Lesson 8:
Retain Teachings
Key Questions for Chapter 2:13-3:5
In what sense were the Thessalonians
“chosen” for salvation?
How did the Thessalonians obtain that
salvation?
Must Christians today keep “traditions”?
What is the relationship between reason,
faith, and fidelity?
Lesson 8—Slide 1
In what sense were the
Thessalonians “chosen” for
salvation?
Is the concept of “predestination” consistent
with the following verses in this epistle?
(2 Th 1:6 NKJV) since it is a righteous thing with God to
repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
(2 Th 1:8 NKJV) in flaming fire taking vengeance on those
who do not … obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2 Th 2:10 NKJV) … those who perish, because they did
not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
(2 Th 2:12 NKJV) that they all may be condemned who did
not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Lesson 8—Slide 2
In what sense were the
Thessalonians “chosen” for
salvation?—Cont’d
What is the difference between …
(2 Th 2:13 KJV) … God hath from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the
Spirit and belief of the truth:
And …
(1 Th 5:9 KJV) For God hath not appointed us
[destined us, NASB] to wrath, but to obtain salvation
by our Lord Jesus Christ,
or …
(2 Pet 3:9 NKJV) The Lord is not … not willing that
any should perish but that all should come to
repentance.
Lesson 8—Slide 3
How did the Thessalonians
obtain that salvation?
How is sanctification related to the truth?
(2 Th 2:13 KJV) … God hath from the beginning
chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the
Spirit and belief of the truth:
(John 8:32 NKJV) "And you shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free.“
(John 17:17 NKJV) "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your
word is truth.
(1 Pet 1:23 NKJV) having been born again, not of
corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of
God which lives and abides forever,
Lesson 8—Slide 4
Must Christians today
keep“traditions”?
What are “traditions”?
paravdosi", ew", hJ
handing down or over.
1.=betrayal, arrest —2. tradition, of teachings,
commandments, narratives et al., first in the act.
sense but in our literature only passive, of that
which is handed:
Bauer, Walter, Gingrich, F. Wilbur, and Danker, Frederick W., A
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early
Christian Literature, (Chicago: University of Chicago Press) 1979.
Lesson 8—Slide 5
Must Christians today
keep“traditions”?—Cont’d
Which “traditions” must the church keep/obey?
Those originating from men?
(Mark 7:9 NKJV) He said to them, "All too well you
reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your
tradition.
(Mark 7:13 NKJV) "making the word of God of no effect
through your tradition which you have handed down. …
(Mat 15:9 NKJV) And in vain they worship Me, Teaching
as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
(Col 2:8 NKJV) Beware lest anyone cheat you through
philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of
men, according to the basic principles of the world, and
not according to Christ.
Lesson 8—Slide 6
Must Christians today
keep“traditions”?—Cont’d
Which “traditions” must the church keep/
obey?—Cont’d
Those originating from God?
(2 Th 3:6 NKJV) But we command you, brethren, in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from
every brother who walks disorderly and not according to
the tradition which he received from us.
(1 Cor 11:2 NKJV) Now I praise you, brethren, that you
remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as
I delivered them to you.
(1 Cor 11:23 NKJV) For I received from the Lord that
which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the
same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
Lesson 8—Slide 7
What is the relationship between
reason, faith, and fidelity?
What was Paul’s “prayer request” about the
spread of the gospel?
(2 Th 3:1 KJV) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word
of the Lord may have free course [spread rapidly, NASB],
and be glorified, even as it is with you:
(2 Th 3:2 KJV) And that we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Recall: For Paul, prayers always had a spiritual
motive.
Lesson 8—Slide 8
What is the relationship between
reason, faith, and fidelity?—
Cont’d
Is it “reasonable” to have faith in the gospel?
(2 Th 3:2 NKJV) and that we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
“Unreasonable” is “out of place; improper”
(Rom 12:1 NKJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by
the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service.
“Reasonable” is “rational; logical”
Lesson 8—Slide 9
What is the relationship between
reason, faith, and fidelity?—
Cont’d
Does having faith imply faithfulness/fidelity?
(2 Th 3:2 NKJV) … not all have faith.
(2 Th 3:3 NKJV) But the Lord is faithful, who will
establish you and guard you from the evil one.
(2 Th 3:4 NKJV) And we have confidence in the Lord
concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we
command you.
(1 Th 5:24 NKJV) He who calls you is faithful, who also
will do it.
Who is always faithful?
A faithful Lord is more than a match for
men who do not have faith/fidelity.
Lesson 8—Slide 10
What is the relationship between
reason, faith, and fidelity?—
Cont’d
How do the “love of God” and the “patience/
steadfastness/endurance of Christ” help us to
obey?
(2 Th 3:4 NKJV) And we have confidence in the Lord
concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we
command you.
(2 Th 3:5 NKJV) Now may the Lord direct your hearts into
the love of God and into the patience [steadfastness,
NASB] of Christ.
Lesson 8—Slide 11
What to Remember
From Chapter 2:13-3:5
God has “desired,” “appointed,” “destined,”
“elected,” “chosen,” etc., all to be saved (through
Jesus Christ).
Salvation comes through obedience to God’s
revealed truth.
We should keep only the instructions that have
God as their ultimate source (not man).
It is reasonable and logical to have faith in God.
Those who are really “full of faith” are faithful.
Lesson 8—Slide 12