Studies in Ezekiel: Eat This Scroll (Ezekiel 3)

"Moreover He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and He cause me to eat that scroll." (Eze. 3:1,2).

By this the Lord qualified Ezekiel for the prophetic ministry.

1. Apprehension: The servant of God must fully apprehend the meaning of the message he preaches. If he's not clear about the message, then neither can he communicate it to others. The Lord tells Ezekiel to feed his belly and fill his stomach with the scroll (v.3). It's only after Ezekiel has eaten it and known its taste to be as sweet as honey, that he's able to stand boldly and proclaim what he knows about what God means to say.

2. Assimilation: The word became internal to the servant. The word and the servant became one. Only when the word is mixed with faith will the result be divine perspective and divine fulfillment (Heb. 4:1,2). Therefore, God commands Ezekiel his prophet saying, "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears" (Eze.3:10). Similarly, Jesus said to His disciples, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). This assimilation of God's word occurs when we take God at His word without any circumvention.

3. Articulation: Ezekiel's clear, straightforward, and fearless proclamation of God's word is possible only because the word now defines the mission and expression of who he is. He is God's servant and God's prophet and the totality of his existence is defined in the relentless and front-line articulation of the divine message. The articulation needs to be
(a) Verbal (v.4). It consists of words.
(b) Personal (v5). It concerns people as persons.
(c) Public (v5). It concerns a message that is religious, but social and political as well.
(d) Relentless (v6). The proclamation will not be affected in either intensity or verity despite the indifference or hostility of the audience.
(e) Testimonial (v7). The proclamation is a call to repentance, but is not oriented to it. It is merely a testimony of divine Truth.
(f) Powerful (v8). The testimony is stronger than the strength of worldly wisdom, vice, and violence. It looks in the eyes because it is pure.
(g) Fearless (v9). The proclamation is bold, courageous, and advancing. It doesn't stop anywhere nor can be limited byour any bonds or chains.

Prayer: Lord, grant your laborers the clarity of your vision, the strength of your soul, the passion of your heart, and the boldness of your Spirit to live out and preach the truth that you've given us to assimilate, apprehend, and articulate. The Lord's Name be blessed forever. Amen!

Is Water Baptism Necessary Before Partaking in Lord's Supper

"Last Supper" by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1750) Yes, it is. Water baptism identifies one with the redemption work of Jesus Christ, with His death, burial, and resurrection. It is anticipated of visible identification with Christ and His Church. Every person has the personal responsibility to examine him/herself before deciding to partake in the Lord's Table. The Bible makes it clear that those who chose not to be baptized were rejecting the counsel of God (Lk.7:30). In a mixed congregation, it is not possible to always know who is worthy to partake of the Table; however, the minister must encourage only those who have been baptized for remission of sins (not just as a ritual but by faith in Jesus Christ) to partake of the Table. Before Jesus sat down to dip bread in the cup, He washed His disciples' feet. He makes the statement that they are already "washed" and only need feet to be washed. Of course, this may not explicitly/only refer to their baptism, fo

Matthew 6:31-33

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Mat 6:31-33) The original sense of nakedness was from that deep insecurity of autonomy that sprung from man's first alienation from God due to sin-- spiritual death. Seeking God marks man's refusal to stay alienated by turning towards His Maker in whom alone is Covering and true Security and no reason to be ashamed anymore.

The Light of Law Vs Light of Christ (John 8)

JOHN 8:1-12 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the mids

Marbaniang, Domenic

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