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Let us Learn to distinguish between things that Differ, Phil 1:10 Literal Translation
How I discovered these important Principles
About a year and half after my, what can only be called a supernatural deliverance from alcohol in 1984, I 'found' myself living in West Palm Beach, FL and attending an AG church during every available service. I was "hungry" and trying to catch up on many wasted years of riotous living.
A guest speaker asked the audience of approx. 400 or 500 folks to raise their hands if they could name any of the six foundational principles of Christ.
No one raised their hands. He then asked, “Do you maybe know about where to find them in their bibles, raise your hand?”
Again, no one had a clue, including me.
He mentioned that that was the case almost everywhere that he visited.
That burned into me, I never forgot it. I was determined that I would no longer be ignorant of these things!
But the unfortunate aspect of this true story is that so many of the books, videos, articles, and teachings, literally hundreds and hundreds since then seem to be building without any reference to these important Preliminary Foundational Principles.
Yes, we too can move on beyond these elementary teachings about Christ, but we cannot climb up some other way with being a thief and a robber, SEE John 10:1.
Note: I’ve long since worked my way though most all of the denominations and non-denominations. No, I am not affiliated literally with any but consider all my brothers and sisters.
Alright, moving forward, let's look at the EXTEME Importance of the concept of Repentance:
Jesus was teaching His Disciples and WARNING His Disciples:
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish, Luke 13:1-5 KJV.
Jesus was teaching His Disciples and WARNING Them how vital it is to make the Transition from the world system. To repent is to be first Transformed by the renewing of our mind. To be in the world, but not 'of' the world.
We can often learn as much from the derivative or a word or its antonym as we can studying the common interpretation of the word listed in Strong's Concordance or other Word Study tools.
Example: The antonym (opposite meaning) of #622 apollumi translated persih is auxánō (#837), to increase; záō (#2198), to live; zōogonéō (#2225), to become alive, quicken; kerdaínō (#2770), to gain; ōpheléō (#5623), to profit; prokóptō (#4298), to advance.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have [life-#2222=Zoe], and that they might have it, [LIFE-#2222=Zoe], more abundantly John 10:10 King James Version.
Be Careful How you Hear, Mark 4:24
Please just take minute and carefully take in what was just shared with us to this point. If we do not get this Distinction, we will miss the mark, the literal definition of sin. We will not have the Divine Ability to partake of the actual Blessing and Protection that flows from this REALIZATION in our lives and affairs.
If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend. And He said to them, Be careful [take care] what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you--and more [besides] will be given to you who hear. For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing [due to not carefully hearing and studying the Logos that he has the priveledge to have shared], even what he has will be taken away [by force] Mark 4:23-25 AMPLIFIED Classic Version
Hebrews 6:1 On account of which (Therefore), leaving (or: sending away) the word of Christ's beginning (or: the word of the beginning of the Christ; or: the first, beginning word of the Christ) we should be continuously bearing ourselves upon The Goal (perfection; maturity; Completion), not again conceiving (laying; casting down) a foundation of a change of mind away from dead works, and of faith upon God;
Jonathan Mitchell Version
For this reason we must pay closer attention to what we have heard. Then we won't drift away from the truth, Hebrews 2:1.
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil, Hebrews 5:11-14 KJV.
The Foundation: Repentance from Dead Works
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit, Hebrews 6:1-3 KJV
When do we get to and beyond First Principles?
We're getting there, but before we move forward, Please Note Greek word translated 'dull' is an important word. Strong's #3576 = nōthros Pronounced no-thros'
Some shades of meaning: sluggish, that is, (literally) lazy, or (figuratively) stupid: - dull, slothful. From a derivative of 3541 = nothos Pronounced noth'-os Of uncertain affinity; a spurious or illegitimate son: - bastard.
There will much more to share later about why I'm pointing this out, but make a note of the the term 'illegitimate son in this relation of not being careful or being dull or lazy.
The Preparations of the Student vs the Methods of Study
To study the Bible well two basic conditions must be fulfilled: one, the person must be right and trained; and two, the method must be correct. For the past hundreds of years, especially those following the Reformation, scores of good books have been written on the subject of how to study the word of God.
These have been volumes of high quality, yet they share a common defect of the first degree, which is, that they all emphasize the method of Bible study but overlook the person who studies the Bible. The authors give the impression that anyone can master the Scriptures if only he adopts certain methods.
Yet the fact is that many have used these methods but still do not know the Bible. Doubtless, those who write about these methods know their Bible well. Why, then, do not people obtain the same result in following their methods? It is because they forget what kind of people they are.
The problem of studying the Word lies not simply in method but most keenly in man himself. Some study well, for they have learned before God; consequently, by using the right method they are able to know the Bible. But merely passing on their method without simultaneously imparting their life will not help others whose life is not right.
One thing, then, is of supreme importance: in studying the Bible, the man as well as the method needs to be right. Indeed, only the right man may fully utilize the proper method. Study method is unquestionably quite significant; without it one cannot master his study. Yet the man himself must first be transformed before he is able to study well."
The Preparation of Man - Excerpt from the book by Watchman Nee "Ye Search the Scriptures"
Next we drill down on the Reality of Repentance as Transformation
"It is not sorrow or repenting in any ordinary sense that brings about a change of mind. Man may sorrow, but not to
the point of metanoia. Yet there is a special kind of suffering that leads to metanoia and it is of this suffering that Paul speaks when he contrasts it with the ordinary suffering of life: 'For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation . . . ; but the sorrow of the world worketh death' (ii Corinthians vii.10). 'Ye sorrowed unto repentance' - it was this right suffering of the Corinthians which brought them to repentance.
Dean Stanley, one of the few English commentators who understand the meaning of metanoia, remarks: 'The passage shews how inadequate is our word "repentance". Ye were grieved so as to change your mind or your repentance amounted to a revolution of mind.'
And this is exactly what is meant and in a far deeper sense it is what all life means — to bring a man to the point where, instead of saying blindly to himself 'This cannot be true', he undergoes an awakening, a momentary sense of the unreality of what is happening in the world, and the unreality of its connection with himself. This is metanoia: this is the beginning of the transformation of the mind.
The whole point of Christ's remarks to his disciples about the murder of the Galileans and the accident at Siloam lies in the idea that the meaning of the phrase, 'Thy will be done on earth', cannot be understood without understanding the word metanoia or change of mind."
Excerpt from Part One the Book The Mark by Maurice Nicoll
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