In this episode, Henry introduces Mark 9:1-8 by reviewing the importance to early Friends of Mark 8:34 that if one wishes to become a true follower of Christ, the Messiah, one “must deny himself (i.e., renounce one's ego) and take up one's (inward) cross and (then come) follow Christ.” Early Friends believed that a continual inward crucifixion/execution/putting to death of all thoughts, words, desires and deeds not in conformity with God’s will must happen in the believer in order for one to be in alignment with God’s will.
Mark 9:1, according to early Friends the first coming of Christ in oneself (the first appearance of Christ) is the awareness within the individual of his/her sinfulness before God. The Light of Christ shows this state to the individual. The second phase of this is a complete transformation of one’s mindset, one’s way of thinking (Greek: “metanoia”) in the believer, resulting in a total humble submission to God through a complete crucifixion/putting to death of “self" (ego) for Him. This transformation (“metanoia”) is the focus of the believer’s energies, with God’s help.
In discussing scripture, Henry says that Robert Barclay wrote that the same Spirit of God who spoke to and through the various writers of the New Testament was and has continued to be active among humans . . . so much so that it is conceivable for us too today to speak with the same depth of authority as the writers of the New Testament, if and when we are in complete conformity with God’s will. It is essential for us to continue to submit ourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. The words given to us in meeting for worship must be from Him and not from our human selves. Do we always hear perfectly? No. But we need to continually be sensitive to His leading and to be willing to share only what He is speaking to us.
Mark 9:2-8. The Greek word for the Latin/English “transfiguration" is “metamorphōsis”, a complete change in the form and shape of Jesus. “This is my beloved Son” is a special denotation given in reference to Jesus. A “son” is greater than a “prophet”. v. Hebrews 1:2. The "only begotten" [Son] is a translation of the Greek word “monogenēs” which means “unique" or "one of a kind".
Notes by the host
Metanoia = meta-no-ia = a transformation of one’s
mindset, repentance
Greek roots: -gno- = mindset, mind;
meta- = change
Metanoeō v. – repent
William Penn ~ metanoia:
Metamorphōsis = meta-morph-ōsis;
Greek root: morph = shape, form; Latin: transfiguratio
Metamorpheō v. to change form
In biblical language “clouds” indicate an theophany (a manifestation of God) in biblical language.
Voice from heaven points to the God given authority of a teacher
Huios – son
Monogenēs adj.– only begotten, unique, one of a kind
References:
The words to the music are from Isaac Penington in 1861. The music was composed and sung
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