CHURCH AND GOVERNMENT

Church and government are 2 (two) different institutions. Church is an institution which is come from God who handles things that focused on spirituality which then also can touch other thing such as: physical, mental and social. Government is an institution of man whom its existence is allowed by God or could be mentioned as an institution which is exist under the control of God. An ideal government handled things which are focused on common need of people and covering its needs. Government managed, facilitate, guard, supervise, and protect people in general and common. So, the real of church and government is not a kind of institution which is against or as rival one to the other.

Historically, it was happened that sometimes government of a nation or a kingdom did not like Christians. They hate, persecute, and even seems as if willing to destroy church from the surface of this earth. This kind of government of course is not a kind of ideal government but the evil one, corrupted, selfish, injustice, and unwise. Probably the intimidation or harassment which was done by them based on personal or their own group benefit.

The question now, if government in the condition of it’s corrupted, which is as explained before, how the church or the Christians has to be act or position?

Before answering this thing further, let see the life and the model of what had Jesus given. Read the gospels and see His attitude and His action among the government which was the conqueror - Romans. As usual, the nations whom had conquered always experienced that their right reduced and their obligation is added. In that era, the Jews also experience a bankruptcy economically. And, in that hard and tough condition, they are also have to pay taxes to the Caesar.

No wonder, why bible notice about the conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees about taxes to Caesar. Pharisees asked: is it right before God if the Jews pay taxes to Caesar? That question which was as others questions was given in order to test Jesus so that they can put and caught Him into their trap of deceitfulness. More than that, when giving those questions, they were witnessed by the Romans soldiers who were ready to caught Jesus and brought Him into the court.

Pharisees did not realize the genius of Jesus and the purity of His heart. It seems, they did not have any view or true concept about how to act and positioning themselves among the government and in the kind of disadvantage situation. Most possibly, the Pharisees were not an honest and obedient taxes payer but great deceitful or liar who escaped from paying their obligations to the government. Same thing like the Zealots, not only felt mocked if has to pay the taxes to Rome, they were also actively and frontally against the government. They fought and confronted physically for the sake of the freedom of the Jewish nation.

So, should Christians act like the Pharisees or the Zealots? Or, become like looser who give up themselves to the situation?

Jesus answered the Pharisees by showing the picture of the Caesar on the valid coin on that time. He said: “Give to the Caesar what you must give to the Caesar and give to God what you must give to Him.” Means, every man has to fulfill their obligations. There is an obligation to the government, there is also an obligation toward God. And the highest is toward God. If the obligation toward God hindered by government, therefore (without any evil or wicked means), Christians of course have to choose God.

Besides fulfilling his obligation, church or Christians has to pray for their government, as the sign or prove of their care and participation. Christians should not fight or in war actively, being anarchy, and full of cruelty. Why? Because that kind of actions is sins and also followed by hatred, extreme dislike, anger, and bitterness.

Christians believe about “spiritual war” which is extremely different compare to “physical war”. Spiritual war is not fighting against man or nations but against evil spirit, the darkness, sins, the will of the flesh, false or fake doctrine (see Ephesians 6:12).


Spiritual war is happened without realized by man in common. It is there behind hatred and bitterness. Behind evil thought and evil willing. Behind deceitfulness and greediness. Behind foolishness and unobidience. Behind sins it is existed. Either in the conflict between nations or internal conflict among the family even between individual always has things that more fundamental and more serious which is the spiritual war behind all those.



Copyright (c) 2009 by Naek http://www.nevermissingqt.blogspot.com/

ACTS

ACTS was written by Luke on 61-64 AD. He is one of the writer of the four gospel whom was also a physician. The story started with conversations between Jesus and His disciples afther his resurrection. Then after 40 days long explaining about the Kingdom of God, Jesus went up to heaven.

Beside containing about history of church or history of Christian in the first century, ACTS also contains about the work and the power of the Holy Spirit which was promised by Jesus to His disciples. They were waiting Him and gather together and pray. And so from there able to be witnessed how God worked to started His church, to build up His church, expand and develop His church. Starting from the day of Pentacost until the church grow and expand to many other places. The spirit that had been promised brought Philip to meet an eunuch. He was also who convinced Peter that God also accepts non Jews or the Gentiles. Peter had been met uniquely with Italian soldier named Cornelius who then become His disciples and baptized into Christ.

Therefore able to be concluded that God is not ignore the Gentiles but grace them the salvation. He is not only save the Jews but also non Jews. This is important to recorded because since long ago the Jewish people thought that they the descendants of Abraham only whom to be saved. Even included the apostles like Simon Peter thought the same.

So, how important is this book. Without meaning to exalt it over the other books, certain leaders of Christians see it as the favorite book. Because, ACTS is an inspiration and motivation to them. From there they could see, find big gaps about the quality of church or Christian between the first century and today Christian. Beside that, leader or the Christians people also able to get conviction or encouragement that God surely bless and protect His church, even in the midst of difficulties, hard time and persecution.

Just like what was happened to the church and the disciples of Christ in the first century, they were persecuted. The apostle like Peter and John were brought to the board of chief priest. They were wounded and prisoned. But, there are also told about how God released them from the prison and through many other danger. Including about the apostle Paul who was also save from the hunt of the Jews who swore to kill him. And the funny thing is, by His unique way, God protect Paul by escorting him with huge number of Roman soldiers until finally arrived to the city which Paul had been prayed for to be there which was Rome.

ACTS finally noted many stories about Paul. This thing prove that after the separation with Barnabas and Mark or also named as John, Paul continue His missionary with Timothy, Aristarchus, Demas, Titus and a physician who called Luke. Luke was the one who give medicine, check and maintain Paul’s health who probably had problem at the part of his eyes, and other wound because of persecution. Therefore, Luke who was looked just a physician, actually had a most important role and very meaningful for the Christianity even until today. Because, the book that he wrote which is ACTS also gave a clear picture about backgrounds for the letters of Palu and churches that he had builded.

As the addition, these following are important notes which from that we are able to get picture about Christian people in the first century.
1. About forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit receives through repentance and baptism (see Act 2:38)
2. About what should be done by Christian at the service. They pray, praising God, breaking bread, listen to the Word or the teaching from the apostles, and to have fellowship. They were united, joy, sincere and happy (see Act 2:42-47)
3. About evangelism: every member of the church involved, no exception. Not only the apostles or certain people only. Christians should be have God mission in their heart and soul. Even been persecuted, the church goes, and split. Not for self pity but to spread the Word. Even in that kind of situation, church become many and grow also in numbers.
4. About their position their civilitation. Christian in the first century also respected and like by many people especially interms of their integrity, love and their care towards others.
5. About unity and leadership of church. The apostle choose other kind of leader like Stephen who then was stoned by the Jews but saluted by Christ.
6. About the power of the holy spirit and the authority of leader in the church. Ananias Saphira died soon after they lied to the apostle of Peter.
7. ACTS also noted the turning point of the persecutor Saul who then repented and named as Paul, the last and the great apostles of Jesus Christ.
8. Etc



copyright (c) 2009 by Naek http://www.nevermissingqt.blogspot.com/

REPENTANCE

Reading: Luke 24:46-47

24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

“Repent!” is the Bible important message. Since Adam and Eve fallen into sin, prophets proclaim “Repent”. Until the age of New Testament, John The Baptist proclaim in the desert “Repent!” (see. Luke 3:3). Also, Jesus and the apostles proclaim the same to all nations “…Repent…!” (see Mark 1:15; Acts 26:20).

“Repent!” message is important message that should proclaimed to all nations (see Luk 24:47). Not less important message, that able to be avoided or ignored. If evangelists or teachers of the bible avoid or ignore this message so that not proclaim it, means that they are not the real and true evangelist and teachers before God. Also similar if Christians come to church or read the bible but avoid and ignore this message, means that people will not receive God’s promise, which is forgiveness of sins and salvation.

Repent means turn from sin, leave it and come to God (see Acts 26:20). In more complete, repent is to serve God (see I Thes 1:9). In another word, serving without repentance is serving without true basic and foundation. Repent also does not mean only stop sinning but also experiencing transformation of life from sin to the righteousness and holy. John mentioned it as “bear fruit meet for repentance” (see Mat 3:8). Paul mentioned it as “do works meet to repentance” (see Act 26:20).

Question raised, does the man who repent will not ever do or sinning again? Of course not. But those who repent have perspective, respons, feeling, habits, and behavior different against sin. As described by CS Lewis in his book Mere Christianity:

…there are two things in side myself, that always fighting with existence I have to put effort. That two things are person that similar to Animal, and person that similar to the Satan. Person that similar to the Satan is the worst….But, of course, is better to not to be the two of them.

People who repent do not like sin. Their sensitivity or sense is very high toward sin. They have feeling of guilt very high, avoiding sin, anticipate it, leave or getting out from it. The will talk about it, discuss or confess it so that be able free and go away from sin (band. II Cor 7:9-11). Means that repentance is not only changing mind but also including feeling, behavior, habits, or totality inside the man. In Greek words mentioned as metanoia and in Hebrew words mentioned as “teshuvah” that equal to return from sin to God.

People who repent will experience transformation of life from full of sin to be righteous and grow into holiness and purity in the heart from time to time. Character, habit, intimacy and friendship with God also more growing, more further and increasing time to time. Shortly, repentance is long life transformation or on and on long life before God.

So, be repent and preach the message of repentance! Not be different than that. Or, we will never receive the real and complete message from God. But even, false messages and cult will be waiting for us although it is sounds beauty, attractive and catchy. Repent!

Word of Prayer:
God thank you for today’s lesson. Help us to always be able to lives in repentance, grow near and close to you. In Jesus name. Amen.



Copyright (c) 2009 by Naek http://www.nevermissingqt.blogspot.com/

THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament is about God. Although the history is there. Although names of nations or place or people is there. Through The Old Testament God spoke to man. It is the revelation about Himself. It is made Him known. It is made Him experienced by man. The Old Testament shows us that God initiates to be known and to has relationship with man because He loves us. He wants to bless us and give the best to us. His promises. His kindness. He wants to save us and lives with us in heaven eternally.

Let see God reveals Himself through The Old Testament:
• God is needed in the life of man (GENESIS)
• God able to redeem man (EXODUS)
• God gave rules and foreshadows (LEVITICUS)
• God knows what is best and still taking care (NUMBERS)
• God cares (DEUTERONOMY)
• God promises and energizes (JOSHUA)
• God punishs and expects (JUDGES)
• God loves and chooses non Israel too (RUTH)
• God chooses leader; God sees heart (1 SAMUEL)
• God forgives (2 SAMUEL)
• God is wise and the source of wisdoms (1 KINGS)
• God has blessings and curses (2 KINGS)
• God did more on the good than negative things (1 CHRONICLES)
• God has direct blessings and understandable rationally and consequently (2 CHRONICLES)
• God returns and rebuilds (EZRA)
• God returns and rebuilds (NEHEMIAH)
• God also works silently and behind the scene (ESTHER)
• God blesses those who faithful (JOB)
• GOD is praised with songs or poems (PSALMS)
• GOD is wise and the source of the wisdoms (PROVERBS)
• God makes life meaningful (ECCLESIASTES)
• GOD teaches holy and pure relationship (THE SONG OF SONGS)
• God knew and prophesied the future (ISAIAH)
• God spoke faithfully through His prophet (JEREMIAH)
• God feels sorrow (LAMENTATION)
• God restores and rebuilds (EZEKIEL)
• God knew every secrets (DANIEL)
• God wants a better relationship and wants to bless His people (HOSEA)
• God expects repentance of His people (JOEL)
• God does not play favorites (AMOS)
• God will win over the things of the world (OBADIAH)
• God calls (JONAH)
• God pleads His people to repent and return to His ways (MICAH)
• God angers to those who does not repent (NAHUM)
• God advices man and gives them solution (HABAKKUK)
• God warns His people (ZEPHANIAH)
• God is the first priority (HAGGAI)
• God promises about Messiah (ZECHARIAH)
• God reminds His people (MALACHI)

It is also confirmed by His Word in the Bible on Hebrew 1: 1 as mentioned below:

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,…

Once again, God wants us to know Him therefore He revealed Himself. If God wanted to revealed Himself to the people in the Old Testament era, He also wants us to know Him today. In another words, He will protect His Word through many ways. Through many people and many situations. Can the Old Testament be accepted as The Word of God? Yes.

Is The Old Testament 100% revelation of God and from God? Yes. Jesus Christ accept The Old Testament 100%. It had been complete and existed in Jesus era. Also the apostles read, taught and quote the Old Testament written and spoken.

The Old Testament can not be taken out from the Bible and also can not be inserted or added with another writings except with The New Testament.

THE OLD TESTAMENT + THE NEW TESTAMENT = THE BIBLE



Copyright (c) 2009 by Naek http://www.nevermissingqt.blogspot.com/

IT'S ALL STARTED WITH GOD

GOOD & EVIL

Reading: Psalms 119:104

119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Without ignoring their greatness and hard work of philosophers like Socrates, Aristoteles, and Plato, it had been proved that the genius of man only able to result something like philosophy. Not Bible with prophets and apostles that led by the Holy Spirit.

Philosophy and the Bible in fact is very different. One is explored from the power of the human thinking towards many things around them. And the other one, which is the Bible, is not from man but from God. It was written by prophets and apostles that moved by the Holy Spirit (see 2 Pet 1:20-21). The Bible speaks about transcendent things out of people rationality. For example: About heaven, redemption, resurrection from the death, incarnation, the coming of God to the earth, etc.

It does not mean that the Bible is an irrational book but it is super rational. It contains about God's facts that is beyond rationality of man only but can be reached by faith. No wonder if people smile, laugh, shaking their head, say “yes” or “right” after have faith in God. Why? Because the truth of God is 100% valid in the world also in heaven.

No wonder why man has so much differences or even confusedness to determine which one is Good and which one is Evil. Because they do not refer or base on His word. For example: Sex without marriages based on liking each other is good for certain people, smoking is considered good with reason to overcome stress, workaholic is considered good by the boss who do not care to the family time, polygamy, raising kids without discipline by reason against human rights is considered as Good, abortion, homosexuality, and many other that are considered as Good based on the happiness or enjoyment only by certain person or group.

The question is, which one is the real Good and which one is the real Evil? People have many differences in this matter and even more people (not view) think that they are good and in the same time think that other people are Evil. It is acceptable thought in context of easy talk with a cup coffee on the afternoon. But not toward God. Someone should not think like that about himself before God. Because there are no one is good before Him. In fact all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (see Romans 3:23).

You may be asking what is the meaning of “sin”. In Greek words, sin is “hamartia” that means “miss the target” or “miss the mark”. Means, the imperfect of man to fulfill God’s will is sin. In another words, someone who do many good things actually undeserved to be mentioned as good people before God. Because, it is not about how many of good things which he had done but about good things that he had not done. If there is 1 (one) will only which had not been fulfilled it means “miss the target”, “miss the mark”, “imperfect”, or “not 100% doing God’s will”. Therefore, it is concluded that no one is not have sinned before God. But once again, all have sinned and needed help and grace of God.

Let see what the Bible says about sin and evil. Please read Mark 7:21-23 below:

7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

It is is mentioned that sin comes from inside of the heart not from outside. In another words, heart is the basis or the source. Similarly mentioned also in Proverb 4:23, ”Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Heart is a place where God put His law or His word (see Romans 2:15). If man accept His word and keep and watch over it in the heart, then he will grow and fruitful as the parable of 4 (four) seeds. If not, he will be death or dying spiritually.

In another words, heart needs the word of God. Without His enlightenment, heart can be changed or moved. Deceived by false teaching or belief. For instance in Africa, there is certain group believe that a mother who are left by her children who died has to cut her fingers equally the same to the number of children who left her. If one died, so one finger will be cut. If two then two fingers. Also similar in India, there is a belief that a wife who left by her dead husband has to give herself to be burned together with the body of her husband on fire (ref. What If The Bible Had Never Been Written by James Kennedy & Jerry New Combe).

This reality shows that man is not clear or detail towards Good and Evil without the teaching or understanding from God. In another words, man need the word of God for teaching about it so that able to separate Good and Evil like being mentioned by this verse, Hebrew 4:12-13, below:

4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

In conclusion, only by His word, you are able to see clearly which one is Good and which one is Bad, which one is sin, which one is not, which one is wrong, which one is right and which one is false.

Through thy precepts I get understanding:
therefore I hate every false way (Psalms 119:104).

The Word of Prayer:
Thank you God for this lesson. Help us to always be able to see clearly which one is Good and which one is Evil, which one is sin, which one is not, which one is wrong, which one is right and which one is false. In Jesus name. Amen.

THE NEW TESTAMENT

Reading: Hebrew 1:1-3

1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

In The Old Testament, God spoke to reveal Himself through many ways and through His Prophets. But in The New Testament God speaks through His Son, Jesus Christ. Through the message of His Son, his apostles, his ministries, his churches and his disciples.

The New Testament consist of 4 (four) big parts:
1. Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)
2. The Book of Acts
3. Pauline Epistles (Roman to Philemon)
4. Non-Pauline Epistles or General Epistles (Hebrew to Revelation)

GOSPELS
Gospel consists of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. From Jesus births, life, teachings, parables, miracles and wonders, his cross, his death, his resurrection and his ascending to heaven.

Matthew says that He is the King of all kings. Mark says that He become servant in his life and death. Luke says that He is the Son of man who comes to save the lost. John says that He is the Son of God. He is The Word of God and He is God.

THE BOOK OF ACTS
The book of Acts contains of the story of the apostles of Jesus, his churches and his disciples after his resurrection and ascending to heaven. Also about the Holy Spirit that working in the life of disciples or Christian as promised by Jesus beforehand.

It was written by Luke who accompanied Paul to take care of his health during the journey of mission and even up to prison.

PAULINE EPISTLES
Paul wrote 13 (thirteen) letters. He wrote to the church of Romans (1 letter), Corinthians (2 letters), Galatians (1 letter), Ephesians (1 letter), Philippians (1 letter), Colossians (1 letter), Thessalonian (2 letters), Timothy (2 letters), Titus (1 letter), and Philemon (1 letter).

All Paul's letters contain doctrines, teaching, advises, warns, encouragements, wisdoms, principals and many other words or text that refers and focuses to Christ Jesus. About he himself, his life, his cross, his death, his resurrection, and the meaning of it such as: redemption, salvation, value or principles in solving problems between believers, marriages, etc. In another words, Jesus Christ is the center of the entire of Paul writings.

GENERAL EPISTLES (NON-PAULINE EPISTLES)
General Epistles consisting of Hebrew, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, Jude, and Revelation. It contains and focuses on Jesus Christ, his churches, and his disciples.

Why we accept The New Testament as The Word of God?
Without ignoring God who protect the New Testament through or by the church fathers, today we are also able to see that all writings that is not centered or focused on the true Jesus Christ is not The Word of God.

The writings that is not in one body of doctrine of the Bible, which is conflicted or against the Bible, The Old Testament and The New Testament, is not the Word of God. Beside that, it is important to see who the writer is and the authenticity of the writings. And the church father did!