10 Facts about the Bible, and more stuff

Still the world’s bestseller, the bible is both the holy text of Christianity, and it’s most challenging read!  So how should we view its role in our faith and life, and set about understanding it and its message?

1.    If you have a bible in familiar language, it’s one of 470 complete translations out of 6,800 known tongues.  The new testament is available in 1,220 languages, and 1,500 further translation projects are in progress. 
2.    The word bible means “library”. The Protestant canon includes 39 old testament books (originally writ-ten mainly in Hebrew, pre-dating Jesus) and 27 new testament ones (originally written mainly in everyday Koine Greek).  Other church traditions vary the number of Hebrew writings they recognise, what books they include, and how they’re ordered. 
3.    The writing of the bible took place from about 1,450BC to 100AD.  Many human authors took a hand, but they shared the conviction that they did this at God’s impulse.  They reflect many historic, geographic and cultural contexts in the Middle East and Greco/Roman world, but their message is unified. 
4.    Conservative Christians say the autographic/original text was fully inspired and inerrant: (but it’s now lost).
5.    Any library includes several forms of literature.  It’s important to work out if you’re studying historical narrative, religious ordinances, prophecy, poetry or a letter!  The books were divided into chapters by Stephen Langton in the 13th century, and into verses by French printer Robert Estienne in the 16th cen-tury.
6.    Hebrew is a compact and awkward language from which to translate into English: there are problems of equivalences.  It doesn’t have our vowel forms (a, e, i, o, u), S Y HV T WRK T WHT  SNTNC MNS FRM TS CNTXT.  To add to the confusion, many words can take several meanings e.g. yowm = day, has four. 
7.    The bible that Jesus and His contemporaries referred to was the Septuagint (LXX).  It is a translation into Koine Greek done in Alexandria by 70 scholars in the 3rd century BC.  It’s in four sections: the Law, the Prophets (Early and Late), and the Writings.  There are points where it varies from our translations, because today we’d use a different original Hebrew text (and we order- Law, History, Wisdom and Prophets). 
8.    As far as ancient manuscripts go, the bible is remarkable and its preservation is amazing.  We have parts of the new testament, written very close to the events, going back to the first century AD.  However, some older bits are uncertain (e.g. 1 Samuel 13:1).  In societies where oral, not written tradition was important, liberty would be taken with the text.  A scribe would write into the margin corrections or his own notes.  The next scribe along would then need to work out what to do with these (e.g. Matthew 24:15).
9.    The bible’s own witness is to its divine inspiration, consistency, accuracy and vital importance.  The old testament makes numerous references to obeying the Law.  The new testament affirms “the scriptures” about 50 times, and includes many more references and extracts.  It is the bedrock truth of our faith.
10.    Events/characters and dates: BC 1950 Abraham, 1700 Joseph, 1400 Moses, 1300 Conquest of Canaan, 1050 David, 1000 the Temple, 750 Isaiah, 600 Jeremiah, 550 Daniel, 500 Return from Exile, 450 Malachi;  AD 30 Jesus’ Ascension, 40 Paul Converted, 55-70 Gospels, Acts, Letters, 70-80 Letters, 90 Revelation.


The bible holds God’s message of His kingdom, and the faith in Jesus that secures it.

ACTS 28:23  From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.  24 Some were convinced by what he said,  

Enscripturing.  God inspired the authors and instructed recording of His word for the obedience of faith. 
JEREMIAH 30:1  This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.
2 KINGS 11:12  Jehoiada brought out the king's son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king.  [see Deuteronomy 17:18-20]
2 PETER 3:15  just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.  16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 

Inspiration.  God’s breath (Spirit) and word are living and eternal, so their life-giving effect endures.
PSALM 119:130  The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
2 TIMOTHY 3:14  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 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. 

Interpretation.  There’s an internal witness that the Holy Spirit is consistent throughout in His revelation.
LUKE 16:30  " `No, father Abraham,' he said, `but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'  31 "He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
2 PETER 1:19  And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.  21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

Incarnation.  Jesus, the Word, was conscious that His life was set in the framework of earlier prophecy.
MATTHEW 5:17  "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them . 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 
MATTHEW 26:56  But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." 
JOHN 19:28  Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."  

Application.  We may prefer other ways of learning, but the scriptures are indispensible for our faith.
 LUKE 24:25  He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"  27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:3  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins ac-cording to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 

Authentication.  Each of the gospel writers includes his own participation and signature in his writing. 
MATTHEW 9:9  As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth.  "Fol-low me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
MARK 14:51  A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus.  When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
LUKE 1:3  Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 
JOHN 13:23  One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.  24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."  25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 

Conclusion.  The early church was big on using, learning, and building faith and life from the scriptures. 
JOHN 20:30  Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 
ROMANS 16:25  Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, ac-cording to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him-- 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
1 TIMOTHY 4:13  Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

From Jesus Fellowship Statement of Faith and Practice: 22.  We affirm that the bible (the old and new testaments in the Protestant canon) is the fully inspired word of God and accept that these scriptures alone are the warranty and revelation for our faith and practice, believing that the Holy Spirit interprets and applies the scriptural truth to the church in this present age.

•    As well as full English translations, the bible is available in audio, video and cartoon format; which do you use?
•    The Holy Spirit is the key to get the truth out of the book and then into your life.  Do you pray before reading?
•    Jesus came as God’s full, final, incarnate Word; anticipated and explained by the bible: how do the two relate?  (This question was added to also illustrate the fundamental difference between the standing of the bible for Christians, and the koran for Muslims.  We affirm Jesus is God's "last Word". Don't get snagged up in asymmetrical arguments!)

All quotations from the New International Version
You can listen to our Sunday teaching ministry on: http://recordings.crownoflife.org.uk/

More on Mother Zion

We recently discovered (posted under Mother God or Mother Zion) that the church is the feminine-figured counterpart to God’s activity in generation, nurture, comfort, protection and provision, (as in Ephesians 5:32).  The old covenant people of Israel developed a strong identity around the city of Jerusalem, and the citadel at its heart, Zion.  After all, down the street Yahweh lived within His courts and the King in His palace, made secure by strong defences.  There’s more we can learn from this ante-type of Christ’s church.

1.    God’s redemption started with a particular group of people amongst whom He could display His faithful love, mercy and wisdom.  He instituted atonement for their offenses and lifelong covenant commitment.
2.    The beauties of the city of Zion city surpassed the efforts and excellences of the world.  God’s, and His king’s, throne was founded in justice and righteousness.  His sure judgements were a source of glad-ness.
3.    The Lord establishing and restoring the city’s fortunes guaranteed confidence in the face of uncertainty and opposition.  This, in turn, made the city’s destruction and desolation an unthinkable proposition.
4.    Here God’s covenant choice of Israel found special expression as His people prospered and brought Him their due worship.  Nevertheless, the blessing could also overflow to non-Jews who came to fear God.
5.    The world at large convulsed with agricultural/economic, political and military crises.  The city of Zion rested in her sovereign’s peace.  She was a sought-out haven of refuge for the humble and holy.
6.    The nation eventually tired God by their persistent disobedience and unfaithfulness, in adopting the ways of other gods.  He applied the covenant disciplines of reduction, defeat and exile.  Zion fell desolate.
7.    God, through the prophets, declared beyond this set-back a time of glorious restoration.  It was partly accomplished in their return from exile.  We can trace a fuller Messianic fulfilment in Christ and His church.

A city habitation means shared experience, and social rather than individual qualities.  Here's from Jesus Fellowship's Statement of Faith and Practice:  10 We hold that they are to demonstrate the salvation of God corporately, as a visible expression of the Lordship of Christ.  They are thus the city or Zion of God, His temple and dwelling place, displaying in true spiritual worship and in holy society the fruits of righteousness, to the glory of God.  11 We hold that the regenerate should gather together as local church-communities, to be a true brotherhood of holy love and service, functioning as the Body of Christ, the Household of God.

The citizens qualify because of God’s redeeming action; as from Egypt, so for us, from the Adamic world.

PSALM 74:2  Remember the people you purchased of old, the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed -- Mount Zion, where you dwelt.  3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, 
PSALM 103:17  But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children -- 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
The foundations are laid God’s way.  Our job is to ground our lives into His work, word and wisdom.
PSALM 89:13  Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.  14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.  15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.  16 They rejoice in your name all day long; 
PSALM 97:8  Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, O LORD. 

The beauties include fearing and exalting God, generational safeguarding and wise daily application.

DEUTERONOMY 4:5  See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.  6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and under-standing people."  7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?  8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?  9  Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
ISAIAH 33:5  The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.  6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.

All are included as God saves the out-of-luck and provides for the neediest, whatever their predicament.

PSALM 69:33  The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.  34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, 35 for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah.  Then people will settle there and possess it; 36 the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.
PSALM 102:13  You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.  14 For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.  15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.  16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.  17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.  18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:

Peace and preservation are assured as man did not build the city, and has little chance of destroying it.

ISAIAH 33:20  Look upon Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken.  22 For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.
ISAIAH 52:7  How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"  8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy.  When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.  9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.

The covenant’s firmness means discipline will lead to the recovery of a returning remnant, not abandon.

JEREMIAH 50:4  "In those days, at that time," declares the LORD, "the people of Israel and the people of Judah to-gether will go in tears to seek the LORD their God.  5 They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it.  They will come and bind themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.  6 "My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. 
2 KINGS 19:30  Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.  31 For out of Jeru-salem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.  The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

A Messiah is promised, whose might compensates for His peoples’ frailty, and holiness for their failure.

ZEPHANIAH 3:12  But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD.  13 The rem-nant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths.  They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid."  17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
ZECHARIAH 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!  Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!  See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Application  God led us to seek the reality of Zion before individualism and the world undermined Western churches.
•    What have you reacted to as the church has engaged in covenant commitment and life strongly shared together?
•    Some believers feel driven to individual spiritual self-preservation: what may they gain or lose from the insistence?
•    Isn’t settling down in God-town tame and insular? What about the world’s pressing need and its darkness to God?

All quotations from the New International VersionYou can listen to our Sunady teaching on:  http://recordings.crownoflife.org.uk/

1. By the holy hills surrounded,
On her firm base securely founded,
Stands the city of the Lord.
None shall rend her walls asunder,
On her men look with fear and wonder,
And mark who here keeps watch and ward.
He slumbers not, nor sleeps,
Who His loved Israel keeps.
Hallelujah! Happy the race
Who, through God’s grace,
Shall have in her their dwelling place.

2. Zion’s gates Jehovah loveth,
And with especial grace approveth,
He makes so fast her bolts and bars.
Those who dwell in her He blesses,
And comforts them in their distresses
Who cast on Him their griefs and cares.
How wonderful the grace
With which He does embrace
All His people! City of God!
How sweet the abode on which
Such blessings are bestowed.

3. Taught in you is a salvation
Unknown to every other nation;
There great and holy things are heard;
In the midst of you abiding,
Enlightening, comforting and guiding,
You have the Spirit and the Word!
There breathing peace around
Is heard the joyful sound, grace and mercy!
How sweet that is,
Which here speaks peace,
There crowns with everlasting bliss.

4. Dry your tears, your hearts nigh broken,
Of Zion it shall yet be spoken,
“How do her citizens increase!”
Men shall see with fear and wonder
How God builds Zion up, and ponder,
His love and truth who has wrought this,
Lift up your heads; at last
The night of death has passed,
From all the world;
The day does break when many awake,
And now we all their joy partake.

5. Multitudes of every nation,
Now come and seek and find salvation;
This Zion mother church shalt be;
Hark! What shouts the air are rending!
What cries to Heaven’s gates ascending!
All our fresh springs shall be in Thee.
From her the waters burst,
And quench our burning thirst.
Hallelujah! Then let us sing
Our Lord and King,
And drink and drink His Zion’s spring.

(Psalm 87)
Charles Wesley © Public Domain

Our Family Charter

Coming up is our periodic Marrieds' and Parents' Focus evening.  It led to a conversation about our family.  Here's what (when we all lived at home together) we pooled our ideas to produce.  We pinned copies on each bedroom door.

F A M I L Y   C H A R T E R
We will love each member of our family, speak and act kindly to one another, and rejoice in the right not in the wrong.

We will pray for each other every day, thanking God for their lives, and asking His help for their responsibilities, choices and difficulties, and for their protection.

We will grow in heart to upbuild the family of God in which we take our place.  We will learn to respect, serve, forgive and encourage one another.

We are all growing and need direction and correction.
We will be careful to listen to those who are older and wiser, and grow in obedience and respect.  We will obey our parents in the Lord and encourage each other in this.

We are members of a radical Jesus family, different from the world.  We welcome this though sometimes we may be misunderstood and hurt.  We will encourage one another to grow in fearlessness and loyalty for Zion.

Everything created is a gift from God, so we will share our things, time, gifts and energies together, that we may be blessed in giving rather than wanting. We will be thankful for what we have.

We will help trust to grow by openness about our plans, problems and faults, knowing that we will always be loved and honoured and quickly forgiven. 

We will be careful not to repeat confidences.

We will not accuse or pass on blame; we will not act provokingly or spitefully, or in other ways do the devil's work.

The earth is the Lord's; we will seek to live at peace with, and help, all men.  We will care for animals and plants, too.

We want many friends to come to know and love Jesus and will witness to them by our lives and words; this includes our other relatives.

We want to remain true soldiers for Jesus and be trained to live our lives for Him.


And again, since meals together were an important plank in the building work (with each child having his own napkin):

THIS IS A GOOD MANNERS TABLE

1.  Arrive promptly when a meal is called, with hands washed, ready to join in the grace time.

2.  Wait quietly until everyone is served before starting to eat.

3.  No playing with cutlery or dishes; keep hands and feet off the table.

4.  No punching, kicking, scratching, humming, or generally provoking each other.

5.  Eat tidily without playing with your food; finish the whole meal.

6.  Wait until the end of the meal before getting down from the table; help to clear away.

Thirty-Five and Out

I upset Ian.  I told him people don’t change past age 35.  He was scandalised, and promptly put my comment in the heresy category.  He accused me of - at least - denigrating the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification.  Actually, I’d only reflected back to him the perplexity he’d thrown into the conversation.  It was what to do about people struggling on with character weaknesses after years of Christian walk.  I put it, “What do you do when redemption doesn’t bring the things you thought redemption should?” 

So I socked him this warning, that people don’t change past age 35.  Well, of course, it needs a bit of unpacking, so here goes. 

You're young; you're impressionable.  You learn fast.  You prove this by repeating every smart thing you've heard, as if it's your own. 

You spend your twenties with boundless energy, unconcerned for the future, because for all practical purposes it’s limitless (- there's time enough, and you've got lots of ideas). 

In your thirties, you solidify.  Here's your approach to life: you've walked a mile or two; proved your point; got somewhere; got values; you know what works, and that's why you're here, where you are.  So, you want to tell me something?  Try.  I've proved my point; boy, you'll have to work hard to convince me.  There's things at stake now; I've got a track record; stuff I've invested in (and seen a return on).  I won't be easily moved.  You've got to be impressively ahead of me for me to change track, change tack.  But go on: by all means let's hear what you've got to say.  I'm not unreasonable; it's just that - by and large - I've arrived.  You've got your work cut out to get me listening now.  I make my own way - have made my own way - and it works.

By forty, you're cooked.

I remember Joe well.  He was the programming manager at the Group data-centre that I was working for.  He’d worked his way up over twenty years from a junior coder to his present role, pretty much at the peak of his career.  Then he was dispatched to attend the company’s “Specialist to General Manager” professional training course.  It wasn't really in his game plan to pitch for more senior jobs, but our employer was good at talent harvesting.  He was corralled into a posh hotel conference room with a couple of dozen contemporaries.  The facilitator began; "You've got to the top of the ladder.  But every now and again you wonder if it's leaning against the right wall."  Joe was uncomfortable.  He was used to keeping his head down, looking over his team's work with an experienced eye, paying the mortgage, planning a worthwhile but affordable holiday for the family.   This guy spooked him.  Joe shut down. 

I don't quite know why Joe chose to confide in me.  But I've met many Joe replicas.  They sit in front of me on Sundays and at other events. "Go on, try to convince me." 

Don't get me wrong - it all has a good aspect, too.  Ellen's got four children well in hand and doing great at school.  She's stood by her hubby as their income's roller-coastered with the pretty difficult economic turns in his trade.  She's not omnipotent, but she's got assurance.  Now in her late thirties, she's got a faithful model of family life, and relating to neighbours.  Now, what will she listen to?

And when I say all this to others (mostly over 35) who initially react, they mostly nod and demur.  Is that an answer, Ian?

The significance of a prefix (2)

Our salvation begins and ends with the work of Christ, made real to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The New Testament calls this being in Christ.  It’s both a personal and church experience.
PHILIPPIANS 3:10  I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

The important little word.  The prefix co- tells us a lot.  It’s definite and active.  In Greek it’s sym.  We’re introduced to its meaning in our baptism (see Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 2:11-13).  But there’s lots more beyond.

1. Crucified with Him: Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20.
2. Died with Christ:  Romans 6:8, 2 Timothy 2:11.
3. Buried with Him:  Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12.
4. Made Alive with Him:  Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 2:13.
5. Raised with Him:  Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 2:12, 3:1.
6. Living with Him:  Romans 6:8; 2 Timothy 2:11.
7. Seated with Him:  Ephesians 2:6.
8. (Enduring and) Reigning with Him:  2 Timothy 2:12.

GALATIANS 3:26  You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female,

In a fix.  Paul explains how the Jewish law relates to the gospel of Christ.  He majors on a co- word (in fact, repeated): declares…a prisoner, and locked up.  It means all mankind from every religion, culture and ethnic mix is in the same fix.  We feel increasing failure as we aim for goodness.  Every well-intentioned motive and action just leaves us more messed up.  We can’t reach salvation until faith in Christ breaks through. 
GALATIANS 3:21  Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God?  Absolutely not!  For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.  22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.  23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.  24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

In labour.  In the middle of the Romans “crucified… dead… living… with Christ” text is the important clue how it all works.  We share birth or generation with Christ (6:5) that takes us from death to resurrection.
ROMANS 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him

Growth.  Having got across the point that this is a new life, Paul unpacks the results (8:16,17).  The Spirit co-testifies with us, we are co-heirs, we suffer together, and will share His glory.  Christ has pioneered it all.
ROMANS 8:15  you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."  16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Body growth.  Union with Christ by the Spirit leads us to the body of which He is head.  Absolutely.
EPHESIANS 4:15  speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.COLOSSIANS 2:17  the reality, however, is found in Christ.    19 from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Summary.  As well as becoming like Christ (Philippians 3:10) we now have more co- words to focus on.
9. Locked up as prisoners: Galatians 2:22, 23.
10. Generated with Him:  Romans 6:5.
11. The Spirit’s witness:  Romans 8:16.
12. Co-Heirs with Christ:  Romans 8:17, Ephesians 3:6.
13. Sharing His suffering: Romans 8:17.
14. Sharing His glory:  Romans 8:17.
15. Joined/fitted into the body whose Head is Christ:  Ephesians 2:21, 4:16.
16. Held together:  Ephesians 4:16, Colossians 2:2, 19.
17. Bound in (for growth):  Colossians 2:19.

Application.  The dynasty and destiny of Adam is ended, and humanity’s life-spring must become Christ.
* Describe your experience of being locked-up in the frustration of trying to live a good life outside of Christ.
* Have you fully discarded all the marks and influence of your first birth to start again and rise with Christ?
* Is some notional “relationship with Christ” salvation?  Or the gritty working out of loyalty in the Body’s life?

All quotations are from the New International Version

The significance of a prefix (1)

Things go amiss in the church because we send the wrong man to do the job.  Whether it’s raising money for a Jesus Centre, bringing up children, counselling relating couples, leading people to faith, maintaining our gardens and property, stamping on Mammon in common purse community, standing up to mockery or pressure from friends, shepherding and training the saints entrusted to leaders, loving the fellow-workers in the kitchen or office – we must send Christ, not Adam.  Often we don’t; result – a mess!

GALATIANS 2:20  but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
 
An important little word.  “I’m Peter Graham, your captain on this flight, and our co-pilot assisting me is Andreas Von Graff…”  The prefix co- tells us a lot.  It’s definite and active.  In Greek it’s sym.  We use it directly in symmetry, symphony and sympathy – measuring the same, and making music together and feeling together.  Here’s what the bible tells us we have co-accomplished with Jesus Christ – all in our baptism:

1. Crucified with Him: Romans 6:6 (and Galatians 2:20).
2. Died with Him:  1 Timothy 2:11.
3. Buried with Him:  Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12.
4. Made Alive with Him:  Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 2:13.
5. Been Raised with Him:  Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 2:12, 3:1.
6. Living with Him:  Romans 6:8; 1 Timothy 2:11.
7. Seated with Him:  Ephesians 2:6.
8. (Enduring and) Reigning with Him:  1 Timothy 2:12.

Here are some of the texts, to run your eye down.
ROMANS 6:3  Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.  5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.  6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.  8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.  
EPHESIANS 2:4  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.  6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  8 For it is by grace you have been saved,
COLOSSIANS 2:11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.  13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,  God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins, 
2 TIMOTHY 2:8  Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.  This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.  But God's word is not chained.  10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.  11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. 

Hidden, Guarded and Defended.  Our self-life is the most protected place on the planet.  We substitute and sacrifice anything else as long as it may live.  This is the complete opposite of God’s intention; God Who takes the greatest pleasure in disclosing Himself, sharing Himself and expending Himself freely.  We were created with an amazing self-conscious capacity, like God.  We were made to reflect on our being, intending, and doing, and live to together in mutual support.  The fall made it all go wrong.  Our self-life is a traitor and tyrant in our centre.  We need a stronger Self to overcome and evict this self, and to rehabilitate us.  This is exactly what God did through Jesus Christ’s cross and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit through our baptism. 

Meet the family.  Watchman Nee says, “Self in the church builds five feet of wall, then knocks it down.”  A brother said, “We manoeuvre to a place where we avoid accountability, then complain that we’re unfulfilled.”  We promote self-esteem that isn’t based on any virtue that connects with God’s goodness, then find people can’t cope.  Selfishness has distorted some good self definitions and introduced many fallen ones; here’s some:
Self -absorbed, -abuse, -accusing, -accusing, -actualisation, -admiration, -affirmation, -awareness, -centred, -conceit, -concern, -condemnation, -confidence, -control, -deception, -defence, -delusion, -destructive, -determination, -development, -discipline, -effort, -enlightenment, -esteem, -evaluation, -exalting, -examination, -expression, -forgiving, -fulfillment, -gratification, -harm, -hatred, -help, -improvement, -indulgence, -injury, -interest, -justification, -love, -made, -management, -motivated, -opinion, -pity, -preoccupied, -preservation, -promotion, -protective, -realisation, -recommending, -regard, -rejection, -reliance, -righteousness, -sacrifice, -serving, -sufficiency, -worth…

Application.  People look at their background to explain behaviour: baptism requires that we look forward.
* Have you or others been disappointed with the results of your baptism/initiation?  Why may this be so?
* How have people challenged you lately?  Did you respond with deceit, defense, depression, or change?
* Corinth’s church was full of self-living saints, despite many gifts of the Holy Spirit.  How’s your scene?

All quotations from the New International Version

18 Gospel Truths

I have to say this started with discontent.  I found our Sunday night gospel presentations trite and unimaginative.  You know, a gyration around the predictable, "You’re guilty and Jesus paid the penalty”, having had a bash at some obvious sin.  Come on, it's far bigger than that.  Now I find that there's even a recent Evangelical Alliance magazine article suggesting the church takes up the challenge of this deficit.

So I offer this list to stimulate some more creative preparation for "gospel messages".

1 Death to life.  There's death in our relationships too.
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13)

2 Darkness to light.  Jesus was big on darkness: like blindness, it was a symptom of a hard, corrupt and unbelieving heart.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light  (Ephesians 5:8)

3 Bondage/captivity to deliverance.  Freedom is as full product of salvation as forgiveness is. 
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (Romans 7:6)

4 Foreigners to citizens.  I particularly like to expand this where you've got asylum seekers in the audience.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,  (Ephesians 2:19)

5 Despair to hope.  Hope is the Cinderella affect, whether earthly or transcendent/heavenly.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)

6 Curse to blessing.  Can take in self-curse or inner vows.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." (Galatians 3:13)

7 Disobedience to righteousness.  Don't get snagged up in the OT Law: in the NT righteousness is living just like Jesus, "acting right with every person with whom you come into dealings".
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.  (Romans 5:19)

8 Independence to dependence. O this is so basic, from the definition of Adam's (therefore humans') life as "contingent", to the fall of Satan, and the spirit of our age.
It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.  (Romans 9:16)

9 Alienation to friendship.  Alienation, constitutional disfranchising, rejection, marginalisation - all in here.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. (Colossians 1:21)

10 Orphans now adopted.  Jim Packer says adoption is the summit of God's redemptive purpose.   
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15)

11 Scattered now gathered people.  Ah, but your group/church/fellowship has to be a gathered people - there can be no fudging this one.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:10)

12 Defiled now clean.  Andrew Murray writes of this - think of shame, too.
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)

13 Enemies now surrendered.  Not passivity - you bring your weapons and prowess into the service of a new lord. 
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1)

14 In debt now remitted.  I like this: I have a lot number sticker from Banbury Cattle Market and dramatise an auction. 
having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:14)

15 Condemned now acquitted.  Think of taken-into-accounts as you confess the fullness of your offence.  Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. (Romans 5:18)

16 Captivity to freedom.  God wants us to be creative grown-up sons, not cramped by self-limitations.
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)

17 Offending to reconciled.  I like offence - even scandal - it overturns today's insipid tolerance.
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

18 Weak now ruling.  This is in Romans 5:17, too. We're preparing for an amazing new earth ministry.
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Scripture quotes from the New International Version.
You can replay or download our Sunday meetings on http://recordings.crownoflife.org.uk/

The Battle of Wills

I bumped into my friend Howard in the tearoom.  He’s a 110% enthusiastic evangelist - likely to press the gospel on all he meets (including unsuspecting customers, I believe).  A lovely brother.  I forget exactly how our brief work break conversation went, but his final comment was, “Ah well, the Lord’s in control”.  I couldn’t contain my surprise.  “So, you’re a Calvinist?”  Wrong thing to ask.  He had no notion what I meant.  Not knowing if he’d been insulted, but suspecting, he visibly deflated.  “What’s a Calvinist”?” he shot across at Dave, who was leaning on a cleaning mop in the doorway.  I made my escape.  If a man can be so fired up for souls as Howard, and have sidestepped this theological divide for so long, he deserves to remain in innocence.  However, some of us have lost that virtue.

I remember the moment my good friend Stan whispered furtively to me after our Methodist Young Peoples’ Class, “Stevie believes in predestination”.  A conspiracy was brewing in the Arminian stronghold.  Stevie was our Class co-leader.  Like some dirty postcard seller, he’d even shown Stan a selection of New Testament texts.  “It’s in the bible”, Stan gravely confessed.  

Our Church letterhead boasts “Reformed”; it’s a nod in the direction of our Baptist Trust Deed.  Mainly, our fragrance of Christ is, like Paul’s, for all.  You’ll find few tulips in the garden.  Here’s a thought-provoking assessment from Beyond the Cosmos by Hugh Ross.

‘Individuals and churches highlighting the free-will side of the issue tend to emphasise what they may refer to “holy living” or “separation from evil”.  Those on the other side of the issue may term such a perspective “legalism” or “living by rules”.  Individuals and churches highlighting God’s sovereign choice tend to emphasise what they might call “freedom in Christ” or “grace living”.  Those on the other side of the issue may term this approach “licence” or “loose living”.  Sadly, we tend to divide ourselves among congregations, rarely willing to meet for dialogue.’

Hugh then lists some attitudes and perspectives that he, assisted by friends – believers from different backgrounds - has compiled, which reflect overemphasis to one side or the other.  

Symptoms of Over-emphasis on Free Will

Typically, when a person or fellowship emphasises the role of human will more than God’s will in the spiritual birth and growth process, the results include:

(a) working to please God or justify ourselves before Him by being good and doing good;

(b) viewing sin as so dangerously and powerfully enticing as to need policing by rigid, external, man-made restraints.

Specific ways these distortions manifest themselves include the follow, among others:

1. Life seems increasingly exhausting and draining rather than joyous and fulfilling.

3. Fear nags – fear that one has not done enough good things, or fear that one has done too many bad things, or both.

4. Doubt nags – especially doubt whether one is really saved, or will stayed saved.

5. Supernatural gifts of the Spirit seem more important than the fruit of the Spirit because they appear to attest more dramatically to the Spirit’s indwelling presence and to God’s approval.

6. Conformity to certain behaviour patterns, non-essential scriptural interpretations, or rules of conduct and spiritual expression become important validations of salvation.

7. Teaching focuses more on God’s standards and justice than His mercy.  Assurance of salvation seems a dangerous door to temptation.

8. The distinction between justification and sanctification appears blurred.

9. Emotional expression, whether the glum extreme or the happy extreme, is taken as a sign of spirituality.

10. Prayers implore instant deliverance from immorality, addictions, and other long-term problems and ailments.

11. Shame lingers and seeks some form of anaesthetic.

12. Weaknesses and struggles must be hidden from self and others, or attributed to Satan’s attacks.

13. The letter of the law receives more attention than the spirit of the law.  ”Perfect” obedience rather than daily spiritual growth becomes life’s goal.

14. Parents, teachers and church leaders often seek control, and justify it.

15. Fear of wrong choices leads to a preference for “signs”, strongly enforced prohibitions, and relinquishing choice to others, especially to authority figures.

Symptoms of Over-emphasis on Predestination

Typically, when a person or fellowship emphasises God’s will and underemphasises humans’ will in the spiritual birth and growth process, the results include:

(a) mistaking God’s “grace” for freedom to do as one pleases;

(b) minimising temptation’s power and sin’s consequences.

Specific ways these distortions manifest themselves include the follow, among others:

1. Life in Christ seems much the same as any “good” person’s life, but with the benefit on an eternal insurance policy.

2. The initial step or indication of salvation, such as water baptism, confirmation, or applying for church membership, receives more attention than the ongoing process of growth.

3. Teaching emphasises the mercy and forgiveness of God over the justice of God and the losses resulting from sin.

4. Sermons focus more on comfort and assurance than on conviction, confession and change.  Hell, or God’s justice, is rarely, if ever, mentioned.

5. The role of the Holy Spirit in empowering and discipling believers for godly living receives little attention.

6. Distinctions between sanctification and glorification seem blurred.

7. God’s plan becomes more His than ours to fulfill.  The need for evangelists, missionaries and counsellors, and for good teaching in apologetics and theology is downplayed.

8. Parents and leaders take a somewhat fatalistic approach towards the spiritual life of family and church members and outsiders.

9. Immorality, addictions and long-term sin problems are treated as reminders that we are “just human”.

10. Remorse seems a sufficient step of repentance.

11. God’s promises and reassurances are applied unconditionally.

12. The fight against evil becomes more a societal than personal battle, especially in view of God’s ultimate victory.

13. Self-examination seems a needless flirtation with guilt.

14. The “judgemental” label thwarts attempts to reprove and correct flagrant sin.

15. The Christian label may be broadly applied to those who serve the community or the church, or who express kindness, generosity and pleasantness.

Hugh Ross also comments that these are personal views.  However, behind them lies one shared opinion: believers know they have been hampered in their spiritual growth by these subtle imbalances.  It would be admirable if, like Howard, we could all just to get on with living from our convictions.  But when even a quick read through the lists exposes some uncomfortably familiar tendencies, we can afford to pause for readjustment before a God Who is beyond our comprehension.