Things We Don’t Do
A. THE CHURCH YOU READ ABOUT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IS OUR PATTERN.
1. They were established and governed by the word (Luke 8:11; 1 Cor. 2:2).
2. The gospel is also to be our rule (2 Thess. 2:15).
3. If we do what they did, we will be one with them. The Same Seed.
B. THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH HAD SOME THINGS THAT WE DON’T.
1. Are we the same as they were?
2. Is there something we need to be doing that we are not?
A. Acts 13:3. TO APPOINT TO A TASK.
1. Paul already had miraculous gifts (9:17).
2. Various purposes in the NT.
a. Jesus blesses children (Matt. 19:13-15).
b. To heal (Mark 6:5).
c. Imparting miraculous gifts (Acts 8:17-19; 19:6) By the apostles.
d. Conferring an office or duty (Acts 6:6; 13:3).
e. Timothy, by the presbytery (1 Tim. 4:14; Eph. 4:11-12) and by Paul (2 Tim. 1:6).
3. NOT a consistent example, but a custom of the day (Acts 14:23). Not Binding!
B. OTHER CUSTOMS WE DON’T PRACTICE.
1. Lifting up holy hands to pray (1 Tim. 2:8).
2. Salute one another with a holy kiss (Rom. 16:16)
3. Neither one of these actions is bound (Luke 18:13). Not a consistent practice.
4. The emphasis is on the attitude – holy (1 Pet. 1:15-16).
5. Footwashing (John 13:1-20). Humility and service (vs. 12-15; Matt. 20:26-28).
A. PEOPLE FASTED IN ORDER TO
1. Express grief or sorrow (Ezra 10:6; 2 Sam. 1:12; Acts 9:9),
2. Devotion and consecration (Acts. 13:1-3; Matt. 4:1-2).
3. Service (Acts 14:23).
B. THESE THINGS ARE SAID ABOUT FASTING.
1. No show or hypocrisy (Matt. 6:16-18).
2. In the absence of Christ as a sign of mourning (Luke 5:33-35).
3. Not demanded (Col. 2:20-23).
C. THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH PRACTICED IT.
1. Not enjoined. No instruction as to when or why, specifically.
2. Some practice it. Distinguished from dieting or forgetting to eat.
A. PAUL FORETOLD THAT PROPHESYING WOULD END (1 Cor. 13:8).
1. When that which is perfect is come (vs. 10)
a. Not at the end of time, but at the completion of the revelation.
b. In contrast to knowing and prophesying in part (vs. 9)
c. The miraculous signs belong to the infancy of the church (vs. 11).
d. Now our understanding is like looking into a mirror darkly, but when the prophecies
cease, it will be like seeing the truth face to face (vs. 12).
2. Then we shall know fully, AS WE ARE FULLY KNOWN (vs. 12).
a. How are we fully known? (Heb. 4:12-13).
b. How do we come to a full knowledge? (1 Cor. 2:12-16).
B. Zechariah 13. THE PROPHETS FORETOLD THEIR CESSATION.
1. ch. 12:10. "They shall look unto me whom they have pierced " (John 19:37).
2. ch. 13:1. "A fountain opened...for sin and for uncleanness."
a. Heb. 9:13-15; . Only one fountain, for all on both sides of the cross.
b. "In that day" when they look unto him whom they have pierced.
3. ch. 13:7. "The sheep shall be scattered." ( Mat. 26:31 ). Fulfilled "this night."
D. ch. 13:2-6. THE END OF PROPHECY.
1. "In that day"( vs. 2 ). What day? The time frame of Jesus’ death.
2. The prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land ( vs. 2-5 ).
A. THE SPECIAL MISSION OF THE APOSTLES (Acts 1:8; Gal. 2:7-9).
B. PAUL WAS SPECIALLY DIRECTED TO MACEDONIA (Acts 16:9-10).
1. Philip (Acts 8:26ff.)
2. Peter (Acts 10).
C. WE RECEIVE CALLS TODAY (2 Thess. 2:14). THRU THE GOSPEL!
1. We are called to exercise our talents (Rom. 12:4-8).
2. And to make use of our opportunities (Eph. 4:15-16; Jas. 4:17).
D. GOD’S PLAN FOR SPREADING THE GOSPEL:
1. The Apostles (Matt. 28:19-20).
2. Those whom they taught (2 Tim. 4:2)
3. Those taught by them (2 Tim. 2:2).
4. There is my call to preach!
A. IT IS A WISE MAN WHO CAN DISTINGUISH THE PATTERN.
B. SOME THINGS IN THE BIBLE ARE NOT NECESSARILY INTENDED FOR US.
C. SOME THINGS ARE (1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 2 Tim. 1:13-14).
