The Assembly

By
{THE PEOPLE OF GOD}

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{IDENTITY AND MISSION}
  1. Ekklesia - Assembly - {PDF Copy} - (The Christian use of the term church or ekklésia is derived from the assembly of Yahweh gathered for worship in the Hebrew Bible)
  2. The Spirit and Mission - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus dispenses the Gift of the Spirit to his people to empower them to carry out the proclamation of the Gospel to the Earth)
  3. His Priestly Kingdom - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples reign with Jesus as priests who render service in his Tabernacle and mediate his light and Word in the World)
  4. One People - {PDF Copy} - (By his death, Jesus formed one covenant community - One New Man - based on faith in him, not ethnicity or nationality – Ephesians 2:11-22)
  5. Heirs of the Covenant - {PDF Copy} - (With the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the blessings for all nations promised to Abraham commenced)
  6. The Sanctuary of God - {PDF Copy} - (The New Testament applies Temple language from the Hebrew Bible to the Assembly, the Body of Christ, the true Sanctuary of God)
  7. The Sign of the End - {PDF Copy} - (According to Jesus. the End will not come until this Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been proclaimed to all nations – Matthew 24:14)
  8. Reign of the Saints - {PDF Copy} - (The saints reign as a kingdom of priests during the thousand years, having overcome the Beast)
  9. Slave of HIS Kingdom - {PDF Copy} - (To be a citizen of the kingdom of God requires a life of self-sacrificial service for others, not power over them)
  10. Reigning with the Lamb - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples reign with Jesus as priests that render service in his Tabernacle and mediating his light in the world)
  11. Servant or Caesar? - {PDF Copy} - (Satan offered Jesus unlimited political power to achieve his messianic mission if only he acknowledged the Devil as his overlord)
  12. Spiritual Warfare - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples wage spiritual warfare through right conduct, acts of love, and proclaiming the gospel)
  13. The Mission - {PDF Copy} - (The church’s mission between now and the return of Jesus is to announce the Good News of his Kingdom to all nations – Matthew 24:14)
  14. Salvation for the Nations - {PDF Copy} - (The Gospel of the Kingdom announced by Jesus of Nazareth offers salvation and life to men and women of every nation and people)
  15. Both Jews and Greeks - {PDF Copy} - (The equality of Jew and Gentile before God is a pivotal theme in Romans. Members of either group stand or fall before Him on the same basis)
  16. The Faith of Abraham - {PDF Copy} - (The faith of uncircumcised Abraham provides an example for Jewish and Gentile believers who live from the faith of Jesus – Romans 4:11-17)
  17. The Inheritance of Abraham - {PDF Copy} - (In Jesus, the original limited promise of territory to Abraham is transformed to encompass the entire creation)
  18. Coheirs with Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (The covenant with Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus, his seed and heir, including the promise of land – Romans 8:1-23)
  19. The Era of the Spirit - {PDF Copy} - (The Gift of the Spirit is part of the New Covenant, and the first fruits of the New Creation and the gathering of the nations)
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  20. An End-Time People - (The church is the battlefield where the final war is being waged between the Lamb and the Ancient Serpent, Satan) - {PDF Copy}
  21. Redeemed by His Blood - (In the Book of Revelation, the people of God are composed of the men purchased from every nation by the blood of the Lamb) - {PDF Copy}
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  22. Kingdom or Christendom? - {PDF Copy} - (‘Christendom’ is the idolatrous term and tactic of invoking God to validate national and political institutions, programs, agendas, and ideologies)
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  23. Controversy in Galatia - {PDF Copy} - (The key issue in Galatia is whether Gentiles must be circumcised and keep some, at least, of the deeds required by the Torah)
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  24. Heirs in Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Returning to the custodianship of the Law would mean rebuilding the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles)
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  25. The Gospel Message - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus summoned his disciples to proclaim the Good News of his Kingdom to every inhabited corner of the Earth – Romans 3:22-30)
  26. Stephen Bears Witness - {PDF Copy} - (Under the guidance of the Spirit, Stephen gave eloquent and effective testimony to the leaders of Israel)
  27. Seizing the Kingdom? - {PDF Copy} - (Christ’s comment about violence taking the kingdom refers to violent men who attempt to seize and destroy the work of God – Matthew 11:12)
  28. Transitory Power - (In the end, only God’s kingdom will prevail and endure. All other political powers are transitory, and already they are passing away) - {PDF Copy}
  29. Living Waters - True Worship - {PDF Copy} - (In Samaria, Jesus revealed that the presence of God no longer is limited to specific locations or man-made structures – John 4:20-24)
  30. The Blessing of Abraham - {PDF Copy} - (The Gift of the Spirit bestowed by Jesus is part of God’s covenant promise to bless all the nations in Abraham’s Seed)

{DISCIPLESHIP}
  1. To Follow the Lamb - {PDF Copy} - (The Messiah of Israel submitted to the way of the Cross and summoned his disciples to follow his example in their daily lives)
  2. Leap for Joy - {PDF Copy} - (When disciples are persecuted for their faith, they are to rejoice for being accounted “worthy” to suffer for Jesus)
  3. Though He Slays Me - {PDF Copy} - (Like Job, the Christian's commitment to Jesus must be total regardless of what else happens)
  4. Embracing the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (To be the Messiah of Israel meant suffering and death for others, and Jesus summoned his disciples to follow that same path – Mark 8:31)
  5. On the Way - {PDF Copy} - (On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus explains to his disciples just what it means to be the Messiah of Israel)
  6. His Path - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus proclaimed a new political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that bears little resemblance to the political systems of this age)
  7. The Mind of Christ - {PDF Copy} - (The submission of Jesus to an unjust death becomes the paradigm for the love and service to others that disciples are summoned to manifest)
  8. Love Your Enemy! - {PDF Copy} - (Mercy and love are defining characteristics of his disciples and reflect the true nature of his Father – Matthew 5:43-48)
  9. The Spiritual Man - {PDF Copy} - (The spiritually-minded man understands that the Gospel of Christ Crucified is God’s true power and wisdom - 1 Corinthians 2:14)
  10. The Way of the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (To follow Jesus wherever he goes necessitates a lifetime of self-denial and sacrificial service for others and a willingness to lose all for the Gospel)
  11. Opposition and Rejection - {PDF Copy} - (To be the disciple of Jesus one must take up the cross and follow in his footsteps, even if it results in rejection, impoverishment, or death - Mark 6:7-30)
  12. Suffering and Discipleship - {PDF Copy} - (To follow Jesus means self-denial and a willingness to suffer for his sake, and enduring persecution is the highest honor in his kingdom)
  13. Disciples and Tribulation - {PDF Copy} - (The disciple who faithfully bears witness to the Gospel and Jesus will endure tribulation and persecution for his sake)
  14. Mercy and Enemies - {PDF Copy} - (When Christians react to hostility with hostility, whether from government, society, or individuals, Satan triumphs)
  15. Slave of HIS Kingdom - {PDF Copy} - (To be a citizen of the kingdom of God requires a life of self-sacrificial service for others, not power over them)
  16. The Paradigm of the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (Christ crucified is the pattern disciples of Jesus are summoned to follow and emulate, and the test of the genuine apostolic faith)
  17. Wise or Foolish? - {PDF Copy} - (At the conclusion of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus claimed absolute authority for his words. Disciples ignore them at their peril – Matthew 7:21-28)
  18. Ransom for Many - {PDF Copy} - (His disciple is called to engage in self-sacrificial service for others just as Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many – Mark 10:35-45)
  19. Faithful or Saltless - {PDF Copy} - (Faithful disciples will receive great rewards, but those who harm their weaker brethren risk condemnation to Gehenna)
  20. Sanctified Wholly - {PDF Copy} - (Considering the future arrival of Jesus, Paul summons the Assembly to become sanctified completely by that Day – 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
  21. Blameless in Holiness - {PDF Copy} - (Paul prays for the Thessalonians to be found holy and blameless on the day when Jesus arrives in glory – 1 Thessalonians 3:13)
  22. Do Not Drift Away - {PDF Copy} - (The Letter gives a dire warning of the consequences for failing to heed the superior word spoken by God in His Son – Hebrews 1:4-2:7)
  23. Tribulation vs Wrath - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples escape God’s wrath, but they endure tribulation. And according to Paul, the church has been appointed to tribulation – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4)
  24. Rudiments of the Old Era - {PDF Copy} - (The Messianic Age dawned in Jesus, therefore calendrical rituals and other Levitical regulations belong to a now obsolete order)

{SOCIETY AND STATE}
  1. Empires Rise and Fall - (Imperial arrogance is the legacy of the Tower of Babel, humanity’s first but certainly not last attempt to establish the World Empire) - {PDF Copy}
  2. Paul on the State - {PDF Copy} - (Paul instructed believers living in the Roman Empire not to resist the government since its existence and authority were arranged by God – Romans 13:1-8)
  3. Jesus Refused Political Power - {PDF Copy} - (He rejected Satan's offer of political power and chose, instead, the way of the Suffering Servant)
    4. Seated in the Sanctuary - {PDF Copy} - (The Man of Lawlessness will be unveiled when he seats himself in the House of God - 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

{SCRIPTURE}
  1. The Language of the New Testament - {PDF Copy} - (Was the New Testament originally composed in Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew? Overwhelmingly, the evidence points to the first option)
  2. Hold Fast to the Word - {PDF Copy} - (Followers of Jesus must cling continually to the word spoken in the Son lest they drift away from the salvation they have received from God)
  3. Prudent or Foolish? - {PDF Copy} - (At the conclusion of his sermon delivered on the mount, Jesus placed absolute authority in his words)
  4. Stand Fast! - {PDF Copy} - (Believers prepare for the Apostasy and the coming Man of Lawlessness by standing firm in the apostolic tradition)
  5. Mysteries Unveiled in Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Scripture declares that all God’s mysteries are revealed in Jesus. So, why are we looking for revelation elsewhere? - Romans 16:25)
  6. Literal vs Nonliteral - {PDF Copy} - (Revelation informs the reader from the very first verse of the book that it communicates visually and symbolically)
  7. Jesus is the Key - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus is the key that unlocks the Hebrew Scriptures and reveals the nature and redemptive purposes of the God of Israel)
  8. Christianity's Forgotten Hope - {PDF Copy} - (Central to the hope of the apostolic church was the bodily resurrection of the dead at the end of the age when Jesus returns)
  9. Disclosing God - {PDF Copy} - (The grace and truth of God are unveiled in the Word made Flesh, Jesus of Nazareth, who alone explains the unseen God – John 1:14-18)
  10. The Logos - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus is the Logos, the Word become flesh, the true tabernacle where the glory of God is revealed and resides – John 1:14)

Churchyard in sunlight - Photo by Sigurdur Fjalar Jonsson on Unsplash
[Photo by Sigurdur Fjalar Jonsson on Unsplash]



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