Epistle for October 4, 2002

#1 · October 4, 2002, 11:03 am

Quote from Forum Archives on October 4, 2002, 11:03 am
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e-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation October 4, 2002

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

In This Issue:
"The Extra Blessings of Baptism"
Bible Study: Titus 1:1-16
"Iron Sharpens Iron" Seminars

The Extra Blessings of Baptism
(Matthew 3:15-17)
I. Concentration: on the events recorded in these verses
1. Jesus told John the Baptist that He was determined to fulfill all righteousness . . . to accomplish His
divine vision of destiny . . . to complete His mission on earth which was given to Him by the Father.
2. When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to Him . . . He was enabled to see
into the spiritual realm.
3. At that time, the Spirit of God descended upon Him . . . He was anointed with power by the Holy Spirit.
4. A voice spoke from heaven, expressing divine relationship and approval . . . He heard the voice of His
heavenly Father.
II. Meditation: on the spiritual significance of these events
1. Jesus came to fully perceive the Father's purpose and destiny for Him.
2. Jesus received spiritual discernment, allowing Him to see into the heavenly places (unseen realm) to
observe what the Father was doing.
3. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit receiving divine power for service . . . He officially
stepped into His Messianic role as Christ, "The Anointed One."
4. Jesus was given "ears to hear" the voice of God the Father, giving Him affirmation and direction.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual truths illustrated in Jesus' baptism by John
1. Jesus provided a method for believers to identify with Him.
2. Jesus foreshadowed His resurrection from the dead.
3. Jesus portrayed His giving eternal life to believers.
4. Jesus prophesied His return to resurrect the dead bodies of believers.
But Jesus' baptism also demonstrated . . .
the initial step of obedience and surrender which would allow Him to baptize believers with the Holy Spirit.
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but . . . He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and fire," Matthew 3:11; "Repent, and let
everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:38.
IV. Applications: when Jesus baptizes a believer with the Holy Spirit . . .
1. That believer receives a vision of his divine destiny.
2. That believer receives the ability to perceive spiritual truth and reality.
3. That believer receives divine power for effective service.
4. That person receives the ability to hear God's voice speaking affirmation and guidance.
See additional notes on this subject by Dr. Curt Scarborough under the title:
"Meditation on Being Spirit-Filled".

Titus, a True Son
(Titus 1:1-16)

I. Concentration: on Paul's instructions to Titus
1. "Set in order the things that are lacking," . . . v. 5 . . . organize and
train the believers for effective service.
2. "Appoint elders in every city," v. 5 . . . ordain an overseer (senior pastor,
bishop, elder) from every congregation.
3. Silence and rebuke those in the church who are not submissive, who are deceitful
gossips, who subvert believers by contradicting God's word and teaching false
doctrines, and who serve God just for the money, vv. 10-14.
4. Guard your thoughts (perceptions) so that you may discern the pure from the
defiled . . . receive the God-given ability to distinguish between mere "profession"
of Christ and true "possession" of Christ.

II. Meditation: on the qualifications for bishops (elders, pastors)
Titus, himself (by definition) was a bishop, because he appointed other elders.
1. Personal life: nine (9) qualifications are listed in verses 6 and 7.
2. Spiritual life: nine (9) qualifications are listed in verses 8 and 9.

III. Revelation: on Biblical guidelines for church organization
1. God alone does the choosing of His leaders, but true spiritual elders/bishops/pastors
have the privilege of affirming and ordaining those local church leaders whom God
has selected.
2. Generally, God's chosen elders were chosen from among the faithful believers
within the local congregation.
3. Elders/bishops/pastors were not allowed to operate as independent ministers,
unaccountable to anyone . . . rather, they were to be in voluntary submission
to the ones who appointed them for service (including both God and man).
(Can anyone doubt that Titus, Timothy, and others were under Paul's
supervision and authority?)
4. The calling and dismissing of ministers in a local church by a democratic vote of the
congregation may be "American," but it is neither Christian or Biblical.
(The majority is not necessarily right!)

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Recognize that God, alone, chooses pastors for the church, and that God alone, is
the One who disciplines and/or dismisses them.
2. Be alert to perceive those spiritually gifted persons within my congregation whom
God may be calling into vocational Christian service . . . be a part of "calling out the called."
3. Be in submission to the spiritual leaders which God has placed over me, Hebrews 13:17.
4. Decide every issue in my life and in my church by seeking to know and follow the will of God,
which He is anxious to reveal to those who truly seek Him, James 1:5.

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

"LIfe becomes harder for us when we live for others,
but it also becomes richer and happier."
Albert Schweitzer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Iron Sharpens Iron" Seminars

Join Dr. Curt Scarborough in three in-depth studies:

Date: Thursday, October 10, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "The Extra Blessings of Baptism"
Place: FreeWay Foundation
3426 Bridgeland Dr.
Bridgeton, MO 63044

Date: Thursday, November 7, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "The Extra Blessings of the Lord's Supper"
Place: FreeWay Foundation
3426 Bridgeland Dr.
Bridgeton, MO 63044

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "Meditations on Being Spirit-Filled"
Place: FreeWay Foundation
3426 Bridgeland Dr.
Bridgeton, MO 63044

Posted by: info <info@...>

e-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation October 4, 2002

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

In This Issue:
"The Extra Blessings of Baptism"
Bible Study: Titus 1:1-16
"Iron Sharpens Iron" Seminars

The Extra Blessings of Baptism
(Matthew 3:15-17)
I. Concentration: on the events recorded in these verses
1. Jesus told John the Baptist that He was determined to fulfill all righteousness . . . to accomplish His
divine vision of destiny . . . to complete His mission on earth which was given to Him by the Father.
2. When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to Him . . . He was enabled to see
into the spiritual realm.
3. At that time, the Spirit of God descended upon Him . . . He was anointed with power by the Holy Spirit.
4. A voice spoke from heaven, expressing divine relationship and approval . . . He heard the voice of His
heavenly Father.
II. Meditation: on the spiritual significance of these events
1. Jesus came to fully perceive the Father's purpose and destiny for Him.
2. Jesus received spiritual discernment, allowing Him to see into the heavenly places (unseen realm) to
observe what the Father was doing.
3. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit receiving divine power for service . . . He officially
stepped into His Messianic role as Christ, "The Anointed One."
4. Jesus was given "ears to hear" the voice of God the Father, giving Him affirmation and direction.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual truths illustrated in Jesus' baptism by John
1. Jesus provided a method for believers to identify with Him.
2. Jesus foreshadowed His resurrection from the dead.
3. Jesus portrayed His giving eternal life to believers.
4. Jesus prophesied His return to resurrect the dead bodies of believers.
But Jesus' baptism also demonstrated . . .
the initial step of obedience and surrender which would allow Him to baptize believers with the Holy Spirit.
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but . . . He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and fire," Matthew 3:11; "Repent, and let
everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:38.
IV. Applications: when Jesus baptizes a believer with the Holy Spirit . . .
1. That believer receives a vision of his divine destiny.
2. That believer receives the ability to perceive spiritual truth and reality.
3. That believer receives divine power for effective service.
4. That person receives the ability to hear God's voice speaking affirmation and guidance.
See additional notes on this subject by Dr. Curt Scarborough under the title:
"Meditation on Being Spirit-Filled".

Titus, a True Son
(Titus 1:1-16)

I. Concentration: on Paul's instructions to Titus
1. "Set in order the things that are lacking," . . . v. 5 . . . organize and
train the believers for effective service.
2. "Appoint elders in every city," v. 5 . . . ordain an overseer (senior pastor,
bishop, elder) from every congregation.
3. Silence and rebuke those in the church who are not submissive, who are deceitful
gossips, who subvert believers by contradicting God's word and teaching false
doctrines, and who serve God just for the money, vv. 10-14.
4. Guard your thoughts (perceptions) so that you may discern the pure from the
defiled . . . receive the God-given ability to distinguish between mere "profession"
of Christ and true "possession" of Christ.

II. Meditation: on the qualifications for bishops (elders, pastors)
Titus, himself (by definition) was a bishop, because he appointed other elders.
1. Personal life: nine (9) qualifications are listed in verses 6 and 7.
2. Spiritual life: nine (9) qualifications are listed in verses 8 and 9.

III. Revelation: on Biblical guidelines for church organization
1. God alone does the choosing of His leaders, but true spiritual elders/bishops/pastors
have the privilege of affirming and ordaining those local church leaders whom God
has selected.
2. Generally, God's chosen elders were chosen from among the faithful believers
within the local congregation.
3. Elders/bishops/pastors were not allowed to operate as independent ministers,
unaccountable to anyone . . . rather, they were to be in voluntary submission
to the ones who appointed them for service (including both God and man).
(Can anyone doubt that Titus, Timothy, and others were under Paul's
supervision and authority?)
4. The calling and dismissing of ministers in a local church by a democratic vote of the
congregation may be "American," but it is neither Christian or Biblical.
(The majority is not necessarily right!)

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Recognize that God, alone, chooses pastors for the church, and that God alone, is
the One who disciplines and/or dismisses them.
2. Be alert to perceive those spiritually gifted persons within my congregation whom
God may be calling into vocational Christian service . . . be a part of "calling out the called."
3. Be in submission to the spiritual leaders which God has placed over me, Hebrews 13:17.
4. Decide every issue in my life and in my church by seeking to know and follow the will of God,
which He is anxious to reveal to those who truly seek Him, James 1:5.

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

"LIfe becomes harder for us when we live for others,
but it also becomes richer and happier."
Albert Schweitzer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Iron Sharpens Iron" Seminars

Join Dr. Curt Scarborough in three in-depth studies:

Date: Thursday, October 10, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "The Extra Blessings of Baptism"
Place: FreeWay Foundation
3426 Bridgeland Dr.
Bridgeton, MO 63044

Date: Thursday, November 7, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "The Extra Blessings of the Lord's Supper"
Place: FreeWay Foundation
3426 Bridgeland Dr.
Bridgeton, MO 63044

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "Meditations on Being Spirit-Filled"
Place: FreeWay Foundation
3426 Bridgeland Dr.
Bridgeton, MO 63044