Timothy ministered in at least 5 churches as Paul's representative:
1) Thessalonica ( I Thessalonians 3:2, 6)
2) Corinth ( I Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; II Corinthians 1:19)
3) Philippi ( Philippians 2:19-23)
4) Berea ( Acts 17:14)
5) Ephesus ( I Timothy 1:3)
So, here's somebody who spent 15-20 years with Paul all the time. He knew his teaching. He was able to live with him and watch his walk with the Lord, and he was sent out as Paul's representative to these different churches.
Timothy was with Paul during Paul's first imprisonment ( Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1) and went to Philippi after Paul's release ( Philippians 2:19-23). After Paul's release from his first imprisonment ( Acts 28:30), he revisited several cities leaving Timothy at Ephesus.
Paul went to Macedonia where he wrote Timothy this letter ( I Timothy 3:14-15). Timothy was around 35-years old when Paul wrote I Timothy. Timothy also suffered imprisonment ( Hebrews 13:23).
IV. DATE OF THE LETTER:
Written around 62 - 63 A.D. between Paul's first and second imprisonment. Paul wrote both 1 Timothy and Titus during this time. Paul was arrested again sometime after 64 A.D. and condemned to death. July, 64 A.D was when Rome was burned by Nero and blamed on the Christians. So, from 64 A.D. onward, Christianity was an illegal religion.
That's why there was persecution all the way from 64 A.D. to 313 A.D. Christians were persecuted and put to death because Christianity was an illegal religion until Constantine decided to bring Christianity from the underground and make it a legal religion.
Christianity joined Constantine's sun worship religion, which is why we have a lot of the traditions we have in the church today. It hasn't come from the bible. It hasn't come from the Christian church in the first 300 years. It came from Constantine's false religious system.
Paul wrote this letter during his second imprisonment; he also wrote II Timothy.
1 Timothy and Titus were written between Paul's first and second imprisonment. And 2 Timothy was Paul's last letter that he wrote, some believe hours before he was executed outside of Rome. Tradition says that he was beheaded.
But then you have Philemon which goes with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. The reason why Philemon is there on the end is because the final four letters are the only four letters written to individuals. And that's how they canonized scripture. They put the individual letters at the end and put the church letters at the front.
So that's why Philemon is on the end, but it really was part of the prison epistles, or prison letters.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Written by Paul. Paul's Inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
To Timothy who was pastoring in Ephesus
III. THE HISTORY OF TIMOTHY:
His name is mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. Timothy was from Lystra and saved during Paul's first missionary journey ( Acts 14:19-20; 16:1-2). His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were godly Jewish women. In fact, Timothy was taught the Old Testament scriptures since he was a little boy. So, he has a scriptural background.
Timothy was about 15 years old when he first met Paul. And when Paul writes his letter to Timothy, he's approximately 35. So, he has spent approximately 20 years with Paul in ministry learning.
Even though Timothy's mother and grandmother were godly Jewish women, his father was a pagan Greek ( Acts 16:1; II Timothy 1:5).
God has laid it out very simply, and we can see that as we go through. The problem is not what God's word says verses what people believe it says. The problem is that we believe by doctrine, but not by function, that Jesus Christ is the head of His church. He's in charge. And if He says this is the way I want my church to be, then that's the way it is. It has nothing to do with what I believe or don't believe, or what I care for.
It's really responding to Christ as head of the church and knowing that this is His letter saying here's how I want the church to be when it officially gathers together for an assembly, to represent Christ, to worship Christ, and to learn of Him. So, it is very important to understand that perspective. You will probably find at least one thing in 1 Timothy that's going to offend you, maybe even make you angry.
Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16, that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for:
DOCTRINE: The book of Romans is the doctrine of the Christian faith.
FOR REPROOF: That is conviction, and that's 1st and 2nd Corinthians.
FOR CORRECTION: That's the book of Galatians.
FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: That's Ephesians through Philemon. Of course, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and those are called prison epistles, or prison letters because they were written by Paul in his first imprisonment in Rome, along with Philemon.
If Philemon is part of this group, what's it doing on the end? 1st and 2nd Thessalonians were written to the Christians in Thessalonica. 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, these are called pastoral epistles, or pastoral letters.
Thank you, brother, I know I differ in this fervently held belief from most, and not believing it is offensive to many. I just would like to share just a little of my understanding of where I am on this, I know many will disagree.
We cannot deny the divinity of Christ, He came forth from the Father. Do I believe Jesus was created? NO. Do I believe the Son of God began at Bethlehem, at His birth? NO. If we look at Micah 5:2 at the prophecy of His birth Micah says He will come forth, the Hebrew word yatsa means to go or come out.
"Whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting." The Hebrew word for everlasting is olam means long duration, antiquity, futurity, and days of eternity.
Jesus came forth and was the Son of God before creation as we see He is the beginning of creation all came through Him and for Him, Rev. 3:14Colossians 1:16. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who came forth from the Father, (came out of) not created. Does Jesus confirm this, John, 7:29 John 8:42John 16:27John 17:8?
My understanding is Jesus is the literal Son of God, truly begotten of the Father. Jesus came out from God, His true Son, of the same matter, and divinity as the Father with divine inheritance, John 5:26John 6:57Heb. 1:4, not a title as a part of God. God truly gave His true only begotten Son John 3:16.
As the Gospel of Jesus tells us, all who believeth that Jesus is truly the only begotten Son of God. My understanding is if I do not believe Jesus is truly the Son of God I deny Him. That brings in 1 John 2:22 if I say Jesus is God, I deny that there is a Father and a Son.
Just a little and thank you again for your caring reply, you do not have to reply I just wanted to tell just a little.
Colossians 2:4 "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words."
1 John 2:1 "My little children these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sins we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"
Ephesians 2:3 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Exodus 25:13
Hebrews 9:5 "And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly."
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
1 Peter 2:25 "For ye were as sheep gone astray; but now are returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
Isaiah 42:1 "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring judgement to the Gentiles."
John 8:28- 29 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak those things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always these things that please him."
1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Romans 9:5 "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
Psalms 45:7 "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
John 17:1 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are."
P2 Continuation on verses thinking of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 23:7- 8 "And greeting in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."
Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken."
Colossians 1:22 "In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
P1: Re-read some scriptures last evening and would like to write them here.
All of John Chapter 13 ; Chapter 14
John 1:4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
Colossians 1:15 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature."
Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
Hebrews 1:8 "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom."
John 1:3 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of his glory and express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"
Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknowledge, he did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren."
1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh glory in his presence"
John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Luke 1:31 "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
Matthew 1:19 "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privileges."
Isaiah 53:1 "Who hat believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"
Philippians 2:5 - 6 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God."
Hebrews 6:20 "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."
Paul and Timothy. Paul's inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
It was written to the Colossians. Colossians was written for the Christians in the city of Colossae. Colossians was also supposed to be read in the church of Laodicea ( Colossians 4:16). Colossians was written at the same time as Philemon. Both were written while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. ( Colossians 4:3, 10, 18 and Philemon 9, 10, 13, 23)
Timothy, Aristarchus, Archippus, Mark, Ephaphras, Luke, Onesimus, and Demas all appear in both letters demonstrating Colossians and Philemon were written by the same author at the same time.
III. THE HISTORY OF COLOSSAE:
Colossae was a city of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia About 90 miles east of Ephesus. Colossae was in the Lycus Valley along with Laodicea and Hierapolis. The population of Colossae was mostly Gentile but had a large number of Jewish population.
The church at Colossae began during Paul's three-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts Chapter 19). During this three-year period, Epaphras was saved while visiting Ephesus. The Church at Colossae was established by Epaphras, not Paul ( Colossians 1:5-7).
Several years after the Colossians church was founded, dangerous heresies began to circulate in it. Epaphras was so concerned about these heresies that he made the long journey from Colossae to Rome were Paul was a prisoner ( Colossians 4:12-13).
It was written around 63 A.D. while Paul was under house arrest in Rome for two years, as recorded in Acts 28:16-31. This is his first imprisonment. His second imprisonment was of course in the dungeon, and he was killed right after that time.
Philippians is one of four prison epistles or letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon were written by Paul during this time that he was under house arrest in Rome.
We went over Ephesians and now we are in Philippians. All of the books have the same outline. Paul always presented doctrine first, and what we would call application. But I don't like to use the word application because people say that you need to apply the scriptures to your life.
In other words, do them. That's not what the bible means. By application, it is God's Spirit, in light of what Christ has done. It's what God's Spirit wants to do in us. So, I would call them the doctrine and the details because it's the doctrine being presented in the everyday function of life.
VI. DELIVERED BY:
Epaphroditus on his return trip.
VII. SECTION OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS:
CHAPTERS 1-2: The Doctrine of Christian Fellowship.
Of course, our Christian fellowship has a lot of problems with it. That's because we have not looked to the book of Philippians that gives us the doctrine of fellowship and how to solve some of the problems.
CHAPTERS 3-4: The Details of Christian Fellowship.
That is how the doctrine is worked out and lived amongst the believers. Philippians is a fascinating study.
It was written around 63 A.D. while Paul was in prison in Rome ( Acts 28:16-31). Paul was in house arrest for two years. This was his first imprisonment. His second imprisonment is when he was in the Mamertine prison. But this first time, he was under house arrest for about two years.
Ephesians is one of the prison letters. That is, one of the four written by Paul while he was imprisoned at this time. The others were Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. So, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are known as the prison epistles or prison letters because they were written by Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome.
VI. DELIVERED BY:
It was delivered by Tychicus. Ephesians 6:21-22 and Colossians 4:7-8 tell us that Tychicus brought both letters. So, it is believed that Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, because Philemon is a man that lived in Colosse, so his letter accompanied the letter to Colosse, and Tychicus took all three and delivered them.
VII. SECTION OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS:
CHAPTERS 1-3 - The Doctrine of the New Life in Christ.
CHAPTERS 4-6 - The Details of the New Life in Christ.
In other words, he takes the doctrine of the first three chapters, and he goes into detail and in depth of those doctrines, the function and performance of the church. He's going to present to us the armor of God all in those last three chapters.
That covers the introduction to Ephesians. Lord willing, I will share my introduction to Philippians soon.
Godhead is a word that is in 3 verses in the KJV. Acts 17:29Romans 1:20 and Colossians 2:9. Godhead comes from an Old English word godhede in 1200 AD. In Acts it is the Greek word theios that means divine, manifesting the characteristics of God's nature. In Romans, it is the Greek word theiots that means divinity, divine nature. In Colossians, it is the Greek word theots that mean deity, fulness of deity.
These are three different Greek words that the translators chose to translate Godhead. You ask is the Godhead one God or three persons? Some use this word to refer to the doctrine of the Trinity but in the context of the chapters this word is used, does not refer to that.
Godhead is God the Father himself, it pleased him to have all His divine fullness to dwell in His only begotten Son. The meaning for the word Godhead is the divine nature of God that was manifested in His only begotten Son, John 10:38John 14:10.
Your question is more about the doctrine of the Trinity I am sure others would reply on that.
Romans begins what is called the teaching or doctrinal section of the New Testament. All of Paul's writings are at the beginning of the teaching or doctrinal section. There are 13 letters that Paul wrote, beginning with Romans and going all the way through Philemon. These are Paul's 13 letters. They are not in chronological order. They are not in the order that Paul wrote them.
The book of Romans was written around 56 to 57 A.D. I and II Corinthians were written around 55 A.D. from Ephesus. Galatians, the earliest of Paul's letters, was written around 48 to 49 A.D. either from Antioch or Ephesus.
And then we have Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. These three, plus Philemon at the end, those four were a collection of letters called the prison epistles or prison letters because they were written by Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome between 60 and 62 A.D. I and II Thessalonians, written in 51 A.D. from Corinth.
And then the last three, and remember Philemon goes with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, as far as a collection goes, but I Timothy, II Timothy, and Titus are called pastoral epistles or pastoral letters because they were written to two pastors. And this was Paul's second imprisonment in Rome between 63 and 65 A.D. He wrote I Timothy first. And then he wrote Titus. And Paul's last letter, right before he died, he wrote a second letter to Timothy, known as II Timothy.
So those are the dates. And as you can see, they are not listed in chronological order. Actually, they are listed in order according to II Timothy 3:16. Paul's the one that wrote this. He says to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." Literally, all scripture is God breathed, and is profitable for doctrine." That's number one. There's one doctrinal book, one book that is centered on doctrine in the whole New Testament, and that's the book of Romans.
The book of Acts is the last book of the history section. Matthew through Acts is the historical accounts of the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ and His Spirit's work through the early church. The book of Acts covers approximately 30 years. So that's the historical section. Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke, also wrote the book of Acts.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR LUKE:
He's only mentioned three times in the New Testament. Colossians 4:14 tells us that He is a physician. Historical accounts tell us that he was schooled in Alexandria Egypt. So, we look at that and we see that God chose an educated man to do a very detailed investigation. Luke is a Greek name and therefore many believe that he was a Gentile.
From Acts Chapter 1 Verse 1 through Chapter 16 Verse 9, Luke uses "they," third person plural in his writings. Starting with Acts Chapter 16 Verse 10 all the way to the end, he changes it to "we." So, at Acts 16:9, this is where Luke joined up with Paul.
He joined up with Paul in Troas. He was probably converted in Troas by Paul. He becomes Paul's personal physician. In Acts Chapter 27, he's right there in the shipwreck with Paul, right before Paul reaches Rome, which will be his last destination before he dies.
Luke is a Greek name, not Jewish. Many believe that he was a Gentile. In fact, we can be pretty certain that he was. Luke was the only Gentile to be used to write a book of the bible. The best evidence of him being a Gentile is in Colossians 4:11-14. This is where Paul is listing the groups of people, and in Verse 11, he lists those of the circumcision. And so those would be the Jews. But when it gets down to Verse 14, he mentions the Gentiles, and Luke is mentioned in amongst the Gentiles. So that is pretty good proof that Luke was a Gentile.
In Luke's writings, all the way through the gospel of Luke, and all the way up through Acts Chapter 16 Verse 9, he uses the Third Person Plural "they" in his writings. But starting at Acts Chapter 16 Verse 10, he then changes it to "we" (First Person Plural). So, at Acts 16:10, he joins up with Paul at that point and becomes a constant companion with Paul.
Luke joined Paul at Troas. He was probably converted in Troas by Paul, and he becomes Paul's personal physician. What is interesting is that in Acts Chapter 27, in that famous shipwreck that we read about and study and hear about, Luke also was on board that ship.
And it is interesting because you can't have guests accompany you, especially when you're a prisoner on your way to Rome. So, it is believed that Luke went along as a slave. You can have your slave, but you can't have your friends. But Luke was with him all the way. He joined up with him in Troas, doctored him, and was with him during a lot of the things that happened in Paul's ministry and life.
Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. They originally traveled together as Volume 1 and Volume 2. And Luke goes as far back as you can go in the beginning of the Lord's life and ministry. And he'll take us all the way up to, or right at the death of Paul. That is a lot of space. Luke is our historian. Luke was a very educated man, and he likes to deal in detail because he wants the Gentile world, that is you and I, to have the facts of the details about the life and ministry of Christ.
Luke, along with Acts, was written to the Gentiles. It was written to present Jesus as the Son of Man and ends with the promise of the Holy Spirit. And you will notice that both with Luke and John, they end off with the event that introduces their sequel that comes secondly. For Luke it will be the book of Acts. He ends Luke with the promise of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts starts out with the coming of the Holy Spirit.
I. AUTHOR
Luke is the author. Luke is only mentioned three times in the New Testament. None of his letters contain his name. Luke wrote both Luke and Acts. And as mentioned before, Luke and Acts traveled together as Volume 1 and Volume 2. And I will share with you in a moment some pretty good evidence as to why it happened that way.
Colossians 4:14 says that Luke was a physician. Paul called him a physician, a doctor. He was a doctor from Antioch of Syria. We know from historical records that Luke was schooled in Alexandria, Egypt. He became very proficient in the Greek language, as the Greek language was spoken there.
This is the same city where they made the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Luke became an expert in Greek. God chose an educated man to do a very, very detailed investigation. Keep in mind that Luke is an investigator, not an eyewitness.
We know certain things to be true of God for one reason: in His mercy He has condescended to reveal some of His qualities to us. God is spirit, by nature intangible ( John 4:24). God is One, but He exists as three Persons-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 3:16-17). God is infinite ( 1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable ( 2 Samuel 7:22), and unchanging ( Malachi 3:6). God exists everywhere ( Psalm 139:7-12), knows everything ( Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28), and has all power and authority ( Ephesians 1; Revelation 19:6).
Who is God? - His Work
We cannot understand God apart from His works, because what God does flows from who He is. Here is an abbreviated list of God's works, past, present, and future: God created the world ( Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world ( Colossians 1:17); He is executing His eternal plan ( Ephesians 1:11) which involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death ( Galatians 3:13-14); He draws people to Christ ( John 6:44); He disciplines His children ( Hebrews 12:6); and He will judge the world ( Revelation 20:11-15).
Who is God? - A Relationship with Him
In the Person of the Son, God became incarnate ( John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man and is therefore the "bridge" between God and man ( John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins ( Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God ( John 15:15; Romans 5:10), and eternal salvation ( 2 Timothy 2:10). In Jesus Christ "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ( Colossians 2:9). So, to really know who God is, all we have to do is look at Jesus.
Jerry that is much of what we know about God and that probably don't scratch the surface on GOD!
John Mark was a cousin of Barnabas, and that's given to us in Colossians 4:10. And I'm giving you these scripture texts and this piece of information now because of the travels and interaction with the different believers later, knowing that John Mark is related to Barnabas.
We travel with him now from Jerusalem to Antioch. John Mark has been in Jerusalem all this time. Paul and Barnabas have come to Jerusalem, and they've done some ministry work, and they are about ready to leave to go back up to Antioch. This is Antioch of Syria.
After the persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, many of the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. But many leaders in the church went up to Antioch of Syria right up on the coast. And that's where all the missionary journeys came from. And that's where the Gentiles were hearing the gospel and were being saved. And people were being sent out from Antioch.
So, Paul and Barnabas were finished with their work in Jerusalem, and they were going to go back up to Antioch, a couple hundred miles north, up the coast from Jerusalem. And what is interesting is that Acts 12:25 tells us that when Paul and Barnabas left Jerusalem, Mark left with them. Now you see the connection because he is related to Barnabas, and it was probably some connection there saying, come on son, you can be part of the ministry.
III. THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY:
This is given to us in Acts 13:1-3. Remember Paul is there, Barnabas is there, and Mark was there. The Holy Spirit tells the church that God has called out Paul and Barnabas to make the first missionary journey. And so, when they go to leave, they take John Mark with them. Again, probably because the connection with Barnabas. They go straight west and they go across the island of Cyprus.
Love. The last thing the flesh wants to hold on to is eros love and all the tentacles of seduction affecting the eyes; body and soul from the world; flesh and the devil ( James 3:15). Our hearts need to heed His voice; and stay within the confines of the partner God has given us in a covenant marriage only for expression of these affections. Many other things such as loving God's creation more than the Creator Himself; loving our own family and friends above the Lord; and any other emotions that distract us from our walk with God must be culled. This involves music in particular; recreational drugs and alcohol as well as anything good or bad that is not under control of the Spirit. ( Colossians 3:23).
Other emotions. Generally; good or bad fruits show opposing traits for those under the control of the Spirit as compared with the flesh. Hetred; strife; and enmity for example being bad fruit; love; joy and peace good fruit with many other expressions listed in scripture as well. As with any addict who is recovered any believer has to realize that we indeed have no power to stop the downward spiral into these behaviors once intoxicated with them; whether it leads to violence or self destructive results.
Planning for our future. Greed and covetousness is a sin and to be avoided. (see 10th Commandment; Luke 12:15). However; taking loans on high interest and high credit card debts to get the thrill of material items now basically robs ourselves. It is good and honorable to have an inheritance for family members; but of course we should always prioritize for the Lord in supporting missions as well as our local church. Wise planning brings prosperity; but the love of many things the opposite ( Deut 17:17)-Solomon may have had record wealth; but Ecclesiastes shows how all is vanity if God doesn't come in first and how other things crowd out the desire for God.
Phillips Craig and Dean from the song From the Inside Out (Fearless Album)
Proverbs 16:9 shows that man makes plans but the Lord orders his steps. Our best attempts at determining what is right even as Christians can't possibly take into account the bad things that happen and just how the Lord will use those things for our good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes ( Romans 8:28). Time and again the Lord has shown in scripture as well as today that martyrs ultimately serve a greater purpose; it such as Jim Elliot martyred with his friends in the jungle and the efforts of his wife and others afterwards with the resulting fruit of their efforts in converts.
Dying to self may or may not demand a complete change in trajectory as to our vocation or living situation. God makes it clear that those married to unbelievers are not to depart unless forced by the other person. We are also to work heartily unto the Lord ( Col. 3:23-24) and in fact; if we don't work we don't eat ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Luke 10:7 shows how the workman is worthy of his hire at least in terms of ministry but Paul supplemented support through tentmaking as to not be a burden to others. Obviously; as with the woman caught in adultery ( John 8:1-11) there had to be an end to sin therefore a radical change in lifestyle and by default cutting off many social ties. Whether we can be a witness or former associates post conversion are a detriment is based on several factors in individual situations. Clearly any criminal sources of income have to be ended; and we should make restitution whenever possible for those we have offended (see Ephesians 4:28; implied in doing good with what is earned).
As to our affections being set on things above ( Colossians 3:3-10) it is an ongoing process. As an onion each layer of self is peeled away.
It is clear that there was always a chosen line of ancestry. This is evident from the fact that the Book of Genesis only gives the genealogy of Seth (although Cain's genealogy is mentioned briefly), ignoring all the other descendants of Adam and Eve.
The line of Seth takes us all the way to the birth of Jesus. "There are some Gentiles in the line of Jesus by way of Rahab and Ruth.
There was always a chosen line, but that does not mean there has ALWAYS been a separation of Jews and Gentiles.
It seems, then, that the separation of Jews and Gentiles did not BEGIN to occur until God called Abraham to be the father of His chosen nation, Israel ( Genesis 12). Many view Abraham as the first Jew, even though the precise term Jew did not come into use until after the return from exile when the tribe of Judah was dominant.
Another placement of the division of Jews from Gentiles would be with Jacob, whose name was changed by God to Israel
Genesis 32:28.
(All of the descendants of Jacob, through his 12 sons)
I believe the separation of lineage started with Seth and the ACTUAL separation of Jews and the rest of the world/Gentiles Started in Genesis 17:10-19 and highlighted in vs 17-18.
"And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Abraham was given a seal if a covenant of circumcision, "A cutting away of sinful flesh" in
Genesis 17:10-14.
This pointed to Christ work on the cross. Colossians 2:10-17.
This has nothing to do with race!
It has everything to do with covenant!
And a Jew inwardly has nothing to do with Israel as a Nation and God's covenant and future promises to the Nation Israel and the Davidic kingdom in the Millennium.
There is only ONE SIN ..... UNBELIEF .....all other sins are COVERED by the blood of Christ.
John 16:8 And when HE IS COME, he (the Holy Ghost) will reprove the world of SIN .... UNBELIEF ..... the HOLY Ghost is going to rule the world with a rod or iron (truth and mercy)
John 16:9 OF SIN, because they BELIEVE NOT on me (THE WORD) .....
Most believe Jesus came for the WORKS of the cross ..... they don't BELIEVE those WORKS ....
ALL BODIES DIED (yours, mine, and Christ's) on the cross 2000 years ago; ONLY ONE BODY arose, the BODY of CHRIST.
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... NOW ye are the BODY of Christ ..... who did NO SIN .....
There is NO .... I, me, myself ... ONLY ONE BODY .... the body of Christ ..... all creation, the NEW CREATION ....
John 17:22 And the glory that thou (the Spirit that raised Christ) has given me, I have GIVEN THEM (the new creation) that they may be ONE as we are ONE.
If you don't BELIEVE his WORDS your continuing in SIN ..... if you BELIEVE his WORDS you CANNOT SIN .... your just doing what Christ WILLS and Causes you TO DO.
Colossians 1:27 ..... this MYSTERY .... Christ in YOU ......
Ezekiel 36:27 And I (the Holy Ghost) will put my Spirit IN YOU (his body) and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that WORKETH IN YOU both to WILL and to do his good pleasure.
Most don't BELIEVE the WORD.
God is giving you eyes to SEE his truth, your Christ's BODY, he is causing you to DO his good pleasure; therefore, you; his body, CANNOT SIN, because it's HIS WORKS, not your works.
Revelation 2:26 ....and he that keepeth MY WORKS to the end, to him will I give power over the nations ....as I have been given of my Father .....
God bless you as Christ CAUSES us to walk in TRUTH.
In more careful investigation of scripture; it appears that there are accounts that clearly delineate happenings that occur within a 24 hour day; and others that continue a narrative that may or may not encompass multiple days or perhaps longer periods of time. I thought therefore that a general study of the variety of challenges the Lord faced constantly; along with the spiritual giftings of all types apparent to be active simultaneously ( Colossians 2:9) would be interesting as He had all the "fullness of the Godhead bodily."
His example; therefore as our High Priest ( Heb. 7:25; etc) means that we can live by His example and thus be "imitators of Christ" ( 1 Cor. 11:1). This; of course is easier said than done; impossible in fact in our own efforts ( John 15:5).
Paul; of course is a great; if not THE penultimate example of a surrendered life; and in many ways mirrors Christ in self sacrificial love and service to the church; through many trials; persecutions; and sufferings. These studies should convince anyone who isn't in a coma that today's mushy view of Christ as embodying some sort of feel good; crowd pleasing charisma that everyone loved is far off from reality. This study is greatly challenging to myself; and I assume anyone reading these scriptures as to what is truly required to be His Disciple. Ultimately; I believe this will be a characteristic of every true believer in some aspects; but in reality few surrender their lives enough to truly live in this manner. It is more than an inconvenient truth; the challenges Christ gives to all His followers but of course is as process in some ways as well. The Spirit sanctifies us; conforming us into His image ( Romans 8:29). Philippians 4:1 and some other verses shows us how His church was Paul's crown. This makes our rewards to be based on building up brothers and sisters in the Lord; and to focus attention there keeps us from focusing on our own issues.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
John 6:28-29.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Psalms 32:1-5.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath ( Matt. 12:8; also in Mark 2:28). This would legitimize commemoration of Christ on Sunday as the early church seemed to do. Naturally; we need to take seriously devoting time on Sunday as a day of rest if it is a substitute for the O.T. law; however being that we aren't to follow things dogmatically as Colossians 2:16 or Galatians 4:10-11 suggest it is clear that in the Age of Grace there is some latitude there. Also; it is the attitude of the hearts that dictates what would be necessary work as Matthew 12:11 indicates in the example of saving an animal from a ditch when Christ was confronted with healing on the Sabbath; or eating grains of wheat in the field (considered "work").
We need to consider what was going on in the Exodus years when there were strict orders on Manna as a sort of initial principle. There people were ordered to collect for two days on the Sabbath eve; which contradicted the normal daily routine where it would rot and they were specifically told NOT to save any. Such verses as the example in Numbers should at least have us soberly examine ourselves and how preoccupied we are when we come together as a local church. Some Reformed or OPC churches will not discuss anything outside scripture on Sundays. While that may be a bit too strict; all the endless banter which seems to be discussed before services in particular could use some serious editing. Not only does it detract from the sanctity of the fellowship but it keeps those needing prayer from expressing those needs; as well as squelching opportunities to offer prayers over the cacaphony. An attitude of prayer; as well as discussing the Word and God's attributes should be something the Pastor and Elders motivate people to do. A swift rebuke once in a while in convicting messages on that subject would probably be in order as well. Knowing how deep a conversation can go can quickly determine those who God has led to Disciple us or not
2 To make an end of sins (Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law). The verb in the Hebrew text translated as "put an end to" can mean "to seal up". The covering of our sins was accomplished on the cross at Calvary. When he said IT IS FINISHED, he provided us with the garments (wedding garments) to cover our sins. Psalm 32:1-2Matthew 1:21John 1:29Romans 8:31 Corinthians 15:3Hebrews 10:8-111 John 3:5Revelation 16:15.
Is there still sin today? Yes. Will there still be sin and death after Jesus's second coming? Yes. Even during the 1000 years, there will be sin and death until all is made new Rev. 21:1-4 but through Jesus, they are covered and sealed, Rev. 16:15
3 To make reconciliation for iniquity (Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion, in the dark. Colossians 1:20-22 Isaiah 53:6Isaiah 53:11Ephesians 2:16Titus 2:142 Corinthians 5:18-19.
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation.
4 To bring in everlasting righteousness. Everlasting, no end, righteousness, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will, fair and balanced. Isaiah 61:10-112 Corinthians 5:21Romans 3:21-26Romans 5:17-211 Peter 2:24.
I am going to let the word of God answer the questions you ask.
You ask: Did the apostle Paul commit sin after he was saved.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of GOD doeth not commit sin, for his (GOD'S) SEED remaineth in him: and he CANNOT sin because he is BORN of God.
You ask: in 100 years will I be alive in physical body? YES!
John 11:26 Whosoever liveth and believeth in me (the SEED) shall NEVER DIE, believest thou this?
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (the SEED) DIE ANYMORE (they died with Christ on the cross): for they are EQUAL unto the ANGELS (angles have Christ's resurrected body); and are the children (SONS, like Christ) of God, being the children (SEED) of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God giveth it (Christ's SEED) a body as it has pleased him, to every SEED his (Christ's) OWN BODY.
You ask: do I every commit sin. NO!
Galatians 2:20 .....I am DEAD, nonetheless I LIVE, YET NOT I, but Christ LIVETH IN ME .... ALL creation DIED on the cross ....ONLY ONE SEED (Christ) arose ....
You ask: What does it mean to be born again.
To believe the WORD's Of GOD.
You can not be BORN again until you BELIEVE YOUR DEAD, only Christ is alive.
You ask: Where is Paul living and in what form:
Luke 20:36 ...EQUAL to the angles .... the IMAGE of CHRIST ...... Christ is the ANGEL of GOD ......
Isaiah 63:8 .... and the ANGEL of his (God's) presence SAVED them ..... Paul is living IN and BY the presence of Christ, in the body of Christ ...
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ..... Christ in you .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... ye are the BODY of Christ ....
Timothy ministered in at least 5 churches as Paul's representative:
1) Thessalonica ( I Thessalonians 3:2, 6)
2) Corinth ( I Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; II Corinthians 1:19)
3) Philippi ( Philippians 2:19-23)
4) Berea ( Acts 17:14)
5) Ephesus ( I Timothy 1:3)
So, here's somebody who spent 15-20 years with Paul all the time. He knew his teaching. He was able to live with him and watch his walk with the Lord, and he was sent out as Paul's representative to these different churches.
Timothy was with Paul during Paul's first imprisonment ( Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1) and went to Philippi after Paul's release ( Philippians 2:19-23). After Paul's release from his first imprisonment ( Acts 28:30), he revisited several cities leaving Timothy at Ephesus.
Paul went to Macedonia where he wrote Timothy this letter ( I Timothy 3:14-15). Timothy was around 35-years old when Paul wrote I Timothy. Timothy also suffered imprisonment ( Hebrews 13:23).
IV. DATE OF THE LETTER:
Written around 62 - 63 A.D. between Paul's first and second imprisonment. Paul wrote both 1 Timothy and Titus during this time. Paul was arrested again sometime after 64 A.D. and condemned to death. July, 64 A.D was when Rome was burned by Nero and blamed on the Christians. So, from 64 A.D. onward, Christianity was an illegal religion.
That's why there was persecution all the way from 64 A.D. to 313 A.D. Christians were persecuted and put to death because Christianity was an illegal religion until Constantine decided to bring Christianity from the underground and make it a legal religion.
Christianity joined Constantine's sun worship religion, which is why we have a lot of the traditions we have in the church today. It hasn't come from the bible. It hasn't come from the Christian church in the first 300 years. It came from Constantine's false religious system.
Paul wrote this letter during his second imprisonment; he also wrote II Timothy.
1 Timothy and Titus were written between Paul's first and second imprisonment. And 2 Timothy was Paul's last letter that he wrote, some believe hours before he was executed outside of Rome. Tradition says that he was beheaded.
But then you have Philemon which goes with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. The reason why Philemon is there on the end is because the final four letters are the only four letters written to individuals. And that's how they canonized scripture. They put the individual letters at the end and put the church letters at the front.
So that's why Philemon is on the end, but it really was part of the prison epistles, or prison letters.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Written by Paul. Paul's Inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
To Timothy who was pastoring in Ephesus
III. THE HISTORY OF TIMOTHY:
His name is mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. Timothy was from Lystra and saved during Paul's first missionary journey ( Acts 14:19-20; 16:1-2). His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were godly Jewish women. In fact, Timothy was taught the Old Testament scriptures since he was a little boy. So, he has a scriptural background.
Timothy was about 15 years old when he first met Paul. And when Paul writes his letter to Timothy, he's approximately 35. So, he has spent approximately 20 years with Paul in ministry learning.
Even though Timothy's mother and grandmother were godly Jewish women, his father was a pagan Greek ( Acts 16:1; II Timothy 1:5).
God has laid it out very simply, and we can see that as we go through. The problem is not what God's word says verses what people believe it says. The problem is that we believe by doctrine, but not by function, that Jesus Christ is the head of His church. He's in charge. And if He says this is the way I want my church to be, then that's the way it is. It has nothing to do with what I believe or don't believe, or what I care for.
It's really responding to Christ as head of the church and knowing that this is His letter saying here's how I want the church to be when it officially gathers together for an assembly, to represent Christ, to worship Christ, and to learn of Him. So, it is very important to understand that perspective. You will probably find at least one thing in 1 Timothy that's going to offend you, maybe even make you angry.
Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16, that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for:
DOCTRINE: The book of Romans is the doctrine of the Christian faith.
FOR REPROOF: That is conviction, and that's 1st and 2nd Corinthians.
FOR CORRECTION: That's the book of Galatians.
FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: That's Ephesians through Philemon. Of course, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and those are called prison epistles, or prison letters because they were written by Paul in his first imprisonment in Rome, along with Philemon.
If Philemon is part of this group, what's it doing on the end? 1st and 2nd Thessalonians were written to the Christians in Thessalonica. 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, these are called pastoral epistles, or pastoral letters.
Thank you, brother, I know I differ in this fervently held belief from most, and not believing it is offensive to many. I just would like to share just a little of my understanding of where I am on this, I know many will disagree.
We cannot deny the divinity of Christ, He came forth from the Father. Do I believe Jesus was created? NO. Do I believe the Son of God began at Bethlehem, at His birth? NO. If we look at Micah 5:2 at the prophecy of His birth Micah says He will come forth, the Hebrew word yatsa means to go or come out.
"Whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting." The Hebrew word for everlasting is olam means long duration, antiquity, futurity, and days of eternity.
Jesus came forth and was the Son of God before creation as we see He is the beginning of creation all came through Him and for Him, Rev. 3:14 Colossians 1:16. Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who came forth from the Father, (came out of) not created. Does Jesus confirm this, John, 7:29 John 8:42 John 16:27 John 17:8?
My understanding is Jesus is the literal Son of God, truly begotten of the Father. Jesus came out from God, His true Son, of the same matter, and divinity as the Father with divine inheritance, John 5:26 John 6:57 Heb. 1:4, not a title as a part of God. God truly gave His true only begotten Son John 3:16.
As the Gospel of Jesus tells us, all who believeth that Jesus is truly the only begotten Son of God. My understanding is if I do not believe Jesus is truly the Son of God I deny Him. That brings in 1 John 2:22 if I say Jesus is God, I deny that there is a Father and a Son.
Just a little and thank you again for your caring reply, you do not have to reply I just wanted to tell just a little.
God bless,
RLW
Colossians 2:4 "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words."
1 John 2:1 "My little children these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sins we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"
Ephesians 2:3 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Exodus 25:13
Hebrews 9:5 "And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly."
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
1 Peter 2:25 "For ye were as sheep gone astray; but now are returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
Isaiah 42:1 "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring judgement to the Gentiles."
John 8:28- 29 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak those things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always these things that please him."
1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Romans 9:5 "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
Psalms 45:7 "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
John 17:1 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are."
P4 follows
Matthew 23:7- 8 "And greeting in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."
Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken."
Colossians 1:22 "In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
P3 to follow later-
All of John Chapter 13 ; Chapter 14
John 1:4 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
Colossians 1:15 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature."
Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
Hebrews 1:8 "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom."
John 1:3 "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
Hebrews 1:3 "Who being the brightness of his glory and express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"
Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknowledge, he did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren."
1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh glory in his presence"
John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Luke 1:31 "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
Matthew 1:19 "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privileges."
Isaiah 53:1 "Who hat believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"
Philippians 2:5 - 6 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God."
Hebrews 6:20 "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."
P2 follows
IV. THE THEME OF COLOSSIANS:
The Believer's Perfection in Christ. The focus of the book is the completeness of a person who is in Christ.
Colossians was written to combat the many heresies of Jewish Gnosticism.
GNOSTICISM BELIEVED:
God is good.
Physical matter is evil.
Jesus Christ is less than God because He was one of many emanations coming out from God.
A certain secret knowledge beyond Scripture was necessary for enlightenment and salvation.
In the worship of angels.
THE JEWISH LEGALISTS BELIEVED:
The necessity of circumcision for salvation.
Jews and Gentiles must observe the dietary laws of the Old Testament as well as festivals and the Sabbath.
V. DATE/BACKGROUND:
Written around 63 A.D. while Paul was under house arrest in Rome for two years ( Acts 28:16-31).
One of four prison epistles or letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
VI. DELIVERED BY:
Colossians was delivered with Ephesians and Philemon by Tychicus who was accompanied by Onesimus ( Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8).
Epaphras remained behind in Rome ( Philemon 23).
VII. SECTION OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS:
CHAPTERS 1-2: The Doctrine of Completeness in Christ
CHAPTERS 3-4: The Duty of Those Complete in Christ
I will share my introduction to 1 Thessalonians soon.
God Bless!!!
I. ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Paul and Timothy. Paul's inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
It was written to the Colossians. Colossians was written for the Christians in the city of Colossae. Colossians was also supposed to be read in the church of Laodicea ( Colossians 4:16). Colossians was written at the same time as Philemon. Both were written while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. ( Colossians 4:3, 10, 18 and Philemon 9, 10, 13, 23)
Timothy, Aristarchus, Archippus, Mark, Ephaphras, Luke, Onesimus, and Demas all appear in both letters demonstrating Colossians and Philemon were written by the same author at the same time.
III. THE HISTORY OF COLOSSAE:
Colossae was a city of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia About 90 miles east of Ephesus. Colossae was in the Lycus Valley along with Laodicea and Hierapolis. The population of Colossae was mostly Gentile but had a large number of Jewish population.
The church at Colossae began during Paul's three-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts Chapter 19). During this three-year period, Epaphras was saved while visiting Ephesus. The Church at Colossae was established by Epaphras, not Paul ( Colossians 1:5-7).
Several years after the Colossians church was founded, dangerous heresies began to circulate in it. Epaphras was so concerned about these heresies that he made the long journey from Colossae to Rome were Paul was a prisoner ( Colossians 4:12-13).
V. DATE/BACKGROUND:
It was written around 63 A.D. while Paul was under house arrest in Rome for two years, as recorded in Acts 28:16-31. This is his first imprisonment. His second imprisonment was of course in the dungeon, and he was killed right after that time.
Philippians is one of four prison epistles or letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon were written by Paul during this time that he was under house arrest in Rome.
We went over Ephesians and now we are in Philippians. All of the books have the same outline. Paul always presented doctrine first, and what we would call application. But I don't like to use the word application because people say that you need to apply the scriptures to your life.
In other words, do them. That's not what the bible means. By application, it is God's Spirit, in light of what Christ has done. It's what God's Spirit wants to do in us. So, I would call them the doctrine and the details because it's the doctrine being presented in the everyday function of life.
VI. DELIVERED BY:
Epaphroditus on his return trip.
VII. SECTION OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS:
CHAPTERS 1-2: The Doctrine of Christian Fellowship.
Of course, our Christian fellowship has a lot of problems with it. That's because we have not looked to the book of Philippians that gives us the doctrine of fellowship and how to solve some of the problems.
CHAPTERS 3-4: The Details of Christian Fellowship.
That is how the doctrine is worked out and lived amongst the believers. Philippians is a fascinating study.
I will share the introduction to Colossians next.
V. DATE / BACKGROUND:
It was written around 63 A.D. while Paul was in prison in Rome ( Acts 28:16-31). Paul was in house arrest for two years. This was his first imprisonment. His second imprisonment is when he was in the Mamertine prison. But this first time, he was under house arrest for about two years.
Ephesians is one of the prison letters. That is, one of the four written by Paul while he was imprisoned at this time. The others were Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. So, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are known as the prison epistles or prison letters because they were written by Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome.
VI. DELIVERED BY:
It was delivered by Tychicus. Ephesians 6:21-22 and Colossians 4:7-8 tell us that Tychicus brought both letters. So, it is believed that Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, because Philemon is a man that lived in Colosse, so his letter accompanied the letter to Colosse, and Tychicus took all three and delivered them.
VII. SECTION OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS:
CHAPTERS 1-3 - The Doctrine of the New Life in Christ.
CHAPTERS 4-6 - The Details of the New Life in Christ.
In other words, he takes the doctrine of the first three chapters, and he goes into detail and in depth of those doctrines, the function and performance of the church. He's going to present to us the armor of God all in those last three chapters.
That covers the introduction to Ephesians. Lord willing, I will share my introduction to Philippians soon.
God Bless!!!
Godhead is a word that is in 3 verses in the KJV. Acts 17:29 Romans 1:20 and Colossians 2:9. Godhead comes from an Old English word godhede in 1200 AD. In Acts it is the Greek word theios that means divine, manifesting the characteristics of God's nature. In Romans, it is the Greek word theiots that means divinity, divine nature. In Colossians, it is the Greek word theots that mean deity, fulness of deity.
These are three different Greek words that the translators chose to translate Godhead. You ask is the Godhead one God or three persons? Some use this word to refer to the doctrine of the Trinity but in the context of the chapters this word is used, does not refer to that.
Godhead is God the Father himself, it pleased him to have all His divine fullness to dwell in His only begotten Son. The meaning for the word Godhead is the divine nature of God that was manifested in His only begotten Son, John 10:38 John 14:10.
Your question is more about the doctrine of the Trinity I am sure others would reply on that.
I hope this helps,
God bless,
RLW
By the Spirit of truth that worked in him mighty.
Colossians 1:25-29.
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
God bless you and Good night.
Romans begins what is called the teaching or doctrinal section of the New Testament. All of Paul's writings are at the beginning of the teaching or doctrinal section. There are 13 letters that Paul wrote, beginning with Romans and going all the way through Philemon. These are Paul's 13 letters. They are not in chronological order. They are not in the order that Paul wrote them.
The book of Romans was written around 56 to 57 A.D. I and II Corinthians were written around 55 A.D. from Ephesus. Galatians, the earliest of Paul's letters, was written around 48 to 49 A.D. either from Antioch or Ephesus.
And then we have Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. These three, plus Philemon at the end, those four were a collection of letters called the prison epistles or prison letters because they were written by Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome between 60 and 62 A.D. I and II Thessalonians, written in 51 A.D. from Corinth.
And then the last three, and remember Philemon goes with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, as far as a collection goes, but I Timothy, II Timothy, and Titus are called pastoral epistles or pastoral letters because they were written to two pastors. And this was Paul's second imprisonment in Rome between 63 and 65 A.D. He wrote I Timothy first. And then he wrote Titus. And Paul's last letter, right before he died, he wrote a second letter to Timothy, known as II Timothy.
So those are the dates. And as you can see, they are not listed in chronological order. Actually, they are listed in order according to II Timothy 3:16. Paul's the one that wrote this. He says to Timothy, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." Literally, all scripture is God breathed, and is profitable for doctrine." That's number one. There's one doctrinal book, one book that is centered on doctrine in the whole New Testament, and that's the book of Romans.
The book of Acts is the last book of the history section. Matthew through Acts is the historical accounts of the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ and His Spirit's work through the early church. The book of Acts covers approximately 30 years. So that's the historical section. Luke, who wrote the Gospel of Luke, also wrote the book of Acts.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR LUKE:
He's only mentioned three times in the New Testament. Colossians 4:14 tells us that He is a physician. Historical accounts tell us that he was schooled in Alexandria Egypt. So, we look at that and we see that God chose an educated man to do a very detailed investigation. Luke is a Greek name and therefore many believe that he was a Gentile.
From Acts Chapter 1 Verse 1 through Chapter 16 Verse 9, Luke uses "they," third person plural in his writings. Starting with Acts Chapter 16 Verse 10 all the way to the end, he changes it to "we." So, at Acts 16:9, this is where Luke joined up with Paul.
He joined up with Paul in Troas. He was probably converted in Troas by Paul. He becomes Paul's personal physician. In Acts Chapter 27, he's right there in the shipwreck with Paul, right before Paul reaches Rome, which will be his last destination before he dies.
Luke is a Greek name, not Jewish. Many believe that he was a Gentile. In fact, we can be pretty certain that he was. Luke was the only Gentile to be used to write a book of the bible. The best evidence of him being a Gentile is in Colossians 4:11-14. This is where Paul is listing the groups of people, and in Verse 11, he lists those of the circumcision. And so those would be the Jews. But when it gets down to Verse 14, he mentions the Gentiles, and Luke is mentioned in amongst the Gentiles. So that is pretty good proof that Luke was a Gentile.
In Luke's writings, all the way through the gospel of Luke, and all the way up through Acts Chapter 16 Verse 9, he uses the Third Person Plural "they" in his writings. But starting at Acts Chapter 16 Verse 10, he then changes it to "we" (First Person Plural). So, at Acts 16:10, he joins up with Paul at that point and becomes a constant companion with Paul.
Luke joined Paul at Troas. He was probably converted in Troas by Paul, and he becomes Paul's personal physician. What is interesting is that in Acts Chapter 27, in that famous shipwreck that we read about and study and hear about, Luke also was on board that ship.
And it is interesting because you can't have guests accompany you, especially when you're a prisoner on your way to Rome. So, it is believed that Luke went along as a slave. You can have your slave, but you can't have your friends. But Luke was with him all the way. He joined up with him in Troas, doctored him, and was with him during a lot of the things that happened in Paul's ministry and life.
Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. They originally traveled together as Volume 1 and Volume 2. And Luke goes as far back as you can go in the beginning of the Lord's life and ministry. And he'll take us all the way up to, or right at the death of Paul. That is a lot of space. Luke is our historian. Luke was a very educated man, and he likes to deal in detail because he wants the Gentile world, that is you and I, to have the facts of the details about the life and ministry of Christ.
Luke, along with Acts, was written to the Gentiles. It was written to present Jesus as the Son of Man and ends with the promise of the Holy Spirit. And you will notice that both with Luke and John, they end off with the event that introduces their sequel that comes secondly. For Luke it will be the book of Acts. He ends Luke with the promise of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts starts out with the coming of the Holy Spirit.
I. AUTHOR
Luke is the author. Luke is only mentioned three times in the New Testament. None of his letters contain his name. Luke wrote both Luke and Acts. And as mentioned before, Luke and Acts traveled together as Volume 1 and Volume 2. And I will share with you in a moment some pretty good evidence as to why it happened that way.
Colossians 4:14 says that Luke was a physician. Paul called him a physician, a doctor. He was a doctor from Antioch of Syria. We know from historical records that Luke was schooled in Alexandria, Egypt. He became very proficient in the Greek language, as the Greek language was spoken there.
This is the same city where they made the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Luke became an expert in Greek. God chose an educated man to do a very, very detailed investigation. Keep in mind that Luke is an investigator, not an eyewitness.
Part 5.
Who is God? - His Nature
We know certain things to be true of God for one reason: in His mercy He has condescended to reveal some of His qualities to us. God is spirit, by nature intangible ( John 4:24). God is One, but He exists as three Persons-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 3:16-17). God is infinite ( 1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable ( 2 Samuel 7:22), and unchanging ( Malachi 3:6). God exists everywhere ( Psalm 139:7-12), knows everything ( Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28), and has all power and authority ( Ephesians 1; Revelation 19:6).
Who is God? - His Work
We cannot understand God apart from His works, because what God does flows from who He is. Here is an abbreviated list of God's works, past, present, and future: God created the world ( Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world ( Colossians 1:17); He is executing His eternal plan ( Ephesians 1:11) which involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death ( Galatians 3:13-14); He draws people to Christ ( John 6:44); He disciplines His children ( Hebrews 12:6); and He will judge the world ( Revelation 20:11-15).
Who is God? - A Relationship with Him
In the Person of the Son, God became incarnate ( John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man and is therefore the "bridge" between God and man ( John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins ( Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God ( John 15:15; Romans 5:10), and eternal salvation ( 2 Timothy 2:10). In Jesus Christ "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ( Colossians 2:9). So, to really know who God is, all we have to do is look at Jesus.
Jerry that is much of what we know about God and that probably don't scratch the surface on GOD!
I HOPE THIS HELPS.
GOD BLESS.
II. KEY RELATIONSHIP:
John Mark was a cousin of Barnabas, and that's given to us in Colossians 4:10. And I'm giving you these scripture texts and this piece of information now because of the travels and interaction with the different believers later, knowing that John Mark is related to Barnabas.
We travel with him now from Jerusalem to Antioch. John Mark has been in Jerusalem all this time. Paul and Barnabas have come to Jerusalem, and they've done some ministry work, and they are about ready to leave to go back up to Antioch. This is Antioch of Syria.
After the persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, many of the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. But many leaders in the church went up to Antioch of Syria right up on the coast. And that's where all the missionary journeys came from. And that's where the Gentiles were hearing the gospel and were being saved. And people were being sent out from Antioch.
So, Paul and Barnabas were finished with their work in Jerusalem, and they were going to go back up to Antioch, a couple hundred miles north, up the coast from Jerusalem. And what is interesting is that Acts 12:25 tells us that when Paul and Barnabas left Jerusalem, Mark left with them. Now you see the connection because he is related to Barnabas, and it was probably some connection there saying, come on son, you can be part of the ministry.
III. THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY:
This is given to us in Acts 13:1-3. Remember Paul is there, Barnabas is there, and Mark was there. The Holy Spirit tells the church that God has called out Paul and Barnabas to make the first missionary journey. And so, when they go to leave, they take John Mark with them. Again, probably because the connection with Barnabas. They go straight west and they go across the island of Cyprus.
Love. The last thing the flesh wants to hold on to is eros love and all the tentacles of seduction affecting the eyes; body and soul from the world; flesh and the devil ( James 3:15). Our hearts need to heed His voice; and stay within the confines of the partner God has given us in a covenant marriage only for expression of these affections. Many other things such as loving God's creation more than the Creator Himself; loving our own family and friends above the Lord; and any other emotions that distract us from our walk with God must be culled. This involves music in particular; recreational drugs and alcohol as well as anything good or bad that is not under control of the Spirit. ( Colossians 3:23).
Other emotions. Generally; good or bad fruits show opposing traits for those under the control of the Spirit as compared with the flesh. Hetred; strife; and enmity for example being bad fruit; love; joy and peace good fruit with many other expressions listed in scripture as well. As with any addict who is recovered any believer has to realize that we indeed have no power to stop the downward spiral into these behaviors once intoxicated with them; whether it leads to violence or self destructive results.
Planning for our future. Greed and covetousness is a sin and to be avoided. (see 10th Commandment; Luke 12:15). However; taking loans on high interest and high credit card debts to get the thrill of material items now basically robs ourselves. It is good and honorable to have an inheritance for family members; but of course we should always prioritize for the Lord in supporting missions as well as our local church. Wise planning brings prosperity; but the love of many things the opposite ( Deut 17:17)-Solomon may have had record wealth; but Ecclesiastes shows how all is vanity if God doesn't come in first and how other things crowd out the desire for God.
Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Phillips Craig and Dean from the song From the Inside Out (Fearless Album)
Proverbs 16:9 shows that man makes plans but the Lord orders his steps. Our best attempts at determining what is right even as Christians can't possibly take into account the bad things that happen and just how the Lord will use those things for our good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes ( Romans 8:28). Time and again the Lord has shown in scripture as well as today that martyrs ultimately serve a greater purpose; it such as Jim Elliot martyred with his friends in the jungle and the efforts of his wife and others afterwards with the resulting fruit of their efforts in converts.
Dying to self may or may not demand a complete change in trajectory as to our vocation or living situation. God makes it clear that those married to unbelievers are not to depart unless forced by the other person. We are also to work heartily unto the Lord ( Col. 3:23-24) and in fact; if we don't work we don't eat ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Luke 10:7 shows how the workman is worthy of his hire at least in terms of ministry but Paul supplemented support through tentmaking as to not be a burden to others. Obviously; as with the woman caught in adultery ( John 8:1-11) there had to be an end to sin therefore a radical change in lifestyle and by default cutting off many social ties. Whether we can be a witness or former associates post conversion are a detriment is based on several factors in individual situations. Clearly any criminal sources of income have to be ended; and we should make restitution whenever possible for those we have offended (see Ephesians 4:28; implied in doing good with what is earned).
As to our affections being set on things above ( Colossians 3:3-10) it is an ongoing process. As an onion each layer of self is peeled away.
It is clear that there was always a chosen line of ancestry. This is evident from the fact that the Book of Genesis only gives the genealogy of Seth (although Cain's genealogy is mentioned briefly), ignoring all the other descendants of Adam and Eve.
The line of Seth takes us all the way to the birth of Jesus. "There are some Gentiles in the line of Jesus by way of Rahab and Ruth.
There was always a chosen line, but that does not mean there has ALWAYS been a separation of Jews and Gentiles.
It seems, then, that the separation of Jews and Gentiles did not BEGIN to occur until God called Abraham to be the father of His chosen nation, Israel ( Genesis 12). Many view Abraham as the first Jew, even though the precise term Jew did not come into use until after the return from exile when the tribe of Judah was dominant.
Another placement of the division of Jews from Gentiles would be with Jacob, whose name was changed by God to Israel
Genesis 32:28.
(All of the descendants of Jacob, through his 12 sons)
I believe the separation of lineage started with Seth and the ACTUAL separation of Jews and the rest of the world/Gentiles Started in Genesis 17:10-19 and highlighted in vs 17-18.
"And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Abraham was given a seal if a covenant of circumcision, "A cutting away of sinful flesh" in
Genesis 17:10-14.
This pointed to Christ work on the cross. Colossians 2:10-17.
This has nothing to do with race!
It has everything to do with covenant!
And a Jew inwardly has nothing to do with Israel as a Nation and God's covenant and future promises to the Nation Israel and the Davidic kingdom in the Millennium.
GB.
There is only ONE SIN ..... UNBELIEF .....all other sins are COVERED by the blood of Christ.
John 16:8 And when HE IS COME, he (the Holy Ghost) will reprove the world of SIN .... UNBELIEF ..... the HOLY Ghost is going to rule the world with a rod or iron (truth and mercy)
John 16:9 OF SIN, because they BELIEVE NOT on me (THE WORD) .....
Most believe Jesus came for the WORKS of the cross ..... they don't BELIEVE those WORKS ....
ALL BODIES DIED (yours, mine, and Christ's) on the cross 2000 years ago; ONLY ONE BODY arose, the BODY of CHRIST.
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... NOW ye are the BODY of Christ ..... who did NO SIN .....
There is NO .... I, me, myself ... ONLY ONE BODY .... the body of Christ ..... all creation, the NEW CREATION ....
John 17:22 And the glory that thou (the Spirit that raised Christ) has given me, I have GIVEN THEM (the new creation) that they may be ONE as we are ONE.
If you don't BELIEVE his WORDS your continuing in SIN ..... if you BELIEVE his WORDS you CANNOT SIN .... your just doing what Christ WILLS and Causes you TO DO.
Colossians 1:27 ..... this MYSTERY .... Christ in YOU ......
Ezekiel 36:27 And I (the Holy Ghost) will put my Spirit IN YOU (his body) and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that WORKETH IN YOU both to WILL and to do his good pleasure.
Most don't BELIEVE the WORD.
God is giving you eyes to SEE his truth, your Christ's BODY, he is causing you to DO his good pleasure; therefore, you; his body, CANNOT SIN, because it's HIS WORKS, not your works.
Revelation 2:26 ....and he that keepeth MY WORKS to the end, to him will I give power over the nations ....as I have been given of my Father .....
God bless you as Christ CAUSES us to walk in TRUTH.
In more careful investigation of scripture; it appears that there are accounts that clearly delineate happenings that occur within a 24 hour day; and others that continue a narrative that may or may not encompass multiple days or perhaps longer periods of time. I thought therefore that a general study of the variety of challenges the Lord faced constantly; along with the spiritual giftings of all types apparent to be active simultaneously ( Colossians 2:9) would be interesting as He had all the "fullness of the Godhead bodily."
His example; therefore as our High Priest ( Heb. 7:25; etc) means that we can live by His example and thus be "imitators of Christ" ( 1 Cor. 11:1). This; of course is easier said than done; impossible in fact in our own efforts ( John 15:5).
Paul; of course is a great; if not THE penultimate example of a surrendered life; and in many ways mirrors Christ in self sacrificial love and service to the church; through many trials; persecutions; and sufferings. These studies should convince anyone who isn't in a coma that today's mushy view of Christ as embodying some sort of feel good; crowd pleasing charisma that everyone loved is far off from reality. This study is greatly challenging to myself; and I assume anyone reading these scriptures as to what is truly required to be His Disciple. Ultimately; I believe this will be a characteristic of every true believer in some aspects; but in reality few surrender their lives enough to truly live in this manner. It is more than an inconvenient truth; the challenges Christ gives to all His followers but of course is as process in some ways as well. The Spirit sanctifies us; conforming us into His image ( Romans 8:29). Philippians 4:1 and some other verses shows us how His church was Paul's crown. This makes our rewards to be based on building up brothers and sisters in the Lord; and to focus attention there keeps us from focusing on our own issues.
These scriptures goes well with my previous post.
Colossians 2:10-15.
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
John 6:28-29.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Psalms 32:1-5.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
God bless
We need to consider what was going on in the Exodus years when there were strict orders on Manna as a sort of initial principle. There people were ordered to collect for two days on the Sabbath eve; which contradicted the normal daily routine where it would rot and they were specifically told NOT to save any. Such verses as the example in Numbers should at least have us soberly examine ourselves and how preoccupied we are when we come together as a local church. Some Reformed or OPC churches will not discuss anything outside scripture on Sundays. While that may be a bit too strict; all the endless banter which seems to be discussed before services in particular could use some serious editing. Not only does it detract from the sanctity of the fellowship but it keeps those needing prayer from expressing those needs; as well as squelching opportunities to offer prayers over the cacaphony. An attitude of prayer; as well as discussing the Word and God's attributes should be something the Pastor and Elders motivate people to do. A swift rebuke once in a while in convicting messages on that subject would probably be in order as well. Knowing how deep a conversation can go can quickly determine those who God has led to Disciple us or not
Part 2
2 To make an end of sins (Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law). The verb in the Hebrew text translated as "put an end to" can mean "to seal up". The covering of our sins was accomplished on the cross at Calvary. When he said IT IS FINISHED, he provided us with the garments (wedding garments) to cover our sins. Psalm 32:1-2 Matthew 1:21 John 1:29 Romans 8:3 1 Corinthians 15:3 Hebrews 10:8-11 1 John 3:5 Revelation 16:15.
Is there still sin today? Yes. Will there still be sin and death after Jesus's second coming? Yes. Even during the 1000 years, there will be sin and death until all is made new Rev. 21:1-4 but through Jesus, they are covered and sealed, Rev. 16:15
3 To make reconciliation for iniquity (Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion, in the dark. Colossians 1:20-22 Isaiah 53:6 Isaiah 53:11 Ephesians 2:16 Titus 2:14 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation.
4 To bring in everlasting righteousness. Everlasting, no end, righteousness, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant and according to God's will, fair and balanced. Isaiah 61:10-11 2 Corinthians 5:21 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 5:17-21 1 Peter 2:24.
See Part 3
I am going to let the word of God answer the questions you ask.
You ask: Did the apostle Paul commit sin after he was saved.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of GOD doeth not commit sin, for his (GOD'S) SEED remaineth in him: and he CANNOT sin because he is BORN of God.
You ask: in 100 years will I be alive in physical body? YES!
John 11:26 Whosoever liveth and believeth in me (the SEED) shall NEVER DIE, believest thou this?
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (the SEED) DIE ANYMORE (they died with Christ on the cross): for they are EQUAL unto the ANGELS (angles have Christ's resurrected body); and are the children (SONS, like Christ) of God, being the children (SEED) of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God giveth it (Christ's SEED) a body as it has pleased him, to every SEED his (Christ's) OWN BODY.
You ask: do I every commit sin. NO!
Galatians 2:20 .....I am DEAD, nonetheless I LIVE, YET NOT I, but Christ LIVETH IN ME .... ALL creation DIED on the cross ....ONLY ONE SEED (Christ) arose ....
You ask: What does it mean to be born again.
To believe the WORD's Of GOD.
You can not be BORN again until you BELIEVE YOUR DEAD, only Christ is alive.
You ask: Where is Paul living and in what form:
Luke 20:36 ...EQUAL to the angles .... the IMAGE of CHRIST ...... Christ is the ANGEL of GOD ......
Isaiah 63:8 .... and the ANGEL of his (God's) presence SAVED them ..... Paul is living IN and BY the presence of Christ, in the body of Christ ...
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ..... Christ in you .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... ye are the BODY of Christ ....
God bless YOU!
I will give you some of the scriptures that says we died on the cross with Christ and were raised with Christ, the first resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:14 .... that if ONE died for ALL,then were all DEAD.
Colossians 3:3 For ye are DEAD, and your life is hid with Christ IN God.
Romans 6:6 ....our old man is CRUCIFIED with him .......
Galatians 2:20 I am CRUCIFIED with Christ: nevertheless I live, YET NOT I, but Christ liveth in ME .....
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised US UP TOGETHER ......
Isaiah 26:9 Thy DEAD men shall arise, TOGETHER with my dead body shall they ARISE ....
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the FIRST RESURRECTION .....
God bless you