Something Greater

1 Timothy 3: Bishops, Overseers and Health Inspectors 1 Timothy 3:1 What has gone before... Paul urged the church in Ephesus to pray for two essential things : peace and quiet. Building on this theme, he focused on women and their need to learn godliness, which includes the skill of submissiveness, not only for the women but also for men and children. Biblical submissiveness is best defined as willing, joyful acceptance of God's sovereignty , protection and providence. A woman will live out their submissiveness to God by gladly allowing her husband to be the protector and provider of her family. The process of learning the skills of godliness includes experiences of pain or loss , and for the woman, childbearing often provides just such an experience. For men and women, learning is always an active demonstration of a skill or ability , and whether physically or spiritually. Moving on... "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer,

Baptism of the Holy Spirit What has gone before... Simon the Magician was a big fish in the small pond of Samaritan mystics , but that all changed when Philip came to town. Now it was Simon's turn to be amazed. "But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed." Acts 8:12-13 (ESV) Philip's preaching transformed Samaria . Moving on... BELIEVED: pisteuo (to have faith, to credit or entrust); from pistis (persuasion or credence; conviction of truth or reliance upon; constancy); from peitho (to convince by argument, whether true or false; to pacify or conciliate; to assent to or rely upon) Philip preached about the kingdom ( the royalty, rule and realm ) of God and the name (history, teaching, reputation and fame) of

Amazed By Magic What has gone on before... Fleeing violent persecution, led by Saul, Christians have scattered out from Jerusalem , leaving only the leaders, the apostles appointed by Jesus. Philip went to Samaria to preach Christ and the city erupted in joy as he healed many who were paralyzed or lame. People watching from a distance would have found the preaching and healing interesting or intriguing, but for those whom God touched, the miracles confirmed Philips words about Jesus . This was, however, not the first time Samaritans had been astounded by great power. Moving on... "There was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, - This man is the power of God that is called Great. - And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic." Acts 8:9-11 (ESV

Learning Godliness What has gone before... Paul asked the women in the Ephesian church to examine how their dress and adornment should genuinely reflect what is in their hearts . The word for "adorn" means to put in proper order , implying all that is deeply essential. "Modesty" means bashfulness toward men, or awe towards God, closely related to respect or reverence. "Self-control" means soundness of mind, or sanity. A woman who dresses simply, modestly and inexpensively, must depend upon personality in order to impress or attract others . Without skin-revealing dress or expensive decoration, a woman must express strength and goodness by her words and actions. Paul is not forbidding braided hair , gold, pearls or expensive dress. Rather, he's emphasizing the need to allow God's Holy Spirit to develop within us the inner qualities of respect, modesty and self-control, expressed by good works. We cannot rely upon outer appearances to ma

Truly Beautiful and Deeply Good What has gone before... Paul has urged the leaders, the men, to cease their angry, devisive control of the church in Ephesus. Using prayer as a model for holy leadership, he exhorts the men to pray with the right motives, with godly desires. Moving on... Paul's focus of concern for the men is how their prayers might be hindered by their angry, quarrelsome hearts . For women, Paul asks that they examine how their choices in dress and adornment should genuinely reflect what is in their hearts. "Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (ESV) Paul's exhortation to women begins with "likewise", meaning that his words to both men and women share something in common. The central truth of both admonitions is fo