The Distribution of Grace, Edification of the Church, and Cessationist vs Continuationist Debates
The existence and divine distribution of spiritual gifts for building the Church is biblical-primary ( Rom 12 , 1 Cor 12 -14, Eph 4 ). However, whether miraculous sign gifts (tongues, prophecy, apostolic miracles) ceased with the apostolic age (Cessationism) or continue today (Continuationism) is a primary scholarly debate.
Wiki Article • New Testament & Messiah
Following the ascension of Yeshua and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 1 –2, the apostolic community spread from Jerusalem and Judea to Samaria , Antioch , Corinth , Ephesus , and Rome , documented across Acts and the twenty-one New Testament Epistles.
Biblical Metaphors, Nicene Attributes, and the Reformation Notae Ecclesiae
The Church is divinely instituted by Christ ( Matt 16:18 ) and revealed as the Spirit-baptized Body of Christ , Bride of Christ, and spiritual Temple ( 1 Cor 12 , Eph 2 , 1 Pet 2 ). The institutional marks (Notae Ecclesiae) and polity forms (episcopal, presbyterian, congregational) represent long-standing scholarly debate.
Interactive 3D Architectural Model • Luke 2, John 2 & Acts 3
Reconstruction of the expanded Second Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem during the life and ministry of Jesus and the early Church—featuring the towering white-stone and gold Sanctuary facade, the Court of the Women, Court of the Gentiles, Solomon's Portico , the Royal Stoa, and the Antonia Fortress.
a gift of grace, a free gift
Primary meaning: a gift of grace, a free gift. Strong's: a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty. Lexical nuances: a gift of grace, a free gift , esp. of extraordinary operations of the Spirit in the Apostolic Church, but including all spiritual graces and endowments (Lft., Notes , 148 f.): Ro 1:11 5:15, 16 6:23 11:29 12:6 , I Co 1:7 7:7 12:4 , 9 , 28 , 30, 31 , II Co 1:11 , I Ti 4:14 , II Ti 1:6 , I Pe 4:10 .†
Derivation: from G5483 (χαρίζομαι);
1 Corinthians • Chapter 14 (40 verses)
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men t...
of, caused by the wind, air
Primary meaning: of, caused by the wind, air, breath. Strong's: non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious. Lexical nuances: of or caused by the wind , air or breath (Arist., al.).
Derivation: from G4151 (πνεῦμα);
1 Corinthians • Chapter 12 (31 verses)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man c... Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah .
an assembly, the assembly, congregation, community, (the) church
Primary meaning: an assembly, the assembly, congregation, community, (the) church. Strong's: a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both). Lexical nuances: prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opp. to σύλλογος , a concourse ): Ac 19:32 , 39 , 41 . In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (De 4:10 23:2, al.): Ac 7:38 , He 2:12 (LXX) . NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church ; of gatherings for worship: I Co 11:18 14:19 , 34 , 35 ; of local communities: Ac 8:3 , I Co 4:17 ; wi...
Derivation: from a compound of G1537 (ἐκ) and a derivative of G2564 (καλέω);
Acts • Chapter 13 (52 verses)
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene , and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul . As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost... Mentions: Simeon , Saul , Jacob/Israel , Canaan , Samuel , Antioch 1 , Cyrene , Seleucia , Cyprus , Salamis .
Revelation • Chapter 2 (29 verses)
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and... Mentions: Jacob/Israel , Ephesus , Smyrna , Thyatira .
Acts • Chapter 8 (40 verses)
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem ; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria , except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, an... Mentions: Saul , Yeshua the Messiah , Simon , Jerusalem , Samaria , Gaza , Ethiopia , Azotus .
Revelation • Chapter 3 (22 verses)
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for... Mentions: David , Sardis , Philadelphia , Jerusalem .
Ruach Elohim, Pneuma Hagion, Patristic Pneumatology, and the Filioque Debate
Biblical-primary certainty on the full deity and distinct personhood of the Holy Spirit ( Matt 28:19 , Acts 5:3-4 , 1 Cor 2:10-11 ). The historical debate regarding the Filioque ('and the Son') between Western and Eastern branches of the Church is cataloged under scholarly-debate.
to minister, serve, wait upon, to do one a service, care for one's needs, to serve as deacon
Primary meaning: to minister, serve, wait upon, to do one a service, care for one's needs, to serve as deacon, to minister, supply, supply by ministration. Strong's: to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a Christian deacon. Lexical nuances: generally, to minister, serve, wait upon , especially at table, to do one a service, care for one's needs : absol., Mt 20:28 , Mk 10:45 , Lk 10:40 22:26 , 27 , Jo 12:2 , I Pe 4:11 ; ὅσα διηκόνησεν , II Ti 1:18 ; c. dat. pers., Mt 4:11 8:15 25:44 27:55 , Mk 1:13 , 31 15:41 , Lk 4:39 8:3 12:37 17:8 , Jo 12:26 , Ac 6:2 19:22 , Ro 15:25 , Phm 13 , He 6:10 .
Derivation: from G1249 (διάκονος);
the office and work of a
Primary meaning: the office and work of a. Strong's: attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate). Lexical nuances: the office and work of a διάκονος , service, ministry ;
Derivation: from G1249 (διάκονος);
a servant, attendant, minister, a deacon, bondman
Primary meaning: a servant, attendant, minister, a deacon, bondman, servant. Strong's: an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a Christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon or deaconess). Lexical nuances: in general, a servant, attendant, minister : Mt 20:26 22:13 23:11 , Mk 9:35 10:43 , Jo 2:5 , 9 , I Co 3:5 , Ga 2:17 , Eph 6:21 , Col 4:7 ; δ. θεοῦ , Ro 13:4 , II Co 6:4 , I Th 3:2 ; δ. Χριστοῦ , II Co 11:23 , Col 1:7 , I Ti 4:6 ; cf. ὁ δ. ὁ ἐμός , Jo 12:26 ; δ. περιτομῆς , Ro 15:8 ; δ. καινῆς διαθήκης , II Co 3:6 ; δ. δικαιοσύνης , II Co 11:15 ; δ. [εὐαγγελίου] , Eph 3:7 , Col 1:23 ; δ. [ἐκκλησ...
Derivation: probably from an obsolete (to run on errands; compare G1377 (διώκω));
New Testament • 13 Chapters
2 Corinthians (New Testament, 13 chapters). Key figures: Yeshua the Messiah , Jacob/Israel , Moses , Abram/Abraham . Key places: Corinth , Achaia , Asia , Macedonia , Troas , Damascus . Opens with: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth , with all the saint..."
Acts • Chapter 6 (15 verses)
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews , because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not rea... Mentions: Moses , Yeshua the Messiah , Antioch 1 , Jerusalem , Cilicia , Asia , Nazareth .
