January 1, 2008 9:32 AM
Sam wrote:
I started reading the book of Philippians, at the behest of Rik. After reading the first chapter, I went back to start over, and THIS time,stopped at the eleventh word (in NIV), 'saints'. (In January, 5 years ago, I did a lesson on SAINT, and used it as an acronym for my message, Some Assume Its Not True.) I encourage you to take some time this morning, and read what I wrote back then...it is located at this link which you can copy-paster into your browser--free of charge...http://www.macisirish.com/BibleStudies/SAINTS.htm But, that aside, I decided to spend some time re-looking at the word. Many religions use this word (or at least an equivalent to the English) meaning to be referring to someone who has attained some level of holiness. For example, the Catholics have a VERY formal process for becoming a Saint. In this process, several members of the church 'vote' for someone to earn this 'gradiose' title. They also depict various 'saints' in the Bible and other documents with halos over/around their heads when pictures are drawn of them. BUT, let's look a little closer at this word. The origin was a Greek word, άγιος, or better seen translated as 'hagios', and it meant 'holy', or 'holy one', and is used throughout the Bible (I included a list of all Scriptures in my lesson which include that word.) Our word, 'saint', came from our Latin base, from the word 'sanctus'. And guess what that means...correct, 'holy'. So, I guess, the next step is to identify what 'holy' means. Any guesses? Well, let's try 'these'....sanctification, reverence, veneration, graciousness, mercifulness, and hallowness. There. Understand? No, me neither. What do all THESE words mean, or have in common? Well, basically, all these words, to include 'holy', mean to 'set apart' in some way or another. Later on in this book in 4:21 and 22, Paul calls everyone who is a believer, holy. John does the same in Revelation 20:9. But Paul also refers to those in heaven as being holy in 1 Thes 3:13. Throughout the Bible, you will find several references to people being 'set apart in Christ' as being holy. Looking in the Vines' Expository Dictionaly this morning, I find several words from the Bible which mean 'holy' or 'holiness'. To get into each one would take a long time. So, let's just simplify this completely, and use the conjecture that whereever you see the word 'saint' in the Bible, it is referring to someone 'holy', that is, someone who has been set apart in Christ. Notice in the first verse, Paul is referring to saints 'in Christ Jesus at Philippi'. He is referring to those who have been set apart from the world, from sin, and from Satan. He is referring also to you (although you don't live in Philippi). You, who have been set apart from non-believers, and intentional sinners who live a life of corruption. Yes, YOU have been set apart, and your name has been written in the Book of Life. YOU are a Saint. Be proud of it, and tell others!!!! Reply to this
January 1, 2008 11:01 AM
Rich wrote:
Thanks for the lesson on saints. I found your writeup very interesting. I grew up catholic and I remember hearing all about saints. I remember sermons on the Pope identifying saints. I remember dead people being appointed saints and I also remember a time or two when a saint was removed - I guess they call it "de-sainted" or "uncannonized." It did amaze me that someone who was considered a saint could actually be made back into a regular human (though dead) again. I am glad the Bible is clear on who the saints are and I am excited to think of myself as being set apart, as being a saint. It is something to be proud of (though all of the honor belongs to God).
I was hit this morning by Phil 1:9 which says: "that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight." What a perfect New Year's resolution. I read in the paper this morning that fewer and fewer people every year make resolutions. And that fewer actually write them down and make out a plan to keep them. I want this to be my New Year's resolution. I am going to spend some time today writing down HOW I plan to accomplish this goal. I would like you guys to ask me from time to time how I am doing. Maybe all of us should write out our New Year's resolutions and share with one another.
I am thinking that the "love" that Paul is talking about here is love for God. It could also be love for others, but I am going to focus on love for God first, knowing that if I deeply love and honor God, I will naturally love others. What will it take for my love to grow in knowledge and depth of insight. That is easy. Knowledge is the Bible. The better I know and understand the Bible, the greater my knowledge of God. This is a simple goal - have a QT every day. Again, I thank Mac for setting up the blog and for helping us to stay organized in our Bible study. It really helps to (1) have something set to read every day and (2) have a place to write out thoughts and read what others have to say. That leads me to depth of insight. I am a person who learns by writing out my thoughts. The blog is good for me because it allows me a space to write out what I am thinking and feeling. But I have also seen the studies that Mac has shared with us (like the saint study today). Those are making me think of another way to work out my thoughts and feelings. I am going to try to start doing some "study lessons" on topics. I can pick from any host of lessons that God has been teaching me and work scriptures into my learning. I am learning from hard knocks - my learning will be more complete, "deeper" if it is grounded in the Bible.
Knowledge of God's word and deeper insight into its meaning and application. My goal for 2008 (and beyond).
January 1, 2008 11:09 AM
Tony wrote:
Philippians 1 Verse 6 ,"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Isn't it great that God will not stop what he started but will continue until he is finished or he arrives! How many times have we (I) given up on God? I am so thankful that God loves us so much that He does not carry a grudge if we ask Him for forgiveness. Verse 29,"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him," This struck me as weird. We have been given permission to believe in Him! God has chosen us to believe in Him! It is not by chance that wee believe but because we have been chosen, how amazing is that! I don't get the insight that you all do , simple things amaze me, but I will keep reading and blogging and giving you my $.28 cents worth. Rik I am grateful for your words of wisdom in the previous week, you have grown tremendously, hopefully I can folly. This year does not look good so far, but it can only go up. My wife wants a divorce, says we have grown to far apart, please pray for us. Have a great new year everyone! Reply to this
I started reading the book of Philippians, at the behest of Rik. After reading the first chapter, I went back to start over, and THIS time,stopped at the eleventh word (in NIV), 'saints'. (In January, 5 years ago, I did a lesson on SAINT, and used it as an acronym for my message, Some Assume Its Not True.) I encourage you to take some time this morning, and read what I wrote back then...it is located at this link which you can copy-paster into your browser--free of charge...
But, that aside, I decided to spend some time re-looking at the word. Many religions use this word (or at least an equivalent to the English) meaning to be referring to someone who has attained some level of holiness. For example, the Catholics have a VERY formal process for becoming a Saint. In this process, several members of the church 'vote' for someone to earn this 'gradiose' title. They also depict various 'saints' in the Bible and other documents with halos over/around their heads when pictures are drawn of them. BUT, let's look a little closer at this word. The origin was a Greek word, άγιος, or better seen translated as 'hagios', and it meant 'holy', or 'holy one', and is used throughout the Bible (I included a list of all Scriptures in my lesson which include that word.) Our word, 'saint', came from our Latin base, from the word 'sanctus'. And guess what that means...correct, 'holy'. So, I guess, the next step is to identify what 'holy' means. Any guesses? Well, let's try 'these'....sanctification, reverence, veneration, graciousness, mercifulness, and hallowness. There. Understand? No, me neither. What do all THESE words mean, or have in common? Well, basically, all these words, to include 'holy', mean to 'set apart' in some way or another. Later on in this book in 4:21 and 22, Paul calls everyone who is a believer, holy. John does the same in Revelation 20:9. But Paul also refers to those in heaven as being holy in 1 Thes 3:13. Throughout the Bible, you will find several references to people being 'set apart in Christ' as being holy. Looking in the Vines' Expository Dictionaly this morning, I find several words from the Bible which mean 'holy' or 'holiness'. To get into each one would take a long time. So, let's just simplify this completely, and use the conjecture that whereever you see the word 'saint' in the Bible, it is referring to someone 'holy', that is, someone who has been set apart in Christ. Notice in the first verse, Paul is referring to saints 'in Christ Jesus at Philippi'. He is referring to those who have been set apart from the world, from sin, and from Satan. He is referring also to you (although you don't live in Philippi). You, who have been set apart from non-believers, and intentional sinners who live a life of corruption. Yes, YOU have been set apart, and your name has been written in the Book of Life. YOU are a Saint. Be proud of it, and tell others!!!!
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Thanks for the lesson on saints. I found your writeup very interesting. I grew up catholic and I remember hearing all about saints. I remember sermons on the Pope identifying saints. I remember dead people being appointed saints and I also remember a time or two when a saint was removed - I guess they call it "de-sainted" or "uncannonized." It did amaze me that someone who was considered a saint could actually be made back into a regular human (though dead) again. I am glad the Bible is clear on who the saints are and I am excited to think of myself as being set apart, as being a saint. It is something to be proud of (though all of the honor belongs to God).
I was hit this morning by Phil 1:9 which says: "that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight." What a perfect New Year's resolution. I read in the paper this morning that fewer and fewer people every year make resolutions. And that fewer actually write them down and make out a plan to keep them. I want this to be my New Year's resolution. I am going to spend some time today writing down HOW I plan to accomplish this goal. I would like you guys to ask me from time to time how I am doing. Maybe all of us should write out our New Year's resolutions and share with one another.
I am thinking that the "love" that Paul is talking about here is love for God. It could also be love for others, but I am going to focus on love for God first, knowing that if I deeply love and honor God, I will naturally love others. What will it take for my love to grow in knowledge and depth of insight. That is easy. Knowledge is the Bible. The better I know and understand the Bible, the greater my knowledge of God. This is a simple goal - have a QT every day. Again, I thank Mac for setting up the blog and for helping us to stay organized in our Bible study. It really helps to (1) have something set to read every day and (2) have a place to write out thoughts and read what others have to say. That leads me to depth of insight. I am a person who learns by writing out my thoughts. The blog is good for me because it allows me a space to write out what I am thinking and feeling. But I have also seen the studies that Mac has shared with us (like the saint study today). Those are making me think of another way to work out my thoughts and feelings. I am going to try to start doing some "study lessons" on topics. I can pick from any host of lessons that God has been teaching me and work scriptures into my learning. I am learning from hard knocks - my learning will be more complete, "deeper" if it is grounded in the Bible.
Knowledge of God's word and deeper insight into its meaning and application. My goal for 2008 (and beyond).
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Philippians 1 Verse 6 ,"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Isn't it great that God will not stop what he started but will continue until he is finished or he arrives! How many times have we (I) given up on God? I am so thankful that God loves us so much that He does not carry a grudge if we ask Him for forgiveness.
Verse 29,"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him," This struck me as weird. We have been given permission to believe in Him! God has chosen us to believe in Him! It is not by chance that wee believe but because we have been chosen, how amazing is that! I don't get the insight that you all do , simple things amaze me, but I will keep reading and blogging and giving you my $.28 cents worth. Rik I am grateful for your words of wisdom in the previous week, you have grown tremendously, hopefully I can folly. This year does not look good so far, but it can only go up. My wife wants a divorce, says we have grown to far apart, please pray for us. Have a great new year everyone!
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No offence Rick but I ment Rich.
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