Christ's Directions

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There's been times during my +/- 27 years of internet forum activity when I've encountered people wanting to know what they're supposed to do now that they decided to become a Christian.

A mega Baptist church that my wife and I attended back in the decade of the 1970's had a discipleship program that incorporated an outreach booklet called The Four Spiritual Laws authored in 1952 by Campus Crusade for Christ founder Dr. Bill Bright.

Those guidelines are helpful as far as they go, but they're pretty elementary and in my opinion inadequate for taking Christ's followers to infinity and beyond, so to speak.

Some years ago, just for the fun of it, we set out compiling a home-spun catalogue of Christ's instructions from the new Testament that apply to all Christians regardless of their denominational affiliation. In time we realized that his instructions, accompanied by a little commentary, would make a pretty good how-to handbook; so here it is.

* We chose to start in the book of Acts because that's pretty much where Christ's apostles began telling his followers what to do in accord with Matt 28:19-20.

NOTE: Moses' instructions have their uses (e.g. Rom 3:20 & Gal 3:23-26) but folks unified with Christ are not covenanted with God to comply with them. And that's fortunate because Moses slams non compliance with a number of very undesirable misfortunes. (Lev 26:14-39, Deut 27:15-26, & Deut 28:15-68)
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001) Acts 15:20 . . Abstain from food tainted by idols,

In the old Roman world, nourishing things dedicated to pagan deities were oftentimes sold as groceries. Most of us here in the USA will likely never encounter that kind of food in Costco, Safeway and/or Whole Foods whereas markets in other parts of the world might carry stuff like that.

002) Acts 15:20 . . Abstain from promiscuity

Promiscuity typically refers to things like adultery, incest, shacking up, one night stands, sleeping around with swingers and/or escorts and working girls, etc.

003) Acts 15:20 . . Abstain from the meat of strangled animals.

Strangulation is a slow, inhumane way to die. If you know that the meat you're being served came from an animal that was choked to death, consider it food fit only for predatory beasts. We want nothing to do with animal abuse.

But the point is: a strangled animal's blood hasn't been properly drained before butchering it for human consumption.

004) Acts 15:20 . . Abstain from blood

In other words: folks unified with Christ are forbidden to imbibe blood as a beverage.

There are cultures that poke holes in cows' necks in order to drink blood straight out of the living animal utilizing its own vitals like a tap to fill their cups; a rather ghastly repast that might be okay for barbarians and vampires but certainly not for Christians.
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Edited May 31, 2024 by EveningBird

[farouk]

4 hours ago, EveningBird said:

There's been times during my +/- 27 years of internet forum activity when I've encountered people wanting to know what they're supposed to do now that they decided to become a Christian.

A mega Baptist church that my wife and I attended back in the decade of the 1970's had a discipleship program that incorporated an outreach booklet called The Four Spiritual Laws authored in 1952 by Campus Crusade for Christ founder Dr. Bill Bright.

Those guidelines are helpful as far as they go, but they're pretty elementary and in my opinion inadequate for taking Christ's followers to infinity and beyond, so to speak.

Some years ago, just for the fun of it, we set out compiling a home-spun catalogue of Christ's instructions from the new Testament that apply to all Christians regardless of their denominational affiliation. In time we realized that his instructions, accompanied by a little commentary, would make a pretty good how-to handbook; so here it is.

* We chose to start in the book of Acts because that's pretty much where Christ's apostles began telling his followers what to do in accord with Matt 28:19-20.

NOTE: Moses' instructions have their uses (e.g. Rom 3:20 & Gal 3:23-26) but folks unified with Christ are not covenanted with God to comply with them. And that's fortunate because Moses slams non compliance with a number of very undesirable misfortunes. (Lev 26:14-39, Deut 27:15-26, & Deut 28:15-68)
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Hi @EveningBird An ongoing encouragement in prayer and the Scriptures, centering upon the Person and work of Christ, in testimony, is really essential for those who profess.

While the ideas which you mention from the source given might indeed be helpful, there really is no quick-fix approach to growing in the faith, and definitely there is nothing akin to 'turning a faucet or tap on and off', as if to say, Been there, done that.

I do strongly think that to 'grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ' (2 Peter 3.18) is never about some kind of mechanistic methodology; although organizationally it's easy for ppl to slip into such thinking as they pursue activity with enthusiasm.

[WebersHome]

It normally takes me about a year and an half to complete this particular study online, but seeing as how I have inoperable esophageal cancer, I plan to post at least two entries per day so I can maybe get to the end before the grim reaper comes 'round for his pound of flesh.

Buen Camino
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[farouk]

Just now, EveningBird said:

It normally takes me about a year and an half to complete this particular study online, but seeing as how I have inoperable esophageal cancer, I plan to post at least two entries per day so I can maybe get to the end before the grim reaper comes 'round for his pound of flesh.

Buen Camino
_

@EveningBird Oh dear friend, may the Scriptures be your prayerful joy and abundant portion, even as you seek the blessing of others!

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10.24-25)

I like to quote Anne Steele; her Godly lines speak volumes:

'O may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight.
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light.

Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be Thou forever near:
Teach me to love Thy sacred word
And view my Savior there.'

[WebersHome]

005) Rom 6:11 . . Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

"dead to sin" in this case doesn't mean that folks unified with Christ can't, won't, and/or don't sin (1John 1:8-10). It means that sin can no longer give God cause to slam them with the sum of all fears.

Rom 5:12-21 explains, in so many words; that folks unified with Christ are accounted as having gone to the cross with him similar to accounting Adam's posterity as having tasted the forbidden fruit with him. This principle is at the very core of Christianity's plan of salvation so it's important to "get it" early on as it will free one's mind of the terrors relative to retribution under the most disagreeable circumstances; and thus allow them to anticipate pleasure in Christianity instead of anxiety.

In a nutshell: When Jesus went to the cross; he died for the sins of the world from first to last. That being the case, then when folks go to the cross with him, they also die for their sins from first to last. As a result: when the books are opened there will be nothing on record with which to charge them. (cf. Rom 8:31-34 & 2Cor 5:19)

NOTE: "in Christ Jesus" is a position similar to Noah's position in the ark. Getting into the ark was a simple physical action, whereas getting into Christ Jesus requires the assistance of a complex supernatural action. More on that later; meanwhile suffice it to say that as his position in the ark provided Noah safety from the Flood, so their position in Christ Jesus provides folks safety from the great white throne event depicted by Rev 20:11-15 whereby the lost will be terminated by a mode of death akin to a foundry worker falling into a kettle of molten iron.
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[farouk]

6 hours ago, EveningBird said:

005) Rom 6:11 . . Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

"dead to sin" in this case doesn't mean that folks unified with Christ can't, won't, and/or don't sin (1John 1:8-10). It means that sin can no longer give God cause to slam them with the sum of all fears.

Rom 5:12-21 explains, in so many words; that folks unified with Christ are accounted as having gone to the cross with him similar to accounting Adam's posterity as having tasted the forbidden fruit with him. This principle is at the very core of Christianity's plan of salvation so it's important to "get it" early on as it will free one's mind of the terrors relative to retribution under the most disagreeable circumstances; and thus allow them to anticipate pleasure in Christianity instead of anxiety.

In a nutshell: When Jesus went to the cross; he died for the sins of the world from first to last. That being the case, then when folks go to the cross with him, they also die for their sins from first to last. As a result: when the books are opened there will be nothing on record with which to charge them. (cf. Rom 8:31-34 & 2Cor 5:19)

NOTE: "in Christ Jesus" is a position similar to Noah's position in the ark. Getting into the ark was a simple physical action, whereas getting into Christ Jesus requires the assistance of a complex supernatural action. More on that later; meanwhile suffice it to say that as his position in the ark provided Noah safety from the Flood, so their position in Christ Jesus provides folks safety from the great white throne event depicted by Rev 20:11-15 whereby the lost will be terminated by a mode of death akin to a foundry worker falling into a kettle of molten iron.
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@EveningBird I'm reminded of words by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841-1923):

"Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me".

[WebersHome]

006) Rom 6:12-13 . . Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

That's essentially the same instructions that God passed on to Cain; to wit:

"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;" (Gen 4:7a)

That's the very first instance in the Bible of the word "sin". The Hebrew word basically means an offense; as in repeat offender. In other words: not just an occasional slip-up, but a life style, i.e. habits.

"It desires to have you, but you must master it." (Gen 4:7b)

That's the first mention of self control in the Bible. In other words: God created humanity with the capability to choose bad ways for itself; but that's only half the story. God also created humanity with the capability to choose good ways for itself; so He wasn't requiring something impossible from Cain like touching his right elbow with the thumb of his right hand. So if self control was within the capabilities of a brutish man like Cain, then I should think self control would be within the capabilities of Christians too.

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007) Rom 12:1 . . Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Greek word for "sacrifice" technically refers to a victim; but it's not always applied that way. For example speaking well of God, doing good, and sharing are legitimate sacrifices. (Heb 13:15-16)

The sacrifice required herein is a living sacrifice rather than deceased so Christ's followers don't have to martyr themselves in order to fulfill it; but their bodies do have to be holy in order to be accepted; which means avoiding things that defile their bodies like indecency, promiscuity, adultery, and drug addiction.

The Bible calls those requirements "reasonable". In other words: It isn't asking too much of Christ's followers to keep themselves pure.

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[WebersHome]

008) Rom 12:2 . . Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Bible reading is a good place to begin with Rom 12:2; however, the ways of God aren't meant to be self-taught; they're meant to be instructed by teachers empowered by God for that specific purpose. (Rom 12:4-8, 1Cor 12:1-30)

Sermons and Sunday school classes are Christianity's traditional sources of teaching. But these days with radio, television, and the internet; competent God-given spiritual leaders are wide-spread and readily available. In centuries gone past, it was necessary to journey to hear them speak. Nowadays, they speak to the whole world by means of electronic gadgets.

* Beware using 1John 2:27 as an excuse to circumvent instruction. When Christians do that, they risk stunting their spiritual growth and causing division.

● Eph 4:11-13 . . And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith

* The Greek word translated "edifying" basically means to build up as opposed to tearing down.

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