Paulhoward

Q3. (Hebrews 2:1) In what ways are we not immune to drifting away from the gospel? According to the author, how can we successfully resist the tendency to drift? How did Jesus describe this phenomenon of "drift" in the Parable of the Sower? While we are in the body we will always be vulnerable because the ‘flesh’ is weak. If we put confidence in ourself our confidence is misplaced as it is rooted in pride. The key to resisting temptation is to be “strong in the Lord and the power of His might”, otherwise we are fooling ourselves! Putting on the full armour of God each day plus regular examination and confession is wise.

Q1. (Hebrews 1:2) In what way do you think the author of Hebrews is using the word "Son"? As a metaphor? As a biological relationship? How would a Son's words have more weight than a prophet's? My understanding is that they share the divine nature, therefore Not created. Jesus is in more of what we would see as a biological relationship, not a creature. Therefore the Son always knows the Father’s heart unlike an angel which doesn’t have an intimate relationship that the son has.

Through persevering in prayer & not giving up over a strained family relationship, I am now seeing change.

Only as we exercise faith can we connect with God’s power.

Forgiveness is part of discipleship. I need to practice obedience to further my discipleship. Yet by myself I need grace to energise my faith to make this possible.

Q2. (Acts 1:8) What kinds of power does Jesus offer us in the Holy Spirit? In what ways does Acts 1:8 function as an outline or blueprint of the Book of Acts? Where do you and I fit in to fulfilling Acts 1:8 The power to be confident in our message because its rooted in a powerful relationship with Jesus. We know He is real & the message is true because it has become real in me!!! We know it is through the message I have this relationship with Christ. Acts 1:8 is an "outline" of Acts because we see that it is the power of the Spirit that gives the early Church to move from their base in Jerusalem to the furthermore part of the known world in just a few years. How was that possible? Through the same power of signs and wonders that Jesus performed. And He only performed them because He was anointed by the power of the Spirit. We fit into this because the job isn't finished & Jesus hasn't returned. We live on a part of planet earth where the majority of the people have never heard or understood the Gospel. If we have been filled with the Holy Spirit we have the power & responsibility to witness to who Christ is & what He has done!!!!

Q1. (Acts 1:4-8) Why aren’t Jesus’ disciples to leave Jerusalem and return to their homes? In what ways does the Spirit’s coming represent a filling? A coming upon? A baptism? Because the process of starting the first church is not completed. They all need to be together and have the same experience and encounter. This will give great unity and the the prerequisite to their part to begin to fulfill the great commission. They need to get into gear for a new purpose for their lives. It's a filling in that it overflowed out of their mouths ? , which Jesus referred to as the overflow from our lives. (Matthew 12:34) Its a coming upon in that it's like it's happening "in time" , one minutes it not on them and the next minute it is!!!!! Its a baptism because it's an initiation & it's an immersion in the Spirit.

Faith enables me to trust that something I am hoping for from God will actually happen. It is an inner assurance that I already have something that at the moment is invisible but in due time will be made visible. It's an ongoing trust over a period of time & doesn't give up or waiver in the face of adverse circumstances , but continues to trust that it will be made visible because it is based on the rhema word of God , that has come alive to me , because the Holy Spirit has breathed upon it.

Q1. (Hebrews 3:6b) Why is the writer exhorting his readers to "hold on" to Christ? Why must we continue in our faith? According the writer of Hebrews, what happens if we don't? Suffering & difficulties make us look for an EASIer pathway. An “everything will be alright in the end” mentallity! To guard against this its important to HOLD on like a climber remaining attached to their climbing rope! Unclipping can be disasterous!!! Christ is our Promised land & without Him we will never enter into all the Father has prepared for us. Suffering is a “TEST”! Without Christ there is no promised land. Only wrath & loss of every kind. Suffering is short term. Turning back is Long term!!

Q1. (Hebrews 3:6b) Why is the writer exhorting his readers to "hold on" to Christ? Why must we continue in our faith? According the writer of Hebrews, what happens if we don't? Suffering & difficulties make us look for an EASIer pathway. An “everything will be alright in the end” mentallity! To guard against this its important to HOLD on like a climber remaining attached to their climbing rope! Unclipping can be disasterous!!! Christ is our Promised land & without Him we will never enter into all the Father has prepared for us. Suffering is a “TEST”! Without Christ there is no promised land. Only wrath & loss of every kind. Suffering is short term. Turning back is Long term!!!

Q4. (Hebrews 2:3b-4) In what way has the truth of salvation been confirmed to you? Would signs and wonders help or hinder establishing the truth of Christ's ministry today? From which portion of the Bible have you formed your opinion of the value of signs and wonders today? I was fortunate to have had a powerful conversion experience, Christ extemely real in that experience. Exposed to the gifts of Holy Spirit through a study of Acts in small group,& beginning with tongues & prophecy to experience the "gifts" later began to,see healing & after Wimber conferences also Deliverance et & manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Todays world need a supernatural Gospel to deal with other religions & scientific worldview. We see this through things like the ALPHA course & Healing Rooms & Healing on the streets. Also increased accuracy of prophetic ministry. Gospels & Acts are key books of the Bible for this.

We are no different than the people of the first century, in some ways we are more vulnerable as therefore are a lot more distractions!!!! It's easy with so many voices crying for our attention to listen to all the other voices. It's also easy to forget what we have heard and not embed it in our hearts. This is where the sower comes in as it is all about not letting the word remain in our hearts till it bears fruit. Q3. (Hebrews 2:1) In what ways are we not immune to drifting away from the gospel? According to the author, how can we successfully resist the tendency to drift? How did Jesus describe this phenomenon of "drift" in the Parable of the Sower?

Q2. (Hebrews 1:2-3) What about the author's description of the Son makes you think that the Son described is himself divine? What role does the Son have in doing the Father's will according to these verses? To rule with God suggests they are sharing the same role. To sustain the universe is clearly no task for an angel!!!!!! To act by speaking the word that sustains everything you must know what's is in the heart of the Father.

The Passion translation has a note to verse 2, "c1: 2 Or “he has spoken through a Son.” We speak in English; God speaks in “Son,” for Jesus is the language of God. The Sonship of Jesus is the language he now uses to speak to us." The way God speaks to,us now is very intimate, it's the Son all the time. Someone who shares identity, some creeds would say, "substance" with the Father. Because He shares this He thinks & feels like the Father, He has the same nature, theynspeak the same "language", its Son language!!!!!!!