OceanSide church of Christ




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 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (71)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Two questions recently asked that were intriguing:

1.        Why does OceanSide have a capital “S” in it?

2.       Would you rather be a clown who distracts the bull? or, the cowboy who rides the bull?

 

B.      The questions asked for our Questions and Answer lessons are also very intriguing.  In this lesson, we are only going to be able to discuss 2 questions.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  Demons

 

A.    Stated:  What are demons and are people possessed with them today?

 

B.      Answer:

1.        What are demons?  There are two possible answers to this question.

a.       Some believe that they are the spirits of evil men that were allowed to leave the hadean realm of torment and inhabit the bodies of the living during the first century. 

1)       They always seek bodies to inhabit.

2)      Sometimes they are found among the graveyards and tombs (Mark 5:2-3).

b.      Others believe that demons are fallen angels (Jude 6) who could indwell the bodies of the living in the first century.  In Matthew 8:29, the demons ask Jesus:  “…art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”  If they were spirits of evil men, they would have been tormented before being released from the hadean realm.

2.       Characteristics of demons:

a.       Spirit beings:  they did not have bodies

b.      Superhuman strength (Mark 5:3-4).

c.       Took possession of the whole of the individual (“possessed,” Mark 4:24, “to be exercised by”).

d.      One or more demons could possess the body of a person (Mary Magdalene, Luke 8:2)

e.       They could inflict illness and disease on those they inhabited (Mark 9:32).

f.        They were intelligent beings (Acts 16:16-17).

g.       They were beings who were intimately acquainted with Jesus (Matt. 8:29).

3.       Are people possessed with them today?

a.       The simple answer to the question is:  “No.”

b.      If demons were allowed to possess people today, the power of Satan would appear to be stronger than the power of God.  Why?  Because, it takes miraculous ability to cast out demons, and the miraculous age has ceased (I Cor. 13:10).

 

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

 

1)       Revelation was “in part” in the first century.  It was received by miraculous means.  It was given here a little, and there a little.  It was given piece by piece as it was needed.

2)      When that which was perfect came, the full, complete revelation from God to man, that is, everything God intended for mankind to have, then that which was in part, the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were done away.

c.       Demons were allowed to possess humans in the first century for one reason.  God wanted all to see that His power was abundantly superior to the power of Satan and his demonic forces (I John 3:8b).

 

For this purpose the Son of man was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

 

1)       We are told that Jesus cast 7 demons out of Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2).

2)      There are 5 specific miracles of Jesus that deal with demon possession.

a)      A man with an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21-27; Luke 4:31-36)

b)     Demons cast into the herd of pigs (Matt. 8:28-33; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:26-39)

c)      Gentile woman’s daughter (Matt. 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30)

d)     Boy with a demon (Matt. 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43)

e)      Blind, mute demonic (Matt. 12:22-23; Luke 11:14-23)

3)      There are several passages that tell us simply that he “cast out devils” (See Mark 1:39).

4)      The disciples were given the power to cast out demons when they fulfilled the Limited Commission (Matt. 10:8; Luke 10:17)

5)      The apostles cast out demons (Acts 5:16).

6)      Philip the evangelist cast out unclean spirits in Samaria (Acts 8:7).

7)      Paul cast out the spirit of divination in a woman in the city of Philippi (Acts 16:18).

8)      Paul also cast out evil spirits in the city of Ephesus (Acts 19:11-12).

 

II.                 QUESTION #3:  Memphis School of Preaching

 

A.    Stated:  Can you give us some information about the Memphis School of Preaching since we will be providing them with support this year?

 

B.      Answer:

1.        2 Timothy 2:2 provides a Biblical basis for preacher training schools.

 

And the things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

 

2.       The men who started preacher training schools originally went to four year colleges.

a.       These were not under the oversight of local churches.

b.      Because these were four-year schools, they were not able to focus exclusively on the Bible and topics needed by gospel preachers. 

c.       Thus, the birth of preacher training schools that focused solely upon preaching and were under the oversight of elders of a local congregation.

3.       The Memphis School of Preaching’s history: 

a.       Since 1968, it has been under the oversight of the elders of the Knight Arnold church of Christ, now the Forest Hill church of Christ.

b.      The first class included 15 men from seven different states.

c.       The church contributes $500,000.00 each year to the work.

4.       Facilities:

a.       The Forest Hill church building

 

 

 

1)       The facilities at the Forest Hill church of Christ sit on 20 twenty acres of land in Germantown, TN, just adjacent to Memphis, TN.

2)      Memphis:

a)      Memphis has a population of 600,000.

b)     The county has a population of 400,000.

c)      There are about 50 churches of Christ in Memphis and the immediate surrounding area.

b.      The Memphis School of Preaching

 

 

1)       “The School building is of brick and steel construction. This building is located next to the church building, and covers 20,188 square feet of floor space. In this unit, there are classrooms, offices, supply rooms, rest rooms, water fountains, a printing room, two large lecture halls, a break room, a large chapel hall, and a state of the art TV studio. A fellowship hall has been completed for occupancy by the School of Preaching and church use. It is also of brick, concrete and steel construction. It contains 15,845 square feet of floor space” (www.msop.com, Catalog, p. 34).

2)      The men who attend the school range in ages from 18 years old to 60+ years old.

3)      There are usually about 40 to 5o students taking classes at a given time.

c.       The N.B Hardeman Library

 

 

1)       This building was built in 2006.

2)      It is 12,000 square feet in size.

3)      It contains approximately 30,000 volumes of books.

4)      It is a wonderful place for study for the students.

d.      Student Housing:  32, three bedroom, two bath apartments

 

5.       Presently the school’s director is B.J. Clarke.  He and eight other men serve as the faculty of the school.

 

 

6.       The course of study

a.       The school is a two-year school.

b.      The school is tuition-free.  The only costs a student will incur are his living expenses for the two years.  (NOTE:  These have been greatly reduced due to the student housing that is now on campus).

c.       The students attend classes from 8:30 till 4:00 every day.

d.      If there were a key verse for the Memphis School of Preaching it would be 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

 

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

 

e.       The course load:

1)       There are a total of 54 classes.

2)      780 hours in the actual text of the Old Testament.

3)      720 hours in the actual text of the New Testament.

4)      Additional classes:  English (4 semesters), Greek (4 semesters), Bible Geography, Bible Archaeology, Church History, Denominational Doctrines, the Holy Spirit, Premillennialism, The Godhead, General Biblical Introduction, Apologetics, Radio and TV ministry, and the Preacher and His Work.

5)      The students who attend learn the meaning of 2 Timothy 2:15.

Study to shew thy self approved unto God,  a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of God.

 

6)      To pass, all classes have to be completed with an average grade of 2.0.  NOTE:  An “A” is graded as 95 to 100.

7)      When the students graduate, they are given a certificate, not a diploma.  The school has never sought to be accredited.

8)      NOTE:  There are several Christian Universities that will take many of the courses of the MSOP and apply them to a four-year degree in Bible.

f.        Other things required of the students:  three campaigns between semesters, attend the MSOP Lectureship, attend Polishing the Pulpit.  The students often have opportunities to preach at area churches also.

g.       Other programs offered by MSOP

1)       Classes for wives

2)      The yearly lectureship

3)      The M.O.S.T. program (3 year graduate program)

4)      World Missions Program

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    We no longer have to worry about demon possession today, but we do have to worry about being possessed with sin.

 

B.      It is interesting that it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (I Cor. 1:21).

 

…it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

 

C.     If men preach faithfully, they will proclaim the gospel plan of salvation to those who are lost in sin.

1.        Hear (Jms. 1:19)

2.       Believe (Acts 16:30-31)

3.       Repent (Acts 17:30-31)

4.       Confess the name of Jesus (Rom. 10:9-10)

5.       Be baptized (1 Pet. 3:21)