the Just Gospel conference

At the beginning of last month, before Coronavirus lockdowns, a sizable and impressive conference took place at Garrett Kell’s Del Rey Baptist, in the Washington, D.C. area.

It was not bad that those Americans dared to look at the issues of politics and the church and touched on issues from poverty to immigration as well. In what will be a volatile election year with many evangelicals involved in Christian nationalism the Just Gospel looked like a healthy and solid event.

The Del Rey Baptist church is a daughter church of Capital Hill Baptist.

The Just Gospel described itself as following:

No one saw the 2016 presidential election coming. No one predicted the effect the election would have on the country — and the Church.

To some extent, our tribalism has been exposed and perhaps deepened. Unity has become more fragile.

In all likelihood, the Church will face the same stark choices and the same potential for misunderstanding, disunity and tribal politics. This time, however, we have an opportunity to approach politics and the election differently… like Christians… like the pilgrims and aliens we are in the world.

The goal of Just Gospel 2020 is NOT to engage in partisan debate or endorse any party’s platform. Nor is our goal to bind the consciences of attendees to a particular policy prescription the Bible does not require. We will not recommend or even comment on any candidate.

The Just Gospel 2020 conference goal is to help Christians think biblically and deeply about being Christians and taking our Christian identity and perspective into our political lives.

The organisers of the conference in any case had good intentions/

We hope to aid each other in our discipleship. We are “strangers and exiles on the earth” who “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Heb. 11:13, 16).
We hope to model how Christians who differ in secondary and political matters can nevertheless do so charitably and in a way that preserves both unity and freedom of conscience. We hope to make a difference — for the Church and the country.

We need and want healing conversations that serve the Church We need pilgrim politics that bear witness to Christ and Kingdom to which we are headed. Join us!
 

The Neo-Calvinist movement addresses the situation of racism or even hate groups. Traditional evangelicals and Trinitarian Baptists have failed substantially on this issue and have ignored, downplayed or just haven’t really spoken to this topic. Garrett Kell in his ministry has been consistent on pushing back against those in the Southern Baptist Convention who embrace Christian nationalism and marry faith and politics. When the Southern Baptists had their regular meeting in Dallas, Texas in 2018 it was Garrett Kell who tried to replace Vice President Mike Pence speaking to the Convention with a time of prayer.

The conference was well balanced and covered a large number of issues form immigration, to poverty,  to politics and the church. What surprised me is that there were more outsiders than the traditional 9 Marks church circuit speakers. That made this conference well needed and necessary.

Written down in God's Name for righteousness

“23  It is not written for him only, that it was reckoned {|counted|} to him for righteousness: 24 but also for us, to whom it shall be counted for righteousness so we believe on him that raised, up Jesus our Lord from death.” (Romans 4:23-24 TRC)

 “Whatsoever things are written aforetime, are written for our learning that we thorow patience and comfort of the scripture should {might} have hope.” (Romans 15:4 TRC)

 “16 For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to inform, {amend} and to instruct in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfect, and prepared unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 TRC)

 “19  We have also a more sure word {a right sure word} of prophecy, whereunto if ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, ye do well, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts. 20 So that ye first know this, that no prophecy in the scripture hath {|is done of|} any private interpretation. 21 For the scripture {|prophecy|} came never by the will of man: but wholy men of God spake as they were moved by the wholy ghost.” (2 Peter 1:19-21 TRC)

 “that is to wit Jesus Christ, which must heaven receive {receive heaven} until the time that all things be restored again, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. {,be restored again.}” (Acts 3:21 TRC)

 “These words the LORD spake unto all your multitude in the mount out of the fire, cloud and darkness, with a loud voice, and added no more thereto, and wrote them in two tables of stone and delivered them unto me.” (Deuteronomy 5:22 TRC)

 “8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law, manifestly and well. 9 And Moses with the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel saying: take heed and hear Israel, this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God. 10 Hearken therefore unto the voice of the LORD thy God and do his commandments and his ordinances which I command you this day.” (Deuteronomy 27:8-10 TRC)

 “2 the spirit of the LORD spake in me, and his words were on my tongue. 3 The God of Israel spake unto me, and the strength of Israel said: he that beareth rule over men, he that ruleth justly in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be as the morning light, when the son shineth in a morning in which are no clouds to let the brightness, and as the grass of the earth is by the virtue of the rain.” (2 Samuel 23:2-4 TRC)

 “Is not my word like a fire? sayeth the LORD, and like an hammer, that breaketh the hard stone?” (Jeremiah 23:29 TRC)

 “He answered, and said unto me: This is the word of the LORD unto Zorobabel, saying: Neither thorow an host of men, nor thorow strength, but thorow my spirit, sayeth the LORD of Hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 TRC)

 “yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone lest they should hear the law and words, which the LORD of Hosts sent in his holy spirit by the prophets afore time. Wherefore the LORD of Hosts was very wroth at them.” (Zechariah 7:12 TRC)

 “for David himself inspired with the holy ghost said: The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot stool.” (Mark 12:36 TRC)

 “Ye men and brethren, this scripture must {have} needs be {been} fulfilled which the holy ghost thorow the mouth of David spake before of Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.” (Acts 1:16 TRC)

 “But {those things which} God which {had} shewed before by the mouth of all his prophets {how} that Christ should suffer, {<he>} hath thus wise fulfilled it.” (Acts 3:18 TRC)

 “By a prophet the LORD brought them out of Egypt, and by a prophet he preserved them.” (Hosea 12:13 TRC)

 “For it is my comfort in my trouble, yea thy word quickeneth me.” (Psalms 119:50 TRC)

 “For the commandment is a lantern, and the law a light: yea chastening and nurture is the way of life:” (Proverbs 6:23 TRC)

 “and yet shew mercy unto thousands among them that love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:6 TRC)

 “And the LORD said unto Moses: come up to me in to the hill and be there, and I will give thee tables of stone and a law and commandments, which I have written to teach them.” (Exodus 24:12 TRC)

 “And see that thou keep the appointment of the LORD thy God, that thou walk in his ways and keep his commandments, ordinances, laws and testimonies, even as it is written in the law of Moses: that thou mayest understand all that thou oughtest to do, and all that thou shouldest meddle with.” (1 Kings 2:3 TRC)

 “And I pray God that your hearts may be sound with the LORD our God, to walk in his ordinances and to keep his laws as we do this day.” (1 Kings 8:61 TRC)

 “Either {|Or|} saith he it not all together for our sakes? For our sakes no doubt this is written: that he which eareth should ear in {|upon|} hope: and that he which thresheth in {|upon|} hope, should {|that he might|} be partaker of his hope.” (1 Corinthians 9:10 TRC)

 “All these things happened upon them for ensamples, and were written to put us in remembrance, {|to warn us|} whom the ends of the world are come upon.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 TRC)

 “For whom the LORD loveth, him he chasteneth: and yet delighteth in him even as a father in his own son.” (Proverbs 3:12 TRC)

 “and such as cleaveth unto the true word of doctrine, that he may be able to exhort with wholesome learning, and to improve them that say against it.” (Titus 1:9 TRC)

 “and whoremongers: to them that defile themselves with mankind: to menstealers: to liars and to perjured, and so forth if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10 TRC)

 “If any man teach otherwise, and is not content with {|agreeth not unto|} the wholesome words of our Lord Jesu Christ, and with the doctrine of godliness,” (1 Timothy 6:3 TRC)

 “See thou have the example of the wholesome words which thou heardest of me, in {|concerning|} faith and love which is in Jesu Christ.” (2 Timothy 1:13 TRC)

 “This witness is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,” (Titus 1:13 TRC)

 “And ye have forgotten the consolation which speaketh unto you, as unto children: My son despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him:” (Hebrews 12:5 TRC)

 “{<And>} His disciples remembered, how that it was written: The zeal of thine house, hath even eaten me.” (John 2:17 TRC)

 “It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63 TRC)

 “23 Jesus answered and said unto him: if a man love me and will keep my sayings, my father also will love him, and we will come unto him, and will dwell with him. 24 He that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings. And the words which ye hear are not mine, but my {the} father’s, which sent me. 25  This have I spoken unto you being yet present with you. 26 But that comforter which is the holy ghost (whom my father will send in my name) {<he>} shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be grieved, neither fear ye. 28  Ye have heard how I said unto you: I go and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would verily rejoice, because I said, I go unto the father. For the father is greater than I. 29 And now have I shewed you, before it come, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 Here after will I not talk many words unto you. For the chief ruler of this world cometh, and hath nought in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love my {the} father; And {Therefore} as the father gave me commandment, even so do I. Rise let us go hence.” (John 14:23-31 TRC)

 “Jesus answered them, and said: My doctrine is not mine: but his that sent me.” (John 7:16 TRC)

 “For I have not spoken of myself: but the father which sent me{,he} gave me a commandment what I should say, and what I should speak.” (John 12:49 TRC)

 “10 Believest thou not that I am in the father, and the father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the father dwelling {that dwelleth} in me is he that doeth the works. 11 Believe {<me>} that I am in the father, and the father in me. At the least believe me for the very works’ sake. 12  Verily, verily I say unto you whosoever {he that} believeth on me, the works that I do, the same shall he do, and greater works then these shall he do, because I go unto my father. 13 And whatsoever ye ask in my name, that will I do, that the father might be glorified by {|may be praised in|} the son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name I will do it. 15  If ye love me keep my commandments, 16 and I will pray the father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may bide with you ever, 17 which is the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because the world seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But ye know him. For he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18  I will not leave you comfortless: I {but} will come unto {to} you.” (John 14:10-18 TRC)

 “When they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word: well spake the holy ghost by Esay the prophet unto our fathers,” (Acts 28:25 TRC)

 “10  Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the armour of God, that ye may stand steadfast against the crafty assaults of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood: but against rule, against power, {|<namely>|} and against worldly rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in {for} heavenly things. {|under the heaven|} 13 For this cause take unto you the armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things. 14 Stand therefore and your loins gird about with verity, {|trueth|} having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and shod with shoes prepared by the gospel {gospell} of peace. 16 Above all take to you the shield of faith, wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of health, {salvation} and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God,” (Ephesians 6:10-17 TRC)

 “But let us which are of the day be sober, armed with the breast plate of faith and love, and with hope of health, {salvation} as an helmet. {|the helmet of hope to salvation|}” (1 Thessalonians 5:8 TRC)

 “It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63 TRC)

 “for the word of God is quick, and mighty in operation, and sharper than any two edged sword: and entereth through, even unto the dividing a sunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints, and the mary: and judgeth the thoughts and the intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 TRC)

 “and so shall he not honour his father and {or his} mother. And thus have ye made, that the commandment of God is with out effect, through your traditions.” (Matthew 15:6 TRC)

 “and thus have ye made the commandment {making the word} of God of none effect through your own traditions which ye have ordained. And many such things ye do.” (Mark 7:13 TRC)

 “for ye are born a new, not of mortal {|corruptible|} seed, but of immortal {|uncorruptible|} seed, by the word of God which liveth, and lasteth for ever, {|by the living word of God, which endureth for ever|}” (1 Peter 1:23 TRC)

 “It came to the ears of the apostles and the brethren which were in Jewry, that the heathen also had received the word of God. {And the Apostles and the brethren that were thorowout Jewry heard say that the Heathen had also received the word of God.}” (Acts 11:1 TRC)

 “For this cause thank we God without ceasing, because that when ye received of us the word, wherewith God was preached, ye received it not as the word of man: but even as it was in deed, {|is of a trueth|} the word of God, which worketh in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 TRC)

 “And this say we unto you in the word of the Lord, that we which live and are remaining in the coming of the Lord, shall not come yer they, which sleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15 TRC)

 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of life, that we should be the first of his creatures. {that we should be the first fruits of his creatures.}” (James 1:18 TRC)

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Nicht geschrieben allein um seinetwillen aber zur Lehre geschrieben

Das wort Gottes Helm des heils und Schwert des geistes

First page of the Gospel of Mark, by Sargis Pitsak, a Medieval Armenian scribe and miniaturist (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Find also:

Necessary to be known all over the earth

A way to look for Christ, the Bible, Word of God

Bible, best Book of books to get to know the truth

No man see the Almighty God and live

El-Shaddai God Almighty Who no-one may see and live

The Almighty Lord God of gods King above all gods

Jehovah God Almighty greater than all gods

No man see the Almighty God and live

Glory of only One God Who gives His Word

God-breathed prophetic words written torah and the mitzvot to teach us
Written down in God's Name

Written to whom it is about to be reckoned

Focussing on oneness with Jesus like Jesus is one with God

La gloire du Dieu Fort qui prononça toutes ces paroles

Schepping en wet die vertellen over Gods eer

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Bible, helmet of health, salvation and sword of the spirit

“((To the Chanter, a Psalm of David.)) The very heavens declare the glory of God, and the very firmament sheweth his handiwork.” (Psalms 19:1 TRC)

 “1  And God spake all these words and said: 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt and out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have none other gods in my sight.” (Exodus 20:1-3 TRC)

 “For thus sayeth the Lord GOD {|LORDE God|} there to; It shall not so go forth, neither come so to pass:” (Isaiah 7:7 TRC)

 “And with that, the LORD stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth, and said moreover unto me. Behold I put my words in thy mouth,” (Jeremiah 1:9 TRC)

 “Believest thou not that I am in the father, and the father in me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself: but the father dwelling {that dwelleth} in me is he that doeth the works.” (John 14:10 TRC)

 “And take the helmet of health, {salvation} and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God,” (Ephesians 6:17 TRC)

 “And he said: I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” (Exodus 3:6 TRC)

 “We know that the son of God is come, and hath given us a mind {understanding} to know him which {that} is true: and we are in him that is true, {be in the truth} through {thorow} his son Jesu Christ. This same {He} is very God, and eternal {|everlasting|} life.” (1 John 5:20 TRC)

 “thou art worthy ([O]) Lord ([our God]) to receive glory, and honour, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy will’s sake they are, and were created.” (Revelation 4:11 TRC)

 “2 And God spake unto Moses saying unto him: I am the LORD, 3 and I appeared unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob an Almighty God: but in my name Jehovah {Iehouah} was I not known unto them.” (Exodus 6:2-3 TRC)

 “13 wilt thou therefore say: Tush, how should God know? Doth his dominion reach beyond the clouds? 14 Tush, the clouds cover him that he may not see, for he dwelleth in heaven.” (Job 22:13-14 TRC)

 “5 And the Levites, Jeshua, and Cadmiel, Bani, Hasabniah, Serebiah, Hodjah, Sebaniah, and Pathahiah, said: Stand up praise the LORD your God forever: and let thanks be given unto the name of thy glory, which exceedeth all thanksgiving and praise. 6 LORD, {|<thou art>|} thou alone hast made heaven, and the heaven of all heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is therein, the sea and all that is therein: thou givest life unto all, and the host of heaven bow themselves unto thee. 7 Thou art, the LORD, the God that hast chosen Abram, and broughtest him out of Ur in Chaldea, and called him Abraham” (Nehemiah 9:5-7 TRC)

 “7  Hear, O my people: let me speak, let me testify among you, O Israel: I am God, even thy God. 8 I reprove thee not because of thy sacrifice, thy burntofferings are alway before me. 9 I will take no bullocks out of thy house, nor goats out of thy folds. 10 For all the beasts of the field are mine, and thousands of cattle upon the hills. 11 I know all the fowls upon the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are in my sight. 12 If I be hungry, I will not tell thee: for the whole world is mine, and all that therein is. 13 Thinkest thou, that I will eat the flesh of oxen, or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer unto God praise and thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the most highest. 15 And call upon me in the time of trouble, so will I hear thee, that thou shalt thank me. 16  But unto the ungodly sayeth God: Why doest thou preach my laws, and takest my covenant in thy mouth? 17 Where as thou hatest to be reformed, and castest my words behind thee?” (Psalms 50:7-17 TRC)

 “11 And the very same, made some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Shepherds, some Teachers: 12 that the saints might have all things necessary to work and minister withal, to the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we everyeachone (in the unity of faith, {|we all come unto one manner of faith|} and knowledge of the son of God) grow up unto a perfect man, after the measure of age which is in {of} the fullness of Christ: {|and become a perfect man in to the measure of the perfect age of Christ|} 14 That we henceforth be no more children wavering and carried with every wind of doctrine, by the wiliness {|wickedness|} of men and craftiness, whereby they lay a wait for us to deceive us.” (Ephesians 4:11-14 TRC)

 “And I brethren when I came to you, came not in gloriousness of {|in hye words|} words or of wisdom, shewing unto you the testimony of God. {|preaching of Christ|}” (1 Corinthians 2:1 TRC)

 “9 but as it is written: The eye hath not seen, and the ear hath not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath opened them unto us by his spirit. For the spirit searcheth all things, yea the bottom of God’s {Goddes} secrets. {|even the deepness of the God head|}” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 TRC)

 “14 For the natural man perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God: For they are but foolishness unto him. Neither can he perceive them because he is spiritually examined: {|can not perceive it: for it must be spiritually discerned|} 15 but he that is spiritual discusseth all things: yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who knoweth the mind of the Lord, other who shall inform him? but we understand the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16 TRC)

 “Who hath reformed the mind of the LORD? Or who is of his counsel to teach him?” (Isaiah 40:13 TRC)

 “5 which mystery in times passed was not opened unto the sons of men as it is now declared unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit: 6 that the gentiles should be inheritors also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise that is in Christ, by the means of the gospel, {gospell}” (Ephesians 3:5-6 TRC)

 “that their hearts might be comforted and knit together in love, and in all riches of full understanding, for to know the mystery of God the father and of Christ” (Colossians 2:2 TRC)

 “Tell nothing into the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” (Proverbs 23:9 TRC)

 “1  These be the last sayings of David. David the son of Isai said: And the man is lifted up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob and pleasant Psalmist of Israel said: 2 the spirit of the LORD spake in me, and his words were on my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:1-2 TRC)

 “Ye men and brethren, this scripture must {have} needs be {been} fulfilled which the holy ghost thorow the mouth of David spake before of Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.” (Acts 1:16 TRC)

 “When they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word: well spake the holy ghost by Esay the prophet unto our fathers,” (Acts 28:25 TRC)

 “searching when, or at what time the spirit of Christ which was in them should signify, which spirit testified before, the passions that should come unto Christ, and the glory that should follow after:” (1 Peter 1:11 TRC)

 “20 So that ye first know this, that no prophecy in the scripture hath {|is done of|} any private interpretation. 21 For the scripture {|prophecy|} came never by the will of man: but wholy men of God spake as they were moved by the wholy ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20-21 TRC)

 “But that comforter which is the holy ghost (whom my father will send in my name) {<he>} shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.” (John 14:26 TRC)

 “16 For all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to inform, {amend} and to instruct in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfect, and prepared unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 TRC)

 “For this cause thank we God without ceasing, because that when ye received of us the word, wherewith God was preached, ye received it not as the word of man: but even as it was in deed, {|is of a trueth|} the word of God, which worketh in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 TRC)

 “Whatsoever things are written aforetime, are written for our learning that we thorow patience and comfort of the scripture should {might} have hope.” (Romans 15:4 TRC)

 “All these things happened upon them for ensamples, and were written to put us in remembrance, {|to warn us|} whom the ends of the world are come upon.” (1 Corinthians 10:11 TRC)

 “49  ((Zain.)) O think upon thy servant as concerning thy word, wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust. 50  For it is my comfort in my trouble, yea thy word quickeneth me.” (Psalms 119:49-50 TRC)

 “7 The chief point of wisdom is, that thou be willing to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get the understanding. 8 Make much of her and she shall promote thee: Yea if thou embracest her, she shall bring thee unto honour. 9 She shall make thee a gracious head, and garnish thee with a {|the|} crown of glory.” (Proverbs 4:7-9 TRC)

 “A wise heart will seek after knowledge, but the mouth of fools meddle with foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:14 TRC)

 “He which is sown in the good ground, is he, that heareth the word and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some fifty {sixty} fold, and some thirty fold.” (Matthew 13:23 TRC)

 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are perfect, which thorow custom have their wits exercised, to judge both good and evil also.” (Hebrews 5:14 TRC)

 “God gave now these four springalds cunning and learning in all scripture and wisdom: but unto Daniel specially, he gave understanding of all visions and dreams.” (Daniel 1:17 TRC)

 “There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, there is no counsel against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:30 TRC)

 “O give ear unto good counsel, and be content to be reformed, that thou mayest be wise here after.” (Proverbs 19:20 TRC)

 “7 Consider what I say. The Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8  Remember that Jesus Christ being of the seed of David, rose again from death according to my gospel, {gospell} 9 wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds. But the word of God was not bound. 10 Herefore I suffer all things, for the elects’ sakes, that they might also obtain that health {salvation} which is in Christ Jesu, with eternal glory.” (2 Timothy 2:7-10 TRC)

 “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” (John 17:2 TRC)

 “We know that the son of God is come, and hath given us a mind {understanding} to know him which {that} is true: and we are in him that is true, {be in the truth} through {thorow} his son Jesu Christ. This same {He} is very God, and eternal {|everlasting|} life.” (1 John 5:20 TRC)

 “2 for kings, and for all that are in preeminence, {authority} that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. 3 For that is good and accepted in the sight of god our saviour, 4 which would {will} have all men saved, and {<to>} come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:2-4 TRC)

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Preceding versions:

Bijbel, helm van de zaligheid en het zwaard van de Geest ter onderricht

La Bible, casque du salut, et l’épée de l’Esprit 

Bibel, Helm des Heils und das Schwert des Geistes

 

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1. Fools despise wisdom and instruction
2. Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
3. Words to inspire and to give wisdom
4. Eternal Word that tells everything
5. Hearing words to accept
6. Genuine message of salvation
7. God who knows the heart
8. Bible, God speaking words profitable for doctrine, for reproof and for correction
9. No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation
10. Bible, God’s Word to edify (ERV)
11. Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
12. The holy spirit will bring back to your minds all the things told
13. True God giving His Word for getting wisdom
14. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
15. We should use the Bible every day
16. Feed Your Faith Daily
17. May reading the Bible provoke us into action to set our feet on the narrow way
18. Bible, helmet of salvation, God’s Words put in the mouth of prophets for perfecting, to reprove and correct

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A rebellious movement founded on a fake?

English: Icon of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is no doubt that all mainline denominations, but particularly those that embrace a so-called liberal orthodoxy, are in decline.

There are many people who want others to believe that Jesus Christ did not exist and that Christianity is build upon a fake.

It might be strange that those people who wants us to believe jesus from Nazareth (Jeshua from the tribe of David) did not exist are running high with other historical figrures where less writings and information can be found  than the one they scorn.

Many also consider early Christianity as a rebellious underground movement until Roman Emperor Constantine made it his religious practice in A.D. 312. We do agree that Constantine's conversion, based on what he viewed as a victorious sign from God prior to going into battle, and his demand to the preachers of Christ that they would agree with the empire its system of worshipping, made that the movement became more attractive because lots of attitudes could be continued and worship became no different than they knew already from the Roman and Greek worshipping, having now a three-une god to their liberty.

Having Christendom made in an official religion of Rome in A.D. 380 did more for the spread of Christianity than any proselytizing efforts conducted by the Apostle Paul. Though the religion that was subservient to the Roman Empire, beard little resemblance to the radical teachings of Jesus.

The first-century Gospels did not want to give a correct historical day to day overview, but presented those teachings of the man the writers considered to be the Messiah.
 The gospels indicate that Jesus was a historical figure.

Myths and even legends normally involved characters placed centuries in the distant past. People wrote novels, but not novels claiming that a fictitious character actually lived a generation or two before they wrote. Ancient readers would most likely approach the Gospels as biographies, as a majority of scholars today suggest. Biographies of recent figures were not only about real figures, but they typically preserved much information. One can demonstrate this preservation by simply comparing the works of biographers and historians about then-recent figures, say Tacitus and Suetonius writing about Otho.

 writes Professor Craig S. Keener in the Huffington Post.

Contrary to some circles on the Internet, very few scholars doubt that Jesus existed, preached and led a movement. Scholars' confidence has nothing to do with theology but much to do with historiographic common sense. What movement would make up a recent leader, executed by a Roman governor for treason, and then declare, "We're his followers"? If they wanted to commit suicide, there were simpler ways to do it.

One popular objection is that only Christians wrote anything about Jesus. This objection is neither entirely true nor does it reckon with the nature of ancient sources. It usually comes from people who have not worked much with ancient history. Only a small proportion of information from antiquity survives, yet it is often sufficient.

Those who want to find more about the existence of this cult figure may look further at the new series Why think that (1) … Jesus existed? 
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Jesus Existed 

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Many forgot how Christ should be our anchor and our focus

When we look at the trends in the spiritual life of people we notice a growing trend among elders, preachers, and members of the church of Christ which is to turn Christianity and worship into things that are casual in nature.

People are given the freedom to look at their faith like they want to have it. they also may come to worship God whenever they like “as they are” and “dressed as they are.” Some preachers do not find it necessary to prepare their sermon because it has to be casual and straight from the heart. In some churches people have become totally against prepared or printed prayers , saying they would not come from the heart. Everything in service should be improvised and or casual.

73% of born again Christians may say that it is important to share their faith with others, but when we walk around is our environment we do not hear many talking about the Word of God or about the hope we can have in the Gospel. The Good News is not heard much, though many may know it is something we should share with others.

Only half (52%) of born again Christians say they actually did share the Gospel at least once this past year to someone with different beliefs, in the hope that they might accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

This sharing of the Good News demands also knowing it and acting accordingly it. But we can notice not many youngsters today really can or want to find time to read the Bible. They think it is not so necessary and for the few times they can make it to church they will hear enough of the Scriptures (they think), but in many churches there is less and less being read from the Scriptures and often just being shouted a few verses, but that's it.

Some preachers do find it more important to get others to know those dogmatic teachings and want to get as many as possible their own church rules, often by breaking off other churches and trying to get the followers of the other church to their church, claiming they are the better church. the set of beliefs — a collection of ideas seems all to what it turns about, instead of preaching the love of Christ.

For most people it is easiest to blindly keep accepting what the preachers tells them on the pulpit. those who dare to question certain things are looked at, because they could be a danger for their own believes or making them to doubt about certain matters, which they now can accept, because the follow the preacher and count him responsible in case it would not be true.

They are not interested in to look at the meaning of one verse with looking at the context in which it was written or to compare it with other verses in other chapters of the Holy Scriptures. Why should they bother who wrote it in which circumstances, what led into it, what did it lead into, etc. 

Today it may look surprising to find it interesting that the age group that is least likely to be regular church goers are most likely to verbally evangelize. In ordinary life, at work, we can find some people (a few) who simply share what they have seen and heard and know to be true and place it in Biblical perspective. Luckily we can find people committed to a Christ-centered, faith-based relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who are not actively connected with and participating in a church. They define themselves as Christians, but they are not active in pursuing spiritual formation in the context of a congregational expression. Some might consider them as beings who could be called "Christian “nones”" in that they have no formal affiliation at this time.

Most Evangelicals, especially leaders feel it important to affirm their doctrine and call out many verses (even when it may be out of context) to affirm their doctrinal believes and to frighten their members so they  would be afraid to leave any idea of their community. 

Jesus is the true example of right understanding of the Word of his Father, the Only One True God. He is the mediator between God and man, who showed us the way to a holy living, and unconditional mercy and love for the lost. It's a message that many Christians dismiss today – just as it was 2000 years ago.

Some may think what the world needs is the revelation of the Grace of God through the complete work of the cross. They might say listening to the likes of Joseph Prince, Creflo Dollar & Rob Rufus , getting this fresh revelation and drinking of the new wine of Holy Spirit is what keeps us fresh in our faith. God never promised us a bed of roses and the road is long and tough at times, but if Christ is our anchor and our focus, how can we neglect so great a salvation?

Lots of people become more concerned how big a church is, how people are dressed, how pleasant the services are, which 'good music" is played, how entertaining the worship can be, etc..

Exterior elements seem to have become more important than the state of the heart, the inner feelings.

In 2001 Barna warned already  most self-professed Christians are only dabblers in the Faith lacking any desire for holiness; begging the question of how serious these people are about their faith, and how real their relationship with Christ is. {George Barna, Growing True Disciples (Colorado Springs: WaterBrook, 2001), 17.}

Those who call themselves Christian, should give much more attention to the person they are claiming to follow. They should listen more to the words of the one they would call their master. Christ Jesus should be their guide, more than any particular preacher or church. Jesus should be the one they should follow.

Christianity is not a set of doctrines in the sense that a mechanic operates with a set of tools. Instead, Christianity is a comprehensive worldview and way of life that grows out of Christian reflection on the Bible and the unfolding plan of God revealed in the unity of the Scriptures. 
As such we also should need to develop more concern for our attitude, attendance, and attire. In a time when many want to practice casual Christianity, we need to practice true Christianity. We need to practice serious Christianity, devoted Christianity, and respectful Christianity.

The Bible tells us about the foggy times when religions will get against religions. The time of its prophesies has come

Men and Women of God must rise up, the Watchmen must cry out; for if the Spirit of the Living God is not poured out on us then all will be lost.

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