|
Hoyte Nelson's Poems/ Reflections & Biblical Essays
|
| Home |
Essay Definitions related to Baptist DoctrinesH - S 15.
Heaven and hell: Heaven
and Hell are both real places according to the Scriptures. Heaven is the
dwelling place of God. The Throne of God is there. It is a prepared place for
the saints of God. Hell is the prepared place for the devil and his angels. It
is called the bottomless pit. All who reject Jesus Christ will be judged and
cast into the awful place of torment.
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. It is the place that
Jesus was taking about when He said: “in
My Father’s house...” It’s more than a walled city, however, It is the New
Jerusalem. It contains the New Heaven and a New Earth. (Read 2 Peter chapter 3)
In chapter 3: 13 Peter says, “But according to His promise,
(God’s promise), we look for a new
heaven and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Now,
where is “His Promise?”
It’s in Isaiah 65: 17, “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth, and former things shall not be remembered." Following this
promise in chapter 65: 17, we are enlightened about something very important in
verse 25, which says, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion
shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat,
(food). They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says the
Lord.” Remember, this is in the New Heaven and the New earth; that is, after
this old earth is destroyed. (2 Peter 3: 9) Heaven
is much more than a great city, outside the city there is also the New earth
where animals and rivers, and trees and many more wonderful, wonderful things
for us to enjoy (Read Revelation 22: 1-5). “And they shall reign for ever and
ever.” (Vs.5b) It
is in this New Heaven and New earth, following the destruction of this old sin
cursed earth and the heavens as we know them,
(3 Peter 3: 9,10) that the fulfillment of all the unfulfilled promises
that are not fulfilled in the church age will come to fulfillment. (Isaiah 65:
17,25; Revelation 21 and 22: 1-8; 2 Peter 3: 12-17) (Highlighted for
emphasis) 16. Judgment/ Resurrection: In Acts 24: 15b, Paul (who is being tried before Felix and the Jewish council), testifies, “...that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” To the wicked, it’s payday. But to the believers, we will inherit an eternal reward in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. The
Apostle Paul gives us the clearest understanding on the subject of the timing
(Or the when) of the rewards to His saints, and the penalty for those, as he
says, “who know not God and to those who obey not the gospel of our Lord
Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the
presence of our Lord and from the glory of His power, when
he comes to be glorified in His saints on
that day…” (2 Thessalonians 1: 8-10).
The great white throne Judgment in the Revelation verifies this truth
when the whole rendering is read. All the books are open, for we are all
present, both small and great…” (Chapter 20: 11 through chapter 21: 1-5.
(The chapter division in this passage has led to much confusion) 17.
Laity: Laity,
in the family of faith means non-clergy. Or “disciples,” meaning
“learners.” This is where we get the word “discipline.”
It means servants who are teachable, and willing to serve in an unpaid
position. 18.
Marriage: Marriage
is the union of a man and a woman in covenant relationship for life.
(Eph.5: 20-31) In the Garden of Eden, after God had made man, He made for
him a helpmate, and brought her unto the man, and “they became one flesh.”
(Ephesians 5) This is the holy union created by God! 19.
Miracles: Miracles
are the special blessing given to God’s people for special purposes in order
to glorify God. The thorns and thistles (disease, etc.) which began when Adam
and Eve were driven from the Garden remain with us today. They remind us of our
old sinful nature and our dependence upon God. God often gave special miracles
for special purposes. Jesus often performed miracles in fulfillment of the
Scriptures. To verify that He was the Christ, the Son of God. It’s always
right to ask God for a miracle, but it’s wrong to doubt Him if, for His own
purpose, He withholds it. Please
read II Corinthians 4: 7-18 and allow the Holy Spirit to bless your heart in
whatever circumstances you are facing today! 20.
Missions: Mission
is sharing! From a Christian perspective, missions means meeting human needs,
and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. There are many
methods, various organizations and people groups involved in missions; we as
Southern Baptists, because of our cooperative efforts, have one of the largest
mission forces in the world today. Prayer, people and finance are the essential
factors for reaching our goals . 21.
Ordinances: As
for a Christian Ordinance, it means to “set in order” that which is
commanded by our Lord. We as Baptists observe only two church ordinances,
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Because we believe that the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ is the complete sacrifice for
our sins, we offer no other sacrament than that which is offered in Him. (Though
I believe that baptism is a church ordinance; I believe any Christian can
administer this ordinance to a believer at any time, or in any place where there
is ample water. (Acts 10: 8: 37,38) 22.
Pastor/Staff: The
pastor/staff relationship is one of purpose, calling, and commitment. Though
there is, of necessity, a “senior” pastor, who is charged with the oversight
of the total ministry of the church; the associates, depending upon the size and
needs of a given congregation, have their assigned responsibilities. Cooperation
is the key to a good Staff relationship. There are of course many other vital
functions that require other staff/persons who are not considered pastoral; yet
serve a vital role to the on-going ministries of a church. I discovered many
years ago that the key is to keep one’s focus upon the whole picture. The main
focus must be Christ centered. All the differing staff responsibilities must not
lose the sight of their own individual role of service. The
Pastor’s duties are no different today than in biblical times. We are all
servants of Jesus Christ. The pastor has the responsibility for guiding and
coordinating the work of the staff according to the developed guidelines of a
given local congregation.
23.
Reconciliation: Reconciliation
means to come into agreement. One admonishment of Scripture is: “Be
reconciled to God.” Reconciliation from a Christian perspective is a
stewardship, “even as God, for Christ has forgiven you.” We cannot be
reconciled to God and be at odds with a fellow man. Reconciliation simply means
that everything between man and God or between man and man has been removed. For
Christians, the sin that has separated us from God has been paid for at the
cross. It is on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, each of us is reconciled with
God and his fellowman; thus, the problem is rectified. 24.
Revelation: “Revelation”
is revealed truth, or truth made known. The Bible contains sixty-six books in
which God has revealed that which He, by divine purpose, gave to mankind.
“All scripture is given by the inspiration of God” [2 Timothy 3: 16]. The
last book in the Bible is called: “Revelation” is a book within a book. The
“Apocalypse,” or the “Unveiling,” or the “Revelation” is the portion
that was given to John by the angel of the Lord for the seven churches.
The “Book” of the Revelation contains the introduction, (Chapter one)
The admonition to the seven churches (Chapters 2 & 3), the Revelation, or
the Unveiling called the “Apocalypse” (Chapters 4: 1 – 22: 8), and the
conclusion (chapter 22: 6 – 21). See
my Essay called: “The Revelations by divisions” Baptists
are known as a “people of the Book.” We believe that the word of God is His
earthly message of heavenly treasure to us. (Paraphrase) We have no other creed.
As the Old Testament has served as a guide to Israel in their pilgrimage; so the
New Testament has guided us in our Christian pilgrimage. This does not mean that
the Old Testament has no meaning for us. It is the foundation of the New
Testament wherein God fulfilled all things in Christ. (Luke 24: 27. 25.
The Sabbath and the Lord’s Day: The
Sabbath and the Lord’s Day are often confused as being the same thing. And
they are to the extent that each is set aside as a day of worship. The
difference is the purpose for which they were set aside. The Sabbath was set
aside for the children of Israel as a day of rest and worship to commemorate the
seventh day, as a day in which God rested following the six days of creation.
The Lord’s Day is to celebrate three things: The fulfilling of God’s
law by our Lord Jesus Christ in our stead; His victory over death and the grave
in our stead, and His ascension back to the right hand of the Father in our
stead. It is our day of victory-celebration as Christians. Every Lord’s Day
could be called our weekly Easter Celebration! 26.
Sanctification/Growth: Sanctification
means to “set-apart.” Christians are set-apart from the world, and as babes
in Christ, we are to grow in grace and knowledge of Him. Paul said, “not as
though I had already attained, either were become perfect, but I press forward
to the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3: 12, 14). 27.
Security of the Believer This
truth is a great treasure. The reason we, as Baptist hold to this truth to be a
great treasure, is because of our belief in the finished work of Christ.
Salvation is a finished gift. Paul said, “Not by works of righteousness which
we have done, but according to his mercy he has saved us...” (Titus 3: 5). If
salvation were by our deeds, how or when would we ever know we had done enough?
It’s by His deeds on our behalf: in life, in death and in the resurrection,
and who is now at the right hand of God interceding for us. Christ
died for sinners, “for there is none righteous, no not one.” When Christ
died on the cross, He not only had fulfilled the Law, but He also paid the
penalty for the guilty. When one trusts Christ in repentance, He credits our
sins to His account, and credits His righteousness to ours’! Therefore, we
will stand in “His righteousness” (secure) as on the Day of Judgment.
(Romans 4: 1-5; 8: 31-39) 28.
Soul: (Psyche) The
Soul of man is his consciousness, his awareness of life itself, etc.... It is
here that the Spirit of God is able, through the word of God, to convey the will
of God to us. We often say, “with all my heart,” meaning, “my
inner-self.” Etc. 29.
Spiritual gifts: Spiritual
gifts are the gifts given to us, for special service, by the Holy Spirit. The
Apostle Paul used our physical body to demonstrate this truth. That is, our
eyes, our hands, our feet, our tongues (speech) etc., to illustrate how God uses
many gifts to fulfill His work in the church. The
Bible says that He gives gifts “as it has pleased Him” (1 Corinthians 12:
18b). That is, God personally chooses the gift, or gifts for each of His
children. In 1 Corinthians 12: 11 it is said, “dividing to every man severally
as He will.” (We don’t have to
seek gifts, but we do have to be ready and willing to receive them). 30.
Suffering: Suffering
is part of the package called “Life.” When our father Adam sinned in the
Garden of Eden, “sin passed on to all men, and as the Bible says, “and death
by sin” (or because of sin.” So today, as a constant reminder of who we are
as a part of His creation, the thorns and thistles as a part of Adam’s curse
will be with us all the days of our lives. Only in the mercy of God can we know
His blessings. (Read 1 Corinthians 4: 6-10 and 16-18) |