3rd Quarter 2014 - The Teachings of Jesus

Here is the link to the 3rd Quarter studies:

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/

Here is the link to the first lesson study:

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less01.html

Who is the author of this quotation?



How does that apply to the lessons we are studying now?

How many of us are or have been Arians in our thinking?

How does the second lesson this quarter deal with it?

Here is the link to the 2nd lesson study:

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less02.html

In 1909 M L Andreassen visited Ellen White at Elmshaven because he wanted to be certain she had written the wording which changed the views of the church from Arian to Trinitarian.

In connection with this lesson I have been listening to The Desire of Ages and Steps to Christ as well as reading the comments in SDABC vol. 5.

These books show me how far astray from Christianity one can get by using quotations from these books without reading the whole book.

In the Desire of Ages I find several times repeated in various ways that you can have all the doctrines right and still be lost.

Combining what all three books state I find that Ellen White emphasizes both the human and divine nature of Christ. She indicates that Jesus had the human nature of Adam before the fall, and yet he could not appear on earth like Adam. He had to appear in human flesh without any glory so that people would not recognize his divinity until they got acquainted with Him.

It seems very important to discover His divinity because it is only in His divine nature He is able to save, but even though many Pharisees recognized His divinity they were not saved because they would not admit it openly.

As stated above there is little help in knowing and accepting all of the right doctrines, because none of them save you. The only way you will be saved is by retaining a constant living relationship with Jesus Christ, and this is possible without knowing any doctrine. She emphasizes that it is only the saving ministry of Jesus Christ which you accept by faith that is acceptable. Living in that relationship will have its impact on you life and attitude towards God and others.

Not even in preaching all of the right doctrines is there any salvation.

Agree that the knowledge of doctrine will never save anyone if they have not committed their lives to Christ and living in connection to Him.

However, it is by understanding the correct DOCTRINE that one finds the TRUE Christ!

You do realize there are many false Christ's? There are even demon "masters" who call themselves "Christ" or "Jesus" who (according to New Age channellor Bailey) work "especially with the masses of the Christian people who inhabit the occidental countries and who gather in the churches. He acts ceaselessly on the inner esoteric council of the churches.."
And I'm sure this imposter is NOT leaving the Adventist church alone.

So it is very IMPORTANT to know the true doctrines concerning Jesus Christ our Creator, Redeemer, Savior.

And I do agree 100% with your statement that we need to read the WHOLE of books like "Desire of Ages" and the WHOLE Biblical gospels and other Biblical books.
The cut and paste method has been used to prove just about any and every imagined doctrine, and cannot be relied upon to find truth.

While finding many passages that speak on the same subject can be very beneficial, yet one must be sure each and every quote retains the true meaning of its intended context, thus one needs to read the whole BOOK.

The importance of understanding true doctrine --
Doctrine meaning primarily "teachings".



The last verse says giving heed to doctrine shall save thee. Does it prove that the doctrine itself saves? No, though someone could use the verse to try and prove that, but it equates knowing the true doctrine of salvation with knowing the true Christ and Savior and His salvation.

Christ, the Son of the Living God
By M.L.Andreasen

The deity of Christ is probably the most important question in the Bible, for on that hangs our salvation. If Christ is not God, He cannot save us; for no created being, however highly exalted, can save another. The deity of Christ lies at the foundation of all true religion. For this reason the church throughout the ages has consistently refused to acknowledge those as Christians who hold any other view of the Son of God. Christ is divine, Christ MUST be divine, or we are without hope.

To the deity of Christ, John bears witness when he says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God.” John 1:1. This Word was “Made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Verse 14.
God the Father bears witness to Christ’s deity when He addresses Him as God. “Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever....And, thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.” Heb. 1:1-10 Here the Father addresses Christ as God and Lord, and tells us that the Son is the Creator of heaven and earth. We could have no higher testimony than this. The Father recognizes Him as God and Creator and states that His throne shall stand forever.

This is an important question, for if Christ is not God essentially and in the highest sense, if He is not self-existent and self-existing, then we have a savior who is not God in himself, who owes his life to another, who has had a beginning and may therefore have an end. Thus Christ’s saving work sinks into insignificance, God simply brought into existence a being who was to die for us; or perhaps more correctly, who was to die to save God from making any personal sacrifice. But this is belittling and derogatory to God and to His character.

There is no doubt that Christ claimed divinity for Himself. He knew “that he was come from God and went to God.” John 13:3. He existed from eternity. “Now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was,” “Thou lovest me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:5,24

Christ claimed oneness and equality with the Father. (John 10:30 John 5:8, John `9: 7 quoted) Christ had made statements which justified the Jews in accusing Him of claiming to be divine. Perhaps the principal claim is that recorded in John 8:58. “Before Abraham was I am”.
The phrase “I am” is an exclusive title of the Godhead, and denotes eternal existence. In using these words Christ claimed absolute Godhood. .....it signifies perpetual existence, Independent of all time...the Deity has no past or future, but a perpetual present and therefore He uses the present tense and says “I am”. (The Faith of Jesus, p. 21-23)

Here is the link to the 3rd lesson study:

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less03.html

This one is all about the Holy Spirit as a Person and member of the Godhead.

Read for This Week’s Study:

John 14:16-18; And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.


John 14:26; But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.


John 15:26; But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Matt. 12:31-32; Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Matt. 12:32 And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

John 16:8; And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

John 3:5-8; Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind blows where it listeth, and you hear the sound thereof, but canst not tell from where it comes, and whither it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Luke 11:9-13. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luke 11:10 For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.
Luke 11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Luke 11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Memory Text: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
" (John 14:16, KJV).

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less04.html

The lesson asks: Salvation is a gift, which means that it’s free. At the same time, does it not cost something? What does it cost to accept this gift, and why-whatever that cost-is it more than worth it?

Salvation costs the renounciation of things humans naturally love, and which can give them some advantage or pleasure for some time, but which will eventually only hurt them.

I suppose it is something like being a drift in the ocean on a rickety little raft that's about to fall apart, and there's no means to steer or propel the raft.
A ship comes and freely offers to take the drifter on board, he doesn't have to pay anything and the ship will take him home. But the person on his makeshift rickety little raft thinks -- riding these waves is kind of thrilling, besides I've erected a bit of a shelter, I've even managed to catch a fish or two for food, I don't want to give all this up.
A totally foolish decision for he will not survive long out there in the ocean.

The offer of salvation was totally free,
but the man refused it because he thought the "cost" was too high.

In the same way -- salvation is free
yet we have to give up the refuge of sin which isn't a refuge at all but a deadly trap offering nothing but death.

I am reminded of the parables of the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price. To receive the gift, we must give up all.

But what are we giving up? A sin-polluted heart, a carnal mind. In exchange, Jesus gives us back our heart and mind, but molded like His character.

In the parable the pearl is not represented as a gift. The merchantman bought it at the price of all that he had. Many question the meaning of this, since Christ is represented in the Scriptures as a gift. He is a gift, but only to those who give themselves, soul, body, and spirit, to Him without reserve. We are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of willing obedience to all His requirements. All that we are, all the talents and capabilities we possess, are the Lord’s, to be consecrated to His service. When we thus give ourselves wholly to Him, Christ, with all the treasures of heaven, gives Himself to us. We obtain the pearl of great price. – {COL 116.2}

Ellen White never changed the doctrine of the Church from Arian to Trinitarian.
The pioneer knowledge that Christ was the Son of God before creation
is the foundation of the Church. Pillars stand upon this foundation.

If EGW had even thought to change any major doctrine,
she would have called a major conference for repentance & confession.
And published this widely for all to weigh and consider.
And she would admit to teaching or supporting error for fifty years.

But she was a true prophet, even a messenger from God.
She did not harbor the principal error of Catholicism,
she had no error to confess.

In 1904 she specifically wrote that the last 50 years had been
doctrinally pure:

"Let none seek to tear away the foundations of our faith -
the foundations that were laid at the beginning of our work by
prayerful study of the word and by revelation.
Upon these foundations we have been building
for the last fifty years."
8 Testimonies 297. (1904)

"The truth that has stood firm against the attacks of the enemy
for more than half a century must still be the confidence
and comfort of God's people."
9 Testimonies 70. (1907)

The Trinity doctrine was officially adopted
by the Seventh day Adventist Church in 1980 at the Dallas GC session.
_________________

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less05.html

Lesson 5 *July 26-August 1

How to Be Saved


Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 5:27-32; 13:1-5; Matt. 22:2-14; Zech. 3:1-5; John 8:30-31; Luke 14:25-27.

Memory Text: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:14-15, NKJV).

As the Israelites were being bitten by snakes in the desert, God instructed Moses to make a bronze one and place it on a pole so that whoever was bitten could look at it and be saved.
What healing properties can a bronze snake have? None. Healing came only from God. By looking at the bronze statue, however, the Israelites demonstrated their faith in God as their only hope of life and salvation.
The Lord wanted to teach them a spiritual lesson. He transformed a symbol of death into a symbol of life. That bronze serpent was a symbol of Christ, who became the Bearer of our sins in order to save us. By faith, we can all look to Christ lifted up on the cross and find a cure from the deadly sting of the old serpent, Satan. Otherwise, we are fated to die in our sins. The Word of God expresses what should be painfully obvious: as human beings, we are sinners in need of grace. That grace has been offered to us in Christ Jesus.
This week we will look at Jesus’ teachings regarding the simple practical steps needed for salvation.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 2.

Sunday July 27

Recognize Your Need
Read Luke 5:27-32. How can you know which group you are in?
Many people are physically healthy and have no need of a physician. Who, though, is truly spiritually healthy? Of all human beings there is none who does good, no, not one (Ps. 14:3, NKJV); nobody is righteous by themselves (Rom. 3:10). We may do some morally good actions, but we cannot make ourselves righteous before God. Hence, by saying that He had not come to call the righteous’ (Luke 5:32, NKJV), Jesus was referring to the Pharisees, who thought they were righteous although they were not. Unfortunately, though they believed that they were in good standing before God, they were blind spiritually (John 9:40-41).
The first step, then, to receive the cure from sin is to recognize our state of sinfulness and our utter inability to heal ourselves. But how can we see our real need if we are blind? How can we acknowledge that we are sinners if it is precisely our sins that are preventing us from recognizing our true condition?
How can our spiritual eyes be opened so that we may recognize our desperate need of a Savior? See John 16:8.
The only eye salve that can make us see our real spiritual status is the Holy Spirit. Before any other work He may do for us, He has to convict us of sin. Persistently He calls to our conscience in order to produce in us an inescapable awareness of our sins and a deep sense of guilt, which leads us to long for a Savior. When we hear that call, we must listen and obey it; otherwise, sooner or later, we will be so hardened against the Holy Spirit that nothing can be done for us. What a scary thought!
Though guilt is often a bad thing, in what ways has the Holy Spirit been able to use guilt to your own spiritual advantage?
Monday July 28

Repent
Recognizing our sins is not enough; it must be accompanied by repentance. The biblical meaning of repentance includes three aspects: acknowledgment of one’s sin, sorrow for having sinned, and the desire not to sin any more. If one is lacking, there is no true repentance. For example, Judas admitted his sin, but he lacked grief for having betrayed the Master (Matt. 27:3-4). He was overwhelmed with remorse, not with repentance. His confession was generated by fear of the consequences, not by his love of Christ.
We can see the importance of repentance by the fact that John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministry by preaching, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! (Matt. 3:2, 4:17, NKJV). Later, when Jesus sent the Twelve on their first missionary trip, they went out, preaching that people should repent (Mark 6:12, NKJV). And after Pentecost, Peter exhorted the crowd to do the same (Acts 2:38, 3:19).
Look at the strong words Jesus used to emphasize the universal need for repentance in order to be saved. What message is He giving us here? See Luke 13:1-5.
Jesus affirmed the sinfulness of all people. Therefore, He urged His hearers: unless you repent you will all likewise perish (vs. 5, NKJV). Without repentance, redemption is impossible, because the absence of repentance demonstrates that people refuse to surrender to the Lord.
Now, we have been told: the goodness of God leads you to repentance (Rom. 2:4, NKJV). What does that mean? A block of ice can be broken into small pieces, but the resulting pieces will still be ice. That same block of ice can be placed next to a heater, and it will melt away into water. The ice of our pride can be thawed only if we are exposed to the warmth of God’s goodness and love. Thus, how crucial for us to dwell, as much as we can, on all the evidences we have been given of God’s love for us.
We do not repent in order that God may love us, but He reveals to us His love in order that we may repent. — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 189.
What are the evidences of God’s love? What have you seen and experienced and learned that gives you powerful reasons to trust in His goodness? Why is it so important always to dwell on those reasons, especially in bad times?
TuesdayJuly 29

Believe in Jesus
True repentance goes hand in hand with faith in Jesus as our only Savior. Jesus frequently talked about the need to believe in Him in order to receive His blessings. If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23, NKJV). Faith is essential if we are to be saved. Satan knows that, which is why He makes every effort to keep us from believing (Luke 8:12).
According to Jesus, what does it mean to believe ? It is more than a vague feeling that something will just happen. It is more than a mental exercise. Saving faith is not devoid of content. On the contrary, faith has a definite object: Jesus Christ. Faith is believing not only in something but, especially, in Someone. Faith is trusting in Jesus and His death for us. Believing in Jesus means knowing Him, understanding who He is (John 6:69), and receiving Him personally (John 1:12).
God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus, so that all who truly believe in Him will have eternal life. His death does not mean that everyone will be saved, however. We have to be covered by His righteousness. By believing in Him, we have righteousness, we have assurance, and we have the great promise that He will raise us up at the last day (John 6:40).
To a woman who had lived a sinful life, Jesus assured her: Your sins are forgiven. . . . Your faith has saved you (Luke 7:48,50, NKJV). What does that mean? Does our faith save us?
According to the Gospels, when Jesus healed some people, He said to them: Your faith has made you well (Matt. 9:22, Mark 10:52, Luke 17:19, NKJV). By saying these words, He was not assigning any healing power to their faith. Their faith was just a complete trust in Jesus’ power to heal them. The power of faith does not come from the person who believes but from the God in whom that person believes.
Why must we be very careful in how we understand the role of faith in regard to prayer, especially about healing? Why is it wrong to conclude from the above verses that if healing doesn’t come as we pray, it’s because we don’t have enough faith?
WednesdayJuly 30

The Wedding Garment
Jesus sat before the people and uttered what must have been to them shocking words: Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20, NKJV). Few were more scrupulous in the observance of the letter of the law than were the Pharisees. Nevertheless, they failed because their behavior was intended to impress men more than to please God. Jesus warns us not to do likewise (Matt. 6:1).
How, then, can we be righteous before God? The parable of the marriage feast gives us the clue in finding the source of true righteousness.
Read Matthew 22:2-14. Why did the king want to be sure that every guest had the wedding garment for the feast? What did that garment represent? See Isa. 61:10, Zech. 3:1-5.
The king provided the wedding robes free of charge. Those present were invited randomly while traveling on the highways, and probably did not have the appropriate attire for the wedding, nor money to buy it. Both the invitation and the garment were gifts from the king. The only requirement needed to attend the feast was to accept both presents.
Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, every human being is spiritually naked. Adam and Eve felt naked after disobeying, and they attempted to cover themselves by sewing fig leaves together, something utterly uncomfortable and ineffective (Gen. 3:7). The best righteousness that human effort can achieve is like filthy rags (Isa. 64:6, NKJV).
As in the parable, God provides the garment we need. He made garments for Adam and Eve and clothed them (Rev. 19:8), a symbol of His righteousness covering the sinner. The Lord also provides the garment of Christ’s righteousness for His church, so that she may be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright (Rev. 19:8, NKJV), not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing (Eph. 5:27, NKJV). This robe is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour. — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 310.
Above and beyond anything else we believe, why must we understand that our salvation comes only from the covering that Christ gives us as a gift? Why must we always remember this?
ThursdayJuly 31

Follow Jesus
When in faith we recognize our need, repent, confess our sins, and claim Christ’s righteousness for ourselves, we become His disciples. During His ministry, Jesus called different people, such as Peter and James and John, to be His disciples, a call that implied leaving everything in order to follow Him (Matt. 4:20, 22; Mark 10:28; Luke 5:28). In fact, in the Gospels the verb to follow practically became a synonym for disciple.
What two elements are essential in order to be a disciple of Jesus? See John 8:30-31.
Some people try to separate faith in Jesus from adherence to Jesus’ teachings, as if the first would be more important than the latter. But Jesus did not make such a distinction. For Him, both aspects are closely interrelated and fundamental for true discipleship. A disciple of Jesus is committed to His person, as well as to His words. Though there is always the danger of getting so caught up in doctrines and forms of faith that we lose sight of Jesus Himself, we must also be aware of the danger of thinking that all that matters in our walk with the Lord is to believe in Jesus.
What is the high cost of being a disciple of Jesus? See Luke 14:25-27.
Jesus used the verb to hate as a hyperbole meaning to love less. The parallel passage in Matthew clarifies the meaning of Jesus’ words: He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me (Matt. 10:37, NKJV). Jesus must have the first place in our lives if we want to be His disciples.
What has following Christ, being His disciple, cost you? What does your answer say about your walk with the Lord?
FridayAugust 1

Further Study: Ellen G. White, Repentance, pp. 23-32, in Steps to Christ.
We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ. — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 26.
As we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition in the soul. -Pages 26, 27.
The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a loving father, so will the truly penitent bring all his sins before God. And it is written, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. -Page 41.
Discussion Questions:

Many try to drown their sense of guilt with alcohol, drugs, worldly pleasures, or by cramming their lives with frenzied activities. Why do none of these methods really work? How would you help someone who is in this condition to find the true solution for guilt?
It is possible to recognize our sins without bearing fruits worthy of repentance. Why isn’t that true repentance? What is the value of these fruits? Are they good works done in order to gain God’s favor? Explain your answer.
Discuss the fact that Christ’s righteousness is free, but not cheap. Although we do not have to pay for it, the Lord had to pay an infinite price at the cross. Think about how fallen we are, and how serious sin must be, that it took something as extreme as the death of the Son of God Himself in order to save us from the consequences of sin.

The householder, on seeing his invitation slighted, declared that none of the men who are bidden should taste of his supper. But for those who had done despite to the king, more than exclusion from his presence and his table is decreed. “He sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.” – {COL 307.3}

Amen! Unfortunately, though, too many people believe the Holy Spirit waits to reveal certain sinful habits until Jesus feels they are ready to confront and crucify them. In the meantime, therefore, they ignorantly practice them.


"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32. Amen! Unfortunately, however, too many people believe Jesus leaves them in ignorance of certain sinful habits until He feels they are ready to confront and crucify them - He willingly withholds truth; consequently, they are left in partial darkness to sin ignorantly.

See 1Cor 3:1-2 and Jn 16:12.

It was impossible for the apostle to reprove wrong-doing without some who claimed to believe the truth becoming offended. The inspired testimony could do these no good; for they had lost their spiritual discernment. Jealousy, evil surmising, and accusing closed the door to the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul would gladly have dwelt upon higher and more difficult truths, truths which were rich in nourishment, but his instruction would have cut directly across their tendencies to jealousy, and would not have been received. The divine mysteries of godliness, which would have enabled them to grasp the truths necessary for that time, could not be spoken. The apostle must select lessons which, like milk, could be taken without irritating the digestive organs. Truths of the deepest interest could not be spoken, because the hearers would misapply and misappropriate them, presenting them to young converts who needed only the more simple truths of the word. – {RH December 11, 1900 Par. 2}

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less06.html

Lesson 6 *August 2-8

Growing in Christ


Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: John 3:1-15; 2 Cor. 5:17; John 15:4-10; Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 9:23-24.
Memory Text: Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3, NKJV).

Nicodemus felt drawn to Christ but dared not visit Him openly. He greeted Jesus politely, acknowledging Him as a teacher from God. The Master knew that behind this courteous greeting was a seeker of truth; therefore, wasting no time, He told Nicodemus that he did not need theoretical knowledge as much as he did spiritual regeneration, a new birth.
This concept was hard for Nicodemus to grasp. Because of his descent from Abraham, he was sure he had a place in God’s kingdom; plus, as a strict Pharisee, he surely deserved the favor of God, right? So, why did he need such a radical change?
Patiently, Jesus explained that spiritual transformation is a supernatural work produced by the Holy Spirit. Though we cannot see or understand how it happens, we can perceive the results. We call it conversion, a new life in Christ.
Though we should always remember how the Lord called us and converted us, our challenge is to steadfastly abide in Him daily so that He can transform us more and more into His image.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 9.

Sunday August 3

To Be Born Again
A zealous Christian confronted a politician and asked her, Have you been born again? Angry at what she deemed a personal question, the politician replied, It worked the first time, thank you.
Maybe it did, but considering our fallen nature, our first birth isn’t enough, at least not for eternal life. For that, we must be born again.
Read Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:1-15. How did Jesus explain what it meant to be born again?
No doubt Nicodemus, a teacher in Israel, knew the Old Testament Scriptures, which speak about the need for a new heart and God’s willingness to create it in us (Ps. 51:10, Ezek. 36:26). Jesus explained to Nicodemus this truth and how it can happen.
The dialogue recorded by John ends with Jesus’ words. No answer from Nicodemus. He probably went home immersed in profound reflections. Quietly, the Holy Spirit worked in him, and three years later he was ready to openly become Jesus’ disciple.
The fact that it is necessary to be born again shows without a doubt that our previous birth is insufficient from a spiritual standpoint. The new birth must be a double one: of water and of the Spirit. In light of John the Baptist’s ministry, Nicodemus easily understood that to be born of water referred to baptism with water. What he also needed to know was that to be born of the Spirit is the renewing of the heart by the Holy Spirit.
There are similarities between physical and spiritual births. Both mark the beginning of a new life. Also, we produce neither birth ourselves; it’s done for us. But there is also an important difference between them: we were unable to choose if we wanted to be born physically; we can, however, choose to be born spiritually. Only those who freely decide to allow the Holy Spirit to generate a new spiritual self within them are born again. God respects our freedom and, although eager to transform us, He does not change us by force.
Think about the way in which the Lord produced your conversion. It does not matter if it was through dramatic circumstances or through a long and imperceptible process of transformation. How have you experienced the new birth?
Monday August 4

The New Life in Christ
Being born again is possible only through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus made use of the fact that the Greek word pneuma means both Spirit and wind in order to illustrate the process of conversion (John 3:8). The wind blows; none of us can start it, direct it, nor stop it. Its great power is beyond human control. We can only react to it, either resisting it or using its potential for our benefit.
Likewise, the Holy Spirit is constantly working upon the heart of every human being, drawing him or her to Christ. No one has control over its great saving and transforming power. We can resist it or yield to it. When we surrender ourselves to His convicting influence, the Holy Spirit produces a new life in us.
Is there any way to know if we have experienced the new birth? Yes. The Spirit works invisibly, but the results of His activity are visible. Those around us will know that Jesus created a new heart in us. The Spirit always produces an outward demonstration of the inward transformation He makes in us. As Jesus said, by their fruits you will know them (Matt. 7:20, NKJV).
The new life in Christ is not a patched-up life with a few external reformations. It is not a modification or improvement of the old life but a complete transformation.
What do the following texts tell us about what the new birth will accomplish in us? Titus 3:5-7, 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:15.
Through the Holy Spirit, Christ implants in us new thoughts, feelings, and motives. He awakens our conscience, changes our mind, subdues every unholy desire, and fills us with the sweet peace of heaven. Though the change doesn’t happen instantly, over time we do become a new creature in Christ. We have to, because the original version, the one that came out of the womb, isn’t right with God.
Meditate on your life during the last twenty-four hours. To what degree did those who relate with you perceive Christ in your words, attitudes, and actions? Pray about those traits of character that still need to be modeled by the Holy Spirit.
TuesdayAugust 5

Abiding in Christ
A flourishing spiritual life is possible only by constantly depending on Christ. Jesus used the illustration of the vine to teach us how to accomplish this. I am the vine, you are the branches, said Jesus (John 15:5, NKJV). In the Old Testament, Israel was depicted as a vine that the Lord had planted (Isa. 5:1-7; Ps. 80:8-9; Jer. 2:21), but Jesus presents Himself as the true vine (John 15:1) and urges His followers to be united with Him just as the branches abide in the vine.
What do these texts teach us about abiding continually in Christ? See John 15:4-10.
A branch recently separated from the vine may appear alive for a while, but it will surely wither and die because it has been cut off from the source of life. By the same token, we can receive life only through our connection with Christ. But in order to be effective, this union must be maintained. Devotional time in the morning is essential, but our communion with the Lord has to continue throughout the day. Abiding in Christ means seeking Him constantly, asking for His guidance, praying for His strength to obey His will, and begging for His love to fill us.
One of the most deceitful traps is to try to live the Christian life independently from the Lord. Without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5, NKJV). Without Him we cannot resist even one temptation, overcome one sin, or develop a character in His likeness. The new spiritual life can grow only by means of an uninterrupted communion with Christ.
By reading the Word and meditating on it, we are nourished and strengthened. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life, said Jesus (John 6:63, NKJV). Treasured in our hearts and minds, these words will inspire our prayers in order to keep us in contact with the Lord. Though it’s easy to be distracted by the cares of this world (Mark 4:19, NKJV), we must make a concentrated effort to abide in Jesus.
What are the greatest obstacles that prevent you from abiding constantly in Christ? What steps can you take in order to remove or overcome them?
WednesdayAugust 6

Prayer
Along with studying the Bible, prayer is indispensable in order for us to abide in Christ and grow spiritually. Even Jesus Himself needed prayer to be united with the Father. He left us an example of a life of prayer. Prayer marked the crucial moments of His life. He prayed when He was baptized. He often prayed in solitary places before daylight or on the mountain after sunset. Sometimes He spent the whole night praying, such as when He chose the Twelve Apostles. He prayed to resurrect Lazarus. Not even the Cross deterred Him from praying.
If the Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him (Matt. 6:8, NKJV), why do we need to present Him our needs in prayer? Because through prayer, we learn to empty ourselves of ourselves and become more dependent upon Him.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you is Jesus’ promise (Matt. 7:7, NKJV). Although we do not need to impress Him by endless prayers of vain repetitions (Matt. 6:5-9), we need to persevere in prayer, clinging to His promises (John 15:7, 16:24) no matter what.
How can the different parts of the Lord’s Prayer help us to grow in Christ? See Matt. 6:9-13.
Jesus is our Mediator in Heaven. Therefore, He instructed us to address our prayers to the Father in His name. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you (John 16:23, NKJV). Christ taught that there are certain conditions in order for this wonderful promise to be fulfilled. We need to believe that God can answer us (Matt. 21:22). An attitude of forgiveness toward our neighbor is required (Mark 11:25). Most important, our will should always be subordinated to the Father’s will (Matt. 6:10, Luke 22:42). And any delay in the answer should not discourage us; on the contrary, we need to always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).
Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1) is always a relevant request, no matter how long ago we accepted Christ as our Savior. In what aspect of your prayer life do you still need to grow by the grace of God?
ThursdayAugust 7

Die to Self Every Day
Paradoxically, it is only by dying that we may truly live. When baptized, we (ideally) died to our old nature and rose again to a new life. It would have been wonderful if the old man of sin had permanently died when we were buried under baptismal waters. Sooner or later, however, all of us have discovered that our past habits and tendencies are still alive and do strive to regain control of our lives. After our baptism, our old nature has to be put to death again and again. That is why Jesus associated the Christian life with a cross.
What does Luke 9:23-24 mean?
Many think the cross they have to bear is a serious sickness, unfavorable circumstances in life, or a permanent disability. While any of these surely is heavy, the meaning of Jesus’ words goes further. To take up our cross means to deny ourselves daily. Not just once in a while but every day; not just a part of us but our entire being.
The Christian life is a cruciform life. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20, NKJV). In the ancient world, the victims of crucifixion did not die immediately. Usually, they agonized for many hours, sometimes several days, while hanging on the cross. Our old nature, although crucified, fights to survive and get down from the cross.
It is not easy to deny ourselves. Our old nature lingers on; our old man doesn’t want to die. Moreover, we cannot nail ourselves to the cross. No man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.
It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed. . . . Only by constant renunciation of self and dependence on Christ can we walk safely. — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 159, 160. There must be a daily surrendering to the Lord.
When was the last time you died to self? What does your answer say to you, especially in light of today’s texts?
FridayAugust 8

Further Study: Ellen G. White, Consecration, pp. 43-48, in Steps to Christ; Nicodemus, pp. 167-177, in The Desire of Ages.
The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness. — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 43.
We cannot retain our own self and be filled with the fullness of God. We must be emptied of self. If heaven is gained by us at last, it will be only through the renunciation of self and in receiving the mind, the spirit, and the will of Christ Jesus. — Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places, p. 155.
When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of heaven. . . . The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God. Then that power which no human eye can see creates a new being in the image of God. — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 173.
Discussion Questions:

What is your own experience in what it means to abide in Christ? What happens when you connect with Jesus? What happens when you don’?
Who hasn’t struggled with the issue of prayers that are not answered, at least as we have prayed them? How do you maintain faith in God and in His promises in the face of requests that have not been answered as you wanted? What crucial things must we always keep in mind in such situations?
What is it about self, about the very nature of self, that we are called to deny it daily? Look at it this way: if you didn’t deny self, if you allowed self to dominate all that you thought or did, what kind of life would you live? Would it, in any way, resemble that of our Master? What does your answer tell you about yourself apart from Christ?

"The new birth must be a double one: of water and of the Spirit. In light of John the Baptist’s ministry, Nicodemus easily understood that to be born of water referred to baptism with water. What he also needed to know was that to be born of the Spirit is the renewing of the heart by the Holy Spirit."

Is dunking in water absolutely necessary to be a Christian? Is that what Jesus was saying?

John 13:5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Ephesians 5:26-27 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Perhaps being born of water is not really about baptism by immersion.

Immersion is symbolic of reality - dead to sin, awake to righteousness.

The true Christian banishes all selfishness from his heart. {OHC 287.4}

That which was objectionable in the character is purified from the soul by the love of Jesus. All selfishness is expelled. All envy, evil-speaking are rooted out and a radical transformation is wrought in the heart. {6MR 55.4}

When our hearts are emptied of all selfishness, and cleansed by the Spirit of Christ, we shall be vessels meet for the Master's use. {AUCR, August 1, 1902 par. 8}

If you will seek the Lord, putting away all evil speaking and all selfishness, and continuing instant in prayer, the Lord will draw nigh to you. {RH, March 1, 1906 par. 14}

It is his Holy Spirit that impresses us with the necessity of emptying the soul of all selfishness; and when we give ourselves to God, he will fill the vacuum with his divine Spirit, and give us the precious graces of his own character. {BEcho, July 1, 1892 par. 5}

He wants His children to banish all selfishness from the heart, that He may enter as an abiding guest, that His righteousness may go before them, and the glory of God be their rearward. {GH, March 1, 1901 par. 19}

They realize that they are to live in this world the life that Jesus lived -- a life free from all selfishness; and He enables them to bear witness for Him that draws souls to the cross of Calvary. DG 81.4}

Bible conversion will lead to constant and abiding activity, which will be free from all selfishness, all self-exaltation, and all boastful claims of holiness. {SD 334.3}

The reception of this gift [Jesus] will eradicate from the heart all selfishness, and transform its possessor into the image of Him who abides in the heart by faith. {RH, May 22, 1894 par. 5}

. . . God has purchased the will, the affections, the mind, the soul, and the strength of every one. And man is safe only when he places himself under the control of God. When this is done, the will becomes firm and strong to do right; the heart is cleansed from all selfishness, and filled with a Christlike love and tenderness. {ST, November 19, 1896 par. 9}

But I was shown that there are but few who have the truth wrought into their very souls, who can bear the searching test of God. There are many who have taken hold of the truth, but the truth has not taken hold of them, to transform their hearts and cleanse them from all selfishness. {4T 194.1}

Had these workers been sanctified, purified, and cleansed from all selfishness and self-superiority, had they had a genuine experience in the things of God, had their example and influence been right, Africa would not be what it is today. {TSA 82.4}

All selfishness comes from Satan. {LHU 292.2}

All selfishness is covetousness, and is, therefore, idolatry. {CS 223.1}

Unfortunately, though, most people believe rebirth includes ignorantly practicing some of the sinful habits cultivated prior to conversion. They believe all selfishness is NOT expelled when rebirth occurs. They believe rebirth is NOT a radical transformation. They believe selfishness is gradually revealed and gradually eradicated.

Aren't tendencies to evil a form of selfishness, because they tend toward self?

If we have the reality, is the symbol still necessary? Was Jesus teaching that the symbol is absolutely required for salvation?

Having sinful, selfish tendencies is not the same as acting them out. In Christ, believers are empowered to subdue their unholy tendencies. While abiding in Jesus, they do not act them out. No sin, no foul.

There are exceptions - the thief on the cross was unable to comply. Also, people who know nothing of Jesus and the Bible, but who live in harmony with the convicting influence of the Holy Spirit, will be welcomed into Heaven with open arms. However, whenever it is possible to learn of Jesus, to learn to live in harmony with everything He commanded, to get baptized - it would be wrong to refuse. Such refusal would bar the gates of Heaven.

The order of events is clear and consistent:

1. The old ways, the hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up.
2. The new birth consists in having new motives, new tastes, new tendencies.
3. Those who are begotten unto a new life by the Holy Spirit, have become partakers of the divine nature.
4. In all their habits and practices, they will give evidence of their relationship to Christ.

The idea that Jesus withholds truth and allows people to retain certain sinful habits, to ignorantly practice certain sinful habits, to unknowingly walk in darkness is not biblical. Advocating this idea hinders the proclamation of "this gospel" and serves to delay the return of Christ.

In what way are you empowered? I would think that children of light are naturally drawn to the light, not that suddenly and abruptly they now delight themselves in light. The children of light were ALWAYS children of light from birth but come to the light when the light shines in their darkness.

Have you ever thought of Rom. 9:22-24 in that way? "What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?"

It is not for us to judge who are children of light or darkness but to treat everyone with love and respect and call everyone to the saving grace of salvation. And leave the matter of judgment to God.

///

We have reached our point of divergence again, but much faster this time. You believe sin is a matter of action, while I believe it is a matter of thoughts and feelings.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus mentioned no exceptions. Where do we get the authority to add exceptions to Christ's requirements? And while we're at it, can we also add an exception for some who are not born of the Spirit?

Or perhaps our evangelists have misinterpreted this verse, teaching it to refer to baptism by water immersion, while it actually refers to something much more important.

Yes. That's why MM thinks Jesus had sinful, selfish tendencies. But selfishness is sin, whether acted out or not.

Rosangela - did Christ have our same heredity?

APL,
Did Christ take our sinful tendencies?

He had not taken on Him even the nature of the angels, but humanity, perfectly identical with our own nature, except without the taint of sin. {16MR 181.4}

Absolutely required, no.
But for the sake of testimony (witness) before men & angels, required when physically possible.
One could argue "I want to be a private Christian", but such denies the Son before men.
Jesus said "But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God." Luke 12:9.

(Like "lets get married", without the public service.)
______________________________________

Whelmed by the Word.
______________________

Jesus abides in the heart and mind through a knowledge of the truth. The Holy Spirit enables, empowers people who experience rebirth and conversion in God's appointed way to use their faculties of mind and body to live in harmony with everything Jesus commanded.

I suspect you and I both agree sin is the transgression of the Ten Commandments. I also suspect we both agree people sin in thoughts, words, and deeds. Cherished thoughts are actions. Words are actions. Sinful feelings attend actions.

So you do agree he shared out heredity.

We need to put ourselves in the place of the tempted ones [EXACTLY what Christ did]. Consider the power of heredity [he shared our heredity], the influence of evil associations and surroundings [Christ never was corrupted by His surroundings], the power of wrong habits [Christ never participated in sin, bring out wrong habits]. Can we wonder that under such influences many become degraded? [Christ did not become degraded!] Can we wonder that they should be slow to respond to efforts for their uplifting? {MH 168.4}

Often, when won to the gospel, those who appeared coarse and unpromising will be among its most loyal adherents and advocates. They are not altogether corrupt [hm - they can have a heredity that pulls at them and not be corrupted?]. Beneath the forbidding exterior there are good impulses that might be reached. Without a helping hand many would never recover themselves, but by patient, persistent effort they may be uplifted. Such need tender words, kind consideration, tangible help. They need that kind of counsel which will not extinguish the faint gleam of courage in the soul. Let the workers who come in contact with them consider this. {MH 168.5}

...

Those who put their trust in Christ are not to be enslaved by any hereditary or cultivated habit or tendency [Did Christ share our Heredity? Yes or no? YES!]. Instead of being held in bondage to the lower nature [Christ was never in bondage to the lower nature He inhereted!], they are to rule every appetite and passion [Christ had mastery in ALL]. God has not left us to battle with evil in our own finite strength. Whatever may be our inherited or cultivated tendencies to wrong, we can overcome through the power that He is ready to impart. {MH 175.1}

It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life. {DA 48.5}

Jesus felt baptism was a requirement. He insisted. "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."


Exceptions are God's prerogative. The plan of salvation is an exception. Does Jesus violate the law when makes exceptions? Of course not! He earned the right on Calvary. He told the thief on the cross - "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." The man was unable to get baptized. Jesus made an exception. Perhaps Jesus' baptism serves as substitute for those who are unable to get baptized?

I detect an unwarranted attachment to forms and symbols.

Please post inspired statements to support your view of selfishness and selfish tendencies. Please.

As you know, the quotes posted earlier on this thread make it crystal clear true, genuine conversion eradicates all selfishness from the soul. In its place, Jesus implants a new nature, a new mind, a new heart, new tastes, new motives, new desires, new traits of character, and new tendencies. All of which enables the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower them to use their newly sanctified faculties of mind and body to subdue their cultivated and inherited sinful traits and tendencies and, more importantly, to grow in grace and to mature daily in the fruits of the Spirit "more and more unto the perfect day".


"Selfishness must be put away, and we must overcome every defect in our characters as Christ overcame." Truly, genuinely, thoroughly converted believers overcome selfishness and defective traits of character in the same way Jesus did. She is not saying, of course, Jesus cultivated the defective traits of character He inherited. To overcome means to subdue, to refuse to act out in cherished thoughts, feelings, words, or deeds. Jesus continually, consistently, successfully did this every day of His life. So it may, must be with us.


Again, the order is clear:

1. Empty your heart of its selfishness.
2. Christ can put his mold upon you.

Not from me.

What is crystal clear is that conversion subdues selfishness, not that it eradicates selfishness.

Self and selfishness will be ever striving for the mastery. It is a fight we must have with ourselves, that self shall not have the victory. Through Christ you may triumph; through Christ you may conquer. {OHC 184.6}

A constant battle must be kept up with the selfishness and corruption of the human heart. {CEv 44.2}

Said Paul, “I die daily.” Day by day the work of overcoming must go forward. Every day we are to resist temptation, and gain the victory over selfishness in all its forms. {HS 181.2}

Of course sinful tendencies and selfish tendencies are one and the same thing. And of course selfish tendencies are subdued, not eradicated.

Children need parents who shall educate and discipline them, pruning away the natural and selfish tendencies.{ST September 17, 1894, par. 5}

If you will battle against selfish human nature, you will go steadily forward in the work of overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong. {HP 176.4}

And, by the way, don't you say that what is inherited cannot be eradicated?

Selfishness is inwrought in our very being. It has come to us as an inheritance, and has been cherished by many as a precious treasure. No special work for God can be accomplished until self and selfishness are overcome. {HS 138.7}

What also is crystal clear is that "selfishness is sin" (ST, April 13, 1891 par. 3) and that selfishness is in the mind.

We need to be constantly filling the mind with Christ, and emptying it of selfishness and sin. {YRP 21.2}

So, in our minds there is selfishness (since we must empty our minds from it), but in the mind of Christ there was no selfishness.

The passage is clear. He shared our heredity except without the taint of sin. We are born with the taint of sin. He wasn't.

He was born without a taint of sin, but came into the world in like manner as the human family.--Letter 97, 1898. {7ABC 453.2}

Tell me what you think the "taint of sin" means to you?

But here we must not become in our ideas common and earthly, and in our perverted ideas we must not think that the liability of Christ to yield to Satan's temptations degraded His humanity and He possessed the same sinful, corrupt propensities as man. {16MR 182.2}

The divine nature, combined with the human, made Him capable of yielding to Satan's temptations. Here the test to Christ was far greater than that of Adam and Eve, for Christ took our nature, fallen but not corrupted, and would not be corrupted unless He received the words of Satan in the place of the words of God. {16MR 182.3}

It means sinful propensities, as other quotes make clear.

Thank you for the quote, Arnold!

"fallen but not corrupted". What is a fallen nature? Please explain if you can.

Man's nature has three aspects: physical, intellectual/mental, and spiritual/moral. Adam fell in all three aspects. Jesus was different from Adam (before the fall) in His physical and intellectual nature, but like Adam in His moral/spiritual nature. This is what "fallen, but not corrupted" means. We, OTOH, are different from Adam in all three aspects.

The human nature of Christ was like unto ours. And suffering was really more keenly felt by Him, for His spiritual nature was free from every taint of sin. {CTr 268.6}

So, do you then agree that Christ had our same flesh, our vile body as we do?

Sure I agree! Jesus was different from us in His mind.

And where does the mind reside? In the flesh. No flesh, no mind! Unless you believe in a separate spirit which I don't think you do.

What did Christ come to save us from? A legal penalty? NO.

Christ has redeemed us; our very flesh He has saved at an infinite cost, giving His own flesh for the life of the world. {SpM 209.2}

It is by overcoming the world, the flesh, and the devil that any student comes into possession of that knowledge that gives him access to the tree of life. We must all learn that we must overcome as Christ overcame in our behalf [what did Christ overcome as we must overcome?]. All pride is sin, and must be expelled from the soul. Christ came to cut us loose from the originator of sin. He came to give us a mastery over the power of the destroyer [what is the power of the destroyer?], and to save us from the sting of the serpent [What is the sting of the serpent? - DEATH]. Through his imparted righteousness he would place all human beings where they will be on vantage ground. He came to this earth and lived the law of God that man might stand in his God-given manhood, having complete mastery over his natural inclination to self-indulgence [Christ never had self-indulgence - but where do the natural inclinations come from which all mankind inherits?] and to the selfish ideas and principles which tarnish the soul. The Physician of soul and body, he will give wisdom and complete victory over warring lusts. He will provide every facility, that man may perfect a completeness of character in every respect.--Ms 161, 1898, p. 1. (Untitled, typed December 10, 1898.) Released April 28, 1976. {7MR 320.1}
/

Jones said: He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh. Don't go too far. He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh; not in the likeness of sinful mind. Do not drag His mind into it. His flesh was our flesh; but the mind was "the mind of Christ Jesus."

Even he made a clear distinction between sinful mind and sinful flesh. Do you not agree with the distinction? Do you think that Paul would have been correct had he said, "Let this FLESH be in you which was also in Christ Jesus"?

Did I say His mind was ours? No. But His mind was in sinful flesh. While taking on the sin of the world, our sins, He never participated in its sin. What did Christ have to overcome??? The same thing we need to overcome. What did Christ come to save? Our very flesh.

What mind would that be? His sinful mind?

He didn't come to save our flesh. He came to crucify it, with its passions and desires. See Galatians 5:24.

I think we have come to our point of divergence. Unless we agree on what Jesus saves, it's pointless to continue.

We must overcome cultivated tendencies to evil. He didn't have that.

Christ has redeemed us; our very flesh He has saved at an infinite cost, giving His own flesh for the life of the world. {SpM 209.2}

What does Christ save us from? The answer is easy.

However, "You cannot reach the full measure of the stature of Christ in a day, and you would sink in despair could you behold all the difficulties that must be met and overcome." – {MYP 45.3}

It is difficult to fathom that you can have an answer to that, given that you cannot distinguish between sinful flesh and sinful mind.

It was your post that drew that observation.

You say the thief on the cross was exempted from Christ's requirements. I say he was born of the wter and the Spirit. The difference is that you believe the water birth is physical immersion in water, while I believe it is a moral washing that results in outward obedience. I believe that baptism is a non-salvific symbol of that moral washing.

1) Good point. The Holy Spirit enables believers to subdue selfishness. Selfishness is a part of sinful flesh. And sinful flesh will be a part of believers until the day Jesus returns and replaces it with sinless flesh. However, Ellen White says selfishness must be eradicated (expelled, rooted out, crucified) from the heart. See quotes below. So, believers can, and must, eradicate selfishness from the heart - but they will not be able to eradicate it from sinful flesh nature.

2) Yes, sinful tendencies and selfish tendencies are one and the same thing. But selfishness in the heart and selfishness in sinful flesh are different realities. The one must be eradicated whereas the other can only be subdued.

3) Not just me. Ellen White is clear about it. Selfishness in sinful flesh cannot be eradicated. It can only be subdued. But selfishness in the heart can be eradicated (expelled, rooted out, crucified).

4) True, the old heart is the epitome of selfishness. But the new heart is free of selfishness. "The heart, the mind, are created anew in the image of Him who works in us to subdue all things to Himself. Then the law of God is written in the mind and heart, and we can say with Christ, "I delight to do Thy will, O my God." Psalm 40:8. {DA 175.5} It is the Spirit that convinces of sin, and, with the consent of the human being, expels sin from the heart. The mind is then brought under a new law--the royal law of liberty. {OHC 152.3}

5) True. A mind emptied of selfishness is free of selfishness. Jesus implants within newborn believers a new nature, a new mind, a new heart, new tendencies, new tastes - free of selfishness.


His grace in all its vastness is provided for all. There is no excuse for any to retain selfishness. In the hearts of all who receive him, Christ will be formed, the hope of glory. The Saviour says to every one for whom he has died, You must receive the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption. You must become so united with God that you will impart the grace you have received. Thus you become a living channel, by which God can communicate his light to the world. {GCB, October 1, 1899 par. 5}

It is written: Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Sin is the problem that Christ came to solve. Not some legal problem. It is not just mental but also physical healing. The atonement of Christ is not a mere skillful way to have our sins pardoned; it is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of spiritual health. It is the heaven-ordained means by which the righteousness of Christ may be not only upon us, but in our hearts and characters.--Letter 406, 1906. {7ABC 464.2} Our very flesh He has saved at an infinite cost.

The carnal mind is not eradicated; it's subdued. Therefore, the new mind and the old mind coexist in the Christian; and, in this carnal mind, are the propensities to sin. But Christ never had a carnal mind to war against.

Constant war against the carnal mind must be maintained; and we must be aided by the refining influence of the grace of God, which will attract the mind upward and habituate it to meditate upon pure and holy things. {AH 330.2}

Jesus met and overcame difficulties throughout His earthly life. He thereby grew in grace and matured in the fruits of the Spirit. Obviously, therefore, reaching the full measure of the stature of Christ by gradually meeting and overcoming difficulties does NOT mean believers are ignorantly sinning in the meantime. The old heart is crucified. Selfishness is eradicated from the heart. A new heart, a new mind, a new nature is implanted. Like Jesus, believers are born again free from sin and selfishness. No, they are not born again mature in the fruits of the Spirit. Eternity isn't long enough to mature in the fruits of the Spirit.

Ellen White wrote a lot about the carnal mind, the carnal heart. She says it can be subdued, changed, cleansed, killed, and crucified. How can "all of the above" be true at the same time?


So, the questions remains - Are we guilty of sinning because our subdued, changed, cleansed, killed, crucified carnal mind is selfish?

November 1, 1857 "It's Natural."

My heart is drawn out for the young. The great work of overcoming is before them, and the greatest task of all is, to subdue self, and obtain victory over natural besetments, hasty temper, pride, &c. {YI, November 1, 1857 par. 1}

I have seen professed Christians act out their natural infirmities, let their evil temper get the victory over them, and after the excitement has passed, reflection and reason teaches them they have greatly erred. They excuse themselves by saying, "It's natural for me to be quick, it's my temperament." With some, pride is a besetting sin that must be subdued, but their excuse is, "It's natural." {YI, November 1, 1857 par. 2}

I have heard the most covetous and selfish, when reproved for these sins, urge the excuse, "It's natural. I was taught to be so." O, what an excuse for a Christian, "It's natural." "It's natural" to give way to a passionate temper. "It's natural" to indulge in pride. "It's natural" to be covetous and selfish. {YI, November 1, 1857 par. 3}

Let me ask you professed christian, are you going into heaven with all these "natural" infirmities unsubdued? No, never! Heaven will not be marred with the presence of any with "natural" infirmities. {YI, November 1, 1857 par. 4}

Well since these infirmities must be overcome, what shall we do? Shall we excuse ourselves by saying "It's natural?" or shall we rather go about the work earnestly to subdue self, and take the steps necessary to be taken, to accomplish the object? {YI, November 1, 1857 par. 5}

"It's natural" is the excuse that comes from a carnal heart. The axe has not been laid at the root of the tree. There has not been a thorough acquaintance with the heart, and poisonous weeds that choke every good growth have been permitted to flourish there. These evils must be rooted out, these besetments overcome, or lose heaven. {YI, November 1, 1857 par. 6}

Look to the rock that is higher than you, plead with God in secret prayer for grace. All these "natural" infirmities can be overcome by grace. But the "natural," carnal, heart is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. If the carnal mind is subdued, your will not hear so frequently, "It's natural." Satan loves to hear this. His angels rejoice that you have not grace sufficient to overcome "natural" infirmities. They triumph at these words, "It's natural." But Jesus says, "my grace is sufficient for you." Yes it is sufficient to overcome and subdue the "natural," carnal, heart. {YI, November 1, 1857 par. 7}

Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation. Earnest, fervent prayer will avail much when tempted to speak wrong. Say not a word until you first pray, then watch with all your powers. Set a watch before the door of your lips. Jesus knows just how hard you try to overcome, and his all-sufficient grace will be imparted, and with holy trust, you may rejoice in your Redeemer who giveth you the victory. {YI, November 1, 1857 par. 8}

E. G. White.

That's not true.

Jesus said, "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." (John 6:56). In other words, the new life in Christ comes only by eating His flesh and drinking His blood. It was called cannibalism by the Romans.

But Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (v. 63) As it is also written, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11) And Peter admonishes us, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart" (1 Pet. 1:22) Jesus also prayed, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17)

In other words, such empty ideas like "the atonement of Christ ... is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of spiritual health" shows the complete lack of understanding of the First Advent. Jesus came to bring humanity back to God, to break the dominion of the devil. Now, in Christ, we have a King --- a representative with God in heaven, that which was Adam's in the first place and which he lost to the devil. It is OUR responsibility now to believe and act according to Christ's word. And HE will raise us up on the last day; as he has promised. "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:54)

***** STAFF EDIT *****

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James, it seems you have no clue. You beat against the air. At-one-ment is all about reconciling humanity with God, so they can be "at one" again. (See what I did there?) Yet you complain about atonement.

In your zeal to disparage Adventists, you make quite a spectacle of yourself. I would laugh, were it not so sad.

Instead of stifling your laughter, why not think about what Jesus said, "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:54)

How would you "eat His flesh and drink His blood"?

///

Jesus said that He is the bread that gives eternal life, that His words are spirit and life. To eat His flesh and drink His blood is to receive His words into the heart so that they become as much a part of us as what we eat and drink. It is to so abide in Him that His life flows in us and through us as streams of living water to bless those around us. It is to commune so closely with Him that we walk as He walked. Thus we eat His flesh and drink His blood.

That is true, but I doubt that Jesus taught this truth by saying "you mut be born of water." We are to confess the Lord Jesus lest He refuse to confess us. But that is a different truth from being spiritually washed.

I think we tend to ascribe salvific qualities to being dunked in the water.

I know baptized members who were shocked when I said that baptism is a symbol of dying to self with Christ and being raised to walk in newness of life. They said they had never heard of such a thing. Were such "born of water"?

There is no excuse for any to retain selfishness. {GCB, October 1, 1899 par. 5}

None of us need excuse our hasty temper, our misshapen characters, our selfishness, envy, jealousy, or any impurity of soul, body, or spirit. God has called us to glory and virtue. We are to obey the call. {RH, April 24, 1900 par. 4}

Why, then, do so many insist people who experience conversion retain certain selfish traits and tendencies and ignorantly act them out in cherished thoughts and feelings, words and deeds?

What do you mean by - coexist? How so? When believers are consciously walking in the Spirit and in the mind of the new man - Does the old man mind act out on its own? Does it have thoughts and feelings of its own? Does it speak and act out unholy deeds on its own? If so, are believers accountable? Does God count them guilty of sinning?

What do you mean by - the propensities to sin are in the old man carnal mind? Do believers retain sinful propensities after they experience conversion in God's appointed way? If so, does God count them guilty of sinning? What about the following inspired insight:

We must realize that through belief in him it is our privilege to be partakers of the divine nature, and so escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. Then we are cleansed from all sin, all defects of character. We need not retain one sinful propensity. Christ is the sin-bearer; John pointed the people to him, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." {RH, April 24, 1900 par. 6}

"He that lacketh these things is blind, and can not see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." This is a description of a professed Christian who lives a life of sin. He grieves the Lord Jesus, and puts him to open shame because he manifests a character after the similitude of Satan. He retains the same objectionable traits of character that he had before he claimed to have received Christ. Indulging his corrupt tendencies, he forgets to be a doer of the Word. He does not eat the flesh nor drink the blood of the Son of God. He does not practice Christ's words nor do his works. {RH, May 1, 1900 par. 2}

We are to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. Then we shall be men and women of faith and prayer and power. There is a great work to be done. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, else pride and rebellion will bear rule within. Evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in its own homemade fog, all the time charging upon some one else the result of its own unchristian course of action. {RH, May 1, 1900 par. 6}

By manifesting Christlike love we present to the world the credentials that God sent his Son to this earth to save the human race. It is our privilege so fully to partake of the divine nature that we may be one with Christ as he is one with the Father. When this is so, Christ can confess us before God and before the heavenly angels. {RH, May 1, 1900 par. 8}

The Lord Jesus came to earth that he might recreate the image of God in man. He says to the repenting sinner, "A new heart will I give you." "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." He who abides in Christ, and has Christ abiding in his heart by faith, cannot retain the same unlovely traits of character as were made manifest in his life before he had a connection with Christ. Christ came to save men from their sins, not in their sins. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." "We then as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." {ST, August 21, 1893 par. 2}

Christ came to the world that we might become new creatures, created after the similitude of his own character; that we might have purity like the purity of God, have perfection like his perfection. In the work of regeneration, the original loveliness begins to be restored. The attributes of the character of Christ are imparted to the soul, and the image of the divine begins to shine forth. "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." It is plainly declared that a change takes place in the character of the human agent. {ST, August 21, 1893 par. 3}

Those who retain the grosser traits of character, who continue to reveal human defects in their words and disposition, bear testimony that they are not eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. {SD 299.5}

But if our words and actions are unChristlike; if the spirit we cherish is not helpful; if we retain the old, unsavory traits of character . . . we are as salt which has lost its savor--good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden underfoot as valueless. {TDG 201.4}

Students, God will help you; but you must not think that you can retain the unchristlike traits of character that you naturally possess. {GH, June 1, 1904 par. 16}

If you do these things, you do well.

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I'm glad you approve. BTW, that is standard SDA doctrine, which you argue against.

Unfortunately that is not what you were saying, as is clear in the quote below:


As you can see, you were just uttering empty ideas like "Our very flesh He has saved at an infinite cost" and "the atonement of Christ ... is a divine remedy for the cure of transgression and the restoration of spiritual health."

But Jesus said if WE do something, i.e. "eat his flesh and drink his blood", HE will save us. In other words, there is NO magical connection between the cross about 2,000 years ago and your flesh, as you supposed. Rather, you must know the truth and do it, period.

///

Hmmmmm. A couple of things:
1. Check the source of your citation.
2. You still don't understand at-one-ment.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but by His mercy He saves us.

Jesus cannot apply the benefits of His blood (atonement) for believers who retain any of their selfish, objectionable traits of character.

He who abides in Christ, and has Christ abiding in his heart by faith, cannot retain the same unlovely traits of character as were made manifest in his life before he had a connection with Christ. Christ came to save men from their sins, not in their sins. {ST, August 21, 1893 par. 2}

But while God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ's righteousness while practicing known sins or neglecting known duties. God requires the entire surrender of the heart, before justification can take place; and in order for man to retain justification, there must be continual obedience, through active, living faith that works by love and purifies the soul. {FW 100.1}

There is no excuse for any to retain selfishness. {GCB, October 1, 1899 par. 5}

None of us need excuse our hasty temper, our misshapen characters, our selfishness, envy, jealousy, or any impurity of soul, body, or spirit. God has called us to glory and virtue. We are to obey the call. {RH, April 24, 1900 par. 4}

If you have become estranged and have failed to be Bible Christians, be converted; for the character you bear in probationary time will be the character you will have at the coming of Christ. If you would be a saint in heaven, you must first be a saint on earth. The traits of character you cherish in life will not be changed by death or by the resurrection. You will come up from the grave with the same disposition you manifested in your home and in society. Jesus does not change the character at His coming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our daily lives are determining our destiny. {AH 16.2}

Each soul inherits certain un-Christlike traits of character. It is the grand and noble work of a lifetime to keep under control these tendencies to wrong. It is the little things that cross our path that are likely to cause us to lose our power of self-control. {CTr 170.6}

We cannot, with our unconverted traits of character, drift into heaven. {CTr 214.3}

The word of God often comes in collision with man's hereditary and cultivated traits of character and his habits of life. But the good-ground hearer, in receiving the word, accepts all its conditions and requirements. His habits, customs, and practices are brought into submission to God's word. {COL 60.3}

The leaven hidden in the flour works invisibly to bring the whole mass under its leavening process; so the leaven of truth works secretly, silently, steadily, to transform the soul. The natural inclinations are softened and subdued. New thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A new standard of character is set up--the life of Christ. The mind is changed; the faculties are roused to action in new lines. Man is not endowed with new faculties, but the faculties he has are sanctified. The conscience is awakened. We are endowed with traits of character that enable us to do service for God. {COL 98.3}

Fear lest your will shall not be held in subjection to Christ's will, lest your hereditary and cultivated traits of character shall control your life. {COL 161.1}

Under [Christ's] constraining discipline, do old traits of character, not in conformity to the will of God, pass away and the opposite take their place? "A new heart also will I give you." [Ezekiel 36:26.] Have all things become new through your conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ? {CE 148.2}

Regeneration is the only path by which we can enter the city of God. It is narrow, and the gate by which we enter is strait; but along it we are to lead men and women and children, teaching them that, in order to be saved, they must have a new heart and a new spirit. The old, hereditary traits of character must be overcome. The natural desires of the soul must be changed. All deception, all falsifying, all evilspeaking, must be put away. The new life, which makes men and women Christlike, is to be lived. {CCh 59.3}

Besetting sins must be battled with and overcome. Objectionable traits of character, whether hereditary or cultivated, must be compared with the great rule of righteousness, and then conquered in the strength of Christ. Day by day, hour by hour, a vigorous work of self-denial and of sanctification must go on within; then the works will bear witness that Jesus is abiding in the heart by faith. {CT 449.1}

A man may seem to receive the truth, but if he does not overcome his un-Christlike traits of character, these thorns grow and strengthen, killing the precious graces of the Spirit. The thorns in the heart must be uprooted and cast out, for good and evil cannot grow in the heart at the same time. Unsanctified human inclinations and desires must be cut away from the life as hindrances to Christian growth. {Ev 347.2}

Natural and hereditary traits of character will be transformed. The indwelling of His Spirit will enable them to reveal Christ's likeness, and in proportion to the purity of their piety will be the success of their work. {AG 263.3}

Every one who accepts the present truth should make the fullest possible surrender of himself to God. He should fall upon the Rock, and be broken. Old habits, hereditary and cultivated traits of character, must all be broken up; we must yield ourselves to be moulded by the divine Spirit if we would become vessels unto honor. Do not seek to conform the truth to your peculiarities and imperfections. But as the Comforter shall come, and reprove you of sin and of righteousness and of judgment, be careful lest you resist the Spirit, and be left in darkness. Be willing to see your errors and yield up your self-will. Submit yourself to God, that he may work in you to will and to do according to his good pleasure. {GW92 311.2}

If you would be a saint in heaven you must first be a saint on earth. The traits of character you cherish in life will not be changed by death or by the resurrection. You will come up from the grave with the same disposition you manifested in your home and in society. Jesus does not change the character at His coming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our daily lives are determining our destiny. Defects of character must be repented of and overcome through the grace of Christ, and a symmetrical character must be formed while in this probationary state, that we may be fitted for the mansions above. {LDE 295.1}

The religion of Christ is not what many think it is, nor what their lives represent it to be. The love of God in the soul will have a direct influence upon the life, and will call the intellect and the affections into active, healthful exercise. The child of God will not rest satisfied until he is clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sustained by His life-giving power. When he sees a weakness in his character, it is not enough to confess it again and again; he must go to work with determination and energy to overcome his defects by building up opposite traits of character. He will not shun this work because it is difficult. Untiring energy is required of the Christian; but he is not obliged to work in his own strength; divine power awaits his demand. Everyone who is sincerely striving for the victory over self will appropriate the promise, "My grace is sufficient for thee" {LHU 367.5}

Some have strong traits of character, that will need to be constantly repressed. If kept under the control of the Spirit of God, these traits will be a blessing; but if not, they will prove a curse. {ML 316.4}

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less07.html

Living Like Christ


Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 9:36, Mark 10:21, Luke 10:30-37, Matt. 25:31-46, Luke 6:32-35, John 15:4-12.

Memory Text: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34, NKJV).
Contrary to what many think, the command to love our neighbor is not something newly taught by the New Testament. In the Old Testament, God already had commanded His people to love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18, NKJV) and to love [the stranger] as yourself (Lev. 19:34, NKJV).
Why, then, did Jesus say, A new commandment I give to you (NKJV)? The newness of Jesus’ instruction was in that it had a new measure: as I have loved you (NKJV). Before the incarnation of Christ, men did not have a full manifestation of God’s love. Now, through His selfless life and death, Jesus demonstrated the real and deepest meaning of love.
Love was the element in which Christ moved and walked and worked. He came to embrace the world in the arms of His love. . . . We are to follow the example set by Christ, and make Him our pattern, until we shall have the same love for others as He has manifested for us. — Ellen G. White, Our Father Cares, p. 27.
This week, as we consider Jesus’ tender, sympathetic, considerate, and compassionate life, let our hearts be touched and molded by His divine active principle of love, which is the watermark of true Christianity.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 16.

Sunday August 10

How Jesus Lived
In spite of being constantly under Satan’s fiercest attacks, Jesus lived an unselfish life of loving service. His priority was always centered on other people, not on Himself. From childhood to the cross, He showed a constant tender disposition to minister to others. His willing hands were ever ready to relieve every case of suffering He perceived. He lovingly cared for those who were considered by society to be of little value, such as children, women, foreigners, lepers, and tax collectors. He did not come to be served, but to serve (Matt. 20:28, NKJV). Therefore, He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38, NKJV). His sympathy and merciful interest for the well-being of others were more important for Him than satisfying His own physical need for food or shelter. Indeed, even at the cross He cared more for His mother than He did about His own sufferings (John 19:25-27).
What do Matthew 9:36, 14:14, and 15:32 teach us about how Jesus looked at people?
Jesus was sensitive to the needs of people, and He truly cared about them. His heart reached out with compassion to great multitudes that were weary and scattered. He was moved with compassion toward helpless individuals, such as the two blind men near Jericho (Matt. 20:34), a pleading leper (Mark 1:40-41), and a widow who had just lost her only son (Luke 7:12-13).
What principle of action guided Jesus as He related to different people? See Mark 10:21 and John 11:5.
Every act of mercy, every miracle, every word of Jesus was motivated by His infinite love, an unwavering and permanent love. At the end of His life, He vividly showed His disciples that, having loved them from the beginning, He loved them to the end (John 13:1, NKJV). With His death on the cross, He demonstrated to the entire universe that selfless love triumphs over egoism. In the light of Calvary, it is clear that the principle of self-renouncing love is the only valid foundation of life for earth and heaven.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13, NKJV). How do you understand what this means in daily, practical terms? How does one, day by day, do this?
Monday August 11

Love Your Neighbor
To live like Jesus means to show the same love He demonstrated. He illustrated this kind of love through the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), which He told in dialogue with a lawyer. The lawyer summarized our duty to God and fellow human beings: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27, NKJV). The lawyer knew His Bible well (he quoted by heart Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18), but he must have felt guilty for not demonstrating love to his neighbor. In an attempt to justify himself, he asked Jesus: Who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29, NKJV).
How did Jesus explain who is our neighbor? What implications does the parable of the good Samaritan have for us? See Luke 10:30-37. How is the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself related to the golden rule? Matt. 7:12.
To the question: who is my neighbor? Jesus answered, basically, that our neighbor is every person who needs our help. Thus, instead of asking: what can my neighbor do for me? we should ask: what can I do for my neighbor?
Jesus went far beyond the usual negative rendering of this rule at that time: do not do to others what you yourself dislike. By presenting it in a positive way, He addressed not only what we need to avoid but especially what we have to do. We need especially to remember that this principle does not tell us to treat others as they treat us. After all, it’s easy to be kind to those who are kind to us or nasty to those who are nasty to us; most people can do that. Instead, our love toward our neighbor should always be independent of the way our neighbor treats us.
Think of someone who has treated you in a bad way. How have you treated them in return? What does Christ’s example, and how He treated those who mistreated Him, teach you about how you could better relate to those who don’t treat you kindly?
TuesdayAugust 12

Loving Service
What is the basic message of Matthew 25:31-46?
At the final day there will be many surprises. Those at the right hand of the Son of Man never imagined that their manifestation of unselfish love would be so decisive. Christ will not commend them for the eloquent sermons they have delivered, the valuable work they have done, or the generous donations they have given. Instead, Christ shall welcome them into heaven for the little caring things done to the least of His brethren.
Those at the left-hand will also be surprised at the reason given by the King for His verdict. Some of them will even say: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? (Matt. 7:22, NKJV). Although these are desirable deeds, without a loving attitude they are worthless. These people professed to serve Christ, but the Lord never knew them (Matt. 7:23) because they never really loved Him or His brethren. They didn’t practice the principles of true religion (see James 1:27).
Commentators have suggested various interpretations regarding who are the least of these My brethren (Matt. 25:40). It is important to determine who they are in order to know the extent of our Christian responsibility. Some interpreters argue that Jesus’ least brethren are the apostles and other Christian missionaries. They find support for this view in Matthew 10:40-42 and conclude that the fate of all human beings depends on how they treat Christian missionaries. Other scholars claim, based on Matthew 12:48-50, that Jesus’ least brethren are His followers in general. There is no doubt that all the disciples of Jesus are His brethren; but the scope of Jesus’ words seems to be even wider. Christ identifies Himself with every child of humanity. . . . He is the Son of man, and thus a brother to every son and daughter of Adam. — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 638.
Think of a time when you were in desperate need of help, and someone came to your aid. What did that aid mean to you in your suffering and pain? How did that experience show why it’s so important that we be willing to help others who are in need in any way we can?
WednesdayAugust 13

Love Your Enemies
The supreme proof of genuine Christianity is loving our enemies. Jesus established this high standard in contrast with the prevalent idea of His time. From the commandment, You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18, NKJV), many had inferred something the Lord never said or planned: you shall hate your enemy. Of course, that wasn’t implied in the text itself.
In what practical ways is love toward our enemies manifested, according to Christ? See Luke 6:27-28.
An adversary can show us enmity in three different ways: by a hostile attitude (hate you), through bad words (curse you) and with abusive actions (spitefully use you and persecute you [Matt. 5:44, NKJV]). To this threefold expression of enmity, Christ instructs us to respond with three manifestations of love: doing good actions to them (do good to them), speaking well of them (bless them), and interceding before God for them (pray for them). The Christian’s answer to hostility and antagonism is to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
Notice: Jesus requests us first to love our foes and then, as a result, to demonstrate this love through good actions, kind words, and intercessory prayer. Without heaven-inspired love, those actions, words, and prayers would be an offensive and hypocritical forgery of true Christianity.
What reasons did Jesus mention to explain why we have to love our enemies? See Luke 6:32-35.
In order to help us to understand this high command, the Lord used three arguments. First, we need to live above the low standards of the world. Even sinners love each other, and even criminals help each other. If following Christ doesn’t raise us to live and love in a way superior to the virtue of the children of this world, what would its value be? Second, God will reward us for loving our enemies; even though we do not love for the reward, He will grant it graciously to us. And third, this type of love is an evidence of our close communion with our heavenly Father, who is kind to the unthankful and evil (Luke 6:35, NKJV).
ThursdayAugust 14

How to Live Like Jesus
Jesus’ teachings set such a high ideal of a selfless, loving life that most of us probably feel overwhelmed and discouraged. How can we, who are selfish by nature, love our neighbor unselfishly? Moreover, is it even possible for us to love our enemies? From a human point of view it is utterly impossible.
But the Lord would never ask us to love and serve those who are hateful and unlovable without providing us also with the means to accomplish it. This standard is not one to which we cannot attain. In every command or injunction that God gives there is a promise, the most positive, underlying the command. God has made provision that we may become like unto Him, and He will accomplish this for all who do not interpose a perverse will and thus frustrate His grace. — Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 76.
What is the promise underlying the command to love our enemies? It is the assurance that God is kind and merciful to the unthankful and evil (Luke 6:35-36), which includes us. We can love our enemies because God loved us first, even though we were His enemies (Rom. 5:10). When we daily reaffirm our acceptance of His loving sacrifice for us on the cross, His self-denying love pervades our lives. The more we realize and experience the Lord’s love for us, the more His love will flow from us to others, even to our enemies.
What is the relationship between abiding in Christ and His love, and loving our neighbor? See John 15:4-12.
Our daily need is not only to accept Christ’s death for us again but to surrender our will to Him and abide in Him. In the way Jesus Himself did not seek His own will but the will of the Father (John 5:30), so we need to depend on Jesus and His will. For without Him, we can do nothing.
As we choose every day to submit ourselves to Jesus, He lives in us and through us. Then it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20, NKJV) and changes my egocentric attitudes into a selfless loving life.
Read again John 15:4-12. What is the joy that Jesus is talking about there? How can we experience for ourselves the joy that comes from serving him, even when we don’t necessarily feel happy about our immediate circumstances?
FridayAugust 15

Further Study: Ellen G. White, The Good Samaritan, pp. 497-505; and The Least of These My Brethren, pp. 637-641, in The Desire of Ages.
All around us are poor, tried souls that need sympathizing words and helpful deeds. There are widows who need sympathy and assistance. There are orphans whom Christ has bidden His followers receive as a trust from God. . . . They are members of God’s great household, and Christians as His stewards are responsible for them. Their souls, He says, will I require at thine hand. — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 386, 387.
It is not the greatness of the work which we do, but the love and fidelity with which we do it, that wins the approval of the Saviour. — Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places, p. 325.
Discussion Questions:

At first sight, the parable of the sheep and the goats seems to teach that salvation is by works; that is, the more good works we do, the better our chances of getting into the kingdom of God. But the surprise of the saved ones shows that they did not demonstrate love in order to gain merits. Jesus clearly taught that eternal life is the result of believing in Him (John 3:15; 6:40, 47; 11:25, 26). True loving deeds come from faith and love to God (Gal. 5:6). These deeds are the evidence, not the cause, of salvation. How can we endeavor to act in a loving manner while, at the same time, avoiding the trap of thinking that we are doing these things in order to earn our right to heaven? Why must we always distinguish between the fruit of salvation and the means?
It’s one thing to love your enemies when they are nothing but annoying, unfriendly creatures; such as difficult coworkers, rude acquaintances, or ungrateful neighbors. That’s hard enough. But what about true enemies, people who have done you harm or who intended to do you or your family harm? How are we to love them? What consolation is there, if any, in the fact that we are not commanded to love them as thyself ?
People can argue with us over our theology, doctrine, lifestyle, pretty much everything. But who can argue against unselfish, disinterested love? Unselfish love reveals a power that transcends rational or logical argument. How can we learn to express this love, no matter the cost to ourselves?

Jesus provided atonement between heaven and earth, between ALL of humanity and ALL of heaven, corporate body to corporate body. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) It is evident therefore that salvation, indeed, is by the mercy of God; and all men are accounted saved by "the blood of the Lamb".

BUT ...

• With regards to your personal sins, you yourself MUST ask God to forgive you and He will. Jesus said, "the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God." (John 16:27)
• With regards to your personal life, you MAY ask God for wisdom and strength and He will provide it for you. Jesus said, "how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)

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That's getting better, though I'm wary of the hint of universal atonement. The sad fact is that not everyone is reconciled to God. There are those who will be raised to damnation.

But I still don't understand your aversion to the idea that Jesus came to effect our atonement. Worse yet is your penchant for accusing the brethren.

Most people believe Christians are born again ignorantly acting out inherent selfishness.

I wonder if this is what you really meant to say, "Most people believe Christians, ignorantly acting out inherent selfishness, are born again [. This belief is wrong.]" Is that right?

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1. Jesus was the Lamb who took away the sin of the world: all people, all together, for all time at once on Calvary. Such was the atonement promised (to those who were born before) and provided (for everyone before AND after). Jesus told his disciples, "I will see you again [after I'm raised from the dead] and your heart will rejoice, AND YOUR JOY NO ONE WILL TAKE FROM YOU." (John 16:22) This is the very assurance He gave the man on the cross beside him, "Assuredly, I say to you today," He promised, "you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43)

2. Accusing? No. Telling you the truth? Yes. The following are just empty words, meant to sound informative, new, profound and startling:



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James, I didn't write that. If that's the quality of your scholarship, it would behoove you to express less of your opinions.

Yes, accusing. You're just too blind to see it.

Do you remember a few posts ago when you expressed a standard SDA belief, then claimed that SDA's don't believe it? Yes, that's what we get from you. Yet you claim to teach truth.

To clarify further - Most Christians believe when newborn believers initially experience rebirth they are ignorant of certain cultivated sinful habits. The reason they are ignorant of them is due to the fact the Holy Spirit withholds truth. He waits to reveal certain objectionable traits of character until He feels they are ready to confront them and crucify them. In the meantime, newborn believers ignorantly act out objectionable behaviors - they are selfish, they are irritable, they are irascible, they are impatient, they are unkind, they are unlovely, they are unfaithful, etc. However, they really can't do anything about it because the Holy Spirit has not revealed it to them yet.

I believe this view of rebirth and conversion is wrong.

Was Peter converted or unconverted with Paul confronted him about his hypocrisy?

Did you know that EGW got on somebody's case for telling others not to eat unclean meat?

Perfection of character is this: to love your neighbour as yourself. A new born child in Christ has to be taught how to express that love, much the same as children must be taught good manners and decency, or a new employee the culture of an organization, its written and unwritten rules and expectations. Some learn quickly and progress rapidly, others make many mistakes and require patience.

I trust you are of the wonderful sort who gives peace to your manager's heart, who inspires confidence that you can and will do as expected. When Jesus comes, he will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Mat. 25:21)

My question to you is rather personal, "Do you ALWAYS do those things that please God, or is your heart willing sometimes but the flesh weak?" Have you attained the mark of the high calling that is in Christ Jesus already? If not, then have compassion on the guilty, forgive and encourage them instead, knowing well the weakness that besets you as is common to all men.

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Peter was converted. He knew he was guilty of wrongdoing even before Paul confronted him. Converted believers are free to sin because they are free from sin. They do not, and cannot, sin while they are walking in the Spirit and mind of the new man, while they are abiding in Jesus, while they are partaking of the divine nature.

No, I didn't know about Ellen White jumping down someone's throat for telling people not to eat unclean meat. Sounds right, though. No doubt they were presenting the health message out of order - got the cart before the horse.

Being perfect, living in harmony with everything Jesus commanded, does not rob people of their ability or freedom to sin. They are, for the first time, free to sin (because they are free from sin). "Now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness." Before conversion, people are slaves, servants of sin, self, and Satan. They cannot not sin. "When ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness."

When does conversion take place?

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Jesus said - "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

The fruit of rebirth and conversion is striking. The contrast before and after is night and day. "By their fruits ye shall know them." "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

Paul says, "when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them." (Rom. 2:14-15)

When do such "righteous" Gentiles (who never hear of Jesus Christ) experience conversion?

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They may never experience rebirth or conversion in God's appointed way. Nevertheless, they will be counted worthy of eternal life in judgment.

Then, conversion is not a prerequisite for salvation. The children of light, as I said to you earlier, were always children of light and come to the light when it shines in their darkness. There really is no instantaneous switch from night into day.

What you are finding confusing is when Paul and Peter speak of the difference in behaviour between Christians and their Gentile community in order to encourage the brethren to remain true to Jesus and not "return" to the vanity of life evident around them. But if you were to be given the opportunity of examining the Christian life, you would be amazed to see that it did not start from baptism, but was always, even from birth, demonstrative of a willingness to be good. Even Jesus recognized this when he excused his disciples saying, "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

In other words, the children of light were ALWAYS turning towards the Son of Righteousness, even from their very beginning. Though many wander off, stumble and fall, they still arise. Though many act in unsavory ways, yet look closely and you will see the beauty of character beneath the filth and grim on the surface.

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At what point are the following inspired descriptions a reality?

1) "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of him."
2) "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
3) "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
4) "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

This was a relapse, but in Acts 10 it wasn't a relapse - that's the point. Peter was still cherishing the prejudice against the gentiles that he had cherished before conversion.

Jesus commanded the disciples not to preach the gospel unto the Gentiles. "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not." Peter testified, "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean."

This vision conveyed to Peter both reproof and instruction. It revealed to him the purpose of God--that by the death of Christ the Gentiles should be made fellow heirs with the Jews to the blessings of salvation. As yet none of the disciples had preached the gospel to the Gentiles. In their minds the middle wall of partition, broken down by the death of Christ, still existed, and their labors had been confined to the Jews, for they had looked upon the Gentiles as excluded from the blessings of the gospel. Now the Lord was seeking to teach Peter the world-wide extent of the divine plan. {AA 135.3}

The time had come for an entirely new phase of work to be entered upon by the church of Christ. The door that many of the Jewish converts had closed against the Gentiles was now to be thrown open. And the Gentiles who accepted the gospel were to be regarded as on an equality with the Jewish disciples, without the necessity of observing the rite of circumcision. {AA 136.2}

Jesus waited until the time was right to instruct the Jews how to share the gospel with non-Jews. Peter's "prejudice" was based on obedience. He believed it was "unlawful" to share the gospel with non-Jews. To do otherwise without a "Thus saith the Lord" would have been presumptuous. Nevertheless, the vision included a "reproof". Peter knew in his heart it was wrong to disregard non-Jews. He was not completely ignorant.

Jesus is speaking of territory here, not of people. And later on Christ had said, "But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).


This is a misinterpretation of the law.

Jesus waited until the time was right to instruct the Jews on how to share the gospel with non-Jews. Peter's "prejudice" was based on obedience. He believed it was "unlawful" to share the gospel with non-Jews. To do otherwise without a "Thus saith the Lord" would have been presumptuous. Nevertheless, the vision included a "reproof". Peter knew in his heart it was wrong to disregard non-Jews. He was not completely ignorant.

It's too bad people point to Peter's initial unwillingness to share the Gospel with Gentiles (he partially believed it was unlawful to do so) as proof the biblical description of rebirth and conversion (see quotes below) must be interpreted to mean newborn babes in Christ are born again ignorantly practicing certain cultivated evil habits and traits of character. I cannot help thinking it is this unbiblical interpretation that is delaying the return of Jesus.

1) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
2) Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
3) Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
4) Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
5) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
6) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
7) Henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. For sin shall not have dominion over you.
8) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness.
9) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
10) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
11) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
12) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.
13) Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
14) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
15) Ye are complete in him. Ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
16) Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
17) Ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
18) He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
19) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
20) Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby, if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
21) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
22) His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
23) Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
24) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
25) Walk in the light, as he is in the light.
26) Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.
27) Every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
28) Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
29) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
30) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

Again, it amazes me people can read the promises (the biblical descriptions above) and conclude believers are born again ignorant of certain cultivated traits of character. The idea that they ignorantly practice certain evil habits because Jesus chooses to leave them in darkness is unbiblical.

Maybe Jesus is waiting for the right time to instruct us on those topics. Maybe He doesn't want the cart before the horse.

Arnold I fear these new members have been erroneously led
to attach themselves to forms & symbols rather than to Christ.

Whence comes such a teaching? From the pastorate, from the seminary.
And it seems to engulf the churches. One observes a great zeal from
conference leaders to increase the numbers, almost as evidence of their calling.
It's a great and far cry from preaching the sinner's need of Christ.

Instead it might be called the Church's need of new blood.
What of the blood of the Lamb?
What of conviction, repentance, confession of sin?
How did the Ethiopian eunuch prepare his mind for baptism? (Acts 8:30)
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There is certainly a lack of solid doctrine with some of the brethren. But lest we place the blame only on he seminary, consider that those of whom I spoke grew up in the church and were baptized in the fruitful waters of Oshkosh. Yes, the clergy is partially responsible, but we shouldn't expect our couple of hours a week with them to be the main source of our spiritual diet.

In any case, I'm trying to dig into our true beliefs regarding being born of water. Given that such a member was baptized by immersion by a duly authorized pastor of the church and is a member in good standing, have they been born of water as Jesus required?

Arnold, I repeat here that a long standing church elder/Bible teacher
described a major upcoming It is Written crusade.
According to the training sessions,
new interests will be baptized before receiving Bible study.
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'Raised in the church' may be part of the problem,
given natural deference to family tradition, Mosaic or Mafioso.
(Not sure that OshKosh waters always bode of healthy harvest:
http://advindicate.com/articles/2014/8/10/pathfinder-camporee-kicks-off-this-tuesday-in-oshkosh-wi)
(Could be a crack in that cistern - notably church leaders are molding young minds en masse)

True Arnold, the clergy are not solely responsible. But they are shepherds & guides, salaried from the Lord's treasury, to keep the sheep from going astray. Much more, they are to show the lambs how to feed themselves, that the first work might be discovered, the Ladder's first rung grasped.

Water baptism is an external statement of an internal understanding.
My mind is corrupt, filthy, fed by the world.
Cleanse me, grant me the living water.

"..the words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)

"Wash me...create in me a clean heart.." (Psalm 51)
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Not sure what you mean by our true beliefs.

But your question juxtaposes conventional church baptism & membership
(approved by churches for membership of millions),
with Christ's requirement for access to the tree of life.

"..Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God...Ye must be born again." (John 3:5-7)
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"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Nicodemus knew that Christ here referred to water baptism and the renewing of the heart by the Spirit of God...The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. {DA 172.1}


"Every true Christian is a living fountain, ever receiving of the unfailing streams of grace, ever refreshed and ever refreshing those that are around him. {CSW 66.1}


"Christ has made baptism the sign of entrance to His spiritual kingdom. He has made this a positive condition with which all must comply who wish to be acknowledged as under the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before man can find a home in the church, before passing the threshold of God's spiritual kingdom, he is to receive the impress of the divine name, "The Lord our Righteousness." Jeremiah 23:6.... Those who are baptized in the threefold name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, at the very entrance of their Christian life declare publicly that they have forsaken the service of Satan and have become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. They have obeyed the command: "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, ... and touch not the unclean thing." And to them is fulfilled the promise: "I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters." 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18. {FLB 145.4}

"Henceforth the believer is to bear in mind that he is dedicated to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. He is to make all worldly considerations secondary to this new relation. . . . {FLB 145.5}

"The obligations in the spiritual agreement entered into at baptism are mutual. As human beings act their part with whole-hearted obedience, they have a right to pray, "Let it be known, Lord, that Thou art God in Israel." The fact that you have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is an assurance that if you will claim their help, these powers will help you in every emergency.
{FLB 145.6}

Then what to make of a rock concert for Sabbath service, interspersed with preaching & skits,
played to a packed sanctuary of baptized members?
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Sure it is unbiblical. God doesn't choose to leave anyone in darkness. The problem is in us, who can't see at once all the light God is trying to show us.

The nearer the Christian lives to God, the more he advances in divine illumination of mind. He has more distinct sense of his own littleness, discerns his defects of character, and sees his duty in the light in which God presents it. The more closely he draws to Jesus, the more he has a near and clear sense of his own defects which had before escaped his notice, and he sees the necessity of humbling himself under the mighty hand of God. ... Having his eye fixed upon the purity and perfection of Christ Jesus, and acknowledging and obeying God in all his ways, he is not blinded to his own failures and imperfections. When his deportment in the eyes of men is unblamable and irreprovable, God reads the intents and purposes of the heart. {TDG 16.3}

There is no such thing as an instantaneous sanctification. It is an every-day work. Says Paul, "I die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31). He received a conversion daily to God. As the truth and Spirit of God revealed to him the defects in his character, he put away his wrong, died to self, and cleansed himself "from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). . . . {UL 231.3}

And I heard of a pastor who was studying wih a couple, and the husband died before finishing. The suggestion was made to baptize posthumously. The idea was rejected.

Given the "exceptions" on record, it seems the external statement is not what Jesus had in mind in John 3. It's even clearer once one considers the "external statement" for being born of the Spirit.

That's the crux of my query. Is it right for us to teach that when Jesus said we MUST be born of water, that He meant baptism into the church? Is water immersion primarily salvific or evangelistic?

Well, EGW gave this interpretation to the verse.

Nicodemus knew that Christ here referred to water baptism and the renewing of the heart by the Spirit of God. {DA 171.5}

Jesus also said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mk 16:16).

I think baptism is necessary for salvation, like faith, repentance, the new birth, good works... but it's not these things which save us. It's God who saves us.

Baptism signifies a dying to self and the carnal nature and rising in newness of life in Christ Jesus.

For Jesus died bearing our sins thus we are now to reckon ourselves dead to sin and no longer under sins power, (Study Romans 6 on this).

Of course the actual physical act of Baptism is symbolic. If it becomes a mere ritual and has lost its meaning, it has lost its effectiveness. The act itself does not save, but when entered into with full understanding and experiencing its meaning then indeed it is salvific.

What about the thief on the cross who accepted Christ?

Where in the Bible does it say Jesus withholds light because newborn believers are unready to receive it? unready to embrace it? unready to live in harmony with it? Jesus said - Teach them how to live in harmony with everything I commanded and then baptize them. But most people interpret His command to mean - Baptize them and then teach them how to live in harmony with everything I commanded. Jesus doesn't share all at once everything He commanded. It takes time - conversion is "a long, patient, protracted process". Not one of the 30 Bible references I posted say people are reborn ignorantly practicing certain sinful habits. Not even the SOP quotes you posted say so. "I die daily" does not mean - I sin daily.

"In presenting the truth to others, we should follow the example of Jesus. He did not present a great mass of truth, to be accepted all at once. He led the inquiring mind from truth to truth, from lesson to lesson, opening up the significance of the Scripture, as they were able to bear it." {RH, October 14, 1890 par. 5}

Think of the Adventists prior to 1844.
They were Sunday keepers and pork eaters (including James and Ellen White).
Yet their whole focus was preparing to meet Christ in the air. They were baptized and living in harmony with the truth they knew.

They were confessing their sins (the ones they knew were sins) and searching their hearts wanting everything to be right between them and Christ. Their commitment to Christ far exceeds the commitment seen today.




Yet, they were still keeping Sunday and eating pork, and they didn't think it was sin.
Those truths were revealed much later.

John 16:12 I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

Mt 28
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

The order might not be quite as you remember it.

A baby dies without having experienced repentance, faith, the new birth, baptism, yet he will be saved - at least if his parents are Christian.
Many pagans will be saved without having experienced faith in Christ and baptism.
So, it's God who saves us, not these things. But we will not be saved without them if we had the opportunity to take these steps and didn't take them.

Ignorantly breaking the Sabbath and ignorantly eating pork is not the same as ignorantly practicing cultivated sinful habits - "evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

No one who is born again in "God's appointed way" are reborn or converted ignorant of "such like" sinful habits. "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."

Newborn babes in Christ have tasted the truth as it is in Jesus. They have laid aside all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speakings. They do not offend in word. They are able to control themselves. While abiding in Jesus, they are perfect.

Yes, Jesus withheld certain aspects of truth because the disciples were unprepared to hear it - the cross, the fate of Jerusalem, circumcision, the ceremonial services, etc. But He did not withhold light regarding cultivated sinful habits - adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Also, none of the light Jesus withheld from the disciples is to be withheld from people studying to be baptized.

The light of the Holy Spirit is always shining, but we may take some time to discern it.
You did not comment about the EGW quotes I posted. One of them said God constantly revealed to the apostle Paul his defects of character.

Teach comes before baptize. The order is clear.


Bring the requirement of the gospel to bear upon the candidates for baptism. Christ is represented as bearing the griefs and sorrows caused by sin, and he does this, not only as our sympathizing friend, but as our substitute. Therefore our sins of selfishness, of unamiable temper, of indolence, of wrong habits and practices, are to be positively and firmly put away. The one who breaks with Satan is to give no place to his temptations. {6MR 157.1}

The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ (MS 148, 1897). {6BC 1075.7}

I don't see how these sins are different, since God has already revealed His will about all of them in His Word. Abraham, Jacob and David had more than one wife, although polygamy is adultery.

But didn't you say that the hypocritical Peter was born again? He certainly did offend. How come he kept that sinful habit?

"Teaching them to observe all things" comes after baptism, I think. When I am working with someone, I teach them the basics - all have sinned, the wages of sin is death, the gift of God is life in Christ, he who has the Son has life, the flesh leads to death, we are to be crucified with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life, etc. If he is willing to forsake all for Christ, then I believe he has been conveted. Then we continue studying so that we, myself included, can know God's will more perfectly.

And sometimes, we discover that we have been doing something offensive to God. We lay hold of God's forgiving and empowering grace, die to self, and press on toward the mark.

The passages posted above make it clear Jesus does not withhold truth that enables newborn believers to ignorantly commit "such like" sins. "I die daily" does not mean I sin daily. In Christ, Paul subdued his natural, selfish inclinations. This is what it means to "die daily". The SOP is clear:


Paul's sanctification was the result of a constant conflict with self. He said: "I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31. His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God. Instead of following inclination, he did God's will, however crucifying to his own nature. {8T 313.3}

The Lord would have us submissive to his will, and sanctified to his service. Selfishness must be put away, with every other defect in our characters. There must be a daily death to self. Paul had this experience. He said, "I die daily." Every day he had a new conversion; every day he took an advance step toward Heaven. We, too, must gain daily victories in the divine life, if we would enjoy the favor of God. {ST, March 3, 1887 par. 18}

"While abiding in Jesus, they are perfect."

Jesus commanded, "teach all nations, baptizing them". He further clarifies by adding, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you". Teaching precedes baptism. Ellen White agrees (see quotes posted above).

There is no such thing as an instantaneous sanctification. It is an every-day work. Says Paul, "I die daily" (1 Corinthians 15:31). He received a conversion daily to God. As the truth and Spirit of God revealed to him the defects in his character, he put away his wrong, died to self, and cleansed himself "from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). . . . {UL 231.3}

Is it your contention that the Spirit "revealed" to Paul what he already knew? Did Ellen White employ the wrong verb?

Is it your contention that "he put away his wrong" means just that he subdued his selfish inclinations? Did Christ also "put away His wrong"?

Dictionary definitions of "wrong":
n. 1.
a. An unjust or injurious act.
b. Something contrary to ethics or morality.

One wonders how they dealt with that (justified it) in their own minds.

David clearly knew it was wrong to take Bathsheba, and faced direct consequences.
He took another's wife.
What of the many wives taken by these men who knew God?
Was this adultery or not?
At least, in most cases, they did not divorce one to marry another.

What template do Adventists follow when taking another wife?
_________________________________________

The quote you posted is truncated. It ends with an ellipse. Which is why I posted quite a few other places where she describes Paul's experience and the expression "I die daily". When considered as a whole, it is obvious she believed Paul subdued his natural, selfish inclinations and did the will of God. He refused to act out the clamorings of his fallen flesh nature. Paul, like everyone else, possessed defects, weaknesses, and imperfections. While abiding in Jesus, however, he was empowered to subdue them. He refused to act them out. Like Paul, believers can overcome as Christ overcame. What does this mean? Listen:


The greatest triumph given us by the religion of Christ is control over ourselves. Our natural propensities must be controlled, or we can never overcome as Christ overcame. {4T 235.1}

We are called upon to overcome. Heaven has provided us with abundant opportunities and privileges so that we may overcome as Christ overcame and sit down with Him on his throne. But in order to be overcomers, there must be in our lives no petting of fleshly inclinations. All selfishness must be cut out by the roots. {SW, January 15, 1901 par. 4}

You may say, "I was born with a natural tendency toward this evil, and I cannot overcome." But every provision has been made by our heavenly Father whereby you may be able to overcome every unholy tendency. You are to overcome even as Christ overcame in your behalf. {YRP 350.3}

Overcoming as Jesus overcame includes resisting, subduing self and natural inclination (propensity, tendency). Otherwise, it is pointless to encourage believers to overcome as Jesus overcame if Jesus never had to resist or subdue "natural propensities," "fleshly inclinations," or "unholy tendency".

"Paul, like everyone else, possessed defects, weaknesses, and imperfections. While abiding in Jesus, however, he was empowered to subdue them. He refused to act them out. Like Paul, believers can overcome as Christ overcame."

I like that.

This I believe separates the wheat from the tares. When one can turn to Jesus and claim His power to stop sinning (overcoming temptations).

But that is not all the requirements today. The Lord has a message to us (specifically to Laodiceans). That message is that we are now being watched how we react to "sins in the midst". Are we winking at them or are we genuinely bothered. Do we "sign and cry" about them or do look the other way (Like Eli did with his sons.)

In other words we are being asked to "validate" our walk with Him. This is what gets us sealed right now.(read volume 5 in Testimonies for the Church, page 207 to 216) This report is entitled "The Seal of God".

Sadly, the Lord was right "few find it" and that is because few sigh and cry. Let us not delay in our conversion and realize the seriousness of sin.

This is the Sabbath School lesson Study Thread

The lessons have moved on to

Lesson eight
The Church

Jesus said “on this rock I will build My church” (Matt. 16:18, NKJV). Who is the rock?

There are good reasons to affirm that petra refers to Christ. The immediate context of Jesus’ statement (Matt. 16:13-20) centers on Christ’s identity and mission

John 17 presents Jesus’ longest intercessory prayer recorded in the Bible.

What was Jesus’ main prayer request to the Father regarding the believers?
How important is unity within the church?

What is the foundation or unifying point for unity?

“When those who claim to believe the truth are sanctified through the truth, when they learn of Christ, His meekness, and lowliness, there will be complete and perfect unity in the church.” — Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times,\AE September 19, 1900.

Why is reconciliation with an offended brother a prerequisite for acceptable worship? See Matt. 5:23-24.




The ecumenical movement claims to be an attempt to create the unity that Christ prayed for. However well intentioned the motives that some might have, what problems can we see do we see in this movement?


How do we discern when we should put aside our differences for the sake of unity, and when to stand firm on divisive issues as a matter of loyalty and trust in God?

The 28FB serve as the unifying factor among the Remnant.

Our thoughts, our words, our motives, our deeds, the resulting character - these things determine our eternal destiny in judgment.

How do we reconcile the inspired insights above with:

1) We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.
2) By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

What is grace? Unmerited favor, right! But what is the favor? Is it to save us in and with our sins (ignorantly sinning)? Or, is it to save us from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and the presence of sin? "Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." "We have received grace . . . for obedience to the faith."

Believers are saved unto good works. "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." "The man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." "Be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." "They may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

We have no creed.

Using Scripture to articulate fundamental truths is not a creed. It represents "teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you". It enables the Remnant Church to detect and reject error. It is "this gospel" as opposed to "another gospel". Discipline is administered based on whether or not a church member lives in harmony with the 28FB.

I disagree.

If our list of FB's is supposed to be "all things whatsoever I have commanded you" then we've been short until recently when we added the 28th. Or, we added to what Jesus commanded. And what about the shorter versions of the FB?

If we discipline members based on their failure to follow he FB's, then it is a creed. Our creed is the Bible.

THE CHURCH

The purpose of church.

1. Hebrews 10:25 "Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together...exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching."
In a variety of settings, for a multitude of reasons, followers of Jesus meet together regularly to share their lives together. They met together in the early church far more than most followers of Christ meet together today.

An illustration: A fire burns brightly when the fire wood is arranged close together. But take a stick, even though it is burning brightly and place it apart, and soon it's fire turns to smoldering and finally goes out.
We may think we will do just fine and keep the fire of spiritual life burning apart from other believers, but statistics show we need to fellowship, pray together, study together. Without regular participation in corporate worship, one tends to drift spiritually. Church attendance is to promote fellowship, encouragement, sharing, exhorting.

2. The church is Christ's "body". He is the "head" the church is the "body".
Col. 1:18 "He is the head of the body, the church"
Romans 12:5 "so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

3. Christ loves His church!
Ephesians 5:25 "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"
"To God, the dearest object on earth is His church." {ST, July 13, 1904 par. 2}

4. The church a "city of refuge"

5. A proving ground to teach us forgiveness and love.

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12–14) These words are impossible to live out in isolation.
John tells us that we know that we’ve passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 3:14).



6. The church is a "school" for learning spiritual truths.
"

7. Power to witness
Different gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to members, and are likened to a body with different parts all working together for effective functioning. The hand does not tell the foot it is not needed etc. (See 1 Cor. 12)
"God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased him."

A united church that has dedicated itself to Christ and desires to share the everlasting gospel to the world is a mighty power.

The 28 statements of belief are an outline of basic beliefs that define the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
It was never meant to be "everything Christ commanded".
However they do serve a very important purpose in identifying basic beliefs that make us Adventists.

We discussed this in greater detail HERE

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

What is all things whatsoever Jesus commanded? How do we discern who is telling the truth?

Read your Bible, pray everyday. Once you rely on a man-made list for your foundation, you are building on sand instead of the Rock.

Our unity comes from believing the truths in the Bible. If you want the Bible Gospel, get it from the Holy Spirit directly, not from processed spiritual food.

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less09.html

Lesson 9 *August 23-29

Our Mission


Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 5:14-16; Luke 24:48-49; John 20:21; Matt. 28:19-20; Rev. 14:6-12.

Memory Text: And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14, NKJV).

Early in Jesus’ ministry, He called Peter and Andrew to be His disciples, which meant that they were to lead others to Him: Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matt. 4:19, NKJV). Later, the Lord appointed twelve disciples that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach (Mark 3:14, NKJV). Christ sent out the Twelve Apostles and later seventy disciples to evangelize as well (Matt. 10:5-15, Luke 10:1-12). During forty days after His resurrection, Christ appeared several times to His disciples (1 Cor. 15:3-8), and He placed the responsibility of preaching the gospel in their hands (Acts 1:2-3). Again and again He entrusted them with the gospel commission. Though none of the gospel writers recorded every word Jesus said, each one set down a few sentences of the Lord’s instructions, each account emphasizing a different aspect of the gospel commission and thus providing us with valuable insight into its purpose, methodology, and scope.
This week we’ll look at the gospel commission as Jesus Himself presented it.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 30.

Our Sabbath School Lesson for this week:



Moderator's Note
All further posts concerning role of FB moved HERE

Sunday August 24

To Be the Light of the World
Read Matthew 5:14-16. What is Jesus saying here to each of us individually and as a church community?
Throughout the Bible, light is intimately associated with God. The Lord is my light, sang David (Ps. 27:1), and John stated that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5, NKJV). God is the source of light. In fact, the first thing He created was light, because light is indispensable for life.
Given the close connection between light and God, Scripture frequently uses light to symbolize truth, knowledge, and godliness. To walk in light means to have a character like God’s (Eph. 5:8, 1 John 1:7). Light stands for God, darkness for Satan. That’s why it is a grievous sin to put darkness for light, and light for darkness (Isa. 5:20).
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is the light of men, . . . the true Light which gives light to every man (John 1:4, 9, NKJV). He alone is the light that can illuminate the darkness of a world enshrouded in sin. Through Him we may have the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (2 Cor. 4:6), that is, His character.
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we become sons of light (John 12:36, 1 Thess. 5:5, NKJV). But we have no light in ourselves. Like the moon, all we can do is reflect the light that shines upon us. When we let Jesus shine through us, we will not do good works to parade our own virtue but to lead people to glorify God.
If Christ is dwelling in the heart, it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence. If those who profess to be followers of Christ . . . have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with the Source of light. — Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 41.
Wouldn’t it be absurd to light a lamp only to put it under a basket or under a bed (Mark 4:21, NKJV)? Then why is it that sometimes we do so with Christ’s light? A concealed disciple is no more useful than a lamp under a bowl on a dark night. Therefore, arise, shine; for your light has come! and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you (Isa. 60:1, NKJV).
Light itself is actually invisible. It has to be reflected off of something; otherwise we cannot see it. What spiritual lesson can we draw from this about how, as believers, our light is to be revealed?

Monday August 25

To Be Witnesses
Jesus’ first encounter with the disciples after His resurrection was very important. They were fearful, distressed, discouraged, and perplexed. They had locked the doors of the room out of fear, but Jesus came and stood in their midst. With a clear and warm voice He said to them: Peace to you. Startled and terrified as they were, it was difficult for them to believe their eyes and ears. Lovingly, the Lord showed them His hands and His feet and explained to them everything the Scriptures said about Him. That night, His presence and His words transformed them dramatically, dispelling their anxiety and unbelief and filling them with the peace and joy that come from the certainty of His resurrection.
Then Christ began to expound their mission, gradually helping them to grasp the significance of their responsibility as witnesses of His death, His resurrection, and His power to forgive sins and to transform lives (Luke 24:46-48). They had surely seen Him die, but they had also seen Him alive again. So they could testify for Him, that He was the Savior of the world.
A witness is someone who has seen an event happen. Anyone can be a witness, provided that he or she has personally watched something. There is no such thing as a secondhand witness. We can testify based only on our own experiences, not someone else’s. As rescued sinners, we have the privilege of telling others what Jesus has done for us.
What is the relationship between receiving the Holy Spirit and witnessing for Christ? See Luke 24:48-49; Acts 1:8. See also Isa. 43:10, 12; Isa. 44:8.
The book of Acts shows that the believers’ testimony could have convincing power only through the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in their hearts. After receiving the Spirit, with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:33, NKJV). That is, they were able to speak, openly and with great power, about what they themselves had witnessed and experienced. In a very real sense, our witness about Christ must always include our own experience with Him.
What has been your own personal experience with the Lord? What has God done in your life that you can witness about firsthand to others? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath.

TuesdayAugust 26

So Send I You
John’s gospel also reports Jesus’ first encounter with the disciples in the upper room but mentions other elements not included in Luke’s gospel.
According to John, in what way did Jesus define the mission of the believers? See John 20:21.
Jesus had already mentioned this concept a few days before, when He prayed: As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world (John 17:18, NKJV). Sending someone implies that the one who sends has authority over the one who is sent. It also involves a purpose, since one is sent with a mission to fulfill. Jesus was sent by the Father to save the world (John 3:17), and we are sent by Jesus to proclaim salvation through Him. Evidently, our commission is a continuation of Christ’s work, which consisted of a complete ministry to all people (Matt. 9:35). He expects us not only to continue what He had initiated but to go further. He who believes in Me, said the Lord, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do (John 14:12, NKJV).
Jesus provided the Holy Spirit to enable the disciples to carry out their mission. At Creation, God breathed into Adam the breath of life (Gen. 2:7). Now Jesus breathed on the disciples the Holy Spirit (John 20:22, NKJV). As the breath of life transformed lifeless dust into a living being, so the Holy Spirit transformed fearful and discouraged disciples into powerful living witnesses to continue Jesus’ work. The same anointing is indispensable today to fulfill the commission entrusted to us.
Jesus has called you to be a witness. What can you witness about? That is, what have you seen or experienced that you should share with others about Jesus?

Witnesses not only see an event, but also tell others about it.

Arnold, one frequently hears this question posed by pastors and Sabbath School teachers.
Too often it's a prompt for others talk of themselves or fill time.
Rarely does one hear a leader tell what Christ has done for him.
________________________

WednesdayAugust 27

To Make Disciples

After His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples in Galilee, at the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them (Matt. 28:16, NKJV). Not only the eleven, but also more than five hundred brethren gathered there to meet the risen Lord (1 Cor. 15:6). The One who had conquered death said to them: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18, NKJV). His power and authority are no longer voluntarily limited as they were during His earthly ministry. Rather, as before the Incarnation, His authority includes the whole universe. Based on His unquestionable authority, He entrusts a mission to His followers.

According to Matthew’s account, in giving the Great Commission, Jesus used four verbs: go, make disciples, baptize, and teach. Unfortunately, many Bible versions do not reflect on the fact that, in Greek, the only verb that is imperative is make disciples, while the other three verbs are participles. This means that the emphasis of the sentence is on make disciples, the other three activities being dependent on it.

What is the role of going, baptizing, and teaching in fulfilling the command to make disciples? See Matt. 28:19-20.

Jesus’ mandate indicates three activities involved in making disciples. The three activities do not need to occur in a particularly sequential order; rather, they complement each other. While going to different places, eventually to the entire world, we should be teaching everything Jesus taught, baptizing those who accept Him as Savior and are willing to observe all the things Jesus commanded.

We rejoice when somebody is baptized, but baptism is not the end of the story. It is just part of the process of making someone a disciple. Our task is to invite people to follow Jesus, which means to believe in Him, to obey His teachings, to adopt His way of life, and to invite others to become His disciples, too.

The word all characterizes this text. Because Jesus has all authority, we have to go to all the nations teaching them to observe all things pertaining to the gospel, with the assurance that Christ is with us always (literally, all the days) to the end of the age.

Think about your local church. What is done there to help nurture and disciple new believers? What more can be done? Ask yourself, too: what talents do you have that you could use in this important part of fulfilling the gospel commission?

ThursdayAugust 28

To Preach the Gospel

With its characteristic conciseness and clarity, the Gospel of Mark presents the commission in one short sentence: Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15, NKJV). As in Matthew, the verb go in Greek is a participle that indicates not the task but the movement needed to fulfill the task. The mission itself is expressed by the Greek verb Kerusso, given here in the imperative mood. Kerusso means to proclaim aloud, to announce, to preach. Mark uses this term 14 times, more than any other Gospel. The church must proclaim the gospel.

During Jesus’ ministry, the Twelve had been sent not to the Gentiles but only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 10:6). Now they are sent into all the world and to every creature. The eleven alone could never announce the gospel to the entire world, much less to every creature living in it. A task of such worldwide dimension requires the participation of the entire church. It is entrusted to all the believers in Jesus in all ages. This includes you and me.

Read Revelation 14:6-12. How do these verses encompass the worldwide mission of the church?

Preaching the gospel to every creature, however, doesn’t automatically mean that everyone will accept it. Only he who believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16, NKJV). We should preach eagerly, hoping that every hearer will yield to the gospel invitation. Nevertheless, we have to be aware that many will not accept the Word, as the image of the narrow gate clearly shows (Matt. 7:13-14).

What assurance do we have that this worldwide mission can and will be fulfilled? See Matt. 24:14.

There is an encouraging parallelism between Mark 16:15 and Matthew 24:14. Both texts refer to the proclamation of the gospel to all the world. While the first passage presents Jesus’ commission to preach, the second gives Jesus’ promise that the mission will actually be carried out.

Christ made full provision for the prosecution of the work, and took upon Himself the responsibility for its success. So long as they [His disciples] obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 822. The question, then, that we each need to ask ourselves is, How willing are we to be used by Him in this crucial work?

There are leaders who have a personal experience to tell. But I think we have a tendency to veer away from such "damaged" Christians. Instead, we end up with the goody-two-shoes type who have grown up in the church, never got in trouble, whose worst sin was accidentally eating fake Striples once at summer camp. Or we fall into the other ditch of leaders who are "just like" the people, who has the same foibles and failures as everyone else, who still haven't figured out how to avoid foolishness, who think it's cool to sin by God's grace. We seem to shy away from those who love much because they have been forgiven much and overcome by the blood of the Lamb.

Jesus was labeled a "goody-two-shoes" and yet He managed to meet the needs of everyone who believed on Him. I prefer pastors and leaders who have gotten the victory, who have overcome as Jesus overcame. I don't appreciate it when a convert gets up front and describes in detail his or her life of sin before finding peace and freedom in Jesus. Spare me the details. Dwell on the power of God to save to the uttermost. Describe in detail how to overcome as Jesus overcame.

Friday August 29

Further Study: Ellen G. White, Go Teach All Nations, pp. 818-828, in The Desire of Ages; The Great Commission, pp. 25-34, in The Acts of the Apostles. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life. — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 195. The Saviour’s commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time. It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of saving souls depends alone on the ordained minister. . . . All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ. -Page 822.
Discussion Questions:

Not everyone is able to travel the world preaching the gospel. What, though, are ways that each one of us can be involved in the task of spreading the gospel to the world in the context of the three angels’ messages?
In what ways is your local church continuing Jesus’ ministry in your community? How could you help to improve the church’s missionary service?
Jesus said that the gospel would go to all the world. For the vast majority of human history since He spoke those words, methods of communication had not changed. Two hundred years ago communication wasn’t much faster than it was 2,000 years ago, when Jesus gave us the gospel commission. Of course, all of that has changed, especially in the last 50 years, in which we have developed methods of communication that are amazing. How can we better learn to use the incredible technology we have been given in order to do the work that we have been promised will be done?
In class, based on the question at the end of Monday’s lesson, let those who are willing to share their own personal experience with Jesus. How can we use our own testimony as a witness to others? Why should we use our own experience?

Actually, they labeled Him a demon-possessed blasphemer, IIRC.

I remember sitting in rapt attention as a pastor spoke of his great struggle over tofu. After much effort, he finally overcame it and now eats the soy beans directly... Said nobody ever.

Tales of victory over real sins is a help to those of us who are serious sinners.

Tofu. Too funny. Still, spare me the dirty details. Say just enough to honor and glorify Jesus. Elaborate on His power to redeem and to restore.

I believe you're right here Arnold.
Those with a true personal victory may be the only qualified leaders.

You may recall that our message is to tell others what Christ has done for us,
though few will receive it.
__________________________________

I can understand your point MM,
I've heard "testimonies" that glorify evil far more than they glorify the power of God to overcome. People would be laughing as the person giving the "testimony" gave enthusiastic and vivid descriptions of their exploits in the world of sin. The last minutes or so of the testimony would be like an anti-climax, almost a let down -- the fun is over, I've been converted, now life is peaceful. (the implication is "boring")

What effect does that give? What is the real message of such "testimonies"?
Go out and sow your wild oats, experience the fun of the world for indeed it is exciting, and when you are older you can settle down and get on with the Christian life. It induces the desire to experience the worldly life especially in the hearts of the young.

On the other hand there is definitely a place for a true testimony of God's saving grace from the grips of sin. I've heard those as well, but they do not glorify evil, they emphasize the destructive nature, the total failure of these things meeting the real needs of the heart, and spend much more time on how God lifted them up and showed them real joy and fulfilment.

Those who experience God's power in lifting them from the controlling power of specific sin do appreciate and love the truth of salvation much more than those who just coast along on the cultural norms of Christian living.

This "overcoming" is usually more obvious and more visually dramatic in people who have lived in some subculture of sin and escaped from it, yet it can be equally powerful in people who have never really left "the truth" but still have found themselves controlled by some powerful sins.

One does NOT have to experience the "wild side" in order to powerfully experience God's grace and power to overcome sin, and to have a convincing testimony to glorify God.

The Lesson for this week seems to take us back to last quarter's theme:
What did Jesus teach concerning God's Law?

We are to read the following scripture in preparation for the study.

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:17-19,

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment...
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, you shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart....
31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery....
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matt. 5:21-44,

7:9 "You reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’
11. But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban” (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:9-13,

"If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Matt. 19:16-22.

Amen, Dedication!

Here is the direct link to this week's study:

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less10.html

Many of the leaders in Israel highly exalted the law.

Today, however, many leaders of Christianity say that the law has been done away with.

What about Jesus? He exalted the Ten Commandments, clearly affirming the perpetuity of the Decalogue and explaining its meaning and purpose. Christ Himself said that He had come to fulfill the law (Matt. 5:17). In many ways, His death was the ultimate revelation of the continued validity of God’s law.

Here is an interesting comment and question from Sunday's study:

Though we know that the law is still binding, we also know that it does not, indeed cannot, save us. (See Gal. 3:21)

How then do we understand the relationship between law and grace?

Who was the Messenger who spoke to Moses and gave him the law on Mount Sinai?

“Christ was not only the leader of the Hebrews in the wilderness . . . but it was He who gave the law to Israel. Amid the awful glory of Sinai, Christ declared in the hearing of all the people the ten precepts of His Father’s law. It was He who gave to Moses the law engraved upon the tables of stone.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 366.

Who was it that Moses, Aaron and the seventy elders saw sitting upon a glorious throne above Sinai?



John 1:18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared Him.

This is a very interesting discovery. For further study reveals that the God who revealed Himself in the Old Testament is the same God Who revealed Himself in the New Testament. It is Jesus Christ, who all through human history, is the link between mankind and heaven.

How does this knowledge influence how we think about God's law?

Christ is not only our Savior from the guilt and entrapment of transgressing God's law. Christ Himself gave that law

The law describes what God's children look like. Grace enables us to be God's children.

I would say that the law describes what God's children not only look like, but what they also act like. Grace enables us to be God's children.

Here's an interesting tidbit:

The law in Galatians is not a vital question and never has been. Those who have called it one of the old landmarks simply do not know what they are talking about. It never was an old landmark, and it never will become such. {9MR 183.2}

The great debate in 1888 was over that issue.

The message of righteousness by faith preached by Waggoner and Jones said the law in Galatians was about the ten commandments, and that law must lead us to Jesus.

The older men were very vocal in combating that idea, and said the law in Galatians concerned the ceremonial laws only, and any linking of them to the ten commandments would destroy the whole idea that the ten commandments were still binding on Christians.

EGW said the law in Galatians referred to both, and urged people to listen to
Waggoner and Jones, and that their message would not render the ten commandments as obsolete.

The quote MM posted was written to the older members who accused Waggoner and Jones of destroying the old land marks.

The law cannot make us into Christians on its own, no matter how zealous we try to keep it.
It is only as we come to Christ, and allow the Holy Spirit to write that law in it's fullness of love upon our hearts that we start to look like and act like God's children.


What does it mean to "delight oneself" in God's law?
No one who sees the law as simply a list of don'ts delights in the law.
But when one sees Christ -- His character, His love, in the law, it becomes a joyful experience, and we desire to become more and more like Him.

This week's study focuses on the teaching of Jesus in relation to the 4th Commandment, or more precisely on the Sabbath:

http://www.ssnet.org/lessons/14c/less11.html

From today's lesson:
Although it is true that we must set aside our own interests during the Sabbath (Exod. 20:9, Isa. 58:13), it should never be considered as a period of useless idleness. In His controversies with the Pharisees, Christ clearly pointed out that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matt. 12:12, NKJV). According to rabbinic traditions, a sick person could be treated on the Sabbath if the situation was life-threatening. Likewise, if a sheep or an ox fell into a pit, it was permissible to pull the animal out on the Sabbath day to save its life. Wasn’t a person’s life more valuable than an animal’s? Unfortunately, Christ’s critics showed more compassion toward their own animals than to suffering human beings. They approved watering an animal, but not restoring a person.
Jesus also stated: My Father has been working until now, and I have been working (John 5:17, NKJV), referring to God’s work in favor of His creatures. Even on the Sabbath day He continues giving life and sustaining the universe (Heb. 1:2-3).
Jesus taught that we should not be legalistic when observing the Sabbath. To keep it means to rest from our own works (Heb. 4:10) and, even more important, to stop trying to work our way to salvation-which is impossible anyway. Satan wants to convince us to keep the Sabbath selfishly. If he cannot move us against the Sabbath, he will try to push us to the other extreme: legalism.
Though it’s easy to be legalistic about the Sabbath, others can be very lax in keeping it. How do we strike the right balance? Also, why must we be careful in our response to how others keep the Sabbath (don’t forget how the Pharisees viewed Christ’s Sabbath keeping)?

Is it ok to do these on the Sabbath:
"Marvel at God's creation" by going hiking, canoeing, swimming, skiing, etc.
"Help others" by visiting patients in the hospital, working in the hospital, feeding the homeless, raking an elderly neighbor's lawn, etc.
Eat at a restaurant
Pay a parking attendant to attend a church-sponsored convocation

The pioneers paid toll on Sabbath when unavoidable.

Only eat out on Sabbath if it is absolutely necessary (the children are starving, etc).

Non-competitive outdoor activities on Sabbath should be done within one's physical abilities. For example, hike no further or faster than you can handle and still meditate on the Word.

Where do you find a restaurant where you can eat without someone working for you, i.e. being your manservant/maidservant? We are commanded to let them rest also.

They are already working. Plus, leave them a tip. However, you could buy food at a store. I have paid for meals for homeless people on the Sabbath - when the Spirit leads.

True, but they only start working for you when you walk in. That's the point where you get purposely involved in their Sabbath activity.


One tip we could leave is to remember the Sabbath day. But our patronage would make us seem hypocritical. Better to just give them money outright.


Wouldn't that push the idea that business on the Sabbath is lucrative? That would strengthen the owners' and workers' bondage.


Great for the homeless, but maybe not so great for those who are forgetting the Sabbath. And to pay for meals for ourselves, who can probably survive missing a meal or two, is much farther down that slippery slope.

The Sabbath is a day of relationship --
A day to put aside our hectic work schedules and free up the time to glorify God, spend time with Him.
Any work should be to help others see Christ?

We should NOT buy food for ourselves on Sabbath -- that should be done in the six days. But if a poor mother with a baby comes to the church door asking for milk for her baby on Sabbath, yes, we have gone out and bought formula for her.
I think Jesus would have done the same.

A story was shared concerning a gas station owner out in the country, who rightly closed his station during the Sabbath hours. But one day a man carrying a gas can came walking down the road and knocked on his door asking for a bit of gas so he could drive to the next town. The Adventist turned him down, leaving him to walk or hitch hike many more miles in order to get gas. What was this Adventist's witness -- it was not for God's glory. Why didn't he just give the man a bit of gas?

I am not comfortable with the restaurant idea -- it's not a good witness. Better go to the restaurant and share a little with the workers there on OTHER days of the week, and NOT buy food on the Sabbath, then they are more likely to believe you when you invite them to keep God's holy day.

As to being out in nature -- (walking, hiking, skiing, canoeing)
it's not so much the activity as how the activity is done and where the mind is during the activity. Is it for sport, or is it to reflect on our Creator, meditate on Him, and bring others closer to Him?

The Sabbath was given mankind for restoration, to bring them closer to their Creator and Savior, and also a day to reach out and bring others closer to Christ, and show them Christian love.

It is not a day for selfishness or self-righteousness.

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
We can't keep anything holy, unless Christ's holiness is transforming our hearts and lives.

Lesson 12 *September 13-19

Death and Resurrection


Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: John 11:11; John 1:1-4; Luke 8:54-55; John 5:28-29; Matt. 5:22, 29; John 11:38-44.

Memory Text: Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live (John 11:25, NKJV).

Humans have an innate repulsion toward death because we were created only to live and never to die. Death is an intruder; it was not meant to be.
That’s why, during His earthly ministry, Jesus showed immense sympathy toward the bereaved. When He saw the widow of Nain taking her only son to the grave, He had compassion on her and said to her, Do not weep (Luke 7:13, NKJV). To a heartbroken father of a twelve-year-old girl who had just died, Christ consoled him, saying: Do not be afraid; only believe (Mark 5:36, NKJV). Every time death strikes our loved ones, Jesus is tenderly moved by our grief. His compassionate heart weeps with us.
But Christ does far more than weep. Having conquered death with His own death and resurrection, He owns the keys of death, and He promises to raise everyone who believes in Him to eternal life. This is, by far, the greatest promise that we have been given in God’s Word; otherwise, if death has the final say, our whole lives and everything we have ever accomplished will be in vain.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 20.

Sunday September 14

The State of the Dead
Old Testament writers consistently held that humanity is an indivisible living being. The various Hebrew terms usually translated as flesh, soul, and spirit are just alternative ways to describe, from different points of view, the human person as a whole. In harmony with this perspective, the Scriptures use different metaphors to describe death. Among them, sleep stands out as a fitting symbol to reflect the biblical understanding of the condition of the dead (see Job 3:11-13, 14:12, Ps. 13:3, Jer. 51:39, Dan. 12:2). Death is the total end of life. Death is a state of unconsciousness in which there are no thoughts, emotions, works, or relationships of any kind (Eccles. 9:5-6, 10; Ps. 115:17; 146:4).
By the time of Jesus, however, this view of humanity, and particularly of death, was challenged by the pagan dualistic concept of the immortality of the soul, which was rapidly propagating throughout the known world.
How did Jesus describe the death of His friend Lazarus? See John 11:11.
Despite this and other passages, a number of Christians argue that Jesus believed in the immortality of the soul, for He said to the thief on the cross: Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:43, NKJV). The meaning of this text changes entirely, depending on where the commas are placed. (The oldest Greek manuscripts of the New Testament don’t have punctuation marks). If the comma is placed after you, as most Bible versions render the text, it means that Jesus and the thief went to Paradise that same day; if the comma is after today, the text means that Jesus assured the thief his future redemption. Actually, Jesus’ words emphasize assurance of salvation, not the timing of the thief’s entrance into heaven. The context confirms this. To begin with, the thief had not asked for an immediate transfer to heaven at death but rather to be remembered when the Lord would come into His kingdom. Moreover, three days later Jesus Himself affirmed that He had not yet ascended to Paradise (John 20:17). This text, therefore, does not teach that the souls of the dead go to heaven after death.
Because we understand that death is an unconscious sleep, why is the teaching of the resurrection so crucial to us?

Is the tip to ease your own guilty conscience? or is it to buy forgiveness for making them work for you on the Sabbath day?

Some Jews used to hire the Gentiles to do their Sabbath work, since the Jews could not do it themselves. Are we but modern Pharisees?

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

The teaching in scripture concerning the resurrection loses it's meaning and importance for those who believe they go to heaven when they die. Why would they need a "resurrection" at the end of earth's time? Why would a "free spirit" want to come back and be encumbered with an earthly body again?

But for those who understand death as an unconscious sleep, realize that the resurrection means being raised to LIFE!

Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life".
Resurrection and life go together.
When Christ raises the dead, He restores their life!

Also at the resurrection it is not the old body that is restored but we will have glorious bodies.


1 Cor. 15:42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Our belief regarding the state of the dead denies dualistic concepts such as the immortality of the soul. However, some of our other views, such as the stuggle between the flesh and the spirit, are being labeled by some as dualistic. Some even go so far as to say that Paul did not believe it, but used the metaphor in order to reach the Gentiles.

What are the arguments for and against this idea? How much can we distinguish between the spirit and the flesh, if at all? Are there non-Pauline Scriptures that make a distinction?

It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath. Buy a meal for the homeless. Buy gas for the stranded motorist.

Jesus said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Elsewhere He said, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."

Peter wrote, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."

But buying for oneself is not quite so altruistic. Furthermore, as you do well for the stranded homeless motorist, you tempt the gas-selling restauranteur. Isn't there a way to help the needy without stumbling the greedy?

Those texts do seem to have a dualistic flavor.

It's interesting that prior to being exposed to Greek philosophies the concepts of flesh and spirit seemed so simple.

The flesh refers to our bodies with it's needs, tiredness, hunger, etc. etc. The spirit is the intelligent, thinking, and emotional part of the human -- basically the thinking processes of the mind.
One is dependant upon the other. The processes of the mind cannot function without the body. At death we are told, the thoughts perish -- that is the END. The body can somewhat live without the full function of the mind, but it's soon apparent that something is wrong, and if the mind shuts down completely, the body dies. Body and Spirit are both necessary for a fully functioning human being.

Spirit is also at times equated with "breath". The breath of life. It is this breath of life that enables the fleshly mass of our brains to think, plan, reason as well as send out all kinds of signals to our bodies so they function correction.

It really isn't so hard to understand unless one gets into the Greek perversions of reasoning, that somehow our thoughts and who we are isn't dependant upon the body that God created in such a marvelous way that we can reason, and think, and plan, and experience life.

Spiritualism has been around for most of earth's history, and it wants us to believe differently, so fallen angels can impersonate the dead.

Here Jesus is speaking of the work of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Our "spirit" is still our minds and thoughts,
We are willing (that refers to our wishes)
But the flesh is weak (natural inclinations keep us back)



Obviously this is not talking about a literal heart, Again it is talking about giving us a "new heart" or new sense of love for God and love for mankind (the very foundation of the ten commandments)-- our emotions are new, desiring to follow Christ.
A new spirit -- is new thought patterns, new way of reasoning that is not based on worldly norms.



Compare:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved" (Ephesians 2:4-5)

Jesus Christ who was sinless, died once on the cross for sinners, and was resurrected to reconcile sinners with God.

He died but He was raised to life by the Holy Spirit -- and we who dead in sins must be raised to spiritual life by the Holy Spirit.




When had the gospel been preached to them, while they were still alive or while they were already dead? The purpose of preaching to them was that they "live according to God in the spirit".
But apparently they kept "living in the flesh" in other words they were not "reborn" by the holy Spirit" thus they are judged according to men in the flesh.


You see this all the way through --
living according to the flesh is letting natural inclinations rule.
living according to the Spirit, is letting the Holy Spirit change our "spirit" our minds, our thoughts.

The belief in soul sleep is more foundational than many realize. Not only does it help us to avoid spiritualism but also the whole end time understanding rests rather heavily on this belief.

I just thought of something. Could this verse be talking about those who were physically alive but dead in sin?

It is a matter of the spirit versus the letter of the law. Do well on the Sabbath.

And that leads us to the debate over dualism. One of the biggest gripes against dualism is that it leads to the attitude that as long as the spirit is "right" the actions of the body are irrelevant. It also implies that He who wrote the letter of the law did not quite grasp the spirit.

In our context, you are saying that it is perfectly fine to be a spiritual stumbling block to store owner Steve and waiter Walter as long as you are spiritually helping homeless Harry. Perhaps the root of the problem is that you did not go to the store on Friday, leaving you with the avoidable problem of hurting one whle helping the other.

Furthermore, hungry homeless Harry neither explains nor excuses why Charlie church member and his family/friends eat at the restaurant after church.

Happy Sabbath.

I don't know how that could be since you said elsewhere that happiness comes by obeying everything Jesus commanded us, but you are disregardig the command about not having servants work for you on the Sabbath. That you do it to benefit others does not erase the error, revealing that you have not experienced true conversion in God's appointed way. By your own standards, you should be facing church discipline for not following our FB regarding the Sabbath.

The Sabbath was made for man.

But not just homeless man. That includes the gas attendant and the restaurant owner.

It is more blessed to give than to get. The store owner providing fuel or food is doubly blessed.

And now the root bears fruit for all to see.

By that logic, a manservant is blessed for working on the Sabbath because the greatest among us is the servant.

Arnold, Mike is saying the shopkeepers are doubly blessed for selling wares on the Sabbath day, but it seems Mike is wearying the LORD with his words, though he claims 'wherein have I wearied him?'

...When he says, Everyone that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD,
and he delighteth in them.." Malachi 2:7
_______________________________________

When you did it not unto the least of them you did it not unto Me.

God have mercy on us for leading Christ into temptation. But if we do it willfully, I doubt we can receive His mercy.

Sometimes Jesus impresses us to help people in need on the Sabbath.

Does Jesus give new light that contradicts old light? Does He lead us to help one person by leading another one into sin?

Not a sin to help people in need.

or a cow in need.

But it is a sin to lead people into sin. Cows too.