Discipleship | A People for His Name

"Jesus Outside the New Testament"

November 25, 2011

What are the main lines to emerge in this study of Jesus outside the New Testament? The non-Christian evidence uniformly treats Jesus as a historical person. Most non-Christian authors were not interested in the details of his life or teaching, and they saw him through the Christianity they knew. They provide a small but certain corroboration of certain New Testament historical traditions on the family background, time of life, ministry, and death of Jesus. They also provide evidence of the content of Christian preaching that is independent of the New Testament. . . . Our study of Jesus outside the New Testament points at the end of the day to Jesus inside the New Testament.

–Robert E. Van Voorst, Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence, 217

In Apologetics, Quotes

Evangelism Testimony 11.20.11

November 20, 2011

Today, I had one of the best opportunities to witness that I have had in a long time. My visitation partner and I met a lady today who did not seem to be very receptive at first. I was ready to leave and go to the next house after a brief time, but my partner started to talk with her after I had talked with her.

As he began to talk with her, she opened up and shared how she had just started reading a kid’s book about the Bible. I checked the book to see if it was sound. Looking over the book, I got the idea that I would try to witness to her again.

Basing my second attempt on what she had said she read in that book, I began witnessing to her about whether she knew that her sins were forgiven. Her answers revealed that she was uncertain. She thought that she had once been saved but was no longer saved because of how she was living now.

I took her to Ephesians 2:8-10 and explained carefully to her that she could not be saved by her works. She received that passage well, and I shared many other passages with her.

She shared that she had visited several churches and did not like them because what she heard there were stories instead of the Bible. She appreciated the witness that she received and said that she would like to visit our church.

I hope to follow up on her sometime soon. Please pray that she might come to church and be saved.

In Testimony

Imitators Not Just of Paul But Also of Other Exemplary Believers

November 11, 2011

Together, the verb μιμέομαι (“to imitate”) and the noun μιμητής (“imitator”) occur ten times in the NT:

KJV 1Co 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

SCR 1Co 4:16 παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε.

BGT 1Co 4:16 Παρακαλῶ οὖν ὑμᾶς, μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε.

NAU 1Co 4:16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

KJV 1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

SCR 1Co 11:1 μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε, καθὼς κἀγὼ Χριστοῦ.

BGT 1Co 11:1 μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε καθὼς κἀγὼ Χριστοῦ.

NAU 1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

KJV Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

SCR Eph 5:1 Γίνεσθε οὖν μιμηταὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὡς τέκνα ἀγαπητά•

BGT Eph 5:1 Γίνεσθε οὖν μιμηταὶ τοῦ θεοῦ ὡς τέκνα ἀγαπητὰ

NAU Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

KJV 1Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

SCR 1Th 1:6 καὶ ὑμεῖς μιμηταὶ ἡμῶν ἐγενήθητε καὶ τοῦ Κυρίου, δεξάμενοι τὸν λόγον ἐν θλίψει πολλῇ μετὰ χαρᾶς Πνεύματος Ἁγίου,

BGT 1Th 1:6 Καὶ ὑμεῖς μιμηταὶ ἡμῶν ἐγενήθητε καὶ τοῦ κυρίου, δεξάμενοι τὸν λόγον ἐν θλίψει πολλῇ μετὰ χαρᾶς πνεύματος ἁγίου,

NAU 1Th 1:6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

KJV 1Th 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

SCR 1Th 2:14 ὑμεῖς γὰρ μιμηταὶ ἐγενήθητε, ἀδελφοί, τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ τῶν οὐσῶν ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ• ὅτι ταὐτὰ ἐπάθετε καὶ ὑμεῖς ὑπὸ τῶν ἰδίων συμφυλετῶν, καθὼς καὶ αὐτοὶ ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων,

BGT 1Th 2:14 ὑμεῖς γὰρ μιμηταὶ ἐγενήθητε, ἀδελφοί, τῶν ἐκκλησιῶν τοῦ θεοῦ τῶν οὐσῶν ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι τὰ αὐτὰ ἐπάθετε καὶ ὑμεῖς ὑπὸ τῶν ἰδίων συμφυλετῶν καθὼς καὶ αὐτοὶ ὑπὸ τῶν Ἰουδαίων,

NAU 1Th 2:14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,

KJV 2Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

SCR 2Th 3:7 αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε πῶς δεῖ μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς• ὅτι οὐκ ἠτακτήσαμεν ἐν ὑμῖν,

BGT 2Th 3:7 Αὐτοὶ γὰρ οἴδατε πῶς δεῖ μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς, ὅτι οὐκ ἠτακτήσαμεν ἐν ὑμῖν

NAU 2Th 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,

KJV 2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

SCR 2Th 3:9 οὐχ ὅτι οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα ἑαυτοὺς τύπον δῶμεν ὑμῖν εἰς τὸ μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς.

BGT 2Th 3:9 οὐχ ὅτι οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν, ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα ἑαυτοὺς τύπον δῶμεν ὑμῖν εἰς τὸ μιμεῖσθαι ἡμᾶς.

NAU 2Th 3:9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.

KJV Heb 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

SCR Heb 6:12 ἵνα μὴ νωθροὶ γένησθε, μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας.

BGT Heb 6:12 ἵνα μὴ νωθροὶ γένησθε, μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας.

NAU Heb 6:12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

KJV Heb 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

SCR Heb 13:7 Μνημονεύετε τῶν ἡγουμένων ὑμῶν, οἵτινες ἐλάλησαν ὑμῖν τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ• ὧν ἀναθεωροῦντες τὴν ἔκβασιν τῆς ἀναστροφῆς, μιμεῖσθε τὴν πίστιν.

BGT Heb 13:7 Μνημονεύετε τῶν ἡγουμένων ὑμῶν, οἵτινες ἐλάλησαν ὑμῖν τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ, ὧν ἀναθεωροῦντες τὴν ἔκβασιν τῆς ἀναστροφῆς μιμεῖσθε τὴν πίστιν.

NAU Heb 13:7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

KJV 3Jo 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

SCR 3Jo 1:11 ἀγαπητέ, μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν. ὁ ἀγαθοποιῶν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστιν• ὁ δὲ κακοποιῶν οὐχ ἑώρακε τὸν Θεόν.

BGT 3Jo 1:11 Ἀγαπητέ, μὴ μιμοῦ τὸ κακὸν ἀλλὰ τὸ ἀγαθόν. ὁ ἀγαθοποιῶν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν• ὁ κακοποιῶν οὐχ ἑώρακεν τὸν θεόν.

NAU 3Jo 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

These references show that Paul is the only person whom the Holy Spirit inspired to write statements that directly command other believers to be imitators of the same person (Paul) who wrote those commands to them (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1).

Nevertheless, the writer of Hebrews and the apostle John also do command believers to be imitators of other believers (explicit [“whose faith follow”] – Heb. 13:7; implicit [“follow . . . that which is good”] – 3 John 1:11).* Because these statements are not directives commanding believers to imitate just Paul, we should conclude that we are to be imitators not just of Paul but also of other exemplary believers.

==========

*Although Hebrews 6:12 is not a command to believers, the purpose subjunctive (“that ye be . . . followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises”) also instructs believers to be imitators not just of Paul but also of other exemplary believers.

In Biblical Greek, Biblical Languages, Interpretation

Bible Reading Update 11.10.11

November 10, 2011

With 51 days left in 2011, I’m still hoping to make it through the Bible in both Greek and English this year.


Section	Greek	English
OT	929/929	625*/929
NT	56/260	260/260
Bible	985/1189	885/1189

*Includes listening to 145 chapters of the OT from the Bible on MP3

In Bible reading

Nearer, Still Nearer in Solfeggio and Chords

November 8, 2011

Here is Nearer, Still Nearer in my solfeggio and chords format, including both the Spanish and English names of the chords.

In Guitar Music

Following the Example of Nebuchadnezzar or the Example of Belshazzar: The Choice That We All Must Make

November 5, 2011

Daniel, the prophet, confronted both Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar for their sinfulness (Dan. 4:27; 5:22-23). The difference in their ultimate fates following that confrontation points to the choice that we all must make–following Nebuchadnezzar or Belshazzar.

The Example of Nebuchadnezzar

God abased Nebuchadnezzar “when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride” (5:20). When he humbled himself before God, he was exalted by God (4:36). Following his humiliation and exaltation, he praised and extolled and honored “the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and His ways judgment” (4:37a-b), and testified that “those that walk in pride He is able to abase” (4:37c).

The Example of Belshazzar

Although he knew all that had taken place with his grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar did not humble his heart (5:22). Instead, he lifted up himself “against the Lord of heaven” (5:23). God pronounced sentence upon him (5:24-28), and he was slain in that very night (5:31).

The Choice That We All Must Make

God has provided us with these inspired records of His dealings with the pride of these two Babylonian kings. We, thus, have even more than what Belshazzar had when he was indicted, condemned, and slain for his sinfulness.

For our good, God has set before us these two examples of how humans choose to respond to His convicting them of their pride. The one humbled himself before God after he had been dealt with about his pride, but the other did not.

We all must choose whose example we will follow–Nebuchadnezzar or Belshazzar. Our ultimate fates depend on the choice that we make either to humble ourselves for our pride or to exalt ourselves in pride.

Let us choose to follow the example of Nebuchadnezzar because “GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, AND GIVETH GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:5c-6; cf. Ps. 75:4-10).

In Exhortation

From Jesus to Paul: Verbal Ministry about the Kingdom of God and about Jesus

November 2, 2011

Observing how a book begins and ends is an important part of discovering what a writer desires to communicate. When both the beginning and the ending of a book stress the same ideas, we can have confidence that those are key ideas to which the author is seeking to direct attention.

The book of Acts begins with Luke’s teaching about Jesus’ post-resurrection ministry:

“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (1:1-3).

Following this introduction, Luke records how Jesus commissioned His apostles with teaching concerning their future testifying to Him throughout the world (1:4-8). By beginning the book this way, Luke emphasized that Jesus’ ministry to the apostles focused on instruction about the kingdom of God and about Himself.

Luke concludes Acts with two noteworthy accounts of Pauline ministry in Rome:

“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified concerning the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. . . . And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (28:23; 30-31).

He thus could hardly have stressed more emphatically than he did that Paul’s ministry for two entire years was to minister the same things in the same way to everybody that he interacted with: preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.

Based on how Luke begins and ends the book of Acts, it is certain that he intends to stress that from Jesus to Paul, the emphasis was on verbal ministry about the kingdom of God and about Jesus. We, therefore, should have the same dual emphases in our evangelistic and discipleship ministries.

In Discipleship, Evangelism, Interpretation

"Silent Night" in Solfeggio and Basic Chords in Any Key

October 31, 2011

This newly formatted version of Silent Night provides both the melody and the basic chords to play the song in any key. The melody is in my solfeggio format, and the basic chords are given with Roman numerals that designate which chord in a key you should play and when.

This document also provides a chart that shows what basic chords you would play the song in the keys of C, G, D, A, E, and F.

In Guitar Music

"Jesus Loves Me" in Solfeggio and Simplified Chords Format

October 28, 2011

For the past three weeks, I have been teaching a guitar class for a number of people in a church. Because it is a Spanish church, I have been developing a new method of playing guitar that uses the solfeggio syllables instead of notes.

Working on this new method has reinforced my own understanding of playing of the guitar in ways that I was not expecting. It has also helped me improve my own playing!

My latest piece in my solfeggio and simplified chords format is Jesus Loves Me.

Notes for playing this piece:

“DO” means the do that is an octave higher than “Do.”

In the simplified chords diagrams, the partially shaded dot above the first string in the F chord means that you can either not play that string at all or play that string open. Not playing the first string at all, the chord is an F chord; playing the first string open, it is an Fmaj7 chord, which is an acceptable substitute for an F chord.

In Guitar Music

Should We Sing Prayers to Jesus and the Holy Spirit?

October 27, 2011

In response to a question that was recently directed to me, I have been pondering again whether we should pray to Jesus and to the Spirit as well as to the Father or whether we should pray only to the Father. It occurred to me tonight that we sing many songs that are prayers directed to Jesus and to the Spirit.

If we should pray only to the Father, should we be singing any prayers like the following?

Whiter Than Snow	“Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole . . . Break down every idol . . .” Similarly, every stanza is a prayer to Jesus.
O to Be Like Thee!	“O to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art; Come in Thy sweetness . . . Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.”
“Are Ye Able,” Said the Master	“‘Are ye able’, said the Master, ‘To be crucified with Me?’ . . . ‘Lord, we are able.’ Our Spirits are Thine. Remold them , make us . . .”
Draw Me Nearer	“Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died . . .”
More Love to Thee	“More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make . . .”
Break Thou the Bread of Life	“Break Thou the bread of life, Dear Lord to me, As Thou didst break the loaves Beside the sea . . .”
Lead Me to Calvary	“Lest I forget Gethsemane; Lest I forget Thine agony; Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.”
My Faith Looks Up To Thee	“My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary . . . Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away . . .”
Have Thine Own Way, Lord!	“Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!”
Near the Cross	“Jesus, keep me near the cross . . .”
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me	“Jesus, Savior, pilot me . . .”
I Need Thee Every Hour	“O bless me now, my Savior . . .”
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us	“Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Hear, O hear us when we pray . . .”
Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart	“Spirit of God, descend upon my heart, Wean it from earth . . .”
Fill Me Now	“Hover o’er me, Holy Spirit, Bathe my trembling heart and brow . . .”
Open My Eyes, That I May See	“Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!”

If it is right for us to sing these prayers to Jesus and the Spirit, then it would seem . . .

What do you think?

In Music, Prayer

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