American Christian

In the middle of my study, I stepped aside from the research for a moment to begin to work out definitions for some of the terms so heavily involved in my study. So, readers beware, these definitions are in progress. I took some hard stances on a few issues just to enable me to flush out where these thoughts lead. It might benefit you to read over these and take note of both the areas that you agree with and disagree with, then to talk about why you react that way.

Repentance

The foundation of a faith-based relationship with God is repentance.

One’s opportunity to become repentant is founded in understanding the relationship between man and the Father. Namely, it is founded in understanding that the Father is wholly good in regards to morality and great in regards to capability whereas the man is limited in regards to morality (He was born into sin and he chooses sin) and capability (He is limited by physical and spiritual parameters). In repentance, the man is reverential of the goodness and greatness of God, scrutinizes himself, admits fault for sin, and changes his actions. The activity of repentance only occurs by revelation of God’s character, power and authority and by the leading work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, his scrutiny, admittance, and development are enabled, empowered and caused by the Holy Spirit.

The state of repentance continues to be the foundation for faith-based relationship throughout the life of the believer. In this, the initial moment of repentance that leads to salvation by grace serves only as one moment of revelation. So, a faith-based relationship continues to return to this understanding or lives in this understanding. In coming to a faith-based relationship, believers are freed from the need to sin. The Holy Spirit works out faith actions in the believer.

Faith

Faith functions as repentant conviction that causes righteous action.

Faith is different from belief in that faith necessitates belief in God’s existence, conviction in the differentiation between God’s qualities of goodness and greatness and man’s qualities of sinfulness and limitation, and it causes righteous action as a response whereas belief does not necessitate the response of righteous action.

• James declares that “even the demons believe” though demons are characterized by their anti-faith actions (Jas 2:18-20).
• James explains that “faith without works is dead” or that one does not possess faith if his or her belief does not result in faith actions (Jas 2:14-26).

Righteous action among men is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit. No actions performed by a man outside the work of the Holy Spirit are righteous no matter the appearance of righteousness based in result or assumed motive. Righteous actions do not cause faith; rather they serve as symptoms of faith.

• Paul states that salvation which is by grace and through faith so that no one may boast (Eph 2:8-10)
• In Jesus’ often used branches and vine metaphor, he says that the branches which do not bear fruit will be removed from the vine (John 15:1-6).

Worship
Worship is the positive interaction between man and God occurring during the acting out of faith-actions and as a result of abiding before God.

(To be continued…)

Yes, I’m still working through the big project “A Personal Theology for Us, America.” Yes, I’ll still be working on it for a while. In this post, I’m starting to write down some of the thoughts that are coming out of the study.

My Current Developments Concerning Faith
Having studied through Matthew, John, Acts, Ephesians, James, 1, 2, and 3 John and Jude to know the topic of faith more deeply, here is where I currently stand.

• We typically define faith very similarly to belief. This definition is incomplete. Biblical faith is conviction concerning proper relationship between self and God (Heb 11:1-2) that leads to good works (”fruits”) (Jas 2:18-28).
• So, If one’s “faith” does not produce fruits, that person’s faith is untrue and that person is not what is implied when we typically refer to as a “believer.” The person may, in fact, believe in Jesus’ existence and goodness, but is not what the Bible refers to as a disciple (of Jesus) or a citizen of his kingdom.
• A proper way to act out faith is to begin by “abiding” rather than by planning. By making this statement I’m claiming that
  A. Our relationship w/ God is the foundation for godly actions. Any actions that truly are godly are given opportunities by God. Our best planning results in no more than rags before God. Godly actions are response to God’s leading. Practically speaking, this does not mean that good stewards do no plan, rather it implies that good stewards 1. understand that their best action will result in futile responses 2. understant that God can accomplish anything without them 3. proactively seek out God’s guidance through the Spirit and seek out the desires of his heart 4. plan in order to accomplish God’s goals
  B. Abiding often results in worship whereas planning often results in self-righteousness. Though God has historically caused worship to come from both those who rely on themselves and those who have relied on him, abiding is a more correct cause of worship. An example of man planning and relying on himself and being judged against occurs in 2 Sam 24. An example of man responding to God’s leading and being empowered for it occurs in Acts 2:42-3:10.
• Fruits/good works are not salvific. Grace opens salvific opportunity. Grace received by faith (Jesus’ mercy for salvation received in fullness which results in sanctification (change) produces salvation. Good works do not cause salvation: they are evidences of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).
• Belief that produces works (faith) is rooted in a more complete understanding in Jesus than simply as “savior.” Jesus claims to be Lord and Savior. Man understands that the self is completely unrighteous of his own accord and gives up the opportunity to assume his own correctness.

The gospel is offensive and we need to consider the offense of the gospel.

Though the gospel is directly offensive to many who follow other religions and those who have denounced religion, it s offensive to those even among the Judeo-Christian ranks. The gospel is offensive in that the ramifications of the proclamation that Jesus is God, Lord and Savior, the central understanding of Christian faith, directly oppose those who strive to control or to flee from life in faith, namely, each individual who finds sin to be natural. So, upon the biblical argument which states that all men have sinned, the gospel stands against all men. This is because the procalmation which hangs on Jesus being Lord only allows the speaker to speak either rightly or falsely about the relationship between himself and Jesus. The gospel divides between the righteous and the unrighteous and, considereing the bibical standard for holy righteousness, deems all men sinners. The gospel proclamation humiliates its followers in that the proclamation that Jesus is Savior denies its followers from being able to save themselves from their own downfalls.

…

I’ve been working on my study notes from the New Testament for a while now. I will be in that subject for a considerable amount of time because of the incredible importance of growing to live in faith. As I’ve been working through this subject, a couple things that don’t quite come across in the notes are going to come up such as this post which focuses on the faith of John the Baptist.

Consider the faith through homelessness in the life of John. John probably was esteemed as a wierdo of sorts by his colleagues. He was a hairy guy, homeless, probably unsocialized and was hardly ever clean. Jesus viewed him as the greatest man born of woman (Matt 11:11) and that doesn’t necessarily mean that men viewed him highly. Today’s man focuses on making his wife’s life comfortable or on making himself as resourced as possible. While these are goal-oriented, practical, intentional approaches to Christian living, the kind of person that God has historically utilized in some of the most highly praised ways has been the person whose focus has been faith rather than on resource. Now this statement has to be highly nuanced in that first, God has obviously used highly resourced individuals and groups; and second, many who have been noted to have great faith have been highly resourced (i.e. Abraham, Sampson, David). That being said, it was the faith of the individuals that was specifically noted as the cause of their capabilities, rather than their resources.

So I’m still working on my study. I’ll be in this one a while. In the meantime, here are some of my current assumptions that I’ve been forming during this time of observation.

· The activity of the conviction of faith is visible by others. And, biblically, faith can and should be judged by other believers. If other believers judge it and find fault, they should correct it. Faith is radical. Its activity is others-minded.

· The activity of faith is based in a believer’s relationship with God.

· Personal development towards holiness comes from enduring sanctification. In that, God starts the actions that form sanctifying/developing acts. Proper response develops the individuals.

· Faith is a lot bigger than we expect it in my culture

My Original Introduction:

I’m working on a personal theology for us, America. Most of us have, at some time in our lives, had at least a momentary understanding that God doesn’t just exist, but he created and controls the events in the world. In our ranks, we’ve heard his presence in the sound of the wind blowing in the trees, we’ve seen it in the stars when we get away from the city, and we’ve been put in front the idea at the birth of a new baby or a funeral of a loved one. Not only do many of us fall into that category, but an incredible amount of us claim to tie that understanding back to Jesus and Christianity. On a 2001 census an estimated 159,506,000 out of the 207,980,000 Americans claim to be Christians. That huge number, by the way does not include almost 3,000,000 Jews and over 11,000,000 who refused to respond to the question (http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/08s0074.pdf). So, an estimated 77 out of every 100 Americans claim to have heard the gospel and have responded in faith.

So here’s what I’m doing. Rather than spend time here re-introducing the gospel to a crowd who has already heard the thing, I’m going to dig into looking at what a biblical person of the faith looks like.

Here’s my thought. I think that our definitions are sloppy at best. If that’s true, then that results in haphazard Christianity. Some of our definitions may be too broad and some of them may be too narrow. Even if our definitions had the same breadth, it is quite improbable that they would still line up with each other’s. Since the probability of our definitions lining up is minimal, it’s very likely that the probability of our definitions lining up biblically is unlikely as well. And if our faith is nearly as important as the Bible claims, it is not something that we want to sloppily understand and it is not something that we want to sloppily live out.

So, here’s how this is going to work. To start, I’m rereading the entire New Testament. I’m looking to notice the role and expectations for followers of Jesus. So, for a while, all I’m going to be posting are notes on what faith is like for believers. I personally am going to be especially noting a few words that have been coming up in conversation regarding this topic: “abide,” “worship,” “love,” and “works.”

I challenge you to go through this with me. Community is such a huge part of Christianity and this study is not nearly going to have the level of depth that it should if only one person works on it, especially for you. There are three ways that you can join me on this. First, just keep up with this post. Check up on it every once in a while. Note if anything seems awry or unnoticed. That’s an easy task. Second, you can read through the New Testament with me.* Note what sticks out. Write to me about it or talk about it. Third, you can grab a single passage that you think expresses a critical development in our understanding. Dig into that passage and share what you learn. Get the conversation going. This study is important because it deals with our faith, our eternity, and some of the deepest understandings of God and ourselves. Think about it. It’s quite possible to study a subject like this and realize that we are not nearly the believers that we thought we were, or even to realize that some of us were not even “Christian” after all. The American Christians around you need it. Please, pick one of these three ways, do it, and let me hear about it.

Sincerely,
an American Christian

PS I have two new concepts to add to understanding the purpose to this study. The first concept is that I’m growing to understand that the fruits that result from abiding near God are part of the process of “enduring sanctification.” The process of enduring sanctification is a followers’ choosing to react properly to God’s process of developing that person. The second concept is a question to regard that this study addresses. Followers are barraged with several issues on different responsibilities that they are to undertake throughout their walk. This study attempts to biblically address the question, “How do God’s commandments fit together?”

*I believe that the entire Bible is inspired and useful. I’ve chosen the New Testament rather than the entire Bible simply for practical reasons such as immediacy of response to Jesus’ life, length and emphasis towards Gentiles which are my target audience.

Matthew
(1:24) Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him d
(2:22) Joseph again did as the angel of the Lord commanded him d
(3:2) John preaches “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” d
(4:1-11) Jesus resisted the devil d/example
(4:17) Jesus preaches “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” d
(4:18-21) Jesus calls first followers to be fishers of men. Immediately they left and followed him. d
(for chapters 5-7, see my post on “Kingdom”)
(8:5-13) the centurion believes that Jesus only has to say that his servant will be healed for his servant to be healed. Jesus commends him on his faith. d
(8:22) a disciple says he will bury his father before he follow Jesus, Jesus responds “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” d
(8:23-27) Jesus rebukes the little amount of faith in the disciples who fear death from the storm d
(9:2) Jesus sees a paralytic’s faith, forgives his sins, and then paralytic walked home. d
(9:9) Jesus says “follow me” to Matthew. Matthew rose and followed him. d
(9:10-13) Jesus corrects the Pharisees who don’t understand why he eats with “sinners.” d
(9:14-17) Jesus says that though his disciples would not fast while he was with them, the would fast when he was not.
(9:20-22) A woman’s faith makes her well. d
(9:27-31) Jesus heals two blind mens’ eyes because of their faith. d
(9:35) Jesus teaches the gospel of the kingdom d?
(9:37) Jesus tells his disciples to pray for laborers for the harvest d?
(10:1) Jesus gives the apostles authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and affliction. d?
(10:5-7) In this instance, Jesus sent out his disciples to Israel to proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (like 3:17 and 4:2) d
(10:8-15) He tells them not to charge money for their proclamation and healing. Also, he tells them to shake the dust of their feet and leave those who do not listen. d
(10:16-23) Jesus also tells them to not be anxious over what to say one they are being flogged because the Spirit of their Father would speak through them. d
(10:26-33) Jesus also tells them not to be afraid of the men who will beat them, rather that they should fear God and his judgment. Also, they were to remember that they were important to God. d
(10:34-39) Jesus teaches them that whoever loves people in this world more than Jesus are not worthy of Jesus.
(11:6) Jesus tells John’s men that whoever is not offended by Jesus are blessed.
(11:11) Jesus teaches that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist.
(11:19) Jesus says that wisdom is justified by her deeds/children (he’s talking about his action of befriending tax collectors and sinners).
(11:21-24) Jesus condemns unrepentant cities.
(11:25-30) Jesus teaches to come to him and that his burden is light.
(12:1- Jesus allows to mercifully allow his disciples to eat on the Sabbath noting that he is in charge of the Sabbath. Also, Jesus a second time says quotes “I desire mercy, not sacrifice …” (also in 9:13)
(12:22-32) In correcting the Pharisees, Jesus notes that whoever is not with him is against him) and that whoever speaks against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
(12:33) Jesus uses the tree and fruit analogy and says that the quality of a tree can be judged by its fruit.
(12:43-45) Jesus says that an unclean spirit that leaves may return and will do so for that generation.
(12:46-50) Jesus declares that whoever does the will of the Father in Heaven is his brother, sister, and mother.
(13:1-23) Jesus teaches that there are differing responses to the gospel of the kingdom: some won’t understand, some will understand but not endure, some will care more about the world, and some will receive it and bear good fruit.
(13:24-30, 36-43) Jesus teaches that in this day, the citizens of his kingdom are mixed in with those of the evil one. But, in the next day, there will be separation and the righteous will “shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”
(13:44-46) the kingdom is worth giving up everything for (therefore, kingdom citizens should be willing to give up everything for it I assume)
(13:5) Jesus did not do many mighty works among his kinsmen at Nazareth because of their unbelief
(14:23) After John’s death, Jesus went up on the mountain to pray. d
(14:31) Jesus accused Peter of having “little faith” (still some faith, I assume, but little. He did go out after all…) when his faith had him sink in the water d
(15:2-9) Jesus put following the commandment of God before tradition d
(15:10-20) evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander (bad fruit) are what defile a person
(15:21-2) A Canaanite woman’s faith heals her daughter through Jesus’ power.
(16:5-12) Jesus told the disciples to beware the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
(16:13-20) Peter calls Jesus “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus credits this declaration and offers Peter keys to the kingdom of heaven (Was he the first guy to say this? by keys does he mean admission? The things Jesus says about Peter (i.e. “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”) sound like they’re what he typically expects of kingdom citizens.
(16:24-28) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
(17:14-21) Jesus rebukes his disciples and their generation because their little faith would not utilize the power at hand
(18:1-6) Only those humble like the child Jesus was near can get into the kingdom of heaven let alone be the greatest. Also, it is a great sin to cause one of the little ones to sin (bad fruit).
(18:7-10) Jesus proclaims woe to those who give into temptation and again says that it’d be better to enter the kingdom than to have all your body parts (ref 5:27-30).
(18:15-20) Jesus introduces “church” and church discipline (though the church is probably the kiononia, in which case, as soon as they started gathering, they probably called it that). He says that you (it’s plural) are going to be binding and loosing like Peter (ref 16:19). He reminds them that anything they ask will be done for them by God. And, he says that he is among the gathering of 2 or 3 in his name.
(18:21-35) Jesus teaches to continually forgive because of God’s mercy.
(19:3-9) Jesus teaches very strongly against divorce.
(19:10-12) Jesus teaches that some are to be single (eunuchs) for the kingdom of heaven.
(19:13-15) Jesus again credits children with receiving the kingdom of heaven.
(19:16-30) Jesus exemplifies the rich young ruler explaining that to enter the kingdom of heaven ones treasure needs to be kingdom treasure rather than worldly treasure
(20:1-16) Jesus teaches that the first shall be last and the last shall be first in the kingdom in a parable teaching that the master gives equally to all workers, even those who began later
(20:26-2) Jesus again teaches that the last shall be first in the kingdom in teaching that those who are to be great are slaves (kingdom roles are very much this-worldly roles upside down)
(20:29-34) Two blind men call out to Jesus. He pities them, heals them, and they follow him (they follow, that’s their faith). d
(21:18-22) Jesus curses a fig tree then instructs the disciples again that if they had faith they could yell at a mountain and it would move.
(21:28-32) Jesus demonstrates that it’s better to do as God commands than to say that you will in his parable. He uses this to explain that tax collectors and prostitutes who follow him do as Jesus commands.
(21:43) Jesus explains his parable that God is giving his kingdom to the faithful who produce fruits (And at that time, he was moving it from the Jewish people. If we’re not faithful he could very well move it from us as well).
(22:1-14) Jesus teaches about being ready and many being called but few being chosen.
(22:22) being approached a second time on the tax topic, Jesus responds that one should give to Cesar what is Cesar’s and to God what is God’s
(22:34-40) Jesus responds to a question that the greatest commandments are loving God and loving others and that all the other commandments depend on these.
(23:2-36) Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for (bad fruit) 1. not practicing what they teach and doing their deeds to be seen by others, 2. traveling to make a proselyte and “(making) him twice as much a child of hell as (themselves), 3. making promises based in unimportant things, 4. missing “the weightier matters of the law” justice, mercy, and faithfulness, 5. being full of greed and self-indulgence, 6. hypocrisy and lawlessness, and 7. being murderers of God’s prophets
(24:3-14) Jesus teaches that as followers go through tribulation, the love of many will grow cold. Those whose endure to the end will be saved.
(24:32-35) Jesus says “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place (what does that mean? Does that mean that we are still part of “this generation” or that it was a temporary persecution? Maybe this generation referred to Jews or believers in general?)
(24:36-44) Jesus instructs that his people are to be ready for the coming of the Lord always because nobody knows when it will happen.
(25:1-13) at the coming rule and reign of Jesus, some will be ready and some will not (The coming kingdom includes both groups of people).
(25:14-33) at the coming rule and reign of Jesus, there will be judgment for what each person does with what he is given.
(25:34-46) In judgment, Jesus deems the righteous and unrighteous based in when they fed, gave drink, or clothing to “the least of these.”
(25:35-47) Jesus commends a woman for anointing him with expensive oil, which he calls getting his body ready for the tomb, instead of selling it for the poor and corrects his disciples saying that the poor will always be around d
(26:26-2 Jesus told his disciples to drink of the cup which is his blood poured out d
(26:36-46) The disciples couldn’t even stay awake even though their spirits wanted to d (does this mean that we need to remember that we can’t do everything? I need to look into this one.)
(26:6-75) Peter denied Jesus three times as Jesus had told him he would d
(27:25-26) The crowd responded “His blood be on us and on our children” d
(28:1-20) Jesus tells the eleven disciples to make disciples of all nations baptizing them, teaching them to observe what he commanded them. He also said “I am with you always until the end of the age.”

Matthew on Kingdom Citizenship
Jesus teaches on radically following him and denying all other lives because of the surpassing worth of pursuing him. He teaches that a kingdom citizen (someone who lives under his kingly rule and authority) shows the characteristics of loving God and others as well as pursues perfect holiness through Jesus’ power and brings that to the nations.

John
(1:9-13) God came to many who did not accept him
(1:24-2 John told people that the messiah was coming
(1:43-51) Philip and Nathaniel get up and follow Jesus
(3:3- unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God (those born of the flesh can never respond correctly)
(-14) only the Son of Man, he who descended from heaven, can ascend into heaven
(-18-21) people of the flesh have naturally turned from the light of Jesus “but whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God” -> the righteous, good actions that came out before God are working in you, it’s not our actions
(-25-30) John’s faith action = he puts Jesus before himself. I.e. “I am not the Christ…” “he must increase, I must decrease”
(4:23-24) those who worship the father must worship in spirit and ruth
(4:46-54) A man asks Jesus to heal his son. Jesus says “Go, your son will live.” The man believes and his son is healed
(5:8-9) Jesus tells a man to get up and be healed. The man gets up and is healed.
(5:24) “whoever hears m word and believes him who sent me has eternal life…” – Jesus
(-25) “…those who hear (the voive of the Son of God) will live”
(-39) eternal life is in Jesus not the scriptures
(6:2) many followed Jesus because he he healed the sick (non-salvivific faith = first assumption)
(6:14) many though Jesus was “the Prophet who is come into the world” when he fed the 5000
(-27) Jesus corrects than for following the miracles, not eternal things
(-34) God provides
(-40) everyone who looking upon the Son will have eternal life
(47-58, 65) Jesus who is from God is the source for eternal salvation
(7:17) If anyone’s will is to do God’s will he will know if the teaching is of God
(8:30) As Jesus presented himself as the light of the world, many believed

Acts
(1:7- It is not for them (us) to know the time (of the “restoration of the kingdom of Israel”) that God has set, rather they are to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth
(1:14) (after Jesus told them to be witnesses) they devoted themselves to prayer
(1:12-26) In order to “fulfill scriptures” (says Peter), they cast lots to choose Matthias and prayed
(2:1-2) They waited until Pentecost to move
(2:3-13) When the Holy Spirit filled them, they spoke in tongues, fire rested on each one of them, and the spirit gave them utterances
(2:14-41) Peter preaches about Jesus and many “are added to their number”
(2:42) The new community devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. THESE ARE NEW BELIEVERS.
(2:43) A. awe/fear came on every soul B. the apostles (but not others) were performing signs and wonders
(2:44-45) They were selling their stuff to share it with others
(2:46) A. they attended the temple together (it was still within the context of the temple) B. they broke bread in their homes “with glad and generous hearts” C. they praised God D. they had favor with all the people
(3:1-26) Note: they’re still devoted to prayer when a situation for Peter and John to respond to. Two apostles heal someone. Others respond with awe. Here’s a question to think about: did just the apostles have this ability which they received when Jesus sent them out, or does everybody who has an inkling of faith? In 3:16, the apostles say that it is faith that enables that action.
(4:3) After the miracle the quantity of believers jumped to 5000
(4: Peter responds filled with the Holy Spirit
(4:12) Peter preaches Jesus
(4:23-31) The community prayed for boldness after Peter and John’s incident and A. the place shook B. they were filled with the Holy Spirit
(4:32) like 2:42 everyone has everything in common and there is not a needy person among them. They sold to cover needs.
(5:1-11) A couple who lied to the community and Holy Spirit died as direct response to lying and consequently people feared joining after Ananias and Sapphira’s death (13)
(5:12-16) The outsiders respond to the healings, they even held Peter’s shadow in high regards
(5:29) “We must obey god rather than men” (refers to the situation in 4:15-20) -> breaking law to follow God
(5:41-42) After being beaten, Peter and the apostles (1) rejoiced that they were worthy to be dishonored for the name (2) continued preaching
(6:1-7) the apostles appointed men to minister to the women in need of care so they could focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. d
(7:54-60) After Stephen’s speech he, filled with the spirit (55), gazed into heaven and saw Jesus next to the Father. He prayed for forgiveness for those who killed him as they killed him. d
(8:1- Philip, one of the 12 did many healings in Samaria.
(8:9-25) Simon put money and pursuit of what the Spirit could do before his trust. Peter tells him to repent in hopes that the intent of his heart may be forgiven to him
(8:26-40) Philip listens to an angel who tells him to go to “a desert place” even though a lot of people are happy to watch him perform miracles. His faith action (which is a faith action even though it’s not called one), which led to his gospel presentation to the Ethiopian, led to a man’s faith.
(9:17) Ananias did what the Lord told him (help Saul) even though he doubted god’s working in Saul. That led to Saul’s baptism of conversion
(9:1-20) A miraculous conversion experience led to Paul’s faith
(9:31) (Consider the times when the church multiples: it’s a theme) Paul’s preaching and dispute lead to the building up and multiplying of the church
(9:32-35) Peter heals somebody not even asking about faith, just saying “JC heals you…”
(9:36-43) Peter restores Dorcas (aka Tabatha) to life simply saying “Tabitha, arise.” There is no mention of JC
(10:1-4 A centurion’s prayers and alms are noted as going to God by an angel and he is commanded to do more (help Peter). (Better summary) An angel guides a centurion of faith (visible through alms and prayers) and a disciple of faith Peter) to action which brings the gospel to the Gentiles and leads to the HS falling on the Gentiles. We can’t make that happen, but WE CAN ABIDE AND BE READY IF THAT SITUATION ARISES.
(11:1-1 In faith, Peter goes back and repots what happened to the Gentiles
(11:23-24) ref that Barnabas, who is of faith, rejoiced in the Gentiles coming to faith
(11:27-30) a prophet forsees a draught and the disciples
(12) An angel saves Peter from prison, all he has to do is respond. Contradictorily, Herod dies for not giving God glory over himself.
(13) Barnabas and Paul travel “Set apart for the work which (the Holy Spirit) has called them.” They run into a magician who opposes Jesus. Paul curses and makes him blind, then his audience believed
Also, the believers are called “sons of the family of Abraham and those who fear God.”
(-43) many believed after the presentation of the gospel
(-4 the Gentiles rejoiced when they heard that the Gospel was given to the Jews to be a light for them. Then all the disciples shook off their dust and were filled with joy from the HS through persecution
(14) miraculous healing
(-1 people tried to praise Paul and Barnabas as Zeus and Hermes, they denied it
(-22 n 23) after being stoned, Paul encourages some to continue in the faith and that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God
(15) Do Gentiles need to be circumcised to come to faith? God cleansed hearts by faith. Their yoke (specifically circumcision, generally the law) is not to be placed on the Gentiles.
(-29) specific requirements for Gentile believers = abstain from that which has been sacrificed to idols, blood (consuming I assume)/what has been strangled, and sexual immorality
(16:4-5) the church was strengthened in faith and increased in number because of ch 15
(-15) Lydia, just after being baptized, asks to be used by Paul if he judges her faithful (i.e. she allowed herself to be judged on her faith which was revealed in her baptism, the fact that she worshipped God, and, in part, that her whole family was baptized too
(-1 Paul casts out a demon
(-25) In chains, Paul and Silas prayed and sung hymns publicly (
(-31) Paul and Silas tell the jailer to believe in the Lord and be saved. He later displays his faith through service (34)
(17:4) Paul preaches on Jesus for 3 weeks. Many join in response.
(-10) As Paul taught, the Bereans received the word with eagerness and accepted the scriptures
(-34) Again, Paul teaches and some come to faith. This time it’s at the Areopagus
(19:1-7) Another Pentecost-like experience happened at Ephesus
(20:22-31) In Paul’s following of Jesus, he considered himself innocent of others’ blood only after preaching the word to them
(21:1-16) A prophet (Agabus) warns Paul that he will be imprisoned. Though Paul believes him, he presses on moved to push even towards death if the need be.
(21:22-25) The people reacted ferociously to Paul and his message
(26-27) Paul stands through a difficult trial and a shipwreck for his faith
(27:25) An angel shows Paul what’s going to happen with the boat and he has faith that it will happen like that
(2 Paul kept pressing on for the faith

Examples of Faith in Acts
After being told to “Go,” the church in Acts prays to God and waits to follow his activity in getting the ball rolling. Though the Apostles and Paul are performing the majority of the miraculous works such as healing, others are using miraculous gifts such as Agabus the prophet. The faith works of the church were very active and included selling possessions to give to others, prophesying, sticking up for people, caring for widows, proclaiming the gospel, following the Spirit or heavenly beings’ leading, casting out demons, speaking with flaming tongues, being filled with joy while being tortured and prayed for their oppressors while being stoned.

Ephesians
(1:15) Paul has heard of their faith and love for the saints (IT’S VISIBLE).
(2:8-10) salvation = 1. by grace 2. through faith. Also, we were created for good works (My commentary: Though works of faith do not earn salvation, living by a faith that produces the fruit of good works is part of being a believer).
(-22) salvation is by Jesus though, duh!
(3:14-19) Paul prays that they may be strengthened that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith… that you may be filled with the fullness of God.”
(My commentary: In the context of everything that I’ve been reading, one can’t be filled with the fullness of God without doing stuff (Utilizing faith that produces good works)
(4:1-3) Being of the Way one is to respond with humility, gentleness, patience, bearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
(4:11-12) He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and build up the body of Christ
(4:15) 1. speak the truth in love (this is specifically in the context of the community) 2. we are to grow up into Christ so the body builds itself up in love
(4:17-24) of the Way/new life, we can’t be darkened in our understanding, alienated from the life of God because of ignorance, give in to sensuality or impurity. I.e. put off the old self, put on the new.
(4:25-32) of the Way/new life, speak the truth with your neighbor, don’t sin in anger, give no opportunity to the devil, turn the thief to honest work to share with anyone in need, let no corrupt talk come from your mouths, put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice, be kind to one another, forgive one another
(4:32) what you do, do as Christ has done for you
(5:1-7) walk in love, put away filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking, be thankful, and don’t let yourself be deceived and don’t associate with the deceivers
(5:15-6:9) make the best use of the time, don’t be foolish, don’t get drunk with wine, address one another making melodies to the Lord with all your heart, give thanks, submit to one another, wives submit to husbands as the church submits to Christ, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, children obey your parents, fathers don’t provoke your children, slaves obey your masters as servants of Christ, Masters stop threatening your slaves
(6:10-20) take up truth, righteousness, readiness given by the gospel of peace (being ready to go because this isn’t your home), faith, salvation, the spirit and pray against the cosmic powers over this present darkness. Also, persevere, pray for the saints
(6:23) Paul wishes them peace, love and faith (action) from the Father and the Christ

Ephesians on Faith
Ya’ll should do as Jesus would do. Do it as community.

James
(1:19-21) Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (example fruit of abiding) because anger doesn’t produce the righteousness God desires, also put away filthiness and rampant wickedness
(1:22-25) Be a doer (deeds) of the word, not just hearers
(1:26-27) If someone thinks he is of God but doesn’t bridle his tongue (aka produces bad fruit), then his religion is worthless. IF someone visits orphans and widowns in their affliction and keeps unstained from the world (aka produces good fruit), then his religion is pure and undefiled before God.
(2:1-7) show no partiality to the rich over the poor, honor the poor man
(2:10) if you fail one law then you are accountable for failing the whole law
(2:14-26) Faith without works is dead. A person is justified when faith is made complete in works.
(3:1-12) (Fruit of belief) tame the tongue
(3:13-1 (Fruit of belief): meekness of wisdom, pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, sincere
(4:1-4) (ref Mt 7:7 “you ask wrongly”) your passions/pleasures cause quarrels among you. “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (consider the father vs. sons passage from the Gospels)
(4:5-6) God v. the proud, gives grace to the humble
(4:8-10) draw near to God, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, humble yourself (and he will exalt you)
(4:17) Whoever knows the right thing and fails to do it, fir him it is sin
(5:7-12) (fruit) be patient and endure suffering, also “let your yes be yes and your no be no (like 1:27 divides response into active works of faith and keeping from sinning this would be keeping from sinning)
(5:13-16) bring cheer, suffering, and sickness to God in prayer and praise (active response to situations)

1 John
(1:6-7) “Walk(ing)in darkness” we can have no fellowship w/ Him. “Walk(ing) in light” we can have fellowship with one another” through Him
(2:3-6) Keeping the commandments is proof of (1) knowing Him (2) abiding in Him
(2:9-11) If you love your brother you’re in the light, if you hate your brother you’re in the darkness. It doesn’t matter what you say. 2:24 adds if you abide in the light you abide in the Son and the Father (ref 2:7). 3:7 adds love one another.
(2:27) Abide in Him
(2:2 Abide in Him results in confidence at His coming
(3:6) No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning
(3:9-10) Proof (1) children of God => practice righteousness and love the brother (2) children of the devil do not practice righteousness and do not love brother
(3:12) Cain’s deeds made him evil d
(3:16) We know love because He laid down hi life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers
(3:17-1 Love in work or deed using the world’s goods for those in need
(3:23-24) Whoever keeps his commandments to believe in Jesus and love one another abides in Him and He in them
(4:7- “Anyone who loves has been born of God and knows God and anyone who does not love does not know God
(4:10) (God ->us) We didn’t love God, he loved us and actively sent Jesus
(4:15-16) (Furthers earlier statements) If confess Jesus and abide in love, then we abide in God and He in us.
(4:19) We love because he first loved us
(4:20) If anyone says “I love God” and hates his brother, he is a liar
(4:21) Commandment = love our brother
(5:1-4) We know we love the children of God when we love god and love others

1 John on Abiding, Love and Deeds
Abiding in God, loving others, and refraining from sin are very connected.
Our deeds declare us as righteous or evil.
We love others because God loved us first.
If someone claims to love God bud doesn’t love his brother and doesn’t refrain from sinning, he is a liar.
If we abide in God, we abide in love. Therefore, abiding (dwelling) in God causes love. Not abiding in God causes lack of love.

2 John
(5-6) (Repeats info from 1 John) Walk according to his commandments (to love (ref. 1 Jn 2:7, 9-11, 24; 3:7)

2 John on Love
Discern whether or not someone is a believer or deceiver based in his or her walking in the commandments to love.

3 John
3 John is an example of John discerning whether or not someone is a believer based in that man’s walking against the command to love d

Jude
(1:4) notes that those who “pervert the grace of God into sensuality” or “deny our only Master and Lord” are designated for condemnation.
(1:5-7) Jude notes negatively on pursuing sexual immorality, unnatural desire, defile flesh, rely on dreams, deflect authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones
(1:8-25) Jude also talks about all receiving judgment from Jesus

Note: the notes ending with “d” are descriptive passages rather than prescriptive
Note: I gave up on that early in the study.

Before we can start on the topic of “kingdom” in the Sermon on the Mount, there’s a little ground work to put in place. In Matthew 5-7, Jesus focuses his teaching on “kingdom.” The term “kingdom” refers to Jesus’ rule, reign, and authority over his people.[1] Whenever Jesus talks about the kingdom he’s referring to his relationship with his people and his position of king over them. All the people of the kingdom are people who have a relationship with him and view him as king.

That concept has a couple interesting and very important ramifications. Since kingdom citizenship is based in relationship between Jesus’ people and him, kingdom citizenship operates very differently from the very typical “Salvation by Prayer” concept. Someone who believes in salvation by prayer typically believes that since he once prayed to go to heaven that he’s a “Christian” and that it doesn’t need to affect him any more. The term Christian wasn’t used until Acts 11:26 when outsiders call them that. Rather, Jesus called his people part of the kingdom (Which I’m referring to as “kingdom citizens”) or disciples. So, since kingdom citizenship is relational and not based on a simple disconnected prayer that is separate from relationship some who claim that they’re Christians are not kingdom citizens and some who are kingdom citizens may not claim that they are Christians. For example, significant portions of the New Testament are geared towards Jewish believers. Those believers would not call themselves “Christian” at all. Since Jesus didn’t call out “Christians,” it is incredibly important to consider the qualifications for the kind of believers that he did call for. That brings us to the Sermon on the Mount; three chapters in which Jesus explains the qualifications for kingdom citizenship.

The second definition is for “Sermon on the Mount.” There are a couple different views on whether it was actually one speech like presented in Matthew, whether it was a conglomeration of several speeches like Luke presents it and they all were shoved together, or whether or not the words were even said by Jesus.[2] Throwing out the third option,[3] we’re left asking whether the whole speech happened at once or at in parts at different times. Here’s where the opinion kicks in. I think he said it all at once. I think that Jesus taught on this stuff all the time. Jesus went around preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 4:17). So, he was talking about the same things everywhere he went. With that, I have no problem believing that Jesus taught all this at one time (like here in Matthew) and broken up (like in Luke). With all that, how the definition for the Sermon on the Mount affects our study is that I’m going to handle Matthew 5-7 as one unified speech. Believing that only strengthens the connection between the attributes explained in the different sections within the sermon.

To intro this passage and topic, let’s start with a synopsis focusing on the main point of each section:

• Kingdom citizens pursue reward in heaven, not on earth. (5:3-11)
• Kingdom citizens live lives useful for the gospel, lives with good deeds that the world can see and praise God. (5:12-16)
• The righteousness of kingdom citizens must exceed the scribes and Pharisees (and that can only be accomplished through Jesus).
  The standard for righteousness of kingdom citizens is that they must be perfect like the heavenly Father is perfect (and that can only be accomplished through Jesus). (5:17-4
• Kingdom citizens pray, fast, and give to the needy in secret knowing that God will see and reward them.
  Kingdom citizens do not allow money to god over them.
  Kingdom citizens primarily seek the kingdom of God rather than primarily meeting their own needs. (6:1-34)
• Kingdom citizens are to judge themselves, then their brothers, but are not to waste their holy standard on unholy people. (7:1-6)
• Kingdom citizens plead to God that he will take care of them. (7:7-11)
• Kingdom citizens are to treat others as they want to be treated. (7:12-13)
• Kingdom citizens and non-kingdom citizens can be identified by the fruit produced by their deeds. (7:15-20)
• Jesus will judge which kingdom you live in. (7:21-27)

(To be continued… )

So, I’m studying love between people as presented in the bible and I’ve had a thought. Love is practical and simple. It’s going to show up when we do things like sometimes prioritize people beyond our jobs and leave early to hang out. The guy in the movies who gets stuck at work when his boy has a ball game is always viewed as unloving.

oh.

This others-minded stuff is a trip.

Role
As Americans, our interactions with religion, spirituality, and faith are incredibly varied. Many end up unable to take much of a stand for what they believe in simply due to knowledge overload. When asked to make a proper response to a situation, many are overwhelmed in that they understand the multitude of well-defended stances that exist. Rather than throwing up our hands to explain “I don’t know!” We have opportunities to wade through the multitude of options and form intelligent, well-developed hypotheses. I challenge you to go through the work that it takes to figure out what you think.
As I work through being a Christian in America, my mind continually races back to the questions “What is my role?” and “What are my responsibilities?” The Bible prescribes and describes role and responsibilities for those of the faith. So, to live more responsibly we need to carefully consider what God prescribes and do everything we can to live that out. As my hypothesis on this matter develops, I intend to continue to update this post. This is a LONG TIME in the works.

Role: Every Human
Sin, depravity, born into Adam’s sin
Purposed for God’s glory
Accountable by general revelation

Role: Individual
Before God:
Purposed to enjoy God
Purposed to pursue God (abide)
Disciplines: prayer, worship, biblical study, Sabbath (reminder routine, rest, celebration), tithe/first fruits, charity, love, fast, holiness, repentance, pursuing wisdom, pursue knowledge, repentance, pursue goodness, pursue holiness (echad/oneness, no idols), correction
Lev 26:12 (responsibility primarily to God, not man. i.e. modeling the life > teaching the life)
Jon 8:31 abide in God’s word to be his disciples
Eze 16:1-16 know that God made you beautiful and you played the whore
In family:
Husband, father, master
Wife, mother
Child
Deu 4:9 live and teach that your descendents may learn
Deu 6:4-ff live remembering the Lord, teach our children to do so
In church:
Passover/Lord’s Supper, baptism, correction
Specific roles
Teacher, elder, deacon
In the world:
Disciplines: mission/evangelism/discipleship, service, holiness, social concern, caring for the poor, the orphaned, the widowed, and the oppressed
Jam 1:27 care for orphans and widowed. Also, keep self unstained from the world.
Phi 2:5-8 be others-interested, not self-interested. Also, be dedicated to it as Christ was unto death.

Role: Communal
Before God
Rom 12:1-2 group to live as worship
As family
As church
General mission, vision, and purpose
In the world

Alright, so I’m writing this post as I develop. So, it’s coming along slowly. Two topics have been on my mind:
1. What role do the affections play in Christianity?
2. What does the communal aspect of Christianity look like?

I’ve been considering titling this post “Love the poor? I don’t even like the poor!” One of the areas of difficulty that we have in American Christianity is self-centeredness. Generally speaking, we, the American Christian people, like advancing our own lives, taking care of our own problems, dealing with our own issues. I’m spending some time looking into and dealing with the role of affections in relational faith for our sake.

Assumption:
Well, I don’t think that we were born into a world where filling your heart with pleasure is evil, rather it is the evil of many of the pursuits of the heart that causes inconsistencies in our following of the faith. With that, I believe that our faith is very communal whereas our pursuits are very selfish. Our (1) lack of discipline and (2) failure to respond to the affections implanted in believers are the weaknesses that keeps us from living wildly as believers. We’re going to need to respond differently if we are to live wildy as believers.

Here are some of the things I’m going to consider:
1. Person-Person relational biblical texts (love, proper religion, hospitality…)
2. Historic views on the roles of the affections (So far, I’m reading Augustine)

I’ll pull this together more cohesively as I continue to work. If it doesn’t do that well, I’ll divide it up into two topics and work on them both. As I’m working on this, I’ll put up some of my notes.

Oh, and I’ll probably post my current hypothesis on the role of a Christian, because some of that work is integral to this study. For now, I’ll leave you with a passage that speaks on the extent of love, some notes from Edwards’ “Religious Affections,” and a short prayer.

1 Corinthians 13:1-9
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Jonathan Edwards: “A Treatise of Religious Affections”
When describing the religious affections of the Christians described in 1 Peter 1:8, Jonathan Edwards explains that they had a “supernatural principle of love” to Jesus and, in that, they love some others who they had not seen because they loved Jesus whom they hadn’t bodily seen either.
How could someone be like that?

Prayer
God, please allow your affections to take captive this introvert’s heart.

We all know that part of interacting well with the world is understanding what is going on. World demographics are a good place to start.

If there were 1000 people in the world…[1]

• 361 are East Asian and Pacific Islander
• 231 are Southeast Asian
• 116 are sub-Saharan African
• 92 are Latin American & Caribbean
• 85 are European & Central Asian
• 59 are North American
• 56 are Middle Eastern & North African
• 330 claim Christianity
• 215 claim Islam
• 149 claim Hinduism
• 105 claim “Other Religions”
• 59 claim Buddhism
• 2 claim Judaism
• 506 are men
• 494 are women
• 922 do not own a computer
• 78 own a computer
• 876 cannot read
• 124 can read