What is the hope in this life to which Paul refers in 1 Corinthians 15:19?

What is the hope in this life to which Paul refers in 1 Corinthians 15:19" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:19?

What we hope for causes us to live as we do (Hebrews 11:1)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 11:1). In Romans 8," TARGET="_blank">Romans 8, we are assured that tribulation (vv. 35-39) cannot thwart God’s purpose to ultimately conform us to the image of His Son (vv. 29, 30). But in Romans 5," TARGET="_blank">Romans 5, tribulation works in the present to produce perseverance, character, and hope (vv. 3-4, NASB). What God will ultimately do, He does progres- sively making us more like His Son now. Our hope for the future gives us hope in the present.

This is true in 1 Corinthians 15," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15, too. Verses twelve through 34 emphasize the impact of the resurrection of Christ. It assures that believers will rise, Christ will reign, death will be defeated, and God will be all in all (vv. 26-28). Why then fear death? Hope for the future translates into living in the present. Therefore, Paul daily faced the possibility of a martyr’s death (vv. 30-32).

If believers are willing to hazard their lives for a hope that will die with them because it is ill-founded, "if Christ be not risen" (v. 14), they are miserably misguided and most to be pitied.

D. Oliver
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What is the significance of the two head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11?

What is the significance of the two head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11?

Paul develops only two of the three spheres of headship he introduces in verse three. By engaging in activity within the assembly with a covered head, a man dishonors Christ, his head (v. 4). That is the first sphere of headship. By engaging in activity within the assembly with an uncovered head, the woman dishonors the man, her head (v. 5). That is the second sphere of headship. At that point, Paul adds, "For that is even all one as if she were shaven." He is clearly teaching two head coverings for the woman: her natural covering, long hair; her temporary or cultural covering (whatever form of woman’s head covering is acceptable or normal in her culture), otherwise an uncovered head (v. 5a) and a shaved head (v. 5b) are exactly the same thing and the last part of the verse is a meaningless repetition (impossible!). In what way, then, are the uncovered head and the shaven head "even all one"? One possible answer is that dishonor (v. 5) or shame (v. 6) are the result of both. A difficulty, though, arises from noting that the one dishonors Christ and the other dishonors the woman. Further, the woman has chosen to uncover her head in the first case, but "shaven" is passive, indicating that someone else has chosen to shame her by making her shaved or shorn.

A second, more tenable view is that an uncovered head and a shaved head are equivalent in violating the same truth, the truth of headship as established by God. A woman’s long hair expresses a headship God manifested at creation: the man is the head of the woman. The cultural covering is part of a double symbol; it requires the uncovered head of the man and the covered head of the woman. Together these symbols display a headship that results from Christ’s incarnation and redemption. He is head of the man and the assembly honors that headship by the uncovered head of the man - honoring his head, Christ - and the covered head of the woman - further giving Christ honor by covering her head, the man.

The two coverings relate to the two spheres of headship Paul develops in this passage. A woman’s long hair expresses that not she, but the man has headship. This is a personal and permanent covering. Her cultural covering must be paired with the man’s uncovered head to display that Christ, not man, has headship over the man. This is a cultural and congregational (because it requires others to present this paired symbolism) covering. Further, in the context (vv 2, 17), Paul connects his remarks about headship with his teaching about the Breaking of Bread, "when ye come together in the church." Third, the cultural covering is a "church" matter because the assembly is designed by God as a "pillar . . . of the truth" (1Ti 3:15)," TARGET="_blank">1Ti 3:15), in this case, the incarnation and redemption truth of Christ’s headship over the man.

D. Oliver
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Did Achan's stolen objects have spiritual symbolism?

Joshua 7:21." TARGET="_blank">Joshua 7:21. What would the “Babylonish garment and two hundred shekels of silver and the wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight” represent? What is the teaching in this verse?

I think they would stand for what most attracts the eye and fills the heart of the natural man; for what is more desirable to the flesh than fine clothes to deck oneself withal, and gold and silver, which will purchase “everything except peace of mind, and entrance anywhere except to heaven”! “Babylonish garment” is literally “a garment of Shinar,” the locality where Babylon was built, renowned, it is said, for its beautiful robes. The word for “garment,” is from a root meaning, “wide,” hence an ample covering, a cloak. It is used of Elijah’s mantle and also of the royal robe the King of Nineveh doffed in sign of repentance (Jonah 3: 6)." TARGET="_blank">Jonah 3: 6). Gesenius says these “cloaks of Shinar” were “variegated with figures, or interwoven with various colours, having the figures of men and beasts,” reminding one of the great copes worn by ecclesiastics to-day at their religious ceremonials—true “cloaks of Shinar” those! Let all see to it, lest fine clothes, ministering to the pride of life, or silver and gold, ministering to its “many foolish and hurtful lusts,” occupy our hearts! “But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

W.H.

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How can I begin a conversation about salvation?

What are some effective ways to begin a conversation about spiritual things?

In dealing with a soul, five basic things are required: the power of God; the guidance of the Spirit; a knowledge of the Scriptures; prayer; and common sense. Consider his surroundings, circumstances, nationality (if possible), and vocation. Be relaxed (the Lord sat, John 4);" TARGET="_blank">John 4); be pleasant; be passive; show an interest in things that interest him. Follow Paul's advice (1 Corinthians 9: 19-22)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 9: 19-22) by becoming all things to all men. Never elevate yourself, but elevate him and win his confidence by asking secular questions he can answer, expressing gratitude to him for enlightening you, and recognizing his attainments. Never argue. As you do this, pray to God, as Nehemiah (2:4) did, for an opening to sow the Seed. To a fireman, talk fire. Praise his bravery, then bring before him the fire that never shall be quenched (Mark 9:43)." TARGET="_blank">Mark 9:43). To a coal miner, talk about digging and that you were afraid to work in a mine, then tell of a man in the Bible who dug (Luke 6:48)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 6:48). Wearing a suit among business people will gain respect and a ready ear. In a mining village or on a farm, leave your tie at home, lest you appear "important." Have a suitable tract ready.

R. Surgenor

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What is my responsibility regarding my convictions?

What is my responsibility regarding my convictions?

To be meaningful, convictions must express Gods will (Matthew 7:21-27);" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 7:21-27); they must be based on truth. Truth is not relative (John 14:6)," TARGET="_blank">John 14:6), decided by each persons viewpoint. When believers differ on matters of Christian teaching, either one or both are wrong. In applying Christian principles to exactly the same circumstances of daily living, only one "behavior" will embody all the relevant biblical principles, only one can be totally Christ-like. This demands modesty, for whose behavior is totally, consistently like Christ? God has empowered the assembly, guided by its elders, to administer Gods will (Matthew 18:18)." TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:18). Some behavior so clearly denies Christian truth that it requires assembly action, as in 1 Corinthians 5." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5. In contrast, our individual responsibility is not to enforce truth, but to help others obey truth.,, Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy" (2 Corinthians 1:24)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 1:24). The apostle encouraged and enabled his errant childrens obedience to the Lord, because in that lay their greatest joy and blessing, but he was not their lord. We build up others by effectively "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15)," TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:15), but, having done that, we are responsible to submit to truth ourselves and to commit to the Lord the affect of truth on others.

If teaching requires other means to make it effective in the lives of believers, it lacks the power of truth.

D. Oliver
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Seed Sowers Videos

SeedSowers Videos are memory books from the Mexican short missions trips by the Seed Sowers Organization.

There are two locations to find these videos online:

Yahoo videos for SeedSowers 2009 Veracruz and 2010 Obregón
YouTube videos for SeedSowers 2004 Chihuahua, 2005 Hermosillo, 2006 Hermosillo, 2007 Guadalajara .

You can see the detials about upcoming trips at www.seedsowersonline.com

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How could the Lord acknowledge an assembly when it had departed so far (Revelation 2 and 3)?

How could the Lord acknowledge an assembly when it had departed so far (Revelation 2" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 2 and 3)?

The assembly at Corinth was badly damaged by the influence of the world around it. Galatian believers had been influenced by serious doctrinal error. These and other assemblies, including those in Revelation 2" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 2 and 3, began as assemblies, through God’s work, consistent with the pattern. The Lord determines how far an assembly can depart. He reads the heart and judges righteously. We are not responsible to make that decision. He requests permission of no one and informs no one.

We are responsible, though, to preserve the integrity of the assembly of which we form a part. Whether or not a certain company is an assembly, if its practices and associations will damage young believers or lead any astray, we shouldn’t associate ourselves with that assembly.

David Oliver
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What is the meaning of BC and AD?

What is the meaning of BC and AD?

The terms B.C. and A.D. are the abbreviations for the years before the birth of Christ and the years since. It is erroneously thought that “A.D.” means “After Death”.

B.C. stands for “Before Christ” which is commonly known.

A.D. stands for “anno domini” or “The year of our Lord” in English. “After Death” would make no sense since Christ died at the age of 33. He therefore died in the year 33 A.D.

Although your study Bible might contain footnotes and references to specific years, the BC / AD system was not implemented until centuries after the birth of Christ. Most of the dates in the Bible are references to the number of years that a king reigned or when he died.

The year 0 B.C. is not believed to be accurate. There were errors made in calculating the dates on our Gregorian calendar that we use today. Most experts believe that Christ was born sometime between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C.

The Bible does not stress the importance of the year, nor the date on the calendar of the birth of Christ. What does divide history and indeed the whole human race is the work that Christ accomplished on the cross.

Hebrews 10:12" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

In more recent times, the scientific community has tried to do away with naming the years after Christ. The newer secular abbreviations for dividing history have been renamed to CE and BCE. Although the new terminology does not change any numbers of the years, it changes the names of the time periods before and after Christ.

CE stands for "Common Era” “Common” means that convention states we use the Christian dates to measure years.
BCE stands for "Before the common era."

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What does an assembly lose when its sisters fall short of the involvement God intends for them?

What does an assembly lose when its sisters fall short of the involvement God intends for them?

Failing to properly enfranchise our sisters will have several deleterious effects. An assembly will lack warmth without the development of godly women. A generation of younger believers may be lost to the assembly because they have missed the gentle touch and advice of godly sisters. Women who view themselves as second-class Christians weaken the homes and the coming generation, their own children.

"In like manner" (1 Timothy 2:9)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:9) places the effective public prayers of the men (v. 8) beside the value of the modest godliness of the women (v. 9). An assembly cannot survive without effective prayer meetings or without godly sisters who adorn themselves with good works (v. 10). What an asset to testimony is lost when women fail to realize their value to the assembly!

Sisters’ failure to contribute to the assembly as the Lord intended hinders their spiritual development. All in the assembly suffer loss from this. In addition, sisters whose spiritual growth is stunted will likely rob the Lord of the glory He receives when headship is displayed as taught in 1 Cor. 11: 3-16." TARGET="_blank">1 Cor. 11: 3-16.

D. Oliver

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Is there help when I fail in my thought life?

Is there help when I fail in my thought life?

Failings need not produce hopelessness, for "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13)." TARGET="_blank">Philippians 4:13). Therefore, despite our failure, we have a Savior who can deliver us from sin's power. Resolving the problem through human determination or methods is inadequate. If the means is not spiritual, the result won't be spiritual.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)." TARGET="_blank">1 John 1:9). Immediate confession of wrong thoughts restores communion with the Lord, which provides the strength needed to withstand temptation. Confession is not a process that strengthens our resolve; it is an immediate return to normal Christian living.

Trying to force wrong thoughts from the mind only makes the problem worse, reinforcing wrong thinking. Replace wrong thinking with right thinking. Turn to Christ. Enjoy the wonderful contrast He is to all our miserable failures.

D. Oliver

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