Epistle for November 29, 2002

#1 · November 27, 2002, 3:28 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on November 27, 2002, 3:28 pm
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E-pistle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation November 29, 2002

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this issue:
Previews from Dr. Curt
Sermon: Haggai 2:1-23
Bible Study: Acts 19:2

Previews of Coming Attractions
by: Dr. Curt Scarborough

During November, 2002, "E-pistle" will present two of my complete expository sermon series from neighboring minor prophetic books in the Old Testament:

A 3-part series on Zephaniah
November 1 "Settled in Complacency" (1:1-18)
November 8 "Hidden in the Day of the Lord's Anger" (2:1-15)
November 15 "God's Faithful Remnant" (3:1-29)

A 2-part series on Haggai
November 22 "Consider Your Ways" (1:1-15)
November 29 "Like a Signet Ring" (2:1-23)

Also during November, the "Iron Sharpens Iron" group of men will meet for Bible study and prayer. This month's session will continue October's topic of "The Extra Blessings of Baptism." The "Iron Men" will meet next on December 12, 2002 from 9:30 to 11:30. Visitors are welcome to sit in on these sessions.

This month's "E-pistle" will contain some of the notes used in the November 7th "Iron Sharpens Iron" study:

November 1 Meditations of Being Spirit-filled
November 8 Words Used in Acts to Describe Experiencing the Holy Spirit
November 15 Stir Up the Gift of God
November 22 The Promise . . . The Gift; "Baptism" in the Epistles
November 29 "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Acts 19:2

Next "Iron" meeting: Thursday, December 12, 2002 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Heads UP . . . Pastors and Counselors:

Earn your masters or doctoral degrees in Biblical Counseling or Spiritual Mentoring through distance education at Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity. Check our web-site: www.freewayfoundation.org

The Christian version of our highly effective K-12 violence prevention curriculum "Peacemakers" is now available for churches and Christian schools. Check our web-site, or contact me for more information: drcurt@freewayfoundation.org

Like a Signet Ring
(Haggai 2:1-23)

I. Concentration: on the main events in this chapter
1. Haggai encouraged Zerubbabel and Joshua with the assurance that God was with them
and that the new temple would be more glorious than Solomon's, vv. 1-9. The "glory"
mentioned here is a reference to Christ's glory, Who appeared literally in this
"Second Temple" to bring peace, v. 9, and Who will appear there in the Last Day.
2. The parable about cleanness and defilement (vv. 10-14) reminded the people that purity
is not transferable: even their diligent work on God's temple could not make them holy
in God's sight . . . only repentance and a spiritual change of heart could make them
acceptable before Him.
3. Haggai promised God's blessings "from this day" to contrast sharply with the former
days of shortages and famine, vv. 15-19.
4. Haggai prophesied that Zerubabel would be like a valuable and chosen signet ring in
God's eternal plan . . . fulfilled in Luke 3:27.

II. Meditation: on signet rings in the Scriptures
1. Pharaoh gave Joseph a signet ring in Genesis 41:42. It was a sign of kingly authority,
and the key thought was "power."
2. Xerxes gave Mordecai a signet ring in Esther 8:2. It was a sign of official authenticity,
and the key thought was "genuineness."
3. The father gave his prodigal son a signet ring in Luke 15:22. It was a sign of loving
acceptance, and the key thought was "relationship."
4. God made Zerubbabel like His signet ring in Haggai 2:21. It was a sign of divine
approval, and the key thought was "chosen."

III. Revelation: on God's promises to His "signet ring" . . . Zerubbabel
1. From this day on, I will bless you, v. 19.
2. I will move (shake) heaven and earth for you, v. 21.
3. I will give you victory and success, v. 22; Zechariah 4:6-10.
4. I will use you as my chosen servant . . . with divine authority, authenticity,
acceptance, and approval.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Recognize my place of spiritual authority and power under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
2. Realize my unique position of genuine authenticity as a bona fide, born-again believer.
3. Rejoice in my blessed relationship as an accepted child in God's family.
4. Receive with thanksgiving God's spiritual approval of me as one of His chosen people.

"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
Acts 19:2

Background Study on "Disciple"

I. Definition:
"Disciple" means a learner, one who follows a person's teachings.

II. Disciples of Jesus
1. The Twelve, Matthew 10:1
2. Jews who followed Him, John 6:66.
3. Secret adherents, John 19:38.
4. Those who abide in His word, John 8:31.
5. Those who love each other, John 13:35.
6. Those who bear fruit, John 15:8.
7. Those who believed and confessed, Acts 6:1-2, 7; 9-10, etc.
8. Female, Acts 9:36 (Tabitha; Dorcas).
9. Joseph, Matthew 27:57.
10.Great Commission, Matthew 28:19; Acts 14:21.

III. Other Disciples
1. Disciples of Moses, John 9:28.
2. Disciples of the Pharisees, Matthew 22:16.

IV. Disciples of John the Baptist:
1. Before John's arrest by King Herod, John 3:22-36; 4:1-2.
2. Sent to inquire about Jesus' ministry, Matthew 11:1-2; Luke 7:18-30.
3. Meditation:
Was it God's will for John to keep on baptizing disciples after he had
baptized Jesus and identified Him as the Messiah?
4. Revelation: (Study John's mission: Luke 1:5-25, 59-80; 3:1-22.)
John's one and only calling was to prepare the nation for the coming
Messiah. John 3:27-36.
(1) John's task was "heaven-given" (v. 27);
(2) his joy was "fulfilled" (v. 29);
(3) he must "decrease."
Decrease, how far? (completely); how soon? (immediately)

Questions about John the Baptist

I. What was John's basic ministry and message?
1. His ministry was to prepare the nation for the Messiah.
2. His ministry was to identify Jesus as the messiah.
3. His message was to call the people to repentance for their sin.
4. His message was: "The kingdom of God is at hand."

II. What did John know (understand) about the Messiah?
1. Jesus is the Messiah, John 1:25-27.
2. Jesus will baptize with the Spirit and fire, Luke 3:16.
3. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, John 1:29.
4. Jesus is the Son of God, John 1:34.

III. What did John NOT know or preach about Jesus the Messiah?
1. He did not know or preach Christ's crucifixion.
2. He did not know or preach Christ's resurrection.
3. He did not know or preach Christ's ascension.
4. He did not know or preach Christ's return.

IV. Can a person be saved in the New Testament sense by believing John's message?
NO. A person must believe in his heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead to
be saved, Romans 10:9. John the Baptist neither knew about nor preached Jesus'
resurrection from the dead.

V. Were the "disciples" in Acts 19:1 saved . . . born again of the Holy Spirit?
NO, because they were baptized into John's baptism . . . the baptism of repentance.
Salvation involves repentance and faith. They had repented of their sins, but they
had not exercised saving faith in the resurrected Christ . . . because they had not
heard about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

VI. What about these "disciples" in Ephesus? (Acts 19:1-7)
Notice carefully the order (sequence) of these events:
1. They heard the full gospel of Jesus Christ.
(1) Christ died for our sins, (2) He was buried, (3) He rose again the third day,
(4) All according to the Scriptures, I Corinthians 15:1-4.
2. They believed that gospel message (implied in v. 5; Romans 10:17).
3. They were baptized in water, v. 5.
4. They received the Holy Spirit, spoke with tongues, and prophised when Paul
laid his hands on them, v. 6.

VII. What lessons may we learn from this study?
1. Salvation (New Testament's being "born again") involves both repentance and
faith. Although a person may repent of his sins, unless he receives by faith the
resurrected Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he is not born again of
the Holy Spirit.
2. A person receives the Holy Spirit at the instant when he is born again; if a person
does not have the Holy Spirit, he is not a true believer (Christian), Romans 8:9.
3. Only believers can experience true New Testament baptism in water; immersing
non-believers just gets them wet.
4. Although being saved, being baptized in water, and being filled with (or baptized in)
the Spirit may occur during the same event, the sequence remains the same.
Compare Acts 19:4-6 with Acts 2:38.

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation November 29, 2002

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this issue:
Previews from Dr. Curt
Sermon: Haggai 2:1-23
Bible Study: Acts 19:2

Previews of Coming Attractions
by: Dr. Curt Scarborough

During November, 2002, "E-pistle" will present two of my complete expository sermon series from neighboring minor prophetic books in the Old Testament:

A 3-part series on Zephaniah
November 1 "Settled in Complacency" (1:1-18)
November 8 "Hidden in the Day of the Lord's Anger" (2:1-15)
November 15 "God's Faithful Remnant" (3:1-29)

A 2-part series on Haggai
November 22 "Consider Your Ways" (1:1-15)
November 29 "Like a Signet Ring" (2:1-23)

Also during November, the "Iron Sharpens Iron" group of men will meet for Bible study and prayer. This month's session will continue October's topic of "The Extra Blessings of Baptism." The "Iron Men" will meet next on December 12, 2002 from 9:30 to 11:30. Visitors are welcome to sit in on these sessions.

This month's "E-pistle" will contain some of the notes used in the November 7th "Iron Sharpens Iron" study:

November 1 Meditations of Being Spirit-filled
November 8 Words Used in Acts to Describe Experiencing the Holy Spirit
November 15 Stir Up the Gift of God
November 22 The Promise . . . The Gift; "Baptism" in the Epistles
November 29 "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Acts 19:2

Next "Iron" meeting: Thursday, December 12, 2002 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Heads UP . . . Pastors and Counselors:

Earn your masters or doctoral degrees in Biblical Counseling or Spiritual Mentoring through distance education at Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity. Check our web-site: http://www.freewayfoundation.org

The Christian version of our highly effective K-12 violence prevention curriculum "Peacemakers" is now available for churches and Christian schools. Check our web-site, or contact me for more information: drcurt@freewayfoundation.org

Like a Signet Ring
(Haggai 2:1-23)

I. Concentration: on the main events in this chapter
1. Haggai encouraged Zerubbabel and Joshua with the assurance that God was with them
and that the new temple would be more glorious than Solomon's, vv. 1-9. The "glory"
mentioned here is a reference to Christ's glory, Who appeared literally in this
"Second Temple" to bring peace, v. 9, and Who will appear there in the Last Day.
2. The parable about cleanness and defilement (vv. 10-14) reminded the people that purity
is not transferable: even their diligent work on God's temple could not make them holy
in God's sight . . . only repentance and a spiritual change of heart could make them
acceptable before Him.
3. Haggai promised God's blessings "from this day" to contrast sharply with the former
days of shortages and famine, vv. 15-19.
4. Haggai prophesied that Zerubabel would be like a valuable and chosen signet ring in
God's eternal plan . . . fulfilled in Luke 3:27.

II. Meditation: on signet rings in the Scriptures
1. Pharaoh gave Joseph a signet ring in Genesis 41:42. It was a sign of kingly authority,
and the key thought was "power."
2. Xerxes gave Mordecai a signet ring in Esther 8:2. It was a sign of official authenticity,
and the key thought was "genuineness."
3. The father gave his prodigal son a signet ring in Luke 15:22. It was a sign of loving
acceptance, and the key thought was "relationship."
4. God made Zerubbabel like His signet ring in Haggai 2:21. It was a sign of divine
approval, and the key thought was "chosen."

III. Revelation: on God's promises to His "signet ring" . . . Zerubbabel
1. From this day on, I will bless you, v. 19.
2. I will move (shake) heaven and earth for you, v. 21.
3. I will give you victory and success, v. 22; Zechariah 4:6-10.
4. I will use you as my chosen servant . . . with divine authority, authenticity,
acceptance, and approval.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Recognize my place of spiritual authority and power under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
2. Realize my unique position of genuine authenticity as a bona fide, born-again believer.
3. Rejoice in my blessed relationship as an accepted child in God's family.
4. Receive with thanksgiving God's spiritual approval of me as one of His chosen people.

"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
Acts 19:2

Background Study on "Disciple"

I. Definition:
"Disciple" means a learner, one who follows a person's teachings.

II. Disciples of Jesus
1. The Twelve, Matthew 10:1
2. Jews who followed Him, John 6:66.
3. Secret adherents, John 19:38.
4. Those who abide in His word, John 8:31.
5. Those who love each other, John 13:35.
6. Those who bear fruit, John 15:8.
7. Those who believed and confessed, Acts 6:1-2, 7; 9-10, etc.
8. Female, Acts 9:36 (Tabitha; Dorcas).
9. Joseph, Matthew 27:57.
10.Great Commission, Matthew 28:19; Acts 14:21.

III. Other Disciples
1. Disciples of Moses, John 9:28.
2. Disciples of the Pharisees, Matthew 22:16.

IV. Disciples of John the Baptist:
1. Before John's arrest by King Herod, John 3:22-36; 4:1-2.
2. Sent to inquire about Jesus' ministry, Matthew 11:1-2; Luke 7:18-30.
3. Meditation:
Was it God's will for John to keep on baptizing disciples after he had
baptized Jesus and identified Him as the Messiah?
4. Revelation: (Study John's mission: Luke 1:5-25, 59-80; 3:1-22.)
John's one and only calling was to prepare the nation for the coming
Messiah. John 3:27-36.
(1) John's task was "heaven-given" (v. 27);
(2) his joy was "fulfilled" (v. 29);
(3) he must "decrease."
Decrease, how far? (completely); how soon? (immediately)

Questions about John the Baptist

I. What was John's basic ministry and message?
1. His ministry was to prepare the nation for the Messiah.
2. His ministry was to identify Jesus as the messiah.
3. His message was to call the people to repentance for their sin.
4. His message was: "The kingdom of God is at hand."

II. What did John know (understand) about the Messiah?
1. Jesus is the Messiah, John 1:25-27.
2. Jesus will baptize with the Spirit and fire, Luke 3:16.
3. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, John 1:29.
4. Jesus is the Son of God, John 1:34.

III. What did John NOT know or preach about Jesus the Messiah?
1. He did not know or preach Christ's crucifixion.
2. He did not know or preach Christ's resurrection.
3. He did not know or preach Christ's ascension.
4. He did not know or preach Christ's return.

IV. Can a person be saved in the New Testament sense by believing John's message?
NO. A person must believe in his heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead to
be saved, Romans 10:9. John the Baptist neither knew about nor preached Jesus'
resurrection from the dead.

V. Were the "disciples" in Acts 19:1 saved . . . born again of the Holy Spirit?
NO, because they were baptized into John's baptism . . . the baptism of repentance.
Salvation involves repentance and faith. They had repented of their sins, but they
had not exercised saving faith in the resurrected Christ . . . because they had not
heard about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

VI. What about these "disciples" in Ephesus? (Acts 19:1-7)
Notice carefully the order (sequence) of these events:
1. They heard the full gospel of Jesus Christ.
(1) Christ died for our sins, (2) He was buried, (3) He rose again the third day,
(4) All according to the Scriptures, I Corinthians 15:1-4.
2. They believed that gospel message (implied in v. 5; Romans 10:17).
3. They were baptized in water, v. 5.
4. They received the Holy Spirit, spoke with tongues, and prophised when Paul
laid his hands on them, v. 6.

VII. What lessons may we learn from this study?
1. Salvation (New Testament's being "born again") involves both repentance and
faith. Although a person may repent of his sins, unless he receives by faith the
resurrected Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he is not born again of
the Holy Spirit.
2. A person receives the Holy Spirit at the instant when he is born again; if a person
does not have the Holy Spirit, he is not a true believer (Christian), Romans 8:9.
3. Only believers can experience true New Testament baptism in water; immersing
non-believers just gets them wet.
4. Although being saved, being baptized in water, and being filled with (or baptized in)
the Spirit may occur during the same event, the sequence remains the same.
Compare Acts 19:4-6 with Acts 2:38.