The Holy Spirit Is Not Our Mediator
Scott Perry The word of God teaches that there is one Mediator between God and men--Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:4).
With death on the horizon, Jesus commanded His apostles to pray to the Father through Him (John 16:22-24). Paul commanded the church in Colosse to do all things including “giving thanks” to the Father through Jesus (Col. 3:17). Some in highly influential and highly accountable positions are teaching disciples of Christ to pray through the Holy Spirit, stating Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us pray (John 16:7; cf. Rom. 8:26).
Hopefully those who are teaching this doctrine have misunderstood the difference between an intercessor and a mediator. In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul wrote, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” From this passage, written to Christians, we can deduce that God wants us to intercede on behalf of one another and others; but four verses later, Paul states there is only one mediator through which all prayers, intercessions, etc. are to be asked. This excludes the mother of Jesus, dead men, and, yes, even the Spirit. We may intercede constantly for the benefit of others, but I cannot mediate for you and you cannot mediate for me. That the Spirit intercedes for us is evident enough (Rom. 8:26), but to say He is our mediator is incorrect.
Matthew 24: The Bible's Most Misunderstood Chapter: Part 2
Scott Perry A key to understanding that the indicators mentioned by Jesus describe the fall of Jerusalem is found in verse 36. Jesus said, “Verily (truly) I say unto you that THIS generation (c. A.D. 30) shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (emphasis and parenthesis mine, s. p.). Now let's dissect what Jesus said prior to verse 36 in order to show, from the Bible, how all “these things” came to pass between the years c. A.D 30 and 70.
1. (Matthew 24:5): “False Christ(s) appear deceiving many,” cf. (vv. 23-28). a. Josephus (Jewish historian and witness to the destruction of Jerusalem) documented that prior to A.D. 70 there were many impostors. b. The Works of Josephus, Complete and Unabridged: The Antiquitities of the Jews: Book20:8:6, p.536). 2. (24:6-7a): “wars and rumors of wars.” a. Secular history provides ample support for these building up to the siege of Jerusalem in A.D 70. b. Another section of Josephus' Complete Works is The Wars of the Jews. 3. (24:7b): “famines, pestilences, earthquakes in various places,” a. famine: Agabus, the prophet (Acts 11:27-30).
b. pestilences: (one killed 30,000 in Rome).
c. earthquakes: Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25-26). 4. (24:9): “deliver you to be afflicted...kill you...hated of all men...” a. deliver you to be afflicted: (Acts 16:19-24; 5:17-18; 40-42).
b. kill you: (Acts 12:1-2, James; Acts 7:58, Stephen; 2 Tim. 4:6, Paul).
c. hated of all men: (Jew & Gentile: Acts 5:17-18; 16:21). 5. (24:10-11): “then shall many be offended and betray ...hate one another,” a. then shall many be offended and betray one another: (2 Tim. 4:9-10).
b. hate one another: (3 John 10). 6. (24:11-13): “false prophets shall rise...love of many grow cold,” a. false prophets: (2 Pet. 2:1; 2 Cor. 11:13-15).
b. love of many wax cold: (Hebrews 3:12; 6:11). 7. (24:14-22): “gospel preached to all nations...end shall come...abomination of desolation:” a. gospel preached to all nations: (Col. 1:23; Rom. 10:18).
b. end [of Jerusalem and Judaism, s.p.] shall come: (23:37-38).
c. abomination of desolation: (Dan. 9:24-27: cf. Luke 21:20-21). VOLUME 41 NUMBER 3 JANUARY 19, 2004 OUR SICK Continue to remember Richard Lowe in your prayers.
Pauline Berry, Brenda Henson's mother, is now in Pines Nursing Home in Hot Springs.
Lois James, who is in the England Nursing Home is not doing well.
Jim Holmes, brother of Glyn Holmes, is in Fort Roots VA Hospital, D1.
Darrell & Millie Lynn are ill at home. They are improving.
Jimmie Sue Howell is ill at home.
*********************************
EVENING LADIES CLASS The Tuesday night Ladies Bible Class will resume on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:30 p.m. The meal will be provided. Our five lessons will be centered on Proverbs 31, and we will have different speakers and a panel discussion. The schedule will be January 27th, February 24th, March 23rd, April 27th, and May 18th. Please make plans to attend and bring a friend with you.
*********************************
THANK YOU We want to express our thankfulness for all of your acts of kindness toward our family during the trials in Richard's health. There are so many that I could not begin to name each of you individually. The meals that have been brought to us have been wonderful and so very much appreciated. The prayers for Richard and our family have provided us with such a peace. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The Lowe's.
********************************* SERMONS FOR JANUARY 25 Morning
When Prayer Is Ineffective (Matthew 6:5-8)
Evening
Have We Outgrown The Gospel? (Romans 1:16-17)
*********************************
ALL COMERS CLASS The Tuesday morning Bible Class will resume on February 10th at 10:00 AM in the Adult 4 Classroom. The study will continue in the book of Joshua.
*********************************
Lynn Chambers' 80th birthday is Monday, January 19th REFRIGERATOR NEEDED Jose Banda, the Hispanic preacher in Clarksville, is in need of a refrigerator. If you know of one available, please see Wayne Brewer.
*********************************
New phone number for Dan & Karla Bates is 838-6945
SEARCH
THE CHURCH AS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 25……….New Members Dinner
February 6……....Bible Bowl Pizza Party
February 7……..Bible Bowl Competition
February 10…All Comers Class Resumes
February 21…Ladies Trip to Hot Springs OUR RECORD JANUARY 18, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 225
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 184
P.M. WORSHIP 139
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 136 CONTRIBUTION 7332
BUDGET 6845
***********************************
MEN TO SERVE
January 25, 2004
Ray Wehunt Barry Williams
Michael Wilson Dave Tollett
Rick Wooldridge Danny Wooldridge
Paul Word Ken Bittle Evening Jim Wallace
Shawn Wallace
***********************************
WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR January 28 Wayne Brewer
***********************************
USHERS FOR JANUARY Morning Mike & Nathan Moore
Evening Ray Wehunt & David Gulledge
Wednesday Jim & Shawn Wallace
***********************************
GREETERS FOR JANUARY Jim & Charlene Mauldin
Anita & Jason Griffin
***********************************
ELDER CHAIRMAN January Gene Sullivan
***********************************