Was Timothy a Located Missionary? Rubel Shelly

Rubel Shelly and John York try to prove that Timothy was a located missionar. This authorizes the program driven ENTERPRISES which do everything but TEACH ONE ANOTHER with "that which is written."

See the Biblical and Historical repudiated of Located Evangelists

Missions Sunday 2003

Today's Sermon tries to MAKE THE CASE for the mega churches such as that of Rubel Shelly. The MISSION field is defined as Nashville and the disciples will have to come to the temple to hear false teaching. The false claim attempts to prove: the thesis: "Timothy a located Missionary."

Of course, to justify the Nashville post modern churches, Timothy MUST have set up OUTREACH programs much like the MINISTRY SYSTEM which God imposed on the MONARCHY when the elders (isn't it always the elders who are dominated?) a KING like the nations so that they could WORSHIP LIKE THE NATIONS. This was the goyiim which spoke primarily of Babylon and her OUTREACH groups.

Rubel Shelly: So it isn't just the missionary travel that qualifies under a biblical rubric of "missions" but missionary staying as well.

That's true but he SERVED at HIS OWN EXPENSE.

"Missions" isn't just preaching on the frontier but nurturing the resulting outposts.

But we also need Timothy-type missionaries who put down roots and minister to a kingdom outpost (i.e., local church) long after it has been planted, raised up its own elders, and begun its own next-step outreach with the gospel. That is what Timothy did, for example, at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3; cf. Acts 20:17; 19:10).

We value both. We affirm both. And we certainly help fund, staff, and implement both types of work. Granting that you and I have less of the Paul-type history that several in our audience today, John, what is one of the most memorable experiences for you in your "missions" travel?

A rubric is a RED CHAPTER HEAD.

It is ok to be a located evangelist or missionary. Here is what is OUTLAWED:

Commenting on Macedonia's gifts--which Paul called robbery when the men in Corinth wanted to be paid--Lenski stated:

"Paul says that he 'robbed' other churches, he took from them what he should really not have taken, namely 'sustenance.' 'Wages' is too liable to be misunderstood as meaning regular pay, which Paul never took from any church. This was a fixed principle with him."

"The noun has no article and means some sustenance.' It denotes a gift that was sent to him after had left those churches, which he could, therefore, not refuse.

Yet even then he felt that he was robbing those churches, letting them press something upon him which he would not let the Corinthians press upon him." (Lenski, 2 Cor. p. 1250).

"These men had funds and came to Paul's assistance. This is sometimes taken to mean that they brought Paul a collection from Philippi or from Macedonia, but the words contain no hint of a collection." (Lenski, 2 Cor. p. 1251).

"These so-called apostles are not in Paul's view genuine apostles at all, but only spurious counterfeits of whom his church should beware. Paul is therefore extremely scornful of those 'false' (2 Cor. 11:13) or, as he ironically describes them, 'superior' apostles (12:11), who go beyond the boundaries of their commission and give themselves a position in local churches to which they have no right. Such men, he says, 'commend themselves' (10:12, 18), 'compare themselves with one another' (v. 12) and 'boast beyond the limits in other men's labours' (v. 15). In order that the churches 'may make much of them' (Gal. 4:17) they 'put on airs', 'take advantage' of others, 'prey' upon them and, in effect, 'make slaves' of those they are to serve." ( Banks, Robert, Paul's Idea of Community, Eerdmans, p. 174).

AND HERE IS WHAT IS OUTLAWED

"... a herald dare announce only what he is ordered to announce, no more and no less; he must also word it just so and not otherwise. The herald is only the loudspeaker of the radio... God wants heralds, he supplies the grand announcement to be made, and no herald can improve upon it... This God who sends his heralds with his announcement and the people to whom he sends his heralds are not expected to pay those heralds." (Lenski, 1 Thess., p. 250).

The conclusions of false teachers mean that 1 Timothy Four has never been read except to justify a false conclusion. Like all proof-texts, this one BACKFIRES and ABSOLUTELY INSISTS that located "evangelists" get a real job and quit riding on the legalistic LAW OF GIVING.

If they will not work neither shall they eat applied to the MANY preachers trained in the Greek Theater (rhetoricians therefore parasites). Paul called them SUPER APOSTLES in Corinth. THEY said (we think) that Paul didn't demand a wage because his sermons DIDN'T COMMAND a wage. Paul, in turn, in order to disqualify the "many" called himself a robber for accepting even voluntry help.

hupobol-eus , eôs, ho, ( [hupoballô] ) SUGGESTER, reminder (v. hupobolê 1.3 ), Ph.1.591; in a THEATER, prompter, Plu.2.813f.

2. INTERPRETER, Eust.106.12.

II. = hupagôgeus 11, Theo Sm.p.71 H.

See Super Apostles below:

huperlian , Adv. beyond measure, exceedingly, sophos Eust.1396.42; to hu. Id.1184.18 ; hoi hu. apostoloi the 'super-Apostles', 2 Ep.Cor. 11.5, 12.11.

sophos

I. properly, skilled in any handicraft or art, cunning in his craft, Theogn., etc; of a charioteer, Pind.; of poets and musicians, id=Pind.; of a soothsayer, Soph., etc.

2. clever in matters of common life, wise, prudent, shrewd, s. andres Thessaloi shrewd fellows, the Thessalians! Hdt.; polla sophos Aesch.; meizô sophian sophos Plat., etc.; tôn sophôn kreissô better than all craft, Soph.; sophon [esti] c. inf., Eur.

ophis-teia, sophistry, mantikê, of Balaam, mantikê means divination, soothsayer

The ophis is the SERPENT or Devil. In the garden of Eden the serpent was a MUSICAL ENCHANTER.

OPHIS-teia, sophistry, mantikê, of Balaam, mantikê means divination, soothsayer

Playto, Cratylus says "the part of appropriative, coercive, hunting art which hunts animals, land animals, tame animals, man, privately, for pay, is paid in cash, claims to give education, and is a hunt after rich and promising youths, must--so our present argument concludes--be called sophistry.

Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon

The mantic prophesiers sang, played instruments and filled up from new wineskins. They are the sOPHISts and musicians of the end time church.

When LOCATED, men like Paul made sure that the WHOLE PROVINCE heard the gospel.

This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Ac.19:10

Was Timothy a Located Missionary? If so, he was a VOCATIONAL MISSIONARY.

Timothy was seen by the early bishops as a model of what the evangelist should be. That is, he is to be the Monarchial Bishop who is over the presbyters or elders in the local church and then finally over all of the other bishops.

We believe that this is wrong.

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Rom 15:19

Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another mans foundation: Rom 15:20

But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. Rom 15:21

Rubel Shelly Again: But we also need Timothy-type missionaries who put down roots and minister to a kingdom outpost (i.e., local church) long after it has been planted, raised up its own elders, and begun its own next-step outreach with the gospel. That is what Timothy did, for example, at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3; cf. Acts 20:17; 19:10).

Paul warned that apostasy would come out of the Elders of Ephesus. Undoubtedly they always needed SUPERNATURAL HELP from a paul and a Timothy. You should note that Timothy is never said to have SQUATTED in a house

Ac 19:9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

Ac.19:10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

When there was no public crowd to speak to, Paul WORKED with his own hands and WAS NOT supported by a LOCATED church plant. So did Timothy as Paul DIRECTLY COMMANDED him to do.

1Ti.4:13 Till I come, give attendance to [public] reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

If you read whole chapters you will discover that Paul warned the ELDERS of exactly what is promoted as a NEW STYLE WORSHIP and a commune form of "family."

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock,

over the which the [your own spirit] Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,
to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing
........... shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Grievous is a BURDEN added by the clergy after Jesus died to REMOVE the wolves off the backs of the lambs:

Barus (g926) bar-ooce'; from the same as 922; weighty, i.e. (fig.) burdensome, grave: - grievous, heavy, weightier.

Mt.23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on mens shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Josephus 2:[271] Accordingly, he did not only, in his political capacity, steal and plunder every one's substance, nor did he only burden the whole nation with taxes, but he permitted the relations of such as were in prison for robbery, and had been laid there, either by the senate of every city, or by the former procurators, to redeem them for money; and no body remained in the prisons as a malefactor but he who gave him nothing.

The DOGS who "musically mocked" Jesus were Catamites or male prostitutes which plagues ALL priest-HOODS. The Wolves are equivalent to the dogs and were defined as LOVERS OF YOUNG BOYS. The word PSALLO or external melody they LUST for is a CODE word in ALL KNOWN literature for older males who PLUCKED the harp strings in order to seduce the young "ministers of the gods" who--as a cappella originally demanded -- were castrados. Whatever the FACT, they still bear the universal PERSONA and people often FLEE without knowing whey they are REPULSED violently.

lukos A. wolf, oresteroi, oin humenaioi,

Includes: ores-teros , a, on, poet. for oreinos, epith. of a snake, Il.22.93 ; of wolves and lions, Od.10.212 ;

Includes: humenai-oô ,

A. sing the wedding-song, A.Pr.557 (lyr.).
2. wed, take to wife, kouras Theoc.22.179 : prov., prin ken lukos oin humenaioi Ar.Pax1076 (hex.).

Similar Greek: psaltôid-eô ,
A. sing to the harp, LXX 2 Ch.5.13.

psalmôid-ia ,
A. singing to the harp, Aristid.2.310J.

Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound I have learned this lesson from observing the luck, Prometheus, that has brought about your ruin. And the difference in the song stole into my thought [555] --this song and that, which, about your bridal bed and bath, I raised to grace your marriage, when you wooed with gifts [560] and won my sister Hesione to be your wedded wife.
sportulo , a-vi, 1, v. n.,
I. to take the dole of a patron (late Lat.), Cypr. Ep. 6, 6.

Lukos or wolf is also: of treacherous or unnatural love, lukou bion zên, i. e. live by rapine, Prov. ap. Plb.16.24.4; ek lukou stomatos, of getting a thing praeter . peri phrear choreuei, of those engaged in vain pursuits,

Chor-euô of the Dionysiac chorus or dance, E.Cyc.156, Ba.21, 184,207, etc.: hence, take part in the chorus, regarded as a matter of religion,

Euripides, Bacchae [20] and I have come to this Hellene city first, having already set those other lands to dance and established my mysteries there, so that I might be a deity manifest among men. In this land of Hellas, I have first excited Thebes to my cry, fitting a fawn-skin to my body and [25] taking a thyrsos in my hand, a weapon of ivy. For my mother's sisters, the ones who least should, claimed that I, Dionysus, was not the child of Zeus, but that Semele had conceived a child from a mortal father and then ascribed the sin of her bed to Zeus, [30] a trick of Kadmos', for which they boasted that Zeus killed her, because she had told a false tale about her marriage. Therefore I have goaded them from the house in frenzy, and they dwell in the mountains, out of their wits; and I have compelled them to wear the outfit of my mysteries. [35] And all the female offspring of Thebes, as many as are women, I have driven maddened from the house, and they, mingled with the daughters of Kadmos, sit on roofless rocks beneath green pines. For this city must learn, even if it is unwilling, [40] that it is not initiated into my Bacchic rites, and that I plead the case of my mother, Semele, in appearing manifest to mortals as a divinity whom she bore to Zeus.

They tried to force Jesus to "bow to Baal"

Lu.7:32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

Mark of the false shepherd:

Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise,
........... speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Diastrepho (g1294) dee-as-tref'-o; from 1223 and 4762; to distort, i.e. (fig.) misinterpret, or (mor.) corrupt: - perverse (- rt), turn away.

Diastrephô A. turn different ways, twist about, ta sômata, as in the dance, X.Smp.7.3; d. to prosôpon to distort it,

Xenophon Socrates SYMPOSIUM (perverted festival) VII. Then some among the rest of the banqueters kept urging Philip to go on with his comparisons, while others opposed. As the clamour rose to some height, Socrates once more interposed, saying: "Since we all want to talk, would this not be a fine time to join in singing?" And with the words he began a song. [2] When they had finished, a potter's wheel was brought in for the dancing girl on which she intended performing some feats of jugglery.

This prompted Socrates to observe to the Syracusan: "Sir, it is quite probable that, to use your words, I am indeed a 'thinker'; at any rate, I am now considering how it might be possible for this lad of yours and this maid to exert as little effort as may be, and at the same time give us the greatest possible amount of pleasure in watching them,--this being your purpose, also, I am sure. [3] Now, turning somersaults in among knives seems to me to be a dangerous exhibition, which is utterly out of place at a banquet. Also, to write or read aloud on a whirling potter's wheel may perhaps be something of a feat; yet I cannot conceive what pleasure even this can afford. Nor is it any more diverting to watch the young and beautiful going through bodily contortions and imitating hoops than to contemplate them in repose. [4] For it is of course no rare event to meet with marvels, if that is what one's mind is set on. He may marvel at what he finds immediately at hand,--for instance, why the lamp gives light owing to its having a bright flame, while a bronze mirror, likewise bright, does not produce light but instead reflects other things that appear in it; or how it comes about that olive oil, though wet, makes the flame higher, while water, because it is wet, puts the fire out. [5] However, these questions also fail to promote the same object that wine does; but if the young people were to have a flute accompaniment and dance figures depicting the Graces, the Horae,1 and the Nymphs, I believe that they would be far less wearied themselves and that the charms of the banquet would be greatly enhanced."

"Upon my word, Socrates," replied the Syracusan, "you are quite right; and I will bring in a spectacle that will delight you."

Lukos or wolf is also: VI. nickname of paiderastai, AP12.250 (Strat.), cf. Pl.Phdr. 241d

paiderast-ês , ou, ho, A. lover of boys, mostly in bad sense, Ar.Ach.265(lyr.), X.An.7.4.7, Pl. Smp.192b, Eub.130, etc.

A related word identifies APOLLYON or ABBYDON who unleashes his LOCUSTS who are the musical performers of the Babylonian end time Whore in Revelation 18.

Lukeios [u^], on, S.El.7, E.Rh.208 (but lukeia (q. v.) as Subst. in Plb.):--

A. of or belonging to a wolf, dora E.l.c., etc.

II. Lukeios (written Lukêos Milet.1(7) No.282 (i B.C.)), epith. of Apollo, either as lukoktonos (q. v.), or as the Lycian god (v. Lukêgenês, Lukios), or (fr. Lukê) as the god of light: Lukei' Apollon A.Ag.1257 ; eumenês d' ho L. estô Id.Supp.686 (lyr.); in Id.Th.145 (lyr.) there is a play upon the doubtful meanings, Lukei' anax, lukeios genou stratôi daïôi, Lycean lord, be a very wolf to the enemy; so tou lukoktonou theou agora Lukeios (this agora being an open place in Argos near the temple of Apollo Lukeios) S.l.c.; cf. Lukeion.

Mark of the True shepherd:

Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God,
........... and to the word of his grace,
........... which is able to build you up,
........... and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Acts 20:33 I have coveted no mans silver, or gold, or apparel.

Acts 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know,
........... that these hands have ministered unto my necessities,
........... and to them that were with me.

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things,
........... how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak,
........... and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
........... how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The elders were the MINISTERS of a local congregation. Paul REMOVED any supposed funding for a LOCATED MISSIONARY.

When Paul left there is no hint that the church continued to support a LOCATED MISSIONARY because they ad NEVER done so.

Ignatius who died c. 110 and who knew John wrote a letter to the Ephesians. He had served in Antioch then a city of 200,000 inhabitants.

When he wrote to Ephesus he noted "most of the believers had left Ephesus." Paul and Timothy prepared Antioch and Ephesus to endure afflictions and be prepared to be scattered.

This is hardly an endorsement to built a VENUE FOR ROCK AND ROLL to seduce new members. The church PREPARES ITS MEMBERS for the MINISTRY which is not "buildings and grounds" and "preacher search committee."

Timothy and Titus were representatives of Paul for the guidnce of the churches, the one being Paul's agent in Asia Minor, the other Paul's agent in Crete." (Lenski, Commentary on 1 Tim. p. 481).

That Timothy was an ittenerant fellow preacher with Paul is seen from the following:

1. In about A.D. 51 or 52 Timothy accompanied Paul on a preaching tour through Asia Minor, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth. (Acts 16-18).

2. About A.D. 56 Timothy and Erastus was sent out on missionary business from Ephesus to Corinth. (Acts 19:22; 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10) and shortly after- ward joined Paul in Macedonia and and with Paul sent greetings to Corinth and all Achaia. (2. Cor. 1:1).

3. In early A.D. 58 he was found with Paul in Corinth and saluted the church in Rome. (Rom. 16:21). Paul calles him a fellow-worker as he calls Titus a fellow-servant.

However, Paul remained for a while in Asia and he sent Timothy and Erastus on from Ephesus to Corinth (Acts 19:22) where Timothy was to "remind you of my ways which are in Christ" (1 Cor. 4:17). Paul had to remind the Corinthians not to despise Timothy because he is doing Paul's work (16:10).

4. In early A.D. 58 he was found with Paul in Corinth and saluted the church in Rome (Rom. 16:21). Paul calls him a fellow-worker as he calls Titus a fellow-servant. He went with Paul from Corinth to Jerusalem A.D. 58. (Acts 20:4).

5. He was in Rome as Paul was a prisoner (Phil. 1:1; 2:19; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1). Shortly afterward he is mentioned by Paul in Heb. 13:23.

6. In A.D. 65 Paul left Titus in Crete and Timothy in Ephesus to teach the Word by reading it PUBLICALLY.

Paul says, "In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and the sound doctrine which you have been following" (1 Tim. 4:6). In 4:13 Paul said,"Til I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortations, and to doctrine."

Later when Paul wrote the second letter he urged Timothy to rejoin him (2 Tim. 4:9). The Asian territory then was not Timothy's permanent area of work and he is never the pastor over a given church.

Timothy had apparently been in Ephesus only a short time when Paul urged him to remain there (1 Tim. 1:3). Therefore, Timothy did not consider himself the DOMINANT MINISTER over the elders of the church.

In 4:13 Paul said "Til I come, give sattendance to reading, to exhortations, and to doctrine." Later when Paul wrote the second letter he urged Timothy to rejoin him (2 Tim. 4:9). The Asian territory then was not Timothy's permanent area of work and he is never the pastor over a given church. He never acts in a way that one would assume that he was an apostle.

You will note that Paul sets the PATTERN for Timothy and ALL evangelists or preachers.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 1 Tim 4:6

But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 1 Tim 4:7

Women and their male counterpart have ever been the INVENTORS of religion. This has always been to fight the teaching of the Word which is free of charge (Isa 55). The word was written as inspired to guard against ancient superstition beginning with force at the towers of Babylon. Remember that in the Greek world of Paul the HYPOCRITES were a SECT along with the Pharisees (professional ritualists) and Scribe (book writers for profit). Rhetoricians, sOPHISts (Ophis the enchanting false speaker in the book of Revelation), singers, musicians and craftsmen (techne) performed the task of SORCERERS or SOOTHSAYERS. Because they performed no USEFUL FUNCTION they were all identified as PARASITES.

Clement in Pedagogue Three

And these women are carried about over the temples, sacrificing and practising divination day by day, spending their time with fortune-tellers,

and begging priests,
and disreputable old women;
and they keep up old wives' whisperings over their cups,
learning charms and incantations from soothsayers,
to the ruin of the nuptial bonds.

And some men they keep; by others they are kept; and others are promised them by the diviners.

They know not that they are cheating themselves, and giving up themselves as a vessel of pleasure to those that wish to indulge in wantonness; and exchanging their purity for the foulest outrage, they think what is the most shameful ruin a great stroke of business.

And there are many ministers to this meretricious licentiousness, insinuating themselves, one from one quarter, another from another.

For the licentious rush readily into uncleanness, like swine rushing to that part of the hold of the ship which is depressed.

Contrary to the ECUMENICAL LUST, everyone with an IQ as long as his shoe lace grasps that when you extend an OPEN INVITATON into your sheep fold the WOLVES will be the first to arrive. The church WAS NOT a tool of evangelism but the close fellowship and school of the Bible.

"Whence the Scripture most strenuously exhorts, "Introduce not every one into thy house, for the snares of the crafty are many." And in another place, "Let just men be thy guests, and in the fear of the Lord let thy boast remain." Away with fornication. "For know this well," says the apostle, "that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

But these women delight in intercourse with the effeminate. And crowds of abominable creatures (kinai/dej) flow in, of unbridled tongue, filthy in body, filthy in language; men enough for lewd offices, ministers of adultery, giggling and whispering,

and shamelessly making through their noses sounds of lewdness and fornication to provoke lust, endeavouring to please by lewd words and attitudes, inciting to laughter, the precursor of fornication.

Babylonian and Hittite rituals were very similar and were magical rituals to preserve the life of the king. However, when that did not work there was musical magic to escort the king to the Nether World or to appease him. Therefore, the rituals of religion and the rituals for the king are often identical because he is god-king or priest-king--

"It is placed by Laroche in his Catalog (song book) in the category of magical rituals, and indeed the Old Woman and her magical practices constantly recur throughout it. These practices, however, are here combined with rites typical of the temple cult,

such as 'drinking to' various gods and to the soul of the deceased,
and many passages describing the performance of the musicians are indistinguishable from the passages in the festival rituals." (Gurney, O.R., Some Aspects of Hittite Religion, Oxford University Press, 1977, p. 59).

The worship of the STARRY HOST in Amos was a "festival with and for dead ancestors"

"Such, then, is the patriarch of the gods whom Heaven and Earth produced for you, with the poets officiating as midwives." (Tertullian, de Nationes, Ante-Nicene, III, p. 141).

Next, the APPROVED EXAMPLE of Paul to Timothy hardly authorized a restored TOWER OF BABYLON type of "church" with priests, prostitutes, singers, musicians, soothsayers and the PRIEST closest to the "gods." You sang and played your WAY INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD and of course, contributed at the top.

PAUL INSTRUCTED TIMOTHY TO BE A VOCATIONAL EVANGELIST

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 1 Tim 4:10

Paul insisted that while the TEMPLES or ARMY allowed a DAILY DOLE OF BREAD, the GOSPEL which is FREE cannot be SOLD. Therefore, he gave his helpers as a model and told all of the hangers on the DIRECT COMMAND: "If he will not work neither shall he eat."

Kopiao (g2872) kop-ee-ah'-o; from a der. of 2873; to feel fatigue; by impl. to work hard: - (bestow) labour, toil, be wearied.

PAUL SET THE EXAMPLE OF WORKING AS A VOCATIONAL EVANGELIST

You CANNOT be applauded, be popular, get rich and hold yourself up as the leader of the POSTMODERN CHURCH which means PostChristendom church without MARKING yourself as a false apostle. The EXAMPLE of Paul

We are fools for Christs sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised 1 Cor 4:10

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 1 Cor 4:11

And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 1Co.4:12

Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. 1 Cor 4:13

PAUL SET THE EXAMPLE, COMMANDED THAT IT BE FOLLOWED AND THAT THOSE WHO WILL NOT WORK SHALL NOT EAT. THESE WERE THE FALSE APOSTLES BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WOULD NOT OTHERWISE TOLERATE SHIRKERS

Drink water, says Solomon, from thine own fountains, and let the streams flow down to neighbors. (Proverbs 5:15.)

Second Thessalonians

Paul begins by identifying his TARGET as wicked men of no faith. However, they plagued all of the new churches wanting to be paid to be their pagan-like priest:

FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 Th 3:1

And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 2 Thess 3:2

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thess 3: 3

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly,

and not after the tradition which he received of us. 2 Thess 3: 6

For yourselves know how ye ought (obligated) to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 2 Thess 3: 7

Neither did we eat any mans bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 2 Thess 3: 8

For nought means:

Dorean (g1432) do-reh-an' acc. of 1431 as adv.; gratuitously (lit. or fig.): - without a cause, freely, for naught, in vain.

Wrought is

Ergazomai (g2038) er-gad'-zom-ahee; mid. from 2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by impl.) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.: - commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.

Vines

1 ergazomai (Verb)

"to work, work out, perform," is translated "minister" in 1Co. 9:13; the verb is frequently used of business, or employment, and here the phrase means "those employed in sacred things" or "those who are assiduous in priestly functions." See COMMIT, A, No. 1. Notes: (1) The verb choregeo, rendered "minister" in the AV of 2Co. 9:10, and the strengthened form epichoregeo, rendered by the same verb in the AV of 2Co. 9:10; Ga. 3:5; Col. 2:19; 2Pe. 1:11, in 2Pe. 1:5, "add," are always translated "to supply" in the RV. Both verbs suggest an abundant supply, and are used of material or of spiritual provision. See SUPPLY. (2) In Eph. 4:29, AV, didomi, "to give," is translated "minister" (RV, "give")

4 diakoneo (Verb)

Akin to A, No. 1, signifies "to be a servant, attendant, to serve, wait upon, minister." In the following it is translated "to minister," except where "to serve" is mentioned: it is used (a) with a general significance, e.g., Mt. 4:11; 20:28; Mr. 1:13; 10:45; Joh. 12:26 ("serve," twice); Ac. 19:22; Phm. 1:13; (b) of waiting at table, "ministering" to the guests, Mt. 8:15; Lu. 4:39; 8:3; 12:37; 17:8, "serve;" Mt. 22:26, "serve," Mt. 22:27, "serveth," twice; the 2nd instance, concerning the Lord, may come under (a); so of women preparing food, etc., Mr. 1:31; Lu. 10:40, "serve;" Joh. 12:2, "served;" (c) of relieving one's necessities, supplying the necessaries of life, Mt. 25:44; 27:55; Mr. 15:41; Ac. 6:2, "serve;" Ro. 15:25; Heb. 6:10; more definitely in connection with such service in a local church, 1Ti. 3:10,13,

hierourgeo (Verb)

"to minister in priestly service" (akin to hierourgos, "a sacrificing priest," a word not found in the Sept. or NT: from hieros, "sacred," and ergon, "work"), is used by Paul metaphorically of his ministry of the Gospel, Ro. 15:16; the offering connected with his priestly ministry is "the offering up of the Gentiles," i.e., the presentation by Gentile converts of themselves to God. The Apostle uses words proper to the priestly and Levitical ritual, to explain metaphorically his own priestly service. Cp. prosphora, "offering up," and leitourgos, in the same verse.

Priests got a daily dole of food while serving at the temple.

leitourgos (Noun)

Denoted among the Greeks, firstly, "one who discharges a public office at his own expense," then, in general, "a public servant, minister." In the NT it is used (a) of Christ, as a "Minister of the sanctuary" (in the Heavens), Heb. 8:2; (b) of angels, Heb. 1:7 ( Ps. . 104:4); (c) of the Apostle Paul, in his evangelical ministry, fulfilling it as a serving-priest, Ro. 15:16; that he used it figuratively and not in an ecclesiastical sense, is obvious from the context; (d) of Epaphroditus, as ministering to Paul's needs on behalf of the church at Php. ippi, Php. 2:25; here, representative service is in view; (e) of earthly rulers, who though they do not all act consciously as servants of God, yet discharge functions which are the ordinance of God, Ro. 13:6.

If one wants a Musical Worship Ministry he Pollutes the church.

Chorêgos 1 [choros, hêgeomai] or worship leader

I. a chorus leader, Plat.:-- the leader of a train or band, Soph., Eur.

II. at Athens, one who defrayed the costs for bringing out a chorus, Dem., Aeschin.

2. one who supplies the costs for any purposes, Dem., Aeschin.

Labor is

Kopos (g2873) kop'-os; from 2875; a cut, i.e. (by anal.) toil (as reducing the strength), lit. or fig.; by impl. pains: - labour, / trouble, weariness.

Travail is

Mochthos (g3449) mokh'-thos; from the base of 3425; toil, i.e. (by impl.) sadness: - painfulness, travail.

Chargeable is

Epibareo (g1912) ep-ee-bar-eh'-o; from 1909 and 916; to be heavy upon, i.e. (pecuniarily) to be expensive to; fig. to be severe towards: - be chargeable to, overcharge. (a burden)

Paul's DIRECT COMMAND and APPROVED EXAMPLE

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 2 Thess 3: 9

An EXAMPLE is

Tupos (g5179) too'-pos; from 5180; a die (as struck), i.e. (by impl.) a stamp or scar; by anal. a shape, i.e. a statue, (fig.) style or resemblance; spec. a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning): - en- (ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.

Follow is

Mimeomai (g3401) mim-eh'-om-ahee; mid. from mimoås , (a "mimic"); to imitate: - follow

Paul established a PATTERNISM or a MARK by which we can identify the TRUE from the FALSE prophet. He has spoken of evil men and we know that the SUPER APOSTLES plagued the new church. They had been trained in Greek theater, mime, rhetoric, sophistry, the gymnasium and music.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you,

that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 2 Thess 3: 10

Jesus set the example by growing up as a CARPENTER. All credible priests or leaders had an OCCUPATION and they were expected to earn their own bread.

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 2 Thess 3: 11

John Calvin on verse 11. We hear that there are some among you. It is probable that this kind of drones were, as it were, the seed of idle monkhood. For, from the very beginning, there were some who,

under pretext of religion, either made free with the tables of others, or craftily drew to themselves the substance of the simple.

They had also, even in the time of Augustine, come to prevail so much, that he was constrained to write a book expressly against idle monks, where he complains with good reason of their pride,

because, despising the admonition of the Apostle, they not only excuse themselves on the ground of infirmity, but they wish to appear holier than all others,

on the ground that they are exempt from labors. He inveighs, with good reason, against this unseemliness, that, while the senators are laborious, the workman, or person in humble life, does not merely live in idleness,

2 but would fain have his indolence pass for sanctity. Such are his views.

3 In the mean time, however, the evil has increased to such an extent, that idle bellies occupy nearly the tenth part of the world, whose only religion is to be well stuffed, and to have exemption from all annoyance

4 of labor. And this manner of life they dignify, sometimes with the name of the Order, sometimes with that of the Rule, of this or that personage.

These false teachers were "insubordinate religiously."

Periergazomai (g4020) per-ee-er-gad'-zom- ahee; from 4012 and 2038; to work all around, i.e. bustle about (meddle): - be a busybody.

It is a fact that false prophets even in the Old Testament held WORKSHOPS all around. The primary reason was to STEAL PROPHESIES from one another.

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Jer 23:30

The LOCATED EVANGELISTS are not so located: they bustle around to workshops, steal some new prophecy and almost always come back with some NEW PROGRAM to "sow discord among the church." Paul had a FIX: if you don't pay them they will be too busy to be busybodies.

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 2 Thess 3: 12

Quietness is

Esuchia (g2271) hay-soo-khee'-ah; fem. of 2272; (as noun) stillness, i.e. desistance from bustle or language: - quietness, silence.

Paul worked to earn his own bread. He worked to the point of travail and tears. Why? Because you CANNOT BE CREDIBLE if you don't earn your own bread.

This was Paul's MARK as the ONLY way to sort out, in John Calvin's words, "the plowing oxen from the lazy asses."

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 2 Thess 3:13

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note (Mark) that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 2 Thess 3:14

IF YOU ARE AN ENABLER UNDER THE LAW OF THE TITHE OR THE LAW OF GIVING THEN YOU VIOLATE DIRECT COMMANDS AND OPEN UP THE CHURCH TO FALSE TEACHERS.

The goal of the spiritual evangelist is not to set up churches (named after Circe, the holy whore) but of the Synagogues of Christ. In all of Paul's writing about gathering or assembling, Paul used a form of the word SYNAGOGUE. The synagogue was a SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE and of prayer. Jesus GAVE ATTENDANCE TO THE PUBLIC READING OF THE WORD and had the uncommon decency to SIT DOWN.

PAUL COMMANDED THAT TIMOTHY CONTINUE TO BE A VOCATIONAL EVANGELIST

These things command and teach. 1 Ti m 4:11

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Ti m 4:12

"Ministers" and "elders" and everyone is to WORK so that they can help the needy. Paul issued a DIRECT COMMAND that Timothy concern himself with working so that he would not be chargeable and be able to support others.

Charity (g26) ag-ah'-pay; from 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; spec. (plur.) a love-feast: - (feast of) charity ([- ably]), dear, love.

A minister worked to feed the poor on their way to work every morning. When this AGAPAE became part of the 'WORSHIP' Jude knew that it was so that the CLOUDS WITHOUT WATER could make the churches feed them for exactly NOTHING. Therefore, Paul insists that we not live on the "love feast."

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Eph 4:28

Paul was especially aware that the Jewish teachers had sticky fingers:

And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, Rom 2:19

An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Rom 2:20

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Ro.2:21

Klepto (g2813) klep'-to; a prim. verb; to filch: - steal.

If you are living on the hard working people and getting thy food by the LAW OF GIVING Paul would call you a THIEF.

A MINISTER does not ride on the backs of widows by telling a lie or OLD WIVES'S TALE about tithing or the LAW OF GIVING. A minister, gets himself a job and shows up on Sunday morning to teach IF he is the most Biblically Faithful man in the assembly. ONLY THEN is he credible to preach the word "as it has been taught."

Paul and his HELPERS worked when others worked and then read the word and explained it when the people had time. Paul is not discussing a LOCATED EVANGELIST but an evangelist who would, as did Paul, make sure that all of the province heard the Word.

Timothy was HOLDING Paul's place and was not a LOCATED EVANGELIST:

Till I come, give attendance to [Public] reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 1 Ti m 4:13

Paul's unique Spiritual worship word is to GIVE HEED to the Words of Christ as the way to worship God.

Exhortation is:

Paraklesis (g3874) par-ak'-lay-sis; from 3870; imploration, hortation, solace: - comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty.

The practice of the synagogue was to READ THE WORD and like Jesus, have the uncommon decency to sit down. Then he exhorted THAT WHICH HAD BEEN read. Any doctrinal teaching inherent in the READ TEXT was taught.

There WAS NO PRAISE SERVICE IN THE SYNAGOGUE as indeed there CANNOT be in a church of Christ because the MUSIC was known by Lucifer, Nimrod and modern musicologists DISABLED the rational or spiritual nature of people so that they CANNOT comprehend. If they could comprehend what they are PAYING A WAGE TOO HIGH they would, as Jesus did the minstrels or pipe players, eject them like one ejects dung.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord Col 3:16

Melody which is INTERNAL is parallel to GRACE. Songs had both MELODY and GRACE. Therefore, the MELODY has no musical connection in the exterior.

Defining the SYNAGOGUE (not church) Paul told us what Jesus would do. Jesus validated his role as SON by speaking only what He heard from the FATHER who dwelled within. Using the same PARAKLESIS Paul told the Romans how to settle the DIVERSITY which was OUTLAWED by the synagogue:

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning (and therefore PREACHING), that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Rom 15:4

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: Rom 15:5

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15:6

You see, it IS possible for us to ALL speak the SAME THINGS: just speak to ONE ANOTHER that which is written and the job is done. No preaching inherent in any of the so-called "singing" passages.

They NEVER set up an ENTERPRISE to suck people into the church buildings until later when the Cathedrals were built at sites of TRADE FAIRS as SEEKER CENTERS modelled by Apollo or Abaddon or Apollyon.

Furthermore, as an assistant apostle Timothy had been given teaching with supernatural power. It was the evangelist who was ORDAINED the EVANGELIST. This never authorized a preacher to select and ordain "elders" who are usually "as apt to chase a coon as apt to teach."

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 1 Tim 4:14

Even with these GIFTS the DIRECT COMMAND was not to PREACH first but to READ first. If the "sermon" is not a passage of Scripture it violates the example of Jesus and the obedience of Paul and Timothy.

There is no command to SING in the assembly as there was NO PRAISE SERVICE IN THE SYNAGOGUE. The Ode was SPOKEN to three or four notes, in the lower register designed for the SPEAKING voice and not the singing voice. The singers and players in the higher registers with some harmony of octives was UNIVERSALLY the prostitutes and sodomites who plagued the temples and churches.

Therefore, to SPEAK and MEDITATE in the heart is the same as SPEAK to one another the inspired Psalms. Both the singing and melody was IN THE HEART. Melody is equated to GRACE in the heart:

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 1 Ti m 4:15

Meletao (g3191) mel-et-ah'-o; from a presumed der. of 3199; to take care of, i.e. (by impl.) revolve in the mind: - imagine, (pre-) meditate.

Paul NEVER commanded SINGING as an "act of worship." He directly commanded TEACHING and ADMONISHING whith that which is written. This is the APPROVED EXAMPLE of Jesus who never involved Himself with human rituals.

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. Rom 15:3

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Rom 15:4

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to Rom 15:5 be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15:6

The word PLEASED is the GOAL of the new style worship. Rubel Shelly's word is EXHILARATED. This is best produced by MUSIC which produces endorphins or morphine within. This also creates the effects of FIGHT, FLIGHT and SEXUALITY. Music universally tells God: "We will not listen to your word."

Aresko (g700) ar-es'-ko; prob. from 142 (through the idea of EXCITING EMOTION); to be agreeable (or by impl. to seek to be so): - please.

YOU SEE, YOU CAN ALL SPEAK THE SAME THINGS:

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that ye all speak the same thing,
and that there be no divisions among you;
but that ye be perfectly joined together
in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1Co.1:10

BUT NOT IF ONE DOES ALL OF THE SPEAKING AND HE DOES NOT SPEAK THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN BY THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST (1 Pe 3:1).

Having justified a mega-church with the God cursed MINISTRY SYSTEM in the Monarch when the elders demanded SET A KING OVER US, it is clear that having CLASPED Timothy to the breast preachers NOT claim dominance until death and retirement plan do us part, you ARE DUTY BOUND to accept the fact that Paul LABORED with his own hands and demanded that Timothy and those in Thessalonian IMITATE HIS PATTERN.

Was Timothy a Located Missionary in an established church? No.

MORE LATER:

Kenneth Sublett

Rubel Shelly Sermon Reviews

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