The Sentence of Death

Dying to Self

Written by Dr. Justin Imel

Death. That’s the sentence Youcef Nadarkhani has received from an Iranian court for refusing to recant his faith in Christ.

According to news reports, the court asked Nadarkhani to repent. He replied, “Repent means to turn. What should I return to? To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?”

“To the religion of your ancestors, Islam,” declared the judge.

Nadarkhani simply said, “I cannot.”

Nadarkhani clearly stands as an example for all who profess faith in Christ. In former days, many gave their lives for Christ – Stephen, James, Peter, Paul, Justin Martyr, and the list could be made much longer.

Yet, Jesus intends every disciple to lay down his life. Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23, ESV). We view the cross as a symbol of our redemption, but Jesus’ original hearers would have understood the cross as an instrument of death. Jesus says that his disciples must daily die for him – die to their own will and live for him. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24, ESV).

Have you died to self today? Have you taken off the old self to be clothed with Christ? Why not die to self today that you might live for Jesus? After all, he has already died for you. “He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor 5:15, ESV).

Lives of Holiness

Holy Living

1 Peter 1:1-25

When one thinks of Peter, generally the first thoughts are of a disciple who was impulsive, impetuous, and maybe at times impossible. He is the one who was willing to fight and die with his Lord one minute and yet willing to deny him the next. You might wonder how could this impossible, impulsive, impetuous disciple ever write to encourage anyone? It is the result of a changed heart and spiritual growth. He is the disciple to whom Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom (Mat. 16:28). Peter understood what it meant to stand up with great courage for the cause of Christ, Acts 2:14-47; Acts 5:40-42.

Peter therefore could write to those who were either suffering persecution or about to suffer persecution with all the confidence one needs to reassure. He could write brethren who were about to experience persecution, trials and tribulations and exhort them toward “holy living” because he had already experienced what they were going to experience.

“First Clement 5:4-7 names Peter and Paul as victims of persecution” (Gaebelein p. 212). The persecution is most likely that given out by Nero. On July 19, 64 AD the city of Rome suffered a disastrous fire that destroyed nearly a fourth of the city. It was rumored that the fires were started by Nero (it is said that he was charmed by the flames). He supposedly needed space for buildings he wanted built. He sought a scapegoat for the fires and chose the Christians. They were already under suspicion according to Tactius in ancient history. (Tac. Ann. XV44).

They were considered by the Romans to be a sect of the Jews and there was no love lost by the Romans for the Jews. Nero increased the persecution in order to throw suspicion off him. Christians were persecuted in horrible ways. Therefore, imagine the words that Peter is writing are to encourage Christians to remain holy in an unholy world and he attempts to encourage them in this process.

1. Blessings Afforded Those Living a Holy Life: (1:3-12)
   1. New Birth: Jn. 3:5 (born again) Our new birth, gives hope and joy not only in this life, but in the life hear after, or eternal life. No matter what may happen to the body, they cannot kill the soul.
   2. Living hope through the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
      1. Life without hope: Eph. 2:11-12 “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.”
      2. Christ is the source of all hope and blessings (Eph. 1:3)
   3. A precious inheritance:
      1. Incorruptible
      2. Undefiled-implies purity not corrupted
      3. Will not fade away
      4. Reserved in Heaven
   4. Faith Value (1:5-8)
      1. Kept by power of God 1:5
      2. More precious than gold 1:7
      3. Will be found unto the praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ 1:7
      4. Joy unspeakable 1:8
   5. Salvation of soul: (1:9-12)
2. Living the Holy Life (1:13-15)
   1. Be Sober
   2. Hope
   3. Living Obedient lives
   4. Holy in Conduct and Character
3. The Purpose of Living the Holy Life: (1:16-25)
   1. Living Holy (1:13-16)
   2. Living Reverently (1:17-21)
   3. Living a life of Love (1:22-25)

The Letter to the Romans

Introduction to the Book of Romans

Written by George Goldman

The Roman letter is more formal and less personal than any other letter of Paul; nevertheless it is still a letter. It is not a thesis or a treatise (Rom. 16:22).

Paul wrote the letter because he was “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13; 15:16). Rome was the capital of the Gentile world. Paul, the Roman citizen, was free to travel throughout the Empire. He established Gentile churches in strategic centers. He worked in major cities. He worked in major cities. However, the church in Rome already existed, but it is not known who founded the church in Rome.

The heart of the Roman letter is justification by faith (Rom. 3:21 – 8:39). In the Greek New Testament the word justification means “to set right.” It is a reversal of God’s attitude toward the sinner. The sinner is declared righteous. This declaration and change of attitude are made possible because of what Jesus Christ has done and not because of what the sinner has done. The sinner has to obey the Lord, (Rom. 1:5, 16:26), but this obedience gives no room for boasting. The foundation of justification is built on Christ’s merit and not man’s merit.

The problem addressed in the roman letter is why the prepared people, the Jews, rejected the Savior (Rom. 9 – 11). Paul offers himself as “exhibit A.” God did not reject the Jews but vice versa. Yet any Jew now desiring salvation in Christ would be accepted. The term “fitted for destruction” (Rom. 9:22) can be taken as middle voice in Greek. The middle voice represents the subject as acting in some way that concerns itself. Thus the translation would be, “God . . . has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath which have fitted themselves for destruction” (Rom. 9:22). The expression “all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26) is best interpreted in light of other scripture referring to spiritual Israel (Rom. 2:28f; Gal. 6:16).

Parenting Resources

Resources for Parents

Without any doubt, parenting is no easy task in this sinful world. Today, we offer resources to assist Christian parents as they train their children to walk in paths of righteousness.

Dobson, James. Bringing Up Boys: Practicel Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Men. Tyndale, 2001.

___________. Dare to Discipline. Tyndale, 1996.

Gottman, John. The Heart of Parenting: Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child. Simon & Schuster, 1997.

Murokoff, Heidi, Arlene Eisenberg, and Sandee Hathaway. What To Expect When You’re Expecting. New York: Workman, 2002.

Sears, Bill. The Baby Book. Little Brown, 2003.

Wilson, Douglas and Nancy Wilson. Standing on the Promises: A Handbook on Biblical Childrearing. Moscow, ID: CanonPress, 1997.

Resources for Married Couples

Resources for the Married Couple

Yesterday, we offered selected resources to help the engaged couple aptly prepare for marriage. Yet, no matter how well couples lay the groundwork for their union, they will find new challenges confronting them after the honeymoon. Satan, after all, loves to destroy families, for God hates divorce (Mal 2:16). Today, therefore, we offer these resources to strengthen Chrisitan marriages.

Gottman, John. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. NY: Three Rivers Press, 1999. ISBN: 0609805797

________ Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage. Crown 2006.

________ Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And How You Can Make Yours Last. NY: Fireside, 1994.

Pearl, Michael and Debbie. Created to be His Helpmeet. Available from nogreaterjoy.org).

Smalley, Gary. Making Love Last Forever. W Publishing Group, 1996. ISBN: 0849940869.

Stanley, Scott M. The Power of Commitment: A Guide to Active, Lifelong Love. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2005. ISBN: 0-7879-7928-7.

Wilson, Douglas. Reforming Marriage. Moscow, ID: Canon, 1995. ISBN: 1885767455.

Helping Engaged Couples

Resources for Engaged Couples

Below is a list of resources available in the Heritage Marriage and Family Resource Center to strengthen engaged couples. The Heritage Marriage and Family Resource Center is an area in the Overton Memorial Library that houses materials to promote healthy marriage and family relationships.

Parrott, Les and Leslie Parrott. Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.

Rainey, Dennis. Preparing for Marriage. Ventura, CA: Gospel Light, 1997.

Rainey, Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Starting Your Marriage Right: What You Need to Know in the Early Years to Make It Last a Lifetime. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000.

Stahmann, Robert F. and William J. Hiebert. Premarital & Remarital Counseling: The Professional’s Handbook. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1997.

Taylor, Charles W. Premarital Guide (Creative Pastoral Care & Counseling Series). Fortress, 1999.

Wicker, Les. Preparing Couples for Marriage: A Guide for Pastors to Premarital Counseling. Lima, OH: CSS Publishing, 2003.

Wright, Norman. Before You Say I Do. Rev. ed. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1997.

The Book of Acts

An Introduction to Acts of Apostles

Written by George Goldman

The book of Acts of the Apostles is the main source of the history of the first generation of Christians. It is the only account we have of the rise of Christianity from a Christian standpoint. The title of the book suggests that it is a record of deeds or events of the apostles. However, besides the list of the twelve in Acts 1:13-26 the only Apostles mentioned are Peter, James, John, and Paul. The focus seems to be on Peter and Paul. The book covers little more than three decades from the ascension of the Lord to the end of Paul’s two-year imprisonment at Rome (33 A.D. – 63 A.D.) It would be good for you to know the reasons behind its production. First, there are over seventy references to the Holy Spirit in Acts. Most of these occur in the first eleven chapters. It is important for you to recognize that this emphasis on the Holy Spirit indicates divine activity behind the scenes.

Also the author of the book of Acts wishes to show that Christianity was politically harmless in order that the Roman authorities might extend to it the same toleration as they gave to Judaism. In every case the author brings out the impartiality of the Roman officials. The attitude of Gallio was typical (Acts 18:12-17). Another proconsul, Sergius Paulus, is seen to be the most favorable towards the gospel (Acts 13:7-12). The city secretary at Ephesus was conciliatory and the Asiarchs are as helpful to Paul (Acts 19:30-41). On the other hand it was always the Jews who were the instigators but the Roman authorities never take the charges seriously.

Thirdly the writer of Acts seems to emphasize that Paul is as much of an apostle as Peter. Two-fifths of the book deals with the acts of Peter, while three-fifths records the acts of Paul. In chapters 1 – 12 the narrative moves from Jerusalem to Antioch to Rome (Gentile Christianity) and in this section it is Paul who has the limelight. Several features re-occur in the story of Peter and Paul: both heal cripples (3:28 cf. 14:8-12); both have encounters with sorcerers and work miracles of injury (8:18 cf. 13:6); both raise the dead (9:36ff. cf. 20:9ff); both are miraculously released from prison (12:7 cf. 16:26); both become the objects of worship (10:25 cf. 14:11ff); both are beaten for the name of Jesus (5:40f cf. 16:22f).

You have read of three reasons why the book of Acts was written. Please remember that it is our only source of the history of the first century Christians that is written from a Christian standpoint. As you read it ask yourself, “Am I like the first century Christians?” “Do I believe as they did?” “Do I live and worship as they did?” It is my prayer that you become a first century Christian – nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.