Posted by j on January 29, 2003 at 08:41:53:
...continuing our studies in Mark...
In discussing the idea introduced in the New Testament, our works will be separated from us and "burned away" while our salvation remains intact, PS lead us through methods for considering various interpretations of scriputre.
We looked at scriptures that were taught by Jesus (in the Gospels) and by the various Apostles (in the remaining New Testament books).
Some of these teachings were:
(I added scripture references as they came up on Sunday - feel free to find more and review those listed here.)
(Also note, the lines between many of these teachings overlap.)
- End times
- Loving God/Pleasing God/Loving your Neighbor
Jesus taught these concepts over and over... the greatest commandments... the good Samaritan...
Confer I Cor 13 (What is love?) and Ephesians 4 (How to love your neighbor)
- Humility & Suffering
Jesus washed the disciples' feet. His life was a lesson in humility.
Review Paul's life and sufferings for the gospel.
Non of the non-Gospel books offered any narrative of Christ's life other than the events
of His crucifixion.
The inclusion of the narrative of the crucifixion is harmonious throughout the Gospels.
- Servants & Masters
- Spreading the gospel (Evangelism)
-Parabolic references Jesus made: Light and bushel, Salt of the Earth, etc.
-Imperative statements Jesus made: After the Resurrection (End of Matthew, Mark, Luke
& Beginning of Acts)
-I Peter 2:9 "peculiar" people
-II Corinthians 5:18 - 21 - We have all been given the ministry of reconciliation,
we are Ambassadors of Christ. He became sin for us, therefore accept or choose to
be reconciled to God.
-Romans 5 discusses justification through faith (This is a major theological concept)
- Faithfulness
Parable of the Talents, the unprepared house-servant, virgins & the lamps
Paul(?) spoke of faithfulness and stewardship
- Love & Forgiveness
Many healings Jesus performed were followed (or preceded) by forgiveness
I John 4 "He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love."
Peter "Love covers a multitude of sins"
- Faith
Parable of mustard seed and how faith develops
Hebrews 11 - provides an attempted definition of faith
We then reviewed teachings that existed in the New Testament that were not taught by Jesus.
[I am only going to introduce the teachings we discussed. If you want more information, let me know offline.]
- Teachings about the Church
- Spiritual gifts
- False doctrine
- The relationship of the Hebrew Law and Grace
- Works being burned up - Rewards
As we reviewed these teachings, we used the following 3 guidelines in an attempt to "approve" them.
1. Did Jesus make any relevant foundational statements for the new teaching?
2. Does experience bear out the truth of the teaching? (Historical experience, personal experience, etc.)
3. Was there a plausible or practical reason Jesus did not teach the idea?
[I am going to cover two teachings here - again if you want more information, email me.]
- Spiritual Gifts
Confer I Corinthians 12 and 14 for "sign" gifts
Confer Ephesians 4:11 - 12 for some of the "offices" or "callings"
1. Foundational support from Christ's teachings:
- John 14:12 “… he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
- "...the Holy Spirit will [give you the words to say]..."
- Luke 24:49 “…but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from
on high…”
2. Experiences that bear this out:
- The things Jesus referred to actually came to pass with the disciples (and others)
- We see many gifts in people we know - Pastor Steve is spiritually gifted as a teacher.
3. Why Jesus didn't teach this:
- The Spirit hadn't appeared at that time.
- The disciples did not even understand the concept of ambassadorship.
- Works being burned up - Rewards
Confer I Corinthians 3:11 – 15
1. Foundational support from Christ’s teachings:
- This doctrine does not appear in Christ’s teachings
2. Experiences that bear this out:
- Peter’s reference to faith being tried by fire can be related to the purification
of precious metals (such as gold)
- Personal experience – an instinctual feeling that, “This is real! This is real!”
3. Why Jesus might not have taught this:
- Jesus could only discuss functional definitions of salvation. He knew that when
they understood the concept of grace, they would be able to “get” that works were
an outward sign.
Concluding thoughts:
1. Analyzing Scripture/Doctrine not directly presented by Jesus:
a. Bracket initial preconceptions regarding the interpretation (remember
Bessemer’s feelings that he would not just accept “Whatever is, is
right.”)
b. Remember how to test the scripture:
i. Does it adhere to any foundational teachings of Jesus?
ii. Does experience bear this out?
iii. Why didn’t Jesus teach the doctrine?
iv. Is the doctrine in line with the nature of God?
2. The doctrine Paul introduced regarding the burning away of our bad works,
yet still, the salvation of our souls, is in harmony with the teachings of Jesus.