Chapter 10
1. What are the three different ways the early church has responded to the social order in which it lived?
I believe the first thing was, as Jesus said, that we are in the world but no part of it, our citizen is in heaven and obeying to God our priority. Second we should give to society of state what belongs to them and to God what belongs to Him. And third we should denounce and rebel against anyone who what’s to take God’s place in our lives. That’s what the early church did and that is what we should do.
2. St. Paul said that he became “all things to all men” for the purpose of spreading the Gospel. What are the limits to this approach in being a Christian witness?
I believe the limit is to do something sinful that others do to feel accepted by them and supposedly sharing the Gospel. I should add that doing this will be confusing for them but most than anything else denying the Scripture since we ought to be doers of the Word before we become witness of the Word.
3. Regarding the apostles, Scott says “The hostile, negative reaction they experience from society is to be expected.” (P. 267) Question: What kinds of negative reaction do you experience from this current society?
I had experience people at work and even family and friends making fun of me, people walking away when I started to share the gospel, friends getting separated from me or not inviting me to their gatherings, I had lost friends that I have had for years, I had people at work expressively telling me not to talk about religion and I was also defied by someone who assure me he was going to get me out of that absurd religion.
4. Scott states; “The state, on the other hand, does not know of the lordship of Christ but still serves Him unconsciously and against its will.” (P. 287) Question: What action can we take to help change the state for serving Christ and following God‟s Will?
I am not sure I understand this question, but according to the Scott, our responsibility is to respect and obey the state as long as its goal is to create peace and order which is God’s will; but since the state can also be used by the devil, if the state would required from us to do something that “clearly” is against Scripture we should remember our first allegiance is to Christ and the Scripture.
Showing posts with label Ana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ana. Show all posts
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Ch.8 - Ana
Chapter 8
1. Discuss Scott's findings on the "filling" or "baptism" of the Holy Spirit. Did you agree or disagree with his view? How did it fit with your own personal view on this subject?
Scott states the New Testament has several evidences that the baptism and the filling with the Holy Spirit referred to different things. The baptism of the Spirit is related to His presence and activity in the life of the new believer, and the new believer’s identification with the Family of God. The filling of the Spirit has the purpose to meet a special need or provide a special ability for the benefit of the Christian community. Whether is by baptism or by filling, I believe all of those who have place their faith in Christ had been sealed by the Holy Spirit, and He helps the believer in their Spiritual journey by helping them to mature and providing gifts and abilities for this purpose and the edification of the church.
2. Discuss Scott's Presentation of Church governance. What may be the best method?
Congregational church government seems to be the best method, because is democratic and in it each member (who should have made a statement of faith in Jesus) has an equal vote in all church matters. This implies the leadership of a gifted and called servant of God, but a system of accountability as well. It should include a system of “checks and balances”; but the most important thing as the author states is that the congregation recognized Christ as the head, the Spirit as the presence and catalyst of God’s purpose and the authority of the Scriptures.
3. Why is the word ekklesia appropriate to designate this particular group or body? pp. 199
It is appropriate because it designates its function and involves a close communion, service and worship. It refers to a group of believes in Christ who have a relationship with God in Christ. The term carries a concept of individual needs but also one of wholeness and community; it is also free from racial or nationalistic limitations, it conveys novelty and is able to express the deepest expression of a relationship between God and His people.
4. Compare and contrast the role of prophecy in the Old Testament with the New Testament.
The prophets’ task in the OT was:
1. To remind Israel of God’s past revelation (the Covenant, Law and Exodus).
2. To call attention to and condemn sins and to explain how this breaks their relationship with God.
3. Depending on how they respond to the message: to warn of punishment or promise blessings.
4. To promise restoration after times of punishment. (Revelation).
In the NT the apostles were mainly God’ spokespersons; their responsibility was to give revelation, and new information while speaking of the life and ministry of Jesus and interpret those facts; they applied the teachings of the New and Old Testament.
In essence the OT prophets interpreted and applied previously given revelation to God’s people; while according to Scriptures besides the apostolic writes, Agabus, God’s revelation was completed in our Lord Jesus Christ; any new message needs to be tested based on the existent revelation and cannot contradict it since God can not contradict Himself.
1. Discuss Scott's findings on the "filling" or "baptism" of the Holy Spirit. Did you agree or disagree with his view? How did it fit with your own personal view on this subject?
Scott states the New Testament has several evidences that the baptism and the filling with the Holy Spirit referred to different things. The baptism of the Spirit is related to His presence and activity in the life of the new believer, and the new believer’s identification with the Family of God. The filling of the Spirit has the purpose to meet a special need or provide a special ability for the benefit of the Christian community. Whether is by baptism or by filling, I believe all of those who have place their faith in Christ had been sealed by the Holy Spirit, and He helps the believer in their Spiritual journey by helping them to mature and providing gifts and abilities for this purpose and the edification of the church.
2. Discuss Scott's Presentation of Church governance. What may be the best method?
Congregational church government seems to be the best method, because is democratic and in it each member (who should have made a statement of faith in Jesus) has an equal vote in all church matters. This implies the leadership of a gifted and called servant of God, but a system of accountability as well. It should include a system of “checks and balances”; but the most important thing as the author states is that the congregation recognized Christ as the head, the Spirit as the presence and catalyst of God’s purpose and the authority of the Scriptures.
3. Why is the word ekklesia appropriate to designate this particular group or body? pp. 199
It is appropriate because it designates its function and involves a close communion, service and worship. It refers to a group of believes in Christ who have a relationship with God in Christ. The term carries a concept of individual needs but also one of wholeness and community; it is also free from racial or nationalistic limitations, it conveys novelty and is able to express the deepest expression of a relationship between God and His people.
4. Compare and contrast the role of prophecy in the Old Testament with the New Testament.
The prophets’ task in the OT was:
1. To remind Israel of God’s past revelation (the Covenant, Law and Exodus).
2. To call attention to and condemn sins and to explain how this breaks their relationship with God.
3. Depending on how they respond to the message: to warn of punishment or promise blessings.
4. To promise restoration after times of punishment. (Revelation).
In the NT the apostles were mainly God’ spokespersons; their responsibility was to give revelation, and new information while speaking of the life and ministry of Jesus and interpret those facts; they applied the teachings of the New and Old Testament.
In essence the OT prophets interpreted and applied previously given revelation to God’s people; while according to Scriptures besides the apostolic writes, Agabus, God’s revelation was completed in our Lord Jesus Christ; any new message needs to be tested based on the existent revelation and cannot contradict it since God can not contradict Himself.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Ch. 7 - Ana
Chapter 7
1. What does it mean the spiritual life is a “cooperative effort” and what do you believe this implies?
This means the believer must be actively involved in furthering his/her own spiritual growth. The believer does his/her part and thus cooperates with God to reach spiritual maturity. It is a conscientious human effort.
2. Some denominations believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit can be gained and lost. Can humans affect the work of the Holy Spirit to the point where it can be lost and regained in one’s life?
I don’t believe one can lose the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that we are sealed with the Spirit once we believe in Jesus and accept Him in our hearts and that the seal is the testimony of our mutual commitment and belonging to Him. Stating that we lose the Holy Spirit is as much as saying we lose our salvation and the Bible clearly tell us that “nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus” Rom 8:37-39.
3. What is the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount as presented by Scott? How does Scott's understanding contribute to the sanctification process?
The purpose is to help believers on their growth and development. Sanctification is and intellectual commitment which involves faith or in other words trust in the truth. The Sermon on the Mount is where Jesus provides us with some guidelines to help us in the process of sanctification which came with blessings, but those also imply faith; as we trust in God’s sovereignty and allow the Holy Spirit to do His job in us we will be blessed.
1. What does it mean the spiritual life is a “cooperative effort” and what do you believe this implies?
This means the believer must be actively involved in furthering his/her own spiritual growth. The believer does his/her part and thus cooperates with God to reach spiritual maturity. It is a conscientious human effort.
2. Some denominations believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit can be gained and lost. Can humans affect the work of the Holy Spirit to the point where it can be lost and regained in one’s life?
I don’t believe one can lose the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that we are sealed with the Spirit once we believe in Jesus and accept Him in our hearts and that the seal is the testimony of our mutual commitment and belonging to Him. Stating that we lose the Holy Spirit is as much as saying we lose our salvation and the Bible clearly tell us that “nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus” Rom 8:37-39.
3. What is the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount as presented by Scott? How does Scott's understanding contribute to the sanctification process?
The purpose is to help believers on their growth and development. Sanctification is and intellectual commitment which involves faith or in other words trust in the truth. The Sermon on the Mount is where Jesus provides us with some guidelines to help us in the process of sanctification which came with blessings, but those also imply faith; as we trust in God’s sovereignty and allow the Holy Spirit to do His job in us we will be blessed.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Ch. 6 - Ana
Chapter 6
1. How does the author seek to answer the question, "How should believers live?" (p. 132)
According to the author, believers should grow, as Jesus did, in different areas: intellectually, spiritually, socially and physically. Socially one needs to grow in one’s relationship with God, with oneself, with others and with the world. Living in Christ is to have a commitment, purpose and meaning in life; is living under the sovereignty of /god, the Lordship of Christ and under the power of the Spirit. Believers should live a life characterized by the fruit of the Spirit; an observance of the 10 commandments but ultimately a life that pleases God.
2. According to Scott, what does he define as the GOAL of the Christian Life? Do you agree or disagree and why? (p. 133)
The goal of the Christian Life is the restoration of the divine image of God’s purposes and eventually glorification according to the book.
I completely agree because as the Word says we are God’s ambassadors, we represent Him here on earth, we are His hands and feet on His perfect purpose to restored humanity. His goal is to shape us, mold us and fashion us to the image of His perfect and obedient Son who pleases Him. His purpose is to grow us to be more like Him so others can see all His attributes in us and by doing so glorify the Father in heaven as Jesus glorified Him with His life.
3. After all the good things the author lists in regards to what the Christian life is, why does he land on “the Christian life is a life in tension”? (p. 134)
First, the author uses this phrase when referring to New Christians. He compares them with: a child who kept falling down his bed; when his mother had asked him for the reason of this he had responded it could probably be because he sleeps to close to the edge. New believers as well live on the edge between the New Life Christ offers them and their old life; due to this, they face a constant struggle on attempting to left behind that old life and embrace the new life ahead of them. A struggle from living their old ways, habits, sins and relying on the power of God to overcome them and grow more to the likeness of Christ. Therefore the tension is between living their lives under the Lordship of Christ or holding on the control of their lives; as they grow they release the control of their lives more and more into the hands of their Lord, Savior and King.
1. How does the author seek to answer the question, "How should believers live?" (p. 132)
According to the author, believers should grow, as Jesus did, in different areas: intellectually, spiritually, socially and physically. Socially one needs to grow in one’s relationship with God, with oneself, with others and with the world. Living in Christ is to have a commitment, purpose and meaning in life; is living under the sovereignty of /god, the Lordship of Christ and under the power of the Spirit. Believers should live a life characterized by the fruit of the Spirit; an observance of the 10 commandments but ultimately a life that pleases God.
2. According to Scott, what does he define as the GOAL of the Christian Life? Do you agree or disagree and why? (p. 133)
The goal of the Christian Life is the restoration of the divine image of God’s purposes and eventually glorification according to the book.
I completely agree because as the Word says we are God’s ambassadors, we represent Him here on earth, we are His hands and feet on His perfect purpose to restored humanity. His goal is to shape us, mold us and fashion us to the image of His perfect and obedient Son who pleases Him. His purpose is to grow us to be more like Him so others can see all His attributes in us and by doing so glorify the Father in heaven as Jesus glorified Him with His life.
3. After all the good things the author lists in regards to what the Christian life is, why does he land on “the Christian life is a life in tension”? (p. 134)
First, the author uses this phrase when referring to New Christians. He compares them with: a child who kept falling down his bed; when his mother had asked him for the reason of this he had responded it could probably be because he sleeps to close to the edge. New believers as well live on the edge between the New Life Christ offers them and their old life; due to this, they face a constant struggle on attempting to left behind that old life and embrace the new life ahead of them. A struggle from living their old ways, habits, sins and relying on the power of God to overcome them and grow more to the likeness of Christ. Therefore the tension is between living their lives under the Lordship of Christ or holding on the control of their lives; as they grow they release the control of their lives more and more into the hands of their Lord, Savior and King.
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