WinstonY

Q3. (Colossians 1:16) Thrones,powers,rulers,principalities,authorities,. probably refer to both earthly as well as angelic and demonic dominions. What does this passage teach about the relation of these powers to Jesus? How should this affect our fear of them? How should it affect our prayers? This verse teaches us that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus the Son and that all earthly and heavenly systems are subject to Jesus. Authority, all authority has been granted to him. Since Jesus is our Lord and Our Saviour we need not fear the powers that bee but need only too be subject to the Lord and to pray to him only.

Q2. (Colossians 1:15b-17) What does firstborn of all creation/every creature mean? Is Jesus a created being? If not, what does firstborn mean here? What do verses 16-17 teach about Jesus pre-existence? What does verse 16b teach about the purpose of creation? According to verse 17, what is Jesus past role in creation? What is his present role in creation? firstborn of all creation does not mean that Jesus was created first does not have the modern concept of the first out of the womb but means instead, as in the Near East, but that he is preeminent over all created beings. Old Testament references show this use of the concept of "firstborn" as preeminent: "Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son.'" (Exodus 4:22) and "I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth." (Psalms 89:27) Both of these quotes show clearly that the use of first born is one of preeminence. NO, Jesus is NOT a created being- if he were than he would not be divine and our faith, our hope our belief would be futile. Verses 16 and 17 remind us that Jesus is God : that-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.(John 1:1-5) Jesus as as the second God-head of the trinity created the universe and is still creating and recreating the universe. Today He is my saviour and I live for Christ and he lives for me and each day I die unto Christ and each death is gain. Until that final day when I, like stephen, see Christ standing by the right hand of God as He waits for me and welcomes me into the New Heaven and new earth, where the wolf lies down with the lamb and the lion eats straw like the ox and all the hills and trees clap their hands as we enter the Kingdm of God the creator, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Q2. (Colossians 1:15b-17) What does firstborn of all creation/every creature mean? Is Jesus a created being? If not, what does firstborn mean here? What do verses 16-17 teach about Jesus pre-existence? What does verse 16b teach about the purpose of creation? According to verse 17, what is Jesus past role in creation? What is his present role in creation? firstborn of all creation does not mean that Jesus was created first does not have the modern concept of the first out of the womb but means instead, as in the Near East, but that he is preeminent over all created beings. Old Testament references show this use of the concept of "firstborn" as preeminent: "Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son.'" (Exodus 4:22) and "I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth." (Psalms 89:27) Both of these quotes show clearly that the use of first born is one of preeminence. NO, Jesus is NOT a created being- if he were than he would not be divine and our faith, our hope our belief would be futile. Verses 16 and 17 remind us that Jesus is God : that-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life,and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.(John 1:1-5)

Q1. (Colossians 1:15a, 19) The great understanding of Judaism was that God is spirit, not physical. That he is invisible. Any idol that tries to depict him is blasphemous. So what is the significance of the statement that Jesus is the image of the invisible God? According to verse 19, to what degree does this image accurately represent God? Is Jesus actually God in the flesh, or only a manifestation of God, a kind of holograph? The significance of the The statement 'Jesus is the invisible God' implies, tells us that For Paul and his theology Jesus is in fact God.This is what the hymn that we are reading is all about. To be the image of the living God- John 1 ' says The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us'. Ralph writes 'The amazing truth of Christianity is that the invisible God has allowed himself to be seen in Jesus of Nazareth.' This is the plan of God, salvation for mankind to be accomplished by the creator of the universe in the human form of Jesus the Messiah- It is to good to be true-it takes ones breath away and we are filled with the breath of the Holy Spirit and will be until the parousia. Jesus is the fullness of God and, the amazing and unbelievable thing is' and you have been given fullness (plēroō) in Christ. (Verse 19) Wow!!!!!!!! We, simple, dirty, in many senses evil humans are the fullness in Christ as we are sanctified by the third person of the Trinity the Holy Spirit. YES, these verses tell us 'Jesus actually God in the flesh'. To believe otherwise is to be a Gnostic- a heretic.

Q5. (Colossians 1:13-14) What are the two qualities mentioned in verse 14 that characterize the kingdom of his beloved Son? What did the idea of redemption mean in the Greek? In what way did Christ redeem us? What is the significance of the fact that our sins are forgiven in this kingdom? two qualities mentioned in verse 14 that characterize the kingdom are redemption, and the forgiveness of sins. The kingdom of the Son is the Kindom of God for in the Trinity the Father, the son and the Holy spirit are one. So that the redemption, and the forgiveness of sin are characteristics of the Kingdom of God. We, however, are living in the "between time" - the time between the resurrection of our Lord Jesus the messiah and the Parousia. The time which is now but not yet-the time in which Paul is writing though he did not expect these in between times would last 2000 years. The kingdom of God is than both now and hereafter. In both of these times are characterized by redemption and the forgiveness of sins. In Greek redemption meant "release from a captive condition, release, redemption, deliverance." Christ has and is redeeming us by His action on the cross. The significance of our sins being forgiven is that we are made righteous by Christ's action for our redemption. we have now put on a cloak of righteousness, a cloaks that hides our sins. These are washed clean by the ever flowing blood of our saviour. As Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21 " For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. We gain the arms of Jesus.

Q4. (Colossians 1:12-13) What are the three or four action verbs in verses 12 and 13 that paint a picture of salvation? Who performs the action? Who is it performed on? In what way were we qualified/enabled/made meet? In what way were we rescued or delivered The Greek word used to paint a picture of salvation is hikanoō, translated 'enabled' in NRSV. God's grace enabled us for salvation. We are allowed to approach God clothed in the righteousness of Jesus the messiah. It is only by the grace of God through Christ that we are enabled to stand in righteousness before the Lord. rhyomai translated delivered or rescued from danger. we are delivered from the evil grip of Satan and from the great chasm that is set in place. Luke 16,25 methistēmi, translated as "transfer from one place to another, remove." No more are we children of darkness but we have become transferred to children of light by the power of the love of the Lord who loved the world so much he gave His only Son that whoever believes on Him shall have eternal life. apolytrōsis. translated as redemption. The implication is that we were in slavery, in bondage, unable to help ourselves. But Jesus' death on the cross paid the price for our manumission, our purchase from sin. phesis translated forgiveness. Originally the word meant, "the act of freeing and liberating from something that confines, release" from captivity. it means here, "the act of freeing from an obligation, guilt, or punishment, pardon, cancellation. WE have been forgiven of all your sins! It is a free and complete pardon! This actions are performed by God through the saving action of Christ and they are performed upon us as individuals and upon the church as a whole. For we are one body in Christ. We are delivered into the arms of Christ by His saving action which springs from the Grace of God Himself.

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is the inheritance of the saints in light that he mentions? In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects governed in each? This is the way Paul sees the situation- When one lives in the flesh, in the sensuality of evil acts than Paul sees these as a darkness that has come upon the person and upon the earth. But one lives in the Spirit of God, in a real relation with the Lord than it is as if a great curtain has been removed from us: a curtain that blocks out the light of Jesus' love and we than live in the light of the Lord. It seems as Paul sees in this phrase a duality between Light and dark, good and evil, a caring, sharing lifestyle and a greedy grasping life style-between the Lord and Satan. And Paul is confident that the grace of the Lord will carry us through to the light of the world. The Colossians are reminded that they come from darkness to light so that they can now appreciate what has happened to them and what they now have in Christ. The inheritance of the saints in light is an eternal relationship with the Lord through Christ and by the power of the Spirit. ​The two bodies are Heaven and hell- the governance of God and the governance of Satan and the former is light and the latter is darkness. The former is characterized by light, hope, love, redemption, and forgiveness and the latter by darkness, malignancy, and is controlling.

Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13) Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Why does he remind them where they came from? What is the inheritance of the saints in light that he mentions? In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies? How are they contrasted in verse 13? In what sense are subjects governed in each? This is the way Paul sees the situation- When one lives in the flesh, in the sensuality of evil acts than Paul sees these as a darkness that has come upon the person and upon the earth. But one lives in the Spirit of God, in a real relation with the Lord than it is as if a great curtain has been removed from us: a curtain that blocks out the light of Jesus' love and we than live in the light of the Lord. It seems as Paul sees in this phrase a duality between Light and dark, good and evil, a caring, sharing lifestyle and a greedy grasping life style-between the Lord and Satan. And Paul is confident that the grace of the Lord will carry us through to the light of the world. The Colossians are reminded that they come from darkness to light so that they can now appreciate what has happened to them and what they now have in Christ. The inheritance of the saints in light is an eternal relationship with the Lord through Christ and by the power of the Spirit. ​The two bodies are Heaven and hell- the governance of God and the governance of Satan and the former is light and the latter is darkness. The former is characterized by light, hope, love, redemption, and forgiveness and the latter by darkness, malignancy, and is controlling.

Q1. (Colossians 1:5-6) Paul glorifies the gospel, the good news. What words does he use to describe the action of the gospel in verses 5 and 6? Given the temptation the recipients have to adopt another religious philosophy, why do you think he reminds them of the world scope of the gospel's influence? What happens in our day when a church becomes embarrassed or unimpressed with the gospel message? How does this affect the church? Paul uses the words: Gospel -- "good news",, the word of truth, bearing fruit and growing because these describe a vibrant church which is heading in the right direction, established and a religious theology that is being guided by the apostles like Paul. Hence Paul is establishing his credentials and the people will want to belong to such an attractive group. When a church becomes embrassed with the gospel than it has lost its way and will flounder.

Q1. (Colossians 1:5-6) Paul glorifies the gospel, the good news. What words does he use to describe the action of the gospel in verses 5 and 6? Given the temptation the recipients have to adopt another religious philosophy, why do you think he reminds them of the world scope of the gospel's influence? What happens in our day when a church becomes embarrassed or unimpressed with the gospel message? How does this affect the church? Paul uses the words Paul reminds the people that they are part of a worldwide movement so they would both be able to identifywith this group and to eestablish his credentials as an an apostle

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 3:9-16) Why do so many churches avoid exercising any church discipline? What is the result of a thoughtful and appropriate application of church discipline? What is the result of neglect of church discipline? Many churches avoid exercising any church discipline because 1) they are afraid of hurting someone and 2) they feel that hurting someone or refusing someone is against Christian ethics. Here are the guidelines given us in the New Testament: Care for your family members so they don't become dependent upon the church. If you have aged, infirm, or mentally-challenged family members, you take care of them. That's only right. Everybody who can is expected to do their share to make the family work. Each has different jobs and responsibilities, but each is important to the welfare of the whole. If a widow or orphan has no family who can take care of them, the congregation can take on that responsibility, but only for those who clearly are unable to take care of themselves. Otherwise, they're expected to remarry or get some kind of job to earn their keep. If members of the Christian community push these boundaries consistently and become dependent on others, they are to be identified, warned, and kept at a distance until they change their ways The result of using these tactics will result in good discipline and a smooth running church. Hopefully our confrontation with the slackers will not cause abuse and everyone will have their hand on the plow.

Paul isn't talking about those who can't find work, those who are homeless against their will, or who are physically or mentally unable to work, but those who have no intention of working to support themselves. They probably will not starve for their hunger will be a motivation.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? Why didn’t he exercise that right? Paul worked all day while he was with the Thessalonicians . At the end of his working day he would than preach the gospel at night. He worked very hard. He must have been tough but he was working with the spirit full in him. Yes Paul preached and taught that a worker had a right to his wage - that you should not muzzle an ox. Paul did not want to accept support so it could not be said that he was in it for profit. He was in effect giving them a model of hard work.

No, retirement is not mentioned in the Bible but these lived in community. As they got older the families tended to help them as they got older. However with poor medical care as these ancients would gradually weaken and die. It was their culture and way of life.

Well said lion!

Q1. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15) What does the Bible teach about sloth and idleness among those who can work but refuse to? Summarize it briefly. What is our Christian duty? The Bible is all about community all about community and the Bible teaches us that we are to work within that community. In the ages in which the Bible was written people were expected to work and work hard. Those who were outside community had a rough time in surviving, often needing alms to support themselves. The lepers in Jesus time were outcasts and usually begged for a living. Specific Bible verses can be cited: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!" (Proverbs 6:6) "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (4.5) "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.(10.4) "If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks." (Ecclesiastes 10:18) But the Bible is also clear that we should look after those who are unable to look after them selves either because of the system or because of health, birth or circumstance.This is what the Lord teaches in Mathew 25 :31-46 and in Luke 4 !8-20. It is always a balance between need and sloth. However we should err in the side of a loving heart.

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5) Why is perseverance so important as we see wickedness increasing? What happens if we stop believing and being patient? How can we help one another persevere? What part does faith and perseverance have in our salvation? What part does God’s redemption and grace have in our salvation? God is in the long game. He has preserved from the beginning through the sins of we the people- from Adam and eve to Charles and Camilla we have sinned. yet God has persevered, he has always been there for us. He has a plan for eternity and we are part of that plan. we must just wait, be patient, we must persevere and pray ' Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' We must leave it to God for His will be done. To stop believing- it is not an option. Once one experiences the awesome joyfulness of the glory of God -we must believe. If things are not going well we must be patient and pray 'thy will be done. ' For God's will, will be done-with or without us. we can help one another by being joyous in our faith and to spread this joy around the community. Our community is about joy and hope and faith. Joy is infectious and will spread from one to the other. This joy is connected to the great commandment to love your neighbour as yourself. we are to help our neighbour in joy. The good Samaritan seemed joyful as he paid for the keep of his 'neighbour'. We too must be joyful as we help each other. Further we are to pray for each other as we go along our path of faith and love. We are to pray for strenth and perseverance for each other. Ephesians 2:8-9 is quite clear-" For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" . Perseverance is important in that if we do not carry on in our faith than we fall back and are in danger of losing salvation. God’s redemption and grace play the major roll in our salvation. without God's grace then we would never even know God-for even the revelation of God that we receive is a a gift- a grace from God. We would live and die as animals, we would have no rational understanding of God and of His Grace of giving us his son because God so loved the world he gave His Son so we, his children, would have eternal life in Him.

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) What makes people so gullible that they believe the Antichrist’s deceptions? What is the reason that God gives them over to this deception? Why is a fearless seeking of God’s truth so important to us? How can a preaching of the truth set people free? God has a plan! we the people of the earth do not know the plan and we are unable to comprehend the plan and the purpose of the plan. In this plan God is active, not passively sitting on the side lines. He created the universe and set it running in according to his principles. God has blessed the earth. Some people, it seems do not believe in the creative Lord as saviour. Instead they believe the lie that is presented -that the evil of the worldly powers is in fact the truth. The failure of people to see beyond this lie seems, according to scripture, to be destined to the due penalty for their perversion. The just God of Grace will decide their punishment.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-5; Revelation 13:5-8) What are the characteristics of the Antichrist that Paul gives in this passage? What does Revelation 13:5-8 add to our basic understanding? The characteristics given in the notes are: Lawless (2:3). As we saw above, he rebels against God, becoming lawless -- a law to himself. Rebels (2:3b). He rebels against God -- indeed he leads a worldwide rebellion or apostasy. So Christ won't return until after the Antichrist appears, and the "rebellion" (NIV, NRSV) or "falling away" occurs. The Antichrist, the one opposed to God, leads a rebellion against God -- the ultimate lawlessness! Opposes (2:4a). He will oppose any and every deity and religion, whether the true God or false gods. Exalts himself (2:4b). He will be characterized by pride, and will seek to exalt himself above all deities that are worshipped here on earth. He will allow no equals. In Paul's day, Roman emperors had declared themselves as gods, but this is something far greater. Takes his seat in the temple of God (2:4c), that is takes the place of God, whose presence in the temple was once indicated by the ark of the covenant. Proclaims himself to be divine (2:4d). He will not only take God's rightful place in the temple, he will announce to all that he is indeed God himself Many down through the centuries have tried to discover who this man of lawlessness is to be. But there is no way of telling even if the man is actually a man. The turn of phrase may just be a metaphor for some institution. Some have postulated the Roman Catholic church and its organization. This is unlikely. another possibility is the capitalistic economic system which is quite unfair and allows a few rich to control a large amount of the world's wealth. This beast has being given a mouth to " utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority". For the past 500 years this system in conjunction with the scientific community have been blaspheming the church and try to gain authority over the church.

Q1. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3) In what way were the Thessalonians confused? What is the order of Christ’s coming in relation to the revealing of the Antichrist? Thee Thessalonians were confused about the Lord's second coming. Paul had spoke of this to them during his three week stay in Thessalociia (from which he was forced to leave[in a basket] and was not allowed to return). In 1 Thessalonians he addressed this problem but it apparently still was un clear to them. It seems as if some interloper had either written to them or spoken to them with advice that was in conflict with Paul's teaching. So Paul fires of this letter, 2 Thessalonians, to them trying to straighten out the damage done. It is sort of damage control as Paul is unable to return. Paul writes that "the day will not come " until rebellion takes place. A man of lawless most come who will deceive the world for a time and than the Lord will come in His glory. There are many aspects to the day of the Lord and there is a sense here that Christians are even now living in the end times. The decisive victory has been won. Now there is a moping up. We must look to our plowshares and as we sing the glorious hymns of our lord plow the fertile fields that will produce abundantly-a hundred fold.

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) How might you describe Christ’s glory? How will his glory be terrifying to unbelievers? If heaven involves sharing this glory forever, what would it be like to be excluded forever from the glory? In what ways is the phrase “outer darkness” a helpful description of hell? Jesus is described in these verses as coming in a blazing fire and accompanied by a band of angels. These are two ways that the bible writers describe the glory of the Lord. The blazing fire reminds one of the burning bush that burned but was not consumed. Separation from the Lord would bring a terrible loneliness, a feeling of emptiness and of great sadness. But how would a non believer feel??

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) According to verse 9, what kind of punishment will unbelievers experience? One definition of “hell” is “a place of eternal conscious punishment for the wicked.” What parts of this definition are confirmed in verse 9. Which parts of the definition trouble you? Why? "They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power." (1:9) Let us first look at punishment. This word according to Leon Morris in The First and Second Epistle to the Thessalonians is a legal term that has the concept of a just penalty handed out as a result of an assessment of a crime. (204) The crime here is the non-belief in the Lord and our just God will mete out the appropriate punishment that will suit the crime. It is not for us to know- it is not in our frame of reference or in our present existence to know. We are only to believe om the Lord Jesus and be saved. (Acts 16.31) As the notes indicate the term does not give the idea of annihilation but of utter ruin-the loss of everything that is worthwhile. It is a separation from the Lord which is really the final disaster. But we do not know! We must only trust that the Lord Jesus has prepared a place for all. Eternal. Eternal life is the life that is brought on by the Lord in His Day.; It is a time of great joy, a time when the wolf will lie down with the lamb. It is a time brought about by he who poured out his life onto death, who bore the sons of many, who was numbered with the transgressors, he who made intercession with the transgressors (Isaiah 53.12). It is he who decides upon eternity, both the tine and quality of eternity. There is no need to worry for meeting Jesus face to face will be a time of great joy. The fat calves will be prepared and there will be a great feast and celebration when we hear the trumpet call of the Lord.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7) Would God be just if he did not punish sin? What is the difference between rehabilitation and retribution? When does a Christian’s rehabilitation take place? When does a sinner’s retribution take place? How do you balance love and justice? God is a God of justice--He is a just God. Thus we are able to leave justice to God, whether it be justice, vengeance or forgiveness. Punishment is to chastise and hope that their action will improve. Rehabilitation occurs when specific programs are put in place to attempt to ensure that the one being punished does not offend again. Our rehabilitation begins at our justification and continues on into our sanctification and is not complete until we are with Christ. Love and justice are God's. God is able to balance for he is just. a sinners rehabilitation begins at the bequest of God.

Q5. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) If you met a true Christian who had no assurance of salvation, how would you explain to him or her God’s power to protect and present them blameless before Christ at his coming? What is the problem of having no assurance of salvation? What is the problem of having a false assurance of salvation? I would remind her that we are saved by faith, that we are justified by faith and as such we are clothed in righteousness by the grace of God through the power of the grace of God. I would then address the problem of life after we become a Christian who is clothed with righteousness as we come before God. Yet we still continue to sin! when we are justified then begins the process of sanctification. The Holy spirit begins her work! Gradually the spirit works through us=it begins with a small seed but the power of the spirit gradually works through our whole being, making us more conscience of her presence and works on our spirit so that we in a gradually become more joyous in the love and power of our Lord. It is a slow process- it takes a life time but it happens. Glory be to God! If you have no real assurance of the power of salvation in your life then that little doubt, this little bit of unsurety in ones spiritual live acts as a blockage in the process of sanctification. I am not sure of what a a false assurance of salvation might entail. Is it not an oxymoron?

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Corinthians 14) Why do churches sometimes despise or prohibit prophecy? What guidelines does Paul give here and in 1 Corinthians 14 to keep prophecy in a congregation healthy? Churches sometimes despise or prohibit prophecy partly because of the age of reason and the modern age. This age which began by agnostic rational philosophers who were determined to break the spirit of the church. For 400 years the fight has gone on between church and scientific age thinkers. The agnostics have gradually driven the church thinkers away from the churches strong points and they delightedly debated the churches in their turf of rationalism. Prophecy is one of those things which defies logic and rationalism so the church, in order to appear logical and rational has turned away from prophecy and turned more to a rigorous form of formal sermon- which in itself is a form of rationalism. In Corinthians Paul writes:"Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace." (1 Corinthians 14:29-33a) In our notes he writes "21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) It appears that the key to successful prophecy is to test the word by the scriptures. Prophecy does not trump scripture and we must pay close attention to the writings of the early church.