Consociation to Jesus
A WORD PICTURE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
By William A. Dillard
“Consociation!” What a great, but little used word. Its meaning projected from the ancient Hebrew language excites the Bible student with marvelous ideas so desperately needed in the modern world of lost men, as well as in the lives of members of the Lord’s churches. Consider this idea as presented in the Holy Word.
One of the most clear and best loved messianic prophecies of the Old Testament resides in Isaiah Chapter Fifty-three. Focusing on the language of verse five, one reads: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” KJV. Another rendering is:“And he is pierced for our transgressions, Bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace [is] on him, And by his bruise there is healing to us.” Young’s Literal Translation.
Special interest centers on the word “stripes,” especially since the word is singular in the Hebrew Scripture. Interest increases as it is apparent that very different meanings project from that word in its singular and plural forms. In the plural form, “stripes” means a flogging or other sort of physical punishment. In the singular form, the term conveys breed, type, or kind. This writer suggests that this is not only significant, but most important.
First, consideration of the idea conveyed by the translation “stripes” leaves little room for misunderstanding. It is one of physical suffering from a repeated number of blows to the flesh. Although, no irreverence is intended, it is suggested that Jesus’ physical suffering alone is not what saves men. Neither does it allow men on the basis of salvation to achieve any degree of spiritual maturity. Those who practice self-flagellation are simply very wrong. Did not Martin Luther discover this as he bloodied his knees on the cathedral steps? While no physical abuse equaled that inflicted on Jesus, surely, many men have suffered extreme, unimaginable, and prolonged death in terrible agony. Obviously, there is more, much more involved in the death of Jesus for mankind and for His church. Think with this writer about it.
Secondly, notation is made that the word “stripes” is used many times in the Old Testament in reference to physical punishment, but it is another Hebrew word(s) that conveys the idea. Also, the word translated “stripes” in Isaiah 53:5 is used more than once in the Old Testament, but here alone is it translated “stripes,” and here the translators apparently chose to apply the plural translation to a singular word from what they understood the context to be. This writer has often indicated his respect for true linguist in the field of grammar, etc., but that respect fails to carry over into the field of theology.
A study of disciplemaqhth,j
by Wm. Bekgaard
This study explores four areas of resource. They are the Technical, Cultural, Jewish, and the New Testament.
The Technical and Secular Greek Forms of Disciple The Term in the Old Testament and Judaism The Term in the New Testament and Judaism The Term in the New Testament and Jesus Christ - Part one The Term in the New Testament and Jesus Christ - Part Two The Conclusion – Our standing
• A Scholar • A learner, in contrast to a teacher, one who follows another’s teaching or instructions. • A name given to the followers of any teacher. (1) Teacher: one who directs the mind of the student, learner, or pupil. (2) Master: who instructs an apprentice in a trade. • A follower in the sense of adhering to the teachings of a leader promoting a cause thus becoming a disciple of the cause. • A follower who attaches himself or clings to another whom he venerates as Master and Lord.
From this we see Disciples existing in three different forms. There are disciples given to learning the art or skill of craftsmanship or academics. Other disciples follow causes or ideologies. Last there are those disciples who are attached to or followers of individuals thus making them their masters. The disciple given over to learning a trade or academics has little in common with the other two. The last two types are not always separate; often they exist together, thus making them a follower of both a cause and a person.
II. The Secular Greek Usage of Disciple: The Apprentice and Student.
In the most technical sense of the word, disciple has nothing to do with salvation, nor indeed could it. Since this word is used in speaking of a student, who is a follower of various types, applies to many areas of learning. Example of such learning is that of philosophy, medicine, mathematics, cultism, craftsmanship, the occult, and religion. Applied to this is the inclusion of schools by the seeker of knowledge; schools of philosophy, trade guilds and religion, i.e., Judaism, mysticisms, etc.
The secular word disciple in of itself means no more than a pupil, a learner, or a follower, and is not equivalent to the terminology believer or Christian. However, later usage modifies this root meaning.
The General use of disciple denotes the man who directs his mind to something. In its earliest literary use it takes on the sense of pupil. It implies a direct dependence of the one under instruction upon an authority superior in knowledge.
Disciple is the usual word for apprentice in the secular Greek world. As an apprentice there is the desire of achieving some skill or level of academics. There always has to be a teacher/master to complete the meaning of disciple.
Contemporary Landmarkism - Part Six (Continued)GRACE REDEMPTION By Don Winkelman
The real issue in redemption is that we must pass from death unto life and therein is the problem for man. Death is an impassable barrier, a chasm too far to bridge. Without Divine intervention on our behalf, all men of all ages would forever abide in a state of eternal death. A religious hard body just doesn’t get it with God.
But what is impossible for man is not a problem for God. I’m not saying that our redemption is cheap or easy, only that God has provided the perfect solution for our salvation and has supplied all things necessary to achieve that end. By examining the nature of His provision for our redemption we can safely say that He offers the ONLY solution, for if there was another, the beloved Son of God would certainly not have been sacrificed.
The fact of the Lord’s death renders every other attempt at achieving some state of righteousness both illogical to common sense and offensive to God the Father, the great provider of the gift of life. We may think that there is more than one way to skin a cat, but in this instance, the incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ in a substitutionary roll is the one single answer that perfectly resolves the matter of our spiritual death. No other provision is needed. The ultimate price is paid by the substitutionary atonement of Christ, and when all other methods and efforts are viewed side by side with God’s gift, the silliness of it all becomes blatantly obvious. How glorious is the cross!
But man’s heart is hard and the Adamic tendency toward self-righteousness and self-sufficiency draws him back into religious activity and legalism, the “fables” that have the promise of having a right standing with God through human merit. This is the fig leaf garment industry in action. “Look at me and what I have done” replaces look to Jesus and live. For these people, involvement in the activities of some religious entity replaces repentance and faith.
When Christ took upon Himself our sin at Calvary, becoming our substitute, and thus satisfying the absolute justice of God, all other efforts are forever rejected by God. This extends into the distant past and to the future and is inclusive of all man. Nothing less will suffice, nothing more is possible. Ours is a “stand alone” redemption. All religions that impose another alternative do violence to the grace of God and in so doing, become contributory to the final demise of their followers. The author of our salvation is also the provider of it and the one and only judge of it. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is raised again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Rom. 8:33&34 Based on our plea for mercy and our faith in Christ as our substitute, our redeemer, the judge has already declared us just and our substitute himself has become our defense attorney, the perfect defense team to oppose our adversary.
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