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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | While the Preacher Preaches | Luke 1:77 | EdB | 242585 | ||
In my last post I thanked Doc for directing me to this article, which was excellent by the way. I now have had time to read other sections of this work, also excellent. As I did it came to mind this was written to be step by step teaching on Christian conduct, practices. This is disciple making at its best. Written in 1600's it uses words and sentence structure of that time, so it may be hard to read. Oh how I wish someone of this era would write something similar and it was taught/used for disciple making. The wisdom displayed in the work if heeded by fellow Christian would, l dare to say increase their Christian life/experience immeasurably. Please take the time to read the cited reference, I'm sure you will find it so good you will read more. |
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2 | While the Preacher Preaches | Luke 1:77 | DocTrinsograce | 242594 | ||
Dear Ed, Perhaps we can discuss some of the points that you found of value. I appreciate your taking the time to read Bayly. Even more so, I am pleased that you found it useful. I am also encouraged by your enthusiasm. There is a paragraph that summarizes the book. Clearly something written at a much later date. However, it says that Bayly's book had great and positive impact on the Puritans. Thus, those brothers of so many centuries ago, saw the value in it as well. One thing that I realized as I read, was how piety, as he discusses it, is fostered by self-discipline. As I read a number of his suggestions, hoping to adopt them as habits of my own, the challenge is daunting. But given He who spared not His only Son, how can I do anything other than pursue Him in ways that will please Him. Let us pray for one another as we, in our several ways, attempt to put feet to Bayly's teaching. In Him, Doc |
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3 | While the Preacher Preaches | Luke 1:77 | EdB | 242615 | ||
Doc What I really picked up on was the way he said what he said. He did not mince words, was not trying to be politically correct, it was finite and most of all true. So different than much of the writing of today. Piety is often mentally connected with hypocrisy, because so many preach about it but few live it. However I'm beginning to see a call for change. For far too long young pastors have been taught to herd sheep instead of feeding sheep. I was also very excited of his view on communion. My fear is way too many take communion with no real thought of meaning. To many it has become a meaningless ritual that must be tolerated within the church they attend. His emphasis on the meaning, importance and most of all our responsibilities in communion was right on. That is just a ver few points of what I got excited about in his writing. |
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4 | While the Preacher Preaches | Luke 1:77 | DocTrinsograce | 242616 | ||
Dear Ed, Thank you for your comments. Here are a few of my own: Piety tends to have a negative connotation in my mind from the historic context. Pietism arose among German Lutherans in the late 17th century and on into the 18th century. I suppose that it might have even had its roots amongst Roman Catholics. The Lutherans were making an effort to return Protestantism to a kind of practical piety rather than doctrine. Hence the concern: When piety is not rooted in doctrine, it becomes experientialism. On the other hand, if our doctrine fails to lead to a doxological life, then we have something that has only affected our heads and not our hearts. That, too, ends up leaving us in quagmire. I think that when our consideration of living a pious life begins in earnest, it is good to think about our approach to the sacraments -- for it is in the broader context of our lives in the church from which our piety arises. The idea of strict memorialism can, I think, leave us with the idea that communion is unimportant. At the church that I am now attending, communion is practiced on a monthly basis. The week before communion Sunday, the pastor calls us all to prepare ourselves in the coming week for communion. I thought a lot about how one ought to prepare. How is this done? What does it look like? Here is what I concluded: 1. Approach communion with holy fear, when we partake we are actually approaching God. 2. Recognize that in communion we are in God's holy presence. 3. Search the heart to be certain that we are not treasuring iniquity in our hearts. Deal with it! 4. Turn to God with genuine humility and affection. 5. Remember and be fully persuaded that God appointed this sacrament. 6. Share in the bread and wine according to God's will, with all that that entails. 7. Always heed the deceit that no preparation is needed. This is certainly not an exhaustive list. However, I think that it addresses the most essential aspects of preparation for communion. Of course, we can only be prepared through God's grace by way of the power of the Holy Spirit. So after communion, I take some time to examine how worthily I performed it. If I find that I did well, I offer thanksgiving to the Lord for His enablement. If I find that I did poorly, I confess, and ask for His forgiveness, and for the grace needed to do better next time. Bayly deals with this so well. God is gracious to have given us his instruction, and drawing our attention to it now. Thank you for your thoughts, Ed. Sorry if I have been too long-winded. In Him, Doc |
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