The Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. (PCAF) – ETA Online Training and Certification Program is a course for pastors, ministers, teachers, and all biblical students who have an interest in furthering their knowledge of the Bible and related biblical issues. These training courses are held by the PCAF – International Christian Education Auxiliary (ICEA). ETA stands for Evangelical Training Association.
– Are You Interested in these Courses? –
STUDY ST. JOHN, CHAPTER 3, AND WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED,
CLICK THE TEXT BELOW TO TAKE A SAMPLE TEST.
(You may take the test with or without your Bible.)
This self-paced online training is only $85.00 for the entire standard OR advanced course. (The 85.00 covers your registration fee.) Books are an additional $18.00 each and there are six books for the Standard or Advanced course. So, the total cost for either the standard OR advanced course including books is $175.00. (You may pay the initial registration fee and the cost for the first book to get started: $103.00, or pay the full amount for all six books: 175.00). Currently, we are set up for students to pay their registration fee by mail. To pay by mail, click the following text to go to the registration form: TO STANDARD REGISTRATION FORM then follow the instructions on the form. After filling out the form, contact our ICEA Director, Deacon Gene Claxton at gclaxton1@aol.com. Your book(s) will be mailed to you. Books can be purchased one at a time or as a set. Currently, the advanced course is correspondence only and cannot be taken online.
Once you have studied your book(s), we are currently set up to reply to students who send an e-mail to us, requesting to take the online test from any chapter in the course. (There are 10-12 questions per chapter.) We will respond, sending the test to your e-mail. Students can take tests after studying any single chapter in their book. Once students receive our e-mail, they will click on our “link” which will take them directly to the test. All tests can be taken either open book or closed book. Answers will be revealed immediately after taking the test. All scores and grades will be sent to you, as well.
Here are the titles of the books you will study:
STANDARD COURSE STUDY
1. Old Testament Survey I
2. Old Testament Survey II
3. New Testament Survey
4. Understanding People
5. Teaching Techniques
ADVANCED COURSE STUDY
1. Understanding Teaching
2. Evangelism for the 21st Century
3. Biblical Beliefs
4. Biblical Leadership
5. You and Your Bible
The greatest among you will be your servant.
Matthew 23:11 (CSB)
There’s more than one John in the Bible. When we hear the name John, we often think about “the Baptist”, who was the blazing forerunner of the Lord Jesus. The other John was initially somewhat lesser known during the gospel times. The author of the Bible would associated him with either his brother or father. He was called the brother of James and appeared to be the lesser son of Zebedee. This John was also the John who had an ambitious mother. She wanted Jesus to grant that both her sons would have a secured and exalted place in His kingdom. We are not sure if this John had the same fleshly ambition, but time and circumstances caused him to take on the role of a loving servant rather than seek glory for himself (Luke 22:24)!
Both of these men were, in a sense, servants. One prepared the way for the Messiah to come, and testified that he (as a servant) was not worthy to untie His Lord’s sandal straps. The other John also served. These men, along with the other disciples and Peter, were led in ways that proved them all to be servants. Jesus told Peter that when he had fully matured, he would be a servant of the Master until his tragic death (John 21:18-19). This John, the son of Zebedee, was (no doubt) witness to this conversation Jesus had with Peter (vs. 20-21). He himself was also left in doubt as to his fate. At that point, he could have forsaken Jesus and chose to no longer serve him, as some did. (John 6:66).
These are examples of how people mature and become servants. They have no agenda other than to serve the One who initiates every call to being a disciple. Nothing else matters and all things pale in comparison to being a servant of Jesus Christ. They have been captured and arrested as slaves to those words of our Lord: “follow me”. Initially — those words bring the joyous light of the gospel to every believer, as it did with John and the other followers (Mt. 4:21-22). His call brings excitement and the ultimate salvation of our souls (Song Sol. 3:2-4)! But, His words, “follow me…”, take on new meanings as we mature in the Lord. Following Him has certainly taken us above mountain peaks, but following Him will also lead us through dark and uncertain places. His perpetual voice leads us to many valleys, and yet, we still follow!
We see the example of John as he proceeded to follow Jesus directly to His death. Jesus was led to Calvary and crucified, and yet John continued to follow. John endangered his own life, as many of the other disciples had already fled. We see John, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and a few others. They were now positioned directly under the cross of the suffering Christ. As our Lord suffered on the cross, His last words to John were, “Behold thy mother!”. His words seemed to suggest that Jesus had all confidence in this selfless servant to move into the position of not only providing for His mother but treating her as Jesus would Himself. There was no questioning on John’s part, but he did what any slave would do and that was to obey his Master. As far as we can tell, he always followed the leading of our Lord!
Years later, we see John in scripture as he was banished on the isle of Patmos. He was there for being a servant of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:1, 9). No one knows how he must have suffered as a result of his determination to serve the Lord. One thing we do know is it appeared that no other disciple had the favor that John had. He was called the disciple that Jesus loved! Also, John was that disciple that had such a relationship with Christ that he was comfortable leaning on His bussom. No man that ever lived probably received more revelation than John. He was allowed to write the things he saw from the book of Revelation and experience the One who sat on the throne! He beheld things that we can barely comprehend. Oh…the fellowship that John, as a servant, had with our Lord!
Servants, like John, are often led in ways that can be lonely, but Christ’s promise has always been that He would not leave those who follow Him! He will continue to lead them through changing seasons in their lives and they will experience great fellowship with the Master (II Tim. 4:16-17)!
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do.
And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(Luke 23:34)
Does the holidays have you stressed out because you don’t seem to have much to give? Why don’t you give someone a wonderful gift this holiday season that may be valued more than money? Give forgiveness! This great gift that you have can, no doubt, bring joy to some troubled soul today. You may very well have the power to release someone of past offenses done to you or levelled at you. Release them and in turn, release yourself. You may find it to be the best gift you ever gave.
It is true that some people don’t accept gifts to well, but still give it in the spirit that Christ would (St. John 1:11). All of us have given quality gifts we thought people would like only to find it didn’t suit them, and that’s okay…but, give anyway!
There has never been a better time when Christmas and Easter come together so beautifully. We celebrate both Christ’s birth and resurrection as well as reflect on His death. His birth is a season for giving. His death is a time we reflect on Him giving himself for those who humiliated and wronged Him. They planned and schemed. They lied in wait for Him and finally, beat and put Him to death. Here is a quote from Luke 23;34, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” In His humility, Christ was a VICTIM who became the world’s greatest OVERCOMER (Phil. 2:8-9)! He gave to those who hurt Him the most. His example is the true spirit of giving this holiday season!
Why don’t you, by the Spirit of the Lord, call someone and tell them you are sorry for what happened in the past and ask for forgiveness or maybe you need to tell them you forgive them. These make great gifts this time of year!
IT’S ABOUT TIME YOUR TEACHERS HELD A TEACHERS EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE! How about calling it “Commissioned To Teach!” Maybe hold it on two consecutive Sunday afternoons if you have quite a few teachers. We have taken the hard work out of putting together your program by supplying you with a table, filled with suggested topics for each teacher to teach on. You will also see a sample of a flyer that you can create and give to teachers and promising teachers! Click the text below for your sample handouts.
Teacher Empowerment Flyer Teacher Empowerment Conference (Blank names)
PCAFI Christian Ed. Aux. (ICEA) Articles 