tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81379007904897232162024-03-16T11:52:13.139-07:00TeleiosUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger406125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-31622206221767450592024-03-13T20:15:00.000-07:002024-03-13T20:15:05.285-07:00Hermeneutics - How to interpret scripture: Part 2<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLI9DGipT2djP66ayaXiz1j5SZxIan6l0RWhbfSCuV5faiizzvBIk_8CjTe_QLSh1JLM6pkbiki_iKih4UGQSoQktin2ZKH_vO0gYc0kdQv-YezQDwWIXEKSh9AdDINhAy30k5dyxPBB6nF00MSJNYbpRbY7gtll39Ui-LcSC0Fi7oYejHCZHiu9OsGBMa" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLI9DGipT2djP66ayaXiz1j5SZxIan6l0RWhbfSCuV5faiizzvBIk_8CjTe_QLSh1JLM6pkbiki_iKih4UGQSoQktin2ZKH_vO0gYc0kdQv-YezQDwWIXEKSh9AdDINhAy30k5dyxPBB6nF00MSJNYbpRbY7gtll39Ui-LcSC0Fi7oYejHCZHiu9OsGBMa=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Bible content intended for </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0cm;">the church<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Bible interpretation can be challenging. For example, the Old Testament law and the gospels contain difficult commands for us to obey today, such as animal sacrifices and following the rules of the Pharisees (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23%3A3&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Matthew 23:3</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">)! Obviously, in our Christian-based society we do not practice these things nor does the church command them.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Consequently, on what basis of interpretation can we ignore some commands and follow others? This is a vital question to answer to avoid confusion, believing lies about God and guilt!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Importantly, the Old Testament and the gospels must be interpreted carefully within the cultural and historical context in which God intended to communicate to His people and administrative them. Please read my last blog below to find clues on how to do this.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Today let's look at the portion of scripture intended towards the church specifically<a name="_Hlk54082866">, the apostolic epistles in the New Testament, from Romans to Revelation 3</a>. These letters explain what Christ wants us to do as church-based Christians following his glorious resurrection and ascension. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 54.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">The apostle Paul specifically was chosen to explain to the church the meaning of Christ’s coming (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A25&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Colossians 1:25</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">; </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A1-6&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Ephesians 3:1-6</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">). In several instances, commands from the Old Testament law, such as nine of the Ten Commandments, and ‘love one another’ from the Gospels, are repeated in the epistles. However, it is from the Epistles that we derive our instructions as Christians in this time when God manages people through the church.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 18pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 54.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Proper technique in understanding the Bible is vital. Misinterpreting scripture based on an improper view of scriptural interpretation will cause us to believe lies about God which can have a negative psychological or physical impact on us and others. In the extreme, it can cause disunity in the church, formation of Christian cults, leading others astray, and causing wasted lives</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"> and resources</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"> in service to God. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 18pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 54.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Basic interpretation rules for the Christian in the church (please also see my last blog).</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 18pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="circle"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Guidance for the Christian is in the New Testament epistles. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Do not believe information about God, Christ or the Spirit that is not in scripture.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">As bad as it is to not believe Bible, it is also dangerous to add to the scripture (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+22%3A18-19&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Revelation 22:18-19</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">). Both removing and adding to scripture teaches lies about the character, actions, desires, and requirements of our holy God. Unfortunately, adding to scripture is quite common, often from well-intentioned teachers and leaders. Adding to scripture is most commonly done by:</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 108.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Using philosophic arguments that are not in the Bible to assign their own beliefs to God.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 108.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Over-interpreting a verse according to one’s prejudice.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 108.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Interpreting a verse in isolation and not understanding the historical, cultural, or textual context.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 108.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l1 level3 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Poor hermeneutics (basis of interpretation, please see my prior blog).</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Scripture is progressive in revealing more information about God and His great plan of salvation as you proceed reading through the Bible; and should be interpreted in a normal, literal fashion. Otherwise, interpret is as it would have been understood at the time of writing and by the type of literature it represents (e.g. historical narrative, poetry, etc.)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 54pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">For scriptural study techniques, see the Teleios guide on </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/bible-study-methods/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Bible study methods</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Make a strong habit, as people tell you what to believe about God, to check the veracity in scripture itself (yes, even the Teleios website) especially if it will strongly affect your or others’ lives and beliefs. You may need to ask the person who first made the statement where it is supported in the Bible. By this method, over time, you will learn what is actually in scripture and what God really desires from Christians. Knowing what is in scripture, and what is not, is quite freeing and helpful to your life.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US">Please join us next time which we discussed the plan of God in scripture. What a great and encouraging topic! I look forward to seeing you then.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Join us again next time and s</span><span lang="EN-US">hare this important blog with your friends and family!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Email - </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Website - </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Facebook - </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</a></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-83257630325804889182024-03-06T19:24:00.000-08:002024-03-06T19:24:43.945-08:00Hermeneutics - How to Interpret Scripture: Part 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKev9OXn3F4ivy8GlCycmIE1aeELKsZKoEvIEu9tBsSW399ac720VkGqR-LIKEgRmz1yZ0AGKv6TXvoLtJakj0PWc4aMJztlIWlvg9M-9PhzuN50Q8m0qdhVxaSzW_gI_qMNC14tTFvbC088jE1Pl5Ee7nD6p-wmUoLUDoP_GbvemL5fWHl8LDV-C1yEET" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKev9OXn3F4ivy8GlCycmIE1aeELKsZKoEvIEu9tBsSW399ac720VkGqR-LIKEgRmz1yZ0AGKv6TXvoLtJakj0PWc4aMJztlIWlvg9M-9PhzuN50Q8m0qdhVxaSzW_gI_qMNC14tTFvbC088jE1Pl5Ee7nD6p-wmUoLUDoP_GbvemL5fWHl8LDV-C1yEET=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a name="_Hlk57106939"></a></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Bible interpretation can be challenging. For example, the Old Testament law commanded the Jews to consider unclean for seven days any woman after giving birth to a male child (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+12%3A2&version=KJV"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Leviticus 12:2</span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">)!</span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Obviously, in our Christian-based society we do not practice this nor does the church recommend it. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Consequently, on what basis of interpretation can we ignore some commands and follow others? This is a very important question to answer to avoid confusion, believing lies about God and guilt!</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here are basic rules of biblical interpretation:</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">All of the Bible is true and God's word. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Scripture is progressive in revelation revealing more information about God and His great plan of salvation as the Bible proceeds chronologically. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Scripture should be interpreted in a normal, literal fashion. In other words, interpret is as it would have been understood at the time and by the type of literature it entails. For example, normal interpretation of I Samuel as a historical book written 3000 years ago will be different than a letter in the New Testament after Christ’s first advent. Poetry should be recognized as poetry. Prophetic literature may contain symbols but indicate actual events.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Salvation is always by grace in scripture. However, God administrates His people in different ways at different times. In other words, how He handled former slaves in the book of Exodus is different than how He handles those in the church. This leads to different commands and expectations.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Having mentioned some basic rules then, let's look at several different major sections of scripture. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Old Testament and the Old Testament law</span></i></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">There were three basic reasons for the Old Testament law:</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">To legally organize the Jews as they came out of Egypt. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">To provide a central place of worship to keep them away from alternative gods. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">To teach them about the coming Messiah and salvation.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Law and salvation </span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">- The law was not intended to give salvation but to teach about the need for God’s saving grace (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A21-23&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Galatians 3:21-23</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). Salvation is based in the Abrahamic covenant (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12%3A1-3&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Genesis 12:1-3</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">) and completed by the coming of Christ (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+4&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans 4</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). Consequently, the Old Testament law was temporary, meant for a specific people and time. Christ fulfilled the law and it is now inactive (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A4&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans 10:4</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">; </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+7%3A11-12&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Hebrews 7:11-12</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A24&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Galatians 3:24</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">: </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A18&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5:18</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">).</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Gospels</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> - The Gospels must be interpreted through Jewish eyes! </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Christ came initially to the Jews to present their promised kingdom (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A2&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Matthew 3:2</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">;</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A17&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4:17</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">; </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A7&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">10:7</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). Consequently, His presentation in the temple, teachings, temptation, miracles and Davidic ancestry are recorded to show that He was the promised Messiah. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">He was rejected by the Jewish leadership (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Matthew 12</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">) and subsequently by most all of Israel (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+12&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">John 12</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">He then generally concentrated on teaching His disciples (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14-18&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Matthew 14-18</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">) and confounding the Pharisees with His questions, answers to their tempting Him and teaching in parables (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+19-23&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Matthew 19-23</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">; </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10-18&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Luke 10-18</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). Consequently, the commands in the gospels appeared to encourage the Jews to follow Christ in faith until His death, resurrection and ascension, as well as to warn of God's righteous wrath to those rejecting Him. The commands were not directed specifically to those in the church. However, we learn much of God’s and Christ’s heart through the gospels.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Church</span></i></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> - Following Christ’s resurrection and ascension as well as the coming of the Spirit (the beginning of the church [</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Acts 2</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">]), a believer’s faith, unlike in the times of the old testament or gospels, causes regeneration and sealing by the Spirit until Christ’s coming again and their ultimate eternal salvation (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A2-12&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans 6:2-12</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">; </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A13-14&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ephesians 1:13-14</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">).</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">However, believers from all ages are chosen by God unto faith to salvation (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+14%3A1-3&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Psalm 14:1-3</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A37&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">John 6:37</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A44&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">44</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A65&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">65</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A28-30&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans 8:28-30</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">; </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+11%3A4-7&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">11:4-7</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">).</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Epistles (from </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Romans+&qs_version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Romans </span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">to </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+3&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Revelation 3</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">) are teachings directly to the church from God through Christ and the Spirit to the apostles. Paul specifically was chosen to explain to the church the meaning of Christ’s coming (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A25&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Colossians 1:25</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">; </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A1-6&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Ephesians 3:1-6</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). In a number of instances commands from the law, such as 9 of the Ten Commandments, and ‘love one another’ from the Gospels are repeated in the epistles. </span></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">However, it is from the Epistles that we derive God’s directives as Christians in this time where God manages people through the church.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Proper technique in interpreting the Bible is vital. Misinterpreting scripture based on an improper view of how to interpret will cause us to believe lies about God which can have a profound psychological impact on ourselves as well as others. In the extreme, it can cause the formation of Christian cults, leading others astray and causing wasted lives in service to God. Further, misinterpreting scripture can lead to disunity and, to the extreme, church splits again wasting valuable time and resources.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Do not believe things about God and Christ that are not in scripture</span></b></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As dangerous as it is to not believe scripture, it is also dangerous to add to the scripture (</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+22%3A18-19&version=NIV" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Revelation 22:18-19</span></span></a></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). Both removing and adding to scripture teaches lies about the character, actions, desires and requirements of our holy God.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Unfortunately, adding to scripture is common, often from well-intentioned teachers and leaders. Adding to scripture is most commonly done by:</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Using philosophic or emotional arguments that are not in the Bible in an attempt to assign personal beliefs to God</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Over interpreting a verse according to one's prejudice</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Interpreting a verse in isolation and not understanding the historical, cultural or textual context</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Poor hermeneutics (basis of interpretation, please see above)</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Poor Bibles study technique </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">One typically can find adding to scripture in conversations with your friends, sermons, denominational doctrine and parachurch organizational teaching.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Make a strong habit, as people tell you what to believe about God, to check the veracity in scripture itself (yes, even the current writer) especially if it will strongly affect your or others’ lives and beliefs. You may need to ask the person who first made the statement where it is in the Bible. By this method over time you will learn what is actually in scripture and what God really desires from Christians. It is quite freeing and helpful to your life.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What do young Christians believe regarding Bible interpretation?</span></b></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Teleios Research recently surveyed 505 adolescents and millennials on the Christian Instagram account, <span style="color: #262626;">InstaPray. The surveys questions</span> were meant to reveal common interpretations of the Old Testament. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What is the purpose of the Old Testament law</span></u></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">? Half or more chose correctly that it provides an organizational structure for the nation Israel (51%), and reveals the coming Messiah (62%). However, only 37% chose correctly it provides for a unified worship process for Israel. In contrast, 44% incorrectly indicated its gives commands and direction for Christians today’.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What is the current status of the Old Testament law</span></u></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">? The correct answer, Christ is the end of the law so the Old Testament law is not to be followed by Christians, did have the highest response (38%). However, 25% chose incorrectly, that the law should be followed in its entirety and 18% the law should be followed in the sections that are practical today.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What is the purpose of the Old Testament</span></u></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">? The majority (58% or more) chose the correct responses: provides practical wisdom; prophesies the coming kingdom of God and its Messiah King; teaches about Messiah through prophecy and types; reveals the sinful character of man; reveals the righteous character and actions of God; and provides an account of God’s vengeance and judgment on mankind when they disobey.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What is the purpose of the gospels</span></u></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">? The highest responses were correct: reveals the coming kingdom of God and its Messiah King (62%); reveals salvation through Messiah (83%); and gives revelation of God's plan for the ages (57%).</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="normaltextrun"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What is the purpose of the New Testament epistles</span></u></span><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">? The correct responses were chosen by 65% or more: completes the revelation of Jesus Christ in His coming and its meaning for the church; provide directives, guidance and commands for New Testament believers; and reveals prophecy regarding the end times and Christ’s second coming.</span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Scripture is progressive in revealing more information about God and His great plan of salvation as you proceed reading through the Bible; and should be interpreted in a normal, literal fashion. Otherwise, interpret is as it would have been understood at the time and by the type of literature it entails. But remember, God administrates His people in different ways at different times. </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a name="_Hlk57106212"><span lang="EN-US">Join us again next time and s</span></a><span lang="EN-US">hare this important blog with your friends and family!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Stoning" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Stoning</span></span></a><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Cutting-Off-Hands-And-Feet" target="_blank"><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Cutting-Off-Hands-And-Feet</span></span></a><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="eop"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -4.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Email - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com">info@teleiosresearch.com</a></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Website - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/">http://teleiosresearch.com/</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</a></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-31802386606893642372024-02-28T06:00:00.000-08:002024-02-28T21:04:22.414-08:00Baptism: What to believe?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Et9QZruq3Mm_DqqaZXvwgUo0rrkgW4TYHeKj4TDxHCe-Jbb6a0fDoXfYnDvqe4y0LJRGqBwYSNsjKUawZ_lAGWBv14BJaHf8OS-6g0CIYdNlYmlSFdsnXKzEXtQmL5bVG4p8xLedJQHirBIzekrhjWe68B5xjVONjrfU4-Dw7h2TmPvy9YEKK8Q5Cegz" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Et9QZruq3Mm_DqqaZXvwgUo0rrkgW4TYHeKj4TDxHCe-Jbb6a0fDoXfYnDvqe4y0LJRGqBwYSNsjKUawZ_lAGWBv14BJaHf8OS-6g0CIYdNlYmlSFdsnXKzEXtQmL5bVG4p8xLedJQHirBIzekrhjWe68B5xjVONjrfU4-Dw7h2TmPvy9YEKK8Q5Cegz=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Welcome back to my blog! Today's exciting topic is baptism. Last time we covered the definition of the word and young people’s experience with baptism.</span><p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
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mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
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font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
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mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
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@page WordSection1
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margin:36.0pt 36.0pt 36.0pt 36.0pt;
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div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
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font-family:"Courier New";}
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font-family:"Courier New";}
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mso-level-text:;
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-->
</style><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">As a reminder of my admonition stated in the last blog, baptism is a very controversial subject and people's beliefs can often be based on feelings or tradition. However, as Bible based Christians, we first consider the scriptures to differentiate what the epistles say to the church about baptism from opinion and tradition. Further reading is referenced below (1,2). </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Types of baptism</span></i></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">In the New Testament, baptism use can be divided generally from two sections: the historical books and the epistles.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Historical books (the gospels and the book of Acts)</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Historical precedent – Baptism as a rite was known among the Greeks and Jews.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 108pt; text-indent: -72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">The Greek mystery religions practiced baptism in the entry of new members into their</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 108pt; text-indent: -72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> societies (3).</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 90pt; text-indent: -72pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 108pt; text-indent: -72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Jews practiced baptism with water under undescribed conditions (4). </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 90pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Accordingly, it appears that baptism as a rite was performed in the gospels and Acts in several instances among the Jews (please also see just below).</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 126pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -54pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Specific types of baptism are mentioned in the gospels and Acts:</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">John the Baptist</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – He administered the baptism of repentance preparing the way of Christ (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Matthew 3:7</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). This baptism was specific to John the Baptist.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Christ’s baptism </span></i><span lang="EN-US">(</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Matthew 3</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">) – This was specific to Jesus and his commission to be our Savior and the associated testimony of the Holy Spirit and God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Baptizing by the disciples – </span></i><span lang="EN-US">This was done apparently under the direction of Christ (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A26&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">John 3:26</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A2&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">4:2</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Its purpose is not described. It may reflect a baptism of repentance associated with the offer of the Kingdom. However, it would differ from John’s in that Christ had come.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Baptism of fire</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A11&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Matthew 3:11</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">) – This meaning is controversial. It may be part of the presentation of Christ and specific to his commission to be our Savior. It may also be associated with the testimony of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Further, it might be to the purifying nature of Christ’s teaching (5). In contrast, it might reflect future punishment for sinners who do not repent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Christ baptism for which he was baptized</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A22-23&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Matthew 20:22-23</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">) - This appears to reflect his role, not a rite, as Savior leading to the cross by His obedience. His upcoming suffering is implied in the passage. His disciples wanted to sit with Him in heaven. Christ asked if they could tolerate the suffering on the cross (baptism) with which He was commissioned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Baptism in the Great Commission </span></i><span lang="EN-US">(</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A20&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Matthew 28:20</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">)<i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"> – </span></i>This refers to baptism most likely in the time of the church. It might refer to the rite of baptism or to the regeneration associated with preaching the gospel as described in the epistles. Spiritual baptism, almost exclusively, is the type mentioned in the epistles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Water baptism in the early church </span></i><span lang="EN-US">(Acts) – The rite of water baptism appears to have been practiced in the early church. This baptism used water at least in one case (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+8%3A36&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Acts 8:36</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">) but the precise method of baptism is not described in any scriptural instance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> Water baptism in the early church period appears to occur when the church was primarily Jewish, based in Jerusalem. It may have been performed because of Jewish traditions and to show the association of the new formed church to Christ.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> Later mentions of baptism are fewer as the church expanded and matured throughout the Roman Empire, but again almost always included Jews or appear Jewish focused (instances up to</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+Acts+19&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;"> Acts 19</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> and </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Corinthians 1</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Events in Acts described after chapter 19 do not specifically mention the rite of baptism again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> Nonetheless, the church after the Bible times did perform water baptism (2<sup><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">nd</span></sup> century and beyond). The practice of this rite after the Bible times is at a minimum evidence for our great freedom in how we structure the church in time and place (6).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Therefore, scripture by either what it says or does not say about water baptism provides several key messages:</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 108pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">We are not commanded in the epistles, which contain the direction of Christ to the church, to be water baptized. A believer and a church are free to implement the rite out of faith in the manner they believe is correct.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Water baptism, when performed by any method, might be understood as a public statement of a person’s commitment to Christ by faith to salvation or a symbol of the regenerative work of the Spirit in the person’s life (7).</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 144pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Baptism In the epistles</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;">The epistles are the letters in the New Testam</span><span lang="EN-US">ent, generally written from the apostles, and provide to the church specifically the manner by which we should live our lives for God. Baptism in the letters is spiritual baptism in every instance except one passage (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Corinthians 1</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Spiritual baptism also is discussed in </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/security-summary/">Security of Salvation in Know the Bible</a></span><span lang="EN-US">.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Spiritual baptism</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – This is an important biblical truth which is vital in understanding who we are as Christians. Our knowledge about baptism can transform the way we think! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">When we become a Christian, we are identified with Christ’s gracious death and His resurrection. Otherwise, at salvation our old self died and was buried with Christ. We are raised now to new life with Him and we sit with Him on the right hand of God the Father (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A2-12&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 6:2-12</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A4-7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Ephesians 2:4-7</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A12-13&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 2:12-13</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Similar concepts in scripture that also appear to speak to spiritual baptism are: regeneration (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+3%3A5&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Titus 3:5</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">), born again (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A+5&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">John 3: 5</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">) and a new man (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A24&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Ephesians 4:24</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A10&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 3:10</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). The importance of spiritual baptism is at least the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Power over sin </span></i><span lang="EN-US">– Although every believer sins, we can say ‘no’ to sin because as a new person in Christ we have the power to live a victorious life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">End of depravity </span></i><span lang="EN-US">- When Adam fell into sin in the garden it became depraved, in body and mind that was by nature sinful, so he could not Say no to sin (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A1-3&version=KJV">Ephesians 2:1-3</a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Our identification with Christ resurrection provides us a new life with a new spiritual body that can approach God that holiness (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A19-22%3B+Romans+6%3A2-11&version=KJV">Hebrews 10:19-22; Romans 6:2-11</a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Ability to serve - Being identified with Christ’s resurrection provides for us a new mindset that allows us the capacity to serve God in the way in which he wishes (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A12-16%3B+Ephesians+2%3A10&version=KJV">Romans 6:12-16; Ephesians 2:10</a></span><span lang="EN-US">).</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">New life – the reason for the resurrection </span></i><span lang="EN-US">– Baptism teaches us the importance of the resurrection because we are raised with Christ to new life without which we would still be dead in our sins (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Corinthians 15:17</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Eternal security </span></i><span lang="EN-US">– Baptism helps prove we cannot lose our salvation. because scripture does not indicate that if we commit sin that our new self can be killed and the old dead self re-resurrected like some bad re-make of the ‘Night of the Living Dead’!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">In other words, you are transformed permanently to a new life, resurrected with Christ and sitting with Him in heaven. These changes cannot be reversed. What a great comfort we have in truth of scripture.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 126pt;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Therefore, as a new person, we are liberated from sin and are free to serve Christ. We cannot be defeated by the misdeeds of our old self.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 144pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Baptism of the dead <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">This is a difficult and controversial verse (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A29&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Corinthians 15:29</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). In context, this wonderful chapter deals with the importance of the resurrection and the rapture. The Apostle Paul indicates in verse 30 and 31 how he suffers on behalf of those unbelievers to bring them the gospel. These two verses may integrate with </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20%3A+22-23&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Matthew 20: 22-23</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> with Christ’s question to the apostles if they can tolerate the ‘baptism with which he is baptized’, which was to suffer on the cross for all men’s sins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt left 40.5pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Therefore, Paul possibly was saying that he was baptized, as an apostle, with a similar mission as Christ to take the gospel to unbelievers, with the accompanying suffering, as a part of his own mission (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A24&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 1:24</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). The verse reflects Paul’s commitment to God’s purpose for his life (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15%3A15-19&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 15:15-19</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">In summary, so we've seen that baptism, although it has a variety of meanings in the New Testament, in the epistles intended for the church, it signifies spiritual baptism - our identification with the death and resurrection of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Thanks for joining me today. Next time we will discuss communion, remembering the death and resurrection of our precious savior.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -4.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><ol start="1" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #111111;">Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth. Moody Publishers, 1999.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Chafer LS. Systematic Theology. Abridged Volume II. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;">Kregel Publications, 1947.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/mystery-religion/Beliefs-and-practices"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; padding: 0cm;">https://www.britannica.com/topic/mystery-religion/Beliefs-and-practices</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/was-baptism-originally-jewish/"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; padding: 0cm;">https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/was-baptism-originally-jewish/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb.html"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; padding: 0cm;">https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb.html</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.equip.org/article/new-testament-baptism/"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; padding: 0cm;">http://www.equip.org/article/new-testament-baptism/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/101-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; padding: 0cm;">http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/101-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -4.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Email - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Website - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><i><span lang="EN-US"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -4.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-30221895513562959302024-02-21T18:40:00.000-08:002024-02-21T18:40:36.844-08:00Baptism: What does scripture teach?<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9flUi-uMveMawluvTKeIncB95P5mcDOTuUbwmP6KqM6CBQDUwwQlBDx95tb6qk3c27ocF_yGbTkVW_B8LQE-obYj7EvJDHHWCsgCZjqfwDKgdycsQ-thBh07CwVX98DW6Bl24ne6EojYLUbQF9AbxBrZ4KCGCVfu2vuZpWupiv0OFl8ui_KCi6JkP9-Dj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="300" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9flUi-uMveMawluvTKeIncB95P5mcDOTuUbwmP6KqM6CBQDUwwQlBDx95tb6qk3c27ocF_yGbTkVW_B8LQE-obYj7EvJDHHWCsgCZjqfwDKgdycsQ-thBh07CwVX98DW6Bl24ne6EojYLUbQF9AbxBrZ4KCGCVfu2vuZpWupiv0OFl8ui_KCi6JkP9-Dj=w400-h283" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. Today's exciting topic is baptism. Prepare yourself for a wild ride!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><a name="_Hlk51702875"><span lang="EN-US">Water baptism is a sacrament in most churches</span></a><span lang="EN-US">. In general, the number and form of the sacraments in the church are quite controversial and in part define church denominations. Sacraments generally are meant to convey a blessing on the believer or allow them to show their dedication to Christ. Unfortunately, a full discussion of individual denominational beliefs is beyond the scope of this blog.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">The concept of baptism, however, is vitally important. Unfortunately, baptism can be a very emotional and divisive topic between individuals and denominations. Importantly, as biblically based <a name="_Hlk51702992">believers we need to consider 1st the scriptures themselves to differentiate what the Bible states about baptism, or does not say</a>, from opinion and tradition. Further reading is referenced below (1,2). </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Let us look today at the meaning of the word and how young Christian millennials celebrate baptism. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><em><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">What baptism means</span></em><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">First, let’s consider the word itself. The word is <a name="_Hlk51703373">βαπτιζω (baptizoo) </a>in the Greek (the language in which the New Testament originally was written), and was an old term borrowed from the dye trade. <a name="_Hlk51703425">It meant that a piece of cloth immersed in the dye became <i>identified</i> with the new color (3).<o:p></o:p></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">In the epistles, the portion of scripture intended for the church, Christian baptism indicates that spiritually we are <i>identified </i>with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A1-11%3B+Ephesians+2%3A4-7%3B+Colossians+2%3A11-13&version=KJV">Romans 6:1-11; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:11-13</a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Otherwise, at salvation we were regenerated to a new person. We will discuss the nuances of the different meanings of baptism in scripture in the next blog. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Water baptism is mentioned in the epistles in </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1+&version=KJV">1 Corinthians 1</a></span><span lang="EN-US"> as a criticism by Paul regarding the method the people in this church are handling the practice. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">How do Christian millennials celebrate baptism?</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Millennials’ view of baptism </span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Teleios recently completed a survey 189 mostly evangelical adolescents and young adults. We asked them if they had been baptized and by which method. We also inquired about the significance of baptism. Here are the top 4 answers regarding the method of baptism and some associated meanings:</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a name="_Hlk51703562" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a name="_Hlk51703562" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: arial;">Immersed as a young person or adult (32%) – Marked differences in the rite of baptism exist across denominations. Immersion baptism, which perhaps most closely represents the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, is preferred strongly by Baptists. Baptists typically believe the rite should be performed after salvation when the convert is old enough to make a responsible decision (4). However. Christians often consider that baptism symbolizes primarily a commitment to God by the new believer which was true also in our survey (20%).</span></span></a></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sprinkled as a child (23%) – This form of baptism is preferred by several traditional denominations and is generally believed to convey either:</span></span></li></ul><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><ol><li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Forgiveness of the sin nature, and prior sins, allowing for a fresh start and working towards salvation, combined with grace (generally a Catholic viewpoint) (5).</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Salvation in infants too young to make a decision for Christ. This protection lasts to the time of “the age of responsibility” (generally a Presbyterian viewpoint) (6).</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Commitment by parents to raise a child in a godly manner leaving the responsibility to the child to be saved and baptized as an adult (often non-denominational Bible believing churches) (7).</span></span></li></ol></ol><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Never been baptized (19%) </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">– Although this group might be seen as disobedient by some Christians; the New Testament epistles, which contain the injunctions to the church, specifically do not command water baptism. For example, the Quaker church does not perform the rite of baptism (8). Of course, salvation itself is by grace alone with no added works required (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A8-9&version=KJV"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Ephesians 2:8-9</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">).</span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit at salvation (15%). </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">This choice is closest to the meaning of baptism in the New Testament epistles (the letters to the churches). Although controversial, in the epistles when baptism is mentioned it speaks of spiritual baptism (except </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+1+&version=KJV">1 Corinthians 1</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">). The apostle Paul explained that spiritual baptism ‘identified’ us in the death and life of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Baptism represents the regeneration by the Spirit to a new person who can serve our Lord. This regeneration appears to occur at salvation accompanied by the sealing of the Holy Spirit (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A+2-9&version=NIV"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Romans 6: 2-9</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A+11-13&version=NIV"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Colossians 2: 11-13</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A4-7&version=NIV"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Ephesians 2:4-7</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">). </span></span></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">We will speak more about this in our next blog and this topic is also covered in the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/salvation-explanation/">salvation portion of Know the Bible</a></span><span lang="EN-US">. <a name="_Hlk55303223">Indeed, 68% of the participants in our survey believed baptism represents the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in their lives (</a></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+3%3A5&version=NIV"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Titus 3:5</span></a><span lang="EN-US">).</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">In summary, we've seen today that water baptism, though a usual part of church life, is not attested well in the portions of scripture intended for the church (the epistles). Churches are free to administer baptism as long as they do not go against the word of God. Baptism in the epistles is spiritual baptism which identifies us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Next time we will discuss more deeply the different types of baptism identified in scripture. You will be amazed! Join us then!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><ol start="1" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #111111;">Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth. Moody Publishers, 1999.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Chafer LS. Systematic Theology. Abridged Volume II. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #333333;">Kregel Publications, 1947.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.westernseminary.edu/transformedblog/2014/02/25/baptisim-meaning-and-mode/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;">https://www.westernseminary.edu/transformedblog/2014/02/25/baptisim-meaning-and-mode/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/resources/articles/believers-baptism/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;">https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/resources/articles/believers-baptism/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-forgiveness-of-sins"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;">https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-forgiveness-of-sins</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/what-presbyterians-believe-the-sacrament-of-baptism/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;">https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/what-presbyterians-believe-the-sacrament-of-baptism/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://howtoadult.com/conditions-must-parents-fulfill-order-children-baptized-7763.html"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;">https://howtoadult.com/conditions-must-parents-fulfill-order-children-baptized-7763.html</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; color: #0563c1; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.religionresourcesonline.org/different-types-of-religion/compare/baptism.php"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;">http://www.religionresourcesonline.org/different-types-of-religion/compare/baptism.php</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ol><p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Email - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com">info@teleiosresearch.com</a></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Website - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/">http://teleiosresearch.com/</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"><br /></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-54622913239501961562024-02-15T16:52:00.000-08:002024-02-15T16:52:35.310-08:00Christ’s Church - How it Helps <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHWPcTOUpqqSRhsZ8Mnf8gdStygabx0vyfnIn0xnJMv_5284ppa2h2kX0bB6tYAj-0JCOssLm7oVsgsCo9Jk4lEtXyDgmocZYtBWIRdoS1Ce49DnXailJWuhPqqnK-KGNaTR9TKICFvUFMSMOBfFZJ1mEA-i48uGj1aaoykRGBe2yDO7zLL3-Ub_lOZ3C/s1024/why%20church1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1024" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHWPcTOUpqqSRhsZ8Mnf8gdStygabx0vyfnIn0xnJMv_5284ppa2h2kX0bB6tYAj-0JCOssLm7oVsgsCo9Jk4lEtXyDgmocZYtBWIRdoS1Ce49DnXailJWuhPqqnK-KGNaTR9TKICFvUFMSMOBfFZJ1mEA-i48uGj1aaoykRGBe2yDO7zLL3-Ub_lOZ3C/w400-h269/why%20church1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. We have been discussing the church in the past several blogs.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">At salvation the Holy Spirit places each of us into the church of Christ (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A13&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Corinthians 12:13</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). This is a great promise and results from our belief in salvation by faith alone in Christ. God manages His people in this current time through the church. Today let us discuss what the church is and what it does.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Last time we defined the church and explored what the church does to help believers in the service of Christ. In this blog let's look at the benefits of being involved in the church. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">The church and wellbeing: A survey of young Christians<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">The church is important to the Christian walk as well as to society. Teleios performed a survey evaluating wellbeing. There were 1186 responses. The majority of responses were: female (68%), <30 years (76%), and primarily from the United States (40%) and Europe (16%). The respondents identified themselves as: evangelical Christians (33%), social Christians (29%), Christian seekers (5%) and non-Christians (33%).</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Interestingly, personal wellbeing was better among evangelical Christians (4.6, on a scale of 0-6 with 6 being highest) compared to social Christians (4.1), Christian seekers (4.0) or non-Christians (4.3, P=0.001). The findings for wellbeing were also supported by further results that evangelicals were more content (P=0.001), at peace (P>0.001), and joyful (P=0.002) than the other groups. No differences between groups were observed in feelings of guilt (P=0.43). The table ranks wellbeing by ranked response. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Table 1: Response to ‘I have good wellbeing?’ by group:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 107.9pt;" valign="top" width="144"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Group<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 55.95pt;" valign="top" width="75"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Disagree<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 65.4pt;" valign="top" width="87"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Indifferent<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 43.15pt;" valign="top" width="58"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Agree<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 107.9pt;" valign="top" width="144"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Evangelical Christian<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 55.95pt;" valign="top" width="75"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">5%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 65.4pt;" valign="top" width="87"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">30%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 43.15pt;" valign="top" width="58"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">65%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 107.9pt;" valign="top" width="144"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Social Christian<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 55.95pt;" valign="top" width="75"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">6%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 65.4pt;" valign="top" width="87"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">45%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 43.15pt;" valign="top" width="58"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">49%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 107.9pt;" valign="top" width="144"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Christian Seeker<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 55.95pt;" valign="top" width="75"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">7%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 65.4pt;" valign="top" width="87"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">48%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 43.15pt;" valign="top" width="58"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">44%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 107.9pt;" valign="top" width="144"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Non-Christian<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 55.95pt;" valign="top" width="75"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">5%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 65.4pt;" valign="top" width="87"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">41%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 43.15pt;" valign="top" width="58"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">53%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">This is the first survey, to our knowledge, evaluating wellbeing in young Christians versus non-Christians. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">In summary, Christianity may help wellbeing by giving confidence in both day-to-day living and hope for eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Further, a number of studies from the medical literature have shown the church attendance by itself improves personal wellbeing. In addition, the greater frequency of church attendance the better the wellbeing up to once a week. The reasons for the better of wellbeing with church attendance are not well studied but may have been related in these articles to Bible study and greater socialization.(1-4)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Church leadership and congregant wellbeing<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Teleios also has evaluated links between a believer’s wellbeing and their perception of their church and its leadership on the Instagram account, Instapray. We had 884 mostly all evangelical and adolescent or millennial participants. Of the total, 43% were ex-US. Table 2 illustrates what best benefited wellbeing among different aspects of the church leadership.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Table 2: Church leadership best helped participants’ wellbeing by:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b></p><div align="center"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; width: 349px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 192.35pt;" valign="top" width="256"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Response<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-width: 1pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Percentage<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 192.35pt;" valign="top" width="256"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Bible-based teaching and preaching<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">75%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 192.35pt;" valign="top" width="256"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Encouraging Bible based speech<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">51%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 192.35pt;" valign="top" width="256"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Powerful biblical vision for the church<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">44%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 192.35pt;" valign="top" width="256"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Supporting church programs<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">31%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 192.35pt;" valign="top" width="256"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Effective pastoral care<o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-width: 1pt; border-style: none solid solid none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">30%<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Importantly it was Bible-based preaching and teaching that most influenced wellbeing among the churchgoers. This shows the importance of choosing carefully a local church that teaches directly from the scriptures. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Interestingly, the effect of church leadership on measures that might assist wellbeing did not differ among the international regions represented in our survey: the USA, Canada, Asia and commonwealth countries (P>0.05).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Summary</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – The church is God’s chosen administrative tool to manage people during this age to carry out His will, specifically as related to nurturing believers The church can have a profound impact on believers not only in spiritual growth but in wellbeing as well. In a subsequent blog we will cover the sacraments of the church.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Thank you for joining me today and please visit next time as we continue to discuss the Christian life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Join us again next time and s</span><span lang="EN-US">hare this important blog with your friends and family!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>William C. Stewart, MD</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">MacIlvaine WR, et al. Association of strength of religious adherence to quality of life measures. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2013;19:251-5.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="ES-MX">van Olphen J, et al. </span><span lang="EN-US">Religious involvement, social support, and health among African-American women on the east side of Detroit. J Gen Intern Med 2003;18:549-57.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Ryrie CC. Basic theology. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1999.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">MacIlvaine WR, et al. Association of strength of community service to personal wellbeing. Community Ment Health J 2014;50:577-82.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Email - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Website - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-12613839803567612892024-02-07T18:44:00.000-08:002024-02-07T18:44:14.839-08:00Christ’s church leads the way<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUti_RecB6fFVeQpRzaFcNB96uFaw-xhCLoqc8i_vuKibnuF80c9NjtcLZ8Cgu9h_NeB7R14U-jsqNICdb5wyzebdqXFMRYfQNeZPXc3JGQV5ywplF_80kOWVMwL6SYzvtvqHwbKL3SGs8hMQMofBu8YDxGn0X45jNkOCpSE3D1WMom5h0xbwrOqdbwde/s670/church%20people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="670" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUti_RecB6fFVeQpRzaFcNB96uFaw-xhCLoqc8i_vuKibnuF80c9NjtcLZ8Cgu9h_NeB7R14U-jsqNICdb5wyzebdqXFMRYfQNeZPXc3JGQV5ywplF_80kOWVMwL6SYzvtvqHwbKL3SGs8hMQMofBu8YDxGn0X45jNkOCpSE3D1WMom5h0xbwrOqdbwde/w400-h209/church%20people.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. We have been discussing the Christian walk in the past several blogs. Today we begin a section on the Christian church.</span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><a name="_Hlk54095341"><span lang="EN-US">At salvation the Holy Spirit places each of us into the church of Christ (</span></a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A13&version=NIV"><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Corinthians 12:13</span></a><span lang="EN-US">). This is a great promise and is a part of the results of our belief in salvation by faith alone in Christ. God manages His people in this current age through the church. Today let us discuss what the church is and what it does. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Definition of the church<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">The word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) which means generally in secular Greek “an assembly, usually political” (2). The word ‘church’ is used specifically by the writers of the New Testament epistles (letters from the apostles) to signify body of all believers under the headship of Christ. Also, the word is used twice in Matthew </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16+&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">16</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> and </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">18</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">. Here it does not necessarily mean the New Testament church since the concept had not yet clearly been introduced. The scriptures appear to allow two basic forms of the church. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US">The Church Universal</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">The form of the church into which we are placed by the Spirit can be called, in theological terms, the church universal. This form of the church roughly can be described as the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">It is the union of all believers worldwide who form the complete body of Christ (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A20-22&version=KJV">Ephesians 2:20-22</a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Its head is Christ who sits at the right hand of God the Father and currently leads His church (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A17-18&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 1:17-18</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+8%3A1&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Hebrews 8:1</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A20-23&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Ephesians 1:20-23</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Scripture does not indicate that our membership can be revoked from the church universal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">To some, the concept of the universal church is controversial. For example, some churches may not accept the concept of a ‘universal church’ and recognize only the local church.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">The Church Local <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">This form of the church might be defined as the physical manifestation of the church universal within a limited geographic area.<b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Many examples of the local church are evident in the epistles and so appears acceptable to God. The local church In the New Testament epistles could be described as a gathering of believers to carry out the functions of the church (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A42%2C47&version=KJV">Acts 2:42,47</a></span><span lang="EN-US">). The form of the church present in the epistles is not mandated and was practical for that time and culture. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">In our current age, the church might be virtual (online) as well. Further, para-church organizations (e.g. independent missions or college ministries) function within the church universal and also perform functions similar to the local church. Scripture gives broad definition to how churches are organized which allows great flexibility to serve Christ in various times and cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Christians are members of one another within the church. Accordingly, we each have different roles within the church to complete the functions of the full body of Christ (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A13-27&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Corinthians 12:13-27</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A4-5&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 12:4-5</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">However, our different functions in the church should not limit our individual spiritual growth (please see Christian walk section of the Resource Center) as we are each instructed to be holy as God is holy (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Peter 1:16</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: 3pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Beginning of the church<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">When the church begins in the Bible is controversial as some believe it is present mysteriously in the Old Testament (3). The church most clearly is described as beginning in </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Acts Chapter 2</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">. Regardless of when someone believes it began, the church first functions in </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Acts 2</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">, when:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Christ ascended into heaven (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+1%3A9&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Acts 1:9</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24%3A51&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Luke 24:51</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+16%3A19&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Mark 16:19</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">He sat down at the right hand of God the Father to become the head of the church (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+8%3A1&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Hebrews 8:1</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A20&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Ephesians 1:20</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">The Holy Spirit descended and filled believers (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A4&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Acts 2:4</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A15&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">John 14:15</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">We have no information that the church existed in the Old Testament or in the Gospel times.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Church Function</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">The fundamental work of the church is to serve under its head Jesus Christ (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A18&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 1:18</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). In performing this service, church activities traditionally can be divided generally into two general types, those that promote maturity of the believer and the sacraments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Maturing the believer</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">These are activities that promote the believer’s growth in Christ is a vital role of the church. Exactly what these activities are, like almost everything in the church, can be controversial. I use a 5-step approach to describe maturing our relationship with God which helps us access additional benefits to our wellbeing. I call this method the ‘5 tools to maturity’ and they are taken from </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A42&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Acts 2:42</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> and </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A47&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">47</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">. They are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Praise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Fellowship<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Biblical teaching<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Outreach to others with Bible truth and mercies. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">These five tools describe the activities in the very first church in Jerusalem and provide a model to us today for what actions individuals and the church should perform routinely. Importantly, these five activities are confirmed in later verses in the epistles (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians+6%3A18&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Ephesians 6:18</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+15%3A11&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 15:11</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+john+1%3A3&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 John 1:3</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 3:16</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">; </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A14-17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 10:14-17). </span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US">The sacraments</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">These are classic activities of the church, but a detailed discussion is beyond the scope of today’s blog. Sacraments are the rites of the church and they generally provide a benefit to the believer or are an opportunity for the Christian to show their devotion to God. This topic is quite controversial regarding which sacraments should be performed by the church, and the manner as well as the frequency in which they are done. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">However, there are few specific instructions in the epistles regarding the sacrament. The best described is the Lord’s supper when Paul admonished the Christians in </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+11+&version=KJV">1 Corinthians 11</a></span><span lang="EN-US"> how this sacrament should be performed. The assumption is that it was a part of the church service. In the gospels, Christ commanded that we remember him through the Lord’s supper but did not specify that it would be performed necessarily in the church worship service.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Water baptism is also often considered a sacrament of the church but again the method and the necessity of its practice is quite controversial and not specified in the epistles, (as opposed to Spirit baptism). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">We will discuss baptism and communion in more detail over the next few blogs. Thanks for joining me today and please come back next time as we continue discuss the structure of the church. </span><a name="_Hlk54094737"><span lang="EN-US">Join us again next time and s</span></a><span lang="EN-US">hare this important blog with your friends and family!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Email - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Website - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-63661967730791104282024-01-31T03:00:00.000-08:002024-01-31T15:52:27.032-08:00The Power of Godly Thinking: Part 4<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-YtNvF5c7Z-I6kq3ajzavWBukOye_VeMQXzESCxf1kguBcPjNbF8jzILELkBobGhJtPIVE-QG35_iPsYh0ehGhimV5WEN4yzaOMYNHHeRNVy8f928hHB4-EwYmVE41TpfljCuUJYz-WM37bKKYOcIzC4Rcw-JT5A7xK0NJJtY-RooIL8rPrlNJkJj2K9V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1044" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-YtNvF5c7Z-I6kq3ajzavWBukOye_VeMQXzESCxf1kguBcPjNbF8jzILELkBobGhJtPIVE-QG35_iPsYh0ehGhimV5WEN4yzaOMYNHHeRNVy8f928hHB4-EwYmVE41TpfljCuUJYz-WM37bKKYOcIzC4Rcw-JT5A7xK0NJJtY-RooIL8rPrlNJkJj2K9V=w400-h339" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As we have discussed in past blogs, Christians have been regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit into new people, providing the capacity to change ourselves to positive and biblical actions. However, to behave in a scriptural manner we first must know how to think correctly. Unfortunately, non-biblical thinking may incite destructive speech and actions which can hurt and adversely influence others.</span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Christianity is a religion of facts and understanding (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-10%3B+Ephesians+1%3A17&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:17</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Scriptural thinking is productive and healing. How then do we do it? Below is a biblically based process to help us change how we think, and ultimately how we act. What are the a<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">ctions to development biblical thinking</span>?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Actions<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">There’s not one proven technique but here are some suggested steps to implement. I call them the <i>4 S’s.<u><o:p></o:p></u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Search</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"> the scripture prospectively</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – Many people turn to God only when they have trouble. Yet the key to avoiding difficulties in our lives is to go to God before problems arise. That means studying scripture and implementing it, not just using the devotional or reading down the text, but actually taking time to learn what the words and phrases mean in context. Please visit our Bible study method link to learn better how to do this (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/bible-study-methods/"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">https://teleiosresearch.com/bible-study-methods/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Such a study brings rich rewards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Study</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"> frequently – </span></i><span lang="EN-US">Do not limit yourself in scripture to 15 to 30 minutes a day in a legalistic manner, as this method almost always fails. The goal is not to accomplish a time period but to know our wonderful God! Plunge into scripture to change how you think to conform to His ways and develop wonderful fruit in your life. Find ways to spread the verses around your life so you will remember them. Study the Bible in several short periods in a day. No one method works for everybody. Do what you need to do to know God!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Stop</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"> non-biblical thinking</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – Stop yourself when you’re pondering negative thoughts about yourself or other people. In these instances, pray for yourself or for those people using scripture. Be thankful for them! These actions, applied persistently, will transform your mind to think about yourself and people the way God does; very important!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Socialize</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"> with scripture </span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – The verses that you read will help you, cause you to pray for others, being thankful for them and desiring good things for them; be sure to share this with other people. This mental discipline then will help you articulate your faith, build good habits in encouraging others, and will help those around you as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Self-test</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A3-10&version=KJV">2 Peter 1:3-10</a></span><span lang="EN-US">) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">To assure that your thinking and subsequent conduct is consistent with God’s desires take Peter’s self-test! This wonderful passage suggests building eight attitudes and actions to your life: faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, self-control, godliness, fraternal love, and a giving love. Peter indicates when our lives are consistent with these eight characteristics, we know that we are useful to God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Growing these attitudes and actions in our lives depends on a biblical mindset that will foster their growth. Developing routine mental habits consistent with the Bible will create in us a godly mindset to view life and people the way God desires and allows the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in your life and others. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Join us again next time and s</span><span lang="EN-US">hare this important blog with your friends and family!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Email - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Website - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"><br /></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-44456749814625649422024-01-24T16:07:00.000-08:002024-01-24T16:07:13.542-08:00The Power of Godly Thinking: Part 3<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52k4QNuJHWkIxbNfgZj6QmunfB-agDNoljI0i4t0hm2gLRlivFQqL2wcnQAQB6uFCF2_GZCAedKOuniUi-BG2Vdda8TelRWJAISspjVh7l_nnHyl7SevrBNLhvDIhB-eFh9g9xJjXMw3kr03BEhmfeQ7UhCBp5qvpCS3LoV8RpSYg4ObxJ-LgUwB4Clhi/s1024/biblical%20principles.png" imageanchor="1"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52k4QNuJHWkIxbNfgZj6QmunfB-agDNoljI0i4t0hm2gLRlivFQqL2wcnQAQB6uFCF2_GZCAedKOuniUi-BG2Vdda8TelRWJAISspjVh7l_nnHyl7SevrBNLhvDIhB-eFh9g9xJjXMw3kr03BEhmfeQ7UhCBp5qvpCS3LoV8RpSYg4ObxJ-LgUwB4Clhi/w400-h266/biblical%20principles.png" width="400" /></b></a></div><br />As we have discussed in past blogs, Christians have been regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit into new individuals with the capacity to change ourselves to take positive and biblical actions.<p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">However, to behave in a scriptural manner we first must know how to think correctly. Unfortunately, non-biblical thinking may incite destructive speech and actions which can hurt and adversely influence others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Christianity is a religion of facts and understanding (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-10%3B+Ephesians+1%3A17&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:17</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Scriptural thinking is productive and healing. How then do we do it? Below is a biblically based process to help change how we think, and ultimately how we act.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">In the past several blogs we began to address in sequence: b<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">asis of biblical thinking and attitude in our thinking. </span>Now let’s try to put our thinking into action by covering p<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">rinciples of biblical thinking.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Principles<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">A key verse regarding this process is: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Romans 12:2</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"> And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">The word ‘prove’ in Greek (the original language of the Bible) is δοκιμάζω (dokimazo), meaning to examine or prove, denoting a positive inference. It was used to describe a tested warrior in battle. Otherwise, God’s word is truth and so we can depend on it to work in our lives. As we lean on the Bible and see it function, we grow in confidence to trust it and enjoy the good fruits from living obedient and faithful lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US">What is biblical thinking? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Use the acronym ‘4 P’s’<span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Pondering the word</span></i><i><u><span lang="EN-US"> </span></u></i><span lang="EN-US">– As stated in </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12:1&version=NIV">Romans 12:1</a></span><span lang="EN-US"> we should transform our thinking based on biblical knowledge. We should ponder these things not just to correct our thinking but also to cause ourselves to know God better in transforming how we communicate with others. This is an active, prospective process, not just when we have problems and need to correct ourselves; it is a daily habit of healthy thinking (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A16&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Timothy 4:16</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A1-4%3B+Hebrews+3%3A1&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 3:1</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Praise</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – Keep a habit of commending and thanking God. He deserves it (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A15&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Hebrews 13:15</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">)! Also, praise keeps us from having unreasonable expectations of others and thinking too highly of ourselves. We should remember God’s goals are above our own (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 12:1-2</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Prayer</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – We should have a mindset of going to God for all our needs (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+4%3A14-16&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Hebrews 4:14-16</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Instead of complaining or ruminating over situations we should turn instantly to prayer and have a faithful attitude that God will help us (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4%3A12&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Peter 4:12</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Positive subjects</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – This perspective is imperative to force our minds to think about things that are positive, true, just, lovely pure, full of praise and wholesome (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A8&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Philippians 4:8</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Remembering healthy thoughts will keep us from becoming discouraged and help us to see the good and the potential in all situations and people. Further, the things we think are ultimately what we speak and thus help us encourage other people. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Renewing our minds to change how we think is a constant challenge as we battle to drive our thoughts to be consistent with the Bible. This process will change how we look at life and others and ultimately how we speak to others. It also provides an opportunity to see God’s Spirit working in our lives to bear fruit as we allow Him to transform us while we seek God through His word. Give it a try!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Summary – </span></i><span lang="EN-US">Indeed, our thinking processes are the basis of a healthy mindset as well as a fruitful relationship with others and with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Thank you for visiting my blog! Join us again next time as we continue our vital discussion on developing a biblical mindset. </span><a name="_Hlk52877327"><span lang="EN-US">Share this important blog with your friends and family!</span></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Email - </span><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Website - </span><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span lang="EN-US">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-18358515657703866992024-01-17T16:39:00.000-08:002024-01-17T16:39:01.614-08:00The Power of Godly Thinking: Part 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKU1LEchxHvVW0nXgwTrthUpWD0tsdyF6p2z-YTRsudoIhQP0Rker6r4A-5tk8n99YuEhp-MtK4JiZqbYFwGoFajb-Ch1RfCFlTvQbj-F6aweMu0Vc-MUpfMHw4vVe5DLBAVsJpwBP37ufNhXYHmEVKK6Lg5QLjPHHeKYVYCznFrlYqsFrfDEu3zz5VXE_/s816/romans%2012%202%20betransformed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="661" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKU1LEchxHvVW0nXgwTrthUpWD0tsdyF6p2z-YTRsudoIhQP0Rker6r4A-5tk8n99YuEhp-MtK4JiZqbYFwGoFajb-Ch1RfCFlTvQbj-F6aweMu0Vc-MUpfMHw4vVe5DLBAVsJpwBP37ufNhXYHmEVKK6Lg5QLjPHHeKYVYCznFrlYqsFrfDEu3zz5VXE_/w324-h400/romans%2012%202%20betransformed.png" width="324" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As we have discussed in past blogs Christians have been regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit into new people, providing believers with the capacity to change into those who carry out positive and biblical actions. However, to behave in a scriptural manner we first must know how to think correctly. Even Christians can fall into unhealthy thinking habits such as lust, envy, jealousy and anxiety. Further, even within the church people may regard others and situations in less than biblical ways. Unfortunately, such non-biblical thinking may incite destructive speech and actions which can hurt and adversely influence others.</span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Christianity is a religion based on facts and understanding (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-10%3B+Ephesians+1%3A17&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:17</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Scriptural thinking is productive and healing. How then do we do it? Let’s consider a biblically based process to help us change how we think, and ultimately how we act.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">In the prior blog we discussed using the Bible as a way to correct our thinking, to make ourselves holy and more consistent with God’s goals and desires. What is the next step? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Attitude <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Once we begin to use the Bible to correct our thinking, what attitudes do we cultivate as Christians? There are many important attitudes in the Bible but here are some vital ones to help you start. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Servant</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A10-23%3B+Romans+12%3A1-2%3B+Romans+13%3A8-14&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 6:10-23; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 13:8-14</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">) – We ought to have the perspective of being servants of God and those who love and serve other Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Humility</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – A </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=humble"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">humble</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> person is modest, without thinking too highly of themselves and without excessive expectations for others. Generally, our only expectation for ourselves and others should be seeking God. This applies not only to ourselves, but also to our marriage partners, family members, and Christian friends. Everything else is up for discussion! We serve God and do good to all men (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6%3A1-3%2C10%3B+Romans+12%3A3%3B+Romans+14%3A4&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Galatians 6:1-3,10; Romans 12:3; Romans 14:4</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Faith – </span></i><span lang="EN-US">This is the foundation for a believer’s lifestyle. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A23+&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 14:23</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"> says what is not done in faith is sin. Therefore, we can have peace and joy in the decisions we make done in faith, not condemning ourselves. God is our help!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Obedience </span></i><span lang="EN-US">– Adhering to God’s word and His wise precepts is critical. As Christ said, His commands are not burdensome (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+11%3A28-30&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Matthew 11:28-30</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">). Obedience produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A22-23&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Galatians 5:22-23</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">), and ultimately causes a rich love for God’s word because of its wisdom and actions in promoting healthy thinking and lifestyle (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Romans 12:1-2</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Thankfulness</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – We should be people constantly thanking God for all the blessings He has given us, from our salvation to the smallest elements of our lives. This is key to healthy thinking. We should not have expectations, but work to achieve our goals, created in faith, and trust in God for the results. When we expect certain results, whether from God, ourselves, spouses, family, friends, or work, we will never be satisfied (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A18%3B+Colossians+3%3A15&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3:15</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span lang="EN-US" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">Hope</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> – This attitude is essential because it protects our mind, not only from fear of death but even when we are young, from fear of failure. When we know our future is secure, we can possess confidence as our identity derives from God and not whether we succeed or fail. This attitude assists us in avoiding despondency and developing a healthy perspective towards life that allows us to prosper (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A17%3B+3+John+1%3A2&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0cm;">Ephesians 6:17; 3 John 1:2</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Developing routine mental habits consistent with the Bible will create in us a godly mindset to view life and people the way God desires and help the Holy Spirit bear fruit in your life and others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US">Join us again next time as we complete this important section on practical tips for developing a productive godly mindset. Thank you for visiting my blog. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Share this important blog with your friends and family!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Email - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Website - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></i><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-83298238652074348342024-01-11T05:15:00.000-08:002024-01-11T05:15:09.039-08:00The Power of Godly Thinking: Part 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd-BHrSzOPcEwsZA0O1Ofh1a4ooLNUQoSuDh52EdOY8snPWnfU8zUVCYPlGU2kQTUFkNpcFqVg97OyAtt1ZJtS-N9mz8zDoD-jw0LBPcKLd6lDiIU-ZdbNtZ0teHmEOPiyystOYfFT_02Unv6RK3aBEbnnL3cHbH_GqteZH9MoIjYPscIsO4essYPS9QG/s1024/1%20peter%201%2016%20beholy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd-BHrSzOPcEwsZA0O1Ofh1a4ooLNUQoSuDh52EdOY8snPWnfU8zUVCYPlGU2kQTUFkNpcFqVg97OyAtt1ZJtS-N9mz8zDoD-jw0LBPcKLd6lDiIU-ZdbNtZ0teHmEOPiyystOYfFT_02Unv6RK3aBEbnnL3cHbH_GqteZH9MoIjYPscIsO4essYPS9QG/s320/1%20peter%201%2016%20beholy.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As we have discussed in past blogs, Christians have been regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit into new people, providing the capacity to change ourselves to conduct positive and biblical actions.</span><p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">However, before we can behave in a scriptural manner we first must learn to think correctly. Even Christians can fall into unhealthy thinking habits, such as lust, envy, jealousy and anxiety. Further, even within the church people sometimes may regard other people in less than biblical ways. Unfortunately, such non-biblical thinking may incite destructive speech and actions which can hurt and adversely influence others.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Further, some Christians may mistakenly depend on their emotions or conscience, thinking this is God’s way of directing their lives. However, scripture does not indicate He leads in this manner (please see ‘<a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/christian-walk-gods-leading-freedom/"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Gods Leading and Freedom</span></a>’ chapter in our Know the Bible e-book).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Christianity is a religion based on facts and understanding (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-10%3B+Ephesians+1%3A17&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:17</span></a>). Scriptural thinking is productive and healing. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Goal – Be holy as God is holy<i> </i></span></b><b>(</b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A16&version=KJV"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in; text-decoration: none;">1 Peter 1:16</span></b></a><b>) <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Our objective on earth is to change our behavior to act and think as God. Today we will look at the basis of biblical thinking and an approach to developing it. In the next several blogs we will discuss our attitude in developing biblical thinking as well as the principles and the practical development to Biblical thinking.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Basis of biblical thinking<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">The ground rules for how we can improve our thinking are based in scripture and understanding its message. Further, we cannot begin to serve as God desires unless we do it according to the guidebook which is the Bible (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-10%3B+Ephesians+3%3A4%3B+5%3A17&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 3:4; Ephesians 5:17</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Know the Bible</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Indeed, scripture indicates godliness is based in the <i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">knowledge and understanding</span></i> of scripture. This is our guide to a holy life! Further, we should develop a sober and alert mindset being careful what we do and say. These thought patterns pay dividends in creating spiritual maturity (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A16-17%3B+Ephesians+5%3A15-18%3B+Hebrews+5%3A13-14%3B+Colossians+1%3A9-10&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:16-17; Ephesians 5:15-20; Hebrews 5:13-14; Colossians 1:9-10</span></a>). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">So what is the process? Learn the word! The key is proactively learning and understanding God’s word. This means learning beyond even a great Sunday sermon or beloved devotional to examine carefully the Bible yourself, so you fully comprehend and know it. The knowledge gained is freeing and transformative. However, no one can do it for you. Here are some simple suggestions that you can easily implement in your life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Download an incredible Bible software program like <a href="https://e-sword.net/">eSword</a> on your computer, or <a href="https://mysword.info/download-mysword/mysword">MySword</a> on your smart phone, to help you do efficient and knowledgeable scripture study.<o:p></o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Use a valuable, but simple, <a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/bible-study-methods/"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Bible study method</span></a> such as found on the Teleios website. <o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Arrange your life to free up time to start reading, asking questions, and applying verses from an efficient New Testament epistle, such as Ephesians or Colossians, that will most quickly teach you the fundamentals of Christ and the Christian life.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t be legalistic. Learning the Bible is fun! The goal to grasp God’s word is long-term. It is not meant to be studied by predetermined 5, 15 or 30-minute intervals of time, but approached in love with joyous anticipation to how it will assist you!<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Be patient and the knowledge and the fruit will come over time.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Use a trusted generally commentary like Barnes or Darby on <a href="https://e-sword.net/"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">eSword</span></a>, or a good theology such as from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Basic-Theology-Systematic-Understanding-Biblical/dp/0802427340"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ryrie</span></a>, to help assure yourself you’re not off base. Your pastor, church elder or mature believer, educated in the scriptures, might also help you.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Discuss what you learn with others to enrich them and to practice articulating what you have learned from scripture.<o:p></o:p></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Developing routine mental habits consistent with the Bible will create in us a godly mindset to view life and people the way God desires and allow the Holy Spirit bear fruit in your life and others.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">In summary, the first step in developing a godly mindset is to learn God's word.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks for visiting my blog. Join me next time as we continue this exciting discussion of <a name="_Hlk51669184">how to develop a godly mindset. <o:p></o:p></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk51657398">Share this blog with your friends and family, and return next week as we continue this topic.<o:p></o:p></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email - <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website - <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-10487927548332013132024-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:002024-01-03T08:00:07.441-08:00Defeating Sin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98ggWVci_XDoI59eAm8E-6Xjt7XrgQI8m4snTk-J-fseGO4bsPt7i-6ttjGhYOaDsgwX7tWe38qehAYSE6avGfGePSysR1V3ES1D7u3z9VzgqQtq15O_4xzqN2e48SlUeCp3-QWAwHcnny3f8IZEeUEwitpZuKnmtodm9jIWuWM1-QTIdwRjUQDMbp4-j/s6000/an_vision-gDPaDDy6_WE-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98ggWVci_XDoI59eAm8E-6Xjt7XrgQI8m4snTk-J-fseGO4bsPt7i-6ttjGhYOaDsgwX7tWe38qehAYSE6avGfGePSysR1V3ES1D7u3z9VzgqQtq15O_4xzqN2e48SlUeCp3-QWAwHcnny3f8IZEeUEwitpZuKnmtodm9jIWuWM1-QTIdwRjUQDMbp4-j/s320/an_vision-gDPaDDy6_WE-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <b style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">You can do it (with the Spirit’s help)</span></b><p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">The Christian life is an exciting process of being obedient to God’s word, while using biblical tools to build a more God-like character. This process was outlined in the blogs just prior to this one (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%201:5-7&version=KJV">1 Thessalonians 1:5-7</a>). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">However, there are a number of additional issues in the Christian life that are quite important in scripture and to Christians. This blog deals with one of several of these important topics: dealing with sin.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>How do we handle sin as a born-again believer? <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">This is a big question and plagues each of us some time in our lives. The understanding of a proper answer, based in scripture, is so important to our mental health and relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Recurrent sin - </span>How then does a Christian conquer, in a<span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;"> biblical</span> manner, the issue of sin, real or perceived? Not only is the sin itself a problem but it often produces guilt which might further reduce the quality of relationship with God. Here are some tips from scripture and what is not in scripture. The New Testament epistles indicate the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Perceived sin</span></i> – Make sure your sin is actually viewed by God as sin and you’re not responding to:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>A self-imposed expectation<o:p></o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Social Christian expectations from family or friends<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Legalism derived from other believers<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">For example, watching a movie is not a biblical sin but you may feel guilty based on self-imposed restrictions, your reasons for watching the film (careful: might include sin), or the perceived expectations of your church or Christian colleagues. As <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A4-5&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 4:4-5</span></a> states, everything we do and use in this world should be filtered through prayer and God’s word.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">Remember if you do see the movie (or do anything), do so out of faith, because anything we do without faith itself is sin (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A23&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 14:23</span></a>). Further, only see it if you do not make fellow Christians stumble (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A13-21&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 14:13-21</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Obey</span></i> – This is the predominant response to sin for Christians in the epistles: simply obey (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A12-16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 6:12-16</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 12:1-2</span></a>). We are to be God’s worthy servant! Importantly, we love God and others by obeying Him (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A1-3&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 5:1-3</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Hate sin</span></i> – God hates sin as it is contrary to His righteousness (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1%3A9&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 1:9</span></a>). Sin ultimately hurts us and potentially others. Part of maturity as a person of God is understanding the ill effects of sin and to hate it as God does (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+8%3A13&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Proverbs 8:13</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Defeat sin</span></i> – We are to destroy sin in our lives. We can do this for two amazing reasons:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The Holy Spirit</span></i> – God gave us His powerful Spirit to help us defeat sin (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A13&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 8:13</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Regeneration</span></i> – The Holy Spirit regenerated us (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+3%3A5&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Titus 3:5</span></a>) when we believed at salvation to a new person who is not bound by sin (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A1-3&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 2:1-3</span></a>) but it’s free to serve God (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A2-16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 6:2-16</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">We are forgiven</span></i> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23-26&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 3:23-26</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A13&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 2:13</span></a>) – We do not need to ask for forgiveness because Christ covers our sins by our faith in His sacrifice on the cross for us . <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">Some view <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A9+&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 1:9 </span></a>as saying we should ask for forgiveness; if so, it’s the only such passage in the epistles. In context, this passage presents a foundation for fellowship among believers through our salvation in Christ, before the author proceeds to discuss in Chapters 2 through 4 how a believer acts and believes. John assumes a concept of sin (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A4-10&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 3:4-10</span></a>), and of not obeying the commandments (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A2-6&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 2:2-6</span></a>), as a continual action that, if it defines a person’s life, they probably are an unbeliever. Therefore, John is not using the term ‘sin’ in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A9+&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 1:9</span></a> as a daily sin of a believer that must ask routinely for forgiveness. The verse relates to unbelievers who need forgiveness to salvation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Nonetheless, it is healthy to recognize our sin (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A13&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 8:13</span></a>) before our holy Father and change our life (please see next point), but forgiveness is not in view.<o:p></o:p></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Spiritual warfare</span></i> – Remember our fight is against Satan and not merely against institutions and people in this world. Our tools to defeat Satan, beyond our salvation, are:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Be alert</span></i> – Satan wishes to devour you (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+5%3A8&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 5:8</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Remember his methods</span></i> – Keep from giving him a place and ability to snare you (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A27&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 4:27</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">)</span></u>, caused by:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Not knowing biblical truth or being mature in Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+5%3A14&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 5:14</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Timothy+3%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 </span></a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Timothy+3%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">T</span></a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Timothy+3%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">imothy 3:7</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Incorrect emotions such as anger, lack of forgiveness or temptation! (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A27&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 4:27</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Timothy+3%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 3:7</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">;</span></u> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II+Corinthians+2%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Corinthians 2:7</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Resist him</span></i> – <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">James 4:7</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">; </span></u><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A11&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 6:11</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Put on the whole armor of God</span></i> – This is vital and was discussed in the blog about the Holy Spirit (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 6:10-17</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Flee sin </span></i>– <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+timothy+2%3A22&version=KJV">2 Timothy 2:22</a> tells us to run away from temptation. We are not to surround ourselves with tempting situations to try to measure our spiritual strength. God tells us to put on our running shoes and escape!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">What not to do</span></i> – There is no need to feel guilty, kick yourself, and act defeated. Instead get up on your feet and obey the word of God! Get over it and get busy allowing God to use your good service to Him.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Bonus section, the unpardonable sin</span></i></b> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">This important passage is in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12%3A31-32&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Matthew 12:31-32</span></a>. These verses are often misunderstood, and Christians apply them to themselves.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Remember, you should interpret the gospels through Jewish eyes! In this passage Christ was addressing the Pharisees, who were Jewish leaders. They had the witness from the Holy Spirit, descending upon Christ at His baptism (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Matthew 3</span></a>), which was a testimony He was the promised king bringing salvation as prophesied in the Old Testament (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+59%3A20-21&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Isaiah 59:20-21</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+7%3A12-16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Samuel 7:12-16</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">The Pharisees rejected the testimony of the Holy Spirit and so rejected the message of the kingdom and the gospel. Of course, this was unpardonable (rejecting the gospel).<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">For true believing Christians, we have not rejected the gospel but are saved and secure through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Accordingly. the passage does not apply to Christians.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">These mental disciplines regarding handling of sin are critical to a healthy mindset. God has graciously given us a provision of unimpeded access to Him in prayer through our forgiveness in Christ. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks for joining me, please return next week for another important topic.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email - <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website - <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-50574214692185316232023-12-28T09:18:00.000-08:002023-12-28T09:18:26.458-08:00Dealing with Guilt<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNAd7AIl0eKnsQwAmZN0c_X3QIX43MzY44ga8RGN_NV3txj3WX-vcyi_hcgDwhAUEyIzffCsJoLvQv1OLo8NxBK3aIUUwGZNAAqqbVVE0kdQf2GZ0QaKv83zIczLR7yU3Znxp0I3X0FMaUdRviH5JzYX-N1IxMAK1sa8-iTIiiG7Cq9JhYMUuoCdk4-qM/s502/guilt500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="502" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNAd7AIl0eKnsQwAmZN0c_X3QIX43MzY44ga8RGN_NV3txj3WX-vcyi_hcgDwhAUEyIzffCsJoLvQv1OLo8NxBK3aIUUwGZNAAqqbVVE0kdQf2GZ0QaKv83zIczLR7yU3Znxp0I3X0FMaUdRviH5JzYX-N1IxMAK1sa8-iTIiiG7Cq9JhYMUuoCdk4-qM/s320/guilt500.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Christians feel guilty, seemingly almost routinely. Guilt practically is accepted as a part of the Christian life. Should we feel guilty and if so, why? If not, how do we stop?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">How common is it?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Teleios surveys have shown that approximately <a name="_Hlk49866209">70% of evangelical Christians feel some level of guilt</a>. Fortunately, it appears typically mild.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Why do Christians feel guilty?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Teleios has examined this question among church attendees in an evangelical church on three levels (full </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Guilt-and-wellbeing-data.pdf):" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">report</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">):<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">A person is not a believer (5%)</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – This was a very small percent, but recognizes that there are people within the church community who really do not understand salvation by grace; and the Holy Spirit is probably convicting them (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A8-11&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 16:8-11</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">). In this case, the guilt is appropriate and perhaps will lead to their salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Fear of loss of salvation (28%)</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – These Christians knew they were saved by grace but feared they could lose their salvation, perhaps by sin or disobedience. However, the scriptures indicate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to cover <u>all</u> sins, past, present, and future. For a Christian, saved by grace alone, all sins are forgiven (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A4-5%2C13&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:4-5,13</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A8-9&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 2:8-9</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23-26&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 3:23-26</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A2-9&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 6:2-9</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">;</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+Hebrews+6%3A1-8&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;"> Hebrews 6:1-8</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Fear of God’s displeasure (41%)</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – The greatest percent knew they were saved and secure yet somehow felt some sin, or lack of good works, would cause God to reject them, producing their guilt. This idea is also unbiblical in that we have direct access to God through the ripped veil based on Christ’s sacrifice (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A19-22&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 10:19-22</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">What are the triggers for guilt?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">What causes guilt in a true believer? We do not know precisely, but here are some suggestions:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Lack of knowledge of God’s word</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – This is key! If we don’t know God’s word then we are left defenseless in determining if we hear or read something that suggests we are sinning. So not knowing, the nagging doubt if we are wrong, leads to guilt. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Not meeting others’ expectations</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Family, friends and churches may have expectations for us, that even may be dressed up in Christian jargon, that can produce guilt if we do not meet them. This issue relates directly to the first point in that if you do not know the Bible then you cannot determine if their expectations are correct.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Self-expectations</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Again, this is related to the first point that we may place burdens on ourselves which we fail to meet but may not be biblical.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Wrong corrective response to sin</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Even if we know that we are in sin, we may not respond to that sin in a biblical way. Our response may be based on social Christian tradition or expectations, such as priestly or work-based absolution, re-dedication or re-baptism, self-abasement or pleading for forgiveness from God. These efforts may reduce immediate guilt but are not biblical and would not solve most likely a long-term guilt problem (please see just below, and the last blog, over handling sin).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="color: black;">Continued sin</span></i><span style="color: black;"> - Obviously if we are in a sin and choose willingly to continue it, this may result in feeling guilty <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -0.25in; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">What is the appropriate biblical attitude regarding guilt?</span></b><span style="color: black;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Realize guilt is not required</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – For a true believer who is saved by grace alone the answer is simple: ‘Don’t.’ Why is this? Let’s take it to the source, the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>The Bible does not teach guilt for the believer. The New Testament epistles, the part of the biblical text that provides Christians with guidance, does not teach believers to feel guilty for acts of sin or any other reason.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>Christians are forgiven by Christ’s gracious sacrifice, received by faith; His offering was fully sufficient to cover all our sins. It is given to us as a free gift. Guilt is not part of the package (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A8-9&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 2:8-9</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23-26&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 3:23-26</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">God wants our obedience</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – This is the New Testament response to sin, to obey and mature into the worthy servant that God wants us to be. In this way we can accomplish good things, such as spreading the gospel and serving others, without being self-focused, tied up in knots over insecurity of salvation, questioning our relationship with God, and burdened by our guilt (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A12&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 6:12</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">6:16;</span></a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">12:1;</span></a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+5%3A11-6%3A3&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;"> Hebrews 5:11-6:3).</span></a></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">What is the solution for guilt</span></b><span style="color: black;">?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Make sure you are a believer</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Assure that you recognize your glorious salvation is based completely on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross by faith alone and not mixed with works. Further,<span> </span>as time passes from when you first believed, you will see evidence of biblically based changes in your life (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A10&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Peter 1:10</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">). Please see our </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/salvation-explanation/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>chapter on salvation</span></a></span><span style="color: black;"> for further detail. There is nothing that you can do to help God save or keep you. He does it all!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Realize you are secure</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – God provides protections, both legal and morphologic, by declaring us righteous, adopted, sealed by the Spirit until Christ’s coming, and changed irreversibly into a new person. (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A4-5&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:4-5</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">, </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A13&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:13</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">;</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+Ephesians+2%3A8-9&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;"> Ephesians 2:8-9</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23-26&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 3:23-26</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A2-9&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 6:2-9</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6%3A1-8&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 6:1-8</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Realize you are forgiven</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Certainly, in our relationship with God it makes sense to recognize our day-to-day sin with regret. However, we must realize with God that those sins graciously are forgiven already by Christ’s sacrifice (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A24-25&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 3:24-25</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">: </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A7&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:7</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Access </span></i><span style="color: black;">– We have bold access to God! Our only limitation is ourselves by sin that would keep us from approaching God or hindering our prayers (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+4%3A14-16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 4:14-16</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A19-22&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 10:19-22</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Realize the truth about guilt</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – The Bible does not tell believers to feel guilty but to <i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">obey</span></i> and have joy and peace. Therefore, get up, obey the word, life by faith, live guilt free! A good motto for the Christian life: ‘Live by facts (i.e., the Bible) and not emotions!’ Believe scripture, and do not rely on emotions that you or others place on yourself. God is great and gives us such wonderful biblical wisdom to enrich our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>We have a gracious God who has provided for us forgiveness through Jesus Christ death and resurrection and access through faith. We should not be burdened by guilt but to obey and strive to be holy as God is holy (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:16" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>1 Peter 1:16</span></a><span>). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Thanks for joining me, please return next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Email - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Website - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Facebook - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Instagram - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>YouTube - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-61046377661395268092023-12-20T09:30:00.000-08:002023-12-20T09:30:28.450-08:00Tools for the Christian Life - Outreach<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Iuer_PE8N2Ud8K_yAsCx4LmUCgQyCMTbVrPXxretOs8FielN_Nj6Hpcni4NPeJ98Jnj6ny0DRQ_nF7AXBbI5i2qL6yHdPI1VnWWoOOonlSEFAPRYwzH42Pnn84O5Q4EwPkwmfuE3kqBUR22MK-XDoE__s44Sk5dmgxUfzXMF0KuJCWko6AcYpnx4vhNT/s1350/sharingyourfaith2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1350" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Iuer_PE8N2Ud8K_yAsCx4LmUCgQyCMTbVrPXxretOs8FielN_Nj6Hpcni4NPeJ98Jnj6ny0DRQ_nF7AXBbI5i2qL6yHdPI1VnWWoOOonlSEFAPRYwzH42Pnn84O5Q4EwPkwmfuE3kqBUR22MK-XDoE__s44Sk5dmgxUfzXMF0KuJCWko6AcYpnx4vhNT/s320/sharingyourfaith2.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring the biblical process to mature our Christian life. We have considered a simple scripture-based 5-step approach, what I call the ‘5 tools to maturity,’ taken from</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:42-47&version=KJV" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Acts 2:42 and 47</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Today we will consider our last tool reaching out with the Bible to others.</span><p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Problem</span></i> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Unfortunately, teaching others or sharing the gospel appears to rank right below ‘going to the dentist’ among desired activities. Teleios’ research has shown that people who generally fear sharing the gospel specifically report being afraid of social rejection, offending the other person, not knowing what to say, or how to answer others’ questions (1).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">What teaching is not <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Teleios examined people’s habits in mentioning the gospel (a part of our outreach) (2). In a well-taught Evangelical Church, attendees indicated they conveyed the gospel to others most commonly by:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Sharing their lives – 78%<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Praying for others – 71%<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Encouraging others – 70%<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Loving others – 68%<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Explicitly mentioning how to accept Jesus Christ as Savior – 30%<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Although sharing our lives can be important, it does not replace actually telling someone the gospel or directly teaching the Bible. People cannot guess what we are thinking! Scripture recognizes that we do not have visual support to our faith until Christ comes again (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2%3A8&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 2:8</span></a>) so others need to hear what to believe and someone must explicitly tell them (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10%3A14-17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 10:14-17</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Why do we reach out to others regarding our faith? <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">There are at least several reasons:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Helps others</i> - We know by teaching scripture God can bring people to faith and mature them in their Christian walk. This provides not only salvation but the fruits of the Spirit to empower and enhance people’s lives. Teleios research has shown that people who are Christian, especially when they are adherent, enjoy greater wellbeing (3). Teleios also has shown that Christian societies in general demonstrate improved wellbeing compared to non-Christian countries (4). <o:p></o:p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">It is a command – </span></i>We are told to teach others (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A2&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Timothy 2:2</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">,</span></u><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A15&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">15</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">,</span></u><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2%3A24-26&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">24-26</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A6&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 4:6</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">,</span></u><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">16</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+5%3A12&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 5:12</span></a>) which involves instructing others in the Word of God. However, teaching also may include admonishing others to correct action or thinking (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 3:17</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A19&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 5:19</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Better wellbeing</span></i> – Teleios has found that people who teach and share the plan of salvation enjoy better wellbeing than those who do not. What initially seems fearful is actually enriching after a person has shared the gospel or taught God’s Word (1).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Good judgment</span></i> – The ability to teach appears to indicate maturity which is associated with accurate and efficient judgment and avoiding nasty pitfalls in life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+5%3A14&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 5:14</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Maturity </span></i>– Being able to teach is associated with maturity, especially the attributes of an elder (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+3+%3A1-7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 3:1-7</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+5%3A12&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 5:12</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Uplifting the church</span></i> – The benefit of teaching others scripture or the gospel is not just for the individual but for the church itself. Teaching the Bible and the gospel is the primary way that God can grow the church and we can influence our culture (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A5-10&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:5-10</span></a>). Without Christians passing down the precious words of our Father to the next generation, the church certainly can suffer from lack of support and the opportunity to benefit our society.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">The thought of teaching others can be intimidating for the reasons expressed in our research. Next time I will give you some easy practical hints about how to begin teaching other people what you already know in the Bible. Please join us then. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Let us get to work! The truth we possess in the Bible is good for our family, friends, and acquaintances as well as for our society!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/young-christians-need-help-sharing-the-gospel/">https://teleiosresearch.com/young-christians-need-help-sharing-the-gospel/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/gospel-survey-summary/"><span style="background: white;">https://teleiosresearch.com/gospel-survey-summary/</span></a><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/christians-have-better-personal-wellbeing-than-non-christians/">https://teleiosresearch.com/christians-have-better-personal-wellbeing-than-non-christians/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/effect-perecution-country-freedom/">https://teleiosresearch.com/effect-perecution-country-freedom/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">For questions or to view more of our research…<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com">info@teleiosresearch.com</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/">http://teleiosresearch.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xmsonormal">Youtube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></p><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px;">Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-4433660667160378712023-12-13T09:09:00.000-08:002023-12-13T09:09:18.621-08:00Tools for the Christian Life - Study God's Word<p><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6OoNlpHUgMd0bBMuuf8hL9U1K5K_e0jVipShV0zIz-XLcPG4ZQXh8k40ABjZH7sDkGTWzzmBE8aVu5DHGKT3eE5iIIazSq1MWhUt9L6SJziILOD619q-f7zM3Zv-MG5J8Nu9SSKGQycr12eGUFqP7AThkNf-zrW2tSdP0K5mZYB_o2yZYAJwwQqEsco7/s500/biblestudyresolutionnews500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="500" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6OoNlpHUgMd0bBMuuf8hL9U1K5K_e0jVipShV0zIz-XLcPG4ZQXh8k40ABjZH7sDkGTWzzmBE8aVu5DHGKT3eE5iIIazSq1MWhUt9L6SJziILOD619q-f7zM3Zv-MG5J8Nu9SSKGQycr12eGUFqP7AThkNf-zrW2tSdP0K5mZYB_o2yZYAJwwQqEsco7/s320/biblestudyresolutionnews500.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></i></div><i><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px;"><br /> </span></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring biblical concepts in the Christian life. There are many aspects to the Christian life. However, a pivotal aspect to advancing in our relationship with God is a simple biblically-based 5-step approach, what I call the ‘5 tools to maturity’, taken from Acts 2:42-47.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Today we will consider studying the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">We need to know the Bible! Why? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Can we just not memorize the most important verses and follow the style of Christianity we learned in our college group, church denomination or Sunday school and live a good Christian life? Unfortunately, while these organizations may be primarily based on scripture, parts of their teaching often are derived from a tradition or system rather than the faith and freedom produced from the knowledge of scripture. It is like settling for crackers when you could be enjoying steak or making your highest sporting goal to play little league baseball instead of the Major League!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">Let’s examine what the Bible says.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">The Bible is an authoritative source since it comes from God through the Holy Spirit by way of the apostles (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Timothy 3:16</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A21&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Peter 1:21</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Peter 3:16</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">We are told to know and understand God’s word (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A15&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:15</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">). There are several reasons for this:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>It is a command (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:9</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>We cannot bear fruit or know the manner by which to serve God without first knowing and understanding the Bible (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A10&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:9-10</span></a><span>). Accordingly, to function as a Christian, like anything in life, we need to follow the user manual.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>When we know the manual and its instructions, then the process bears much fruit in our lives. We have better wellbeing stemming from a confident relationship with God. Teleios research has actually shown that those who have more biblical knowledge have better wellbeing and less guilt than those who don’t! (1)<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">It takes a little work and time, but the benefits are huge. We can have joy in:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Bearing fruit in our lives such as joy and peace (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A22&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Galatians 5:22</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Seeing God work through us in others’ lives (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A10&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:10</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Proving the truth His word (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 12:1-2</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Knowing Him better (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A10&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:10</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Loving others in a more accurate and useful fashion (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A9&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Philippians 1:9</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A1-3&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 5:1-3</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Making accurate quick assessments in what is good and bad in situations and with people (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+5%3A14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 5:14</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">), thus keeping ourselves from entering many of life’s difficult situations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Not depending on our emotions.<span> </span>This helps life become more stable and predictable (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+5%3A9-14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 5:9-14</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">). The Bible does not teach that Christianity is based in emotions and actually warns against it (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A12-16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 4:12-16</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A5-8&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">James 1:5-8</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">How do we effectively study scripture?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">There are plenty of Bible study resources on Amazon.com or online that can be effective. Make sure they are Bible based. In addition, someone in your church may be able to help you. You can start effective Bible study with these basic steps:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Download a web-based Bible study tool such as eSword (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.e-sword.net/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">www.e-sword.net</span></a></span><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">) or MySword (https://www.mysword.info)</span></u><span style="color: black;">. They are free and have multiple exciting resources to help understand scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Start with a power-packed epistle such as Ephesians or Colossians to gain essential information about Christ and our Christian life in a concise manner.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Slow down! Take your time and follow these four basic inductive study steps:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Observation </span></i><span style="color: black;">– Ask questions about the verse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 40.5pt left 45.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Interpretation</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Use resources on eSword or MySword to answer your questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 40.5pt left 45.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Application</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – How should the verse specifically change your life today?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 40.5pt left 45.0pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Integration</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – What are other verses that support your interpretation so you can confidently build what you know about the topic discussed in the verse (e.g. salvation, the Holy Spirit, etc.)?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">A number of helpful Bible study method books are available such as The New Joy of Discovery in Bible Study (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Joy-Discovery-Bible-Study/dp/080664429X" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Amazon link</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">). These inductive methods are most helpful and will bring amazing insights out of scripture to your distinct benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">Know the Bible, empower your life!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Thank you for joining me today. Visit next time where we discuss the important topic assuring what we know about scripture with others. What a privilege! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>For questions or to view more of our research…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Email <span> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><span></span></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Website<span> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Facebook <span> </span></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Instagram <span> </span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="xmsonormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Youtube<span> </span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.693334px;">Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures. </span></i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-67027281239708066662023-12-07T11:18:00.000-08:002023-12-07T11:18:39.843-08:00Tools for the Christian Life - Fellowship<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZIE6R3QA7EcHJQjcjEzpAdFTRtEJ4GluDj3eKSFRS5LJbzHiu01NEvWI_BcUAt0nbLdPo8c7RPqHvmT6QcjjckZOTr0xnCz0vlORjGG9wTSlEwCau3T0AjLHa7ytU6C5YR150lrXqfFz7o_InLZyAPwTsRQIQGA_WIbJrCo2KLgwe_BojR2E5H1eBryO/s500/communitynews.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="500" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZIE6R3QA7EcHJQjcjEzpAdFTRtEJ4GluDj3eKSFRS5LJbzHiu01NEvWI_BcUAt0nbLdPo8c7RPqHvmT6QcjjckZOTr0xnCz0vlORjGG9wTSlEwCau3T0AjLHa7ytU6C5YR150lrXqfFz7o_InLZyAPwTsRQIQGA_WIbJrCo2KLgwe_BojR2E5H1eBryO/s320/communitynews.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring biblical concepts in the Christian life. There are many aspects to the Christian life. However, a pivotal part to advance our relationship with God is a simple biblically-based 5-step approach, what I call the ‘5 tools to maturity,’ taken from</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A42%2C47&version=NIV" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Acts 2:42 and 47</span></a><u style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">, </span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">as follows:</span><p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Prayer<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Praise<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Fellowship<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Receiving biblical teaching<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Reaching others with biblical truth<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">These 5 tools describe the activities in the very first church in Jerusalem and provide a model for actions Christians should perform routinely. Importantly, these five activities are confirmed in later verses in the epistles. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">We started our discussion of these 5 tools by examining prayer and praise. Today we will consider fellowship. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Definition</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">The biblical word ‘fellowship’ is most closely expressed in the Greek by the word koinōnia (κοινωνία), and its derivatives, which mean basically “communion” as well as the word metochē (μετοχή) which means “participation.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Functional definition </span></i>– In reality, the Bible does not give a lot of detail, or a singular text, defining fellowship. However, functionally any interaction between Christians that is spiritually based, as described in the Bible, might be considered fellowship (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3%3A12-17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 3:12-17</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A15-20&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 5:15-20</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">What biblical fellowship is not,</span></i> – One benefit we derive from church is social fellowship around food, games, sports, weddings, parties, etc. However, these events may or may not include true fellowship which should have a spiritual basis.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">What does the Bible say about fellowship?</span></i> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">The Bible describes fellowship in the most general ways:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">It occurs only between Christians</span></i> – This is because we cannot be encouraged or learn from those who do not have the Holy Spirit or who do not understand the Christian faith (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1%3A6-10&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 1:6-10</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+6%3A14&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Corinthians 6:14</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Do not neglect </span></i>– We are not to avoid fellowship. This is because it is good for us. It is also good for other people to see God working in us. Please see below (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A15-18&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 10:15-18</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A15&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 13:15</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Why do we need fellowship? <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">The benefits of fellowship are assumed in scripture and are noted by the actions in which we help each other, such as our lifestyle, assisting with needs, bearing burdens, honoring, etc. (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A12-16%2C+Ephesians+5%3A29%2C+Galatians+6%3A2%2C+Romans+12%3A10&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 4:12-16</span>, Ephesians 5:29, Galatians 6:2, Romans 12:10</a>). <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">How do we fellowship? </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">True biblical fellowship can occur in many settings. Regardless the context, biblical fellowship is framed in a lifestyle that is upstanding (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+2%3A10&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Thessalonians 2:10</span></a>) and speech that helps and encourages others (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A29&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 4:29</span></a>). How do we do this? Here are some ideas:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Know God’s word</span></i> – This is important so you are speaking to others correct biblical truth and not church based jargon such as “That is not my gift” or “I do not have a peace about that so I will not do it.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Plan ahead</span></i> – Consider before meeting with a person how you might encourage them specifically with: gratitude, commendation, thought provoking questions, sharing God’s word or recounting what God has done in your own life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A3-7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:3-7</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+1%3A5-7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Thessalonians 1:5-7</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 4:16</span></a>). If you don’t know what to ask them, visit their social media accounts and learn about them. If you are attending a gathering, identify beforehand one person to target with whom to fellowship and encourage.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Listen </span></i>– Be sure and listen when conversing so you can learn and discover how you can even better encourage them (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A19&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">James 1:19</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Control the environment</span></i> – It can be very difficult to discuss godly matters in environments that are controlled by other people such as festive activities or groups of unbelieving people or non-serious Christians. If you find it difficult to have fellowship then create your own environments in which proper fellowship can occur, such as:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Choose a meeting place that is quiet, without anticipated interruptions, where spiritually focused topics can be discussed.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Choose the person or the people specifically to be there who also seek Christ and with whom excellent fellowship can occur.<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Fellowship is a key tool to maturity as a Christian, providing to us encouragement, and seeing others’ lives worth mimicking; while giving us the opportunity to inspire and fortify others in the faith.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Fellowship is one of the great benefits of our Christian life. Thanks be to God for such a provision.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Join us next time as we continue with the next tool to maturity!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">For questions or to view more of our research…<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com">info@teleiosresearch.com</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/">http://teleiosresearch.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xmsonormal">Youtube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> </i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures. </i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"> <o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-47364505041874536892023-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:002023-11-29T08:00:09.264-08:00Tools for the Christian Life - Praise <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHwbEzr1J2kiUcPE7-A8A1qDjd5gPCSZiRZXqPoiQVw5Ro3qOFkYT8PaSO-qJ9JGOXKfuqsinanTsW2IMwVqSdvFWiEr7BBwdbZZpGdm3Waipm_3775YVvv1QQzu9GrFfZknzK8XvyDPuAd3xaybRqq9VME9t9CjqGH8X8N8VAJBkRatQ3aUdcO9OyqHe/s1106/praisegod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1106" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHwbEzr1J2kiUcPE7-A8A1qDjd5gPCSZiRZXqPoiQVw5Ro3qOFkYT8PaSO-qJ9JGOXKfuqsinanTsW2IMwVqSdvFWiEr7BBwdbZZpGdm3Waipm_3775YVvv1QQzu9GrFfZknzK8XvyDPuAd3xaybRqq9VME9t9CjqGH8X8N8VAJBkRatQ3aUdcO9OyqHe/s320/praisegod.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring Biblical concepts in the Christian life. There are many aspects to the Christian life. However, a simple biblically-based 5-step approach to grow our relationship with God is what I call the ‘5 tools to maturity,’ taken from </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A42%2C47&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Acts 2:42 and 47</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">, </span></u><span style="color: black;">as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Praise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Fellowship<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Receiving biblical teaching<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Reaching others with biblical truth<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">These 5 tools describe the activities in the very first church in Jerusalem and provide a model for the actions Christians should perform routinely. Importantly, these five activities are confirmed in later verses in the epistles. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Last week started our discussion of these 5 tools by examining the content and attitude in prayer. Today we will consider several common questions about praise.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">How do we praise<span>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Definition of ‘praise’</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘praise’ as:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>To express a favorable judgment or commend<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>To glorify (a god or saint) especially by the attribution of perfections<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Content of praise</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – For a Christian what are the elements of biblical praise? The Bible gives some hints:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>Acknowledgement of God’s perfect character (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A6&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:6</span></a><span>)<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>Acknowledgement of God’s righteous actions (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A14&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Psalm 139:14</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+148&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Psalm 148</span></a><span>)<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span>Thankfulness (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A15&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 13:15</span></a><span>)<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Reason for praise</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Why do we praise God? The reasons are vital to our Christian life and are listed below:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The Bible commands us to praise</span></i><span> – It is our duty to praise God. However, God does not give us commands without reason, so several potential explanations follow below (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+150&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Psalm 150</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15%3A11&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 15:11</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A15&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 13:15</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">God deserves praise – </span></i><span>Our Father in Heaven is the almighty God who has provided for our salvation through His precious Son, Jesus Christ, as a free gift through faith that we could have eternal life. This salvation is a sure hope and anchor for our souls. Surely, He deserves glory, thanks, and praise (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4%3A11&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 4:11</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6%3A19&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 6:19</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">It is good for us to praise – </span></i><span>God made us! Therefore, He knows what is good for us. It is good for us to praise because:<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">God’s ordained order</span></i><span> – Praise reminds us of the order of the universe. We are not the most important thing in creation. God’s goals and priorities are higher and better than ours.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Humility</span></i><span> – Realizing that God’s plans are more important than ours might limit our complaining and remind us that we are here to serve our great God.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Attitude</span></i><span> – Praise teaches us thankfulness in realizing God’s gifts to us in creation, in Christ and His benefits in this life as our Father. These should promote an attitude of thankfulness and reduce our expectations (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A8&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Philippians 4:8</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">We do indeed have a great God and Savior who are worthy of all praise, honor and glory! Praise not only in church but also in your everyday life. It will transform your Christian walk.<span> </span>Join us next time as we discuss fellowship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Thanks for joining me, please return next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Email - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Website - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Facebook - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Instagram - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>YouTube - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-87439477803496683432023-11-22T08:11:00.000-08:002023-11-22T08:11:49.745-08:00Tools for the Christian Life: Prayer - Part 2<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QoxRaIDmDVtsgBjePyO_wZCEYtET-z6xhzVK4Bjzl7nhEiwniy3HBpl81Dli9dkZiCROdDcFDNXxMI2wzyx-r6qE4FazvWqI2WTRv6Glk9w8YnWWPkqpBjTF0bRYjwunoHqqSV9sNczeWa6oVWip1bF5IIMykmr_EB4CKAZGinaYD4i6PPD3tGXyAyGs/s368/praywhy.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QoxRaIDmDVtsgBjePyO_wZCEYtET-z6xhzVK4Bjzl7nhEiwniy3HBpl81Dli9dkZiCROdDcFDNXxMI2wzyx-r6qE4FazvWqI2WTRv6Glk9w8YnWWPkqpBjTF0bRYjwunoHqqSV9sNczeWa6oVWip1bF5IIMykmr_EB4CKAZGinaYD4i6PPD3tGXyAyGs/s320/praywhy.PNG" width="314" /></a></div><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring biblical concepts in the Christian life. There are many aspects to the Christian life. However, a pivotal aspect is advancing in our relationship with God; a simple biblically-based 5-step approach is what I call the ‘5 tools to maturity,’ taken from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A42%2C47&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Acts 2:42 and 47</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">, </span></u>as follows:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Prayer<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Praise<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Fellowship<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Receiving biblical teaching<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Reaching others with biblical truth<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">These 5 tools describe the activities in the very first church in Jerusalem and provide a model for the actions Christians should perform routinely. Importantly, these five activities are confirmed in later verses in the epistles. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Last time started our discussion of these 5 tools by examining the content and attitude in prayer. Today we will consider several common questions about prayer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">As born-again believers, how do we know what to pray?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Biblical </span></i>– Our prayer requests should be consistent with what glorifies Jesus Christ (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A13-14&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 14:13-14</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">15:7</span></a>). The Apostle Paul offers 3 model prayers in the epistles in which he emphasizes what God wishes us and others to attain in our Christian walk, no matter what the situation (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A15-23&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:15-23</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A14-17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 3:14-17</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-15&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:9-15</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; vertical-align: baseline;">For example, if someone asked you to pray for their sick relative, not only could you pray for their health as God cares for all our needs, but pray also according to the model prayers by Paul as these list the issues in which God wishes us to mature no matter what the situation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Paul’s model prayers include the following themes: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Confidence of our salvation (hope).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Knowledge, understanding and wisdom of God’s word, especially the epistles.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Knowledge of God’s power.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Knowledge of God’s love.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Demonstration of service, all done in power, patience, joy and persistence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">What about confession of our sins? <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">This is a controversial point. The epistles do not instruct us, as Christians saved by faith, to confess daily our sins to God. We are forgiven as we confessed our sins, once for all time, at salvation (1 Jn 1:6-10)! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">In contrast, the common injunction to believers in the epistles simply to obey (i.e., turning from our daily sins to adhere to the Bible, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A12-20&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 6:12-20</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+3%3A14&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Thessalonians 3:14</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A22&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 3:22</span></a>). It is the Holy Spirit who helps us obey and defeat our sins (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A13&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 8:13</span></a>). Therefore, knowing we are forgiven, our prayers can be more forward-looking, service-oriented and filled with praise and thankfulness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Why pray</span></i>? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">Medical research indicates that active prayer increases wellbeing, and the more frequent the prayer the better the wellbeing. Prayer is good for us and the epistles tell us to do it! Several potential benefits of prayer are:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">God cares:</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>It provides a release for our emotions to God, perhaps relieving tension and frustration.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>It engenders a sense that somebody cares and is listening. We also know that the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself pray on our behalf (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+7%3A25&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 7:25</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A26%2C34&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 8:26,34</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Good reminders:</span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>It causes us to recognize and learn scripture as we pray.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>It allows us time to consider and how we might help, problems (ours or other’s problems.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>It reminds us to be thankful for others and for His blessings to us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>It helps us to praise and remember that we have a great God whose purposes are greater than ours. Thus, it helps keep our own problems in perspective.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">God answers</span></i>: In addition, as Christians we have the benefit of God’s promise to answer prayer so there may be a further benefit through His gracious provisions (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A13-14&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 14:13-14</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A13&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 5:13</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Prayer is a key tool to maturity as a Christian, invoking God’s help but reminding us of scripture, praise and thankfulness, all which may our assist our wellbeing. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Prayer is one of the great benefits of our Christian life. Thanks be to God for such a provision.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Join us next time as we discuss the vital topic of praise.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email - <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website - <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-30544102509371316802023-11-16T13:33:00.000-08:002023-11-16T13:33:50.557-08:00Tools for the Christian Life: Prayer - Part 1<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H_y9QjKX0-FN4PPjhlG4P4BG_pH7_63a6W2nUfdxd7PPdOTQOrLiwa8jbzXkLIKswlFsi2S2QRPvgkNH-pnSnleRP0TuSGYf5WAKssJFkNOIazxwMCFq6L_my6awefFIW9CA4DB4vPHwYYyY6aGgQPRmyoB3c1ni0m3uC4IQgFwbPO2qfPOXGb7GVi5k/s425/pray4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="425" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H_y9QjKX0-FN4PPjhlG4P4BG_pH7_63a6W2nUfdxd7PPdOTQOrLiwa8jbzXkLIKswlFsi2S2QRPvgkNH-pnSnleRP0TuSGYf5WAKssJFkNOIazxwMCFq6L_my6awefFIW9CA4DB4vPHwYYyY6aGgQPRmyoB3c1ni0m3uC4IQgFwbPO2qfPOXGb7GVi5k/s320/pray4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring biblical concepts in the Christian life. There are many aspects to the Christian life. However, a simple biblically-based 5-step approach to grow our relationship with God is what I call the ‘5 tools to maturity,’ taken from </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A42%2C47&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Acts 2:42 and 47</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">, </span></u><span style="color: black;">as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Praise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Fellowship<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Receiving biblical teaching<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Teaching others with biblical truth<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">These 5 tools describe the activities documented in the very first church in Jerusalem and provide a model for the actions Christians should perform routinely. Importantly, these five activities are confirmed in later verses in the epistles.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Today and over the next several blogs we will discuss each of these tools in turn as they are so fundamental to our walk with God. Let us begin with prayer!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">We do indeed have a great God to whom we are privileged to pray. How do we pray? Here are the basic biblical concepts:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Attitude</span></i><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">The 7 C’s<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Christlike</span></i><span> – We are to pray in such a way that is consistent with the goals of Christ as established in the Bible (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A13-14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 14:13-14</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Consistent with the Spirit</span></i><span> – Our prayer should be consistent with God’s revealed Word (i.e., scripture, </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A13-14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 14:13-14</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 5:14</span></a><span>) which the Holy Spirit uses to provide us power (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A17&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 6:17</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jude+1%3A20&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Jude 1:20</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Confident –</span></i><span> As a forgiven Christian God views us as sinless which allows us the privilege of direct, unimpeded access to Him so we can pray. We can come before God with courage (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+4%3A14-16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 4:14-16</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A20-22&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;"> 10:20-22</span></a><span>)!<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Continual</span></i><span> – Our prayers are to be persistent, frequent (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A12&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 12:12</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A17&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Thessalonians 5:17</span></a><span>) and in all places (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+2%3A8&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 2:8</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Changeable</span></i><span> – Allow prayer itself, and scripture, to correct our attitudes and requests (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A5&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 4:5</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Consecrated</span></i><span> – Our prayers should be unhindered by sin (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A7&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 3:7</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Careful </span></i><span>– We should be sober and watchful in our prayers (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4%3A7&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 4:7</span></a><span>)<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Content of prayer</span></i><span style="color: black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Scripture also describes several general themes in our prayers:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Thankfulness</span></i><span> – We should express gratitude for what God has done in our own and other people’s lives (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philemon+1%3A4&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Philemon 1:4</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Praise</span></i><span> – We should acknowledge God’s holy character and actions.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Note: The first two aspects of our prayers add to our proper attitude mentioned above but are also important content. </span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Our requests</span></i><span> – We may petition God with anything that worries or concerns us. We should remember that we are praying to the great God of the universe (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A6-7&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Philippians 4:6-7</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+4%3A12&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 4:12</span></a><span>).<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Specific requests</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – They should be consistent with God’s desires and example prayers recorded in scripture (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A13-14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 14:13-14</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A15-19&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:15-19</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A15-18&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 3:15-18</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:9-14</span></a><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Pray for others</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Examples of prayer for other people are frequent in scripture (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+5%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">James 5:16</span></a><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Request prayer from others</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Paul often requested prayers from others (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians+4%3A3%3B+Ephesians+6%3A19&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 6:19</span></a><span style="color: black;">), which may have had the following advantages:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Help induce God to answer the prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Allows others to share in God’s answers to your prayers by asking them to pray for you so they also might be encouraged when you report to them the answered prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">We do not know exactly how God uses prayer requests from other people. In his epistles, Paul often asks for prayer (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+4%3A3-4&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 4:3-4</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A25&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Thessalonians 5:25</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">) although scripture generally does not mention that believers should ask other people to pray for them. Further, there is no set number scripture provides of people praying for you which God desires to answer Prayer. We do know, however, that God answers prayer according to His will (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A13-14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 14:13-14</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+5%3A14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 John 5:14</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Therefore, prayer is a key tool to maturity as a Christian, invoking God’s help but yet reminding us of scripture, praise and to be thankful, all which may our assist our wellbeing. Prayer is one of the great benefits of our Christian life. Thanks be to God for such a provision.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Join us next time as we discussed the basis of our prayers and several special common questions about our petitions to God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Email - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Website - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Facebook - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Instagram - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>YouTube - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></i><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-9680312055067370712023-11-09T10:01:00.004-08:002023-11-09T10:01:33.305-08:00The Christian Life - Part 5<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yEAUsp-SXaaI9oj93acCL95uwHnhlRyc9SZh9eGXhIiw0ItsQsEzyXsmNuGTdosZBHDRq96-M0lfwqURl_9Rp9uOXlA4N4pfVROw89ysstJsCcS_U4O_Bs_pNQf09jO-X_53z_lcy5MDRREZZNyi3VLg8N-ZzO3u1N2faPMG7VSi8_LwTey9pB-YHxPN/s400/tools400.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="400" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yEAUsp-SXaaI9oj93acCL95uwHnhlRyc9SZh9eGXhIiw0ItsQsEzyXsmNuGTdosZBHDRq96-M0lfwqURl_9Rp9uOXlA4N4pfVROw89ysstJsCcS_U4O_Bs_pNQf09jO-X_53z_lcy5MDRREZZNyi3VLg8N-ZzO3u1N2faPMG7VSi8_LwTey9pB-YHxPN/s320/tools400.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Tools for the Christian Life</span></b></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring Biblical concepts in the Christian life. We recently about the three types of sanctifications (being set apart for holiness) which delineate our Christian experiences:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i>Salvation</i> - Our legal sanctification by the blood of Christ in faith (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3:21-26">Romans 3:21-26</a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i>The Christian life</i> - We seek to become sanctified in our actions and thoughts as God is holy (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A16&version=KJV">1 Peter 1:16</a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i>Heaven</i> - Christ takes us to our eternal home when our bodies will be sanctified (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A50-58&version=KJV">1 Corinthians 15:50 ff</a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Importantly, when one sanctification is complete and we progress to the next, we cannot return to the prior state. This helps us know that we have eternal security and confidence in our relationship with God; please review the last blog about this important lesson.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">We then discussed scripturally based goals for Christian living and the tools God provides by which we can accomplish them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Be holy as God is holy </span></i>- We should strive to develop godly characteristics in our life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 1:16</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Live a life of faith </span></i>– God is pleased by our faith, not guilt and legalism (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A23%3B+Colossians+2%3A6&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 14:23; Colossians 2:6</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Serve God with your entire life</span></i> – In accomplishing this goal we have great freedom to live by faith within the broad bounds of the New Testament epistles’ commands (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 12:1-2</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></b>From there we learned that we have <i>tools</i> to implement the Christian life by God's word through the power of the Holy Spirit. So, knowing this key information, how do we actually mature ourselves as Christians? As a reminder, the first step to the Christian life is to accept Christ’s forgiveness for our misdeeds by faith in His death and resurrection (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2:8-9&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 2:8-9</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23-26&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 3:23-26</span></a>; see “Our great salvation <a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/index.php/salvation-explanation/"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">summary</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">”</span></u>). The next important step is to understand that our salvation is permanent – no matter what – and that we should not feel guilty in daily life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A4-5&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 1:4-5</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A27-31&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 10:27-31</span></a>; see “Our secure salvation <a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/index.php/security-summary/"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">summary</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">”</span></u>)! This is the foundation for the Christian life. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">How then do we live the Christian life?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">There are many aspects to the Christian life. However, a simple biblically-based 5-step approach to grow our relationship with God is what I call the ‘5 tools to maturity,’ taken from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2%3A42%2C47&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Acts 2:42 and 47</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">, </span></u>as follows:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Prayer<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Praise<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Fellowship<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Receiving biblical teaching<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Reaching others with biblical truth<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">These 5 tools describe the activities in the very first church in Jerusalem and provide a model for the actions Christians should perform routinely. Importantly, these five activities are confirmed in later verses in the epistles.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Why are these 5 tools important? When implemented consistently, and in balance with each other, these activities produce a godly mindset and righteous actions in our daily lives.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">These five tools are fundamental; we will spend the time over the next five blogs describing the importance of each in the Christian life and practically how to implement them. Please join us! We hope these blogs will help revolutionize your life and relationship with our God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email - <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com">info@teleiosresearch.com</a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website - <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/">http://teleiosresearch.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-61768775483023018412023-11-01T08:30:00.000-07:002023-11-01T08:30:09.980-07:00The Christian Life - Part 4<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9PcEjl9kYQ6NypalYloPQ-nexAVtzsphBBhwXeB0txVtVMaCK1N5zagd9UFRof_fkcCC8-lJkSNBIRmC-RewGXL89BynDBOxHT1wabM1diP8SHby2xy573Xa6P-7S4HZqLOTJxPzYJcyXs9fZvMmBUlbgmk0EVTZWrNtyes8Rcs-tUFzFkubZe-hQOOS/s644/christianwalk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="644" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9PcEjl9kYQ6NypalYloPQ-nexAVtzsphBBhwXeB0txVtVMaCK1N5zagd9UFRof_fkcCC8-lJkSNBIRmC-RewGXL89BynDBOxHT1wabM1diP8SHby2xy573Xa6P-7S4HZqLOTJxPzYJcyXs9fZvMmBUlbgmk0EVTZWrNtyes8Rcs-tUFzFkubZe-hQOOS/s320/christianwalk3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series exploring Biblical concepts in the Christian life. We spoke initially about the three sanctifications (being set apart for holiness) which delineate our Christian experiences:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="color: black;">Salvation</span></i><span style="color: black;"> - Our legal sanctification by the blood of Christ in faith (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3:21-26" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Romans 3:21-26</span></a><span style="color: black;">)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="color: black;">The Christian life</span></i><span style="color: black;"> - We seek to become sanctified in our actions and thoughts as God is holy (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A16&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>1 Peter 1:16</span></a><span style="color: black;">)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="color: black;">Heaven</span></i><span style="color: black;"> - Christ takes us to our eternal home when our bodies will be sanctified (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A50-58&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>1 Corinthians 15:50 ff</span></a><span style="color: black;">)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Importantly, when one sanctification is complete and we progress to the next, we cannot return to the prior sanctified state. This helps us know that we have eternal security and confidence in our relationship with God; please review the last blog about this important lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">We then discussed scripturally based goals for Christian living and the tools God provides by which we can accomplish them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Be holy as God is holy </span></i><span style="color: black;">- We should strive to develop godly characteristics in our life (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 1:16</span></a><span style="color: black;">)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Live a life of faith </span></i><span style="color: black;">– God is pleased by our faith, not guilt and legalism (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A23%3B+Colossians+2%3A6&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 14:23; Colossians 2:6</span></a><span style="color: black;">)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Serve God with your entire life</span></i><span style="color: black;"><span> </span>– In accomplishing this goal we have great freedom to live by faith within the broad bounds of the New Testament epistles’ commands (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 12:1-2</span></a><span style="color: black;">)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Most recently we discussed the tools that God gives us to accomplish these goals which are the Bible and His power as manifested through His Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Borders for the Christian life <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Although we have great freedom to pursue God in faith, He does place wise borders on our lives to keep us on the scriptural playing field, so we do not run out of balance and take ourselves out of the action. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Admonishments for the Christian life</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – These exist to fulfill two general purposes from a holy God:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Maintain an orderly society</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – These are reflected in commands such as “do not murder” or “do not steal” and are often repeated from the Old Testament. God’s order commands are interspersed throughout the epistles. In general, His commands are few and protective to us and society, leaving us a broad path in life in which He wants us to live by faith to serve Him. <i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Note: Old Testament and gospel commands</span></i> – These commands reflect God’s holiness. Nonetheless, they are dictates for another time when God administered His people differently. We obey commands within the epistles because these are for the church time in which we now live. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Live a wise and godly life</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – Like the commands related to orderliness, these injunctions also are interspersed throughout the epistles and provide wisdom about how to lead the Christian life. Interestingly, research in the medical literature has shown that when such admonishments are obeyed they increase wellbeing, such as producing hope, forgiveness, thankfulness, and joy (</span><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CV-Teleios-Wellbeing-Review-JRH.pdf" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">https://teleiosresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CV-Teleios-Wellbeing-Review-JRH.pdf</a><span style="color: black;">). Further, Teleios’ research has shown that Christians who study the Bible and practice what it says its precepts on average have better wellbeing than those who do not. God made us and He knows our psychological profile and what is healthy for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="color: black;">Use your freedom wisely</span></i><span style="color: black;"> - </span>Although God grants us wide freedom in our Christian walk, the Apostle Paul tells us not to misuse this freedom if we're causing other believers, who are following legalistic non-biblical commands out of faith, to stumble (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+8%2C+1+Corinthians+10%3A23ff%2C+Romans+14&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8; 1 Corinthians 10:23ff</a>). An example of this might be drinking alcohol. Scripture tells us that we should not become drunk (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians+5%3A18&version=ESV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Ephesians 5:18</a>) but does not tell us not to drink alcohol. Therefore, we are free to partake of alcohol in a responsible way (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A4-5&version=ESV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">1 Timothy 4:4-5</a>) in which we remain sober. However, we should not drink if we are causing a Christian who believes that we should refrain from alcohol to become discouraged in their faith.<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">God has granted us great freedom to live in faith in accordance with broad scriptural commands. Our ability to know truth helps us navigate life in a productive and joyful way. We thank God for His provision and wise and truthful word. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">We will discuss in the next blog the methods God graciously provides us to use to mature ourselves in Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Email - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Website - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Facebook - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Instagram - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>YouTube - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-73853810411147207712023-10-26T14:54:00.003-07:002023-10-26T14:54:26.582-07:00The Christian Life - Part 3<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDjomQAiOrlp-t7zaYC-usT5PlMdewe5vPQbhr_JyMk7lLwlfSKsVg0FbgZtScDyflvUrAmHIXmyitBRO1T3igw4TC-l8dCJJAFFPlAJRXrnu6buePqpt9s8C_XH4eW6RzK3efnUB0TBY7fKwc3e41VhA9E5IXmDOpCEeN4FCpZtj5Kusv31mAaq4IcuB/s958/armor-of-god1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDjomQAiOrlp-t7zaYC-usT5PlMdewe5vPQbhr_JyMk7lLwlfSKsVg0FbgZtScDyflvUrAmHIXmyitBRO1T3igw4TC-l8dCJJAFFPlAJRXrnu6buePqpt9s8C_XH4eW6RzK3efnUB0TBY7fKwc3e41VhA9E5IXmDOpCEeN4FCpZtj5Kusv31mAaq4IcuB/s320/armor-of-god1.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Tools <o:p></o:p></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Welcome back to my blog. We are discussing the Christian life. God gives us so much that makes our lives abundant!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">We discussed last time goals for the Christian life and started exploring the two primary tools to accomplish these goals. The first tool is God's word. Please review last week's blog below. Now let us explore the second tool, the Holy Spirit and His power to accomplish Christian living.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">God’s power <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">God’s power in the New Testament for believers is manifested generally in two ways:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The gospel </span></i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">(</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A16-17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 1:16-17</span></a>)<i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;"> – </span></i>This is the power of God to salvation! The Holy Spirit is active in the process by convicting unbelievers of their sin (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A10&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 16:10</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">In the Christian life </span></i>(<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 6:10-17</span></a>) – The magnificent armor of God passage is critical to understanding our Christian life because it instructs us how to access God’s power by describing a Greek hoplite soldier and his armament. Often Christians wonder how they can know the power of God. These great verses describe it! However, it is also important in showing the role of the Spirit because His mighty actions are linked to each of the pieces of armor in other scripture.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Truth</span></i> (our belt to prepare us V.14) – Living in truth is a fruit of the Spirit (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A9&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 5:9</span></a>) and prepares our mind to make proper decisions and actions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Righteousness </span></i>(our breastplate V.14) – A fruit of the Spirit is a holy heart that is set apart to serve God and perceives and rejects sin (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A9&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 5:9</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Share the gospel</span></i> (the shoes to carry us to battle V.15) – By telling others the message of salvation we see the power of God to change others and positively affect our society, which is assisted by the Spirit (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A16-17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 1:16-17</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Timothy 1:7</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A8-11&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 16:8-11</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Faith</span></i> (our shield V.16) – Another fruit or evidence of the Spirit is faith by which we make our decisions and do what God desires from us (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A22-23&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Galatians 5:22-23</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A23&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 14:23</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Eternal security </span></i>(our helmet V.17) – The sound knowledge of our security of salvation protects our heads as we face troubles in this world and its function comes from the Spirit (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15%3A13%2C+Romans+8%3A16&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 15:13, Romans 8:16</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The Bible </span></i>(our sword V.17) – The power of God we experience in our Christian life is through the action of the Spirit in accordance to the Bible (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+4%3A12&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 4:12</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">What great truths! What a privilege to know God through His word and live a holy life which pleases Him. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you for joining me today. Please return next time as we continue the exciting discussion of the Christian walk that's associated benefits in life. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email - <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website - <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-88201314150079205742023-10-19T07:02:00.000-07:002023-10-19T07:02:00.167-07:00The Christian Life - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgGJbnlIbECcLdSL_XXkd49b6pY5Vj_YUFuEBqrnahH-nllkLtvz43ewrLFXj5cfEZhS_EVGBZqCWZuCec8oIKrdAKCjiCnrT0yFSPMmDNR9ywJrK1hKXcM_3ywPCQ-79kBmvyK27O-7ynr1zvHmO-S9YdnyA1WWP4C10wnEhRrEqzigxSNikZPL-lW5t/s5936/sixteen-miles-out-Qv5OiJ7EqAI-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3957" data-original-width="5936" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgGJbnlIbECcLdSL_XXkd49b6pY5Vj_YUFuEBqrnahH-nllkLtvz43ewrLFXj5cfEZhS_EVGBZqCWZuCec8oIKrdAKCjiCnrT0yFSPMmDNR9ywJrK1hKXcM_3ywPCQ-79kBmvyK27O-7ynr1zvHmO-S9YdnyA1WWP4C10wnEhRrEqzigxSNikZPL-lW5t/s320/sixteen-miles-out-Qv5OiJ7EqAI-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Welcome back to my blog. We are in a series covering the Christian life. We spoke last time about the three sanctifications which delineate our Christian experiences:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i>Salvation</i> - Our legal sanctification by the blood of Christ by faith (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3:21-26">Romans 3:21-26</a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i>The Christian life</i> - We seek to become sanctified in our actions and thoughts as God is holy (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A16&version=KJV">1 Peter 1:16</a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i>Heaven</i> - Christ takes us to our eternal home when our bodies will be sanctified (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A50-58&version=KJV">1 Corinthians 15:50 ff</a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Importantly, when one sanctification is complete and we progress to the next, we cannot return to the prior sanctified state. This helps us know that we have eternal security and confidence in our relationship with God (please see the last blog for a review of this important lesson).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Goals<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">For this current blog then let us talk about scriptural based goals for Christian living and the tools God provides by which we can accomplish them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Be holy as God is holy </span></i>- We should strive to develop godly characteristics in our life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Peter 1:16</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Live a life of faith </span></i>– God is pleased by our faith, not guilt and legalism (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+14%3A23%3B+Colossians+2%3A6&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 14:23; Colossians 2:6</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Serve God with your entire life</span></i> – In accomplishing this goal we have great freedom to live by faith within the broad bounds of the New Testament epistles’ commands (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12%3A1-2&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 12:1-2</span></a>)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Tools for leading the Christian life <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">What has God given us to accomplish these goals? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The Bible<b> </b>– </span>We are to accept God’s word as a true guide for our lives (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+1%3A6&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Thessalonians 1:6). </span></a>In Paul’s informative prayer in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A9-14&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:9-14</span></a>, he indicates the importance of approaching our Christian life in a knowledgeable way (verse 9). Accordingly, to act correctly (verse 10) we first must know how to think. We do this first by knowing God’s Word, especially the epistles in the New Testament (Romans to Revelation 3). This is the section meant specifically to provide directions for the church age. How do we know the importance of the New Testament epistles in our lives? There is a process by which it developed:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i>God the Father</i> - All truth began with God and was given to His Son to give to man (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A24%3B+John+17%3A14&version=KJV">John 14:24; John 17:14</a>). <o:p></o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Jesus Christ</span></i> – He came and spoke to us, as recorded in the gospels, so people would believe in Him as Messiah. Upon the rejection of His message (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Matthew 12</span></a></span>), He taught the disciples about the coming age (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13-18%3B+Matthew+24-25%3B+John+14-17&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Matthew 13-18; Matthew 24-25; John 14-17</span></a></span>), later confirmed by the Apostle Paul (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12%3A2-4%3B+Colossians+1%3A25%3B+Ephesians+3%3A3&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 3:3</span></a></span>).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The Apostles</span></i> – Christ tasked the apostles to teach God’s truth to the church (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A19-20&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Matthew 28:19-20</span></a></span>, sometimes called “apostolic authority”. It was the listener’s duty to obey what they heard from the apostles, not yet having the written scriptures. Importantly, the authority of the Bible itself is established not just by direct statements that claim it is scripture (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A21%3B+2+Peter+3%3A16%3B+2+Timothy+3%3A16&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Peter 1:21; 2 Peter 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16</span></a></span>) but also by verses which indicate the authority of the apostles (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Thessalonians+3%3A4-6%3B+Colossians+1%3A25%3B+2+Thessalonians+3%3A14&version=KJV" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Thessalonians 3:4-6; Colossians 1:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:14</span></a></span>). To them God gave the charge to teach His truth and later to write the epistles, because they were taught by Christ Himself.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Second generation Christians –</span></i> These believers received the word from the apostles and taught new believers under their authority (e.g., <span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A6%3B+2+Timothy+2%3A2%3B+2+Timothy+2%3A24&version=KJV">1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:24</a></span>).<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The biblical canon</span></i> – The true Word of God was written down as epistles with guidance by the Holy Spirit (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Timothy 3:16</span></a></span>). These letters were circulated probably in the early church period when apparently an informal canon of scriptures was formed. A generally accepted canon existed in the 2nd century (1). The New Testament in its current form was finalized at the Synod of Hippo in 393 AD. The late date of finalization occurred probably due to Christians could not openly meet until Constantine legalized Christianity after he became the Roman emperor in 313 AD.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Biblical authority for the Christian life</span></i> – The Bible speaks of accepting God’s word and using it as a basis for our lives (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Timothy 3:16</span></a></span>; <span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A17&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 6:17</span></a></span>; <span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+3%3A16&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Peter 3:16</span></a></span>). Consequently, through scripture, we gain not only the knowledge of the will of God and the benefits of the Spirit but also a healthy mind (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+1%3A5&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 1:5</span></a></span>; <span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A7&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Timothy 1:7</span></a></span>). <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Far from being restrictive, the Bible liberates us by teaching us wisdom and truth … with very few commands! It allows us to live a life of faith without being deceived by damaging practices in the world (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+4%3A4-5&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Timothy 4:4-5</span></a>). The Bible is our guidebook for life. As we live it in faith we prove God’s working within us with the accompanying joy of seeing Him bring fruit into our lives (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A22&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Galatians 5:22</span></a>; <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A9&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 5:9</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">What great truths! What a privilege to know God through His word and to live a life that is holy and pleasing to Him. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Please join us again next time as we continue to examine the tools we have for the Christian life. We will discuss God’s power! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email - <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com">info@teleiosresearch.com</a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website - <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/">http://teleiosresearch.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-42562177117071520172023-10-11T14:27:00.000-07:002023-10-11T14:27:10.162-07:00The Christian Life - Part 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-HWY6fbZIExF3S5fBsRW_3vSI0Ky1DFgrmtwogH-ZvNmg00dAeEoPfGT1q5GKKPpUlSxcldRj-ujm5PEGVeyZ33GoBzoRAJj_I-BgTyxy7heoq-lPfskQBi7zyo31zc_TpjSFEW5pgMhEB-OlG4wD95KXvD6qRucICJkoa4h-OJW1NwY2uyWn8ydOpXN/s1350/eternalsecurity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1350" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-HWY6fbZIExF3S5fBsRW_3vSI0Ky1DFgrmtwogH-ZvNmg00dAeEoPfGT1q5GKKPpUlSxcldRj-ujm5PEGVeyZ33GoBzoRAJj_I-BgTyxy7heoq-lPfskQBi7zyo31zc_TpjSFEW5pgMhEB-OlG4wD95KXvD6qRucICJkoa4h-OJW1NwY2uyWn8ydOpXN/s320/eternalsecurity.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The Foundation</span></b><p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">The term Christian life roughly refers to how we live as a believer. Our Christian life is vital to gain and know the fruit of the Holy Spirit, derived from obedience, as well as to serve our Savior who saved us (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A22-23%3B+Philippians+2%3A12%3B+Romans+12%3A1-2&version=KJV">Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 2:12; Romans 12:1-2</a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Importantly, two preconditions exist to enjoy the Christian life. If you are unsure If you meet these conditions, please review <span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Chapters 1-3</span> of <a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/know-the-bible/">Know the Bible</a> on the Teleios website.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">The preconditions: Salvation and assurance</span></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Being saved by grace, having received the forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection to new life (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A8-10%3B+Romans+3%3A21-26%3B+Romans+10%3A9&version=KJV">Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 10:9</a></span>).<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Security of salvation, as we can only adequately live a fruitful Christian life when we are confident of our salvation (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+1%3A4-5%2C+Romans+8%3A28-39&version=KJV">1 Peter 1:4-5, Romans 8:28-39</a></span>).<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">If a person does not believe In Christ to salvation, they do not have the understanding or capacity to live the Christian life (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A10-18&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 3:10-18</span></a>). Further, if we are not convinced that God keeps our salvation then we will not have the confidence to life as a Christian and serve God. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Based on these two foundations, how the does the Bible tell us to live the Christian life?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Progressing from Salvation </span></b><b>to live the Christian life</b> (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+6%3A1-2&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrew 6:1-2</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">How do we then mature in our faith after salvation?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Three sanctifications</span></i> – Critical to understanding the Christian life are the three different sanctifications. These are defined in the Dallas Theological Seminary doctrinal <a href="https://www.dts.edu/about/doctrinalstatement/"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">statement</span></a> and are very useful. Sanctification as a term is defined by our setting apart as holy to God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">First or past sanctification</span></i> – This is legal holiness based on our forgiveness of sins by Christ’s death in the cross through faith. We are created new beings in Christ who can serve him (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A2-11%3B+Titus+3%3A5&version=KJV">Romans 6:2-11; Titus 3:5</a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Second or present sanctification</span></i> – This describes our actions, by which we become holy as we live a life of faith and obedient in our service to God throughout our lifetime (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6-12-16%3B+Romans+12%3A1-2%3B+1+Peter+1%3A15-16%3B+2+Peter+1%3A4-10&version=KJV">Romans 6-12-16; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 1:4-10</a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Third or future sanctification</span></i> – This is the change in our bodies at the rapture that become holy; completing the sanctification process (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A1-49&version=KJV">1 Corinthians 15:1-49</a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span>Importantly, the three sanctifications are separate in implementation and <i>do not mix</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"> <img height="308" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/051053fb-8c01-4e27-894c-b990cf716394" width="512" /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 257pt; visibility: visible; width: 429pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:////Users/alexisblack/Library/Group%20Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_image001.png"></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Transition from first to second sanctification – </span></i>When Christ was resurrected to new life He then ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God the Father (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+8%3A1&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 8:1</span></a>). This action signified that His glorious work in bringing salvation to man was finished. His sacrifice was sufficient for all sins for all time and did not need to be repeated (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+10%3A10-19&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 10:10-19</span></a>). His sacrificial work being complete, Christ now heads continuously the church and helps believers in their Christian life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">Likewise, as Christians when we believed on salvation and received forgiveness (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23-26&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 3:23-26</span></a></span>) it is once for all time. We also were resurrected to new life and sit at the right hand of God the Father with Christ (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A4-9&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 2:4-9</span></a></span>). Consequently, our work of being saved is finished. We now serve Christ continuously through the church (second sanctification). We do not need to revisit our first sanctification.<o:p></o:p></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="square"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">So as Christ was resurrected to new life we also are resurrected to new life through Him (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A2-9&version=NIV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 6:2-9</span></a></span>). As Christ’s saving work was finished on the cross, so our process to salvation was finished at conversion. As new regenerated person we are now able and free to serve Him, unburdened with insecurities over the security of our salvation or if God may not accept us for some sin (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A11-16&version=KJV">Romans 6:11-16</a></span>).<o:p></o:p></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1in; vertical-align: baseline;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt;">Ø<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Transition from the 2nd to the 3rd sanctification</span></i> – When Christ comes again in the clouds to take His church home our bodies will be changed instantaneously to a heavenly body (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+4%3A17%3B+1+Corinthians+15%3A49-54&version=KJV"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">1 Thessalonians 4:17;</span> <span style="border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">1 Corinthians 15:49-54</span></a>). This completes our sanctification.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">So, by definition, in the Christian life we have progressed from the first to the second sanctification. It is based upon the fact that you have been saved by grace through the blood of Christ with your sins forgiven. In addition, we have been given the positions of being placed in God's family, found innocent by the blood of Christ, sealed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit. These unalterable promises and being changed into a new person provide a security to salvation and confidence in our relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Therefore, we move forward in the Christian life serving God with confidence and joy. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Join us next time as we further describe this wonderful process of God bearing fruit in our life and our service to Him. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Email - <a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com">info@teleiosresearch.com</a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Website - <a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/">http://teleiosresearch.com/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Instagram - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">YouTube - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"> </span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-77180884333630669632023-10-04T12:17:00.001-07:002023-10-04T12:17:05.876-07:00The Trinity - Part 3<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUmvMuDAsMI5mvai6hM7wmo_e-uKtiAknGJkOUs-Ln0MEWWkM39jFFXHtOGXNWYTriwZJ5uJ8R0laoAdxjiNJLVxUL0gMHFobpHyxbt_2irUedSMG0gEDHvrS8wYnwf1G_rkx-c99IQoYEK0iX1dzo_dLA3OvVJgMmiDYkh-gXSofJ0LVqMU7uczEZdgA/s586/Screenshot%202023-10-04%20125344.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="586" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUmvMuDAsMI5mvai6hM7wmo_e-uKtiAknGJkOUs-Ln0MEWWkM39jFFXHtOGXNWYTriwZJ5uJ8R0laoAdxjiNJLVxUL0gMHFobpHyxbt_2irUedSMG0gEDHvrS8wYnwf1G_rkx-c99IQoYEK0iX1dzo_dLA3OvVJgMmiDYkh-gXSofJ0LVqMU7uczEZdgA/s320/Screenshot%202023-10-04%20125344.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hypostatic </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">U</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">nion </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><p></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{9a6c3734-2db3-4c5a-bdca-7a5da7b671b4}{235}" paraid="75462647" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{9a6c3734-2db3-4c5a-bdca-7a5da7b671b4}{239}" paraid="490817752" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle-defn="{"ObjectId":"f64c2d30-c7f2-4977-8203-7fcde940bd30|50","ClassId":1073872969,"Properties":[469775450,"[Normal]",201340122,"2",134233614,"true",469778129,"Normal0",335572020,"1",469777841,"Arial",469777842,"Arial",469777844,"Arial",469769226,"Arial",268442635,"24",335559740,"240",201341983,"0",335559739,"0",134245417,"false"]}" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This important theological concept is a second term</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> i</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">n addition to the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">rinity, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">that is not</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> mentioned</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> in scripture</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. However,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the concept is broadly described</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> and i</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s based </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">in</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">New Testament</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> describing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Jesus Christ as being both God and man</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{26}" paraid="247247952" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{30}" paraid="1275994594" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Christian orthodoxy accordingly teaches </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">that</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Christ is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> both</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">all</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">m</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">n and </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">all</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> God</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> joined together</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> being </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">one essence but two distinct wills</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">his is called the hypostatic union</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> The word hy</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">po</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">static comes from the Greek word </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EL-GR" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EL-GR"><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ὑπόστασις</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(</span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hupostasis</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">)</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">nd is defined by </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/hupostasis.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #4472c4; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Thayer</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #4472c4; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">in part as</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">substance, real being</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the substantial quality, nature, of a person or thing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{121}" paraid="1271106987" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{125}" paraid="994445885" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Important verses </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">indicating</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the existence of the hypostatic union </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">are</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the following</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">:</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{139}" paraid="1338204198" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{143}" paraid="1806527196" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Christ as God and man</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{151}" paraid="2022229219" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW268136508 BCX4" role="list" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":1440,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="2" role="listitem" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{155}" paraid="1995010721" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Christ is God</span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+45%3A6%3B+110%3A1%3B+Romans+9%3A5%3B+Titus+2%3A13%3B+2+Peter+1%3A1%3B+1+John+5%3A20%3B+John+1%3A1%2C34%3B+John+20%3A28%3B+Hebrews+1%3A1-3&version=KJV" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Psalms 45:6</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Psalm </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">110:1</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Romans 9:5</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Titus 2:13</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2 Peter 1:1</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 John 5:20</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; </span></span><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1:1,34; </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">John </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">20:28</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">; Heb</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">rews</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 1:1-3</span></span></a><span class="TextRun Highlight EmptyTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></li></ul></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{207}" paraid="1302768836" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px 0px 0px 96px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":1440,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW268136508 BCX4" role="list" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":1440,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="2" role="listitem" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{211}" paraid="1960803405" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Christ is man</span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+2%3A5%3A+1+John+4%3A2%3B+2+John+1%3A7%3B+Romans+5%3A15&version=KJV" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 Tim</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">othy</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 2:5: 1 J</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">oh</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">n 4:2; 2</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">J</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">oh</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">n</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1:7; Rom</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ans</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 5:15</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{f67d0a61-f019-419a-8dd1-7c768f13c0c4}{253}" paraid="1560253385" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Titles</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW268136508 BCX4" role="list" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-aria-level="2" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":1440,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{10}" paraid="1601146206" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">S</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">on of God</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (equal to God)</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> -</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5%3A18%3B+John+19%3A7%3B+Matthew+26%3A63-64&version=KJV" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">J</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">oh</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">n 5:18;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> John </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">19:7; Matt</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hew</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 26:63-64</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"335559991":360,"469777462":[1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div></div><div class="SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW268136508 BCX4" role="list" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":1080,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="4" role="listitem" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{44}" paraid="1406491619" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Son of man</span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (the representative man) - There are </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">numerous</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> references to Christ calling </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">H</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">imself son of man in the gospels as it was his favorite reference to Himself </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16%3A27-28%3B+John+1%3A51%3B+John+6%3A62&version=KJV" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Matthew 16:27-28; John 1:51; John 6:62</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":1440,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></li></ul></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{62}" paraid="271680911" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #292f33; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #292f33; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{66}" paraid="138359805" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Development of the concept </span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{72}" paraid="1887322186" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{76}" paraid="1730786238" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the first 300 years after Christ</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Christianity was illegal in the Roman Empire. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">O</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">nly after the edict of Milan</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> issued</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">in 313</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> by</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Constantine</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the first Christian </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">emperor,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">did</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Christianity became </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">recognized by the empire</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">t that time Christian leaders</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> finally</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">were</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> able to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">congregate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">discuss</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> difficult theological issues generated </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">during </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the first </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">few </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">centuries</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> of Christian history</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{156}" paraid="1975832823" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{160}" paraid="859794452" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">These discussions occurred</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> most importantly</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> at the first</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">seven </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ecumenical</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> councils of the church between 325 </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">and 7</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">87</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> AD</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">he first council</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> was</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">in Nicaea</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> confirm</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ed</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Christ</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">is God</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">of one substance with the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Father;</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> being Himself both fully God and man. This theology was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">stated</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> in the</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Nicene Creed often repeated</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> still</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, or </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">it's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> derivative, in churches </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">today</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{232}" paraid="1797307019" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{51d4fa8f-1bad-4191-a5d0-ee5dac63affa}{236}" paraid="1461796028" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">H</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">owever</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> following the confirmation of Christ</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’s deity and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> humanity the issue arose over </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the manner</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">b</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">oth these </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">natures</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> interacted within Christ</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Therefore,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun Superscript SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" data-fontsize="11" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: super;">rd</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 4th and 5th ecumenical councils dealt </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">primarily </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">with this issue and created statement</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> over Christ </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">H</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">is deity and humanity. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{39}" paraid="923223889" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":720,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{43}" paraid="849832355" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The ecumenical councils examine</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> three basic concepts of the union of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Christ’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> deity and humanity</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (</span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils</span></span></a><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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position: relative;"><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW268136508 BCX4" role="list" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":2160,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="5" role="listitem" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{72}" paraid="1540115316" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">O</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ne essence</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> one will</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> - </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">his </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hypothesis </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">proposed</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> by the Oriental churches represented today by Armenian, Syrian</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> an</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Egyptian Coptic fellowships. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hey claim</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ed</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> that Christ was of one </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">essence</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> and one will</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">shared </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">between</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> his humanity and deity.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monophysitism" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monophysitism</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":1080,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,1800,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></li></ul></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{128}" paraid="1028828999" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px 0px 0px 72px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":1080,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,1800,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW268136508 BCX4" role="list" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":2160,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="5" role="listitem" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{132}" paraid="791912404" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Two essences and wills</span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> - </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">his </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">theory </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">was proposed by the Nestorius</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecumenical_Patriarch_of_Constantinople" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Patriarch of Constantinople</span></a><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">from 428 to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">431</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> as a reaction to the Oriental churches</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> theology. It </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">indicated</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> that Christ was of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">two</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">distinct essences and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">possessed</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> two </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">disparate </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">wills</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorianism" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestorianism</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":1080,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,1800,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></li></ul></div></div><div class="SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{189}" paraid="125817221" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":360,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,1800,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><ul class="BulletListStyle2 SCXW268136508 BCX4" role="list" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; font-family: verdana; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><li aria-setsize="-1" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":2160,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="5" role="listitem" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; display: block; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{193}" paraid="1668220546" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">One essence and two wills</span><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">his</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> was championed by the church councils and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">indicated</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> that Christ humanity and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">eity were composed of one essence but there were two distinct wills</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559685":1080,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,1800,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></li></ul></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{218}" paraid="911123133" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,1800,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{7a044c11-fcbd-4f60-87ec-9d3dc45e81c2}{222}" paraid="1893673475" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In summary, it is key </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">for a Christian </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">to understand </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">that Christ was both </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">fully </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">man an</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">fully </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">God. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">his </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">union </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">shows the importance of the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">v</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">irgin birth when </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jesus</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">was </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">conceived by the Holy </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">S</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">pirit </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">and so </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">was born of man but also is God. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{19}" paraid="615225082" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{23}" paraid="1485766836" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Christ had to be God to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">provide</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">F</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ather</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’s </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">justice in demanding the p</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ayment</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> for our sins</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In contrast, Christ also</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> had to be man</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">to take our </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">deserved punishment</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> on the cross</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">so that we could be forgiven and saved by faith. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{63}" paraid="103430254" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="[Normal]" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240,"469777462":[720,1440,2160,2880,3600,4320,5040,5760,6480,7200,7920,8640,9360,10080],"469777927":[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0],"469777928":[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{67}" paraid="1114538189" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Thanks for joining us! Come back next week as we begin an exciting discussion about Christian life.</span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{73}" paraid="801386051" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{77}" paraid="1955616364" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">William C. Stewart, MD</span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{83}" paraid="1615881867" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{87}" paraid="125484886" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Email - </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></span></a><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{98}" paraid="185269183" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Website - </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="http://teleiosresearch.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{107}" paraid="1063810566" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Facebook - </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{116}" paraid="629449060" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Instagram - </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{127}" paraid="1815105963" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">YouTube - </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW268136508 BCX4" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; cursor: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: blue; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW268136508 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW268136508 BCX4" paraeid="{4ca23b68-8f44-41f8-bab1-6f644f102156}{138}" paraid="347729122" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW268136508 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_EmbeddedFont, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137900790489723216.post-64037755444268185762023-09-27T12:38:00.002-07:002023-09-27T12:38:11.925-07:00The Trinity - Part 2<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jGQpF58Y0aAX96Q6JoIjGisWlZTq7J5DeF-p5dKGeDzv_mcTm11rX1v82sf7W41tdTuaGNIkIjmdU2CmNhyphenhyphenl_227i7w-qpnsOg1RtQanXBe4wc4esfbT7G9qIjYS3KBgXVtRykZUHfTMGV6plkPgfpYUPdHHgOgT5RyYc1D8uc5G2Y8hr8VevAJ9Bj2f/s1024/christ%20and%20holy%20spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jGQpF58Y0aAX96Q6JoIjGisWlZTq7J5DeF-p5dKGeDzv_mcTm11rX1v82sf7W41tdTuaGNIkIjmdU2CmNhyphenhyphenl_227i7w-qpnsOg1RtQanXBe4wc4esfbT7G9qIjYS3KBgXVtRykZUHfTMGV6plkPgfpYUPdHHgOgT5RyYc1D8uc5G2Y8hr8VevAJ9Bj2f/s320/christ%20and%20holy%20spirit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">The Roles of Christ and the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Understanding the trinity is foundational to our Christian faith but can be confusing. Scripture clearly states that God is one (</span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A29&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Mark 12:29</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A20&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Galatians 3:20</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">; </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+2%3A19&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">James 2:19</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">). However, there are three manifestations of God revealed in the scriptures: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit (the godhead).They are all one essence as God, but each member of the godhead has their own distinct will.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Adding to the confusion, the term ‘Trinity’ is not in Bible. Scripture itself does not represent the unity of the 3 members of the godhead by a single term but describes the concept by association, actions and description.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Last time we described the trinity, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and the biblical foundations of this important theology. Each member of the godhead has been in existence before time began with the same holy character. However, their actions and roles have differed depending on how God was managing His people at the time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Let’s examine how Christ and the Spirit are described and how their roles varied throughout scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">Roles of Christ and the Spirit in the Old Testament<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">Jesus Christ </span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Creator – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:16</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A3&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">John 1:3;</span></a><span style="color: black;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1%3A2&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Hebrews 1:2</span></a><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Sustains creation – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A17&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Colossians 1:17</span></a><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Angel of Yahweh (Lord) – The Angel of Yahweh is the manifestation of the invisible God throughout the life of Israel. His role is clearly one of deity and although controversial, is most likely the incarnate Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Led Israel – Christ, in the cloud, led the Jewish people in the desert as noted by Paul in </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+10%3A1-4&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">1 Corinthians 10:1-4</span></a><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Visible manifestation of God – Any visible appearance of God must be Christ as no one has seen God at any time (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3%3A2&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Exodus 3:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">; Exodus </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+33%3A19&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">33:19</span></a><u><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">; John 1:18; 1 John 4:12</span></u><span style="color: black;">)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;">The Holy Spirit</span></i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Creator – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A2&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Genesis 1:2</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+33%3A6&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Psalms 33:6;</span></a><span style="color: black;"> Psalms </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+104%3A30&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">104:30</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+27%3A3&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Job 27:3;</span></a><span style="color: black;"> Job </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+33%3A4&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">33:4</span></a><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Contended with man – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A3&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Genesis 6:3</span></a><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .75in; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Gave revelation and prophecy – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+1%3A20-21&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">2 Peter 1:20-21</span></a><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list 58.5pt; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="color: black;">Came upon selected believers – The Spirit empowered certain people such as kings (David and Saul), the builders of the tabernacle, as well as the prophets, the 70 elders of Israel, several judges, and others. The Spirit’s association with Old Testament believers appears limited in scope to accomplish specific tasks over a period of time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">These actions by the Spirit contrast with the New Testament where believers are indwelt permanently from salvation and His power is not limited (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A9&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Romans 8:9</span></a><span style="color: black;">; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A13-14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: #0066a8; padding: 0in;">Ephesians 1:13-14</span></a><span style="color: black;">).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.75in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">Roles of Christ and the Spirit in the Gospels<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><i><span>Jesus Christ</span></i><span><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Offered the kingdom with Himself as king – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A2-3&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Matthew 3:2-3</span></a><span>; Matthew </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A17&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">4:17</span></a><span>; Matthew </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A7&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">10:7</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A70&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Luke 22:70</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Offered salvation and forgiveness of sin – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A3-16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">John 3:3-16</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><i><span>The Holy Spirit</span></i><span><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Caused the birth of Christ in human form – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A52&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Luke 2:52</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Anointed Christ at His baptism – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A1-17&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Matthew 3:1-17</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Testified of Christ at His baptism – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Matthew 3:16</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Filled Christ – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+3%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Matthew 3:16</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Assisted Christ with certain miracles – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A18&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Luke 4:18</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Assisted with Christ’s resurrection – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A4&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Romans 1:4</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Led Christ into the wilderness for His temptation </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Matthew 4:1</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Assisted with Christ’s prophetic messages – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A18&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Luke 4:18</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Assisted Christ in offering Himself as a sacrifice – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+9%3A14&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Hebrews 9:14</span></a><span>: </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A18&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">1 Peter 3:18</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Came upon the disciples for certain purposes – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A20&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Matthew 10:20</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A22&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">John 20:22</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Revelation of the gospel writings came through the Spirit – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Timothy+3%3A16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">1 Timothy 3:16</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">Roles of Christ and the Spirit Now in Believers<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><i><span>Jesus Christ </span></i><span><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Maintains creation - </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians+1%3A16-17&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Colossians 1:16-17</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Prays for believers – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8%3A31&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Romans 8:31</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+7%3A24&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Hebrews 7:24</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Heads His body, the church – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+1%3A17-18&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Colossians 1:17-18</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Nourishes and cherishes the body – </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A29&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Ephesians 5:29</span></a><span>; </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A11&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Philippians 1:11</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>High priest – He acts as a high priest offering mercy to believers in every time of need - </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+4%3A14-16&version=NIV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0066a8; text-decoration: none;">Hebrews 4:14-16</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Fills believers with His fullness </span><span style="color: #0066a8;">– Ephesians 1:2-23; Colossians 2:19</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Bears fruit in Christian’s lives - </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+1%3A11&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Philippians 1:11</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><i><span>The Holy Spirit</span></i><span> – Please see </span><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/holy-spirit-power-source-for-the-christian-life/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Holy Spirit – Power Source for the Christian Life</span></a><strong><span style="background: white; border: 1pt windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></strong><span>for more information.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;">Roles of Christ and the Spirit Now in Non-believers <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><i><span style="color: black;">Jesus Christ <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Maintains creation - </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians+1%3A16-17&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Colossians 1:16-17</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Provides salvation as a free gift from God through faith (please see </span><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/salvation-explanation/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Our Great Salvation</span></a><span>)<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><i><span>The Holy Spirit <o:p></o:p></span></i></li></ul><ul style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" type="disc"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Convicts man of sin, righteousness, and judgment - </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A8-11&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>John 16:8-11</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Regenerates the new believer at salvation - </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A2-9&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Romans 6:2-9</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Places the new believer in the church at salvation - </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A13&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>1 Corinthians 12:13</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Seals the new believer to their redemption at salvation - </span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1%3A13-14&version=KJV" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span>Ephesians 1:13-14</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span>Please see </span><a href="https://teleiosresearch.com/holy-spirit-power-source-for-the-christian-life/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt windowtext; padding: 0in;">Holy Spirit – Power Source for the Christian Life</span></a><strong><span style="background: white; border: 1pt windowtext; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></strong><span>for more information.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Indeed, God has given us a great salvation and has provided for every need to attain this, from the beginning of time to eternity future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Thanks for joining me. Please join us next time as we begin to discuss the essentials of the Christian walk. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt windowtext; color: black; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>William C. Stewart, MD<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Email - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:info@teleiosresearch.com" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">info@teleiosresearch.com</span></a></span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span></u><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Website - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://teleiosresearch.com/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://teleiosresearch.com/</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Facebook - </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a></span><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Instagram - </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch</span></a><span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>YouTube - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/</span></a><span><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><u><span style="color: #0563c1;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0