THE BENEFIT OF GODLY EXERCISE

  

        If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, 8 for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. (1 Tim. 4:6-10, NRSV)

1. In ancient Greece, every town had a gymnasium.

2. The word “exercise” comes from the Greek word gumnazo, which pictured “Greek atheletes engaged in athletic exercise in gymnasiums.”

3. Paul frequently used familiar figures (as did the Lord) to teach spiritual lessons (e.g., the soldier, warfare, a temple with Christ being the chief cornerstone, etc.).

DISCUSSION:

Read More

WHO IS A PASTOR

  The denominational concept of a preacher and his responsibility as set forth in a popular denominational creed-book that reads:

“A pastor is a preacher who has charge of Circuits, Stations, or Missions” (i.e., a church or group of churches – example mine).

   Such a concept is not found in Scripture, and indicates a misunderstanding of the work of pastor and preacher as defined in the New Testament.
The New Testament pictures the pastor as an elder, overseer, or bishop (Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1). This man has to be found meeting certain God-given qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:1-9), and, along with other such men, “Shepherd the flock of God” which is among them, “serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:2), taking “care of the church of God” (1 Timothy 3:5). The pastor [elder] may also be a preacher, as was Peter (1 Peter 5:1), but the terms are not synonymous — and neither is their work.
   The preacher is simply a “herald” who proclaims God’s word (1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11) and is instructed to “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). As such, the preacher has no spiritual oversight and is not a pastor [elder, overseer, etc.] by virtue of his preaching work.

design by paul bassey

Read More