To whom can believers go if the elders seem unapproachable?

To whom can believers go if the elders seem unapproachable?

This perception may not be true. Try to approach them! Otherwise, we are responsible to notice the log in our own eye before noticing the speck in our brother’s eye (Matthew 7:1," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 7:1, ESV). In interpersonal problems, first check your own "eye." Is it possible that you have contributed to this alienation? If so, confess the fault (James 5:16)" TARGET="_blank">James 5:16) - even the slightest contribution - and seek to remedy the situation.

But, supposing that the log is in overseers’ eyes, two possibilities exist. The first is a primary resource and the second is a possible resource. The primary resource is prayer, whether or not the overseers are unapproachable. This is not a resource of last resort! The possible resource is some other Christian brother or sister who has earned your respect and the respect of other (and perhaps older) godly believers. In seeking their help, refrain from speaking evil of your overseeing brothers (James 4:11;" TARGET="_blank">James 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13)," TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13), and do not allow this to produce factions in the assembly.

D. Oliver
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Can Satan speak to a believer with a physical voice?

Can Satan speak to a believer with a physical voice?

Angels spoke with human voices when they appeared as humans (Luke 24:4-6, 23)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 24:4-6, 23), so these spirit beings can communicate with a physical voice. These elect angels appear as humans by divine direction, not by their own will. Their speech capabilities are divinely imparted. This does not seem to be the case for Satan or for fallen angels who serve him.

To speak to Eve, the devil used a serpent (Genesis 3:1, 14)." TARGET="_blank">Genesis 3:1, 14). To communicate with the Lord in the presence of His disciples, he used Peter (Matthew 16:23)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 16:23) and Peter was responsible for his words (v. 23b). Evil spirits used the voice of those whom they possessed (Mark 5:5, 7, 9)." TARGET="_blank">Mark 5:5, 7, 9).

The one apparent exception requires some examination. Satan spoke to the Lord during His temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-12)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 4:1-12). While the temptations involved physical issues such as hunger, bread, bowing in worship, and coming suddenly to His temple, was the conversation in the spiritual, mental realm? Or, for this unique occasion of divine purpose, did God allow Satan the special power of a human voice?

If a believer hears a physical voice that he attributes to Satan, one of three things is possible: a satanically induced thought comes with such power that it seems to have a physical voice; a nearby person has allowed himself to be an accomplice of Satan; the voice is delusional.

D. Oliver
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What are the Protocols?

THE PROTOCOLS
What are the Protocols?
The word is derived from the Greek: prötos, first, and kolla, glue, and originally meant the first leaf glued to a papyrus roll. This bore the year of the king ruling at the time, and thus dated the roll. Reading the other day of the discovery of some papyri, the words occurred:
“They found a stray leaf close by which was supposed to be a protocol of one of the papyri.” Later the name was applied to the original copy of any writing, e.g., a treaty, and then it came to mean the rough draft of any transaction.
As showing the importance of these dated “protocols,” the following facts are of interest. The Higher Critics have sought in their general attack on the Old Testament Scriptures to unsettle the Biblical dates of the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel. “Their scholarship makes it impossible (!) to believe it otherwise.” “All (!) scholars are agreed” that these books could not have been written in their place, as we have them. Such persons as are described in the two former books did not exist, and two Greek words for musical instruments* in the book of Daniel most probably bring its date down to the second century instead of the sixth, in which it claims to be written (!). However, in 1904-1907, some papyrus rolls written in Aramaic by Jews of Jeb were discovered in the island of Elephantine or Jeb, in the Nile, opposite Assouan, all dated with the names of Persian Kings of the fifth century, B.C.. In these occur the names of Biblical persons such as Sanballat and the high priest, Jehoiada, and his son, Jehohanan, and also three Greek wordsf more unlikely in their character to be found, than the two Greek words occurring in Daniel. These flimsy papyrus-leaves, preserved in the dry sand of Egypt, are found to negative the premature conclusions of the critics. Daniel belongs to the same epoch.
The word “Protocol” has come rather prominently before the public in late years in connections with “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” a book purporting to be records of a world-wide conspiracy engineered by Jews. This work has proved to the satisfaction of very many to be a forgery by enemies of the Jews. It is, however, still used by Anti-semites on the Continentt (e.g., in German schools to-day) to stir up race- hatred against God’s earthly people.

William Hoste

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How does a husband meet his wife

How does a husband meet his wife’s needs spiritually?

This is the most important aspect of a husband’s responsibility as the head of his wife (Eph 5:23)." TARGET="_blank">Eph 5:23). Christ is the head of the Church. As such, He has fully devoted Himself to her complete spiritual blessing (v. 27). Christ is fully able to accomplish this, whereas a husband does not have this capability. In his measure, however, this is his goal. While Christ takes complete responsibility for the Church’s condition, a husband will only give account of His own condition at the Judgment Seat of Christ. He will be responsible for how he contributed to his wife’s spiritual maturity, but she will be accountable for her own spiritual condition. No one can force another to be saved or to make spiritual progress. By force, a husband can at most produce an appearance of spiritual growth; this is only self-serving and lacks glory for the Lord.

Since he is dependent on the Lord for the spiritual growth of his wife, a husband is wise to first of all pray specifically for this. If his wife is not saved, a saved husband obviously has this responsibility, but it is equally relevant if his wife is saved (1Pe 3:11, 12)." TARGET="_blank">1Pe 3:11, 12).

Reading the Scriptures with his wife contributes to her receiving nourishment. Sharing with her the food that he is enjoying from the Scriptures is also important.

Perhaps most important is recognizing that a husband will have little ability to meet his wife’s spiritual needs if he is not meeting her needs in every other area of their life together.

D. Oliver

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Do sisters have a responsibility in reception into the fellowship?

Do sisters have a responsibility in reception into the fellowship?

The assembly, brothers and sisters alike, receive to the assembly. If a sister is aware of any reason why an individual cannot be received to the assembly, she fails in her responsibility by not mentioning that to the elders. Sisters and brothers alike should have a spiritual concern for the welfare of the assembly and for those who are added to the fellowship. Elders guide the flock in assembly reception, but input to the elders from sisters is just as appropriate and valued as input from brothers in the assembly.

D. Oliver
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Why did our Lord, though not partaking of the bread when instituting His supper, drink of the cup?

Can there be some spiritual truth hidden in this?

We think the idea that the Lord partook of the cup (as above) is based on a misunderstanding of the accounts of the Institution, and on a false inference. The misunderstanding arises from the position of the words, “I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine,” in the Matthew and Mark accounts, and the false inference, from the idea that the Lord had necessarily that moment drunk of the cup in question. It is clear from the Luke 22" TARGET="_blank">Luke 22: account that there were two cups, that in the 17th verse which was the passover cup, and the other the cup of the new supper, the memorials of His body and blood. It was to the former (see v. 18) that the Lord’s words, above quoted, refer. The Lord did not Himself partake of the emblems of His death in either kind, as Luke’s account shews.

W.H.

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free Sunday school crafts

Free Sunday school crafts

at Gospel Hall dot org include the following pages:

Click here for the main index of printable Sunday School crafts or the folloing links:

- 3d printable objects such as the Tabernacle model craft for a single Sunday school class session. This craft can be done in about one hour with the help of a team of students working cooperatively. Other printable sunday school crafts in this section include the Egypt to Canaan wilderness journey map, woman at the well 3d model, and a craft for the 12 disciples in a boat during the storm.

- Sunday school worksheet puzzles include Crossword, wordfind, fill in the blank, and coloring pages.

Key words - Sunday School Crafts for kids, paper models, puzzles, games, children bible crafts.

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What is "the stone that the builders rejected"?

What do the words, “Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken” (Matthew 21:44)" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 21:44) imply?

Psalms 118:22" TARGET="_blank">Psalms 118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Matthew 21:42-44" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 21:42-44 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? (43) Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. (44) And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."

The meaning seems to be clearly given in such passages as Isaiah 8:14-15;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 8:14-15; 1 Peter 2:7-8;" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:7-8; and Romans 9:32-33." TARGET="_blank">Romans 9:32-33. Those who reject the Gospel (especially Israel), instead of building on the “Living Stone” of 1 Peter 2:4," TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:4, stumble and fall over the “Stone of Stumbling” of v. 8.
The whole picture in Psalm 118" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 118 and Matthew 21" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 21 is very interesting. The Stone was meant for the foundation, but the builders did not place it there and afterwards could find no place to fit it. So they “rejected” it and cast it aside. Then as they moved about at their work, it lay in their way, and they stumbled over it and fell. Lastly, God Himself takes up the Stone and places it in the most conspicuous place of all, as “Headstone of the corner,” and the rejected One becomes the Judge and Punisher of those who rejected Him.

W.R.

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What is the 70t week of Daniel? How long is the tribulation?

How soon will Daniel's 70th Week begin after the Rapture?

When the Church age, the parenthesis between the 69th and the 70th Week (Daniel 9:24-27)," TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9:24-27), is complete, the rapture will take place. The removal of Church saints signals the beginning of prophetic events related to Israel. Then Israel's prophetic clock will begin to tick. Daniel 9:27" TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9:27 indicates that the confirming of the covenant with many (Israel) for one week commences the 70th Week. The temple will also be rebuilt (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4;" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 2:3,4; Daniel 9:27)." TARGET="_blank">Daniel 9:27). These both imply a possible time lapse, although no specific time is mentioned. Recent world happenings in the political arena have taken place swiftly and unexpectedly. How quickly may such events occur after the Church is at home in the glory?

A. Hull

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Fast Sunday School Lessons

Don't have much time to prepare your lesson for tomorrow's Sunday school class? Perhaps you like reading the Bible story for the lesson, but you don't have time to create an interesting activity. Then the following fast links will help you create a fast lesson and an activity to go with it.

Lesson plans - A fast-start to help you prepare for next class.
Printable activities - Crafts, foldable paper models, worksheets, PowerPoint and other items to make your lesson more interesting and active.
Sunday School Puzzle Maker - Create a crossword puzzle or wordsearch in a few mouse clicks.
or use one of the 325 worksheets already made to get you started fast.

All you will need is your computer, a printer and typical classroom materials like pencils and scissors. You will be ready quickly, but your students wont forget your lesson very fast.
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Free Sunday school crafts

Lesson plans - A fast-start to help you prepare for next class.

Printable activities - Crafts, foldable paper models, worksheets, PowerPoint and other items to make your lesson more interesting and active.

Sunday School Puzzle Maker - Create a crossword puzzle or wordsearch in a few mouse clicks.

or use one of the 325 worksheets already made to get you started fast.