Amos Study Guide, Part Two

II. We will now begin to consider some Bible study guidelines specifically related to the book of Amos.

1. First, it is important to consider what the Bible does with itself. A critically significant and profitable study is a consideration of how the New Testament authors used their Bible, which was the Old Testament. Their New Testament quotations from, and allusions to, or verbal parallels with Amos, should help us:

1) to understand the significance these authors saw in Amos' prophecies,

2) to grow in our appreciation for these important passages in Amos, and hopefully

3) to better understand these portions of the Old Testament in the light of their use in the New Testament.

Twenty-one passages from Amos including twenty-four verses are either quoted from or alluded to in thirty-three New Testament passages. Twelve of the twenty-seven New Testament books contain such quotations or allusions. It is significant that sixteen of these thirty-three quotations or allusions are found in the book of the Revelation (Rev. 1:1, 8; 2:1; 4:8; 8:3, 12; 10:3, 7; 11:17, 18; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15 and 21:22).

The table below is a consolidation of information from Novum Testamentum Graece, 27th Ed., by Eberhard and Erwin Nestle, eds. Barbara and Kurt Aland, Johannes Karavidopoulos, Carlo M. Martini, and Bruce M. Metzger (Stuttgart, Germany: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993), pg. 798, and The Greek New Testament, 4th Rev. Ed., eds. Barbara Aland, Kurt Aland, Johannes Karavidopoulos, Carlo M. Martini, and Bruce M. Metzger (D-Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994), pp. 888, and 899-900. These works are commonly referred to as NA 27th (Nestle-Aland, 27th), and UBS 4th (United Bible Society, 4th) respectively.

Despite the fact that these works share common editors some differences exist between the information found in their respective indices. No reference listed in either of these works has been left out of the table below. However, issues remain between these sources as to whether a particular reference is to be categorized as a quotation or an allusion, or whether an allusion or verbal parallel actually exists at that reference. A few of these issues were resolved by examining how both of these works handled the citations in question in the New Testament contexts where they are found in order to come to a decision concerning the nature of the citation, i.e., whether it was by way of quotation or allusion.

Perhaps the most significant difference noted was whether Amos 3:13 and 4:13 were cited in Rev. 4:8 and 15:3 (NA 27th), or whether this is an allusion or verbal parallel as opposed to a direct quotation (UBS 4th). I have included these references as citations in the table in agreement with the NA 27th. This decision was based on my belief that this reflects the direct connection that may be seen when the vocabulary of the Septuagint (LXX) text of Amos is compared with the Greek text of the two passages in question in Revelation. I can see at least four remaining issues with this conclusion. Anyone interested in these may obtain them by e-mailing me at waysidegospelchapel@yahoo.com.

Note: LXX is a symbol for the Greek translation of the Old Testament from the Hebrew, known as the Septuagint (70). This symbol is used in the table where there is noticeable difference in the citation between the extant manuscripts of the Hebrew Old Testament, and this Greek translation from the Hebrew indicating that the Septuagint was the probable source for that particular citation.

In the table the passages considered quotations are listed first, followed by those considered to be allusions or verbal parallels.

Passage in Amos	New Testament Passage(s)	Nature of Citation
3:13 (LXX)	Rev. 4:8; 15:3	Quotation
4:13 (LXX)	Rev. 15:3	Quotation
5:25-27 (LXX)	Acts 7:42-43	Quotation
9:11-12 (LXX)	Acts 15:16-17	Quotation
1:2	Rev. 10:3	Allusion/verbal parallel
1:6 etc	Rev. 2:1	Allusion/verbal parallel
1:9-10	Mt. 11:21-22; Lk. 10:13-14	Allusions/verbal parallels
2:16	Mk. 14:52	Allusion/verbal parallel
3:7	Rev. 1:1; 10:7; 11:18	Allusions/verbal parallels
3:8	Rev. 10:3	Allusion/verbal parallel
3:13 (LXX)	2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 1:8; 11:17; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22	Allusions/verbal parallels
4:11	1 Cor. 3:15; Jude 23	Allusions/verbal parallels
4:13 (LXX)	2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 1:8; 11:17; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22	Allusions/verbal parallels
5:10	Gal. 4:16	Allusion/verbal parallel
5:13	Eph. 5:16	Allusion/verbal parallel
5:15	Rom. 12:9	Allusion/verbal parallel
6:13	Phil. 1:11	Allusion/verbal parallel
7:4	Mt. 3:11	Allusion/verbal parallel
7:10	Acts 16:20	Allusion/verbal parallel
8:3	Luke 23:45	Allusion/verbal parallel
8:9	Mt. 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44-45; Rev. 8:12	Allusions/verbal parallels
9:1	Rev. 8:3	Allusion/verbal parallel
9:9	Luke 22:31	Allusion/verbal parallel

Conferences and Meetings of Interest - April 27-29, 2007

Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology

The Word: Above All Earthly Powers

April 27-29, 2007

Conference information including the full conference schedule for each of the four sites, and information on all Conference speakers is available online at:

http://www.alliancenet.org/CC_Content_Page/0,,PTID307086%7CCHID568266,00.html

Local Venue:
Tenth Presbyterian Church
17th and Spruce Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.tenth.org/

Partial 2007 PCRT Schedule - Philadelphia:

Saturday, April 28, 2007

9:00 a.m. - Second Address: The Revealed Word, Donald Carson
10:00 a.m. - Third Address: The Mighty Word, Albert Mohler
11:00 a.m. - Question & Answer Session
12:00 p.m. - Lunch (at local restaurnats)
2:00 p.m. - Fourth Address: The Accessible Word, Ligon Duncan
3:15-4:30 p.m. - Seminars:
Recent Undermining of the Doctrine of Scripture, Donald Carson
A Layman's Primer on Bible Interpretation, Richard Phillips
The Ministry of God's Word through Music, Paul Jones
Herman Bavinck: The Bible and the Amsterdam School, Carl Trueman
4:30 p.m. - Dinner (at local restaurants)
6:30 p.m. - Sacred Concert
7:00 p.m. - Fifth Address: The Sufficient Word, Albert Mohler

Online registration is available at:

https://www.reformedresources.org/2007_PCRT_Registration.htm

Other means of registration are as follows:

FAX: 215-735-5133

Mail: PCRT, Box 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Phone: 800-956-2644, or 215-546-3696 (Mon. - Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET)

Event Information - March 1-3, 2007

Spring Play at Baptist Bible College

"The Man who came to Dinner"

by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart

directed by Dr. Brian Maxwell

dates:

Thursday-Saturday, March 1-3, 2007

time: 8:00 p.m.

contact: mthompson@bbc.edu

Conferences and Meetings of Interest - April 14, 2007

Evangelical Theological Society

Northeastern Region

Regional Meeting Information

Date:

April 14, 2007

Venue:

Davis College

Johnson City, NY

Directions:

https://www.davisny.edu/directions.htm

Theme:

"Emerging Church: Wave of the Future or Passing Fancy?"

Plenary speaker:

Dr. Eddie Gibbs

Donald A. McGavran Professor of Church Growth

Fuller Theological Seminary

For more information, or to register for the meeting, contact:

Shawn Buice

ETS Regional Secretary/Treasurer
Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek

Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary - Northeast Branch

2810 Curry Rd.

Schenectady, New York 12303

Phone: 518-355-4000

email: sbuice@mabtsne.edu

Source:

http://www.etsjets.org/

Conferences and Meetings of Interest - March 23, 2007

Eastern Regional Conference
Evangelical Theological Society

Date: Friday, March 23, 2007

Venue:
Biblical Theological Seminary
200 N. Main St.
Hatfield, PA 19440

Directions: http://www.biblical.edu/

Theme: "Postmodernism, the emerging church and evangelicalism"

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Alan Roxburgh.President of Missional Leadership Institute

Respondent/Plenary Speakers: Stephen J. Nichols & Kent Berghuis

Of particular interest is Dr. Nichols:

"Stephen J. Nichols holds master's degrees in theology and philosophy and a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary. He is a professor at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School, teaching historical theology and apologetics. He has written numerous articles and books, most recently Heaven on Earth: Capturing Jonathan Edwards's Vision of Living in Between and Pages of Church History: A Guided Tour of Christian Classics. He is currently working on two projects, a history of American evangelical Christology and a book relating blues music and culture to theology. "

Source: http://www.etsjets.org/regions/east/2007/2007-meeting-announce.pdf

Information and Updates: www.etsjets.org

HimKnowledgy #1

Hail, Sovereign Love [1]

(AKA: The Hiding Place, My Hiding Place, Thou Art My Hiding Place, and Sovereign Love)

Words: Jehoida Brewer [2], (1752-1817) in the Gospel Magazine, Oct., 1776

Music:
"Duane Street,"George Coles, 1835 [3]
"Beloit," Karl Gottlieb Reissiger (1798-1859)
“Bera,” John E. Gould, 1849
“Maryton,” H. Percy Smith, 1874

Meter: 8.8.8.8. (L.M.)

And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind,
and a covert from the tempest;
as rivers of water in a dry place,
as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
Isaiah 32:2 [4]

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble;
thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Psalm 32:7 [5]

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psalm 119:114 [6]

Hail, sovereign love that first began,
The scheme to rescue fallen man;
Hail matchless free eternal grace,
That gave my soul a hiding place.

Against the God who rules the sky,
I fought with hand uplifted high,
Despised the mention of His grace,
Too proud to seek a hiding place.

Enwrapped in thick Egyptian night,
And fond of darkness more than light,
Madly I ran the sinful race,
Secure without a hiding place. [7]

But thus th' eternal counsel ran,
"Almighty Love, arrest that man!"
I felt the arrows of distress,
And found I had no hiding place.

Indignant justice stood in view,
To Sinai's fiery mount I flew,
But Justice cried with frowning face,
"This mountain is no hiding place!"

Ere long a heavenly voice I heard,
And Mercy's angel form appeared.
Who led me on with gentle pace,
To Jesus Christ, my hiding place.

Should storms of sevenfold vengeance roll,
And shake this earth from pole to pole;
No flaming bolt could daunt my face,
For Jesus is my hiding place.

On Him Almighty vengeance fell,
That must have sunk a world to hell;
He bore it for a chosen race,
And thus became their hiding place. [8]

A few more rolling suns at most,
Shall land me safe on heaven's coast.
There I shall sing the song of grace,
To Jesus Christ, my hiding place!

Footnotes:

[1] Information on this hymn has been gleaned from the following sources: A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship, by William Gadsby (London: Gospel Standard Publications, 1987), pg. 113-114, hymn #134; the Cyber Hymnal at http://www.cyberhymnal.org, and the Gospel Magazine (Sep/Oct, 1997), pg. 144, at http://www.gospelmagazine.org.uk/septemberoctober1997.pdf.

[2] Authorship of this hymn is often mistakenly ascribed to Maj. John Andre, a British officer who was hung as a spy during the American Revolution. Examples of this are as follows: Sinclair B. Ferguson, Deserted by God? (Grand Rapids: Baker Books), pp. 87-88 [cited at: http://www.americanchristianhistory.com/ChristianHistory17.html; The Puzzles of Job, by Ord L. Morrow (Lincoln, NE: Back to the Bible Broadcast, 1965), pp. 43-44; and Sunday Snippets #13 (Jan. 8, 1995), http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/doc/religion/christian/NJB/text/sunday.snippets/snip95-13.txt. There the story is rendered as follows:

The poet, Maj. John Andre, wrote this while awaiting his execution (by hanging) as a spy on 2 Oct. 1780 during the U.S.Revolutionary War. Just two days before his death, the major was converted to Christ, and in that short time composed this poem as a testimony to his experience.

This historical error is probably due to the fact that the hymn was transcribed by him, apparently from memory, to a piece of paper without any information as to its original author. One report concerning this has it found in his pocket following his execution. In any case, Maj. Andre was executed October 2, 1980, four years to the month after this hymn was published in the Gospel Magazine (October, 1776). Therefore, he could hardly have composed it in his cell as is commonly reported.

Jehoida Brewer had it published under a pseudonym that he used: “Sylvestris”, Gospel Magazine (Sep/Oct, 1997), pg. 144: “subscribed ‘Sylvestris’”.

[3] "Duane Street fits only if an even number of stanzas is used, so the eighth stanza is commonly omitted with this tune.” Cyber Hymnal, ibid.

[4] This is the Scripture reference found in the Gospel Magazine above this hymn, ibid.

[5] This Scripture reference is the one found in Gadsby’s hymnal with this hymn, ibid.

[6] This Scripture passage is commonly found on internet pages with this hymn. This may be largely due to the fact that Cyber Hymnal does so, ibid.

[7] This verse is not included in Gadsby’s work, ibid.

[8] This verse and the previous verse are often found in reverse order. The order shown above is that found in the Gospel Magazine, ibid., and in Gadsby, ibid.

Pastor's Sermon Notes - February 4, 2007

Sermon Title: The Difficult Doctrine of the Discipline of the Disobedient,

Part Two: The Reason for and Result of Separation

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 11
Scripture Text: Romans 16:18-19

[18] For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ,
but their own belly;
and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
[19] For your obedience is come abroad unto all men.
I am glad therefore on your behalf:
but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good,
and simple concerning evil.

Introduction:

Review last week’s message, Part One: The Requirement of Separation, and connect it to this one -

1. The Objects of Separation

1) The two-fold effect of their evil influence

(1) Divisiveness

(2) Carnality

2) The standard they must be measured by

2. The Nature of Separation - The two negative requirements for purity in the Church

1) Awareness - Warning - Identification - mark them

2) Avoidance - Shunning - Excommunication - avoid them

Let’s be clear concerning who we are talking about. Those who are to be "marked" and "avoided" as commanded in verse 17, are also identified there as those who "...cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned...".

Let’s clearly differentiate discipline on the public and corporate level from confronting sinners and the process of discipline which begins on the private and personal level as in Mt. 18 (especially verses 15-17), and Gal. 6:1-2.

Outline:
The Reason for Separation - vs. 18
The Result of Separation - vs. 19

I. The Reasons for Separation - 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;
and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Rom. 14:16-18 - [16] Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
[17] For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
[18] For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God,
and approved of men.

1. Reason #1 - The Focus of Their Service -
Introverted Disobedience to the Savior - 16:18a

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly

"They that are such" refers to the ones to be "marked" and "avoided" (vs. 17)

Phil. 3:19 - Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

2 Tim. 3:4 - Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2. Reason #2 - The Fraud of Their Speeches -
Impressive Deception of the Simple - 16:18b

and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple

Col. 2:4 - And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

2 Peter 2:3 - And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

The most dangerous wolves are not those who come in wolves' clothing! The ones you really must be on your guard against are those who dress themselves up to appear as one of the sheep! Acts 20:29-30 - [29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

This deception is intentional. There is very real danger here - grave, spiritual danger. This danger is aggravated by:

1) Ignorance of its reality,

2) Imaginations of your immunity, or

3) Shallowness in your scrutiny.

Those who are in the most danger, and are thus more easily vicitimized by these wolves are those described here as "simple".

Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Living Translation (NLT) follow the KJV’s error in translating the original word here and in vs. 19 with the same English word. They are not the same words in the original. It would be better to go with the English Standard Version (ESV), or the New International Version (NIV) at this point which translate this word with "naive", or the New American Standard Bible (NASB) which translates this word as "unsuspecting".

This word is only used twice in the New Testament: here and in Heb. 7:26 - For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

The meaning of this word, depending on the context, is:

"...that absence of all evil which implies the presence of all good..."
".He who himself means no evil to others, oftentimes fears no evil from others. Conscious of truth in his own heart, he believes truth in the hearts of all: a noble quality, yet in a world like ours capable of being pushed too far....The word, as employed Rom. xvi. 18, already indicates such a confidence as this beginning to degenerate into a credulous readiness to the [sic] being deceived and led away from the truth."
"...absence of the serpent’s tooth....absence of willingness to hurt, of the malice of our fallen nature....has no harmfulness in him..."
[Richard Chenevix Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., from the 9th ed., London, 1880), pp. 206, 207, and 209]

II. The Results of Separation - 16:19

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

1. The External or Corporate Results - 16:19a

Romans 1:8 - First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

1) Obedient Testimony Amongst Others

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men.

2) Joyful Response Amongst Leaders

I am glad therefore on your behalf

Apparently Paul is not focusing on a problem currently existing in the church at Rome, but warning them concerning what they may face in the future as false teachers, false prophets, and false apostles enter into their midst.

2. The Internal or Ethical Results - 16:19b

1) Positive Wisdom Concerning Good

I would have you wise unto that which is good

1 Cor. 14:20 - Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Philip. 2:15 - That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

When this is not the case, when God's people do not have this wisdom, He rebukes them:

Jeremiah 4:22 - For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

2) Negative Wisdom Concerning Evil

I would have you...simple concerning evil

There are only two other New Testament usages for the Greek word translated here as "simple":

Mt. 10:16 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Phil. 2:15 - That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

The translation of the King James Version (KJV), the Revised Standard Version (RSV), and the American Standard Version (ASV) in those places ("harmless") is due to a misunderstanding concerning the origin of this word

[see Trench, Op. cit., pp. 205-206].

"Harmless" is found as a marginal reading at Rom. 16:19.

"Simple" is found as a marginal reading at Mt. 10:16 and Phil. 2:15 in the RSV, and the ASV. The KJV has "simple" in the margin in Mt., and "syncere" in Phil.
The NASB, NIV and ESV have "innocent" in this place. This is the English equivalent of the word found in the old Latin translations here ("innocens").

"The fundamental notion...is the absence of foreign admixture....Wine unmingled with water....unalloyed metal....freedom from disturbing elements."

[Trench, Op. cit., pg. 206]

"...the confirmed habit of one who has come in contact with evil, and is still uncontaminated by it; who has resisted all the plots and schemes that have been laid for him; and whose love for what is good and hatred of evil, has only been strengthened and disciplined. The word for "simple" here means "unmixed," "uncontaminated," "pure and clear." "
[William Sanday, "The Epistle to the Romans", in Ellicott’s Commentary On The Whole Bible: A Verse By Verse Explanation, ed. Charles John Ellictott (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, n.d.), IV:270]

Conclusion:

God would have us pure from any admixture of evil, and His process of sanctification will accomplish that. Are you mixed up inside? Are you a "mess", when it comes to the contamination of the world, and its love for wickedness? When you look within, are you pure and clear? If not, I call upon you this moment, this day, to come back to the place of simplicity, the simplicity that is in Christ!

I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
(2 Cor. 11:3)

Come back to the foot of the Cross! Let the blood of Christ wash you, and make you clean. Examine yourself by the Word of God, and by the power of His Spirit receive the washing of water by the Word. Know once again what it is to be clean, and pure, unmixed, undiluted, uncontaminated in your relationship with Jesus Christ and His people. Stand there at the foot of His Cross, and know that when it comes to sin there can be no compromise, no confusion. The issue is clear, clear as a bell, here at His Cross. It is as clear as black and white. Repent of your sin, receive His cleansing, turn from your sin, and rejoice that by His power, His blood, His Word, His Spirit, and His grace you have been freed from the internal "mess" you faced within as you gave in to sin.

There is a true simplicity in Christ! Do not hesitate to come to Him so that you might know that in your own experience!