1st Thessalonians, part 1, the Doctrines of Christian Faith

Hebrew letter het

The New Testament book of 1st Thessalonians links up to the Hebrew letter het. Remember that this letter symbolically means fence or hedge. Its original pictographic form looked like two fence poles with two or three rails across.

1^st Thessalonians was written by St. Paul. It is the earliest of his letters. He wrote it shortly after he preached in the Thessalonian church for about a month. The young disciples in this church needed confirmation in the foundational truths and Paul gives it here. He also exhorts them to go on to holiness and he comforts them regarding those who had died.

All of the great and wonderful doctrines of the Christian faith can be found in this epistle. 

Let’s look first at chapter 1 where we find the subjects of election, the Holy Spirit and assurance, the Trinity, conversion and also the second coming:

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,
   To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
   Grace and peace to you.
 2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians, part 2, What Should Husbands Do?

Let’s look specifically at the rules for holy living found in chapter 3 of Colossians. Read the chapter and then see if you can fill in the answers:

1.         Where should you set your heart?

2.         Where should you set your mind?

3.         Should you “put to death” sexual immorality?

4.         Should you “put to death” impurity? What is impurity?

5.         Besides lust, evil desires and greed, what else should you “put to death”?

6.         What are the 5 things you should rid your lips of?

7.         What are the 5 things you should clothe yourself with?

8.         What should wives do?

9.         What should husbands do?

10.       What should children do?

11.        What should fathers not do?

12.       How can you make verse 23 central to your life?

So, what should husbands do?

Answer: Love your wives; do not be harsh with them.

Colossians, part 1, Linking to a Hebrew Letter

Hebrew letter "zayin"

Zayin is the 7th Hebrew letter and means weapon or sword. In Modern Hebrew it means to be armed and that is the primary theme of the 7th book, Judges, but our third zayin book, Colossians, is void of weapons. However, being related to the 7th letter is apparent in its relationship to the number 7 itself. In Biblical symbolism 7 represents fullness, completeness. Throughout Colossians the theme of God's fullness is apparent in the 18 times it occurs. 

all wisdom, all things, all fullness, all treasure, all wisdom, Christ is all in all, etc.

Colossians was written by St. Paul to the Christians at Colosse. Paul had not visited Colosse, but he often prayed for the Christians there. In fact he says early on in his letter (1:9) that he had not stopped praying for them. This is a short book and you can easily read it straight through right now before reading on.

Philippians, part 2, Pure Stuff, Lovely Stuff

Look at Philippians 4: 4 – 9:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Okay, let’s do the old list exercise for this passage.