meaning shepherds of the laity, heavy oppressors of the flock instead of helpers of their joy. Not overbearing oppressors. Not dominion. Rev 2:6,15

A Table of Possible  Gifts of the Early Church

Name Meaning  Spiritual Gift
Stephen Crowned Prophesying
Phillip Fond of horses or lover of horses Serving
Prochorus Before the dance or leader of the chorus Teaching
Nicanor Victorious or conqueror Encouraging
Timon Valuable or honorable Giving
Parmenas Constant, faithful or abiding Mercy
Nicolas Victorious over the people,  Victor of the people Leading / Administering

Acts 6:6

Note the order: pray first and then lay on hands. Is that what Paul says when he says not to lay hands on too quickly? Laying on of hands goes back to the consecration in Numbers 8:10. This is identifying with those dedicated for service, a linkage between the parties.

Acts 6:7

Spreading the Word of God – Very very important. Acts 12:24 & 19:20 and here show the crucial link between spreading the Word of God, and the building of the Church. It simply cannot nor should be attempted without God’s Word, the Gospel.

The priests would have to come to that conclusion, given the things they saw; the veil rent in half. And that was no ordinary veil. It was 10 inches thick 60’x30′, it took a hundred priests to manipulate it. Mat 27:51, Mar 15:38, Luk 23:45

Acts 6:8

A dynamic deacon indeed!

 

Acts 6:11

These men resorted to deception, as they were outgunned by him by the HS.

 

Acts 6:13

They are in to churches Jeremiah 7:4 and rituals, and not the one behind them. Churches, cathedrals and rituals can draw us away from real fellowship

 

Acts 6:14

They are STILL misrepresenting Jesus statement of John 2:19 destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days..

 

Acts 6:15

His face glowed like an angel, being near to God. Exodus 34:35. The Israelites had the very same reaction to Moses as they did with stephen. Paul adds the reasoning for this, in the reading of the Old Covenant, the veil over their heart remains until they turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away, the liberty of the New Covenant shines. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 explains the dynamics of this and the next chapter of Acts.

Some of the notes in this chapter are taken from sermons by Jon Courson at Searchlight from my earliest days as a Christian.

Acts, Bible Studies

Acts – Chapter 1

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Acts
I had been dreading this moment. Up until now, it was simple drill. For eight hours we were shaken, hung out on ropes, yelled at, pushed and shoved, until we were ready for the big moment: My first parachute jump.
Heart in my throat, the plane climbed to altitude. My follow novice jumpers and I shared grim stares, oh, a few laughs and grins belying the inner terror. But we knew what was coming.
The jump master, Anna B. stood up, walked to back with the photographer, and up stood the first (I should say last) row of jumpers, inside a loud noisy, old, leaky DC3, #817.
First Jump. Didn’t see that coming.
They disappeared from view, with static lines, long strips of cord tied to the parachute pack so that the parachute pack to open it. It seemed silly, why not just jump out and pull that baby (the ripcord). After all, we were using old fashioned parachutes, “T-10’s” the kind you saw watching old World War II films. Just “hop and pop.” No worries.
My moment came. Dang! It was a LONG ways down. I looked at Anna, she smiled, and yelled: “IN THE DOOR. STANDBY. GO!” Out I went.
After a fashion, (about 3 seconds per Anna, I went through my drill and saw that glorious old green canopy over my head, and I was floating serenely, quietly, to Terra Firma.
It took a couple of weeks to remember what happened. The sensation is not anything I could describe to someone who has never jumped out of a perfectly good airplane from 3,000 feet.
It’s one thing to anticipate a major event, it’s quite another to realize afterwards it was nothing like what you thought it was going to be.  Such is going out to do the commandment of Jesus without the power of the holy Spirit. We might think we know what and how to do, but no, it’s not like anything we may think of.

Ministries Following the Beyond A.D. Series

A.D. Roma Downey & Mark Burnett on NBC

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Also available at OnePlace Radio

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Some tips to reading this book

Ask yourself if the person(s) here are yielded to theHoly Spirit (and receiving His power, or their own power.

Timeline

Acts Timeline

Outline

Witnesses of Jesus in Jerusalem  Ch1-7
Witnesses of Jesus in Judea & Samaria Ch 8-12
Witnesses of Jesus to the Uttermost Parts of the Earth Ch 13-28
Acts 1:1-3
Introduction. Theophilus is mentioned in Luke 1:3 as “most excellent,” a title of Roman officialdom. There is a linkage of authority to the Spirit through which Jesus now communicates to His people, His church. This flows rather well as a continuation from the end of Luke (Luke 2436:-53)
Acts 1:4-8
Jesus commanded the disciples not to leave Jerusalem. This nay have been a difficult commandment to keep, what with all the powers that be arrayed against the followers of Jesus.
Perhaps one of the most misunderstood person is Jesus, and by extension, God, Himself. Although He deliberately hides much of what He was going to do, for good reason, even after plainly explaining the order of events, the Disciples, and us by extension, armed with their (our) own preconceptions, are expecting something else.
So when Jesus is asked regarding the persistent “Kingdom Now!” expectation, He has to redirect the Disciples to remind them who is in charge. Remember, Jesus Himself did not know when (on Earth at lest) He would return. Matthew 24:35.
Instead, He has a much broader work to accomplish first, the establishment of the Church.
All through this book, we are given practical methods to accomplish how Jesus wants us to establish His church. What have we seen thus far?
Acts 1:9-11
A parallel of Luke 24:51-53. Now I wonder why the angels did this?
Acts 1:12-14
A Sabbath day journey, 2,000 cubits. Understood by the Rabbis from Exo 16:29 and Num 35:5 (Credit Ryrie study notes)
As far as not indwell by the HS, they did well here by being in constant prayer. This may have been partially motivated by the many people wanting to see them dead or otherwise MIA.
Acts 1:15-26
Peter proceeds to do what the pre-HS in-dwelt Peter did, shot first, then aim. More in a moment.
The account he relates of Judas Iscariot appears to be in odds with the account from the Matthew’s gospel Mat 27:5. It’s merely the completion of the story told there.
The Bible is full of such seeming contradictions. If you run across one, or some “Bib le Scholar” confronts you and you don’t know, say so and go and dig for yourself. It’s well worth the effort.
Peter proceeds to call a church meeting to elect a new Apostle. He certainly knew his Bible, quoting from Psalm 69:25 and 109:8.
Establishing the guidelines (having been with Jesus), he then proceeds to cast lots and elect Matthias, who is never heard from again. Q: Does this look like a Spirit inspired act?
Bible Studies, Nehemiah

Nehemiah Chapter 13 – You Don’t Get What You Expect

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Pills

*Sigh* #struglife. All I want is a simple REFILL!!!!!!! Can you hear me scream? What do I haft do to get a refill of a scrip I’ve been taking for 20 years?

The website sent me circles. I realize, even though I make a living sitting on technology’s saddle, I tend to overcomplicate things. But really, a scrip refill. Worth 1o bucks for 90 days.

I send emails, call the doctor’s office, call the the “new and improved” pharma site my company uses. I just about ran out last time. So I started a month and a half this time, but a week later, no the doctor’s admin hadn’t heard anything, and the pharma site, Caremark, still had the “we have received your request” notice.

Yes, it’s a tempest in a teapot, it’s a first world problem, but no it’s not not, it’s heart meds. So if I want them, I better go do something about it. You don’t get what you want, you get what you inspect (follow up on).

Trainwreck

As human nature has not changed in the 2,500 years since Nehemiah pulled his (and other people’s!) hair out about things that he thought were obvious, so must we. He returned from his year-long hiatus from Jerusalem to find the people had shrugged off their responsibilities to the Temple service, Sabbath rest, and mixed marriage.

Sometimes we need to enforce accountability, especially on ourselves.

Summary / Thoughts

Nehemiah 13:1-3 These verses probably belong in the previous chapter, but the verses and chapters are not Biblical, they were added later in the 13th and sixteenth century. (See the article by Don Stewart in the Blue Letter Bible for more.)They were reading Deut 23:3-5. (Read) There is a true paradox here, because the line of David includes a Moabite. Yes, Ruth. Her new husband, Boaz, was 11th from Abraham. Well before the curse made above.  From Mat 1:1-6:
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Judah
Perez and Zerah by Tamar
Hezron
Ram
Amminadab
Nahshon
Salmon
Boaz was the father of
Obed by Ruth
Jesse
David the king
Jews were not to marry non-Israelites, including the priests. Exo 34:16 echoed at Deut 7:3, 4:1.  Having the the Moabites and Ammonites expelled would, of course, make it difficult to find a one to wed…More to the point,  the people were reading and heeding. This is a perfect example for us. And it was a controversial thing to do, yet they obeyed God at the peril of being PC and bowing to please people.
Nehemiah 13:4-9 Nehemiah returned to Artaxerxes after 12 years of service. Some believe his absence from Jerusalem was around a year.Rather than nicely inviting Tobiah to make other arrangements, Nehemiah busted his sorry hide, and the horse he rode in on out of the Temple.

The (excuse me, A) spiritual parallel here is that Nehemiah treated Tobiah the same way we should treat sin. When there is sin in our Temple (1 Cor 6:19 ) toss it OUT! Questions!?
Nehemiah 13:10-14 It appears the people left in charge did not continue in their commitments with predictable results. You & I need this kind of accountability, men with men, women with women. Spending time and asking each other uncomfortable questions and being honest with each other.So reading this you might think that pledge drives are a great idea. On the other hand, many many pastors don’t speak at al about giving because they feel it will offend the “seekers.”

But OT giving is more structured than NT. One of the reasons is that we have the Holy Spirit living in us and giving is more a matter of the heart 2 Cor 9:6-8. Yet, we still need the gentle reminding and encouragement as Paul did the Corinthians.
Nehemiah 13:15-22 Where do you think the Jews picked up these habits? Failure to read & heed (above), acting like the locals, mostly, drifting away in relationship with God.Pulling

It takes a God-appointed leader to remind people of their responsibilities. Previously, the prophets had done this, sometimes the people would repent and turn back to God, but more often getting upset at the messenger often with dire consequences. Jeremiah 18:18 is an example of this and Moses Exo 17:4

 

This passage is a clear example of you get what you inspect.
Nehemiah 13:23-31 We are commanded not to be unequally yoked in marriage. 2 Cor 6:14.And Nehemiah was especially strident with this infraction, perhaps to make a point.

 

And it is important. Try standing on a chair and pulling someone up to you. Now find out how easy it is to be pulled off the chair.

 

 

 

 

Bible Studies, Nehemiah

Nehemiah Chapter 11 & 12 – The God of This City

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Chutes and Ladders
Chutes and Ladders

I don’t remember my first ride down the slide at the park. I imagine it was something like what I have observed since then, somebody on one end, maybe dad, pushing me up the steps, and mom down at the bottom, urging me to let go of the bars and sliding that first slide.

I do remember my first bike ride, though. I had waited a full year later than my oldest brother. I just didn’t want to risk falling off the thing. The training wheels were really cutting into my style though, so one afternoon, with my dad ready to run along side me, I got on it, (a hand-me-down Schwinn with a banana seat, and proceeded to go to the end of the block without falling over. I was ready.

Life is an adventure. It involves risk. Acceptable risk, but there is risk.

But I was risk averse. So much so, my dad tried to inspire me. One day, in my late teen years, he brought home a quotation from Theodore Roosevelt, in 1910:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

The thought haunted me. And I was that timid young man. I could see others succeeding, but me, seriously!?

The real problem was that I had no confidence; I did not know what I was capable of, only what I had not done up until then.

Some time later, I surrendered my life to Jesus. Over time I learned, no I came to KNOW, two very important things:

  1. I am highly valued by and important to God Almighty, because He allowed His innocent Son to be slaughtered to redeem me. This means I have great worth.
  2. Whatever I venture in faith in the will of God will succeed, despite any short-term (that means in this life) setbacks.

So the reward with risk is much higher than taking few or no risks. No risks for God really means you don’t take him at His Word.

Nehemiah lived his life this way. He knew the risks were a phantom, that his God had proven Himself faithful. All he needed now were a few more people to come live in Jerusalem, to defend, rejoice, and be honored BY NAME in the one book that really counts. Yes, greater things are yet to come:

We can rejoice in victory given to us in the city, or remain “safe” back on the farm. The true risk is not stepping out in faith.

Chapter 11

Nehemiah 11:1-2  The city rebuilt, it now needed people to live in it. These were volunteers, and those chosen by lot. It was (from a worldly standpoint, not advantageous to move to the city; it would be a target to potential invaders, and those coming from agrarian backgrounds would need to find a new way to make a living.It was considered patriotic to make the decision, some did so.
Nehemiah 11:3-9 Here were the folks from Judah and Benjamin, altogether 1,346 people.. (1,346 people they said together.)
Nehemiah 11:10-19 Now the priests, Levites, the guards, musicians and drummers :). Also the outside workers and gatekeepers. These were, all told 1,648 people involved in the operation of the Temple.
Nehemiah 11:20-36 The Temple servants were the descendants of the indentured Gibeonites, who were made servants, ad woodcutters by Joshua. (Joshua 9:10-21)V23 Artaxerxes had issued a command about 100 years previously to provide financial support from the  provinces behind the Euphrates, and to allow the Temple priests and servants to live tax-free. (Ezra 7:20-24)Other Jews from Benjamin and Judah are listed, was many new Jerusalemites came from them.

Chapter 12

Nehemiah 12:1-21 This is an enumeration of the people who returned with Zerubabbel and Ezra, 100 years earlier.  He was the grandson of King Jehoiachin (Mat 1:12) Jeshua is probably the same one mentioned in Zec 3:1-9 being approved by God for the purpose of restoring the Temple.
Nehemiah 12:22-26 Although the priests were Levites, they were only the descendants of Aaron. The other Levites assisted in the Temple duties, as has been shown. No Wranglers or others were in this group. 😉
Nehemiah 12:27-30 BC 445. The dedication was a time to bring out all the Levites from across the land, probably in a processional ceremony around the walls, and to ask God’s protection and provision for the city He wished rebuilt.
Nehemiah 12:31-47 A procession was led by two separate groups, one the east, the other on the west, and proceeded from south  to mort in parade fashion. They met at the Temple were sacrifices and partying to take place.The same day, men were appointed to manage the collection and distribution of valuables given for the service of the Temple. The entire nation blessed the Temple service, and was blessed by the giving.

Memory Verse – “On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.”
Nehemiah 12:43 

Application – Go ahead and take what others think is a risk for God.  

Bible Studies, Hebrews

Hebrews Chapter 11

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Virtual Actuality – The Faith Hall of Fame
Faith is the opposite of virtual reality. In an electronicVR game, good movie or other setting, the aim is to convince you that something you see is real, when it is not.

Faith does the opposite. Faith tells us that what we cannot see is the reality.

Faith is  not some cosmic force through which we can appropriate a good life, levitate light sabers, or speak cash into our wallets.

Faith is not Napoleon Hill’s affirmation: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and and believe, it can achieve.”

Faith in God, is based on the character of God, and the degree we know that God is as good as His word. It is taking action on the promises of God with boldness and perseverance.

Simply Broken Out  Summary / Thoughts

Heb 11:1-3 The Essence of Faith – In connecting the dots of the Promise, we obtain approval from God. Through faith, all the markers, the hints and subtleties of which we are only given promises, are perceived and known to be reality. Think of an example, student. My own came when it dawned on me as a young Christian, after having pondered over the pre-Flood world described in Genesis, and trying to reconcile the length of life of the patriarchs to months or something else. After reading a tract by ICR  I began to interpret the section as literal. At that realization, it all came into incredible focus and understanding; I could best understand the Bible (except when the genre compelled me otherwise) as a literal account, especially Genesis.  And why not? After all, humanity derailed in the Garden of Eden when Adam & Eve were lured into not taking God’s Word literally. The worlds framed.. is better understood as the ages framed, God arranged these all in advance of the passage of time.
Heb 11:4-7 Faith before the Flood – This first testament is just that, a testament. Faith ripple repercussions throughout our circle of friends,(koinos) and through time, as we see here. Death does deaden the testament of faith. It also serves as a testament to the living, as Noah showed. His ark, built over a period of 120 years, probably far from sea, would be the object of ridicule, yet Noah persisted. Even now, looking back, he is mocked, denied, and belittled, as are we who take God’s word seriously.
Heb 11:8-12 The Faith of Abraham – Abraham takes faith to the next level by his actions. He acts radically, leaving family home and wealth, willing to sacrifice his son all on a promise from God. Reckoning on righteousness is here as well, Gen 15:6. Although he and Sarah faltered along the way (Gen 12:10-ff and Gen 20) God did not take away His promise. It was not contingent on Abraham.
Heb 11:13-16 The Objective of Faith; Heaven – The patriarchs (and our) imitation is of Abraham, for we are called like Abraham to come out of our “country” to a place we know little about save the promises has made in His word. We believe that this place is so much better, and God is thus pleased Heb 11:6
Heb 11:17-22 The Faith of the Patriarchs – Part of the testimony of faith is its heritage throughout a family. A Godly and faithful parent givers the offspring a double advantage in life as a beacon and role model. The opposite is also sadly true.
Heb 11:23-29 The Faith of Moses – And Moses’ call to faith faith was re-enforced by constant meeting face to face. (Exo 34:29-ft) Moses too slipped in obedience, but his faith was resolute, under great pressure from his flock and his enemies.
Heb 11:30-38 Overcoming by Faith – Now here is a great encouragement. Often times we cluck at the foibles (the bad sides of) some these folks, Samson, Barak, for two examples. Yet, here they are in the faith hall of fame. So we should not be discouraged when we stumble; God knows we will, yet it does not impede our standing with God (except, of course when it remains unconfessed) but we keep our faith. This is a tremendous encouragement when the road gets rocky.
Heb 11:39-40 The Unity of Faith – And so, at the end of the age, we too will stand among the greats, having stood the test and endured just as they did, and celebrate that glorious day, and the glorious Savior who made that day possible. DON’T MISS THIS PARTY!

Memory Verse – Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. – Heb  11:6

Application – How will you live out what you have learned?
I am going to remember the human heroes of faith, who although they stumbled, were approved by God for their faith, and be encouraged by God’s approval. 

Bible Studies, Devotion, Hebrews

Hebrews Chapters 8 & 9

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Bible Study Made  Simple
Title – A Better Ministry A Better Covenant
Teaching – God’s Revelation to Man Shows His great Mercy Towards Us in the High Priesthood of His Son
Simply Broken Out  Summary / Thoughts

Heb 7:26-28 A reminder from Ch 7 that our High Priest is superior by His nature, not just office. How is it that Jesus is perfected? Isn’t He already perfect, as the 2nd person of the Trinity? Hint: Heb 2:10
Heb 8:1-6 The idea presented here is that what we see is only a crude physical manifestation of a reality beyond sin-degraded physical/mental/spiritual capacity. The progression begins in the Old Covenant (Old Testament), manifest in the New Testament through the revelation of Christ, and perfected when we enter into glory, where we can then fully appreciate the reality.This does not just apply to the Temple, although it is an excellent example to illustrate this revealing process,  but our spiritual growth (sanctification) works the same way. Another  example is the revelation of God’s character. Jer 31:34 quoted later in this chapter.
Heb 8:7-12 This revelation about His character includes His foreknowledge that the first covenant would fail because it was made with people who fail (sin) and needed rescue. It was never the intention to be able to “earn a ticket to Heaven” based on keeping the Law.Note that this is a covenant given plainly to the Jews. It is a clear OT/NT reference to a promise my by God in the OT and re-iterated here in the NT, also in Romans chapter 9, and by Paul in Romans 11:1-5, 25.At this point, in verse 11, Bible teachers will be out of a job. Your servant will go fishing.
8:13 This may well be an allusion, a hint of things to come, in the destruction of the Bible shortly after the writing of the book. 2 Cor 5:17

 

Heb 9:1-5 Again foreshadowings of the reality which is ChristHeb 8:7, but the substance is Christ Col 2:17Let’s take a stab at meaning and symbolism: Can it be that the Tabernacle now in Heaven, once on earth, is a type of Christ? Consider its elements:
It was on earth with the Jews, it is now in Heaven as is our Lord.
The golden altar of incense signifying how Christ ever lives to make intercession for us
It is covered around gold over wood, the living Christ in the flesh, wrapped in the majesty of gold.
The golden jar of manna is Jesus, the Bread of Life
The budding rod of Aaron is the symbol of Godly authority
The tables of the covenant are the perfection of the Law solely observed by Christ.
Heb 9:6-7 Once again, the writer drives home the point that the covering sacrifices and rituals are no longer necessary; the work was finished on the cross. “Te telesti” John 19:30. The human condition is such that we tend to fall away from relationship to ritual, in our personal relationships (can anyone say Facebook?), and in our worship, (do you sometimes go through the motions during worship or reading the Bible?). God understands this, and calls us out of ritual back to relationship through pursuing and heeding what He has to tell us through His written document.
Heb 9:8-10   This speaks as the Tabernacle was still standing, and previously that the Old Covenant was about to be done away with, signifying perhaps the imminent destruction of the Temple.People try to tear down the goodness of the Law and the Bible mockingly by pointing out obscure parts of it like two different kinds of cloth were not to be interwoven.The Law had three parts, the moral law (for instance, the 10 Commandments  eco 20:1-ft, Lev 19:18), civil law (for instance Lev 25:8-55 ), and ceremonial law (for instance Exo 25:10). This passage testifies that the ceremonial part of that law is about (and now is) done away with.
Heb 9:11-14 So, what ARE the “good things to come?Jesus entered, He offered, He obtained. What are the differences between He and the OT high priest?The annual sacrifices were a reminder to the people that they were sinners, who needed continual sacrifices to cover their sins. When Jesus comes, not only is the sin taken away, but our consciences are cleansed.
Heb 9:15-22 Titles of the Holy Spirit (see below)Testaments is best understood as a will. A will doesn’t take effect until somebody dies.
Heb 9:23-28 The shadows, the copies are the inferior representation of the actual, which is Jesus in Heaven, not high priest in tabernacle.

 

The Tabernacle of Moses

Memory Verse – One verse you have set to memory.“It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” – Heb 9:27

Application – How will you live out what you have learned?
I will look to see where my life has become ritual and turn back to relationship.

Bible Studies, Hebrews

Hebrews Chapter 2

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Title – Two or three summary encapsulations of the chapter
We share a common humanity with Jesus with respect to the angels. His emptied humanity, suffered for us and was tempted, and this brought about salvation. That commonality extends into being able to be a priest for us since He can relate.

Teaching – What does it say? A paragraph breakdown summarized by a single sentence.

The best man for the priest job is One who is like us by choice and willing & able to save.
PassageSummary / Thoughts

Heb  2:2, Acts 7:53
Heb 2:2-3  If the old Law was important to avoid death, then the New Law authenticated by Christ and the miracles showing that authentication (signs, wonders, and gifts)is even more important in the age of grace. John 1:17 1 John 1:1-4
Heb 2:5  The world to come will be ruled by humans, who are now less in rank than the angels, but we don’t have a grasp on the way things will sort out in Christ’s millennial reign on earth.
Heb 2:5-8 quotes Psalms 8:4. The general gist here is that there is order ad ranking amongst humans, angels, and God; this passage seeks to give order to it. This was an echo of the command given in Gen 1:28
Heb 2:9-10 This goes hand in hand with the “emptying out” Jesus did in Phil 2:7-8. He, like we, were demoted below angelic stature for a while, but…
Heb 2:11 Since He (Jesus) is a man, we are then brothers, provided our trust and faith is in Him.
Heb 2:14-18 We have no more fear of death unlike angels, and since like us, can be a priest for us having suffered.

Personal Meaning – How do you interpret the significant passage(s)

My God is not a far off, hands off, unrelating God. He’s been in my shoes

Memory Verse – One verse you have set to memory.
Heb 2:18 – For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. NASB

Application – How will you live out what you have learned?

I’m going to call on Him when I need Him!

Bible Studies, Hebrews

Hebrews Chapter 1

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This is an example of one way to study the Bible. Probably not the best, the only, or anything else, but it does help me get “off the dime” when undergoing serious study. I was shown it at a College Bible study some years ago. Hope you like it.

I intend to post these in this form.

Chapter Summary Bible Study Method
Title  – Two or three summary encapsulations of the chapter

Jesus – God’s best final revelation and His supremacy to angels

Teaching –  What does it say? A paragraph breakdown summarized by a single sentence.

The chapter says thAt Jesus is the best revelation we get on this side of eternity because he not an ordinary angel messenger, but the saving Son of God.
Passage Summary / Thoughts

Hebrews 1:1-4, use Luke 20:9-18 as an illustrate God the Father’s assignment of Jesus as His final, best spokesman.
Heb 1:3  the glory of God is His salvation, in Yeshua, His Son, whose name means God is my salvation.”
Heb 1:4  name: Jesus’ essential person, that is the second person of the Trinity as opposed to the lesser angelic Sons of God (Job 1:6)  or adopted human (Gal 3:26, 4:6)
Heb 1:5-10 quotes Psalms 2:7, and 2 Sam 7:14 among at least 11 other Old Testament quotes. This is strong evidence suggesting the intended audience of the letter was the Jewish Christian
Heb 1:14 Appears to support the idea that we do have “Guardian angels.” 

Personal Meaning –  How do you interpret the significant passage(s)

op. cit. (see above)

Memory Verse –  One verse you have set to memory.

Heb 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. NASB

Application –  How will you live out what you have learned?
Tell others that Jesus is a saving God.