Tune and Prepare!

Intro It is key that we, Christians live in the New Testament. We all have free access to the throne: free communication and close relationship in the heavenly family. God hardly speaks through one man alone {like in the Old Testament}, for the purpose of leading individuals and communities personally on the subject. That is why prophets who walk by faith must never go in an abusive direction or walk in well-meaning platitudes. The prophetic work / subject /person is so badly treated through the "mainstream" in the Church that the majority has only an American movie-character in his/her mind. And sadly, Obi Van is stronger than that character in the minds. But let us examine first: • What is the prophet • Who is the prophet • What is the main difference between the Old Testament and New Testament prophecy Old Testament example: Elisha and Elijah God did not say to Elisha, ‘I think I'll send you to one of the schools of t...

Andreas Köstenberger In our day and age, few parts of Scripture are more controversial that the household codes of the New Testament. Indeed, as family structures continue to unravel and hierarchical relations, in the home, the church, or the workplace, are often abusive, the biblical teaching that men and woman have distinct, God-given roles and that women submit to their husbands has fallen on hard times. Yet, for those who are committed to Scripture, we must take a closer look to see what God says about male-female relationships, and women’s roles in particular, throughout Scripture. And one important place to do that is Titus 2. ... Paul’s instructions to Titus in chapter 2 are given as part of a household code that conceives of the church as God’s household. In keeping with this format, Paul gives ministry directives regarding older men (v. 2), older and young women (vv. 3–5), and younger men (v. 6), as well as bondservants (vv. 9–10). Like all the members in God’s ho...

Andreas Köstenberger God’s Word calls qualified men to teach and pastor God’s flock. In discussions of this topic, 1 Timothy 2–3 are central to explaining why Paul did not permit a woman to teach or have authority in the church and why the pastoral office is grounded in creation and not culture... .. In this post, I will provide a brief introduction to 1 Timothy 2–3, a passage that clearly affirms male eldership in the household of God. Paul’s first letter to Timothy contains vital and abiding instructions for the church and its leadership. Paul writes to his apostolic delegate, Timothy, toward the end of Paul’s life and ministry in order to leave a legacy and pass on the pattern of church leadership to his foremost disciple. These instructions are not limited to first-century Ephesus (where Timothy was at the time) but abiding principles grounded in God’s creation order (Paul writes similar instructions to Titus, who is on the island of Crete). The Church as God’...

Let my prayer be counted as incense before You, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not turn my heart to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with those who work iniquity: do not let me eat of their delicacies Psalm 141:2-4

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?.. Yet you are holy, enthroned {dwelling} on the praises of Israel. Psalm 22 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him 1 John 2:28 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. 1 John 3:24 We are encouraged by John to abide in God, which has various meaning in the believer's life. In 1John chapter 2 and 3 we get dense apostolic visions how this relationship shapes our lives and makes ripples around us.. However, God is equally present in us and desires to live within our hearts' worship and adoration. Psalm 22, the great messianic-prophetic psalm, reveals this heavenly intimate relationship showing the out casted, Suffering Messiah who -In His Greatest sacrifice, in His death agony- gives us a glorious dimensions about Gd's dwelling...