Today, a response is made to “Omgurd34”, a blog writer at www.thoughts.com , who chose to attack my post (10/20/2010) Speaking of GOD. Also, there is more on persecution, and warfare against the early church.
THE BATTLE AXE: The “Miniature War”?—(6.) It was first believed that the crucifixion of Jesus would have the same result as the beheading of John the Baptist: All his disciples would be leaderless, would go into hiding, and would be scattered. The death of one man would destroy all that had been built up as heresy, nonconformance, rebellion, and schism. Before the time of Jesus and John, other movements and “uprisings” had occurred, that were successfully put down by destruction of their charismatic leader. Not so with the work of GOD through Christ. Jesus prophesied that there would be violent opposition and persecution. The early church adopted a number of mechanisms to maintain communication and order. In addition to the roles of disciples, apostles, and prophets, conferences and meetings and church-wide meetings were held to decide controversies. Well defined roles as bishops, deacons and evangelist appeared, who all began to apply substance to the skeletal structure that had been supplied. As the satellite locations and territories in communication with Jerusalem increased, the process of spreading the Gospel would be detailed, refined, and further standardized.
(7.) Where Peter, James, Paul, or Silas became recognized as leaders after the example and pattern of Jesus, persecution by the Jews and Romans focused upon destroying the church by removing these key figures. There were multiple imprisonments, public beatings, and, finally, executions. There were even conspiracies by the Jews against the Roman government in order to eliminate the Apostle Paul.
(8.) In addition to repelling life and death situations imposed by outside enemies and persecution, the church also has had to endure forms of spiritual warfare appearing as betrayal, false members, and heretics in order to maintain the integrity of its doctrines and teachings. The goal to establish openness and religious liberty often has had to be seen as secondary to the works for maintaining continuity and survival. As in the time of David, who fled to the caves of Adullam, the church even has been known to “go underground” to escape the carnal and physical threats. See Acts 5: 34-42, Acts 12: 1-3, 1st Corinthians 11: 19, 1st Corinthians 12: 27-28, 2nd Corinthians 11: 23-31, Acts 23: 12-14 and 2nd Timothy 3: 12, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1st Peter 2: 1-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Faith Given By GOD (03/13/2014); Miracles Are From GOD (03/14/2014); Is Science the Right Tool? (12/04/2013); To Grieve the Spirit? (12/05/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013); A Second Adam? (03/25/2013); The Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012)
“Omgurd34d”, many Christian believers are willing to nourish you, and build you up. There is a rational process (i.e., a logical pattern and series of planned events) now in place for gaining direct access to divinity, and correct knowledge regarding the things of GOD that have been revealed to mankind. Humans must engage the Almighty through one another. Right relationship to GOD begins as interaction among created beings and living creatures who are made in the image of GOD. In that sense, it is like ones journey to a World Series: Victory must begin at the onset with spring-training, scrimmages, and pre-season games, before season opener, and the umpire’s yell, PLAY BALL! Winning it all is not impossible, however, it requires that everyone makes their best possible effort to maintain a championship level throughout.
Every alcoholic father and husband will say that he has a right to enter his own home, vomit in the living room, the kitchen, the foyer, the den; on the children, on the dog, on the wife, and then insist, he does not have a drinking problem—especially where he did it only one time! Such guys feel they are granted this same right in the homes of close friends, co-workers, parents, and siblings—everybody who would protect them while they are out of their skulls. More than this, many dare to think they will have the same “human rights and privileges” to spew out filth in heaven, and before the high throne of divine majesty, because “GOD is love.”
Those who have not been permanently changed through baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having divine DNA, so to speak), are outside of Christ. There are human aspects of baptism (attending church, making a conscious choice, cooperating with clergy, etc.); however, there are unseen, divine aspects of that sacred event, that may be completed only by GOD. Those not yet reborn will never understand either the human, or divine truths of new life. Thus, a starting point to access is acceptance: there are things that come only through operations of spirit matter that must reside within the living.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, a person is free to dismiss everything spoken to them, quoted from the Scriptures, or shared as the conviction and personal testimony of caring believers. No one is to “swallow” everything they hear, hook, line, and sinker. We are to test the quality and substance of each presentation that may be made. However, by choosing to reject divine offerings shared by others, believers also may lose their privilege to claim innocence, integrity, or respect for the Spirit from GOD that was present through the ministry from others. Consider this: No one attacks a baby for soiling itself, and its caretaker. You cleanse the child, and encourage its growth—even when its someone else’s baby. At first. By age five, the child should be toilet trained, and, when it is not, we regard the little one as a “special needs” child, who may require institutional placement with professional attention and skills beyond that of their parents. Certainly, at age twenty, twenty-five, few mothers have the necessary physical strength, and emotional, psychological and spiritual balance to continue to manage such a child, despite their being firmly rooted in love. Can you understand, then, why believers feel forced to turn away from those expressing lack of self-control, and count it “case closed,” game over? A coach, a player, a team will face many losses, batting slumps, and shutouts before arriving to the playoffs. Everyone knows, however, extra batting practice is not enough; the only way out of a slump is to keep going to bat, and to keep swinging at the pitches they throw you. There are always possibilities until you leave the field, and quit.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to the measure of divine faith that resides in you.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1st Peter 5: 5-6, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment