Spiritual Disciplines

2. Theology in Counseling
Written By Bryan Carlson
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In athletics, you understand the importance of discipline. It is the key to success in any sport. Whether it is practicing every day, eating a healthy diet, or getting enough rest, discipline is what separates the great athletes from the rest. Discipline requires sacrifice. You have to give up certain things in order to achieve your goals. You have to say no to junk food, partying, and other distractions that could interfere with your training. Discipline also requires consistency. You have to show up every day, even when you don't feel like it. You have to put in the work, even when it's hard. And it requires accountability. You have coaches, trainers, and teammates who hold you accountable for your actions and performance.

If you aspire to become a world-renowned artist, musician, or dancer you know that it takes discipline. Just like in sports, the discipline required to succeed in the arts requires sacrifice, consistency, and hard work. To become an accomplished artist, you must dedicate countless hours to developing your craft. You must constantly practice and work on your skills, even when you don't feel like it. Discipline in the arts also requires sacrifice, as you may need to give up certain things in order to focus on your creative pursuits. You may need to say no to social events or other distractions that could interfere with your work. Ultimately, discipline is essential if you want to achieve success and make a name for yourself in the world of arts.

Just like in sports or the arts, discipline is crucial in our spiritual lives. It is the key to growing closer to God and living a life that reflects His love and truth. We must be willing to make sacrifices in order to grow closer to God. We must say no to sin, pride, and selfishness and say yes to living a life that honors Him. We must be consistent in our prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. We can't just show up on Sundays and expect to grow spiritually. It takes consistent effort and dedication. And we need people who will hold us accountable for our actions and help us stay on track. We need mentors, friends, and fellow believers who will encourage us, challenge us, and help us grow. Finally, discipline in our spiritual lives requires a long-term perspective. We must be patient, persevere through difficult times, and trust that God is at work in our lives, even when we can't see it.

Verses for study

Word of God

  • Psalm 19:7-14: more valuable than gold; sweeter than honey

  • Psalm 119:154-156: Revive me according to Your word. Revive me according to Your judgments.

  • Isaiah 40:8: The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

  • John 17:13-21: I have given them Your word; Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

  • 2 Timothy 3:14-17: You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.

  • Hebrews 4:12-13: For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer.

  • Deuteronomy 4:2: do not add or take away from the Word in order to keep God’s commandments

  • Psalm 12:6: The words of the Lord are pure words; Like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, filtered seven times.

  • Psalm 25:4-5: lead me in Your truth and teach me

  • Psalm 119:12: Teach me Your statutes.

  • Psalm 119:24-27: Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my advisers. Revive me according to Your word. Teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts

  • Psalm 119:33-37: Teach me, the way of Your statutes, Lord, And I shall comply with it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may comply with Your Law And keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies,

  • Psalm 119:40: Behold, I long for Your precepts

  • Psalm 119:52-56: I have remembered Your judgments from of old, Lord, And comfort myself. Your statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. Lord, I remember Your name in the night, and keep Your Law. This has become mine, that I comply with Your precepts.

  • Psalm 119:66-73: Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. Teach me Your statutes. I delight in Your Law. The Law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Give me understanding, so that I may learn Your commandments.

  • Psalm 119:88: may I keep the testimony of Your mouth.

  • Psalm 119:103-107: How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous judgments. Revive me, Lord, according to Your word.

  • Psalm 119:113: I love Your Law.

  • Psalm 119:125-128: I am Your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know Your testimonies. I love Your commandments Above gold, yes, above pure gold. Therefore I carefully follow all Your precepts concerning everything

  • Psalm 119:149: Revive me, Lord, according to Your judgments.

  • Psalm 119:159-160: Consider how I love Your precepts; The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting.

  • Proverbs 30:5-6: Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words Or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.

  • Acts 17:10-12: The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these people were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed, along with a significant number of prominent Greek women and men.

  • Romans 2:18: and know His will and distinguish the things that matter, being instructed from the Law

  • 2 Peter 1:20-21: But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Prayer; dependence

  • 1 John 5:13-15: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

  • Matthew 26:37-40; Luke 22:39-46: at Gethsemane: “Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

  • Mark 9:20-20: “When He came into the house, His disciples began asking Him privately, ‘Why is it that we could not cast it out?’ And He said to them, ‘This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.’”

  • Mark 11:22-24: “’all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.’”

  • John 14:13-14: And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

  • John 17:13-21: Jesus prays for us!

  • Acts 6:2-4: “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

  • Romans 8:26-27: Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

  • Romans 15:30-33: Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me

  • Ephesians 6:18: With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints

  • Colossians 4:12: Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:2: We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers

  • 1 Timothy 2:1-6: First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

  • 2 Timothy 1:1-4: I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.

  • James 5:13-18: Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

Set your minds on things above

  • Colossians 3:1-4: Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Godliness

  • 1 Timothy 4:1-7b-8: Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Unity

  • John 17:13-21: “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

  • Romans 8:9,14,16: However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.

  • Romans 12:4-5: For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.

  • Romans 15:1-7: Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12-31: For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another.

  • Ephesians 4:1-6: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

  • Philippians 1:27-30: Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

Baptism

  • Acts 2:41 - "So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls."

  • Acts 8:12 - "But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike."

  • Acts 9:18 - "And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized."

  • Acts 8:34-40: the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized

  • Acts 16:25-34: the Philippian jailer and his household was baptized

Meditation

  • Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”

  • Psalm 4:4b: “Meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still.”

Avoid evil; flee from evil

  • Proverbs 4:25-27: “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left; Turn your foot from evil.”

  • 2 Timothy 2:22 - "Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

  • James 4:7 - "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

  • Psalm 34:14 - "Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it."

  • 1 Peter 3:11 - "And he must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it."

Article: The Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Authority of Scripture and their Relationship to One Another by Bryan Carlson

Inspiration means that the text of the Bible was divinely inspired by God and that the authors were guided by the Holy Spirit in their writing. Though the authors were human, their writing was not just the result of their own thoughts and ideas, but rather was directly influenced by God. Scripture testifies about itself that it is the inspired, infallible Word of God. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). (See also Luke 1:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:14-18; and Revelation 1:1-3).

Inerrancy means that the text of the Bible is without error in all its teachings and facts, accurate and trustworthy in all its teachings and historical references. The Bible provides a reliable and accurate representation of God's truth and will. In the original manuscript, Scripture does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact. The belief in inerrancy is supported by the testimony of Scripture itself. "No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Authority means the Bible has ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. The Bible is the final authority in all spiritual and moral matters, and its teachings should guide our beliefs and actions. The authority of Scripture is based on the fact that it is the inspired and inerrant Word of God. Scripture is self-attesting; otherwise, human reason becomes the ultimate authority instead of God’s Word. Since it is inspired by God, it is God’s Word. “The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting” (Psalm 119:159-160). Jesus told us in John 17:17: “I have given them Your word; Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” To disobey the Scripture is to disobey God. Therefore, we can speak authoritatively when we counsel.

The inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture are related concepts in Christian theology and are central to the understanding of the Bible. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, which lays the foundation for inerrancy and authority. The doctrine of inerrancy supports the authority of Scripture by providing a reliable and accurate representation of God's truth. And the authority of Scripture is based on the belief that it is the inspired and inerrant word of God.

We know that the Scriptures are reliable in testifying about itself. The Bible was written to reveal to us the God of the Universe and to point us to Him. The Bible consists of 66 books, written over a period of 1500 years by 40 different authors from a wide variety of locations and walks of life in three different languages. Yet all of Scripture is in perfect agreement with itself in telling one unified story of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Additionally, the New Testament perfectly fulfills the Old Testament. There are over 300 prophesies in the Old Testament (i.e., Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14) fulfilled in the New Testament. The fulfillment of these prophesies, at times very specific prophesies, written hundreds of years earlier, prove the inspiration of the Word of God. Jesus Himself explains how He actively fulfilled Scripture: “Now He said to them, ‘These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled’” (Luke 24:44-48).

From an apologetics standpoint, there must be a single source of absolute truth in our world or literally anything goes. It is of paramount importance for the Christian to identify the Word of God as our sole source of absolute truth. If we hold to any other authority other that the Word of God, we are in danger of getting off track. 

Article: The sufficiency of Scripture and the Practice of Biblical Counseling by Bryan Carlson

“The Sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly” (Grudem 127). The Bible is complete and sufficient for all spiritual needs; no additional revelation or teachings are necessary for a person to live a life of faith (Proverbs 3:5-7). 

The Holy Spirit will allow the Word of God to be applied to our lives. John 14:16-17, 26-27 tells us “the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-16: Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.”

In the context of counseling, the sufficiency of Scripture is central to the approach of helping individuals through their problems and struggles using Scripture. Answers to life's difficulties and questions can be found in the pages of the Bible. The Bible provides the guidance and wisdom to address any issue that a person may face and is sufficient for all people, regardless of their circumstances or problems.

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, 127-135.

Article: The Inspired Word of God and our Canon by Bryan Carlson

From an apologetics standpoint, there must be a single source of absolute truth in our lives or literally anything goes. If it’s not the Word of God, what is it? The church—the Catholics have come to all sorts of conclusions that contradict (and trump) Scripture; other revelation—the Mormons have created an all-new false religion based off the writing of Joseph Smith (that trump Scripture); the Holy Spirit’s voice—millions of people have justified doctrine and outright sin in the name of hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit that contradicts Scripture. It is of paramount importance to identify what is the source of absolute truth and where that conclusion ultimately leads.

“The New Testament was not self-consciously created by the church, either as a response to external stimuli or as a means to some end but arose naturally and spontaneously from the inner life of early Christianity, above all in contexts of worship and instruction” (Henry Gamble, “The New Testament Canon in Recent Research”).

“What really is remarkable is that, though the fringes of the New Testament canon remained unsettled until the fourth century [Hebrews, James, Jude, 3 John], a high degree of unanimity concerning the basic core of the New Testament [Gospels, Acts, Paul, John, Peter] was attained very early among the diverse and scattered churches not only in the Mediterranean but also over an area extending from western Europe to east Asia” (Bruce Metzger, “The Canon of the New Testament: Origin, Development, and Significance”).

“The councils of the church played little part in deciding what was in the canon of scripture. When councils did speak to the subject, their voice was a ratification of what had already become the common practice of the churches” (Everett Furgeson, “Factors Leading to the Selections and Closure of the New Testament Canon”).

There will be false teachers among you:

  • 2 Peter 2:1-3, 17-22: But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 17 These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22 [h]It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”

  • 2 Corinthians 11:3: But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Our amazing Bible:

  • 66 books of the Bible: 39 OT; 27 NT

  • Written by over 40 authors

  • Over a period of more than 1500 years

  • On three different continents—Africa, Asia, and Europe

  • In three difference languages

  • Yet, all tell one unified story of redemption through Jesus Christ

From a human perspective, does it seem odd that God would start the story and not finish it—that He would leave us hanging without hope in the world—that He would tell us to expect a Savior but not tell us who this Savior was or how we could find Him? What kind of author sets the stage, introduces the villain, explains the problem, foreshadows the solution, and then ends the book? Not a very good one. 

All Scripture is God breathed. The Lord selected the writers and guided their writing. These are the things God wanted passed down to us.

The Bible in the Making by Tim Mackie:

https://d2y1pz2y630308.cloudfront.net/12729/documents/2020/1/TBP%20STUDY%20GUIDE.pdf

New Testament canon:

  • Luke 1:1-4: Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things [a]accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning [b]were eyewitnesses and [c]servants of the [d]word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having [e]investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been [f]taught.

  • 1 Peter 5:1,8-9,12: Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 [d]But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your [e]brethren who are in the world. 12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother [f](for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 

  •  2 Peter 3:14-18: Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures (Peter is including Paul’s writings as Scripture), to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

  • Colossians 4:14-16: Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also [j]Nympha and the church that is in [k]her house. 16 When [l]this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read [m]my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 

  • Galatians 6:16: And those who will [i]walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

  • Acts 4:13: Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them [k]as having been with Jesus. (They were teaching and writing the very words of Jesus.)

Jesus’ instructions to teach and write the New Testament:

  • Matthew 28:16-20: But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 [e]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [f]always, even to the end of the age.”

  • Acts 1:4-8: Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for [b]what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized [c]with the Holy Spirit [d]not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

  • Luke 24:44-53: Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their [p]minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the [q]Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance [r]for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed [s]in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple [t]praising God.

  • Mark 3:13-14: And He *went up on the mountain and *summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach (and eventually write everything they were given authority to preach).

  • John 16:1-15: “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 [a]They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you [b]may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [c]Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore, I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”

Jesus’ prayer for His disciples:

  • John 17: Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, 2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to [a]all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I glorified You on the earth, [b]having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; 8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. 12 While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the [c]son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them [d]from [e]the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may [f]believe that You sent Me. 22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected [g]in unity, so that the world may [h]know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 “O righteous Father, [i]although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

His small group of twelve was being trained to carry on the witness and work of Jesus after He was gone. They were given a place of special importance in the furthering of His work (Mark 3:14-15). Thus, He taught them with clarity while often teaching the crowds in parables (Mark 4:34). He sent them as the Father had sent Him (John 20:21) so they would be witnesses of "all these things" (Luke 24:48). Both the Spirit and the apostles would be witnesses for Christ (John 15:26ff; cf. Acts 5:32). He promised to send the Spirit to help them when He left. They would be empowered to bear witness (Acts. 1:4,5,8). The Spirit would give them the right things to say when brought to trial (Matt. 10:19ff). He would remind them of what Jesus had said (John 14:26) and would give them new knowledge (John 16:12ff). These things have I spoken unto you, being [yet] present with you (John 14:25-26). But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Old Testament points forward to a coming prophet, fulfilled in Christ and recorded in the New Testament:

  • Isaiah 53: Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a tender [a]shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should [b]be attracted to Him. 3 He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of [c]sorrows and acquainted with [d]grief; and like one from whom men hide their face he was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our [e]griefs He Himself bore, and our [f]sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, [g]Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was [h]pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our [i]well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to [j]fall on Him. 7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the [k]living for the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? 9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth. 10 But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, [l]putting Him to grief; if [m]He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His [n]offspring, He will prolong His days, and the [o]good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of the [p]anguish of His soul, He will see [q]it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty with the strong; because He poured out [r]Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.

  • Malachi 4:5-6: “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will [e]restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a [f]curse.”

The OT and the NT are inextricably linked through fulfilled prophesies about Christ:

Jesus’ birth:

  • Genesis 12:3/Acts 3:25-26

  • Genesis 17:19/Romans 9:6-13

  • Genesis 28:14/Luke 3:34

  • Genesis 49:10/Luke 3:33

  • 2 Samuel 7:12-13/Matthew 1:1

  • Isaiah 7:14/Luke 1:35

  • Hosea 11:1/Matthew 2:14-15

  • Micah 5:2/Matthew 2:4-6

Jesus’ ministry:

  • Genesis 3:15/1 John 3:8

  • Exodus 12:15/Hebrews 9:14

  • Psalm 8:5-6/Hebrews 2:5-9

  • Psalm 40:6-8/Hebrews 10:5-10

  • Psalm 40:9/Matthew 4:17

  • Psalm 78:1-2/Matthew 13:34-35

  • Isaiah 6:9-10/Matthew 13:13-15

  • Isaiah 8:14/1 Peter 2:7-8

  • Isaiah 9:1-2/Matthew 4:12-17

  • Isaiah 11:10/John 12:18-21

  • Isaiah 35:5-6/Matthew 11:2-6

  • Isaiah 40:3-4/John 1:23

  • Isaiah 42:1-4/Matthew 12:15-21

  • Isaiah 53:3/Luke 4:28-29

  • Isaiah 61:1/Luke 4:16-21

  • Daniel 7:13-14/Luke 1:31-33

  • Daniel 9:24/Daniel 9:25-26/Galatians 1:3-5

  • Zechariah 9:9/Matthew 21:8-10

  • Zechariah 11:12-13/Matthew 27:6-10

  • Malachi 4:5-6/Matthew 11:10-15

Jesus’ Death and Resurrection:

  • Exodus 12:21-30/1 Corinthians 5:7

  • Exodus 12:46/John 19:31-36

  • Leviticus 17:11/Matthew 26:28

  • Numbers 21:9/John 3:14-18

  • Job 19:23-27/John 5:24-29

  • Psalm 22:1/Matthew 27:46

  • Psalm 22:8/Matthew 27:42-43

  • Psalm 22:15/John 19:28

  • Psalm 22:16/John 19:36-37

  • Psalm 22:18/John 19:23-24

  • Psalm 31:5/Luke 23:46

  • Psalm 31:11/Mark 14:50

  • Psalm 31:13/Matthew 27:11

  • Psalm 38:12-13/Matthew 27:12-14

  • Psalm 16:9-11/Acts 2:31

  • Psalm 41:9/John 13:18

  • Psalm 68:18/Ephesians 4:7-16

  • Psalm 69:21/Matthew 27:34

  • Psalm 118:17-18/Luke 24:5-7

  • Isaiah 25:7-8/1 Corinthians 15:54

  • Isaiah 50:3-6/Matthew 27:27-31

  • Ezekiel 37:12/Matthew 27:52-53

Jesus and the Church:

  • Deuteronomy 18:15-16/John 5:45-47

  • 1 Samuel 2:35/Hebrews 2:17

  • Psalm 9:7-10/Acts 17:31

  • Isaiah 22:22/Revelation 3:7

  • Isaiah 44:3/John 16:17

  • Jeremiah 31:31/Matthew 26:28

Jesus’ future coming:

  • Isaiah: 13:4,8-12; 14:12-15; 24:6,18-23; 33:14; 34:3,9; 51:6; 65:15,16; 66:18

  • Ezekiel 37; 38:5,15-22; 39:2,6,11-21

  • Daniel 2:42-44; 7:8,13-14,24-25; 8:19,26; 9:26-27; 11:36-44; 12:7,11

  • Joel 2:10,12-20,30; 3:15-16,32

  • Amos 9:5-8

  • Zechariah 11:15-17; 12:1-4,10-14; 13:1-9; 14:2-13

  • Malachi 2:1-3; 4:1

  • Matthew 16:27

  • Matthew 24:3-14, 27, 36-44

  • Mark 14:62

  • Luke 21:34-36

  • John 5:28-29

  • John 6:37-40

  • John 14:1-3

  • Acts 1:10-11

  • Acts 17:31

  • Colossians 3:4

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

  • Titus 2:13

  • Hebrews 9:28

  • James 5:7

  • 2 Peter 3:8-10

  • 1 John 3:2-3

  • Revelation 1:7

  • Revelation 22:20

“Unfortunately, many people don’t appreciate how the Old Testament and the New Testament fit together. Too many Christians accept half an inheritance by being content to embrace merely the new. On the flip side, Jews have an incomplete picture when the embrace only the old. We must not settle for either when both are essential to experience our full inheritance in the Kingdom and fully understand the Messiah” (Rabbi Jason Sobel, “Mysteries of the Messiah”).

Article: Unity in the Church by Bryan Carlson

Unity as the body of Christ

Unity is dear to the heart of God but is one area we are the weakest in as a body of believers.

The one true Church—all believers in the body of Christ—is emphasized in Scripture.  The design of the Church was never meant to be separate bodies of believers in the same proximity fighting harder to remain independent so as not to compromise our lengthy doctrinal statements than to follow God’s heart for unity and oneness.  In heaven, we will be worshipping with all Christians, from all denominations, ages, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It should be the same on earth!  There is no division in Christ.

Jesus Christ is our head!

  • Col 1:13-23 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

  • Romans 12:4-6 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

  • Ephesians 4:14-16 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

We are guided and directed by the Holy Spirit

  • Acts 9:31 31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

  • Romans 8:11-14 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[a] his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

There should be no division

  • 1 Corinthians 11:18 18In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 

  • Titus 3:9-11 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

  • Mark 9:38-40 38“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”  39“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us.

  • Ephesians 4:11-16 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10 10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:3-9 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?  5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

  • 2 Tim. 2:23-25 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.

The Church is His one body

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2 2To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours.

  • Romans 15:5-7 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

    Ephesians 4:1-6 1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4-28 (paraphrased) 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.  7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good…11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many…25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other… 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church (In what church? The universal Church.) God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

  • Gal. 3:27-28 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

They will know us by our unity and our love

  • Colossians 3:12-17 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

  • Romans 12:9-10 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

  • Romans 12:18 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

  • 1 Thess. 3:11-13 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

  • 1 Cor. 13:1-3,13 1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

  • 1 John 3:14-15 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

  • 1 John 4:7-12, 19-21 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:5-9 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.

  • Phil. 1:3-11 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

  • Acts 20:17-25, 36-38 17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

When we should divide

  • 2 Timothy 4:3-5 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

  • 2 John 7-11 7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

  • Jude 3-4 3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about[a] long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

  • Galatians 1:6-10 (reference 1 Corinthians 15:1-8) 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 5 1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

Conclusion

As the Church, let’s strive for unity. We are in a war, and we are spending more effort fighting each other than fighting for the souls of lost people. John 17:20-23: “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

 

Article: Denominations/ Hierarchy by Bryan Carlson

The Israelites asked for a king to be like the nations around them, though they had God as their king. Yes, they had priests to atone for them before God, but that changed when Christ died and the veil ripped from top to bottom—giving everyone access to God equally.

Some follow Apollos, some follow Paul. They are mere men.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10-13: I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas[b]”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 

  • 1 Corinthians 3: Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b] 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Do not call anyone father. Do not call anyone teacher. We are all the same.

  • Matthew 23:5-12: “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. 8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Elders corporately responsible for the church. The elders were of a city.

  • Acts 14:21-23: They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 

  • 1 Timothy 1:3-4: “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.”

  • 1 Timothy 3:14-15: “Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”

  • 1 Timothy 4:6-16: “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

  • 1 Timothy 5:17-21: “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a] and “The worker deserves his wages.”[b] 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.”

  • 1 Timothy 6:20-21: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.”

  • Titus 1:4-5: To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint[a] elders in every town, as I directed you.

  • Titus 2: “You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

  • Titus 3:12-14: “As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”

  • 1 Peter 5:1-6: To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.“

  • 1 Timothy 3:1-7: “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

  • Titus 1:6-9:”An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe[b] and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 10 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

Spiritual gifts:

  • 1 Corinthians 12: Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

  • Romans 12:3-8: “ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

  • Ephesians 4:11-16: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

What is the role of pastors, teachers, etc. The greatest among you is the servant of all. Pastoral epistles: Timothy and Titus were spiritual leaders in Ephesus and Crete respectively; they were not CEOs of a church.  Even if we do not intend it, setting up our local churches where paid employees do most of the ministry, is the opposite of what we are commanded in Scripture. 

Elders/pastors/teacher are supposed to serve the Body—all of whom are to be using our spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit to make disciples.

Resources

“Bible Walkthrough; Redemption Story” (workbook) by Bryan Carlson (email: bryan.carlson@biblicalcounselinghub.com to obtain a copy)

“Fundamentals of the Faith” (workbook) by John MacArthur 

“Spiritual Leadership” by J. Oswald Sanders

“Godliness through Discipline” by Jay Adams

Bryan Carlson
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