Positional Truths 31-33

We've reached the end of this study on "33 Positional Truths." The final three truths are as follows:
31: United to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit-2 Corinthians 6:16 and has six facets:
a. The Believer is in God the Father-2 Thessalonians 1:1
b. The Father is in the Believer-Ephesians 4:6
c. The Believer is in the Son-John 14:20
d. The Son is in the Believer-Colossians 1:27
e. The Believer is in the Holy Spirit-Romans 8:9, Ephesians 2:22
f. The Holy Spirit is in the Believer-1 Corinthians 3:16
32: Access to God-Four things are true concerning access:
a. The Believer has access to God according to Romans 5:2 and can boldly approach the throne of grace according to Hebrews 4:14-16. Arnold reminds us that if a Believer stumbles, it's not because he/she doesn't have sufficient grace available, but have not appropriated the grace that's available to them to get through any temptation, any suffering, any trial or tribulation.
b. The Believer has access to God the Father according to Ephesians 2:18.
c. The Believer has assurance of his/her salvation-Hebrews 10:19, 22.
d. This access provides fellowship with God-1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 John 1:3.
33. Within the "much more" Care of God-According to Luke 12:24. This position has seven facets:
a. The Believer is the object of God's divine love according to Romans 5:8.
b. The Believer is the object of God's grace-John 6:27, Ephesians 2: 7-9.
c. The Believer is the object of God's power-Ephesians 1:19.
d. The Believer is the object of God's faithfulness-1 Corinthians 1:9, Hebrews 13:5.
e. The Believer is the object of God's peace-Romans 5:1, Philippeans 4:7.
f. The Believer is the object of God's consolation and comfort-2 Corinthians 1:3-4
g. The Believer is the object of God's intercession-Romans 8:27, Hebrews 7:25.
The following is Dr. Fruchtenbaum's conclusion of this study:

These are the thirty three things that happen to every believer at the moment he is saved. They happen instantaneously; they are not a process. It is very important that the believer grasp his position in Jesus the Messiah, because until the believer clearly understands what his position is, he will not fully understand what his authority is in that position. Not knowing what his authority is, he will not be able to exercise that authority. So it is very important that the believer understands his position, because this is his best defense in fighting the satanic and demonic front in spiritual warfare.
There are three fronts to spiritual warfare: the flesh, the world, and the devil and his demonic forces. As in any war, each has to be fought in different ways, in different styles, and by using different weapons. As far as the front against Satan and the demonic forces is concerned, the best defense is understanding positional truth, understanding what the believer’s position is in Yeshua the Messiah, understanding the authority that comes with it, and then exercising that authority. When Satan starts accusing and attacking the believer, the believer is able to stand on the basis of the Word of God. The believer never stands on the basis of his own merit; he never stands against Satan on the basis of his own righteousness. The believer stands on the basis of his position in the Messiah and on the fact that he has the righteousness of the Messiah imputed to him.
Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (1983). The Messianic Bible Study Collection (110:19-20). Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries.

We will not be meeting for the next two weeks because of the musical celebration of His Resurrection. We will be resuming with, (what I believe, is), perhaps the most important study that a Biblically literate Disciple can undertake. The study of the eight covenants of the Bible. I personally don't think that one can properly discern between Biblical truth and much of what the modern church teaches without a working knowledge of the covenants that God has given us in His Word.
Be blessed, have a wonderful Passover season.
Your Chrbrotherist

Positional Truths 25-30

Last Sunday, (03/14/10), we covered the next six truths:

1. In Possession of Every Spiritual Blessing-We as Believers don't have to wait, pray for, or agonize over spiritual blessings because of Ephesians 1:3.
2. Believers are a Gift from God the Father to God the Son-We looked at John 6:37-40 and John 17:6 and discussed the eternal security aspect also in John 10:28-29.
3. Believers are the Messiah's Inheritance-according to Ephesians 1:18 and as Arnold states: "Yeshua has inherited the believer; because of this, the believer is the peculiar, private, individual possession of the Messiah."
   Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (1983). The Messianic Bible Study Collection (110:16). Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries.
4. Believers are heirs-not only heirs, but co-heirs with the Messiah according to Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7, and Titus 3:7.
5. Freed from the Law-this is particularly true of Jewish Believers. They and we are freed from the Mosaic Law according to Romans 6:14 and 10:4. Hebrews 7:11-12 gives us the theological reason for freedom from the Law. We also discussed that if someone wants to observe some aspects of the Law, (a Kosher kitchen, for example), that the Believer can certainly do so. It becomes improper when that person begins to demand that others do the same and becomes a point of legalism, especially if it becomes a sanctifying "works" issue.
6. The Judgment of the Old Man Unto a New Walk-Galatians 2:20 tells us that the old man has been co-crucified with Christ and the old man no longer has any binding legal authority over the Believer and no longer has any obligation to obey the old nature. Therefore the Believer has the power to walk in newness of life.

Have a blessed week. We'll finish up with the final 3 positional truths next Sunday and then begin looking at the 8 covenants of the Bible.

Your Chrbrotherist

Truths 22-24

We met last week, (03/07/10), and continued with the 33 positional truths as taught by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum:

1. Light in the World-According to Ephesians 5:8, we are not only light in the world, but light in the Lord and we should be walking in that light. We listed an application that comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:4-9. The wrath in verse 9 is a time of darkness is the Great Tribulation, and because Believers are of the light and of the day, we will not go through the Tribulation. Stated another way,
   "Because of this position of being light in the Lord, believers will not go through the Tribulation."
   Fruchtenbaum, A. G. (1983). The Messianic Bible Study Collection (110:15). Tustin, Calif.: Ariel Ministries.
2. Heavenly Associations-I listed 7 facets to this positional truth:
   a) The Believer is now a partner with the Messiah in life-Colossians 3:3-4

b) A partner in position-Ephesians 2:6

c) A partner in service and "co-serves" with Him as a servant-John 17:18, 20:21

d) A partaker with the Messiah in sufferings-Romans 8:17, (so much for the health and wealth teachings by modern progressive preachers)!

e) A partner with the Messiah in prayer-John 16:23-24 and we must not forget this important Scripture, 1 John 5:14-15. This is one of the reasons why we pray in the name of Yeshua, (Jesus).

f) A partner in betrothal where the Messiah is the groom and Believers are the Bride-Ephesians 5:25-27.

g) A partner with the Messiah in expectation of His return-Titus 2:3 and Hebrews 9:28.

3. Completion- The Believer is complete or, according to Colossians 2:10, been made full. In practice there are many things lacking in our lives, but because of the Believer's position, he are complete.

Don't forget to set the clocks ahead by one hour tonight, (03/13/10).

Be blessed,

Your Chrbrotherist

Truths 19-21

We met on 02/21/10 and discussed the next 3 positional truths:

1. Adoption- according to Romans 8:15, 23 and Galatians 4:5. God chose to love us, because we were adopted into His family. The next position logically follows;
2. The Children of God- according to John 1:12 and Romans 8:16. Arnold tells us that there are four facets: the Believer has been begotten-1 John 5:1; made alive by Him-Ephesians 2:5 and Colossians 2:13; we are now "sons" or "followers" of God-Romans 8:14; the Believer is now a new creation-2 Corinthians 5:17. At this point, we discussed the ramifications that come with being the children and the fact that Gentiles now enjoy the spiritual blessings of the Jewish Covenants according to Ephesians 2:12-13 and 3:6.
3. Part of the Fellowship of the Saints- according to 1 John 1:3, 7 meaning that it is the basis for unity among Believers.

We didn't meet the following Sunday, but met again on March 7th, 2010.

In the meantime, be blessed,

Your Chrbrotherist,

George

Positional Truths 16-18

This week in class, (02/14/10-Happy Valentine's Day!), we looked at the next three items in our study:

1. Transferred into God's Kingdom-2 Peter 1:11, with 2 implications; a) the Believer has been transferred out of the power of darkness according to Colossians 1:13, (Satan has no legal authority over the Believer any more), and b) 1 Thessalonians 2:12 tells us to "walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."
2. Citizen's of Heaven-Luke 10:20, Ephesians 2:19, and other Scriptures confirm this. We should keep in mind that we are actually foreigners here on Earth and focus more on the fact that Heaven is our true home.
3. In the Family of God-1 Corinthians 3:9 and Ephesians 2:19, 20 were read to show us that the Believer is now part of God's household. In the context of "family," we talked about being heirs as found in Romans 8:17 and Ephesians 3:6. I asked the question, "Heirs to what?" I told the class that I wanted them to start thinking of God in a little different way. We think about God and His attributes and that is good and proper, but I wanted them to start thinking of God as a covenant-keeper. I explained to them that we, (Gentiles), are heirs to the spiritual promises of the unconditional, eternal covenants that God has already established and said that soon we will have a class on the 8 covenants of the Bible and explain which are conditional and which are unconditional and how they apply to us today. Stay tuned.....

I hope you have a blessed week.

Your Chrbrotherist

George

Positional Truths 13-15

Last week during class, (02/07/10), we covered the next three positional truths, (13, 14, and 15), as follows:

1. Made Nigh-This especially applies to Gentile Believers rather than Jewish Believers because, according to Ephesians 2:13, we have been brought near to the spiritual blessings of the Jewish Covenants. We are partakers, not taker-overs' according to Eph, 3:6.
2. Members of a Holy and Royal Priesthood-resulting in the priesthood of all Believers. To Jewish Believers, (1 Peter 2:5, 9), and to Gentile Believers, (Revelation 1:5-6, 5:9-10). Paul give us one application in Romans 12:1-2 because the presenting of a living sacrifice is a priestly act. Another application that we discussed is found in Philippeans 4:18 which speaks of funds given to Paul to support his ministry. 2 Timothy 4:6 and Hebrews 13:15-16 were also talked about.
3. A Chosen Generation: A Holy Nation: A Peculiar People-Going back to 1 Peter 2:9, we see this being true more of Jewish Believers rather than Gentile Believers because Peter specifically wrote to Jewish Believers. This can be applied by the doing of good works according to Titus 2:14.

Be blessed,

Your Chrbrotherist

George

The unseen world

We veered slightly off track, (because of our home fellowship discussion on 01/29/10), and ended up discussing the various Biblical names for the unseen world.

1. Sheol, (Hebrew), Hades, (Greek). It's always downward and was/is a multi-compartmented place for the soul.
2. Abbadon, (Hebrew), Apollyon, (Greek), is the unbeliever's side of Sheol/Hades.
3. The Pit is synonymous with Abbadon.
4. The Abyss, (Greek), is not associated with humans, but always fallen angels, (except the Antichrist). The root signifies "netherworld" or "bottomless." It's that section of Sheol/Hades which is a temporary place of confinement for fallen angels.
5. Tartarus, (Greek), is somehow connected with the Sons of God in Genesis 6, (see 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6, 7).
6. Hell comes from a Teutonic root which means to hide or to cover. This is the unrighteous side of Sheol/Hades.
7. Abraham's bosom is discussed in the Matthew account of the rich man and Lazarus. It was the righteous side of Sheol/Hades.
8. Gehenna, (Greek). It consists of 2 Hebrew words, "Gei" and "Hinnom" or the "valley of Hinnom. It's outside the walls of Jerusalem and in the Old Testament, it was a place where some of the wicked kings of Israel practiced human sacrifice by burning. It is the eternal abode of the lost, both angels and humans. Sheol/Hades' punishment is for the soul, but Gehenna, (Lake of Fire), is for both body and soul.
9. Lake of Fire is the same as "Gehenna" mentioned above.
10. Heaven is another term for the unseen world. The first heaven is the atmosphere where birds fly. The second heaven is the place where the sun, moon, and stars are located and the third heaven is where God dwells. It is where Abraham's bosom is now, (after Christ proclaimed His finished work in Sheol/Hades-see Ephesians 4:8-10).
11. The New Jerusalem-Galatians 4:26. This is God's abode with the elect angels and redeemed man. It will be on the new earth and is synonymous with Heaven. One can see that the common view of Heaven and Hell is not always Biblically accurate and hopefully this will clear up some of these terms. Scriptural verses were supplied, thanks to Dr. Fruchtenbaum's study of this interesting subject.

Be blessed,

Your Chrbrotherist,

George Haven