(03/15/2013) On Titles and Respect

Continuing our prayers to encourage GOD’s blessing upon the church of Jesus Christ, the newly elected Pope Francis I, and all who serve as spiritual leaders in the earth, our topic today focuses on titles and respect shown to clergy and others. Also there is more on the eternal person of Christ. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “Beyondthebox” (Level 4 with 3,948 points, a member since June 19, 2010) posted the following:

Although Jesus said, call NO man your father, teacher, rabbi?

( i’m pretty sure that includes guru, pastor and pope) sheeple will always insist on having a king to follow right?
Since sheeple insist on having to follow a king, don’t wish that the new pope will use his influence to promote kindness toward all, oppression of no one. genuine kindness doesn’t pick and choose?

THE BATTLE AXE: Before Abraham Was… (03/14/2013)—Just as the sudden removal of all plant life from the earth would result in a chain of destruction and upheaval, the sudden removal of all who are presently tainted by sin would cause disproportion and ripples of imbalance throughout the universe. The salvation of mankind is therefore carried out as an aspect of perfecting all that is. As the primary agent in the divine process, Christ who may be within all, also must be above all.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? (Matthew 21: 33-40, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: My Sheep Hear My Voice (03/08/2013); Wanting to Have Our Way (03/09/2013); Idols of Flesh? (03/12/2012); The Work of Jesus (03/13/2012); Dispatch 45: Partakers (09/24/2011); Dispatch 42: Unprofitable Servants (09/21/2011); Why No Answer? (08/25/2012); To Be or Not To Be (08/26/2012); Respect? (01/02/2011); Not Accepted? (01/03/2011); Spirit or Word? (12/11/2010); Justification? (12/12/2010); Faith Forced? (12/13/2010)

The counsel of Jesus, to call no man on earth “Father”, is a warning against idolatry, and the promotion of clergy, family, and all temporal leaders as false gods. Eternal life and salvation from judgment against sin do not result from actions by created beings and living creatures operating apart from Almighty GOD. The flesh generates many devices and mechanisms that are distractions for the people of GOD, and will interfere with their pursuit of the Gospel. 
 
Mature Christian believers generally agree that those who are consecrated and sanctified for service to the church often have greater emotional, psychological and spiritual burdens placed upon them, for they are accountable to GOD, and under scrutiny within themselves and by the full assembly in ways that constitute continual (though not always correct and righteous) judgment. See 1st Timothy 3, King James Version.

Given that experience, gifts, skills and understandings of spiritual truth varies from person to person, it remains that there are many who are not prominent, yet may make unique contributions to a body of believers. Where such persons serve as clergy, cooperation, obedience and respect are to be shown their authority and service, even where their character, demeanor and personality do not make them likeable (see John 10: 36-38, 1st Timothy 5: 17-18, KJV).

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the high standard of cooperation, mutual support and respect that should appear in the church is often called “love.” Even the lowliest servant within the household of GOD is not to be abused, insulted, mistreated, or obstructed in their work, or spiritual growth (see Matthew 18: 6, Luke 12: 42-38 and Romans 14: 4, KJV). Consider how this also might include both Death and Satan.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(03/14/2013) Before Abraham Was…

The eternal person of Christ, false doctrine, and the universe are in view, today, along with more on how the Decalogue was received.  Again, I could not share my response (below) with the “Yahoo! Answers” writer who posted the question.  The person using ID “Sincity” (Level 2 with 273 points, a member since September 27, 2012) posted the following:


Does “before abraham I am” show jesus says he was god?

Or is it just a false doctrine invented by men?


THE BATTLE AXE:  “Authorized Personnel Only”? (03/13/2013)—The more than 400 year sojourn for the twelve tribes of Jacob within Egypt not only resulted in their acculturation and assimilation into Egyptian society, many aspects of their sacred inheritance had become suppressed and forgotten.  Included were circumcision, expiatory sacrifice, the ministrations of priesthood, tithing, sacred promises and prophesies.  While Hebrews were segregated and lived mostly within the area of Goshen restricted to despised occupations as herders and keepers of livestock, many aspired to full citizenship, and copied secular Egyptian customs, dress and manners.  Arriving at Mount Sinai, many remained essentially unchanged in their attitudes and desires despite having witnessed (1) the wrath of GOD against sin displayed as plagues against Egypt, (2) miraculous deliverances through the parting of the sea and the Passover (3) as well as the provision of water in the wilderness for men, women, children and cattle.  The followers of Moses had been chosen to become a nation, however, genuine commitment, faith and unity were not yet as widespread that they could all enter into the divine presence to receive the law graven in stone by the finger of GOD.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.   For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.  (1st Peter 1:  18-25, King James Version)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Need to Sanctify Heaven (01/17/2013); The Price of Humanity? (12/13/2012); Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus (10/06/2012); Jesus, King of Earth (10/07/2012); Divine Self-Sacrifice? (09/30/2012); Binder 7:  The GODhead (10/04/2011); GOD’s Favorite (02/19/2011); Confess?  Yes! (02/20/2011)


In describing the operations of GOD that pertain to the establishment of a Creation that would continue as eternal, and that also includes the transformation of mankind to be incorruptible and immortal, it is correct for mature Christian believers to accept that the ministry of Jesus was established before the foundation of the earth.  The eternal being of Christ (some say “Messiah“) and the existence of divinity in multiple persons (for example, see Genesis 1:  1-3; John 1:  1-4 and 17:  4; and Ephesians 1:  3-6 KJV) are teachings that agree with, and further endorse what mankind has received as knowledge about divine intent, sacred process, and sanctified purpose.

While a major focus of the Bible is the creation of mankind and life upon the earth, the scope of divine action and presence extends to a universe of GOD.  The teachings from Scripture also promote our understanding that, at the time Adam was put forth, (1) Heaven was already filled with angels, sacred beasts and other created beings; (2) behavior and beliefs were expressed among the angels that later are called “sin” and “rebellion” (Ezekiel 28:  11-17, KJV); (3) cleansing for sin and sacrificial worship was introduced in heaven through the Temple and Sanctuary; (4) sin was initiated upon the earth by a celestial being disguised as a serpent (Genesis 3); and (5) mankind became fixed as mortal and temporal.

Divine action to recover the earth must address the fullness of Creation.  As a result, such features as rebirth, redemption, repentance, judgment and salvation are being applied throughout the living system that is our universe, and are more than simply mechanisms to favor mankind.  Hidden connections, dependence and unseen relationships are now in place, and make it that destruction of sinners, and elimination of sin must be accomplished in a manner that will preserve divine order, undo spiritual confusion, and make permanent those creations that, in fact, fulfill divine will.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, for the earth, flesh and spirit must be unified by transformation of inner content and sacred substance from the person of GOD.  GOD is a non-material spirit; and may be understood as consisting of peculiar elements such as faith, grace, holiness, joy, longsuffering, love, wisdom and wrath against sin.  GOD has used birth, carnal form, death, resurrection and ascension to appear among mankind through Jesus Christ; and, mature Christians believe, continues incarnate.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/27/2012) Women Ordained to Minister?

      Devotion and the service of women in the church are topics with more on the crux of the matter regarding modern social legislation. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Pastor Ken” (Level 1 with 180 points, a member since April 8, 2012) posted the following:

A woman ordained minister?

What could they do that is legal according to the bible? Would they even need to be ordained in the 1st palce? Only God ordains…

Additional Details

A woman with a paper that shes ordained is wrong isnt it?

THE BATTLE AXE: The Crux of the Matter (10/26/2012)—Given that law must be fundamental, and must serve as the anchor and base whereby exchange, interaction and continuing relationships are maintained, law is published and put into place before decision-making and opportunities for thought and action. Law proclaims and reveals probable consequences and outcomes of choices. Where current presentations of public issues through debate and media events repeatedly fail is in that they speculate or speak about the law, while not declaring the law. Lacking the authority of the law, the statements made are often misdirected, uninformed, and weak. Examples are seen in recent media campaigns to promote legislation in support of gambling initiatives in nearby Maryland that appeal to voters in terms of benefits to education, employment, and economic growth. Television ads have been broadcast featuring retired educators, government officials, and well-known athletes. None have raised the issues of social and spiritual corruption, the association of gambling with increased use of alcohol, or the influx of prostitution. There has been no mention of the impact upon the police burden (e.g., manpower, security, supervision of traffic, etc.). More than this, there seems to be no detailed, realistic and reliable public information on how both a gambling business and its host community become solvent and stable. The persistence of “hidden” and “unexposed” process is a sure sign that there will be unanticipated and unintended outcomes. An illustration of what results when a segment of a nation’s population denies that it must be accountable to law has been seen in the violence by drug cartels of Mexico that execute the entire family of drug enforcement officers. Their goal is not to control or replace the present government so much as to eliminate all law. Among men there are bad, oppressive and unfair laws; however, these do not come from GOD, and are not built upon precepts and principles for enduring productive relationships, and eternal life.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2: 18-23, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Some to Rule? (03/31/2012); Birth Control and Sexism? (03/16/2012); Many Forms of GOD? (03/17/2012); Binder 28: Purity (10/25/2011)

      Here are some ideas that are shared among the mature sons and daughters of GOD through Jesus Christ:

      In accordance with the Scriptures, consecration for sacred service that pertains to atonement for sin was to meet a number of peculiar specifications. Separation, cleansing and anointing were essential as were considerations of birth order, priestly inheritance, maturity, stamina, and various levels of emotional and psychological strength needed for the slaughter of livestock. The physical limitations of women included their regular cycle to remove unfertilized eggs that would otherwise decay, and become poisons within their bodies. Also, the problems attending childbearing and birth limited the participation of women in all social and spiritual service. Generally, regardless of ones gender, an issue of bodily fluids, and certainly of blood, made one unclean, that is, unfit for sacred service and full participation within the community of believers.

      In the dispensation of the Gospel, women are not denied discipleship, and their function and service includes operating as prophetess and saint. Like women of the Old Testament, that include the judge Deborah, women often were the strength that nourished the bonds maintaining groups in faith. Nevertheless, the official titles, and division of labor for women within the assembly and community of believers do not include bishop, deacon, teacher, and apostle. Given the oneness of man and wife before GOD, many understand that both the bishop and his wife occupied the bishopric; and both were anointed in single service. Their specific duties, functions and works were different, even according to gender; however, the efforts of one always complemented and completed the efforts of the other.

      All believers have place in the work of spreading the Gospel, however, all are not to preach from the pulpit, teach in formal settings, or do anything other than display the Spirit of Christ in their daily living and routines of life. In their roles as wives and mothers, women are granted full authority to operate in the dictates of their faith that include humility, obedience, and unselfishness.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, in the dispensation from Christ, neither women nor children are denied opportunities to serve, share and express themselves in spiritual devotion to GOD. Where problems arise, there are usually worldly issues of envy, manipulation, presumption, pride, and social prestige. Divine authority and holy presence are not discerned.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIXWashington, DC