Surveys and Summaries – The Way of Christ Ministries

Titus: An Introduction and Summary

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The letter from Paul to Titus is considered as part of a group of writings known as the Pastoral Epistles. These Pastoral Epistles include 1^st and 2^nd Timothy, and Titus. These letters are grouped in this manner because they all deal with information surrounding pastors, pastoral and elder duties, and the organization of church authority, mission, and conduct of its members.

Titus was a Greek follower of Jesus. Likely a direct convert of Paul who calls him a son in the faith. The Epistle to Titus was written by Paul sometime between his two imprisonments by Rome. Paul had visited Crete and left Titus there to supervise the churched there and then went to southern Greece, to Nicopolis in Achaia, where he wrote this letter (3:12). This letter is written between the writings of 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy.

Titus was a traveling companion and confidant of Paul and Barnabas, from early in his ministry. It appears he may have even accompanied them to the Jerusalem council which concerned themselves on whether the gentile converts should need to be circumcised. As a result of that counsel, he was never forced to be circumcised. (Galatians 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 15:1-11) Titus is mentioned in several places in the New Testament writings as a man of honor and as a great encouragement to Paul. Paul was even discouraged one time when he went to Troas to preach because he was expecting to find Titus there but did not. (2 Corinthians 2:12-13). He was Paul’s delegate to the church at Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:6-7; 8:6,16). Paul had sent for Titus to join him in Nicopolis in this letter (3:12). From there Paul sent Titus to Dalmatian (former Yugoslavia, modern day Serbia and Montenegro). Tradition says that Titus returned from there to Crete where he died in the ancient town of Gortyna.

This letter from Paul to Titus was very personal and heart felt. This is one of the last letters that Paul would write. Tradition tells us that the last letters Paul wrote were to Timothy and Titus. Paul considered both his sons in the faith (1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4). You can see the importance that Paul has in ensuring that Titus will continue diligently the discharge of his duties, as quickly as possible. There is a passing of the guard, so to speak as Paul commissions his young apprentice to pick up the mantle of leadership in the region. Paul presents his confidence in the message he has received and passed to Titus, and shows the importance of passing on the message, through the preaching of the Word. (1:1-3). Paul passes on his advice to Titus on setting things in order (1:5), the ordination of elders in every city (1:5), the teaching of sound doctrine (2:1), the importance of avoiding foolish discussion on the importance of tradition and genealogy (3:9) because those that rely on them are condemned already (3:10). Christians are not bound by such things and should live free of such constructs whether Jewish or Pagan.

Paul speaks of the Elders in the Church, their desirability, and their qualifications (4:5-9). He also discusses some issues with false teachers that must be immediately dealt with in the church (1:10-16). Then he moves to discuss the operation of the Church to include duties of the ministers, living in response to God’s grace, and what good works are.

The churches need to have Elders to govern them and to keep them in order. So that the churches can be exemplary and are not defective. Create is lacking in godly leaders and they need effective leadership immediately (1:5). This leadership should meet certain qualifications that include:

They should be blameless;
Be married to one wife. They should be a one-woman man. This reasoning means that elders should be men;
Their family should be examples of the one Faith;
Be Self-disciplined
Not a drunkard
Not abusive
Hospitable
Be faithful to the Word of God in Jesus Christ
Love what is good, holy, just.
Able to, by knowledge of the scriptures, confront false doctrine and gainsayers.

These ministers should teach things that are conducive to good moral behaviors in accordance with sound doctrines of the church. Their teachings cause behavior to be in harmony with their belief in Jesus Christ. Elders should set patterns of goodliness by being restrained and not given to wine. The older ladies should also set example to the younger and cease from slander and gossiping. A Christian should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts in their lives. Instead The believer should seek the blessings of the hope we have in God and our savior Jesus Christ (2:11-14).

Since we have been delivered from such sinfulness, we should speak evil of no man. We must remember also that since Jesus is the Lord of all, and has appointed governments over men, as he has elders over the church, that we must be respectful of the government. We must always remember that we were not saved by works, but by the mercy if God in Jesus Christ, and evidenced in the washing of regeneration and renewing o the Holy Ghost (3:4-6). Knowing these things we should avoid foolish questions, genealogies, and contentions about the law of Moses because they do not contribute to sound doctrine concerning faith.

To be from Crete was to be synonymous with being a liar. It is even said that they were cursed by the gods of Greece to never tell the truth. Crete is also fabled to be the place where Zeus grew up, and they took pride in their cleverness and crafty or should I say, shiftiness, because Zeus had been that way. This is likely the reason Paul makes it a point to say that God cannot lie, unlike Zeus who is legendary to the people of Crete. for his lies. There piracy was renowned and was the cause of two wars in 71 and 69-67 BC. They had a reputation for lies, cheating, and sexual immorality. This island was in the heart of major trade routes and had multiple harbor that were used by many visiting lands. The churches here were small house churches that were heavily influenced by the culture around them. It is no wonder that Paul sent one of his most trusted companions to set things in order, and to change the mentality of the local churches. Titus’ task was to appoint up new leadership that would help the church to live alongside, but not become a part of the culture surrounding it.

The overall message is this; If the message of the gospel is to prove itself in a society, then it has to be different then the society surrounding it. God is not like other gods, and Christians should not be like those who serve other gods. They should honor God with their public and private lives and with how they treat one another, dress, attitudes, and their manner of speech. Christians values should look different because they serve a different God. For this to happen, the Pastors, and Elders needed to have a righteous backbone, and teach solid doctrine.

In the KJV there are:

3 Chapters
46 Verses
896 Words

The Amazing Story of Deborah

The story of Deborah is relayed to us in the book of Judges in chapters 4 and 5. Deborah is from the tribe of Ephraim. She lived between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim. She was married to a man named Lapidoth. Nothing else is mentioned of him. The uniqueness of Deborah is that she was the only female judge mentioned in the scriptures. She was known for her wisdom and prophetic prowess. Judges 4:5 says, “The children of Israel came up to her for judgement.”. She is referred to as “the Mother of Israel”, and is also known for song writing. She is the only prophet besides Samuel who was also a judge. She was also a prophet who was a strong decisive leader, which makes her analogous with Moses and Joshua. This is all in a time when women did not generally hold high positions in society.

As a leader Deborah was courageous. She served with wisdom and knowledge. She trusted God and supported the people that God appointed as leaders. She did not seek to usurp the authority of the leadership already established by God. Unlike another female leader in Israel named Athaliah who murdered her own grandsons in order to seal the crown. The scripture reads, “And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.” (2 Kings 11:1-3) Instead, she encouraged them to do what was right before God. In this, she was direct, unwavering in duty, and still humble enough to let others have the glory. The Song of Deborah testifies to this giving of encouragement to the people and the praise of deliverance to God. She uses terms like:

When the princes in Israel take the lead…praise the LORD! (5:2)
My heart is with Israel’s princess…praise the LORD! (5:9)
Take captive your captives (5:12) – I find this phrase particularly fascinating. Paul uses it in Ephesians 4:8 in describing salvation provided by Jesus and the importance of his ascent to heaven as in Jesus’ ascension he “let captivity captive and gave gifts unto men”. And Psalm 68:18 reports, “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”

During the time of her calling the Israelites had wandered from God and did evil in his sight. So God used the Canaanites to bring them under judgement. They were brought under the oppression of King Jabin and his strong men. They had a strong army that included 900 iron chariots and they oppressed Israel for 20 years. The men of Israel had lost their courage. Jerusalem was crushed into the dust by their tormentors. Their vineyards were destroyed, their women violated, their children starving and made into orphans. They had no mighty men of valor. Out of this God called a devout woman to be his voice. Where no man had hope in God, God spoke to Deborah. Deborah put her trust in the LORD.

One day she summoned a commander of the children of Israel to her home where she delivered a message from God. In Judges 4:7 Deborah tells Barak that God wants him to take an army to face Jabin’s army at the river Kison where Elijah slew the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:40. She tells him that God will deliver his enemies into his hand, but the leader will be slain by a woman. In this way Barak will be spared from his own pride. But Barak was afraid to go into battle with out Deborah. So she went and at the time appointed of the LORD, she gave the command to Barak to do battle with the Canaanites. Later we find in the song of Deborah is says that “the river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river the river Kishon.”. We also find that Sisera the commander is slain by a woman named Jael. So the story and Song of Deborah ends with this reassurance. “So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.” (5:31).

The Story of Samson

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The ministry of God’s Judgement through Samson (1085-1065 B.C.) is found in the seventh book of the Old Testament. It is in chapters 13-16 of the book of Judges where we find the story of the last judge of Israel mentioned. The story of Samson is also the longest narrative of a judge in this epic volume. It takes place in a time where God had delivered Israel into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years prior to his appointment of Samson to “begin to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines” (Judges 13.5). The completion of the Deliverance would not be until the reign of King David (2 Samuel 5:17-22). It is like the beginning of our deliverance from death in Jesus Christ. Jesus began his redemptive work on the cross, but it will not be completed until the final chapters of Revelation when the wrath of God has been poured out, Israel is delivered and after the final judgement, where death and the hell are cast into the Lake of Fire.

This is an interesting position in history to consider for a moment because Samson is from the Israeli tribe of Dan. When God originally led Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land, God told them to go and conquer the people of the land and take possession. The tribe of Dan failed to do this in the lands that they were given. In fact, the land that they were originally given was in possession of the Philistines. If they would have been in obedience to God, then the oppression and long wars with the Philistines would have been avoided. (Tribe of Dan Facts, History & Descendants | What Happened to the Tribe of Dan?, n.d.)

Samson is the 14^th in a long line of Judges covered in the book so named. In the 13^th chapter we see that the birth of Samson was announced to his parents, prior to his being conceived, and that Samson was set aside by the Lord for a specific purpose. The purpose was to be a deliverer for Israel. Because of this, his mother was not to pollute her body with “wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing” (Judges 13:4). This would show the importance of how an expectant mother should be careful of what she exposes her yet born baby to while she is pregnant. Anyway, Samson himself was to be a Nazarite his whole life. The Law of the Nazarite is a very serious and particularly holy law of separation of oneself to the Lord. It is detailed in the book of Numbers 6:1-21 and involves special sacrifices and ceremonies. In addition, it has a strict code of sanctification that involves abstaining from drinking anything made from the vine, cutting of the hair, and not touching anything that is dead. You cannot even be in the presence of a dead body, even it by accident. As we read the story of Samson, we see that he violated every condition of the Nazarite vow. We see that even though you have strength, it is nothing without fellowship with God, and that God resist the prideful.

While Samson was set to be the example of a righteous deliverer, he failed to live up to the expectations. Samson breaks vows, marries outside of his people, visits harlots, drinks to drunkenness, engages in vengeance, and is prideful, arrogant, and self-centered. Yet we also see that God’s will is not thwarted concerning his mission for Samson. The story of Samson in the bible jumps from his birth to his adulthood. We find then that he is asking his father to arrange his wedding to a Philistine woman. Despite the objections of his parents, he persists until his father makes the arrangements. On the way to the wedding Samson is found to be in a vineyard. There Samson is attacked by a lion and he kills the lion with his bear hands (Judges 14:5-6). Later as Samson is in route to claim his bride, he sees the carcass of the lion and in it is a honeycomb that bees have built. Samson takes some of the honey and tastes that it is sweet and then brings some to his mother and father. Samson does not tell them about the lion, nor about where he got this honey. Remember the conditions of the Nazarite, he cannot be in the presence of the dead, much less touch a dead animal, especially eat from the cavity of one. Samson has made himself unclean, and worse he has made his mother and father unclean without telling them. See how fast our secret sins can affect those we love?

Samson it seems has desired this wedding to have an opportunity to come up against the Philistines. Now for those who are unaware this is the third mention of Samson being around wine. First was in the vineyard with the lion, then he passed back through the vineyard, and now at the wedding feast. Now it does not say that he was doing any drinking, however he at the least is demonstrating a dangerous pattern of exposing himself to the availability to drink. This pattern would continue and eventual assist in the painful downfall of Sampson. The availability and expectancy to drink is especially assumed at the wedding feast. These were weeklong feasts where alcohol was consumed liberally. Remember how Jacob was deceived into consummating a wedding to the wrong girl because he drank to much at his wedding feast (Genesis 29). It would seem likely that Samson would have drunk wine at such a festive occasion so far from home. Especially because Samson sought an occasion to start an incident with the Philistines.

However, instead of consulting God, Samson has come up with his own plan on how to start a fight with the Philistines through this marriage. In the process of marrying this Philistine woman, Samson has disregarded the wishes of his father. Still, he has decided to make a wager with the guests at this wedding party to solve a riddle that they would not be able to solve. He has decided to use this event with the lion and the honey as the answer to the riddle. “out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness” (Judges 14:14). He knew that they could not possibly know the answer to the riddle, as the lion. He also knew that they would not be willing to pay the debt of the bet. Then when they refused to pay up to their end of the bet, he would have cause against them.

But the Philistines have told his bride to find the secret to the riddle or they will burn down her father’s house with them in it. Instead of confiding in Samson, she tricks him into the answer to the riddle and tells the Philistines. They tell Samson the answer and then Samson must live up to his end of the bet. His end was to deliver 30 sheets and 30 changes of garments (Judges 14:12). Samson was angered at the double-cross. Once again Samson does not consult God. To live up to his debt, Samson goes to another Philistine camp and murders them and takes their belongings and give it to his wedding party and then leaves without taking his bride. Later Samson cools of and returns to collect his bride, but the father has given her to another man.

Samson again, fails to consult God. Instead, Samson, in anger, traps 300 foxes and ties firebrands to their tails and sets them free upon the Philistines fields. The foxes burn up their fields, vineyards, and olive groves (Judges 15:4-5). This infuriates the Philistines. The philistines then burn to death Samson’s bride, and her father. Samson avenges himself against the Philistines, without consulting God, by murdering them (Judges 15:7-8). This leads to the Philistines coming against the Israelites and demanding that they turn over Samson or deal with the consequences. After some convincing from his brethren, Samson nobly agrees to be bound and handed over to the Philistines in order to protect his people.

Once in the Philistine encampment the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Samson, and he breaks his bonds and picks up the jawbone of an ass and slain a thousand Philistines (Judges 15:14-19). This was a good turning point for Samson. He has waited upon the Lord and the Lord delivered him out of the hands of his enemies. Samson judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years (Judges 15:20). But this is not the end of the story on Samson.

Samson falls for another woman who would be his undoing. The scripture does not say if she is a Philistine, but she is clearly in cohorts with them. She is offered a large sum of money by the Philistines to gather the secret behind his strength and to report it to them, so they can take him. Samson’s playing with her is very similar to us when we play with sin. Samson was with a woman who he should not have been with and played with her on the things that God had given him and what God had forbidden. That is his exceptional strength was dependent on his obedience to God with his Nazarite vow. As we have seen Samson violated the first part his commitment (Judges 14:8-9,19; 15:8,15), likely ignored the second, and now he would end up betraying himself into the violation of the final responsibility (16:13-17). Samson would toy with this gift of God and it would cost him his freedom, and his health, and his relationship with God. Scripture tells us the Samson “knew not that the LORD had departed from him.” (Judges 16:20). Samson had crossed the line in his sin and God abandoned him to his sin. (1 Samuel 15:23; 16:14; Romans 1:26; Hebrews 10:26). The result of Samsons life of sin had slowly led him into more and more bondage, until he had become a slave to those who he was sent to conquer. He had been deceived, weakened, bound, and blinded by his sin both physically and spiritually. How many Christians today live in poor health, weekend, and blinded physically and spiritually by their disobedience and lack of sanctification?

Still Samson is seen as an example of faith in the book of Hebrews (Hebrews 11:32). So then, Samson was redeemed despite his life of prideful disregard for the will of God and the Vow and Calling he had received. Samson in seeing the error of his ways and the life he waisted had repented and turned to God in faith. Samson prayed to God for the will of God to be done in him, even though he knew it would cost him his life. Here is yet another parallel we can see in our savior who prayed in the garden for the will of the Father to be done, even though he knew that he would have to die to complete it. God granted Samson his strength one last time and Samson destroyed the Philistine’s temple to Dagon and killed thousands of Philistines in sacrificing himself for Israel. Samson died a hero, but more importantly he died in faithful obedience to God.

We learn many things from Samson. We see that sanctification protects us from our own evil desires. We can see that toying with sin leads to sickness, blindness, away from fellowship with God, and eventually death. Sin always leads to death in the end. Here is what James writes to us, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:15). If we would only listen to the words of wisdom in the epistle of James, and the example of Samson.

We also see that God will leave us to our sin if we continuously reject him. (Isaiah 59:12) We see that God expects us to honor our vows before him. We also see that God gives us strengths and abilities that should be used to glorify him, but often we use them to glorify ourselves. We see that having a great gift from God does not make us godly. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” It does not matter what our gift is, if we abuse it in self glorification then we have waisted the gift God gave us. Like Samson, his great gift of strength meant nothing until he matched it with obedience in faith in God. God was the deliverer of Israel; Samson was the servant of God in the end.

This gives us hope in Christ. We who have accepted Christ and yet have squandered the gift of life that he has given us and disobeyed his commandments to be sanctified, sin no more. Perform our duties of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ; We who have failed to teach and Baptist in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There is this, “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). His purposes will be fulfilled, and we can partake if we just humble ourselves and submit to his will.

Survey of the Epistle of James

Survey of James

James is often referred to as the guide to practical Christian living. That is to say that it gives us a picture of how we should put in effect the things we have seen, and heard concerning Jesus Christ. James answers the questions concerning how a Christian should live out Grace in relation to the Law. James is one of the letters known as the General Epistles. The General Epistles are sometimes referred to as “Universal” or “Catholic” letters because they are not addressed to a specific church location. These letters include 1^st and 2^nd Peter, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd John, the letter from Jude (the half-brother of Jesus), and of course James.

Authorship

The author of this epistle identifies himself as James (1:1) and only claims to be “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. There are several men named James in the New Testament writings. We have a need to examine the information available, in these documents, concerning these men to determine the authorship of this jewel of church doctrine we refer to as the Epistle of James.

James: the son of Zebedee and Salome; who is the elder brother of the apostle John. This James was one of the twelve selected by Jesus to be his closest disciples and his apostles. He was a fisherman by trade and it appears that he was a partner with the apostle Peter (Matthew 20:20; 27:56). This James, along with John and Peter were a part of the inner circle of the apostles and was privy to events that most of the disciple would not have seen. He was allowed to see: the transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2); the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37-43); and he was present with Jesus at the prayer and encouragement of Jesus in the garden of gethsemane (Mark 14:33-35). He was called to be an apostle (Matthew 4:21-22; 10:2; Mark 1:19-20; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13) by Jesus Christ. This James and his younger brother John was also referred to as a son of thunder because if their unbridled passion for Jesus (Mark 3:17). As an apostle he would have been witness to many great things that Jesus had done in his ministry and of the resurrection. However, despite all of the great reasoning that this James might have been the author, there is one thing that excludes the possibility. The Apostle James was the first Apostle to be martyred in 44 A.D by King Herod (Acts 12:1-2). This letter is believed to have been written between 45-50 A.D. In addition, the council of Jerusalem concerning the argument of the circumcision of the Gentiles did not occur until Acts chapter 15. So the James mentioned in that passage was not the Apostle James.

There were a couple of other mentions of different men named James in the New Testament. These men were only mentioned once and then were lost to obscurity. It is unlikely that these were the one who wrote such powerful theological addresses as are found in this letter. No, there is one more James that was there from the beginning, but who was not an apostle. This James would have had all the knowledge of Jesus’ whole life, death, and resurrection. He would have been a Jew, and held the respect of the Apostles and the Jews. This was James the brother of Jesus (half-brother).

James the half-brother of Jesus, although he was present from before the start of Jesus’ public ministry, was not a believer in Jesus as the Son of God until after he was a witness of the resurrected Christ. In seeing the death of Jesus and then seeing him alive, James became a devout follower of Jesus. He was the head of the Jerusalem council and was a respected pillar of the church and of the Jewish community. He would have had the knowledge and understanding in seeing the whole earthly life of Jesus, listening to his teachings, and witnessing the miracles, and the resurrection. This put him in a unique position to be a teacher and evangelist to the Jews concerning the Hebrew scriptures and how Jesus fulfilled the Law and the prophets. Even his initial criticisms of Jesus would have been a great witness to the hard-hearted Israelite of the love of God towards them that was revealed in Jesus Christ the Son of God.

Historical Settings

At the time of this writing the church was still distinctively Jewish in nature because most of it’s members came from Jewish backgrounds and traditions. The letter suggests a simpler form of hierarchy in the local church. The church leaders are referred to as elders (5:14) and teachers (3:1). There is no mention of the soon to develop strife over Gentile circumcision. The Greek term for synagogue is used to designate the gathering place of the church. Many believe that this letter and the letter to the Galatians are the earliest recovered letters in the New Testament.

The Jews in Jerusalem were scorned and driven out by persecutions, not from Rome, but from their own kinsman. Many Jewish believers in Christ would have lost their social status, homes, family ties, access to the temple and suffered economic loss and hardships that come with the inability to make a living because of their persecution. Many left Jerusalem in order to make a living elsewhere and to escape the persecution.

Major Themes

The letter is written to these Jews who had scattered abroad (1:1). They were under severe persecutions and distress. James writes to encourage them. He tells them that the trials in which the find themselves in are expected and that they are for their betterment. James tells them that these trials are being used to mature their faith. They bring patients in the waiting of the fulfilment of their hope. He encourages them to seek wisdom from God and that God has not abandoned them. This is important because they had been ostracized from the religion of their youth and they needed to know that they had not erred. He shows them in this letter that they have not abandoned God either, instead they have grown closer to God then they could ever imagine. He also instructs them on how to live in the freedom that God has given them in Jesus Christ and how they should treat one another in order to be pleasing servants of God and his Messiah.

Key Verse: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22)

Doctrine

James deals with a lot of controversial doctrines. Even Martin Luther argued as to whether the Epistle of James should be in the Canon of the Bible because of the doctrinal approach that James appears to take. It is important when we read through the scriptures that we understand that not all scripture is written to everyone. That is we must pay attention to who the author is addressing his letter to and see what issues they are dealing with. As in this case James is writing to Jews who have believed on Jesus Christ and are still in the process of dealing with this new way of life. They came from a rigid system of rituals and prayers that had added to what God actually said and excessively burdened the seeker of God. Remember Christianity was not a religion, the religion was still Judaism. In this James unpacks the differences between the works oriented Jewish religion to the works resultant way of Christ. Many Christians these days would do good to study this book and see how we are to live in obedience, now that we have been freely saved by God in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

The Doctrines that James deals with are a living in Christ once you have believed and received this forgiveness, not an earning of salvation through works. James starts with the doctrine of persecution and it expectancy and the resultant spiritual growth. Then he moves into how to live a sanctified life. This includes patience, slow to wrath, not rushing to judgement. James presents the doctrine of humility by not judging other believers by appearance, money, reputation, or prestige. The secret to this is that we are all servants who serve the same master. Then James begins a discussion of the doctrine of Works by Faith. Many confuse this portion to think that James is saying that to have faith you must do these things. James is not saying that at all, he says that faith has certain works that accompany it as a byproduct. Without works in faith, you do not possess faith. Because if you believed then you would act a certain way and be obedient to the will of the LORD.

Then he discusses by example the use of the tongue, the truth of pride and wisdom. James then tells them that if they were walking in the spirit (faith) then they would not have quarrels amongst the brethren. So, peace and love in the church is a result of waking by faith. James’s doctrine for walking in faith is to (1) Submit to God, (2) Resist the devil, (3) Draw close to God and let God draw close to you, (4) Be sincere in your repentance, and (5) Put away pride. James also sets the doctrine of laying on of hands. James urges his readers in the same manner that the author of Hebrews does, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” (Hebrews 6:1-2)

Outline

Greetings and Encouragement 1:1
Trials 1:2-18
1. Purpose of Trials 1:2-12
2. Pedigree of Trials 1:13-15
3. Purpose of God in Trials 1:16-18
The Word 1:19-27
Christian Conduct 2-5
1. Partiality 2:1-13
2. Actions of Faith 2:14-26
3. The Fire in Tongue 3:1-12
4. Real Wisdom 3:13-18
5. Worldliness 4:1-17
6. Proper Views 5:1-12
7. Prayer 5:13-18
8. Conversion of the Erring 5:19-20

Survey of Galatians

Survey of Galatians

The epistle of Galatia is believed to be written in either 49 or 55 8.D.and addresses issues in the church the dealt with issues of salvation by faith alone and Christian ethics. Paul addresses the question of how: can a man, who is sinful by nature, come to a God, who is holy by nature. His answer is this: there is only one way – to accept the salvation of God’s grace that is made available through Christ death and resurrection. Salvation cannot be obtained through obedience to the law of Moses. Man, by his very nature is too weak and too self-serving to be able to accomplish self–salvation and self-centered occasion. Certain Jewish Christians referred to as Judaizers, or teaching that works are necessary, and that Paul’s gospel was not true gospel and that Paul was not a genuine apostle. Paul answer was to clarify his doctrine of justification by faith plus nothing, and of the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, not the law of Moses he reasserted his apostolic authority received from Christ Jesus who appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Paul’s theology of salvation by faith effectively negates any other form of salvation that includes human effort through works, adherence to the law of Moses, or self-justification.

Authorship

Galatians is authored by Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul starts this letter of by proclaiming who he is, and by what authority he is writing in. (Galatians 1:1). It is believed that the letter to the Galatians may have been one of the earliest writings of the New Testament.

Historical Settings

The term Galatia was used in both the geographical and political sense. The former referred to the North – Central Asia minor, North of the cities of Pisidian Antioch (Atcs 13:14), Iconium (Acts 13:51), Lystra (Acts 14:8), and Derbe (Acts 14:19-21); the latter referred to the Roman Providence (organized in 25B.C.) that included the southern district of those cities just mentioned. If the letter was written to Christians and North Galatia, the churches were founded on the second missionary journey and the epistle was written on the third missionary journey, either early from Ephesus (about a. D. 53) or later (about 55) from Macedonia. In favor of this is the fact that Luke seems to use Galatia only to describe North Galatia (acts 16:6; 18:23 and parent.

If the letter was written to Christians in South Galatia, the charges were founded on the first missionary journey, and the letter was written at the end of the journey (probably from Antioch, about a. D. 49, making it the earliest of Paul’s epistles) and the Jerusalem counsel (acts 15) convene shortly afterward. In favor of this dating is the fact that Paul does not mention the decision of the Jerusalem counsel that more directly on his Galatians argument concerning the Judaizers, indicating that the Council had not yet taken place.

Key Verse

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. – Galatians 1:8

Major Themes

The major themes discussed in his epistle, justification by faith and its defense, explanation, and application of the items discussed include Paul’s three years in Arabia (1:17), his correcting of Peter (2:11), the law is a teacher (3:24), and the fruit of the spirit (5:22 – 23).

Doctrine

Justification By Faith Alone

Blessings received by faith in Christ
Must be untied to Jesus by faith

Blessings cannot be “earned”
To abandon faith is to lose

Outline

Greetings and Introduction 1:1-10
1. Paul’s Confidence in the Gospel 1:1-5
2. Paul’s Confusion and Rebuke 1:6-10
Paul’s Defense of Justification by Faith
1. His Authority 1:11-2:21
  1. Premise of Revelation 1:11-24
  2. Premise of Jerusalem Church 2:1-10
  3. Premise of Authority to Rebuke Peter 2:11-21
Paul’s Explanation of Justification by Faith 3:1-4:31
1. The Believer’s Own Experience 3:1-5
2. The Children of Abraham 3:6-9
3. The Legal Requirement Satisfied 3:10-4:11
4. Personal Testimony of their Teacher 4:12-20
5. An Allegorical Argument 4:21-31
How Then to Apply to Life 5:1-6:10
1. How does Justification by Faith relate to our Liberty in Christ? 5:1-12
2. How does Justification by Faith relate to Love? 5:13-15
3. How does Justification by Faith relate to the Flesh and the Spirit? 5:16-26
4. What the Sins of a Brother? 6:1-5
5. What about Giving? 6:6-10
Instructions and Exhortations 6:11-18

References

Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. The Ryrie Study Bible: King James Version. Chicago: Moody, 2008. Print.

Survey of Amos

Survey of Amos

Amos’ bold proclamation is set early in the book. “And he said, The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall morn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.” (Amos 1.2) The book of Amos contains three major sections. The first section begins with oracles against the nations (chaps. 1-2), then by judgements against Israel (chaps. 3-6), and finally with five prophetic visions (chaps. 7-9). Amos is concerned with social injustice and the treatment of the poor. This is a concern also viewed by the early Christians in 1 Corinthians 11:22; James 1:27; 5:1-6) God has a genuine concern for the poor as discussed in James 2:5. The fierceness of the Word of the Lord should have caused a great repentance in the land. However, the words that Amos brought to the kingdom of Israel only infuriated the rebellious inhabitants of the land, and Amos was required to return home.

Authorship

Amos 1.1 tells us that Amos from Tekoa is the author of this book. While he is identified as a shepherd or a herdsman, and a caretaker of Fig trees, the general impression of most theologians is that Amos would have been in the middle to upper-class of society. Tekoa was approximately five to ten miles south of Bethlehem. This is located in the southern kingdom, so he was called to basically be a foreign missionary, as his mission was located in the norther kingdom in the area of Beth-el. He was not a professional profit and he declared this to Amaziah in chapter 7.4. Instead it appears he was called by God for a specific prophesy and then retired to write his book.

Historical Settings

During the time of Amos, Judah was under the direction of King Uzziah (791-740).
Even though Judah was prosperous during this time King Uzziah was under the influence of King Jeroboam II, of Israel (793-753). Israel in outward appearances was at the highpoint of power, however inwardly it was full of idolatry and corruption. Idolatry and sexual immorality had taken root in Israel and Judah was in apostasy. “And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed above all that their fathers had don, For they also built them high laces, and images and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.” (2 Kings 14:22-24)
Social evils characterized the times (2.6-8; 3.10; 4.1; 5.10-12; 8.4-6).

Key Verse

But let judgement run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream – Amos 5:24

Major Themes

There are four major themes in the book of Amos. Amos attacked social evils, idolatry and false worship within the kingdom. Amos issued urgent pleas for repentance in order to escape the judgement of God. “That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him I will also visit the altars of Beth-el: and the horns of the altar shall be cut off, and fall to the ground.” (Amos 3.14) The themes are:

Everyone answers to God

Cruelty (1.6-8,11,13)
Sexual Immorality

Complacency (2.4,7-12)
Oppressing the poor (2.6)

Selling the poor into slavery
Exploiting the poor
Unlawful Usury

Superficial Religion (5.18-27)

Idolatry

The end result of the book is a stern warning that no one escapes the judgement of the Most High. “Hear ye this word which I take up against you, even a lamentation, O house of Israel.” (Amos 5.1). “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nation, to whom the house of Israel came!” (Amos 61) Israel’s or no one’s status, for that matter, is no reason to take advantage of the blessings of the Lord. God’s moral character must be satisfied. Amos’ message is largely a “cry for justice”.

The ending of the book is a promise that when the Lord has finished his chastisement of Israel, He will again restore her and keep her forever. “In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:” (Amos 9.11)… “And I will pant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.” (Amos 9.15)

Outline of Amos

Identity of Author and Theme of the Book 1:1-2
The Prophecies 1:3-2:16
1. Damascus 1:3-5
2. Philistia 1:6-8
3. Tyre 1:9-10
4. Edom 1:11-12
5. Ammon 1:13-15
6. Moab 2:1-3
7. Judah 2:4-5
8. Israel 2:6-16
The Sermons 3:1-6:14
1. Doom of Israel 3:1-15
2. Depravity of Israel 4:1-13
3. A Dirge over Israel 5:1-6:14
4. Destruction in Judgement 5:1-17
5. Rebuke of the Religious 5:18-27
6. Reprimand of a nation 6:1-14
The Visions 7:1-9:15
1. Vision of Devouring Locusts 7:1-3
2. Vision of Fire 7:4-6
3. Vision of a Plumbline 7:7-9
4. Historic Interlude 7:10-17
5. Vision of a Basket of Summer Fruit 8:1-14
6. Vision of Future Blessings 9:11-15

References

King James Easy-reading Study Bible. Goodyear, AZ, 2002. Print.

Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. The Ryrie Study Bible: King James Version. Chicago: Moody, 2008. Print.

Longman, Tremper. “The Book of Amos.” Introducing the Old Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. N. pag. Print.

Survey of Jude

Survey of Jude

Jude is especially important to the modern Christian as it pertains to the dangers that we face as the end times draw near. Jude expressed a severe opposition of the Roman Church’s idea of Docetism. Docetism is a heretical doctrine that denies the real humanity of Christ. Of importance is the urgency of Jude in proclaiming that the original doctrines of the Apostles are being perverted by false teachers that have already infiltrated the church. Jude further warns that the great apostasy prophesied, for a sign of the end of times, has already begun. Jude warns us that we must contend for our faith!

Key Verse

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3 (KJV)

Authorship

The letter itself designates the author as “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,” (v1). During the time of writing, the name Jude (Judas) was very popular. There is Judas Maccabaeus who was one of the heroes of postexilic Judaism; Judas the son of James (disciple); Judas Iscariot (disciple and traitor); Judas the Galilean (acts 5:37); Judas of Damascus (Acts 9:11); Judas called Barsabbas (Acts 15:22); and Jude the brother of James. In 230 AD Clement believed the author to be Jude, the brother of Jesus. Jerome in AD 392 also wrote that the author was indeed Jude, the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus in writings for the early Catholic Church. It is safe to assume that the author is the half-brother of Jesus and the brother of James mentioned in Matthew 13:55. (Acts 15)

Historical Settings

Jude is closely related to the book of 2 Peter, as allot of the contents are the same. It appears that either 2 Peter was used as a source for some of Jude or vice versa. The book of Jude is believed to have been written between 60 and 80 A.D.

Major Themes

Jude first exposes false teachers in the church v5-16, then denounces their spirituality and describes their character v8-16. The author also gives examples from Israel’s and mankind’s past on how the Lord deals with rebellion and immorality. The examples used show how a few false teachers and nay-sayers lead many into judgement from the Lord. (Gen 19:24; Duet 29:23-29) Jude then exhorts believers to living holy lives in true faith and prayer in the Holy Ghost. v17-23. In his benediction Jude reassures the believers that they are safe in their salvation through Jesus.

Doctrine

The main point of doctrine in Jude is that all revelation has been given, there is no other doctrine of salvation, other then what has already been delivered by the Apostles. They should guard their faith against anyone who tries to change what they already know to be true. Note every believer is equipped or mature enough in their faith to deal with false teachers. In order to protect the flock, false teachers should be guarded against, identified, and confronted. True believers are preserved, yet if we do not want to stumble then we need to firmly rely on Jesus and walk correctly not for salvation, but to avoid chastisement and to express our love and gratitude towards our savior.

Short Outline

I. Introduction (Jude1-4)

II. False Faith (Jude 5-9)

Examples
1. Israel (v5)
2. Fallen Angels (v6)

3. Sodom and Gamorrah (v7)

4. Cain, Balaam, Korah (v11)

3. Character of False Teachers (v8-10)

4. Results of False Faith (v12,16,19)

III. True Faith (Jude 20-25)

How to contend for the faith (v20,21)
How to respond to false teachers and their followers (v22,23)
Encouragement (v24,25)

References

King James Easy-reading Study Bible. Goodyear, AZ, 2002. Print.

Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. The Ryrie Study Bible: King James Version. Chicago: Moody, 2008. Print.

The Interpreter’s Bible. Vol. 12. New York: Abingdon, 1982. Print.

Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol. 2. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2008. Print. Ephesians-Revelations.

Survey of Genesis

Survey of Genesis

Genesis means “origin”, and as such is a fitting name for the book. It is the history of all humanity. Genesis is the first book of the Pentateuch. This portion of scripture covers the beginning of creation, sin, civilization, and Israel. Genesis is comprised of a series of short stories that cover a time period prior to Adam to the death of Joshua in Egypt.

Authorship

Genesis is commonly referred to as the first book of Moses. Moses is accepted as the author of the five books of the Pentateuch. There are several scriptural references in both the old and the new testaments that refer to Moses as the author even though the book itself is anonymous in origin. It is believed that Moses wrote the book drawing on oral traditions and historic writings of his time, under the divine inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

Major Themes

The book of Genesis can be divided into two general parts. The first portion describes the early history of mankind and his relationship with God. The second portion gives specific examples of individuals whom God chose to reveal himself to. Both sections show the divine grace God has shown to man both as individuals called and as a whole as His creation. Genesis shows how God has always had a plan for mankind and that man was created with a specific purpose for God.

Doctrine

Important theological themes of the book of Genesis include the following doctrines:

A living, personal God
Man being made in the image of God
The fall of Mankind and Original Sin
The anticipation of the redeemer
The covenant promises with Israel

The reoccurring pattern in shown in Genesis is one of (1) Sin; (2) Judgement; (3) Grace of God; and (4) the consequences of sin. Of importance to note is that God always provides mercy and grace even in judgement.

People

Genesis covers a long time period in history and begins with the story of Adam and Eve and the fall of mankind. Then moves through the stories of Cain and Able, Noah, and on up to the patriarchs of Israel. These include Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the covenants God made with them to secure a people devoted to Yahweh. Genesis warns us of the dangers of sexual immorality and the evilness that can lurk in men’s hearts. Genesis concludes with the provisions God made for the growth of Israel from a tribe to a nation under Joseph and the Egyptians.

Short Outline

The Beginnings (1-11)
The Story of Abraham (12-25)

The Story of Isaac (25:19-26;35)

The Story of Jacob (27:1-37:1
The Story of Joseph (37-50)

References

King James Easy-reading Study Bible. Goodyear, AZ, 2002. Print.

Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. The Ryrie Study Bible: King James Version. Chicago: Moody, 2008. Print.

Longman, Tremper. “The Book of Genesis.” Introducing the Old Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. N. pag. Print.

Survey of Jonah

Survey of Jonah

The Book of Jonah is one of the few books of the Bible that is actually written about a prophet, with the prophet being the center of the story. In the story, Jonah received a commandment from God to go to Nineveh and preach what the Lord would tell him to preach. Jonah, however; did not immediately do what the Lord had required him to do. Instead Jonah went the opposite direction. Jonah rebelled from God out of prejudice and selfishness. Jonah knew that if the people of Nineveh were to hear the message of the Lord that they might repent. Jonah also knew the Lord, and that He is merciful. Jonah knew that God would have mercy on the people of Nineveh if they repented. In his rebellion, Jonah has to be chastised severely. Jonah then repents and cries out to the Lord for deliverance. The Lord, in His mercy, gives Jonah a second chance to go to Nineveh and deliver the message the Lord tells him. The story of Johan is referred to by Jesus himself as a sign that the story of Jonah is a revelation from God concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah.

Authorship

Jonah is accepted to have been written by the prophet himself, although there is no direct evidence of this. The story itself is anonymous, as the story does not identify the writer or when it was written. It is believed that the story took place around 760 B.C. In 2^nd Kings 14:27 Jonah is connected with the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel (793-753 B.C.). There was a plague in 765, an eclipse in 763, and then a second plague in 759 that may have made the Ninevites prepared to receive the preaching of Jonah. The theory for this is that the signs of the plagues and the eclipse would have been seen as judgements of God and would have prepared the hearts of the Ninevites. The king calls for fasting and repentance and the Lord hears their cries and shows mercy, even though, none was promised in the preaching of Jonah.

Historical Settings

Nineveh is probably the most famous of the capitals of Assyria. Nineveh became the capital of Assyria during the reign of King Sennacherib (705-681 B.C.). During his rule the empire expanded and became prosperous. Nineveh was strategically located east of the Tigris River and 250 miles north of Babylon, in a very fertile region. Nineveh was the center of worship of Ishtar, the fertility goddess. The size of Nineveh as revealed in the bible (Jonah 3.3 and 4.11) was over 120,000 people and took approximately 3 days to walk across. Scholars believe the circumference to have been from 55-60 miles. Some of the inventions we use today that come from Nineveh during this time period are, locks for doors, a time system that kept track of time in a 360 degree circle, paved roads, the first postal system, and flush toilets and aqueducts. Military leaders were known for being exceptionally brutal, and used terror to keep areas under control.

There are a number of miracles in the story of Jonah that are also reflective in the gospels. That include the calming of the sea, Jonah’s being in the belly of the whale for three days, and the grace shown by God to his servant Jonah. These also include the following by chapter and verse:

Calming of the sea (1.15)
Preparing of the great fish (1.17)
Throwing up of Jonah on dry land 3 days latter (2.10)
Preparing of the gourd (4.6)
Preparing of the worm (4.7)
Preparing of the wind (4.8)
Salvation of the people of Nineveh

Doctrine

There are twelve doctrinal issues that can be drawn from the story of Jonah. James in the epistle of James 1:15 tells that sin in its ultimate form brings death. “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1.15) Sin comes from our own selfish desires. This is then the root that sin has in our lives, that we only seek what is in our own interest. This is the problem that Jonah had. Even though he wanted to rid the world of the wickedness of Nineveh and therefore remove a threat to Israel, God had other plans. Quite possible, God chose the Nineveh, because He knew they were among the most evil people on the earth at that time. In showing them mercy to the people of Nineveh, He lets us know that it is not by our own works that we deserve mercy, but by his grace. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3.5-7) Even as this is a direct show of the mercies of God towards us, no matter what the condition of our life, the portion of Johan being in the belly of the whale was given to us as a testimony of the resurrection of Jesus.

Matthew 12:38-45 tells us that Jesus confirmed the importance of this story. Jesus told the scribes that the sign of his being the Christ was the sign of Jonah being in the belly of the whale. Jesus used this story as a fact that Jonah’s plight in the big fish was accurate and true, and as it was, so would his death, burial, and resurrection. Even more so, if you look at this, Jonah then went and preached and the people were saved. Well the apostles, after Jesus’ ascension, went and preached, and people were saved. “How then shall they call on him in which they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10.14 KJV).

12 Lessons from Jonah

Sin always has consequences (Jonah 1:4)
Sin always affects others eventually (Jonah 1:5,8)
It is a sin to serve God in the wrong place (Jonah 1:3)
God’s chastening can be unusually strong (Jonah 2)
Pay your vows (Jonah 2:9)
Our God is the God of a 2^nd chance (Jonah 3:1)
God is more merciful than some of us expect him to be (Jonah 3:9-10)
God blesses the city whose king orders them to turn to God (Jonah 3:5-10)
It is possible for an entire city to get right with the Lord (Jonah 3:5-10)
Suicide is nearly always a selfish act (Jonah 4:3)
We should be merciful to others as God has been merciful towards us (Jonah 4:10-11)
If you don’t believe the story of Jonah then you don’t believe the Gospel (Matthew 12:38-45)

God’s mercies with Assyria did not end with this story. Even though, later in time he still had to judge Nineveh, when they were finally conquered their people were not wiped off the face of the earth. Instead they were ruled by other nations, like Babylon. Assyrians were among the first converts listed by the early church. Assyria became a thriving Christian community that still exists today.

Short Outline

Jonah Fleeing, 1.1-17
Johan Praying, 2.1-10

Jonah Preaching, 3.1-10

Jonah’s Lesson, 4.1-11

References

King James Easy-reading Study Bible. Goodyear, AZ, 2002. Print.

Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. The Ryrie Study Bible: King James Version. Chicago: Moody, 2008. Print.

Longman, Tremper. “The Book of Jonah.” Introducing the Old Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012. N. pag. Print.

“Ancient Nineveh – Background Bible Study (Bible History Online).” Ancient Nineveh – Background Bible Study (Bible History Online). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2016.