To enroll, send an email to Don_McCoy@ucg.org and request sign-up information. Spiritual disciplines are essential to a more vibrant spiritual life and knowing God more intimately. The Church of God in Philadelphia. This is most helpful when studying a particular doctrine or topic. We study them to make the appropriate course corrections in our thinking. Includes comments and link to the letters ESN received at the time. Philadelphia means brotherly love. In mathematics two of the basic kinds of numbers are integers and fractions: 2, 100, and 56 are integers, while , , and 2.5 are fractions. Are you letting Him speak to you? Topics, or specific subjects. The other three tires are prayer, fasting and meditation. Gods Church has many doctrines that differ from this worlds contrived religions. 7 Answers to 7 Questions. PHILADELPHIA, a city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Phrygia, now called Alla-Shehr, or high city, with 3000 houses, about 15,000 pop., with few ancient ruins. To get the best use out of [the Bible] for daily life,Give it the best and freshest, not the most tired and dull, hour of the day. It has everything to do with whats at the center of our affections. When we find a man meditating on the words of God, my friends, that man is full of boldness and is successful. We have a much better chance of putting the knowledge we gain in class to practical use if we prayerfully study and review what God teaches us each and every week through His instructorsthe ministry. Please browse around our website for various information about our church. 8 I know your deeds. Understand how this attack rages in full force today. You know the storyJonah ended up in the sea where he was swallowed by a great fish. This church may picture the modern missionary era of church history. Thats how He speaks to us. 7. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. A real living hope can sure make the difference in how we handle lifes problems and what perspective we maintain. Pauls topic is the grace given by God to each Christian to serve in the Body of Christ. Just reading a booklet is not really Bible study. The website was conceived eight years ago, but underwent two long delays in the process. 3. The more we study, the more we become familiar with how God guides, delivers and heals His people. 89 He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will. But compared to the online course, even that method was a very inefficient process, Hensley said. Moreover, God expects parents to teach their children His way of life just as He has taught us (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and to be able to answer their questions. Its a tool for teaching teachers and preparing them to help Jesus Christ rule the Earth., Bible Correspondence Course Website Launches on 27th PCG Anniversary. If you need a victory in your life, begin every day by renewing your faith in Christ in whom all our victories are to be realized. That enables us to trust Him more easily, and our faith builds. Titus 2:7. We need to consider this in terms of our recent lives in the church. Many schools today are educating students in how to livethe wrong way! (Part Four). If we pray regularly but dont study very often, its the same thingwere doing all of the talking. This can be done with dozens of other booklets. There are hundreds of such subjects! "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. There are no "new" temptations in life. They loved Jesus, and Jesus was not ashamed to call them brothers (Hebrews 2:11). J. C. Ryle, I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure. 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for . Hebrews 11:1, 6 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that . It also highlights the parallels with the modern-day spiritual Laodiceans. To first-century leaders in the Roman world, the imagery was familiar: A victorious Roman general returning from battle leading his soldiers and their captives into the city. Ezekiel is the prophet of the glory of the Lord. Its the act of becoming too attached to the material things of the worldfalling more in love with the things on earth than on things in heaven. A tent or a cottage, why should I care? It's the city of brotherly love, perfect for the Church of God. Or is it things below? Christ sets before the Philadelphian an "open door" because he has only a little capacity for mighty works, and yet he still keeps God's Word and does not deny God's name by the way he lives his life. We can imagine a child writing an appreciative and sentimental memoir about her perfect father, understanding that perfect was not intended to be taken literally. Righteous doesnt mean sinless, of course. . Daniels three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). The Church of Philadelphia. Paul mentions about 20 personalities in the context of faith. That verse changes our view of idolatry. Those who attain that level of character will be able to serve as kings! In writing about the timing of the Day of the Lord (the end of the age), Peter says God is waiting for all who will be saved to come to Him. 138. He listed them in verses 710. How the church actually got started is unknown. Using a concordance, one can search out key words related to any one of these doctrines. What is the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation? John Calvin, Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. He healed the mans paralysis. The Holy One is a common Old Testament title for God (Isaiah 40:25; 43:15). Royal Vision articles. Through study of Gods Word, we gain wisdom that helps us avoid sin and the misery that accompanies it. Our own "desires" entice us away from God and desire "gives birth to sin" (James 1:1315). With pride? Second, as a result of Abrahams trust in God, he became a friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). Follow Abrahams example as a faithful father by deepening your friendship with God. Or do you graciously say, Thank you, in a spirit of genuine appreciation and humility? The evidence shows that the Philadelphia group lacks the spiritual strength of the beginning of the Ephesian group. Bible study builds up our faith. There are many exciting ways to study the Bible that will enrich your life! As we read the Bible and immerse ourselves in Gods truth and character, our lives are changedwe become more like Him. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Said another way, God is willing for any who want to be saved to come to Him (John 6:37; 7:37). To what things was Paul referring? If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? He is in fact commending them for doing as well as they have. Integers, from a Latin root meaning whole or entire. The word integrity comes from the same root; a person with integrity cannot be divided in beliefs or morality based on varying circumstances. How about the truth on faith or healing? When all four tires are in motion, we will be able to respond to the authority of the Bible (Isaiah 66:2) and take action. Make sure Christ is at the center of your life and that your love for Him eclipses everything else! To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: (NASB) First, the word, "amen," literally means "so be it.". 2. What the Bible says about When his thirtieth birthday came, he must have struggled with questions of why and if only.. Bible commentaries can sometimes shed light on biblical passages and link things together in a way we might not think of. If so, you might be neglecting a vitally important aspect of Christian living! What Is Your Area of Weakness? The more we let Gods Word correct our natural carnal thinking, the more we are fashioned into Gods image and prepared to be born into His eternal Family. In fact, even with the record we have in Johns writings, most people still do not understand Christ as John described Him. We will start at 7:00pm at 3269 Independence Pkwy, Plano Tx. Well enough to teach them to others? The Church of Philadelphia is part of the Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3. Every single member of that bodyeach of us individuallyis important and necessary. Hiding sin does not remove it from Gods sight; but when we seek Gods forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restoredthat is the power of confession. Even if they get their lessons in the mail, we hope they will take tests online to be scored immediately so they can get on with the course.. Church at Philadelphia. Jesus encourages the Philadelphian believers regarding His future coming: "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Jesus Christs sacrifice for sin is essential for salvation! God tells us to study His Word because He knows its good for us. But how about a book titledThe Righteous Father? Join Kelly Minter in this 7-session Bible study as she unpacks the biblical foundation for these sacred habits along with approachable ways to practice disciplines like prayer, study, worship, rest, simplicity, generosity, celebration, and many . Christ opens the door to the Kingdom because of the Philadelphian's faithfulness, just as He promises to keep him from the hour of trial because of his perseverance (Revelation 3:10). God always has a plan, and our false starts become His fresh starts. This course has been designed to guide you through a systematic study of your Biblethe Bible is the only textbook. After the pcgs information services department completed the mammoth task of rolling out a new contact management system, Cedar, in May, programmers, graphic designers and writers continued the online Bible course project in earnest. For example, if we do that with the booklet Who Is That Prophet? The door Christ opens to the Philadelphian, the door no man can shut, may well be the door to the Kingdom itself! Genesis 1:28. They do have good characteristics, but they are weak. He spoke of looking forward to these things. and [looking] for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13-14). To see what is behind the open door, we must read and meditate on the rest of the chapter. (From Forerunner Commentary). Wayne Turgeon Dec. 30, 2022 What Is the Unpardonable Sin? God may have given him only two talents, but He knows that if he is faithful with a small amount of power, in the Kingdom he will faithfully administer all of the responsibility and effectiveness that God bestows upon him. Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. In the middle of lifes battles, were tempted to question Gods ordering of our circumstances, but every follower of Christ can look back and see the conspicuous hand of Gods Providence. The Philadelphians' strength is small, but God's is without limit. we will have at least 30 scriptural passages identifying an end-time prophet who has to be on the scene just prior to Christs Second Coming. Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. The Living Church of God is devoted to that mission. . A careful scrutiny of these verses shows something is missing that almost all assume is there: They do not say the church at Philadelphia is full of brotherly love. Friendship is the marriage of affections. Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. If youre prone to worry yourself to sleep each night, turn your thoughts upward and close your eyes thinking of heaven and its eternal throne. The rapture of the church is the subject of three passages in the New Testament: John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 our scripture reading for this morning, none of these passages speak of judgment, but instead speak of the church being taken up to heaven. Bible study helps are not necessary to become well acquainted with the Bible and Gods way of life. Notice what Jesus says in Luke 11:9-10, 13: So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites madenot to provoke God's discipline by willfully sinning. Look for opportunities to do both. In January 1990 Gerald Flurry and John Amos broke away from the Worldwide Church of God and began a new church called "The Philadelphia Church of God." They have pointed out many of the drastic changes Worldwide is going through, and claims to want to return to the faith of Herbert Armstrong, whom they look upon as "Elijah." For the Apostle Paul, doing Gods Work was more important than his own salvation! God has placed each one of us into His bodythe Church. Whenever were discouraged, or lack something we need, we should make it a habit to search the Bible and find what God has promised. The word study in this verse means to make haste and be diligent about it. Useful knowledge will always humble us and prepare us to be in Gods Family. The apostle Paul addressed that question in 1 Corinthians 10:11"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition." Sometimes the scriptures that relate to a specific subject are not easily found in a concordance because the subject is broader than just one word used in the Bible. But with Jonah, the second time was because Jonah had failed to speak Gods word the first time. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). The world is very confused about Satan, sin, worldliness and hell. Study Bibles identify themes and provide outlines for each book of the Bible along with some commentary, among other things. As you do, you may want to group the scriptures into categories that answer the questions what, why, when, who, where and how. Integrity of heart is indispensable. It was not uncommon in the Old Testament for the word of the Lord to come to Gods prophets again and again. The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). It is available by subscription . It begins with the tremendous help available to those who are weak, but who keep God's Word, who do not deny His name, and who persevere in faith. By grouping all the scriptures together that use the same word we gain a deeper understanding of what each aspect of spiritual fruit entails and how specifically we need to change. During this year, you will read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. A vital reason to study is that it enhances our prayers with God. Another reason to study is to be able to give an answer to those who may want to know more about that hope they see in us (1 Peter 3:15). After the seven letters, in Revelation 4:1, John is shown an open door in heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:58. The church in Philadelphia, They have the key of david 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. What is this open door? We sponsor the global broadcast of the "Tomorrow's World" television programa weekly half-hour telecast explaining the end-time prophecies of the Bible, announcing the good news of the Kingdom of God, and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. Today, these churches occupied the areas that ranged from Asia Minor to present-day Turkey. 3:4). And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10). Bible study is like one of the four tires of a car that youre driving down the road to the Kingdom of God. Are You a Prisoner of Your Spiritual Comfort Zone. It appears the ancient church took that name to heart. Sample doctrines include the three resurrections, born again, the soul and salvation. But he did manifest some qualities that every father should emulate. Why Would Anyone Accept the Mark of the Beast? The spiritual battle, the loss of victory, is always in the thought-world. Good communication is not one-sided. If our prayers are getting stale and were running out of things to say, maybe were not listening enough. Today we look at the sixth church: the church in Philadelphia. Directed almost entirely at the group itself, and will only be of marginal interest to outsiders.. First, he believed the promises of God about the future God had planned for him (Hebrews 11:8-12). This article will show you that studying your Bible may be just the remedy you need! The letter to Philadelphia is not about the mighty works of powerful men. We might think that, if Jesus was truly divine, He would have had no need to pray for knowledge, guidance, or help. faithful also in much. . Some outstanding Bible helps include: Langes Commentary ; Jamieson, Faussett and Brown Commentary ;the Anchor Bible Dictionary ; the Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon and Thompsons Topical Chain Reference, to name but a few. Upon analyzing Revelation 2 and 3, the vast majority among us consider it to be the best of the churches through the ages. The PCG publishes books and booklets and a correspondence course. It will happen. You are welcome to join us for worship (10 AM) and a period of Bible study (11:30 AM). Often modern translations have been rendered from faulty translations, rather than original texts. To think less of Gods gift would be to devalue it; to think realistically about it allows one to serve humbly. His words are reliable. Whether we realize it or not, it is part of our past, and it will be part of our future. Though mankind was given the mandate to have dominion over (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. Bible helps that focus exclusively on the meanings of words are known as wordbooks or word studies. Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God (2022) - Exit & Support Network Exit & Support Network Aiding those spiritually abused by Worldwide Church of God and offshoots Letters From Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God (2022) Best of the Letters for 2022 King David said, I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure (Psalm 119:162; New King James Version). As Mr. Armstrong often said, those who have their hearts in the Work grow spiritually. Another example would be to study the words used to describe love in 1 Corinthians 13. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. Jonah was a disobedient prophet. As Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, the life we now live is the life of Christ in us as we keep our faith in Him. The "church in Philadelphia," along with the "church in Smyrna," are the only two churches (of the seven mentioned) about which Jesus had nothing negative to say. The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. They should, however, only be used to establish historical or grammatical facts. Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? We should be able to explain each doctrine in terms of what, why, when, who, where and how. Jesus repeatedly said that He only did what the Father showed Him to do (John 5:19), and prayer was His means. Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. Once enrolled, students can download lessons, submit tests, view their automatically graded scores and track their progress. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Visualize your daily Bible study time like a miser running his hands through a chest of gold. Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? The church in Corinth was an undisciplined church, and he was letting them know that even though the culture around them was in flux, their faith in Jesus Christ needed to remain focused and sure. When His friends let Him down? Some say the city was founded by Eumenes, in honor of his brother. Nevertheless, in todays world, Bible helps can be usefulprimarily in matters of translation and as time-saving tools. Church of Philadelphia. The letter to the church in Philadelphia begins with Christ identifying himself as "holy and true" (3:7). There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it. It is elevated above the valley, on the n.e. It surely evoked deep introspection among the believers in that ancient city and, we trust, a repentant spirit. History of Philadelphia Church of God. The deeper we delve into that treasure chestthe Biblethe richer we become and the happier well be, not because of physical riches we put to work at the bank but because of the spiritual riches we put to work in our lives. California is a dry state that needs water to be transported over many miles to population and agricultural centers. He has served as Youth Pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Camden, NJ and Mount Zion Holmesburg Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa. Also, as Interim Pastor of Faith Fellowship Non-Denominational . And it also happened to Jonah: The word of the Lord came to Jonah the first time (Jonah 1:1) and then the second time (Jonah 3:1). The Philadelphians have one fine qualitythey are faithful. Again, not perfect or sinless, but in a right standing with God. Psalm 32:4. Its not just bowing down to a small carved statue or a pagan worshiper offering incense at a shrine to Buddha. Commentaries and other Bible helps can be great reference works. But they also know that the only way to endure courageously ( Revelation 3:10) is to seek the strength of God. Best of allthese lessons are absolutely free! J. Vernon McGee, The Lord your God cares. The conventional interpretation among those who have come out of the Worldwide Church of God is that Christ has given the Philadelphians an open door to preach the gospel, an idea that is not without merit. Youll be elated with what you discover! I am coming soon. Forerunner, "Bible Study," April 2000. There are also subjects like repentance, baptism, laying on of hands, the Holy Spirit, and what is a true Christian. by King Attallus of Pergamum, whose nickname was Philadelphus, which means "lover of a brother." G. Campbell Morgan, When Jesus saw [the friends] faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8). Philadelphia, [N] [E] [H] strictly Philadelphia ( brotherly love ), a town on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia Catacecaumene, 25 southeast of Sardis, and built by Attalus II., king of Pergamos, who died B.C. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [It] was rebuilt without the financial help of Rome after the disastrous earthquake of a.d. 60. Two of the seven churches have nothing condemning them in the letter because they are the regenerate church. When you look at Herbert W. Armstrongs work, its like a pyramid, pcg Pastor General Gerald Flurry said. slope of Mt. A fascinating study would be to read through the gospels with particular focus on Jesus Christ and His reactions under different circumstances. (Romans 9:1-4). How often? Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet. Herbert W. Armstrong College site allows users to study lessons, take tests online. We can develop an overview of why it was written, its major theme or themes and an outline. The King James Version is the most accurate English translation, but, written nearly 400 years ago, it does have some hard-to-understand expressions. To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. God doesn't tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices. Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). Actually, the church of Philadelphia has arisen already, and it is Eastern Lightning that everyone has heard aboutit is The Church of Almighty God. Should I be baptized again?" Answer: This is a vital question to many of you. Can we prove the truth? Booklets. Note the qualities He exhibited and ask yourself how you would act and how you should act, according to His example. Is it difficult for you to get really excited about your future? How did He react to situations when He was challenged? WELCOME, to Philadelphia Christian Church where we worship in spirit and in truth. This is God's word. How to Speak the Truth in Love in a Hostile World. The Philadelphia Trumpet began in February 1990 and is published 10 times a year by the Philadelphia Church of God. Overall, these are not as accurate as the King James, but they can provide clarity by using more modern English. Philadelphia was founded about 150 B.C. The biblical city was located about 28 miles southeast of the city of Sardis. . America is full of them. Fish become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, with bellies full of plastic debris they have swallowed. Chronological Bible Reading Plan No one can shut that open door, though we can certainly ignore it and neglect so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:3). As a young man, Ezekiel had dedicated himself to be a priest. You can study this example here. D. L. Moody, In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. These can be used to get an overview of a particular book, but the commentary provided can sometimes be misguided because the authors do not have the framework of Gods overall plan for man as revealed to His Church. Gods Word is a powerful litmus test for our souls and actions. By Grant Turgeon Dec. 7, 2016 The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4). God has placed each one of us into His bodythe Church. He traces Christs genealogy to King David and refers to Him as the Son of David seven times. Thats why it is important to review and study those notes. Commentaries are more apt to be off track than other Bible helps because the authors have more room to insert their own thoughts and ideas. Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. Philadelphia is the name of the city, and we draw an assumption that Christ calls them "Philadelphians" because they exhibit remarkable love for one another. Australia and the Philippines, campers participate in athletic activities, Bible studies and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the two to three-week camp. Bible Study | pastor | Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Philadelphia PA A Place Where People Encounter God Family Fellowship and Bible Study Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior. Temptation. The Christians victory is through Christ. This is the era of Revival in the church. How did you feel? But we need to remember that knowledge not used is really of no value. After Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of Worldwide Church of God, died at age of 93 (January 16, 1986), Gerald Flurry (born April 12, 1935 and a minister in WCG since 1973, 1 was one of those that disagreed with the new changes that Pastor General Joseph W. Tkach, Sr. began instigating. Those who overcome will be blessed and they will receive and enjoy all the promises of God. For example, Paul lists nine qualities related to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Please refer to the table below for a sample of 40 very encouraging scriptures. People interested in studying the Bible can sign up for the online course regardless of whether they have previously enrolled in the mail correspondence version. The Philadelphia period of church history (Adventist Movement), gave greatly increased attention to God's Word, particularly the prophecies of Daniel and of the Revelation, and to personal godliness, which is God's will for us during these end times we live in. The thesis also sparked years of critical study on the Bible. We invite you to attend Sabbath services with us! We serve the same God who said: And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. In these cases, topical books such as topical study Bibles, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (with over 500,000 scripture cross-references and parallel passages) and a book called Where to Find It in the Bible (that lists over 3,700 contemporary topics from abortion to zoology) are very useful. A great help to any Bible study is the use of a concordance. They often deal with speculation that does not emanate from the Spirit of God and can be wrong in their conclusions. Mr. Armstrong said that one purpose for Church services is to instruct us sufficiently so that we can teach others in the World Tomorrow. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The creation is both a monument of Gods power, and a looking-glass in which we may see his wisdom.
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