This title is so "Christianese," but I like it. It's basically Bible scholars who serve unchurched people in a place of consumerism. Open minded Bereans received the gospel of Jesus with eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day for truth (Acts 17:11). While Corinthians are prone to deception and habitual sin (2 Cor 11:3,12:21). Mars Hill, is like our world full of people worshiping at best an "unknown god, a higher Power" (Acts 17:22-23). We do this with gentleness and hospitality to benefit everyone in spite of ridicule (1 Cor 4:13,9:20).
Mars Hill is full of false teaching that have denial of Jesus Christ at their root (2 Peter 2:1). My favorite secular argument for the reality of Jesus is our time, today is July 31, 2024 (in the year of our Lord). If you know your birth day, or your age and when it's time to vote. You are living in a time zone that is marked by the birth of Jesus Christ.
The idea is people fruitful in God's word (Gal 5:22-23, John 15) are able to plant and water, and see God make it grow (1 Cor 3:6-8), making the reality of God's resurrection clear in the hearer (2 Cor 13:5).
Some may be annoyed with my life, while others rejoice. My aim is to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume (2 Cor 2:14-17).
2 Peter 1:5-7 outlines how personal faith, is exercised adding moral excellence (principles of right/wrong behavior, proper conduct)/virtue (ESV showing high moral standards)/goodness (NIV the quality of being good, in particular). To Moral excellence we add knowledge and self-control (commitment, what we say we'll do), perseverance, steadfastness and godliness. Add brotherly kindness/mutual affection and love (Rom 12:10, devoted to one another, 1 Thes 3:12, increasing/overflow for each other).
...strive to make your calling and election sure, practice these things you will never stumble, (2 Peter 1:10). letters to stir you to wholesome thinking (2 Peter 3:1) be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. 2 Peter 3:17
Symptoms of being carried away by error;
- who thinks he is standing firm - 1 Corinthians 10:12
- trying to be justified by the law - Galatians 5:4
- (Lot) distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless - 2 Peter 2:7
- lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. - 2 Peter 2:18
Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:5
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