* Proving doctrine through Bible.
* Jesus gives ministries to the NT church after HE arose: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers ... Ephesians 4:8;11-12
* What does an apostle do in the NT church today?
* What do prophets do in the church today?
* Prophets in the NT church cited in the NT Bible: (Agabus & Silas: Acts 11 & 15)
* Ministries given to the NT church by Jesus:
Ephesians 4:8;11-14 Wherefore HE (Jesus) saith, When HE ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men ... And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
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*The work of apostles in the New Testament church:
A question arose in the church:
Acts 15:1-2 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. (Do the Gentiles have to be circumcised?)
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them (the Gentiles) , and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. (Do we have to circumcise the Gentiles who believe?)
In Acts 15: Peter spoke, Paul and Barnabas spoke, then James rendered the decision which would rule in this matter.
Acts 15:13-15 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon (Peter) hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for HIS name.
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16-18 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all HIS works from the beginning of the world.
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
22-29 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas (prophets: see Acts 15:32), chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Today, we have the New Testament Bible. The apostles today are ordained by God to deal with questions of doctrine in the church, comparing scripture with scripture and leading the church through various questions of doctrine: such as divorce and remarriage in the church.
II Corinthians 5:9-11 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of HIM (the Word).
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
22-29 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas (prophets: see Acts 15:32), chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Today, we have the New Testament Bible. The apostles today are ordained by God to deal with questions of doctrine in the church, comparing scripture with scripture and leading the church through various questions of doctrine: such as divorce and remarriage in the church.
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Example of work of apostle:
Question: Can divorced woman remarry?
Matthew 5:32 Jesus says to the men: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
I Corinthians 7:10-11 Paul says: And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
Mark 10:11-12 And He (Jesus) saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
Romans 7:1-3 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
(Focus on the scriptures concerning divorce and remarriage)
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2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
(Focus on the scriptures concerning divorce and remarriage)
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Antichrist in the church today:
Example:
Jesus says: Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Catholic church calls their priests "Father" ... antichirst: opposite from that which Jesus said.
Even the word "priest" is antichrist ... opposite from Christ, for the Bible calls NT ministers, apostle, prophet, evangelists, pastors, teachers ... not "priests".
(There are "many" antichrist doctrines in both the Catholic and in the Protestant churches today.)
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Judgment seat of Christ: We will be judged by that which the Bible says.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;
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II Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Acts 9:1- (After Jesus was crucified, Jesus appears to Paul to appoint him as an apostle/teacher)
And Saul (Paul), yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he (Paul) came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord?
And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
And he (Paul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God?
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
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The last apostle was not Paul, but the last apostle was Matthias of the original 12, replacing Judas.
Acts 1:23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24-25 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two Thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Matthias became the 12th apostle, replacing Judas.
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Where does Paul fit? Paul was not called as an apostle or ordained by Jesus for the work of apostle until after Jesus arose. Paul was one of the first of the NT apostles in the church.
Ephesians 4:8;11 When HE ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men...And HE gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
And Saul (Paul), yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he (Paul) came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord?
And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
And he (Paul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias.
And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on THY name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto ME, to bear MY name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great (many) things he must suffer for MY name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his (Paul's) eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
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* Examples of NT prophets in the Bible given to the NT church:
Ephesians 4:11 And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(some: more than one; multiple)
Acts 11:27-30 The New Testament prophet Agabus comes to town:
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul (Paul).
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Work of prophets in both the old and new Testaments: To help you get out of traps and to help you to stay out of traps.
Hosea 12:13 And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
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Acts 21:10-11 Agabus prophesies to the apostle Paul.
And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12-13 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
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* Silas a NT prophet was chosen by Paul to travel with the apostle Paul.
Acts 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
We see Silas as a prophet. This "Judas" was not the Judas who caused Jesus to be taken captive but was another Judas who was a NT prophet.
These prophets were some of the prophets named in the New Testament as working in the NT church which is no different than the NT church of today, so far as Bible.
We see Silas as a prophet. This "Judas" was not the Judas who caused Jesus to be taken captive but was another Judas who was a NT prophet.
These prophets were some of the prophets named in the New Testament as working in the NT church which is no different than the NT church of today, so far as Bible.
Spiritual gift: Word of knowledge
I Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts ...
4-11 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as HE (God) will.
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Hosea 12:13 And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
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What the Holy Spirit does for the believer:
Ephesian 1:11-13 Sealed by the Holy Spirit In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of HIM who worketh all things after the counsel of HIS own will: That we should be to the praise of HIS glory, who first trusted in Christ. In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
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Recording time: 42 minutes
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