Author: Ryan Price | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22
Estimated Reading Time: 3 min.
Mr. Michael Thiel is an entrepreneur in advertising, currently writing ads and marketing in about ten industries.
For this his forum, Mr. Thiel gave a presentation on aspects of entrepreneurship and what it takes to become an entrepreneur.
What Does an Entrepreneur Do?
To become an entrepreneur, you must first have an idea for a product or service of some sort. Even if you lack total confidence in your idea, you can test it out, and if it works, knowing that it does will motivate you to move forward.
But if it fails, you can still analyze and learn from the failure. Progress is achieved by acknowledging your failures, reflecting on them, and learning from them. If you can do this, failure will have no effect on your ability to succeed—it will only help pave the way.
Requirements of Entrepreneurship
Once your idea is set in motion as a business, you will engage in two types of work as an entrepreneur: Productive work that benefits or furthers your efforts to build your business—such as getting clients, making products, etc.—and “unproductive” activities that might not get you more work, but still need to be done, such as accounting, filing taxes, etc. Beyond that, here are two things to keep in mind in order to be successful as an entrepreneur:
You must love it! To keep your business alive, you must love either what you do or the market that you serve. That will be the source of your motivation to keep going—you can’t just be in it for the money. This motivation will help you persevere through difficult times.
You must be flexible. You may have an idea that may not be marketable or doesn’t have a market at all; if you can’t sell your idea, but still stick to it no matter what, you’re heading for failure. Flexibility is key—sometimes you may need to try another idea or market to find success.
The Pros and Cons of Being an Entrepreneur
There are some downsides to entrepreneurship—you’ll have to pay higher taxes in the form of self-employment tax, you won’t be given health insurance or no paid time off, your pay will not be guaranteed, and everything that goes wrong will be your fault. Also, if you promise a customer something, it will be up to you to see it through, no matter what.
On the flip side, there are many perks: you won’t be pressured to work on the Sabbath, you won’t have to worry about job security, you will often be able to work from home, your travel will be tax-deductible in certain cases, you will get all the proceeds directly, you will be able to say no to work you don’t want to do, and you will be able to become known for your work.
If you can meet these requirements and stick with it, then, as Mr. Thiel said, you will have an overwhelming chance of turning your idea into a successful business.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/bruce-mars-GzumspFznSE-unsplash.jpg10001500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-16 16:11:002021-11-17 16:11:56Forum Summary: Should you become an entrepreneur?
Author: Yolanda Watt | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22
Estimated Reading Time: 6 min.
Mr. Dexter Wakefield opened his lecture with something Mr. Armstrong used to ask on Holy Days and Sabbaths: “Why are you here?”
Mr. Wakefield stated that we have quite a few reasons for being here—some excellent reasons and others that may not be so excellent. We may have primary, secondary, or even tertiary reasons as to why we are in the Church of God and in Living Education. Mr. Wakefield referenced 1 Chronicles 28:9, saying that God knows the intent of the thoughts of our heart, which goes deeply into our psychology.
Mr. Wakefield then asked a challenging question: “Why do some people leave the Church?” He revealed that, over the years, he has seen that those who leave the Church have lost their reason for being in it. If something happens that troubles or challenges us, having the right reasons for being in God’s Church can remind us of what we stand for. Examining our reasons for being in the Church, in order to prioritize the right reasons and become aware of the weak reasons, can strengthen our devotion to the Body of Christ.
Some Weak Reasons for Being in the Church
I want to avoid the tribulation. Mr. Wakefield mentioned that some people may think that they will simply attend Church services when things get rough in the world—but “that’s an illusion.” It is going to be much harder to come to services then than it is now.
I want to be a Philadelphian: If you have a small doctrinal disagreement that makes you feel more Philadelphian than another person, you might start to consider that other person Laodicean. Mr. Wakefield believes that true Philadelphians do not worry about being Philadelphian—rather, they are occupied with God’s truth and the Work. He went on to compare prideful people—those who think of themselves as Philadelphian while looking down on other members—to the practice of Judo, in which a small person is able to throw a larger person. The idea in Judo is not to resist the attacker, but to pull them farther in the direction they are already going and then throw them off balance. Satan does the same with a prideful person; that person can be easily deceived.
I want to avoid the lake of fire: While it is good to have a bit of fear for the lake of fire, it should not be a primary reason for being in the Church. People who have an irrational fear of the lake of fire can be easily deceived and manipulated. Yes, we want to make sure we are not sinning willfully, but if avoiding the lake of fire is a person’s entire motivation, that person will be tripped up once doubt comes in.
I want to get salvation: This is a great motivation to have, but when it is the only one, it may lead to a begrudging attitude toward the commandments of God. If someone has no love for the commandments, they may go along with an unbiblical change in doctrine that challenges the commandments. This is exactly what happened in the Worldwide Church of God. By contrast, God’s people learn to love His commandments and obey them from the heart.
The Church is where my friends are: In John 15:12–17, we are commanded to love each other, and it is fine to want to be with our friends—but that should not be the main reason we are in the Church. If it is, and a friendship ends or a friend leaves the Church, our own reason for being here will be demolished.
I want to be in a loving environment: If this is the primary reason for a person staying in the Church, that person will leave once another Church member offends them. It is good to be in a loving environment, but our reasons for being here must be stronger than that.
I want intellectual stimulation: The problem with this reason is that those who are motivated by it always want to hear something new. Mr. Wakefield referenced Acts 17:18–21, explaining that we should go deeper in the truth, not move on to a different “truth.” He mentioned he has seen individuals spending quite a bit of time on the Internet looking for a new doctrine that contradicts the truth. Spiritual growth results not from always learning new “truth,” but in changing our hearts and our character.
I want to be where a particular minister is: God provides spiritual services to his children through his true ministers and those who serve under those ministers. Everyone has their personal preferences, but if one minister is someone’s main reason for being in the Church, what happens if that minister leaves? We must remember that Christ does the Work and ministers occupy an office that Christ works through. We must also consider our brethren around the world, some of whom only see a minister a few times a year and have to rely on video sermons. Their reasons for being in the Church can be instructive to us.
I’m comfortable here: Currently, many find attending with the Living Church of God to be stable and comfortable, but what happens when we have turmoil? After all, we will be hated during the end times. “If your priority is comfort and stability in the Living Church, then the end times are going to be tough for you,” stated Mr. Wakefield. Satan will focus his activities where God’s work and truth are.
Strong Reasons for Being in the Church
I want to obey God and seek His Kingdom first: If we have genuine love for the real God and the truth revealed in His word, we will be rooted in a desire to stay amongst those who share that love.
To learn the truth of God:Many eras of God’s Church did not have all of the truth and understanding that we have in the Church today. We must evaluate what is most important to us. The truth has been challenged in various times and it will be challenged again, so we all need to maintain a solid understanding of exactly what the Bible teaches.
To be part of the Work of God:Christ is accomplishing through His Church the Work of proclaiming the Gospel of God’s Kingdom to the world, and we must recognize where that work is being done. In Ephesians 4:14–16, we are taught that we all have an important part in what the Church is doing.
It is important for us to consider our primary reasons for being in the Church, making sure that those reasons are strong. Wherever Christ is, His truth and His work will be, and this can serve as our guiding beacon. If we consider carefully why we are here, we can develop the conviction to stay with God’s truth and His work.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ben-white-9emAQvCJQ4c-unsplash.jpg10011500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-11 11:45:002021-11-16 11:46:36Assembly Summary: Why are you here?
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated reading time: 8 min.
Did you know, that God is so powerful that He can work mighty miracles merely with His finger?
He truly is the Almighty, Who is omnipotent—all-powerful. He does not have to muster strength to work miracles. In Creation, He spoke the physical world into existence (Genesis 1). However, there are phrases in Scripture referring to His body parts employed for work. This Digging Deeper explores a peculiar expression used in both Testaments that expresses the mighty power of the Creator.
Four times in our Bible, the expression the finger of God appears. To understand what this expression signifies, let us first look at some articles from Bible reference works. Robert Hawker’s Poor Man’s Concordance declares: “This is a very common expression in Scripture, to denote the works of God. Thus the magicians in the court of Pharaoh were compelled to acknowledge the finger of God concerning several of the ten plagues of Egypt which the Lord brought upon the Egyptians” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Significance of fingers
Fingers were important for conversation in that world, as explained by The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “The fingers are to the Oriental essential in conversation; their language is frequently very eloquent and expressive. They often show what the mouth does not dare to utter, especially grave insult and scorn” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Richard Watson’s Biblical and Theological Dictionary expands this thought: “To put forth one’s finger, is a bantering, insulting gesture. ‘If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, and the putting out of the finger,’ Isaiah 58:9; if thou take away from the midst of thee the chain, or yoke, wherewith thou loadest thy debtors; and forbear pointing at them, and using jeering or menacing gestures” (Ibid.) In effect, God insulted the Egyptian gods in the characteristic way of that period (Exodus 12:12).
The ISBE continues: “The ‘finger of God,’ like the ‘hand of God,’ is synonymous with power, omnipotence, sometimes with the additional meaning of the infallible evidence of Divine authorship visible in all His works (Psalm 8:3; Luke 11:20), especially in His law (Exodus 8:19; 31:18; Deuteronomy 9:10; compare Exodus 32:15, 32:16)” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Egyptians versus God’s finger
The first place this phrase appears is: “Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said” (Exodus 8:19 KJV throughout). This was what the magicians concluded during the third plague of lice upon Egypt. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible reports: “This expression is thoroughly Egyptian; it need not imply that the magicians recognized Yahweh, the God who performed the marvel. They may possibly have referred it to as a god that was hostile to their own protectors” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Notice that they did not attribute this plague to the power of YHVH, the covenant name of God with Israel, but to elohim. Elohim is a word referring to any god. They acknowledged this was the result of the power of a god.
The Expository Notes of Dr. Constable explains: “The ‘finger of God’ (Exodus 8:19) is a phrase denoting creative omnipotence in Scripture (Exodus 31:18; Psalm 8:3; Luke 11:20)” (Ibid.). God was superior in power to all the Egyptian gods. We may wonder why the finger was chosen. Henry Morris’ Defender’s Study Bible provides this historical note: “Egyptian magical texts occasionally refer to ‘the finger of’ one of their gods or goddesses. Here they recognize the miracle as emanating from the finger of the true God of creation” (Ibid.). Dr. Peter Pett’s Commentary explains further: “In Egyptian texts we find reference to the ‘finger of Seth’ and ‘the finger of Thoth’. This was thus a typically Egyptian way of expressing the situation. We would say, ‘God must have had a hand in this.’ Note the use of ‘God.’ They were not thinking of Yahweh specifically, but of the divine” (Ibid.).
In this biblical text, the magicians were helpless in overturning this plague of lice. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible perceptively notes: “God has the devil in a chain, and limits him both as a deceiver and as a destroyer; hitherto he shall come, but no further. The devil’s agents when God permitted them, could do great things; but when he laid an embargo upon them, though but with his finger, they could do nothing” (e-Sword 13.0.0)
Writing on stone
Our next two references relate to God’s inscribing the 10 Commandments on two stone tablets:
“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18).
“And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly” (Deuteronomy 9:10).
God made it truly clear that the 10 Commandments originated with God, not Moses. It ought to be referred to as “God’s law.” It is the “Mosaic law” only in a secondary and derivative sense. Henry Morris’ Defender’s Study Bible comments: “The fact that the Ten Commandments were written on stone by God Himself is stressed no less than seven times (Exodus 31:18; 32:15; 34:1,28; Deuteronomy 4:13; 9:10; 10:4). This is an indication of the importance placed by God on these stone-inscribed words” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Again, Morris states: “The fact that God wrote the Ten Commandments down Himself, rather than through a prophet, indicates the unique importance He places on these ten laws, as the foundation for all human legal systems. Also see note on Deuteronomy 9:10” (Ibid.)
We may wonder how God did it. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers addresses this question: ” We must understand that the tables were inscribed by some supernatural process, and not by any human hand. The exact nature of the supernatural process is not revealed to us” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Similarly, only He can inscribe His law on the hearts of Christians by the Spirit today (2 Corinthians 3:3). On the permanence of God’s law, notice David Guzik’s comment in his Enduring Word Commentary: “We often say that something can be changed because ‘it’s not written in stone.’ These commandments were written in stone” (Ibid.).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges adds an important historical explanation on Exodus 31:18: “The practice of inscribing laws on tables of metal or stone was very general in antiquity: Rome, Athens, Crete, Carthage, Palmyra, Babylonia, all supply examples…That the tables on which the Decalogue was written are said to have been inscribed by ‘the finger of God’ (cf. Exodus 34:1) is an expression (Di.) of the sanctity and venerable antiquity attributed to them” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Its comment on Deuteronomy 9:10 is also insightful: “With His own voice, face to face, God spake the words of the covenant (Deuteronomy 4:12 f., Deuteronomy 5:4) and now with His own finger wrote them. Thus by a double metaphor is the directly divine origin and supreme sanctity of the Ten Words emphasised” (Ibid.). God’s spoken word and hands were significant in the Creation as well: (Psalm 8:3; 33:6).
Power in His finger
Our last reference comes from Jesus’ confrontation with critics who accused Him of employing the power of Beelzebub to work miracles. Instead, He declared: “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20). In Matthew’s parallel passage, Jesus stated he cast out devils by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). The finger of God works miracles by the Spirit of God. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers notes: “As the ‘hand’ denotes power generally, so the ‘finger’ symbolises power in its concentrated and specially-directed energy” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Gary H. Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures adds: “The Scriptures use the phrase ‘hand of God,’ or ‘power of God’ to express God reaching down to mankind in a display of mighty power. In contrast, the phrase ‘finger of God’ seems to indicate that God is able to cast out devils with very little effort” (Ibid.).
Christians serve a mighty Savior Who was Israel’s God of the Old Testament and Who thwarted Pharaoh and his magicians, inscribed the 10 Commandments on stone tablets, and cast out devils with merely His finger. Though symbolic, these verses demonstrate that Christ is the Almighty Creator and Savior. He is invincible. When He returns to earth, He will once again exercise His mighty power to deliver His people and establish the Kingdom of God.
Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Adam-and-the-Father.jpg5501047Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-10 12:30:002021-11-16 11:24:59Digging Deeper: The Finger of God
Did you know we have a feature in some of our courses where students can share their responses to a specific question? For example, in the Prayer Unit there are over 200 responses to the question: “How do you pray?” Would you like to share your response as well?
Author: Ryan Price | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22
Estimated Reading Time: 2 min. 30 sec.
In his assembly, Mr. Cristian Orrego warned the Living Education students about the many ways Satan tries to distract us from the truth.
He advised them to be aware of these influences and to be careful not to fall into the enemy’s tangled web of deception.
Two Options
We either live God’s way of life, or we let Satan trap us in his web of deceptions. There is no in-between. We all have personal desires and dreams, and yet, even more fundamentally, we have an innate desire for eternity, as is revealed in Ecclesiastes 3:11. This is why mankind has always searched for the purpose of his existence—something to fill the emptiness inside him. Yet this emptiness can only be filled by God or Satan—so with what are we fulfilling these desires?
The Magnitude of the Deception
Satan has had a lot of experience dealing with the human family. He knows our needs as well as our wants, and can use these fleshly desires to manipulate and deceive us. There are many ways he accomplishes this, and one of them can be seen in people today: God is being replaced with evolution in the minds of many. What does this leave for anyone to hope for? This can only produce a feeling of emptiness and hopelessness. In response, people turn to materialism and hedonism. If we remove God from our lives, the enemy will fill that spiritual emptiness with evil.
The Standards That Matter
We all need to examine whether the one who rules our minds is God or Satan. The enemy can and does use the examples of celebrities, peers, fictional characters, and social media influencers in his attempts to lead us away from following Christ’s example in our lives. In many subtle ways, the prince of the power of the air tries to distract us from what we should be doing every day—spending time with God and living our lives according to the standards He sets for us. If our minds are preoccupied with ideas and examples that are against the law of God, we will perish.
God’s way leads us to eternal life, to the materialization of our dreams, to true social justice, to a real and solid purpose for our existence, and to true freedom. Only His way will lead us to the Kingdom, and that kingdom is the only place where we will find all that we long for. If we are tired of evil and injustice, then we need to always live according to the word of God with the help of His Holy Spirit, putting aside the shallow, selfish, and vain path that leads to death.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/alexis-fauvet-qfWf9Muwp-c-unsplash.jpg8441500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-09 12:30:002021-11-11 15:19:56Assembly Summary: The Enemy Knows You
Author: Yolanda Watt | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22
Estimated Reading Time: 3 min.
For his assembly to the Living-Ed students, Mr. Stafford addressed the topic of stress.
He informed the students of some ways in which people show stress, such as headaches, crying, and irritability. He also stated that every human being is customized—none of us are “normal,” and we all experience stress differently. This being so, we each must be aware of what is stressful for us and learn to control how we react to those stressors.
25 Ways to Avoid or Manage Stress in Our Lives
Set priorities. What are the most important things in your life? Considering this question carefully and prioritizing what is important to us can keep us from letting unimportant things stress us out (Matthew 6:33).
Exercise. This is a hard habit to develop, but the effort is well worth the stress relief exercise has been proven to provide.
Always have a plan B. We are not certain of everything that is going to happen in this life, and our original plans, whatever they are, might not work out.
Smile and rejoice: No matter how tough life gets, there is always something to rejoice about.
Do everything in moderation (Philippians 4:5).
“Let go and let God.” Remember that certain things are out of our control. (Philippians 4:7; Hebrews 11:1)
Think godly thoughts (Philippians 4:8).
Have proper nutrition. For example, reducing unnecessary sugar in our diets can relieve stress. (Genesis 1:12; Daniel 1:12)
Avoid negative people (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Unclutter your life (1 Corinthians 14:33; Luke 8:14).
Forgive yourself (Matthew 6:15).
Be grateful for life. When we think about it, every day we spend being alive is a good day (Ephesians 5:20).
Whatever it is, do it today; don’t procrastinate (Isaiah 55:6; 1 Corinthians 14:40).
Focus on the positive (Philippians 4:8).
Be responsible for your feelings, rather than blaming others or considering yourself a victim of external circumstances.
Remember that you always have options. (Deuteronomy 30:15; Romans 8:28) It’s not what happens to us, it’s how we deal with it.
When appropriate, give hugs (1 Corinthians 13:13; James 2:8).
Remember that stress is an attitude, it’s a choice. Mr. Stafford suggests to examine what you’re stressed about, and ask yourself, “Does it matter enough to die?” (Deuteronomy 32:29)
Take everything one day at a time (Matthew 6:11, 34).
Have a supporting network of godly friends (Hebrews 10:25).
Don’t try to fix others (Philippians 2:12).
Don’t get too little sleep—or too much (Proverbs 3:24; 6:9).
Talk less, listen more (James 1:19).
Study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15).
Pray (Romans 12:12; Luke 18:1–8).
If we apply these methods of dealing with stress, we can become able to manage the difficult situations that life presents. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, God will continue to teach us how we are to live and how to deal with whatever faces us.
The Diana of Ephesus was a goddess “whom all Asia and the world worship” (Acts 19:27). Diana was the Roman name for the Greek deity Artemis, the “goddess of the moon and the chaste and sister of the sun-god, Apollo” (Colliers Encyclopedia).
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated Reading Time: 8 min.37 sec.
Did you know that what many Christians call fellowship is not exactly what the New Testament writings had in mind?
Some consider common chit-chat over refreshments, social events, politics, entertainment, or sports as fellowship. However, the word used in the New Testament has a different connotation. This Digging Deeper discovers its meaning so Christians will gain a better understanding of what is required in this special relationship.
Our focus verse is: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42 KJV throughout). The Greek word koinonia, here translated fellowship, is the first of twenty occasions of this Greek word in our New Testament. In the King James Version, it is translated, depending on the context, as fellowship, communion, communicate, communication, contribution, and distribution. Vincent’s Word Studies provides a derivation of this Greek word: “From κοινός, common. A relation between individuals which involves a common interest and a mutual, active participation in that interest and in each other. The word answers to the Latin communio, from communis, common. Hence, sometimes rendered communion, as 1 Corinthians 10:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14. Fellowship is the most common rendering” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
David Guzik in his Enduring Word Commentary defines the word: “The Greek word koinonia has the idea of association, communion, fellowship, and participation; it means to share in something” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Additionally, James Hastings’ Great Texts of the Bible explains: “The word translated ‘fellowship’ (cf 2 χοινωνία) comes from a root which means literally sharing in common. The practical nature of the fellowship is very clearly seen by comparing the ways in which the same word is translated in other places in the New Testament. As a rule Scripture is its own best interpreter” (Ibid.).
It’s about sharing
The NET Bible associates it with relationships: “Fellowship refers here to close association involving mutual involvement and relationships” (e-Sword 13.0.0). This sharing is further defined in the Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: “According to its basic biblical meaning, fellowship is concerned…with people participating together in something. Fellowship is communion – having a share in something” (Ibid.). With other believers, we share a relationship through the fellowship of the Spirit (Philippians 2:1-2). Its focus is not so much social as it is spiritual.
The CARM Theological Dictionary illustrates this relationship: “There is no specific definition given in the N.T. But we are called into fellowship with one another (1 John 1:3), with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9), with the Father (1 John 1:3), and with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). Fellowship implies sharing common interests, desires, and motivations. Fellowship requires that time be spent with another communicating, caring, etc. It carries with it a hint of intimacy. As Christians we fellowship with one another because of our position in Christ, because we are all redeemed and share an intimate personal knowledge of Jesus. We share a common belief (Acts 2:42), hope (Hebrews 11:39-40), and need (2 Corinthians 8:1-15)” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
The Bridgeway Bible Dictionary illuminates this common faith: “There is therefore a sense in which they have fellowship with one another, but again this fellowship is usually in someone or something that they have as a common possession (Philippians 1:7; Hebrews 3:14; 2 Peter 1:4). Their fellowship is a joint sharing in a common faith (Titus 1:4), in a common salvation (Jude 1:3) and even in their common sufferings (2 Corinthians 1:7; Revelation 1:9).” (e-Sword 13.0.0). David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary adds even more: “As Christians, we share the same Lord Jesus, we share the same guide for life, we share the same love for God, we share the same desire to worship Him, we share the same struggles, we share the same victories, we share the same job of living for Him, we share the same joy of communicating that gospel to others” (Ibid.).
Practical fellowship
In 1 Corinthians 10:16 the word communion is translated from this same Greek word. Through the centuries, many have referred to the ceremony of Christians memorializing Jesus’ death with bread and wine as Communion. However, The Preacher’s Homiletical corrects this notion: “…’fellowship’ was not used to mean communion in the Lord’s Supper before the fourth century” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Rather than refer to this ceremony as communion, Christians today refer to it as Christian Passover. What Paul meant by communion is that which Christians share in this sacred service—the sacrifice of Christ for their sins. It was not intended as the name for the service.
In a related matter, some claim that breaking of bread in Acts 2:42 refers to partaking of Communion or The Lord’s Supper. On the contrary, Ethelbert Bullinger explains in his Companion Bible that “This was the common meal” (e-Sword 13.0.0). We read examples of an ordinary meal during Jesus’ ministry in (Luke 24:30, 35). These new followers broke bread together.
Later in Acts 2, Luke described the new believers’ practical fellowship expressed by sharing their possessions with believers in need (Acts 2:44-45). On the Day of Pentecost, Jews had come from all over the Roman world. Many decided to stay in Jerusalem for a time after receiving the Holy Spirit. Resident Jews distributed their possessions with those who stayed there longer than expected. The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible comments: “Luke depicts the Jerusalem church as a loving, caring, and supportive community” (Tecarta Bible App).
Later in our New Testament, Paul encouraged similar generosity using a related word: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate [koinonikos]” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
Sharing in suffering
Nowhere in the NT does fellowship refer to “fun times.” Numerous times it included hardship, persecution, and suffering. For example, Paul used the term when he was sitting under house arrest in Rome: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). In the same book, Paul described his fellowship with Christ: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).
Indeed, Paul did share Jesus’ sufferings throughout his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). The Bridgeway Bible Dictionary explains this aspect: “Fellowship with Christ means not only sharing in the blessings that come through his sacrificial death, but also sharing in the sufferings that he endured (Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:12-14; Revelation 1:9). But if people have fellowship with him in his sufferings, they will also have fellowship with him in his glory (2 Timothy 2:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1)” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Have no fellowship with sin
What destroys fellowship in God’s family is sin. The Bridgeway Bible Dictionary admonishes Christians: “Sin spoils the believer’s fellowship with God. Those who think they can sin as they please and still have fellowship with God are deceiving themselves. By contrast those who live righteously will enjoy unbroken fellowship with God, because God in his grace cleanses the sins that they unknowingly commit (1 John 1:6-7)” (e-Sword 13.0.0). This demonstrates the need for continual repentance so that our fellowship remains unbroken.
To elaborate further, this source continues: “There are certain things that Christians are not to have fellowship with, not to share in, not to participate in. They are not to identify with others in a way that signifies a sharing in the wrongdoings of such people (1 Timothy 5:22; 2 John 1:10-11). Neither are they to share in marriage with non-believers (2 Corinthians 6:14-15) or in religious feasts where food has been offered to idols (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). They are to have no part, no share, in anything that is sinful (Ephesians 5:11; Revelation 18:4)” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Examine your fellowship!
In Sabbath conversation, how often do Christians converse about spiritual things? Some are hesitant to do so. However, notice Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” These believers communicated to each other about God.
James Hastings’ Great Texts of the Bible admonishes with this solemn note: “I fear this aspect of fellowship has been sadly lost in these days. How seldom we talk about God! We talk about anything—everything else—about leaders, teachers, sermons, books; but how seldom do we find the conversation, even among a party of Christians, centring round God; and yet one of the sweetest of the ‘precious and exceeding great promises’ is given to those who practise the habit of speaking about God, and the things of God” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
General chit-chat about work, sports, politics, shopping, entertainment, etc. does not satisfy these fellowship descriptions. After reading these rousing Scriptures, let us consider how we fellowship next time we gather with fellow believers: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Before our next worship service, let us pray: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.
Author: Ryan Price | Student, Living Education – Charlotte 2021/22
Estimated reading time: 2 min.
For the forum this week, Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour addressed the topic of the future, asking, “What are you going to do six months from now?
You don’t know, because you don’t know what the world is going to do.” We face an unknown future, and we don’t always have control over what happens in our lives—but when we involve God, He guides us in the direction we should go.
Mr. Bonjour used the story of Job as an example; he asked, “Do you think Job knew what was going on when he was going through all his trials?” What happens to us isn’t as important as how we handle it—that’s what really counts. Physically speaking, we can’t plan for much in this life. Yet, spiritually, we are gifted with an understanding of God’s plan, and with that, we can prepare for the time to come.
Life’s Unexpected Turns
Life will often take us in directions we don’t expect. Take Moses, for example; he didn’t expect to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. And look at David; he was just a simple shepherd, who couldn’t have known he would become the greatest king that Israel would ever have. Life happens, and we have to make the best of the opportunities that God brings us.
Mr. Bonjour read from an article entitled “Following Christ at Any Stage of Life”by Mr. Davy Crockett III: “Life passes through stages, and our activities and our understandings change with the seasons of life.” As we mature, our perception changes. Things that are important to us when we’re young will likely mean less to us when we’re middle-aged. We are constantly learning, and we are ultimately a product of what we go through. Mr. Crockett’s article continues, “At each stage of life, we learn new lessons that are unique to that phase of our existence. We understand things at age 30 that we could not grasp at age 20.”
Stick with God and Things will Work Out
Sometimes, bad things will happen to us even when we haven’t caused them. There are problems and disappointments in everyone’s life. Yet it’s been said that “character is built in the crucible of adversity.” God allows bad things to happen to us so that we can build His character. We are facing an unstable world, and none of us really know what next year might hold—but if we let God guide us, no matter which way the world goes, we can be confident in His perfect will.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/drew-beamer-xU5Mqq0Chck-unsplash.jpg10001500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-02 11:51:002021-11-03 11:51:54Forum Summary: The Future is in God’s Hands
He then went on to mention the prophecy given in Isaiah 3:12: “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.” This serious warning is one of many prophetic scriptures about the fall of Israel at the end of the age.
This prophecy is descriptive of social conditions, and one of the issues it highlights is children being our oppressors. Mr. Wachowicz stated that children being our oppressors can be seen one of two ways—childlike or unwise leadership in society, or literal children oppressing society, such as children bringing their parents to court.
“Women Rule Over Them”
The other element of this prophecy addresses women ruling the nation. One of the things we see happening around us is the suppression of males in society. “Do Schools Discriminate Against Boys?” shows that Dr. Jim Dueck, former deputy minister of education for the province of Alberta, Canada, examined the marks of twelfth-grade students in a classroom setting versus the marks of the same students when they were graded “blind”. Dr. Dueck found that the marks given to the male students when thon those tests were generally higher than those given by teachers to the same students when they knew who they were. He also found that for female students, the opposite was true.
These results led him to the conclusion that female students’ academic marks are being deliberately inflated. Scholarship eligibility is based on teacher-given exams, and this leads to a disproportionate number of scholarships going to female students; women make up a sizable majority in universities, especially in professional facilities in North America.
The Bible prophesied these events over 2000 years in advance. Mr. Wachowicz drove his point home by showing a snippet of an interview by Mrs. Diane Watts titled “The History of Feminism and its Impact on Men,” where she explained the origin of the feminist movement. Interestingly enough, the feminist movement started as an effort to get women out of factories and back to their families—until Betty Friedan insisted that women in the home were living in “comfortable concentration camps” and that men were their oppressors.
How This Affects the Church
“Why is this significant to us in the Church of God?” Mr. Wachowicz asked. It is significant in terms of the people to whom we must preach the Gospel and give a warning. Many in modern Western nations have values and mindsets very different from those that were commonly held twenty years ago.
Mr. Wachowicz closed his lecture by stating that “perhaps prophetically, we are over the tipping point where it is very difficult for our society to recover, and only God can do that for us.” He left us with some questions to consider: How do we preach the Gospel to a population that is so influenced in this manner? Eighty percent of youth in Canada are unaware of any characters in the Bible and are even less aware of the Bible’s instructions. This is the environment that activists are striving to establish; they are seeking to eliminate knowledge of the past, so people will have no reference with which to analyze the present. This is the world in which God’s Church must preach the Gospel.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/taylor-wilcox-4nKOEAQaTgA-unsplash-1.jpg9931500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-10-31 11:26:002021-11-03 11:53:34Assembly Summary: The Suppression of Males in Israelite Society
