Podcast Episode 5: Scriptures to Support the Evangelical Church (in two parts)
In this first of a two-part episode, Canon George, David, and Father Dan sit down to discuss the scriptural evidence of Evangelical Christianity.
Hosts
Cn. George Ivey
David Wickenden
Fr. Dan Shoemake
Scripture
from its basic roots, Evangelical Christians have a high view of scripture. On the most basic level this means that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that its teachings are to be learned and obeyed.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
The scripture is the guiding line that we use to realign what is crooked.
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
The scripture is meant to be read not only privately but within the corporate body.
All of Psalm 119 - Lamp unto my feet, Wiser that my teachers, Hidden your word
The importance of the Law of God as a guiding principle for our lives and development. The scriptures show us how to please God, how to heal from sin, and how to live within the world.
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The scriptures are intended to teach us and to point us to the hope of God in the world.
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
The scriptures are a separate witness that will tell us both who Christ is.
Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Scripture is caused by God, God has inspired the scripture, and the truth of the scripture in understanding them comes from a life of obedience and listening to what God is speaking through the scriptures.
Conversion/Revival/Transformation
The belief that the message of the Gospel will change individuals, families, and communities when it is communicated. - Define Conversion - (turning toward)
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
A life lived following the text of the scriptures will liberate us from sin.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
God’s forgiveness and healing is subsequent to our turning toward him.
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Conversion requires repentance and baptism
Acts 9:1-43 (Paul’s Conversion)
Just because we are religious or churchy does not mean that we are in fact truly following God.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Conversion requires a life of transformation. This does not imply perfection, but a life of repentance and walking toward holiness.
Matthew 18:3
3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
We need to convert to a mentality where we take for granted that Jesus is correct and we are incorrect.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
When we respond to God’s call to conversion, God will cleanse us internally.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Conversion changes us. We now become empowered by Christ rather than our own human weaknesses.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The world does not want to follow Jesus. Our minds are taught the ways that the world wants us to believe, our minds need to be converted.
Romans 10:9-11
9 if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”
Conversion involves proclaiming Jesus is your Lord, and truly believing (a life of transformation) that he is your Lord.
Proclamation
The gospel when proclaimed changes the world. This moves the Church to an active view on its role in sharing the Gospel with the world.
Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
The message that we proclaim is the mechanism of salvation. When we respond to it in faith, it will save us.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus commands us to make disciples. This means we 1. Convince others to follow Jesus and join the Church, 2. That we persist in relationship with one another, and 3. That we do all of this with the Hope that Christ is with us and will redeem us.
Mark 16:15
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Jesus’ command. The proclamation involves everyone and everything being transformed into the Kingdom of God.
Psalm 105:1
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
The Psalmist calls all the people of God to inform the world of God’s work.
Romans 10:13-14
13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?
In order for the world to be saved - it must be transformed by the message, which is only heard through the proclamation of the Church.
This Podcast is a ministry of Good Samaritan Anglican Church in Buford, Georgia.
Get in touch with us: https://linktr.ee/GSACBuford
