Jesus gave us the key to being fruitful:
But he who received seed on the good ground is
he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:23
I am starting this thread, in hopes of bringing some clarification and understanding to some of our discussions that concern foundational doctrines of the Church, that Christ taught to His disciples, who in turn taught to their generation, that are written for us in the New Testament.
Key biblical words and phrases that were used by our Lord, and the writers of the New Testament, may have a different meaning than their modern day counterparts, used today.
There is no need for endless debate over simple, basic biblical words and terms, that degrade into unhealthy dialogue between Christians.
In addition I hope to see these definitions, that should be widely agreed upon by staff and participants, added to the new Statement of Faith (glossary of biblical words) that is being developed, when the TOS is complete.
Having unity and harmony concerning biblical words and terms is the beginning to having unity and harmony concerning sound biblical doctrine, for it is the words that make up the doctrine.
Misunderstand the words and we will misunderstand the doctrine.
- till we all come to the unity of the faith
- that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16
Here are just a few of the biblical words and terms that I hope to see us define and understand as a community, for the purpose of unity and growth in this body of believers, as well as those that the Lord will bring here in the coming months and years.
Love
Believe
Faith
Salvation
Eternal life (now & then)
Lost
Found
Gospel
Repent
Grace
Inherit the kingdom
The faith
The love of God
The truth
The doctrine of Christ (the doctrine)
Son of God (three aspects)
Hopefully others, including staff will add to this list.
Paul said,
I know in part, but
we have the mind of Christ.
Blessings to all,
JLB
