Eagleswings01

I think people are so susceptible to distorted Bible teaching concerning financial gain because the love of money is the root of all evil. Most believe that if you're godly /religious then you would be rich or wealthy. The distortions that I have heard are: -If we tithe, we will get more money, because we can't out-give God -Poverty is a sin and a bondage. They differ from the truth since God is our Heavenly Father and He knows what's best for us. To me it does not make any sense if God blesses someone financially or otherwise and he/she makes it into an idol.

It was necessary to make formal accusations and "try" the false teachers so that there would be discipline. The temptations to compromise and not go through with it was so great because of the office/capacity in which the person serves and how influential the individual maybe. It is so difficult to exercise church discipline today because we live in a world today where everyone wants to do what pleases them and they are not willing to take correction or to be disciplined by anyone including God.

The way in which the Gospel has sown the seeds that will eventually destroy slavery is that we are all one in Christ Jesus. Paul seems to condone slavery in this passage because he did not want to give more reason to speak against and persecute the Christians. Paul's motive was that so God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. Also if the slaves treat their masters with respect then maybe somewhere down the road, they(masters) would probably have some compassion and some mercy on them, a change of heart.

Paul said,"Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands" beause that may be unwise.The laying on of hands at an ordination is not merely ceremonial. It involves us with that person at a much deeper level and makes us responsible in some measure for how they conduct themselves in ministry. The dangers can be lessened by testing them first in that way we would be able to know the person thoroughly;from the inside and out.

Elders who direct the affairs of the church well especially those whose work is preaching and teaching should be compensated financially. The Scriptural support for such a practice is 'Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,' and 'The worker deserves his wages.'" (5:17-18)

The responsibilities we have to help aging family members are: -to treat them with respect and to honour them. -to help them and care for them -to give them support and encoouragement This is our christian responsibility since we are to care for our parents and grandparents(even elders).It is God's way of "repaying" or "requitting" what they did for us. This is a "repayment of a debt" since when we were younger our parents took care of us, then its our turn to do likewise. Paul compares those who refuse this responsibility to an infidel or someone worse than an unbeliever.

Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness because it is only concerned about rules and laws but godliness is much deeper. Godliness comes from seeking to please God, from submitting as a way of life to the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit, as well as to his occasional rebuke. A strong example of godliness in church leaders is essential to a healthy church since most people tend to learn by example;that is learn by what they see. "Leaders must not only talk the talk ,but must also be able to walk the walk." Others will observe and eventually follow.

Godliness is the careful observance of God's Word. Training (spiritual) produces godliness in a person. Training and disciplining oneself to read and abide in God's Word,and to spend quality time in prayer and fasting. Godliness is different from embracing a strict morality in that we are pleasing God and letting Him have His way rather than our way.

Performance of legalistic requirements is so attractive to people because it is declared by a leader of some sort and it is somewhat the doctrine of good works. It produces self-righteousness,conceitedness,pride among others. The True Gospel teaches that all our righteousness are like filthy rags,and it is our compass for everyday living.Everything we need to know is in the Word. If we need a word of encouragement, a word of comfort, how to deal with situations etc. it's all there in our manuals-The Bible.

Paul reminds Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy so that he will not be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos he sees in the church at Ephesus. Paul informed Timothy so that he would be aware of what to expect. The effect that this knowledge should have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation is that they would strive for a greater diligence in God's Word which is truth and this would therefore enable them to discern false teachings.

Yes there are differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons. Overseers/elders : -able to teach/preach -hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught -encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it Deacons: -hold the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience -cares for the business of the church

Tendencies to anger, intimidation, force, and pride are so important to consider in selecting church officers since it indicates the character of the individual and the kind of leader will have a great influence on the attitude of the people. When you don't consider these factors you end up with a leader who does not possess the right qualifications so to speak, the church may be discredited and could also lead to a falling away of the members.

Leaders should be observed carefully and tested before placing them in office so as to see what they are made of, their level of maturity and their ability to handle situations. During this period you should be looking to determine the genuineness of the individual/s.

I believe that Paul is indicating that we ought to be faithful leaders. A leader's family is an important indicator of leadership potential or problems since if a leader is unable to manage or take care of his/her own family then how can he/she manage he family of God.

Paul's instructions about women teaching and leading in the church should be applied in the twenty-first century by wives submitting to their husbands. However we live in a world today where many women are teaching and preaching and involved in other forms of ministry on a whole.Fo them to be there in the first place they must be "gifted" and appointed by God.

Women dressing in fancy clothes threatened to compromise the church's witness in Ephesus because they were dressing primarily to draw attention to themselves. We apply the principle of Paul's directive in twenty-first century churches without instituting a new legalism by counselling the women clothe themselves more appropriately and modestly. Inner beauty which comes from the heart is better.

In this verse,Paul was referring to the problem of: -the men were not doing things(prayer,worship) from their heart. Basically they were probably just praying etc as a "show". If we worship with the opposite of love in our hearts then God would not hear us. God is lOVE and He is a God of love. We ought to love one another as well.

I think Paul emphasizes the roles of Mediator and Ransom to portray that Christ fulfilled both roles. He came to reconcile us back to God by giving himself as a ransom.He paid the price for us.

Paul emphasized the salvation of all mankind in this letter because it is God's purpose through Jesus Christ.God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. The practice of evangelism in the Ephesus church was "away from" God's teachings.They forgot the Great Commission, Christ's command to declare the gospel to the whole world.

We learn from this doxology that God is: -the King of Kings -Eternal -Immortal -Invisible -The Only God -and Honor and Glory should be given Him forever and ever Praise should continually be in our lips at all times. By speaking out a doxology, you're actually agreeing and proclaiming who God is in your life.

Paul commented on his own life after a paragraph of the law because:His life was a testimony.He was sinful in nature, not abiding by the law but God showed him mercy.He was saying that if God can show him mercy then God is able to shower his mercy and unlimited patience on those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. He shared this with Timothy and the church so that they would be cautious and learn from Paul's experience. Sharing this would help get the church back on center because they would listen and take the advice of someone who is experienced.Also they would know that God is merciful, everloving and forgiving.

Some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus: -Leadership crisis among the elders, some of whom are false teachers -Desire for wealth--greed -Devisive asceticism from the Judaizers -Destruction of the Faith of some -Confusion and controversy that is disturbing the peace and unity of the church. Doctrinal contoversy hurts the spirit of a church by creating that distraction (loss of focus)from the things which are most important. It prevents growth since the direction of the church is diverted.Individuals now not in harmony anymore;they become engulfed in their own interests. It compromises the church's mission.In the sense that if the church is not at peace and unity then there can be no progress or no moving forward.(In unity lies strength.)