Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 44

GiGi,

Part 3 Trinity discussion,

Do you believe the Son is a created being?

What is the meaning of created? Does it mean something that is made out of nothing? I would have to say no, Jesus is the Son of God who was conceived in the womb of Mary, Matthew 1:20 Luke 1:35, I do not think I would say He was created.

If so, when did He come into existence?

In God's plan before anything and physically when He was conceived in Mary's womb.

Do you believe that the Son is only human in nature?

Jesus is the Son of God fully human but without sin same as the first Adam, Scripture is clear when Jesus was baptized, He was anointed with the Holy Ghost/Spirit without measure, John 3:34. All the works of Jesus were done by the Spirit of God, Matthew 4:16 Matthew 12:28 Acts 10:38.

Do you believe that Jesus became "the Christ" during His lifetime (Adoptionism)?

I had never heard of Adoptionism until now, I had to look it up, it's false. Christ and Messiah are the same; Jesus was anointed by the Spirit of God after He was baptized by John, He then was made the Messiah/Christ fulfilling the prophecy in Daniel 9:25. Jesus is the Son of God conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost/Spirit.

Do you believe Jesus ever aquired a divine nature in His earthly life?

If you mean a divine nature is to have all the attributes that make God who He is I would have to say no. If so, Jesus could not sin or be tempted, Matthew 4:1 Hebrews 4:15. If so, Jesus living a perfect life without sin is meaningless. Jesus could not have died; Jesus was given the power of the Holy Spirit when He was anointed the Messiah. After He rose from the dead God gave Jesus all power in heaven and on earth, Matthew 28:18. God raised and placed Jesus on His right side, Ephesians 1:21-23. Jesus did not return to where He was before, God the Father placed everything under Jesus God's only begotten Son's feet and Jesus will reign until the last enemy is destroyed, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.

See part 4.

I wish I had a more direct answer, but I am not a Pastor. I read a book supporting the King James ONLY as God's true bible. (As opposed to the "modern translations.")

In the book, "The Preeminence of Christ," the Authors, John A. Ricci and Louis E. DeBoer point out that most of the early "translations" were done by Gnostics, who carried (what we would call today) significant baggage. For instance, they did NOT believe in the Resurrection of Christ.

They also frequently changed parts of the New Testament that they personally did not agree with.

Most of the "modern translations," are translations of Gnostic translations (unlike the King James which principally comes from the Textus Receptus).

The "modern translations" started around the time the Apocrypha was removed from the KJV. While I have no way of knowing, and I will not be dogmatic about it, I think a bunch of "modern translators" formed a group of "Bible scholars" and had it removed.

Mark 2:14-20 "At the house of Levi"

"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Jesus as the Son of God knew what was in the mind of man. But he did not make it a point to separate man according to his profession or morals before he condescended to sit with him or sup in any convivial company. But when he say faith among them he responded. It was thus at the house he came to heal the man with palsy what struck him was the faith of four who took trouble to bring him to the fore. "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."(2:5).He understood man was sinful so how sinful the matter of degrees did not interest him. The word of his Father was sent out calling all unto repentance. It was potent enough to enthuse the good to hear the call and make peace with God. For example St Luke speaks of Simeon of Jerusalem who was just and devout,"waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him./And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ./ And he came by the Spirit into the temple."( Luke 2:25-27). God let him see his heart's desire before he died. Then there was Anna the prophetess. It is of them Jesus meant when he referred the righteous. They were led by the Spirit of Christ and the anointing of the Holy Ghost would come only after hid resurrection.

But sinners whom came as in the case of Levi or the man with palsy did not came across him by coincidence,- but the call had gone forth before the worlds began and went to the ends of the world; it was their faith in exercising completed the calling and election sure. vv.15-16 The house of Levi was a microcosm of the world. So many were saved as there were many who went away as they came in because of their disbelief.

Prayer (continued)

It is hard not to feel an impetus to prod on this subject. I am well aware that I don't have a spiritual gift of service and helps.

There are always needs and we can't live our lives in a vacuum; and that goes for church as well as in the rest of our lives. Perhaps it is doing what is needed rather than endless activities that also matters. I don't personally find it comfortable having a "Game night" at church nor have I been a social "butterfly" in general but these events when accompanied with prayer (and not with sinful activities that so often come about) these events can be edifying. As I stated previously discussions on world events often deviate toward speculation; there are times when scriptures can be discussed; and can be edifying when these discussions go into detail of Bible truths.

Evangelism

I probably said sometime in the last few years of posts that prayer is also good accompanying evangelism for anyone genuinely seeking it. I am not into the "sinner's prayer" in initial conversations; once we get to know people and see a genuine conviction that is the time to seek if they are ready to commit their lives to the Lord. We are partially responsible for someone's fate (blood on our hands) if we don't warn people of taking a vow to God flippantly. We should warn that the more we know the more we are responsible for. We should give many warnings as Christ did about it being the "narrow" path not the broad road leading to destruction ( Matthew 7:13-14). We should also give caution on the trials; thorns and temptations that God uses to test us to see if we are true believers ( Matt. 13:22). Such exhortations may filter out some; but I am convinced will in the end have a greater percentage of committed believers who endure to the end. The song by David Meese "You've gotta count the cost if you want to be a believer" isn't exactly the lingo in today's Christian music "industry" and that is to it's shame.

Whole counsel of God: Reading the Bible and prayer

There is the old saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." The same principle exists with the Word of God. Psalm 119 for instance is the longest chapter in all of scripture and incessantly talks about loving God's law. Hungering and thirsting for the Word is something said to characterize the last days ( Amos 8:11-12). This verse talks of a famine for God's word; but we also see Jesus talking about "hungering and thirsting for righteousness ( Matthew 5:6).

It seems counterintuitive or a "no brainer" to consider reading scripture and prayer as something a believer should do; but it has been my experience the enemy will use all sorts of tactics to dissuade believers from focusing on the Word and probably even more so on prayer. It is easy for the enemy to allow us with minimum distractions to read the Word of God because we can easily go into our own error in making it merely an intellectual exercise or feed off it to divert to the latest conspiracy theory or politics or whatever is trending. Prayer of course has it's own ways that it can deviate from scriptural standards; but from my experience it is the lack of prayer that seems to be a common denominator in many congregations. Yes; someone can try to use prayer as a means of spreading gossip or trying to get attention. It seems that too often there is a planned schedule for prayer and it is almost unheard of for it to extend any length of time beyond that planned timeslot even when nothing is pressing. Just to find one or two people who have an urge to pray before a service or for others when needs are expressed and can do it "on the fly" in my mind can literally mean the life or death of a local congregation. If we can't be as a weapon of warfare prepared at all times then we simply will in one way or another be compromised and heading for defeat in having any real impact on individuals or a local community.

Marriage

It is said by Catholics that marriage is a sacrament that is only necessitated by the vow a man makes with a woman; and I agree with that view despite disagreeing with many other things in their belief system. The idea of a minister to oversee the event from what I can tell helps to involve two or three witnesses (usually along with parents) such as 2 Corinthians 13:1 states. There are other verses as well; none directly discuss a marriage or any other vow; but it does apply in the fact that should one or more parties violate the covenant church discipline can be used against them. I am not sure how things are in the big picture but it seems whenever marriages do occur it is often in another church that the family prefers and many times there is little sense of a whole congregation being involved at least like they used to in the past. Maybe I am off somewhat but that's how I see it.

Good counsel is helpful in that respect however; if anything to keep a healthy balance of older women guiding the youth and allowing for good interactions and support. This is something more favorable it seems today in the Reformed churches from my experiences. Such interactions of a church being a family of course should extend to foreign missionaries that are affiliated with a denomination. It is a shame when we think of missionaries being "out there" and we detach ourselves emotionally when we give financial support. Their marriages and family are components of their witness as much as their evangelism and one can't be separated from the other; although of course some are single individuals on the mission field.

Again; it is sad to say that from my viewpoint there is a tolerance for remarriage in these same sort of congregations (although many won't perform them). I would say that existing marriages have greater chance of longevity and less for divorce in the Reformed circles than others who have 50 percent divorce rates as all of society if they marry at all.

Whole Counsel of God: Baptism

I was in a very odd situation with a former OPC church I attended where I was granted a sort of "partial" membership without ascribing to their stance on infant baptism. There are a couple other issues which would keep me out of a similar place in the future (that church shut down 6 or 7 years ago due to lack of attendance). I will say that it wasn't required that I believed in their stance on Postmillenialism; although I may have mentioned here in the past when it was brought up how foolish it was to believe in the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast in one of their sermons and I took them up on that they sort of backed down. It wasn't a requirement to adhere to their eschatology, although it was a rather cliquish sort of mentality at that place. I agreed to disagree with them without such banter so I thought it only fair; however of course it was their belief.

In any case; infant baptism has cast a rather nebulous picture in my mind as to explanations; somehow holding what children or infants were commemorated with when they become adults and rebel as if they had some sort of inherent partaking of a covenant; I suppose equivalent to the Israelites who were "baptized" by crossing the Red Sea. ( 1 Cor. 10:2). No one I know actually thinks someone is saved through infant baptism but nonetheless they seem in my mind to have carried on a Catholic tradition through the Reformers in the past. I also had a "rebaptism"; having argued beforehand the sprinkling of water should also be legitimate ( Ezekiel 36:25). In my case I had it done that way along with my wife at the time because she had a balance issue going totally underwater; but I rededicated myself to a commitment as a church member when I had an immersion at the founding of a church I used to attend at its inception almost 10 years ago. Seeing how quickly Philip baptized the eunuch in Acts 8; and the jailor with his family ( Acts 16:33) it should follow salvation quickly.

Whole counsel of God: Church membership or not

To continue on the subject I would consider attending someplace for at least a year to understand fully doctrines ascribed to as well as to how genuine the love for Christ is in the church. If we are seeing little opportunities to contribute (which can happen in a place where one Pastor seems to hold all the cards); or where there is a great deal of pettiness; family pride (like where founders of the church and their children have had control for a long time in decision making) it may be a situation best avoided in such a commitment. This situation is occurring where a friend of mine is a new Pastor in a rural church in the Midwest.

Communion rules

In taking communion; there are what is known as closed or open communion. I am convinced that anyone who is Born Again and not living in unrepentant sin is eligible for communion. Nevertheless; there should be some discussion with a person beforehand to make sure they are indeed in the faith if someone comes in as a stranger and I can certainly get why some churches want to see if someone regularly attends for a period of time first. Waiting months on end without being given permission is something I have experienced in the past and I think that is going overboard. We shouldn't have a double standard either assuming just because someone has attended church as a member for years that they are "good to go" either; but without any real suspicion I can see how in that case an "open communion" (i.e for all members) can be given. We need to attend to warnings in Corinthians about those dying who take communion unworthily ( 1 Cor. 11:27-34). Unity in the Body of Christ in the church is represented with Communion and His presence is there along with any other actions such as two or more praying together. This is why we are to clear things up with our brother first ( Matthew 5:23-24) it should be settled-this discusses a gift at the altar but seems fitting nonetheless

GiGi,

Part 2 Trinity discussion

Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?

Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20

My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 1 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 1:2 Galatians 1:3 Ephesians 1:2 Ephesians 6:23 Philippians 1:2 Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.

If so, who were they in relation to the Father?

I believe the above answers this.

How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?

My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:31 Proverbs 16:4 Isaiah 45:18 Nehemiah 9:6.

Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?

Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.

See part 3.

Hi GiGi,

Part 1 Trinity discussion

To start; I used to have a similar understanding of the Trinity doctrine but over time it has changed, and I am still studying it. I do not consider myself part of any group or denomination other than a believer and follower of Jesus. I feel we should inspire each other to study in prayer for the truth and to be open to the Holy Spirit to unveil the truth as we know nothing.

With me, it started with two verses, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, I contemplated these verses for a long time, it was like they stuck in my mind unanswered. In my study of the Trinity, I found out how it developed and how many deaths it caused even after the Reformation, and the questions I asked in Churches, many could not explain it and said it is a mystery that man cannot comprehend.

Is God and has He always been one solitary person?

Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD, Mark 12:29 and as said in 1 Cor. 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. My understanding is God the Father is eternal He has always been and will always be Psalms 90:2. God is Spirit, if a person means He has a will, emotions, the ability to speak, rationalize, self-awareness, to have a relationship with His creation, love, hate, etc. yes one person.

Before creation was, He always and only alone, without anyone to love?

What was before creation in Scripture we have no writings or information, Scripture tells us the hosts of heaven were before the creation of the earth and the galaxies, Job 38:4-7. How long before the physical world and universe we see we do not know. God's plan He declared the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:9-10. I may be wrong, but God has never been alone inside Himself, time nor space cannot contain who He is, the beginning of His plan was Jesus.

See part 2

Whole counsel of God: Church membership.

Here is an issue that can leave us at times with more questions than answers. I may have stated in a past post about a friend of mine in a former church who gladly cleans bathrooms and does other "servile" actions. The definition of that word is interesting because it both encompasses someone who is exuberant about serving others as well as someone often looked down as a low class member of society. Food for thought...

At any event; this friend of mine along with a sizeable group in my current church more than meet the commitment of those who are considered "members" (in fact they seem to exceed them in many ways). In general their explanation of not being a member when I have inquired is that they feel no need to make a formal commitment to something that is a man made sort of concept. Here are a few summary bullet points.

WHY WE SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER

WE MAKE A FORMAL DECLARATION AND ARE HELD TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR COMMITMENTS TO SERVICE; PRAYER; SCRIPTURE READING; EVANGELISM AND WHATEVER ELSE IS IN A DENOMINATIONAL "STATEMENT OF FAITH"

WE ARE IN MANY CASES GIVEN ACCESS TO COMMINION AS WELL AS DECISIONS IN CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS ON FINANCES AND VOTES FOR NEW LEADERSHIP

Now I am going to go through a couple reasons that we should be cautious about becoming a member. Most pressing in my situation is something I was concerned about before I was made a member; that is those who are taking communion unworthily (either in adultery or fornication in particular). I won't go into the subject again as to how I view remarriage when a spouse is still alive as being adultery. In general though if we are a church member we have a responsibility to hold leadership as well as other laypersons accountable which is often uncomfortable. Clearly we should expect our own conduct to be examined carefully as well; exhortation is said to be a spiritual gift but we rarely see it these days.

Preaching the whole counsel of God.

Perhaps Acts 20:27 about the whole will of God is closest to the concept in this title. I have found a growing issue of many who have aberrant doctrines (losing one's salvation; or "modalism" but who have a correct interpretation of certain specific issues. Specifically; I have been looking at those who preach what I consider correct doctrine on the permanence of a marriage covenant while a first spouse remains alive. I have mentioned previously churches where I have fellowshipped that are either "Post or Amillenial" which I disagree with but nonetheless felt that I would regard it as a "secondary" issue after seeing the conviction of faith in general. Therefore; the first thing we have to consider is if the errant doctrine is in our own church or in someplace we are either surfing online or perhaps occasionally attending such as a Bible Study. I have been to VERY liberal groups on occasion where I have had the opportunity to challenge leadership when I had some time alone as well as try to be a witness to those needing some further insights into the Bible. Clearly even in this setting; when someone else wants to teach and says that we only need Jesus not the Bible (such as happened with a friend of mine recently) it is time to pull the Kenny Rogers and know when to walk away or run if we can't convince leadership to stop someone like this (in this case it was the guy's best friend and hopefully he heeded the warning of my friend).

A big component related to this subject goes from the extreme of "hyper grace" individuals to overly legalistic. Again; some latitude needs to be considered as to a style of worship and more importantly the REASON certain procedures are followed along with the character of those in leadershiip. It is an honor to jealously guard the honor of a congregation from wolves and to use scripture to back all things up; but we shouldn't make the way more narrow than Jesus intends.

But if it was Godly, why did they take it out?

Hi Ronald: oops, misunderstood you again. What I meant was that the word for "God three in one" didn't appear in Christian dialog until about 400AD but the teaching has always been biblical but what you meant is that the teaching isn't biblical at all. Is that right?

Since I am new to this discussion would you be willing to explain what your belief is? I hesitate to ask because I know this is a repeat for you but I'd really like to know. If you'd rather not, I understand. Maybe we can go on to another discussion. I enjoy reading your comments and would like to continue in discussions with you.

God Bless :)

My faith is in God and God only hallelujah he coming I can not wait

Mark 2:1-12 (2 of 2)

1:22-24 "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,/ Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us?"

How come the Gospels are replete with the aspect of Trinity and yet man stumble over it? Devil has set him to coin outlandish concepts of 'accelerationalism' as though an historical imperative to bring down his own house. God is in charge and ungodly men cannot know the unclean spirit that spins his head to think of his home a charnel house. This is how the unclean spirit tore down the man in the synagogue of Capernaum.

Similarly when Jesus would heal the man with palsy, his detractors cried 'blasphemy'. Do we not see it in our own times, After kicking the dog what does man say, He howls, hasten his end,'hang him',

Jesus worked so he would say,"Mu Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

vv.10-12

"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)/I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house./And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all.

Mark 2:1-12 "We never saw it on this fashion" (1 of 2)

"And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."

Authority of Jesus evidently came from the doctrine of his Father; and the word become flesh could say,"I am the truth". Unlike the scribes whose authority, as Jesus faulted them, reeked of hypocrisy (1:22) he walked the straight and narrow line. John testifies,"For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken./I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."( John 12:49-50) Where did he learn from? He was in the bosom of his Father so what he said and did was defining the Father inside out.( John 1:18)

While healing the man with palsy, his response we read,"immediately" he arose. He proved "I and my Father are one" and Mark's delineation spares no pains to tell this relation. "He that has the Father has the Son as well. He that has the Son has the Father also' when Jesus made it possible 'inso much that they were all amazed." They glorified God.( 1 John 2:23)

In the previous chapter he was in a synagogue in Capernaum, the unclean spirit 'cried out,"I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." In the world of the Spirit even unclean spirits know the Holy One of God" but they do not want to follow him. In what was the scribes and the Pharisees who did not live by what they preached? Their uncleanness arose from hypocrisy a spiritual malady. Mark here takes us again to Capernaum. In the domestic setting what does the scribes say," Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"(2:7) He was indeed of God to see through them. The tag 'immediately' in v.8 "And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit", is an indication that his deity worked even when he emptied himself.

Hi Momsage,

You did not offend me at all, this subject is hard, and feelings go deep, and many will not even discuss it because it has been a foundation of belief for so many years, and as Giannis said there are verses in the bible that can support different understandings. I am not one to say it is because the word Trinity is not in the Bible. I feel if someone says it is not true because the word Trinity is not in the Bible falls short and does not support why they do not believe in the Trinity.

Same as the rapture, another subject that has been discussed here before. I also do not believe in how it is taught but it is not because the word rapture is not in the Bible. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, it is caught up from the Greek word harpazo meaning to seize, catch up, snatch away. This can be translated into English as rapture which has the same meaning as harpazo. It is not the word it is what is taught that will happen.

Thank you and God bless,

RLW

Hi GiGi,

Sorry to hear about your nephew, the life we are born into, many are not as blessed with good parents and good upbringings and that puts a heavy toll on them, but not so heavy God cannot undo. You and your family are in my prayers, I do not post my prayers I feel funny doing that, Matt. 6:6. I hope to reply today to your questions, I am not the best at unfolding how and why, but I will do my best.

God bless,

RLW

Hello Ronald: I want to apologize for the way I replied to your post about the Trinity. It was a little to straightforward. I know I implied you weren't saved and I am truly sorry about that. I have read some more of your postings now and understand a little better what you believe and I can see you love The Lord and are a brother.

I believe the word "Trinity" to describe the teaching of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Ghost as God three in one wasn't used until about 400AD but the teaching is bibical. Honest question, and you may have been asked this already, but it seems a big part of your belief is because the word Trinity isn't specifically spoken in the scriptures that you believe it isn't true but what about the word "rapture"? Do you believe in it? I'm not trying to deviate from this discussion. I'm just comparing what I believe in that the word Trinity may not be in the bible but, I believe, the teaching truly is. God Bless :)

A correction:

In the second para the lines

" Jesus tells him not to give glory which is due to his Father. He did not teach the leper to break the Law of Moses. "

please read as

" Jesus tells him not to give glory to him personally, for glory which was solely due to his Father. He did not teach the leper to break the Law of Moses either".

Mark 1:41-45 "As soon as he had spoken"

"And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean./ And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." Here we see the word prospering in its round. (Is.55:11) It shall never return to God in void. "God sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.(Ps.107:20) explains the healing of the leper. Mark lays emphasis on the aspect of the word as God's work. So "immediately" refers to the word of God the Father; secondly of the Son. So 'as soon as he had spoken' defines the second aspect of the Trinity. He 'put forth his hand, and touched him' refers to 'the finger of God' the word become flesh ( Luke 11:20). The kingdom of God coming unto you is fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. In short the Will of the Father is fulfilled by the Son in this healing. Third office of the Spirit is the witnessing spirit otherwise Mark would have no reason to record it unless he himself was present there.

"And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;/And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." (vv.43-44) Jesus tells him not to give glory which is due to his Father. He did not teach the leper to break the Law of Moses. Instead he advised him to present himself to the priest. As a sign he was a testimony to man and his Father in heaven.

45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

Ronald,

In addition to my reply you may check out my post from the gospel of St Mark, under the title 'Authority'. You see Trinity in action whether it is in heaven or on earth.

Mark 1:21-45 " Authority"

His authority came from his deity. "I and my Father are one" As his Son the voice from heaven claimed his humanity so "Trinity" was not merely a doctrine but validated the everlasting covenant. " And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased./And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness." (vv.11-12) The Spirit the third office in Trinity led him as the Lucan Gospel says. He was among men but his deity was never in jeopardy. So His power and glory is his as he makes clear in his prayer, "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."( John 17:5)

As the Word become flesh his presence among them was a sign. "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."( John 14:10)

He works so all the healing we have in vv.21-45 we shall fill the dots all the way to the throne of God. Thus the healing validated the blessings mentioned in Ge.1:28. "God blessed them" and it was through his Son.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. Here is another, "And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."

"And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

Mark 1:12-15

"And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness./ And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."

Matt.4:1-2 refers to the same which however is to present the temptation, in detail while Mark skips it altogether. His version of the Gospel to give us a digest of the deity and humanity for his audience mostly from the pagan world. (5:41;7:3)

14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,/ And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

vv.16-22. Marks reports of the disciples as much as of their master. Jesus chose for instance the brothers Andrew and Simon "or they were fishers."

vv.17-20 "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men./And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him./And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets./And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him." Here we can gather that Zebedee was a man of means having servants.

Another curious feature is how the Evangelist keeps fast pace, using straightway or immediately as shorthand as it were, so doctrinal matters he has left for the other three gospel writers to fill in. It is how each gospel is self-contained in terms of its purpose but also dependent on the rest.

vv.21-22 "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught./ And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes."

Hi Ronald

The everlasting covenant is between God and Man. The Man here is the Son, to whom God by a decree gives the day..Ps.2:7 How long the day is, it is set by eternal God. The seven days in the first chapter relate to what God willed. His will is perfect and absolute, requiring no correction.

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." God's will expressed and it is fulfilled by the Son. This is not with regards to the natural light from celestial objects but about inheritance of saints in light. This covenant is agreed upon light and darkness. In God's eyes light of the day or of night, "Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."(Ps.139:12). Who shall question God why day and not night? It is a matter of faith and obedience. This is what the Son has shown as the Word become flesh.

"And the evening and the morning were the first day." The Spirit in recording this covenant gives us a phrase to indicate it is a continuous processs and at the end of each day it is recorded. In Re.21 we read that there was no more night in the holy city. Thus from day one in Ge.1:5 till the last book this shall be a continual process. God's covenant is everlasting while all other covenants are between men and allowed because of what is determined in heaven. Trinity gives God the Father, the Son and the third office in Trinity as the Witness.

Blessings come down from the greater to the lesser. Faith is one.

The two worlds framed by the word of God, unseen part is heaven (will of the Father) and world made to appear (earth) refers to the Son. So the earth abides forever.(Ec.1:4) He.11:3

The Spirit set creation, "In the beginning" (Ge.1:1) in "the fulness of time" referring the Advent of the Son/ " But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,"(Gal.4:4-6). Time is according to God and not earth time.

Ronald,

I look forward to read your answers because I truly want to know what you believe on this topic and understand your point of view better. I will be better able to respond back to you without assuming that you believe in ways you do not.

If there are any questions you wish to ask me, I would be glad to give you answers to those this week, too. Take care. I am on the mend and am thankful that covid did not do me in, having avoided it for 4 years. It seems that the present strains are not as dangerous for at risk people as at the beginning of the outbreak. Thanking God for that!

Please pray for my nephew. He has been in psyche ward twice in the past two months. He has attempted suicide 5-6 times in the last two months. He does not want to go back home to live with his dad (my brother) or his mom (both contributed to his traumatic childhood by serious neglect, manipulation, and denial of his medical needs and mental health issues. They are catalysts for this dangerous place he is 'in' right now. He wants to move to Texas to live with his sister. He has several sisters there. I hope that will work out and we will help him move there if he needs assistance. It is best for him to not be around my family because so many things can trigger him. He asked my other brother if he could stay with him for a few weeks until he can move to Texas. But neither my brother, nor I really know him very well. I pray that he can go straight from the hospital to his sisters home to live. His sisters know him and experienced the same neglect and denial of medical needs as he did to their detriment. His sisters were also sexually abused by my brother, their father and step-father, which led to him being put out of the family when my nephew was 18 months old. He has been living with his dad (my brother) since he was 18 years old. But my brother is a spiritual abuser and manipulator to him. So, such a sad and bad situation. I think his sisters can give him the best support.

Hello Giannis,

thank you for asking.

I am improving from covid. I got a secondary sinus infection that was worse than the covid. My face was aching all over really badly. Went into the dr. got antibiotics, prednisone and Visteral. Improvement in a day! no more face pain!.

My daughter in law had an IV iron infusion on Friday because her iron levels were so very low. Glad they gave her this therapy. May need to be repeated before the baby comes in May. Otherwise, she is feeling good and baby is growing well.

Our home repairs are coming along slowly right now. Waiting for some materials to finally be delivered. We need to order cabinetry this week. Electricians coming this week to install electrical panel. One bedroom downstairs should be completely done Monday or Tuesday so our son can move back in there so we can move our master bedroom stuff into the room he has been in. Then the contractor can complete the repair on our master bath, remove the popcorn ceilings in there and lay the flooring before they start on the other bath upstairs, complete that, remove the popcorn ceiling in the hall and stairs and lay the flooring to the doorways to the other two bedrooms upstairs. Then we move back into our master and they finish the ceiling and flooring in that room. Then Kevin and Viv move into that room, and the contractor finishes the other bedroom ceiling and flooring and then flooring down the stairs. When that is all done the upstairs will be finished. So a big process. We will be painting walls in between moves from room to room. But it goes pretty fast.

When the upstairs is done, then the popcorn ceiling downstairs will be removed, and begin demo of the kitchen and removal of walls and the drop down ceiling in there. Then the electrician will come and install can lighting, outlets, etc, before the walls get prepped for painting and installation of the cabinets, appliances, etc. There will just be two more rooms to finish after the kitchen. Whew!

Hey Giannis,

Thanks, I understand this is a hard subject that goes deep. I understand what you are saying. I hope all is well with you.

God bless,

RLW

Hi Ronald

I don't wish to take part in this conversation, but one thing comes into my mind.

There are scriptures in the Bible that show Jesus as a human being. We all know those scriptures and you have mentioned many so far. But on the other hand there are scriptures that show Jesus as a God. Some brothers and sisters have pointed them out to you. If one deletes either side gets into wrong conclusions. If one considers only those who show Him as a man then they will conclude that Jesus is only a man. If one selects only those who show Him as a God, then they will wrongly conclude that He is only God. You have to take both into account to get the right picture of Jesus. GBU