Many today claim that John Nelson Darby in the 1800s was the originator of dispensationalism, yet the truth is much older. The Apostle Paul himself was the first to set forth the truths of dispensations. In Ephesians 3:2, Paul speaks directly of "the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward." He further declares that the mystery of Christ-hidden from ages and generations-was revealed to him ( Ephesians 3:3-9; Colossians 1:25-27). These are not man's inventions but divine revelations entrusted to Paul by the risen Lord.
Darby may have revived and systematized these doctrines in his day, but Paul was the original steward. It was Paul who first divided prophecy from mystery, Israel's promises from the Body of Christ, law from grace. He wrote, "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" ( 2 Timothy 2:7). Paul is the one who instructs us to rightly divide the Word of truth ( 2 Timothy 2:15). Long before Darby, Paul testified that God had committed to him the dispensation for this age and that he was made a pattern for those who would afterward believe ( 1 Timothy 1:16).
We may appreciate men like Darby, Scofield, or others who helped organize and explain these truths for later generations, but they did not create them. They simply pointed back to the original apostle to the Gentiles. If one desires to see the first true dispensationalist, we need not look to the 19th century but rather to the pages of the New Testament. Paul stands as the chosen vessel through whom God revealed His program for this present age of grace. And if one chooses to disagree, let it be known that it is not Darby you resist but the very Word of God itself-and that responsibility rests on you.
We all; including myself need to be "wise as serpents; innocent as doves." ( Matt. 10:16). We must balance being obedient in service to our country whenever possible without being displeasing to God. That is the standard for those directly in harm's way now in our military; or us as civilians. We certainly should have a say with the "decisionmakers" when we can; although it seems things are bound to follow the current trajectory. We need to be wise in not falling for the narrative that is set forth to bring predicted and controlled reactions by those who would back that agenda. We must as Christians put the Great Commission as paramount; therefore helping those who are our "enemies" or may be hostile to us. I don't see this as an impossible contradiction; that is ensuring justice of unbelievers who God keeps under control through the law ( 1 Timothy 1:9); but still loving our enemies and not wishing harm on them. Many in all nations are caught up in what is going on.
As to wisdom when and where to flee to and how much preparation is needed let us all take that prayerfully to the Lord. We know that when push comes to shove there will be people who will try to break in and steal our supplies; food and money supply when things get desperate. We should have a plan for ourselves and pray for Him to speak to us when to leave; or whether to stay where we are. We should have resources for ourselves and prepare ahead to have some for other believers in need whenever we can get it to them as well as for outsiders. A practical suggestion is not to put everything in one place but spread it out and of course have a disaster plan.
We also need to trust God to meet our needs. Getting the whole family involved is also helpful as everyone will have to help. We can learn much from people such as the Mennonites on this subject.
I hope this provokes interaction; thought; prayer and perhaps fasting.
I pray that people will stumble upon my user name and accept what it says and TRULY OBEY THE WORDS OF GOD. Many Christians think they are going to inherit the kingdom of God by being unrighteous, yet Paul told us NOT so in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Whoever is reading this, if you are still in sin then do what exactly what Proverbs 28:13 says for forgiveness. God is real and He wants to see people FREE FROM THEIR SINS. There are MANY who unfortunately twist the word of God, and say we are all still sinners based on a passage in Romans 7:14-24, but they will NOT accept what verse 5 says in that same chapter. Nor will they read and study the chapters BEFORE and AFTER. If they truly loved Jesus and wanted the truth, then they would see in ROMANS 6 AND 8 that CHRISTIANS CAN STOP SINNING! They do the same thing with what Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, but will NOT BELIEVE what verses 12-14 say. WHOEVER IS READING THIS.... DO NOT GIVE UP! SEEK JESUS CHRIST WITH ALL YOUR HEART!
2 Timothy 4:6 - For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
A slight technical thing I would like to share here: It says for I am now ready. In the Greek text, it says I am being poured out as a drink offering. So, it's not that he's about ready to give up his life as an offering for Christ. It shows that he's been doing that this whole time. His life is being poured out as an offering. And the time of his departure is at hand.
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
It is interesting in Verse 7, and I think I've mentioned this in an earlier post, but it's fascinating. It comes from the Coliseum games. There are three things here, and as it says in the text, it represents Perfect Tense verbs. It says, I have fought a good fight. The word fought and fight is the word agony. I have agonized the good agony. That's the word used for the Coliseum games. I have finished the course; I have kept the faith:
So, you have one phrase representing the discipline and the agony of going through training and participating, and you have the actual course itself that he has finished his course. And he has kept the faith. He has kept the rules and regulations, and trusted Christ through it all.
2 Timothy 4:15 - Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
Of whom be thou aware also; The word ware means on guard, for he has greatly withstood our words. Watch out for this guy. He resists the words of God. And as he resisted me, he's going to resist you. There are two different Alexanders mentioned in scripture. One is in Acts Chapter 19, who confronted Paul in Ephesus when he was there. And of course, in 1 Timothy 1:20, we have another Alexander that Paul mentions who is teaching false teaching. So, it's one of these two. He's telling him watch out for him. Be on guard.
1 Timothy 1:16 - Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
The word longsuffering, MAKROTHUMIA, means slow in human reaction. If it's from God, it means slow in reaction of judgment. Paul is presenting himself as saying the only reason that God saved me is because I was the worst of sinners, and by having mercy on me, God could show just how long He goes with people before He brings judgment, and how much mercy He has on people that call out for mercy, and how much His grace is poured out with faith and love which belongs to Christ.
1 Timothy 1:19 - Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Here, Paul shares what is called a Modal Participle. It describes for us what it means to fight the good warfare. Holding faith, and a good conscience; Continually hold onto faith in Christ, and a good conscience before God. That's all you have to worry about. You don't have to worry about how people are going to treat you. You stand up for the Lord and you stand up for the truth.
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith they have made shipwreck: Some people's confession of faith in Christianity, they've made a shipwreck out of it.
1 Timothy 2:7 - Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, I am not lying;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and in verity. That's the word truth. So, he says this is the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, no matter who they are, that Christ died for your sins. If you'll turn to him, you'll come to know the truth.
1 Timothy 1:13 - Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Who was before a blasphemer. Paul blasphemed God. He was a persecutor. He used to chase down Christians and have them put to death or put in prison. And he says I was injurious: which literally comes from the Greek word that means insulting to the people of God. He says but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Very interesting where Paul says that if a person is a non-believer, they don't know that they have no purpose and are going directly against Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, He said on the cross to the Father, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing." Well, they knew that they were having Him crucified. They wanted Him dead. They wanted Him gone.
But what is interesting, in Peter's first message after Pentecost, in Acts Chapter 2, Peter said this Jesus in whom you crucified. He's talking to the very people that had Christ crucified. And he said had you have known who He was, you probably wouldn't have crucified Him. That's why Jesus said Father, they don't really know what they're doing.
They knew what they were doing as far as the activity. But they didn't know that they were taking Messiah and killing Him or killing God's Son. Paul says I was all these things. I was a blasphemer. I was a persecutor. I was insulting to God's people. But God had mercy on me because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1 Timothy 1:14 - And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, and according to the Greek text, it says this grace that was abundant, it produced faith, with faith and love, AGAPE love, and in the Greek, it literally says "This love which is in Christ Jesus." That is to say the AGAPE love is in Christ. It's His love that overflowed onto Paul.
1 Timothy 1:12 - And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
He says I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me. Literally the Greek word is a participle that means empowering me. The Lord is continuously empowering Paul, enabling him to do whatever it is the Lord wants him to do. It's not his own human effort.
For that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 4, Paul says there's one thing that a person must be in order to be in any form of ministry, and that's faithfulness, to people, and to Christ. He says that he counted me faithful, putting me into ministry.
1 Timothy 1:5 - Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
The word charity is the word AGAPE love. The fulfillment of God's commandment brings you to maturity in God's love. It's not a human love. That is out of a pure heart. That's number one. Out of a good conscience, number two. And thirdly, out of faith unfeigned:
The word feigned means to act. Unfeigned of course means to not act. It's the word hypocrite with the negative in front of it. Hypocrite is actually a word from the Greek social system that named the actors that acted in theater. They're hypocrites. HUPOCRISIS (the word for hypocrite) means to answer according to the script.
Paul says the character of sound doctrine is going to produce maturity in love, it's going to come out of a pure heart, out of a good conscience towards God, and out of a faith that's not an act. It's the real thing!
1 Timothy 1:6 - From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
This phrase "vain jangling" is one Greek word that means empty talk. They've swerved aside from sound doctrine, and they're just into empty babblings that don't mean anything.
1 Timothy 1:10 - For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Whoremongers is the word PORNEA for pornography, meaning a prostitute. For them that defile themselves with mankind, one Greek word that means homosexuality. For menstealers, people who would steal others and sell them as slaves. For liars, for perjured persons, that is those who give false testimony.
And if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; The word sound in the Greek is where we get our word hygiene from. It means healthy, whole doctrine, spiritually healthy for a person. It's not laws, and religion, and systems and practices.
1 Tmothy 1:2 - Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Unto Timothy, and he calls him my own son. Literally in the Greek text it's just my son, my genuine son. That's how he writes it. But he's not a son in the human sense, but he's a son in the faith:
1 Timothy 1:3 - As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
He says as I besought thee, and the word besought is literally the word to encourage. And this tips us off as we study the language of this book that he had to encourage Timothy and sometimes command him to go. It's not that he wasn't willing.
He says according as I encouraged, or besought thee to abide still in Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, in order that you might charge, or command some, that they teach no other doctrine.
Now the phrase "no other doctrine" is all one word in Greek, HETEROSDIDASKALOS. HETEROS means different. ALOS means different of the same kind, and HETEROS means different of a different kind. And so, what Paul is saying is very interesting. It is Paul's way of command and setting up his authority as we see when we go through this.
1 Timothy 1:4 - Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Neither give heed to fables, and that's the Greek word Myths, MUTHOS.
(1 Timothy Part 1): Pastoral Instruction. Written to Timothy who was pastoring in Ephesus. Paul presents principles and instructions that should prevail in a local church.
1 Timothy 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
It starts out saying Paul, an apostle. Now here he is, he's known Timothy for 15 to 20 years, and he puts his apostolic title on the book, like he has to show Timothy his authority, which he doesn't have to do. But Paul puts his title so that when Timothy ministers in the church and puts the church in order and someone challenges him, he can say this is not from me, but this is from God to the apostle Paul to us.
And he can prove that the apostle Paul gave him the instructions to do what he's doing. I think that's very important to understand.
But please notice what it says:
By the commandment of God our Saviour. More than in any other places of scripture, Paul, in talking to Timothy about proper doctrine, always calls Jesus God. God is our Savior! Then he says and Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope;
The bible says in Romans 8 that God has created all things to be without hope. Things are constantly changing, constantly unstable, and people can't find satisfaction, and people can't find happiness. Well, God planned it that way so that you can only find hope in Jesus Christ!
The Greek word hope, ELPIDZO, doesn't mean hope like a wish. It is a hope of certainty, certain expectation. So, our hope is in Christ. We know for certain He's coming back. But if I die first, I'm going to go into His presence. And that's a hope the world does not have.
Can we loose our Salvation ? ? This is very scary for any Christians .
Jesus warns us about denying Him .
Matthew 10:33
But whosoever shalldenymebeforemen, him will I alsodenybefore my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus told Peter that he was going to deny Jesus.
Mark 14:30
And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before thecockcrowtwice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Peter has deny Jesus . As we know, Peter became an Apostle and still followed Jesus after His death. Peter never lost his Salvation.
Mark 14:72
And the second time thecockcrew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before thecockcrowtwice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
Jesus warns us of blasphemy.
Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin andblasphemyshall be forgiven unto men: buttheblasphemyagainsttheHolyGhostshall not be forgiven unto men.
Apostle Paul, before he got saved, use to be a blasphemer. Apostle Paul never lost his Salvation. Apostle Paul wrote 13 books of the Bible.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before ablasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
When we work, we earn a salary for what we did, if we are not a believer, then we are going to be judged by our salary of sins.
Romans 6:23
For thewagesofsinis death; but the giftofGod is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Apostle Paul was a Pharisee that was well educated in Hebrew and Greek. Apostle Paul was a blasphemer and had Jews killed for believing in Jesus, but he did it ignorantly.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly inunbelief.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins , why are we praying repentance for our sins for Salvation , when He took all our sins and washed it with His own blood. We are calling God a lier if we repent of our sins for Salvation. Repentance is changing our minds in the direction of God.
Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in yoursins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven youalltrespasses;
Jesus Christ died for all our sins for our Salvation by just believing.
1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered unto you first ofallthat which I also received, how that Christ died foroursinsaccording to the scriptures;
Jesus Christ didn't come to save the righteous, He came to save sinners.
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy ofallacceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to savesinners; of whom I am chief.
Now we need to know, what do we believe for Salvation for today ? ?
We have to believe the gospel that Jesus Christ gave to Apostle Paul in his Epistles. 1 Christian 15:1-4 gospel
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed ofthegospelof Christ: for it isthepower of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; totheJew first, and also totheGreek.
May we all believe and put aside Unbelief ! !
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 the gospel for today by just believing
Please think about this word " Least " and compare it with two books of the Bible. We know that Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of the word. So all the words in the Bible should all be red .
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus theauthorand finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The spirit of Elias is in John the Baptist and he is the least of God. Remember, Jesus Christ is the author of the Bible.
Matthew 11:11-14
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that isleastin the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Now we come to Apostle Paul's epistle and it saids that Apostle Paul is the least too. Apostle Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to write this.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
May we all take notice that Apostle Paul is important and that Jesus Christ picked him out to do a job for His honor and glory.
1 Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honourandgloryfor everandever. Amen.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Easter is coming, but I celebrate Resurrection everyday
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me,infaith and love which isinChristJesus.
Being strong in the grace in Christ.
2 Timothy 2:1
Thou therefore, my son, be stronginthe grace that isinChristJesus.
If we don't suffer for God, then we might not be in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godlyinChristJesus shall suffer persecution.
All that we learn as a child in the scriptures may come to us because we are in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which isinChristJesus.
Apostle Paul writes more about in Christ then anyone in the Bible. Apostle Paul made a pattern for us to follow and that's his epistles.
1 Timothy 1:16
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for apatternto them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Apostle Paul is the Masterbuilder of the grace of God for us to build on his foundation.
1 Corinthians 3:10
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wisemasterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Apostle Paul is our Apostle, teacher and preacher in his Epistles for Salvation and doctrine to live by everyday.
Hi Malekani , that was a very interesting study. As a Christian in Christ Jesus, I am still sinning and it will probably be like that until I loose this sinful body. You see, Apostle Paul had the same problem too, this body and spirit gets dirty, so we need a cleansing. Some would say, " I don't sin any more, I am made perfect ", I know it's not true. But one day we that are saved by believing the gospel will have a new body , fashion like Christ Jesus.
Please, Enjoy my Bible study.
Apostle Paul is the first sinner saved by grace and the doctrine of grace was given to Apostle Paul first.
Romans 1:5
By whom we have receivedgraceand apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I amchief.
1 Corinthians 15:9
For I amtheleastoftheapostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecutedthechurchofGod.
Romans 12:3
For I say, through thegracegivenuntome,toevery man that is among you, nottothink of himself more highly than he oughttothink; buttothink soberly, according as God hath dealttoevery man themeasure of faith.
Ray , in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 we are not sinners because we sin, we are sinners because we born sinners.
Bennymkje, you're a smart person, you should read between the lines and see , just think. Saul of Tarsus is our Apostle today. Jesus Christ is the author of the whole Bible, we must worship and follow .
Part 2
Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter separated with there own beliefs. Apostle Paul went to the Gentiles and Apostle Peter went to the Jews. We will never have a Jew knock on our door for the gospel of grace, it just not happened.
Galatians 2:7
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of theuncircumcisionwas committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
God is speaking to us through Apostle Paul's epistle for doctrine and for instructions to live a glorious life on earth, until Jesus Christ calls us up in the clouds for the Rapture.
Romans 11:13
For I speak to youGentiles, inasmuch as I amtheapostleoftheGentiles, I magnify mineoffice:
1 Timothy 1:11
According to the gloriousgospelof the blessed God, which was committed tomytrust.
God in Heaven is given us a warning that we should take the gospel of grace serious. Apostle Paul was given the gospel of grace.
Romans 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according tomygospel.
May God in Heaven open the blind eye of the people that been deceived by the serpent.
2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as theserpentbeguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
May God bless our Bible study in righteousness and in love in Jesus Christ .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Apostle Paul's gospel of grace given to him from above.
I concur with Brother Chris, salvation is offered to anyone regardless of their present position!
In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul says he was the chef of sinners. Jesus asked Paul in Acts 9:4 "why persecutest thou me? However Paul found grace. Paul was an instrument preserved before the foundation of the world by the foreknowledge of God.
When we consider the quote in Psalms 5:5
"thou hatest all workers of iniquity"
I believe that is those who are perhaps vessels of wrath who refuse the truth and deliberately going against God's will until the end with no repentance. God uses his foreknowledge to determine this as well.
Tee, I will pray for you. Before you study in a quiet place, read any of Apostle Paul's epistles and pray to God to open your understanding. We are to be perfect for God and work hard. Before you know it, it will be in the pass.
If we were to take out Apostle Paul's epistle out of the Bible, it would be very difficult to find Salvation today. Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel unto the Gentiles and Jews to spread his gospel inwhich Jesus Christ gave him through the revelation of the mystery.
Acts 22:3
Iamverily a man whichama Jew,bornin Tarsus, a cityin Cilicia, yet brought upin this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Apostle Paul is the least of the apostles, just like Jesus Christ said Elias is the least.
Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
1 Corinthians 15:9
ForIamtheleast oftheapostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, becauseIpersecutedthechurchof God.
Even though Apostle Paul made others blasphemy, it was done ignorant back when he was a Pharisee.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before ablasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Jesus Christ gave Apostle Paul a office to preach to the Gentiles Salvation.
Romans 11:13
ForIspeak to youGentiles,inasmuch asIamtheapostleoftheGentiles,Imagnify mineoffice:
Jesus Christ gave himself to Apostle Paul and us too.
Galatians 2:20
IamcrucifiedwithChrist: neverthelessIlive; yet notI, butChristlivethin me: and the life whichInow livein the fleshIlive by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
There is power in the gospel of Christ Jesus inwhich the Jews and the Gentiles are saved.
Romans 1:16
ForIamnotashamedofthegospelofChrist: foritisthepowerofGod unto salvation to every one that believet
If we were to take out Apostle Paul's epistle out of the Bible, it would be very difficult to find Salvation today. Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel unto the Gentiles and Jews to spread his gospel inwhich Jesus Christ gave him through the revelation of the mystery.
Acts 22:3
Iamverily a man whichama Jew,bornin Tarsus, a cityin Cilicia, yet brought upin this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Apostle Paul is the least of the apostles, just like Jesus Christ said Elias is the least.
Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
1 Corinthians 15:9
ForIamtheleast oftheapostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, becauseIpersecutedthechurchof God.
Even though Apostle Paul made others blasphemy, it was done ignorant back when he was a Pharisee.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before ablasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Jesus Christ gave Apostle Paul a office to preach to the Gentiles Salvation.
Romans 11:13
ForIspeak to youGentiles,inasmuch asIamtheapostleoftheGentiles,Imagnify mineoffice:
Jesus Christ gave himself to Apostle Paul and us too.
Galatians 2:20
IamcrucifiedwithChrist: neverthelessIlive; yet notI, butChristlivethin me: and the life whichInow livein the fleshIlive by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
There is power in the gospel of Christ Jesus inwhich the Jews and the Gentiles are saved.
Romans 1:16
ForIamnotashamedofthegospelofChrist: foritisthepowerofGod unto salvation to every one that believeth; totheJew first, and also totheGreek.
Here is Apostle Paul's gospel inwhich we are saved. Jesus Christ is the author of this verse.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached un
The first Adam, his disobedience brought sin and death into the world, Romans 5:12-19. The last Adam by obedience to God brought forgiveness and life, the resurrection from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
Adam and Eve were naked and were not ashamed, their hearts were uncorrupted and free from sin. After they ate the forbidden fruit their eyes were opened, their consciences were opened to the knowledge of good and evil, and sin replaced the purity they had. They had a sense of fear and disgrace due to their disobedience.
The shame they now felt was due to the sinful nature that entered them and now they no longer perfectly perceived things, their view of their nakedness should be covered. Nakedness was not a sin, but a fallen perception of nakedness brought shame and sorrow they now felt.
As God covered Adam and Eve with coats of skins to cover their shame/nakedness. Our nakedness of shame can be covered with the garment Isaiah 61:10 given by Jesus. We in Jesus shall not be found naked, but clothed, with the garment of Christ's righteousness, our sins covered and cleansed by the blood of Jesus that makes it spotless and white as long as we continue in faith and overcome.
Concerning those that do not die in the Lord, that do not watch, and keep their garments will walk naked, their sins will be open to being seen, Revelation 16:151 Timothy 4:1-2Revelation 20:15.
Every human being, whether they're saved or unsaved, and regardless of their culture, ethnicity, or background, has a conscience, Romans 2:14-15. Inside this conscience is the battle between the flesh and the Spirit Romans 9:1 we can repent and be covered, if not we will be naked and found guilty. We cannot hide what is in our conscience, it records every good and evil we have ever done or thought. I feel this is where we are naked or clothed. Romans 4:6-82 Corinthians 1:121 Timothy 1:19Hebrews 9:9Hebrews 13:181 Peter 3:21.
I would like to share my understanding on Luke 7:47. Verses 48-50 can be read also with Verse 47.
This is another instance where God's Spirit worked in a situation to show what faith looks like. Her love did not produce her salvation. She was not saved by works.
What Jesus is saying is that her love proved that she was saved, that she was forgiven. Love is a fruit, a response to Christ, not a work in order to gain salvation. It is a byproduct.
John says in first John Chapter 4, "We love Him because He first loved us." Our relationship with the Lord is a response. Even thanksgiving does not originate with us. We are told to give God thanks for everything.
The word thanksgiving means respond to grace. That is what it means, EUCHARISTHEO CHARIS.
The more I am exposed to God's grace, the more I have a response of thanks. Gratitude! God's pouring out in my life, what I need and I don't deserve, and I thank Him for it. That is what it means. Her love was proof of her faith.
Look at the apostle Paul who was Saul of Tarsus. God saved him and Paul says "I'm not worthy to be an apostle because I persecuted church of God." And he told Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:15, he says "I am the chiefest of sinners!" And that's my message, that if I'm the chiefest of sinners, and God can save me, He can save anybody. What a message to have. But Paul was no celebrity!
How would we like to have the most notorious criminal in the world visit our church? And they come and say "I got a testimony!" It would be like, "Yeah, we don't mind as long as we have two people follow you around!" Just stay away from the offering box!
But you know, the people who are the most sinful, when they get saved, watch out because they're gone. They will leave us in the dust. For the person who is forgiven most will love the most. It gives that much more importance to pray for the people that we know who are not saved.
Liars: Final warning of those in hell from Revelation 21:8
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines a liar as someone who tells lies. No comment here on how great that definition is..:(
I will state as I have numerous times that no names need to be given here; just a mere mention of politics whether "donkeys or elephants" should suffice. I have said to people on occasion that a liar is worse than a murderer. The Apostle Paul is my "exhibit A" in that he at least was complicit in murder but did it in ignorance ( 1 Timothy 1:13). What we can't say is that he ever lied about his intentions; everyone knew his impassioned motives in the persecution. Lying is probably the most common methodology for maintaining a lifestyle of sin; if not lying to ourselves as to what we are doing and the consequences it is lying to others for self promotion. There are scriptural instances of lying where the midwives told Pharoah that the babies he wanted to kill were born before they could get to them. ( Exodus 1:19). There are other cases where for instance the full census wasn't given of the Israelites (Levites excluded) because the evil was sensed in King David's request that Satan himself had supplanted his heart to perform. I won't quibble here on that but certainly when we find a lie as the only way to preserve a life it is different than when it is merely self promoting.
In concealing a matter; as a case study we aren't helping ourselves ( Prov. 28:13). Hiding our sins is only going to be destructive. We will in time be found out. Lying of course can attempt to distract from any sort of transgression so again it seems that it may be most dangerous and deliberately at the end of sins leading to damnation. We need to heed carefully David's reaction when Nathan said "YOU ARE THE MAN" ( 2 Samuel 12:7). Saul wasn't ever able to repent; even though he said that he sinned ( 1 Samuel 15:24). This is like Pharaoh in Exodus 9:27 or Judas in Matthew 27:4. Worldly sorrow.
My faith must be on the truth of GOD and not v4...to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Let us all put on the armor of GOD and go in to battle prepared against the spiritual wickedness before us.
GOD to shine HIS blessed face on all who are on this platform. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all in CHRIST JESUS name.
To avoid them, you have to know who they are. You can't avoid somebody if you don't know who they are. This idea of identifying and avoiding shows up in
1 Corinthians 5:11;
2 Thessalonians 3:6,
2 Thessalonians 3:14;
2 Timothy 3:5;
2 John 1:10.
In other words, Christians, and shepherds in particular, should be discerning and alert to behavior and teaching that dishonors Christ and destroys people - and not treat it in a casual or harmless way.
And then in 1 Timothy 5:19-20, Paul went beyond just "avoid them" to "rebuke them publicly." So, speaking of elders who persist in error, he said, "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin" - and that can be sin of false doctrine or sin of evil behavior, anyone who does not accept correction - "rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.."
And then Paul went on and actually named destructive false teachers:
"Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me" 2 Timothy 4:10.
You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes" 2 Timothy 1:15.
"By rejecting this [faith and a good conscience], some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander" 1 Timothy 1:19-20.
"Their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus" ( 2 Timothy 2:17).
Paul names at least six false teachers that the church should watch out for.
So, I infer from Jesus and Paul and Luke and John that false teaching and destructive behavior are present dangers in this fallen world for the church. And all of us - especially shepherds, pastors - should be alert and discerning to identify and, in appropriate ways, expose. In order to protect the flock, we should expose them and minimize the spread of the gangrene (as Paul calls it).
You said you disagree with me about his natural abilities. He was a very intelligent man prior to his conversion with many skills and abilities that God used.
And you said you don't think Paul is meaning in the verses I quoted that he was illiterate, nor unskilled with language or reason prior to conversion.
Re examine my post, I didn't say either of those things.
Here's all I said; Paul in his "Natural mind/ Wisdom persecuted Christians and did not understand the things of God.
Referring to this verse.
1 Timothy 1:13-14.
And IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF!! That wasn't a blessing.
Everything else I posted that you disagree with was scripture I copied pasted and posted.
The emphasis is that NO! God doesn't need anything intellectual from anyone and nor does he seek out those things.
The reason being is that we will do exactly what you are displaying now. Glory man and not God.
Listen to Paul again here in
1 Corinthians 2:1-4.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANY THING AMONG YOU! save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
AND MY SPEECH AND MY PREACHING WAS NOT WITH ENTICING WORDS OF MAN'S WISDOM, BUT IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER:
Paul says he came to them as someone Knowing nothing!
This section of scripture Parallels with the passage you disagree with in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
When we are born again we start out as babes in Christ and we feed on the sincere milk of the word whereby we grow, as Peter mentioned in his epistle.
The Holyspirit is the most neglected member of the Godhead amongst the Church,
That's why there is so much ignorance in the word of God.
There's many verses that disagree with you
Philippians 3:4-8.
So I disagree with your take that God blessed and prepared Paul with intellect to prepare him for ministry.
Yes God blessed the Apostles, including Paul with wisdom of words, But until AFTER they were converted!
Paul in his "Natural mind/ Wisdom persecuted Christians and did not understand the things of God.
Listen to Paul in his own words.
1 Timothy 1:13-14.
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I DID IT IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ.
Paul said he did it "IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF!! That wasn't a blessing.
Here again.
1 Corinthians 2:4.
1 Corinthians 2:6
1 Corinthians 2:12.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31.For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
We know certain things to be true of God for one reason: in His mercy He has condescended to reveal some of His qualities to us. God is spirit, by nature intangible ( John 4:24). God is One, but He exists as three Persons-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 3:16-17). God is infinite ( 1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable ( 2 Samuel 7:22), and unchanging ( Malachi 3:6). God exists everywhere ( Psalm 139:7-12), knows everything ( Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28), and has all power and authority ( Ephesians 1; Revelation 19:6).
Who is God? - His Work
We cannot understand God apart from His works, because what God does flows from who He is. Here is an abbreviated list of God's works, past, present, and future: God created the world ( Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world ( Colossians 1:17); He is executing His eternal plan ( Ephesians 1:11) which involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death ( Galatians 3:13-14); He draws people to Christ ( John 6:44); He disciplines His children ( Hebrews 12:6); and He will judge the world ( Revelation 20:11-15).
Who is God? - A Relationship with Him
In the Person of the Son, God became incarnate ( John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man and is therefore the "bridge" between God and man ( John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins ( Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God ( John 15:15; Romans 5:10), and eternal salvation ( 2 Timothy 2:10). In Jesus Christ "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ( Colossians 2:9). So, to really know who God is, all we have to do is look at Jesus.
Jerry that is much of what we know about God and that probably don't scratch the surface on GOD!
The leading Republican candidate for the 2024 election has announced his plan for the prosecution of drug cartel and child trafficking groups. The cost for such efforts will be extreme as was brought up in a recent message. Countless thousands in Mexico have been beheaded and butchered; including police who have dared to stand up against such things; and they have been outgunned in the last attempt to take out a major drug dealer.
The love of money is the root of all evil ( 1 Timothy 6:10) and as a pampered society we have reaped what we've sown in many ways. There are many issues such as international military affairs that are tied into business dealings with contractors; and as is pretty clear there is enough corruption to go around. We have record numbers of people expecting a handout and not contributing to society with productive work; while the rest of us are out working 2 or even 3 jobs to make ends meet; and partially to support these unproductive individuals. The image of life as being a continuous party ensnares some to get rich by any means necessary as to get the newest car; nicest home; or trade in their wife for a newer model. While everyone seems to accumulate more things there is less quality time; less value to human life and of course this results from turning away from the God of the Bible. 1 Timothy 1:9 shows how the law is supposed to keep the unrighteous in line; but of course not enforced we see the chaos and decay of any structure that was holding us together in the past.
Judgment is inevitable; but on this side of the Rapture how much resistance can hold back the overwhelming flood of sin is unknown. Certainly God's people can be used for a time to accomplish this; but they THEMSELVES need to turn from evil ( 2 Chron. 7:14). It is GOD'S people who must once again in significant numbers become DISTINCT from the world and be willing to count the cost. ( Luke 14:28). We'll see.
Many today claim that John Nelson Darby in the 1800s was the originator of dispensationalism, yet the truth is much older. The Apostle Paul himself was the first to set forth the truths of dispensations. In Ephesians 3:2, Paul speaks directly of "the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward." He further declares that the mystery of Christ-hidden from ages and generations-was revealed to him ( Ephesians 3:3-9; Colossians 1:25-27). These are not man's inventions but divine revelations entrusted to Paul by the risen Lord.
Darby may have revived and systematized these doctrines in his day, but Paul was the original steward. It was Paul who first divided prophecy from mystery, Israel's promises from the Body of Christ, law from grace. He wrote, "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" ( 2 Timothy 2:7). Paul is the one who instructs us to rightly divide the Word of truth ( 2 Timothy 2:15). Long before Darby, Paul testified that God had committed to him the dispensation for this age and that he was made a pattern for those who would afterward believe ( 1 Timothy 1:16).
We may appreciate men like Darby, Scofield, or others who helped organize and explain these truths for later generations, but they did not create them. They simply pointed back to the original apostle to the Gentiles. If one desires to see the first true dispensationalist, we need not look to the 19th century but rather to the pages of the New Testament. Paul stands as the chosen vessel through whom God revealed His program for this present age of grace. And if one chooses to disagree, let it be known that it is not Darby you resist but the very Word of God itself-and that responsibility rests on you.
G&P
We all; including myself need to be "wise as serpents; innocent as doves." ( Matt. 10:16). We must balance being obedient in service to our country whenever possible without being displeasing to God. That is the standard for those directly in harm's way now in our military; or us as civilians. We certainly should have a say with the "decisionmakers" when we can; although it seems things are bound to follow the current trajectory. We need to be wise in not falling for the narrative that is set forth to bring predicted and controlled reactions by those who would back that agenda. We must as Christians put the Great Commission as paramount; therefore helping those who are our "enemies" or may be hostile to us. I don't see this as an impossible contradiction; that is ensuring justice of unbelievers who God keeps under control through the law ( 1 Timothy 1:9); but still loving our enemies and not wishing harm on them. Many in all nations are caught up in what is going on.
As to wisdom when and where to flee to and how much preparation is needed let us all take that prayerfully to the Lord. We know that when push comes to shove there will be people who will try to break in and steal our supplies; food and money supply when things get desperate. We should have a plan for ourselves and pray for Him to speak to us when to leave; or whether to stay where we are. We should have resources for ourselves and prepare ahead to have some for other believers in need whenever we can get it to them as well as for outsiders. A practical suggestion is not to put everything in one place but spread it out and of course have a disaster plan.
We also need to trust God to meet our needs. Getting the whole family involved is also helpful as everyone will have to help. We can learn much from people such as the Mennonites on this subject.
I hope this provokes interaction; thought; prayer and perhaps fasting.
Agape. RHP
2 Timothy 4:6 - For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
A slight technical thing I would like to share here: It says for I am now ready. In the Greek text, it says I am being poured out as a drink offering. So, it's not that he's about ready to give up his life as an offering for Christ. It shows that he's been doing that this whole time. His life is being poured out as an offering. And the time of his departure is at hand.
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
It is interesting in Verse 7, and I think I've mentioned this in an earlier post, but it's fascinating. It comes from the Coliseum games. There are three things here, and as it says in the text, it represents Perfect Tense verbs. It says, I have fought a good fight. The word fought and fight is the word agony. I have agonized the good agony. That's the word used for the Coliseum games. I have finished the course; I have kept the faith:
So, you have one phrase representing the discipline and the agony of going through training and participating, and you have the actual course itself that he has finished his course. And he has kept the faith. He has kept the rules and regulations, and trusted Christ through it all.
2 Timothy 4:15 - Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
Of whom be thou aware also; The word ware means on guard, for he has greatly withstood our words. Watch out for this guy. He resists the words of God. And as he resisted me, he's going to resist you. There are two different Alexanders mentioned in scripture. One is in Acts Chapter 19, who confronted Paul in Ephesus when he was there. And of course, in 1 Timothy 1:20, we have another Alexander that Paul mentions who is teaching false teaching. So, it's one of these two. He's telling him watch out for him. Be on guard.
1 Timothy 1:16 - Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
The word longsuffering, MAKROTHUMIA, means slow in human reaction. If it's from God, it means slow in reaction of judgment. Paul is presenting himself as saying the only reason that God saved me is because I was the worst of sinners, and by having mercy on me, God could show just how long He goes with people before He brings judgment, and how much mercy He has on people that call out for mercy, and how much His grace is poured out with faith and love which belongs to Christ.
1 Timothy 1:19 - Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Here, Paul shares what is called a Modal Participle. It describes for us what it means to fight the good warfare. Holding faith, and a good conscience; Continually hold onto faith in Christ, and a good conscience before God. That's all you have to worry about. You don't have to worry about how people are going to treat you. You stand up for the Lord and you stand up for the truth.
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith they have made shipwreck: Some people's confession of faith in Christianity, they've made a shipwreck out of it.
1 Timothy 2:7 - Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, I am not lying;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and in verity. That's the word truth. So, he says this is the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, no matter who they are, that Christ died for your sins. If you'll turn to him, you'll come to know the truth.
1 Timothy 1:13 - Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Who was before a blasphemer. Paul blasphemed God. He was a persecutor. He used to chase down Christians and have them put to death or put in prison. And he says I was injurious: which literally comes from the Greek word that means insulting to the people of God. He says but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Very interesting where Paul says that if a person is a non-believer, they don't know that they have no purpose and are going directly against Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, He said on the cross to the Father, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing." Well, they knew that they were having Him crucified. They wanted Him dead. They wanted Him gone.
But what is interesting, in Peter's first message after Pentecost, in Acts Chapter 2, Peter said this Jesus in whom you crucified. He's talking to the very people that had Christ crucified. And he said had you have known who He was, you probably wouldn't have crucified Him. That's why Jesus said Father, they don't really know what they're doing.
They knew what they were doing as far as the activity. But they didn't know that they were taking Messiah and killing Him or killing God's Son. Paul says I was all these things. I was a blasphemer. I was a persecutor. I was insulting to God's people. But God had mercy on me because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1 Timothy 1:14 - And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, and according to the Greek text, it says this grace that was abundant, it produced faith, with faith and love, AGAPE love, and in the Greek, it literally says "This love which is in Christ Jesus." That is to say the AGAPE love is in Christ. It's His love that overflowed onto Paul.
1 Timothy 1:12 - And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
He says I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me. Literally the Greek word is a participle that means empowering me. The Lord is continuously empowering Paul, enabling him to do whatever it is the Lord wants him to do. It's not his own human effort.
For that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 4, Paul says there's one thing that a person must be in order to be in any form of ministry, and that's faithfulness, to people, and to Christ. He says that he counted me faithful, putting me into ministry.
1 Timothy 1:5 - Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
The word charity is the word AGAPE love. The fulfillment of God's commandment brings you to maturity in God's love. It's not a human love. That is out of a pure heart. That's number one. Out of a good conscience, number two. And thirdly, out of faith unfeigned:
The word feigned means to act. Unfeigned of course means to not act. It's the word hypocrite with the negative in front of it. Hypocrite is actually a word from the Greek social system that named the actors that acted in theater. They're hypocrites. HUPOCRISIS (the word for hypocrite) means to answer according to the script.
Paul says the character of sound doctrine is going to produce maturity in love, it's going to come out of a pure heart, out of a good conscience towards God, and out of a faith that's not an act. It's the real thing!
1 Timothy 1:6 - From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
This phrase "vain jangling" is one Greek word that means empty talk. They've swerved aside from sound doctrine, and they're just into empty babblings that don't mean anything.
1 Timothy 1:10 - For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Whoremongers is the word PORNEA for pornography, meaning a prostitute. For them that defile themselves with mankind, one Greek word that means homosexuality. For menstealers, people who would steal others and sell them as slaves. For liars, for perjured persons, that is those who give false testimony.
And if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; The word sound in the Greek is where we get our word hygiene from. It means healthy, whole doctrine, spiritually healthy for a person. It's not laws, and religion, and systems and practices.
1 Tmothy 1:2 - Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Unto Timothy, and he calls him my own son. Literally in the Greek text it's just my son, my genuine son. That's how he writes it. But he's not a son in the human sense, but he's a son in the faith:
1 Timothy 1:3 - As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
He says as I besought thee, and the word besought is literally the word to encourage. And this tips us off as we study the language of this book that he had to encourage Timothy and sometimes command him to go. It's not that he wasn't willing.
He says according as I encouraged, or besought thee to abide still in Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, in order that you might charge, or command some, that they teach no other doctrine.
Now the phrase "no other doctrine" is all one word in Greek, HETEROSDIDASKALOS. HETEROS means different. ALOS means different of the same kind, and HETEROS means different of a different kind. And so, what Paul is saying is very interesting. It is Paul's way of command and setting up his authority as we see when we go through this.
1 Timothy 1:4 - Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Neither give heed to fables, and that's the Greek word Myths, MUTHOS.
(1 Timothy Part 1): Pastoral Instruction. Written to Timothy who was pastoring in Ephesus. Paul presents principles and instructions that should prevail in a local church.
1 Timothy 1:1 - Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
It starts out saying Paul, an apostle. Now here he is, he's known Timothy for 15 to 20 years, and he puts his apostolic title on the book, like he has to show Timothy his authority, which he doesn't have to do. But Paul puts his title so that when Timothy ministers in the church and puts the church in order and someone challenges him, he can say this is not from me, but this is from God to the apostle Paul to us.
And he can prove that the apostle Paul gave him the instructions to do what he's doing. I think that's very important to understand.
But please notice what it says:
By the commandment of God our Saviour. More than in any other places of scripture, Paul, in talking to Timothy about proper doctrine, always calls Jesus God. God is our Savior! Then he says and Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope;
The bible says in Romans 8 that God has created all things to be without hope. Things are constantly changing, constantly unstable, and people can't find satisfaction, and people can't find happiness. Well, God planned it that way so that you can only find hope in Jesus Christ!
The Greek word hope, ELPIDZO, doesn't mean hope like a wish. It is a hope of certainty, certain expectation. So, our hope is in Christ. We know for certain He's coming back. But if I die first, I'm going to go into His presence. And that's a hope the world does not have.
Can we loose our Salvation ? ? This is very scary for any Christians .
Jesus warns us about denying Him .
Matthew 10:33
But whosoever shalldenymebeforemen, him will I alsodenybefore my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus told Peter that he was going to deny Jesus.
Mark 14:30
And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before thecockcrowtwice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Peter has deny Jesus . As we know, Peter became an Apostle and still followed Jesus after His death. Peter never lost his Salvation.
Mark 14:72
And the second time thecockcrew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before thecockcrowtwice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
Jesus warns us of blasphemy.
Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin andblasphemyshall be forgiven unto men: buttheblasphemyagainsttheHolyGhostshall not be forgiven unto men.
Apostle Paul, before he got saved, use to be a blasphemer. Apostle Paul never lost his Salvation. Apostle Paul wrote 13 books of the Bible.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before ablasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
When we work, we earn a salary for what we did, if we are not a believer, then we are going to be judged by our salary of sins.
Romans 6:23
For thewagesofsinis death; but the giftofGod is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Apostle Paul was a Pharisee that was well educated in Hebrew and Greek. Apostle Paul was a blasphemer and had Jews killed for believing in Jesus, but he did it ignorantly.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly inunbelief.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins , why are we praying repentance for our sins for Salvation , when He took all our sins and washed it with His own blood. We are calling God a lier if we repent of our sins for Salvation. Repentance is changing our minds in the direction of God.
Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in yoursins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven youalltrespasses;
Jesus Christ died for all our sins for our Salvation by just believing.
1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered unto you first ofallthat which I also received, how that Christ died foroursinsaccording to the scriptures;
Jesus Christ didn't come to save the righteous, He came to save sinners.
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy ofallacceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to savesinners; of whom I am chief.
Now we need to know, what do we believe for Salvation for today ? ?
We have to believe the gospel that Jesus Christ gave to Apostle Paul in his Epistles. 1 Christian 15:1-4 gospel
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed ofthegospelof Christ: for it isthepower of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; totheJew first, and also totheGreek.
May we all believe and put aside Unbelief ! !
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 the gospel for today by just believing
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus theauthorand finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The spirit of Elias is in John the Baptist and he is the least of God. Remember, Jesus Christ is the author of the Bible.
Matthew 11:11-14
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that isleastin the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Now we come to Apostle Paul's epistle and it saids that Apostle Paul is the least too. Apostle Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to write this.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
May we all take notice that Apostle Paul is important and that Jesus Christ picked him out to do a job for His honor and glory.
1 Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honourandgloryfor everandever. Amen.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Easter is coming, but I celebrate Resurrection everyday
Apostle Paul has sound words in Christ.
2 Timothy 1:13
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me,infaith and love which isinChristJesus.
Being strong in the grace in Christ.
2 Timothy 2:1
Thou therefore, my son, be stronginthe grace that isinChristJesus.
If we don't suffer for God, then we might not be in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godlyinChristJesus shall suffer persecution.
All that we learn as a child in the scriptures may come to us because we are in Christ.
2 Timothy 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which isinChristJesus.
Apostle Paul writes more about in Christ then anyone in the Bible. Apostle Paul made a pattern for us to follow and that's his epistles.
1 Timothy 1:16
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for apatternto them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Apostle Paul is the Masterbuilder of the grace of God for us to build on his foundation.
1 Corinthians 3:10
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wisemasterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Apostle Paul is our Apostle, teacher and preacher in his Epistles for Salvation and doctrine to live by everyday.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Salvation doesn't require anything but believe.
Please, Enjoy my Bible study.
Apostle Paul is the first sinner saved by grace and the doctrine of grace was given to Apostle Paul first.
Romans 1:5
By whom we have receivedgraceand apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I amchief.
1 Corinthians 15:9
For I amtheleastoftheapostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecutedthechurchofGod.
Romans 12:3
For I say, through thegracegivenuntome,toevery man that is among you, nottothink of himself more highly than he oughttothink; buttothink soberly, according as God hath dealttoevery man themeasure of faith.
Ray , in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 we are not sinners because we sin, we are sinners because we born sinners.
Part 2
Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter separated with there own beliefs. Apostle Paul went to the Gentiles and Apostle Peter went to the Jews. We will never have a Jew knock on our door for the gospel of grace, it just not happened.
Galatians 2:7
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of theuncircumcisionwas committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
God is speaking to us through Apostle Paul's epistle for doctrine and for instructions to live a glorious life on earth, until Jesus Christ calls us up in the clouds for the Rapture.
Romans 11:13
For I speak to youGentiles, inasmuch as I amtheapostleoftheGentiles, I magnify mineoffice:
1 Timothy 1:11
According to the gloriousgospelof the blessed God, which was committed tomytrust.
God in Heaven is given us a warning that we should take the gospel of grace serious. Apostle Paul was given the gospel of grace.
Romans 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according tomygospel.
May God in Heaven open the blind eye of the people that been deceived by the serpent.
2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as theserpentbeguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
May God bless our Bible study in righteousness and in love in Jesus Christ .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Apostle Paul's gospel of grace given to him from above.
I concur with Brother Chris, salvation is offered to anyone regardless of their present position!
In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul says he was the chef of sinners. Jesus asked Paul in Acts 9:4 "why persecutest thou me? However Paul found grace. Paul was an instrument preserved before the foundation of the world by the foreknowledge of God.
When we consider the quote in Psalms 5:5
"thou hatest all workers of iniquity"
I believe that is those who are perhaps vessels of wrath who refuse the truth and deliberately going against God's will until the end with no repentance. God uses his foreknowledge to determine this as well.
Blessings.
If we were to take out Apostle Paul's epistle out of the Bible, it would be very difficult to find Salvation today. Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel unto the Gentiles and Jews to spread his gospel inwhich Jesus Christ gave him through the revelation of the mystery.
Acts 22:3
Iamverily a man whichama Jew,bornin Tarsus, a cityin Cilicia, yet brought upin this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Apostle Paul is the least of the apostles, just like Jesus Christ said Elias is the least.
Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
1 Corinthians 15:9
ForIamtheleast oftheapostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, becauseIpersecutedthechurchof God.
Even though Apostle Paul made others blasphemy, it was done ignorant back when he was a Pharisee.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before ablasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Jesus Christ gave Apostle Paul a office to preach to the Gentiles Salvation.
Romans 11:13
ForIspeak to youGentiles,inasmuch asIamtheapostleoftheGentiles,Imagnify mineoffice:
Jesus Christ gave himself to Apostle Paul and us too.
Galatians 2:20
IamcrucifiedwithChrist: neverthelessIlive; yet notI, butChristlivethin me: and the life whichInow livein the fleshIlive by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
There is power in the gospel of Christ Jesus inwhich the Jews and the Gentiles are saved.
Romans 1:16
ForIamnotashamedofthegospelofChrist: foritisthepowerofGod unto salvation to every one that believet
Acts 22:3
Iamverily a man whichama Jew,bornin Tarsus, a cityin Cilicia, yet brought upin this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Apostle Paul is the least of the apostles, just like Jesus Christ said Elias is the least.
Matthew 11:14
And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
1 Corinthians 15:9
ForIamtheleast oftheapostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, becauseIpersecutedthechurchof God.
Even though Apostle Paul made others blasphemy, it was done ignorant back when he was a Pharisee.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before ablasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Jesus Christ gave Apostle Paul a office to preach to the Gentiles Salvation.
Romans 11:13
ForIspeak to youGentiles,inasmuch asIamtheapostleoftheGentiles,Imagnify mineoffice:
Jesus Christ gave himself to Apostle Paul and us too.
Galatians 2:20
IamcrucifiedwithChrist: neverthelessIlive; yet notI, butChristlivethin me: and the life whichInow livein the fleshIlive by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
There is power in the gospel of Christ Jesus inwhich the Jews and the Gentiles are saved.
Romans 1:16
ForIamnotashamedofthegospelofChrist: foritisthepowerofGod unto salvation to every one that believeth; totheJew first, and also totheGreek.
Here is Apostle Paul's gospel inwhich we are saved. Jesus Christ is the author of this verse.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached un
The first Adam, his disobedience brought sin and death into the world, Romans 5:12-19. The last Adam by obedience to God brought forgiveness and life, the resurrection from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
Adam and Eve were naked and were not ashamed, their hearts were uncorrupted and free from sin. After they ate the forbidden fruit their eyes were opened, their consciences were opened to the knowledge of good and evil, and sin replaced the purity they had. They had a sense of fear and disgrace due to their disobedience.
The shame they now felt was due to the sinful nature that entered them and now they no longer perfectly perceived things, their view of their nakedness should be covered. Nakedness was not a sin, but a fallen perception of nakedness brought shame and sorrow they now felt.
As God covered Adam and Eve with coats of skins to cover their shame/nakedness. Our nakedness of shame can be covered with the garment Isaiah 61:10 given by Jesus. We in Jesus shall not be found naked, but clothed, with the garment of Christ's righteousness, our sins covered and cleansed by the blood of Jesus that makes it spotless and white as long as we continue in faith and overcome.
Concerning those that do not die in the Lord, that do not watch, and keep their garments will walk naked, their sins will be open to being seen, Revelation 16:15 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Revelation 20:15.
Every human being, whether they're saved or unsaved, and regardless of their culture, ethnicity, or background, has a conscience, Romans 2:14-15. Inside this conscience is the battle between the flesh and the Spirit Romans 9:1 we can repent and be covered, if not we will be naked and found guilty. We cannot hide what is in our conscience, it records every good and evil we have ever done or thought. I feel this is where we are naked or clothed. Romans 4:6-8 2 Corinthians 1:12 1 Timothy 1:19 Hebrews 9:9 Hebrews 13:18 1 Peter 3:21.
God bless,
RLW
I would like to share my understanding on Luke 7:47. Verses 48-50 can be read also with Verse 47.
This is another instance where God's Spirit worked in a situation to show what faith looks like. Her love did not produce her salvation. She was not saved by works.
What Jesus is saying is that her love proved that she was saved, that she was forgiven. Love is a fruit, a response to Christ, not a work in order to gain salvation. It is a byproduct.
John says in first John Chapter 4, "We love Him because He first loved us." Our relationship with the Lord is a response. Even thanksgiving does not originate with us. We are told to give God thanks for everything.
The word thanksgiving means respond to grace. That is what it means, EUCHARISTHEO CHARIS.
The more I am exposed to God's grace, the more I have a response of thanks. Gratitude! God's pouring out in my life, what I need and I don't deserve, and I thank Him for it. That is what it means. Her love was proof of her faith.
Look at the apostle Paul who was Saul of Tarsus. God saved him and Paul says "I'm not worthy to be an apostle because I persecuted church of God." And he told Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:15, he says "I am the chiefest of sinners!" And that's my message, that if I'm the chiefest of sinners, and God can save me, He can save anybody. What a message to have. But Paul was no celebrity!
How would we like to have the most notorious criminal in the world visit our church? And they come and say "I got a testimony!" It would be like, "Yeah, we don't mind as long as we have two people follow you around!" Just stay away from the offering box!
But you know, the people who are the most sinful, when they get saved, watch out because they're gone. They will leave us in the dust. For the person who is forgiven most will love the most. It gives that much more importance to pray for the people that we know who are not saved.
God bless!!!
Definition: Merriam-Webster defines a liar as someone who tells lies. No comment here on how great that definition is..:(
I will state as I have numerous times that no names need to be given here; just a mere mention of politics whether "donkeys or elephants" should suffice. I have said to people on occasion that a liar is worse than a murderer. The Apostle Paul is my "exhibit A" in that he at least was complicit in murder but did it in ignorance ( 1 Timothy 1:13). What we can't say is that he ever lied about his intentions; everyone knew his impassioned motives in the persecution. Lying is probably the most common methodology for maintaining a lifestyle of sin; if not lying to ourselves as to what we are doing and the consequences it is lying to others for self promotion. There are scriptural instances of lying where the midwives told Pharoah that the babies he wanted to kill were born before they could get to them. ( Exodus 1:19). There are other cases where for instance the full census wasn't given of the Israelites (Levites excluded) because the evil was sensed in King David's request that Satan himself had supplanted his heart to perform. I won't quibble here on that but certainly when we find a lie as the only way to preserve a life it is different than when it is merely self promoting.
In concealing a matter; as a case study we aren't helping ourselves ( Prov. 28:13). Hiding our sins is only going to be destructive. We will in time be found out. Lying of course can attempt to distract from any sort of transgression so again it seems that it may be most dangerous and deliberately at the end of sins leading to damnation. We need to heed carefully David's reaction when Nathan said "YOU ARE THE MAN" ( 2 Samuel 12:7). Saul wasn't ever able to repent; even though he said that he sinned ( 1 Samuel 15:24). This is like Pharaoh in Exodus 9:27 or Judas in Matthew 27:4. Worldly sorrow.
Let us all put on the armor of GOD and go in to battle prepared against the spiritual wickedness before us.
GOD to shine HIS blessed face on all who are on this platform. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all in CHRIST JESUS name.
December 19, 2023
Even so LORD, come!
To avoid them, you have to know who they are. You can't avoid somebody if you don't know who they are. This idea of identifying and avoiding shows up in
1 Corinthians 5:11;
2 Thessalonians 3:6,
2 Thessalonians 3:14;
2 Timothy 3:5;
2 John 1:10.
In other words, Christians, and shepherds in particular, should be discerning and alert to behavior and teaching that dishonors Christ and destroys people - and not treat it in a casual or harmless way.
And then in 1 Timothy 5:19-20, Paul went beyond just "avoid them" to "rebuke them publicly." So, speaking of elders who persist in error, he said, "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin" - and that can be sin of false doctrine or sin of evil behavior, anyone who does not accept correction - "rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.."
And then Paul went on and actually named destructive false teachers:
"Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me" 2 Timothy 4:10.
You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes" 2 Timothy 1:15.
"By rejecting this [faith and a good conscience], some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander" 1 Timothy 1:19-20.
"Their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus" ( 2 Timothy 2:17).
Paul names at least six false teachers that the church should watch out for.
So, I infer from Jesus and Paul and Luke and John that false teaching and destructive behavior are present dangers in this fallen world for the church. And all of us - especially shepherds, pastors - should be alert and discerning to identify and, in appropriate ways, expose. In order to protect the flock, we should expose them and minimize the spread of the gangrene (as Paul calls it).
AVOID, REBUKE, AND CALL OUT.
God bless
From Adam till the present, what is the SIN that separates man from God.
UNBELIEF
Adam didn't believe God's word.
National Israel didn't believe God's word.
Promised Israel today doesn't believe God's Word.
Paul was struggling with this same sin, UNBELIEF.
Romans 11:32 For God HATH concluded THEM ALL (including Paul) in UNBELIEF, that he may have MERCY ON ALL.
Proverbs 16:6 By MERCY and TRUTH iniquity (unbelief) is PURGED.
1 Timothy 1:13 Who (Paul) was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in UNBELIEF.
Romans 11:30 For YE in times past HAVE NOT BELIEVED GOD, yet have now obtained mercy because of their UNBELIEF.
Mark 9:24 .... Lord ....help thou my UNBELIEF .......
Matthew 17:20 ...because of your UNBELIEF .....
Every SIN is CAUSED by UNBELIEF.
God Bless YOU!
1 Timothy 1:17
"Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
May IMMORTAL should be the next attribute we post on.
You said you disagree with me about his natural abilities. He was a very intelligent man prior to his conversion with many skills and abilities that God used.
And you said you don't think Paul is meaning in the verses I quoted that he was illiterate, nor unskilled with language or reason prior to conversion.
Re examine my post, I didn't say either of those things.
Here's all I said; Paul in his "Natural mind/ Wisdom persecuted Christians and did not understand the things of God.
Referring to this verse.
1 Timothy 1:13-14.
And IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF!! That wasn't a blessing.
Everything else I posted that you disagree with was scripture I copied pasted and posted.
The emphasis is that NO! God doesn't need anything intellectual from anyone and nor does he seek out those things.
The reason being is that we will do exactly what you are displaying now. Glory man and not God.
Listen to Paul again here in
1 Corinthians 2:1-4.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANY THING AMONG YOU! save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
AND MY SPEECH AND MY PREACHING WAS NOT WITH ENTICING WORDS OF MAN'S WISDOM, BUT IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER:
Paul says he came to them as someone Knowing nothing!
This section of scripture Parallels with the passage you disagree with in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
When we are born again we start out as babes in Christ and we feed on the sincere milk of the word whereby we grow, as Peter mentioned in his epistle.
The Holyspirit is the most neglected member of the Godhead amongst the Church,
That's why there is so much ignorance in the word of God.
There's many verses that disagree with you
Philippians 3:4-8.
So I disagree with your take that God blessed and prepared Paul with intellect to prepare him for ministry.
GB.
Yes God blessed the Apostles, including Paul with wisdom of words, But until AFTER they were converted!
Paul in his "Natural mind/ Wisdom persecuted Christians and did not understand the things of God.
Listen to Paul in his own words.
1 Timothy 1:13-14.
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I DID IT IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ.
Paul said he did it "IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF!! That wasn't a blessing.
Here again.
1 Corinthians 2:4.
1 Corinthians 2:6
1 Corinthians 2:12.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31.For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
God bless.
Part 5.
Who is God? - His Nature
We know certain things to be true of God for one reason: in His mercy He has condescended to reveal some of His qualities to us. God is spirit, by nature intangible ( John 4:24). God is One, but He exists as three Persons-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit ( Matthew 3:16-17). God is infinite ( 1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable ( 2 Samuel 7:22), and unchanging ( Malachi 3:6). God exists everywhere ( Psalm 139:7-12), knows everything ( Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28), and has all power and authority ( Ephesians 1; Revelation 19:6).
Who is God? - His Work
We cannot understand God apart from His works, because what God does flows from who He is. Here is an abbreviated list of God's works, past, present, and future: God created the world ( Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world ( Colossians 1:17); He is executing His eternal plan ( Ephesians 1:11) which involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death ( Galatians 3:13-14); He draws people to Christ ( John 6:44); He disciplines His children ( Hebrews 12:6); and He will judge the world ( Revelation 20:11-15).
Who is God? - A Relationship with Him
In the Person of the Son, God became incarnate ( John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man and is therefore the "bridge" between God and man ( John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins ( Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God ( John 15:15; Romans 5:10), and eternal salvation ( 2 Timothy 2:10). In Jesus Christ "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ( Colossians 2:9). So, to really know who God is, all we have to do is look at Jesus.
Jerry that is much of what we know about God and that probably don't scratch the surface on GOD!
I HOPE THIS HELPS.
GOD BLESS.
The leading Republican candidate for the 2024 election has announced his plan for the prosecution of drug cartel and child trafficking groups. The cost for such efforts will be extreme as was brought up in a recent message. Countless thousands in Mexico have been beheaded and butchered; including police who have dared to stand up against such things; and they have been outgunned in the last attempt to take out a major drug dealer.
The love of money is the root of all evil ( 1 Timothy 6:10) and as a pampered society we have reaped what we've sown in many ways. There are many issues such as international military affairs that are tied into business dealings with contractors; and as is pretty clear there is enough corruption to go around. We have record numbers of people expecting a handout and not contributing to society with productive work; while the rest of us are out working 2 or even 3 jobs to make ends meet; and partially to support these unproductive individuals. The image of life as being a continuous party ensnares some to get rich by any means necessary as to get the newest car; nicest home; or trade in their wife for a newer model. While everyone seems to accumulate more things there is less quality time; less value to human life and of course this results from turning away from the God of the Bible. 1 Timothy 1:9 shows how the law is supposed to keep the unrighteous in line; but of course not enforced we see the chaos and decay of any structure that was holding us together in the past.
Judgment is inevitable; but on this side of the Rapture how much resistance can hold back the overwhelming flood of sin is unknown. Certainly God's people can be used for a time to accomplish this; but they THEMSELVES need to turn from evil ( 2 Chron. 7:14). It is GOD'S people who must once again in significant numbers become DISTINCT from the world and be willing to count the cost. ( Luke 14:28). We'll see.