My Thoughts on Forgiveness

In today's society, forgiveness isn't commonly used. People will hold grudges over the simplest of things. In Philemon, Paul asks for one thing, forgiveness of Onesimus's wrong doings. Onesimus had done something unforgivable by the Roman Law, or any law for that matter, he stole goods and money from Philemon, his master.

 Onesimus fled, trying to hide himself among the crowds. Unbeknownst to us, Paul and Onesimus meet and become quite close, close like family. So when Paul writes this letter not only is it from the heart of a fellow believer but also a person begging forgiveness for someone he loves.

 Forgiveness is a powerful thing, although most people don't believe so. When God sent Jesus, he showed us the ultimate story of forgiveness. When Jesus died, our sins were forgiven and we were made clean and our sins erased.

 When C.S. Lewis said," Everyone says that forgiveness is a wonderful idea, until he has something to forgive." Next time it is on your heart to forgive, and you feel like you've got the right to hold that grudge. Remember, God didn't have to send Jesus so we would be saved, he chose to.

 God choosing to send His son is only part of a bigger picture. He chose to forgive us so that we can use that as an example to forgive others. He gave the ultimate sacrifice in order to save us all but He also uses the things He does and the examples of others in the  Bible to teach us to be more like Him. We can only hope that the slave owner, Philemon chose to forgive as God does His children.

The Responsibilties of the Church Concerning Church Growth

 Although the church's growth is ultimately God's responsibility; as believers, we also have to do our part.
If you look in Acts 2:37-47, you will find that Peter is telling the people (early believers) how to be a biblical church. He gives 13 characteristics all churches should follow:

• Repentance
• Baptism
• The Gift of the Holy Spirit
• Devotion to Doctrine
•  Devotion to Fellowship
•  Devotion to Breaking Bread
•  Devotion to Prayer
• Wonders & Miraculous Signs
• Generosity
• Gathering Publicly to Worship
• Glad Meal Times
• Favor with People
• Growth 

"Repent..."
To repent, means to understand your sin and be willing to change you mind-set and life-style in order to receive forgiveness from the Almighty.
"Be Baptized...in the Jesus Christ"
Being baptized in water is way of showing people around you the spiritual change inside you.
"You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"
To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, one must give ultimate control to God and have faith He will guide you.
"They devoted themselves... to the Apostles' Teachings"
Doctrine (the Apostles' Teachings) has been most helpful to those who need assistance in living a christian life-style despite what others think.
"They devoted themselves... to Fellowship"
To fellowship, means to get to know other believers and welcome newcomers to the church.
"They devoted themselves... to Breaking Bread"
The Breaking of Bread or Communion, is a sacramental sign of Christ being in the believers midst.
"They devoted themselves... to Prayer"
Prayer is crucial in the life of a believer, whether its praying personally, by oneself or praying all together as one.
"Everyone was filled with awe at the many Wonders & Miraculous Signs performed by the Apostles "
God proved, to the early church, the truth behind their doctrine & teaching, through miraculous things, like healings or exorcisms.
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need"
Believers should be willing to sacrifice for the good of the church or feel the need to help the less-fortunate.
"Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts"
Gathering publicly helped to show the non-believer the devotion of God's children, in a way they where witnessing to the non-believer.
"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad & sincere hearts"
The early believers were happy to share their food and homes with fellow believers as an act of fellowship.
"Praising God and enjoying favor with all people"
Enjoying favor with people was and is God's gift to some churches, although some still face persecution.
"And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved"
Only God can make the church grow but it is up to us to witness.

 I believe that all these things are required for God to grow a biblical church. Yet, not all churches are willing to do this or they are or unaware of these characteristics. Not all churches are devoted to the doctrine, fellowship, or communion. Today's churches have come to do this because they feel it is a requirement not out of wanting to obedient to the teachings or God's will. Devotion to prayer, seems to also be affected in much the same way. Generosity isn't commonly known, due to the fact no one wants to do it from the kindness of their hearts, but instead to see what they will receive in return. All this may stunt the growth of he church.
 But growth can continue on, if we as believers confide in God and try to follow these thirteen characteristics of the biblical church. God hasn't changed and he's waiting for us to accept Him and follow his prompting. Even if we try as a group that is better than not trying at all. The work is plenty but the workers are few is a verse that comes to mind in this instance because many in the church want change but most are unwilling to see it through.

A Brief Explanation of the Synoptic Gospels and My Thoughts

Matthew, Mark, And Luke all have a way of complementing each other, yet they are all quite different.

 Matthew directs his writing more to the Jewish audience. He is found trying to compare Old Testament Messianic prophesy to our Messiah, Jesus Christ. Do to a Jewish outlook he gives only the royal genealogy of Jesus. Matthew connects King David with Christ in order to show his Messianic Kingship.You'll find he also only writes of Christ's teaching.

 With a Gentile point of view, Mark focuses upon Jesus's actions, such as miracles, Christ's suffering, and his ultimate sacrifice. Through Mark's words we see how Jesus' actions, came to have a meaning and teach us something. So in Mark,we are shown to show Christs' love through our actions.

 Luke did his best to take what Christ taught and the things that he did and turn them around to show the world all that there was to know about the Messiah. Luke gives us a universal point of view, one that isn't directed to one group of people but to all. As we go along we come to the genealogy of Jesus once more, but instead of the Royal Lineage (like Matthew), we find the physical genealogy of Joseph (Christ's suspected  father). And if you look closely, you'll find that instead of Josephs father, Jacob being listed it is actually Mary's father Heli, this being listed due to Jewish Tradition.

 With Matthew's writings about Jesus's teaching and Mark's writings about Christ's actions, we find Luke intertwined the two. Matthew, Mark, and Luke  each differ in the way they begin their writings. You'll find that Matthew and Luke begin their gospels with Christ's Birth, while Mark begins his with Christ's Baptism.

 After reading each Gospel and learning a bit more about each one, I've found Luke to be more thorough in showing the life of Christ. He gives you both teaching & actions and I enjoy that about Luke. Because he doesn't really direct his Gospel towards anyone specifically, I feel most at home with Luke. I like that he just tries to tell the story and tell the world about Christ.This is something that all of us should strive to do as well, so his writing in my opinion is an excellent example for us all.

 Matthew, Mark, and Luke gives us a glimpse into our Savior's life. Seeing His life played out in front of us, gives us a more intimate look into the role He would eventually play in each of our lives. We learn more about Him so we feel closer to Him. I'm grateful that these men took it upon themselves to show us this view of Him.