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NASB | Hebrews 6:4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 6:4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, |
Subject: Works in the Christian experience? |
Bible Note: My wife and I attend one of the largest churches in Ohio. It is nondenominational and has about eight thousand in attendance on any given Sunday. I enjoy the Sunday school service more then the main church service, that's because I can't carry a tune in a bucket and when I stand to long my back gets out of wack. It is interesting to note that Eph. 4:11-16 KJV, And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the EDIFYING of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the EDIFYING of itself in love. The word edifying in the Greek is the word OIKODOME. The etymology of the word shows that is came down to us as construction term, meaning to build up or construct layer upon layer. This is why we need pastor teachers, to build us up and teach us to do the work of the ministry, doctrine upon doctrine precept upon precept. The church is for believers to learn, it wasn't designed for unbelievers. It is our job to teach people about Christ, then, bring them into the building to learn how to be a witness for Jesus. A lot of local churches today have it all turned around, and they have become nothing more then a glorified dog and pony show to get unbelievers to come in. Wasn't it Paul that told Timothy in II Tim. 4:2 to bring in the football stars and have them give thier testimony. I don't think so! I know it says let the redeemed of the Lord say so, but there is a time and a place! So many churches will do about anything to fill the seats. If they would just give a good exegetical study of God's Word, as they are commanded, God would bring in the saints and fill the seats and they would grow! Believers are hungry for God's word and they don't seem to be getting fed any meat. Can you imagine what a person would look like if all they had to dine on was milk every day? Yet in some churches that is all that is cranked out, every Sunday. I think I am getting on my soapbox so I better quit for now. Yours in Christ, CDBJ |