Bobservations' Column
Titled - "United IN Christ"
Written By: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
First of all, Happy Mothers’ Day to all who have born children into this world. Yes, a “Hallmark Holiday,” but a worthy one. None of us would be here were it not for God’s command to be fruitful and multiply.
On Thursday of this week past, we witnessed a new Pope being voted into his official position as Bishop of Rome. As head of the Roman Catholic Church, his outreach is world-wide. Of his many titles, he is also referred to as the Vicar of Rome, and the Vicar of Christ. Though it is the Anglican Church where the title Vicar is most often used, it is still a significant title within the Roman Church.
Personally, I find it interesting that the word “vicar” comes from the Latin, meaning “representative,” or “substitute.” Therefore, the Papal Title is for a representative, or substitute for Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church, he is looked upon as a living representative to lead a body of religious people, the human embodiment of Christ on Earth. They claim that should he ever perform a miracle, he will have the added distinction of reaching "Sainthood." However, the apostle, Paul, speaks of “believers” as living saints. Paul refers to “the saints” many times in his writings. The clearest definition of a saint is found in his salutation at the beginning of 1 Corinthians 1:1-3.
The Roman Catholic Church has pitted their beliefs against God’s Word. In Matthew 16, While Jesus gave Peter (Greek word is Petros, meaning a detached stone) some authority in His Church, Jesus said, “Upon this rock (Greek word is Petra - a mass of rock, cliff) I will build my Church." The difference is easily overlooked in some languages, but in the Greek text, Peter, Petros, is a far cry from Jesus saying, “I will build My Church.” Jesus points to Himself as the Rock of Offense (Greek, “Petra”), by which mankind stumbles (Romans 9:33). “Petros” is a small stone. “Petra” is a large mass of rock, likened to the Rock City of Petra in the Kingdom of Jordan, east of the Jordan River.
The Roman Church views Peter as the first Pope, but Peter was never “The Pope.” He was instead, as viewed by the Apostle Paul a member of a committee-of-three Apostles who oversaw the Church in its earliest years: James, Cephas (Peter), and John as mentioned in Galatians 2:9 as the “pillars" (of the church). James, half- brother to Jesus, Peter, and the Apostle John made up the Church’s Leadership from Jerusalem, and not Rome. These were chosen specifically by Jesus on three occasions: Matthew 17:1; Luke 8:51; Mark 14:33.
In Revelation 21:14, the New Jerusalem is described -
First of all, Happy Mothers’ Day to all who have born children into this world. Yes, a “Hallmark Holiday,” but a worthy one. None of us would be here were it not for God’s command to be fruitful and multiply.
On Thursday of this week past, we witnessed a new Pope being voted into his official position as Bishop of Rome. As head of the Roman Catholic Church, his outreach is world-wide. Of his many titles, he is also referred to as the Vicar of Rome, and the Vicar of Christ. Though it is the Anglican Church where the title Vicar is most often used, it is still a significant title within the Roman Church.
Personally, I find it interesting that the word “vicar” comes from the Latin, meaning “representative,” or “substitute.” Therefore, the Papal Title is for a representative, or substitute for Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church, he is looked upon as a living representative to lead a body of religious people, the human embodiment of Christ on Earth. They claim that should he ever perform a miracle, he will have the added distinction of reaching "Sainthood." However, the apostle, Paul, speaks of “believers” as living saints. Paul refers to “the saints” many times in his writings. The clearest definition of a saint is found in his salutation at the beginning of 1 Corinthians 1:1-3.
The Roman Catholic Church has pitted their beliefs against God’s Word. In Matthew 16, While Jesus gave Peter (Greek word is Petros, meaning a detached stone) some authority in His Church, Jesus said, “Upon this rock (Greek word is Petra - a mass of rock, cliff) I will build my Church." The difference is easily overlooked in some languages, but in the Greek text, Peter, Petros, is a far cry from Jesus saying, “I will build My Church.” Jesus points to Himself as the Rock of Offense (Greek, “Petra”), by which mankind stumbles (Romans 9:33). “Petros” is a small stone. “Petra” is a large mass of rock, likened to the Rock City of Petra in the Kingdom of Jordan, east of the Jordan River.
The Roman Church views Peter as the first Pope, but Peter was never “The Pope.” He was instead, as viewed by the Apostle Paul a member of a committee-of-three Apostles who oversaw the Church in its earliest years: James, Cephas (Peter), and John as mentioned in Galatians 2:9 as the “pillars" (of the church). James, half- brother to Jesus, Peter, and the Apostle John made up the Church’s Leadership from Jerusalem, and not Rome. These were chosen specifically by Jesus on three occasions: Matthew 17:1; Luke 8:51; Mark 14:33.
In Revelation 21:14, the New Jerusalem is described -
“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.”
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Romans 15:1-13 - "United IN Christ"
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
In chapter 15 of the book of Romans, Paul continues his discussion on how those who are strong (mature) are to receive and bear with the infirmities of the weak. Encouraging the strong to be concerned with uplifting the weak, he reminds them of Christ and His unselfishness (1-3). Reminding them of the value of the Old Testament Scriptures, he pleads for patience so that with one mind and one mouth they may glorify God (4-6). Finally, he calls for them to receive one another to the glory of God, just as Christ served both Jews and Gentiles in fulfilling the prophets of old (7-12). Paul then offers a prayer that God might fill them with joy and peace in believing, so that they may abound in hope with the help of the Holy Spirit (13).
With regard to the importance of unity among believers, shortly before He went to the cross, Jesus prayed for unity among His followers: “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (John 17:11).
Later in the same prayer, Jesus asked “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us . . . And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one—I in them, and thou in me—that they may be made perfect in one” (John 17:21–23). Obviously, Christian unity is important to our Lord.
Jesus not only prayed for unity, but He gave the reasons that Christian unity is important: He asked that all believers may be in the Father and the Son, “so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). And then Jesus prayed for “complete unity” so that “the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (verse 23). When Christians are united in Christ, the world sees two things clearly: Jesus was sent by the Father, and Jesus loves His church.
In Romans 15, we see another, more general reason that Christian unity is important: “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The bottom line is God’s glory. God’s people should be speaking with one voice in glorifying God.
Christian unity comes with Christian maturity, and it is always something that we strive to attain. Paul instructs us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Helping us toward that unity are the gifts of the Spirit. God has given each Christian different gifts, and their exercise in the edification of the church leads to more and more unity. One purpose of the gifts is that “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
To promote Christian unity, God presents the church in 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 as a living body. The body has many members, each with specialized work to do, but all the parts are united in the Head of the Body, which is Christ (see Ephesians 4:15). Christians bring honor to God’s name by pursuing unity in the power of the Holy Spirit who brings us together as one through faith in Christ.
Christian unity is a virtue, but there are some things that can and should limit unity. We don’t pursue unity simply for the sake of unity; it is Christ and His truth (the Bible) that unite us. Scripturally, we are to separate from professed brothers and sisters in Christ who live in persistent, unrepentant sin (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5:1–2) and from those who teach false doctrine (Revelation 2:14–15). “Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Romans 16:17).
Sunday Morning Audio Message:
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
To Bear (15:1) - Means to pick up and carry a weight. It is used of carrying a pitcher of water (Mark 14:13), of carrying a man (Acts 21:35), and figuratively of bearing an obligation (Acts 15:10). The strong are not to simply "tolerate the weaknesses" of their weaker brothers; they are to "help the weak" by shouldering their burdens, showing loving and practical con=sideration for them (See Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 9:9-12; Philippians 2:2-4).
Edification (15:2) - To build up and strengthen. This is essentially the same appeal Paul made earlier (14:19), only with the additional qualification of self-sacrifice (1 Corinthians 10:23, 24; Philippians 2:2-5).
Christ Pleased Not Himself (15:3) - His ultimate purpose was to please God and to accomplish His will (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 8:25, 27-20; Philippians 2:6-8).
It is Written (15:3) - Quoted from Psalm 69:9.
Reproaches . . . Fell on Me (15:3) - Reproaches speak of slander, false accusations, and insults. Men hate God, and they manifested that same hate toward the One He sent to reveal Himself (cf. John 1:10, 11, 18).
Things . . . Written Aforetime (before) (15:4) - Speaking of the Old Testament scriptures.
Written for our Learning (15:4) - Although Christians live under the New Covenant and are not under the authority of the Old Covenant, God's moral law has not changed and all of Scripture is of spiritual benefit (1 Corinthians 10:6), 10, 11; 2 Peter 1:20, 21). Paul's description of the benefits of Scripture certainly includes the NT but speaks primarily about "the sacred writings" - or the Old Testament.
Patience (15:4) - A constant steadfast, enduring, sustaining perseverance.
Comfort (15:4) - Encouragement. God not only informs believers how to endure but also encourages them in the process.
Hope (15:4) - The Joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.
Like-minded Toward One Another (15:5) - Despite our sometimes-differing views on NON-ESSENTIAL issues, to pursue loving, spiritual harmony in regard to matters on which the Bible is silent.
God and Father (15:5) - This expression emphasizes the Deity of Christ - A major doctrine of Christian Faith, not a minor issue. Jesus is not an adopted son of God; He is of the same essential being and nature as God. This is such an important connection that it appears frequently in the NT (2 Corinthians 1:3; 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3).
Receive . . . As Christ Received Us (15:7) - If the perfect, sinless Son of God was willing to bring sinners into God's family, how much more should forgiven believers be willing to warmly embrace and accept each other in spite of disagreements over issues of conscience (Matthew 10:24; 11:29; Ephesians 4:32-5:2).
A Minister of the Circumcision (15:8) - Speaking of Jesus. In Jesus, God was keeping all His promises to Abraham and the patriarchs. In sending Jesus as the Messiah, God was proven to be a keeper of His promises to Israel.
Promise Made to the Fathers (15:8) - The covenant with Abraham that God reiterated to both Isaac and Jacob.
Promise Made to the Fathers (15:8) - The covenant with Abraham that God reiterated to both Isaac and Jacob.
That the Gentiles Might Glorify God (15:9) - Because He extended His grace and mercy to a people outside the covenant.
(15:10) - Quoted from Deuteronomy 32:43.
(15:11) - Quoted from Psalm 117:1.
15:12) - Quoted from Isaiah 11:10.
God of Hope (15:13) - God is the source of eternal hope, life and salvation, and He is the object of hope for every believer.
Power of the Holy Spirit (15:13) - The believer's hope comes through the Scripture which was written and applied to every believing heart by the Holy Spirit.
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