Tag milk

From Milk to Meat, Heb 5:12-6:2

The Preacher Leave a comment

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Heb 5:12-6:2).

In the book of Hebrews, the writer admonishes believers to progress from the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ towards spiritual maturity, (Heb 5:12-14).

Believers are likened to infants who require milk, unable to digest the deeper truths of the gospel. Instead, they are urged to embrace the “strong meat” of the Word, reserved for those who are mature and spiritually discerning. The writer then lists 6 foundational principles that believers are to be building upon.

The first principle is repentance from dead works. Galatians 5:19-26 underscores the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and fruits worthy of repentance.

The next is faith toward God, which is central to the doctrine of Christ. This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust in the character and promises of God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb 11:6). Believers are commanded to add to their faith (2Peter 1:5-11).

The third is the doctrine of baptisms which encompasses various forms of baptism, including water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 9:10 references the ceremonial washings prescribed in the Old Testament law, while Ephesians 4:4-6 emphasizes the unity of believers through the one baptism in Christ. Believers are called to understand the significance of water baptism as the moment one’s sins are washed away and marks the beginning of a new life in Christ (Acts 2:38; 8:35-39; 22:16; Rom 6:3-4).

Next is the laying on of hands which has 3 forms in the NT Apostolic age of the church; the impartation of spiritual gifts, in healing the sick, and commissioning for ministry. Acts 8:17 shows through the laying on of the Apostles’ that the Holy Spirit was given, while Acts 6:6 and Acts 13:3 shows the ordination of individuals for service in the early church. Believers today are only able to practice the ordination of men to the work of the ministry.

Fifth is the resurrection of the dead which is a foundational truth of the Christian faith, affirming the hope of eternal life. Scriptures such as Matthew 22:23 and 1Corinthians 15:12-19 underscore the reality of resurrection and its implications for believers. Acts 17:32 shows how the resurrection is a stumbling block for unbelievers. As followers of Christ, believers are called to live in light of eternity, knowing that death is not the end but the beginning of a glorious new existence in Christ (1Thess 4:13-18).

Finally, believers are reminded of the reality of eternal judgment, wherein every person will give an account for their actions. Matthew 25:26 and Mark 9:41-50 emphasize the seriousness of sin and its consequences. Believers are called to live in reverence and obedience to God, knowing that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2Cor 5:10-11a).

The doctrine of Christ is not merely a set of beliefs to be acknowledged but is foundational truth from which we are expected to grow & mature, and become effective citizens in the Lord’s Kingdom. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2Pet 3:18).

Agape,

Spencer

This article is part 3 of a series titled, God’s Moral Law. click here for part one.

You are invited to visit one of our services in Borger Texas. Here is a link to information about finding a church, who we are, and why we’re different.

Lessons from 1 Peter

The Preacher Leave a comment

Here are a few lessons from 1Peter. Check back as new lessons are added.

INTRODUCTION OUTLINES:

1Peter Overview Chart.

Who is PETER?

1Peter is a quick start guide for Christians.

The POWER of the suffering Savior.

CHAPTER 1 OUTLINES:

Overview of 1Peter 1.

CHAPTER 2 OUTLINES:

Desiring the Sincere MILK of the word. 1Peter 1:22-2:3

We are LIVING STONES. 1Peter 2:4-8

Offer up SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES to God by Jesus Christ.

We are CALLED out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1Peter 2:9

PILGRIMS and Strangers. 1Peter 2:11

Just a-PASSING through.

by thy GOOD WORKS. 1Peter 2:12 (Scriptures about Good WORKS)

SUBMIT to one another. 1Peter 2:13-25

Follow in His STEPS. 1Peter 2:20-25

CHAPTER 3 OUTLINES:

a Husband DWELLS with his wife. 3:7

How to be READY to give a defense. 3:15

the BAPTISM that saves. 1Pet 3:21

Christ is on His THRONE now. 1Peter 3:22

CHAPTER 4 OUTLINES:

They Think it STRANGE. 1Peter 4:4

Be SOBER and watching. 1Peter 4:7-11

CHAPTER 5 OUTLINES:

the work of ELDERS.

Ye younger SUBMIT.

Ye shall receive a CROWN.

Our adversary the Devil, SATAN.

Who is SILAS?

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger Texas.

Becoming a Butterfly

The Preacher Leave a comment

We may never know what is going on in the mind of a caterpillar. What we do know is that its singular purpose seems to be the devouring of every leaf in its path until such time that it stops eating, hangs himself upside down and spins around itself a silky cocoon. Within about two weeks, the caterpillar breaks out of its self-imposed prison emerging as a beautiful butterfly.

You probably already have an idea of the 2 normal lessons of the caterpillar;

FIRST, it’s about devoting our time to nourishing our minds with the word so that we can go through our own metamorphosis.

Peter said, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” [1Peter 2:2] He uses the metaphor of a newborn babe to express the same idea, that of devouring the word of God to grow and to change.

Jesus also used the idea of eating when He spoke about His word in John 6; “I am that bread of life…I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” [48, 51]

THE SECOND typical lesson is about transformation. Romans 12:2a states; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,” The Greek word ‘transformed’ is ‘METAMORPHOO’ which means to change. Just as the caterpillar goes through a metamorphosis, we also go through a transformation through the ‘renewing’ of our minds. This involves taking what we have devoured of the word and pondering it, thinking on it and learning it so that it causes that renovation of our mind.

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” [2Timothy 3:14]

THERE IS ANOTHER LESSON we can learn from the caterpillar, it is the lesson about sharing. You see, the butterfly acts very much like bees in that they are pollinators for plants. Without the likes of these creatures, there would be no plants, no flowers and no food. In addition to this vital role, they are beautiful and share with us the splendor of God’s handiwork.

The lesson on sharing is, for me, the more fantastic of the lessons. The key to incredible and lasting growth is to share what you learn. Sharing has a certain transformative effect on the one doing the teaching.

As scary as it is, talking to people about God, Jesus & the Word has a powerful effect on your own personal growth. When you teach 10 separate people about the Gospel, they only hear it once, whereas you get to HEAR IT 10 TIMES! Every telling of the Wonderful Story of Love strengthens the next.

Another incredible benefit to you is when they oppose you with their denominational views. In your struggles to learn how to answer each one [Col 4:6] you become even stronger and more knowledgeable. These are the keys to lasting knowledge; teaching it and defending it.

It’s been said that a person who never uses what they learn will lose it. This agrees with the Scriptures. “For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.” [Mark 4:25] In children it has been identified as ‘summer learning loss.’

Each time you share the Good News, not only will you continue to be transformed, but the other person may as well. You may have caught them at the right time or because of your own relationship with them your words penetrated their otherwise closed heart.

Why else should we develop the transformative mindset? In the same principle that tells us to use it or lose it, it also teaches that we shall receive even more than what we already have!

“Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” [Matt 25:28-29]

The amazing thing about teaching is also found in love. It’s said that to receive even more love you must give it. The more you give, the more you get of love AND SHARING.

The bigger & better you get enables you to give even more, and the more you give, the more you will receive.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” [Luke 6:38]