Bible Study Christ's Rules & Guidelines

[Dant02]

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There's been times during my 22+ years of internet forum activity when I've encountered people wanting to know what they're supposed to do now that they decided to become a Christian.

A mega church that I attended back in the decade of the 1970's addressed that issue with a discipleship program that incorporated an outreach booklet called "The Four Spiritual Laws", authored in 1952 by Campus Crusade for Christ founder Dr. Bill Bright.

Dr. Bright's laws are helpful as far as they go, but they're pretty elementary and in my opinion inadequate for taking Christ's believing followers to infinity and beyond, so to speak.

Some years ago, just for the fun of it, I set out compiling a home-spun catalogue of Christ's instructions from the new Testament that apply to all his followers regardless of denominational affiliation. In time I realized that his instructions, accompanied by a little commentary, would make a pretty good daily Bible study.

I chose to start in the book of Acts because that's pretty much where Christ's apostles began telling his believing followers what to do in accord with the Lord's instructions as per Matt 28:19-20.

I'm moving at a snail's pace in compliance with Administrator SteveBolts recommendation to keep posts to a manageable length where others can respond to a section of scripture as opposed to an entire article.

Accompanying comments are primarily my own understanding of Christ's instructions so please don't be too disappointed that they are not seminary quality.

NOTE: I believe that viewers are entitled to a second opinion, so I have no objection to others expressing their own take on things wherever and whenever they feel mine are unacceptable.

Buen Camino
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[Dant02]

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Acts 15:20a . . Abstain from food tainted by idols,

Here's the text of a common Christian prayer:

"Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ, Our Lord. Amen."

That prayer credits the providence of God for the nourishment on the table. Well; in the old Roman world, they sometimes credited the providence of a pagan deity for their nourishment. According to 1Cor 10:25-31, this is one of those don't ask situations; we'll get to that.
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[Who Me]

I set out compiling a home-spun catalogue of Christ's instructions from the new Testament that apply to all his followers regardless of denominational affiliation.

Jesus said, 'If you Love Me. You will obey my commands.'

They were, to love God with all that you are and to love others as you love yourself.

 

[for_his_glory]

Usually what I tell a new babe in Christ is to start reading the Book of John as this will explain who Christ is as they start their personal fellowship with Him. Then I tell them to read the book of Acts as this will help them to learn about the Holy Spirit. The most important thing is to help nurcher them in the scriptures and allow them to ask questions and discuss the things they do not understand yet.

There are no rules or regulations, but to just have fellowship with Christ and other Christians as you begin to get to know Jesus and what He expects of us as a faithful servan who is obedient to God's commands and statures.

 

[Dant02]

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Acts 15:20 . . Abstain from promiscuity

Promiscuity typically refers to things like adultery, incest, shacking up, one night stands, sleeping around; viz: consensual forms of sexual immorality.

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God." (1Thess 4:3-5)
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[for_his_glory]

Dant02 This is all summed up in Colossians Chapter 3. Instead of making new babes in Christ read a book on this just have them read what is contained in one book of the Bible.

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

 

[Dant02]

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Instead of making new babes in Christ read a book on this just have them read what is contained in one book of the Bible.

I appreciate that you mean well, and would no doubt never deliberately attempt to steer me in the wrong direction with irresponsible spiritual counseling; but according to Eph 4:11-14 it is not Christ's wishes that his lambs be self-taught.
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[Dant02]

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Acts 15:20 . . Abstain from the meat of strangled animals.

Strangulation is a slow, inhumane way to die. If you know that the meat you're being served came from an animal that was choked to death, consider it food fit only for barbarians. We want nothing to do with animal abuse.

Acts 15:20 . . Abstain from blood

In other words: Christ's followers are forbidden to imbibe blood as a beverage.

There are cultures that poke holes in cows' necks in order to drink blood straight out of the living animal utilizing its own blood pressure like a tap to fill their cups; a rather ghastly thirst that might be okay for Edward Cullen's family but certainly not for us.
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[for_his_glory]

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I appreciate that you mean well, and would no doubt never deliberately attempt to steer me in the wrong direction with irresponsible spiritual counseling; but according to Eph 4:11-14 it is not Christ's wishes that his lambs be self-taught.
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I'm not coming against you teaching this as it is important to learn all of this, but instead of lengthy wording all you would need is to direct this teaching to Colossians Chapter 3 where it is already written.

Topics move pretty fast in forums and not to many will actually go back to the first page to catch up on many pages. Just a little advice, but you do as you feel led to do.

 

[th1b.taylor]

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I appreciate that you mean well, and would no doubt never deliberately attempt to steer me in the wrong direction with irresponsible spiritual counseling; but according to Eph 4:11-14 it is not Christ's wishes that his lambs be self-taught.
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I'm putting myself in the line of Fire once more but! In my Ruah Taught understanding of scripture I know it is my lot just as it was the lot of our Mashiah to hang on that Cursed Aboration made from a tree. That being true, there is a lesson inspired of YHWH that you are ignoring, I fear; 2Tim 3:15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

If a man seeks YHWH, Yashuah ha'Mashiah and Ruah, the scriptures are without error and They have never recommended the works of Errant, Sinful Man, not even from me.

 

[JohnDB]

The Law is the same as it always has been.
And the Law of Love hasn't changed... only in expression has there been a change.
Now there isn't a list of "don't s"...
But true love doesn't include such behaviors as promiscuity, envy, and the other things...
The list of "do not's" only makes me want to do them if I focus on them. Instead I concentrate on being more loving and forget to take time out to sin by being so busy loving others.

 

[for_his_glory]

Are we justified by the law or perfected by grace.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

 

[Dant02]

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Rom 6:11 . . Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

"dead to sin" in this case doesn't mean Christ's sheep can't, won't, and/or don't sin (cf. 1John 1:8-10). It means that sin can no longer give God cause to slam them with the sum of all fears.

Rom 5:12-21 explains, in so many words; that Christ's believing followers are accounted as having gone to the cross with him similar to accounting them as having tasted the forbidden fruit with Adam. This principle is at the very core of Christianity's plan of salvation so it's important to get it.

In a nutshell: When Jesus went to the cross; he died for the sins of the world from first to last. That being the case, then when his believing followers went to the cross with him, they died for their sins from first to last. As a result: when the books are opened as per Rev 20:11-15, there will be nothing on record with which to charge them.

Rom 6:11 is an order, and Christ's believing followers are expected to obey it.

FYI: I can't speak for others of course, but my posts are systematic, beginning in the book of Acts and culminating in the book of Revelation.

This topic takes time; roughly 14 months. So, check in often because-- health and circumstances permitting --I'll do my best to post a bit of Christ's rules and/or guidelines every day including week-ends and holidays.

BTW: I've conducted this topic on several forums in the past. The last one that I completed in April of 2019 has thus far attracted 15,294 views, which tells me there's a lot of people out there in cyberspace who really want this.
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[Dant02]

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Rom 6:12-13 . . Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

If I'm understanding John 5:24-25 correctly; Jesus spoke of a non-physical resurrection that his believing followers undergo in this life-- now --before they pass on.

It's a pretty good resurrection too because it doesn't rejuvenate ordinary life, rather; it's a step up to eternal life-- a superior kind of life that brings with it a change from human nature to divine nature. (2Pet 1:4)

Anyway, the point is: Christ's non-physically resurrected followers really should make an effort to walk as insiders who live in heaven rather than outsiders on their way to the other place. Political theorists like Niccolò Machiavelli would not recommend Christ's way of life of course because in this world, situation ethics are better; viz: the end justifies the means so long as the end, no matter how obtained, benefits the so-called greater good.

Well; to my knowledge, Machiavellian thinking doesn't fly in heaven so it's best for those "brought from death to life" to avoid it.
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[Dant02]

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Rom 12:1 . . Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Greek word for "sacrifice" technically refers to a victim; but it's not always applied that way. For example speaking well of God, doing good, and sharing are legitimate sacrifices. (Heb 13:15-16)

The sacrifice required by Rom 12:1 is a living sacrifice rather than deceased so Christ's followers don't have to martyr themselves in order to fulfill it; but their bodies do have to be holy in order to be accepted; which means avoiding things that defile their bodies like indecency, promiscuity, adultery, and LGBT stuff.

The Bible calls those avoidances "reasonable". In other words: Is it asking too much of Christ's followers to keep themselves pure?
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[JLB]

Jesus said, 'If you Love Me. You will obey my commands.'

They were, to love God with all that you are and to love others as you love yourself.

Yes, agreed.

I think if we follow this thread, the Lord may use this brother and others to share just “how” we as believers, are to specifically go about “loving God and loving our neighbor”.


I might add, that the way we love God is to obey His commandment to love our neighbor.


If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:20



JLB

 

[JLB]

There are no rules or regulations, but to just have fellowship with Christ and other Christians as you begin to get to know Jesus and what He expects of us as a faithful servan who is obedient to God's commands and statures.

The book of John and especially 1 and 2 John are filled with rules and regulations about how we as children of the kingdom are to conduct ourselves.



Jesus sums it up -


Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
John 5:28-29





JLB

 

[JLB]

Are we justified by the law or perfected by grace.

We are justified by the obedience of faith.


There is no other way to be justified.


But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Romans 16:26


It’s starts by obeying the Gospel, and it ends by walking according to the Spirit, which is also called obeying the truth.




JLB

 

[JLB]

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Rom 12:1 . . Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Greek word for "sacrifice" technically refers to a victim; but it's not always applied that way. For example speaking well of God, doing good, and sharing are legitimate sacrifices. (Heb 13:15-16)

The sacrifice required by Rom 12:1 is a living sacrifice rather than deceased so Christ's followers don't have to martyr themselves in order to fulfill it; but their bodies do have to be holy in order to be accepted; which means avoiding things that defile their bodies like indecency, promiscuity, adultery, and LGBT stuff.

The Bible calls those avoidances "reasonable". In other words: Is it asking too much of Christ's followers to keep themselves pure?
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Amen.


Easier said than done.


I desperately need His grace every day to walk in this.





JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

The book of John and especially 1 and 2 John are filled with rules and regulations about how we as children of the kingdom are to conduct ourselves.



Jesus sums it up -


Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
John 5:28-29





JLB

IMO, I don't like using the word rules or regulations as it makes God sound like a ruling tyrant. New babes in Christ, especially Teens don't want to hear there are rules and regulations to follow in order to be a Christian as I feel it puts pressure and frustration on them.

They need to know about God's mercy and grace through His Son Christ Jesus as they begin to practice and learn what God's commands are that really are not that hard to follow.

It's kinda like what Jesus said about the Pharisees as He told the Jews to do as they say, but don't do as they do. Matthew 23:1-4.