Epaggelia

There seems to be a desire by God’s Spirit to be closely associated with water, from the creation of the world, He is hovering over water, Genesis 1:2, and also in the creation of the church, He uses water, Acts 2:38-39. Jesus even talks of His Spirit as if it is like living water, John 7:37-39. Here are twelve ways in which the Scripture describe Christ’s Spirit working:

1. Gives us eternal life, Romans 8:9-11
2. Renews us in a regenerating wash, Titus 3:5 & 1^st Peter 3:20-21
3. Waters us, so that we never thirst, John 7:37-39 & 1^st Corinthians 12:13
4. Seals us and keeps us, Ephesians 1:13-14
5. Unites us into one body, Ephesians 4:3
6. Convicts us of sin, righteousness & judgment, John 16:8
7. Sanctifies us in applying Christ’s blood, 1^st Peter 1:2 & Hebrews 10:19-22
8. Helps us pray to The Father, building us up in the faith, Romans 8:26 & Jude v20
9. Helps us understand the Word of God, 1^st Cor. 2:12-16
10. Leads us, helping us walk with Him, Romans 8:4, 8:14 & Galatians 5:16-25
11. Loves & Comforts us, 2^nd Corinthians 1:4 & Romans 15:30
12. Bears Fruit in our heart, growing the virtues of Christ, Galatians 5:22-23

God the Holy Spirit of Christ, brings repentance and brings about an awareness of when we are not doing the right thing, 2^nd Timothy 2:25. He will begin to deal with the sins in our life and help us overcome them.  We are not the ones necessarily that conquer sin; God the Holy Spirit is the power that dwells in us to help us do this.  We can not possibly overcome sin by our own human effort alone.  This doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit stops all the urges nor will He stop our returning to sin, but the Holy Spirit can remind the believer by His power in the gospel, to not engage in bad behavior and other ungodly acts.

Here are points we tried to emphasize from each of the twelve discussions we had on the household of God in Christ. These virtues will help us be real friends in the church and attract worldly people to God’s friendship Family. Christ is our peace, Ephesians 2:14. 

Courage for Christ is what helps every family grow, John the Immersionist is an excellent example of evangelism, emphasizing repentance & baptism. Matthew 3:1-2

 Humbly sharing the gospel and showing the power and wisdom of Christ is what helps every family to grow. Mark’s gospel attracts others outside the family to become a member. Mark the gospel writer reminds us of the essential virtue of humility, Mark 16.

 Precision when sharing the gospel is what Luke’s gospel emphasizes concerning the Christ. As a doctor, Luke was able to tell us exactly who Jesus is. His letter of Acts is full of accuracy in describing how the Spirit of Christ worked to bring the church into the world.

 Righteous living defeats hypocrisy in our family, Zacharias & Elizabeth are supreme examples of practicing what we preach. Marriages that are built on teamwork, work! Luke 1:6

 Parenting skills which are built on honesty & love, give families the essential ingredients in providing the best education for children. Joseph & Mary excel as an example in what it means to grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ, as they raised the Christ! Every church family needs an emphasis on teaching children.

 Expressing our faith through opening up our homes and letting people see our personal lives, is what Mary, Martha & Lazarus do in the gospel narratives. Mary & her anointing, Martha & her dinners as well as Lazarus in his sickness & death, was used to exemplify the power of Christ’s resurrection! Every family needs members who are willing to express their faith in God in everyday common events where outsiders can see what is inside the family!

 Personal devotion in growing closer to Christ is a hallmark of spiritual maturity. Mary of Magdala is an excellent example of intimacy with Christ which every family needs. No matter what your background is, we are never so far from Christ that we can not be brought close to God. How personal are your prayers? How strong is your desire to be with Christ? This is what makes a Christian a disciple, devotion! John 20:1-18

 Public sacrifices in public have their place in every family. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are both excellent examples of being essential to the public outreach of the church with the gospel. Making big sacrifices, not just a contribution, but sacrifice is what Christians should grow to perform, both personally and publically. Without the hypocritical fanfare of bringing attention to who exactly is giving how much! John 19:38-42

 Teamwork in evangelism by husbands & wives is shown clearly by Aquila, Priscilla & Apollos. Every church family needs a couple like this. Equality in Christ is a reality that the church as a whole should appreciate and use. Acts 18-19.

 Leadership in praise, prayer & everyday encouragement is essential for the daily life of the church. Barnabas & Silas are used to set this essential example for leadership in the church. If our leaders aren’t skilled in praise, prayer and encouragement, the rest of the family grows weak! Acts 14-16

Guarding the gifts, talents & truths of the church in individuals is paramount for cultivating leadership. Timothy & Titus teach us what our priorities should be as a family in both establishing and maintaining healthy leadership for the future of any church family. Titus 1:5 & 1st Timothy 6:20

On the second visit by Paul to Derbe, Lystra & Iconium, the Apostle saw the pure faith of Timothy, and since from a child he had known the sacred Scriptures of the Old Testament (2 Tim 3:15), and also seeing his Christian character, he wanted Timothy to “accompany him” (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy accepted Paul’s desire, and as preparation to his work in being an evangelist, both to Jew and Gentile, two things were done. In order to promote unity between Gentile Christians (Hellenistic) & Jewish Christians (Hebrews), who would otherwise have caused trouble, which would have weakened Timothy’s position and his work as a gospel preacher. Paul took Timothy and circumcised him and had him “ordained”. Paul wanted this done, on account of the fact that Timothy’s mother was a Jewess. It was therefore quite a different case from that of Titus, where Paul refused to allow circumcision to be performed (Acts 15:2 & Galatians 2:1-8)–Titus being, unlike Timothy, a Gentile by birth. The other act which was performed for Timothy’s benefit, before he set out with Paul, was that he was prayed over and had hands laid upon him by the Eldership from Derbe, Lystra & Iconium. Showing the importance which Paul assigned to this act of ordination, he refers to it in a letter to Timothy written many years afterward: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery” (1 Tim 4:14). In this ordination Paul himself took part, for he writes, “I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands” (2 Tim 1:6). This passage should be viewed in the light of 1 Tim 4:14. It was very likely prophetic voices (through prophecy; compare 1 Tim 1:18, `according to the prophecies which went before in regard to thee’) which suggested the choice of Timothy as assistant of Paul and Silvanus (Silas), and his appointment to this work with prayer and the laying on of hands (compare Acts 13:2 ff) The churches in the neighborhood of Timothy’s home, according to Acts 14:23, had been furnished with an Eldership soon after their founding, which God used.

Both Timothy & Titus were given priorities by the Apostle Paul to find brothers who were qualified to become Elders and Deacons. This points us to the circle of leadership we should be trying to cultivate, teach and pray that it grows from our youth in the congregation. Titus 1:5 & 1^st Timothy 6:20 “Guard” what has been entrusted to you! Encourage the youth to preserve what they are taught and the tasks they are appointed to.

From all of Paul’s friends, it is only Timothy & Titus whom he refers to as his own spiritual “sons” (1^st Timothy 1:2 & Titus 1:4) and this continues with the congregation as a whole in the context of God’s fatherhood of children with sisters as “daughters” in 2^nd Corinthians 6:18. Therefore we know it is not a matter of who physically baptizes a new child of God. But who is it that invests personal time working & teaching the new child of God? They have the right to speak and refer to them as their spiritual children, having the personal touch which God’s Spirit uses to help them be raised to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Why? Because there is only One Father and Teacher in reality, Matthew 23:8-10. Christians with a Jewish heritage, seem to have the same right as Gentile Christians, to refer to Abraham as a spiritual father, Acts 7:2 & Romans 4:12 & James 2:21-25.

So what do we learn from Timothy & Titus to better instill virtues that will help the family be better friends in our congregation? People need to be treated differently, because we have different needs, but that doesn’t mean any single individual is any less important, or less loved, or less valued than the next person even if we are treated differently. We should try to honor one another moreso, than our-self, Romans 12:10, excelling in respecting each other.

Barnabas & Silas were examples of the kind of Christians God want us to see Christ in. They help beautify and strengthen Christ’s family. The Apostles and Elders of the early church needed Leaders who could help them make the message of Christ come alive in the community by working with the church in performing good deeds which physically helped move a spiritual message and Kingdom, See Acts 15:22, “ Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers. The leadership of Barnabas & Silas doesn’t mean they were appointed to a public office in the church, like Apostles, Elders and Evangelists, holding scriptural criteria and qualifying marks of character like them, but it does mean they were recognized by the church as multiplying their talents which God used to put them in a ministry leadership position, “among brothers”. Every congregation of the Lord’s Family needs brothers who will lead in support of evangelism!

Problems can arise, which should be expected, and with love & patience, we will see solutions and blessings, if we follow Christ and prayerfully help grow the fruit of the Spirit. Paul had a problem with Mark, which seems awful in the moment, but later blessed the church as a whole, because Barnabas showed Paul how to treat Mark who was struggling with a problem, which Paul didn’t know how to deal with, see Acts 15:37-40, “Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark, but Paul did not think it was right to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and who had not gone with them into the work. The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and left after the brothers had entrusted him to the grace of the Lord.” Every congregation will have family problems that they don’t know how to deal with, we simply need love & patience to help us grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ to find the solution, see 2nd Timothy 4:11 & Colossians 4:10

When persecution arises against the church, our Leaders need support. Silas was a supporting leader that suffered alongside the Apostle Paul, See Acts 16:22 & 25 “The crowd joined in the attack against them. Then the magistrates had Paul and Silas stripped of their clothes and ordered them beaten with rods.…around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them”. God uses leaders to keep the church encouraged through persecution. Praise has been used by God during war, with great success for centuries and will continue in us and in our children, King Jehoshaphat saw it in 2^nd Chron. 20:1-29, being one of many incidents of praise used in victory against God’s enemies. Joshua saw it, Deborah saw it and David did too, 1^st Kings 1:5-53. Today the church sees, feels and experiences personal problems which bring great pain to us. The influence of the Devil in the world does this to us, sin is very real in the world we live in. Without the example and power of praise in the lives of leaders, we will weaken, fall and fail to stand-fast in the good fight of overcoming evil with good. The Christian soldier’s description begins with “TRUTH” and ends with “PRAYER”, Ephesians 6:10-18. Keep praising Him who upholds us, Colossians 3:15-17. Every congregation should have leaders who are skilled in praise & encouragement like Silas & Barnabas, they are needed! Without them, we are in danger, believe it and praise God with them in order to be more than a conqueror, Romans 8:37.

In Acts 18:2 we first read of Aquila & Priscilla in Ephesus because of the Roman’s expulsion of Jews from Rome by the Emperor Claudius, who reigned between AD 41-54, this expulsion is also written of by Roman historians Suetonius (c. AD 69 – c. AD 122) and Cassius Dio, AD 150 – c. 235. Most people generally agree that these references refer to the same incident. The exact date is uncertain. The largest time window for the expulsion of Jews from Rome is from January AD 41 until January AD 53, the reason this is important is because that timeframe fits with the visit of Apollos in Ephesus from Alexandria, where the huge library was still in operation. The fact that formal teaching and growth in Christianity from Rome to Alexandria existed and that they met in Ephesus, means that our faith, within the first few decades was already having multi-cultural effects on the upper echelons of society. The fact that women such as Priscilla was able to teach a formally educated man like Apollos was a credit to her, even if it was in the context of being with her husband Aquila.  In Acts 18:23-27, this event encapsulates evangelism, (especially when it is compared to 1 Tim 2:12): a woman may explain the known facts of the gospel in any context outside the congregation, especially with her husband. But whether she is encouraged or led by the Lord to teach men within a public congregation on the basis of those facts is both outside the scope of Acts 18:26 and its context is incongruous with 1 Tim 2:12. In practice, I would see no problem with women instructing men in several areas of life about basic Bible facts and the like. But when it comes to teaching the Word to men in any way that involves interpretation and/or application within a congregation, this seems to be a violation of the Lords prohibition by Paul in 1 Tim 2:12. Why? Simply put: Because God set an order for his Son’s Church, it is not ours. It is the Church of Christ, and his order is a priority, God then Christ then Man then Woman, 1^st Corinthians 11:1-16, this shows God’s concern for what the angels think, learn & see, as well as what we think the world finds disgraceful with emphasis on verse 6-10.

When Apollos came to Corinth in Acts 19:1-3, Paul returned to Ephesus to find that the disciples there only knew about the baptism of John. Which is where Aquila & Priscilla had met Apollos from the previous chapter and he only knew of the baptism of John. Why is this important? Notice the gift of the Holy Spirit during the baptism of Jesus, and the gift of tongues & prophecy after the apostle Paul lays hands on them. Compare this with what happens in Acts 8:9-25 with other Apostles and Simon the sorcerer. We see from both examples that the friends & family of Christ have both a doctrinal and practical need for the Spirit of Christ. Without the Spirit of Christ, these new Christians could not grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ, 2^nd Peter 3:18, and neither could they grow the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-25. Furthermore, from our viewpoint, the entire New Testament could not be written without the Holy Spirit so that we can read of how it happened and why!

In 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 & 4:1-6, Paul is adamant that both he and Apollos are on the same page. They are both engaged in building up the church. Both are “servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.” Regardless of who learnt about the Holy Spirit first, and regardless of who is more spiritually mature than the other. Regardless of which of them was an Apostle or not. They were both servants and stewards of God’s mysteries. What does that make you and me? Whenever a family member of the church grows beyond the first principles in the grace & knowledge of Christ, we become more than just babes in Christ, we become to a lesser or greater degree Servants and Stewards of the mysteries of God. Therefore keep in mind as we approach the responsibility of teaching, what the Lord’s brother James warns: the stricter judgment is coming, James 3:1-2.

Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43 & Luke 23:50) is best known for his sacrificial act in helping to bury Christ, Mat. 27:57-61. It was forbidden by Jewish tradition to bury within the walls of a city, their ancient cemeteries were outside the city walls, and the Gospels specify that Jesus was buried outside of Jerusalem, near the site of his crucifixion, Golgotha (“the place of skulls”). When Constantine’s representatives arrived in Jerusalem around A.D. 325 to locate the tomb, they were allegedly pointed to a temple built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian some 200 years earlier. They fully realized and accepted that the walls of Jerusalem had moved & expanded to include both Golgotha & the burial site, but not Gethsemane. Historical sources suggest that Hadrian had the temple built over the tomb to assert his dominance of the Roman state religion over Christians. There is only one “new tomb” mentioned in the 27 letters of the New Testament, it was donated by Joseph and given to his new King, in order to establish a new Kingdom, John 19:41. The Kingdom is not physical, (Luke 17:21) it is spiritual and global, which is one reason why God has allowed the physical location of the cross & tomb to be ambiguous and debatable. God doesn’t want us to venerate a place, He craves our heart venerating His Son, the lover of our soul. That is why Joseph’s gift is more personal, than it is public, Luke 23:53.

Nicodemus (John 3:1-10) is best known for his private discussion with Jesus about being born again, Nicodemus was a ruling Pharisee over the Jewish leadership, called “Master Teacher” by Jesus. His membership within or associated with the Sanhedrin prevented public discourse with Jesus, but he grew in his faith of Christ and joined Joseph of Arimathea to help bury him with a huge amount of spices, John 19:37-41. The myrrh & aloes are both considered chief spices (Song of Solomon 4:14)  Myrrh was one of the principal spices in the anointing oil and holy perfume, Ex. 30:23. It is a kind of resin called “stacte”, which is aromatic by incision, or by its own accord, out of the body or branches of the tree so named, which grows in Arabia and Egypt; and since it is a wonderful aroma, was used at funerals. Aloe was used to perfume, and to give a good scent, Prv 7:17, and Christ’s garments are said to smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, Psalm 45:8. Some have thought, that this was a mixture of the juice of myrrh, and of the juice of the aloe plant, and was a liquid into which the body of Christ was put: but this thought is not in agreement with the winding of the body in linen, where they are called spices. The large amount of these spices could be enough for the usual burial of a dozen corpses, about 75 lbs. Several modern Jewish scholars discount the gospel account, referring to it as a ridiculous amount, but it is true to point out the example of King Asa, that “they buried him in his own grave which he had made for himself, in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet aromas, and many kinds of spices” 2nd Chron. 16:14.  To which may be added, that a large amount was probably brought by Nicodemus with servants, helping him by his orders, and it’s likely he came along with them. Just as Joseph is said to take down the body of Jesus from the cross, wind it in linen, and carry it to his grave, and there bury it; this being done with help, by his servants, at his orders, at least assisting in it; and also as Pilate is said to put the title he wrote upon the cross, though it was done by others, at his command. The reason this is so important is because the first eye-witnesses to the empty grave were women going to the tomb to finish the burial process with spices and OINTMENTS, Luke 23:56, the Greek word means liquid myrrh. It would seal the linen wrapped with several pounds of spices, previously used by Joseph & Nicodemus. Their work was enough, their gift was more than enough. Christ was risen, and enough evidence for his deity was manifested for the world to see. Nicodemus reminds the Family of Christ to this day, that God knows your gift, and if it is truly abundant, it is enough. Revelation 14:13 reminds us of what follows us who die in the Lord, having labor exclusively for Jesus Christ. Those kind of family members are friends!

The town of Magdala was on the west side of the lake of Galilee, it means “tower”, and in the 1970s archeological work revealed more of the ancient town. Mary’s name is always connected to this town, and not a family, which implies she was known as either a reputable public figure, possessed by demons possibly a fortune-teller, or she was a demonized homeless prostitute. Either way, the first lesson we learn is that God loves and is able to cleanse and forgive all kinds of sinners. After she was cleansed, her conversion was so complete that her devotion led her to be privileged in the event of the resurrection. “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils” (Mark 16:9). The Bible reveals that demons are very real. They are not a figment of creative imagination and we must stand guard against these minions of Satan. Thankfully, because of the resurrection the Bible tells us that demons are powerless as long as we are close to God. James 4:7 tells us: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST THE DEVIL, and he will flee from you.”

When Jesus was crucified, all of His male disciples except for one, deserted Him. However, this is not the case with Mary Magdalene and some other women. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the wife of Zebedee (Matthew 27:55-56). “Standing close to the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25). It takes courage to follow Christ. These women knew they were risking their lives in staying close to Jesus. When most men lost their courage, these women showed their devotion to Christ even if it meant putting their lives in danger.

When Mary Magdalene first saw the resurrected Christ she was in a state of depression having learnt his corpse had possibly been stolen, she craved his presence so much and missed him so deeply, that she felt sad & horrified that someone could treat him so bad! When she did first see him, she clung to Jesus. Her great desire to be with her Savior isn’t just a mental state of mind. Her actions showed what it really means to desire Christ’s presence. How much do we desire to be with God? However, Christ has a bigger plan for everyone including us, Christians today. When Christ first appeared to Mary Magdalene, He gave her an immediate mission to fulfill. We read: Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (This means “Head-Teacher or Professor.”). “Do not hold on to me,” Jesus told her, “because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God.” So Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and related to them what he had told her (John 20:16-18). Jesus gave Mary a mission to proclaim the incredible news of His resurrection to others. The resurrection of Jesus is the infallible proof of His divine nature and being The Christ. This is a clear lesson God teaches us that the church as a whole, even our leadership, must always be prepared to learn the truth from disciples who are outwardly and emotionally affectionate towards Jesus. This is spiritual maturity from God’s perspective. Every Christian should define spiritual maturity as hallmarked by affectionate devotion to Jesus, spiritual maturity is not based solely  on how knowledgeable of Christ we are, but rather, how much we have grown in both His grace AND knowledge, 2nd Peter 3:18. The family & friends of Jesus should always respect our devoted sisters who are emotionally affectionate towards Christ and His cause! This is a strength we should all desire to grow in, see Romans 12:10 & 2^nd Peter 1:7.