Podcasts about one lord

How should we understand the words, “in him all things were created” in Col 1.16? Although commonly taken to mean Christ created the universe, this view has contextual, structural, and exegetical problems. In what follows I’ll name six problems with old-creation readings before laying out why a new creation approach makes sense. I presented this talk at the 2025 Unitarian Christian Alliance (UCA) conference in Uxbridge, England. Scroll down to see the full-length paper. For those listening to the audio, here’s a quick reference to Colossians 1.15-20 Strophe 1 (Col 1.15-18a) 15a      who is (the) image of the invisible God, 15b      firstborn of all creation 16a      for in him were created all things 16b                  in the heavens and upon the earth, 16c                  the visible and the invisible, 16d                  whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 16e      all things have been created through him and for him 17a      and he is before all things 17b      and all things hold together in him 18a      and he is the head of the body of the Church,[12] Strophe 2 (Col 1.18b-20) 18b      who is (the) beginning, 18c      firstborn from the dead, 18d                  in order that he may be first in all things, 19        for in him was pleased all the fulness to dwell 20a      and through him to reconcile all things in him, 20b      making peace through the blood of his cross 20c                  whether the things upon the earth 20d                  or the things in the heavens Here’s Randy Leedy’s New Testament Diagram Here are the slides in the original PowerPoint format Download [13.82 MB] Here are the slides converted to PDF Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download [3.16 MB] To read the paper, simply scroll down or read it on Academia.edu.   Listen on Spotify   Listen on Apple Podcasts —— Links —— Check out these other papers by Sean Finnegan Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Finnegan on X @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play it out on the air Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here Get Finnegan’s book, Kingdom Journey to learn about God’s kingdom coming on earth as well as the story of how Christianity lost this pearl of great price. Get the transcript of this episode Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Below is the paper presented on July 25, 2025 in Uxbridge, England at the 2nd annual UCA UK Conference. Access this paper on Academia.edu to get the pdf. Full text is below, including bibliography and end notes. Colossians 1.16: Old Creation or New Creation? by Sean P. Finnegan Abstract  How should we understand the words, “in him all things were created” in Col 1.16? Although commonly taken to mean Christ created the universe, this view has contextual, structural, and exegetical problems. In what follows, I will explain the difficulties with the various old creation readings of Col 1.16 along with five reasons for a new creation approach. Then I'll provide a new creation reading of Col 1.16 before summarizing my findings in the conclusion. Introduction  Colossians 1.15-20 is a fascinating text of great importance for Christology. Commonly understood to be a hymn, it is fascinating in its cosmic scope and elevated Christology. Although many commentators interpret Paul[1] to say that Christ created the universe in his pre-existent state in Col 1.16, not all scholars see it that way. For example, Edward Schillebeeckx writes, “There is no mention in this text of pre-existence in the Trinitarian sense.”[2] Rather he sees “an eschatological pre-existence, characteristic of wisdom and apocalyptic.”[3] G. B. Caird agreed that Paul's focus in Col. 1.15-20 was not pre-existence (contra Lightfoot), rather, “The main thread of Paul's thought, then, is the manhood of Christ.”[4] In other words, “All that has been said in vv. 15-18 can be said of the historical Jesus.”[5] James Dunn also denied that Paul saw Christ as God's agent in creation in Col 1.15-20, claiming that such an interpretation was “to read imaginative metaphor in a pedantically literal way.”[6] James McGrath argued that “Jesus is the one through whom God's new creation takes place.” [7] Andrew Perriman likewise noted, “There is no reference to the creation of heaven and earth, light and darkness, sea and dry land, lights in the heavens, vegetation, or living creatures,”[8] also preferring a new creation approach.[9] To understand why such a broad range of scholars diverge from the old creation interpretation of Col 1.16, we will examine several contextual, structural, and exegetical problems. While explaining these, I'll also put forward four reasons to interpret Col 1.16 as new creation. Then I'll provide a fifth before giving a new creation reading of Col 1.15-20. But before going any further, let's familiarize ourselves with the text and structure. The Form of Col 1.15-20  To get our bearings, let me begin by providing a translation,[10] carefully structured to show the two strophes.[11] Strophe 1 (Col 1.15-18a) 15a      who is (the) image of the invisible God, 15b      firstborn of all creation 16a      for in him were created all things 16b                  in the heavens and upon the earth, 16c                  the visible and the invisible, 16d                  whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 16e      all things have been created through him and for him 17a      and he is before all things 17b      and all things hold together in him 18a      and he is the head of the body of the Church,[12] Strophe 2 (Col 1.18b-20) 18b      who is (the) beginning, 18c      firstborn from the dead, 18d                  in order that he may be first in all things, 19        for in him was pleased all the fulness to dwell 20a      and through him to reconcile all things in him, 20b      making peace through the blood of his cross 20c                  whether the things upon the earth 20d                  or the things in the heavens Here I've followed the two-strophe structure (1.15-18a and 18b-20) noted more than a century ago by the classical philologist Eduard Norden[13] and repeated by James Robinson,[14] Edward Lohse,[15] Edward Schweizer,[16] James Dunn,[17] Ben Witherington III,[18] and William Lane[19] among others. By lining up the parallel lines of the two strophes, we can clearly see the poetic form. Strophe 1 15a who is (the) image… 15b firstborn of all creation 16a for in him were created all things… 16e  all things have been created through him… Strophe 2 18b who is (the) beginning, 18c firstborn from the dead … 19 for in him was pleased all… 20a and through him to reconcile all things in him… Such striking repeated language between the two strophes means that we should be careful to maintain the parallels between them and not take a grammatical or exegetical position on a word or phrase that would disconnect it from the parallel line in the other strophe. Some scholars, including F. F. Bruce,[20] Michael Bird,[21] David Pao,[22] among others proposed vv. 17-18a as an independent transitional link between the two strophes. Lohse explained the motivation for this unlikely innovation as follows. Above all, it is curious that at the end of the first, cosmologically oriented strophe, Christ is suddenly referred to as the “head of the body, the church” (1:18a κεφαλή τοῦ σώματος τῆς ἐκκλησίας). Considering its content, this statement would have to be connected with the second strophe which is characterized by soteriological statements. The structure of the hymn, however, places it in the first strophe.[23] For interpreters who prefer to think of the first strophe as cosmogony and the second as soteriology, a line about Christ's headship over the church doesn't fit very well. They restructure the form based on their interpretation of the content. Such a policy reverses the order of operations. One should determine the form and then interpret the content in light of structure. Lohse was right to reject the addition of a new transitional bridge between the two strophes. He called it “out of the question” since vv. 17-18a underscore “all things” and “serve as a summary that brings the first strophe to a conclusion.”[24] Now that we've oriented ourselves to some degree, let's consider old creation readings of Col 1.16 and the problems that arise when reading it that way. Old Creation Readings  Within the old creation paradigm for Col 1.16 we can discern three groups: those who see (A) Christ as the agent by whom God created, (B) Wisdom as the agent, and (C) Christ as the purpose of creation. Although space won't allow me to interact with each of these in detail, I will offer a brief critique of these three approaches. As a reminder, here is our text in both Greek and English. Colossians 1.16 16a      ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐκτίσθη τὰ πάντα 16b                  ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, 16c                  τὰ ὁρατὰ καὶ τὰ ἀόρατα, 16d                  εἴτε θρόνοι εἴτε κυριότητες εἴτε ἀρχαὶ εἴτε ἐξουσίαι· 16e      τὰ πάντα δι' αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰς αὐτὸν ἔκτισται· 16a      for in him were created all things 16b                  in the heavens and upon the earth, 16c                  the visible and the invisible, 16d                  whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 16e      all things have been created through him and for him 1. Christ as the Agent of Creation Scot McKnight is representative in his claim that “The emphasis of the first stanza is Christ as the agent of creation … and the second is Christ as the agent of redemption.”[25] This view sees the phrase “in him were created all things” as Christ creating the universe in the beginning. However, this position has six problems with it. Firstly, the context of the poem—both before (vv. 13-14) and after (vv. 21-22)—is clearly soteriological not cosmogonical.[26] By inserting vv. 15-20 into the text after vv. 13-14, Paul connected the two together.[27] V. 15 begins with ὅς ἐστιν (who is), which makes it grammatically dependent on vv. 13-14. “It is widely accepted,” wrote Dunn, “that this passage is a pre-Pauline hymn interpolated and interpreted to greater or less extent by Paul.”[28] By placing the poem into a redemptive frame, Paul indicated how he interpreted it. The fact that God “rescued us from the authority of darkness and transferred (us) into the kingdom of his beloved son” is the controlling context (v. 13).[29] As I will show below, I believe vv. 15-20 are ecclesiology not protology, since ecclesiology naturally flows from soteriology. Rather than remaining in the old domain of darkness, vulnerable to malevolent spiritual powers of this age, Colossian Christians are transferred into the new domain of Christ. The context makes it more natural to interpret the creation language of vv. 15-16 in light of Christ's redemptive work—as references to new creation rather than old creation. Doing so retains the contextual frame rather than jumping back to the beginning of time. A second problem arises when we consider the phrase “image of the invisible God” in v. 15. Although some see a Stoic or Wisdom reference here, I agree with F. F. Bruce who said, “No reader conversant with the OT scriptures, on reading these words of Paul, could fail to be reminded of the statement in Gen. 1:26f., that man was created by God ‘in his own image.'”[30] Immediately after making humanity in his own image, God blessed us with dominion over the earth. Philo also connected humanity's image of God with “the rulership over the earthly realms.”[31] But if the Christ of v. 15 is the pre-existent son prior to his incarnation, as the old creation model posits, “How can he be the ‘image of God,'” asked Eduard Schweizer, since “the one who is thus described here is not the earthly Jesus?”[32] It is precisely by virtue of his humanity that Jesus is the image of God not his pre-existence.[33] Thus, image-of-God language points us to the creation of a new humanity. A third problem is that “firstborn of all creation” prima facia implies that Christ is a member of creation (a partitive genitive). This is how Paul thought about Christ as firstborn in Rom 8.29 when he called Christ “firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Clearly he saw Christ as a member of the “ἀδελφοῖς” (brothers and sisters). Furthermore, “πρωτότοκος πάσης κτίσεως” (firstborn of all creation) in v. 15 parallels “πρωτότοκος ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν” (firstborn from the dead) v. 18. Although the former (v. 15) can be taken as a genitive of subordination (firstborn over creation) or as a partitive genitive (firstborn of creation), the latter (v. 18) is unambiguously partitive. Because v. 18 includes the word ἐκ (from/out of), instead of a multivalent genitive, it must mean that Jesus was himself a member of the dead prior to his resurrection. Likewise, he was the firstborn member of creation. To take v. 15 as a genitive of subordination and v. 18 in a partitive sense allows theology to drive exegesis over against the clear structural link between v. 15b and v. 18c. In fact, as the BDAG noted, Christ is “the firstborn of a new humanity.”[34] He is chronologically born first and, by virtue of that, also preeminent.[35] Fourthly, the phrase, “ἐν αὐτῷ” (in him), implies soteriology not protology as it does throughout the Pauline corpus. The prepositional phrases “in Christ,” “in the Lord,” “in him,” and others that are similar occur more than a hundred times in Paul's epistles. McKnight elucidated the sense nicely: “This expression, then, is the inaugurated eschatological reality into which the Christian has been placed, and it also evokes the new-creation realities that a person discovers.”[36] Creation in Christ is not likely to refer to Genesis creation. In fact, apart from Col 1.16, there is no text within Paul or the rest of the Bible that speaks of the origin of the universe as something created “in Christ.”[37] Sadly translators routinely obscure this fact by translating “ἐν αὐτῷ” as “by him.”[38] Amazingly, the NASB and ESV render “ἐν αὐτῷ” as “in him” in every other usage apart from Col 1.16![39] For the sake of consistency, it makes better sense to render “ἐν αὐτῷ” as “in him” and let the reader decide how to interpret it. Fifthly, the line, “and he is the head of the body, the Church” (v. 18a) clearly roots the first strophe in redemptive history not creation. Our English translations follow Robert Estienne's verse divisions, which confusingly combine the last line of the first strophe (v. 18a) and the first line of the second (v. 18b), obscuring the native poetic structure. As I made the case above, the structure of the text breaks into two strophes with v. 18a included in the first one. As I mentioned earlier, vv. 15-20 are a pre-existing poem that Paul has modified and incorporated into the text of Colossians. Ralph Martin pointed out that the poem contains “no less than five hapax legomena” and “about ten non-Pauline expressions.”[40] Additionally, there appear to be awkward additions that disrupt the symmetry. These additions are the most explicitly Christian material. It is likely that the original said, “and he is the head of the body” to which Paul appended “the church.” Edward Schillebeeckx commented on this. In Hellenistic terms this must primarily mean that he gives life and existence to the cosmos. Here, however, Colossians drastically corrects the ideas … The correction made by Colossians is to understand ‘body' as a reference to the church, and not the cosmos. This alters the whole perspective of the cultural and religious setting … The cosmic background is reinterpreted in terms of salvation history and ecclesiology. In fact Christ is already exercising his lordship over the world now … however, he is doing this only as the head of the church, his body, to which he gives life and strength. Thus Colossians claims that the church alone, rather than the cosmos, is the body of Christ.[41] If this is true, it shows Paul's careful concern to disallow a strictly old creation or protological reading of the first strophe. For by inserting “of the church,” he has limited the context of the first strophe to the Christ event. “The addition of ‘the church,'” wrote Dunn, “indicates that for Paul at any rate the two strophes were not dealing with two clearly distinct subjects (cosmology and soteriology).”[42] Karl-Joseph Kuschel wrote, “The answer would seem to be he wanted to ‘disturb' a possible cosmological-protological fancy in the confession of Christ … to prevent Christ from becoming a purely mythical heavenly being.”[43] Thus Paul's addition shows us he interpreted the creation of v16 as new creation. Lastly, theological concerns arise when taking Col 1.16 as old creation. The most obvious is that given the partitive genitive of v. 15, we are left affirming the so-called Arian position that God created Christ as the firstborn who, in turn, created everything else. Another thorn in the side of this view is God's insistence elsewhere to be the solo creator (Isa 44.24; cf. 45.18). On the strength of this fact, modalism comes forward to save the day while leaving new problems in its wake. However, recognizing Col 1.15-20 as new creation avoids such theological conundrums. 2. Wisdom as the Agent of Creation Dustin Smith noted, “The christological hymn contains no less than nine characteristics of the wisdom of God (e.g., “image,” “firstborn,” agent of creation, preceding all things, holding all things together) that are reapplied to the figure of Jesus.”[44] Some suggest that Col 1.15-20 is actually a hymn to Wisdom that Paul Christianized.[45] The idea is that God created the universe through his divine Wisdom, which is now embodied or incarnate in Christ. Dunn explained it as follows. If then Christ is what God's power/wisdom came to be recognized as, of Christ it can be said what was said first of wisdom—that ‘in him (the divine wisdom now embodied in Christ) were created all things.' In other words the language may be used here to indicate the continuity between God's creative power and Christ without the implication being intended that Christ himself was active in creation.[46] Before pointing out some problems, I must admit much of this perspective is quite noncontroversial. That Jewish literature identified Wisdom as God's creative agent, that there are linguistic parallels between Col 1.15-20 and Wisdom, and that the historical Jesus uniquely embodied Wisdom to an unprecedented degree are not up for debate. Did Paul expect his readers to pick up on the linguistic parallels? Afterall, he could have just said “in her were created all things” in v. 16, clearly making the connection with the grammatically feminine σοφία (Wisdom). Better yet, he could have said, “in Wisdom were created all things.” Even if the poem was originally to Wisdom, Paul has thoroughly Christianized it, applying to Christ what had been said of Wisdom. However, the most significant defeater for this view is that applying Wisdom vocabulary to Christ only works one way. Wisdom has found her home in Christ. This doesn't mean we can attribute to Christ what Wisdom did before she indwelt him any more than we can attribute to the living descendants of Nazis the horrific deeds of their ancestors. Perriman's critique is correct: “The point is not that the act of creation was Christlike, rather the reverse: recent events have been creation-like. The death and resurrection of Jesus are represented as the profoundly creative event in which the wisdom of God is again dynamically engaged, by which a new world order has come about.”[47] Once again a new creation approach makes better sense of the text. 3. Christ as the Purpose of Creation Another approach is to take ἐν αὐτῷ (in him) in a telic sense. Martha King, a linguist with SIL, said the phrase can mean “in association with Christ everything was created” or “in connection with Christ all things were created.”[48] Lexicographer, Joseph Thayer, sharpened the sense with the translation, “[I]n him resides the cause why all things were originally created.”[49] William MacDonald's translation brought this out even more with the phrase, “because for him everything … was created.”[50] The idea is that God's act of creation in the beginning was with Christ in view. As Eric Chang noted, “Christ is the reason God created all things.”[51] G. B. Caird said, “He is the embodiment of that purpose of God which underlies the whole creation.”[52] The idea is one of predestination not agency.[53] Christ was the goal for which God created all things. A weakness of this view is that purpose is better expressed using εἰς or δία with an accusative than ἐν. Secondly, the parallel line in the second strophe (v. 19) employs “ἐν αὐτῷ” in a clearly locative sense: “in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell.” So even though “ἐν αὐτῷ” could imply purpose, in this context it much more likely refers to location. Lastly, Paul mentioned the sense of purpose at the end of v. 16 with “εἰς αὐτὸν ἔκτισται” (for him has been created), so it would be repetitive to take “ἐν αὐτῷ” that way as well. To sum up, the three positions that see Col 1.16 as a reference to old creation all have significant problems. With these in mind, let us turn our attention to consider a fourth possibility: that Paul has in mind new creation. Reasons for a New Creation Reading I've already provided four reasons why Col 1.15-20 refers to new creation: (1) calling Christ the image of God points to the new humanity begun in Christ as the last Adam;[54] (2) since the firstborn of the old creation was Adam (or, perhaps, Seth), Jesus must be the firstborn of the new creation; (3) saying Jesus is the head of the church, limits the focus for the first strophe to the time following the Christ event; (4) the context of the poem, both before (vv. 13-14) and after (vv. 21-22) is soteriological, making an old creation paradigm awkward, while a new creation view fits perfectly. The Catholic priest and professor, Franz Zeilinger, summarized the situation nicely: “Christ is (through his resurrection from the realm of death) Lord over the possession granted to him, of which he is the ἀρχή (beginning) and archetype, … and head and beginning of the eschatological new creation!”[55] Additionally, a new creation paradigm fits best with Paul's elaboration of what visible and invisible things in heaven and on earth he has in mind. Once again, here's our text. 16a      for in him were created all things 16b                  in the heavens and upon the earth, 16c                  the visible and the invisible, 16d                  whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities 16e      all things have been created through him and for him By specifying thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities, we discern Paul's train of thought. Form critics are quick to point out that v. 16d is Paul's addition to the poem. Without it, the reader may have thought of sky, land, and animals—old creation. However, with v. 16d present, we direct our attention to political realities not God's creative power or engineering genius. Martha King noted the two possible meanings for εἴτε: (1) specifying the “invisible things” or (2) giving examples of “all things.” Taking the second view, we read “in him were created all things, including thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities.”[56] Randy Leedy also presented this position in his sentence diagrams, identifying v. 16d as equivalent to v. 16c and v. 16b, all of which modify τὰ πάντα (all things) at the end of v. 16a. (See Appendix for Leedy's diagram.) Perriman pressed home the point when he wrote: The fact is that any interpretation that takes verse 16 to be a reference to the original creation has to account for the narrow range of created things explicitly listed. … The Colossians verse mentions only the creation of political entities—thrones, lordships, rulers and authorities, visible and invisible—either in the already existing heaven or on the already existing and, presumably, populated earth. What this speaks of is a new governmental order consisting of both invisible-heavenly and visibly-earthly entities.”[57] Understanding v. 16d as equivalent to “all things” in v. 16a nicely coheres with a new-creation paradigm. However, taken the other way—as an elaboration of only the invisible created realities—v. 16d introduces an asymmetrical and clumsy appendix. A New Creation Reading of Col 1.16 Now that we've considered some problems with old creation views and some reasons to read Col 1.16 from a new creation perspective, let's consider how a new creation reading works. New creation is all about the new breaking into the old, the future into the present. G. F. Wessels said, “Paul made clear that there is a present realized aspect of salvation, as well as a future, still outstanding aspect, which will only be realized at the eschaton.”[58] New creation, likewise, has future and present realities. Exiting Old Creation Before becoming part of the new creation, one must exit the old creation. “Our old humanity was co-crucified“ (Rom 6.6). “With Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world” (Col 2.20). “As many as were baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death” (Rom 6.3). We were “co-buried with him through baptism into the death … having been united with the likeness of his death” (Rom 6.4-5). Our death with him through baptism kills our allegiance and submission to the old powers and the old way of life “in which you formerly walked according to the zeitgeist of this world, according to the rule of the authority of the air, the spirit which now works in the children of disobedience” (Eph 2.2). Entering New Creation As death is the only way out of the old creation, so resurrection is the only way into the new creation. “You have been co-raised with Christ” (Col 3.1). God “co-made-alive us together with him” (Col 2.13).[59] By virtue of our union with Christ, we ourselves are already “co-raised and co-seated us in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2.6). The result of this is that “we also may walk in newness of life” (Rom 6.4). For those who are “in Christ, (there is) a new creation; the old has passed away, behold (the) new has come into existence” (2 Cor 5.17). “They have been ‘transported,'” wrote Schillebeeckx, “they already dwell above in Christ's heavenly sphere of influence (Col 1.13)—the soma Christou … that is the church!”[60] Community For the people of God, “neither circumcision is anything nor uncircumcision but a new creation” is what matters (Gal 6.15). Those who “are clothed with the new” are “being renewed in knowledge according to the image of him who created, where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, (or) free, but Christ (is) all and in all” (Col 3.10-11). Through Christ God has nullified the law “in order that he might create the two into one new humanity in him” (Eph 2.14-15). Thus, within new creation, ethnic identity still exists, but it is relativized, our identity in Christ taking priority ahead of other affiliations and duties. Lifestyle When the lost become saved through faith, they become his creation (ποίημα), “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph 2.10). This means we are to “lay aside the former way of life, the old humanity corrupted according to deceitful desires” and instead be clothed with “the new humanity created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph 4.22-24). Rather than lying to one another, we must “strip off the old humanity with its way of acting” and “be clothed with the new (humanity), renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it” (Col 3.9-10). “The ones who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts” and instead “walk by the spirit” (Gal 5.24-25). Ultimately, All Creation Although new creation is currently limited to those who voluntarily recognize Jesus as Lord, all “creation is waiting with eager expectation for the unveiling of the children of God” (Rom 8.19). Because of the Christ event, the created order eagerly awaits the day when it will escape “the enslavement of corruption” and gain “the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (v. 21). Like a bone out of joint, creation does not function properly. Once Christ sets it right, it will return to its proper order and operation under humanity's wise and capable rulership in the eschaton. Eschatology God predetermined that those who believe will be “conformed to the image of his son, that he be firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Rom 8.29). Thus, the resurrected Christ is the prototype, “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15.20). Whereas “in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (v. 22). We await Christ's return to “transform the body of our humble station (that it be) shaped to his glorious body according to the energy which makes him able to also to subject all things to himself.” (Phil 3.21). This is the end goal of new creation: resurrected subjects of God's kingdom joyfully living in a renewed world without mourning, crying, and pain forevermore (Isa 65.17-25; Rev 21-22). The Powers Taking Col 1.16 as a new creation text adds key information about the present governing powers to this richly textured picture. In Christ God created thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. He made these through Christ and for Christ with the result that Christ himself is before all things, and in Christ all things hold together (Col 1.17). He is the head of the body, the Church (Col 1.18). We find very similar language repeated in Ephesians in the context of Christ's exaltation.[61] Ephesians 1.20-23 20 Which [power] he energized in Christ having raised him from the dead and seated (him) on his right (hand) in the heavenlies 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name named, not only in this age but also in the one to come; 22 and he subjected all things under his feet and gave him (as) head over all things in the Church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in all. The parallels are striking. Both speak of Christ's resurrection, Christ's exalted position of authority over all the powers, Christ's role as head of the church, and both mention the fullness. It's easy to miss the connection between these two passages since most think of Eph 1.20-22 as ascension theology and Col 1.15-20 as creation theology. But, if we adjust our thinking to regard Col 1.16 as new creation, we see how the two fit together. In Ephesians we see Christ's ascension to God's right hand as the reason for a cosmic reordering of authorities with the result that all rule, authority, power, and dominion are subjected to him. (Though we may be accustomed to reading these powers in Eph 1.21 as only malevolent owing to Eph 2.2 and 6.12, the list here must be mixed, since only benevolent powers will survive the final judgement and continue into the age to come.) Instead of exaltation, in Colossians Paul employed the language of creation to describe Christ's relation to the powers. Perhaps lesser terms like reassign, reorder, or establish were just too small to adequately express the magnitude of how the Christ event has changed the world—both in heaven and on earth. The only term big enough to convey the new situation was “creation”—the very same word he routinely used elsewhere with the meaning of new creation.[62] We can gain more insight by considering what the powers of Eph 1.21 and Col 1.16 mean. McKnight saw them “as earthly, systemic manifestations of (perhaps fallen) angelic powers—hence, the systemic worldly, sociopolitical manifestations of cosmic/angelic rebellion against God.”[63] I partially agree with McKnight here. He's right to see the powers as both heavenly and earthly, or better, as the heavenly component of the earthly sociopolitical realities, but he has not made room for the new authority structures created in Christ. John Schoenheit helpfully explained it this way: Not only did Jesus create his Church out of Jew and Gentile, he had to create the structure and positions that would allow it to function, both in the spiritual world (positions for the angels that would minister to the Church—see Rev. 1:1, “his angel”) and in the physical world (positions and ministries here on earth—see Rom. 12:4-8; Eph. 4:7-11).[64] We must never forget that Paul has an apocalyptic worldview—a perspective that seeks to unveil the heavenly reality behind the earthly. He believed in powers of darkness and powers of light. In Christ were created thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities (Col 1.16). He is “the head of all rule and authority” (Col 2.10). These new creation realities make progress against the old powers that still hold sway in the world outside the Church. Although the old powers are still at work, those who are in Christ enjoy his protection. With respect to the Church, he has already “disarmed the rulers and authorities” (Col 2.15). We can don “the armor of God that we be able to stand against the methods of the devil” (Eph 6.11) and “subduing everything, to stand” (v. 13). We find glimpses of this heavenly reality scattered in other places in the Bible. Peter mentioned how Christ “is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and power having been subjected to him” (1 Pet 3.22). In John's Revelation, he addressed each of the seven letters to the angels of their respective churches.[65] Although it's hard for us to get details on precisely what happened at Christ's ascension, something major occurred, not just on earth, but also in the spiritual realm. Jesus's last recorded words in Matthew are: “all authority in heaven and upon earth was given to me” (Mat 28.18-20). Presumably such a statement implies that prior to his resurrection Jesus did not have all authority in heaven and earth. It didn't exist until it was created. Similarly, because of his death, resurrection, and ascension, Christ has “become so much better than the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to them” (Heb 1.4). Once again, the text implies that Christ was not already superior to the angels, but “after making purification of the sins, he sat on the right hand of the majesty on high” at which time he became preeminent (Heb 1.3). Perhaps this also explains something about why Christ “proclaimed to the spirits in prison” (1 Pet 3.19). Another possibility is that Christ's ascension (Rev 12.5) triggered a war in heaven (v. 7) with the result that the dragon and his angels suffered defeat (v. 8) and were thrown out of heaven down to the earth (v. 9). Sadly, for most of the history of the church we have missed this Jewish apocalyptic approach that was obvious to Paul, limiting salvation to individual sins and improved morality.[66] Only in the twentieth century did interpreters begin to see the cosmic aspect of new creation. Margaret Thrall wrote the following. The Christ-event is the turning-point of the whole world … This Christ ‘in whom' the believer lives is the last Adam, the inaugurator of the new eschatological humanity. … Paul is saying that if anyone exists ‘in Christ', that person is a newly-created being. … In principle, through the Christ-event and in the person of Christ, the new world and the new age are already objective realities.[67] New creation is, in the words of J. Louis Martyn “categorically cosmic and emphatically apocalyptic.”[68] In fact, “The advent of the Son and of his Spirit is thus the cosmic apocalyptic event.”[69] In Christ is the beginning of a whole new creation, an intersecting community of angelic and human beings spanning heaven and earth. The interlocking of earthly (visible) and heavenly (invisible) authority structures points to Paul's apocalyptic holism. The Church was not on her own to face the ravages of Rome's mad love affair with violence and power. In Christ, people were no longer susceptible to the whims of the gods that have wreaked so much havoc from time immemorial.[70] No, the Church is Christ's body under his direct supervision and protection. As a result, the Church is the eschatological cosmic community. It is not merely a social club; it has prophetic and cosmic dimensions. Prophetically, the Church points to the eschaton when all of humanity will behave then how the Church already strives to live now—by the spirit instead of the flesh (Gal 5.16-25). Cosmically, the Church is not confined to the earth. There is a heavenly dimension with authority structures instantiated under Christ to partner with the earthly assemblies. God's “plan for the fulness of the times” is “to head up all thing in the Christ, the things upon the heavens and the things upon the earth in him” (Eph 1.10). Although this is his eschatological vision, Zeilinger pointed out that it is already happening. [T]he eschatological world given in Christ is realized within the still-existing earthly creation through the inclusion of the human being in Christ, the exalted one, by means of the proclamation of salvation and baptism. The eschaton spreads throughout the world in the kerygma and becomes reality, in that the human being, through baptism, becomes part of Christ—that is, in unity with him, dies to the claim of the στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου (2.20) and is raised with him to receive his eschatological life. The people thus incorporated into the exalted Christ thereby form, in him and with him, the new creation of the eschaton within the old! The body of Christ is thus recognizable as the expanding Church. In it, heavenly and earthly space form, in a certain sense, a unity.[71] The Church is a counter society, and embassy of the future kingdom shining the light of the age to come into the present in the power of the spirit with the protection of Christ and his heavenly powers over against the powers of darkness, who/which are still quite active—especially in the political realities of our present evil age (Gal 1.4). We bend the knee to the cosmic Christ now in anticipation of the day when “every knee may bend: heavenly and earthly and subterranean” (Phil 2.10) and “every tongue may confess that Jesus Christ (is) Lord” (v. 11). Christ's destiny is to fulfil the original Adamic mandate to multiply, fill, and have dominion over the earth (Gen 1.28). He has already received all authority in heaven and earth (Mat 28.18). God has given him “dominion over the works of your hands and put all things under his feet” as the quintessential man (Ps 8.6). Even so, “Now we do not yet see all things subjected to him” (Heb 2.8), but when he comes “he will reign into the ages of the ages” (Rev 11.15). Until then, he calls the Church to recognize his preeminence and give him total allegiance both in word and deed. Conclusion We began by establishing that the structure of the poetic unit in Col 1.15-20 breaks into two strophes (15-18a and 18b-20). We noted that Paul likely incorporated pre-existing material into Colossians, editing it as he saw fit. Then we considered the problems with the three old creation readings: (A) Christ as the agent of creation, (B) Wisdom as the agent of creation, and (C) Christ as the purpose of creation. In the course of critiquing (A), which is by far most popular, we observed several reasons to think Col 1.16 pertained to new creation, including (1) the image of God language in v. 15a, (2) the firstborn of all creation language in v. 15b, (3) the head of the Church language in v. 18a, and (4) the soteriological context (frame) of the poem (vv. 13-14, 21-22). To this I added a fifth syntactical reason that 16d as an elaboration of “τἀ πάντα” (all things) of 16a. Next, we explored the idea of new creation, especially within Paul's epistles, to find a deep and richly textured paradigm for interpreting God's redemptive and expanding sphere of influence (in Christ) breaking into the hostile world. We saw that new Christians die and rise with Christ, ending their association with the old and beginning again as a part of the new—a community where old racial, legal, and status divisions no longer matter, where members put off the old way of living and instead become clothed with the new humanity, where people look forward to and live in light of the ultimate transformation to be brought about at the coming of Christ. Rather than limiting new creation to the salvation of individuals, or even the sanctifying experience of the community, we saw that it also includes spiritual powers both “in the heavens and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” (Col 1.16). Reading Col 1.15-20 along with Eph 1.20-23 we connected God's creation of the powers in Christ with his exaltation of Christ to his right hand “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph 1.21). The point from both texts is clear: as “the head of the body, the Church” (Col 1.18; Eph 1.22), Christ is “before all things” (Col 1.17), “first in all things” (Col 1.18), and “far above all” (Eph 1.21), since God has “subjected all things under his feet” (Eph 1.22). Christ is preeminent as the firstborn of all new creation, “the new Adam … the starting point where new creation took place.”[72] Although the old powers still hold sway in the world, those in the interlocked heaven-and-earth new creation domain where Christ is the head, enjoy his protection if they remain “in the faith established and steadfast and not shifting away from the hope of the gospel” (Col 1.23). This interpretation has several significant advantages. It fits into Paul's apocalyptic way of thinking about Christ's advent and exaltation. It also holds together the first strophe of the poem as a unit. Additionally, it makes better sense of the context. (The ecclesiology of Col 1.15-18a follows logically from the soteriological context of vv. 13-14.) Lastly, it is compatible with a wide range of Christological options. Appendix Here is Col 1.16 from Leedy's sentence diagrams.[73] Of note is how he equates the τὰ πάντα of 16a with 16c and 16d rather than seeing 16d as an elaboration of τά ὁρατά. Bibliography Bauer, Walter, Frederick William  Danker, William F. Arndt, F. Gingrich, Kurt Aland, Barbara Aland, and Viktor Reichmann. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2000. Bird, Michael F. Colossians and Philemon. A New Covenant Commentary. Cambridge, England: The Lutterworth Press, 2009. Brown, Anna Shoffner. “Nothing ‘Mere’ About a Man in the Image of God.” Paper presented at the Unitarian Christian Alliance, Springfield, OH, Oct 14, 2022. Bruce, E. K. Simpson and F. F. The Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament, edited by Ned B. Stonehouse. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1957. Buzzard, Anthony F. Jesus Was Not a Trinitarian. Morrow, GA: Restoration Fellowship, 2007. Caird, G. B. New Testament Theology. Edited by L. D. Hurst. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 2002. Caird, G. B. Paul’s Letters from Prison. New Clarendon Bible, edited by H. F. D. Sparks. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1976. Carden, Robert. One God: The Unfinished Reformation. Revised ed. Naperville, IL: Grace Christian Press, 2016. Chang, Eric H. H. The Only Perfect Man. Edited by Bentley C. F. Chang. 2nd ed. Montreal, QC: Christian Disciples Church Publishers, 2017. Deuble, Jeff. Christ before Creeds. Latham, NY: Living Hope International Ministries, 2021. Dunn, James D. G. Christology in the Making. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996. Dunn, James D. G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon. New International Greek Testament Commentary, edited by Gasque Marshall, Hagner. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996. Heiser, Michael S. The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019. King, Martha. An Exegetical Summary of Colossians. Dallas, TX: SIL International, 1992. Kuschel, Karl-Joseph. Born before All Time? Translated by John Bowden. New York, NY: Crossroad, 1992. Originally published as Beforen vor aller Zeit? Lane, William L. The New Testament Page by Page. Open Your Bible Commentary, edited by Martin Manser. Bath, UK: Creative 4 International, 2013. Leedy, Randy A. The Greek New Testament Sentence Diagrams. Norfolk, VA: Bible Works, 2006. Lohse, Edward. Colossians and Philemon. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1971. MacDonald, William Graham. The Idiomatic Translation of the New Testament. Norfolk, VA: Bibleworks, 2012. Mark H. Graeser, John A. Lynn, John W. Schoenheit. One God & One Lord. 4th ed. Martinsville, IN: Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, 2010. Martin, Ralph. “An Early Christian Hymn (Col. 1:15-20).” The Evangelical Quarterly 36, no. 4 (1964): 195–205. Martyn, J. Louis. Theological Issues in the Letters of Paul. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1997. McGrath, James F. The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2009. McKnight, Scot. The Letter to the Colossians. New International Commentary on the New Testament, edited by Joel B. Green. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018. Norden, Eduard. Agnostos Theos: Untersuchungen Zur Formengeschichte Religiöser Rede. 4th ed. Stuttgart, Germany: B. G. Teubner, 1956. Originally published as 1913. Pao, David. Colossians and Philemon. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, edited by Clinton E. Arnold. Grand Rapid, MI: Zondervan, 2012. Perriman, Andrew. In the Form of a God. Studies in Early Christology, edited by David Capes Michael Bird, and Scott Harrower. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2022. Philo. The Works of Philo. The Norwegian Philo Concordance Project. Edited by Kåre Fuglseth Peder Borgen, Roald Skarsten. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2005. Robinson, James M. “A Formal Analysis of Colossians 1:15-20.” Journal of Biblical Literature 76, no. 4 (1957): 270–87. Schillebeeckx, Eduard. Christ: The Experience of Jesus as Lord. Translated by John Bowden. New York, NY: The Seabury Press, 1977. Schoberg, Gerry. Perspectives of Jesus in the Writings of Paul. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2013. Schweizer, Eduard. The Letter to the Colossians. Translated by Andrew Chester. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1982. Smith, Dustin R. Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2024. Snedeker, Donald R. Our Heavenly Father Has No Equals. Bethesda, MD: International Scholars Publications, 1998. Thayer, Joseph Henry. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996. Thrall, Margaret. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Vol. 1. The International Critical Commentary, edited by C. E. B. Cranfield J. A. Emerton, G. N. Stanton. Edinburgh, Scotland: T&T Clark, 1994. Wachtel, William M. “Colossians 1:15-20–Preexistence or Preeminence?” Paper presented at the 14th Theological Conference, McDonough, GA, 2005. Wessels, G. F. “The Eschatology of Colossians and Ephesians.” Neotestamentica 21, no. 2 (1987): 183–202. Witherington III, Ben The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary of the Captivity Epistles. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007. Yates, Roy. The Epistle to the Colossians. London: Epworth Press, 1993. Zeilinger, Franz. Der Erstgeborene Der Schöpfung. Wien, Österreich: Herder, 1974. Footnotes [1] Since the nineteenth century biblical scholars have been divided over whether Paul wrote Colossians. One of the major reasons for thinking Paul didn't write Colossians is his exalted Christology—the very conclusion this paper seeks to undermine. A second major factor to argue against Pauline authorship is the difference in vocabulary, but this is explainable if Paul used a different amanuensis. The theologically more cosmic emphasis (also evident in Ephesians) is likely due to Paul's time in prison to reflect and expand his understanding of the Christ event. Lastly, the proto-Gnostic hints in Colossians do not require dating the epistle outside of Paul's time. Although Gnosticism flourished at the beginning of the second century, it was likely already beginning to incubate in Paul's time. [2] Eduard Schillebeeckx, Christ: The Experience of Jesus as Lord, trans. John Bowden (New York, NY: The Seabury Press, 1977), 185. [3] Schillebeeckx, 185. [4] G. B. Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, New Clarendon Bible, ed. H. F. D. Sparks (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1976), 177. [5] Caird, 181. [6] James D. G. Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, New International Greek Testament Commentary, ed. Gasque Marshall, Hagner (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996), 91. “[W]hat at first reads as a straightforward assertion of Christ's pre-existenct activity in creation becomes on closer analysis an assertion which is rather more profound—not of Christ as such present with God in the beginning, nor of Christ as identified with a pre-existent hypostasis or divine being (Wisdom) beside God, but of Christ as embodying and expressing (and defining) that power of God which is the manifestation of God in and to his creation.” (Italics in original.) James D. G. Dunn, Christology in the Making, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996), 194. [7] James F. McGrath, The Only True God: Early Christian Monotheism in Its Jewish Context (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2009), 46. [8] Andrew Perriman, In the Form of a God, Studies in Early Christology, ed. David Capes Michael Bird, and Scott Harrower (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2022), 200. [9] In addition, biblical unitarians routinely interpret Col 1.16 as new creation. See Anthony F. Buzzard, Jesus Was Not a Trinitarian (Morrow, GA: Restoration Fellowship, 2007), 189–90, Robert Carden, One God: The Unfinished Reformation, Revised ed. (Naperville, IL: Grace Christian Press, 2016), 197–200, Eric H. H. Chang, The Only Perfect Man, ed. Bentley C. F. Chang, 2nd ed. (Montreal, QC: Christian Disciples Church Publishers, 2017), 151–52, Jeff Deuble, Christ before Creeds (Latham, NY: Living Hope International Ministries, 2021), 163–66, John A. Lynn Mark H. Graeser, John W. Schoenheit, One God & One Lord, 4th ed. (Martinsville, IN: Spirit & Truth Fellowship International, 2010), 493–94, Donald R. Snedeker, Our Heavenly Father Has No Equals (Bethesda, MD: International Scholars Publications, 1998), 291–92, William M. Wachtel, “Colossians 1:15-20–Preexistence or Preeminence?” (paper presented at the 14th Theological Conference, McDonough, GA, 2005), 4. [10] All translations are my own. [11] Stophes are structural divisions drawn from Greek odes akin to stanzas in poetry or verses in music. [12] Throughout I will capitalize Church since that reflects the idea of all Christians collectively not just those in a particular local assembly. [13] Eduard Norden, Agnostos Theos: Untersuchungen Zur Formengeschichte Religiöser Rede, 4th ed. (Stuttgart, Germany: B. G. Teubner, 1956), 250–54. [14] James M. Robinson, “A Formal Analysis of Colossians 1:15-20,” Journal of Biblical Literature 76, no. 4 (1957): 272–73. [15] Edward Lohse, Colossians and Philemon, Hermeneia (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1971), 44. [16] Eduard Schweizer, The Letter to the Colossians, trans. Andrew Chester (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1982), 57. [17] Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, 84. [18] Ben  Witherington III, The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary of the Captivity Epistles (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007), 129. [19] William L. Lane, The New Testament Page by Page, Open Your Bible Commentary, ed. Martin Manser (Bath, UK: Creative 4 International, 2013), 765. [20] E. K. Simpson and F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Ned B. Stonehouse (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1957), 65. [21] Michael F. Bird, Colossians and Philemon, A New Covenant Commentary (Cambridge, England: The Lutterworth Press, 2009), 50. [22] David Pao, Colossians and Philemon, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapid, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 87. [23] Lohse, 42. [24] Lohse, 43–44. [25] Scot McKnight, The Letter to the Colossians, New International Commentary on the New Testament, ed. Joel B. Green (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018), 144. [26] Col 1.13-14: “who rescued us from the authority of darkness and transferred (us) into the kingdom of his beloved son in whom we have the redemption, the forgiveness of the sins.” Col 1.21-22: “And you being formerly alienated and hostile in thought in the evil deeds, but now he reconciled (you) in his body of the flesh through the death to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him.” [27] In fact, we can easily skip from vv. 13-14 to vv. 21-22. [28] Dunn, Christology in the Making, 187–88. [29] Sadly, most translations erroneously insert a paragraph between vv. 14 and 15. This produces the visual effect that v. 15 is a new thought unit. [30] Bruce, 193. [31] Moses 2.65: “τὴν ἡγεμονίαν τῶν περιγείων” in Philo, The Works of Philo, The Norwegian Philo Concordance Project (Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2005). See also Sirach 17.3. [32] Schweizer, 64. [33] For a helpful treatment of how the image of God relates to Christology, see Anna Shoffner Brown, “Nothing ‘Mere’ About a Man in the Image of God” (paper presented at the Unitarian Christian Alliance, Springfield, OH, Oct 14, 2022). [34] Walter Bauer et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2000), s.v. “πρωτότοκος,” 2.a. [35] Franz Zeilnger wrote, “Christ is temporally the first of a series that essentially proceeds from him, and at the same time its lord and head.” Franz Zeilinger, Der Erstgeborene Der Schöpfung (Wien, Österreich: Herder, 1974), 182. Original: “als “Wurzel” ist Christus zeitlich der erste einer Reihe, die wesentlich aus ihm hervorgeht, und zugleich ihr Herr und Haupt.” [36] McKnight, 85–86. [37] The closest parallels are 1 Cor 8.6; Heb 1.2; and John 1.3, which employ the preposition δια (through). Upon close examination these three don't teach Christ created the universe either. [38] ESV, CSB, NASB, etc. Notably the NET diverges from the other evangelical translations. Roman Catholic, mainline, and unitarian translations all tend to straightforwardly render “ἐν αὐτῷ” as “in him” in Col 1.16; cf. NABRE, NRSVUE, OGFOMMT, etc. [39] Chang, 150. [40] Ralph Martin, “An Early Christian Hymn (Col. 1:15-20),” The Evangelical Quarterly 36, no. 4 (1964): 198. [41] Schillebeeckx, 186. [42] Dunn, Christology in the Making, 191. [43] Karl-Joseph Kuschel, Born before All Time?, trans. John Bowden (New York, NY: Crossroad, 1992), 336. [44] Dustin R. Smith, Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2024), 5–6. For more on wisdom Christology in Col 1.16 see Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, 89, Roy Yates, The Epistle to the Colossians (London: Epworth Press, 1993), 18–19, 23, G. B. Caird, New Testament Theology, ed. L. D. Hurst (Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 2002), 46, McGrath, 44, 46. [45] See Dunn, The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon, 89. See also Yates, 18–19, 23. [46] Dunn, Christology in the Making, 190. [47] Perriman, 199. [48] Martha King, An Exegetical Summary of Colossians (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 1992), 53. [49] Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996), s.v. “ἐν,” 1722. He recognized the cause was both instrumental and final. [50] William Graham MacDonald, The Idiomatic Translation of the New Testament (Norfolk, VA: Bibleworks, 2012). [51] Chang, 147. Similarly James McGrath wrote, “[I]f all things were intended by God to find their fulfillment in Christ, then they must have been created “in him” in the very beginning in some undefined sense, since it was axiomatic that the eschatological climax of history would be a restoration of its perfect, original state.” McGrath, 46. [52] Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, 172. [53] “God so designed the universe that it was to achieve its proper meaning and unity only under the authority of man (Gen. 128; Ps. 86). But this purpose was not to be implemented at once; it was ‘to be put into effect when the time was ripe' (Eph. 110), when Christ had lived a human life as God intended it, and had become God's image in a measure which was never true of Adam. Only in unity with ‘the proper man' could the universe be brought to its destined coherence. For one who believes in predestination it is but a small step from this to saying that the universe was created in him.” Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, 178. [54] See also Paul's Adam Christology in Rom 5.12-21; 1 Cor 15.21-22, 45-49. [55] “Christus ist (durch seine Auferstehung aus dem Todesbereich) Herr über den ihm verliehenen Besitz, dessen ἀρχή und Urbild er ist, … und Haupt und Anfang der eschatologischen Neuschöpfung!” Zeilinger, 188. [56] King, 54. [57] Perriman, 200. [58] G. F. Wessels, “The Eschatology of Colossians and Ephesians,” Neotestamentica 21, no. 2 (1987): 187. [59] I realize my translation is awkward, but I prioritized closely mirroring the Greek over presenting smooth English. The original reads, “συνεζωοποίησεν ὑμᾶς σὺν αὐτῷ.” [60] Schillebeeckx, 187. [61] Scholars who make this connection include Caird, New Testament Theology, 216, Caird, Paul’s Letters from Prison, 177, McGrath, 44, Perriman, 201. [62] In fact, only two of the texts I cited above explicitly say “new creation” (2 Cor 5.17 and Gal 6.15). In all the others, Paul blithely employed creation language, expecting his readers to understand that he was not talking about the creation of the universe, but the creation of the new humanity in Christ—the Church. [63] McKnight, 152. [64] Mark H. Graeser, 493. [65] Rev 2.1, 8, 12, 18; 3.1, 7, 14. [66] See Gerry Schoberg, Perspectives of Jesus in the Writings of Paul (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications, 2013), 280–81, 83. [67] Margaret Thrall, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, vol. 1, The International Critical Commentary, ed. C. E. B. Cranfield J. A. Emerton, G. N. Stanton (Edinburgh, Scotland: T&T Clark, 1994), 423, 26–28. [68] J. Louis Martyn, Theological Issues in the Letters of Paul (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1997), 122. [69] Martyn, 121. [70] Whether the old gods actually existed or not is a topic beyond the scope of this paper. Interested readers should consult Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019). [71] “[D]ie in Christus gegebene echatologische Welt verwirkliche sich innerhalb der weiterhin existenten irdischen Schöpfung durch die Einbeziehung des Menschen in Christus, den Erhöhten, mittles Heilsverkündigung und Taufe. Das Eschaton setzt sic him Kerygma wetweit durch und wird Wirklichkeit, indem der Mensch durch die Taufe Christi Teil wird, d. h. in Einheit mit ihm dem Anspruch der στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου stirbt (2, 20) und mit ihm auferweckt sein eschatologisches Leben erhält. Die so dem erhöhten Christus eingegliederten Menschen bilden somit in ihm und mit ihm die neue Schöpfung der Eschata innerhalb der alten! Der Christusleib ist somit als sich weitende Kirche erkennbar. In ihr bildet himmlischer und irdischer Raum gewissermaßen eine Einheit.” Zeilinger, 179. [72] “Der neue Adam … Ausgangsort, in dem sich Neuschöpfung ereignete,” Zeilinger, 199. [73] Randy A. Leedy, The Greek New Testament Sentence Diagrams (Norfolk, VA: Bible Works, 2006). This is now available in Logos Bible Software.

Imagine Jesus showing up unexpectedly: would you scramble to hide something? In today's message, Pastor Johnny urges you to abide in Jesus, so when He returns, you stand confident, not ashamed. Are you living ready for His return, or banking on extra time to clean up? Are you trying to keep something hidden from God?

Imagine Jesus showing up unexpectedly: would you scramble to hide something? In today's message, Pastor Johnny urges you to abide in Jesus, so when He returns, you stand confident, not ashamed. Are you living ready for His return, or banking on extra time to clean up? Are you trying to keep something hidden from God?

In today's message, Pastor Johnny reminds you how false teachers can charm huge crowds with convincing doctrine. Peter warned that many will follow their destructive ways in the end times. Popularity doesn't mean truth; only God's Word does. Are you always comparing what you hear with Scripture?

In today's message, Pastor Johnny reminds you how false teachers can charm huge crowds with convincing doctrine. Peter warned that many will follow their destructive ways in the end times. Popularity doesn't mean truth; only God's Word does. Are you always comparing what you hear with Scripture?

Ever been swayed by something that sounded right but felt off? In today's message, Pastor Johnny describes how false teachers toss out heresy disguised as biblical, aiming to mislead people off the path. Knowing the truth for yourself is your shield! Will you delve deeply into the Word of God to stay grounded?

Ever been swayed by something that sounded right but felt off? In today's message, Pastor Johnny describes how false teachers toss out heresy disguised as biblical, aiming to mislead people off the path. Knowing the truth for yourself is your shield! Will you delve deeply into the Word of God to stay grounded?

Our series continues this time looking at the Son! Note: I got the Day of Atonement sacrifices mixed up with the Sin offering in this lecture. Sending out the goat into the wilderness is the Day of Atonement offering procedure, not the sin offering! 

13th July 2025 - Derry City. Ministered by Pastor Ryan Penn.

Recorded on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Scripture cited: John 10:1-5; John 14:6-7.Support the show

Ryan Adamsfalse

The name 'Jesus' derives from the Aramaic 'Joshua' which means 'the LORD who saves.' Jesus was a common first century Jewish name. Because the people were anticipating a savior who would deliver them from their enemies, parents of infant sons would name them 'Jesus' in the hopes that their baby boy might be that savior.How are we to understand the eternal Son of God - who always existed - coming into existence in human flesh as a human being, to be the Savior of the world?

(This podcast was previously recorded and published on July 30, 2020)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...    In 1982, God called my attention to the writing of the apostle Paul concerning antichrist, and where Paul spoke of the "falling away" that must come before Jesus returns, God said to me: "The falling away are not people leaving the churches but the falling away are churches departing from portions of scripture."   Then in 2016, God expanded this concept by telling me, "The restraint against antichrist was the scriptures. When churches removed scriptures and set up another doctrine, this opened the way for antichrist to move into the churches."   Here are the scriptures showing us the working of antichrist in the churches before Jesus returns.   1 John 2:18   Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.     2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (KJV)  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto HIM,   2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.   3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin (antichrist) be revealed, the son of perdition;   4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.     2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (NASB 1995)  Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness (antichrist) is revealed, the son of destruction,   4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.     2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 (NASB 1995)  And you know what restrains him (antichrist) now, so that in his time he will be revealed.   7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only HE (Jesus, the Word) who now restrains will do so until HE is taken out of the way.    8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of HIS mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of HIS coming;     2 Thessalonians 2:10-17 (KJV)   10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.   11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:   12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.   13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:   14 Whereunto HE called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.   15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.   16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,   17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.     Titus 3:10-11   A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;   11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.     Acts 20:28-30  Paul speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus ...   28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which HE hath purchased with HIS own blood.   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.     Ephesians 4:4-6  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;   5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,   6 One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.   

To fully understand what the Apostles meant when they called Jesus "Lord," it is necessary to understand the meaning of the unutterable Name of the LORD as God was called in the Old Testament.

One LordExodus 20:2-5Definitions: Orthodox- right belief Catholic- fully encompassing “To believe the creed is not merely to assent to its truthfulness, but to enter it, even, in a sense, to become it. Creeds have consequences. Christ's story becomes our story, and our story is folded into his.” –Michael J. GormanWe believe in one God,the Father, the Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,of all that is, seen and unseen.There is only one God.God is the Father.God is the Almighty.God is the Creator.Deuteronomy 6:1-91 “This is the command—the statutes and ordinances—the Lord your God has commanded me to teach you, so that you may follow them in the land you are about to enter and possess. 2 Do this so that you may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life by keeping all his statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life. 3 Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey.4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.A flourishing life is the product of knowing and acknowledging the source of life (the Almighty, the Creator).Exodus 20:1-71 Then God spoke all these words:2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.3 Do not have other gods besides me.4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers' iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.7 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.The singularity of God points to the sufficiency of God.If we truly believe that God is enough, why do we keep bowing to idols and striving for worldly power?Our lives have become idol factories.Two Types of Idolatry:1. Treating God like something that is not God.G.K. Chesterton- “When we cease to worship God, we do not worship nothing, we worship anything.”2. Treating something that is not God as if it is God.Idols will inevitably involve self-centeredness, self-inflation, and self-deception.Isaiah 42:5-9Meaning/purpose is received, not made.You are not the Creator.You were made on purpose for a purpose:to confess faith in a Maker,to surrender your story,and to receive your vocation, identity, and life from the Creator himself.What does it mean to believe these words?1.It means we believe God is the one true source of everything–singular, sufficient, sovereign, and supreme. • He is the only one. He is enough. He reigns over all. He is above all. He is the beginning of all.2.It means God alone is God. • Not me. Not you. Not them. Not it. Only Him.What does it mean to live by these words?1.It means we refuse to treat anything that is not God as if it were. • No substitute can save. No idol can satisfy.2.It means we resist the urge to reshape God in our image. • Instead, we live knowing He is enough. We turn to Him as our source. We receive His words of blessing and love. We walk in His purpose for our lives.

Listen to Bishop Doyle's sermon, "One Lord, Trinity Sunday" held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Orange, TX. More at www.texasbishop.com

By Kristen Padilla

Established In The Faith · The Unity Of the Church 2 Ephesians 4:1-6 (KJV) 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Established In The Faith · The Unity Of The Church Ephesians 4:1-6 (KJV) 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Sermon - Genesis 11:1 - 9 - Many Languages, One Lord by Community Lutheran Church

(This podcast was previously recorded and published on July 3, 2020)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...    2 Corinthians 5:9-11  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of HIM (of God).   10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.   11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; ...      Ephesians 4:1-6  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,   2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;   3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.   4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;   5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,   6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.   When a person comes speaking of being a Christian and then begins to tell you he is Baptist or Catholic or Church of Christ, that person causes immediate division in the body of Christ.   I avoid such persons.   Paul said:  I Corinthians 3 ...   And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.   3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?   4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?   We should simply identify ourselves as Christians if we do anything.  For to identify ourselves as a denomination brings division in the body of Christ.   Titus 3:9   But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.     2 Timothy 3:1-8  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.   2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,   3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,   4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;   5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.    6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,   7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.    8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.     Matthew 24:4-5   And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.   5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.     I Corinthians 11:5-6, 14-15   But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.   6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.   14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?   15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.     Matthew 23:9  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.     Titus 3:10-11   A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;   11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.     I Corinthians 14:8-9   For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?   9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.     1 Chronicles 16:8-12   Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon HIS name, make known HIS deeds among the people.   9 Sing unto HIM, sing psalms unto HIM, talk ye of all HIS wondrous works.   10 Glory ye in HIS holy name (the Word): let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.   11 Seek the Lord and HIS strength, seek HIS face continually.   12 Remember HIS marvellous works that HE hath done, HIS wonders, and the judgments of HIS mouth;     1 John 2:18-19   18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.   19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.     Acts 20:28-30  Paul said:   Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which HE hath purchased with HIS own blood.   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.     2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;   4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  

Judges 3:7-31 | Ps. Eric Yee. I. Othniel: a story to model (3:7-11)II. Ehud: a story of mockery (3:12-30)III. Shamgar: a story that marvels (3:31)

Shavuot - Episode 3 They made it.  The Hebrews led by Moses by the hand of Yahvay, the Lord, finally arrive at the Mountain of God.  Here they will receive the Ten Commandments which the Lord says is His Covenant as we read … Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel." So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. (Exo 34:27-28) Israel comes to the Mountain of God in the Sinai and there they will enter a New Covenant - nothing like this ever happened before – and become a chosen people, a holy nation, and nation of priests.  But, wait a minute, that sounds so familiar.  It reminds us of Jesus and His lifting up His cup at His Last Supper – the cup of the New Covenant.  This happens in Jerusalem.  There's more.  It so happens that the Mountain of God was Mt. Sinai as can be found in Exod. 3:1 and 3:12 and 19:1-3.  We got this.  No problem.  But then we see that God moves His mountain to a new location.  Just consider a few proof texts … Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isa 2:2-3) "I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. "Then they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as a grain offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem," says the LORD, "just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. (Isa 66:19-20) And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Mic 4:1-2) He moved His mountain.  It is now the Temple Mount in Jerusalem also known as Mt. Zion.  (The term Mount Zion has been used in the Hebrew Bible first for the City of David (2 Samuel 5:7, 1 Chronicles 11:5; 1 Kings 8:1, 2 Chronicles 5:2) and later for the Temple Mount, but its meaning has shifted and it is now used as the name of ancient Jerusalem's Western Hill) And, this is where the New Covenant of God is given through Yeshua HaMashiach, Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  On top of that we read the following … But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1Pe 2:9) Wow.  What an amazing connection between the New Covenant at the Mountain of God Mt. Sinai and the New Covenant at the Mountain of God Mt. Zion - a Biblical name for the Temple Mount.  God is connecting these covenants.  He is not replacing the latter with the former.  They are intimately related and you can not have on New Covenant without the other.  Is there more?  You won't believe it.  This is another awesome chapter in Torah that meets the goals of this podcast series.  Here are those goals.   So come and join us in this study.  This is another awesome example that there is ONE book, ONE Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, ONE God, ONE Lord, with ONE goal, Jesus!  Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  Ferret teaching on the Baja Mexico What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background ... - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0      

Pastor Michael RomeroRestart Series, Part 6/

Introduction  One LOVE (v1-5)  Renew your love for Jesus.  Reconnect with church (join a Link Group!)  Love one another because we are all near-relatives of the Almighty.  One LORD (v6-9)  Trinity in unity, unity in trinity.  ‘Water and blood' – cleansing and atonement.  Jesus is the fulfilment of the OT sacrificial system.  One HOPE (v10-13)  Jesus Christ can raise the dead – do you believe this?  Conclusion  The fish and the anchor: two ancient symbols of hope and assurance in Christ.  Anchor your faith in Christ: one love, one Lord, one hope. 

ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਿਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਘਰੁ ੪    ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਹਮ ਭੀਖਕ ਭੇਖਾਰੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੂ ਨਿਜ ਪਤਿ ਹੈ ਦਾਤਾ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਦੈਆਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਹੁ ਮੰਗਤ ਜਨ ਕੰਉ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਉ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥੧॥ ਹੰਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਉ ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਟਹੁ ॥ ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਏਕੋ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਪਏ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਕਉ ਅਬ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਦਇਆਲ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਹੁ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਐਸੀ ਬਖਸ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥੨॥ ਭਨਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਰਮ ਪਟ ਖੂਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਸਾਚੀ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਹੈ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੩॥੧॥੯॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਮੂਲ ਹੈਂ; ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ (ਤੇਰੇ ਵਰਗਾ) ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਅਸੀ ਜੀਵ ਤੇਰੇ (ਦਰ ਦੇ) ਮੰਗਤੇ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਸੁਤੰਤਰ ਰਹਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਦਾਤਾਂ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ। ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੰਗਤੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਾਮ ਦੇਹ (ਤਾ ਕਿ) ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ-ਰੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਰੰਗਿਆ ਰਹਾਂ।੧।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਇਆ-ਵੇੜ੍ਹੇ ਨੂੰ (ਹੁਣ ਤਕ ਮਰਨ ਦੇ) ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਗੇੜ ਪੈ ਚੁਕੇ ਹਨ, ਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ। ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਕਰ ਕਿ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ-ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਭਰਮ ਦੇ ਪਰਦੇ ਖੁਲ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਸ ਦੀ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ) ਡੂੰਘੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ) ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਲਗਨ ਲੱਗ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਪਤੀਜ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੧।੯।I am just a poor beggar of Yours; You are Your Own Lord Master, You are the Great Giver. Be Merciful, and bless me, a humble beggar, with Your Name, so that I may forever remain imbued with Your Love. || 1 || I am a sacrifice to Your Name, O True Lord. The One Lord is the Cause of causes; there is no other at all. || 1 || Pause || I was wretched; I wandered through so many cycles of reincarnation. Now, Lord, please bless me with Your Grace. Be merciful, and grant me the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan; please grant me such a gift. || 2 || Prays Nanak, the shutters of doubt have been opened wide; by Guru's Grace, I have come to know the Lord. I am filled to overflowing with true love; my mind is pleased and appeased by the True Guru. || 3 || 1 || 9 ||RAAG DHANAASAREE, THIRD MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE:ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:

God gives gifts to his church to unite them in celebrating and proclaiming that Jesus is Lord.

https://andrewhorval.substack.com/p/one-lord-god-71a

ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਿਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਘਰੁ ੪    ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਹਮ ਭੀਖਕ ਭੇਖਾਰੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੂ ਨਿਜ ਪਤਿ ਹੈ ਦਾਤਾ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਦੈਆਲਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਹੁ ਮੰਗਤ ਜਨ ਕੰਉ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਉ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥੧॥ ਹੰਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਉ ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਟਹੁ ॥ ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾਏਕੋ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਪਏ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਕਉ ਅਬ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਦਇਆਲ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਹੁਅਪੁਨਾ ਐਸੀ ਬਖਸ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥੨॥ ਭਨਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਰਮ ਪਟ ਖੂਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਸਾਚੀ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਹੈ ਭੀਤਰਿਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੩॥੧॥੯॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਮੂਲ ਹੈਂ; ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੈਦਾਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ (ਤੇਰੇ ਵਰਗਾ) ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਅਸੀ ਜੀਵ ਤੇਰੇ (ਦਰ ਦੇ) ਮੰਗਤੇ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਸੁਤੰਤਰ ਰਹਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਦਾਤਾਂ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ।ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੰਗਤੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਾਮ ਦੇਹ (ਤਾ ਕਿ) ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ-ਰੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਰੰਗਿਆ ਰਹਾਂ।੧।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਇਆ-ਵੇੜ੍ਹੇ ਨੂੰ (ਹੁਣ ਤਕ ਮਰਨ ਦੇ) ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਗੇੜ ਪੈ ਚੁਕੇ ਹਨ, ਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ। ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਕਰ ਕਿ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ-ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਭਰਮ ਦੇ ਪਰਦੇ ਖੁਲ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਸ ਦੀ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ) ਡੂੰਘੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ) ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਲਗਨ ਲੱਗ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਲਉਸ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਪਤੀਜ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੧।੯।RAAG DHANAASAREE, THIRD MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE:ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:I am just a poor beggar of Yours; You are Your Own Lord Master, You are the Great Giver. Be Merciful, and bless me, a humble beggar, with Your Name, so that I may forever remain imbued with Your Love. || 1 || I am a sacrifice to Your Name, O True Lord. The One Lord is the Cause of causes; there is no other at all. || 1 || Pause || I was wretched; I wandered through so many cycles of reincarnation. Now, Lord, please bless me with Your Grace. Be merciful, and grant me the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan; please grant me such a gift. || 2 || Prays Nanak, the shutters of doubt have been opened wide; by Guru's Grace, I have come to know the Lord. I am filled to overflowing with true love; my mind is pleased and appeased by the True Guru. || 3 || 1 || 9 ||

  ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ ਜਿਸ ਕਾ ਤਨੁ ਮਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਸਭੁ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਸੋਈ ਸੁਘੜੁ ਸੁਜਾਨੀ ॥ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਦੁਖੁ ਸੁਖੁ ਮੇਰਾ ਤਉ ਬਿਧਿ ਨੀਕੀ ਖਟਾਨੀ ॥੧॥ ਜੀਅ ਕੀ ਏਕੈ ਹੀ ਪਹਿ ਮਾਨੀ ॥ ਅਵਰਿ ਜਤਨ ਕਰਿ ਰਹੇ ਬਹੁਤੇਰੇ ਤਿਨ ਤਿਲੁ ਨਹੀ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਜਾਨੀ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਨਾਮੁ ਨਿਰਮੋਲਕੁ ਹੀਰਾ ਗੁਰਿ ਦੀਨੋ ਮੰਤਾਨੀ ॥ ਡਿਗੈ ਨ ਡੋਲੈ ਦ੍ਰਿੜੁ ਕਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਇ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤਾਨੀ ॥੨॥ ਓਇ ਜੁ ਬੀਚ ਹਮ ਤੁਮ ਕਛੁ ਹੋਤੇ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਬਾਤ ਬਿਲਾਨੀ ॥ ਅਲੰਕਾਰ ਮਿਲਿ ਥੈਲੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਤਾ ਤੇ ਕਨਿਕ ਵਖਾਨੀ ॥੩॥ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਿਓ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਹਜ ਸੁਖ ਸੋਭਾ ਬਾਜੇ ਅਨਹਤ ਬਾਨੀ ॥ ਕਹੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਿਹਚਲ ਘਰੁ ਬਾਧਿਓ ਗੁਰਿ ਕੀਓ ਬੰਧਾਨੀ ॥੪॥੫॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿੰਦ ਦੀ (ਅਰਦਾਸ) ਇਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਹੀ ਮੰਨੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਆਸਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਲੋਕ) ਹੋਰ ਬਥੇਰੇ ਜਤਨ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਥੱਕ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਜਤਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਲ ਇਕ ਤਿਲ ਜਿਤਨਾ ਭੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਮਝਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਇਹ ਸਰੀਰ ਤੇ ਮਨ ਹੈ, ਇਹ ਸਾਰਾ ਧਨ-ਪਦਾਰਥ ਭੀ ਉਸੇ ਦਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ, ਉਹੀ ਸੁਚੱਜਾ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਸਿਆਣਾ ਹੈ। ਅਸਾਂ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਦੁੱਖ ਸੁਖ (ਸਦਾ) ਉਸ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨੇ ਹੀ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਹੈ, (ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਸਾਡੀ ਅਰਦਾਸ-ਅਰਜ਼ੋਈ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਹੈ) ਤਦੋਂ (ਸਾਡੀ) ਹਾਲਤ ਚੰਗੀ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।੧।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਨਾਮ ਇਕ ਐਸਾ ਹੀਰਾ ਹੈ ਜੇਹੜਾ ਕਿਸੇ ਮੁੱਲ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲ ਸਕਦਾ। ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਨਾਮ-ਮੰਤਰ (ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ) ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ (ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ) ਡਿੱਗਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਡੋਲਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪੱਕੇ ਇਰਾਦੇ ਵਾਲਾ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਹ ਮੁਕੰਮਲ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ (ਮਾਇਆ ਵਲੋਂ) ਸੰਤੋਖੀ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।(ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਪਾਸੋਂ ਨਾਮ-ਹੀਰਾ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ) ਉਹਨਾਂ ਮੇਰ-ਤੇਰ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਵਿਤਕਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਮੁੱਕ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਜਗਤ ਵਿਚ ਬੜੇ ਪ੍ਰਬਲ ਹਨ। (ਉਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਹਰ ਪਾਸੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਹੀ ਇਉਂ ਦਿੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਵੇਂ) ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਗਹਣੇ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ (ਗਾਲੇ ਜਾ ਕੇ) ਰੈਣੀ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਤੇ, ਉਸ ਢੇਲੀ ਤੋਂ ਉਹ ਸੋਨਾ ਹੀ ਅਖਵਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।੩।(ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ) ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਜੋਤਿ ਦਾ ਪਰਕਾਸ਼ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਆਤਮਕ ਅਡੋਲਤਾ ਦੇ ਆਨੰਦ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਹਰ ਥਾਂ ਸੋਭਾ ਮਿਲਦੀ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਦੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਦੇ (ਮਾਨੋ) ਇਕ-ਰਸ ਵਾਜੇ ਵੱਜਦੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ, ਉਹ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਸਦਾ ਲਈ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ-ਚਰਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਟਿਕਾਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰ ਲੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੪।੫।DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL:Body, mind, wealth and everything belong to Him; He alone is all-wise and all-knowing. He listens to my pains and pleasures, and then my condition improves. || 1 || My soul is satisfied with the One Lord alone. People make all sorts of other efforts, but they have no value at all. || Pause || The Ambrosial Naam, the Name of the Lord, is a priceless jewel. The Guru has given me this advice. It cannot be lost, and it cannot be shaken off; it remains steady, and I am perfectly satisfied with it. || 2 || Those things which tore me away from You, Lord, are now gone. When golden ornaments are melted down into a lump, they are still said to be gold. || 3 || The Divine Light has illuminated me, and I am filled with celestial peace and glory; the unstruck melody of the Lord's Bani resounds within me. Says Nanak, I have built my eternal home; the Guru has constructed it for me. || 4 || 5 ||

ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਿਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਘਰੁ ੪    ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਹਮ ਭੀਖਕ ਭੇਖਾਰੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੂ ਨਿਜ ਪਤਿ ਹੈ ਦਾਤਾ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਦੈਆਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਹੁ ਮੰਗਤ ਜਨ ਕੰਉ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਉ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥੧॥ ਹੰਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਉ ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਟਹੁ ॥ ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਏਕੋ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਪਏ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਕਉ ਅਬ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਦਇਆਲ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਹੁ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਐਸੀ ਬਖਸ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥੨॥ ਭਨਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਰਮ ਪਟ ਖੂਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਸਾਚੀ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਹੈ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੩॥੧॥੯॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਮੂਲ ਹੈਂ; ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ (ਤੇਰੇ ਵਰਗਾ) ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਅਸੀ ਜੀਵ ਤੇਰੇ (ਦਰ ਦੇ) ਮੰਗਤੇ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਸੁਤੰਤਰ ਰਹਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਦਾਤਾਂ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ। ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੰਗਤੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਾਮ ਦੇਹ (ਤਾ ਕਿ) ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ-ਰੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਰੰਗਿਆ ਰਹਾਂ।੧।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਇਆ-ਵੇੜ੍ਹੇ ਨੂੰ (ਹੁਣ ਤਕ ਮਰਨ ਦੇ) ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਗੇੜ ਪੈ ਚੁਕੇ ਹਨ, ਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ। ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਕਰ ਕਿ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ-ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਭਰਮ ਦੇ ਪਰਦੇ ਖੁਲ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਸ ਦੀ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ) ਡੂੰਘੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ) ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਲਗਨ ਲੱਗ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਪਤੀਜ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੧।੯।RAAG DHANAASAREE, THIRD MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE:ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:I am just a poor beggar of Yours; You are Your Own Lord Master, You are the Great Giver. Be Merciful, and bless me, a humble beggar, with Your Name, so that I may forever remain imbued with Your Love. || 1 || I am a sacrifice to Your Name, O True Lord. The One Lord is the Cause of causes; there is no other at all. || 1 || Pause || I was wretched; I wandered through so many cycles of reincarnation. Now, Lord, please bless me with Your Grace. Be merciful, and grant me the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan; please grant me such a gift. || 2 || Prays Nanak, the shutters of doubt have been opened wide; by Guru's Grace, I have come to know the Lord. I am filled to overflowing with true love; my mind is pleased and appeased by the True Guru. || 3 || 1 || 9 ||

Teacher: Daniel HopkinsChurch Services: Bible Class - 9:30 - 10:15 Sunday Morning Worship Service - 10:30 - 11:30 Sunday Evening Worship Service - 6 - 7 Wednesday Evening Bible Study - 6 - 7 Stanford, Kentucky

ਬਾਰਹ ਮਾਹਾ ਮਾਂਝ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੪ ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ਵੈਸਾਖਿ ਧੀਰਨਿ ਕਿਉ ਵਾਢੀਆ ਜਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਬਿਛੋਹੁ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਸਾਜਨੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਕੈ ਲਗੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਧੋਹੁ ॥ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ ਕਲਤ੍ਰ ਨ ਸੰਗਿ ਧਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਅਵਿਨਾਸੀ ਓਹੁ ॥ ਪਲਚਿ ਪਲਚਿ ਸਗਲੀ ਮੁਈ ਝੂਠੈ ਧੰਧੈ ਮੋਹੁ ॥ ਇਕਸੁ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਨਾਮ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਗੈ ਲਈਅਹਿ ਖੋਹਿ ॥ ਦਯੁ ਵਿਸਾਰਿ ਵਿਗੁਚਣਾ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਚਰਣੀ ਜੋ ਲਗੇ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸੋਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਮਿਲਹੁ ਪਰਾਪਤਿ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਵੈਸਾਖੁ ਸੁਹਾਵਾ ਤਾਂ ਲਗੈ ਜਾ ਸੰਤੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਹਰਿ ਸੋਇ ॥੩॥ ਅਰਥ: (ਵੈਸਾਖੀ ਵਾਲਾ ਦਿਨ ਹਰੇਕ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਮਰਦ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਰੀਝਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਦਿਨ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਪਰ) ਵੈਸਾਖ ਵਿਚ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਦਿਲ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਖਲੋਵੇ ਜੋ ਪਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਵਿੱਛੁੜੀਆਂ ਪਈਆਂ ਹਨ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਪਿਆਰ (ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਵੇ) ਦੀ ਅਣਹੋਂਦ ਹੈ, (ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਉਸ ਜੀਵ ਨੂੰ ਧੀਰਜ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਆਵੇ ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ) ਸੱਜਣ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਵਿਸਾਰ ਕੇ ਮਨ-ਮੋਹਣੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਚੰਬੜੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ?ਨਾਹ ਪੁਤ੍ਰ, ਨਾਹ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ, ਨਾਹ ਧਨ, ਕੋਈ ਭੀ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਨਿਭਦਾ ਇਕ ਅਬਿਨਾਸੀ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਹੀ ਅਸਲ ਸਾਥੀ ਹੈ। ਨਾਸਵੰਤ ਧੰਧੇ ਦਾ ਮੋਹ (ਸਾਰੀ ਲੁਕਾਈ ਨੂੰ ਹੀ) ਵਿਆਪ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਿਚ) ਮੁੜ ਮੁੜ ਫਸ ਕੇ ਸਾਰੀ ਲੁਕਾਈ ਹੀ (ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤੇ) ਮਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਇਕ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਹੋਰ ਜਿਤਨੇ ਭੀ ਕਰਮ ਇਥੇ ਕਰੀਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਸਾਰੇ ਮਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਖੋਹ ਲਏ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ (ਭਾਵ, ਉਹ ਉੱਚੇ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ ਅੰਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਣ ਸਕਦੇ) ।ਪਿਆਰ-ਸਰੂਪ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਸਾਰ ਕੇ ਖ਼ੁਆਰੀ ਹੀ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਜਿੰਦ ਦਾ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਸਾਥੀ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਦੀ ਚਰਨੀਂ ਜੇਹੜੇ ਬੰਦੇ ਲਗਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ (ਲੋਕ ਪਰਲੋਕ ਵਿਚ) ਭਲੀ ਸੋਭਾ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! (ਤੇਰੇ ਦਰ ਤੇ) ਮੇਰੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤੇਰਾ ਦਿਲ-ਰੱਜਵਾਂ ਮਿਲਾਪ ਨਸੀਬ ਹੋਵੇ। (ਰੁੱਤ ਫਿਰਨ ਨਾਲ ਚੁਫੇਰੇ ਬਨਸਪਤੀ ਪਈ ਸੁਹਾਵਣੀ ਹੋ ਜਾਏ, ਪਰ) ਜਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ ਵੈਸਾਖ ਦਾ ਮਹੀਨਾ ਤਦੋਂ ਹੀ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਲੱਗ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਹਰੀ ਸੰਤ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਮਿਲ ਪਏ।3।BAARAH MAAHAA ~ THE TWELVE MONTHS: MAAJH, FIFTH MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE:ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:In the month of Vaisaakh, how can the bride be patient? She is separated from her Beloved. She has forgotten the Lord, her Life-companion, her Master; she has become attached to Maya, the deceitful one. Neither son, nor spouse, nor wealth shall go along with you—only the Eternal Lord. Entangled and enmeshed in the love of false occupations, the whole world is perishing. Without the Naam, the Name of the One Lord, they lose their lives in the hereafter. Forgetting the Merciful Lord, they are ruined. Without God, there is no other at all. Pure is the reputation of those who are attached to the Feet of the Beloved Lord. Nanak makes this prayer to God: “Please, come and unite me with Yourself.” The month of Vaisaakh is beautiful and pleasant, when the Saint causes me to meet the Lord. || 3 ||

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of All (Ephesians 4 v1-6) by David Antwi

 ਸਲੋਕੁ ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਸੇਖਾ ਚਉਚਕਿਆ ਚਉਵਾਇਆ ਏਹੁ ਮਨੁ ਇਕਤੁ ਘਰਿ ਆਣਿ ॥ ਏਹੜ ਤੇਹੜ ਛਡਿ ਤੂ ਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਸਬਦੁ ਪਛਾਣੁ ॥  ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਚੁਕਾਏ ਸ਼ੇਖ਼! ਇਸ ਮਨ ਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਟਿਕਾਣੇ ਤੇ ਲਿਆ; ਵਿੰਗੀਆਂ ਟੇਢੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਛੱਡ ਤੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ। ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਅਗੈ ਢਹਿ ਪਉ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਣੈ ਜਾਣੁ ॥ ਆਸਾ ਮਨਸਾ ਜਲਾਇ ਤੂ ਹੋਇ ਰਹੁ ਮਿਹਮਾਣੁ ॥ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਭੀ ਚਲਹਿ ਤਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਪਾਵਹਿ ਮਾਣੁ ॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਸ਼ੇਖਾ! ਜੋ (ਸਭ ਦਾ) ਜਾਣੂ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਚਰਨੀਂ ਲੱਗ; ਆਸਾਂ ਤੇ ਮਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਦੌੜਾਂ ਮਿਟਾ ਕੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਜਗਤ ਵਿਚ ਪਰਾਹੁਣਾ ਸਮਝ; ਜੇ ਤੂੰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਭਾਣੇ ਵਿਚ ਚਲੇਂਗਾ ਤਾਂ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਦਰਗਾਹ ਵਿਚ ਆਦਰ ਪਾਵੇਂਗਾ। ਨਾਨਕ ਜਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਨ ਚੇਤਨੀ ਤਿਨ ਧਿਗੁ ਪੈਨਣੁ ਧਿਗੁ ਖਾਣੁ ॥੧॥  ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਜੋ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨਾਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਿਮਰਦੇ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ (ਚੰਗਾ) ਖਾਣਾ ਤੇ (ਚੰਗਾ) ਪਹਿਨਣਾ ਫਿਟਕਾਰ-ਜੋਗ ਹੈ।੧। ਮਃ ੩ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵਈ ਕੀਮਤਿ ਕਹਣੁ ਨ ਜਾਇ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਗੁਣ ਰਵਹਿ ਗੁਣ ਮਹਿ ਰਹੈ ਸਮਾਇ ॥੨॥ {ਪੰਨਾ 646} ਅਰਥ: ਹਰੀ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਬਿਆਨ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਉਹ ਗੁਣ ਮੁੱਕਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ, ਤੇ ਨਾਹ ਹੀ ਇਹ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਹਾਝਣ ਲਈ ਮੁੱਲ ਕੀਹ ਹੈ; (ਪਰ,) ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਗੁਰਮੁਖ ਜੀਊੜੇ ਹਰੀ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ। (ਜਿਹੜਾ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਹ) ਗੁਣਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਲੀਨ ਹੋਇਆ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।੨। ਪਉੜੀ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਚੋਲੀ ਦੇਹ ਸਵਾਰੀ ਕਢਿ ਪੈਧੀ ਭਗਤਿ ਕਰਿ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਟੁ ਲਗਾ ਅਧਿਕਾਈ ਬਹੁ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧਿ ਭਾਤਿ ਕਰਿ ॥ ਕੋਈ ਬੂਝੈ ਬੂਝਣਹਾਰਾ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਬਿਬੇਕੁ ਕਰਿ ॥ ਸੋ ਬੂਝੈ ਏਹੁ ਬਿਬੇਕੁ ਜਿਸੁ ਬੁਝਾਏ ਆਪਿ ਹਰਿ ॥  ਅਰਥ: (ਇਹ ਮਨੁੱਖਾ) ਸਰੀਰ, ਮਾਨੋ, ਚੋਲੀ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੇ ਬਣਾਈ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਭਗਤੀ (-ਰੂਪ ਕਸੀਦਾ) ਕੱਢ ਕੇ ਇਹ ਚੋਲੀ ਪਹਿਨਣ-ਜੋਗ ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ। (ਇਸ ਚੋਲੀ ਨੂੰ) ਬਹੁਤ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਈ ਵੰਨਗੀਆਂ ਦਾ ਹਰੀ-ਨਾਮ ਪੱਟ ਲੱਗਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ; (ਇਸ ਭੇਤ ਨੂੰ) ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਸਮਝਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਹਰੀ ਆਪ ਸਮਝਾਵੇ। ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਕਹੈ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਹਰਿ ਸਤਿ ਹਰਿ ॥੧੧॥  ਅਰਥ: ਦਾਸ ਨਾਨਕ ਇਹ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਦਾ-ਥਿਰ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ (ਸਿਮਰਿਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ) ।੧੧।  SHALOK, THIRD MEHL:  O Shaykh, you wander in the four directions, blown by the four winds; bring your mind back to the home of the One Lord. Renounce your petty arguments, and realize the Word of the Guru's Shabad. Bow in humble respect before the True Guru; He is the Knower who knows everything. Burn away your hopes and desires, and live like a guest in this world. If you walk in harmony with the True Guru's Will, then you shall be honored in the Court of the Lord. O Nanak, those who do not contemplate the Naam, the Name of the Lord — cursed are their clothes, and cursed is their food. || 1 || THIRD MEHL: There is no end to the Lord's Glorious Praises; His worth cannot be described. O Nanak, the Gurmukhs chant the Glorious Praises of the Lord; they are absorbed in His Glorious Virtues. || 2 || PAUREE: The Lord has adorned the coat of the body; He has embroidered it with devotional worship. The Lord has woven His silk into it, in so many ways and fashions. How rare is that man of understanding, who understands, and deliberates within. He alone understands these deliberations, whom the Lord Himself inspires to understand. Poor servant Nanak speaks: the Gurmukhs know the Lord, the Lord is True. || 11 ||

By Pastor Dan Nash

 ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਿਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਘਰੁ ੪    ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਹਮ ਭੀਖਕ ਭੇਖਾਰੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੂ ਨਿਜ ਪਤਿ ਹੈ ਦਾਤਾ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਦੈਆਲਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਹੁ ਮੰਗਤ ਜਨ ਕੰਉ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਉ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥੧॥ ਹੰਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਉ ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਟਹੁ ॥ ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾਏਕੋ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਪਏ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਕਉ ਅਬ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ ਹੋਹੁ ਦਇਆਲ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਹੁਅਪੁਨਾ ਐਸੀ ਬਖਸ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥੨॥ ਭਨਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਰਮ ਪਟ ਖੂਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ ਸਾਚੀ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਹੈ ਭੀਤਰਿਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੩॥੧॥੯॥ ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਤੂੰ ਸਾਰੇ ਜਗਤ ਦਾ ਮੂਲ ਹੈਂ; ਤੂੰ ਹੀ ਸਭ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੈਦਾਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ (ਤੇਰੇ ਵਰਗਾ) ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।੧।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਅਸੀ ਜੀਵ ਤੇਰੇ (ਦਰ ਦੇ) ਮੰਗਤੇ ਹਾਂ, ਤੂੰ ਸੁਤੰਤਰ ਰਹਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਦਾਤਾਂ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈਂ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ।ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੰਗਤੇ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਨਾਮ ਦੇਹ (ਤਾ ਕਿ) ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ-ਰੰਗ ਵਿਚ ਰੰਗਿਆ ਰਹਾਂ।੧।ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਇਆ-ਵੇੜ੍ਹੇ ਨੂੰ (ਹੁਣ ਤਕ ਮਰਨ ਦੇ) ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਗੇੜ ਪੈ ਚੁਕੇ ਹਨ, ਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਕੁਝ ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇਦਇਆਵਾਨ ਹੋ। ਮੇਰੇ ਉਤੇ ਇਹੋ ਜਿਹੀ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਸ਼ ਕਰ ਕਿ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਦੀਦਾਰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਨਾਨਕ ਆਖਦਾ ਹੈ-ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਾਲ ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ ਭਰਮ ਦੇ ਪਰਦੇ ਖੁਲ੍ਹ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਸ ਦੀ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ) ਡੂੰਘੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਬਣ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਹਿਰਦੇ ਵਿਚ (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨਾਲ) ਸਦਾ ਕਾਇਮ ਰਹਿਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਲਗਨ ਲੱਗ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ, ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਲਉਸ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਪਤੀਜ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੩।੧।੯।RAAG DHANAASAREE, THIRD MEHL, FOURTH HOUSE:ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:I am just a poor beggar of Yours; You are Your Own Lord Master, You are the Great Giver. Be Merciful, and bless me, a humble beggar, with Your Name, so that I may forever remain imbued with Your Love. || 1 || I am a sacrifice to Your Name, O True Lord. The One Lord is the Cause of causes; there is no other at all. || 1 || Pause || I was wretched; I wandered through so many cycles of reincarnation. Now, Lord, please bless me with Your Grace. Be merciful, and grant me the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan; please grant me such a gift. || 2 || Prays Nanak, the shutters of doubt have been opened wide; by Guru's Grace, I have come to know the Lord. I am filled to overflowing with true love; my mind is pleased and appeased by the True Guru. || 3 || 1 || 9 ||

In this first teaching Dr. Larry Lea teaches you the incredible importance of prayer, and he explains how we must move from desire, to discipline, and finally to delight in God’s presence. I put these teachings together as a labor of love. When God saved me, and first starting moving in my life, a mighty man of God gave me advice to learn how to pray. Dr. Larry Lea was a pastor to my family during the 80’s, and we still had these powerful teachings on cassette laying around the house years later. God used these teachings to help me learn to pray. These teachings on prayer revolutionize my life and ministry. I pray as you listen to them, they will impact you as deeply as they did me all those years ago. God bless, Pastor Scott

In this first teaching Dr. Larry Lea teaches you the incredible importance of prayer, and he explains how we must move from desire, to discipline, and finally to delight in God’s presence. I put these teachings together as a labor of love. When God saved me, and first starting moving in my life, a mighty man of God gave me advice to learn how to pray. Dr. Larry Lea was a pastor to my family during the 80’s, and we still had these powerful teachings on cassette laying around the house years later. God used these teachings to help me learn to pray. These teachings on prayer revolutionize my life and ministry. I pray as you listen to them, they will impact you as deeply as they did me all those years ago. God bless, Pastor Scott

In this first teaching Dr. Larry Lea teaches you the incredible importance of prayer, and he explains how we must move from desire, to discipline, and finally to delight in God’s presence. I put these teachings together as a labor of love. When God saved me, and first starting moving in my life, a mighty man of God gave me advice to learn how to pray. Dr. Larry Lea was a pastor to my family during the 80’s, and we still had these powerful teachings on cassette laying around the house years later. God used these teachings to help me learn to pray. These teachings on prayer revolutionize my life and ministry. I pray as you listen to them, they will impact you as deeply as they did me all those years ago. God bless, Pastor Scott

guest speaker.

Become a CTC Partner: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/ Free LXX English translation: http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/nets/edition/ What Is New Covenant Theology? An Introduction — https://crosstocrown.org/product/what-is-new-covenant-theology/ Featured playlist: The Church (That Meets in My Home) — https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Yobt1jZDd9Zzn8Ufa-BNciyYv04Cl6m My books: Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place — https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriage God's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) — https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top crosstocrown.org @DougGoodin @CrossToCrown