Fruit of the Spirit: Living Well!

 

Welcome back! Thanks for visiting my blog today! We continue the conversation about scriptures that detail helpful attributes God desires us to have. One of the most important is stated in Galatians 5:22-23 which details the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

 

As they are a fruit of the Spirit how can they be gained? Last week we learned that in general there are three roles in the Christian’s relationship with the Spirit. These roles can be used to gain the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit as well as other godly characteristics that can improve our lives. Let’s apply these three principles in regard to the fruit of the Spirit.

 

Non-variable actions of the Spirit: 

 

A Christian should first realize they possess the Holy Spirit permanently: He dwells inside them with all of His available power (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5); and the Spirit is our seal (guarantee) of salvation and cannot be removed (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30).

 

Variable actions of Christians: 

 

It is only the believer themselves who can limit the action of the Spirit in their lives. Therefore we are told to “walk” (i.e., lifestyle) in the Spirit and become mature in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18). We do this by being obedient and seeking the attributes of God through scripture.

 

Variable actions of the Spirit: 

 

If allowed, the Spirit through the word of God can empower our lives, put to death the deeds of the flesh, and lead and comfort us (Romans 8:13-16), changes us (2 Corinthians 3:18) and helps produce in us the 9 fruits of the Spirit. Not only may these characteristics contribute potentially to better wellbeing personally, but their presence is a measure of our maturity as a believer.

 

Other verses also speak about wonderful attributes the Christian may acquire from the Spirit (Romans 15:13; Romans 8:6; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 14:17; Ephesians 5:9).

 

Read more about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives – https://teleiosresearch.com/holy-spirit-power-source-for-the-christian-life/

 

That’s all for now. Thank you for joining me. Next week we will discuss how a Christian, having gained better wellbeing themselves, can also enhance the wellbeing of their family, friends and colleagues. See you next week!

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email – info@teleiosresearch.com

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

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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.

 

Marriage – A rich source of wellbeing!

 

Welcome back to the Teleios blog! We have been exploring together how the Bible improves our lives practically. 

 

Traditional marriage, often defined as a union between a man and a woman, has been associated with several benefits across various aspects of life. Here are some key advantages:

1. Health Benefits: Married individuals tend to enjoy better physical and mental health. They often have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and depression¹. Marriage can provide emotional support, which helps in managing stress and promoting overall well-being.
2. Longevity: Studies suggest that married people generally live longer than their single counterparts. This could be due to the mutual care and support that spouses provide each other¹.
3. Economic Stability: Marriage can lead to greater financial stability. Couples often benefit from dual incomes, shared expenses, and better financial planning. This economic partnership can provide a more secure environment for raising children².
4. Emotional Wellbeing: Traditional marriages often report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. The companionship and emotional support from a spouse can contribute significantly to one’s sense of fulfillment and purpose².
5. Social Benefits: Being married can enhance social connections and community involvement. Married couples often have stronger social networks, which can provide additional support and resources².
6. Child-rearing: Traditional marriages can offer a stable environment for raising children. Children in such households often benefit from the presence of both parents, which can contribute to their emotional and social development³.

This long-standing institution has been under attack in our culture for the past few generations! Is marriage, as traditionally defined as a legal union between a man and a woman, worth preserving for society? Is there an advantage to this form of union to individuals’ mental and physical health, and to society in general?

 

To analyze this question, we reviewed past studies in the medical literature that evaluated the benefits and disadvantages of legally binding, heterosexual marriage. We went back as far as 1966! Read the full report here Benefit of marriage - Teleios, Inc. (teleiosresearch.com).

 

The analysis showed overwhelming benefits of traditional marriage on general wellbeing and specific parameters that might affect wellbeing, including physical and mental health, sexual satisfaction, family income, and children’s outcomes. Of the 42 articles evaluated, only 3 did not describe any marriage benefits.  Even more, the stronger the relationship commitment, the greater trend of enhanced wellbeing. Never married, widowed, and divorced individuals suffered the lowest wellbeing.

 

Interestingly, individuals in a committed relationship, even unmarried, generally had improved elements of wellbeing compared to those uncommitted.  But marriage relationships, which typically demonstrate the strongest legal and outward social commitment to a relationship, generally had the highest wellbeing of all relationships. Further, some evidence in diseased and depressed individuals indicated that the better quality of the marriage relationship, the better the wellbeing-related outcome.

 

How to explain these results? We speculated on several reasons.

1. First, a committed partner helping with income, household tasks, and raising children can lessen the burden compared to a single parent.
2. Second, socialization with a marriage partner provides a potential source of personal enrichment, encouragement and empathy.
3. Third, the more committed the relationship, the greater confidence spouses can have in each other thus conserving time, money and emotion required to correct problems in their relationship.
4. Fourth, marriage partners can help maintain good health by encouraging each other to keep medical appointments, take medicines and develop a healthy lifestyle.
5. Last, the marriage commitment may facilitate sexual satisfaction by building confidence that no competing love interest is diverting the attention of their spouse. 

 

Why would a committed marital relationship have a positive impact on children and the community? Again we speculated.

1. First, the ability of a couple to help each other provides sufficient time and money resources to better raise children and serve the community.
2. Second, satisfied couples who are not dealing with internal problems can more easily look outwards to helping their children and community.
3. Last, committed couples who agree together how to raise their children can provide a more consistent, productive, secure, and supportive home environment. 

Our review suggested that traditional marriage generally provides numerous benefits to the relationship partners through enhanced measures of mental and physical wellbeing, and benefits to their children compared to other heterosexual partnership arrangements or single status. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. I look forward to seeing you again next week.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email – info@teleiosresearch.com

Website – http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Marriage: God’s Plan - Part 1

Welcome back to my blog, and thank you for visiting. Today, we start an important dialogue about traditional marriage.

 

God’s plan for marriage encompasses several key aspects:

1. Reflecting His image: Marriage is meant to reflect God’s image. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are in perfect unity, a husband and wife are called to be united as one.
2. Raising godly children: Marriage provides the foundation for raising children in a godly environment. Parents are entrusted with nurturing their children’s faith and character.
3. Establishing and building His kingdom: Married couples work together to advance God’s kingdom. They serve others, share the gospel, and contribute to the well-being of society.
4. Maturing as Christians: Marriage challenges us to grow and mature. It reveals our weaknesses, teaches us patience, and refines our character.
5. Submission and forgiveness: Both spouses submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. They confront sin in their own hearts before addressing it in each other, and they extend forgiveness as often as needed.
6. Modeling our relationship with Christ: The relationship between Christ and the Church serves as a model for marriage. Husbands are called to sacrificially love their wives, and wives are called to respect and submit to their husbands.

Remember that God’s plan for marriage is beautiful and purposeful, and it’s a journey of growth, grace, and love.

 

As important as these attributes are regarding marriage, spiritually, it is even more important. The Bible describes the main purpose of Christian marriage as demonstrating to society the precious relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:21-33). Stated another way, marriage is primarily an evangelical tool!

 

Marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and the church.

 

Wow! Why is this, considering all the other important reasons for marriage? Please consider the following:

• God’s goals – God’s plans are greater than our own and His plan is to sum up all history in Christ (Ephesians 1:10-11). Consequently, viewing marriage and its purpose within the overall construct of God’s plan is important and appropriate. God wants all people to come to know Him and so marriage is primarily evangelical as we demonstrate Christ’s loving relationship to the church.
• Importance to us – Although marriage as a witness to society, it is also vital to our own marriage relationship, as it reminds us that we were married for God’s purposes and not primarily for our own desires such as: sex, a wonderful marriage ceremony, and having children (as wonderful as they are). Remembering God’s goal in marriage also minimizes whatever expectations for marriage we might hold such as the responsibility for household tasks and interactions with extended family.
• God defines the relationship – Knowing that the purpose of marriage is to reflect Christ and the church reminds us that we primarily serve Christ and our spouse. When we leave and cleave from our prior families our priorities are clearly to be toward our marriage partner and God (Ephesians 5:31-32).

 

How then does marriage reflect the relationship between Christ and the church?

• The love between a man and a woman reflects the love Christ and the church have for each other.
• The love of the husband, and his complete devotion to his wife, reflects the love and devotion of Christ to the church.
• The submission of the wife to her husband reflects the submission of the church to Christ. The prescribed order of people and institutions in the Bible is important not only for the function of society, but for the church and family as well (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 13:1-7; Colossians 3:18ff, 1 Peter 2:13-20; Ephesians 6:1-9). It is within the confines of order that the gospel best goes forward to bring people to Christ.
• This combination of order, love, and devotion provides a productive, caring picture to society of what Christ does for the church. Marriage should attract people to the gospel.

 

Marriage is a wonderful institution that God has ordained and provides marvelous benefits to the church, society and individuals. However, at its highest purpose is an evangelical tool that God uses to attract people to the gospel.In summary, traditional marriage, rooted in biblical principles, is a sacred institution designed by God. It serves as a reflection of His love, unity, and purpose for humanity. 

 

Thanks very much for joining me today. Join me next time as we discuss the scientific benefits of marriage, or read more at https://teleiosresearch.com/marriage-gods-plan/. 

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Baptism: Part 2 - What to believe?

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.

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).

Types of baptism

In the New Testament, baptism use can be divided generally from two sections: the historical books and the epistles.

• Historical books (the gospels and the book of Acts)
  • Historical precedent – Baptism as a rite was known among the Greeks and Jews.
  • The Greek mystery religions practiced baptism in the entry of new members into their societies (3).
  • Jews practiced baptism with water under undescribed conditions (4).
    • 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).

• Specific types of baptism are mentioned in the gospels and Acts:
• John the Baptist – He administered the baptism of repentance preparing the way of Christ (Matthew 3:7). This baptism was specific to John the Baptist.
• Christ’s baptism (Matthew 3) – This was specific to Jesus and his commission to be our Savior and the associated testimony of the Holy Spirit and God.
• Baptizing by the disciples – This was done apparently under the direction of Christ (John 3:26; 4:2). 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.
• Baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11) – 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.
• Christ baptism for which he was baptized (Matthew 20:22-23) - 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.
• Baptism in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20) – 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.
• Water baptism in the early church (Acts) – The rite of water baptism appears to have been practiced in the early church. This baptism used water at least in one case (Acts 8:36) but the precise method of baptism is not described in any scriptural instance.

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.

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 Acts 19 and 1 Corinthians 1). Events in Acts described after chapter 19 do not specifically mention the rite of baptism again.

Nonetheless, the church after the Bible times did perform water baptism (2^nd 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).

• Therefore, scripture by either what it says or does not say about water baptism provides several key messages:
  • 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.
  • 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).

Baptism In the epistles - The epistles are the letters in the New Testament, 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 (1 Corinthians 1). Spiritual baptism also is discussed in Security of Salvation in Know the Bible.

• Spiritual baptism – 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!
• 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 (Romans 6:2-12; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:12-13). Similar concepts in scripture that also appear to speak to spiritual baptism are: regeneration (Titus 3:5), born again (John 3: 5) and a new man (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). The importance of spiritual baptism is at least the following:
  • Power over sin – 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.
  • End of depravity - 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 (Ephesians 2:1-3). Our identification with Christ resurrection provides us a new life with a new spiritual body that can approach God that holiness (Hebrews 10:19-22; Romans 6:2-11).
  • 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 (Romans 6:12-16; Ephesians 2:10).
  • New life – the reason for the resurrection – 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 (1 Corinthians 15:17).
  • Eternal security – 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’!
    • 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.
    • 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.

• Baptism of the dead – This is a difficult and controversial verse (1 Corinthians 15:29). 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 Matthew 20: 22-23 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.
  • 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 (Colossians 1:24). The verse reflects Paul’s commitment to God’s purpose for his life (Romans 15:15-19).

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.

Thanks for joining me today. Next time we will discuss communion, remembering the death and resurrection of our precious savior.

William C. Stewart

1. Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth. Moody Publishers, 1999.
2. Chafer LS. Systematic Theology. Abridged Volume II. Kregel Publications, 1947.
3. https://www.britannica.com/topic/mystery-religion/Beliefs-and-practices
4. https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/was-baptism-originally-jewish/
5. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb.html
6. http://www.equip.org/article/new-testament-baptism/
7. http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/101-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation

For questions or to view more of our research…

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. 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.