The Bible correspondence course is at the foundation, booklets and articles are on top of that, and Mystery of the Ages is the capstone., The launch date for the course website came exactly 27 years after the Philadelphia Church of God began. You dont have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. Finally, Halleys Bible Handbook is generally a good, concise resource. As we read the Bible and immerse ourselves in Gods truth and character, our lives are changedwe become more like Him. If we neglect Bible study, however, we simply cannot grow sufficiently to be born into His Family. A great misconception carried by many Christians has to do with the location of heaven. For more, log onto, 4 Lessons From the Philadelphia Church in Revelation, thefaithfulness of the church in Philadelphia, 4 Steps to Spiritual Awakening From Revelation, Christs Message for the Seven Churches of Revelation and Today, Revelations 7 Promises to Every Believer, Becoming a Cashless SocietyA Financial Sign of the End Times. The Church Of God International provides these free courses to help you grow in strength and knowledge of His Word. The more we let Gods Word correct our natural carnal thinking, the more we are fashioned into Gods image and prepared to be born into His eternal Family. Read the below Bible verse on faith and then five Bible lessons about faith from the old testament. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. Our own "desires" entice us away from God and desire "gives birth to sin" (James 1:1315). Or is it things below? Hensley said the website represents a huge upgrade for students in the rest of the world, especially. Bible correspondence course students living in Africa, South America and elsewhere have found that receiving and sending lessons and tests through the mail has proven to be not only time consuming but also very unreliable. They do have good characteristics, but they are weak. How can we remain steadfast in our faith and avoid the pressures of this ever-changing world? Tmolus. Message to Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13. As our lives center on God, giving priority to hearing His voice and reading His Word, we become bolder in sharing our faith. Commentaries are more apt to be off track than other Bible helps because the authors have more room to insert their own thoughts and ideas. Perhaps it would help to think of it in those terms. We have a purpose for being hereto refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the Lord. When you look at Herbert W. Armstrongs work, its like a pyramid, pcg Pastor General Gerald Flurry said. We are Gods FamilyHis royal householdand we need to thoroughly digest the meat contained in these articles. Study Bibles identify themes and provide outlines for each book of the Bible along with some commentary, among other things. The spiritual battle, the loss of victory, is always in the thought-world. He is committed to caring for us, watching over us, and giving us strength when we are within His will. Jonah repented and called on the Lord and was delivered. How to Speak the Truth in Love in a Hostile World. Jonah 3:1-2. Just reading a booklet is not really Bible study. Thats how He speaks to us. Church at Philadelphia The way to cover our sin is to uncover it by confession. Citizens lined the streets applauding while the aroma of celebratory incense filled the air. They deeply pleased Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the means by which the Father and the Son dwell within the adopted sons of God. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fullgrown, brings forth death (James 1:1315). Philadelphia, [N] [E] [H] strictly Philadelphia ( brotherly love ), a town on the confines of Lydia and Phrygia Catacecaumene, 25 southeast of Sardis, and built by Attalus II., king of Pergamos, who died B.C. Have we studied in detail what the Bible says about prayer, fasting, trials and overcoming? [It] was rebuilt without the financial help of Rome after the disastrous earthquake of a.d. 60. ), the king of Pergamum. Martin Collins explains that Scripture defines virtue as a strength or power that disciplined people use to produce beautiful traits of goodness. The first, the First Council of Nicaea, met to agree on the nature of Jesus of Nazareth as both Son of God and Son of Man, as both fully divine and fully human. People interested in studying the Bible can sign up for the online course regardless of whether they have previously enrolled in the mail correspondence version. He wasnt discouraged; he was looking forward to the future. .". The Philadelphians have had to knock because they have only a little strength, and they know it. We tend to think of the Philadelphians as being without fault because Christ does not make a pointed and detailed listing of their sins. Such is the picture David paints with his words in Psalm 32a drought of spiritual vitality brought on by his own sin. Marine litter is a huge ecological problem. Still another name of the city was Decapolis, because it was considered as one of the ten cities of the plain. One reason for these articles is to help us prepare to rule with Jesus Christ, our Husband and King. The treasury of Scripture will enrich your mind, refocus your goals, replace your doubts, and redirect your pathbut only if you read it and heed it. God has given us plenty of promises that are full of hope. The new website allows students to bypass the wait for receiving tests and lessons through the mail system and for submitting their test answers using the same method. Officially, church historians recognize seven ecumenical church councils held between A.D. 325 and A.D. 787. Temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is. This has nothing to do with how much money you do or dont havea poverty-stricken person can covet just as much as a billionaire. We need to consider this in terms of our recent lives in the church. Bible commentaries can sometimes shed light on biblical passages and link things together in a way we might not think of. Daniels three friends in Babylon demonstrated integrity when they were threatened with being burned alive (Daniel 3:16-18). It was founded by the king of Pergamum around 190 B.C. The pcg won the copyright to the correspondence courses predecessor, the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, in 2003. The homepage of the online Bible course states that 100,000 individuals have enrolled in the mail-in correspondence course prior to its online launch. Have you responded to Gods willing invitation to come to Him? They have "a little strength. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. We study them to make the appropriate course corrections in our thinking. History of Philadelphia Church of God. It's during this time period that formal missionary work began. But they also know that the only way to endure courageously (Revelation 3:10) is to seek the strength of God. 1 Peter 5:5, NIV, What is humility? name of his foundation means "brotherly love.". Confession and repentance reveal the access to restoration. As far as a good education spiritually, what else do we have that compares to the Bible correspondence course? Peter wrote his final letter shortly before his execution. God has seen to it that His Church is well-fed. One was an old copy of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Christ praised the believers for four principles that we often lose sight of among the practices and programs of modern church culture. 1. God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved. A fifth reason for studying the Bible is to be able to do Gods Work. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; Revelation 3: 7. by King Attallus of Pergamum, whose nickname was Philadelphus, which means "lover of a brother." Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. PHILADELPHIA, a city of Asia Minor, on the borders of Lydia and Phrygia, now called Alla-Shehr, or high city, with 3000 houses, about 15,000 pop., with few ancient ruins. After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words (Mark 2:8-11). Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above .. It is billeted as an outreach program, . To be honest, we would have to make the same assumption for each of the groups, and no one has been able to make a significant conclusion in this vein for the Ephesian group in regard to the name "Ephesus," or for the Thyatiran group with "Thyatira," or for the others. (Part Four). Church at Philadelphia. Sometimes for this kind of study a modern translation that flows better than the King James Version might be helpful. [The Lord] loves, and cares, and sympathizes, and understands, and seeks, and saves, and forgives, and helps, and encourages, and walks by our side taking care of us in life when we cant take care of ourselves. 'Freely you have receivedfreely give ' We want to share God's truth with as many who want to receive it. We are currently meeting at the Homewood Suites at 4109 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the name of the city, and we draw an assumption that Christ calls them "Philadelphians" because they exhibit remarkable love for one another. Consider highlighting these in your Bible and/or linking them together by writing the next reference in your Bible margin. The Church of Philadelphia is part of the Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3. Why Would Anyone Accept the Mark of the Beast? Over 98,000 students from around the world have enrolled in this unique, 36-lesson course of biblical understanding. Colossians 3:5. If you are not already enrolled in the On-Line Bible Study, but would like to be, there are openings available. And he encouraged his readers not to make the same mistake he had made (verses 9-10). Christian Kryptonite? This is most helpful when studying a particular doctrine or topic. Dont let your past keep you from trusting God for a second (or third, or fourth) chance. The PCG publishes books and booklets and a correspondence course. By devoting time each day to the study of Gods Word. God's inspired words to the congregation at Philadelphia are an uplifting message of hope and encouragement. Where is there hope today? How about the truth on faith or healing? We may therefore presume that some from the other remaining churches will be taken as well So, what is Philadelphia? Although Philadelphia is the only church as a whole that Jesus promises to rescue from the hour of temptation, He reveals that among those taken to heaven will be some from Sardis (Rev. Its not just about Christian living today but also about the kind of character Christ is looking for in those He will need to rule with Him. For example, the book of Matthew focuses on Christ, the King. See the words about Jesus in the Gospels as sparkling like diamonds. The humanity of Christ, while at the same time divine, is hard to understand. Expose` on the Royal . Jonah was a disobedient prophet. He alone has the . The letter to the church in Philadelphia begins with Christ identifying himself as "holy and true" (3:7). The Bible speaks a great deal about virtue, those excellencies of character that imitate the holy and righteous character of Jesus Christ. But thankfully, Scripture gives us illustrations: Like us, Jesus suffered, experienced hunger, required sleep, ate food, and had limits on His knowledge (Mark 13:32). . That its the same old routine day in and day out? The evidence shows that the Philadelphia group lacks the spiritual strength of the beginning of the Ephesian group. It appears the ancient church took that name to heart. Amid the strange and apocalyptic vision described in Ezekiel 1, God called the thirty-year-old exile to be a powerful prophet. Many countries coastlines are littered with plastic and debris, and there is an island of plastic more than the twice the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean where currents have accumulated the debris. Reviews on Bible Study in Roxborough, Philadelphia, PA 19128 - Citylight Church, Christian Stronghold Baptist Church, Lancaster Bible College - Capitol Seminary & Graduate School, House Of Faith Ministries PA, First Haitian Church Of God In Philadelphia In three of Paul's epistles, he uses an open door as a metaphor for an opportunity to preach (I Corinthians 16:9; II Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). | By Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church | Facebook Log In Forgot Account? The Passover is a memorial of the crucifixion of Christ. He still is able to overcome. Revelation 3:7, however, is clear that the key of David belongs, not to the church, but to the One who is holy and true, Jesus Christ. To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. But we need to remember that knowledge not used is really of no value. To get the best use out of [the Bible] for daily life,Give it the best and freshest, not the most tired and dull, hour of the day. If someone compliments you on a job well done, do you refuse to take credit or receive their compliment? Yet He did, following the example of godly men like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:16-18). Genesis 1:28. In Philadelphia, the Church of God has been dedicated to serving neighbors by hosting Bible seminars, family events and smile campaigns. (Part 5). In Romans 12:3 Paul exhorts the believers not to think of themselves pridefully but rather to think of themselves soberlythat is, realistically or accurately. After the pcgs information services department completed the mammoth task of rolling out a new contact management system, Cedar, in May, programmers, graphic designers and writers continued the online Bible course project in earnest. Laodicea was also known for its medical school which concocted a spice nard for the treatment of ears and an eye salve [see Revelation 3:18, anoint your eyes with eye salve]. Each of us has responsibilities and specific assignments (study 1 Corinthians 12). Hiding sin does not remove it from Gods sight; but when we seek Gods forgiveness, the refreshing living water from the Father is poured out on us and we are restoredthat is the power of confession. The Gr. If you need a victory in your life, begin every day by renewing your faith in Christ in whom all our victories are to be realized. We should be able to explain each doctrine in terms of what, why, when, who, where and how. Perhaps only one name does fit somewhat: Laodicea, which means "judgment of the people.". The Philadelphians' strength is small, but God's is without limit. Through study of Gods Word, we gain wisdom that helps us avoid sin and the misery that accompanies it. Earlier this year, a volunteer for a charity in Arizona was going through books donated for a sale. Welcome to our Philadelphia church website! We know that Abraham wasnt perfect. The door Christ opens to the Philadelphian, the door no man can shut, may well be the door to the Kingdom itself! Harriet Buell, in her hymn A Child of the King. God's Word contains the answer to resisting temptation before it's too late. Are you letting Him speak to you? A Harmony of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles does the same thing for those books. The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). But when he was about twenty-five, Ezekiel was seized and taken to Babylon, and he never saw the temple again. A baby in its mothers womb is nourished every single day so it can grow enough to be born. Dwight L. Moody, The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. David C. Grabbe With the other prophets, the second time meant additional prophetic utterances they were to deliver. Biographies. We need to be taught, encouraged, directed and corrected by our loving Father all the more as the evils in this world abound and proliferate around us. But he never concluded his third epistle. faithful also in much. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. But what is the biblical view of humility. Matthew uses the word kingdom 56 times. Living in right standing with God? See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. Philadelphia was founded about 150 B.C. In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility. Because of volume we may not be able to promptly reply to submissions using the form below. Spiritual disciplines are essential to a more vibrant spiritual life and knowing God more intimately. The Philadelphia period of church history (Adventist Movement), gave greatly increased attention to God's Word, particularly the prophecies of Daniel and of the Revelation, and to personal godliness, which is God's will for us during these end times we live in. But this metaphor has no connection at all to Christ's quotation of Isaiah 22:22. The thesis also sparked years of critical study on the Bible. The Greatest Questions. A Christian must never rest on his oars, no matter what his situation or era. But with Jonah, the second time was because Jonah had failed to speak Gods word the first time. It is profound, describing where we approach in spirit when we pray. He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. God has placed each one of us into His bodythe Church. Robert Murray McCheyne, an early 19th-century pastor and preacher in Scotland, created this well-known reading plan. Services normally begin at 12:30 PM, except on a few select dates. But how about a book titledThe Righteous Father? I am coming soon. Every single member of that bodyeach of us individuallyis important and necessary. Again, not perfect or sinless, but in a right standing with God. When His friends let Him down? Attention Conservation Notice: A long take on why I left a small, cult religious group that I grew up in. Individually, we may only have a little "power," but if we are faithful with what we have been given, God is pleased, knowing we will also be faithful with great power. It is said that you truly understand a subject when you can explain it to someone else. A leper approached Jesus and said, If You are willing, You can make me clean. Jesus touched the man, saying, I am willing; be cleansedand he was healed (Mark 1:40-42). Priests began their temple duty at the age of thirty. Do the problems and frustrations of this world continually get you down? Be careful in using paraphrases such as the Living Bible or the Amplified Bible. This is what He compliments them for being, meaning they have a commendable measure of obedience. Joshua had the confidence and courage to lead Gods people into the Promised Land because He believed in Gods promise and presence. He healed the mans paralysis. The word heaven itself implies that our eternal destiny is somewhere up there in the heavens. Are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? In writing about the timing of the Day of the Lord (the end of the age), Peter says God is waiting for all who will be saved to come to Him. Another reason to study is to be able to give an answer to those who may want to know more about that hope they see in us (1 Peter 3:15). Well enough to teach them to others? How well do we understand the doctrines of the Church? A fascinating study would be to read through the gospels with particular focus on Jesus Christ and His reactions under different circumstances. Its a fabulous breakthrough for us, Mr. This Bible reading plan takes you to four sections of the Bible each day. Bible students can enroll, study and take tests at bcc.hwacollege.org. They are not those who seek after earthly glory, like Shebna, but they are faithful in their responsibilities to the Most High God, like Eliakimand like Jesus Christ. The Philadelphia Trumpet began in February 1990 and is published 10 times a year by the Philadelphia Church of God. After all, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, love is known by its actions more than its words. EDMONDIndividuals who want to learn about the Bible can now do so online, as the 36-lesson Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course went live this afternoon. When we think life has collapsed around us, the God of glory appears above us. God may have given him only two talents, but He knows that if he is faithful with a small amount of power, in the Kingdom he will faithfully administer all of the responsibility and effectiveness that God bestows upon him. This can often spare us the heartache of making poor choices or bad decisions. It was like his soul was being evaporated by the heat of his own guilt and shame. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. You can study this example here. A tent or a cottage, why should I care? What mistakes did they make that we can avoid? In his vision of the future, the apostle John saw that new heaven and a new earth, our new domain being pictured as the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God (Revelation 21:1-2). God has placed each one of us into His bodythe Church. We can study their livesput ourselves in their shoes. As we study and learn to think like God, as we put into action Gods way of life, were able to handle strong meat and continue growing (Hebrews 5:13-14) until we attain the very character of God! We can talk about what He has taught us and rehearse it with Him. In mathematics two of the basic kinds of numbers are integers and fractions: 2, 100, and 56 are integers, while , , and 2.5 are fractions. In fact, there are no instances of Jesus being asked to help or heal and Him answering, I am not willing. There is a place where the Bible says God is not willing, and that is 2 Peter 3:9. Pauls topic is the grace given by God to each Christian to serve in the Body of Christ. Do any of them have problems similar to ours? . Moses reminded the Israelites that God was taking them into a land of hills and valleys, of water and streams, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year (Deuteronomy 11:11-12). Knowing something about the historical city of Laodicea enhances our understanding of the language Christ chose to correct it. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the door is open to some of the virgins and closed to others (Matthew 25:10-12). First, he believed the promises of God about the future God had planned for him (Hebrews 11:8-12). Using a concordance, one can search out key words related to any one of these doctrines. Are You a Prisoner of Your Spiritual Comfort Zone. Church of God Photos See all Videos See all 13:15 Fly over! Sample doctrines include the three resurrections, born again, the soul and salvation. 6. Richard Sibbes, DavidJeremiah.blog is part of the broadcast ministry of David Jeremiah. Behind the city are volcanic cliffs which the locals call 'inkwells.' A fifth reason for studying the Bible is to be able to do God's Work. He is in fact commending them for doing as well as they have. . What was His motivation? Baptism is an important step in your spiritual life and it must be done properly - at the right time and in the right way . 138. But Jonah fled west toward Spain because he feared the Assyrians. Youll be elated with what you discover! The God of grace loves to forgive. What the Bible says about Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for you if you belong to Him (John 14:1-4). The church at Smyrna, the church at Philadelphia were faithful, godly, loyal, effective. Most of the time, when modern translations differ in meaning from the King James Version, they are in error. The best way to increase joy in your life is by developing a habit of daily time with God. WELCOME, to Philadelphia Christian Church where we worship in spirit and in truth. Lets look at seven of them. Upon analyzing Revelation 2 and 3, the vast majority among us consider it to be the best of the churches through the ages. Only God has the words that shed light on the straight and narrow path leading to eternal life. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible . Temptation. Bible study helps are not necessary to become well acquainted with the Bible and Gods way of life. Should I be baptized again?" Answer: This is a vital question to many of you. "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (verse 13). 2 Peter 1:13-14, NIV. And it also happened to Jonah: The word of the Lord came to Jonah the first time (Jonah 1:1) and then the second time (Jonah 3:1). The Church of Philadelphia in Revelation covers the era between the second half of the 18 th century and the first half of the 19 th century. Though mankind was given the mandate to have dominion over (that is, to care for) all of creation, we have not done a good job. This church may picture the modern missionary era of church history. There is no cost or obligationever. Its one thing to say, I forgive you, but its another to act like all the effects of an offense are completely erased. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Through Christ's blood, we have access to the Almighty, the Most High God. slope of Mt. And when he believed God, [God] accounted it to [Abraham] for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). The Christians victory is through Christ. Copyright (c) 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation. We might think that, if Jesus was truly divine, He would have had no need to pray for knowledge, guidance, or help. How the church actually got started is unknown. History The word Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7) means "brotherly love ." This city was built before 138 B.C. That enables us to trust Him more easily, and our faith builds. A really humble manwill not be thinking about humility, he will not be thinking about himself at all. We continue looking at the seven messages in Revelation 2-3. from Jesus to the churches of Asia. Because Christ criticizes Philadelphia very little, opens doors before her, and offers protection from the Tribulation, it is easy to think we "have it made" if we were or are part of Philadelphia. The non-conclusion of 3 John exposes that the attack on God's Church didn't end in the first century. D. L. Moody, In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. Flurry's Fury Unleashed! God gave him a second chance. Righteous doesnt mean sinless, of course. Television Program. Can we prove the truth? 4. It also shows the root word from which the Hebrew or Greek word was derived. When all four tires are in motion, we will be able to respond to the authority of the Bible (Isaiah 66:2) and take action. Moreover, the fruit of this interpretation has been exclusivity, comparing ourselves among ourselves, division, competition, and a pitiful supply of loveworks of the flesh rather than fruit of the Spirit. When we find a man meditating on the words of God, my friends, that man is full of boldness and is successful. A five-mile-long aqueduct supplied the city with tepid water [Revelation 3:16, the lukewarm reference]. When we tune in to God and listen to His words, our faith increases (Romans 10:17). Through Christ, we have entrance into the Holy of Holies, the dwelling place of the Great God, which we may enter with boldness (Hebrews 10:19). Likewise, we need to be nourished daily while we are in the womb of the Church, otherwise we are in danger of spiritually starving to death. The deeper we delve into that treasure chestthe Biblethe richer we become and the happier well be, not because of physical riches we put to work at the bank but because of the spiritual riches we put to work in our lives. The conventional interpretation among those who have come out of the Worldwide Church of God is that Christ has given the Philadelphians an open door to preach the gospel, an idea that is not without merit. Apollos, for example, didnt have any Bible helps, yet he was mighty in the scriptures (Acts 18:24). Paul writes that we belong to God and we are to glorify Him with our care and use of our body. It begins with the tremendous help available to those who are weak, but who keep God's Word, who do not deny His name, and who persevere in faith. Snowfall in the winter and melting snow in the spring are critical factors in replenishing shrinking reservoirs. Could any father set a more worthy example to his children or grandchildren than that of being friends with God? In these cases, topical books such as topical study Bibles, the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (with over 500,000 scripture cross-references and parallel passages) and a book called Where to Find It in the Bible (that lists over 3,700 contemporary topics from abortion to zoology) are very useful. Titus 2:7. What the Bible says about By Grant Turgeon Dec. 7, 2016 The homepage of the Herbert W. Armstrong College Bible Correspondence Course He commands us, therefore, to [s]tudy to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Flurry said. After the seven letters, in Revelation 4:1, John is shown an open door in heaven. When we look up all the scriptures where the same words are used we will develop a richer appreciation of what love is all about.