The Third Degree

[headheart]

In Modern Witchcraft or the Wiccan Religion, there are three degrees, I think there are also three degrees in Christianity, but I am thinking about something entirely different.

1. Study
2. Action
3. Experience

I will attempt to briefly unpack my thoughts.

Study and Action are coupled together by most branches of Christianity, it would include Bible Study and instruction in the elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ, followed by more studies. One might go on to get a BA in Theology or advance to be a Professor etc. One might then with one's training enter some field of Ministry and serve the Lord. This is the generally accepted model. But what about experience ?

Experience cannot be taught, it is something that has to come out of our time in the closet with our heavenly Father.

Many who follow the model of 1. Study and 2. Action, fail to work on 3. Experience, and eventually like dried out like old prunes, wonder why their Christian life is so empty.

Agree, Disagree ?
Why ? etc.

HH.


ps. Take care and see you in August.

[RBerman]

Study and action lead to different but complementary kinds of experience. Most people are better at one than the other, which is why we need each other. Pity the man who thinks he needs only action, or only study.

[headheart]

Pity the man who thinks he needs only action, or only study.

RBerman,
Yes. The Third Degree, is certainly the way to go! ..pity that not many understand what it is, for they have only been taught to study and act, or to study, or to act.

Good examples of this are found in the stories of Hudson Taylor, C.T. Studd, Norman Grubb, and in particular Andrew Murray's - Abiding Life 1 and 2

It was in the last moments of the Last Supper, with all their tenderness, that the Saviour taught His disciples, and us through them, that "I am the vine, ye are the brances: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5)

Ever since that momentous truth was declared to the disciples, faithful and devout followers of the Lord Jesus have found experientially its glorious reality. Illustrative of this life is Andrew Murray of South Africa.

HH.

[djdavo]

hmm...well,


in spite of all the heavy analysis, i'd say (for the most part..and in my experience) christianity STARTS with experience, then leads to a lifetime of study and action.
even if you've been studying and acting like a Christian, it takes an experience to lead to your conversion (IMHO). After that, everything changes. Suddenly all that study,et al is real, and you need to adjust your reality to that experience. (yaknow, as long as it follows the Biblical model..which is probably christianity 301...)

[headheart]

hmm...well,


in spite of all the heavy analysis, i'd say (for the most part..and in my experience) christianity STARTS with experience, then leads to a lifetime of study and action.
even if you've been studying and acting like a Christian, it takes an experience to lead to your conversion (IMHO). After that, everything changes. Suddenly all that study,et al is real, and you need to adjust your reality to that experience. (yaknow, as long as it follows the Biblical model..which is probably christianity 301...)

Acts 2:42
'And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.'

1 John 1:3,4
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

We certainly have that initial JOY when we first come into fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, but we need to deepen and mature, not only in our studies and application but in the intimacy of our quite times with the Lord.

It is passages like this that inspire me to not only dig deep into the Scriptures, and walk in holiness and obedience, but to spend more time in intimate fellowship.

'Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.'
( Ephesians 3:8-21 )

'.......... joy unspeakable and full of glory:' (1 Peter 1:8)

HH.