|
|
|
THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Bob Myhan
bout all of the explicit information we have in the Bible, concerning the formative years of John the Baptist, is contained in one verse. “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel” (Luke 1:80). We can learn much about why he “waxed strong in spirit,” however, from what is revealed about his parents, Zacharias and Elisabeth. And this will go a long way toward helping us understand how to “bring...up [our children] in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
e know, for example, that “they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). This implies that they provided, not only a good example, but also diligent teaching concerning the things of God, as well. Such teaching was an important part of the Hebrew heritage (Gen. 18:19; cf. 2 Tim. 3:14-17), as well as a parental responsibility (Deut. 4:9,10, 6:6,7; 11:19). The example and instruction of such parents must have been considerable motivation for John, spiritually.
he fact that his father was a priest (Luke 1:5,8,9) implies that John was trained to be a priest, also (Ex. 27:21, 28:1, 29:29,30). And surely his parents taught him of his divine mission as the harbinger of the Messiah (Luke 1:11-17,76-79; Mal. 4:5,6), and strongly encouraged him to fulfill it.
he example, instruction and encouragement of these parents resulted in the kind of man of whom Jesus could later say: “Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist” (Luke 7:28a). Now, there was greatness, indeed! But there is a greatness that exceeds the greatness of John, for Jesus went on to say, “He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28b).
e can help our children to be great by providing them with (1) a good example, (2) proper instruction and (3) strong encouragement to do God’s will. Only in this way can we “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” WOULD YOU BE CONVICTED? Bob Myhan
f being a Christian were against the law, and you were accused of being one, would you be convicted? What evidence could be used against you? Would “the things done in the body” be used to convict you or to acquit you (2 Cor. 5:10)? Would the words you have spoken “out of the abundance of the heart” (Matt. 12:34-37) convict you because they were “good for necessary edification” or acquit you because they were “corrupt” (Eph. 4:29)?
hen we stand in judgment before God, not only our deeds and words, but also our very thoughts will come into evidence (Acts 8:14-23). Let us think seriously on these things. EPHRAIM’S IDOLS Guest Writer: Ron Halbrook
e are reprinting an excellent article entitled “The Third Epistle of Paul to Timothy” by Steve Gibson. In the mid-1970s Steve came out of institutionalism but eventually fell back into it. I have loved him much, and love him still. He is a young man with much ability. While at Freed-Hardeman College he decided that our opposition to institutionalism was based on the premise that each practice must be authorized by specific example. I thought he was better taught than that, but have been unable to dissuade him from such claims and his present stance.
teve is identified with the moderate liberals who are uncomfortable with many things being done and said in the mainstream movement. On 4 November 1984 he spoke on a lectureship in Muskogee, OK on the subject “Anti-ism Is a Tragic Misunderstanding of the New Testament Pattern.” Many of his brethren in the mainstream movement would call “Steve’s Third Epistle” legalism, reactionism, fundamentalism, and…yes...ANTI-ISM. They would turn him over to the one-cup, no-class, no-woman-teacher, no-Bible-college, no-1ocated-preacher, no-literature, no-tuning-fork and no-meeting house folks who suffer from “A Tragic Misunderstanding of the New Testament Pattern.”
sincerely commend Steve’s article and commend him for having the courage to write it. The article implies that the Bible is a final and perfect pattern, and that everything not positively authorized by command, example, or implication is sinful. The more he focuses on that principle, the more he will realize that “The Fourth Epistle of Paul to Timothy” is the only authority for church sponsored social meals, the, sponsoring church concept with its brotherhood-wide eldership, and donations from the church treasury to orphanages, colleges, and other human institutions. When the archaeologists find this “Fourth Epistle,” be assured we will not insist that authority be given by example only. [From Guardian of Truth – 12/5/85] The Third Epistle of Paul to Timothy Guest Writer: Steve Gibson
aul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to Timothy, Associate Youth Minister of the church in Ephesus.
besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went to the Macedonian workshop, that thou mightest share thy dynamic motivational personality with the keen teens. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, candlelight devos be held for all cell groups. Meditate upon new schemes to keep them stirred up and on fire, give thyself wholly to them, lest the aged men and women teach them to be sober-minded.
ut watch out for them in all things. Do the work of a recreation director, plan a social calendar, entertain at hootenanies, chauffeur to amusement parks, referee ball games; make full proof of thy ministry. For bodily exercise produceth firm believers. These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the fieldhouse of God, which is the gymnasium of the church, the backboard and track of progress.
et no man despise thy youth rallies: but be thou an example of the latest fad, in hugs, in applause, in altar calls, in neo-charismatic spirituality, in clichés. Do thy diligence to schedule Hymeneus and Philetus for next year.
tudy to show thyself an intellectual. But progress beyond the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing the rigid traditionalists from whom thou hast learned them. Let the elders that rule be told they have no authority, especially over you.
charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, preach self-image psychology: relate. placate, and motivate with all values clarification and counseling. Use vague speech that cannot be pinned down, that he that is of the contrary part may look foolish, having no charges that you cannot later deny. These things suggest and resent as all personal opinion so that anyone who disagrees may be ignored.
old back the faithful word, which you were taught,, that you may be able by new doctrines both to find and fill felt needs. For there are many dynamic speakers and misunderstood thinkers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be given a wider hearing. A man that is a heretic to older brethren, after the first and second brother hood backlash, take a caravan of children a hundred miles to hear. Lay hands suddenly on anyone who seems visibly successful keep thyself popular.
Timothy, keep that which unknowing parents have committed to thy trust, avoiding doctrinal issues and oppositions of knuckleheads, so-called. (Copied from The Edifier, 16 May 1985, p. 3, published by Church of Christ, 312 Pearl Street, Denton, Texas 76201.) GT |