Question: "I was baptized at age 11 by a minister of a large denomination, but I didn't understand the true meaning of repentance until I began studying my Bible and hearing your broadcasts. Consider the access He grants, saying in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. He still is able to overcome. You can study this example here. This can often spare us the heartache of making poor choices or bad decisions. Each of us has responsibilities and specific assignments (study 1 Corinthians 12). r/Christianity Did a Bible study devotional today on 1 Corinthians 12, 13:7 on One body, Many Members in the body of Christ also looking into the meaning of Love before the BMX learning stream to somehow attempt to plant or sow any seeds of faith for the Lord Jesus Christ The results of historical criticism of the Bible prompted him and others (Louis Duchesne, Maurice D'Hulst, George Tyrrell, Herman Schell, and Baron von Hugel) to advocate modernizing the church's traditional biblical views. Focusing on a particular book of the Bible will give us a deeper insight and context for its message. Titus 2:7. Almighty God's words say, " The church of Philadelphia has taken shape, which is entirely due to the grace and mercy of God. Most of the time, when modern translations differ in meaning from the King James Version, they are in error. We need to be taught, encouraged, directed and corrected by our loving Father all the more as the evils in this world abound and proliferate around us. Herbert W. Armstrong College site allows users to study lessons, take tests online. Deuteronomy 11:12, In a letter to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, George Washington marveled at how Gods hand had protected him and given success to the cause of liberty: The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.. That verse changes our view of idolatry. Reviews on Bible Study in Roxborough, Philadelphia, PA 19128 - Citylight Church, Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, Lancaster Bible College - Capitol Seminary & Graduate School, House Of Faith Ministries PA, First Haitian Church Of God In Philadelphia The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. Commentaries and other Bible helps can be great reference works. Jonah 3:1-2. Colossians 3:1 tells us to seek those things which are above, where Christ is. In verse 5 were told to put to death the passions that come from below"fornication, uncleanness, passion, and evil desire. Then the Lord added the sin of greed or covetousness to the list, calling it idolatry. Richard Sibbes, DavidJeremiah.blog is part of the broadcast ministry of David Jeremiah. So we study to be corrected. For more, log onto, 4 Lessons From the Philadelphia Church in Revelation, thefaithfulness of the church in Philadelphia, 4 Steps to Spiritual Awakening From Revelation, Christs Message for the Seven Churches of Revelation and Today, Revelations 7 Promises to Every Believer, Becoming a Cashless SocietyA Financial Sign of the End Times. We have a much better chance of putting the knowledge we gain in class to practical use if we prayerfully study and review what God teaches us each and every week through His instructorsthe ministry. Likewise, we need to be nourished daily while we are in the womb of the Church, otherwise we are in danger of spiritually starving to death. When we understand Christ's reference to Eliakim, that He is now fulfilling that role, we can understand the open door without having to force anything. He traces Christs genealogy to King David and refers to Him as the Son of David seven times. So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, I forgive you, by doing something harder. Note the qualities He exhibited and ask yourself how you would act and how you should act, according to His example. People interested in studying the Bible can sign up for the online course regardless of whether they have previously enrolled in the mail correspondence version. He alone has the . Knowing something about the historical city of Laodicea enhances our understanding of the language Christ chose to correct it. The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. The Living Church of God is devoted to that mission. The question is never whether God is willing but whether man is willing. A real living hope can sure make the difference in how we handle lifes problems and what perspective we maintain. Christ praised the believers for four principles that we often lose sight of among the practices and programs of modern church culture. (Luke 18:8). Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. Living in right standing with God? Thats the view given by most English dictionariesa deemphasis on ones own importance. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. The False Prophet in the Book of Revelation, 11 Answers to Questions About the End Times, What Is the Millennium? On May 5, 2001, God signaled the beginning of a new phase in this rapidly fading age of man. Of all Jesus' comments to the churches, the one to the Church of the Laodiceans is undoubtedly the most sobering and solemn. God has placed each one of us into His bodythe Church. Perhaps only one name does fit somewhat: Laodicea, which means "judgment of the people.". Revelation 3:7, however, is clear that the key of David belongs, not to the church, but to the One who is holy and true, Jesus Christ. They deeply pleased Jesus. After Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of Worldwide Church of God, died at age of 93 (January 16, 1986), Gerald Flurry (born April 12, 1935 and a minister in WCG since 1973, 1 was one of those that disagreed with the new changes that Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach, Sr. began instigating. Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. The words rightly dividing connote making a straight cut. What does God think of that? Use your imagination to see every word of Scripture turning to gold as you read it. Understand how this attack rages in full force today. As a young man, Ezekiel had dedicated himself to be a priest. But we need to remember that knowledge not used is really of no value. The words of the Bible are Gods thoughts in print (2 Timothy 3:16). Hello golden streets, glorified bodies, endless days, and the fresh air of New Jerusalem! Another example would be to study the words used to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. The world is very confused about Satan, sin, worldliness and hell. Though mankind was given the mandate to have dominion over (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. By Grant Turgeon Dec. 7, 2016 The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course But what is the biblical view of humility. We hope to have the opportunity to fellowship with you soon. How about the truth on faith or healing? The door Christ opens to the Philadelphian, the door no man can shut, may well be the door to the Kingdom itself! Notice, however, that they have "a little strength"they are weak. Or soberly and realistically according to the grace of God in your life? God can always be counted on to keep his promises (Titus 1:2). Such images are in stark contrast to the pristine beauty and glory of Eden as presented in Genesis. Note for example what the Holman Bible Dictionary says about Laodicea: Laodicea was well known in the ancient world for its wealth [see Revelation 3:17]. A Christian must never rest on his oars, no matter what his situation or era. Many Bibles have a concordance at the back. To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: (NASB) First, the word, "amen," literally means "so be it.". What mistakes did they make that we can avoid? . America is full of them. Prayer and a holy life are one. We can imagine a child writing an appreciative and sentimental memoir about her perfect father, understanding that perfect was not intended to be taken literally. Young's Literal Translation shows this emphasis: "I have known thy works; lo, I have set before thee a dooropened, and no one is able to shut it, because thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name" (emphasis ours). After the pcgs information services department completed the mammoth task of rolling out a new contact management system, Cedar, in May, programmers, graphic designers and writers continued the online Bible course project in earnest. Oh, to see the glory of the Lord while in the midst of the disappointments in life. The biblical city was located about 28 miles southeast of the city of Sardis. God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. we will have at least 30 scriptural passages identifying an end-time prophet who has to be on the scene just prior to Christs Second Coming. A great misconception carried by many Christians has to do with the location of heaven. He healed the mans paralysis. The Apostle John wrote about a savage persecution that tore apart God's Church in the first century. 1. And when he believed God, [God] accounted it to [Abraham] for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. Have we studied in detail what the Bible says about prayer, fasting, trials and overcoming? Sometimes for this kind of study a modern translation that flows better than the King James Version might be helpful. Wayne Turgeon Dec. 30, 2022 What Is the Unpardonable Sin? Church of God Photos See all Videos See all 13:15 Fly over! It also highlights the parallels with the modern-day spiritual Laodiceans. Our God has given us a most valuable treasure chest filled with priceless treasurethe words of eternal life! Were hoping we can get as many people online as possible, Herbert W. Armstrong College registrar Jason Hensley said. No one can shut that open door, though we can certainly ignore it and neglect so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3). Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. Library These books, booklets, articles, questions & answers, and sermons explain the truths of God in intricate detailsubjects such as the true Church, the Sabbath and God's annual Holy Days, prophecy, marriage, childrearing, and more! Services normally begin at 12:30 PM, except on a few select dates. That in turn enables the Church to have more of an impact in doing Gods Work! The evidence shows that the Philadelphia group lacks the spiritual strength of the beginning of the Ephesian group. | Philadelphia Church of God Bible Correspondence Course Website Launches on 27th PCG Anniversary Herbert W. Armstrong College site allows users to study lessons, take tests online. The patriarch Isaac could have written that book about his father, Abraham. Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body. The Church of Philadelphia. This is most helpful when studying a particular doctrine or topic. Because they consistently knock, Christ reminds them of His pivotal position as second-in-command to the Absolute Deity and that through Him as Steward, they have access to the throne of God. We study them to make the appropriate course corrections in our thinking. Do you often feel that life is passing you by? Whenever were discouraged, or lack something we need, we should make it a habit to search the Bible and find what God has promised. There are no "new" temptations in life. The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). It appears the ancient church took that name to heart. We now study the second last message addressed to Philadelphia, the faithful church (Revelation 3:7-13). But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Many schools today are educating students in how to livethe wrong way! To help students avoid this fee, pcg regional offices in Canada, the Philippines and Australia collected tests from those nations and sent them overnight to Edmond for grading and processing. Hiding sin does not remove it from Gods sight; but when we seek Gods forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restoredthat is the power of confession. Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eye salve [see Revelation 3:18, anoint your eyes with eye salve]. How do you view yourself? Our free 12-lesson Bible Study Course is designed to walk you through the basic lessons of the Bible. Australia and the Philippines, campers participate in athletic activities, Bible studies and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the two to three-week camp. Philadelphia was located on a hillside about 30 miles southeast of Sardis. But when he was about twenty-five, Ezekiel was seized and taken to Babylon, and he never saw the temple again. We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. Sample doctrines include the three resurrections, born again, the soul and salvation. In three of Paul's epistles, he uses an open door as a metaphor for an opportunity to preach (I Corinthians 16:9; II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). We are among the generation addressed by Jesus: "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. The Philadelphians have one fine qualitythey are faithful. If you require more immediate assistance please visit our "Contact Us" page. Righteous doesnt mean sinless, of course. Citizens lined the streets applauding while the aroma of celebratory incense filled the air. The Church of Philadelphia is part of the Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). What Is the Work of God Now? One reason for these articles is to help us prepare to rule with Jesus Christ, our Husband and King. We have not seen many mountains moving out of their places. Out of the seven churches, only this church and the church in Smryna received unqualified praise and approval. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. The homepage of the online Bible course states that 100,000 individuals have enrolled in the mail-in correspondence course prior to its online launch. In Philadelphia, the Church of God has been dedicated to serving neighbors by hosting Bible seminars, family events and smile campaigns. Mr. Armstrong said that one purpose for Church services is to instruct us sufficiently so that we can teach others in the World Tomorrow. Acts 19:10 )." 7 Answers to 7 Questions. In other words, it is Gods urgent desire that He speak to us so we can stay on track in this dying world! Francis Schaeffer, And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God. ), the king of Pergamum. A really humble manwill not be thinking about humility, he will not be thinking about himself at all. Paul uses that image to say that Christ leads His followers in a victory procession through every difficulty in life (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). They do have good characteristics, but they are weak. David C. Grabbe He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. 2. The thesis also sparked years of critical study on the Bible. A great help to any Bible study is the use of a concordance. Each of us has responsibilities and specific assignments (study 1 Corinthians 12). Meeting location Hyatt House 3000 Crawford Place Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Get Directions Don McCoy 410-835-8154 home Email Don McCoy As Christ says in Luke 16:10, ". Goodbye trials and troubles. And that mandate extends to our personal life as well. That event is a beautiful example of the willingness of God. 1 Corinthians 15:58. Christ sets before the Philadelphian an "open door" because he has only a little capacity for mighty works, and yet he still keeps God's Word and does not deny God's name by the way he lives his life. If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word. Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. Look for opportunities to do both. Then review them at least one more time, perhaps the following Sabbath before services. He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Where is there hope today? In Revelation 3:8, the phrase "open door" is being used, not so much as an opportunity, but as a reward. Upon analyzing Revelation 2 and 3, the vast majority among us consider it to be the best of the churches through the ages. You know the storyJonah ended up in the sea where he was swallowed by a great fish. To get the best use out of [the Bible] for daily life,Give it the best and freshest, not the most tired and dull, hour of the day. The First Great Awakening (sometimes Great Awakening) or the Evangelical Revival was a series of Christian revivals that swept Britain and its thirteen North American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. We can develop an overview of why it was written, its major theme or themes and an outline. King David said, I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure (Psalm 119:162; New King James Version). 7 "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. It begins with the tremendous help available to those who are weak, but who keep God's Word, who do not deny His name, and who persevere in faith. This has nothing to do with how much money you do or dont havea poverty-stricken person can covet just as much as a billionaire. They are the spiritual food we need in order to grow spiritually (John 6:55-59, 63 and 1 Peter 2:2). Please refer to the table below for a sample of 40 very encouraging scriptures. It is elevated above the valley, on the n.e. The Church of God in Philadelphia. Only then can we ensure that we keep the right attitude when studying the Bible and that we study for the right reasons (as outlined earlier in this article). Through Christ, we have entrance into the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the Great God, which we may enter with boldness (Hebrews 10:19). The ancient city of Philadelphia, which sits near the Cogamus River, is 44 kilometers (27 miles) from Sardis and 77 kilometers (48 miles) from Laodicea. If youre prone to worry yourself to sleep each night, turn your thoughts upward and close your eyes thinking of heaven and its eternal throne. When His friends let Him down? They should, however, only be used to establish historical or grammatical facts. Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10). When the apostle Paul wrote to his young pastoral protg, Timothy, he told him to show integrity in doctrine, to be incorruptible in belief and in actions. We sponsor the global broadcast of the "Tomorrow's World" television programa weekly half-hour telecast explaining the end-time prophecies of the Bible, announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God, and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. The major weakness of Laodicea was its lack of a water supply. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Some say the city was founded by Eumenes, in honor of his brother. The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere up there in the heavens. Our studies now bring us to the final message of Jesus to the seven churches. If we neglect Bible study, however, we simply cannot grow sufficiently to be born into His Family. We might think that, if Jesus was truly divine, He would have had no need to pray for knowledge, guidance, or help. The letter to the church at Philadelphia is the one to which most current church members relate. The church of Philadelphia would be victorious over its enemies. By giving the Spirit, He gives more of Himself. There are many exciting ways to study the Bible that will enrich your life! Moreover, God expects parents to teach their children His way of life just as He has taught us (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and to be able to answer their questions. And we see these two churches as the models throughout all of church history of good, solid, regenerate, faithful churches. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 138. There is no cost or obligationever. Whether we realize it or not, it is part of our past, and it will be part of our future. Booklets. Priests began their temple duty at the age of thirty. Apollos, for example, didnt have any Bible helps, yet he was mighty in the scriptures (Acts 18:24). But the Bible says our eternal destiny is earthly, not heavenly. This occurs largely because people keep pushing God and all He is doing out of the picture and focusing on the works of men. Friendship is the marriage of affections. Gods Word is a powerful litmus test for our souls and actions. Start today! It was named as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; Revelation 3: 7. During this year, you will read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. It can be found in Gods holy day plan! Commentaries are more apt to be off track than other Bible helps because the authors have more room to insert their own thoughts and ideas. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it. In the middle of lifes battles, were tempted to question Gods ordering of our circumstances, but every follower of Christ can look back and see the conspicuous hand of Gods Providence. Psalm 32:4. The pcg won the copyright to the correspondence courses predecessor, the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, in 2003.
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