Hebrews 8.end – part III
April 13th 2014
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Okay, we left off talking about Hebrews chapter 8 again last week where the new Covenant – the one where God would write on the hearts of believers His law and on the minds – would replace the Old – causing it to VANISH . . . away.
In chapter 9 the writer continues on describing elements of the Old Covenant, starting with the actual items in the physical temple, saying:
Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
The object is to describe the tabernacle in which the service of God was celebrated under the former dispensation, and to show that it had a reference to what was future, and was only an imperfect representation of the reality.
Oh that we could all see this about scripture – that the Old Testament is a vast compilation of pictures and types and shadows which all point to the physical coming and work of the Messiah and (listen – this one is tough for some) that the New Testament is but a description of all these things being fulfilled physically and now serves as a measuring stick for the spiritual church made of believers all over the world.
As mentioned last week for believers today to take the New Testament as a literal format for the operations of the spiritually driven church today is to:
Ignore the context of the age, the trials and enemies the church faced, the customs of the day and to
Read into the written directives the apostles gave (by the Holy Spirit) as having application in our day, and to frankly
Replace the former law with another, what we might call the Apostolic Law.
Before we look back specifically at the contents of the former covenant and their symbolism let me give you an example of what I mean and we will use one book of scripture the first letter to Timothy.
Are you ready to do this? It may come as a surprise and shock. Now listen, I am absolutely convinced that the principles and points describes herein are timeless and applicable to us in our day and age, that they serve as important spirit-lead guides for how to operate, but to try and take them and implement them now as a means of Christian law is ridiculous.
Okay, 1st Timothy (especially chapter three) is frequently used on me by church police to say CAMPUS needs to have deacons and elders boards and to describe the qualifications of a Bishop or overseer.
In the chapter – well – let me read through three rapidly (you’ll recognize it and what it says – 12 verses ) and then we’ll talk about it and the rest of the epistle to make the point.
1st Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, (Paul writes) If a man desire the office of a bishop (an episcopas), he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
8 Likewise must the deacons (diaconos) be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Now some rational contextual points about these words, and descriptions.
The terms bishop (episkopas) means an overseer. It is not a title it is a word – like leader. An overseer would take charge and oversee the comings and goings in the church at that time –and in this if need be.
From this word we’ve gotten an entire Christian sect called episcopalianism – which are a break off of Catholicism.
In the new testament the term is only used ONCE relative to this assignment.
Now, though it is not mentioned here in 1st Timothy but frequently employed to by church police today is the term Elder.
The Greek word is presbuteros and from it we get the name of yet another sect, the Presyterians.
All presbuteros means is ”older person.”
“a senior.”
The singular elder is used four times in the New Testament relative to the description of an elder person being placed in a position of leadership and the plural and twenty three times.
In the early church senior Christians were certainly used to help the church along.
Finally, we read here in 1st Timothy about deacons – diaconos in the Greek – and yet again, a word that describes not a title.
If we were the early church we would call them servants.
The word is translated ministered, served, servant, and administered some thirty times in the New Testament but the singular deacon is used only twice and the plural deacons only three times.
Bottom line, they were people who served, waited tables, etc.
Today we have taken these titles and made them into things that extend far beyond the pale of the early church.
Then, these words described the work that people would do in the local churches to keep things together until the coming of Christ.
Today they have become titles of honor, sometimes of entitlement, often outside the work and ways of the Holy Spirit.
However, let’s say I am wrong. Let’s say that the fact that these words are used by the apostles in their letters to the churches of the New Testament prove the absolute need of their place in any church that wants to be considered Christian today.
This is the argument I am faced with over and over again – “It’s IN the epistles, therefore it must be adopted.”
If that is the case what about the rest of the content of the epistles?
As an example, let’s just work quickly through the epistle of first Timothy and apply the same dogmatism we use to justify bishops and deacons in the church to other passages of scripture. Ready?
First of all we read that Paul has written this epistle to and individual –
1st Timothy 1:1 says “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; unto Timothy, my own son in the faith.”
The Holy Spirit did NOT have Paul say, “unto Timothy and the church that is and the church that will be,” just – “This is Paul and apostle writing to Timothy my (adopted Son).
Verse 18 gives us some additional background information about the purpose of the letter Paul has written to Timothy saying:
“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare.”
In other words, great trust and hope was placed upon Timothy prior to this letter being written and Paul refers to them here.
In second Timothy 3:15 we read regarding the man Timothy:
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus,” so we can see that Timothy (who was NOT an elder, by the way because He was young) was held in high esteem by Paul and others and more to the point this letter was specifically to him and his duties.
In chapter two we find a Pauline exhortation that says:
1st Timothy 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all (remember, we need to take this literally) so first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
So, instructing the church we see here, written in stone as it were, that the first thing we need to do is offer supplications and prayers, and intercessions and giving thanks for all men, for kings and for ALL that are in authority.”
Now frankly, I would wholly agree with this (because it suits me and my personality) so if we are going to be in harmony with New Testament writings as a church we OUGHT to all start off offering sincerely devoted prayers on behalf of President Obama, and frankly Bashar Al Assad of Syria, and Kim Jong Ill, and Moamar Khadaffi and . . . I mean, do we, should we . . . it says here we should.
Jumping to verse nine and ten we read:
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”
Now, we can take this advice a view it reasonably, as having application to our day, or we can take it and make it our new law.
Some will argue – “Well there’s a big difference Shawn between what Paul says about servants and senior men being asked to labor and women being forbidden to wear braids and gold and expensive apparel.
Contextually we can readily see the reason for Paul giving these instructions – and frankly I can also see the wisdom in appealing to the advice spiritually today – I’m not so sure a woman sitting in church decked out to the nines in Fendi and Versace really reflects the Christian ideal – but this is my point – if we make some of it law we make all of it all. And if we read and understand some of it spiritually and contextually isn’t that what we ought to do with all of it?
(beat)
Of course Paul goes on and in verse 11 and 12 delivers some very clear instructions. As clear as the instructions on episcopas and diaconos – in fact more clear. Ready:
1st Timothy 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
Now, I have heard all sorts of “falderal” presented around these verses. I mean the very same pastors who write and tell me I am evil for refusing to read Paul’s advice on church leadership (the way they do) in the same breath say that his advice on women in the church was “cultural,” and that we can’t take this literally.
In every single translation I consulted where Paul said “But I suffer not a woman to teach” there is included and OR or an And or a Nor usurp authority over the man or husband.
In other words, we cannot read this as “But I suffer not a woman to teach a man” but the declarations are clear from Paul – women are not to teach in church NEITHER are they to have any authority over a man.”
This is the way it reads. We cannot get around it. And so it leaves us facing some really interesting situations:
If women are teaching in church or ARE in positions over men but their church imposes deacons and panels according to this epistles we are faced with true religious hypocrisy.
Only if women are demanded to keep completely SILENT and they are NOT allowed to speak or teach or do anything that requires verbal communication in the church could a church stand justified in following the New Testament epistles as law.
Finally, if a church says we need to read the New Testament as having a contextual place and purpose and reasonably apply it to this day and age of completely different pressures and needs, then we can enjoy women speaking and teaching in church and the presence (or absence) of servants and senior leaders.
GET IT?
Taking the epistle of 1st Timothy literally and as Law we can next turn to chapter four verse 10 – 11 where Paul writes:
1st Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
What to do?
How to understand?
Bishops? Elders? Deacons? Must must must follow? Okay. Then we must also follow and teach that we as believers “are to suffer labor and reproach because we trust in the living God who is the Savior of all men ESPECIALLY those who believe and these things we ought to command of others and teach.”
In fact, tell you what – I will employ a board of elders with deacons and a overseeing Bishop to govern all the goings on of the day when our fellow churches and their pastors openly command and teach verses 10-11 which plainly says that “God is the Savior of all men (especially them that believe).”
Do you see how the game of smorgasborg Christianity is so failing?
Can we see how the New Testament cannot be used as the blueprint that must be followed exactly in the construction and administration of the modern church?
Verse 16 adds some interesting points – especially to those who argue once saved always saved. Listen to what Paul writes to Timothy:
1st Timothy 4:15 “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
Here the Greek word for saved is Sozo and it means salvation.
It seems very clear that Paul intimates that Timothy, in order to ensure his own salvation must:
Take heed unto thyself
and unto the doctrine;
to continue in them (because):
in doing this (Timothy)
shalt both save (himself)
and them that hear thee.
I mean in the same breath men are screaming that the church today is clearly established in 1st Timothy with these offices, they simultaneously shout, ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED!
This is the direct result of men refusing to read the Word contextually, by the Spirit, and with God guiding rather than tradition!
And this thinking and approach has led to more division, and sectarianism, and infighting than would EVER exist if believers over the past 2000 years would have taken the time to clearly understand the New Covenant which God has established by His Spirit because of the shed blood of His Son in the hearts of all who believe!
Want more? No? Too bad. I mean we are talking about four and a half pages of the New Testament and already we have had some rather curious issues presented – because we want to KNOW . . . and UNDERSTAND . . . and WORSHIP God in Spirit and Truth!
In chapter five of 1st Timothy we come to another interesting directives from Paul to young Timothy.
At verse three he begins by instructing Timothy on how to deal with widows.
Now listen, many believers were losing their lives over the faith and so there was some unfortunate widow-making going on around them.
At verse nine Paul writes:
1stTimothy 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.”
What does this mean?
When Paul speaks of widows either being taken in (or not taken in) the number it seems that he is speaking of them being taken in as part of the number of widows for whom the church was caring.
And here he plainly tells Timothy that they are not to take any widow into such care unless they meet eight clear qualifications which include: (ready)
1 If they are under three score (or sixty years of age)
2 If they have been the wife of one man
(then at verse 10 – “If she”) is
3 Well reported of for good works;
4 if she have brought up children,
5 if she have lodged strangers,
6 if she have washed the saints’ feet,
7 if she have relieved the afflicted,
8 if she have diligently followed every good work.
So there we have it. The law of how to care for widows in the church. Forget the Holy Spirit and His leading. Forget extenuating circumstances!
Gotta be a least sixty! Can only have been married to one man! Must be “well reported of for good works!” have brought up children, lodged strangers,
washed the saints’ feet, relieved the afflicted, and diligently followed every good work! Then she can be numbered with the other widows!
In our day!
Now!
To be in harmony with scripture!
No? Yes?
But Paul doesn’t stop there.
He says to Timothy in verse 11-12
“But the younger widows” (anyone under three score years of age – remember, this age has been established in scripture by Paul) refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry.
Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.”
Now we have a choice – take this in the context it has been given – and reasonably try to understand it in this day and age – or demand! DEMAND!
That all he has said be followed as it is written. You decide.
Is it possible that there were young widows at that time that Paul was warning Timothy were doing these things? Sure.
Can these things apply to our day? Certainly. But the point it we must live and walk by the Spirit and use these lessons and warnings in scripture as guides and insights NOT as law.
Verse 23 – easy to dismiss – easy to see context – easy to apply to the fact that this epistle was written to Timothy.
In the face of it we must ask ourselves – who get to decide – how do we decide what it New Testament Law and what is NOT?
Do men decide this for us?
Scholars?
Does tradition?
The particular sect we join – does it tell us what to receive as true doctrine and practice?
What does verse 23 say:
“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”
Now we smile . . . we chuckle . . . we knowingly nod at the obviousness of this line, don’t we?
Hahahahah.
But let me read to you verse 22 and then 23.
1st Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. (now, in the church this first line is taken very seriously – don’t lay hands on men impetuously, let them mature in the faith . . . you know . . . on and on, we could do a whole sermon on it, right, and then)
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
Don’t get me wrong. I trust in the Word Old and New and accept it as the word of God but for a specific time and purpose when it was written, and then for a specific time and purpose later.
My aim here is it get people to truly rest in Him and to really walk by the law He has written on believers hearts and NOT on either Law that comes from the Old Testament NOR making the New Testament writings LAW in our day and age.
Quite frankly, I ignored a couple of other glaring passages that, depending on the believer, the pastor, the sect, and the specific take men have had on them historically, can be read a hundred ways to Sunday.
All this being said, Paul does say something in his first letter to Timothy that is supported through and through the entire New Testament so strongly that I personally believe it can be taken literally by those who read it in 58 AD and those who read it today.
It’s found back in the introductory verses of chapter one.
This is what Paul says:
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
And he goes on with the core issue
5 ¶ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
In this we have a very clear purpose for this (and almost all other New Testament epistles) warnings against certain outside influences not dogmatic to-do lists for the internal church.
In verse five Paul makes a statement that is clearly in harmony with the whole of the Gospel and with what being a Christian is all about saying:
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
But because of the pressure and the enemies of the faith inside and out, Paul continues, after stating the core of the faith, says:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
In my limited opinion, we can read almost all of the New Testament writings in this way – we have the core essence of the faith – charity and faith. But the epistles were primarily written as letter of warning and instruction to the church and believers of that day.
This is why John the Beloved writes in 1st John 2
1st John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
