tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74181932712771069282024-03-13T13:22:01.481-07:00Thy Kingdom ComeTom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-71976229181403451352016-06-30T13:48:00.002-07:002016-07-02T03:49:21.657-07:00What Is APEST?<p>[This is the second in a series. If you haven't read the <a href="http://tomesnyder.blogspot.com/2016/06/are-you-sure-you-understand-spiritual.html"><strong>first</strong></a> please do so before continuing. It is short.]</p>
<p>APEST is an acronym for the gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, Teacher.</p>
<p>My views on this topic are heavily influenced by Neil Cole's book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Primal-Fire-Reigniting-Church-Gifts-ebook/dp/B00E1O6VKY/ref=sr_1_1"><em><strong>Primal Fire</strong></em></a>, especially Chapter 6. He lists seven characteristics that distinguish the Ephesians passage from the others mentioned in my previous post:</p>
<blockquote>
1. The source of the gifts in Ephesians is Jesus rather than the Holy Spirit.<br />
2. The gifts mentioned in Ephesians are <em>people</em> rather than <em>abilities</em>.<br />
3. All the gifts mentioned in the other passages have diverse and unique effects that they cause, but the gifts in Ephesians have a singular and unified effect: They equip the saints to do the work of service.<br />
4. The recipient of the gifts listed in Ephesians is the church rather than individual believers.<br />
5. The gifts mentioned in Ephesians are said to measure up to Christ and are given to bring the church to the full measure of Christ. We believe this makes the list comprehensive.<br />
6. The APEST gifts are more like a calling (vocation) than the other gifts, which emphasize individual service and placement. They are roles to be filled in a person's life rather than a special ability to add to one's life.<br />
7. The intent of the APEST gifts is the equipping of all the saints so that everyone grows to represent Christ completely. Therefore, we assume, there must be a comprehensive nature to them. (<em><strong>Primal Fire</strong></em>, p. 89)</blockquote>
<p>So these gifts (APEST) are mature saints that equip less mature saints for servanthood. Maturity, individually as well as corporately, is the goal. So are there identifiable stages or phases? Cole continues, "There are three phases to our participation in Ephesians 4:1-6. We have a <em>calling</em> (4:1) that grants us a <em>ministry</em> (4:12), but not all will mature to become <em>equippers</em> (4:12). We all need equippers, but not everyone will become one." (ibid., p. 91)</p>
<p>He has this to say about our spiritual development: "Our maturity in Christ can typically be seen in three phases of development, which the apostle John depicts as children, young men (or sons), and fathers (1 John 2:12-14). We might also view these phases as a gender-neutral progression of roles: <em>believer, disciple, equipper.</em>" He then includes this graph:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTXC_J-8UJB8mjutOFNEnQ-ofGItfVYfgGZsXGsCdrhf1puXSbavdrgMaBmKneF7Q_utkzazJn8XlEmkF9FX3LGjilrFP_MmAk5PB5PWTiJSD9cdKcaGp-JMrc7Pv1k9SHwNn-RFZIrc/s1600/APEST1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTXC_J-8UJB8mjutOFNEnQ-ofGItfVYfgGZsXGsCdrhf1puXSbavdrgMaBmKneF7Q_utkzazJn8XlEmkF9FX3LGjilrFP_MmAk5PB5PWTiJSD9cdKcaGp-JMrc7Pv1k9SHwNn-RFZIrc/s1600/APEST1a.jpg" /></a></div>
(ibid., p. 92)</p>
<p>Combining his ideas with those of Wolfgang Simpson and Alan Hirsch (ibid., p. 84) I have come up with this graph:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML0NZ2UUzyAmZkCgbA9Jv-Ikl95Rsshdx0TSgcCojKuDEadvZ7FQyWmR5gVXaN5FSvCjly1fR99WS1OwTZZSk3JD0XpCrORZt_i9OR-9uoWlBsQIof7SdKeyI9uu9xoZqGrblr6iymnY/s1600/APEST2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML0NZ2UUzyAmZkCgbA9Jv-Ikl95Rsshdx0TSgcCojKuDEadvZ7FQyWmR5gVXaN5FSvCjly1fR99WS1OwTZZSk3JD0XpCrORZt_i9OR-9uoWlBsQIof7SdKeyI9uu9xoZqGrblr6iymnY/s1600/APEST2a.jpg" /></a></div>
</p>
<p>My understanding is that every Christian needs to be <em>apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, caring (pastoral), and didactic</em>. (Although I don't have time to develop it here I believe that Scripture would bear this out.) These do not come naturally anymore than a child being potty trained. For example, if you attend a liberal arts college there are basic courses everyone must take regardless of your major. So it is in the spiritual realm. Christians should learn certain skills.</p>
<p>As we mature we will gravitate toward a ministry corresponding to one of these five. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 we see a list of ministries, one of which is prophet. Verse 29 points out that not all Christians are prophets. However, in 14:1 Paul says that we should all prophesy. What gives? Prophesying is at the first level, something every Christian can learn how to do. A prophet is at the second level. Philip was an evangelist. His daughters were prophetesses. These are legitimate ministries in and of themselves without the need to perform the equipping role.</p>
<p>As apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers mature, they can become gifts to the church as equippers. The 411 prefix to these roles on my graph refer to Ephesians 4:11. (Much more could be said here but I refer you back to Neil's book.)</p>
<p>I believe we can see the phases in Paul's life. Paul spent time in the church in Antioch. I believe he learned the basics there. Later he was sent out into ministry with Barnabas as an apostle. Later in his life he began equipping full-scale in a school in Ephesus.</p>
<p>I encourage you to buy and read Neil's book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Primal-Fire-Reigniting-Church-Gifts-ebook/dp/B00E1O6VKY/ref=sr_1_1"><em><strong>Primal Fire</strong></em></a>. I am so sold on it that I am offering a money-back guarantee. If you will notify me that you have bought this book on my recommendation I will refund your money if you are not satisfied.</p>
Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-78754282787045652762016-06-29T20:29:00.000-07:002016-06-30T13:50:37.278-07:00Are You Sure You Understand Spiritual Gifts?<p>From my perspective there are two major mistakes Christians make when reading Scripture. The <em>first</em> is <em>taking scriptures out of their context</em>. Someone once said that taking a <em>text</em> out of <em>context</em> can be used as a <em>pretext</em> for anything. Consider these three Scriptures: “Judas went out and hanged himself”; “Go and do thou likewise”; “What thou doeth do quickly.” Do you see the problem or did you already follow these instructions? Another example is when well-meaning people quote Philippians 4:13 as support for their belief that they can accomplish anything they want, even to the winning of sporting events. If they had only read it in context, Philippians 4:10-13, they would see that they have misunderstood the passage.</p>
<p>The <em>second</em> major mistake is <em>totally relying on English translations</em>. This can sometimes be ameliorated by reading several different translations but what if most of them make the same mistake? Too often different Greek words are translated by the same English word thereby obscuring their meaning. My favorite passage to demonstrate this is John 21:15-17. In this passage, according to most translations, Jesus asks Peter the same question three times—do you love Me—and Peter give the same response three times—I love You. Yet the third time it says Peter was grieved by the third question. Why? One would have to assume that Peter is grieved at being asked the same question all three times. But making that assumption would be in error. There are two different Greek words involved that are both translated as “love” in most translations. Jesus begins with a stronger word for love and Peter responds with a weaker word. Although these may not fully express all the nuances of the two words I will use the words “love” and “like.”
<blockquote>Jesus: Peter, do you love me?<br />
Peter: You know that I like You.<br />
Jesus: Peter, do you love me?<br />
Peter: You know that I like You.<br />
Jesus: Peter, do you <em>like</em> me?<br />
<em>Peter was grieved that the third time He asked, “Do you like Me?”</em><br />
Peter: Lord, You know that I like You.</blockquote>
See the difference?</p>
<p>Now in applying this to spiritual gifts, too many Christians find various lists of gifts (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28; Ephesians 4:11; and 1 Peter 4:10-11) and proceed to compile them into one aggregate list. This violates both principles mentioned above: the lists are ripped out of their contexts and no consideration is given to the fact that several different Greek words (Strong’s numbers 5486, 4152, 1325, 1390, etc.) are used in these passages but are all translated the same as “give” or “gift.” Therefore, I believe that each passage should be studied individually to determine how they should apply to our lives, not lumped into one big list. After all, we are talking about four different epistles, written to four different groups of Christians, addressing four different sets of issues.</p>
<p>I want to focus especially on Ephesians 4. I will do that in my next post called <strong><a href="http://tomesnyder.blogspot.com/2016/06/what-is-apest.html">What Is APEST?</a></strong></p>
Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-74739009237297207402016-06-18T01:36:00.000-07:002016-06-18T01:36:04.706-07:00The Foundation of the Church<p>Recently, on Facebook, I saw a discussion about the foundation of the church. In Ephesians 2:19-20 Paul says, “<i>Consequently, y’all are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone [NIV with “y’all” added to reflect second person plural]</i>.” Since the foundation was/is built by the apostles and prophets, is this something entirely past or do we still need apostles and prophets to lay the foundation today? There were responses on both sides of the question.</p>
<p>In 1 Corinthians 3:10-12 Paul says, “<i>By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ [NIV]</i>.” Note that in the last sentence Paul says, “For no one can lay…” indicating a <i>present</i> reality. He then goes on to say, “…the one already laid…” indicating <i>past</i> tense. As this passage points out Jesus Christ is the proper foundation of the church. The apostles and prophets of the first century clearly laid this foundation under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. So is there a present need for apostles and prophets to lay the foundation?</p>
<p>In Romans 15:20 Paul says, “<i>It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation [NIV]</i>.” This shows that there is a present need for the foundation (Jesus) to be laid by apostles and prophets in each and every place among each and every people group where it has not yet been laid. It will not be a <i>different</i> foundation than that laid in the first century but the <i>same</i> one in a <i>different</i> place in a <i>different</i> time among <i>different</i> people. It is easy to see where this would apply to many areas where people have currently not heard the gospel. But does it apply in the United States today as well? I would say so because there are people groups in this country who have either not heard the gospel or who have only heard a perversion of it. So to construct a household of God among them, a proper foundation must first be laid.</p>
Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-69190638602436769832015-08-07T09:45:00.002-07:002015-08-07T09:45:41.783-07:00Five Easy Steps to DiscipleshipTom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-2434346791942468792015-07-27T15:34:00.000-07:002015-07-27T15:34:32.796-07:00Evangelism vs. Missionary Work<blockquote>Hebrews 1:1-2<br />
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (NIV)</blockquote>
<blockquote>John 1:14<br />
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (NIV)</blockquote>
<p>Recently I posted the following on Facebook:
<blockquote>For years American Christians have viewed sharing the gospel in America as "evangelism" and in the rest of the world as "missionary work." What we have to wrap our heads around is that NOW it's ALL "missionary work"--even in America.</blockquote></p>
<p>Several people commented that they thought the two are the same. So I said I would elaborate in a blog post. So here goes.</p>
<p>Our two scriptures above shed some light on the matter. The first verse of Hebrews said that God spoke through the prophets from time to time. That’s how most people do evangelism: from time to time. Let me state up front that my next example is to be explanatory, not critical.</p>
<p>Some Christians, as a part of their ministry, leave their nice, comfortable homes once a week and go to minister to people in an inner-city slum area. After the ministry they go back to their nice, comfortable homes. Then next week they repeat the process. This is <b>evangelism</b>.</p>
<p>Verse two of Hebrews says that in “these last days” (as an aside, note that eschatological terminology) He spoke through His Son. To accomplish this Jesus came to earth and “made His dwelling among us” (or as John 1:14 is rendered in The Message, “the Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood”).</p>
<p>It was through the incarnation that Jesus spoke to us. He came and dwelled among us. This is <b>missionary work</b>—not a weekly visit but full-time “doing life” with the people we are trying to reach. It is very expensive because it costs you everything. However, Jesus requires nothing less.</p>
<p>Jerome and Shanna Crawford are missionaries to Sierra Leone, West Africa. Shanna had this to say about missionary work: “I believe a missionary leaves his friends and family to share the gospel in a place that is not his home.” That’s it!</p>
<p>But you don’t have to leave the United States to do this. Suppose that instead of leaving your comfortable home for a weekly visit to the slums you actually move into the slums and live among the people you want to reach. As radical as that may sound, it is far less than what your Savior did.</p>
<p>Paul said,
<blockquote>Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23, NIV)</blockquote></p>
<p>Have you ever noticed that the church in Antioch was different from Jerusalem, the Galatian churches from Antioch, and the Ephesian church from the Galatian churches? The reason is that they were missional-incarnational churches. Paul visited these latter places (missional) and planted the seed of the gospel within the local culture (incarnational). The church that resulted contained both the DNA of the gospel as well as the DNA of the culture, just as a child carries DNA from both parents.</p>
<p>Paul visited each city, studied the culture, and then approached people with the gospel in a way that would be meaningful to them. A clear example was in Athens, Greece (Acts 17:16-34). Paul saw all the gods for whom they had altars including one to “The Unknown God.” He saw that they enjoyed philosophical discussions so he went to the place where this took place. Then he shared with them in a culturally relevant way about the God who was the Lord of all.</p>
<p>To reach even America with the gospel we need to go beyond building buildings and inviting people to come. Many today are open to Jesus but want to have nothing to do with the church—whether through ignorance or past experience. We need to go to them and then “show and tell” the gospel in a way that they can and will receive.</p>
<p>For more visit our website, <a href="http://reproducible.church">reproducible.church</a>.</p>
Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-80443520113633913532015-05-09T11:09:00.000-07:002015-05-09T11:09:30.901-07:00Submission versus Obedience
<p>There’s a lot of controversy over these two concepts in the Christian world. Does submission require obedience? Or is it possible to submit without obeying? Consider this event recorded in Acts:</p>
<blockquote>Acts 5:27-42<br />
27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."<br />
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead — whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."<br />
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.<br />
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."<br />
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.<br />
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. (NIV)</blockquote>
<p>Here we see both submission and yet disobedience to the Sanhedrin. They submitted by not resisting the punishment for their disobedience. It is possible to both submit to authorities and yet disobey them. The disobedience should be for the right reason, however. Consider this:</p>
<blockquote>1 Peter 2:20-21<br />
20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (NIV)</blockquote>
<p>This was the way of the disciples. A modern day example was Martin Luther King, Jr.</p>Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-86594771948473487122014-12-28T09:27:00.002-08:002014-12-28T09:27:57.093-08:00Crazy Love<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pRi4VwcrYmA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-48315184756672844822014-11-10T21:15:00.001-08:002014-11-10T21:15:32.399-08:00The Great Commission--It's NOT What You Think!<h1>Herb Hodges on the <a href="http://herbhodges.com/videos/02_verbalizing_the_great_commission.mp4">Great Commission</a>.</h1>Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-24653968580706961342014-11-07T10:26:00.002-08:002014-11-07T10:26:45.680-08:00Empires of This World vs The Kingdom of God<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7zTBCOzXiB8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-49974116948976194642014-10-31T10:04:00.002-07:002014-10-31T10:04:36.565-07:00I Am Undone<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nhKAUoF8fqQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-55328019415043149982014-10-18T17:07:00.002-07:002014-10-18T17:07:23.801-07:00Multi-Level Marketing--The Master's Way<p>Jesus was the master of multi-level marketing. He invested three years in the lives of twelve men and yet He still lost one. However, the remaining eleven continued His plan until in short order most of the known world had been reached.</p>
<p>His strategy was <i>discipleship</i> and His strategy is still the most effective method today for fulfilling the Great Commission (see 2 Timothy 2:2). Here is a video of a modern day example:</p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/X5WMkOC8iXE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
For more information contact us at <a href="mailto:info@ptb2mad.com">info@ptb2mad.com</a>.Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-70944961774938539122014-10-16T18:47:00.000-07:002014-10-16T18:47:25.063-07:00The Way to Redemption<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lcHcFXq8zb0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>If you took this step today let us know at <a href="mailto:redemption@ptb2mad.com">redemption@ptb2mad.com</a>.</p>Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-17918861359696341802014-10-15T18:36:00.000-07:002014-10-15T18:36:07.024-07:00Four Types of Men<p>Excerpted from <a href="http://herbhodges.com/written/disciple_making/Psalm%20008%20%2003-09%20WHAT%20IS%20MAN.doc">What Is Man?</a> by Herb Hodges</p>
<blockquote>According to the Bible, there are four kinds of people on planet earth at any time. These four people are mentioned in I Corinthians 2:14-3:3. Let me briefly mention and describe them. The first one (I Corinthians 2:14) is called “the natural man” (literally, the <i>psuchikos
</i>man). The Greek word, <i>psuchikos</i>, is derived from the word, <i>psuche</i>,
which I mentioned above, the word for “soul.” The word <i>psuchikos</i> is a
Greek adjective which means, “<i>adapted to soul</i>.” So the “natural man” is
a man who is adapted to his soul <i>because his spirit is dead and thus his
only inner resource for living is his soul. </i>This man just “does what comes <i>naturally”</i>
(he lives <i>soulishly), </i>because he has <i>no supernatural</i> <i>life</i>,
no relationship with God. Because his spirit is dead, he cannot live
“spiritually” in a Biblical way. This is the lost man who is devoid of God and
His Life and will spend eternity getting what he wanted, independence of God. The
first man mentioned is the <b>non-Christian </b>man.<br />
<br />
The second man mentioned (I Corinthians 2:15) is “the spiritual man.” Here, the
Greek word is <i>pneumatikos</i>, which is a Greek adjective meaning, “<i>adapted
to the spirit</i>.” Please note carefully the real and radical difference
between this man and the “natural” man. This man has been “born of the Spirit,”
“born again,” “born from above” in a real, revolutionary, relational birth in
which the Holy Spirit has literally re-entered his previously dead spirit and
quickened it with the very Life of God. In that moment, the person received
Eternal Life, that very quality of Life which God lives. At the moment of his
new birth, his body and soul may not be greatly changed, but great change is on
the way as the aftermath in his total person of the New Birth that has occurred
in his spirit. Not only has this man been born of the Spirit in his own human
spirit, but his entire life has taken on a new priority and a new vocation, to
‘grow in the Spirit’ and become like Christ. These must not be taken merely as
visionary and unrealistic ideals, but as realities which will occur in his
lifetime as he cooperates with the indwelling Holy Spirit. The second man
mentioned is the <b>normal Christian </b>man.<br />
<br />
The third man mentioned (I Corinthians 3:1) is called “carnal.” The word used here
is <i>sarkinos</i>. Note that the “natural” man is <i>psuchikos</i>, the man
“adapted to his soul” because his spirit is dead and his only inner resource is
his soul. Note that the “spiritual” man is <i>pneumatikos</i>, the man “adapted
to his spirit,” because his spirit is alive and is dominant over his soul in
his experience and lifestyle. Thus, his human spirit, indwelt by the Holy
Spirit, controls both his soul and his body, and he is thus called “spiritual.”
The “carnal” man, however, is controlled by his <i>sarx</i>, or his “flesh,”
which is the combination of his body and soul acting independently of the Holy
Spirit. The “flesh” is everything a human being receives by his <i>first </i>birth,
in which his spirit is dead. Also, note that the word in this case is <i>not
“sarkikos,” </i>but a very close similarity, <i>“sarkinos.” </i>The difference
is spelling is hardly noticeable, a “k” in the first and an “n” in the second,
but the meaning is substantially different between the two words. The word
“sarkinos” describes a new-born Christian, a spiritual baby which has just been
born, and thus is still more baby than mature believer. Like any baby, though
this person is saved, he lives a “baby” Christian life with a baby’s self-curl,
self-centeredness, and self-seeking. It is reasonable that he should do so,
because he <i>is a baby in Christ </i>(see I Corinthians 3:1c). So the third
person mentioned is the <b>new-born Christian.</b><br />
<br />
The fourth man mentioned (I Corinthians 3:3) is also called “carnal,” but this is
that slightly different word. Whereas one “carnal” person (carnal # 1) is
called <i>sarkinos, </i>“fleshly,” because he is born as a self-centered baby,
though actually and truly born, the other “carnal” person (carnal # 2) is
called <i>sarkikos</i>, also “fleshly” but with a different time-frame, because
he <i>has remained a baby a long time after his birth. </i>So one “carnal”
person could be called <i>good </i>carnal, and the other (we one we are most
familiar with because of our teaching) could be called <i>bad </i>carnal. What
is the difference between the two? Simply this:
the first one is a baby and <i>can’t </i>be anything else—because he has
just been born! This baby is a wonderful thing! But the second one is still a
baby years after being born, and he <i>won’t </i>be anything else. One (<i>sarkinos)
</i>is a <i>wonderful spiritual baby</i>, but the other (sarkikos) is a <i>willful
spoiled brat</i>! This is the reason a Christian is commanded to “grow in
grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter
3:18). Spiritual immaturity is expected and accepted in a Christian who has
just been born of the Spirit, but it is sinful in a person who has remained a
baby (“protracted infancy,” a sad tragedy both spiritually and physically) for
years after being born again. The fourth person mentioned is the <b>nominal
Christian </b>man—<i>God’s biggest</i> <i>problem on earth</i>.<br />
<br />
In nature, human beings are made of three parts—spirit, soul and body—and that
Divine order reveals the order of importance of the three. The spirit, being
the determinant for the others, is most important. The soul, basically a
combination of mind, emotion and will, is next most important. And the body is
least important of the three—though not <i>at all</i> unimportant<i>.</i> To
show the importance of the three, if your body is right, you will be <i>healthy;
</i>if your soul is right, you will be <i>happy; </i>but it is only if your
spirit is right that you will be <i>holy</i>. It is God’s design that you be
“whole,” that is, healthy, happy and holy. <i>“Healthy” </i>refers to your
physical life; “<i>happy” </i>refers to your psychological (note the word <i>psyche,
</i>the word for the <i>soul</i>, at the beginning of that word) life; and “<i>holy”
</i>refers to your spiritual life, or the life that defines your relationship
with God. <i>Holy </i>is a word that refers to your <i>status </i>with God,
your <i>relationship </i>with Him, your <i>usefulness </i>to Him, and finally,
your <i>moral character </i>(which will become progressively holy as you
cooperate with Him). If you are only “natural” or “carnal,” you cannot
adequately understand man. Man can only be adequately referenced by referring
to <i>God, and</i> he can only be adequately understood by a person who knows
God in personal relationship with Him and cooperates with God in daily
life.<br />
<br />
Remember that I said that man as he was created is <i>complex </i>by nature, and further
<i>complicated </i>by sin and corruption. Study these things carefully, because
your understanding of man and His relationship with God will be determined by
them. It is important to fathom these things if we are to understand man’s person.</blockquote>
<p>Which category are you in? If you need help getting to number two from one of the other three, drop us a line at <a href="mailto:info@ptb2mad.com">info@ptb2mad.com</a>.</p>Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7418193271277106928.post-73565604972398682472014-10-14T19:41:00.001-07:002014-10-14T19:41:29.443-07:00Spirititual Parenting<p>Man was not created to be independent. He was created to be dependent on God. God wanted to dote on His children.</p>
<p>Satan conned Eve—and through her, Adam—into believing that they could be independent. They took the bait not realizing that they were trading dependence on a loving God for enslavement to an evil taskmaster.</p>
<p>Human children are totally dependent on someone else at birth, usually loving parents. The parents are tasked with rearing them to maturity. But what represents maturity? Some would say that being a responsible, independent adult is the answer.</p>
<p>However, for Christian parents that is not the measure of success. Success it to train their children to transfer their dependence from the human parents to the Heavenly Father.</p>
<p>Some children are born to parents who can’t or won’t rear them. Most of these are reared by adoptive parents. Adoptive parents can fill this major gap in their lives.</p>
<p>In the family of God parenting is vitally important as well. When someone is born again they are like a little child. Ideally, the person whom God used to help birth them into the Kingdom of God should rear them as well. This process is called DISCIPLESHIP.</p>
<p>Sadly, there are many abandoned babies in the church. Adoptive parents are desperately needed. Will you volunteer?</p>
<p>For more information on spiritual adoption check out these links:</p>
<p><a href="http://ptb2mad.com/">Passing the Baton to Make a Difference</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.downlineministries.com/">Downline Ministries</a></p>
<p><a href="http://herbhodges.com/">Spiritual Life Ministries</a></p>
<p><a href="http://2tim22.net/">Paul & Timothy Meetings</a></p>
<p><a href="http://tobelikehim.com/">To Be Like Him</a></p>
Tom E. Snyderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13425789987903796346noreply@blogger.com0