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NASB | Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders from Tekoa, which he envisioned in visions concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the sheepherders of Tekoa, which he saw [in a divine revelation] concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. [Zech 14:5] |
Bible Question:
Excerpts from a book review, Part 2 From: Bobby Valentine Date: Tue Aug 31, 2004 7:56 am Subject: Unveiling Glory: A Review Chapters 6 and 7 focus on the meaning of the atonment and resurrection. I thought again the authors did an admirable job with complex issues. They did not oversimplify but did try to communicate that Jesus death and resurrection are not just historical facts but have meaning for Christian living right now. Their call to "imitate" Jesus in his resurrection is a needed call to live the new life we begin in baptism with Christ. What the authors challenge us to avoid is reductionism. They correctly point out that we have often debated the essentiality of baptism but rarely the meaning of baptism. If what these authors write in chapter 3 is a "dismissing" of baptism I wish for more dismissing!! Hardly dismissing baptism these authors challenge us to look at our daily discipleship through the lens of baptism. We live baptismal lives. There actual words (though they say much more) are: "Baptism is not just a command to be obeyed, an essentail requirement to be checked off the list. Baptism is important because, in its essence, it connects the disciple to Jesus Christ. That is its basic meaning and key to its significance. Discussing baptism's essentiality reveals little, but looking into its essence can open our eyes to see the power of Jesus to cleanse and renew broken lives . . . " (pp. 58-59). The authors tell us three things begin as we "enter the waters with Jesus." First, we are reborn by water and Spirit by experiencing the washing of rebirth and renewal (p. 62). This certainly does not sound like a dismissing the essentiality of baptism . . . the authors just move us BEYOND that debate to say how does this moment continue to impact my life. Second, "in the water" we join Jesus . . . we become connected to him (p. 63). Third, "taken under the water, we . . . meet him in his death and resurrection" (p. 63). Following this the authors challenge a number of false dichotomies that are often constructed. They make some very good and insightful comments that salvation (and thus baptism) is both a divine and human moment. For example: "Baptism initiates us into the new humanity by connecting us with the Second Adam. It is not primarily an act of obedience that qualifies us for salvation. It is not like a lever we throw to receive the membership card that will gain us entry at the pearly gates. Nor is it a mere external human work, to be downplayed due to an emphasis on God's grace . . . the picture we get in the baptistry should match the one we get at the Jordon, where the fragmants of our humanity are being put back together under God, not broken further apart." (pp. 67-68). After a number of observations on real discipleship and truly dismissing the notion of "cheap grace" the authors spend considerable time on the implications of baptism for daily living. This is a needed thing in many churches. Here is one example: "Discipleship is not one-sided. It does not begin with us. Discipleship begins with the Lord. It is a response to the commitment God has already made to us, founded on a relationship and a covenant established in a muddy river in a tiny country where one who is both God and man humbled himself in the waters of baptism." (p. 77). We do the same. This book, while not flawless, should be welcomed by all who want to think through the implications of Jesus of Nazareth for living for God. I invite you to read this book for yourself. I pray you do. Shalom, Bobby Valentine Milwaukee, WI Ut omnes unum sint (John 17.21, Vulgate) End of review. I'd be interested in your opinions if you've read the book. God bless. Rowdy |
Bible Answer: (John 19:30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. This is call "The Finished Work of Christ!" One Complete Sacrifice for All Time. There nothing that can be added, as Christ paid the price requirement of God, i.e. (1Corinthians 5:7) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: YES! Christ is our Passover. That one Sin sacrifice for all time. Actuall in the Greek, "it is finished" is a Legal Term. All the legal requirements of God, were filfulled when Christ Died, and rose again from the Dead! "According to the Scriptures!" That is how our belief is required, as Christ said in John 7:38. That is why the Word says, (Ephesians 1:12-14) That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Eph 1:13) In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, (Eph 1:14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory. Salvation is the Holy Spirit, that seals a Believer, and keeps him till the Body is redeemed by the return of Christ. Water Baptism cannot add anything to the Finished Work of Christ. Without the Holy Spirit, one cannot be called a real believer, not matter what they 'think!' The Word is the final authority, over all doctrine. No church can dictate what we are to believe. No doctrine written by man can tell us what we are to believe. The Final Word says, (Luke 4:4) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God. Thank you! |