Sun Nov 2, 2:00 PM: Dialogue on The Preservation of Scripture
Elder Gus Harter continues with the second presentation in a series of studies in apologetics by focusing on the preservation of scripture. Christianity is invalidated if the Bible is no more than the thoughts of men. If we believe God inspired the original authors, can we also trust that He preserved what they wrote uncorrupted through the ages and tongues of men that have since ensued?
Elder Harter will take up that question, and open the floor for further questions following his presentation.
Foundations of Faith 1: Inspiration of Scripture
If the Bible is not something more than the scribbling of men, Christianity has no foundation. With this message on the inspiration of scripture, Elder Gus Harter begins a series on the Foundations of Faith.
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Christ Pictured in Isaiah
The words of the prophet Isaiah are quoted more often in the New Testament than those of any other Old Testament writer, over 40 times. Elder Gus Harter shows why: in Isaiah’s prophecy can be found the clearest picture of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and its substitutionary (or vicarious) effect on behalf of God’s children.
The lesson begins in Isaiah 52:13 and continues until the end of chapter 53. We are not left to doubt that these verses speak prophetically of Jesus Christ, for Philip affirmed it in his exposition of the passage for the Ethiopian eunuch in the book of Acts (8:32-35).
Elder Harter divides the text into 5 sections.
- The Shocking Servant, 52:13-15: a study of the dichotomy between Christ’s true nature and position and his lowly life and cruel death on the cross.
- The Sorrowing Servant, 53:1-3: Christ received little affirmation during his life on earth, but knew much of suffering and rejection.
- The Smitten Servant, 53:4-6: a picture of the substitionary, or vicarious, effect of Christ’s death: by his stripes, we are healed.
- The Silent Servant, 53:7-9: though sinless, Christ offered no defense, but willingly endured a miscarriage of earthly justice to satisfy divine justice.
- The Satisfied Servant, 53:10-12: God the Father and God the Son are both fully satisfied with the effect of Christ’s death and resurrection, the assurance of salvation for the elect.
God was satisfied by Christ’s finished work, and well-pleased with His Son, who now sits exalted at God’s right hand, the firstborn among many brethren.
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Sun Oct 26, 2:00 PM: Dialogue on the Inspiration of Scripture
Elder Gus Harter will begin a series of studies in apologetics by focusing on the inspiration of scriptures. If the Bible is not something more than the scribbling of men, Christianity has no foundation.
The format for the meeting will be informal. Bring your questions and speak right up!
Laborers Together with God
Using as his text 1 Corinthians 3:9, Elder Gus Harter expounds upon the phrase, “we are laborers together with God.”
We greatly desire to be “with God.” God is everywhere present, and nowhere absent, the scriptures tell us. So when we pray for His presence, we do not imply that He has departed. Rather, we pray for His felt presence–His fellowship, as when God spoke to Moses as a man speaks to His friend.
At the church in Corinth, the members were divided in their loyalty to the various preachers of the day. Paul dealt with this error by emphasizing the unity of the body, and the supremacy of Christ: “ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Ministers indeed “have the rule over” the church body, as Hebrews 13:17 notes, but the rule book has been written. The Bible is complete, and none should add commandments to it.
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Let Us Rise Up and Build
In Nehemiah’s day, the walls of Jerusalem were broken down. Destroyed by the Babylonians, they remained in disrepair for years, even after the Persians conquered the region and introduced a degree of detente toward the previously dispersed children of Israel. Ezra oversaw the rebuilding of the temple during the Persian reign, but the walls remained in ruins, a source of shame to the entire nation of Israel.
Nehemiah was an Israelite in captivity, a highly placed servant to the Persian king. Presented with providential opportunity, Nehemiah seized the moment to secure the powerful aid of the king, and led a successful project to rebuild his city’s walls. He did this in the face of opposition in only 52 days.
As Bethany faces the challenge of relocating to a new facility, Elder Gus Harter shows how this ancient construction project is still very relevant to us today.
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