You said you "want to believe" but then declared "no!" then ask for help?
Jesus encountered a man (family, members) facing a similar dilemma. Mark 9:24, the account in context seemingly starts in : Mark 9:14-29.
The question that I ask you, is what are you having trouble believing?
It's ok to ask GOD to help you overcome disbelief. I had struggled years ago with Jonah 2, because cartoon animation had influenced my thinking. I could only imagine an unbelievable Disney Character inside a whale. Someone said to me something like 'you have to believe all the Bible or none' I prayed GOD would help me. Then one day I heard a report of a man being discovered inside the belly of a fish, fully intact, on a documentary channel. I then heard more than one account.
GOD is amazing at how HE can help us overcome anything. John 8:32, James 1:5,
If you're wondering about Jesus, raising from the grave read John 16:31-33, John 16 whole chapter = this was a written account of a witness, that: Jesus knew all these things were going to happen to him, even the very witness writing this would abandon him._._ beforehand. Matthew 26:32, Mark 14:28, Luke 24:34,
Also Luke 1:1-3, these people were unafraid to die for this truth: Acts 7:59,
As I proclaim my walk and relationship in CHRIST, it is not to defend myself or my way of life, but rather to simply declare the truth about JESUS in a way people could understand. Stephen did the same when he stood before the council.
I am not called to make you understand nor called to make you accept the gospel of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. However, my main job is to proclaim it and pray for the seed to be planted deep. What a person does with the proclamation is their own responsibility.
Through and because of CHRIST JESUS my LORD I have a better promise than land, Jerusalem; or the temple, Solomon's or the tabernacle.
I am endowed with the HOLY SPIRIT, a promised mansion, and a most spectacular life with my SAVIOR the LORD GOD JESUS CHRIST for all eternity in heaven.
Hosea 12:2-6, it is wisdom to search out scripture, many times GOD clarifies His WORD & repeats. Also significant : Genesis 28:17-22, Genesis 32, Genesis 35:1,3, Genesis 35 whole chapter puts together Bethel & Bethlehem & GOD's appearing, Genesis 48:3,7, Exodus 6:3, Isaiah 2:3, Isaiah 41:8, Jeremiah 31:11, Jeremiah 51:19, Micah 4:2, Acts 7:46-48,
Thanks Alex. I agree with parts of your comment, but if your belief is that Jesus mass produces gods like a factory equal to the one and only God, then no, that is not what I believe or is what the Bible says. This may not be your belief at all, but it is of others I've noticed on this forum so I'll explain...
Gen 26:4 is regarding the seed and lineage from Abraham. It's talking about people, not gods. He's giving countries to people, not gods, for example.
If the comment is referring to 'gods' as in Psalms 82:6, Acts 7:40, notice it uses lower case 'g'. The word God is not used in the same manner as the one true God uppercase, but plural lowercase, which indicates a metaphor for His followers having characteristics of His authority. Psalm 82:1 demonstrates the difference.
If believers can be metaphorically considered 'gods,' how much more is the One whom God has chosen and sent ( John 10:34-36)?
Before believers start running around assuming they're deities from these few select verses (exactly what satan wants), the scripture must also be balanced with the entire context of other scripture in God's Word, such as:
Rom 13:1-4 - calls followers the "minister of God", that all power comes from God, but all are subject to God's "higher powers".
I agree the gospel that the apostles taught was the same as did Paul. What Peter stood up and said in Acts 2 is the same with one difference, they had not yet been told to carry it to the Gentiles. They were still under the command to go only to the lost sheep of Israel, Matt. 10:5-7.
My understanding, you may disagree with but may want to check out, that there was a prophecy that was not fulfilled. The saying to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. The time had not come to cut off the branch. The Church started all Jews/house of Israel.
Many places this prophecy at the end time but my studies show me it has been fulfilled, Jesus during the first 3.5 years and Jesus through His apostles during the last 3.5 years. It is Daniel 9:27, the apostles could not go to the Gentiles until the last 3.5 years of the 70th week of the prophecy was fulfilled, confirming the covenant to Daniel's people, (the house of Israel). I know you may say you don't agree but check it out.
Stephen was killed and when he was killed Acts 7:54-60, in vs 57 they stopped their ears (total rejection of Jesus) and drove out of Jerusalem all the believers in Jesus except the apostles. Saul/Paul was instructed by Jesus to go to the Gentiles, in Acts 9, Peter had his dream, in Acts 10, and the confirming the covenant with the house of Israel was fulfilled.
We see in Acts the transition that the apostles went through, like Acts 15. The gospel was the same, but the apostles had not been told it is for the Gentiles also, it took time to accept Jew and Gentile has been made in Jesus one new man, Eph. 2:15.
I was just reading in Exodus 32-34 in the past few days and we see that God did extend His grace and mercy towards the Israelites, so it was in effect with the Church in the wilderness ( acts 7:38). I happen to think that the "age of grace" spans all of human history. I sense that you are thinking of the administration of grace as being a time period or dispensation rather than God's administration of His grace throughout history. But, there is something to be said for the period of history after Jesus' death and resurrection being a time of fulfillment of this administration of grace, but that does not mean that it did not exist or operate prior to this time. John the Baptist would certainly have been under grace, as Jesus proclaimed Him to be the greatest person to come along in human history. I do not really wish to engage in a lengthy discussion about dispensationalism in this thread, as I think it is outside of the focus of this discussion, it being when did the apostles become apostles and when did the church begin. You can see my post to S. Spencer to read more about my perspective. Have a good evening.
Good discussion going on here. I happen to think that Jesus has eternally been the chief Cornerstone of the Church, the Rock, as Paul says in 1 Cori. 10:4, that gave the "church in the wilderness" water ( Acts 7:38). so, from these Scriptures it seems that the "church" was present in the Exodus with Jesus being the Rock. I have been taught that not only does the work of Jesus on the cross reach forward to be efficacious to us, but also reaches back, even to Adam and Eve, to bring God's grace and forgiveness to mankind throughout history. This is a mystery of sorts. But those who believed in God in the O.T. were justified by faith just like us, as Paul states in several places ( Rom. 4 and Heb. 11). So, those that were justified by faith in the O.T. comprised the Church in the O.T. just as we who are justified by faith now comprise the Church in this age. They did not need to be born after Jesus' crucifixion to receive God's favor and grace, which only what we have to go on anyway.
Sometimes, it may be that we think too narrowly about the beginnings of the church, thinking chronologically, that it had to have begun after the crucifixion. But God does not always operate within chronological parameters in matters of salvation.
I do think the disciples and apostles were "in Christ" before the crucifixion and were justified by faith in Him as well. Surely some disciples may have died before He was crucified. Does that mean that their faith in Christ was useless?
It isn't time frames that determines salvation nor do I think that it is so for determining when the Church began. Both are founded on Jesus, who is eternally our Savior and the foundation stone of the Church, even from before creation. But time does matter in some ways, since we live in a temporal world. Our thinking is often bound by time, too. But by the Spirit we can think in light of the eternality of God's plan of redemption for mankind. That is where I am coming from.
When Jesus cleaned out the temple and drove out the money changers, it was just prophetic of what the New Covenant in his blood is gonna accomplish in mankinds hearts and minds...Judgement must began at the house of God...In Humanity ...1 st Peter 4:17..Your Bodies are the temples of the H.G....1 st Cor. 6:19....Abide in me and i in you.. John 15:45....If any man hears my words and keeps them my Father and I will come and take our abode with him....The most high God does not Dwell in buildings made with hands...no siree bob....Under this new covenant he wants to live in you....in your hearts and minds and be married to you...and have his abode in you....Not in any temple made with mans hands.... Acts 7:48 kjv
....... Rev. 21:22- 28....And i saw NO temple there in for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY AND THE LAMB ARE THE TEMPLE OF IT.
......When Jesus cleaned out the Temple he was just trying to show us what his BLOOD OF THAT NEW COVENANT IS GONNA DO TO MANS HEARTS MINDS....Abide in me and i in you....And you are made Clean by the WORD i have spoken unto you...( that New Covenant ) That Book he wrote with his own blood...At Calvary.
......Outta of the mouths of babes and suckling thou has perfected praise...Which is the H.G. the Child of Promise that has to be born in us via the seed of the Sower....The living words of God....The contents of the BOOK....Untill you birth the H.G. a free gift....That Child OF Promise you will continue to defile the Temple....The Child is the living word the H.G...The multiplication of Jesus in you....Remember even in the O.T. God wanted the Child Samuel to do the Ministering not old Eli and his sons ....k
I want to thank you; this discussion has been a blessing. It has stretched me in my understanding and the realization of some answers to some questions the Holy Spirit may not show us, maybe it is to see if we show love to one another. In our discussion the spirit and the soul are the keys, what part of us are they? Are the spirit and soul the same? Sometimes, in scripture, they seem interchangeable but is the spirit or the soul immortal, that is the key to the answer.
Spirit in Hebrew the word ruach means breath, wind, spirit, and in Greek, the word pneuma also means wind, breath, spirit. Our spirit is our driving force, energy, and stamina, and is the conduit of communication to God through His Spirit. Soul in Hebrew the word nephesh means a soul, living being, life, self, person. The Greek word psuche means the soul, life, self, and a person's distinct identity.
In Gen. 2:7 God breathed into Adam's nose the breath of life and he became a living soul. Adam became a living soul he was not given a soul. The breath, spirit, given by God became life, a soul. Also, in Genesis 1 all living animals are soul's nephesh. The soul is a living being human or animal, the life in us, but it is also our identity, we are all different in looks and personality, all our feelings, our thoughts, emotions, all that makes us, us.
Does scripture say the spirit leaves this body? Ecclesiastes 12:7 Jesus in Luke 23:46 Stephen in Acts 7:59. Does scripture say the soul leaves this body? In the resurrection 1 Cor. 15:52-57 If our soul is immortal would we not already be a spiritual being? Does scripture support death as the separation of the soul from the body and the soul is immortal? Does that come from Socrates, Plato, and then Augustine's encouragement in the church, and over the years it is fixed?
Bro. Giannis. I also think of Stephen's dying moments, when he saw the heavens open up and seeing Jesus at the right Hand of God, he called upon Jesus to "receive my spirit" ( Acts 7:56-59). From this, I believe we can understand that Stephen fully expected to die shortly & that his spirit would be taken into God's Presence. And then "he fell asleep": not only a lifeless body remained on Earth, but also a spirit-less body.
Re: parables. My understanding is that a parable needed to conform to a couple of criteria or else it wasn't a parable. The story was to be a simple everyday account of a situation that the people could relate to and the parable would not contain any proper names. I haven't physically checked each of the parables of the Lord to verify this, but from what I can remember, all of them, bar the rich man & Lazarus account, remain faithful to that criteria.
In the Lazarus story, both Abraham & Lazarus are named & conversing with each other, and if only a parable, then Jesus implicated these two men, when in actual fact that none of this actually took place (i.e. Abraham & Lazarus weren't actual characters in this drama, but simply representative of a place of comfort & a person deserving of it). This of course is true, in the OT economy, but naming them demands that we need to understand it as an actual event with actual persons there.
Hi Jackie. Yours would be the most unusual question that I've come across, but I'll try to assist by correlating manicure kits to a 'cutting or shaping' action in the Bible.
The verse that is foremost in my mind is from Hebrews 4:12: that of God's Word doing an intrusive, piercing/cutting, yet thorough work in a person's heart. Though a nail clipper/emery board may be useful to cut & shape nails, even flicking out some grit under the nail, God's Word is no mere man-made cutter, but is "quick (alive, active, at work), endued with God's Power & keeness (finely sharpened), that is able to penetrate the impenetrable (dividing the soul & spirit, getting in-between the bone & marrow), and judges & exposes the deepest thoughts & devises of our hearts." Their gifts of manicure kits should accomplish well the tasks they were made for - but God's Word strikes much further than a finger nail, going straight to a person's heart & spirit, to the end that a complete change can occur & not simply a superficial & temporary cut & shape.
We can find examples of this in the Apostle Peter's sermon at Pentecost ( Acts 2:14-41, especially verse 37 'pricked in their hearts') & Stephen's sermon in Acts 7:2-60, especially verse 54 'cut to the heart'). God's Word can either bring people to repentance & faith or cause some to well up in fury against the Truth. Such is the penetrating Power of God's Word with its divisive action that separates those hungering for the Peace of God & His Salvation in their hearts from those whose end is only anger against God & rejection of His Truth.
But Jesus said in John 10:10, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Jesus didn't come to just give us a quick cut & shape (a temporary fix to make us feel or look better) - He came to sacrifice His Life for each one of us, so that we might be forgiven of our sins, turn from them & become God's children, receiving an abundant life both now & into eternity.
Men are never spoken of in Scripture as "spirits".
Man has a spirit, but he is not "a spirit", for a spirit hath not flesh and bones".
In this life man has "flesh and blood", a "natural" (or psychical) body.
At death this spirit "returns to God Who gave it" ( Ps. 31:5. Eccles. 12:7. Luke 23:46. Acts 7:59).
In resurrection "God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him" ( 1Cor. 15:38). This is no longer a "natural" (or psychical) body, but a "spiritual body" ( 1Cor. 15:44).
,,, There are two sides to paradise, which us where we all go when we die,,, Heaven and a Prison ,,, which IS where God is, wherever God is that's Heaven ,,, those who make the first resurrection when they die go to the Heaven side,,,,, those who don't, go to prison,,, there is a great fixed gulf that separate's them,,, read Luke 16,,, the parable of the Rich man, and Lazarus, a powerful lesson.
Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur is mentioned in the Bible OT 5X. In Acts 2X. Noticed the importance of this man. He convinced the council to let go the apostles doing their work for God knowing if their work was not from God they will fail anyway. Very smart nan. The next he was mentioned was when Paul is defending himself in Acts 22:3. The point is Gamaliel is a reputable man, whom I think a way to show the reader the legitimacy of the Apostle Paul knowing the law and leading to acknowledging Paul's ignorance about Jesus Christ. Acts 6 mainly is about Stephen against the synagogue of the Libertines. Then Acts 7 is when Stephen gave his greatest testimony and was stoned to death. Acts 7:58 Paul consenting to Stephen's death. Acts 8 talks about the great persecution against the church and the apostles still doing God's work when others scattered abroad. Acts 9Acts 9:5) was when Jesus appeared to Paul on his way to Damascus. Chapter 10 and 11 is about Peter with Cornelius and his people converted. Very important because Peter was instructed by God to go to the uncircumcised people, whom Peter called common and unclean. Acts 11 is when Peter is already in Jerusalem explaining the same thing happened in c19; and noticed in Acts 11:25 Barnabas left Antioch to Tarsus to seek Saul ( Paul) then went back to Antioch and stayed there for whole year Acts 11:26). Isn't that a big transition? Then Acts 11:27-30 great dearth throughout all the world was told by a Prophet from Jerusalem named Agabus who came to Antioch and Barnabas and Saul were doing some relief work. In Galatians 1:18 Peter and Paul met. Then the rest you know the stories because you read them all. I am just very particular on a lot of detail because I was born Catholic, Bible Reader, and became a Mormon then the Seventh Day Adventist allpleasingfamily. I am done with listening to all religion.after my Mom died. Being an orphan I realized I have only God to rely on my journey here on earth.
We see in Matt. 10:6 Jesus told His disciples not to go to the Gentiles and Matt. 15:24 He confirms He first came for the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets.
Why did Jesus say, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel"? Other scripture also says the Jew first, Luke 24:47Acts 3:25-26Romans 1:16Romans 2:9-10 and more, for what reason? To fulfill prophecy.
The Prophecy is the 70-week prophecy that many places the last week in the future. This prophecy was for the house of Israel/Judea and Jerusalem, Daniel 9:24 and these 70 weeks were determined to finish the transgression, make an end of sins, make reconciliation for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
From when Jesus was baptized until He was crucified was 3 1/2 years, John recorded the Passovers Jesus went to and Jesus was crucified on the fourth. These 3 1/2 years Jesus was confirming the covenant, to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The entire prophecy was about the coming of the Messiah that the leaders rejected.
Verse 25 tells the time the Messiah would come, verse 26 tells the Messiah would be cut off and the destruction of the city and temple, and in verse 27 he in this verse is the Messiah and the week of confirming the covenant, in the middle of the week 3 1/2 years Jesus cut off/ crucifixion, the final sacrifice, ending the animal sacrificial law. In the last half of the week, Jesus through His apostles confirmed the covenant in Jerusalem.
We see in Acts 7 the key verse is Acts 7:57, the cried out and stopped their ears with one accord, then the great persecution of the church that ended the 70-week prophecy. Shortly after Peter had his dream and Jesus appeared to Saul/Paul and the gospel was sent to the Gentiles the branch broke off but it will be grafted back in.
This is short but may you study it, I am sure many will disagree.
Hi Dgjot. I'll just share on a few matters you raised.
On forgiveness & forgetting. I see 'forgiveness' as a matter of the heart, when one who has been unjustifiably hurt seeks to no longer hold that person accountable for the pain they've caused. The pain will still be there - only the Lord & time can bring healing, but to forgive someone simply means that you won't raise that painful matter again as your heart won't harbour hatred or grudge against another for doing that. To 'forget' the pain given, in most cases, won't ever leave, as that is a part of life's experiences that we retain. Some things we easily forget, especially those of a minor insignificant nature, but some things, even from childhood will always remain - & unfortunately, some of these will be painful & affect us even into adult years.
How does God forgive us? Does He even forget that we sinned against Him? We know that God's Forgiveness comes to us because His Son voluntarily took our punishment, paying for our sins that we could never ever pay for. But does God forget? If He did, then God wouldn't be Omniscient, as He knows & remembers all things that ever happened to us. But what God does do, is that our sins are cast aside, forgiven, & never held to our account, only because of Jesus' Sacrifice (remember Acts 7:59,60, when Stephen, as he was dying, asked God to not lay the sin of his murderers to their charge - in other other words, 'Lord forgive them', or 'don't charge them with this sin'. Peter forgave them & wanted God to also forgive them).
We might be cautious or even remain aloof from someone who has hurt us, but that doesn't mean that we haven't forgiven them, i.e. not holding anger, hatred or grudges. In John 2:23-25, we read that Jesus saw how many believed in Him by the miracles He did - yet, Jesus did not commit (or, entrust, have faith in) them, because He knew what they were like. But He still loved all of them & would always forgive.
I count 5. Like 2:4 "family of David", Acts 7:14, joseph's family, Acts 13:26, Abrahams family, Eph. 3:15 family in heaven, and 1Ti. 5:4 " in regard to their own family"
The Jewish leadership has been trying to destroy Jesus since early in His ministry ( Mark 3:22-30). At least twice, they have been prepared to stone Him ( John 8:59; 10:31). They don't want to execute Jesus during the Passover and week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread ( Mark 14:1-2); Jesus has too many supporters who may cause a riot ( Mark 11:1-10; 14:1-2). But since they have Him, it is much better if He is executed quickly.
The Sanhedrin has a lot working against them. If they imprison Jesus, His followers could rile up the travelers from Galilee, Judea, and the surrounding area who at least think He is a prophet, if not the Messiah. Because of Jesus' popularity, the number of Galileans in Jerusalem, and the fact that the Jewish council cannot execute someone, they need the Romans to kill Jesus. Were Jesus less-renowned and less-connected to conflict with religious leaders, they likely would have been content to let a mob break Roman law by stoning ( Acts 7:54-60). Roman officials hold their trials in the early morning; if the Sanhedrin waits until later in the day, Pilate will not be available. At evening the Sabbath begins, so they need to move fast.
This verse does not describe a second trial before the Sanhedrin. The trial in Mark 14:53-65 happens concurrently with Peter's denials in Mark 14:66-72. "Held a consultation" means the evidence-gathering is over and the council members are making their final decision. They have already convicted Jesus of blasphemy according to the Mosaic law ( Mark 14:63-65). Likely this discussion is to decide on what capital offence against Roman law they will present before Pilate.
John, adds more detail ( John 18:28-32). When the members of the Sanhedrin take Jesus to Pilate's house, they do not enter. As residents of Jerusalem, they eat the Passover that afternoon, and will become unclean if they enter the home of a Gentile. After Pilate interviews and flogs Jesus, the Sanhedrin makes their case again.
Hi Tara. If I could add briefly to some of your 'other' questions.
a. Dispensationalism. I don't believe that seeing different dispensations in the Bible is altogether wrong. It would be wrong if everything you read must fit (or, be forced) into a dispensation category to make the Bible work. Rather than give details on the various dispensations, I would just say that there does appear some clear demarcations seen that could be of help to us in correct Bible hermeneutics, but that shouldn't be forced upon one as an essential to understanding & trusting in the Words in the Bible.
b. Can the Holy Spirit leave? When one has truly repented of sins, turned to Jesus in faith, & being born again, the promise to us is that the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us: 1 Corinthians 6:19 (i.e. His Presence is there to give us new life, Titus 3:5, 1 John 2:29); a new nature ( 2 Corinthians 5:17); sealing us ( 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13); filling us ( Ephesians 5:18); & other ministries to guide, teach & comfort us. Yet, we can hardly fathom how intimately the Spirit works in us, drawing us closer to our Heavenly Father, & longing for us to be conformed to our blessed Lord Jesus. But if we step outside the Will of God, to disobey or to pursue a fleshly desire, then the Spirit in us will be grieved ( Ephesians 4:30), quenched ( 1 Thessalonians 5:19), outraged ( Hebrews 10:29), even resisted ( Acts 7:51). But does He leave us when we sin? No, He continues to minister to us bringing us to repentance, that we should call upon God to help us overcome & glorify Him in our lives. The true believer remains secure ( John 10:28), but we need to make sure we are indeed 'in the faith', experiencing God's Work in our lives.
c. Gluttony? Can be ranked with drunkenness or other obsessive, repetitive behaviour that slowly destroys the body God has given us. We need to take control over it, even if it means medical help & know that God desires our healing. It may not be sin, but can lead to it.
I suggested: if one invites a Jew to dinner, they should not serve pork.
Then, I heard this message:
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Revelation 2:20
Jesus and the Holy Ghost teache the entire Church of God:
Christians must abstain from eating meats offered to idols.
"Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,
ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." Acts 7:51
Yeah; I'm stumped on that one verse as well; can't seem to find commentary on it. I can think of when the angels enforced judgment more frequently as a role. I suppose conceivably they could have somehow explained it while God Himself; say carved it into the stone. Hope to find a response to this. Hebrews 2:2 seems also to show angels involved here. See also Job 33:22-26 in regard to an angel proclaiming the ransom (i.e. Christ); and a man arestored to God. Also we have Acts 7:53 which seems to state the same thing. I guess these cross references are enough to show a pattern; the important thing is to remember angels of God can only do His bidding. This is one role I wasn't familiar with until now.
As I promised I would get back to you on your reply and questioning.
Let's start with the verses you gave as the promises that Israel forfeited over to the Church.
1. Genesis 12:1-3,
2. Genesis 12:7,
3. Genesis 13:14-17,
4. Genesis 15:5-7
5. Genesis 15:13-15,
6. Genesis 15:18-21,
7. Genesis 17:4-10,
8. Genesis 21:17-18
You stated, "Abraham and his seed pass to Jesus and His children. and you say according to
Galatians 3:16. Paul atributes these verses to Christ it is obvious that they are for Israel as well.
Let's look at Galatians 3:14-17.
If you notice in the link the promise/covenant was not a land covenant. Verses 2-8 you gave are all the land covenant.
Did you notice in Genesis 15:15-17. God told Abraham he would die before they would enter the land?
Look how Stephen put in Acts 7:4-5.
"and is is after God performed the covenant!!" So when will he inherit it? Hebrews11:8-10.
Now the 1st verse is a preview of both. The Promise his seed going to be given land. "Israel"
( and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. ) "Christ"
This is the only portion associated with Galatians 3:16.
Here is the covenant Paul is speaking of in Galatians.
( And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; AND THY SEED SHALL POSSESS THE GATE OF "HIS" ENEMIES;
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. )
Genesis 22:16-18.
The Gospel was preached even before there was a law to be broken.
Galatians 3:8.
" Important verse"
I removed "if it" because I believe it's in italics and shouldn't be there.
( Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet be confirmed, NO MAN DISANNULLETH, OR ADDETH THERETO.) Galatians 3:15.
1. The text of the NKJV is copyrighted by Thomas Nelson Publishers, while there is no copyright today on the text of the KJV. If your KJV has maps or notes, then it may have a copyright, but the text itself does not.
2. There's nothing "new" about the NKJV logo. First edition prints have the pagan trinity which was used in the ancient Egyptian mysteries. It was also used by Satanist Aleister Crowley around the turn of this century. The symbol can be seen on the New King James Bible, on certain rock albums (like Led Zeppelin's), or you can see it on the cover of such New Age books as The Aquarian Conspiracy. (See Riplinger's tract on the NKJV.)
3. It is estimated that the NKJV makes over 100,000 translation changes, which comes to over eighty changes per page and about three changes per verse! A great number of these changes bring the NKJV in line with the readings of such Alexandrian perversions as the NIV and the RSV. Where changes are not made in the text, subtle footnotes often give credence to the Westcott and Hort Greek Text.
4. While passing off as being true to the Textus Receptus, the NKJV IGNORES the Receptus over 1,200 times.
5. In the NKJV, there are 22 omissions of "hell", 23 omissions of "blood", 44 omissions of "repent", 50 omissions of "heaven", 51 omissions of "God", and 66 omissions of "Lord". The terms "devils", "damnation", "JEHOVAH", and "new testament" are completely omitted.
6. The NKJV demotes the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1:3, the KJV says that all things were made "by" Jesus Christ, but in the NKJV, all things were just made "through" Him. The word "Servant" replaces "Son" in Acts 3:13 and 3:26. "Servant" replaces "child" in Acts 4:27 and 4:30. The word "Jesus" is omitted from Mark 2:15, Hebrews 4:8, and Acts 7:45.
7. The NKJV confuses people about salvation. In Hebrews 10:14 it replaces "are sanctified" with "are being sanctified", and it replaces "are saved" with "are being saved" in I Corinthians 1:18 and II Corinthians 2:15.
1 Cor. 11:30 is physical death; referred to as "falling asleep" (see also Acts 7:60). The book along with all the epistles is addressed to the church; with warnings specifically targeted in that direction. The gravity of proper respect at the Lord's supper is a sobering thought here.
There is a great tendency for categorizing people as "saved" or lost without further distinction as to the state of saved people especially. The concept of rewards or loss thereof ( Rev. 3:11) is found in a number of scriptures. Some; no doubt bring forth different levels of fruit ( Mark 4:20). Some make it in but suffer loss ( 1 Cor. 3:15). There is also a tendency to brush over sins committed after a confession of faith as somehow not having consequences in the lives of a believer. Again; we see a reference to this in Corinthians about anyone who destroys the "Temple of God". ( 1 Cor. 3:16-17). If we dishonor God we can shorten our life through natural causes; and God's discipline can be part of this refining process even to death. See also 1 Cor. 5:5.
We must keep in mind that as God's children; he "chastises every one He loves." ( Heb. 12:6). We cannot be certain of the salvation of Ananias and Sapphira ( Acts 5:1-11) but it fits the same pattern. Whoever has "tasted and seen" ( Heb. 6:4-5) God's goodness but is not truly Born Again has greater judgment. When we see churches today that clearly lack the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom ( Proverbs 1:7 and other passages); there is a tendency to ignore the exhortations and rebuke which need to be given along with encouragement for the edification of the saints ( 2 Timothy 4:2). Just because as Protestants we don't believe in transubstantiation; we do well to heed to the fact that His presence is in communion. Churches need to emphasize salvation along with living without a LIFESTYLE of unrepentant sin is necessary when partaking in communion. Unforgiveness should also be addressed ( Matt. 5:23-24
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Acts 8:2
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my SPIRIT: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Mishael: these are other scriptures that show awareness of the spirit in Jesus, and those that are born again.
The fleshly body Sleeps, wherever it fell dead, or was buried. The born again to heaven someday.
The unsaved, wicked dead to judgement one day.
When you Google this, be sure you are not on a Catholic doctrine website. The King James Bible which was canonized is the standard for being born again. See the Book of John. I write this in love and concern for all of Gods people.
This subject has been hotly contested and I just had a member of my small group take that stance this week. The fact that God is said to put "eternity" in men's hearts surely shows that there is a concept of it once we are at a certain age. ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). We also have Stephen who right before he died saw Christ standing on His throne; then he "fell asleep." Acts 7:60. We have the great "cloud of witnesses" of Hebrews 11; those under the throne who have been martyred ( Rev. 6:9-11); David's commentary about his son dying ( 2 Sam. 12:23) where he says that his son can't come to him but he shall go to see him (after death); the appearance of Moses and Elijah (although Elijah was translated) at the transfiguration; and verses about Sheol. Jesus has the parable about Lazarus and the rich man ( Luke 16:19-31) about the fate of O.T. people in both sections of Sheol; and the captivity being made captive ( Eph. 4:8 also prophesied in Psalm 68:18; Jesus promising the thief on the cross that today he would be in paradise ( Luke 23:43); and that would be followed by many saints coming out of their graves after the Resurrection ( Matthew 27:52-53). We also have Hebrews 9:27 which says man is destined to die once; then face the judgment.
There are many other confirming verses. We must keep in mind that when the word "qeber" is used defining the grave; and a person ceasing to exist it is the body. Sheol; however is the land of the dead. We must also keep in mind that the spirits of just men made perfect ( Heb. 12:23) would start with Christ the first of the firstfruits; so to speak. God is not the God of the dead but the living ( Luke 20:38). John 8:56 says that Abraham longed to see the day HE SAW IT AND REJOICED. We have Paul's vision of things unspeakable whether in the flesh or not he didn't know ( 2 Cor. 12:2). Finally; John's vision in Revelation literally saw the future.
The biggest issue is WHY people think soul sleep exists. It concerns me.
I've had several close to death experiences. The 1st I recall clearly was about 5 or 6 yrs old. I was being held by gentle being, clothed in white & no pain, back to unbearable pain & suffering. I heard myself speak as an adult outside of the situation. That may have been the closest I've ever been to Heaven itself, the place. 2nd time I was electrically shocked while in water, I saw a black hand cover the sky, enormous, I could only see light through the bend of two fingers & only a portion, it was so huge. 3rd & 4th time I was young adult, it was all black around, I could feel darkness & closeness to judgement. I begged for another chance. 5th time I could hear & see the EMTs I had a different view. I was at peace not struggling, no pain. Then as they put the heart zapper thing on 3rd time I think it was. I felt difficult pain again, coldness, struggle. Luke 23:43, Luke 16:15-31, Luke 20:35-38, Psalms 91:11, Matthew 4:11, Matthew 13:39,41,49, Luke 4:10, 2Thessalonians 1:6-12, 1Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1, Psalms 97:2, * Hebrews 2:14,15, Genesis 5:24, 2Kings 2, Matthew 17:1-5, if GOD has allowed Ezekiel, John & others in the Scriptures to see Heaven then I cannot argue they did or not. * Acts 7:55, Jeremiah 52, Revelation 7, Isaiah 6:1, Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel 10,
Matthew 24:3-51, Matthew 25:31-46, we will all give account so may our Words be faithful.
Hello Patty. When a believer (i.e. one who has placed his faith in Jesus Christ for salvation) passes away, his/her soul & spirit are received into Heaven immediately, while the body remains on Earth. Some believe that the soul/spirit remain on the Earth but generally they don't know where they reside.
I share the following Scriptures in support: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (Paul is giving the distinction of where our spirits can only be: on Earth or in Heaven; if we're on Earth (home in the body) then we're not in Heaven. But if we're not in the body, then we must be "present with the Lord").
Philippians 1:21-24 (Again, Paul was caught in a strait (a predicament): he was ready & willing to depart to Christ (i.e. his spirit), but if he remained on Earth then his ministry could continue to the Philippians & others. He longed to go, but also knew that at God's appointed time his departure would come).
Examples of Stephen ( Acts 7:54-60). As he was being stoned & in his final breaths, he called upon Jesus to receive his spirit. At the Transfiguration ( Matthew 17:1-8), Jesus was transfigured (where we get the word, metamorphosis from the Greek): to change/transform in appearance; & with Jesus, Moses & Elijah appeared talking with Jesus - Moses & Elijah had long been dead, but have returned, not from the dead, but from Heaven.
And John 11:21-27. Jesus talks with Martha about the death of her brother Lazarus. She believed in the general resurrection of all people at the appointed time, but Jesus tells her something she didn't know, of the believing dead & living: whether in death or in life, the believer never dies (spiritually) - the body might perish & decay, but Jesus Who is our Resurrection & Life, guarantees that the spirit will live on as the body will one day be raised incorruptible.
"The dead in Christ shall rise first": speaks of the Rapture ('harpazo') of the Church when both the living & dead will be 'snatched away' from the Earth to meet Jesus in the air.
You said you "want to believe" but then declared "no!" then ask for help?
Jesus encountered a man (family, members) facing a similar dilemma. Mark 9:24, the account in context seemingly starts in : Mark 9:14-29.
The question that I ask you, is what are you having trouble believing?
It's ok to ask GOD to help you overcome disbelief. I had struggled years ago with Jonah 2, because cartoon animation had influenced my thinking. I could only imagine an unbelievable Disney Character inside a whale. Someone said to me something like 'you have to believe all the Bible or none' I prayed GOD would help me. Then one day I heard a report of a man being discovered inside the belly of a fish, fully intact, on a documentary channel. I then heard more than one account.
GOD is amazing at how HE can help us overcome anything. John 8:32, James 1:5,
If you're wondering about Jesus, raising from the grave read John 16:31-33, John 16 whole chapter = this was a written account of a witness, that: Jesus knew all these things were going to happen to him, even the very witness writing this would abandon him._._ beforehand. Matthew 26:32, Mark 14:28, Luke 24:34,
Also Luke 1:1-3, these people were unafraid to die for this truth: Acts 7:59,
John 20:29, Mark 16,
Hopefully these are helpful
I am not called to make you understand nor called to make you accept the gospel of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. However, my main job is to proclaim it and pray for the seed to be planted deep. What a person does with the proclamation is their own responsibility.
Through and because of CHRIST JESUS my LORD I have a better promise than land, Jerusalem; or the temple, Solomon's or the tabernacle.
I am endowed with the HOLY SPIRIT, a promised mansion, and a most spectacular life with my SAVIOR the LORD GOD JESUS CHRIST for all eternity in heaven.
GOD bless everyone. Numbers 6: 24- 26
September 28, 2022
Psalms 146:5,
James 1:5,
Hopefully these are helpful in your study
Gen 26:4 is regarding the seed and lineage from Abraham. It's talking about people, not gods. He's giving countries to people, not gods, for example.
If the comment is referring to 'gods' as in Psalms 82:6, Acts 7:40, notice it uses lower case 'g'. The word God is not used in the same manner as the one true God uppercase, but plural lowercase, which indicates a metaphor for His followers having characteristics of His authority. Psalm 82:1 demonstrates the difference.
If believers can be metaphorically considered 'gods,' how much more is the One whom God has chosen and sent ( John 10:34-36)?
Before believers start running around assuming they're deities from these few select verses (exactly what satan wants), the scripture must also be balanced with the entire context of other scripture in God's Word, such as:
Rom 13:1-4 - calls followers the "minister of God", that all power comes from God, but all are subject to God's "higher powers".
John 17:3
James 4:7
1 Peter 5:6
Romans 13:1
Romans 12:1-2
etc.
God bless
I agree the gospel that the apostles taught was the same as did Paul. What Peter stood up and said in Acts 2 is the same with one difference, they had not yet been told to carry it to the Gentiles. They were still under the command to go only to the lost sheep of Israel, Matt. 10:5-7.
My understanding, you may disagree with but may want to check out, that there was a prophecy that was not fulfilled. The saying to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. The time had not come to cut off the branch. The Church started all Jews/house of Israel.
Many places this prophecy at the end time but my studies show me it has been fulfilled, Jesus during the first 3.5 years and Jesus through His apostles during the last 3.5 years. It is Daniel 9:27, the apostles could not go to the Gentiles until the last 3.5 years of the 70th week of the prophecy was fulfilled, confirming the covenant to Daniel's people, (the house of Israel). I know you may say you don't agree but check it out.
Stephen was killed and when he was killed Acts 7:54-60, in vs 57 they stopped their ears (total rejection of Jesus) and drove out of Jerusalem all the believers in Jesus except the apostles. Saul/Paul was instructed by Jesus to go to the Gentiles, in Acts 9, Peter had his dream, in Acts 10, and the confirming the covenant with the house of Israel was fulfilled.
We see in Acts the transition that the apostles went through, like Acts 15. The gospel was the same, but the apostles had not been told it is for the Gentiles also, it took time to accept Jew and Gentile has been made in Jesus one new man, Eph. 2:15.
I hope this makes sense, love you.
God bless,
RLW
I was just reading in Exodus 32-34 in the past few days and we see that God did extend His grace and mercy towards the Israelites, so it was in effect with the Church in the wilderness ( acts 7:38). I happen to think that the "age of grace" spans all of human history. I sense that you are thinking of the administration of grace as being a time period or dispensation rather than God's administration of His grace throughout history. But, there is something to be said for the period of history after Jesus' death and resurrection being a time of fulfillment of this administration of grace, but that does not mean that it did not exist or operate prior to this time. John the Baptist would certainly have been under grace, as Jesus proclaimed Him to be the greatest person to come along in human history. I do not really wish to engage in a lengthy discussion about dispensationalism in this thread, as I think it is outside of the focus of this discussion, it being when did the apostles become apostles and when did the church begin. You can see my post to S. Spencer to read more about my perspective. Have a good evening.
Good discussion going on here. I happen to think that Jesus has eternally been the chief Cornerstone of the Church, the Rock, as Paul says in 1 Cori. 10:4, that gave the "church in the wilderness" water ( Acts 7:38). so, from these Scriptures it seems that the "church" was present in the Exodus with Jesus being the Rock. I have been taught that not only does the work of Jesus on the cross reach forward to be efficacious to us, but also reaches back, even to Adam and Eve, to bring God's grace and forgiveness to mankind throughout history. This is a mystery of sorts. But those who believed in God in the O.T. were justified by faith just like us, as Paul states in several places ( Rom. 4 and Heb. 11). So, those that were justified by faith in the O.T. comprised the Church in the O.T. just as we who are justified by faith now comprise the Church in this age. They did not need to be born after Jesus' crucifixion to receive God's favor and grace, which only what we have to go on anyway.
Sometimes, it may be that we think too narrowly about the beginnings of the church, thinking chronologically, that it had to have begun after the crucifixion. But God does not always operate within chronological parameters in matters of salvation.
I do think the disciples and apostles were "in Christ" before the crucifixion and were justified by faith in Him as well. Surely some disciples may have died before He was crucified. Does that mean that their faith in Christ was useless?
It isn't time frames that determines salvation nor do I think that it is so for determining when the Church began. Both are founded on Jesus, who is eternally our Savior and the foundation stone of the Church, even from before creation. But time does matter in some ways, since we live in a temporal world. Our thinking is often bound by time, too. But by the Spirit we can think in light of the eternality of God's plan of redemption for mankind. That is where I am coming from.
....... Rev. 21:22- 28....And i saw NO temple there in for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY AND THE LAMB ARE THE TEMPLE OF IT.
......When Jesus cleaned out the Temple he was just trying to show us what his BLOOD OF THAT NEW COVENANT IS GONNA DO TO MANS HEARTS MINDS....Abide in me and i in you....And you are made Clean by the WORD i have spoken unto you...( that New Covenant ) That Book he wrote with his own blood...At Calvary.
......Outta of the mouths of babes and suckling thou has perfected praise...Which is the H.G. the Child of Promise that has to be born in us via the seed of the Sower....The living words of God....The contents of the BOOK....Untill you birth the H.G. a free gift....That Child OF Promise you will continue to defile the Temple....The Child is the living word the H.G...The multiplication of Jesus in you....Remember even in the O.T. God wanted the Child Samuel to do the Ministering not old Eli and his sons ....k
Part 1
I want to thank you; this discussion has been a blessing. It has stretched me in my understanding and the realization of some answers to some questions the Holy Spirit may not show us, maybe it is to see if we show love to one another. In our discussion the spirit and the soul are the keys, what part of us are they? Are the spirit and soul the same? Sometimes, in scripture, they seem interchangeable but is the spirit or the soul immortal, that is the key to the answer.
Spirit in Hebrew the word ruach means breath, wind, spirit, and in Greek, the word pneuma also means wind, breath, spirit. Our spirit is our driving force, energy, and stamina, and is the conduit of communication to God through His Spirit. Soul in Hebrew the word nephesh means a soul, living being, life, self, person. The Greek word psuche means the soul, life, self, and a person's distinct identity.
In Gen. 2:7 God breathed into Adam's nose the breath of life and he became a living soul. Adam became a living soul he was not given a soul. The breath, spirit, given by God became life, a soul. Also, in Genesis 1 all living animals are soul's nephesh. The soul is a living being human or animal, the life in us, but it is also our identity, we are all different in looks and personality, all our feelings, our thoughts, emotions, all that makes us, us.
Does scripture say the spirit leaves this body? Ecclesiastes 12:7 Jesus in Luke 23:46 Stephen in Acts 7:59. Does scripture say the soul leaves this body? In the resurrection 1 Cor. 15:52-57 If our soul is immortal would we not already be a spiritual being? Does scripture support death as the separation of the soul from the body and the soul is immortal? Does that come from Socrates, Plato, and then Augustine's encouragement in the church, and over the years it is fixed?
See Part 2
Re: parables. My understanding is that a parable needed to conform to a couple of criteria or else it wasn't a parable. The story was to be a simple everyday account of a situation that the people could relate to and the parable would not contain any proper names. I haven't physically checked each of the parables of the Lord to verify this, but from what I can remember, all of them, bar the rich man & Lazarus account, remain faithful to that criteria.
In the Lazarus story, both Abraham & Lazarus are named & conversing with each other, and if only a parable, then Jesus implicated these two men, when in actual fact that none of this actually took place (i.e. Abraham & Lazarus weren't actual characters in this drama, but simply representative of a place of comfort & a person deserving of it). This of course is true, in the OT economy, but naming them demands that we need to understand it as an actual event with actual persons there.
The verse that is foremost in my mind is from Hebrews 4:12: that of God's Word doing an intrusive, piercing/cutting, yet thorough work in a person's heart. Though a nail clipper/emery board may be useful to cut & shape nails, even flicking out some grit under the nail, God's Word is no mere man-made cutter, but is "quick (alive, active, at work), endued with God's Power & keeness (finely sharpened), that is able to penetrate the impenetrable (dividing the soul & spirit, getting in-between the bone & marrow), and judges & exposes the deepest thoughts & devises of our hearts." Their gifts of manicure kits should accomplish well the tasks they were made for - but God's Word strikes much further than a finger nail, going straight to a person's heart & spirit, to the end that a complete change can occur & not simply a superficial & temporary cut & shape.
We can find examples of this in the Apostle Peter's sermon at Pentecost ( Acts 2:14-41, especially verse 37 'pricked in their hearts') & Stephen's sermon in Acts 7:2-60, especially verse 54 'cut to the heart'). God's Word can either bring people to repentance & faith or cause some to well up in fury against the Truth. Such is the penetrating Power of God's Word with its divisive action that separates those hungering for the Peace of God & His Salvation in their hearts from those whose end is only anger against God & rejection of His Truth.
But Jesus said in John 10:10, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Jesus didn't come to just give us a quick cut & shape (a temporary fix to make us feel or look better) - He came to sacrifice His Life for each one of us, so that we might be forgiven of our sins, turn from them & become God's children, receiving an abundant life both now & into eternity.
Man has a spirit, but he is not "a spirit", for a spirit hath not flesh and bones".
In this life man has "flesh and blood", a "natural" (or psychical) body.
At death this spirit "returns to God Who gave it" ( Ps. 31:5. Eccles. 12:7. Luke 23:46. Acts 7:59).
In resurrection "God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him" ( 1Cor. 15:38). This is no longer a "natural" (or psychical) body, but a "spiritual body" ( 1Cor. 15:44).
,,, There are two sides to paradise, which us where we all go when we die,,, Heaven and a Prison ,,, which IS where God is, wherever God is that's Heaven ,,, those who make the first resurrection when they die go to the Heaven side,,,,, those who don't, go to prison,,, there is a great fixed gulf that separate's them,,, read Luke 16,,, the parable of the Rich man, and Lazarus, a powerful lesson.
Satan is the son of perdition, not Judas btw.
Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur is mentioned in the Bible OT 5X. In Acts 2X. Noticed the importance of this man. He convinced the council to let go the apostles doing their work for God knowing if their work was not from God they will fail anyway. Very smart nan. The next he was mentioned was when Paul is defending himself in Acts 22:3. The point is Gamaliel is a reputable man, whom I think a way to show the reader the legitimacy of the Apostle Paul knowing the law and leading to acknowledging Paul's ignorance about Jesus Christ. Acts 6 mainly is about Stephen against the synagogue of the Libertines. Then Acts 7 is when Stephen gave his greatest testimony and was stoned to death. Acts 7:58 Paul consenting to Stephen's death. Acts 8 talks about the great persecution against the church and the apostles still doing God's work when others scattered abroad. Acts 9 Acts 9:5) was when Jesus appeared to Paul on his way to Damascus. Chapter 10 and 11 is about Peter with Cornelius and his people converted. Very important because Peter was instructed by God to go to the uncircumcised people, whom Peter called common and unclean. Acts 11 is when Peter is already in Jerusalem explaining the same thing happened in c19; and noticed in Acts 11:25 Barnabas left Antioch to Tarsus to seek Saul ( Paul) then went back to Antioch and stayed there for whole year Acts 11:26). Isn't that a big transition? Then Acts 11:27-30 great dearth throughout all the world was told by a Prophet from Jerusalem named Agabus who came to Antioch and Barnabas and Saul were doing some relief work. In Galatians 1:18 Peter and Paul met. Then the rest you know the stories because you read them all. I am just very particular on a lot of detail because I was born Catholic, Bible Reader, and became a Mormon then the Seventh Day Adventist allpleasingfamily. I am done with listening to all religion.after my Mom died. Being an orphan I realized I have only God to rely on my journey here on earth.
We see in Matt. 10:6 Jesus told His disciples not to go to the Gentiles and Matt. 15:24 He confirms He first came for the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets.
Why did Jesus say, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel"? Other scripture also says the Jew first, Luke 24:47 Acts 3:25-26 Romans 1:16 Romans 2:9-10 and more, for what reason? To fulfill prophecy.
The Prophecy is the 70-week prophecy that many places the last week in the future. This prophecy was for the house of Israel/Judea and Jerusalem, Daniel 9:24 and these 70 weeks were determined to finish the transgression, make an end of sins, make reconciliation for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
From when Jesus was baptized until He was crucified was 3 1/2 years, John recorded the Passovers Jesus went to and Jesus was crucified on the fourth. These 3 1/2 years Jesus was confirming the covenant, to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The entire prophecy was about the coming of the Messiah that the leaders rejected.
Verse 25 tells the time the Messiah would come, verse 26 tells the Messiah would be cut off and the destruction of the city and temple, and in verse 27 he in this verse is the Messiah and the week of confirming the covenant, in the middle of the week 3 1/2 years Jesus cut off/ crucifixion, the final sacrifice, ending the animal sacrificial law. In the last half of the week, Jesus through His apostles confirmed the covenant in Jerusalem.
We see in Acts 7 the key verse is Acts 7:57, the cried out and stopped their ears with one accord, then the great persecution of the church that ended the 70-week prophecy. Shortly after Peter had his dream and Jesus appeared to Saul/Paul and the gospel was sent to the Gentiles the branch broke off but it will be grafted back in.
This is short but may you study it, I am sure many will disagree.
God bless,
RLW
Hi Dgjot. I'll just share on a few matters you raised.
On forgiveness & forgetting. I see 'forgiveness' as a matter of the heart, when one who has been unjustifiably hurt seeks to no longer hold that person accountable for the pain they've caused. The pain will still be there - only the Lord & time can bring healing, but to forgive someone simply means that you won't raise that painful matter again as your heart won't harbour hatred or grudge against another for doing that. To 'forget' the pain given, in most cases, won't ever leave, as that is a part of life's experiences that we retain. Some things we easily forget, especially those of a minor insignificant nature, but some things, even from childhood will always remain - & unfortunately, some of these will be painful & affect us even into adult years.
How does God forgive us? Does He even forget that we sinned against Him? We know that God's Forgiveness comes to us because His Son voluntarily took our punishment, paying for our sins that we could never ever pay for. But does God forget? If He did, then God wouldn't be Omniscient, as He knows & remembers all things that ever happened to us. But what God does do, is that our sins are cast aside, forgiven, & never held to our account, only because of Jesus' Sacrifice (remember Acts 7:59,60, when Stephen, as he was dying, asked God to not lay the sin of his murderers to their charge - in other other words, 'Lord forgive them', or 'don't charge them with this sin'. Peter forgave them & wanted God to also forgive them).
We might be cautious or even remain aloof from someone who has hurt us, but that doesn't mean that we haven't forgiven them, i.e. not holding anger, hatred or grudges. In John 2:23-25, we read that Jesus saw how many believed in Him by the miracles He did - yet, Jesus did not commit (or, entrust, have faith in) them, because He knew what they were like. But He still loved all of them & would always forgive.
The Sanhedrin has a lot working against them. If they imprison Jesus, His followers could rile up the travelers from Galilee, Judea, and the surrounding area who at least think He is a prophet, if not the Messiah. Because of Jesus' popularity, the number of Galileans in Jerusalem, and the fact that the Jewish council cannot execute someone, they need the Romans to kill Jesus. Were Jesus less-renowned and less-connected to conflict with religious leaders, they likely would have been content to let a mob break Roman law by stoning ( Acts 7:54-60). Roman officials hold their trials in the early morning; if the Sanhedrin waits until later in the day, Pilate will not be available. At evening the Sabbath begins, so they need to move fast.
This verse does not describe a second trial before the Sanhedrin. The trial in Mark 14:53-65 happens concurrently with Peter's denials in Mark 14:66-72. "Held a consultation" means the evidence-gathering is over and the council members are making their final decision. They have already convicted Jesus of blasphemy according to the Mosaic law ( Mark 14:63-65). Likely this discussion is to decide on what capital offence against Roman law they will present before Pilate.
John, adds more detail ( John 18:28-32). When the members of the Sanhedrin take Jesus to Pilate's house, they do not enter. As residents of Jerusalem, they eat the Passover that afternoon, and will become unclean if they enter the home of a Gentile. After Pilate interviews and flogs Jesus, the Sanhedrin makes their case again.
a. Dispensationalism. I don't believe that seeing different dispensations in the Bible is altogether wrong. It would be wrong if everything you read must fit (or, be forced) into a dispensation category to make the Bible work. Rather than give details on the various dispensations, I would just say that there does appear some clear demarcations seen that could be of help to us in correct Bible hermeneutics, but that shouldn't be forced upon one as an essential to understanding & trusting in the Words in the Bible.
b. Can the Holy Spirit leave? When one has truly repented of sins, turned to Jesus in faith, & being born again, the promise to us is that the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us: 1 Corinthians 6:19 (i.e. His Presence is there to give us new life, Titus 3:5, 1 John 2:29); a new nature ( 2 Corinthians 5:17); sealing us ( 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13); filling us ( Ephesians 5:18); & other ministries to guide, teach & comfort us. Yet, we can hardly fathom how intimately the Spirit works in us, drawing us closer to our Heavenly Father, & longing for us to be conformed to our blessed Lord Jesus. But if we step outside the Will of God, to disobey or to pursue a fleshly desire, then the Spirit in us will be grieved ( Ephesians 4:30), quenched ( 1 Thessalonians 5:19), outraged ( Hebrews 10:29), even resisted ( Acts 7:51). But does He leave us when we sin? No, He continues to minister to us bringing us to repentance, that we should call upon God to help us overcome & glorify Him in our lives. The true believer remains secure ( John 10:28), but we need to make sure we are indeed 'in the faith', experiencing God's Work in our lives.
c. Gluttony? Can be ranked with drunkenness or other obsessive, repetitive behaviour that slowly destroys the body God has given us. We need to take control over it, even if it means medical help & know that God desires our healing. It may not be sin, but can lead to it.
I speculated the same things myself.
I suggested: if one invites a Jew to dinner, they should not serve pork.
Then, I heard this message:
"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Revelation 2:20
Jesus and the Holy Ghost teache the entire Church of God:
Christians must abstain from eating meats offered to idols.
"Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,
ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." Acts 7:51
Romans 12:6,
2Peter 1:16-21,
1Timothy 4:14,
Revelation 1:3,
Gifting working within the Body: 1Corinthians 12, 1Corinthians 13, direction concerning in Church: 1Corinthians 14:29-40,
Prophets yet to come: Revelation 11:3-19, false prophet yet to come: Revelation 16:12-15, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10,
Revelation 19:10,
Revelation 22,
John the Baptist referred to as Prophet: Luke 1:76, Luke 3:4, Matthew 13:57, Mark 6:4, Luke 4:24, Luke 7:26,28, Luke 20:3-20, John 1:19-37,
Acts 3:22-26, Acts 7:35-60, Titus 1:12,
Matthew 10:41,
Jesus talking about Prophets in HIS day, referred to himself also: Matthew 21:26, Matthew 11:9, Mark 11:32, John 4:4,
Luke 13:33, Luke 24,
Paul & others acknowledged prophecy, Prophets, even Women that did Prophecy: Acts 21:8-14,
Hope these are helpful
Great question. Agape.. Rich P.
Part 1
As I promised I would get back to you on your reply and questioning.
Let's start with the verses you gave as the promises that Israel forfeited over to the Church.
1. Genesis 12:1-3,
2. Genesis 12:7,
3. Genesis 13:14-17,
4. Genesis 15:5-7
5. Genesis 15:13-15,
6. Genesis 15:18-21,
7. Genesis 17:4-10,
8. Genesis 21:17-18
You stated, "Abraham and his seed pass to Jesus and His children. and you say according to
Galatians 3:16. Paul atributes these verses to Christ it is obvious that they are for Israel as well.
Let's look at Galatians 3:14-17.
If you notice in the link the promise/covenant was not a land covenant. Verses 2-8 you gave are all the land covenant.
Did you notice in Genesis 15:15-17. God told Abraham he would die before they would enter the land?
Look how Stephen put in Acts 7:4-5.
"and is is after God performed the covenant!!" So when will he inherit it? Hebrews11:8-10.
Now the 1st verse is a preview of both. The Promise his seed going to be given land. "Israel"
( and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. ) "Christ"
This is the only portion associated with Galatians 3:16.
Here is the covenant Paul is speaking of in Galatians.
( And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; AND THY SEED SHALL POSSESS THE GATE OF "HIS" ENEMIES;
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. )
Genesis 22:16-18.
The Gospel was preached even before there was a law to be broken.
Galatians 3:8.
" Important verse"
I removed "if it" because I believe it's in italics and shouldn't be there.
( Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet be confirmed, NO MAN DISANNULLETH, OR ADDETH THERETO.) Galatians 3:15.
2. There's nothing "new" about the NKJV logo. First edition prints have the pagan trinity which was used in the ancient Egyptian mysteries. It was also used by Satanist Aleister Crowley around the turn of this century. The symbol can be seen on the New King James Bible, on certain rock albums (like Led Zeppelin's), or you can see it on the cover of such New Age books as The Aquarian Conspiracy. (See Riplinger's tract on the NKJV.)
3. It is estimated that the NKJV makes over 100,000 translation changes, which comes to over eighty changes per page and about three changes per verse! A great number of these changes bring the NKJV in line with the readings of such Alexandrian perversions as the NIV and the RSV. Where changes are not made in the text, subtle footnotes often give credence to the Westcott and Hort Greek Text.
4. While passing off as being true to the Textus Receptus, the NKJV IGNORES the Receptus over 1,200 times.
5. In the NKJV, there are 22 omissions of "hell", 23 omissions of "blood", 44 omissions of "repent", 50 omissions of "heaven", 51 omissions of "God", and 66 omissions of "Lord". The terms "devils", "damnation", "JEHOVAH", and "new testament" are completely omitted.
6. The NKJV demotes the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1:3, the KJV says that all things were made "by" Jesus Christ, but in the NKJV, all things were just made "through" Him. The word "Servant" replaces "Son" in Acts 3:13 and 3:26. "Servant" replaces "child" in Acts 4:27 and 4:30. The word "Jesus" is omitted from Mark 2:15, Hebrews 4:8, and Acts 7:45.
7. The NKJV confuses people about salvation. In Hebrews 10:14 it replaces "are sanctified" with "are being sanctified", and it replaces "are saved" with "are being saved" in I Corinthians 1:18 and II Corinthians 2:15.
Scripture for Jesus being one with the Father, & sitting at the right hand of GOD.;
John 17, John 10, Hebrews 1, John 1, Hebrews 12, 1Peter 3:22, Acts 7:55,56, Romans 12:5, Romans 12, Ephesians 4:4,5,6, Ephesians 4, 1Corinthians 10:16,17, 1Corinthians 12:12,13, 1Corinthians 12, 1Timothy 2:5, 1Corinthians 11:3, John 3:15,16, John 16:23,
* John 14,
Hopefully these are helpful
There is a great tendency for categorizing people as "saved" or lost without further distinction as to the state of saved people especially. The concept of rewards or loss thereof ( Rev. 3:11) is found in a number of scriptures. Some; no doubt bring forth different levels of fruit ( Mark 4:20). Some make it in but suffer loss ( 1 Cor. 3:15). There is also a tendency to brush over sins committed after a confession of faith as somehow not having consequences in the lives of a believer. Again; we see a reference to this in Corinthians about anyone who destroys the "Temple of God". ( 1 Cor. 3:16-17). If we dishonor God we can shorten our life through natural causes; and God's discipline can be part of this refining process even to death. See also 1 Cor. 5:5.
We must keep in mind that as God's children; he "chastises every one He loves." ( Heb. 12:6). We cannot be certain of the salvation of Ananias and Sapphira ( Acts 5:1-11) but it fits the same pattern. Whoever has "tasted and seen" ( Heb. 6:4-5) God's goodness but is not truly Born Again has greater judgment. When we see churches today that clearly lack the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom ( Proverbs 1:7 and other passages); there is a tendency to ignore the exhortations and rebuke which need to be given along with encouragement for the edification of the saints ( 2 Timothy 4:2). Just because as Protestants we don't believe in transubstantiation; we do well to heed to the fact that His presence is in communion. Churches need to emphasize salvation along with living without a LIFESTYLE of unrepentant sin is necessary when partaking in communion. Unforgiveness should also be addressed ( Matt. 5:23-24
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Acts 8:2
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my SPIRIT: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Mishael: these are other scriptures that show awareness of the spirit in Jesus, and those that are born again.
The fleshly body Sleeps, wherever it fell dead, or was buried. The born again to heaven someday.
The unsaved, wicked dead to judgement one day.
When you Google this, be sure you are not on a Catholic doctrine website. The King James Bible which was canonized is the standard for being born again. See the Book of John. I write this in love and concern for all of Gods people.
There are many other confirming verses. We must keep in mind that when the word "qeber" is used defining the grave; and a person ceasing to exist it is the body. Sheol; however is the land of the dead. We must also keep in mind that the spirits of just men made perfect ( Heb. 12:23) would start with Christ the first of the firstfruits; so to speak. God is not the God of the dead but the living ( Luke 20:38). John 8:56 says that Abraham longed to see the day HE SAW IT AND REJOICED. We have Paul's vision of things unspeakable whether in the flesh or not he didn't know ( 2 Cor. 12:2). Finally; John's vision in Revelation literally saw the future.
The biggest issue is WHY people think soul sleep exists. It concerns me.
Matthew 24:3-51, Matthew 25:31-46, we will all give account so may our Words be faithful.
I share the following Scriptures in support: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (Paul is giving the distinction of where our spirits can only be: on Earth or in Heaven; if we're on Earth (home in the body) then we're not in Heaven. But if we're not in the body, then we must be "present with the Lord").
Philippians 1:21-24 (Again, Paul was caught in a strait (a predicament): he was ready & willing to depart to Christ (i.e. his spirit), but if he remained on Earth then his ministry could continue to the Philippians & others. He longed to go, but also knew that at God's appointed time his departure would come).
Examples of Stephen ( Acts 7:54-60). As he was being stoned & in his final breaths, he called upon Jesus to receive his spirit. At the Transfiguration ( Matthew 17:1-8), Jesus was transfigured (where we get the word, metamorphosis from the Greek): to change/transform in appearance; & with Jesus, Moses & Elijah appeared talking with Jesus - Moses & Elijah had long been dead, but have returned, not from the dead, but from Heaven.
And John 11:21-27. Jesus talks with Martha about the death of her brother Lazarus. She believed in the general resurrection of all people at the appointed time, but Jesus tells her something she didn't know, of the believing dead & living: whether in death or in life, the believer never dies (spiritually) - the body might perish & decay, but Jesus Who is our Resurrection & Life, guarantees that the spirit will live on as the body will one day be raised incorruptible.
"The dead in Christ shall rise first": speaks of the Rapture ('harpazo') of the Church when both the living & dead will be 'snatched away' from the Earth to meet Jesus in the air.