He still is able to overcome. What the Bible says about Should I be baptized again?" Answer: This is a vital question to many of you. God has seen to it that His Church is well-fed. A doctrine is a teaching or that which is taught. Together they comprise the Churchs body of beliefs. 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.. (Part Four). If so, you might be neglecting a vitally important aspect of Christian living! It has also served the community through its unceasing volunteer efforts, living up to the city's nickname . We can develop an overview of why it was written, its major theme or themes and an outline. The best way to increase joy in your life is by developing a habit of daily time with God. 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. It also shows the root word from which the Hebrew or Greek word was derived. If your beliefs, and therefore your actions, have become divided, gather them back together as you commit to God and His Word. Individuals in the Bible are noteworthy of study. The patriarch Isaac could have written that book about his father, Abraham. A fifth reason for studying the Bible is to be able to do God's Work. The ministers have prepared what God knows we need to hearmaterial that is currently relevant and appropriate and possibly urgent. The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere up there in the heavens. Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body. As a result of searching the Scriptures, the brethren in Thessalonica believed what they were taught (Acts 17:11-12). 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. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (verse 13). It is said that you truly understand a subject when you can explain it to someone else. J. C. Ryle, I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure. Its not just about Christian living today but also about the kind of character Christ is looking for in those He will need to rule with Him. King David said, I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure (Psalm 119:162; New King James Version). God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. Therefore, if we are to experience victory in this life, it will come only as we depend on Him. Integrity of heart is indispensable. If we knock and keep knocking (as the Greek indicates), God opens the door. As Christ says in Luke 16:10, ". Many other Bible prophecies have already been fulfilled and are substantiated by . Library Bible study gives us something that this world desperately needs. Jesus Christs sacrifice for sin is essential for salvation! Over 98,000 students from around the world have enrolled in this unique, 36-lesson course of biblical understanding. We should neither overestimate the gift of Gods grace or underestimate it. Two of the seven churches have nothing condemning them in the letter because they are the regenerate church. Bible helps that focus exclusively on the meanings of words are known as wordbooks or word studies. As a young man, Ezekiel had dedicated himself to be a priest. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Thats the view given by most English dictionariesa deemphasis on ones own importance. Do you often feel that life is passing you by? Prayer and a holy life are one. I attended Herbert W. Armstrong College (HWAC) for three and a half years, and was a writer for the Philadelphia Trumpet. By Grant Turgeon Dec. 7, 2016 The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. But he never concluded his third epistle. This is what He compliments them for being, meaning they have a commendable measure of obedience. Church of Philadelphia. Youll be elated with what you discover! The letter to Philadelphia is not about the mighty works of powerful men. Make sure Christ is at the center of your life and that your love for Him eclipses everything else! 2. Have you responded to Gods willing invitation to come to Him? If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? (John 6:68). Use your imagination to see every word of Scripture turning to gold as you read it. [The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side taking care of us in life when we cant take care of ourselves. Its one thing to say, I forgive you, but its another to act like all the effects of an offense are completely erased. How the church actually got started is unknown. His words are reliable. Notice what Jesus says in Luke 11:9-10, 13: So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? Another reason to study is to be able to give an answer to those who may want to know more about that hope they see in us (1 Peter 3:15). 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. Please refer to the table below for a sample of 40 very encouraging scriptures. Overall, these are not as accurate as the King James, but they can provide clarity by using more modern English. He traces Christs genealogy to King David and refers to Him as the Son of David seven times. . 2 Peter 1:13-14, NIV. How can we benefit from lessons learned? 7. Some say the city was founded by Eumenes, in honor of his brother. Have we studied in detail what the Bible says about prayer, fasting, trials and overcoming? Although Philadelphia is the only church as a whole that Jesus promises to rescue from the hour of temptation, He reveals that among those taken to heaven will be some from Sardis (Rev. In writing about the timing of the Day of the Lord (the end of the age), Peter says God is waiting for all who will be saved to come to Him. A Place of Safety? Jonah was a disobedient prophet. Perhaps only one name does fit somewhat: Laodicea, which means "judgment of the people.". (Part 5). A tent or a cottage, why should I care? Most of the time, when modern translations differ in meaning from the King James Version, they are in error. 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. Focusing on a particular book of the Bible will give us a deeper insight and context for its message. Commentaries and other Bible helps can be great reference works. But that is what forgiving someone meansrestoring relationships to the status they enjoyed before the offense took place. Temptation. You will receive one lesson every month until you finish the course. The Passover is a memorial of the crucifixion of Christ. 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.". Paul mentions about 20 personalities in the context of faith. A leper approached Jesus and said, If You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus touched the man, saying, I am willing; be cleansedand he was healed (Mark 1:40-42). E. M. Bounds, All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Acts 19:10 )." In fact, there are no instances of Jesus being asked to help or heal and Him answering, I am not willing. There is a place where the Bible says God is not willing, and that is 2 Peter 3:9. He listed them in verses 710. Our free 12-lesson Bible Study Course is designed to walk you through the basic lessons of the Bible. Nevertheless, in todays world, Bible helps can be usefulprimarily in matters of translation and as time-saving tools. Its a fabulous breakthrough for us, Mr. . This occurs largely because people keep pushing God and all He is doing out of the picture and focusing on the works of men. In Philadelphia, the Church of God has been dedicated to serving neighbors by hosting Bible seminars, family events and smile campaigns. Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. John MacArthur speculates in his study Bible that it was: "probably the fruit of Paul's extended ministry in Ephesus (cf. It was like his soul was being evaporated by the heat of his own guilt and shame. The revival movement permanently affected Protestantism as adherents strove to renew individual piety and religious devotion. Harriet Buell, in her hymn A Child of the King. Best of allthese lessons are absolutely free! [It] was rebuilt without the financial help of Rome after the disastrous earthquake of a.d. 60. Flurry's Fury Unleashed! 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. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. A fascinating study would be to read through the gospels with particular focus on Jesus Christ and His reactions under different circumstances. of Ephesus. And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10). The "church in Philadelphia," along with the "church in Smyrna," are the only two churches (of the seven mentioned) about which Jesus had nothing negative to say. In periods of modern droughts, aerial photographs document the receding water levels in reservoirs around the stateshorelines growing wider and drier as water levels fall. D. L. Moody, In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. Notice, however, that they have "a little strength"they are weak. In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. During this year, you will read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. Dont let your past keep you from trusting God for a second (or third, or fourth) chance. With the other prophets, the second time meant additional prophetic utterances they were to deliver. He was from a priestly family, and he undoubtedly looked forward to serving God in Jerusalems temple. Or is it things below? Moses reminded the Israelites that God was taking them into a land of hills and valleys, of water and streams, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year (Deuteronomy 11:11-12). Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. Sabbath services usually last about 90 minutes. It is nearly 70 ms. e. of Smyrna and about the same distance n.e. Philadelphia, [N] [E] [H] strictly Philadelphia ( brotherly love ), a town on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia Catacecaumene, 25 southeast of Sardis, and built by Attalus II., king of Pergamos, who died B.C. Thus, the One they seek responds, giving more of His Spirit. Unlike the other letters to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3, correction is not to be found. . Click a link to view a PDF workbook: Lessons The Holy One is a common Old Testament title for God (Isaiah 40:25; 43:15). ", John W. Ritenbaugh How about the truth on faith or healing? God may have given him only two talents, but He knows that if he is faithful with a small amount of power, in the Kingdom he will faithfully administer all of the responsibility and effectiveness that God bestows upon him. It can be found in Gods holy day plan! The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. PHILADELPHIA, a city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Phrygia, now called Alla-Shehr, or high city, with 3000 houses, about 15,000 pop., with few ancient ruins. EDMONDIndividuals who want to learn about the Bible can now do so online, as the 36-lesson Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course went live this afternoon. Theyre building a palace for me over there. Are you letting Him speak to you? Are You a Prisoner of Your Spiritual Comfort Zone. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). Lets review a few of the many blessings that flow from studying Gods Word. Perhaps it would help to think of it in those terms. We have the promises of God to help us in difficult days, and we have the Holy Spirit within us. Sometimes for this kind of study a modern translation that flows better than the King James Version might be helpful. Of all Jesus' comments to the churches, the one to the Church of the Laodiceans is undoubtedly the most sobering and solemn. Philadelphia was founded about 150 B.C. The Bible speaks a great deal about virtue, those excellencies of character that imitate the holy and righteous character of Jesus Christ. Bible study builds up our faith. God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices. Bible study helps are not necessary to become well acquainted with the Bible and Gods way of life. You can study this example here. We are currently meeting at the Homewood Suites at 4109 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. The Philadelphians have one fine qualitythey are faithful. Thats just when God appeared to him as he was among the exiles by the Kebar River. The Apostle John wrote about a savage persecution that tore apart God's Church in the first century. It was named as the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. He healed the mans paralysis. Whenever were discouraged, or lack something we need, we should make it a habit to search the Bible and find what God has promised. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. 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. (Romans 9:1-4). Second, as a result of Abrahams trust in God, he became a friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). . 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. That enables us to trust Him more easily, and our faith builds. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Bible commentaries can sometimes shed light on biblical passages and link things together in a way we might not think of. A fifth reason for studying the Bible is to be able to do Gods Work. With that in mind, the sermon on the mount, for example, takes on a deeper perspective. Martin Collins explains that Scripture defines virtue as a strength or power that disciplined people use to produce beautiful traits of goodness. What is the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation? It is true for us today also. The religions of the world teach that the law is done away. You dont have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. We study them to make the appropriate course corrections in our thinking. What mistakes did they make that we can avoid? After the seven letters, in Revelation 4:1, John is shown an open door in heaven. Read the below Bible verse on faith and then five Bible lessons about faith from the old testament. Jonah 3:1-2. 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. Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet. Our own "desires" entice us away from God and desire "gives birth to sin" (James 1:1315).