Tag: introduction

1 Corinthians – Introduction

Post author By Ben Fust
Post date January 18, 2018

This is one of at least 3 letters Paul writes to the church at Corinth (two of which are in the Bible.) It was likely written in the mid-50’s by Paul while he was in Ephesus. He has a pastoral relationship with the Corinthians and he is writing in response to specific things that he has heard about regarding them. Corinth was established at the foot a mountain called Acrocorinth. Being a Roman city with a deep Greek history as well as being exposed to heavy port traffic that brought a variety of people and their religious practices to the area, there was no shortage of gods or people to worship. It was also a wealthy city with a diverse sexual appetite to mirror its population of travelers and deity options.

Remember this context as you read through both the letters to the Corinthians. Even though Jesus turned the world right-side up with his teachings, those who remain to follow still live in the upside down world He came to save. Themes like how to live as a united group of followers, what it means to serve, to be wise, to be married, to live righteously, to resolve conflict; these are all things that will face those trying to follow Jesus within the fallen world that remains as God’s patience for more to be saved is extended.

Tags 1 corinthians, introduction, bible study, paul

Bible Study 3 John Study

3 John – Chapter 1 (well, the only chapter)

Post author By Ben Fust
Post date September 15, 2017

John describes himself as the “elder” – This makes sense. At this point he’s likely the only apostle still alive. For some reason I have in my head that he is pretty heavy at this point and wears a black cloak but that isn’t supported by any historical record. It’s kind of a cross between the man in the painting who prays with the Bible and the bread and a monk.

Gauis is likely a close friend. Sometimes we’re concerned that praying for “shallow” things like good health and soul wellness is bad because we could be praying for ways to die for Jesus or go broke. I’m not against the latter half, but John seems to think it’s not an issue to pray for the former. So, you know, don’t beat yourself up about it, it’s cool to pray for good health. I do like the thought of praying that someone’s soul might be well, we should probably do that more.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.” I hear that, brother. Gaius seems to be up to good things, training fellas up for the work of the good news, spreading it to the Gentiles. When he says that they accept nothing from the Gentiles, it’s not a bad thing, he’s basically saying that the church is providing for them so they don’t ask for anything from those they are trying to serve. Further, John encourages that Jesus people should support fellow workers that are up to such things.

Sounds like Diotrephes is a trouble maker, a selfish dude who does what he wants, talks badly about others, and is an inhospitable jackanapes to travelling Jesus fellas. Worse still, he tries to chuck hospitable folks who want to help the travelling bros out of the church. No wonder John wants to reckon with him. It’s interesting that this guy even retains any authority at all. John has more patience for him at this point than I do.

That said, he reminds them to not imitate evil but good and we hear echoes of his first two letters in “Whoever does good is from God…” In light of which, Demetrius seems to be doing a good job and everyone is saying so. (Hey man, are we telling folks they are doing good work? Encouraging them? Let’s do better at that.)

Finally, John still wants face to face time, better than a letter. He ends with some simple commands: Have peace, accept the greetings from all your friends, and greet them back, all of them. Seems easy enough.

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Jude Intro >>>

Tags bible study, 3 john, introduction

Bible Study 3 John Study

3 John – Intro

Post author By Ben Fust
Post date September 15, 2017

Written by John the Elder to house church believers, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John echo the gospel of John. They emphasize that God is light and love and every true believer will demonstrate God’s light and love. Each book also addresses deceivers, teachers who no longer acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah or Son of God but spread fear and division among believers.

All legitimate teachers will share the truth about Jesus and the cross, love others sacrificially and spread love and light rather than fear. He also reminds believers to welcome true missionaries who teach the message of the cross and love others. They should not welcome deceivers or make idols of anything that exalts itself in God’s place.

Tags introduction, bible study, 3 john

Bible Study 2 John Study

2 John – Chapter 1 (well, the only chapter)

Post author By Ben Fust
Post date September 15, 2017
1 Comment on 2 John – Chapter 1 (well, the only chapter)

John’s greeting is interesting, we seem to be dropping in on a conversation between John and some woman. However, it’s hypothesized that the “elect lady” is actually a church body. Tough to be certain. And John, as in his first letter, uses pronouns in such a way that it is difficult to understand who it refers to.

The contents of this letter are familiar to those who have read 1st John. He kicks off with a reminder to love one another and that to love is to walk according to his commandments. And, as we have heard before, there are deceivers out there who don’t walk in truth and we are to be careful to not be deceived by them. They are the antichrists, again, because they are against the Messiah.

In fact, John goes so far as to say that you shouldn’t even receive someone into your house or give him a greeting. By doing so, you’re taking part in the “wicked works”. Tricky. We are here on the King’s business, and although that means loving people, loving people is defined by John as following God’s commandments. So we probably need to be careful that we don’t stray from the Biblical understanding of love (which obviously goes beyond John’s definition to include sacrifice and mercy and forgiveness and grace, but it can’t include sacrificing fealty to Jesus in the process.)

John ends with talking about coming to visit face to face. Letter ends with, “the children of your elect sister greet you”, which makes a strong case for “lady” and “sister” being churches, as John is obviously speaking on behalf of the latter group. Makes more sense as a church.

<<< 2 John Intro

3 John Intro >>>

Tags introduction, bible study, 2 John

Bible Study 2 John Study

2 John – Intro

Post author By Ben Fust
Post date September 15, 2017

Introduction from the Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.com/explore/1-3-john/

<<< 1 John Chapter 5

Chapter 1 >>>

Tags 2 John, introduction, bible study

Study

1 John – Intro

Introduction from the Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.com/explore/1-3-john/

<<< 2 Peter Chapter 3

Chapter 1 >>>

Tags introduction, bible study, 1 john

Bible Study Amos

Amos | Introduction

Post author By Ben Fust
Post date September 14, 2017

Amos was likely written in the mid 700 BC’s. Assyria was an aggressive nation and in the 800’s had asserted itself from its original territory (think parts of modern day Iraq and Iran) all the way over to the Mediterranean coast (modern day Israel-Palestine). However, by the 700’s, they had hit a lull and the two kingdoms of Israel (Israel and Judah) had experienced relative peace and earthly wealth/success. They believed God was providing this because He was pleased with them and awaited the day when God would bring justice upon the nations that surrounded them. For a more extensive introduction, check out this video from the Bible Project: