Category: Teaching

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The Diaconate

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 6:1-7

The ordination of the first deacons. The word Deacon doesn’t occur in the passage as written in the KJV but it does in the Greek

1

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

  • ministration – διακονίᾳ diakonia
  • service, ministry
  • waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration.

2

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

  • serve – διακονεῖν diakonein
  • to serve, minister
  • I wait at table (particularly of a slave who waits on guests); I serve (generally).

3

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

  • ministry – διακονίᾳ diakonia

5

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

6

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

The next time the word Deacon occurs in our English version is Philippians 1:1

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

This is where we see a distinction between the clergy and the laity

broadly speaking the clergy, or priesthood, care for the spiritual welfare, the diaconate care for the physical welfare of the congregation.

The qualifications for bshops and deacons are laid out in 1 Timothy 3

  • bishops – ἐπισκόποις episkopois ( overseer )
  • deacons – διακόνοις   diakonois ( a servant, minister )

We connect the office of bishop to the office of pastor through 1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

  • shepherd – Ποιμένα Poimena
  • a shepherd
  • a shepherd; hence met: of the feeder, protector, and ruler of a flock of men.
  • properly, a shepherd (“pastor” in Latin); (figuratively) someone who the Lord raises up to care for the total well-being of His flock (the people of the Lord).
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Speaking to the Air

Danby House

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

( 1 Corinthians 14:9 )

A brief review of the highlights of 1 Corinthians, once the hard part is over and things start to settle down.

9

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

( 1 Corinthians 9:7 )

I could have gotten by without working, but I didn’t.

10

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

( 1 Corinthians 10:31 )

The Bible is a warning to us if we pay attention.

11

Holy Communion

12

Many members, one body

13

Charity = selfless giving

ἀγάπην – love, benevolence, good will, esteem; plur: love-feasts.

14

Orderly worship

15

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

( 1 Corinthians 15:10 )

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

( 1 Corinthians 15:52 )

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At the Feet of Gamaliel

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 5:24-32

Just read.

Acts 5:33-42

33

The threat of imminent death was very real. This is why the Angel of the Lord let them out of prison.

34

Gamaliel was well regarded as a scholar of the law.

Acts 22:1-5

Paul studied under Gamaliel. He uses the name to give himself authenticity when confronting the Jews in Jerusalem.

Gamaliel was clearly tender towards the Holy Spirit. He had not hardened his heart against the new Christianity and he was prepared to wait and see what would happen.

Gamaliel’s wisdom had apparently been instilled into Paul, and when he looked at the situation objectively he realized that …

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

( Acts 9:5 )

35

Gamaliel clearly has a Godly perspective on what Peter has been saying.

Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

( Proverbs 1:23-25 )

36-37

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

( James 4:13-17 )

38

Proverbs 1:1-7

39

Fight against God?

40

41

42

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That Good Part

Danby House

Luke 10:38-42

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Can I really stop worrying about worldly things by wholeheartedly following the Lord?

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

( Matthew 6:33 )

Is this a license to abdicate all responsibility?

Perhaps it’s reminding us to be diligent in our responsibilities while not worrying?

He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

( Proverbs 10:4 )


The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

( Proverbs 12:24 )

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

( 2 Peter 3:14 )

Whether it is work or seeking the kingdom of God we have to put the effort in.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

( 2 Timothy 2:15 )

Let’s work at not worrying.

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

( Hebrews 4:11 )

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

( 2 Peter 1:10-11 )

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All the Words of this Life

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 5:12-22

12

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

( Mark 16:20 )

13

None of the rest – No formalists or hypocrites, durst join themselves – In an outward show only, like Ananias and Sapphira.

Wesley

14

But so much the more were true believers added, because unbelievers kept at a distance.

Wesley

15

Try to imagine the scene and the reaction of the authorities. They must have realized that now things had gotten worse than when Jesus had been with them.

16

These are the signs which were given to confirm the authenticity of the apostles. This is not ongoing, and this power is not available today.

Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

( 2 Timothy 4:20 )

Miraculous healing is possible but it is not a power that I can dispense. The power is within each of you.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

( mark 9:23 )

17

The word translated indignation can mean jealosy.

ζήλου   – zelos to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be zealous or jealous

18

In Acts chapter 4 Peter and john were arrested, threatened and freed. Now things are escalating.

19

20

All the words of this life

Ζωῆς – zoe life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence.

2222zōḗ – life (physical and spiritual). All life (2222/zōḗ), throughout the universe, is derived – i.e. it always (only) comes from and is sustained by God’s self-existent life. The Lord intimately shares His gift of life with people, creating each in His image which gives all the capacity to know His eternal life.

21

The apostles get out of prison and go directly to the temple to start teach and preaching. If you ever wondered if it is the Lord’s will for you to do something? Having an angel bust you out of prison is a strong indicator.

The priests and lawyers had no idea and assembled in the council chambers thinking that they were going to try, convict and sentence the apostles.

22

How embarassing… The apostles are missing

23

The prison was shut, but we couldn’t find the prisoners.

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My Holy Body Temple

Danby House

Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.

( John 2:19-21 )

Jesus said something very interesting. He referred to his body as a temple. At the time no one understood what he was talking about.

We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

( Mark 14:58 )

It was one of the accusations brought against him after his arrest.

Paul is the one who goes on to develop the idea that our bodies are Holy Temples. There 3 aspects to it.

1. The Temple of Our Works

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

( 1 Corinthians 3:16-18 )

The context of this passage is the warning Paul gives about being judged for the works we do as Christians. Is our work going to last like gold, silver and precious stones? Or is it going to be burned up like wood, hay and stubble?

2. The Temple of Our Purity

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

( 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 )

Our bodies have not been given to us so that we can enjoy carnal pleasure. In this passage we are told that are bodies are holy temples of God’s Spirit and they do not belong to us. We should not engage in fornication.

3. The Temple of Our Separation

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

( 2 Corinthians 6:16 )

Our temple is not supposed to be used to become part of the world around us. This is a well known passage about separation. We are to use our bodies to remain separate from the worldliness that we see around us.

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Here Am I

Open Door Baptist Church

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

( Romans 1:18-25 )

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

( 2 Timothy 1:8-9 )

n the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.


Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

( Isaiah 6:1-8 )

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Ananias and Sapphira

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 5:1-11

Finish up Acts 4 and set the scene:

Acts 4:32-37

How seriously are we taking God?

It’s not hard to imagine the conversation between Ananias and Sapphira:

  • Sapphira: wow, that’s a lot of money.
  • Ananias: yep, now we can give it to the apostles.
  • Sapphira: all of it?
  • Ananias: what do you mean?
  • Sapphira: well, they don’t know how much it is, why do we have to give them all of it…

Matthew 4:7

Are we tempting God?

Deuteronomy 6:16

Exodus 17:1-7

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Why Did the Heathen Rage?

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 4:23-31

23

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? ( Psalms 2:1 )

26

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

( Psalms 2:2-3 )

27

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28

For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

( Psalms 2:4 )

The pharisees and religious rulers may think that they got their way, but it was part of God’s plan.

29

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

( Psalms 2:5 )

The Pharisees and religious rulers are definitely being vexed.

30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

( Psalms 2:6-7 )

31

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Is being filled with the Holy Spirit the same thing as being receiving the Holy Spirit? They were also filled with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

( Acts 2:1-4 )

Perhaps they are not the same.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

( John 20:19-23 )

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

( Acts 1:5 )