Paul predicted "savage wolves" who "distort the truth" even among Christian leaders. How this is happening within the Christian community today.

Paul tells us very clearly that savage wolves will come in among our group and they will distort the truth so they can draw away disciples after them for the power of control and financial gain.  I looked up the Greek word for “counsel” of God and found it was boule, which means advice, counsel, will.  Different translations uses counsel, whole plan, and whole will.  The only way we can know what the whole plan or will of God is to find out how Jesus lived by his actions “Way of Life” that Paul talks about and what Jesus taught to his disciples and brethren.  From all the studies and research from the scriptures and from historical records from history, the western church (Rome) started to change or distort the truth or will of God and the eastern church (Asia) follow the teachings  of Jesus, Paul and John, Polycarp, etc and not distort the truth of God.  As the western church became stronger, their distorted truth overcame the eastern church and which led to murder, burnings, martyrs, killings of the followers of Jesus.  Jesus gives encouraging words to the Church of Smyrna, which this time period covers.  Jesus said:  the devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.  Jesus calls the western church here, the devil.  Even today, many of our churches are following the ways of the western church.  Jesus will restore all things when he sets up his kingdom at the start of the millennium.

Blessing

Stephen

(Acts 20:27 KJV)  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Act 20:27  for I never shrank from telling you the whole plan of God.

(Acts 20:27-30 NIV)  For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. {28} Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. {29} I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. {30} Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

Counsel:  1012. boule, boo-lay'; from G1014; volition, i.e. (obj.) advice, or (by impl.) purpose:--+ advise, counsel, will.

(Rev 2:10 KJV)  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Explain the attitude of the Bereans

To understand the attitude of the Bereans, we find in Acts 17 that they were very willing to receive the message (very important part of it) and examined the Scriptures every Day (yes, every day).  We are told that in 2 Tim 3 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  Why so we can live the same life style our Lord and Creator did.  If we did not know the scriptures, then how can we know (1) that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and (2) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  We find in Luke 24 that Jesus will opened our minds so we could understand the Scriptures through the Holy Spirit.  I really do not want to hear the words from our Lord, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures.”  Are we not supposed to explain to others all the Scriptures concerning Jesus.  We know that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. 

Blessing

Stephen

Act 17:11  These people were more receptive than those in Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive the message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if those things were so.

(2 Tim 3:15-17 NIV)  and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. {16} All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(1 Cor 15:3-4 NIV)  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

(Luke 24:45 NIV)  Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

(Luke 24:27 NIV)  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

(Mark 12:24 NIV)  Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?

(John 16:13 NIV)  But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Discuss who constitutes “the synagogue of Satan”?

The synagogue of Satan is something almost everyone have an opinion but very few really understand this term.  This term shows up in two verses in Rev 2:9 and 3:9.  The Greek word for synagogue is “sunagoge” which means an assembly, congregation or an assemblage of persons.  We know that Christians are also an assemblage of persons and they do the work for our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.  Also, in the same manner those who are in the synagogue of Satan are workers for Satan.  We know that Satan is the ruler of this world and his followers follows.  We know that Satan and his followers are responsible for wars, bloodshed, discouragement, and many other things.  When we look at the two scriptures, there is something very interesting.  Paul tells us we are to be Spiritual Jews if we are Christians.  The verses say these individuals say they are Christians (Spiritual Jews) but do lie and they are not.  They lead individuals down the wrong tracks that lead to death.  The synagogue of Satan are those who are in the Body but are not real members of the Body.  They lie and take individuals away.  So we need to make sure the group we are meeting with is following the Way of Life that our Lord, Jesus lived and taught to His people.

Blessing

Stephen

(Rev 2:9 NIV)  I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

(Rev 2:10 NIV)  Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

4864. sunagoge, soon-ag-o-gay'; from (the redupl. form of) G4863; an assemblage of persons; spec. a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by anal. a Christian church:--assembly, congregation, synagogue.

(Rev 3:9 KJV)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

(Rom 2:28-29 NIV)  A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. {29} No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

Should a Christian observe the Sabbath?

After all the study, I have come to the conclusion that a Christian should observe the Sabbath.  Why?  First and foremost, the Sabbath, Passover and the Feast days are His (Jesus) Feast days or appointed times.  We know that Jesus and the Apostles obverse the Sabbath and feast days.  We know that Paul observe the Sabbath and feast days.  Paul tells a gentile church (Corinthians) observe the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.  The Apostle John taught his disciple, Polycarp and they observe the Sabbath and Passover.  Polycarp taught his disciples and they observe the Passover and Sabbath according to writings of the Church fathers.  We know that the world society has been corrupted and when Jesus starts His rule ship at the start of the millennium, Jesus will restore all things according to His Word.  What are the first things Jesus will restore, is to observe the Sabbath (Temple will only be open on the Sabbath and Feast Days), observe the Passover on the 14^th, not on the 15^th as the Jews do today, and everyone will be forced to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.  I just scratch the surface because there are so many verses to use.  Blessing

Stephen

Lev 23:2  Tell the Israelis, "These are my feast times appointed by the LORD that you are to declare as sacred assemblies.

Lev 23:4  These are the LORD's appointed feasts, sacred assemblies that you are to declare at their appointed time.

Act 16:13  On the Sabbath day we went out the city gate and walked along the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and began talking to the women who had gathered there.

(Mat 26:17 NIV)  On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

(Acts 20:6 NIV)  But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

1Co 5:7  Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough, since you are to be free from yeast. For the Messiah, our Passover, has been sacrificed.

1Co 5:8  So let's keep celebrating the festival, neither with old yeast nor with yeast that is evil and wicked, but with yeast-free bread that is both sincere and true.

(Zec 14:16 KJV)  And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Eze 45:21  "'On the fourteenth day of the first month, you are to observe the Passover as a feast for seven days. Unleavened bread is to be eaten.

(Ezek 46:1 KJV)  Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

People Blaming God

I have been told by some of hearing a number of people “blaming God “for various things that brings to mind that these individuals might confess to be a Christian, listen to their pastor each week and then live their lives as they want to during the week and not following the Way of Life that our Lord, Jesus taught us by His words and life example.  When you hear someone say this, it shows that they are ignorant of the scriptures.  We suffer mainly because of our own actions.  People will blame God before they will blame Satan for the bad things that happen.  We know that Satan is out to destroy Christians and he is like a lion.  Satan is the god of this world and we receive his broadcast every day.  We know God does not temp anyone, but Satan does.  People will ignore warning signs of things that could happen.  Did we teach our children to stay out of the street so a car will not hit them?  Did we stop smoking so we will not have cancer?

There is one place where we can bring judgment upon ourselves is during the Passover service.  Paul tells us in 1 Cor 11:28. Paul tells us that a man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.  For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.  That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.

Paul tells us that this is why many Christians among ourselves are weak and sick and have died.  Sobering words.  It is how we take of the bread and wine and not because we need it.  Thanks for the thoughts.

Blessing

Stephen

(Mat 5:45 NIV)  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

(James 1:13-16 NIV)  When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; {14} but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. {15} Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. {16} Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.

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People Blaming God

I have been told by some of hearing a number of people “blaming God “for various things that brings to mind that these individuals might confess to be a Christian, listen to their pastor each week and then live their lives as they want to during the week and not following the Way of Life that our Lord, Jesus taught us by His words and life example.  When you hear someone say this, it shows that they are ignorant of the scriptures.  We suffer mainly because of our own actions.  People will blame God before they will blame Satan for the bad things that happen.  We know that Satan is out to destroy Christians and he is like a lion.  Satan is the god of this world and we receive his broadcast every day.  We know God does not temp anyone, but Satan does.  People will ignore warning signs of things that could happen.  Did we teach our children to stay out of the street so a car will not hit them?  Did we stop smoking so we will not have cancer?

There is one place where we can bring judgment upon ourselves is during the Passover service.  Paul tells us in 1 Cor 11:28. Paul tells us that a man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.  For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.  That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.

Paul tells us that this is why many Christians among ourselves are weak and sick and have died.  Sobering words.  It is how we take of the bread and wine and not because we need it.  Thanks for the thoughts.

Blessing

Stephen

(Mat 5:45 NIV)  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

(James 1:13-16 NIV)  When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; {14} but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. {15} Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. {16} Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.

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Laying on of Hands

We read from Acts 13:2, the Body of Christ was worshiping the Lord and fasting.  Then the Holy Spirit led the Body of Christ to set apart Barnabas and Saul to do a work of service.  Then what happen, the Body of Christ fasted and prayed and then Laid Their Hands On Them, ordaining them for this service and sent them on.  Laying on Hands is one of the major doctrine of the Body of Christ that Christians have very little understanding what this is.  Paul tells us in Heb 6:12 that this is one of the major doctrines of the church.  When was the last time you heard a sermon on this very important doctrine that Jesus gave us for the Body of Christ.  Throughout the scriptures the laying on hands shows where the Jesus is working through for ordinations, healing of the sick, for service, for blessings, and judgments, etc.  Lets look at some scriptures.

Blessing

Stephen

 (Act 13:2)  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me to do the work for which I called them."

(Act 13:3)  Then they fasted and prayed, laid their hands on them, and let them go.

(Act 13:4)  After they had been sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus.

(Num 27:18 NIV)  So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.

(Heb 6:1-2 NIV)  Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, {2} instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

(Lev 16:21 NIV)  He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites--all their sins--and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task.

(Gen 48:14-16 NIV)  But Israel reached out his right hand and put it on Ephraim's head, though he was the younger, and crossing his arms, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. {15} Then he blessed Joseph and said, "May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, {16} the Angel who has delivered me from all harm --may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth."

 (Lev 8:14 NIV)  He then presented the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head.

 (1 Tim 5:22 NIV)  Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

(Acts 6:6 NIV)  They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

(Deu 34:9 NIV)  Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

(Lev 24:14 NIV)  "Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him.

(Mat 19:13 NIV)  Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

(Mat 9:18 NIV)  While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live."

(Acts 5:12 KJV)  And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

(Acts 28:8 NIV)  His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.

(Acts 9:17 NIV)  Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

(James 5:14 KJV)  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

8 Woes on false teachers

It was interesting a subject when Jesus gives 8 woes in Matt 23:13-29 on the scribes and Pharisees which are the same as the false teachers/leaders/prophets we have in our church leaders today and on our TV and radio.  Peter backs up us Jesus comments in 2 Pet 2:1 by saying there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Peter says destruction and Jesus says woes.  Let’s take a quick look at these 8 woes that Jesus covers.

1.    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

2.    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

3.    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

4.    Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

5.    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

6.    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

7.    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

8.    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

Blessing

Stephen

(2 Pet 2:1 NIV)  But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.