E-Mail Bible Class
The Letters of John
BC Weekly Digest Monday, August 31 1998 In this issue: 1 John 4:1 1 John 4:1 1 John 4:1 1 John 4:9-10 1 John 4:9,10 1 John 4:9 1 John 4:9 1 John 4:6 1 John 4:1 1 John 4:1 I would like to add some comments on whether we will be held accountable for worshipping under false teachers. There are two kinds of false teachers: The deliberate kind, for profit or recognition, as was Simon (Acts 8:18) and the honest, sincere, misled kind, as was Saul in the beginning (Acts 9:1). I have learned that in either case, correction is difficult, if not impossible, since the idea that "I've made up my mind what I want to believe, so don't confuse me with facts" seems to be a built-in response of the human race. So we can admonish, exhort, share, encourage, show, teach, all with love and concern for the souls of our fellow man, and at that point, we have done all we can. The acceptance is the responsibility of others (Mark 16:15,16). Worship does not require an impressive building and hundreds of people. It can be done in a home, under a tree, or anyplace two or three or more can assemble in the name of Christ (Matt. 18:19). Which is better, to worship in error with many, or worship in spirit and in truth with a few (Matt. 7:13)? Does apostasy happen in great obvious leaps, or in small seemingly insignificant steps, which, if we notice, sometimes makes others accuse us of being nit-pickers? Ed Crabtree ------------------------------ 1 John 4:1 Relative to a comment on the situation where one's contribution might be supporting false teaching, the question has been asked: Was not the original 'setting aside' on the first day of the week (mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:1,2) solely for the purpose of relieving the hunger of Christians in a neighboring community? Was not the physical giving into the temple treasury under the Old Covenant replaced by "presenting our bodies a living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1) under the New Covenant? Should not our giving be based on love rather than a commandment (2 Cor. 8:8)? === Because of all the wrong methods apostate churches and false teachers use to get money, this is a very sensitive topic. When the poor widow gave her whole living, two small coins, Jesus commended her generosity and great dedication (Mark 12:43,44). Thus under the Old Covenant as well, it was the heart of the giver that determined the value of the gift in God's sight, not the amount of the gift. Paul told the Corinthians "I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love" (2 Cor 8:8 ASV) because he wanted them to give from the heart and not from a sense of compulsion. In the two preceding verses, however, he says that he had encouraged Titus to complete the grace of giving in the Corinthians! Thus we are not to give just because we are commanded to do so, but: "[Let] each man [do] according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7 ASV). If you read chapters 8 and 9 you will notice the very delicate balance of Paul's statements. He is TELLING them to give, but he wants them to do so from a proper motive. We find similar language to Romans 12:1 (where we are told to present our bodies as living sacrifices) when Paul tells of the generosity of the believers of Macedonia: "Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For according to their power, I bear witness, yea and beyond their power, [they gave] of their own accord, beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints: and [this], not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God" (2 Cor 8:1-5 ASV). Notice that they first gave themselves, but on the basis of that dedication, they also gave of their means, even though they were poor. Thus I would say that giving ourselves as a living sacrifice does not replace the obligation to give of our means, but that it sanctifies the gifts we give. Notice in "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come" (1 Cor 16:1,2 ASV) that although the specific purpose of this collection was to have funds available at the proper time to send to needy saints, that the METHOD of collecting such funds was a command. At Corinth they were to do what he had commanded the churches of Galatia to do. Churches also supported evangelists (Phil. 4:14-19). They supported elders and those who taught in the congregation (1 Tim 5:17,18; Gal 6:6). There are other expenses inherent to various things churches are instructed to do. Although 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 in that particular instance related to forming a treasury from which a certain need could be met, the method used was not optional but was based on a specific command. To say that it is not necessary to obey Paul's command when a church is collecting funds for any other purpose, fails to distinguish between the specific occasion and the basic method being commanded. As we "test the spirits, whether they are of God" one question we can ask is whether methods used to collect funds are authorized by the New Testament. Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 4:1 1 John 4:1 A follow-up question has been asked relative to 1 Corinthians 16:1,2: When it says "as I gave order to the churches of Galatia" is that the same as a command? The translations I have, use instead words like directed, instructed, told, and gave order. === The word here can mean "arrange, prescribe, direct, charge, command, ordain." The same word is used in Acts 18:2, for example, where Claudius commanded that all Jews were to leave Rome. Even in its weakest meaning (arrange) the word refers to an action by someone authorized to determine how something is to be done. The orders or instructions Paul gave were not optional. There is some confusion as to what is and is not a 'command' in the New Testament. Not all commands are in the grammatical form of a direct command. Paul told the Corinthians: "If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord" (1 Cor 14:37). Similarly, when Jesus said "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matt 28:20) this is not limited to direct statements of command, but includes all the doctrine of Christ whether given by direct command, by parable, by example or in some other form. Jesus washed His disciples' feet as an example and then told them to do likewise. The whole idea of an example is that it is to be followed. To clarify the point with regard to the "storing up" on the first day of the week, a specific AMOUNT is not commanded. But both the METHOD (storing up on the first day of the week) and the GIVING itself (from the heart, as one has been prospered) are included in "the commandment of the Lord" (1 Cor 14:37). That being said, it must be emphasized that all commands of God are to be obeyed from the heart. In the Old Testament God's people were commanded to tithe (give one tenth of their income). A specific amount is not commanded in the New Testament "because there are some things that are not achieved through legislation - matters which are matters of the heart and the will, rather than of law" (as was pointed out in one of the responses). Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 4:9-10 1 John 4:9,10 (OPV) 9 By this the love of God has been made known among us, that God has sent His one-and-only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son [to be] the expiation for our sins. == 4:9 "By this the love of God has been made known among us" "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16 ASV). 4:9 "God has sent His one-and-only Son into the world that we might live through Him" Adam is called the son of God (Luke 3:38). The angels are called sons of God (Job 1:6; 38:7). Believers are called sons of God (Rom 8:14; Gal 3:26). Sons of the resurrection are sons of God (Luke 20:36). Yet Jesus Christ is the "only begotten," the "one-and- only" Son of God. Other sons have been created. But the one-and-only Son, has been Son of God from all eternity. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1,2 ASV). "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth" (John 1:14 ASV). "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday and to-day, [yea] and for ever" (Heb 13:8 ASV). "He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18 ASV). We are sons by adoption through the intercession of God's one-and-only Son. "For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom 8:15 ASV). "So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world: but when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God" (Gal 4:3-7 ASV). "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trepasses, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph 1:3-7 ASV). 4:10 "This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us" "We love, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19 OPV). God takes the initiative. "God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them" (Eph 2:4-10 ASV). "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word" (2 Thes 2:16,17 ASV). 4:10 "And sent his Son [to be] the expiation for our sins" "But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God set forth [to be] a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God; for the showing, [I say], of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus" (Rom 3:21-26 ASV). Roy Davison ------------------------------ 1 John 4:9,10 1 John 4:9,10 1 John 4:9 "By this the love of God has been made known among us, that God sent His one-and-only Son into the world that we might live through Him"(OPV). Here it is again. That statement of fact that convicts the unruly by telling him that it was God's love for His creature, man, that caused Him to sacrifice His only Son for the redemption of all mankind. Is is only through Him that we, as Christians, are able to reach Heaven through obedient faith and not be lost through our rejection of Him. It is imperative that every person understand that God has made a way of escape for everyone if only they will follow. In Mark 16:16, Jesus gives us the answer, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned"(KJV). 1 John 4:10 "This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son [to be] the expiation for our sins"(OPV). The real identity of love is not that we have loved God, but that He was willing to send His Son to die on our behalf and in our place. Of course the death that we are to avoid is not the mortal death where our spirits depart from our bodies at the end of mortal life, but it is the "second death" that the unrighteous will die when their souls are sent to an eternal hell (Revelation 21:8). Howard B. Justice ------------------------------ 1 John 4:9 1 John 4:9 The question has been submitted: The Scripture indicates Jesus was the 'only' (emphasis mine) begotten son of God. My understanding of this is that Jesus was unique, one of a kind. Does this just mean that He was born of a virgin? Or does it mean He was specially made? What does specially made, unique, the only begotten really mean? === I suppose the Lord is smiling condescendingly as I try to explain His complex nature. I trust also that those who read this will be as forgiving as He is of my inadequacy. Only begotten (Greek MONOGENEE; the prefix MONO- means only and the suffix from GENOS means offspring). "Only begotten" means unique, one of a kind. It is a term of exceptional endearment and eminence. The same word was the common way to designate an only child. "Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her" (Luke 7:12 ASV). "Only son" here is actually "only-begotten son" in Greek. Of Jairus it is said: "for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying" (Luke 8:42 ASV). Again, it is "only-begotten daughter" in Greek. Not only was this the "only son" of the widow of Nain and the "only daughter" of Jairus, but the use of MONOGENEES indicates that in both cases it was also their only child. As the "one-and-only" of the Father, Jesus certainly was unique in several ways. No one else was born of a virgin. He was God's "Beloved Son" (Matt 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 2 Peter 1:17). He is the Son of God in a special sense that no one else is. Jesus became God's "only begotten" Son on earth the moment He was born in Bethlehem. No other member of the Godhead "became flesh" (John 1:14), not merely disguising Himself as a human being but appropriating humanity completely, body, soul and spirit. Yet, He retained the character and essence of the One who sent Him. When humans become children of God by the new birth, unlike Jesus, they do not possess deity nor do they become objects of worship. Although the death of any child is a devastating blow for a parent, the loss of an only child is even worse. The statement, "By this the love of God has been made known among us, that God has sent His one-and-only Son into the world that we might live through Him.(1 John 4:9 OPV) was intended to show the tremendous love God has for us in that he was willing to allow His one-and-only child to die that we might live. The "one-and-only of the Father" (John 1:14) also became God's "firstborn from the dead" (Col 1:15,18; Rev 1:5), "He raised up Jesus, as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" (Acts 13:33; Psalm 2:7; see also Heb 1:5,6; 5:5; Rom 8:29). Charles Hess ------------------------------ 1 John 4:9 1 John 4:9 The term "only begotten" implies that Jesus was the only Son of God in deity and in power, that He was the only Son of God to come to this earth and dwell among men (John 1:14), that He is the one-and-only Son of God. Jehovah's Witnesses claim, for example, that Jesus was an angel. This claim is false, "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?" (Heb 1:5 ASV). "But of which of the angels hath he said at any time, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet?" (Heb 1:13 ASV). Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Why was He given ALL Power in both Heaven and Earth? The answer is simple: He is God's only begotten Son. Howard Justice ------------------------------ 1 John 4:6 1 John 4:6 In connection with 1 John 4:6 the question has been asked: When it says "whoever knows God listens to us" what does the "listening" encompass? Is it being attuned to spiritual truth or is it a recognizing of prophetic utterance? === What is the difference between listening and not listening? All prophetic utterance (in God's Word) is spiritual truth. As we recognize, listen to and obey God's Word, we obey spiritual truth. "Whoever knows God" is a present active participle ("the one knowing God") which means: keeps on getting acquainted with God. How? Through Bible study. How do we know God and what to listen to? "They said therefore unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye know neither me, nor my Father: if ye knew me, ye would know my Father also" (John 8:19 ASV). "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27 ASV). "If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or [whether] I speak from myself" (John 7:17 ASV). "If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord" (1 Cor 14:37 ASV). "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love, does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:7,8 OPV). Grover W. Hastings