Ephesians 3 Lesson, Answer Grid and Podcast

At the Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 we are currently studying the Book of Ephesians.  Each week we provide a lesson sheet, answer grid, and a recorded synopsis of the lesson.  We are now turning these recorded synopsis's into a podcast.  These podcasts are found on Sound Cloud.  It goes without saying that everyone is always invited.  Worship times are 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Lord's Day.  Bible Study times are at 9 a.m. on Lord's Day morning and at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.

LISTEN! now to "Ephesians 3, Episode 7" on SOUNDCLOUD linked below:

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/gospel-call-podcast-episode-7-ephesians-3-russ-mccullouh-host

Ephesians

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 7 February 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson # 7 – Ephesians 3.1 - 21

1.     As an introduction to this passage, just what does the word “Dispensation” mean?

2.     For WHAT reason?

3.     Paul is a what and for whom? 

4.     God’s grace is characterized as a S________________ (or in the KJV, D___________________.)  What does this mean?

5.     Per Strong’s, D_________________ means; “…A_______________ of a H______________ or an E___________; specifically a religious E_______________...S___________________.”

a.      The word occurs only _____ other times in the NT

b.     All uses are by P_________ and him alone.

1)    I Corinthians 9.17_________________________________

2)    Ephesians 1.10 ___________________________________

3)    Colossians 1.25 ___________________________________

6.     What was made known to Paul by revelation?

7.     What, exactly, will prove Paul’s insight into this Mystery of C__________?

8.     Paul’s generation was the very first have this R_________________.

9.     To who was it revealed and by whom?

10. Vs. 6 says the mystery is what?

11. Through what vehicle did this mystery come?

12. Name the 3 characteristics of the now Christian Gentile:

a.      F___________ H___________

b.     M_________________

c.      P__________________

13. Who was made a minister of this gospel?

14. Paul came to be such a minister according to what gift?

15. How was this gift administered to Paul?

16. Discuss how Ephesians 2.7, Colossians 2.11 – 12, and Acts 22.16 are all inseparably connected.

17. If God is “no respecter of persons,” how is Paul the “least of all the saints?”

18. BTW, the question is not “how can a saint be alive,” it is instead, “when does one become a saint?”

19. Through which vehicle is the “manifold wisdom of God to be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?

20. How is the eternal purpose of God to be realized?

21. Through our faith, we have what 3 things per vs. 12?

22. What does Paul ask of the Ephesians?

23. Vs. 14 – For WHAT reason?

24. Vs. 14 – 21 is a what?

Answer Grid

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 7 February 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson #7 – Ephesians 3.1 - 21

1.     As an introduction to this passage, just what does the word “Dispensation” mean?  Most stated something having to do with a specific time frame

2.     For WHAT reason?  That the Gentile is no longer a stranger or alien but an equal partner with the Jew in the on-going construction of the House of God built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets anchored to the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ.

3.     Paul is a what and for whom?  A prisoner for Jesus Christ on behalf of the Gentiles.

4.     God’s grace is characterized as a S________________ (or in the KJV, D___________________.)  What does this mean?  Stewardship / Dispensation

5.     Per Strong’s, D_________________ means; “…A_______________ of a H______________ or an E___________; specifically a religious E_______________...S___________________.”  Dispensation means – Administration of a household or an estate specifically a religious economy…Stewardship

a.     The word occurs only _____ other times in the NT.  Three

b.     All uses are by P_________ and him alone.  Paul

1)    I Corinthians 9.17_________________________________

2)    Ephesians 1.10 ___________________________________

3)    Colossians 1.25 ___________________________________

6.     What was made known to Paul by revelation?  The Mystery

7.     What, exactly, will prove Paul’s insight into this Mystery of C__________?  The Mystery of Grace through Christ was made to him by revelation; i.e. Paul knows he’s writing inspired Scripture.

8.     Paul’s generation was the very first have this R_________________.  Revelation

9.     To who was it revealed and by whom?  To Paul by the Holy Spirit

10. Vs. 6 says the mystery is what?  That the Gentiles are equal partners with the Jews in the church of Christ

11. Through what vehicle did this mystery come?  The Gospel

12. Name the 3 characteristics of the now Christian Gentile:

a.      F___________ H___________

b.     M_________________

c.      P__________________ 

Fellow heirs, Members of the same body, partakers of the same promise

13. Who was made a minister of this gospel?  Paul

14. Paul came to be such a minister according to what gift?  The Gift of God’s Grace

15. How was this gift administered to Paul? By the working of his power

16. Discuss how Ephesians 2.7, Colossians 2.11 – 12, and Acts 22.16 are all inseparably connected.

Paul received the gift of God’s Grace by God’s power, The powerful working of God is granted in baptism, Paul had his sins remitted in baptism where the powerful working of God forgave him and bestowed upon him the gift of the Holy Spirit

17. If God is “no respecter of persons,” how is Paul the “least of all the saints?”  Only in Paul’s own human estimation for God is no respecter of persons.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God and there are no good people in their own right

18. BTW, the question is not “how can a saint be alive,” it is instead, “when does one become a saint?”  One becomes a saint upon repentance and baptism, he is not designated such after he is long dead by other men who just happen to still be alive

19. Through which vehicle is the “manifold wisdom of God to be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places?”  The church which is made up of both Jew and Gentile saints.

20. How is the eternal purpose of God to be realized?  His eternal purpose realized in Christ Jesus our Lord

21. Through our faith, we have what 3 things per vs. 12?  Boldness, access, and confidence

22. What does Paul ask of the Ephesians?  Not to lose heart over what he is suffering

23. Vs. 14 – For WHAT reason? His suffering is for their glory

24. Vs. 14 – 21 is a what?  A prayer for the church of Christ at Ephesus

Did Christ Preach in Hell Before His Resurrection? - I Peter 3.19

I asked the class tonight this question;"Where do we find this passage;

"(He) was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The third day he arose for the dead."?  

I had several answers; "Corinthians."  "Psalms."  A third person gave a 3rd book.  Granted I used the word "passage."  But...the passages is not from the Bible.  It simply is not there.  It sounds Bible.  But is it?  No..it is not.  It is not from the Bible and it is not a biblical statement.  The passage is found in "The Apostles Creed," a man made document.

Please find below a copy of our lesson sheet AND a copy of my answer sheet so you can share this info with either a class you, your elders or your gospel preacher can present to the congregation where you attend.

Did Christ Preach in Hell on Saturday?

Archdale church of Christ / Russ McCullough – 14 June 2017

I Peter 3.19 Question

1.      Where do we find this statement; “(He) was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The third day he arose from the dead.”?

2.      What was generally believed by people in Catholic Europe during the middle ages? 

3.      This L____________ dates back to the _______ century based upon a book known as P____________ Augustine who allegedly says in a sermon that the A___________ C___________ was given by the “inspiration of the Holy Spirit” to each of the 12 A_____________ who each wrote a 1/12 of the creed.  Augustine uses as a S_________ that this was asserted by St. A_____________ in the ________ century. 

4.      The CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA cites at least ________ versions of the creed.  There are 3 versions of the Old R_____________ Creed as supposedly quoted by Tertullian as well as _______ more “modern” versions.

5.      “What saith the Scriptures?”

6.      The traditional interpretation of I Peter 3.19 is that while in the tomb on S_______________ Christ went to H________ and preached to the OT S_________ so as to set them F_________.  This is generally held to be true by C_____________, most P_____________ and most members of the L_______ C__________ as well.

7.      This traditional approach is based on 2 passages: I Peter 3.18 – 20 & I Peter 4.4 – 6.

8.      There are two            questions we must ask of these texts: 1) Where does it say in the text that Christ went to hell?  2) “IF” He did, where does it say in the text that He went to Hell while in the Tomb?

9.      The context for I Peter 3.18 – 20 spans vs.13 – 21.  The focus of the overall text is not H_________, not those who are D_____________ but instead it is about B____________.  The portion of the text regarding the “spirits in prison” is A__________ and not P______________.

10.  The key to this auxiliary portion is found in vs. 3 as well as in vs. 1.10 – 11.

11.  Conclusion: Christ did not go to H__________ on S_____________.  He did not literally preach to anyone while in H_________ so that they might have a 2^nd C___________.  He did C_________________ to the dead but did so while they were A__________ by the same Spirit that raised Him from the D___________, a Spirit that was, is, and shall be O_________________.  We cannot interpret Scripture by way of medieval C______________ creeds and D_____________.

Public Domain Image Courtesy of Wikipdia.org

1.      Where do we find this statement; “(He) was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended into hell.  The third day he arose from the dead.”?

2.      What was generally believed by people in Catholic Europe during the middle ages? 

3.      This LEGEND dates back to the SIXTH century based upon a book known as PSEUDO Augustine who allegedly says in a sermon that the APOSTLES CREED was given by the “inspiration of the Holy Spirit” to each of the 12 APOSTLES who each wrote a 1/12 of the creed.  Augustine uses as a SERMON that this was asserted by St. AMBROSE in the FOURTH century. 

4.      The CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA cites at least FIVE versions of the creed.  There are 3 versions of the Old ROMAN Creed as supposedly quoted by Tertullian as well as TWO more “modern” versions.

5.      “What saith the Scriptures?”

6.      The traditional interpretation of I Peter 3.19 is that while in the tomb on SATURDAY Christ went to HELL and preached to the OT SAINTS so as to set them FREE.  This is generally held to be true by CATHOLICS, most PROTESTANTS, and most members of the LORD’S CHURCH   as well.

7.      This traditional approach is based on 2 passages: I Peter 3.18 – 20 & I Peter 4.4 – 6.

8.      There are two questions we must ask of these texts: 1) Where does it say in the text that Christ went to hell?  2) “IF” He did, where does it say in the text that He went to Hell while in the Tomb?

9.      The context for I Peter 3.18 – 20 spans vs.13 – 21.  The focus of the overall text is not HELL, not those who are DEAD but instead it is about BAPTISM.  The portion of the text regarding the “spirits in prison” is AUXILLARY and not PRIMARY.

10.  The key to this auxiliary portion is found in vs. 3 as well as in vs. 1.10 – 11.

11.  Conclusion: Christ did not go to HELL on SATURDAY.  He did not literally preach to anyone while in HELL so that they might have a 2^nd  CHANCE.  He did COMMUNICATE to the dead but did so while they were ALIVE by the same Spirit that raised Him from the DEAD, a Spirit that was, is, and shall be  OMNIPRESENT.  We cannot interpret Scripture by way of medieval CATHOLIC creeds and DOGMAS .

Public Domain Image Courtesy of Wikipdia.org

Sources Consulted:

Primary: 

     I Peter 3, 4 - ESV (English Standard Version)

Secondary:

     THE CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA via wikipedia.org

     Piper, John ("Did Jesus Spend Saturday in Hell?" in the blog; DESIRING GOD, March 22,          2008

The Admiral and the Crow

“The Admiral and the Crow”

Sermon 2 in the Series – “Why I am a Member of the church of Christ”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  

Text: Matthew 16.16 - 20

Thesis: I am a member of the church of Christ “Because It was Founded on the Scriptural Foundation”

1           Introduction

A.   Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson “turned a blind eye” to Admiral Parkers signal to retreat at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801.

B.   In the age of sail before the discovery of latitude and longitude coordination, at the top of the tallest mast on the ship was the “crow’s nest.”  So-called for it contained just that, a nest of crows in a cage.  When released the crow would immediately fly to land in the shortest and fastest route possible, thus the saying “as the crow flies.”

2          To What Does “Upon This Rock” Reflect?

A.   Petros – Peter

B.   PETRA – the CONFESSION

C.    “IF” there would have been the office of the pope then:

1.      Paul would have been pope for he was the one who chastised Peter in Galatians and not the other way around.

2.     Paul would have been pope since he was the “apostle to the gentiles.”

3.    Paul would have been pope since he was not married and Peter was.

3          I Corinthians 3.11

A.   No other foundation

4         Ephesians 2.20

A.   Christ is the chief cornerstone

1.      Psalms 118.22 – rejected corner

2.     Matthew 21.42 – Jesus applied this to Himself

3.    Acts 4.11 - Peter applied this to Christ

B.   The witnesses are one and the same as they are part of the foundation

a.    Acts 1

5          CONCLUSION: The one Singular Jesus Christ build his one and only singular church on the one singular foundation of which He is the only singular chief and cornerstone!

6         The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:

A.   Jesus promised, built, and is head of only one church – HIS!

7          The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.    We must continue to strive to “contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.”

8         “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

Just What Is Lipscomb's "Institute for Christian Spirituality?"

Gospel Call Media: (Charlotte, NC)   On June 25 - 27, Lord willing, this reporter will attend an event to be held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.  The event is entitled, "InterGenerate Conference 2017."  It is a yoked effort by two organizations, the InterGenerate Task Force, and Lipscomb University's Institute for Christian Spirituality.

While there I will verify in person the veracity of what is taught as being biblical, or not. 

In this current report we examine the history, philosophy and the outreaches of the "churches of Christ affiliated" Institute for Christian Spirituality (ICS).

David Lipscomb (1831 - 1917)  (pictured right) was a pioneering 19th century gospel preacher who along with James A. Harding  founded Nashville Bible School in 1891 which was renamed David Lipscomb Junior College after Lipscomb's death.  In 1948 after graduating it's first senior class the school then became known as David Lipscomb College. In 1988 it became known as David Lipscomb University after adding post graduate studies.  In 2005 the school dropped "David" from it's name and is now known as Lipscomb University.  In it's storied past the school has produced a number of great men of God including H. Leo Boles, Batsell Baxter, Batsell Barrett Baxter, Athens Clay Pullias, and G. Willard Collins among many others.  The university established the Institute for Christian Spirituality in 2010.

The ICS has a dedicated page on the Lipscomb website.  There we find a mission statement:  "In March 2010, Lipscomb opened the Institute for Christian Spirituality, bringing together several seasoned spiritual formation programs with added programming for nurturing intentional personal spirituality and discipleship through study, seminars and conferences. The institute’s goal is to help students and the greater community understand, enrich and share their experience with God." (1)

On the heading for the institute we read this:  "The Institute for Christian Spirituality nurtures the the discipleship of Christ's followers by cultivating a deeper awareness of and participation in the Holy Spirit's redemptive activity among us, within us, and in the world.  We pursue this mission by exploring spiritually forming practices and facilitating the journey with others. Through spiritual friendships and spiritual direction." (2) (3)

In an open letter the director of ICS, Leonard Allen, says this about its mission: "ICS wants to partner with your church and provide resources that will positively affect the life of your congregation. Five offerings do this in different ways. We’ll share tools that help revitalize your sense of mission, manage conflicts that arise, renew your hunger for God’s Word, better attend to the spiritual life of your children, and introduce new practices (emphasis RM) that enrich a daily walk with God."  The ICS has an ambitious outreach to all congregations of the churches of Christ with a number of tools such as Special Programs, the Nurture Conference and the Children's Spirituality Conference.(4)  "You’ll also see ICS’s commitment to church leaders. Retreats for refreshment and equipping, a certificate programs focused on pastoral care, and an intensive program for those in senior leadership roles all minister to those who serve our congregations." (5)

SPECIAL PROGRAMS: The designated contact for "Special Programs" is Kris Miller.  He states this regarding the purpose for the ICS Special Programs:  "The institute has several offerings that will positively affect the life of your congregation.  Through them we share a range of tools that can revitalize your sense of mission, manage conflicts that arise, renew your hunger for God's Word, better attend to the spiritual life of your children, and introduce new practices (emphasis RM) that enrich a daily walk with God".  (6) These "Special Programs" include Healthy Churches, The Ministry of Reconciliation, Enter the Story, Pilgrims Together, The Ministry of Spiritual Direction, and Senior Minister's Sabbath.  With the exception of the last two, these are all "road show" programs designed to held at the client's congregation.  The latter two are held only on the Lipscomb campus.(7)

NURTURE CONFERENCE: This years "Nurture Conference" was held April 4, 2017.  Here's the description: "The Nurture Conference, sponsored by Lipscomb University’s Institute for Christian Spirituality, brings nationally recognized leaders in Christian spirituality to a special event featuring keynote addresses, workshops, and a luncheon. Previous speakers include Randy Harris, Gordon T. Smith, Glandion Carney, Gary Moon, Chris Webb, John Ortberg, and Terry Wardle." (8) (9)  This years speakers are John Mark Hicks and Chris Altrock.  Hicks will speak on the neo-pagan fiction book and movie The Shack (c) entitled; "Meeting God at the Shack."  The website describes the address as; "...how this well-known story impacted his (Hicks) own spiritual recovery, answering the question: how do wounded people come to believe that God is “especially fond of them”?  (10)  Altrock will speak on "Walking Down the Aisle with God." The website describes the address as; "...how a spirituality centered on what we believe about God only magnifies misery(emphasis RM), while a spirituality centered on what God believes about us hastens healing." (11)

CHILDREN'S SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE: The website says little about this conference except: "Every three years hundreds of spiritual formation leaders, children's ministers, developmental psychologists, Christian educators, sociologists, and theologians from a broad spectrum of Christian traditions gather around the children's spirituality table to discuss child theology, best practices, sociological research, and ministry implications for nurturing the spiritual formation of children." (12)

To hear and see for yourself past material presented by the ICS, go to this link: http://www.lipscomb.edu/ics/online-resources

For more information on the direction, philosophy, and theology of the ICS director, Leonard Allen, you can watch three videos of his presentation at last years Pepperdine Lectureship.  The first 8 minutes of video 3 are especially instructive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUlT5bBWedU&t=1439s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezw3hUDMng8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAat43c2900

NOTES:
(1) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(2) Ibid.
(3) These two statements are very precise and purposeful using both words and phrases that are full of ambiguity and self definition cast in post-modern, post-Christian, and post-Restoration molds in the neo-Gnostic tradition set forth by Brian McLaren who has a continuing and  profound influence on DLU. (RM)
(4) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(5) Ibid.
(6) Ibid.
(7) Ibid.
(8) Ibid.
(9) Who are these people?  Randy Harris appears to be the only one of this group with any connection whatsoever with the church of Christ.  All the rest do not. Gordon T. Smith is a Nazarene, Gladion Carney is associate rector at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham, AL and goes by the title "reverened," Gary W. Moon is an interdenominationalist affiliated with Westmont College of Santa Barbara whose faculty according to their website, "...who participate in many different churches..," Chris Webb is a Benedictine Anglican Priest, John Oltberg is an ECO Presbyterian minister, and Terry Wardle is affiliated with the Church of the Brethren and founder of the Risen King Community Church in Redding, CA that adheres to a "repentance and faith only" salvational scheme.
(10) www.lipscomb.edu/ics
(11) Ibid.
(12) Ibid.
Images courtesy of: Wikipedia Commons