Life Walk Bible Lesson 54: Children of God
John 1:12-13
12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk with them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’
17 Therefore come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. 18 I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
Scripture Readings: 1 Enoch 6-11, Genesis 6-7; Leviticus 20 and Deuteronomy 14
A Few Words from the Apostle Barnabas
Acts 13:2
“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:9-12
[Preaching in Cyprus] 9 “Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him [Elymas the sorcerer] 10 and said, ‘O full of deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time. And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”
[See also: The Acts of Peter, Chapters 4-5 — from the Apocryphal New Testament:
Acts 13:46
“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoke to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”
Epistle of Barnabas, Chapter X: Spiritual Significance of the precepts of Moses Respecting different kinds of Food
"Now, wherefore did Moses say, “Thou shalt not eat the swine, nor the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the raven, nor any fish which is not possessed of scales?”138 He embraced three doctrines in his mind [in doing so]. Moreover, the Lord saith to them in Deuteronomy, “And I will establish my ordinances among this people.”139 Is there then not a command of God they should not eat [these things]? There is, but Moses spoke with a spiritual reference.140 For this reason he named the swine, as much as to say, “Thou shalt not join thyself to men who resemble swine.” For when they live in pleasure, they forget their Lord; but when they come to want, they acknowledge the Lord. And [in like manner] the swine, when it has eaten, does not recognize its master; but when hungry it cries out, and on receiving food is quiet again. “Neither shalt thou eat,” says he “the eagle, nor the hawk, nor the kite, nor the raven.” “Thou shalt not join thyself,” he means, “to such men as know not how to procure food for themselves by labour and sweat, but seize on that of others in their iniquity, and although wearing an aspect of simplicity, are on the watch to plunder others.”141 So these birds, while they sit idle, inquire how they may devour the flesh of others, proving themselves pests [to all] by their wickedness. “And thou shalt not eat,” he says, “the lamprey, or the polypus, or the cuttlefish.” He means, “Thou shalt not join thyself or be like to such men as are ungodly to the end, and are condemned142 to death.” In like manner as those fishes, above accursed, float in the deep, not swimming [on the surface] like the rest, but make their abode in the mud which lies at the bottom. Moreover, “Thou shall not,” he says, “eat the hare.” Wherefore? “Thou shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such.”143 Because the hare multiplies, year by year, the places of its conception; for as many years as it lives so many144 it has. Moreover, “Thou shall not eat the hyena.” He means, “Thou shall not be an adulterer, nor a corrupter, nor be like to them that are such.” Wherefore? Because that animal annually changes its sex, and is at one time male, and at another female.
“Moreover, he has rightly detested the weasel. For he means, “Thou shalt not be like to those whom we hear of as committing wickedness with the mouth,145 on account of their unclean- ness; nor shall thou be joined to those impure women who commit iniquity with the mouth. For this animal conceives by the mouth.” Moses then issued146 three doctrines concerning meats with a spiritual significance; but they received them according to fleshly desire, as if he had merely spoken of [literal] meats. David, however, comprehends the knowledge of the three doctrines, and speaks in like manner: “Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly,”147 even as the fishes [referred to] go in darkness to the depths [of the sea]; “and hath not stood in the way of sinners,” even as those who profess to fear the Lord, but go astray like swine; “and hath not sat in the seat of scorners,”148 even as those birds that lie in wait for prey. Take a full and firm grasp of this spiritual149 knowledge. But Moses says still further, “Ye shall eat every animal that is cloven-footed and ruminant.” What does he mean? [The ruminant animal denotes him] who, on receiving food, recognizes Him that nourishes him, and being satisfied by Him,150 is visibly made glad. Well spake [Moses], having respect to the commandment. What, then, does he mean? That we ought to join ourselves to those that fear the Lord, those who meditate in their heart on the commandment which they have received, those who both utter the judgments of the Lord and observe them, those who know that meditation is a work of gladness, and who ruminate151 upon the word of the Lord. But what means the cloven-footed? That the righteous man also walks in this world, yet looks forward to the holy state152 [to come]. Behold how well Moses legislated. But how was it possible for them to understand or comprehend these things? We then, rightly understanding his commandments,153 explain them as the Lord intended. For this purpose He circumcised our ears and our hearts, that we might understand these things."
[See also: 1 Enoch 83-90 -- the vision of the animals]
NOTE: In John 15:3, Jesus calls His disciples “clean” because of the Word He has spoken to them, and in Acts 10, Peter is shown by a vision from God, through the animals that were formerly “unclean” and now made “clean” — (so that the children of God can preach the Gospel to those who will hear it, and obey God) — that God is now sending His Apostles to the Gentiles (all nations), so that they also may be saved and be filled with the Holy Spirit of God.
Epistle of Barnabas XVI: The Spiritual Temple of God
“Moreover, I will also tell you concerning the temple, how the wretched [Jews], wandering in error, trusted not in God Himself, but in the temple, as being the house of God. For almost after the manner of the Gentiles they worshipped Him in the temple.235 But learn how the Lord speaks, when abolishing it: “Who hath meted out heaven with a span, and the earth with his palm? Have not I?”236 “Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is My throne, and the earth My footstool: what kind of house will ye build to Me, or what is the place of My rest?”237 Ye perceive that their hope is vain. Moreover, He again says, “Behold, they who have cast down this temple, even they shall build it up again.”238 It has so happened.239 For through their going to war, it was destroyed by their enemies; and now: they, as the servants of their enemies, shall rebuild it. Again, it was revealed that the city and the temple and the people of Israel were to be given up. For the Scripture saith, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the Lord will deliver up the sheep of His pasture, and their sheep-fold and tower, to destruction.”240 And it so happened as the Lord had spoken. Let us inquire, then, if there still is a temple of God. There is—where He himself declared He would make and finish it. For it is written, “And it shall come to pass, when the week is completed, the temple of God shall be built in glory in the name of the Lord.”241 I find, therefore, that a temple does exist. Learn, then, how it shall be built in the name of the Lord. Before we believed in God, the habitation of our heart was corrupt and weak, as being indeed like a temple made with hands. For it was full of idolatry, and was a habitation of demons, through our doing such things as were opposed to [the will of] God. But it shall be built, observe ye, in the name of the Lord, in order that the temple of the Lord may be built in glory. How? Learn [as follows]. Having received the forgiveness of sins, and placed our trust in the name of the Lord, we have become new creatures, formed again from the beginning. Wherefore in our habitation God truly dwells in us. How? His word of faith; His calling242 of promise; the wisdom of the statutes; the commands of the doctrine; He himself prophesying in us; He himself dwelling in us; opening to us who were enslaved by death the doors of the temple, that is, the mouth; and by giving us repentance introduced us into the incorruptible temple.243 He then, who wishes to be saved, looks not to man,244 but to Him who dwelleth in him, and speaketh in him, amazed at never having either heard him utter such words with his mouth, nor himself having ever desired to hear them.245 This is the spiritual temple built for the Lord.”
1 John 3:1-2
1 “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
Ephesians 5:8-10
8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.”
Galatians 5:22-23
22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Ephesians 5:1-3
1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
The Epistle of Barnabas, Chapters XVIII Second Part of the Epistle: The Two Ways
[See also: The Didache: ]
"But let us now pass to another sort of knowledge and doctrine. There are two ways of doctrine and authority, the one of light, and the other of darkness. But there is a great difference between these two ways. For over one are stationed the light-bringing angels of God, but over the other the angels248 of Satan. And He indeed (i.e., God) is Lord for ever and ever, but he (i.e., Satan) is prince of the time249 of iniquity.”
Epistle of Barnabas: The Two Ways, Chapter XIX: The Way of Light
“The way of light, then, is as follows. If any one desires to travel to the appointed place, he must be zealous in his works. The knowledge, therefore, which is given to us for the purpose of walking in this way, is the following. Thou shalt love Him that created thee:250 thou shalt glorify Him that redeemed thee from death. Thou shalt be simple in heart, and rich in spirit. Thou shalt not join thyself to those who walk in the way of death. Thou shalt hate doing what is unpleasing to God: thou shalt hate all hypocrisy. Thou shalt not forsake the commandments of the Lord. Thou shalt not exalt thyself, but shalt be of a lowly mind.251 Thou shalt not take glory to thyself. Thou shalt not take evil counsel against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not allow over-boldness to enter into thy soul.252 Thou shalt not commit fornication: thou shalt not commit adultery: thou shalt not be a corrupter of youth. Thou shalt not let the word of God issue from thy lips with any kind of impurity.253 Thou shalt not accept persons when thou reprovest any one for transgression. Thou shalt be meek: thou shalt be peaceable. Thou shalt tremble at the words which thou hearest.254 Thou shalt not be mindful of evil against thy brother. Thou shalt not be of doubtful mind255 as to whether a thing shall be or not. Thou shalt not take the name256 of the Lord in vain. Thou shalt love thy neighbour more than thine own soul.257 Thou shalt not slay the child by procuring abortion; nor, again, shalt thou destroy it after it is born. Thou shalt not withdraw thy hand from thy son, or from thy daughter, but from their infancy thou shalt teach them the fear of the Lord.258 Thou shalt not covet what is thy neighbour’s, nor shalt thou be avaricious. Thou shalt not be joined in soul with the haughty, but thou shalt be reckoned with the righteous and lowly. Receive thou as good things the trials259 which come upon thee.260 Thou shalt not be of double mind or of double tongue,261 for a double tongue is a snare of death. Thou shalt be subject262 to the Lord, and to [other] masters as the image of God, with modesty and fear. Thou shalt not issue orders with bitterness to thy maidservant or thy man-servant, who trust in the same [God263], lest thou shouldst not264 reverence that God who is above both; for He came to call men not according to their outward appearance,265 but according as the Spirit had prepared them.266 Thou shalt communicate in all things with thy neighbour; thou shalt not call267 things thine own; for if ye are partakers in common of things which are incorruptible,268 how much more [should you be] of those things which are corruptible!269 Thou shalt not be hasty with thy tongue, for the mouth is a snare of death. As far as possible, thou shalt be pure in thy soul. Do not be ready to stretch forth thy hands to take, whilst thou contractest them to give. Thou shalt love, as the apple of thine eye, every one that speaketh to thee the word of the Lord. Thou shalt remember the day of judgment, night and day. Thou shalt seek out every day the faces of the saints,270 either by word examining them, and going to exhort them, and meditating how to save a soul by the word,271 or by thy hands thou shalt labour for the redemption of thy sins. Thou shalt not hesitate to give, nor murmur when thou givest. “Give to every one that asketh thee,”272 and thou shalt know who is the good Recompenser of the reward. Thou shalt preserve what thou hast received [in charge], neither adding to it nor taking from it. To the last thou shalt hate the wicked273 [one].274 Thou shalt judge righteously. Thou shalt not make a schism, but thou shalt pacify those that contend by bringing them together. Thou shalt confess thy sins. Thou shalt not go to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of light.275”
XX: The Way of Darkness
“But the way of darkness276 is crooked, and full of cursing; for it is the way of eternal277 death with punishment, in which way are the things that destroy the soul, viz., idolatry, over-confidence, the arrogance of power, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, adultery, murder, rapine, haughtiness, transgression,278 deceit, malice, self-sufficiency, poisoning, magic, avarice,279 want of the fear of God. [In this way, too,] are those who persecute the good, those who hate truth, those who love falsehood, those who know not the reward of righteousness, those who cleave not to that which is good, those who attend not with just judgment to the widow and orphan, those who watch not to the fear of God, [but incline] to wickedness, from whom meekness and patience are far off; persons who love vanity, follow after a reward, pity not the needy, labour not in aid of him who is overcome with toil; who are prone to evil-speaking, who know not Him that made them, who are murderers of children, destroyers of the workmanship of God; who turn away him that is in want, who oppress the afflicted, who are advocates of the rich, who are unjust judges of the poor, and who are in every respect transgressors.”
Chapter XXI: Conclusion
“It is well, therefore,280 that he who has learned the judgments of the Lord, as many as have been written, should walk in them. For he who keepeth these shall be glorified in the kingdom of God; but he who chooseth other things281 shall be destroyed with his works. On this account there will be a resurrection,282 on this account a retribution. I beseech you who are superiors, if you will receive any counsel of my good-will, have among yourselves those to whom you may show kindness: do not forsake them. For the day is at hand on which all things shall perish with the evil [one]. The Lord is near, and His reward. Again, and yet again, I beseech you: be good lawgivers283 to one another; continue faithful counsellors of one another; take away from among you all hypocrisy. And may God, who ruleth over all the world, give to you wisdom, intelligence, understanding, knowledge of His judgments,284 with patience. And be ye285 taught of God, inquiring diligently what the Lord asks from you; and do it that ye maybe safe in the day of judgment.286 And if you have any remembrance of what is good, be mindful of me, meditating on these things, in order that both my desire and watchfulness may result in some good. I beseech you, entreating this as a favour. While yet you are in this fair vessel,287 do not fail in any one of those things,288 but unceasingly seek after them, and fulfil every commandment; for these things are worthy.289 Wherefore I have been the more earnest to write to you, as my ability served,290 that I might cheer you. Farewell, ye children of love and peace. The Lord of glory and of all grace be with your spirit. Amen.291"
Encouragement:
The message has been made clear by all who have preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God: God has chosen us to be part of His Family, the Kingdom of God, to be born from above — born of God — and to live His way of life, which is certainly the best choice of the two ways of living.
This way of life is compared to “light,” and is the choice we are to make as we follow Jesus, for in the beginning, God said, “Let there be light!” [Genesis 1:3] And in Matthew 5:14 Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before Me, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
The Apostle Barnabas was called “the son of Encouragement”, and his loving nature is apparent in his writings. In the beginning of his ministry, he sold his property and gave the proceeds to the Apostles to be distributed for the needs of the children of God — something dear to God’s heart, just as were the actions of Cornelius the Centurion, whose alms came before God as a memorial, and his prayers were therefore heard. [Acts 10; Isaiah 1:17; James 1:27]
We do not do our acts of charity before people in order to be seen by them, and therefore complimented by them. [Matthew 6:1-18] We do them before God, and His reward to us is with Him when He comes to us. [Matthew 10:42, 16:27; Revelation 22:12]
Godly Giving
2 Corinthians 9:10-15 (New Living Translation)
10 “For God is the One Who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving — the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. 13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them, and to all believers, will prove that you are obedient to the Good News [the Gospel] of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”
