Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - FELLOWSHIP

FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship is defined in dictionaries as: companionship, an association of persons having similar interests, feelings, the condition or relation of being a peer (Dictionary. com)

It is certainly implied, if not overtly stated therefore, that any degree of such association requires the coming together of peoples and the familiarization of one with another so that similar feelings and interests can be identified. By so doing, such interests can be expounded and extended as people become more familiar with and relate more intimately with each other.

And, even more importantly, each can support and help one another more as familiarity and common interests become more evident.

This is undoubtedly a major reason why the Bible states that:

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, 

as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, 

…and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

(Hebrews 10:25)

It is difficult to get to know others or to support and exhort others if a relationship is based on no more then one or two meetings or interactions a year. Additionally, if we do not intermix with those with whom we have interests in common, it is likely that we will start having a sort of fellowship with others of different persuasion. Thus, Scripture has stated:

…I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 

(1 Corinthians 10:20)

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness… 

(Ephesians 5:11)

…For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? 

(2 Corinthians 6:14) 

Everyone has fellowship with someone and that is why the statement is made that we are to assemble ourselves together for support and common good. After all…

 

…if we walk in the light as He is in the light, 

we have fellowship with one another… 

(1 John 1:7)

If that is the case, we get to help and to know each one better for support and interest. But the best part of all, is that we get to know both the Father and Son more intimately for…

 

…truly our fellowship is with the Father and His Son 

Jesus Christ. 

(1John 1:3)

Knowing God and knowing each other better is truly something worth thinking about. 

 

Pastor Jasmine Trott June 1, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Ephesians Part 23

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - CRUCIFIXION

CRUCIFIXION

    Crucifixion was a method of capital punishment used by a number of cultures in antiquity; primarily the Persians, Carthaginians, and Romans. The latter are the peoples for whom this method of punishment is the most widely known, primarily because it was the method by which Christ suffered and died.

Crucifixion was a particularly cruel type of punishment; a person essentially died from suffocation because of the way in which they were suspended. But it was also noted for three other aspects.

First. It was an individual punishment. It was done to each, one at a time; no mass executions as by means of gas or poison. Each individual suffered as an individual.

Second. It was painful, excruciatingly so, and often prolonged. Crucification was one of the most painful means of execution known to man and, in fact, it is from the word crucification that the word excruciate has been derived.

Third. It was permanent. Essentially few, if any, at all survived crucifixion especially during the times of the Romans, where specially trained solders were used to ensure that each one was dead before coming off the cross.

Now we are told in the Bible that we are to:

Go your way…take up the cross and follow me [Jesus]. 

(Mark 10:21)

We are also told that:

 

…our old man was crucified with Him… 

(Romans 6:6)

and that 

…those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh… 

(Galatians 5:24)

Indicating that something very definitive has happened when we compare our following Christ to that of one bring crucified.  And, in fact there are similarities in some aspects.

First. Following Christ is an individual decision. No one can make it for you or stand in your place. It is a choice that each must make for themselves and even God Himself will not force it upon you. Each person stands or falls alone.

Second. It may be a painful choice in that old friends, old haunts, old practices have to be abandoned. It is a short lived pain, if at all, for the benefits soon start too far outweigh any initial discomfort that may be felt. But following Christ is not without its’ difficulties for the Bible tells that:

…all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

(2 Timothy 3:12)

Remember…if they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you… 

(John 15:20)

Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 

(1 John 3:13)

Third. If one does decide to take up their cross and follow Christ it should be considered a permanent decision. For it states in Hebrews:

…it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, 

and have tasted the heavenly gift, 

and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 

and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 

if they fall away, to renew themselves again to repentance, 

since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, 

and put Him to an open shame. 

(Hebrews 6:4-6)

So, in following Christ, there are similarities, at least in thought if not in action, of picking up ones’ cross and the actual crucifixion. But it also has to be remembered that, in any case, it is actually Christ’s cross we carry and even then the lighter end. Christ still carries most of the burden for us.

And that in turn should give us something to think about. 

Pastor Matthew Trott May 25, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Book of Ephesians Part 22

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE GOEL

                                                                                                   

                                                                                                           THE GOEL

In the days of the Hebrew, God apparently gave a commandment which essentially stated that whenever a man should die a relative of his would care for his widow, provide for her, and perhaps marry her and have children. In this way, he would redeem her house and as a result would be known as the Goel.

In the pages of the Bible, this was seen to have occurred more than once. For example, in the book of Genesis, Tamar, a widow, became pregnant and it was Judah who became the father of her child and therefore her goel. In the book of Ruth, after Ruth became a widow and moved back to Bethlehem with Naomi, she met and married Boaz, a relative of Naomi, who fathered her child and from whom was descended King David. Boaz thus redeemed Ruth and so became her goel.

Thus, in essence, the goel was a male relative who would look after a widow, care for, support, and help her reclaim and restore [redeem] her life. This carried forward into the New Testament times as well.

When Israel and the Hebrew people were lost and feeling abandoned by God, was it not then that God Himself became the “substitute” father for Mary’s child? This child who would become the Saviour not only of Israel but of the world and hence would be the Goel. This would, in turn, allow mankind to reclaim the relationship that had previously been lost and redeem man’s rightful position with God. This is why, through the Bible, God is often referred to as the Redeemer or in Hebrew as the Goel

As for our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts is His name… 

(Isaiah 47:4) 

…The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One… 

(Isaiah 49:7)

For I know that my Redeemer lives… 

(Job 19:25)

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,

And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts… 

(Isaiah 44:6) 

For your Maker is your husband,

The Lord of hosts is His name;

And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;

He is called the God of the whole earth.

(Isaiah 54:5)

Isn’t it reassuring to know that, if one will led Him, God Himself is willing to act as our Goel, redeeming us from all the sin we’ve gotten ourselves into and reclaiming the relationship we once had but lost?

It should be something we all think about.

Adapted from The Book of Mysteries by Jonathan Cahn, p.g. 244