2/16/14

From Steve Singleton... Who are the most significant Old Testament people?


Who are the most significant Old Testament people?

There are hundreds of named men and women in the Old Testament. Merely to list all of their names would fill many pages and be of little profit.

Here are the 100 most significant Old Testament people, based not on what I think or who I like, but on how many chapters are devoted to their lives. You will meet peasants and princes, queens and harlots, shepherds and soldiers.

I have identified each with a short description and a Bible reference. This doesn’t mean the reference cited is the only place this person is mentioned. Keep in mind that these are in alphabetical order, not in either chronological order or in the order in which they appear in the Hebrew Scriptures.

  1. Aaron Brother of Moses and Israel’s first high priest. 
  2. Abner The general of King Saul‘s army, treacherously killed by David‘s general, Joab
  3. Adebnego One of Daniel‘s three friends who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship the golden image ofNebuchadnezzar. “Abednego” is the Babylonian name assigned to him by his captors. His Hebrew name is Azariah. 
  4. Abimelech One of the “Judges” of Israel who for a short time ruled as a king. 
  5. Abraham The man whose life of faith and covenant with God established the nation of Israel, his descendants, as the people of God. 
  6. AbsalomThe son of King David whose bitterness at how his father treated him led him to usurp his father’s throne. David’s general Joabkilled Absalom to end the rebellion. 
  7. Adam The first human being, created out of the dust of the ground. His wife’s name was Eve
  8. Adonijah A son of David and half-brother of Solomon who tried to steal the throne during David’s declining years. 
  9. Ahab Powerful king of Israel (though in fact he only ruled over the northern 10 tribes). As a result of marrying Jezebel, Ahab introduced his kingdom to Baal worship. 
  10. Ahasuerus King of the Persian empire and husband to the Jewess Esther.
  11. Amos Farmer-shepherd whom God call to denounce the northern nation of Israel. 
  12. Athaliah Wicked daughter of Ahab and Jezebel who ruled over Israel until she was executed to make way for the boy-king Joash
  13. Baalam Non-Israelite prophet who prophesied blessing for Israel rather than the curses he was being paid to declare. Balaam is also known for beating his donkey, who then spoke to him by God’s power. 
  14. Bathsheba Wife of Uriah with whom David committed adultery before murdering her husband. Bathsheba’s second child, and the only to survive more than a few days, was Solomon
  15. BelshazzarThe last ruler of the Babylon before it was conquered by the Medes and Persians. Daniel prophesied his destruction–a prediction fulfilled that very night. 
  16. Bildad One of the three friends who visited Job and ended up discouraging him rather than comforting him. 
  17. Boaz A godly man in an ungodly age, Boaz married Ruth of Moab and was great grandfather of King David
  18. Caleb A tribal leader who, along with Joshua, counseled Israel to courageously conquer the land they and the 10 unbelieving leaders had spied out. 
  19. Cyrus As the first great leader of the Medo-Persian empire, Cyrus abruptly changed the policy of the Babylonians, allowing exiled peoples to return to their ancestral homelands. In doing this, Cyrus was unwittingly fulfilling Isaiah’s much earlier prophecy that he was actually carrying out God’s will. 
  20. Daniel One of the Israelites taken into Babylonian exile who, because of his faithfulness to God and to the king, rose to great power and influence in both the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires.
  21. David Second king of Israel and famous as “the man after God’s own heart,” as a singer of psalms, and the slayer of the giant, Goliath. David’s reign and that of his son Solomon, was the time of greatest power and prosperity for the nation in ancient times. 
  22. DariusThe first ruler of Babylon in the Medo-Persian empire, Darius the Mede appointed Daniel to be his advisor. Darius was manipulated into throwing Daniel to the lions, but was greatly relieved when God’s prophet emerged unharmed. 
  23. Deborah As the only woman who served as a “Judge” of Israel, Deborah led the Israelites to a minitary victory over Sisera of Damascus. 
  24. Delilah This Philistine woman deceived Samson into revealing the secret of his great strength so that she could deliver him to his enemies. 
  25. Eli The high priest who took in Samuel when his mother Hannah dedicated him to the Lord. God punished Eli for not restraining the wickedness of his sons. 
  26. Elihu A young man who became angry as he listened to the discourse between Job and his three friends. In contrast to the friends, Elihu believed that God imposed suffering on Job, not to punish him for sins but to prevent him from sinning. 
  27. Elijah One of the greatest of the prophets, Elijah stood for God virtually alone during the time King Ahab and his wife Jezebel were persecuting true believers and promoting the worship of Baal. 
  28. Eliphaz One of the three friends of Job, all of whom were convinced that God was punishing Job for his wickedness. 
  29. Elisha The successor of Elijah as God’s prophet. Elisha sought and apparently received a double dose of Elijah’s miraculous power. 
  30. Esau  The elder brother of Jacob, who sold the birthright of firstborn to his brother and later also lost his father’s blessing to his brother. Although at the time of this second incident Esau vowed to kill Jacob, he later on was reconciled to him declaring how much God had blessed him.
  31. EstherA beautiful Jewess whom the Persian king Ahasuerus married and made his queen. Esther later on saved the Jews from certain destruction by exposing the plots of Haman against her uncle, Mordecai
  32. EzekielProphet among the Hebrew exiles in Babylonia who saw visions of why God would destroy Jerusalem and how He would restore it. 
  33. Ezra A righteous priest and one of the exiles who returned under the sponsorship of the Persian government. Ezra helped Nehemiah to turn the hearts of the people back to the Lord. 
  34. Eve The first woman, created from the side of the first man, Adam
  35. Gideon One of the “Judges” of Israel, convinced to lead the army against the Midianites by two miracles involving a fleece and dew. At God’s prompting, Gideon reduced his large army down to 300 men, and still won the victory. 
  36. Gomer Wife of the prophet Hosea, whom he married despite her prostitution. Gomer’s unfaithfulness to Hosea was symbolic of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. 
  37. Habakkuk A prophet who struggled to understand how God could punish the wicked of his nation by the Babylonians, who were even more wicked. God’s reply, to which Habakkuk complied, was simply to trust him. 
  38. Hagar The slave of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. When Sarah remained childless after many years of trying to conceive, she gave Hagar to her husband–a practice common to the culture of that time. Hagar conceived and bore Abraham his first son, Ishmael
  39. Haggai Worked closely with his fellow-prophet Zechariah to inspire the people returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile to finish rebuilding the temple of the Lord. 
  40. HamanAn advisor to King Ahasuerus whose arrogance and pride led him to plot against Mordecai, the righteous uncle of Esther. When Esther uncovered Haman’s plot, the king ordered that he be hung on the gallows he had built to hang Modecai.
  41. Hannah Mother of Samuel who dedicated him to the Lord as soon as he was weaned. 
  42. Hezekiah Righteous king of Judah who sought and received God’s deliverance from the Assyrian army, reformed the worship of God, and brought about a second golden age similar to that of David and Solomon. Hezekiah benefitted greatly from having the prophet Isaiah for an advisor. 
  43. Hiram King of Tyre who entered into a treaty and a close personal friendship with King Solomon. Hiram supplied the cedars for the building of the temple and Solomon’s palace. 
  44. Hosea Prophet of God who obeyed God’s command to marry the prostitute Gomer, as a living parable of God’s relationship to wayward Israel. 
  45. Isaac Second son of Abraham but regarded as the firstborn, since he alone was son of Abraham’s wife Sarah. Isaac also entered into covenant with the Lord and prospered under His blessing. 
  46. Isaiah Prophet of God who advised King Hezekiah and, along with Micah, inspired the nation of Judah to return to the Lord. 
  47. Ishmael First son of Abraham, by Hagar, the slave-woman of Abraham’s wife Sarah
  48. Jacob Also known as “Israel” (Prince of God), Jacob was son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, husband of Leah and Rachel, and father of twelve sons, who became tribal leaders of what would be known as “The Sons of Israel.” Jacob also had a daughter named Dinah. 
  49. Jehu The successor of Ahab as king of the northern nation of Israel. Appointed by the prophet Elijah, Jehu had Ahab’s wife, Jezebel killed, as well as all of Ahab’s sons. 
  50. Jephtha A judge of Israel who delivered the nation from the oppression of the Ammonites (Judges 10 – 11). Jephthah foolishly vowed that if the Lord gave him the victory, he would sacrifice whatever came out to greet him upon his return home. Little did he know that it would be his only daughter (Judges 11:30-40).
  51. Jeremiah Called by God when very young and serving as a prophet for many years, denouncing Judah for its sin and predicting its fall to the Babylonians and a 70-year exile. Jeremiah lived to see his prediction fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem in 586 B.C. 
  52. Jeshua High priest for the Israelites allowed by Cyrus to return to Jerusalem. Along with Zerubbabel, Jeshua led the people to complete the reconstruction of the Lord’s temple, in response to the prophetic ministry of Zechariah
  53. Jezebel Princess of Sidon who married Ahab and led the northern nation of Israel into the practice of Baal worship. Jezebel tried to kill off all of the faithful prophets of the Lord, including Elijah. Among her other sins, Jezebel ordered the murder of Naboth in order to sieze his vineyard. She was killed at the order of Jehu
  54. Joab The nephew of David who served as the general of David’s army once David became king. Joab was a treacherous and violent man who nevertheless was fiercely loyal to David. 
  55. Joash A righteous king of Judah contemporary with Jehu, king of Israel. Joash became king when he was only six years old, having survived the wrath of Queen Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel. Among his other righteous deeds, Joash repaired the temple of the Lord. He was assassinated at age 22. 
  56. Job (pronounced “jobe”). A righteous man whose severe trials and enduring faith are the subject of the book that bears his name. The book is a series of dialogues between Job and his friends regarding the cause of his suffering. 
  57. Joel A prophet the Lord sent to the northern nation of Israel, calling them to repentance on the occasion of a locust plague that happened during a drought. Joel describes the spiritual renewal that awaits those who heed his call. 
  58. Jonah A prophet the Lord sent to warn Nineveh that the city was about to suffer destruction. Jonah tried to run from God but eventually delivered the message, prompting the city to respond in fear and repentance. Jonah was angry that the Lord spared the penitent Ninevites and received a rebuke from the Lord in the form of an object lesson. 
  59. Jonathan As son of Saul, Jonathan was prince of Israel and should have been next in line for the throne. But the Lord had chosen David as Saul’s successor, and Jonathan, who was David’s best friend, was willing for David to assume the throne in his place. Jonathan lost his life in a battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. 
  60. Joseph As the favorite son of his father Jacob, Joseph provoked the jealousy of his 10 older brothers, who sold him into slavery. God blessed Joseph, however, so that he eventually rose to become the ruler of Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh. From this position of authority, Joseph was able to save his entire family from a famine after he had demonstrated to his brothers that he had forgiven them.
  61. Joshua The assistant of  Moses who after the Lawgiver’s death, became his successor and led the Israelites in their conquest of the land of Canaan. The book of Joshua relates the history of his life. 
  62. Josiah A righteous king of Judah who led important religious reforms. Unfortunately, Josiah lost his life in a battle near Megiddo against Pharaoh Neco. 
  63. Judah One of the sons of  Jacob  whose descendants became one of the most populous tribes of Israel. Judah’s was the tribe of both  David and Jesus. 
  64. Laban Brother of Rebekah  and father of Leah  and Rachel, Laban 
  65. Leah Wife of  Jacob, sister of  Rachel, and daughter of  Laban, Rachel was the mother of Joseph  and  Benjamin, during whose childbirth she died. Rachel was her husband’s favorite wife. 
  66. Lot Nephew of  Abraham  whom Abraham had to rescue from being a prisoner of war. After barely escaping from the destruction of Sodom, Lot fathered a son by each of his two daughters after they got him drunk on two successive nights. The descendants of the two boys became the nations known as the Moabites and the Ammonites.
  67. Malachi  Prophesied during the period after the return from Babylonian exile. Malachi predicted the coming of both John the Baptizer and Jesus. 
  68. Manasseh Succeeded his father, righteous  Hezekiah, to the throne of Judah, Manasseh was one of the most wicked, responsible, according to tradition, for stuffing the prophet  Isaiah into a hollow log and then sawing the log in half. After being punished by the Lord by going into exile, Manasseh turned back to the Lord at the end of his life. 
  69. Meshach One of the three friends of Daniel  who refused to bow to the image of  Nebuchadnezzar  and were thrown into a fiery furnace. The Lord rescued the three from martyrdom as a testimony to Nebuchadnezzar of His greatness. “Meshach” is the name the Babylonians assigned to him; his Hebrew name was Mishael. 
  70. Micah A prophet of the Lord who prophesied to the nation of Judah. Micah was an older contemporary of the prophet Isaiah.
  71. Michal Daughter of  Saul given in marriage to  David. When David fled from the wrath of Saul, Michal’s father gave her in marriage to another, who was forced to return her to David when David became king. Later on in their marriage, Michal came to despise her husband. She died childless. 
  72. Miriam Sister of  Moses  and  Aaron  and a prophetess. Miriam led the women in their song of rejoicing after the Lord drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exod. 15:20-21). Miriam was temporarily struck with leprosy as punishment for joining with Aaron in questioning Moses’ unique authority (Num. 12:1-15). 
  73. Mordecai Uncle of  Esther  who raised her as his own daughter. Mordecai enjoyed a position of favor in the court of Ahasuerus  after exposing a plot against the Persian ruler. Esther rescued him from a plot against his life by wicked  Haman 
  74. Moses Used by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Among the men of the Old Testament Moses was unequaled as a prophet and the lawgiver for the Israelites. His life is recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. He is believed to be the author of Genesis, and Psalm 90 is also ascribed to him. 
  75. Naaman Syrian military leader who sought a healing of his leprosy from the prophet Elisha. The Lord healed his leprosy after he dipped seven times in the Jordan River, as Elisha directed him. 
  76. Naomi The mother-in-law of  Ruth, who brought the young widow with her when she returned to Bethlehem from Moab after the death of her husband and both of her sons. It was Naomi who advised Ruth to seek protection from  Boaz, resulting in Ruth’s eventual marriage to the rich kinsman. 
  77. Nahum A prophet of the Lord who predicted the fall of Nineveh. His predictions were fulfilled in 612 B.C. when the Babylonians conquered the Assyrian capital. 
  78. Nathan Faithful prophet of the Lord who served as David’s trusted spiritual advisor. Nathan had the honor of announcing to David that his dynasty would last forever (2 Sam. 7), a prophecy ultimately fulfilled in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. To Nathan also fell the unpleasant task of confronting David with his sin of adultery and murder and announcing that his infant child would die (2 Sam. 12). 
  79. Nebuchadnezzar King of the Neo-Babylonian empire, who deported nobles from Judah, including Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A few years later, in 586 B.C., the Babylonian army laid siege to Jerusalem, captured it, and destroyed it. Nebuchadnezzar recognized the potential of the young Hebrews and promoted them to leadership positions in his kingdom. 
  80. Nehemiah Cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and appointed by him to be governor of the exiles returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city. Against strong opposition, Nehemiah led his people to rebuild the walls of the city and helped Ezra  in turning the people’s hearts toward the Lord.
  81. Noah A man who found grace from the Lord in a desperately wicked generation and built the ark that rescued from the Great Flood his entire family and representatives of all of the land animals then living upon the earth. Upon leaving the ark, Noah entered into a covenant with the Lord and received from Him gracious promises, including the promise never again to destroy all life by a flood. 
  82. Obadiah A prophet the Lord used to denounced the Edomites for celebrating the fall of the Israelites and even cutting down their refugees. Obadiah’s predictions that Edom would be utterly destroyed were fulfilled. 
  83. Rachel The wife whom the patriarch  Jacob loved more than his other wife, her older sister  Leah, and who gave birth to Jacob’s two favorite sons,  Joseph  and  Benjamin. Benjamin became the head of one of the tribes of Israel, almost wiped out in a war against the other tribes. 
  84. Rahab A prostitute of the pagan city of Jericho at the time the Israelites were about to invade. Rahab hid the Israelite spies in exchange for their protection in the coming battle. After the spies kept their word and spared her at the fall of the city, she married an Israelite, becoming one of the ancestors of Jesus Christ. 
  85. Rebekah Wife of Isaac chosen by Abraham’s servant because of her willingness to serve him by drawing water for him from a well and watering his camels. Rebekah was the daughter of Nahor and the sister of Laban. When Isaac became blind in his old age, Rebekah conspired with her son Jacob to deceive him into giving Jacob the Father’s Blessing in place of his older twin, Esau, to whom it rightly belonged. When Rebekah heard Esau threaten his revenge, she sent Jacob off to her father’s people and died without ever seeing him again. 
  86. Reuben The firstborn son of Jacob who lost his position over his brothers because of his sin with his father’s concubine. When his brothers wanted to kill their younger brother Joseph, Reuben intervened and persuaded them not to kill him. Reuben’s descendants became one of the twelve tribes of Israel. 
  87. Ruth A woman from Moab who, after the death of her Israelite husband, firmly committed herself to attend her widowed mother-in-law,Naomi, the Israelite. After the two women returned to Bethlehem, Naomi’s home, Ruth married Boaz, Naomi’s kinsman. Their son Obed turned out to be the grandfather of king David
  88. Samson An Israelite dedicated to the Lord from before he was born, who nevertheless was vain, selfish, sensual, and violent. God used him despite his sinfulness to bring deliverance to Israel from their Philistine oppressors. Samson was deceived by a Philistine woman Delilah to reveal the secret of his great strength, his long hair, uncut as a sign of his dedication to God. When Delilah cut off Samson’s hair while he slept, Samson lost his great strength and fell victim to his enemies, who put out his eyes and bound him with chains. Samson got his revenge, however, for when his hair grew back, he pulled down a Philistine temple to which he was chained, killing not only Samson, but all of the Philistines who had assembled there to mock him. 
  89. Samuel Another Israelite dedicated to the Lord before he was born and raised as the servant of the high priest  Eli. Samuel grew up serving God and after Eli’s death, became the last judge of Israel and also one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. Under the Lord’s guidance, Samuel anointed both Saul  and his successor, David as the first two kings of Israel. 
  90. Sarah Wife of  Abraham  and mother of Isaac. Sarah was very beautiful even as an older woman. The Lord blessed her to conceive her child after she was beyond the age of bearing children, in fact, when she was 90 years old.] 
  91. Saul The first king of Israel and a powerful warrior who led Israel’s armies against the Philistines. Because Saul sinned against the Lord and apparently did not repent, the Lord took his kingdom away from him and gave it to David. Saul compounded his sin by trying to kill David again and again. Saul committed suicide on the battlefield after he realized the Philistines had won the battle and were about to capture him. Saul’s son, Jonathan was killed in the same battle. 
  92. Sennacherib King of Assyria who led an invasion that swept through Syria, Israel, and Judah at the end of the eighth century B.C. Sennacherib destroyed all of the fortified cities of Judah except Jerusalem. He surrounded Jerusalem and would have destroyed it as well, had not Hezekiah prayed and received from the Lord a mighty deliverance–in one night an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 soldiers of Sennacherib’s army. Sennacherib returned to Assyria in humiliation, where two of his own sons assassinated him. Sennacherib’s palace in Nineveh has been excavated, on the walls of which he depicts the taking of Lachish, an Israelite city near Jerusalem. He boasts, “I walled up Hezekiah in his city like a bird in a cage,” but makes not mention of taking Jerusalem or of the decimation of his army. 
  93. Shadrach One of the three friends of  Daniel taken into exile by the Babylonians before they destroyed the city of Jerusalem. His Hebrew name was Hananiah. With his two friends, Mishael and Azariah, better known as Meshach  and  Abednego, Shadrach refused to worship the golden image of  Nebuchadnezzar. Although the three of them were thrown into a furnace of blazing fire, God sent someone Nebuchadnezzar described as “someone like a son of man” to rescue them, and they escaped unharmed. 
  94. Solomon King of Israel, succeeding his father  David  to the throne. At the beginning his reign, the Lord offered to give him whatever he wanted. Although quite young, Solomon asked for wisdom rather than riches or long life. In response, the Lord gave him all three, blessing his reign until he became renowned as the wisest and richest king in history. Tragically, however, his many marriages to foreign women turned his heart away from the Lord. Despite being remembered for building a glorious temple to the Lord in his capital city of Jerusalem, Solomon actually became an idolater. 
  95. Uriah A Hittite warrior among the elite soldiers in the army of King  David, whom David treacherously ordered to be exposed to the enemy in battle and killed to hide the king’s adultery with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. The Bible has nothing but praise for this victim of a king’s lust and the subsequent, self-serving cover-up. 
  96. Uzziah King of Judah and father of King  Hezekiah. Uzziah was also known as Azariah (not the much later Azariah also called Abednego). He was a righteous king, but at the end of his reign became conceited and wrongly offered incense in the temple of the Lord. The Lord punished him with a leprosy that remained with him until his death. 
  97. Zechariah A prophet of the Lord who, along with Haggai, persuaded the returned exiles to complete the temple they had begun four years earlier and neglected to finish while they built their own houses. Zechariah greatly encouraged the governor, Zerubbabel, that the Lord could care for the nation’s se while he devoted himself to finishing the sanctuary of God. Zechariah also encouraged the high priest, Jeshua, that the Lord Himself purified him for his duties as the spiritual leader of God’s people. 
  98. Zephaniah A prophet of the Lord chosen from among the royal household to urge the people to return to following after the Lord. 
  99. Zerubbabel The Persian-appointed governor of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Supported by the prophetic ministries of  Zechariah  and  Haggai, along with the ministry of the high priest,  Jeshua, Zerubbabel was able to motivate the people to complete the rebuilding of the temple of  Solomon  in 516 B.C. 
  100. Zophar One of the friends of  Job, who, in the guise of trying to comfort him in the loss of all of his children, his possessions, and his health, instead sought to accuse him of deserving God’s punishment because of some hidden sin. Eventually the Lord vindicated Job and prompted him to pray for his three friends.

Want to go deeper?

The following are recommended to help you look deeper into the people of the Old Testament.
Recommended for purchase:

Herbert Lockyer.  All the Men & All the Women of the Bible  (2006)  provides short summary of each named person in the Old and New Testaments.

John Phillips. Exploring People of the Old Testament: Vol. 1 (2006) | Vol. 2 (2006) | Vol. 3 (2007)  by the writer of the John Phillips Commentary Series


Online resources:

Old Testament Character List includes link to more detailed studies for several of the 22 on the list.

Bible Class Study: Characters of the Old Testament 13 lessons on some of most important men of Old Testament in study-it-yourself, question-and-apply format.

Many thanks to brother Steve Singleton, for allowing me to post from his website, deeperstudy.com

From Jim McGuiggan... Baptism won't go away

Baptism won't go away

Baptism declares the faith of the one submitting to it. It tells the meaning and nature of that person’s faith. It means they not only understand certain truths about Christ but that they’re making a personal commitment to him and to the truths about him. In the NT these people that came to be baptized understood they had not been Christ’s and now they were giving themselves to Christ in a trusting and penitent faith. They didn’t know all there was to know about this Christ but they were saying that whatever it was that they needed, under and before God, that this Christ was the one in and through whom they would get it. They didn’t know in specific all that they would be called to give to God but they knew that whatever was to be given was to be given in and through him. While they didn’t know in all specifics how their lives were to be lived out, they knew that they were giving themselves to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and that their lives were to be lived out in light of that.

But their baptism was more than a personal commitment to Christ in a personal confession because what they were confessing was objective reality and truth. Their faith commitment wasn’t simply what they believed was true, it was a proclamation of what was indeed true whether they believed it or not. Had they never committed to Christ it would still have been true that he had lived, died and rose again to immortal glory and Lordship. Baptism doesn’t belong to an individual and the individual does not give baptism its rich and complex meaning. The individual commits to what baptism already means independent of any individual.

Baptism means what God, in and as Christ by the Spirit, has determined it to mean. It means Christ’s life and death and resurrection to immortality and Lordship and it means that the person of faith enters into union with all that Jesus Christ is and stands for and purposes.

It means that the elect of God have passed from the realm of the "old man" (Adam—as a fit representative of the human race that has followed in his steps and come under the holy and righteous judgement of God—Romans 6:3-10). They have come into the realm of the "new man" (the last Adam, the second man—1 Corinthians 15:45,47). It means they have moved from the old creation that is seen through the eyes of a sinful humanity and into a new creation (as seen through the eyes of Jesus Christ—2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10). It means they have passed from death and judgement to life and forgiveness in Jesus Christ whose death and resurrection they embrace by faith (Romans 6:3-10).

Baptism means that everything that fragments and promotes division among people (racism, sexism, nationalism, elitism in any form) is contrary to the unifying and redeeming work of God in Christ in reconciling the world to himself (Galatians 3:26-28, Colossians 1:20).

It doesn’t matter that people are ignorant of these things and so much more. The response to such ignorance is not to refuse to teach these truths. That only furthers the ignorance. It doesn’t matter that they are ignorant of these things—if they’re true they should be taught and people should be nurtured in them. While leaning on the NT itself, it isn’t for nothing that believing people down the centuries have continued to hold baptism (along with the Supper and the proclamation of the Word) as vitally important and the invariable response to the gospel.

There are those who for one reason or another now speak dismissively of the ordinance of baptism. This state of affairs has developed step by step. Some of them grew weary of hearing baptism talked about as if it were the Saviour himself, and rightly protested. They rightly began to stress truths that were being neglected but before long they were receiving with full approval even people who resolutely refuse to honour God in the ordinance he ordained.

Then the "mode" of baptism became unimportant (why would how you do a thing matter if the thing itself is of little consequence?) and now they approve a "baptism" that takes place in the absence of faith. For a while they continued to say baptism is important but it’s hard to persuade people that you believe something is important when you show in general speech and practice that it's unimportant.

And what may be even more disturbing, in trying to make baptism less important they are now approving of a "baptism" (infant) where the simple application of water in the absence of personal faith does what the NT says can only happen in the presence of faith. They must now construct a whole new theology about an infant’s baptism, which is the application of water in the absence of personal faith. Some now accept that baptism in the place of a faith-baptism and believe it has a retrospective effect. They don't want to jettison baptism altogether (how could that sincerely be possible in light of the NT?) so they're willing to regard the sprinkling of infants as acceptable obedience. Baptismal regeneration is coming home. This makes more of baptism than the Scriptures do and introduces something foreign to the NT scriptures.

It’s vital and perfectly appropriate to let God have the final word about everything but it is never right or safe to allow anyone—however popular—or anything—however pervasive—to move us from faithful allegiance to the whole counsel of God.  Bigger congregations, friendlier relations, a better reputation and (an uneasy) "unity"--some things are bought at too great a price.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Mark Copeland.... Adorning The Doctrine Of God ( Titus 2:9-10)

                         "THE EPISTLE TO TITUS"

                 Adorning The Doctrine Of God (2:9-10)

INTRODUCTION

1. Instructing Titus to "speak the things which are proper for sound
   doctrine" (Tit 2:1)...
   a. Paul described conduct becoming those of different ages and
      genders
   b. Older men and older women, young women and young men, including
      Titus himself

2. He also prescribed conduct becoming those who were slaves - Tit 2:9-10
   a. Which we can easily apply to ourselves as workers
   b. Conduct which Paul said enabled them to "adorn the doctrine of God
      our Savior"

3. What is meant to "adorn the doctrine of God"? As expressed in other
   translations...
   a. "they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive"
      (NIV)
   b. "they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior" (NRSV)

[The idea is "to show the beauty of the teaching of God" (NET).
Christian workers have the opportunity to show the beauty and value of
following God's doctrine.  That such may true with us, let's take Paul
instructions to those who were servants and apply them to us as
workers...]

I. CONDUCT BECOMING WORKERS

   A. OBEDIENT TO THOSE OVER THEM...
      1. Other translations use the words "submissive" (ESV) and
         "subject" (NASB)
      2. Such obedience is further qualified in other epistles:
         a. "with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to
            Christ;" - Ep 6:5
         b. "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants
            of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart," - Ep 6:6
         c. "with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to
            men" - Ep 6:7
         d. "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not
            to men," - Col 3:23
         e. "knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of
            the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. - Col 3:24
      -- Christian workers should offer sincere obedience to their
         employers out of devotion to Christ

   B. WELL-PLEASING IN ALL THINGS...
      1. As expressed in other translations:
         a. "trying to please them" (NIV)
         b. "to give satisfaction in every respect" (NRSV)
         c. "to do what is wanted" (NET)
      2. Assuming that what is asked is legal and morally right
         a. We may think it stupid or unsound business-wise
         b. But our task is to do what is asked of us
      -- Christian workers should seek to make their bosses' ideas
         successful

   C. NOT ANSWERING BACK...
      1. As found in other translations:
         a. "not argumentative" (ESV)
         b. "not to talk back to them" (NIV)
      2. Unless, of course, the boss or employer looks for constructive
         feedback
      -- Christian workers should avoid arguing with those in authority
         over them

   D. NOT PILFERING...
      1. That is, not stealing that which belongs to the owner or
         company
      2. Stealing, embezzling their master's substance, taking away, and
         making use of what is their property, keeping back part of
         money or goods committed to their trust: the word is used in
         the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Ac 5:2). - Gill
      -- Christian workers should not take that which does not belong
         them

   E. SHOWING ALL GOOD FIDELITY...
      1. "to show that they can be fully trusted" (NIV)
      2. Approving themselves to be faithful servants in everything they
         are entrusted with - Gill
      -- Christian workers should be those that any boss or company can
         trust completely!

[Whether errand boy or company president, sound doctrine calls for
Christian to be the best workers a company could want.  Imagine the
impact on productivity and employee relations if all Christians would
take such teaching to heart and life.  To encourage us to do so, here
are some...]

II. EXAMPLES TO INSPIRE WORKERS

   A. JOSEPH...
      1. Though a slave, a successful worker because the Lord blessed
         him - Gen 39:1-5
      2. Blessed because of his fidelity to the Lord and his master
         - Gen 39:6-9
      3. Even in prison blessed by Lord with success - Gen 39:21-23
      4. Demonstrated humility and was honored by Pharaoh - Gen 41:28-46
      -- Despite trying circumstances, Joseph adorned the doctrine of
         God with his example of fidelity and humility as he served
         those over him

   B. DANIEL...
      1. Though a captive, and tempted by the king's delicacies, he was
         determined to be true to God - Dan 1:3-6,8
      2. The Lord blessed his efforts to be faithful to Him - Dan 1:9
      3. Daniel showed respect to those over him - Dan 1:11-13
      4. In his old age, he continued to put God first though it was at
         great risk
         a. Daniel was distinguished by the quality of his work - Dan 6:1-3
         b. His enemies could find no fault in him - Dan 6:4-5
         c. Despite their attempts to kill him, Daniel continued to
            serve God - Dan 6:6-10
         d. His service and fidelity resulted in the praise of God and
            prosperity - Dan 6:26-28
      -- In youth and old age, Daniel adorned the doctrine of God with
         his dedication to putting God first, even over those who
         employed him

   E. MODERN DAY EXAMPLES...
      1. Men and women who excel in their professions because they put
         God first
      2. Workers who are highly valued for their service, often retained
         and even promoted while others are let go
      -- Who will God bless and businesses promote today?  Any worker
         who dares to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior!

CONCLUSION

1. Again we see that "sound doctrine" is not limited to "church
   issues"...
   a. Though certainly we need to be sound on issues related to the
      Lord's church
   b. But it goes far beyond, reaching to how we raise our families and
      conduct our business

2. Remember that "sound doctrine" is that which is spiritually healthy,
   wholesome...
   a. What can be more "sound" than to "adorn the doctrine of God"?
   b. What can be more "spiritually healthy" than to "make the teaching
      of God attractive"?

May God's grace empower us to be the kind of men, women, and workers
that will make us "ornaments" illustrating the value of serving God.  As
Paul wrote to the Romans...

   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
   you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to
   God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed
   to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
   that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect
   will of God. - Ro 12:1-2

Are we living in such a way as to prove that God's will is good,
acceptable, and perfect...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011


From Ben Fronczek.... The Devils favorite tool – Temptation (part 2)


The Devils favorite tool – Temptation (part 2)  

By Ben Fronczek

What is your favorite tool. Every trade requires using different tools. As a teacher and preacher is tools of my trade are pens, books and my computer. Farmer have tractors, plows, and milking machines. Hairdressers use combs and scissors. We all have our favorite tools.

In our last lesson I mentioned that the devil wants to rob you and me.  I believe he want to rob you of any kind of good relationship we have with God, he wants to rob you of a good relationship with others,  and he want to steal from you peace of mind.

But how will he attempt to rob us of those precious things?  Well the devil has his own special tools; like the use of lies, fear, doubt and more. As I am sure you know, one of the most devilish methods he uses to hurt us and ultimately rob these things from us is through tempting us to do things that may seem appealing at first, yet in the end they are not really appropriate or in our best interest.

Every one of us is bombarded by temptations every day; young and old, wise and foolish, educated and illiterate… without exception, all will be tempted.

A little boy is at the grocery store with his mom. He asks her, “Mommy, will you buy me a treat?” She answers to his dismay, “No, not today.”     But as she checks out, he stares at the candy rack right in front of him. He stares, and stares, and then reaches out and takes a candy bar and put it in his pocket.   We all face temptations.

If you could carefully examine your self and count how many times you are tempted to do something in one day I think you would be shocked how often you are tempted in some way or another. Some things we act on, some we do not. Some temptations may lead to sin, some do not.
This morning I would like to talk to you about temptation in light of the temptation that Jesus experienced after His baptism.  

Read Matthew 4:1-11  
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”    Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you,     and they will lift you up in their hands,  so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

There are a few observations that I’ve made while reading this that I would like to share you this morning.

First, the reality that all of us will be tempted, there are not exceptions. 

If you are human and if you are breathing, you are going to be tempted in some way at some time, and probably more often than you realize.

Sometimes we may even be disturbed, even full of guilt when we realize that within our heart lurks all kinds of desires that we know are wrong, especially when we indulge in them.

- Like when we have a desire to get stuff;  to get more and more.

- Or like when we desire to lash out in anger and rage.

- Or when we desire to mock, insult, or put someone down

- Or when we desire to make excuses, or even sidestep the truth

- Or even if we hunger for food, power, wealth or even sex

And sometimes we feel, oh so guilty for having such thoughts in the back of our mind, or even sometimes in the front of our mind. We may even think God is mad at us for having such thoughts

Out of guilt, some may think we would not be tempted with such thoughts…   …if we were a better Christian…  If we prayed more, …If we read the Bible more… If we isolated ourselves from all the bad influence out there like TV, bad music, the internet, bad people and the like…. Then I wouldn’t be tempted…. WRONG!

Take Jesus for example, He had just been baptized.. The Heavenly Father personally testified as to who He was… His Son, and then He was endowed with the Holy Spirit.

And the very next thing we read is this story about how Jesus was being tempted.  And when the devil leaves Him,  in Luke’s account, in 4:13 it says that he (the devil) departed until a more opportune time…. In other words, Satan wasn’t done with Jesus yet.

The point I’m trying to make is this, Jesus is the most spiritual, the most morally correct and perfect person who ever walked the earth, yet He was tempted. So just because you are tempted to say or do, or think something, that does not make you some kind of  moral degenerate. Rather it proves that you are human and alive.

So we have to be careful not to beat our self up just because we think something or are tempted. Just realize that temptations are just part of this life, and the devil’s primary tool to mess us up.
And it’s only sinful if we give into something that is contrary to God’s will and way.

The Second observation I see here based on this text regarding temptation is the fact that they usually come when we are weak, tire, sick, lonely, or depressed.

Consider when the devil tried to tempt Jesus.  I wasn’t when He was at His physical peak, but only after He had fasted 40 days.

It wasn’t when He was surrounded by those who loved Him, His family, friends or disciples. Rather, it was when He was all alone in the wilderness.

Many times the same thing happens to us. When we are feeling good, and healthy, when we are surrounded by loved ones, when we are serving God and enjoying it…. We’ve too busy or feeling too good to be tempted.

In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter wrote that 

the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

 In the wild, lions don’t usually attack the strongest and largest prey in a herd, but rather they look for those who are the weakest. (Not to say that the devil does not ever try to tempt those who are strong.)  .

And the Third thing I see in this text that I would like to share, is how the temptations so often seem like the most logical, or the easiest and most pleasing way to go.

Satan is not going tempt you to do or say something that is totally repulsive or impractical for you. It would not be a temptation for you then.

2 Corinthians 11:14 Paul wrote that he (the devil)

 disguises himself as an angel of light. 

He appears to shed light on things and comes around to show you the easiest way out or around something. His advice may seem to make sense, it may even seem logical, at least up to a point; especially if you are in some kind of pain and you want the pain or hurt to go away.
Consider our text and what is taking place in it with Jesus.

It seemed reasonable to make bread. The text says that Jesus was hungry.

And why not perform a great sign in Jerusalem at the Temple where all the Jews could see Him. If angels had carried Him down to the court yard in front of the priests and other Jews there, He would have had instant recognition as the Messiah.

And what about immediate rule of all the kingdoms of the world?

But Jesus knew and later taught, one has to count the costs of what his or her actions are. He knew that if He took these short cuts it would have far reaching consequences. They probably would not have crucified Him.

This is something we often forget or do not consider when we make our choices; the consequences.

This is a lesson we have to learn when a temptation comes our way. We have to consider the consequences no matter how logical or pleasing the temptation may seem at the time.

For example: 

Anger and rage can lead to argument, fights, battles and even war. Giving in to the temptation to buy stuff can result in debt. Adultery can lead to heart ache, crumpled families, a bad reputation and more…etc.

So how do you fight temptation?

First of all expect to be tempted as long as you are alive… it a given.


Then prepare. I heard it said that the best defense is a good offence.

In other words, prepare your mind and heart and spirit for these attacks. Even prepare your physical body. Get the rest you need, eat right, get enough sleep. Just like an athletic team, or an athlete preparing to meet an opposing team, prepare and get in good shape mentally, spiritually, and physically.

God has given us everything we need to stand up strong and to face to these temptations when they come our way, just like Jesus did.

But you are not going to have much luck if you are exhausted, and weak, and down trodden and ill equipped.

In Ephesians 6 Paul tells those early Christian to get ready and prepare. He said

- Put on the belt of truth: be honest even if it hurts (one lie can lead to many)

- Put on the breastplate of righteousness: that is always choosing to do the right thing.

- Know and stand firm in the Gospel which brings peace.  Use and depend on your faith and trust in God like a shield to extinguish those questionable temptations and doubts.

- Trust in your salvation in also in the word of God which you can use to overcome your enemy.
You are in control of the choices you make, no one else. Choose Jesus and His way and you will always be safe. 

And remember, no matter what, God loves you…. Even if you mess up.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Gary... Negative>Positve


God is a positive being. He took what Satan enticed man to do and turned it into a blessing by God's sacrifice of HIMSELF.  While it is interesting to think of the things that God CAN'T DO, even discussing THOSE THINGS turns into a positive discussion.  If you want to do something negative, like find fault with HIS NATURE or attempt to trick God, you are simply wasting your time. Here are a couple of interesting Scriptures; one where some tried to do the former and another where God's attitude is emphasized.

 Matthew, Chapter 22
 23  On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,  24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.’  25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no seed left his wife to his brother. 26 In the same way, the second also, and the third, to the seventh.  27 After them all, the woman died.  28 In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.” 

  29  But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.   30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.   31  But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,   32  ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’  God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 
 

2 Corinthians, Chapter 1
15 In this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit;  16 and by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent forward by you on my journey to Judea.  17 When I therefore was thus determined, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the “Yes, yes” and the “No, no?”  18 But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not “Yes and no.”  19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes and no,” but in him is “Yes.”  20 For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us. 


The way of UN-regenerated man leads to sin, but the way of God leads you the correct way of being and doing (that is, righteousness).  Today, think of what GOD can do your in your life; this will ultimately result in positive results.  To attempt to think negatively about HIM is sophistry and utter foolishness.  God will always be pure and righteous and if there are ANY negatives about HIM, they only attest to the purity of HIS NATURE!!! So, with God, even negative turns to positive- GO FIGURE!!!