The Doctrine of Encouragement

Transcription

1 The Doctrine of Encouragement Outline I. Definition and Description II. Vocabulary III. Documentation IV. Mentorship of God the Holy Spirit V. Doctrine VI. Local Assembly VII. Fellowship with believers VIII. Pastor-Teacher IX. Baptism of the Spirit X. Intercessory Prayer XI. Occupation with Christ XII. Rapture XIII. 2 Immutable Things XIV. Rewards XV. Divine Punishment I. Definition and Description A. God the Father has provided from eternity past everything that the believer would need to execute His perfect Plan for the church age. B. This includes encouragement in times of adversity and failure that the believer will inevitably face as he advances to spiritual maturity. C. The believer can derive encouragement from the mentorship of God the Holy Spirit as well as the Baptism of the Spirit with its 3 resultant categories of sanctification. D. He can also receive encouragement from other believers who are filled with the Spirit and possess divine viewpoint from the Scriptures. E. The believer can receive encouragement simply by gathering together with other believers to hear the Word of God communicated by their divinely appointed pastor-teacher. F. He also can be the beneficiary of intercessory prayer by other believers on his behalf. G. The believer can receive encouragement by being occupied with Christ. H. He can derive encouragement in adversity by understanding the immanency of the Rapture. I. The believer can receive encouragement by understanding Who and What God is and What He has provided under the 3 categories of grace provisions: 1. Antecedent grace: eternity past 2. Living grace: in time. 3. Eschatological grace: eternity future J. The believer can derive encouragement from the fact that he will receive eternal rewards at the Bema Seat Evaluation for executing the Plan for the church age. K. The believer can also derive encouragement through the fact that God as a Father punishes His children. II. Vocabulary A. Paramutheomai (paramuqevomai) (verb), to encourage, to cheer up, comfort (1 Th. 5:14). B. The noun paraklesis (paravklhsiς) means admonition, exhortation, encouragement, appeal, request, comfort, consolation. C. The noun paraklesis has the following cognates: 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

2 1. Parakaleo (parakalevw) (verb), to summon, invite, ask, implore, exhort, comfort, encourage. 2. Parakletos (paravklhtoς) (noun), helper, comforter, energizer. 3. Kaleo (kalevw) (verb), to call, name, summon, invite. 4. Sumparakaleo (sumparakalevw) (verb), to comfort together with. D. Classical Usage 1. Parakaleo is composed of the preposition para (παρα), to the side, and the verb kaleo (καλεω), to call. 2. This verb is found quite often in classical literature with a variety of usages. 3. Generally, it can mean, to call to someone (Thucydides 5, 31, 2; Polybius 2, 20, 1). 4. Secondly, it could mean, to summon or send for someone, to call in (Xenophon, Anabasis 3, 1, 32). 5. Herodotus used it in the sense of summoning someone for help. 6. It also could mean to exhort, or to encourage, to comfort someone (Xenophon, Anabasis 5, 6, 19), 7. In military contexts it is common for encouragement of soldiers. 8. Fourthly, it could mean, to require, to demand, to challenge. 9. Lastly, parakaleo could mean, to beg, to entreat, to beseech, to implore (Josephus Ant. 6, 7, 4). 10. Parakaleo is used often in the LXX to translate the Hebrew word nacham, to console, to comfort, is also used for God s compassion in judgment of His people Israel. 11. The word is used quite extensively in the NT where it can mean to comfort, to encourage, to beseech, to exhort, to challenge. 12. Parakaleo is used here in 2 Timothy 4:2 in a two-fold sense, one of challenging the congregation and secondly, of encouraging the congregation with the Word of God. 13. Paraklesis is the noun form of the compound verb parakaleo which is composed of the preposition para (para), by the side, and kaleo (kalevw), to call. 14. In classical literature, paraklesis has the following meanings: a. Calling to one s aid, a summons b. Imploration, supplication, entreaty c. Invocation of gods d. Demand, request, appeal e. Exhortation, admonition, encouragement, address f. Consolation, comfort, solace g. Persuasive discourse, stirring address, instructive, admonitory, consolatory, powerful oratory discourse. 15. The verb parakaleo had the following meanings: a. To call to b. To beseech c. To exhort d. To comfort 16. Parakaleo means, to call in (Xenophon, Anabasis 3, 1, 32, they call in the general ). 17. From this follow the other meanings, which are often hard to distinguish from one another. 18. Otto Schmitz commenting on the verb and the noun, writes, The manifold linguistic use of this strengthening compound of kalein and of the derived noun all goes back to the sense to call someone to oneself, not to call to (someone), cf. epikalein, to call to and to call (a name). The difference is whether the calling, which is always addressed to another, refers back from the very first to the one who calls, so that the one subordinate to the actual calling on another, which produces the sense of asking, encouraging or comforting according to the nature of the call, whether a request for help or a word of 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

3 exhortation or consolation (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, volume 5, page 774). E. LXX Usage 1. Paraklesis is translated by several Hebrew terms in over a dozen places. 2. In the LXX parakaleo is chiefly used for the Hebrew nacham (sjn) (especially in the niphil and piel), to be moved to pity, to comfort, usually in the latter sense. 3. Parakaleo often means to comfort in the LXX. 4. Sometimes it means, to be sorry, but not in the sense of comforting but in that of the sympathy which relents or repents. 5. LXX refers to comfort in bereavement. 6. It can mean, to give expression to one s sympathy. 7. But like the noun it is also used for words of comfort in any human grief. 8. Paraklesis is generally used for encouragement, friendly exhortation. 9. Parakaleo is especially used, and sometimes also paraklesis, to promise and to testify to the comfort of God which is to be given to His people when under divine judgment, or to the individual in time of testing. 10. Paraklesis was used for the strengthening of the morale of the troops by encouragement from the Law and the prophets and by recollection of past victories in battle. 11. It is encouragement and exhortation rather than true comfort in distress. F. NT Usage 1. The verb parakaleo occurs 109 times in the NT. 2. The noun paraklesis appears 29 times in the NT. 3. The word is used exclusively by Luke and Paul. 4. Paraklesis has the following meanings in the NT: a. Encouragement, exhortation, admonition b. Appeal, request, supplication, entreaty c. Comfort, consolation, solace d. Persuasive discourse, stirring address, instructive, admonitory, consolatory, powerful oratory address G. Eupsucho (eu&yucevw) is a hapax legomenon. H. A hapax legomenon is a Greek word which appears only once in a body of literature. I. Here eupsucho is found only once in the NT which is here in Philippians 2:19. J. It does not appear in the LXX. K. Eupsucheo is formed from eu (eu), well, and psuche (yuchv), soul, thus the word means, to be encouraged. L. This verb appears frequently on epitaphs. M. It appears in Pollux 3.28, 135. N. Josephus used the word of king Artaxerxes or Cyrus encouraging Esther to be of good cheer (Antiquities 11, 241). O. Liddel and Scott list the following classical meanings for the verb: 1. To be of good courage 2. Farewell. P. Thayer s New Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament defines the word as to be of good courage, to be of a cheerful spirit (page 264). Q. Bauer, Gingrich and Danker define the verb, to be glad, to have courage (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature page 329). R. Moulton s Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised defines Eupsucheo, of good courage, to be animated, encouraged, in good spirits (page 177). S. Louw and Nida define the word, to be or to become encouraged and hence cheerful - to be encouraged, to take courage, to become encouraged (Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domains volume 2, page 305) William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

4 III. Documentation A. Deuteronomy 1:38, Joshua, the son of Nun, the one who stands before you as your lieutenant, he will enter it (Canaan), encourage him because he will cause Israel to inherit it. B. Deuteronomy 3:28, But command Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him because he will pass over as the leader of this people and he cause them to take possession of the land which you (Moses) will see. C. Ezra 6:22, And they (Israel) observed the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy for Yahweh made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them so that He encouraged in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. D. Isaiah 35:3, Encourage the exhausted and strengthen the weak. E. Isaiah 51:12, I, I, He, the One Who comforts you, who are you that you should be afraid of a man that shall die and of the son of man who is made like grass. F. Isaiah 66:13, Like one whom his mother comforts so I will comfort you and in Jerusalem you will be comforted. G. Psalm 119:50, This is my comfort in my affliction that Your promise gives me life. H. John 14:16, And I (the Lord Jesus Christ) will petition the Father and He (the Father) will give to all of you for your benefit another mentor in order that He (God the Holy Spirit) may remain with all of you for this dispensation. I. John 14:26, Now, the mentor, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach all of you doctrines and will bring to your remembrance doctrines which I have communicated to all of you. J. John 15:26, Now when the Mentor has arrived, Whom I will send to all of you from the Father, the Spirit of doctrine, Who goes forth from the Father so that He will bear witness concerning Me. K. John 16:7, But on the contrary, I declare to all of you the truth, it is profitable for all of you that I should depart for if I don t depart the Mentor will never come face to face with all of you. Now if I depart, I will send Him to all of you. L. Romans 15:4-5, For whatever stands written were written for our instruction so that through the endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might possess confidence. Now may the God of confidence and encouragement provide all of you with the same mind toward each other according to Christ Jesus. M. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Worthy of praise and glorification is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who encourages us in all our affliction so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted (1st class condition: and we are ), it is for your encouragement and prosperity; or if we are encouraged (1st class condition: and we are ), it is for your encouragement, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our confidence on behalf of you is sure, knowing with out a doubt that as you are partners of our sufferings, so also of our comfort. N. 2 Corinthians 7:4-6, Great is my confidence in you, great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with comfort. I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction. For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, Who encourages the depressed, encouraged us by the coming of Titus. O. Philippians 2:1, Therefore, if...and there is any encouragement in Christ, if...and there is any motivation from virtue-love, if...and there is any fellowship through the Spirit, if...and there is any compassionate affections William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

5 P. Philippians 2:19, Now because of the Lord Jesus I confidently expect to be able to send Timothy to all of you promptly with the result that I also might be encouraged after I have learned of your circumstances. Q. Colossians 2:1-2, For I desire for all of you to know how great a battle I have (in prayer) on behalf of all of you and those in Laodicea and as many as have never seen my face in the person in order that your hearts might be encouraged, by having been united by means of virtue-love and for all the riches of the full assurance from understanding with reference to the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ, in Whom are all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. R. Colossians 4:7-8, Regarding all my circumstances, Tychicus will make known to all of you, our beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord whom I have sent to be face to face with all of you for this same thing that you might know our circumstances and might encourage your hearts. S. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12, You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers just as you know how we exhorted and encouraged and implored each of you as a father his own children so that you may walk in a manner worthy of (axios) the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. T. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Therefore, when we could no longer endure we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone and we sent Timothy our brother and fellow worker of God even our fellow worker in the good news of Christ to stabilize all of you and to encourage all of you on behalf of your faith. U. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Now I do not wish all of you to be ignorant royal family concerning those who are sleeping (dead) so that you are not grieved even as the rest (of humanity), those having no confidence. In fact, if (and we have) believed that Jesus died and rose again so also God through Jesus will bring with him those have fallen asleep. For this we declare to all of you by the word of the Lord that we, those living, those remaining until the arrival of the Lord, may never ever precede those having fallen asleep because the Lord Himself with the shout of command through the archangel s voice and the trumpet of God will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first, then we those living, those remaining, together with them shall be snatch forcibly out of the world for the purpose of meeting in the clouds the Lord in the earth s atmosphere and thus always we shall will be with the Lord. So encourage one another with these words. V. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, because God the Father has emphatically not appointed us for wrath but on the contrary for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, the One having died as a Substitute for all of us so that whether you are awake or we sleep together with Him we may live. Therefore encourage one another and strengthen one another even as you also are doing. W. 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Now we request that all of you royal family, challenge the insubordinate, encourage the discouraged, support the immature, be patient towards all. X. 2 Timothy 4:1-2, I (Paul) solemnly command you (Timothy) in the presence of the God, even Christ Jesus, who is about to judge the living and the dead and by His brilliant spectacular appearance (the Rapture) and His kingdom (2nd Advent). Publicly proclaim the Word as a herald in a dignified and authoritative manner which commands the respect and attention of those who hear the Word, prepare and stay ready in good times and bad times, convince of sin and evil with the Word for the purpose of correction, reprimand, encourage and challenge by means of great patience and doctrine. Y. Hebrews 2:18, For since He Himself was tested in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tested. Z. Hebrews 6:17-18, Because God desiring to demonstrate more abundantly towards the heirs of the promise, the immutability of His counsel (in eternity past), interposed through an oath that by two immutable things through which it is impossible for God to lie so that we might have strong encouragement those who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the confidence set before us William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

6 AA.Hebrews 10:23-25, Let us keep holding to the unwavering confession of confidence for faithful is the One Who has promised and we should consider one another for provoking to virtue-love and good works, never forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, even as is the custom of some but on the contrary encouraging one another by assembling to hear doctrine and intensifying your efforts as you see the day (the Rapture) drawing near. BB. Hebrews 12:3, For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. CC. Hebrews 12:5-6, And have you forgotten the encouragement (paraklesis) which is addressed to us as sons, My son, do not be regard lightly the punishment of the Lord, nor faint when you are reprimanded by Him for those whom the Lord loves He punishes, and He skins alive every son whom He receives. IV. Mentorship of God the Holy Spirit A. God the Holy Spirit is called the believer s parakletos (paravklhtoς), helper, energizer, and comforter. B. The noun appears only 5 times in the NT. C. Parakletos occurs 4 times in the gospel of John with reference to God the Holy Spirit Who is the believer s mentor or true teacher (Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). D. It appears once in 1 John 2:1 with reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. E. John 14:16, And I (the Lord Jesus Christ) will petition the Father and He (the Father) will give to all of you for your benefit another mentor in order that He (God the Holy Spirit) may remain with all of you for this dispensation. F. John 14:26, Now, the mentor, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach all of you doctrines and will bring to your remembrance doctrines which I have communicated to all of you.. G. John 15:26, Now when the Mentor has arrived, Whom I will send to all of you from the Father, the Spirit of doctrine, Who goes forth from the Father so that He will bear witness concerning Me. H. John 16:7, But on the contrary, I declare to all of you the truth, it is profitable for all of you that I should depart for if I don t depart the Mentor will never come face to face with all of you. Now if I depart, I will send Him to all of you. I. He provides the believer with guidance and comfort in times of adversity. J. God the Holy Spirit is the believer s true Teacher and Mentor. K. The pastor-teacher is simply the communicator of the Word of God. L. God the Holy Spirit makes the doctrine communicated to the congregation understandable for those believers who are in fellowship. M. He is the enabling power for the execution of the Plan of God for the Church just as He was the enabling power for the execution of the Incarnation Plan of God for the incarnate Son of God during the dispensation of the hypostatic union. N. The mentorship of the Holy Spirit is one of the many benefits of being filled with the Spirit, which is a commandment (Eph. 5:18). V. Doctrine A. The believer can derive encouragement from Bible doctrine. B. Isaiah 51:12, I, I, He, the One Who comforts you, who are you that you should be afraid of a man that shall die and of the son of man who is made like grass. C. Isaiah 66:13, Like one whom his mother comforts so I will comfort you and in Jerusalem you will be comforted. D. Psalm 119:50, This is my comfort in my affliction that Your promise gives me life William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

7 E. Romans 15:4-5, For whatever stands written were written for our instruction so that through the endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might possess confidence. Now may the God of confidence and encouragement provide all of you with the same mind toward each other according to Christ Jesus. F. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Worthy of praise and glorification is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, Who encourages us in all our affliction so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted (1st class condition: and we are ), it is for your encouragement and prosperity; or if we are encouraged (1st class condition: and we are ), it is for your encouragement, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our confidence on behalf of you is sure, knowing with out a doubt that as you are partners of our sufferings, so also of our comfort. G. 2 Corinthians 7:4-6, Great is my confidence in you, great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with comfort. I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction. For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, Who encourages the depressed, encouraged us by the coming of Titus. H. Jesus Christ is the Living Word and Bible Doctrine is the Written Word of God. I. All Scripture is theopneustos, God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). J. Bible Doctrine is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). K. Bible Doctrine, the words of our Lord are spirit and our life (John 6:63). L. Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God the Father until the Father s makes His enemies a footstool for our Lord s feet (Luke 20:42-43; Acts 2:35; 7:49; Heb. 1:13; 10:13). M. The Church Age believer is to be occupied with the written Word while the living Word sits at the right hand of the Father. N. The written Word of God is the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). O. The Word of God is God (John 1:1-2). P. The Word of God holds the universe together (Heb. 1:3). Q. The Word of God will live forever (1 Pet. 1:24; Isa. 40:6-8). R. The Word of God can judge the thoughts and intentions of man (Heb. 4:12; John 12:48). S. Bible Doctrine tells us that everything was created by the Word of God (Heb. 11:3). T. Bible Doctrine is the most powerful weapon the believer possesses (Heb. 4:12; 2 Cor. 6:7). U. Bible Doctrine is likened to a sword, which was the most powerful and dangerous weapon in the ancient world (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12). V. To know the living Word, you must know the written Word. W. The Word of God is the thinking of Jesus Christ. X. The believer who is occupied with God s Word is occupied with the mind of Christ. Y. The believer who perceives, metabolizes and applies Bible Doctrine, the mind of Christ, is occupied with Christ. Z. The Word of God, Bible Doctrine is the believer s spiritual food (Matt. 4:4; Deut. 8:3; Psa. 119:103; Jer. 15:16; Ezek. 3:1-3; 1 Cor. 10:3), which is more necessary than your physical food (Job 23:12; Matt. 4:4). VI. Local Assembly A. The believer can also derive encouragement by assembling with other believers to hear the Word of God as it is taught by the pastor-teacher William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

8 B. Hebrews 10:23-25, Let us keep holding to the unwavering confession of confidence for faithful is the One Who has promised and we should consider one another for provoking to virtue-love and good works, never forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, even as is the custom of some but on the contrary encouraging one another by assembling to hear doctrine and intensifying your efforts as you see the day (the Rapture) drawing near. C. The 2nd grace provision for learning doctrine that GAP is based upon is the divine authorization of the local church as the classroom for learning doctrine. D. The local assembly or local church has been divinely authorized in the Church Age as the classroom for learning doctrine (Col. 2:7; Heb. 10:25). E. Bible Doctrine is the Church Age believer s only protection from Satanic attack from the kingdom of darkness (Eph. 6:10-17). F. The Church Age is the intensified stage of the Angelic Conflict. G. Therefore, never before in human history has God provided believers with so much power and invisible assets to fight this spiritual warfare. H. God s provision of the local assembly is essential for the protection of the believer s soul. I. There must be strict academic punishes and good manners when Bible Doctrine is being communicated by the Pastor-Teacher. J. If there is no local church, God will provide doctrine through printed material or tapes. K. Either way, the believer must make himself available to Bible teaching in some form. VII. Fellowship with Believers A. The Scriptures also teach that the believer can receive encouragement from other believers who are in fellowship with God and possess divine viewpoint. B. 2 Corinthians 7:4-6, Great is my confidence in you, great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with comfort. I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction. For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, Who encourages the depressed, encouraged us by the coming of Titus. C. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Now I do not wish all of you to be ignorant royal family concerning those who are sleeping (dead) so that you are not grieved even as the rest (of humanity), those having no confidence. In fact, if (and we have) believed that Jesus died and rose again so also God through Jesus will bring with him those have fallen asleep. For this we declare to all of you by the word of the Lord that we, those living, those remaining until the arrival of the Lord, may never ever precede those having fallen asleep because the Lord Himself with the shout of command through the archangel s voice and the trumpet of God will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first, then we those living, those remaining, together with them shall be snatch forcibly out of the world for the purpose of meeting in the clouds the Lord in the earth s atmosphere and thus always we shall will be with the Lord. So encourage one another with these words. D. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, because God the Father has emphatically not appointed us for wrath but on the contrary for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, the One having died as a Substitute for all of us so that whether you are awake or we sleep together with Him we may live. Therefore encourage one another and strengthen one another even as you also are doing. E. 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Now we request that all of you royal family, challenge the insubordinate, encourage the discouraged, support the immature, be patient towards all. F. Hebrews 10:23-25, Let us keep holding to the unwavering confession of confidence for faithful is the One Who has promised and we should consider one another for provoking to virtue-love and good works, never forsaking the assembling together of ourselves, even as is the custom of some but on the contrary encouraging one another by assembling to 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

9 hear doctrine and intensifying your efforts as you see the day (the Rapture) drawing near. G. Deuteronomy 1:38, Joshua, the son of Nun, the one who stands before you as your lieutenant, he will enter it (Canaan), encourage him because he will cause Israel to inherit it. H. Deuteronomy 3:28, But command Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him because he will pass over as the leader of this people and he cause them to take possession of the land which you (Moses) will see. VIII. Pastor-Teacher A. The Scriptures teach that the believer receives encouragement from the communication of doctrine by the pastor-teacher. B. 2 Timothy 4:1-2, I (Paul) solemnly command you (Timothy) in the presence of the God, even Christ Jesus, who is about to judge the living and the dead by His brilliant spectacular appearance (the Rapture) and His kingdom (2nd Advent). Publicly proclaim the Word as a herald of the King of kings and Lord of lords in a dignified and authoritative manner which commands the respect and attention of those who hear the Word, prepare and stay ready in good times and bad times, convince of sin and evil with the Word for the purpose of correction, reprimand, encouragement and challenging by means of great patience and doctrine. C. Colossians 4:7-8, Regarding all my circumstances, Tychicus will make known to all of you, our beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord whom I have sent to be face to face with all of you for this same thing that you might know our circumstances and might encourage your hearts. D. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12, You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers just as you know how we exhorted and encouraged and implored each of you as a father his own children so that you may walk in a manner worthy of (axios) the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. E. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Therefore, when we could no longer endure we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone and we sent Timothy our brother and fellow worker of God even our fellow worker in the good news of Christ to stabilize all of you and to encourage all of you on behalf of your faith. F. The spiritual gift of Pastor-Teacher for the communication of doctrine is the 3rd grace provision for learning doctrine that GAP is based upon (Eph. 4:11). G. God s purpose in giving the spiritual gift of Pastor-Teacher is to train, educate, prepare and punishes the Church Age believer through the face-to-face communication of Bible Doctrine in order to equip them to execute the Plan of God (Eph. 4:12). H. The spiritual gift of Pastor-Teacher provides the necessary training needed to perform effective Christian service (Eph. 4:12). I. Spiritual growth in the believer is based upon the information that the Pastor-Teacher supplies in his daily communication of Bible Doctrine (Eph. 4:16). J. The spiritual gift of Pastor-Teacher is the vehicle that God uses to feed the believer the necessary spiritual food which when applied under the Filling of the Spirit produces spiritual growth in the believer (Eph. 4:12). K. The ultimate purpose of God in the Church Age is to build a soul structure in the believer based upon applied doctrine received through the communication of doctrine from the man with the spiritual gift of Pastor-Teacher (Eph. 4:16). L. He is essential to the believer s spiritual growth. M. The responsibility of the man with the spiritual gift of Pastor-Teacher is to feed the flock the Word of God (John 21:15-17). N. He is commanded to study and teach and pray (Acts 6:4) William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9

10 O. Every believer has been assigned to a Pastor-Teacher (1 Thess. 5:12). P. The believer has been commanded to obey their authority (Heb. 13:17). Q. Rejection of the Pastor-Teacher s authority will result in a lack of spiritual growth. IX. Baptism of the Spirit A. The Scriptures teach that the believer can derive encouragement from his knowledge of the Baptism of the Spirit and his application of this doctrine. B. Philippians 2:1, Therefore, if...and there is any encouragement in Christ, if...and there is any motivation from virtue-love, if...and there is any fellowship through the Spirit, if...and there is any compassionate affections. C. This 1st fulfilled condition ei tis paraklesis en Christo, if...and there is any encouragement in Christ refers to the encouragement that Church Age believers can have through the Baptism of the Spirit and its 2 resultant categories of positional truth: 1. Retroactive positional truth 2. Current positional truth D. This encouragement pertains to the following practical applications of the Baptism of the Spirit: 1. Connects the dispensation of the Hypostatic Union with the dispensation of the Church Age. 2. Union with Christ. 3. Identified with Christ in His death & resurrection. 4. Positionally higher than angels (Heb. 1-2). 5. Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Son of God (Rom. 8:16-17a). 6. Eternal Security (Rom. 8:1). 7. Unites the royal family of God (Eph. 4:5; Rom. 6:5). 8. New Spiritual Species (2 Cor. 5:17a). 9. Royal Family of God (1 Pet. 2:9). 10. Positional Sanctification (1 Cor. 15:22; Eph. 5:25-27). 11. Equal Privilege & Equal Opportunity (Gal. 3:26-28; Col. 3:11). 12. Eternal life (1 John 5:11-12). 13. Imputed righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). 14. Election (Eph. 1:3-4). 15. Predestination (Eph. 1:5-6). 16. Sonship (Gal. 3:26). 17. Eternal inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4). 18. Adoption (Eph. 1:5). 19. Portfolio of Invisible Assets (Eph. 1:3). E. This 1st fulfilled condition refers to the encouragement received from the Baptism of the Spirit and the following 3 resultant categories of sanctification: 1. Positional: The entrance into the Plan of God for the Church Age resulting in eternal security as well as 2 categories of positional truth (1 Cor. 1:2, 30; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 Thess. 5:23; Eph. 5:26-27; Heb. 2:11; 10:10; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Rom. 6:3, 8; 2 Thess. 2:13). a. Retroactive: The Church Age believer s identification with Christ in His death (Rom. 6:3-11; Col. 2:12). b. Current: The Church Age believer s identification with Christ in His resurrection, ascension and session (Col. 3:1-4). 2. Experiential: The function of the Church Age believer s spiritual life in time through obedience to the Word of God for the execution of the Plan of God for the Church Age (John 17:17; Rom. 6:19, 22; 2 Tim. 2:21; 1 Pet. 3:15; 1 Thess. 4:3-4, 7; 1 Tim. 2:15) William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10

11 3. Spiritual self-esteem: The 1st stage of spiritual adulthood that is accompanied by Providential Preventative Suffering which is designed to advance the believer to the 2nd stage of spiritual adulthood. 4. Spiritual Autonomy: The 2nd stage of spiritual adulthood that is accompanied by 4 categories of Momentum Testing (People, Thought, System and Disaster Testing) which are designed to advance the believer to the 3rd and final stage of spiritual adulthood. 5. Spiritual Maturity: The 3rd and final stage of spiritual adulthood which qualifies the believer for Evidence Testing in which the believer becomes a witness for the Prosecution in the Rebuttal Phase of Satan s Appeal Trial. 6. Ultimate: The perfection of the Church Age believer s spiritual life at the exit-resurrection or Rapture of the Church which is the completion of the Plan of God for the Church Age (1 Cor. 15:53-54; Gal. 6:8; 1 Pet. 5:10; John 6:40). F. This 1st fulfilled condition emphasizes Who and What God is and What He has provided through 3 categories of divine grace provision. 1. Antecedent grace: God the Father in eternity past provided every Church Age believer with a Portfolio of Invisible Assets and has given him Equal Privilege and Equal Opportunity to execute the Plan of God or the spiritual life for the Church Age under the principles of Election and Predestination. 2. Living grace: Every Church Age believer has been given the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the new Christ nature, which enable the believer to execute the operational type spiritual life known as the Plan of God for the Church Age. a. The omnipotence of God the Father as related to the Church Age believer s Portfolio of Invisible Assets. b. The omnipotence of God the Son Who preserves and sustains human history in order for the Church Age believer to execute the Plan of God or the spiritual life for the Church Age. c. The omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit Who supplies the believer the operational power to execute the unique spiritual life for the Church Age known as the Plan of God. 3. Eschatological grace: Every Church Age believer will receive a resurrection body at the Rapture or exit-resurrection of the Church and will receive rewards and the conveyance of their Escrow Blessings at the Bema Seat Evaluation if they became a winner (nikao) in time by reaching spiritual maturity and becoming a witness for the Prosecution in the Rebuttal Phase of Satan s Appeal Trial. G. The prepositional phrase en Christo, in Christ and refers the Baptism of the Spirit which occurs at the moment of salvation when the omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit places the Church Age believer in eternal union with Christ, thus identifying the believer with Christ and making them a permanent member of the royal family of God, a new spiritual species and eternally secure (Mark 16:16; John 7:37-39; 14:20; Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:26-28; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11-13; 1 Pet. 3:21). X. Prayer A. The intercessory prayers of other believers can be a source of encouragement for other believers. B. It functions as artillery support for the Christian soldier engaged in spiritual combat with the kingdom of darkness. C. Colossians 2:1-2, For I desire for all of you to know how great a battle I have (in prayer) on behalf of all of you and those in Laodicea and as many as have never seen my face in the person in order that your hearts might be encouraged, by having been united by means of virtue-love and for all the riches of the full assurance from understanding with reference to the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ, in Whom are all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11

12 D. God the Father receives prayer from 3 different sources in the Church Age: 1. God the Son (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25): He intercedes for the believer at the right hand of God the Father. 2. God the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:15, 26-27; Gal. 4:6): He makes intercessory prayer to God the Father for us when we don t know what to pray for. 3. Believer-Priest (Heb. 4:16): He makes intercessory prayer for others and personal petitions for himself. E. Intercession: Praying for others whether unbelievers or believers (Gen. 18:22; Gen. 19:17-23; 20:17; Ex. 9:27-33; 32:11-13; 33:12-16; 34:9; Num. 11:11-15; 14:13-19; 21:7; Deut. 9:18-21; 10:10; 30; 1 Sam. 7:5-13; 1 Kings 8:22-53; 2 Kings 19:14-19; Job 42:8, 10; Luke 23:34; John 17:1-26; Rom. 1:7, 9; 8:15, 25, 27, 34; 9:3, 27; 11:2; 12:14; 15:30; 2 Cor. 1:11; 9:14; 13:7, 9; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:16-23; 3:14-19; 6:18; Phil. 1:3-4, 9, 19; 4:6; Col. 1:3, 9-14, 29-2:3; 4:2-3, 12, 18; 1 Thess. 1:2; 3:10-13; 5:23-25; 2 Thess. 1:11; 2:16-17; 3:1; 1 Tim. 2:1; Phlm 3-6; Heb. 4:14-16). F. Prayer can be: 1. Specific: Praying for particular or specific needs. 2. General: Praying for needs in generalities. G. You can make intercessory prayer for others by simply mentioning their names without any specific need of theirs in mind or you can pray for their specific needs. H. There is no set time for prayer, it can be either day or night (1 Tim. 5:5; 2 Tim. 1:3; 1 Thess. 5:17). I. The believer-priest should have a prayer list. J. Prayer should not be repetitious (Matt. 6:7), but yet, continually made (1 Thess. 5:17). K. It does not have to be specific in order to be effective because sometimes the particular need for the moment is not known (Rom. 8:26-28). L. Prayer is an invisible weapon for the believer-priest in the Church Age (Eph. 6:18). M. Prayer is one of the weapons that God the Father provided for the Church Age believer in eternity past to fight this invisible warfare (Eph. 6:18). N. Prayer functions as artillery support for the Christian soldier engaged in spiritual combat with kingdom of darkness. O. Every believer has been enlisted in the army of Christ at the moment of salvation. P. Every believer has also been assigned to a spiritual drill instructor called the pastor-teacher and has thus been assigned to a spiritual combat unit which is the local assembly. Q. Thus, prayer was a regular activity of the early Church. R. Peter and John prayed in the temple (Acts 3:1). S. They prayed for boldness in communicating the gospel after receiving persecution for doing so and they were heard (Acts 4:31). T. Saul, later the apostle Paul, was in prayer after his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus and was awaiting instructions from the Lord from Ananias (Acts 9:11). U. The Roman centurion Cornelius prayed to God the Father and as a result Peter was sent to him and the Baptism of the Spirit took place among the Gentiles for the first time (Acts 10). V. The apostle Paul at the end of a Pastor s conference prayed with all the Pastor-Teacher s in Ephesus before traveling to Rome (Acts 20:36). W. The early church prayed before Paul s poor decision to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:5). X. The Pauline epistles contain prayers of thanksgiving (Rom. 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:4-9; 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:15; Phil. 1:3-10; Col. 1:3-14; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:3). Y. Paul was continually praying for the spiritual growth of the early churches (2 Cor. 13:9; Phil. 1:9; Col. 1:9; Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Col. 1:9-14; 1 Tim. 2:1-10). XI. Occupation with Christ A. The Scriptures also teach that the believer can receive in encouragement through occupation with Christ William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12

13 B. Hebrews 12:3, For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. C. Hebrews 2:18, For since He Himself was tested in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tested. D. Occupation with Christ is the 10th Problem Solving Device. E. Webster s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines the verb occupy as to engage the attention or energies of. F. Webster s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary defines occupy as to engage or employ the mind, one s attention. G. The believer is to engage his mind or focus his mind on the unique theanthropic Person of the universe, the God-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. H. Occupation with Christ involves focusing or engaging one s mind on the doctrines, which pertain to the Great Power Experiment of the Hypostatic Union. I. Occupation with Christ involves understanding the pertinent doctrines as related to the Great Power Experiment of the Hypostatic Union. 1. Hypostatic Union (John 1:14; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3; 1 John 1:1-2) 2. Deity of Christ (John 1:1-2; John 8:58; 10:30a; Col. 2:9a; Rev. 1:8) 3. Humanity of Christ (John 1:14; Heb. 10:5; 1 John 1:1; 1 John 4:2-3) 4. Virgin Birth (Isa. 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; Luke 1:30-35) 5. Impeccability of Christ (John 8:46a; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5) 6. Kenosis (2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:5-8) 7. Prototype Unique Spiritual Life (Matt. 4:1-11; Phil. 2:5-8) 8. Mediatorship of Christ (1 Tim. 2:5) J. Occupation with Christ involves understanding the doctrines as related to His finished work on the Cross: 1. Redemption (Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19) 2. Unlimited Atonement (2 Cor. 5:14-15; 1 Tim. 4:10) 3. Expiation (Col. 2:14) 4. Regeneration (John 3:1-18) 5. Imputation (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21) 6. Justification (Rom. 4:1-5; Gal. 2:16) 7. Propitiation (Rom. 3:22-26; 1 John 2:2) 8. Position in Christ (1 Cor. 15:22b; 2 Cor. 5:17) 9. Strategic Victory over Satan (Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8) 10. Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18; Eph. 2:14-16; Col. 1:20-21). K. There is no occupation with Christ, the living Word of God apart from occupation with the written Word of God, which is the mind of Christ. L. The believer occupied with Christ will not be occupied with himself, his circumstances or other people. M. The believer occupied with Christ is in one of the 3 stages of spiritual adulthood: 1. Spiritual self-esteem: The dividing line between spiritual childhood and adulthood 2. Spiritual autonomy or independence: Impersonal love for all mankind. 3. Spiritual maturity: Winner believer ready to receive their Escrow Blessings. N. The believer occupied with Christ will have virtue-love: 1. Personal love for God the Father: Invisible motivational virtue directed toward God. 2. Impersonal unconditional love for all mankind: Visible functional virtue directed toward people. O. The believer in spiritual adulthood who is occupied with Christ will go through the different categories of suffering for blessing: 1. Providential preventive suffering: the Bridge between spiritual self-esteem and spiritual autonomy, which is designed to prevent arrogance in the believer who is in spiritual selfesteem William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13

14 2. Momentum testing: Designed to bring the believer in spiritual independence to spiritual maturity and involves 4 categories of testing: a. People testing b. Thought testing c. System testing d. Disaster testing 3. Evidence testing: Spiritually mature believer is entered as a witness for the Prosecution (God) in the Rebuttal Phase of Satan s Appeal Trial (Church Age is the Rebuttal Phase). P. Occupation with Christ is the ultimate problem-solving device for the Church Age believer. Q. The Lord s Supper is a time that the Church Age believer is to be occupied with the unique person of our Lord Jesus Christ and His saving work on the Cross. R. The Lord Jesus Christ in Hypostatic Union is the revelation of God (John 1:18; 6:46; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 John 4:12). S. The Lord Jesus Christ reveals the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). T. The Lord Jesus Christ reveals the power of God (Heb. 1:1-3). XII. Rapture A. The knowledge of the immanency of the Rapture is a source of encouragement for believers. B. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Now I do not wish all of you to be ignorant royal family concerning those who are sleeping (dead) so that you are not grieved even as the rest (of humanity), those having no confidence. In fact, if (and we have) believed that Jesus died and rose again so also God through Jesus will bring with him those have fallen asleep. For this we declare to all of you by the word of the Lord that we, those living, those remaining until the arrival of the Lord, may never ever precede those having fallen asleep because the Lord Himself with the shout of command through the archangel s voice and the trumpet of God will descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first, then we those living, those remaining, together with them shall be snatch forcibly out of the world for the purpose of meeting in the clouds the Lord in the earth s atmosphere and thus always we shall will be with the Lord. So encourage one another with these words. C. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, because God the Father has emphatically not appointed us for wrath but on the contrary for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, the One having died as a Substitute for all of us so that whether you are awake or we sleep together with Him we may live. Therefore encourage one another and strengthen one another even as you also are doing. D. The Rapture is a technical theological term for the Resurrection of the Royal Family of God, which terminates the Church Age dispensation and takes place in the earth s atmosphere. E. The Church will not go through the Tribulation because it has not been destined for wrath (1 Thess. 5:9) and Paul tells the Thessalonians to comfort one another with this doctrine. F. The Church will be delivered from the wrath to come upon the earth in the Tribulation (1 Thess. 1:10). G. The children of wrath are unbelievers (Eph. 2:3). H. Romans 5:9 says that the Church will be saved from the wrath to come. I. The Church will be saved from the wrath that is to come upon a Christ rejecting world. J. The Church is said to be the bride of Christ. K. The Bride of Christ will be returning with His bride (Rev. 19). L. The Lord is not a wife beater and will not allow His bride to be subject to the wrath and judgment that will come upon a Christ rejecting world. M. The Church will not go through the Tribulation because the Rapture of the Church precedes the revealing of the man of lawlessness (i.e., anti-christ) (2 Thess. 2:9). N. God the Holy Spirit restrains him from appearing on the world scene (2 Thess. 2:7) William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14

15 O. The Thessalonians had received a false doctrine and were living in fear that they missed the Rapture and were to undergo the Great Tribulation period (2 Thess. 2:2). P. Paul reminded them of the correct doctrine concerning the Church Age believer s destiny which is that they will all go up in the Rapture and will not have to endure the Great Tribulation period under the rulership of anti-christ (2 Thess. 2:1-12). Q. Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers that they will be gathered together to the Lord (2 Thess. 2:1) and will not have to undergo the Tribulation and the reign of anti-christ on the earth. R. Paul states that a great apostasy must occur first in the Church and then the anti-christ will appear (2 Thess. 2:3), therefore a great apostasy precedes the Rapture of the Church. S. It would not be a comfort and a hope for the Church if it would have to endure the Tribulation period under the rulership of anti-christ who is possessed by Satan (1 Thess. 4:18). XIII. 2 Immutable Things A. The believer can derive encouragement from the 2 immutable things: 1. Who and What God is. 2. What God has provided. B. Hebrews 6:17-18, Because God desiring to demonstrate more abundantly towards the heirs of the promise, the immutability of His counsel (in eternity past), interposed through an oath that by two immutable things through which it is impossible for God to lie so that we might have strong encouragement those who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the confidence set before us. C. The believer can derive encouragement from the essence of God rationale. D. Who and What God is refers to the attributes of God: 1. Sovereignty (Father: Matt. 6:10; Eph. 1:11; Son: Matt. 28:18; John 5:21; Spirit: 1 Cor. 12:11) 2. Righteousness (Father: John 17:25; Son: 1 John 2:1; Spirit: Psa. 51:11) 3. Justice (Father: Psa. 89:14; Rom. 3:24-26; Son: 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 3:18; Spirit: Neh. 9:20a; John 16:8-11) 4. Love (Father: John 3:16; Son: Rom. 5:8; 1 John 3:16a; Spirit: Rom. 5:5; 15:30) 5. Eternal life (Father: John 1:1; 5:26; Son: John 1:1; 1 John 5:11; Spirit: Heb. 9:14) 6. Omnipotence (Father: Mark 14:36 and Luke 1:37; Son: Col. 1:16-17; Heb. 1:3; Spirit: Rom. 15:13) 7. Omniscience (Father: Matt. 6:8; Son: John 2:25; 18:4; Spirit: Isa. 11:2) 8. Omnipresence (Father: Eph. 4:6; Son: Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22-23; Spirit: Psa. 139:7) 9. Immutability (Father: Heb. 6:17; Jam. 1:17; Son: Heb. 13:8; Spirit: John 14:16; 1 John 5:7) 10. Veracity (Father: John 7:28; Son: John 1:14; 14:6; Spirit: John 14:17; 1 John 5:7) E. Essence means inner nature, true substance, a person s qualities or attributes. F. The qualities and perfections of God are termed attributes. G. Romans 1:20, For since the creation of the world His (God s) invisible attributes, His eternal power (divine omnipotence) and deity, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made (the act of creation is a function of God as a Person). H. There are 2 categories of divine attributes: 1. Absolute 2. Relative I. God s absolute attributes are those attributes, which are outside of man s frame of reference. J. His absolute attributes belong to the nature of God apart from His connection with the creation. K. God s absolute attributes cannot be comprehended. L. His relative attributes can be understood and are related to our frame of reference. M. His relative attributes are related to things in our frame of reference such as: 2003 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15