This week we continue our look at the five Books of the Bible with no chapters and short on words. 3 John in its Greek text is the shortest document in the NT, 219 words. We have here the same interpretive problem as in 2 John. We can I believe with some certainty see this as a person whose authority is informal and unofficial, while resting heavily on theological and moral persuasion. The addressee, Gaius, is a very common name and is believed in various commentaries to have been at one time associated with the Elder, possibly one of his converts. He is now apparently affiliated with another Christian community within the Johannine circle. We should note that the letter is also directed to “the children of the church and the friends of the church.”

This is a letter of introduction and recommendation. You could say it would be much like a letter of reference that is used in business or educational settings today. In 3 John the letter differs from the standard format typical of such letters of it’s day. John has withheld the identification and recommendation until near the end of the letter. He has expanded the qualifying and theologically formulating of the recommendation’s rational and moved it to the first position. The opening verse is strong in theological formulation. It is very much like the salutation we read in 2 John. We read here in these few words the stressing of Love and Truth. The use of these two words reflect John’s instructions to walk like Christ among the people in Truth and Love. Some say it is John’s oblique way of referring to Christ, of which there is no direct mention or referral to in this letter.

In verses 2-4 the elder is concerned with the health and truth not only of Gaius but also the “children”. In verse two it seems as though the elder is expressing his hope that Gaius’s life will be balanced in both his physical and spiritual endeavors. The elder states he hopes he is in good health and all is well with his soul. Moving to verses 3&4 the elder once again returns to the joy of hearing that the “children are walking in the truth”, living out their Christian calling. He also returns to the family as a metaphor for the church, “some brothers.” One other thing that is worth noting here is the apparent mobility of these early Johannine congregations. The elder speaks of brothers coming to him with good reports, a testament to these early Christian people and their church. The advantage of this mobility is that the encouragement of the elder and Gaius, prominent members of these loosely affiliated congregations, strengthens those in this region. It is a universal thing among the faith, that we have great joy for those who work, walk and live in the word and do it well, they are always an encouragement to all of us.

The elder in verses 5-12 moves on to the practical side of this faith work with suggestions for the brothers. The message here is really very simple. The elder wishes to put before the Johannine congregations an understanding of hospitality which was briefly addressed in 2John. I may get off the rail here but it seems as if the point to be made here is that whatever work is done for those new to the field is in fact an expression of love. There is no distinction made between a loving work done for a fellow Christian and the activity of faith. The Johannine theology considers belief in Christ to be a “work” of God. Works alone won’t save you, but grace will. There may be some distance here between the elder and Paul but faith is activated by love. To make this simple before I become totally confused The elder is encouraging, no recommending, that all should be done to help these itinerant Christians, brothers, strangers as much as possible on their way, not just a polite farewell but assistance in travel expenses and other needs. The elder believes such treatment is warranted because “they set out for the sake of the name.” He points out that they certainly did not receive help from the gentiles. Part of that however was their being careful not to be associated with anything or person that might put a bad light on the ministry. The point here is that it is our duty to help such people. The hospitality and financial aid is not for the purpose of gaining influence over them or make them beholden to us. The purpose is that we may become co-workers with the truth, that we work together for the cause, so to speak. We become fellow workers in the faith.

“I have written something to the church”….verses 9 and 10 concern the condemning of Diotrephes. This is of little help to us the reader because we do not know all that he wrote or to whom it was addressed. I would not credit this as gossip as we know it today but it certainly comes close. The elder is concerned enough about the behavior of one Diotrephes that he believes others should be aware and he even lists five complaints he has with that behavior. Excellent study material here in the NIB, to keep it short I favor the the latter suggestion of what is going on here. We know that these are rather loosely affiliated congregations and it may be that Diotrephes may have refused hospitality to the elder and his associates out of fear that his community’s doctrinal standards might be contaminated. It would not be unreasonable to believe that the elder did not agree with that assessment. The reasoning that follows as pointed out in the NIB is believable and I favor it. If this were the case it would have brought a stunning irony to our attention. “Diotrephes may have practiced a rigorous form of the elder’s own doctrinal and communal discipline, preached in 2 John!” Do we not have such reservations among the faith community this very day?

In these verses 11-12 we read of the elder’s obvious disapproval of Diotrephes actions. Because of Diotrephes challenge and the elder’s support for Demetrius we can reasonably conclude that here we have a good reason for this letter 3 John. The elder reminds them that the general resources of Johannine tradition contrasts with the aggressive, targeted action taken by Diotrephes against those he opposes. It may be that Demetrius is the elder’s envoy to the church that Gaius is associated with. Demetrius comes highly spoken of to the elder, so much so that the elder says “our testimony is true.”

As we now read the last verses of this letter 13-15, there is much to be considered but I would like to share with you the closing remarks from NIB.

“Remarkably, in spite of all its introversion and avowed estrangement from the world, the Johannine church is summoned in this letter to welcome the stranger. the one who comes FOR the sake of the name , who needs equipment for the next leg of the journey, who bears witness to the church’s love and the truth in which the church walks. No one knew better than the elder that opening the door to the stranger carries risks, for the same road that brings to our door genuine need, worthy of our support, also brings disturbance and even danger.”

I step away for just a moment to allow you the reader to absorb what you have just read. The last part of the above statement is so meaningful that it needs to be read over several times.

“But the elder also realized, and testifies to us, that the church that keeps its door locked cannot possibly be faithful to the truth or instrumental for love.”

There is much more to share in this letter but I will end on this note. There is truth in the saying “that good things come in small packages”. Next week Jude. Hope you will come back to the pew. I again this week acknowledge the “New Interpreter’s Bible” as the source of aid in preparing the blog. Remember, there are many sources available for study and sharing, use them to increase your knowledge of the word and to share the word with others.

God Bless

jk

There is so much beyond the words written in the Gospel but in these busy times I feel we overlook all that is there. I sometimes think we just read the words and remember the stories and it just becomes a ritual for many of us. The bible is a record of God’s people from time beginning and His instructions to them through the patriarchs; from there into the NT a record of God’s desire to reconcile with his people through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I enjoy having a platform to express my opinion from but I want “From The Pew”, to really be a “Layman’s View of The Gospel.” Nothing wrong with opinion but sharing the gospel and opening the door to understanding it is just as important. Like other layman many times I seek understanding through prayer and the many commentaries and bible study materials available today. I am not bashful about it….there are so many wonderful and knowledgeable sources out there and I use them all. I will always recognize the authors and in some instances provide a url for you to visit them. Last week I shared with you that there were five books in the bible that had no chapters. I also shared that I had written about one of them in an earlier blog about Philemon, ‘The Little Book With A Big Message” and today will be the first in a series that will look at the other four. I have elected to start with 2 John.

In the New Testament only 3 John is briefer than 2 John. Either of these two letters could have been put on a single papyrus sheet, about 8×10 when measured by today’s standards. I liked the term used in the NIB, that they are more like postcards. To me these little letters or postcards contain much more than their size would indicate. In 2 John we find that the opening and closing read like a family letter. There are positive and negative elements, the author also notes there are benefits for compliance and liabilities for those who disregard this letter. (NIB) Who is the “Elder” in the opening verse of 2 John? Both letters are written by the same person and the use of the noun, Elder,would indicate masculine gender or perhaps a man of advanced years. It has also been suggested that it was someone of juridical authority. Now all this can be confusing and there was once a Pastor who advised me not to become overwhelmed with detail. It is surely a person recognized to have at least some moral authority and associated with the tradition to which he testifies within this community. We will leave it at that. The next thing we encounter is the “Elect Lady”. Our reference material lists some speculation as to who that might be. I believe I will take the short path on this and simply pass on to you that the substance of 2 John like that of 1 John is clearly not aimed at an individual but at a Christian community meeting in someone’s home. Plainly here John’s statement in verse 3 is more than just a wish but an assurance to all who believe. Of note also, is that not only is the “Lady” mentioned but also her children, placing an emphasis on the church as a family. Interesting to note that John writes in the following verse 4 “that some of your children are walking in truth” leaving the impression that there may be some division in behavior among the church. The letter seems to use the language of love to clarify what it means to walk in truth as God has commanded the church do from the beginning. From a layman’s view there is also the warning to be aware of those who do not teach the word as intended by God. Be aware of false teachers and even advises the church to refuse them hospitality. There is in fact to be no tolerance for those who go beyond the “teaching of Christ.”

I found it interesting that we find ourselves, the church today, experiencing a realignment of faith values and truths, in order to accommodate today’s changing morals. Verses 9 and 10 encourage us to abide in the teaching and there is always a risk of conflict in doing this. I have referred to “The New Interpreter’s Bible” quite often for direction in writing this blog. Sometimes we can be harsh in our judgement of others and within the reflections section of NIB I found this…… “The elder does not fault as faithless any kind of advance” the meaning here I believe to be a warning about overreacting. “The risk of losing God is incurred, rather by anyone who is so progressive that he does not remain rooted in the teaching of Christ.” Perhaps we as the church today need to do a better job at balancing theology with tradition. This letter also emphasizes something else. We, the Christian community “would be unable to move forward without a tradition that reminds us who we are and to whom we belong and where we have been.”

I have enjoyed my time in the pew today and hope you have.  (New Interpreters Bible is “A standard reference for pastors, teachers, and students, this critically acclaimed commentary series provides a wealth of theologically diverse perspectives from today’s leading scholars.”) You would be best served to goggle it and investigate the many resources it offers and where it can be purchased. Hope to see you in the pew next week.

God Bless,

jk

There are weeks that subjects to write about just don’t come easy. I usually look for something in my devotionals, other reading materials or sometimes I find some topic in current news. There are times I feel led by the spirit to write about something. “From The Pew.. A layman’s View of The Gospel” is in fact just that. All of us who sit in the pew have many ways of expressing our faith and being in church is one of those ways. Many of us seek Christian activities, friendships, projects and such because they allow us to grow in the faith and let’s be honest, not feel marginalized by those who do not share our belief. It is not a form of snobbery or a sense of religious superiority that drives us to do this. I believe it is our desire to remain close to the precepts of our faith, to make them an everyday occurrence and to keep that “Sunday Church” feeling all week long. While most won’t admit it that “Sunday” feeling makes us comfortable, loved and renews in us, regardless of our circumstances a hope for tomorrow through the loving, caring mercies of the God we serve. If you are growing confused as to where this is going…well your not alone.

Many times when I feel lost as to subject or direction I go to my Bible. Now this I share because I did not expect to find help here. Here, being Goggle, of all places. Goggle what your thinking and then look for the path or direction you wish to go. For me today it was of all things some information about the Bible that I found interesting. I am never reluctant to share another’s work or expand on it as long as they are given proper credit in my writings. That being the case I will post a link at the end of this blog that led me to this subject. “…Each of the books, except 5, are divided into chapters and verses. The 5 which aren’t divided by chapters are Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. These are short books which only have verse divisions.”
(Chapters were introduced to the Bible in 1238 by Cardinal Hugo de S. Caro. Verse divisions were not added until 1551 by Robertus Stephanus.)

No big deal but I found this to be interesting. I don’t think many of us in the pew have thought about this or could even name the books. Now I don’t make light of this or of those people, after all I am one of those. Five books, who would have thought that might lead us somewhere. I found it interesting because some time ago I wrote a blog about Philemon, “The Little Letter With a Big Message”. Now look! How about this, I have four weeks of something to share with you “From The Pew….”!

Back in the day I once did some research on the phrase, “the family of God.” It was an interesting wake-up and one that opened other doors of study to me. As I sit here writing today it comes home to me even more. I now go to another church but I never left my “family” behind, they came with me in my heart and mind. Wherever we go we are among “family”. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior we were then adopted into the “family of God”, with the full inheritance as promised by God to his people, through Jesus Christ His son. There are people whom I love and respect within the “family” that today are suffering illnesses, lost loved ones and at this very moment have begun their journey home; it is amazing but so true, God knows their every need.

Well, if you have read this far thank you for enduring this blog. I really drew a blank, some say writers block. To be brief and to the point, I just didn’t have anything to write about. When you can’t pray, just be still and let the groaning of the Spirit pray for you. Today I just shared what was on my heart, I hope you enjoyed you time in the pew.  Oh yes before I forget. Those five books…there are still four left. Join me in the pew next week and we will take a look at one of those. Check out the link below.

jk

http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-amazing-bible-facts/#ixzz4mj0gy07c

All believers will travel a road of enlightenment and hopefully grow in faith and service to Jesus Christ but not all roads will take us to the foot of the cross and promised salvation. The road I speak of is our journey into the christian fellowship, the embracing of the word of God and seeking the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Becoming a vital living, serving member of the family of God; to which we have been adopted through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We all are on that journey seeking our very own Pentecost. Many will enter into christian fellowship, joining a church and embracing the word through Sunday school and the preached word. There the journey stops, sadly they never reach their own “Pentecost”. Using “road” as a metaphor, what mode of transportation is available? There are many, Today’s post will focus on the word of God as written in the bible. This is the most common road offered but in reality the least followed. As I always do here is an excerpt from bible.org.

“The first five books of the Bible are sometimes called the Pentateuch which means “five books.” They are also known as the books of the law because they contain the laws and instruction given by the Lord through Moses to the people of Israel. These books were written by Moses, except for the last portion of Deuteronomy because it tells about the death of Moses. These five books lay the foundation for the coming of Christ in that here God chooses and brings into being the nation of Israel. As God’s chosen people, Israel became the custodians of the Old Testament, the recipients of the covenants of promise, and the channel of Messiah” bible.org

Scripture supporting that view.
Romans 3:2  Plenty in every way. First of all, the Jews were trusted with God’s revelations.

Romans 9:1-5  I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

“Then there is the Biblical apocrypha (from the Greek ἀπόκρυφος, apókruphos, meaning “hidden”) denotes the collection of ancient books found in some editions of Christian Bibles in a separate section between the Old and New Testaments[1] or as an appendix after the New Testament.[2] Some Christian Churches include some or all of the same texts within the body of their version of the Old Testament.” (Wikipedia)

Most Christian church goers know little or nothing about these books.

Then there is of courseThe New Testament, “as usually received in the Christian Churches, is made up of twenty-seven different books attributed to eight different authors, six of whom are numbered among the Apostles (Matthew, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude) and two among their immediate disciples (Mark, Luke). The New Testament was not written all at once. The books that compose it appeared one after another in the space of fifty years, i.e. in the second half of the first century. Written in different and distant countries and addressed to particular Churches, they took some time to spread throughout the whole of Christendom, and a much longer time to become accepted.”

The above is from http://www.catholic.org/bible/new_testament.php, this is a great read for those who want a bare bones article about the bible, history and origin.

In an article written by ED STETZER in July of 2015 he shares his concern that we are basically a nation of “bible illiterates”. Tough words but the numbers tend to prove him right.

The Sad Statistics
“Christians claim to believe the Bible is God’s Word. We claim it’s God’s divinely inspired, inerrant message to us. Yet despite this, we aren’t reading it. A recent LifeWay Research study found only 45 percent of those who regularly attend church read the Bible more than once a week. Over 40 percent of the people attending read their Bible occasionally, maybe once or twice a month. Almost 1 in 5 churchgoers say they never read the Bible—essentially the same number who read it every day.”

I have over the years noticed a marked preference among church goers to avoid the Old Testament writings, preferring to read and study the New Testament. So…What is Old Testament vs New Testament? The Old Testament is a record of the giving of God’s Law. The New Testament shows how Jesus the Messiah fulfilled that Law (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 10:9). In the Old Testament, God’s dealings are mainly with His chosen people, the Jews; in the New Testament, God’s dealings are mainly with His church (Matthew 16:18). I need a better answer and I favor one I found on this web site.
https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-old-new-testaments.html

“While the Bible is a unified book, there are differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament. In many ways, they are complementary. The Old Testament is foundational; the New Testament builds on that foundation with further revelation from God. The Old Testament establishes principles that are seen to be illustrative of New Testament truths. The Old Testament contains many prophecies that are fulfilled in the New. The Old Testament provides the history of a people; the New Testament focus is on a Person. The Old Testament shows the wrath of God against sin (with glimpses of His grace); the New Testament shows the grace of God toward sinners (with glimpses of His wrath).”

I am very aware that the only true road to salvation is the one that leads us to believe and declare Jesus Christ, is the risen son of the only God, and that through him alone will we find the grace of the father and life everlasting. We are seeing in the church today an overwhelming effort to pervert or a nicer way of saying it, interpret scripture in a manner that allows today’s new culture and societal practices to somehow seem acceptable within the christian community and the family of God. I don’t know if we do it intentionally or if it has just become a normal practice but it seems as if we ignore or at least avoid some of the Old Testament writings. There are certain books of the OT Bible we avoid because they make people un-comfortable or have become a lighting rod which opens the door to discord that divides and destroys the churches ability to meet its calling. We need to once again come to the understanding that neither ( OT or NT ) can or is supposed to stand alone. We cannot and should not ignore, change the meaning, or rewrite God’s relationship and plans for his people through the written word, just to find social acceptance in the world today. Matthew leaves no doubt or wiggle room.

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18)

This verse right there tells you that all of the basic moral commandments set out by God the Father in the Old Testament still apply for all of us today. This includes all of the 10 Commandments, all the commands not to engage in occult, getting tattoos, etc……But wait…thats old hat, things and people change, times change. Really, do you believe maybe God might change? What road are you traveling today. Got your bible with you? Do you read and study it daily, all the bible, or are you just hanging around the edges.

I pray you will find your Pentecost.

jk