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the breeze 
Group: Members
Posts: 1154
Joined: May 2009
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Posted on: Jun. 11 2009,10:43 am |
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.Editorial Comments
PAUL’S PUNGENT WAY
OF MAKING A POINT
WITH THE WORD “finally,” the apostle Paul seems ready to conclude his epistle to the Philippians (Philippians 3:1). Then thoughts of other matters that needed to be written enter his mind, and he puts closing the letter on “hold.” Judaizers were a constant problem facing the early church. They were professed Christians who sought to bring the church back under the Law of Moses. What Paul says in Philippians 3:2-8 has them, and other Jews, as a backdrop to his thoughts. The church needed to be warned about them. Read this section.
In Paul’s digression, he warns, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” It seems that dogs for the most part were not of good repute among the Jews. “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whole [harlot], or the price of a dog, into the house of the lord thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 23:18). Even in the New Testament they are used to illustrate that which is bad (Matthew 7:6; 2 Peter 2:22; Revelation 22:15). The Jews commonly called Gentiles “dogs.” Here the apostle turns the table on the Jews and calls them “dogs.” As far as Paul was concerned, that’s what they were in disrupting the unity and purity of the church.
In contrast with the Jews, Paul asserts, “For we [Christians] are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” In God’s sight, the church is the Israel of God today (Galatians 6:16; 1 Corinthians 10:18), and a Jew is not one who is one outwardly, but one whose circumcision is of the heart (Romans 2:28, 29; Romans 9:8). Physical circumcision (Galatians 5:6; 6:15) and emphasis on the physical characterized much of the Old Testament and what the Judaizers had to say. If Paul had wanted to go that route, and trust in the flesh, he certainly had a prestigious pedigree to put on display. What he wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:12 would have been impressive to the fleshly mind Judaizers, but he said that they should listen to him as a “fool” speaking. Read what he had to say about his background here in Philippians 3:4-6, too. However, he cuts short what he is saying with, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
Then he further rejoins with this emphatic statement, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Christ was everything to Paul. He strongly declares this in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” And anything that competed with this was regarded by him as “dung” (and especially in this context talking about the Judaizers).
The meaning of the word “dung” is quite interesting, as Paul pungently makes use of it. The etymology of the word, we are told, has its roots containing the word “dog” and “throw” (or an off scouring). A wide range of uncomely associations are brought to mind in the use of this word. The most gross is that represented in the King James translation, “dung,” or more exactly, excrement, dog manure. Others see in it an off scouring from dogs or that which has been thrown from the table to dogs; while others think of the word as simply representing garbage or refuse. Then many modern translations have settled for a more sanitized word, “rubbish.” Regardless how we literally look at the word, the idea is that of utter worthlessness and disgust. And since this word translated “dung” involves dogs, we wonder if it could in some way refer back to the first of this chapter, Philippians 3:2, where Paul says, “Beware of dogs.”
Paul’s surrender and commitment to Christ is most impressive. He did not hesitate to give up all for him. There was salvation in no other. Likewise, let us not hesitate to follow his example, looking upon that which we have left behind as being no better than “dung” that we might know Christ and the power of his resurrection in our lives.
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TheSwordANDStaff
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JESUS DID THE ORGANIZING for His church and whenever men go beyond that pattern (found only in the New Testament of Jesus Christ) they do so at their own peril. One needs to only read the New Testament to see the problem that has been created over the last two centuries within the churches.
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Botto 82
Group: Members
Posts: 6293
Joined: Jan. 2005
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Posted on: Jun. 11 2009,10:55 am |
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Bible spam.
That's what it's coming to, around here... 
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Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum.
- Kurt Vonnegut
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the breeze
Group: Members
Posts: 1154
Joined: May 2009
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Posted on: Jul. 21 2009,3:41 pm |
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.Editorial Comments
CALLED INTO AND
BEING THE LORD’S ONE CHURCH
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THERE IS ONLY one church taught and found in the New Testament Scriptures (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4-6). It’s "membership" is constituted of those who are saved, as salvation and being in the Lord’s church in the true sense are synonymous. It is not a man-made, human denomination. In fact, no man has the authority to start a denomination or the right to invite anyone to join one. The only authority that we have is to invite people to accept Christ to be a part of this one church that has already been established in the first century. A person may join a human denomination, but in reality no one can join the church of Christ. To be acceptable to the Lord, we must be that church and be in that church today. Are we being presumptuous, Pharisaical or self-righteous in saying this? No, not at all, it is the Word of God. Actually a person is being presumptuous in promoting and trying to defend denominationalism. Let us consider this.
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Religiously, we work under the authority of the Great Commission. After his resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ repeatedly gave this commission to his followers. What he had to say was prefixed with the declaration, "All power [authority] is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…" (Mark 16:15,16). Matthew’s account reads, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Spirit]: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world [age]. Amen" (Matthew 28:19,20). Luke 24:47 narrows it down another step, saying that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
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Here in Jerusalem on the first Jewish Pentecost after his resurrection (Acts 1:8 and chapter 2) the gospel was preached for the first time in all of its fullness. Men who were convicted of their sins were told to, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost [Spirit]" (Acts 2:38). "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (2:41). Jesus had said, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18), and now it was a reality. Consequently we read, "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved [Greek: were being saved]" (2:47). In anticipation of this time, earlier in his ministry Jesus had told Nicodemus that a man had to be "born of water and of the Spirit" to enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5).
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This church came into being as a result of preaching the gospel and carrying out the Great Commission. It was simply the Lord’s church, not a human denomination or division. When people repented and were baptized (immersed) for the remission of their sins, the Lord "added" them to his church. When they did this, they were "born of water and of the Spirit." They were "born" into the kingdom. You cannot "join" the church of the New Testament, the Lord adds you to it; you are born into it. Acts 20:28 speaks of "the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Ephesians 5:23 tells us that Christ is "the saviour of the body," the church. The same transaction that saves a person from his sins thereby puts him into the one church we read about in the Scriptures. Being saved and becoming a part of the one church are synonymous. Yes, we are all "called in one body" (Colossians 3:15), and we are "all baptized into one body" (I Corinthians 12:13), if we have accepted Christ in accordance to the Scriptures. If we are working under the authority of the Great Commission, we have no authority to invite anyone to join any denomination. In fact, the promise of, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world [age]" is only for those fulfilling the terms of the Great Commission. Denominationalism and denominational doctrines are excluded.
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It is so simple, becoming and being a part of the Lord’s one, undenominational church. One does not have to trace an unbroken lineage all the way back to the first century. To grow watermelons in North Carolina, one would not have to have a vine coming all the way from Georgia. No, we would simply plant the seed. When the seed of the gospel is planted and men properly respond to it, the Lord adds them to the one church already started on the day of Pentecost. (However, the Lord said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up," Matthew 15:13). Now being simply Christians, the Lord’s church (and that alone), we press on like those on the day of Pentecost who "continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). We have divested ourselves of denominational names (Colossians 1:18; I Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:4) and doctrines. The creed books and traditions of men have been discarded (Mark 7:7-9; Galatians 1:8; II John 9-11). This oneness and unity is practiced in the context of the local church as we "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). We are simply being and doing what the Lord wants us to do. There is nothing Pharisaical about this. To do otherwise is to be presumptuous.
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TheSwordANDStaff
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JESUS DID THE ORGANIZING for His church and whenever men go beyond that pattern (found only in the New Testament of Jesus Christ) they do so at their own peril. One needs to only read the New Testament to see the problem that has been created over the last two centuries within the churches.
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nosale
Group: Members
Posts: 218
Joined: Nov. 2008
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Posted on: Jul. 22 2009,8:00 am |
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I'd like to take this time to thank Chad for the ignore button.
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MADDOG
Group: Moderator
Posts: 7821
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jul. 22 2009,9:14 am |
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 I'm still waiting for the donut to admit the hole in his head.
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Actually my wife is especially happy when my google check arrives each month. Thanks to douchbags like you, I get paid just for getting you worked up. -Liberal
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the breeze
Group: Members
Posts: 1154
Joined: May 2009
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Posted on: Jul. 22 2009,11:23 am |
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.Articles
SHOWING HONOR AND RESPECT
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A SCRIPTURE that stirs further interest after being read is found in 1 Timothy 5:17. It reads, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." The word "honour" and then the words "double honour" stand out. "Honour" represents the Greek word timé. Interestingly, this word is found in the name Timothy, Timotheos (timé + theos = honor + God, one who honors God). In 1 Timothy 5:17, Paul is talking about the elders of the church who do a good job being elders. They are to be counted worthy of "double honour." The basic honor comes in respecting them. Paul admonished the Christians at Thessalonica, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake" (1 Thessalonians 5:12,13). But Paul goes a step further in 1 Timothy 5:18, the verse following the first reference mentioned above, "For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the labourer is worthy of his reward." The "double honour" consisted in them being materially supported in their work, too.
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This leads us to more thought about this word "honour." One of the Ten Commandments involved the use of this word. "Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the lord thy God giveth thee" (Exodus 20:12). From an article written years ago by this writer, we share the following words with you. We think they convey our thoughts well without having to express them again.
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"HONOUR THY FATHER
AND THY MOTHER" (EXODUS 20:12)
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This great commandment serves as a transition from the first four to the ones that follow. From worshipping the Creator and source of life, parents are to be honored who pass this sacred life on to others, and the image of God in all men is to be mutually respected by all with deference and dignity. Paul summed up the remaining commandments under loving neighbor as self in Romans 13:8-10, then he said, "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." This love is agapé, the love of esteem and respect.
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"Double Honour" to Parents
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The word "honour" here is from a verb that means, "to be heavy," and hence also "to be rich, to be honored" (it is said). Even as Paul instructed that certain elders in the church were to be counted worthy of "double honour" (1 Timothy 5:17), the Jews realized this significance in reference to parents. (1) Parents were to be honored in the sense of being highly respected, venerated, and even feared (Leviticus 19:3). Mentally, they were to be held in the highest esteem, and by word and deed. (2) This brings us to the second aspect of this honor. Even as they were told in Proverbs 3:9 to "honour the LORD with thy substance," they were likewise to honor their parents in a material sense (especially helping them with their material needs in their old age). But some tried to get around this responsibility later (Matthew 15:4-6; Mark 7:10-13). Such honoring is to be carried out in the context of the church, too (i.e., "Honour widows that are widows indeed," 1 Timothy 5:3; cf. verses 4 and 8). In oriental fashion, we even find children bowing before parents in the Bible (Genesis 48:12; 1 Kings 2:19). Even though parents sometimes were not honorable, they were nonetheless to be respected by their children (Genesis 9:20-27).
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The Backside of This Commandment
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The violation of the negative backside of this commandment was a capital offense. Exodus 21:17 dealt with those who cursed their parents (just the opposite of honoring). "And he that curseth [revileth] his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death." Exodus 21:15 had to do with "smiting" (assaulting) parents (just the opposite of giving them a helping hand), "And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death." Leviticus 20:9 further emphasizes the death sentence in connection with this offense. The Lord Jesus definitely saw this as the negative backside of this com mandment to honor parents (Matthew 15:4). An amplification of this negative problem is seen in Deuteronomy 21:18-21. But it seems that this part of the commandment was never carried out.
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The First Commandment with Promise
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Looking back from the New Testament, the apostle Paul, speaks of this commandment to honor father and mother as "the first commandment with promise" (that they would live long upon the earth) (Ephesians 6:1-3). It was the first of the Ten Commandments actually to "spell out" such a promise (or any promise). God attached this promise to the commandment when He initially uttered it (Exodus 20:12). However, years later when Moses rehearsed all of the commandments before Israel, he amplified the promise in connection with this one by saying, "That thy days many be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the lord thy God giveth thee" (Deuteronomy 5:16). Longevity was not the only thing involved. God made the honoring of parents a prerequisite for the people remaining in the Promised Land. As someone has said, "The Holy Land will not tolerate you if you will fail to honor your parents, for in such a case harmonious social life by Biblical standards would be impossible." The family unit built around respect for parents is the very basis for an enduring, stable, and orderly society. Take this away, and they would be in trouble (any people will be in trouble). If they obeyed God, the land would be theirs (Deuteronomy 6:17,18). Otherwise, like the nations before them, the land would "spue" (vomit) them out (Leviticus 18:24-28; 20:22; 26:33; Deuteronomy 4:26,27; 28:62,63).
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This article only selectively touches the "hem of the garment" in dealing with this matter of showing honor and respect. Yes, it is highly fitting that honor and respect be shown to the leaders of the church, but only in a Scriptural sense (no titles with "reverend," please). And in this era of the deterioration of the family, and the lack of respect for many things, it should be a matter of high priority to show honor and respect to parents. Many other areas should command our attention involving this subject. Let us not hesitate to explore them and fill the void in that which is lacking.
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TheSwordANDStaff
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JESUS DID THE ORGANIZING for His church and whenever men go beyond that pattern (found only in the New Testament of Jesus Christ) they do so at their own peril. One needs to only read the New Testament to see the problem that has been created over the last two centuries within the churches.
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| Post Number: 8
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Mamma
Group: Members
Posts: 1474
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jul. 22 2009,6:18 pm |
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Jesus loves you Breeze, but the rest of us are getting a little sick of your posts. Why don't you actually say something instead of just cut and paste?
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A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.
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scary
Group: Members
Posts: 628
Joined: Jun. 2009
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Posted on: Jul. 22 2009,6:23 pm |
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Thank you, MAMMA!!!!!!!!!!
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My avatar is proof that I give a crap 
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