KARUNYA UNIVERSITY Department of Value Education VE 302 VALUE EDUCATION COURSE - PG (Credits 1:0:0) Unit -I Vision and Mission

on of Karunya - Biography of Dr.D.G.S Dhinakaran (KU founder) Revelation Obedience Faith Introduction : Value Education, Purpose of Value Education - Importance of values in life.

Unit -II Concept of man: Creation of Man - Body, soul and Spirit - Man as tripartite being Concept of God: Understanding God Trinity Moral and Natural Attributes of God

Unit -III Unit -IV Unit- V Indian Church History : St.Thomas tradition - Protestant Reformation Pentecostal Movement Mission and Kingdom building : Great Commission of Jesus Christ Case Studies: Moses, Paul, Hannah, Ananias and Sapphira - Life and values inculcated by such personalities.. Beatitudes : Kingdom Values Sermon on the Mount Balanced Christian life : Secular and spiritual Biblical and Traditional Christ like living : Anointed life - Delivering the oppressed - Healing the sick Spirit filled Living : Fasting - Knowing Gods will Spiritual Maturity

Unit -I

Vision and Mission of Karunya - Biography of Dr.D.G.S Dhinakaran (KU founder) Revelation Obedience Faithx CHAPTER 1 1.1 VISION AND MISSION OF KARUNYA Karunya University was founded with the noble vision to raise professionals and leaders of high academic calibre and unblemished character, nurtured with a strong motivation and commitment to serve humanity. The Karunya Institute of Technology was started as a private self-financing engineering college on 4 October 1986. In 2004, the institute was awarded the Deemed to be University status in recognition of its academic excellence by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India and subsequently renamed as Karunya University under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 vide Notification No. 9-3-2000-U3 dated. 23.6.2004 of the Government of India. Karunya University is into its 22nd year of service in Higher education with specific focus on Engineering and Technology. In the short span of its existence it has moved swiftly ahead to carve a niche for itself as an institution promoting all round excellence. In a nutshell, Karunya is a co-educational, fully residential, Technological University imparting holistic education to develop the body, mind and spirit of the students. The Making of a University The origin of the Institution is amazing. In the year 1981, Late Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran, God's servant received the divine commission to start a Technical University which could turn out outstanding engineers with leadership qualities at the national and global level. Building up such a great Institution was no easy task. The Dhinakarans had to face innumerable trials and tribulations including the tragic death of

UNIT 1

their dear daughter during the course of this great endeavor. But nothing could stop them from reaching the goal. The Vision In response to the divine command Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran received from the Lord Almighty, the Institute was established with the vision of turning out of its portals engineers excelling both in academics and values. They will be total persons with the right combination of academic excellence, personality development and spiritual values. The Mission

Toprovidetheyouthwiththebestopportunitiesandenvironmentforhighereducationand researchinengineering,technology,medicalandotherartsandsciencestohelpthemtoattain veryhighlevelsofacademicexcellenceandscientifictemper,technicalandprofessional competenciesandlifeskills. Totrainanddevelopyouthastotalpersonswhowouldbeendowedwithdivinepowerand compassiontoservehumanity,toalleviatetheirsufferingthroughprayer,counselingandgood works.

Inculcate in students values and make them appreciate the need for high ethical in personal, social and public life in order to enable them to reach higher levels, to become leaders, to be voice in order to influence society and nation with a view, to uphold and promote a just social order. 1.2 BIOGRAPHY OF DR. D.G.S. DHINAKARAN

Dr D.G.S.Dhinakaran is the founder of the Jesus Calls Ministry. Born on July 1, 1935, he had a very tough life being torn by the ailments of poverty and agony of unemployment. Unable to bear the agony of these problems, on February 11, 1955, Dr.D.G.S.Dhinakaran decided to put an end to his life. He started towards the nearest railway track in his village to throw himself before the speeding train when he was stopped by his uncle who introduced Jesus Christ. He experienced a sudden wave of divine peace and hope, flood his heart. His mind was transformed and he returned home enlightened. After this incident, things started happening in him supernaturally. There arose an unquenchable thirst in him to spend hours together poring over the life-transforming pages of eternal Truth - The Bible, discovering secrets that could revolutionize human life. He spent hours talking to God and sought Him with all his heart.

The High Calling Seven years of diligently seeking the Lord Jesus Christ! On October 9, 1962, he tarried at the feet of the Lord Jesus in prayer till midnight. He pleaded persistently. "Lord! Hear my prayer now and grant me Your power! Or else, slay me! I don't want to live as a powerless and phoney Christian!" Next day dawned. 10th October 1962! After an exacting day in the bank, he returned home at 9.30 in the night. Supper over, he joined the family prayers. He longed to have a glimpse of blessed vision of Jesus. The very next moment, a divine presence appeared in front of him! He was thrown into an ecstasy of joy. The Lord opened His eyes and poured out His love and compassion in his heart! This love will console their broken hearts and heal their diseased bodies. Birth of a Ministry With a glorious vision and words of assurance, God blessed Dr.Dhinakaran His servant profusely for persistently seeking Him. Thus, the 'JESUS CALLS MINISTRY' came into being as a one-man ministry. Dr.Dhinakaran considered men and women from all over the world, irrespective of their caste, creed, race or language, as his own brothers and sisters. He considered their tears as his own and preached to them the love and compassion of Christ. He invoked the Lord's blessings and pleaded Him to perform miracles that will wipe away the tears of the multitudes. Apart from his job as a top executive in a bank, he devoted himself to God's ministry with utmost zeal. The power of Christ was manifest in his preaching and prayers. "Jesus Calls Ministry" spread far and wide. Today with God's grace, it has grown into a multifaceted far-flung ministry, spreading the Good News to the world in 20 different ways. His wife Stella has stood with him in all his joys and sorrows and also extends her hand in the ministry of wiping tears of millions and building up broken homes. His son Paul has been working with him from the age of 18, when he received the call from the Lord. On November 4, 1986, Dr.D.G.S.Dhinakaran inaugurated the Karunya Institute of Technology, a residential Engineering College with a strength of 2,800 students. The Trial On May 21, 1986, a great tragedy struck this spiritual giant! That was his ultimate test of his faith. He lost his only daughter Angel Dhinakaran in a car accident on his way to the Karunya Institute of Technology, Coimbatore. He was shattered and forsaken. He recovered from the great shock and continued his ministry in wiping the tears of millions who are in need of Christ's love and compassion. Great servants of God, like Pastor.Benny Hinn, Dr.Pat Robertson, Dr.Dave Roberson, Pastor.John Osteen honour Dr.D.G.S.Dhinakaran as the apostle of this age in India. Having established this multi-faceted ministry, Dr.D.G.S.Dhinakaran continuously and fervently probes into various other possible ways of fulfilling the mission of carrying the love and compassion of Christ to the millions.

Through him, people witness the miracles of Jesus Christ. The Home Call Truly, Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran was a man after Gods own heart, who healed millions of broken hearted people around the world through his prayers. His prayers were so powerful because the anointing that was in him was awesome. He also had the spirit of compassion in him which moved him to pray with tears for the suffering humanity CHAPTER 2

1.2 INTRODUCTION TO VALUE EDUCATION

WHATISVALUEEDUCATION? ValueEducationistheeducationthatteachesyouHowtolivelifewell?Howtofindhappiness?Howto makeothershappy?HowtomanageallkindsofpeopleandhappeningsaswellHowtogrowand succeedintherightmanner? ACADEMICEDUCATIONVSVALUEEDUCATION Bothareequallyimportant.Withoutformaleducation,youwillnotbeabletoreadorwrite.Without theseskills,youcannotgetagoodjobormanageeventhesimplethingsofdailyliving.Valueeducationis equallyimportant.Ifahighlyqualified,wellemployedpersondoesnotknowhowtobehaveproperly,all thatheorshedoeshaslittlemeaningandwillnotservehimorherwell.Fruitfuleducationisthekind usedforourwelfareaswellasthatofothers.Thiscanonlyhappenonlywhenyouhavebothacademic andvalueeducation. Themainobjectiveofthevalueeducationistomoldthestudenttobeanagentofpositivechangeand transformationofthesociety EXAMPLESOFTWOSCIENTISTS. Botharebrilliantandveryhighlyqualified.Butoneinventsalifesavingdrugwhiletheotherinventsa bomb.Bothhaveagreatdealofacademiceducation.Butthescientistwithcharacter,aloveformankind andcertainvalues,createssomethingthatcansavehundredsoflives.Onthecontrary,theother scientistcreatessomethingthatcandestroyentirecitiesandcausepainanddeformitieseveninfuture generations. AlfredNobelinventedexplosives.LaterhefeltsobadaboutitthathecreatedtheNobelPeacePrize, whichisgiventoindividualswhomakeextraordinaryeffortsto,fosterpeace. VALUEEDUCATION:PRIORITYAREAS.

 Respectforlifecommunalharmony,tolerance Justicebecomingagentsofsocialchange Issuesofwomenchangeofattitudestowardswomen FaithinGodstrengtheningtheSpiritofman DemocracyequalityofpersonsbeforetheLaw Opennessseeingpeopleofothergroupsaspersonslikeourselves. LifeofEmperorAsokaandHitler EmperorAsokawasoneofthegreatestIndianrulers.Buthisearlysuccesswasbasedonmuchviolence. Hereachedthethroneafterkillingnearly90kinsmen.Oneday,inthemiddleofthebattle,herealized thattherewerenotruevictorsinwarbecausesomanydiedonbothsides..Heservedhispeoplein wonderfulways.Eventoday,heishonoredandremembered.Onthecontrary,manyleaderswhogave upgoodvaluesjusttogainpowermetwithfailureanddeathinthelongrun.AdolfHitler,theheadof theGermanEmpirewasatonetimethemostpowerfulmanonearth.Buthemisusedhispowerto confiscatelandandmoneythatbelongedtoothersandtotortureandkillmillions.Hecausedthe SecondWorldWar.Whendefeatneared,didhefaceitbravely?No,hekilledhimself.Whatdoyouthink happenedtohispowerthen?Itdesertedhimwhenheneededitmostbecausehehadgainedthat powerbythrowingawayallthegoodvaluesfromhislife.Hispowerisjustanexternalshow.Itwasnot innerstrength. IMPORTANCEOFVALUEEDUCATIONEvenduringgoodtimes,thefinethingsinlifelikeahigh reputation,fameandmoneycanmakeapersonarrogant.Unlessapersonknowshowtousemoneyand powerintherightmanner,theseverythingswilldestroyhimorher.Soevenifyouhavemuchtalent, wealth,powerorfamewhenyougrowup,youmustlearnttousethemwellandgiveyourselfandothers happiness,youneedtolivealifeofvalues Youngpeopleneedhelpandguidanceinthedevelopmentofvaluesandvaluesystem,todaymorethan everbefore.Theyareconfrontedbymanymorecrisisthanthepreviousgenerations.theyarefacedwith manyquestionsthatwillleadthemtocrucialdecisionsandactions. MEANING Valuesaredeepseatedbeliefsaboutwhatisrightandwrong,goodandbad,worthwhileortrivial.Itis thatwhichisburiedinthesubconscious,anditsilentlyguideseverythingwesayordo.AccordingtoT.A. MathiasValuesareideals,beliefs,moralorspiritualprincipleswhichareimportanttousandonwhich webaseourliving.Valuescomeintofullplaywheneverdecisionsarecalledfor.

 VALUEINCULCATIONPROCESS 1.ReceivingFromsourceslikeParents,Preachers,Bible,Messagesetc. 2.RespondingBelievingordeciding 3.ValuingItbecomesImportant 4.OrganizingPrioritizing 5.CharacterizingFinallyitbecomesyourcharacter Focusingonyourcorevalues: Askyourselfwhethertheseareyourtrue,internal"bonedeep"beliefsoranexternal"should"value.We oftendon'trecognizealifetimeofconditioningthathasleftuswithotherpeople'sbeliefsystems. Replaceany"should"valueswithyourown. Examineeachcorevaluetoensurethatitisyourendvalueandnotameanstosomeotherend.For example,wealthisseldomavalueinitself.It'susuallythemeanstostatus,power,security,recognition, freedom,accomplishment,pleasure,helpingothers,orsomeotherendvalue. COMMITMENT Commitmentistheintegralpartofourvaluesystem;hencechangeinthesystemcanbebroughtonlyif wehavecommitmenttochange.Lackofcommitmentleadstothepresenceofthesamecharacterwith existingvalues,whicheventuallyleadstotheundesirableconsequences.Henceweshouldresolveto inculcatevaluesthatleadtoacompletelifeandstaycommittedtoit. Unit -II Concept of man: Creation of Man - Body, soul and Spirit - Man as tripartite being

CONCEPT OF MAN

I.

The Origin of Man

Genesis 1:1 tells that God existed in the beginning; He always existed; He is eternal. Genesis 1 :26-27 records the fact chronologically that man was created on the sixth day. Genesis 2:7 gives the details of how it was done, And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. The three parts of man are referred to in this verse: 1.The Body of Man our flesh, bones, blood, were made of the dust of the ground 2.The Spirit breathed into mans nostrils by the Lord God 3.And Man became a living soul ; this is the union of the other two. It is the part of man above the body but beneath the spirit and acts as a medium between the two (Baxon) II. Man a Tripartite Being

Man consists of three component parts: Body, Soul and spirit . There are two passages that clearly teach that man has three parts which is separate and distinct. 1 Thess: 5:23 says, "May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit, soul and body be kept sound and blameless." Very often the spirit and the soul are confused because of their close affinity and characteristics, Hebrews 4: 12 "for the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword piercing to the division of soul and spirit; of joints and marrow; discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Thus soul and spirit are distinct entities as the joint and marrow are or thought and the intentions of the heart are 1.Body gives man world-consciousness the ability through the senses to understand 2. Soul gives man Self-consciousness the ability to be a person, personality 3. Spirit gives man God-consciousness the ability to communicate with God III. Man Created in the Image and After Likeness of God Genesis 1:26, Let us make man in Our image to be Our likeness. 1. The image of God does not denote physical likeness, for God is Spirit and spirit does not have parts and passions as a man does. 2. The two expressions mean more than man having dominion over nature. 3. From scripture we learn that it means Knowledge, righteousness and holiness. It refers to moral likeness not physical likeness. (ref. Eph.4:23,24; Col.3:10) IV. The Body of Man This is the part of man with which we are most familiar - the physical part of man. Psalm.139:14, I will praise thee; for I am fearfully wonderfully made. The Bible tells us that the body of man was formed from the dust of the earth. Dust is analyzed as containing 96 elements and man also contains 96 elements, and they are identically same ones a wonderful proof of creation of God. To mention some of the 96: calcium, carbon, chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen, iodine, iron, magnesium, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and sodium . The body of man has five senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. All ecstasy, pain, sensation ability is expressed in and through the physical body. After the fall the body became a dying, death-doomed body (Chafer) V. The Spirit of Man Spirit gives man God-consciousness the ability to communicate with God. God breathed into the nostrils of Adam, giving him the spirit. spirit is very similar to the soul. It is the life principle. It is the spirit that gives the body its life. Spirit is the life-giving go-between between soul and body. It is the spirit that acts as a cohesive force, the glue or communicator between the other two dimensions. Without the life giving spirit, body and soul cannot coexist. When the spirit leaves the body (i.e life foes out) the soul separates from the body. A.T. Pierson says, that The spirit receives impressions of outward and material things through the soul and the body, but it belongs to a higher level and is capable of a direct knowledge of God by relation to its higher senses and faculties. The spirit is the capital city of the human

personality. God is Spirit, John.4:24, and the spirit of man is the part that resembles God most. (Rom.8:16) Ecclesiastes 12:7; 3:21 teach us that at death the body goes to the dust and the spirit back t God. VI. The Soul of Man Soul gives man Self-consciousness; it stands for the individual, personal life. soul is associated with the personality of man, his intellect, mind, wisdom, emotions etc. Soul is the field of ideas where experiences are analyzed, stored and interpreted on the basis of previous experiences. Without it events becomes meaningless. Relationships are perceived by the soul. Laws of nature (material and spiritual) are derived in the soul. The observed facts of physical world are simply matter and its motion. Soul therefore is the real person as we think of a persons personality. It is the soul that sin and is held responsible for mans behavior. Thus the soul is generated, inherits the generic experiences and then goes on to grow as the person grows. The soul seems to be the part of man midway between the body and the spirit, yet it is not a mixture of the two, though at times seems to take on characteristics of one or the other. The soul joins the two worlds, physical and the spiritual. The work of the soul is to co-ordinate the activities of the two diverse parts. The soul is to keep the body, as the lowest in subjection to the spirit, the highest. A.T.Pierson says that, God designed that the human spirit indwelt and ruled by the Holy Spirit, should keep man in constant touch with Himself, and maintain in everything its proper preeminence ruling soul and body,

Concept of God: Understanding God Trinity Moral and Natural Attributes of God

UNDERSTANDING GOD Definition of God: God is the creator and sustainer of the universe who has provided humankind with a revelation of Himself through the natural world and through His son Jesus Christ and through His Word (Scripture). God is not like us. When we were originally created, we were formed to replicate God in every way. Yet, even then, there was no basis for comparison between Him and us. He is our "uncreated" Creator; and we will always be His "created" beings. Throughout the ages humankind has struggled to become gods. From Adam and Eve, who ate the fruit "to become like God," to New Age enthusiasts who believe that one day humans will reach their final evolution in reincarnation to become gods, mortals have been striving for the security found in being unlimited in terms of knowledge, power, space, and time. We tend to place God into the context of our humanity, and then attempt to label and categorize Him, based on what we know about ourselves. God's creation will never know the depths of the mind of their Creator. All we can know, is what He has chosen to reveal to us

TRINITY Trinity Doctrine - Foundation of the Christian Faith - What is the Trinity Doctrine? In a nutshell, there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ) and Holy Spirit. The three persons of the Godhead are coequal and co-eternal (Genesis 1:26, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19, Luke 1:35, Hebrews 3:7-11, and 1 John 5:7). Trinity Doctrine - How Can We Comprehend It? The most difficult thing about the Trinity Doctrine is that there is no way to adequately explain it. The Trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain. God is infinitely higher than we are, therefore we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. The Bible teaches that the Father is God (Exodus 3:14), that Jesus is God (John 8:58), and that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). The Bible also teaches that there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4; James 2:19). How these two statements of doctrine can both be true is incomprehensible to the human mind. However, this doesn't mean that they're both not true. Trinity Doctrine - No Illustration Is Completely Accurate With respect to the Trinity Doctrine, none of the popular illustrations are completely accurate descriptions. The egg fails in that the shell, white and yoke are parts of the egg, not the egg in themselves. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not parts of God, each of them is God. The water illustration is somewhat better, but still fails to adequately describe the Trinity. Liquid, vapor and ice are forms of water. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are not forms of God, each of them is God. So, while these illustrations may give us a picture of the Trinity, the picture is not entirely accurate or complete. An infinite God cannot be fully described by a finite illustration. Instead of focusing on the Trinity, try to focus on the fact of God's greatness and infinitely higher nature than our own. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?" (Romans 11:33-34) Jehovah God is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit -- three Persons, one God. Tertullian (160-215 AD) explained, "We define that there are two, the Father and the Son, and three with the Holy Spirit, and this number is made by the pattern of salvation... They are three, not in dignity, but in degree, not in substance but in form, not in power but in kind. They are of one substance and power, because there is one God from whom these degrees, forms and kinds devolve in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit." (Adv. Prax. 23; PL 2.156-7). Trinity Doctrine - God is Beyond Comprehension! The core of the Trinity Doctrine is the reality of a triune Godhead - God lives in fellowship and relationship with Himself. This is a difficult concept to grasp. But let's put a God-sized doctrine into perspective -- God is beyond our comprehension. "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isaiah 55:8-9). It shouldn't bother us that we can't understand "tri-unity." We can't comprehend infinity, eternity or electricity either, but reality is real whether we can comprehend it or not. All we really need to know about the Trinity Doctrine: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19) NATURE (ATTRIBUTES) OF GOD I. NATURAL / PRIMARY ATTRIBUTES OF GOD :

1. GOD IS OMNIPOTENT (All-Powerful): Omnipotent refers to all-powerful. He has total power and control over His creation:. Does this mean that God can do anything? No. God cannot do something that violates His nature, or that results in a logical contradiction. For example, God cannot lie; nor can God force one of His creatures to love Him since, by definition, love is something that cannot be forced. The attribute of God that describes his ability to do whatever He wills. God's will is limited by His nature, and He therefore cannot do anything contrary to His nature as God, such as to ignore sin, to sin, or to do something absurd or self-contradictory. God is not controlled by His power, but has complete control over it; otherwise He would not be a free being. To a certain extent, He has voluntarily limited Himself by the free will of His rational creatures. This means that if God says something will happen. He has the power to make sure that it will happen. Just as He cannot sin, He has the power to forgive those who do. 2.GOD IS OMNIPRESENT.- (Everywhere): Omnipresence refers to God's ability to be fully present everywhere at all times. God exists independent of His creation -- time and space are part of that creation. Therefore, when man is sinning God is there. If a child is doing something a parent has told him not to do, God is there. There is no place where man can go to hide from God. The attributes of God by which He fills the universe in all its parts and is present everywhere at once. Not a part, but the whole of God is present in every place 3.GOD IS OMNISCIENT (All-Knowing). God has full knowledge of all aspects of His creation;His knowledge is absolute: The attribute of God by which God perfectly and eternally knows all things which can be known, past, present, and future. God knows how best to attain His desired ends. This, like omnipresence, demonstrates that man cannot hide from God because God knows all things. He knows the number of hairs on each head, He knows the heart and thoughts of every man. Just because no man is around to see us do wrong doesn't mean nobody saw it happen - God did God knows our intentions in the things we do. We need to be sure that our attitudes are congruent with our actions because God knows when we are doing things for the wrong reasons or motives. 4. GOD IS SPIRIT - God is a non-material personal being, self-conscious and selfdetermining. God is someone we can get to know. He, unlike ourselves, doesn't need to be told what to do. On the other hand He tells us what to do and how to live in a manner pleasing to Him. Just because He can't be seen by the human eye doesn't mean He is not there and therefore should be ignored. His creation demonstrates His existence. Also, since he cannot be seen, we need to devote ourselves to study everything that has been written about Him so that we can get to know Him like He wants us to and begin to live our lives in a way that pleases Him. 5.GOD IS CHANGELESS Progress and change may characterize some of His works, but God Himself remains unchanged (Heb.11:12). He does not change; otherwise, He would not be perfect. Thus, what we know of God can be known with certainty. He is not different from one time to another. 6.GOD IS ETERNAL Eternity refers to Gods relation to time. Past, present and future are known equally to Him (2Pet.3:8). Time is like a parade that human beings see only a segment at a time. But God sees time in its entirely. II. MORAL / SECONDARY ATTRIBUTES / CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD : 1.God is Holiness Gods primary characteristic is holiness.(Isa.6:1-3). The word holy comes from a root word that means, To separate .Holiness refers to Gods moral excellence. Being holy God demands holiness in His own children. And what He demands, He supplies. Holiness is Gods gift that we receive by faith through His Son Jesus Christ.

2. Righteousness & Justice - God is unique, unchangeable purity. Therefore, who God is, determines what is right, and again by default, what is wrong. When God's creation "agrees" with who He is and follows His ways, they are "right;" hence the word, "righteousness." However, when God's creation chooses to disagree with who He is, they are wrong. Justice - Because who God is defines the guidelines of morality and universal law, God Himself will not violate any of His laws. (God cannot contradict Himself in this manner, because it would mean He would have to change who He is. God is unchangeable, because He is uncreated). Because morality is defined by who God is, the person of God is also defined by His morality. Neither the "person" of God nor morality can be separated from the other. They are the same substance. 3.God is Love - The very nature of God is God is love. Love includes patience, kindness, and protection, trusting, hoping and persevering. Love is not envious, boastful, proud, rude, selfseeking, easily angered. (1John 4:8,16) 4.God is Truth the concept of truth is derived from the character of God and is the exact opposite of the concept of lying. It is impossible for God to lie. When he says about what will happen will actually take place. The secondary attributes of God also include that God is compassionate, comforter, provider, guide, father, friend in times of need. (John 4:24; 14:6). 5.God is Life - Life is the vital principle, or breath of life, which God imparted to man, making him a living soul God has absolute life in Him and is the source of all life. Since God is life anything other than God is death. God can think and act to protect His people. He can give life to those who seek Him. When His people pray to Him, He is able to hear them and He does answer them. 6.God is Wisdom Gods wisdom is revealed in His doing the best thing, in the best way, at the best time, for the best purpose. In creation, history, human lives, redemption, and Christ His divine wisdom is revealed. (Ps.92:5; 136:5; Rom.11:33).

Unit -III Christ like living : Anointed life - Delivering the oppressed - Healing the sick

CHRIST LIKE LIVING God's desire for all who know Him is for us to become more like Christ. We do this by first growing in our knowledge of Christ. It stands to reason that we cannot grow to be like someone we dont know. The deeper our knowledge of Christ, the deeper our understanding of Him, and the more like Him we become. Among other reasons, we are to know and understand Christ so that we will be secure in the faith. The Apostle Paul reiterates this truth in Ephesians 4:14-16: "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." This fact is repeated once more in 2 Peter 3:17-18: "Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men

and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." These passages show us that growing in the knowledge of Christ will preserve us from faith-destroying error. Of course, knowledge alone will not produce a Christlike character. The knowledge we gain from Gods Word must impact our hearts and convict us of the need to obey what we have learned. Romans 12:1-2 tells us emphatically that the process of filling our minds with the knowledge of God not only brings us closer to Christlikeness, but obedience to that knowledge aligns us with the perfect will of God: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will." The natural consequence of knowing and obeying God is that He becomes greater and greater, while we become less and less as we yield control of our lives to Him. Just as John the Baptist knew that [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30), so the Christian grows to reflect more of Christ and less of his own nature. Luke sums it up best when he describes what Jesus told His disciples: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" (Luke 9:23-24). The cross was an instrument of death, and Jesus encourages us to take up our cross in order to put to death our old sin nature upon it. God wants us to forget about this world and all its temporary pleasures and be obedient to His Word. Jesus is the living Word (John 1:1), and the Bible is God's written Word. Therefore, conforming to the Word of God is conforming to Christ. It is important to realize that becoming more like Christ starts by receiving Him as Savior from our sins. Then we grow in our knowledge of God by reading the Bible daily, studying it, and being obedient to what it says. This process causes us to grow and occurs over an entire lifetime in Christ. Only when we have entered Heaven for eternity with God does this process reach its culmination.

Spirit filled Living : Fasting - Knowing Gods will Spiritual Maturity

SPIRIT FILLED LIVING : At conversion the believer receives the justified life. He is made righteous. And the Holy Spirit indwells in him. This is followed by a consecrated life when we acknowledge the Lords ownership of our lives (ICor.6:19 , 20 ). At the altar of consecration we yield ourlives and our wills to the Lord (Matt.26:39). This is followed by the emptied life when we cast aside evil and selfishness. But we cannot live in a vacuum. Our lives must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians.5:18, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is a very strong New Testament command. At conversion the believer is complete in Christ but generally does not enter into the fullness of his spiritual inheritance until much later. By the fact of conversion every believer possesses the Holy Spirit, Romans.8:16. Illustration of the occupancy of a house The Holy Spirit may be kept as a guest in the par lour but never given control of the kitchen, bedroom or store room. The Spirit may reside but not preside, be simply a resident and not the president. As we yield the control of our lives He fills us more and more with Himself. Luke.11:13 we are taught here to pray for the filling of the spirit.

The crowning act of faith is for the believer to abdicate his life to the Spirit. This is not necessary for salvation, but it is necessary to be Spirit-filled. The infilling is received when the believer consciously recognizes the Holy Spirit as a being in full control of his life, completely governing every detail of life. I. Filling is a Command to be Obeyed

Is this wonderful experience a luxury for a few people like Apostles and Stephen ? It ought to be the experience of every believer. Ephe. 5:18 is not an optional command. Saintly S.D. Gordon in The Ministry of the Spirit says, Be God-intoxicated men !. The picture in Eph.5:18 is a contrast between a man under the influence, completely directed by another power, either wine (earthly) or the Spirit, (heavenly). Egypt always has the Nile but Egypt waits each year for its overflow. Having the Nile is one thing, but having the overflowing Nile is quite another. When the Nile overflows, Egypt is refreshed. Let us know the overflowing Spirit, John.7:38,39. The original Greek language is in the imperative progressive keep on being filled. Let the filling be constant and continues. The Apostle Peter was filled with the Spirit in Acts.2:4, and again in Acts 4:8, and again in Acts 4:31. Each day needs its own new fullness. II. Everyone Needs the Filling of the Spirit Every believer in Jesus Christ needs the filling of the Holy Spirit. The filling is for Apostles, preachers, fathers, mothers, young people and laborers. We each need it for our own benefit in order to be the best possible Christian. Without it we cannot attain to the Lords will for us regarding character and service. The filling of the Spirit is an individual blessing. Men are saved and filled individually. The filling must be individually received. You must personally do business with God. The Spirit cannot illuminate our minds, warm our affections purge our consciences or energize our wills until we surrender to Him and keep surrendered. III. The World Expects Believers to be Spirit-filled Our Christian walk is twofold: 1) God-ward and 2) Outward to fellowmen. The world expects every Christian to be almost perfect. To live up to the worlds imaginary standard every believer desperately need the Spirits filling. We cannot be effective witnesses if we are not Spirit-filled. To do the work of the Lord in the energy of the flesh can only lead to disappointment and failure. Spirit-filled believers, living the crucified life in relation to the world, are an effective means in the Lords hands to convict and convince sinners. IV. Conditions of Filling by the Holy Spirit 1.Forgiveness of Sins: Acts 2:38, Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the Holy Spirit. Psalm 66:18, the Holy Spirit cannot live with sin. 2.Son ship: Galatians 4:6,Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts. 3.Desire: John 7:37-39, If any man thirst also Isaiah 44:3

4.Faith: John 7:39, the Spirit given to those who believe; Galatians 3:13,14. 5.Obedience: Acts 5:32 He gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. 6.Waiting: Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, wait for the promise of the Father. Be unhurried. 7.Prayer: Luke 11:13, The Holy Spirit given to those who ask Him. Also Acts 4:31. 8.Appropriate the Truth: John 1:12.Ask and receive, Luke 11:9,10. Take the gift of the filling and live and act as if the transaction were real and genuine. V. Results of Being Spirit-filled 1.Power to witness is one mighty manifestation of a Spirit-filled saint, 2.Power to live victorious Christian life, Acts 20:22-24. 3.Glory will certainly accrue to the Lord, John 16:14, the Spirits basic ministry The infilling of the Spirit is the indispensable qualification for all holy living. The Holy Spirit quickens the intellect, affections, conscience, will and personality. The filling is the secret of abiding, obeying and God-honoring trust in the Word. We are not reservoirs but channels. We must overflow. Blessings must pour out. Conversion / Repentance first, then filling and overflowing. This is beautifully pictured in Bible pictures of the working of the Holy Spirit. Remember the filling is not a once-for-all experience. It must be repeated daily.

Fasting - Abstaining from food for the purpose of focusing on God.

Fasting - A Definition Fasting is defined as voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God. Prayer and fasting often go hand in hand, but this is not always the case. You can pray without fasting, and fast without prayer. It is when these two activities are combined and dedicated to God's glory that they reach their full effectiveness. Having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way of manipulating God into doing what you desire. Rather, it is simply forcing yourself to focus and rely on God for the strength, provision, and wisdom you need. Prayer and Fasting - What the Bible Says The Old Testament law specifically required prayer and fasting for only one occasion, which was the Day of Atonement. This custom became known as "the day of fasting" (Jeremiah 36:6) or "the Fast" (Acts 27:9). Moses fasted during the 40 days and 40 nights he was on Mount Sinai receiving the law from God (Exodus 34:28). King Jehoshaphat called for a fast in all Israel when they were about to be attacked by the Moabites and Ammonites (2 Chronicles 20:3). In response to Jonah's preaching, the men of Nineveh fasted and put on sackcloth (Jonah 3:5). Prayer and fasting was often done in times of distress or trouble. David fasted when he learned that Saul and Jonathan had been killed (2 Samuel 1:12). Nehemiah had a time of prayer and fasting upon learning that Jerusalem was still in ruins (Nehemiah 1:4). Darius, the king of Persia, fasted all night after he was forced to put Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6:18). Prayer and fasting also occurs in the New Testament. Anna "worshipped night and day, fasting and praying" at the Temple (Luke 2:37). John the Baptist taught his disciples to fast (Mark 2:18). Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights before His temptation by Satan (Matthew 4:2). The church of Antioch fasted

(Acts 13:2) and sent Paul and Barnabas off on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:3). Paul and Barnabas spent time in prayer and fasting for the appointment of elders in the churches (Acts 14:23). Prayer and Fasting - Required or Recommended? The Word of God does not specifically command believers to spend time in prayer and fasting. At the same time, prayer and fasting is definitely something we should be doing. Far too often, though, the focus of prayer and fasting is on abstaining from food. Instead, the purpose of Christian fasting should be to take our eyes off the things of this world and focus our thoughts on God. Fasting should always be limited to a set time because not eating for extended periods can be damaging to the body. Fasting is not a method of punishing our bodies and it is not be used as a "dieting method" either. We are not to spend time in prayer and fasting in order to lose weight, but rather to gain a deeper fellowship with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world through prayer and biblical fasting, we can focus better on Christ. Matthew 6:16-18 declares, "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Prayer and Fasting - What Does it Accomplish? Spending time in prayer and fasting is not automatically effective in accomplishing the desires of those who fast. Fasting or no fasting, God only promises to answer our prayers when we ask according to His will. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him." In the prophet Isaiah's time, the people grumbled that they had fasted, yet God did not answer in the way they wanted (Isaiah 58:3-4). Isaiah responded by proclaiming that the external show of fasting and prayer, without the proper heart attitude, was futile (Isaiah 58:5-9). How can you know if you are praying and fasting according to God's will? Are you praying and fasting for things that honor and glorify God? Does the Bible clearly reveal that it is God's will for you? If we are asking for something that is not honoring to God or not God's will for our lives, God will not give what we ask for, whether we fast or not. How can we know God's will? God promises to give us wisdom when we ask. James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Biblical Fasting - Is fasting necessary for todays Christian church? Biblical fasting is a spiritual discipline which was encouraged by Jesus, Himself, while He was on earth. When questioned as to why the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist fasted while Jesus disciples did not, Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast (Matthew 9:15). Jesus was indicating that fasting would become a necessity when, the bridegroom (Jesus) was taken away. While Jesus, who was God manifested in human form, was still on earth, His followers enjoyed a close fellowship and friendship with Him. Jesus bestowed power and authority on them to the extent that they had limited power to preach, heal the sick, and cast out devils. Similarly, when Jesus sent them out to minister to the populace, He instructed them to take few provisions. Then Jesus asked them, When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything? Nothing, they answered. He said to them, But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one (Luke 22:35-36). Jesus was teaching that after His departure, the entire dynamic would change and the disciples would need a different type of preparation and provision. Fasting was to be a vital part of this new preparation. The new covenant is based on the truth that we have received everything in Christ, Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Nevertheless, we cooperate with the Spirit in the working out of our salvation with much prayer, meditation, and the study of Gods Word. In addition to all these spiritual practices, Christians should also employ the humbling discipline of fasting. Biblical Fasting - Is there a proper method to fasting? Biblical fasting, unlike fasting for medical or health reasons, must be done with an attitude of seriousness and sincerity. When we fast, we willingly deprive the body of nourishment and the pleasurable taste of food. The body requires food for sustenance; therefore our hearts and minds must be totally focused and directed towards God so that He may be the full source of our strength during our period of fasting. Fasting must also be done in an attitude of humility. It is not necessary for others to know we are fasting; it is directed towards God. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matthew 6:17-18). In addition to our attitudes towards God and our stance before man, our motives must also be correct. We should fast in order to further the building up of Gods kingdom by seeking to minister to others. The prophet Isaiah received from the Lord the acceptable motives for our fasts: Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter -- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:6-7). Fasts may last for varying lengths of time -- one day, three days, seven days, and more. We should prayerfully seek the Lord about the length of our fast. Fasting should have an object in mind; we should have a clear idea of the need and purpose. One of the most pressing reasons for Christian fasting may be revival -- Will you not revive us again. . . (Psalm 85:6). Biblical Fasting - What are the benefits of Christian fasting? Biblical fasting brings us into a closer union with God. While our bodies are being deprived for the purpose of drawing near to God, He has promised in return to draw near to us. This is a spiritual certainty. As we decrease, the Spirit increases. As individuals we are strengthened and renewed. . . .Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). While this verse applies to our eternal destiny, the principle applies to our daily sojourn; as we humble and deprive our bodies through fasting, our spiritual man is made stronger and our senses more acute. This principle served the apostles well during the early church days. Their decisions were made through fasting and prayer; God gave them instructions and directions. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:2-3). Wicked kings, destined for destruction, received mercy from humbling themselves and fasting (1 Kings 21:29). The entire nation of Nineveh, including animals, fasted upon hearing the pronouncement of judgment from the prophet Jonah -- and God spared them (Jonah 3:10). Jesus received divine preparation for His earthly ministry while fasting and enduring temptation. Moses waited upon God forty days and received the divine revelation of Gods commandments. While we await the return of the bridegroom, our Lord Jesus Christ, fasting exemplifies our attitude of spiritual hunger -- the promise is that we will be satisfied. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6).

KNOWING GODS WILL

The Christian is one who has renounced his own will and submits to the will of God for his life in all that he does (Goodman). The problem that faces every Christian is how to ascertain the will of God. The life of Jesus Christ on earth is a perfect illustration of absolute conformity to the will of God. Hebrews.10:7, Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill Gods will. Jesus actually finished the work that the Father gave him to do on earth John 17:4. As Jesus was assigned a specific task to perform on earth, so similarly, each Christian is assigned a special task. It is your responsibility to learn from the Lord the plan for our lives. I. God has a Plan for Every Life

There is a divine blueprint for each one of Gods people. This plan is suited to our personalities, talents, needs, potentials and environment (Eph. 2:10) . God has ordained certain specific tasks, works for each individual Christian (Heb. 12:1). 1.Gods plan for you is very personal. It is just for you. Psalm.32:8 2.Gods plan is very detailed. Psalm 37:23. 3.Gods plan is continuous. Isaiah 58:11 4. Gods plan is definite and specific. Isaiah 30:21 The Lord guides by His Spirit/ Word 5. God wants us to enquire about His plan. Psalm 143:8 God wants us to be much in prayer for daily details. 6.The will of God is always good, acceptable and perfect for that particular believer, Romans.12:2 Note: It is a sad fact that it is possible to miss the plan of God in our selfish and stubborn ways to do our own planning. We are incapable of planning our own lives, Jeremiah.10:23. Only God knows the future and He is the One capable of choosing our vocation or path. II. Conditions of Guidance 1.Seperation from the world and all known sin I Thes. 4:3; Rom.12:2. 2.Trust in the Lord , Psalm.37:3; 32:8 Guidance is only for the believer. 3.Delight yourself also in the Lord,Psalm.37:4 Be eager, willing to know His will and obey 4.Commit your way to the Lord,Psalm.37:5 Have complete, explicit faith in Him. 5.Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him,Psalm.37:7. 6.Surrender to the will of God. We must bw willing to obey His will, Rom.12:1,2. 7.Spiritual Mindedness, Rom.12;2 Your mind in tune with the Lord, His Spirit,, His Book, to hear His still, small voice. III. Methods of Guidance How does God reveal His will to the seeking individual ? The truth is that God is sovereign and does not work according to a set pattern, for He deals with each person differently. 1.God often guides through verses of scripture that speak loudly to you. Caution: Dont close your eyes and point at a random verse. God does not act haphazardly.

Saturate yourself with the Word of God that the Lord can bring various portions to your mind. Gods will is never contrary to the Bible. So, Know the Word ! 2.Inner conviction that is given by the Spirit of God, Rom.8:16 that certain course of action is good, right or wrong. Caution: Is it the voice of my own desires or is it what God wants me to do ? 3.Circumstances. God may close one door and open another. Nothing happens to the child of God by accident. Each item is planned by the Father. 4.God sometimes guides by a vision, Acts.16:9,10 5.By putting out a fleece, Judges.6:37-39. Gideon prayed that if certain things happened this way or that, then the Lords will would be accordingly. Caution: Be careful and do not arrange the conditioning circumstances in such a way that our own will would almost inevitably win. Dont say in a rainy season, If it rains tomorrow I will go to town - when you really want to go to town very badly ! Hence, Often guidance is a combination of several factors. You only need light for one step at a time. Obey the light that God has already given you and then He will give you further light. Remember that God wants to give you both the master plan and minute details of your life. Wait patiently on Him and he will reveal them day by day. SPIRITUAL MATURITY Living Sacrifice - A Biblical Truth As Christians, we're called to give ourselves to God as a "living sacrifice." The Apostle Paul helps us understand this truth in his letter to the believers in Rome: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) Living Sacrifice - Dying to Self So, how do we truly present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice? In a nutshell, we must die to our prior selves. This concept is wonderfully presented in this anonymous poem When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting or hurt with the oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ; That is dying to self. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence; That is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus did; That is dying to self. When you are content with any food, and offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God; That is dying to self. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown; That is dying to self. When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances; That is dying to self. When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit, inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart; That is dying to self. Fruit of the Spirit - Visible Growth in Jesus Christ "Fruit of the Spirit" is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life. Using the King James Version of Galatians 5:22-23, these attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. We learn from scripture that these are not individual "fruits" from which we pick and choose. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one ninefold "fruit" that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians should be producing in their new lives with Jesus Christ. Fruit of the Spirit - The Nine Biblical Attributes The fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian's transformed life. In order to mature as believers, we should study and understand the attributes of the ninefold fruit: Love - "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). Through Jesus Christ, our greatest goal is to do all things in love. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Joy - "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Peace - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13). Longsuffering (patience) -- We are "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11). "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).

Gentleness (kindness) -- We should live "in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left" (2 Corinthians 6:6-7). Goodness - "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power" (2 Thessalonians 1:11). "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians 5:9). Faith (faithfulness) - "O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth" (Isaiah 25:1). "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:16-17). Meekness - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2). Temperance (self-control) - "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love" (2 Peter 1:5-7). Fruit of the Spirit - A Devotional for All Christians The fruit of the Spirit is a wonderful study for Christians at any level of spiritual maturity. We hope this website provides a thought-provoking devotional and a springboard for growth

Unit -IV
Beatitudes : Kingdom Values Sermon on the Mount

What are the Beatitudes?

This section begins with the setting for the sermon on the mount, followed by the beatitudes. The word "beatitude" is derived from the Latin "beatus," which means blessed or happy. This designation is appropriate because each teaching begins with the word "blessed."

The Eight Beatitudes

The solemn blessings (beatitudines, benedictiones) which mark the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, the very first of Our Lord's sermons in the Gospel of St. Matthew (5:3-10). Four of them occur again in a slightly different form in the Gospel of St. Luke (6:22), likewise at the beginning of asermon, and running parallel to Matthew 5-7, if not another

version of the same. And here they are illustrated by the opposition of the four curses (2426). The fuller account and the more prominent place given the Beatitudes in St. Matthew are quite in accordance with the scope and the tendency of the First Gospel, in which the spiritual character of the Messianic kingdom -- the paramountidea of the Beatitudes -- is consistently put forward, in sharp contrast with Jewish prejudices. The very peculiar form in which Our Lord proposed His blessings make them, perhaps, the only example of His sayings that may be styled poetical -- the parallelism of thought and expression, which is the most striking feature of Biblical poetry, being unmistakably clear. The text of St. Matthew runs as follows: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 3) Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. (Verse 4) Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Verse 5) Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Verse 7) Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Verse 8) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Verse 9) Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)

First beatitude
The word poor seems to represent an Aramaic 'ny (Hebrew 'an), bent down, afflicted, miserable, poor; while meek is rather a synonym from the same root, 'nwan (Hebrew 'naw), bending oneself down, humble, meek, gentle. Some scholars would attach to the former word also the sense of humility; others think of "beggars before God" humbly acknowledging their need of Divine help. But the opposition of "rich" (Luke 6:24) points especially to the common and obvious meaning, which, however, ought not to be confined to economical need and distress, but may comprehend the whole of the painful condition of the poor: their low estate, their social dependence, their defenceless exposure toinjustice from the rich and the mighty. Besides the Lord's blessing, the promise of the heavenly kingdom is not bestowed on the actual external condition of such poverty. The blessed ones are the poor "in spirit", who by their free will are ready to bear for God's sake this painful and humble condition, even though at present they be actually rich and happy; while on the other hand, the really poor man may fall short of this poverty "in spirit".

Second beatitude
Inasmuch as poverty is a state of humble subjection, the "poor in spirit", come near to the "meek", the subject of the second blessing. The anawim, they who humbly and meekly bend themselves down before God and man, shall "inherit the land" and possess their inheritance in peace. This is a phrase taken from Psalm 36:11, where it refers to the Promised Land of Israel, but here in the words of Christ, it is of course but a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven, the spiritual realm of the Messiah. Not a few interpreters, however, understand "the earth". But they overlook the original meaning of Psalm 36:11, and unless, by a far-

fetched expedient, they take the earth also to be a symbol of theMessianic kingdom, it will be hard to explain the possession of the earth in a satisfactory way.

Third beatitude
The "mourning" in the Third Beatitude is in Luke (6:25) opposed to laughter and similar frivolous worldly joy. Motives of mourning are not to be drawn from the miseries of a life of poverty, abjection, and subjection, which are the veryblessings of verse 3, but rather from those miseries from which the pious man is suffering in himself and in others, and most of all the tremendous might of evil throughout the world. To such mourners the Lord Jesus carries the comfort of the heavenly kingdom, "the consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25) foretold by the prophets, and especially by the Book of Consolation of Isaias (11-16). Even the later Jews knew the Messiah by the name of Menahhem, Consoler. These threeblessings, poverty, abjection, and subjection are a commendation of what nowadays are called the passive virtues:abstinence and endurace, and the Eighth Beatitude (verse 10) leads us back again to the teaching.

Fourth beatitude
The others, however, demand a more active behaviour. First of all, "hunger and thirst" after justice: a strong and continuous desire of progress in religious and moral perfection, the reward of which will be the very fulfilment of the desire, the continuous growth in holiness.

Fifth beatitude
From this interior desire a further step should be taken to acting to the works of "mercy", corporal and spiritual. Through these the merciful will obtain the Divine mercy of the Messianic kingdom, in this life and in the final judgment. The wonderful fertility of the Church in works and institutions of corporal and spiritual mercy of every kind shows theprophetical sense, not to say the creative power, of this simple word of the Divine Teacher.

Sixth beatitude
According to biblical terminology, "cleanness of heart" (verse 8) cannot exclusively be found in interior chastity, nor even, as many scholars propose, in a genral purity of conscience, as opposed to the Levitical, or legal, purity required by the Scribes and Pharisees. At least the proper place of such a blessing does not seem to be between mercy (verse 7) and peacemaking (verse 9), nor after the apparently more far-reaching virtue of hunger and thirst after justice. But frequently in the Old and New Testaments (Genesis 20:5; Job 33:3, Psalms 23:4 (24:4) and 72:1 (73:1); 1 Timothy 1:5;2 Timothy 2:22) the "pure heart" is the simple and sincere good intention, the "single eye" of Matthew 6:22, and thus opposed to the unavowed by-ends of the Pharisees (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; 7:15; 23:5-7, 14) This "single eye" or "pure heart" is most of all required in the works of mercy (verse 7) and zeal (verse 9) in behalf of one's neighbor. And it stands to reason that the blessing, promised to this continuous looking for God's glory, should consist of thesupernatural "seeing" of God Himself, the last aim and end of the heavenly kingdom in its completion.

Seventh beatitude

The "peacemakers" (verse 9) are those who not only live in peace with others but moreover do their best to preserve peace and friendship among mankind and between God and man, and to restore it when it has been disturbed. It is on account of this godly work, "an imitating of God's love of man" as St. Gregory of Nyssa styles it, that they shall be called the sons of God, "children of your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:45).

Eighth beatitude
When after all this the pious disciples of Christ are repaid with ingratitude and even "persecution" (verse 10) it will be but a new blessing, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." So, by an inclusion, not uncommon in biblical poetry, the last blessing goes back to the first and the second. The pious, whose sentiments and desires whose works and sufferings are held up before us, shall be blessed and happy by their share in the Messianic kingdom, here and hereafter. And viewed in the intermediate verses seem to express, in partial images of the one endless beatitude, the same possession of the Messianic salvation. The eight conditions required constitute the fundamental law of the kingdom, the very pith and marrow of Christian perfection. For its depth and breadth of thought, and its practical bearing on Christian life, the passage may be put on a level with the Decalogue in the Old, and the Lord's Prayer in the New Testament, and it surpassed both in its poetical beauty of structure.

KINGDOM VALUES
As with other areas, the kingdom of God is also unique in its sense of values. From almost every aspect, God expresses value in things which are overlooked or treated lightly by common men. Defining kingdom values takes us into many unlikely areas. I. DEFINING SUCCESS: Most men find a high correlation between earthly achievement and success. The man who amasses wealth, or gains political prominence, ormore benevolently discovers a miracle cure for a dread disease....these are considered successful in life. But, though such would indicate the reaching of some earthly goal, one could have any or all of these things and still be a failure. As Christ said, What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?Matt 16:26 a. Regarding wealth a mans life does NOT consist of the abundance of the things he possesses. Lk 12:15

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare...for the love of money is the root of all evil... 1 Tim 6:6-10 Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... Mt 6:19 More important than gaining earthly wealth is insuring the value of earthly things by using them to build an account in heaven..God is kindly disposed toward those lacking in earthly goods: Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? Jas 2:5. On the other hand, He is greatly concerned for the wellbeing of those who are rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God. For it is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.. Lk 18:24, 25 B. Regarding popularity(being elected almost demands a spirit of compromise, an effort to please at least MOST of the people...) Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jno 12:42, 43 For do I yet persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.. Gal 1:10 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you...Lk 6:26 C. Regarding earthly good Helping the body is secondary in comparison to spiritual good. 1 Tim 4:8For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come.. The fact is, the greatest of benefits to ones physical self does not compare to what can benefit the soul. Even a man like Jonas Salk, who benefited mankind greatly in the discovery of a polio vaccine, cannot be compared to a lowly saint of God who leads another to the truth, and saves an eternal soul! If we maintain our view that the kingdom of God was the centerpiece of Gods purpose, and that it is designed to bring about the eternal preservation of His people, then the greatest of earthly achievements cannot approach the simple process of conversion, and the reconciling back to God of one of His own! 2 Cor 4:16-5:1For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory....for we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.. What then, is success as viewed by kingdom people? It is well expressed by Paul, in 2 Cor 5:9Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, WE MAY BE ACCEPTED OF HIM.. The word labor is from a complex Greek term which literally means ambition..In

other words the ambition of the disciple of Christ is to be accepted of him...Our GOAL in life is to please God, to be acceptable to Him. Others may aim lower, and achieve their goal (wealth, human knowledge, power, pleasure, benevolence, etc.), while omitting the most basic of aimsthat of preserving the most precious thing any of us have. And, while it is not necessarily evil to seek some earthly goal, it is important to keep in mind that such can never be allowed to divert us from the more significant ambition to please God and go to heaven. The demands of time, resources and effort may make inroads into these things which must be primarily devoted to the greater goal, and hinder us from the main thing. Paul himself is a great example of making the right choice as to such things: After listing the various reasons he might have had for the satisfaction of earthly ambitions, in Phil 3, He said, ..but what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.. There is no doubt that this is a life or death decision (and, it involves a unique view of how to achieve it): If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it... Matt 16:24, 25 2. DEFINING DEVOTION: There is no question that the intensity of ones involvement in a thing is determined by the extent of his devotion to that thing. It is devotion to things which results in idolatrycovetousness, which is idolatry Col 3:5. Such people are described in Phil 3:19 as those whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things... In Romans 8, the issue is clearly drawn: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (V. 5-8) In fact, the two minds are at war with each other. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other.. Gal 5:17 There is NOTHING of an earthly nature which merits an intense desire upon our part which threatens to unseat the One who rightly should reign in our heart. EVERY earthly yearning must give way to the overriding devotion one has to God. Matt 22:36-39Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Luke adds with all thy strength (10:27) In Marks account (chap 12), the scribe who asked the question rightly perceived the truth of Christs answer, at which point

Christ told him he was not far from the kingdom of God.. Col 3:1-3--If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.. There is no discernible limit as to the intensity with which one seeks the things above. Loving God with ALL the heart, soul, mind, and strength is a radical idea, but one consistent with the nature and demands of the kingdom of God. The entire mindset of the kingdom citizen is directed toward the achievement of a subjection of self, and an enthroning of God in the seat of authority in ones life. The conditions of blessedness or real happiness as set forth in the Beatitudes is NOT moderate! Blessed are....the poor in spirit...theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. (Those who rightly see themselves as destitute of spiritual resources, and entirely dependent upon God) Blessed are.....they that mourn....they shall be comforted. (Those who recognize that, in their daily conduct, they have violated Gods laws, and are driven to feel and express great sorrow in that realitythus, the mourning demonstrates a concern for true kingdom principles, and an agonizing over the failures in life which diminish them) Blessed are ......the meek.......they shall inherit the earth. (Vine says the term meek describes an inwrought grace of the soul...it is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting..it is closely related to humility and gentleness) Blessed are ....they that hunger and thirst after righteousness...they shall be filled (These yearnings are self-explanatory. It stipulates those whose interest in righteousness far exceeds the trivial. Hunger and thirst are among the STRONGEST of human desires, and aptly describe the desired stance toward righteousness....) Blessed are.....the merciful....they shall obtain mercy (This is among the more clearly non-human attributes needed for true happiness. It is in our nature to take revenge, to take advantage of anothers weakness, etc. It is more God-like to feel sympathy for anothers weakness, to pity the weak. Only by exhibiting such can we expect God to respond in like manner. Those who are merciful are more likely to receive it from others, as well.) Blessed are.....the peacemakers.....they shall be called the children of God (In contrasting earthly and heavenly wisdom, James says that strife and contention arise from the former, whereas peace and gentleness are produced through the latter. James 3. The greatest form of peace is that which is obtained with Godthe greatest work, therefore, is to work toward that desired state between us and God, and between others and God. To do so is to truly partake of the divine nature.) Blessed are they....which are persecuted for righteousness sake....theirs is the kingdom of heaven (One whose mindset makes him willing to accept abuse and even death to be righteous and to uphold righteousness is a kingdom character!)

3. DEFINING THE HOMELAND: Just as the kingdom is not typical in its territory, it is also unique in its view of what home is. A kingdom understanding is that we do not belong here on this earth permanently! In both Old and New Testament periods, those who got it anticipated something better. In commending the saints of old, even before and including Abraham, the Hebrew writer says of them: these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth..they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly...for God hath prepared for them a city Heb 11:1315 Though God created a good earth (Gen 1:31), the sin that followed, with its consequences, doomed the earth to eventual destruction. It is no longer a suitable homeland for the people that God wants to Himself, and from that time forward citizens were encouraged to long for something better. Even in the Old Testament, the moral standards God set demanded a separation from worldly enticementsand in the New Testament, th lines are clearly drawn. As Christ said, My kingdom is NOT of this world.. (Jn 18:37) Even while we are restricted to living in this world, and submitting to the limitations of the flesh, we strive to retain control of our lives. As Paul said, though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.. 2 Cor 10:3-5 Again, Paul speaks of Christ ...who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world...Gal 1:4 On a practical level, the less we involve ourselves with this world, the greater our chance to be pleasing to God. John tells us, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 Jn 2:15-17. James reminds us, ...friendship with the world is enmity with God...whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Jas 4:4 While it is not the intent of God that we be taken out of the world now (I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world... 1 Cor 5:9,10) He does expect us to act independently of worldly influences. We must always see a clear distinction between the world and the kingdom. a) The worlds response to those in the kingdom: If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.. Jn

15:19 b) The Christians response to the world: Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of god with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: and I will receive you. 2 Cor 6:14-17 God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world.. Gal 6:14 James tells us: pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Jas 1:27 The world and its distractions present great difficulty in the way of the Christians journey to the world above: ...he also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Mt 13:22 This separation is best served by a settled understanding that we relate more closely to, and should be influenced more by, the heavenly realm, than the earthly. Paul tells us that our citizenship is in heaven Phil 3:20. The word conveys the idea of the condition, or life, of a citizen.. As American citizens, we should be familiar with the privileges, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship. Even though on one level we ARE citizens of the U.S., in a much deeper and more significant way we are HEAVENLY citizens. With reference to this, we are but sojourners and pilgrims here on earth. Peter admonishes us to pass the time of your sojourning here with fear 1 Pet 1:17 Despite being in one sense citizens of the U.S., such a condition must give way to the more significant relationship with heavenly things.... We are truly, just passing through, and must not let the world rub off on us. The true feelings of home in its most meaningful sense, is reserved for the feeling we have for heaven, and not that of this life. The reality is that as time passes and we draw nearer to heaven, we will gradually become less attached to earthly thingsand more capable of making decisions giving more weight to our connections with heaven. KINGDOM VALUES No. 2 When God introduced His kingdom, he proclaimed a different approach to life than that practiced by earthlings, and established a set of values which are better suited to the world to comewhile still guiding one through the difficult paths of life on this earth. In the process, God has redefined such things as success, devotion, and home. For those who would be His people, He calls for MORE than what passes for normal among men. In every aspect of human life, God raises the bar, and calls for the best that is in each of us. 4. DEFINING PRIORITIES:

Gods plan for man is simpleseek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.. Matt 6:33 It is amazing that something so unlike the expected human response stands at the top of the list of kingdom principles, and undergirds the whole process of getting ready for heaven. Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven.. In order to attain THAT goal, one must begin by giving it TOP priority. Even before the goal is realized, indeed, beginning at the very moment of making it a goal, one must allow it to supercede all else. As the kingdom parables taught us, its value is such that it is reasonable to surrender everything to gain it. The successful mindset subjects every human act and intention to the question: How will it affect my effort to reach heaven? Most all agree that we must put the kingdom FIRST...the question is, what does that mean? It must come before SELF Matt 16:24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me... BEFORE providing food, clothing, or shelter for oneself! It must come before FAMILY Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law....he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me... Matt 10:34-37 It must come before HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.. Gal 1:10; Acts 4:19; 5:29 It must come before earthly honors Paul rejected all such! Phil 3:8-11 We must realize that sometimes such choices must be made between two things, both of which may bein some circumstancesacceptable. Bible study, worship Vs. Household chores, etc. Lk 10:40-42 ...but Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Many hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her... the good of others Vs. Ones own feelings, needs ...in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus...Phil 2:3-5 helping brethren Vs. Helping all men Gal 6:10 as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them which are of the household of faith.. helping ones own family Vs. Helping all others 1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.. 5. DEFINING LOYALTY: There is room for only one TRUE love in the heart of the Christian. God (and Christ)

are to be loved with ALL the heart, soul, mind, and strength (this is not to say that spouse, children, family and others are NOT to be loved, only that loving them gives way to the greater love one must have toward God). A. faithful unto death Rev 2:10 Or, be faithful, even if faithful means giving up your own life to serve Him Rev 12:11 and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. Some have rationalized that, under extreme persecution, they may falsely disavow God, or engage in some wrong action, because it is important to save their life. The reality is that remaining TRUE to Him is what He expects and demands. B. confessing Him before men Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven... Mt 10:32, 33 As you would expect, Jesus himself is loyal to his disciples. Any who are willing to own up to their relationship with him can count on His willingness to own them before God...Only those who refuse to do so will be rejected by him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jn 12:42, 43 Jesus has no interest in secret disciplesthose who realize who He is, and believe, but are not courageous enough to tell others of their faith. True discipleship empowers us to act boldly, and makes us willing to endure whatever proclaiming our faith brings upon us. As Paul told Timothy: For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of love, and of power, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 6. DEFINING ACCEPTABLE CONDUCT: Far from minimizing the effort needed to please God, Christ and the inspired writers routinely warned of the GREAT demands that are made upon our lives. In Matt 7:13, 14Enter ye in at the strait gate: ...because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it... We are often told that strait means confined, or restricted, and that is sobut it means more. It comes from a word which means to suffer affliction, to be troubled, to experience tribulation.. The picture is of a DIFFICULT path, full of pitfalls and dangers. Often, there is danger in not perceiving the danger, or in underestimating the extent of it... Paul told Timothy: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. NO man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.. 2 Tim 2:3, 4 Vines gives as synonyms: suffer trouble, endure affliction and suffer hardship... Even when viewed in a positive light, the picture is one of outstanding effort: Be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service..

Rom 12:2 Multitudes of terms come to mind which emphasize the degree of effort required: Give diligence; endeavor; strive; labor; buffet; fervent, etc. Surely, these serve to alert us that more than ordinary effort is needed to properly live before our King and Savior. In describing attitudes, such as love, we are told it..beareth ALL things; believeth ALL things; hopeth ALL things, endureth ALL things.. (1 Cor 13:7). We are reminded of the strong desires which we have to overcome...theflesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh.. Gal 5:17 In Pauls mind, it was an overriding compulsion: this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus... Phil 3:13, 14 By Gods grace we are taught to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world... Titus 2:11, 12 While it is not the purpose of this course to detail the specifics of positive and negative conduct, the scriptures make it clear that the Christian is to avoid the works of darkness (Eph 5:11), and acquire the traits of holiness and godliness. Even in the Old Testament stipulations concerning the kingdom citizen, this is emphasized: He hath showed thee, o man, what is good: and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God. Micah 6:6-8 In Gal 5:19-23, Paul first condemns the works of the flesh, then commends the fruit of the Spirit. The point to emphasize is that God does NOT impose the restrictions, and make these demands, just because He CAN, or because he enjoys seeing us chafe under restraintevidently what He asks of us, both to avoid and to embrace, constitute the ONLY way it is possible for us to get there! Contrary to the human approach, God does not sugar coat it! It is no easy thing to please God, but it will be worth it. As Moses told Israel long ago: I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live.. Deut 30:19, 20 It is, and always has been, a matter of faith, trust and confidence in God. He has called us to be His people, to love and serve Him, and to partake of His benefits. He has adequately presented us with alternate choices, and prevailed upon us with every persuasion short of coercion or supernatural pressure. Truly, we have set before us life and death....We must remember, as we consider the life of the disciple, that this is all intended for our good, to shape us and equip us for life in heaven with Him and all the redeemed. Every restriction, every demand upon our time and resources, will, if duly met, contribute to the finished product He aims for in our lives. Even our failures, when faced and overcome, will be for our good (Jas 1:1-13). If we are called upon to rise above others (Matt 5:43-48), it is only to supply us with the direction so that we can literally rise above others in days to come. There is no room for the fainthearted, or the casual disciple. But honest effort, and real commitment guarantee us our heritage, and, despite our imperfect implementation of these guidelines, we CAN enjoy deliverance!

SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Light of the world You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. New law and old law Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Murder You have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not commit murder" and "Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court." But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, "You good-for-nothing," shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, "You fool," shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Reconcile your differences Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent. Adultery You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell. Divorce It was said, "Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce." But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity,

makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Making false vows Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord." But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, "Yes, yes" or "No, no." Anything beyond these is of evil. Go the extra mile You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. Love your neighbor You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. The Lords Prayer This section of the Sermon on the Mount contains the Lord's prayer, and instructions on giving and fasting. Giving Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Pray in secret When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

The Lord's Prayer Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Fasting Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Money Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Don't worry about food For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? Don't worry about clothing And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil

nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Don't worry about tomorrow Do not worry then, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear for clothing?" For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Warnings Several warnings, the golden rule, and the parable of the wise and foolish builders are presented in this final section of the Sermon on the Mount. Judging others Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Ask, seek, and knock Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! The Golden Rule In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Wide and narrow gates Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Wolves in sheep's clothing Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will

know them by their fruits. Be obedient Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?" And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." Wise and foolish builders Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell - and great was its fall. Response from the crowds When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Balanced Christian life : Secular and spiritual Biblical and Traditional

BALANCED CHRISTIAN LIFE

What is the Christian Life? and What is a balanced life? and What factors should we keep in balance? My thinking was challenged by Alex to try to answer these questions backwards. He proposed that we keep seven factors in balance: (1) Financial, (2) Family, (3) Mental, (4) Work, (5) Social, (6) Physical and (7) Spiritual. I thought of how round the rim of my wheel would be if these seven factors were the spokes. There are clearly times in my life when my wheel would have given me a pretty bumpy ride. I tend to let the social facet of my life get short changed. Lately, Ive been trying to pump up the physical. You know how it goes. Alex challenged us to think of three goals in each category that would, if achieved, even things out.

That discussion led me to another question: What is the difference between a balanced Christian life and a balanced non-Christian life?So I put myself under the microscope to examine what makes each one of these seven categories uniquely Christian? I guess

Im talking about my world view of my inner world. So here are my thoughts. Id be interested in yours.

(1) Financial: The Christian view of money is that all money is Gods money (I Chronicles 29:1018 &Deuteronomy 8:17-18) and God gives us the responsibility to manage this money as a steward. Im glad I went through the Crown Ministries courseon personal financial management at my church several years ago. They have a wealth of resources and articles to develop this Christian view of money and wealth. (2) Family: The Christian sees children as having thebasic characteristics of the Kingdom of Heaven and as a unique gift or heritage from God. Psalm 78 speaks of our duty to our children is to preserve the continuance of Gods glory for generations by training them to put their confidence in God. How different this view is from those who see children as a burden. How tragic is the way we take abortions in stride giving very little consideration to Gods view of children. The family unit is so important to God that a mans management of it qualifies or disqualifies him to exercise leadership in the church. (3) Mental: On the high end, our minds have thecapacity to understand the things of God. On

the low end, our mind can be so depraved that itdisqualifies us from the faith. Wherever we are on this continuum, our minds are in continual need of
renewal, away from the natural way of thinking and toward a supernatural way of thinking. (4) Work: God intended us to work and for our work to be productive. It is God who makes the work of our hands effective because it is God who works in and through us for His good pleasure. In our church service a few weeks ago, Pastor Patrick Lafferty defined good works as human expressions of Gods character and purpose that display the worth of God to those who do them and to those who receive them. I like that. (5) Social: I think the Christian view of people is that some are followers of Christ and others are not. Jesus is the historical watershed that separates everyone into two camps. To be counted as a follower of Christ our goodness must surpass the levels that our own efforts can manage. As individual followers of Christ live out His character, their families become uniquely Christian, then their communities, and their countries. This is how entire societies can be blessed or not. My job is to love and encourage people, not to judge them. God does the judging. He doesnt need any more help with that. Jesus is no longer the incarnation of God walking the earth loving people. He does need help with that. So my role, as I see it, is to be an incarnation of Gods character of love and reconciliation. (6) Physical: My Christian view of my body follows the metaphor of a temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I should take good care of it and not abuse it in any way. Wow, can I think of a lot of ways I can neglect or abuse my body (too much sugar, not enough exercise, etc.) Although our bodies are decaying, those who are in Christ will at the resurrection from the dead be given a new imperishable body.Thats something to look forward to. (7) Spiritual: This is probably the most important piece of all, because unlike a piece or a slice of the pie it the ingredient that makes all the facets of this model unique. The spiritual dimension of life is not something I strive to develop and improve. It results from entrusting myself to Gods care by responding to His provision of forgiveness on the cross. I am born-again by His power. I am made alive spiritually by His grace. I have a resulting relationship with God that the Bible refers to as abiding. And so what I do, I do as a result of what He does in and through me, like the sap of a vine producing fruit. Thats my incentive to live my life consistently with His example. So the spiritual life is not striving to be like Jesus, not trying to win Gods favor, not trying to be good, but rather abiding in a relationship with God, getting to know Him more intimately, and as a result, coming to be like Him for his glory and my blessing.

So I challenge myself to live my life in light of these spokes of the wheel in a way that is consistently Christian and over the course of my life, with all its twists and contortions, to end up

with a balanced benefit of each. But my concern is not so much balance as much as surrender to Him, yieldedness and abiding. Id be interested in your thoughts on these issues.

SECULAR AND SPIRITUAL

In Gods word, we read very often about the difference between the carnal / secular and the spiritual Christian . The word carnal comes from the Latin word for flesh. In the eighth chapter of Romans and in the fifth chapter of Galatians, we are taught that the flesh and the Spirit of God are the two opposing powers by which we are dominated or ruled. We are also taught that a true believer may allow himself to be ruled by the flesh. That is what Paul writes to the Corinthians. In the first four verses of the third chapter, he says four times to them that they are carnal, not spiritual. Just so , a believer can allow the flesh to have so much power over him that he becomes or remains canal. Every object is named according to its most prominent characteristics. If a man is a babe in Christ and has a little of the Holy Spirit and a great deal of the flesh, he is called carnal, for the flesh Man is conscious of two worlds, an outer and an inner, a public and a private, an objective and a subjective. He is conscious also that these two worlds act and react upon each other; he is influenced by that world around and he in turn influences it. He is further conscious that his own inner and private world is a triple realm, each of the three elements of which interact upon one another. In the one realm work THOUGHTS, ideas, reasonings, plans. Though these thoughts upon various subjects arouse FEELINGS, of love or hatred, likes or dislikes, affection or aversion. In the third realm of his inner life which man can distinguish, he observes the WILL at work; he makes decisions for or against a proposed action or course. This triple and interacting world is termed the HEART, because it is the center of man's whole life, and out of it flow the issues of life, as the blood flows from the physical heart to all parts of man's body. Man is further and painfully conscious that both the world around and the world within are in disorder. Something is radically wrong with both. The physical world and its forces now help him, now hurt him. The moral influences, also, of the beings he touches are now a blessing, now a bane; now they purify him, now corrupt him. And he influences others similarly. Moreover, the uniform experience of all mankind, continued through thousands of years, has proved man's personal and complete inability to reduce to order either the world without or the world within. The confusion and corruption of both are more awful today than ever. Each man knows that his THOUGHTS are never absolutely right, true, correct, pure. He thinks wrongly, forms opinions that usually need correcting, has ideas that he knows are foul, or cruel, or unworthy. These he can never wholly exclude, or dismiss, or purify. He knows, too, that his

FEELINGS are more or less selfish, prejudiced, deceitful, and are all too likely to hurry him into actions he knows to be unwise or wrong. He is also aware that his WILL is inconstant, unreliable, too easily swayed by his desires or dislikes, and too often divided, distracted, that is, dragged in opposite directions. To right-minded persons all this is a cause of grief and deep solicitude: but what can be done? In his soberer moments man responds sadly to the cry of an old writer, "Wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me?" (Rom. 7:24).

Unit- V Indian Church History : St.Thomas tradition - Protestant Reformation Pentecostal Movement

THE INDIAN CHURCH HISTORY:

The Christian Church in India was founded by St. Thomas, the Apostle of Christ, in A.D. 52. In those days, Arabs and Turks used to work as business men and merchants between India, the Middle East, and Europe. Europeans had no direct land or sea link with India. The merchants used to come to Kerala for trade - buying ivory, condiments such as pepper, cardamom, ginger, etc., and timber such as teak, rosewood, mahogany, sandalwood, black wood, etc. which were greatly appreciated, treasured, and sought after like gold by the Europeans and the Middle Easterners. Thus, along with these traders, St. Thomas came to Kerala in 52 A.D. on a merchant ship from the Middle East.

The present Kerala State (named Kerala in 1956; "Kerala" means "the land of coconut palms") includes most of the former Travancore, Cochin, & Malabar princely provinces. Then Kodungallore was the main sea port in Kerala. Upon his arrival, St. Thomas was received as a dignitary by the King of Cochin, a sea port in Kerala, India. Cochin was a powerful and prominent princely state at that time. St. Thomas explained his religion, Christianity, to the king. The king was impressed by his words and more by the prospects of expanding business by establishing new trade links. The King of Cochin, as well as the natives in Kerala, were very hospitable and accommodating towards Apostle Thomas and the visitors. Brahmins - the highest among the Hindu castes were the only people who had any type of education. The communications of the king were carried out by the Brahmins. The legend has it that the King was so enamored with the new religion that he ordered sixty four well-to-do Brahmin families to join the new religion. The king gave prominence to the Christians in his palace and in his kingdom. The two dozen Christian families who had come with St. Thomas along with the local Brahmins constituted the first Church. St. Thomas converted many to Christianity, and eventually went to Madras State (now Tamil Nadu) to preach, and was later murdered by the natives at Mylapore near the city of Madras (now Chennai). He is buried at St. Thomas Mount, near Madras. Thus the first Church in India was established on the Kerala Coast and became known as the 'Malankara Church'. Kerala is bordered on its north and east by the mountains and on its west and south by the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The strip of land Kerala - lying between these mountains, the sea, and the ocean [consisting of Travancore, Cochin, & Malabar (Calicut or Kozhikode)] was known as 'Malankara' in the old days (Mala = Mountain, Kara = Coast). After the British came, they started referring to the region as the 'Malabar Coast' instead of 'Malankara'. Thus the ancient Malankara Church in Kerala was also called the 'Malabar Church'. From the Sun worshipping Brahmins, the ancient church adopted some customs; namely facing to the East (rising sun) when praying, tying "Mangalyasutra" or "Minnu" (means a necklace with a special cross) and the giving of a Sari - "Pudavakoda" or "Manthrakodi" - (means wedding dress) to the bride by the bridegroom at the time of marriage, etc. As it was started with the Middle Eastern visitors and immigrants, a relationship to the Antioch Church was developed from the early centuries. From the second century onwards, the Churches in Kerala got their Bishops ordained by the Patriarch of Antioch. This system continued for a long period of time. Except for the ordination of Bishops, the Church was independent. For the first three centuries this church had no other contact with Churches outside. Middle easterners comprising of Christians, Jews, and Muslims kept migrating to the Kerala coast even into the early 20th centuary. In the fourth century, in 345 A.D., one Thomas, a prominent and wealthy Merchant of Cana (Syria - Palestine), came to Cranganore (ancient Muziris) in Travancore (now part of Kerala) with a group of 400 Persian Christian immigrants as their leader. In those days, many Christians left Persia because of the religious persecution of Christians during the reign of Emperor Sapor II of Persia (310-379 A.D.). Thomas the Merchant

and his group were wholeheartedly welcomed by the kings and their subjects in Kerala, and were granted several special privileges. The people in Kerala started referring to Thomas, the Merchant of Cana, as "Syrians' Knaye Thommen". One subsect of the present day Syrians in Syria are still called 'Knanaye Christians' and can trace their origins to this group of immigrants from Persia. The Persian Christians who immigrated with Thomas of Cana joined the Malankara Christians in their Churches for worship. From thence in the fourth century, the 'Malankara Church' became known as the Syrian Church or the Malankara Syrian Church and its members became known as the "Syrian Christians".

PROTESTANT REFORMATION "What was the Protestant Reformation?" In understanding the history of Protestant Church and the Reformation, it is important to first understand that one of the claims that the Roman Catholic Church makes is that of apostolic succession. This simply means that they claim a unique authority over all other churches and denominations because they claim the line of Roman Catholic Popes back throughout the centuries, all the way to the Apostle Peter. In their view, this gives the Roman Catholic Church a unique authority that supersedes all other denominations or churches. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, this apostolic succession is only found in the Catholic Church and no separate Churches have any valid claim to it. It is because of this apostolic succession that the Roman Catholic Church claims a unique authority to interpret Scripture and to establish doctrine, as well the claim of having a supreme leader in the Pope who is infallible (without error) when speaking ex cathedrathat is, in the exercise of his office as pastor and teacher of all Christians. Therefore, according to the Roman Catholic view, the teaching or traditions of the Roman Catholic Church as they come from the Pope are equally as infallible and authoritative as the Scriptures themselves. This is one of the major differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants and was one of the foundational reasons for the Protestant Reformation. Of course, the Roman Catholics are not the only ones who try to claim unique authority through apostolic succession or by tracing the roots of their church back to the original apostles. The Eastern Orthodox Church also claims apostolic succession, although their claim is very similar to the Roman Catholic view. The split between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism did not occur until the Great Schism in A.D. 1054. There are also some Protestant denominations or groups that will try to establish a Trail of Blood that can be traced back through the centuries to the first century church and the apostles themselves. While these Protestants do not hold to apostolic succession in order to establish the authority of a Pope as an infallible leader, they still look to that connection to the early church in at least some small degree to establish the authority of their doctrines and practices. The problem with any of these attempts to trace a line of succession back to the apostles, whether it is Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant, is that they all are attempts to derive or support the authority of what they believe and teach from the wrong source, that of some real or perceived connection with the apostles, instead of deriving it from the Word of

God. It is important for Christians to realize that direct apostolic succession is not necessary in order for a church or denomination to have authority. God has given and preserved the supreme authority for all matters of faith and practice in His Holy Word, the Bible. Therefore, an individual churchs or denominations authority today does not come through some tie to the first century church and the apostles. Instead, it comes only and directly from the written Word of God. A church or denominations teachings are authoritative and binding on Christians only if they represent the true meaning and clear teaching of Scripture. This is important in order to understand the connection between Protestantism and the Roman Catholic Church, and the reason that the Protestant Reformation took place. In regards to the history of Christianity and the claims of apostolic succession, as well as the Roman Catholic Churchs claim of being the one true Church with unique authority, it is important that to understand a couple of key points. First, we must realize that even in the days of the apostles and the first century church, false teachers were a significant problem. We know this because warnings against heresies and false teachers are found in all the later New Testament writings. Jesus Himself warned that these false teachers would be like wolves in sheeps clothing (Matthew 7:15), and that there would be both tares and wheat that would exist together until the day of judgment when He separates the saved from the lost, the true born again believer from those that have not truly received Him (Matthew 13:24-30). This is important in understanding church history, because from almost the very beginning false teachers and false teachings have been invading the church and leading people astray. Despite this, there have also been true born again believers who held fast to the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, throughout all ages, even in the darkest period of the dark ages. The second thing to realize to correctly understand church history is that the word catholic simply means universal. This is important because in the early Christian writings of the first and second centuries, when the term catholic is used, it is referring to the universal church or body of Christ that is made up of born again believers from every tribe, tongue and nation (Revelation 5:9; 7:9). However, like many other words over time, the word catholic began to take on new meaning, or came to be used in a new sense. Over time, the concept of a universal or catholic church began to evolve into the concept that all churches formed together one church, not just spiritually, but also visibly, extending throughout the world. This misunderstanding of the nature of the visible church (which always has contained both wheat and tares) and the invisible church (the body of Christ which is only made up of born again believers) would lead to the concept of a visible Holy Catholic Church, outside of which there is no salvation. It is out of this misunderstanding of the nature of the universal church that the Roman Catholic Church evolved. Prior to the Constantines conversion to Christianity in A.D. 315, Christians had been persecuted by the Roman government. With his conversion, Christianity became an allowed religion of the Roman Empire (and later became the official religion), and thus the visible Church became joined with the power of the Roman government. This marriage of church and state led to the formation of the Roman Catholic Church, and over time caused the Roman Catholic Church to refine its doctrine and develop its structure in a way that best served the purpose of the Roman government. During this time, opposing the Roman Catholic Church was the same as opposing the Roman government and carried with it severe penalties. If one disagreed with some doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, it was a serious charge that often resulted in excommunication and sometimes even death. Yet throughout this time of history, there were true born again Christians who would rise up

and oppose the secularization of the Roman Catholic Church and the perversion of the faith that followed. Through this church-and-state combination, the Roman Catholic Church effectively silenced those who opposed any of its doctrines or practices, and truly became almost a universal church throughout the Roman Empire. There were always pockets of resistance to some of the unbiblical practices and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, yet they were relatively small and isolated. Prior to the Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century, men such as John Wycliffe in England, John Huss in Czechoslovakia, and John of Wessel in Germany had all given their lives for their opposition to some of the unbiblical teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The opposition to the Roman Catholic Church and its false teaching came to a head in the sixteenth century, when a Roman Catholic monk named Martin Luther posted his 95 propositions (or theses) against the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church on the Castle Church door at Wittenberg, Germany. Luthers intention was to bring reform to the Roman Catholic Church, and in doing so was challenging the authority of the Pope. With the refusal of the Roman Catholic Church to heed Luthers call to reformation and return to biblical doctrines and practices, the Protestant Reformation began. From this Reformation four major divisions or traditions of Protestantism would emerge: Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, and Anglican. During this time God raised up godly men in different countries in order to once again restore churches throughout the world to their biblical roots and to biblical doctrines and practices. Underlying the Protestant Reformation lay four basic doctrines in which the reformers believed the Roman Catholic Church to be in error. These four questions or doctrines are How is a person saved? Where does religious authority lie? What is the church? And what is the essence of Christian living? In answering these questions, Protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox established what would be known as the Five Solas of the Reformation (sola being the Latin word for alone). These five points of doctrine were at the heart of the Protestant Reformation, and it was for these five essential Biblical doctrines that the Protestant Reformers would take their stand against the Roman Catholic Church, resisting the demands placed on them to recant, even to the point of death. These five essential doctrines of the Protestant Reformation are as follows: 1-Sola Scriptura, or Scripture Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that the Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. Scripture and Scripture alone is the standard by which all teachings and doctrines of the church must be measured. As Martin Luther so eloquently stated when asked to recant on his teachings, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen." 2Sola Gratia, Salvation by Grace Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that salvation is by Gods grace alone and that we are rescued from His wrath by His grace alone. Gods grace in Christ is not merely necessary, but is the sole efficient cause of salvation. This grace is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life. 3Sola Fide, Salvation by Faith Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. It is by faith in Christ that His righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of Gods perfect justice. 4Solus Christus, In Christ Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that salvation is found in

Christ alone and that His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to God the Father. The gospel has not been preached if Christs substitutionary work is not declared, and if faith in Christ and His work is not solicited. 5Soli Deo Gloria, For the Glory of God Alone: This affirms the Biblical doctrine that salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God for His glory alone. It affirms that as Christians we must glorify Him always, and must live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God, and for His glory alone. These five important and fundamental doctrines are the reason for the Protestant Reformation. They are at the heart of where the Roman Catholic Church went wrong in its doctrine, and why the Protestant Reformation was necessary to return churches throughout the world to correct doctrine and biblical teaching. They are just as important today in evaluating a church and its teachings as they were then. In many ways, much of Protestant Christianity needs to be challenged to return to these fundamental doctrines of the faith, much like the reformers challenged the Roman Catholic Church to do in the sixteenth century. The Pentecostal Movement Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity, that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.[1] The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, a Greek term describing the Jewish Feast of Weeks. For Christians, this event commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2,[2] and Pentecostals tend to see their movement as reflecting the same kind of spiritual power, worship styles and teachings that were found in the early church. For this reason, some Pentecostals also use the term Apostolic and/or Full Gospel to describe their movement. Pentecostalism is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of different theological and organizational perspectives. As a result, there is no single central organization or church that directs the movement. Most Pentecostals consider themselves to be part of broader Christian groups; for example, most Pentecostals identify as Protestants. Many embrace the term Evangelical, while others prefer Restorationist. Pentecostalism is theologically and historically close to the Charismatic Movement The Pentecostal Movement is by far the largest and most important religious movement to originate in the United States. It has been called Christendom "fourth force", alongside Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodox, and it is probably the fastest growing religion in the world. The Charismatic Renewal Movement has some of its roots in historic Pentecostalism, and it is now deeply entrenched in most of the mainline Protestant denominations, in Catholicism, and in some Orthodox. Now, in the Third Millennium, the number of Pentecostals and Charismatics probably exceed the number of Protestants and Orthodox combined. Pentecostal statistics show 200 million members designated as nominational Pentecostals. In addition, there were 200 million Charismatics in 1993 in the main Protestant denominations and Catholicism. A total of over 400 million.

In the USA, the two Churches of God in Christ and the United Pentecostal Church are predominantly black denominations, with 7 million members. The Assemblies of God, is the largest predominantly white denomination, with 3 million. A total of 41,165 local congregations in the USA. In Brazil, there were 2 Pentecostal congregations in 1920, they grew up to 200 in 1930, and now there are over 25,000. In 1950, 10% of the Hispanic Protestants were Pentecostals, in the year 2000, over 50%. In the Catholic Charismatic Renewal there are now, in the Third Millennium, over 80 million (20 million in America), with official organizations in 120 countries. In New York City we have today 500 Catholic Charismatic Hispanic Prayer Groups. History: The first "Pentecostals" in the modern sense appeared on the scene in 1901 in the city of Topeka, Kansas, with a handful of students conducted by Charles Fox Parham, a holiness teacher and former Methodist Pastor, with emphasis in the Pentecost's Baptism with the Spirit and glossolalia (speaking in tongues) of Acts 2. The first student who spoke in tongues was Agnes Ozman, on January 1, 1901, the first day of the twentieth century. Parham founded a church movement which he called the "Apostolic Faith", and begun a whirlwind revival tour of the America middle west to promote his exiting new experience. It was not until 1906, however, that pentecostalism achieved worldwide attention through the "Azusa Street Revival" in Los Angeles, California, by the African-American preacher William Joseph Seymour. He learned about the tongues-attested baptism from Parham, and opened the historic meeting in April 1906 in a Black Holiness Church, a former African Methodist Episcopal church building at 312 Azusa Street in downtown Los Angeles. What happened at Azusa Street has fascinated church historians: For over three years, the Azusa Street "Apostolic Faith Mission" conducted three services a day, seven days a week, where thousands of seekers received the tongues baptism. At that time of color segregation in the United States, the phenomenon of Blacks and Whites worshiping together under a Black pastor seemed incredible to many observers. Indeed, the color line was washed away in the Blood of Christ, in Los Angeles, "the American Jerusalem", as it called by Frank Bartleman, where the people from all ethnic minorities were represented at Azusa Street. Besides the tongues-attested baptism, there was joy, and praise to the Lord, and service to the brother at Azusa Street. The expressive worship and praise included shouting and dancing, that had been common among Appalachian Whites and Southern Blacks. This admixture of tongues and other charisms with Black music and worship styles crated a new and indigenous form of Pentecostalism that was to prove extremely attractive to disinherited and deprived people, both in America and around the world. From Azusa Street Pentecostalism spread rapidly around the world and begun its advance toward becoming a major force in Christendom. Seymour and Parham could be called the "cofounders" of modern world Pentecostalism.

The Methodism of Wesley, and the Holiness Movement may be considered the front runners of modern Pentecostalism, with its basic theology mysticism and joy, but without the tonguesattested baptism. A popular Presbyterian pastor in London, Edward Irving, led the first attempt at "charismatic renewal" in his Regents Square Presbyterian Church in 1831, with glossolalia as the standing sign of the baptism in the Spirit. He was not very successful, but a pioneer of modern Pentecostalism. The British Keswick "Higher Life" in 1875 also prepared the way of Pentecostalism. The four waves of Pentecostalism: 1- The "Classical Pentecostal Movement" started by started in 1901 by Parham and Seymour has now over 11,000 pentecostal denominations throughout the world. 2- The "Neo-Pentecostal" movement started in 1960 in Van Nuys, California, under Dennis Bennett, Rector of St Marks Episcopal (Anglican) Church. In ten years it spread to all major Protestant families of the world, reaching a total of 55 million people by 1990. 3- The Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement started in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1967 among students and faculty of DuQuesne University, and by 19993 it has touched the lives of over 100 million Catholics in over 238 nations. 4- The Evangelicals started in 1981 at Fuller Theological Seminary with John Wimber. By 1990, 33 millions in the world were moving in signs and wonders, though they disdain labels such as "Pentecostal" and "charismatic". The basis of Pentecostalism is Jesus Christ, with emphasis in the explosive power of the Holy Spirit, specially as experienced by the disciples of Christ in the Great Pentecost of Acts 2, with the baptism with the Holy Spirit of Act.1:4 and speaking in tongues and the daily practice of the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit of 1Cor.12 and 14 The "two main features" of the Pentecostals are "praising the Lord" and "service"

Mission and Kingdom building : Great Commission of Jesus Christ

Mission and Kingdom Building: The Great Commission - A Personal Instruction The Great Commission is one of the most significant passages in the Holy Bible. First, it's the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples. Second, it's a special calling from Jesus Christ to all His followers to take specific action while on this earth. The Great Commission is found in the Gospel of Matthew: And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20) The Great Commission - Its Significance for Christians The Great Commission is the end of a Gospel and the beginning of faith in action for all

Christians. This command from Jesus is significant because it's a personal instruction for Christians to have a profound faith in Jesus Christ as indicated in verse 18. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." This is an incredibly powerful statement which demands faith in Jesus Christ, validating His power in the lives of Christians and their commitment to Him. This verse acts as a clear claim to Christ's omnipotence, and therefore His deity. If Christians do not believe this statement, complete faith does not exist. Jesus is very clear about His authority in the world -- it is complete and total from the beginning of time itself (John 1:1-3). In verse 19, Jesus gives His believers specific directions to follow after they have affirmed their faith. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Jesus calls all His followers to act and share the Good News of salvation throughout the world. People hear this calling and travel each year on missionary trips throughout the earth, spreading the word of Jesus Christ. Many Christians have made incredible sacrifices, traveling to remote regions of the world beyond the civilized cities into jungles and deserts. Mission fields can also be very close to home. It could be a neighbor who has not heard the Good News, or a poverty stricken area just down the road where people can't afford Bibles. In the 21st century, the Internet has become a mission field where people can reach out and share Christ's love. The places and people who need to hear the Gospel are everywhere! Another important aspect of verse 19 is that Christ is specifically teaching the doctrine of the Trinity to His followers. The three Persons of the Godhead are each equally and fully God and here presented in the logical order of Father, Son and Holy Spirit - yet only One God from the beginning (see Romans 1:20). Finally, in verse 20, Jesus provides specific direction with affirmation to His followers, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Christians are instructed to teach others about Jesus Christ and the entirety of His truth. We can't profess Christ as Savior and Lord, while rejecting certain of His teachings. As we teach Christ's truths, verse 20 declares that we can be confident, in faith, that Jesus Christ will support us. This fact has proven trustworthy throughout the centuries as millions of believers have heard, accepted and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ. Yes, Christ has ascended back to heaven, but He is present by the power of the Holy Spirit in every believer! The Great Commission - A Personal Calling In the Great Commission, Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith and spread the Good News. This is faith in action! People who obey this command change their spiritual lives forever! It could be spreading the Good News to a neighbor or moving to another country to reach the people there. It could be sharing with less fortunate kids down the street or spreading the Word in a town two hours away. Wherever we go, every faithful Christian is compelled through obedience to share the Gospel. If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, where has He called you to go? Who has God put on your heart to share the gift of salvation? What small or large steps can you take, with the knowledge that Christ will be by your side, "to make disciples of all the nations"?

Case Studies: Moses, Paul, Hannah, Ananias and Sapphira - Life and values inculcated by such personalities..