Laodicea at the time of John's writing these letters, was a city of 100,000 to 150,00 inhabitants. Today portions of the original walls stand as mute evidence of a civilization that no longer exists. The ancient city is built over by twentieth century generations and excavation is not permitted. On the outskirts of the old city you can still see a Roman water aqueduct and spreading from it are remnants of terra cotta pipes that carried water to the homes of the first century. Laodicea was a wealthy church in the finances of this world, but spiritually dead and didn't know it. The Lord was so disappointed with this church that he said, So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spue (vomit) thee out of My mouth, Rev. 3:16.

It is interesting that in each of the seven churches mentioned in this study that there was a few that remained steadfast and true. Also, that as the Lord speaks to each of the seven churches the following quotation is found, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Isaiah said to the Jews centuries before John told us to hear, or listen to what the Lord has for us, ⁹And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. ¹⁰Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed, Isa. 6:9-10. Is the Lord speaking to today's Church? YES!

We see and we hear, but we do not comprehend. In our day of the modern media we are so consumed with the electronic age that we are dependent upon others to do our thinking and hearing for us. We are more interested in being entertained than learning by reading the Scriptures. Dole it out to me in a small spoon full because I do not have the ability to mentally digest it. Our attention span is so limited that anything longer than the program between commercials is almost impossible for us to assimilate.

November 8th

Our text talks about the signs of an apostle. God works with the nation Israel through signs. When Moses went to the people, God gave him certain signs whereby the people would receive him as the messenger of God. Signs were associated with the coming of the Messiah. When John the Baptist became discouraged and questioned who Jesus was, Jesus pointed to the Biblical signs. In Matthew 11:4, 5 we read where Jesus said, ... Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

The apostolic church lost its first love. They did the right things, but were lacking in heart. When we serve God without heart, we open the door to persecution. It is not enough to make the message clear. There must be a heart of love behind the message. If we say the right words without heart, the message is compromised. Love without truth is compromise. Truth without love is harsh. In the end, you cannot have love without truth or truth without love.

It is interesting to note that the city of Ephesus ceased to exist. Just as the Ephesian church ended, the apostolic age ended. History makes it clear that the apostolic sign gifts including speaking in tongues ceased after the first century. As we see these gifts today, we need discernment to know whether they are a latter day spiritual awakening or the great deceit that Jesus said will surround the end of the age in Matthew 24:5. In our Lord's description, he spoke of false Christ's, and spiritual deception through signs and wonders. It is not enough to worship in truth alone. We must worship in Spirit and truth. The Spirit that is essential to proper worship is not the manifestation of sign gifts, but the manifestation of the very love of Jesus Christ.

Reference verses:
2 Corinthians 12: 11-14. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
12. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
14. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

November 9^th

Smyrna- The Persecuted Church (100 - 316)

Revelation 2:8-11

"Smyrna was a city, of course, but its name is derived from "myrrh," a valuable spice used in the process of embalming. Myrrh symbolizes death and yet is a sweet fragrance. This is an appropriate word picture for the period of church history characterized by martyrdom. This period lasted from approximately 100 to 312 AD when Constantine established Christianity as the state religion of the empire. During these two centuries there were ten definable periods of persecution of Christians under ten of the Emperors of Rome. To these believers, Jesus identified Himself as the resurrected One!

There is no warning to this church, since it was a church constantly purified by the rigors of persecution. To put it simply, only a strong, dedicated Christian would be willing to die for Christ. A hypocrite would quit the church long before he would risk losing his life. True believers would be faithful unto death and they would receive a crown of life. This is one of the special believers' crowns mentioned in the Bible. Faithful believers will be able to lay these at the feet of Christ in the future to prove their love for Him (Revelation 4:10). Jesus had taught earlier, "Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! (Luke 12:2-5)"

The promise to overcomers of this period is that though they might need to die physically, they would not be hurt by the "second death." This subject is revisited in Revelation 20:12-15 where it is equated with eternal punishment and being cast into the Lake of Fire. The Biblical concept of death is not annihilation, but separation. When a person dies physically, the material part (body) is separated from the immaterial (soul and spirit). The person does not cease to exist. Spiritual death is seen in the Scriptures as separation from God. Those who are spiritually dead may be brought back to life, that is, be born again.

" Heavenly Father, help us to be overcomers! Amen.

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Notes are from www.ldolphin.org/kingdom/ch3.html

Reference verses:
Revelations 2: 8-11. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

November 10th

Pergamos The World in the Church

Revelation 2:12-17

Pergamos is now known as Bergama. Pergamos was on a mountain side northwest of the present city of Bergama. It was a fortified city over- looking the Valley of Caicus. This church is outlined as the third period of the church, from 316 to about 500 A.D. Another way to say it is from Constantine to the beginning of the dark ages. It was during the reign of Constantine that the church was recognized and under the protection of Rome. In 313 A.D. Constantine gave the edict of toleration and the Roman Government's persecution was a thing of the past.

In verse 13 we have the mention of Satan's seat or throne. This writer has seen the temple site built to worship Satan. The British government sent a small army to Bergama in the late 1800's and they removed most of the temple and rebuilt it in the British Museum in London. Pergamos is also the first city where the serpent on a pole became the sign of the medical profession. Many ancient kings and emperors came to Pergamos to be healed of their diseases.

It is during this time period that Satan realized he could not destroy the church with persecution so he decided to bring the world into the church. Almost all the gods and goddesses of the pagan religions were incorporated into the church and given Christian names. This was done to appease these pagan religions. The statues and later icons lead to saint worship and praying to the saints for special blessings.

It may surprise you that even in this strong Roman church period, there were believers that did not adhere to the teaching of the church and became separated believers under many and varied names. These Christians were not Protestants, but just believers, and for the next 1000 years built up a rather large following in Western Europe. It was during this time that a new kind of persecution came into vogue. Instead of the government being the perpetrator of persecutions it was the church leaders that persecuted the believers who were outside the Roman Church. Persecution is still going on today in many areas of the world and the fundamental and evangelical churches in America are beginning to feel modern antagonism toward the faithful.

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November 11th

The Church of the Middle Ages

I John 2:15-19

One of the sad facts of the Middle Ages was illiteracy. From the height of Greek and Roman civilization, we find the ignorance and brutality of feudalism. During this time, the church used pictures and rituals to seek to communicate a spiritual message. Sadly, the people had a tendency to worship the pictures and the leadership went too far with the rituals.

Our Lord recognizes the heart of this church in love and service, in faith and endurance. Because of this heart, the Gospel moved forward. Yet, spiritual corruption moved forward, as well. As art and ritual were used in place of the Bible, there was a great tendency to miss the spiritual message and substance and look to the material and physical. The church gave way to idolatry and spiritual corruption.

This idolatry and corruption are depicted in the most graphic terms. Our Lord speaks of Jezabel teaching. Jezabel brought Baal worship into Israel in great numbers. She was also an immoral and wicked woman with a weak husband. The corruption is described in terms of the depths of Satan (Revelation 2:24). In other words, it is about as bad as it can get. A study of the church in the Middle ages reveals the extent of this corruption.

It is interesting to note here, that our Lord has more patience with this corrupt church than the loveless church. There is space given to repentance. There were faithful folk in this corrupt church, but God was not going to allow the corruption to continue unchallenged. The church belongs to Jesus Christ. Just as God would only allow the corruption of the ancient world to go only so far before He destroyed the earth with a flood, so He will allow the corruption in the church to go only so far.

What can faithful people do in the face of such corruption? Our Lord admonishes the faithful to stand firm. As there were those who stood, things changed dramatically and the Reformation eventually came. God uses war, disease and famine in dealing with people. We find all of these during the Middle Ages. Thank God churches today are not dominated by Rome. The norm today is religious liberty, and we ought to be grateful for this.

Reference verses:
I John 2: 15-19. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Revelation 2: 24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Revelation 3:1-6

"The Sardis church represents the Reformation church from 1517 until the mid-1700's when the great revivals and modern mission's movement began. This was a time when the church had a reputation for being alive, but as God saw it, they were really dying. History reveals that, though the churches of the Reformation did break away from problems in the Roman Catholic Church, they still did not return to thoroughly Biblical practices and had many problems of their own, including the union of church and state and the persecution of other reformers such as the Anabaptists who practiced believer's baptism and were pacifists. The Reformation churches did not, in general, deal with the faulty eschatology held by the Roman Church since early times.

Jesus reveals Himself to this church as the one who holds the Seven Spirits and the seven stars, identified earlier as the angels of the seven churches. These images indicate His sovereignty and His right to tell them to repent and change their ways.

The overcomer will be given white garments and his name will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. It seems that each person's name is already in the Book of Life, but those who are not true believers will have their names blotted out. This book is also mentioned in Revelation 20:12 where those not found in it are cast into the Lake of Fire.

Over the years, it is interesting to find the different traits of the different churches mentioned in Revelation, becoming more entrenched throughout the various churches today. Why is that? Well, we are sinners who basically already have our minds made up and we are not about to let any one, including God and His Holy Word, influence us toward something that we do not really want to do. In other words, God really does not have most folk's hearts. There are a lot of people who have an intellectual knowledge of God and His Word as is evidenced by their good morals and attendance to church. They are basically good people by their own standard but by God's standard, they are lost and will spend an eternity in Hell, unless they repent and turn from their wicked ways. The important question today is this. What about you? Where do you stand? Does God really have your heart? Amen.

November 13th

The church of "Brotherly Love" or the Church with an Open Door: I have set before thee an open door that no man can shut: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name, Rev. 3:8. In Pergamos we saw that there was a temple wherein was Satan's throne. In Philadelphia, we see that there was a synagogue of Satan in Rev. 3:9. Satan was opposed to churches and missions because they both infringed on his kingdom. The Apostle Paul was the first missionary to the Gentiles and set the example for us to follow.

William Carey is considered to be the Father of modern missions. Born in 1761 and a shoe cobbler by trade, William proposed to go to India as a missionary. In a ministerial meeting in Nottingham, England he was rebuked by a minister who said, "Young man when God pleases to convert the heathen, he will do it without your aid or mine," but William Carey and J. Hudson Taylor became the founders of Mission Boards and had the vision of reaching the lost around the world.

The modern missionary movement was born in the middle 18^th century, and was in full bloom in the 19^th century and began to wane in the middle 20^th century. In the mid-twentieth century it was very difficult for the missionary candidates to raise money, and in the last half of the 20^th century doors began closing all around the world. In most countries where missions were accepted a hundred years ago the doors are closed and a missionary must be a teacher, doctor, or have some other vocation to get a visa and minister in secret rather than through building churches. Doors are closing and many local churches no longer have a missionary vision.

In between every historical church period and the next one we have seen what we call a transition period in which the church attitudes or doctrines change. It is this writer's contention that we are now in the closing days of the missionary or Philadelphian age and at the threshold of the Laodicean or luke-warm church. The next event on God's calendar is the rapture and "The Saints go Marching In" with their Lord to the marriage supper of the Lamb, prepared in heaven for us.

Reference verses:
Revelation 3: 7-13. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

In this study, we have taken the position that the seven churches mentioned in chapter 2 and 3 of Revelation reflect the general character of the church age. As we come to the church at Laodicea, the text presents Jesus Christ outside the church seeking fellowship with individuals. We read in Revelation 3:20 where Jesus says, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

The picture of this church is one of outward prosperity and inward bankruptcy. The people in this church are complacent and confident of their security in Christ. Here we don't see any reference to immorality or idolatry. Rather we see a picture of people who are religious, but lost. Note that they are not clothed with the righteousness of Christ, but naked. They are spiritually blind. They are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. The picture is that of those who embrace the form of godliness, but have no real power. Note the reference to chastisement. The Lord will only chasten his children.

Apostasy has been a problem in the church from the beginning, but now the leaven of apostasy has leavened the whole lump. There is no cure for apostasy. The Northern Kingdom never recovered from apostasy. The tribes were never lost because at the time Jereoboam set up golden calves at Dan and Bethel, God's faithful people all moved to the southern kingdom. However, all those who followed the path of apostasy from the truth never returned and became absorbed with the nations of this world.

In the end, the Laodicean church will be absorbed with the church of Antichrist and judged along with her. It is a deadly and dangerous thing to turn from the knowledge of the Truth. The Laodicean church experiences peace and material prosperity. Because there is no spiritual life, Jesus is not in her. He stands outside seeking fellowship with the individual. There is no persecution. This church is at peace with the world. It is a worldly church. It is void of all spiritual value and life. It is a terribly sad end to a glorious age. The enemy did not destroy this church. The people in it gave in to the world one member at a time, until there was nothing left. I believe this is what we are seeing all around us even as I write.

Reference verses:
Hebrews 10: 23-29. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

November 15^th

The basic creed of the Reformed churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles' Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity, NOT because it was written by the Apostles, but because it contains their teachings in a concise form. It dates back to very early times in the Church, a half-century or so from the last writings of the New Testament; somewhere during the 400-500's. As with all other creeds and confessions, the Apostle's Creed was used both to refute heresy and establish basic Christian truth.

Most churches have a basic covenant, too. These creeds and covenants are NOT to supercede and DO NOT take the place of the Bible. It is the Bible, God's Holy Word, that we are to obey. The Bible IS God's written word for us, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. True Christians are to contend for the faith, as there are apostates within, both old and new. Apostates are depraved and doomed, even though they may be personal friends. We are to maintain our lives with God and bring all the Glory to God.

Now unto Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and forever. Amen.

Reference verses:
Jude 1
1. Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
2. Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
3. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13. Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
17. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18. How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit.
20. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22. And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

November 16th

If you have trouble believing in the Divinity of Christ and the Trinity, there are over 50 times in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments where you will find the Godhead mentioned. Time and space do not permit them all, but this writer will give you a copy of these verses so you can search them for yourself. In the early years of the church, there were heretics who taught many and varied things about our Lord Jesus Christ. The Nicene Council and the Constantinople Council in 381 established the final word on the deity and humanity of Christ.

"We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten of the Father, that is, of the substance of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father, through whom all things came to be, those things that are in heaven and those things that are on earth, who for us men and for our salvation came down and was made flesh, and was made man, suffered, rose the third day, ascended into the heavens, and will come to judge the living and the dead."

"The Trinitarian controversy was clearly also a Christological controversy. The discussion involved not only the true deity and genuine humanity of Christ, but also the relationship of His two natures. The pendulum swung back and forth: the Docetists denied Jesus' humanity; the Ebionites denied His deity; the Arians "reduced" His deity, while the Apollinarians "reduced" His humanity; the Nestorians denied the union of the two natures, while the Eutychians emphasized only one nature."

This may not seem too important, but there are still churches, cults and sects that don't accept or teach the Trinity. We need to beware of these false cults that abound even in our community today. A word to the enlightened should be sufficient.

November 17th

II Timothy 1:6-14

The enemy, since the beginning of the age, has sought to corrupt the doctrine of the church. In our text, the apostle Paul admonishes Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words. A study of church history reveals that those who depart from orthodox theology cannot reproduce effectively and will pass away in time. The heritage of faith is very important. As these doctrinal assaults come, church leaders respond with creeds and important doctrinal affirmations of faith.

One of these early assaults involved the nature of the Godhead and the character of the incarnation. Out of these controversies, came the three great creeds of the church. They are the Apostles Creed, the Nicean Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. According to the Athanasian Creed, "Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man . . . perfect God, and perfect man . . . who although he be God and man: yet he is not two, but one Christ..."

There have been two great times of doctrinal conflict in the church. One was between 325 and 451AD and another was during the Reformation. During these times, orthodox theology became defined. Like the cannon of scripture itself, it was essential that the church, as a whole, embrace the truth. Error has always been limited to an "enlightened few" who fail to reproduce over the long haul.

During these times it was evident that an emphasis on doctrine coupled with a neglect of Bible Study, breeds heresy. Out of the controversy, the Godhead was defined as being one in essence, but three in person. This language has been the language of orthodoxy ever since, and universally embraced by the church. Furthermore, Jesus Christ is humanity in every sense that we are saved from sin, and God in every sense of the word. Jesus Christ was God come in the form of human flesh. This statement rose out of a controversy between different popular preachers of the day. Arius contended that Jesus was not God come in the form of human flesh and some contended that Jesus was not fully human. It is important that we hold fast the form of sound words. Therefore, we have creeds and statements of doctrine. Sadly, we live in a day that most people don't care for doctrine.

Reference verses:
2 Timothy 1: 6-14. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
11. Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

November 18^th

"The Heidelberg Catechism was written in Heidelberg, Germany, at the request of Elector Fredrick III in 1562. Fredrick ruled the Palatinate, an influential German province from 1559 to 1576. With the assistance of the entire theological faculty, especially Zacharius Ursinus and Casper Olevianus, the manuscript was composed. In January of 1563, the catechism was approved by synodical decision. In subsequent years, the Heidelberg went through two additional amendments, until being finalized and was divided into 52 sections, which were to be read each Lord's Day during Worship. The custom was adopted so that by the reading and expounding of each of the questions and answers of the Heidelberg, the entire Doctrine of the Faith could be taught each year.

By this time, Martin Luther's works and teachings had been widely spread and the Reformation was well underway. At the time of the writing of the Heidelberg, Luther had already died (1546) and his theological heirs were involved in works of their own. One such disciple of the Reformation was Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575). He was at work in Switzerland on the Second Helvetic Confession, which was an important Calvinistic statement of Faith. It was Bullinger's Confession that influenced the final draft of the Heidelberg.

Catechisms were a popular way of teaching, since it asked theologically pertinent questions, which would be followed by accurate answers. In this way, the true teachings of the Christian faith could be taught to both young and old alike in a more memorable fashion. Since then the confession has been translated into many languages and spread throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States." 2 Timothy 2:15tells us to, Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. What then are we to study? 2 Timothy 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped unto every good work.

Dear Heavenly Father, may we always be True to You! We desire to be used of You. We pray that You would use us for Your glory!

Reference verses:
Psalms 105
1. O Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6. O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7. He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
8. He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

November 19th

In order to bring the Canon of the Scriptures to our readers, we need to explain that the Old Testament was written over a period of 1500 years. The Books of the O. T. are credited to their authors and this was settled even before the New Testament was written. The principles operative in the historical process of canonization are three:

Historically, Moses wrote first, so his books were the first to be recognized as canonical. The constant reference to the "law of Moses" by almost every canonical book after Moses' day demonstrates that the Law of Moses was immediately received as authoritative and continuously recognized. Joshua read from the Law (Josh. 1:7,8) "which Moses commanded." David charged Solomon to keep the statutes, commandments, ordinances, and testimonies that were "written in the Law of Moses" (1 Kings 2:3). Solomon at the dedication of the Temple, urged the people, saying, Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments (1 Kings 8:6), which he had previously identified as the works of Moses (cf. vv. 53, 56).

Kings, Priests and Prophets all quoted from the Books of Moses; Amaziah, Josiah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jeremiah-Daniel, Ezra and in Nehemiah's day, the priests read aloud from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people (Neh. 13:1). Malachi, the last Old Testament prophet, admonished the people to remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel(Mal. 4:4).

The New Testament was written in about 70 years and was accepted very early in the Church as authentic. There have been critics down through the past 1900 hundred years who have sought to remove several books, such as Daniel, because they refused to accept the prophetic words of Daniel. James was rejected by Luther. Others have sought to remove certain passages because they did not accept the teachings, but all have failed. The Word of God still stands as our rule for faith and practice. The Bible claims Divine authorship and we accept that!

November 20th

II Timothy 2:14-18

The Westminster Confession arose out of the stormy political scene in England during the reign of Charles I. Charles met with resistance when he attempted to impose episcopacy on the Church of Scotland and to conform its services to the Church of England's Common Book of Prayer. A civil war erupted and Oliver Cromwell led the Puritan forces to victory. Charles I was beheaded in the process. In 1643 the English parliament commissioned the Westminster Assembly to develop the creed of the Church of England. The 121 English Puritan ministers met for 1,163 daily sessions from 1643 to 1649. The Westminster Confession of Faith, completed in 1646, affirmed a strong Calvinistic position and disavowed "the errors of Arminianism, Roman Catholicism, and sectarianism."

Enns, Paul, The Moody Handbook of Theology, (Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press) 1996.

The reformation in England took an unusual twist. Rather than develop along purely ecclesiastical lines, it became intertwined with politics. When the pope would not grant Henry the VIII another divorce he pulled the Church of England out of the Roman Catholic Church declared himself the head and got his divorce. Since many in the United States are of English decent, the Church of England has had a tremendous impact on the United States. Evidence of this can be seen in the long-term popularity of the King James Version of the Bible.

Most aspects of reformation theology are found in this statement of faith. It is very orthodox. Baptists would differ primarily with its view of baptism and church government. Some early Baptist confessions of faith are very similar and patterned after it with the previously noted exceptions. It is covenant rather than dispensation in its view of theology. Of particular interest in this confession is the way it views the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is put on the same level as secular literature. Calvin's Institutes also gained a foothold in Britain among the Puritans and the independent Presbyterians. Even some Anabaptists, known as Particular Baptists to indicate their adherence to particular redemption, followed Reformed theology. The Westminster Confession of Faith became the doctrinal standard for British adherents of the Reformed faith.

Enns, Paul, The Moody Handbook of Theology, (Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press) 1996.

Reference verses:
2 Timothy 2: 14-18. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18. Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

(The Second London Confession of Faith was published in 1689 and copied by the Philadelphia Association in 1742, adding Chapters 23 and 31)

"While the Baptists today, generally speaking, have no confession of faith and are congregational in their form of government, in their earlier history, they followed human creeds and required each congregation to subscribe to them. A confession of faith was written in London in 1677 and was accepted by the Particular Baptists in 1689. American Baptists also adopted it in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1742, and it was from that time known as the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. It is Calvinistic in its teachings. In 1833, J. Newton Brown, of New Hampshire, wrote a confession, which was adopted by the New Hampshire Conference and is known as the New Hampshire Confession of Faith. It is only mildly Calvinistic. This is the most popular confession among Baptists." (Churches of Today, Tomlinson, page 68.)

It is so important to know what we believe and then, why we believe it. This can only come as we purpose to study God's Word and hide it in our hearts. As true Christians, the Holy Spirit enables us to understand the simple, yet profound truths of God's Word and we then begin to experience the life changing spiritual effects that God works through His sanctification in our lives.

"Dear Lord God, we thank You for Your living Word to us. May we obey it with utmost awe and respect. Amen."

Reference verses:
Psalm 19:14. 14. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 119: 9-11 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

November 22nd

Acts 8:26-40

There are many forms of Baptism and we shall look into them today. In the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and several Protestant Denominations they practice pedo-baptism; this is also called infant baptism. In some churches, baptism is one of the seven sacraments. The seven sacraments are: baptism, penance, Eucharist, (we call that the communion) confirmation, ordination, matrimony and extreme unction. Baptists are not sacramental and do not believe in infant baptism; rather we believe in believer's baptism. The Eastern Orthodox baptizes three times by immersion. In the Name of the Father, in the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit, they immerse because they accept the Greek language and believe it for what it says. We might add that in the teaching of infant baptism, some churches believe the water cleanses from the original sin inherited from Adam, or the Adamic nature. There are several other denominations that believe in believer's baptism, but they have the candidate kneel in the water and baptize three times face forward. There are three modes of baptism; immersion, sprinkling, and pouring.

Then there is baptismal regeneration; some churches practice baptismal regeneration believing they are saved by water. There is not one passage of Scripture to substantiate this. Salvation is by Christ's blood shed on Calvary's cross and there is no other way. Water does not cleanse from sin, only Christ's blood washes away my sinful nature and sins.

Believer's baptism requires a confession that the candidate has accepted Christ's work at Calvary and they know they are saved. It is not for the church, or Pastor, or deacons to question the testimony of the candidate. God knows what is in his or her heart. A tiny baby cannot understand the meaning of baptism, does not know what sin is, nor what the Adamic nature is. Baptist's immerse because the Greek word means to immerse, put under, or bury in the water, "To go in the place of death, because we are not aquatic creatures and cannot breathe under water." Baptism is symbolical in that we are therefore buried with Christ in baptism and raised in newness of life.

Reference verses:
Acts 8: 26-40. And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28. Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31. And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

. Rather the Holy Spirit leads the congregation directly. The idea is not that of democracy, but that each believer has a responsibility before God in the local church.

Reference verses:
Luke 17: 7-20. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8. And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9. Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

November 24^th

Acrostic P in Baptist - The Scripture teaches that every believer can, without the aid of priests or churchmen go, boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace in the time of need. Hebrews 4:16The Scripture states further in Hebrews 10:19, Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. The believer does not need a priest or a church to intercede on their behalf to God. The believer can boldly, by the fact of being washed in the blood of Christ, instantly be in contact with God by simple prayer, and can bring his petitions or requests for forgiveness of sins directly to God himself. (I John 1:19) No church has the authority to forgive sins or grant intercession to God.

Can you, just for a moment, begin to imagine what it will be like to reign with Christ Jesus our Lord in the Millennium for a 1000 years?! What a glorious privilege indeed as we really do not deserve one iota of God's love that He has chosen to freely give those who will turn from their sin and humbly ask Jesus Christ to save them with His shed blood.

Peter gives us another picture from our text in verse 9. True Christians are also "a chosen generation." Deuteronomy 7:6-8. Unbelieving, professing Christians know nothing of this promise, but True, possessing Christians understand it more fully because of God's Holy Spirit that indwells them. Peter continues with "A royal priesthood." This concept comes from Exodus 19:6. A royal priesthood is not only a priesthood that belongs to and serves the king, but is also a priesthood which exercises rule which will be accomplished in the Millennium. The last two phrases that Peter uses are, "A holy nation," and "His own special people." Can you even begin to imagine that God would call any person or group of people holy, and His own special people, but in fact, that is exactly what God has done. This was accomplished because of the work of Christ on the cross. This was provided through the grace of God the Father, Himself, and is continued through the work of the Holy Spirit as He teaches true believers of the wondrous grace and mercy of God in true salvation. Say, can you truly say you have been saved? If not, why not today? If so, rejoice in God our Savior forevermore!

Reference verses:
Revelation 20
1. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

I Peter 2: 9-10. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Ephesians 4:11-16

The Pastor is designated by the Lord, as a shepherd over the flock. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd and all pastors who are not hirelings are under shepherds. There are many qualifications for a man to be a pastor and we will list some of them now:

1. Help them overcome fear and distresses.

2. Supply their spiritual needs and pray with them in times of trouble.

3. Be morally clean and above reproach.

4. Be honest and truthful.

5. Discourage evil doers.

6. Not to touch the evil thing and to run away from wickedness.

7. Speak and preach for God, not for self.

8. By prayer, the Pastor is to give God's counsel.

9. Never preach God's Word without much prayer and preparation.

10. Turn men from their evil way and lead them to the Lord.

11. Be free from deceit and slander; speak God's Word faithfully and without hypocrisy.

12. Comfort them in fear and stress.

13. Be ready to supply their spiritual needs.

14. Be morally clean and touch not the unclean thing.

15. Be honest and truthful in all dealings with the congregation and those that are without.

16. Discourage evil doers, tattlers and rumormongers.

17. Turn himself and others from wickedness.

18. Speak for God and not for self.

19. Always stand in God's counsel and not the wisdom of man.

20. When preaching, be sure it is God's Word.

21. Be free from deceit both in the church family and to those who are outside.

22. Speak God's Word faithfully both in the pulpit and on the street.

23. Last but not least, pray without ceasing for the needs of the flock.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. ³For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; ⁴And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry... And to say with Paul I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Reference verses:
Ephesians 4: 11-16. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

November 26^th

The church is a kingdom, not a democracy. God chooses His own leaders. It is as we read in Hebrews 5:4 ... no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God... Both Pastor and Deacon, and every other member are accountable to the congregation and the congregation is accountable to God. God leads by His Spirit and through the Word of God. This is the foundation of a local church. A church is not a church because we put up a sign. The church is a church because it is a Biblically organized spiritual organism. Part of this organism is the Biblical office of deacon.

Reference verses:
Acts 6
1. And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6. Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acrostic I in Baptist - Down through the years since creation, God has step by step, revealed Himself to mankind. God created Adam and Eve and gave them clear instructions. This is a most wonderful example of our Great God. He told Adam and Eve that they were to care for the garden; that they could eat of any thing in the garden. These were all positive commands. Adam and Eve had been made sinless and they were in the midst of a sinless garden. Most of us that like to garden, would have liked to have been there to experience this type of garden. The only negative thing that God told Adam and Eve was that they were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because if they did, they would surely die. This is where so many people miss the point, just as Adam and Eve did, and Satan has capitalized on this sly and deceptive question; what's wrong with it? But is this the question that God wants us to use? Eating from that tree from our sinful and limited perspective; nothing, but from God's righteous viewpoint; everything. God had given His truthful word to Adam and Eve and they had a choice. They chose not to obey God. That is exactly where people are today. Each one of us has a choice. We can choose to obey God or not. God gave His Word to Adam and Eve and then down through the years God used prophets to reveal more and more of His Holy Word to the people. Today we have God's Completed Word. God is truly interested in each one of us. He would that none should perish. God desires obedience. Our problem is sin. We are the ones who are deceived. We do not want to read God's Word. We do not want to obey God's Word. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Out of the 66 books of the Bible, and the 1,189 chapters, and the 31,173 verses and the 774,746 words, God has, 2 Peter 1:3 ...given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. The question now is, if God has given us everything He wants us to know about life, what are we doing in our own daily lives to learn it? May we be encouraged today to get to know God and His Holy Word. There is no better way! Psalm 119:9, 11.

Dear Lord God, we are so foolish when we do not obey. Please forgive us and guide us in Your truth. Amen.

Reference verses:
2 Timothy 3: 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Psalm 119: 9-11. 9. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

There are three major divisions of American government, according to our constitution; Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. In the past 50 years, the Legislative has assumed powers not given to them by the constitution and legislated by the judiciary. It is time the American Christians, Catholics and Jews demand this unrestricted action be abolished. There is no law of separation of church and state. It has been misquoted from a sentence made by Thomas Jefferson in a letter that was not a legal letter nor finding fault with any religion.

The courts, the ACLU and the principalities and powers of Ephesians 6:12 are determined to eradicate any reference to God- Our Saviour- Jesus, or Christianity. They seem to think they have a monopoly on bashing any Church or organization that stands for what is scriptural, while allowing all non-Christian, humanistic, atheistic, or nature-based belief systems to be acceptable.

Because I still have the freedom of speech, I can call them "communist oriented " with one design: to destroy morality and truth in our American way of life. Its time this deplorable condition be removed by the American public, Churches and Synagogues. Its time we band together and demand action against these amoral organizations. I've voiced my convictions, now its time for the oppressed to rise up and take a stand against this satanic persecution that is seeking to destroy us.

Ephesians 6: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

November 29th

Different denominations look at baptism differently. Baptists have rejected the idea of infant baptism. In our text, we have the account of the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch. His baptism is after a profession of faith and by immersion in water. The Greek word baptism means to dip or immerse. There is no Biblical example of the baptism of infants. Rather the Biblical model is Baptism following a profession of faith in Christ.

We read in Romans 6:3, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Baptism is an outward visible symbol of an inward spiritual work. That spiritual work is the work of regeneration. Regeneration is the creation of new life in the soul. It is the new birth. We are born of the Spirit the moment we come to faith in Christ. In describing this experience the apostle Paul writes, Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

There is the greatest tendency with religious symbols to come to view the symbol as the actual spiritual work. In time, the symbol comes to replace the substance in the minds of people. I believe that this happened in baptism before the practice of baptizing infants. It is simply not possible for the symbol to substitute for the substance. When it comes to substantive spiritual things, the matters of the heart and soul are paramount. It is simply not possible for external symbols to substitute for matters of the heart and soul. Therefore, we cannot separate the ideas of faith and repentance from Christian baptism. We cannot ignore the examples of the Bible including that of Jesus Christ being dipped into water. Therefore, Christian baptism is an outward symbol of the inward spiritual work of being born again.

Reference verses:
Acts 8: 29--39. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31. And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

November 30^th

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

The second ordinance of the church is the Lord's Supper or communion. The broken bread is a picture of the broken body of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the unfermented wine is a picture of the blood shed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Only those who are believers may partake of the Lord's Supper and then only those believers who are not regarding iniquity in their heart.

This is a special time of self-examination. We are to examine our hearts. We are to take a look at our sinful lives and we are to spend this special time praying and asking God to have mercy on us. We are to thank Him for His plan of redemption. We are to thank Him for His plan to save us dreadful sinners. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Do we realize the great cost of salvation? Jesus had to die so we wouldn't have to! Do we fully understand what God has done on our behalf? Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. A lot of people claim that God is no fun. From a sinful perspective this may be true, but from a godly perspective, God has much more to offer than sin than the world will ever have. The way of the world is death and destruction. The ways of God bring eternal life!

Reference Verses:
I Corinthians 11: 17-34. Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
21. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
33. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
34. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

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November 2nd

Revelation 2:8-11

November 3^rd

Revelation 2:12-17

November 4^th

Revelation 3:1-6

November 6^th

Revelation 3:14-22

November 8th

November 9^th

November 10th

November 11th

I John 2:15-19

Revelation 3:1-6

November 13th

November 15^th

November 16th

November 17th

II Timothy 1:6-14

November 18^th

November 19th

November 20th

II Timothy 2:14-18

November 22nd

Acts 8:26-40

November 24^th

November 26^th

November 29th

November 30^th

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

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November 2nd

Revelation 2:8-11

November 3rd

Revelation 2:12-17

November 4th

Revelation 3:1-6

November 6th

Revelation 3:14-22

November 8th

November 9th

November 10th

November 11th

I John 2:15-19

Revelation 3:1-6

November 13th

November 15th

November 16th

November 17th

II Timothy 1:6-14

November 18th

November 19th

November 20th

II Timothy 2:14-18

November 22nd

Acts 8:26-40

November 24th

November 26th

November 29th

November 30th

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you,

Please email us to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!

November 3^rd

November 4^th

November 6^th

November 9^th

November 15^th

November 18^th

November 24^th

November 26^th

November 30^th