Newcastle Baptist Church

Antipas was a faithful martyr in the city of Pergamos. It must have been a challenge to live as a believer in a city where Satan's throne is. Jesus, the Head of the church decided to plant a church in this city knowing it is a hub for the cults and a place where persecution was inevitable.-Satan is a copycat of God with a difference. He duplicates what God does but in reverse. What God does for good, Satan will use what he copies for evil. The lessons we learn from this congregation should cause us to stop and reflect on our own lives.

Solomon reflected on the days of his youth. I had some time to reflect on my youth. Looking at some Biblical examples of young people who were used by God is eye opening. King Josiah became king when he was 8 years old, Esther was estimated at being 14 when she became queen to a foreign king. Miriam was 6 or 7 when she guarded her brother of 3 months on the river Nile. Jeremiah was called by God before conception. Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit when John the Baptist leaped inside her when Mary spoke.

The helmet of salvation refers to the protection we have against doubt, discouragement, and not having assurance that I am saved. -There is another Jesus, another gospel and another spirit being proclaimed today that does not have the ability to save. As believers our salvation needs to be securely rooted in Christ even though we may not have assurance of salvation at times.

Jesus investigates His church in Pergamos an writes a letter to them. He holds a sharp two edged sword of judgement in His hand and He examines their work. Before He does that, He examines the city where Satan's throne is. There was a medicine school where superstition and medicine was mixed- much like traditional healers are acknowledged as medical doctors in South Africa. The serpent was their symbol as it is today. Pergamos was a cult haven.

The Psalmist calls on certain people to praise the Lord- He also gives reasons why to praise the Lord.

We have the shield of faith to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. What does it mean for us as believers-

What a congregation. They were being persecuted, they were poor and now Jesus tells them that some are going to be cast into prison and they are going to experience tribulation for 10 days. There is so much we can learn from these believers - question is- will we learn-

The people said the following about Herod Agrippa 1- - -the voice of a god and not of a man-. Because he did not give God the glory he was devoured by worms. His life is a warning and a lesson.

In this Bible study we look at two parts of the armour we as believers have on to stand strong in the spiritual battle we find ourselves in. We have on- -the breastplate of righteousness- and -our feet shod with the preparedness of the Gospel-. What does it mean for us-

The good the bad and the ugly of the church in Ephesus revealed by Christ Jesus - so we can learn...