The Doctrine of Sanctification

                       

Sanctification is an “inside-job,” performed by the Holy Spirit (1 Thes. 5:23; Eph. 5: 25-7; Tit. 2:14; Heb. 13: 20-1; Gal. 5:15-16). It is a subjective work – happening (perennially) within us, transforming the character and condition of the person. It is a supernatural work – performed by God through the Holy Spirit (Phil. 1:6); Col. 3:9-10). Sanctification is “the continuing work of God in the life of the believer making them holy – a process by which one’s moral condition is brought into conformity with one’s legal status before God (Justified! You are the righteousness of God; cf. 2 Cor. 5:21).[1]

This ongoing process of sanctification implies holiness – a separation from; to be set apart for the purposes of God; of dedicated use; to be cut off from (קָדוֹשׁ, qadosh).

Wisdom's Vindication - A Background (Matthew 11)

WISDOM’S VINDICATION

Matthew 11: 7 – 19 

Background:  Matthew 11:1 – 19

Unusual and unexpected behavior will most likely be vilified and labeled eccentric, foolish, or wrong. Both Jesus and John faced this predicament. Jesus declared that both His and John’s actions “would be proven wise by their subsequent deeds.” [1]

Opposition to Jesus has taken a turn. His rivals will make it clear in no uncertain terms their dislike for Him, His ministry, and His claims. When does this opposition to Jesus begin to ramp up?

“11:1 Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to         teach and proclaim his message in their cities.”

When He began to teach “in their cities.”   Note – watch out when you begin to proclaim the kingdom of God in what was formerly the devil’s space. Teachers, don’t be surprised when you encounter opposition to teaching the Word.

What we are about to see are varied responses to Jesus’ actions, His sayings, and those of John a little later.

                                                Not Johnny!!!

The Great Baptism Formula Debate: Matthew 28:19 or Acts 2:38

Jesus’ final designation to His followers states:

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (NLT)

Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (GNT)

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)

And teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age." (GNT)

GO, BAPTIZE, TEACH, MAKE...YOU ARE AUTHORIZED (AS I AM WITH YOU).

Jesus' Final Week: Thursday

 It’s Thursday. Tomorrow, they will kill Jesus. How does Jesus and His followers spend the day?

Well, it was a long day, to say the least. Peter and John are tasked with getting ready for the Passover meal (Mk. 14:13). Would you have liked that job?

Just imagine the pressure of knowing the show is about to start, last-minute details...this is it! Three years of toil. It comes down to this last night before the curtains open. They are gathered for their last meal. Jesus sets the model for servant leadership at the gathering. Remember? 

Christian Education, Leadership & 21st Century Culture

The research has thus far shown that Christian education encompasses more than just the study and delivery of information aimed at spiritual formation. It should intentionally inform all areas pertaining to ecclesia – worship, evangelism, edification, fellowship, ministry and prayer. It is unwise to ignore the educational trends of the culture and society. If the Body of Christ is to stem the tide of decades of secularism in Education, then the way forward must include a reconsideration of Christian pedagogy intentionally driven through Christian community.

Trevor Cooling (2015) recommends exploring two models: First, an awareness of the modernist model which pushes hard knowledge and “treats Christian belief as at best unnecessary clutter and at worst as irrational and even toxic” (p. 21). Second is the postmodern model which promotes the subjective – maintaining that “knowledge is simply a construction of the human mind and there is no objective truth in education” (p.21).

The Divine Agenda

Throughout the ages, God has been moving mankind toward an intended end, one with an eschatological hope. Ever since the Fall of mankind (Gen. 3), the story of mankind has been one of God revealing himself to man, with the intention to reconcile them back to himself (2 Cor. 5:19). What he (God) has, is a divine agenda (Howell, p.300). The Fall necessitated a rescue plan (Gen. 3:16), predetermined before time began and realized in the sacrifice of God’s Son for mankind (Jn. 3:16), a once for all sacrifice (Heb. 10:1-18) that would grant mankind the gift of eternal life and justification for the stain of sin.

With this in mind, leaders who are servants of the King, embrace the high calling to proclaim the saving truth of the Gospel (1 Cor. 15) and with a willing heart, seek to fulfill the Great Commission mandate to reach, teach and make disciples (Mat. 28:19-20). This is the praxis of theology and leadership realized. Howell (2016) uses Paul as an example leader who, having internalized the divine agenda of God for his people regularly “reaffirmed the mission’s core value and message, and contextualized the message” in order to avoid “mission ambiguity, mission drift, and mission confusion” (p. 301). Paul’s modus operandi is a reminder of whose mission it is – God’s. It is his mission, his people, and while there may be benefits along the way for his under-shepherds, the mission remains one of self-sacrifice, with seasons of suffering.

What the Bible says about Marriage, Divorce & Singleness

 

           Divorce & Remarriage

Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul spoke about marriage and divorce in the Bible. They would often speak about both topics interchangeably.  Jesus was concerned about the state of relationships, and was the reason he of ten spoke about “the kingdom of God.” In this kingdom, the motive behind an action was of great concern; more than the emotions. As humans, we often react based on the subjective, rather than the objective. At the same time, one may see an outward act and not know the motive (subjective) behind the act. To make his point, he taught the Sermon on the Mount (Mat. 5-7).

Divorce was rampant

Here’s the thing, the divorce culture of this time accommodated their sinful lives and ushered in a period of rampant divorce. Macarthur states that Rabbi Hilel allowed divorce for any reason:

“For any reason, unload that woman.” The men were the leaders in this divorce and you could divorce your wife for burning your dinner, for spinning around so that somebody saw her ankles. For letting her hair down, not metaphorically, but literally, for speaking to a man, for making a negative comment about your mother, or for finding someone else that you preferred. And you were obligated to divorce her if she was infertile. That was the reigning view.”[1]

On his way to Jerusalem, the religious leaders accosted him with a question about divorce. It was their intent to discredit him. They wished for him to condemn all divorcees, seeing that it was the common practice of the day. Up till now, men could divorce their wives for any reason. This would be quite the confrontation.

Christian Maturity

A believer has been given wisdom by God so that they may know the things of God and apply it to their lives (1 Cor. 2:10, 13). But even though they (believers who have been given God’s wisdom) are called to maturity, at times they act worldly, under the control of the world and the flesh (cf. the Corinthian believers whose actions were antithetical to those given God’s wisdom; 1 Cor. 3:3-4). Keep in mind, “while all believers are alive in the spirit, not all believers’ actions and attitudes conform to the status of being alive in the Spirit (Samra, p. 66). Seeing that believers are no longer slaves to sin and are now “sons’” because “God sent his Spirit within our hearts” (Gal. 4:6), it is expected that they should live in freedom, to walk in their new status, not enslavement to the law, the world, nor the enemy.

Growth Within The Body Of Christ

God's missional plan is the salvation and sanctification of the world (Eph. 1:9-10). This mission is best achieved when the Body of Christ operates as a fully functional ecosystem. Christ, is the head of the church, and believers are being fitted together with an expectation of a harmonious and interconnected togetherness. Ernest Best describes the way this spiritual ecosystem should function:

  "If one member fails to exercise his gift, that hinders both the growth of the whole and the individual growth of each member (no member can grow apart from the whole). The growth of each member is involved in the growth of the whole and the growth of the whole in the behavior of each member."[1]

Saving The Lost: Jesus Raises The Status Of An Accused Adulterer

 The Mission – Confronting Sin With An Aim To Elevate        (Jn. 4:16-18)

The stage is set for further revelation of Christ’s identity and mission. Keep in mind the betrothal theme, the reader will notice a shift in the story. With the awareness of  “Jesus’ identity

as the covenantal husband of Israel and the biblical typology of the well as the meeting place for a betrothal, we can understand the statement by Jesus, “Go call your husband?” (4:16) as the primary purpose of this encounter.”[1] Jesus’ aim here “is not so much to discuss ethics or the woman’s lifestyle as it is to show his revelatory knowledge, so that the woman would begin to recognize his identity.”[2]

Hermeneutics Questions & Answers

                                        The Discipline of Hermeneutics

Regarding  Bible Translations

Define the terms “formally equivalent” and “functionally equivalent” with regard to translation theories.

Formal equivalent refers to a literary translation of the Greek and Hebrew text into English syntax.  This process “prioritizes preserving the form and structure of the text over what is the most intelligible English.”^[1] By seeking to remain as close as possible to the original form of the Greek and Hebrew language, the form equivalent “may appear awkward, less sensitive to a contemporary audience, and may sacrifice meaning for form.”^[2] In contrast, the functionally equivalent renders more of a dynamic interpretation of the Greek and Hebrew language into English. This rendering seeks to “reflect better English,” placing the “priority on clarity over grammar and syntax.” Another way to define the functional is that it brings the text closer to the language of the contemporary reader (an attempt to reproduce the same effects as experienced by the original audience).^[3]

The Book of John: Authorship, Purpose & Provenance

Internal & External Evidence of Johannine Authorship 

It is important to establish John as the author of the Gospel bearing his name primarily for apostolic eyewitness and authorship. This especially during a period of Gnostic influences. Köstenberger aptly puts it this way: “John’s Gospel claims to represent apostolic eyewitness testimony regarding Jesus’ earthly ministry.”[1]  There is ample internal and external evidence in support of Johannine authorship with John being “John, the son of Zebedee,”  one of Jesus’ disciples. The internal evidence is as follows:

·         The author is identified in Jn. 13:23 as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” That he is “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is also mentioned in 21:2, 23, and stated as the “one who “testified to these things and wrote them down” (21:24). The author also has close connections to Peter and part of Jesus’ inner circle (Lk. 5:8-10,8:51; Mk. 3:16-17, 5:37; Mat. 17:1-2). Of noteworthy mention is the visit to Jesus’ tomb on Resurrection Sunday, where the author is identified as “the one whom Jesus loved” (20:1-8).

The Definition of Hermeneutics

During a recent fallout over a church split and the subsequent ousting of the senior pastor, the church community was up in arms over the influence of Calvinism. The senior pastor was accused of abandoning the faith (Oneness). An elder in making the case against him cited ‘Sola Scriptura’ and began to use the proof-texting method to denounce the pastor’s actions. A more thorough investigation of the claims revealed a lack of applying proper hermeneutics, which could have prevented the fallout. Hermeneutics involves ‘the task of explaining, interpreting, and translating the Scriptures.”^[1] Outside of the objective text, hermeneutics pulls back the curtain, and reveals the original meaning and context of the author’s work. It is a discipline that illuminates precisely the intended meaning, whether a single meaning, a fuller, or even a hidden meaning. Exactly what was the writer trying to communicate to his audience? It is not enough to just say “The Bible says so.” Nor should doctrine be made from a position of silence. Hermeneutics then, “provides the means for understanding the Scriptures and for applying that meaning responsibly.”^[2]

Ephesians: Discipleship & Membership Done God's Way

Ephesians As a Model for 21^st Century Ministry Strategies in Leadership 

If you desire a road-map for building the church the New Testament way, then look no further than the Epistle of Ephesians. Within the pages of this epistle, the Apostle Paul presents a strategy of a unified body. Paul encourages individual members to join together to become a unified body in Christ. Common themes include the Spiritual Privileges of the Church (1:3-3:21), the Blessings Believers Share (2:1-10), Unity in Christ (2:11-22), The Spiritual Responsibilities of the Church (4:1-6:20), Achieving Maturity (4:1-16), The Domestic Code (5:22-6:9) and Spiritual Warfare (6:10-20). This epistle was written as a circular letter, intended for instructions to not only Ephesus, but to the neighboring churches. I have pulled out a few nuggets by chapter of benefit to membership and discipleship:

Unity, Oneness & Strength: What To Do About Those Two-Faced Christians (1 Corinthians 10:1-10; Ephesians 4:1-5).

Can you picture Christians acting in this manner?

Divisive, Factional, Superficial, Slanderers, Judgmental, Carnal, Nominal, Holier-than-thou, Flirting, Vulgar, Inconsiderate, Provocative Immoral, Incestuous, Unrepentant, Loose, Litigious.

At first glance, the words above seem to fit the non-believer, but the Apostle Paul was dealing with these issues in the Corinthian Church. How is it possible for Christians to behave like this? Paul assigns Christians to two camps – spiritual or worldly (1 Cor. 3). The spiritual Christians were the ‘mature’ believers, and the worldly/carnal he designated as ‘immature.’ It is the fighting and factionalism found among them that Paul addressed in chapter 3:1-4. His issue with the Corinthian brethren was the use of their spiritual gifts for “self-centered purposes rather than building up the body of Christ.”[1] We would like to gloss our eyes over and pretend such people do not dwell among us; closer to home, the words above could very well describe our own character.

Just think about it for a minute – Christians fighting against each other; Christians with a thirst for taking each other to court; Christians elevating themselves above each other (title hungry); desiring and taking of another’s husband or wife; Christians who are unrepentant about living in a carnal state. There is nothing new under the sun folks. The Apostle Paul had to deal with these issues in his time, as we do now. Still, Paul’s assignment is to build up the brethren, calling for “unity, oneness and strength” in Christ Jesus. By the time we get to chapter 9, he uses racetrack and boxing metaphors to stress a unifying principle – The Christian life is a race, a fight, but it is imperative that folks be built up in the faith, that we demand a commitment to Christian living, or risk disqualification:

Ecumenism - Any Hope For 21st Century Pluralistic Culture?

The goal of ecumenism (objective organic unity of Christian denominations) has been highly elusive for the church. During the last half of the twentieth century many Christian denominations have made great effort to develop closer relationships and understandings. Mergers were realized among groups such as the Methodists, Presbyterians and Lutherans. Still, ecumenism remained an un-ending series of high hurdles to cross over (as was the case with plenary sessions of the Consultation on Church Union 1960). I believe ecumenism as we envision it to be will continue to be elusive in America, especially since the idea of America has been built upon pluralism and the freedom of religion. It is Christ’s wish that we come together (Jn. 17:21), though the path is difficult (not impossible).

Struggles Of Blacks & The Church In Early America

Consider if you will the history of the Christian church in the early stages of the development of the New World, specifically the settlement of Virginia. It was the 1700’s. England colonized this portion of America, importing its religion of which the Church of England was preeminent.  The legal structure for the official Church of England was set up in 1660, with parishes being set up and one doctrinal standard established as set by the bishops of England. If you were not properly ordained and commissioned by the Church of England you could very well lose your livelihood. Here’s how the Virginian officials put it: “If any other person pretending himself a minister shall, contrary to this Act, presume to teach or preach publicly or privately, the Governor & Council are hereby desired and impowered (sic) to suspend & silence the person so offending.”[1] Talk about keeping it together!

The Operation of Spiritual Gifts Within God's Church

The Equipping & Building Of The Church (Ephesians 4:12-16)

Unfortunately, in many churches, only the office of the pastor seemingly is in operation. Christ’s intent was that all of his saints who have been graced with a measure of his gift would operate in their gifting (or that which they have been graced with) “in order that everything in the church might be well arranged, or put into its proper place, that Christians may have every possible advantage for becoming complete in love, and knowledge and order.”[1]  The main idea here is that the church becomes mature when Christ’s gifts are functioning within the community of believers. Jesus proclaimed he would build his church (Matthew 16:18), and he saw fit to govern such and organism through these various offices.

God Gifts His Church

                        Spiritual Formation Enabled By Spiritual Gifts (Ephesians 4:11)

Now, at the heart of spiritual transformation into Christ-likeness is Holy Spirit guided living, described by Paul as “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13b). In no way could this “fullness” (Ephesians 4:9b) be achieved through human effort. It is God who must “fill” his church in order that they may be “full”. It is the Holy Spirit who does an “inside job” by “empowering a transformed people to live out “God honoring lives within the context of community and healthy relationships.”[1] Christ’ desire is to see his people become agents of change in the earth. In verses 11-12 Paul fleshes out the offices or functions through which Christ’s mission would be accomplished:

“He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). 

These gifts/functions/office (five main functions) were given to the entire church for the efficacy of Christ’s kingdom government. If anything is to be accomplished in Christ’s church, it will be through divine enablement. That said, Paul further explains: “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28). This was the work of God to spiritually empower men and women within and for the enabling of these gifts within his church. The first three gifts or offices that Paul numerated are sometimes called “higher offices” (apostles, prophets and evangelists). An apostle “was chosen and commissioned by Christ and were endowed through a special impartation of the Holy Spirit for the work of establishing the church.”[2] They played an authoritative role. “While they lived, they could provide teaching in person, but also committed their inspired revelation to writing, bringing into existence the New Testament.”[3]

The Historical Jesus

Christ and his work are inseparable. This presupposition has fueled Christological debates for centuries and held as dogma by the early church. A shift occurred during the medieval period when “scholastic theology separated the doctrine of the person of Christ from the offices and work of Christ, making it more difficult for the average Christian to appreciate how this plays into their everyday living.”[1]  The quest of the historical Jesus was a means of making sense of all this.

Erickson considers the “Christology from above” approach as fideistic.[2]  Understandably so as Scripture went mostly unquestioned during the early years of church history. It makes three assumptions: (1) foundational to the Christian faith is the witness of Christ and his word proclaimed (the kerygma); (2) there is a preference for the “explicit theological interpretations of the apostle Paul and the Synoptic Gospels (especially John) and the witness of the prophets and apostles; (3) faith in “the Christ in the flesh” as foundational; “he or she will accept historical statements by being rationally persuaded.”[3]