Robert Lloyd Russell's Blog, page 9
October 20, 2021
You Are Included
~ Consider Some “Whoever” Statements ~
Premise ~ Wherever you see the word “whoever’ it includes you!
Scripture ~ “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” ( John 3:16).
“Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in Heaven” (Matthew 10:32).
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).
“Whoever does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35).
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3:36).
“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst” (John 4:14).
“Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).
“Whoever lives by believing in Me will never die” (John 11:26).
“Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:1).
Question ~ What are you going to do with these wonderful opportunities?
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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October 19, 2021
Spiritual Gifts, 34
~ The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy ~
Opening Comment ~ “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18).
Definition ~ A prophet in Biblical times was one who represented God to people.
A Prophet spoke forth as God’s mouthpiece to reveal God and His nature. By contrast a Priest was one who represented the people to God. (A King ruled over men on behalf of God.) John Phillips describes the gift of prophecy as “inspiration of truth.”
“...members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19b-20). They were the foundation or early construction of the Church.
“They were men who were given, as were the apostles, particular insight into the doctrines of faith.” —J. Vernon McGee
In the pure sense there are no Apostles or Prophets in the world today. However, the Biblical Prophets are still members of the true Church of God and still speak to us today.
Scripture ~ “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried (literally ‘driven by’) along by the Holy Spirit” (1 Peter 1:20-21).
“They were under the immediate influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which distinguishes them from ‘teachers’.” —J. Vernon McGee
Biblical Examples ~ Remember the account of the Samaritan woman’s interaction with Jesus at the well: “‘Sir,’ the woman said, ‘I can see that you are a prophet’.” (John 4:19). She recognized that He had miraculous knowledge of her life.
Christ’s miracles confirmed that He was a prophet.
The Daughters of Phillip prophesied (Acts 21:9). Agabus prophesied (Acts 21:10).
Traits ~ The gift of Prophecy involved two factors: the ability to receive revelation directly from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10, Ephesians 3:3-5), and the ability to communicate that revelation with inspired speech to other human beings (1 Corinthians 2:13).
It was the exercise of the gift of prophecy that made a person a prophet (i.e., Romans 12:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-10, 18, 28-29).
Scripture ~ “...to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues, and still to another the interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:9b-10).
“In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mysteries of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy Apostles and Prophets” (Ephesians 3:4-5).
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
“to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:10-11).
“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers” (1 Corinthians 12:28).
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith” (Romans 12:6).
“In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” Ephesians 2:21
Apostles—Prophets ~ Since the apostles of Christ had been given the gift of prophecy, they too were prophets. Jesus said, “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the [Old Testament] prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets [New Testament], wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city” (Matthew 23:31-34). Notice that Jesus is calling His Apostles Prophets!
“Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul” (Acts 13:1).
The Apostle John was identified as a Prophet (Revelation 1:3, 10:11, 22:10,19).
Comment ~ “In the early church prophets were inspired teachers.” —John Phillips
In a similar but lessor way many of today’s preachers are fulfilling their gifts of Prophecy – in that they are setting forth God’s truth to their congregations. This is a common understanding throughout Christian circles today.
In today’s world prophets are those who speak forth “their conscious intellect informed by the Holy Spirit.” —Henry Alford
But keep in mind much of today’s preaching is not the traditional gift of prophecy. “The modern preaching gift has the element of illumination rather than the element of prophetic inspiration.” —John Phillips
“... built on the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).
“In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit of God’s holy apostles and prophets” (Ephesians 3:4-5).
Traits (our era) ~ “The God-given ability and supernatural empowerment by the Holy Spirit to set before the people a special message from God for a special circumstance persuasively as God’s messenger.”—Robert Lloyd Russell
Closing Comments ~ “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
* * * * *
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell
Career page: http://www.robertlloydrussell.com/October 18, 2021
Question – Jesus, 108
~ Regarding Relationship – 2of3 ~
Introduction ~ This series is about questions involving Jesus. Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth. Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others. We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts). Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list.
Scripture ~ “While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.’ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother’” (Matthew 12:46-50).
Comment ~ Are you in the family of God? Are you sure? That is the most important issue of your life on earth. Why not settle it today?
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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October 17, 2021
God Is My… (Psalms), 76
~ God Is My Rock, 8 ~
Introduction ~ Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms. While not a complete list these posts occur are in the same order they are in the Psalms.
Passage ~ “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle — my lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me” (Psalm 144:1-2).
Other Passages ~ “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; yy God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me” (Psalm 31:1-2).
“For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, ;ead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth” (Psalm 31:3-5).
“I will say to God my Rock, ‘why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?’” (Psalm 42:9).
“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved” (Psalm 62:5-6).
“In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:7).
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:1-7).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
* * * * *
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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October 16, 2021
Myth, 114
~ We Are All God’s Children ~
Myth ~ This is one of the most persuasive misconceptions in many developed nations in the world. It makes everyone feel good – but it is a major misconception and certainly not Biblical. The partial truth is that we are all children by reason of creation of God – but that is far different than having been adopted into the family of God. Reality ~ Many are the children of Satan. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior are adopted children of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ. Scripture ~ “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:42-44). “Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God” (Romans 9:8). “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
* * * * *
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
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October 15, 2021
Invisible God, 11of11
~ No Man Has Ever Seen God ~
Introductory Quote ~ “In the early days of space exploration one of the Russian cosmonauts returned from space and matter-of-factly stated that he hadn’t seen God! The essence of his comment was, ‘I’ve been there, done that, I didn’t see God — therefore there is no God.’
“Because God was not seen by Russian cosmonauts or our own astronauts, does that mean that God does not exist? Does it mean that He is absent from outer space? Or, is He present but invisible?
“We know that it is dark, very dark, in outer space. We also are aware that outer space is full of light traveling from stars in all directions. Only a tiny fraction of this light travels in a direction that causes it to reach our planet earth. Space travelers do not see the light that is so abundant in space.
“The Scriptures tell us that the God who is light dwells in darkness!” (from the book: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” by Robert Lloyd Russell).
Scripture ~ “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:12-16).
Closing Quote ~ “As we return to Einstein’s theory of relativity, we find that as an object reaches the speed of light, dimensions in the direction of travel become zero. This means that objects traveling at the speed of light become invisible, no matter how large they are at slower speeds. Light defies our normal constraints of spatial dimensions.
“Although light is invisible, it is capable of manifesting itself. We can detect the presence of light as it reveals our surroundings, and we discern the effects of light such as feeling its warmth on our skin. It is as if we can see the unseen.
“We can utilize the effects of light in many ways. In our era with the use of lasers mankind has harnessed the power of light to perform many wonderful tasks — from supermarket checkout procedures to critical medical operations.
“In a similar manner we do not see God, but we see the manifestations of God. The effects of the invisible God are clearly seen. His presence can be known.
“The key to understanding either physical or spiritual light is found in observing what it can do. Although no one has ever seen physical light, mankind has learned a great deal about its characteristics; we have applied our knowledge in useful ways.” (from the book: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” by Robert Lloyd Russell).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
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· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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October 14, 2021
Sin Defined
~ Four Roots of Sin ~
Wrong Action(sins of commission) ~ “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). “All unrighteousness is sin” (1 John 4:12a).
Inaction(sins of omission) ~ “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
Wrong Motivation(lack of faith) ~ “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Personal Comment(pride) ~ In my decades as a Christian I have never been able to identify even a single sin that didn’t contain an element of pride.
“A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor” (Proverbs 29:23). “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Himand given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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October 13, 2021
God Our Rock, 31of31
~ Rock of Offense, 2 ~
Introduction ~ In Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49 Jesus relates the importance of building your house upon rock rather than sand. This principle is even more critical when it comes to our spiritual life. Each post in this series looks at a different Biblical passage which refers to our God as a Rock (not a complete list).
Scripture ~ “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’
“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed” (1 Peter 2:4-8).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
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· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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October 12, 2021
Spiritual Gifts, 33
~ The Spiritual Gift of Apostleship ~
Opening Comment ~ “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18).
Category ~ The Sign Gift of an Apostle of Christ.
Biblical Examples ~ “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead:) ... For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:1,12).
Qualifications (to be an Apostle) ~ Biblical statements indicate that the Apostles of Christ were temporary. Read how the Scriptures clearly describes the qualifications of an Apostle of Christ:
(1) To have been with Christ during His earthly ministry (Acts 1:21-22; Philippians 2:25; 2 Corinthians 8:23). There was one exception, the Apostle Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:8; 2 Corinthians 12:11). People of later generation could not meet this requirement.
(2) To have seen the resurrected Christ with their own eyes (1 Corinthians 9:1). This was important since one of the key responsibilities of an Apostle was to give eye-witness testimony to the risen Christ. See Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8, 2:32, 3:15, 5:29-32, 10:39-42, and 13:30-31. Note that the Apostle Paul stated: "And last of all He was seen of me also” (1 Corinthians 15:8).
(3) Church history and the Scriptures have no indication of additional Apostles being added later.
(4) In Ephesians 2:20, Paul uses a comparison between the construction of a building and the construction of the Church, he declared that the apostles and New Testament prophets are the foundation of the Church. You do not lay a foundation after the walls and roof have been added. Foundations are the early part of the construction.
Time Period ~ Based on the above the only reasonable conclusion is that Apostles of Christ were during the early Church period and then ended. The office of an Apostle of Christ was for a very limited time and is no longer a position in the Christian Church.
Scripture ~ An apostle was a man who had not only seen the resurrected Christ but had also been directly and personally commissioned by Him to be an Apostle. Paul could state: “Paul, an Apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead: ... For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:1,12).
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 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 12:27-28).
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Closing Comments ~ “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers. His books have won national and international literary awards. Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift. Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell
Career page: http://www.robertlloydrussell.com/
October 11, 2021
Question – Jesus, 107
~ Regarding Relationship, 1of3 ~
Introduction ~ This series is about questions involving Jesus. Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth. Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others. We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts). Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list.
Scripture ~ “Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
“When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.’
For He said to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit!’ Then He asked him, ‘What is your name?’ And he answered, saying, ‘My name is Legion; for we are many.’ Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country” (Mark 5:1-10).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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