Colossians
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Your comment about the CARPENTER is scriptural.
Isaiah 41:7 So the CARPENTER (Christ), encouraged the goldsmith (YOU; the body of Christ, Christ does HIS WORKS by YOU, his body), and he (Christ) that smootheth with the hammer HIM (YOU; the POT, his body, he is the potter) that smote the anvil (YOU are the arm of Christ: as Christ is the arm of his Father), saying, It (YOU: sinful flesh) is ready for the sodering: and He (Christ) fastened IT (sinful flesh) with NAILS (to HIS CROSS), that IT (sinful flesh) should not be (re) moved.
Mark 6:1 Is not this the CARPENTER .....that made all things NEW: by his death and resurrection ....
You DIED with the CARPENTER on the CROSS, YOU and Christ were made ONE by HIS (and your) RESURRECTION.
Isaiah 44:13 The CARPENTER (Christ) stretcheth out his rule (YOU), he (Christ) maketh it (YOU) with a line, he (Christ) fitteth it (YOU) with planes, and he (Christ) maketh it (YOU) with the compass, and maketh it (YOU) after the figure of a MAN (CHRIST HIMSELF), according to the beauty of a MAN (CHRIST HIMSELF), that it (YOU; the new creation, the image of God) may remain in the HOUSE .... Hebrews 3:6 --- whose HOUSE YE ARE --- Psalms 23:6 ... and I (Christ) will dwell in the HOUSE (YOU) of the Lord forever .... Colossians 1:27 ... this mystery ... Christ IN YOU ...
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD that worketh IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
1 Corinthians 15:54 ...this mortal SHALL PUT ON immorality ....
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath immortality .... dwelling in the light ....
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be IN YOU, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be EQUAL to GOD.
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are GIVEN TO US exceedingly great and precious PROMISES: that by these (promises) ye may be PARTAKERS of the DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption (by the death of YOUR flesh on the cross) that is in the world through lust.
God BLESS YOU!
God's Word is full if warnings about the teachings and work's of man.
The only TRUE pastor of the sheep is Christ.
THE WAY is Christ.
We have to UNDERSTAND and BELIEVE what Christ's resurrection ACCOMPLISHED.
YOU DIED on the cross with Christ.
YOU were resurrected with Christ; A NEW CREATION, there was ONLY ONE BODY that was resurrected 2000 years AGO, that BODY was Christ, you SHARED that resurrection with Christ, YOU ALSO became the BODY of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:27 .... You are the body of Christ .....
Colossians 1:27 ..... this MYSTERY (of the resurrection) .....Christ IN YOU ......
You and Christ became ONE at that resurrection, Christ is now the LIFE in YOU: your HIS BODY.
He is the SHEPHERD of YOUR BODY your body does what the shepherd wants it to do, because Christ is the LIFE in YOU.
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD that worketh in you (the new creation) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
This truth has to become REAL in YOU; as this TRUTH becomes REAL TO YOU, you WILL SEE with different eyes.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the DEATH of his saints.
You have to BELIEVE God' s word: you DIED: only CHRIST exist, you share that by BEING HIS BODY.
Until then, you body is being lead by by whats described in Jeremiah 23:1-4
1 Timothy 6:16 Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALIY, dwelling in the light ....
1 Corinthians 15 ... this mortal (YOU) shall PUT ON IMMORALITY ..... death is swallowed up in VICTORY .....
You caught up, raptured, translated, into THE PRESENCE of GOD, to forever be the IMAGE of CHRIST, a SON OF GOD.
God Bless YOU!
I know that those who call themselves Jehovah's Witnesses have their erroneous understanding of Colossians 1:15, "Who (i.e. Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature". The Greek word for 'firstborn' is 'prototokos' and when written of Jesus, it applies to His preeminence & highest rank of all creation, though He Himself was never created, because He was "begotten of the Father" ( John 1:14). Whereas the JW reads Colossians 1:15 as, "the first created of every creature"; removing the 'prototokos' & replacing it with 'protokitses'. This error then substantiates their belief that Jesus was merely a created Being from God, thereby nullifying His Divinity.
And we see this word, 'firstborn' appearing elsewhere in the New Testament, when referring to Jesus:
Romans 8:29: "firstborn among many brethren", referring to Jesus' preeminence as the 'elder Brother' of His many brethren, the Church. And it also speaks of Jesus' as being wholly Divine yet Him merging with humanity, thus the incarnate God becoming the 'first' in line of this new creation: i.e. we who are now His brothers & sisters have been given His Spirit to indwell us, making us a new creation in Christ Jesus (God's Spirit now residing in man)": 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Colossians 1:18: "firstborn from the dead". This means that Jesus was the first to rise from the dead with a resurrection Body & it will be when our bodies will be resurrected as His was - but He was our Forerunner in the resurrection. Though Lazarus & the many saints arose from the grave, they weren't given their new glorified bodies.
I hope this little extra study helps you Errol.
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate that you have expressed your views so plainly. I do think you are sincere and open to hear ideas.
I will just leave you with these verses:
If you will, could you show me from a direct quote from Scripture that Jesus was only a Spirit when He was born of Mary. And where it says that He arose in Sprit and not a bodily resurrection?
Where does it say in Scripture that God only created that which is spiritual and that anything material or physical or of flesh is not made by God or not reality?
Point me to the Scripture that says that God can only create what He Himself is-Spirit?
Consider these Scripture truths:
Genesis 1 tells us that God created the heavens and the earth and all that dwells in both heaven and earth. It says that God saw all that He had made and said that it was very good. So the physical world is just as real as the spiritual world.
Colossians 1:15-16 says "For by Him (Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him."
We do not see spiritual beings, but physical things are visible to us.
And also these:
1 John 3:2-3
"And every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist whereof ye have heard that it should come; even now already is it in the world."
2 John 7, 9-10
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deciever and an antichrist.
Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into y9our house, neither bid him God speed"
Your have the spirit of antichrist by your own words.
I seldom ever say anything without quoting scripture.
I am more than happy to have you show where that scripture is not true, but use scripture not what man says.
You don't believe Psalms 82:6 ye are Gods ..
You believe Christ is God; ONE with the Father, and the Father is God, one with Christ.
John 17:21 That they all may be ONE; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be ONE even as we are ONE IN US ....
Colossians 1:27 ....Christ in you ....
Why if the father and son are ONE and they are God, would not you believe we are God if we are the same ONE IN THEM.
Why don't you believe these scriptures, because they don't fit the teaching of MAN, that's why.
Whose right: MAN or God's WORD?
Rebut with scripture.
God Bless YOU!
There is not a person; other than Christ, that has not blasphemed God's name.
It's all about coming to "TRUTH" so we don't blaspheme his name.
It's all about what Christ did for us at HIS resurrection and coming to that "TRUTH".
You DIED with Christ, you were resurrected with Christ.
You and Christ become ONE by that resurrection, you were married to Christ, by that resurrection, you became the wife of Christ, by that resurrection, by marriage you NOW BEAR the NAME OF CHRIST.
You were baptised by the Holy Spirit IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
John 17:22 And the GLORY that thou gavest ME, I have GIVEN to THEM (my wife), that THEY may be ONE even as WE are ONE.
Colossians 1:27 ...this MYSTERY ....of the HIS resurrection ...... CHRIST IN YOU ......
BELIEVE what God did for YOU, and you will never blaspheme GOD'S NAME.
God BLESS YOU!
Psalms 17:15 As for ME (Christ), I will behold thy (the Father and God of Christ) face: I (Christ) will be satisfied, when I (Christ) awake (am resurrected, by the Father's SPIRIT), with THY (the Father's) likeness.
Romans 6:5 For if were be planted TOGETHER (you and Christ) in the likeness of his (Christ) DEATH; we shall also be the LIKENESS of HIS RESURRECTION.
Genesis 5:1 In that DAY (the day of the LORD; ALL MEN died with Christ and all MEN were resurrected with Christ) that God created man ( BY the resurrection), in the LIKENESS of GOD created he them.
Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth THY (the Father of ALL ( Ephesians 4:6) SPIRIT, THEY (all men) are CREATED; thou renewest the face of the earth.
Ezekiel 1:5 And out if the MIDST thereof (Christ) there came forth four LIVING CREATIONS, And this was their appearance, they (the new creation) had the appearance of A MAN (Christ).
Ezekiel 10:10 And as for the for their appearances (the LIVING CREATIONS), they four (the new creation) had ONE LIKENESS, as a WHEEL (Christ) in the MIDST of a WHEEL (Christ).
Colossians 1:27 ..this MYSTERY (of his resurrection) ... CHRIST IN YOU ..
Romans 8:28 For whom he (the Father of ALL) did foreknow, He (the Father) did predistinate (by the resurrection of Christ) to be conformed to the IMAGE (God) of his son, that he (Christ) might be the FIRSTBORN among many (cloned by his resurrection) BRETHREN.
Psalms 82:6 For I (the Father) have said, YE (my new creation, by your brother's resurrection) ARE GODS, the children of the most high.
John 10:35 If he (our Father, the WORD) called them (the new creation, by resurrection) GODS, unto WHOM the word of GOD CAME ( Hebrews 9:28), the scripture CANNOT be BROKEN.
Luke 20:36 Neither can THEY (the new creation) DIED ANYMORE (you died with Christ on the cross): for they are EQUAL to the ANGELS ( Isaiah 63:9...and the ANGEL of HIS (Christ in YOU) PRESENCE SAVED THEM.
Do YOU BELIEVE God's WORD?
PROPHECY:
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit WITHIN YOU, and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep MY JUDGEMENTS, and DO THEM.
You DIED with Christ, YOU WERE RAISED with Christ, this is the POWER OF THE RESURRECTION.
You are now the BODY of Christ, everything you say, will to do, or do is CAUSED by the spirit of TRUTH and LIFE WITHIN YOU.
Very FEW BELIEVE God's word.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (spirit) which WORKETH IN YOU, both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery .....Christ in you .....
Matthew 7:14 ...narrow is THE WAY .....FEW there be that FIND IT ....
John 14:6 ....I AM THE WAY .......
1 Corinthians 12:27 ...Ye are the BODY OF CHRIST .....
FEW BELIEVE God's word.
Psalms 82:6 I (God himself) HAVE SAID, ye are gods, the children of the most high.
Your the dwelling place of GOD, your are doing the very will of God 24/7.
The question is? Do you believe God's word?
God Bless YOU, as our Father brings us to TRUTH.
If we are MADE ONE by the marriage of ourselves to Christ; wouldn't that marriage have happen when we were resurrected with Christ a NEW CREATION.
Revelation is SYMBOLIC, the revealing of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:27 ... THIS MYSTERY ......Christ in you ......
Just a thought to consider.
God Bless You
For the believer, Jesus is our hope ( 1 Timothy 1:1), He is our peace ( Ephesians 2:14), He is the light of the world ( John 8:12), He is the good shepherd who gave His life for His sheep (All those who have surrendered their life to Him ( John 10:11), He is the head of the church ( Ephesians 1:22), He is the only one who sets us free from our sin ( John 8:36), He is our redeemer ( Job 19:25), He is the only atoning sacrifice for our sin ( 1 John 4:10), He is the Savior of those who receive Him ( Luke 2:11, John 1:12), He is the creator of all things ( Colossians 1:16-17, John 1:1-3), He is the word of God, and He is God ( John 1:1, Isaiah 9:6), He is our only way to salvation ( John 10:9, John 14:6).
There are many, many more descriptors in the Bible that tell us who Jesus is, but it would take many more posts to list them all.
Part 4
To make reconciliation for iniquity
Reconciliation is an element of salvation that refers to the results of the atonement, to coat or cover, Isaiah 61:10 Rev. 3:4 Rev. 16:15, iniquity is guilt, crookedness, twistedness, perverseness, that which is not straight or upright, and moral distortion in the dark.
Colossians 1:20-22 Isaiah 53:5-6 Isaiah 53:11 Ephesians 2:16 Titus 2:14 Romans 4:7 2 Romans 5:10-11 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Colossians 1:19-22
The word reconcile means to bring back to a former state of harmony, Jesus reconciled both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the cross and now through Jesus we both Jew and Gentile have access by one Spirit unto the Father, no more strangers or foreigners but fellow citizens. Making reconciliation for iniquity concerns our involvement in the work of salvation. God has reconciled himself to us and empowered us by his Spirit to reconcile ourselves to God and one another.
To bring in everlasting righteousness.
Everlasting, no end, long duration, antiquity, futurity, forever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, continuous existence. Righteousness, God's attribute, justice, mercy, loving-kindness, in conformity to the demands of the covenant, and according to God's will, fair and balanced.
Isaiah 61:10-11 Hebrews 8:12 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 5:17-21 1 Corinthians 1:30 2 Corinthians 5:21 1 Peter 2:24
Everlasting righteousness was what our Lord manifested in His sinless life. Jesus by His blood entered in once into the holy place not made by hands having obtained eternal redemption, everlasting, and in Jesus we have everlasting righteousness and salvation, through faith, given by grace from God, by the blood of the Lamb freely offered for us. We have no righteousness apart from Jesus Christ.
See Part 5
Matthew 24:15 Therefore when YOU SEE the abomination of desolation; spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the HOLY PLACE (whosoever readeth, let him understand).
You are the HOLY PLACE, the temple of GOD.
Christ was talking to those around him, so this APPLIED to them, as well as us, it was AT HAND, near to be reality.
Daniel 12:11 From the time the daily sacrifice (of animals) shall be TAKEN AWAY, and the abomination that maketh desolate SET UP, there shall be one thousand three hundred and thirty five days.
What is this 1,335 days? It's the changing of the COVENANTS, Christ coming as sinful flesh, and defeating
death; LIFE by Spirit, not blood.
Before the resurrection; LIFE was in the BLOOD, after the resurrecting, LIFE was from the Spirit.
Matthew 23:38 Behold your HOUSE is left unto you DESOLATE.
Man is THE HOUSE, now desolate without INHABITANT, it died on the cross.
Revelation 18:19 .....for in ONE HOUR (MAN, sinful fleshes death on the cross) is she made DESOLATE.
Revelation 17:17 ...and SHALL MAKE HER DESOLATE AND NAKED ..
Psalms 69:25 Let their habitation (house) be DESOLATE; and NONE dwell in their tents.
Isaiah 5:9 ...of a truth many houses shall be desolate ....
Are you DESOLATE; or has the Spirit of LIFE COME TO YOU?
Romans 8:2 For the LAW of the SPIRIT OF LIFE in Christ Jesus, has made us FREE from the LAW of sin and death.
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over HIS OWN HOUSE, whose house you are ...
You died on the cross; and become DESOLATE, no LIFE, you were raised a body, a new creation, life no longer of the blood; but OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST, by the Spirit of our Father.
Colossians 1:27 ...this mystery .....Christ in you ....
God Bless YOU!
Revelation 19:10 And I (John) fell at his (Jesus) feet to worship him, and he (Jesus) said unto me (John), See thou doeth it not, I (Jesus) am thy (John) fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony (words) of Jesus: worship God (the father of ALL, including Jesus, Ephesians 4:6), for the testimony (words) of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.
Jesus is our full brother.
Romans 8:29 For whom he (the Father) did foreknow, he (the Father) also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his (the Father's) SON, that he (Jesus) might be the firstborn of many BRETHREN.
We are also servants to Jesus, as Jesus is a servant to his Father. Just as Jesus, the servant, worships his God and Father, we are not to worship Jesus; but God our Father, we are fellowservants and sons and daughters to God our Father, and are to worship the Father.
Jesus told his disciples as he washed their feet he was SENT to be a SERVANT, a servant does the WORK for his master; therefore, Christ does EVERYTHING for us.
Colossians 1:27 ...this mystery ....Christ in you ....
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that WORKETH in you both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
John 15:5 I AM the vine, ye are the BRANCHES .....without ME (immortal LIFE) ye can do NOTHING.
God Bless YOU!
The apostle revealed to the Corinthians a Mystery (that which was unknown to men before - now revealed: 1 Corinthians 15:51). As was the mystery in Romans 11:25 (that Israel's blindness in part was for the fullness of the Gentiles salvation); in Ephesians 1:9,10 (God's Will that He would bring together to be one, all who are in Christ); Ephesians 5:32 (as husband & wife are one flesh, so is the union of Christ & His Church); Colossians 1:26,27; & many other examples. All indicating that what was revealed to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:51 was unknown before, which Paul was revealing now: that the believer's death was not a requirement for the resurrection (which was once believed), but that those who are alive at Jesus' Coming will also rise with the dead, to be with Him.
The one in Christ won't face the Wrath of God that was meant for those who spurned His Love shown in Christ, and that both those who have died in Christ & are alive in Him will together be taken away, it seems clear that the Rapture must happen before the Great Tribulation. But if one believes that the Great Tribulation is not God's Anger poured out, then it could well be believed that Christians living at that time will suffer (or, in some way protected) from the devastation that is to take place. If I take the Scriptures together, I cannot subscribe to a post-tribulation Rapture.
You are correct; most if not all of the Psalms are prophecies of Christ; AND, all the words of Psalms are the words of the spirit of Christ; AND, Christ has the spirit of his Father ( 2 Samuel 23:1-2)( Isaiah 59:21).
Psalms 23:6 Surly goodness and mercy shall follow me (Christ) all the days of my life: and I (Christ) will dwell in the HOUSE of the LORD forever.
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own HOUSE; whose HOUSE ARE WE ....
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery .....Christ in you .....
Keep sharing as the spirit reveals HIS TRUTH to you.
God Bless You!
No, I don't believe we're supposed to wear crosses. Leviticus 26:1, nowhere does it say wear a cross, as jewelry. However it does say not to make idols.
Recently I thought, if a person had a friend that was killed by gunshot & had a miraculous recovery. How would he feel, if when he returned to his friends & family, they had an image of the gun or bullet around their neck, to honor him. I would think it would be upsetting to say the least. Wouldn't he say, "your missing the main point." isn't it the life lived?Jesus himself being the example of a loving life, helping others in need? & the hope & promise of resurrection. John 5:21-29, 1Corinthians 15:42-58, John 11:25, Ecclesiastes 5:15, 1Timothy 6:7,
Bare your cross: Luke 14, looking at context, whole chapter Jesus in doing the better thing by healing, suffered rejection, hate, wrongful judgement.
A cross is painful, it's obvious, on view for everyone to see, not something we can hide in our pocket. It causes ridicule & even division. Luke 14:11, Luke 14:12-14, Luke 14:17-20,24, Luke 14:26,27, also Matthew 10, note Matthew 10:36, Matthew 10:17,18, Matthew 10:21, Matthew 10:22, please read in context Matthew 10, Matthew 10:32-42, & Luke 9:22-26, also Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:29-38, Mark 10:14-52,
Philippians 2:1-15, Colossians 1:10-29 ,
Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:5,
Hopefully these are helpful
Romans 14:12, 1Peter 4, Jude 1, Zechariah 3, 1Chronicles 21:1, Job 1, Job 2, Matthew 4:10, Mark 1:13, Luke 4, Luke 22, John 13,
Mark 4:15, Luke 13:16, Acts 5, notice Acts 4:32-37, continued into Acts 5, - Acts 5:13, 1Corinthians 7:5, 2Corinthians 11:13,14, 2Thessalonians 2:9, John 7:24, Romans 14:13,
Acts 26:18, Romans 16:20, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20, Psalms 98:9,
James 1:5,
Hopefully these give you wisdom
Scripture to back you
Matthew 25:31-46, James 2:5-20, 1Timothy 6:6-12, James 1:27, Colossians 1:10, Hebrews 13:5, James 3:17,18, Jude 1,
Hopefully these are helpful
Bless the Lord; o my soul and forget none of His benefits ( Psalm 103:2). In preaching to the lost world; we certainly need to declare the victory over sin; and God's love ( John 3:16). We are translated from death to life in His Dear Son ( Colossians 1:13).
In fact God IS love ( 1 John 4:8).
In the backdrop of the news of the "exceeding great glory" awaiting us; ( 2 Peter 1:4) we also have 2 Corinthians 4:17 which mentions our "light afflictions" before glorification. Paul himself was told how much "he would suffer for the Kingdom of God's sake" ( Acts 9:16). Peter was instructed of similar things when the Lord asked him if he loved Him 3 times in John 21:15-16.
Such messages are rarely given today.
There are several problems preventing these truths to be given in exhortation. First of all; if we don't see some sort of persecution being suffered as is promised toward ALL who are Godly in Christ Jesus as their fate ( 2 Timothy 3:2) then we are not given any example to emulate and therefore live with unrealistic expectations as to how comfortable our lives will be once we live out our faith. Of course; with anything else the fact of the matter exists that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding." ( Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Psalm 111:10 and many other passages). It follows that reverence; awe; and respect result from such an understanding as well as the discipline to be as a hardened soldier not concerned with "civilian affairs" ( 2 Timothy 2:4).
I have stated in other places how exhortation and rebuke is; in such a permissive society not considered proper etiquette. That feeds into my next point; that we aren't seeing what is Biblical discipleship in WEEDING out those tares that are there to spread false doctrines and cause dissention as well as giving challenges as "iron sharpens iron" ( Prov. 27:17). This is a problem with church elders and other leaders and of course laypersons follow their lead.
According to many scholars; this was actually the time of the conception of Christ; as many ascribe His birth to the fall feasts; others I believe have said that the shepherds would have been out in the spring. In any case; our LIVING Head ( Colossians 1:18) evermore intercedes for us in heavenly places ( Heb. 7:25; etal). We need to attach the death and resurrection of Christ to the birth of course for the complete picture. In any event; we of course have a new year upcoming. Time relentlessly marches forward; like it or not.
There was already said to be the most need since World War Two a few years back as to the number of refugees; and hungry children worldwide. No doubt the problem is still at those levels today. May we wisely give as we feel led so as to be the "hands and feet" of Christ; and/or volunteer to help any way we can. May we also wisely plan seeing that there are so many catastrophes that seem to be coming to pass simultaneously in the short term; so as to have us be the "head and not the tail" when calamity strikes. ( Deut. 28:13).
No doubt there are many who are quite lonely this year as in recent years in particular. May we look for those who we can invite; or at least bless with a phone call or contact not just now but throughout the winter months in particular. I haven't been led to pray for revival; but I do ask that those who do come to church especially if backslidden will commit to regular fellowship as we are commanded to do so and more so as we see the Day of the Lord approaching ( Heb. 10:25).
There are some who have said that they sense the Lord is coming back around this time of year (of course that is hardly the only time mentioned for that event). Let us always keep the message of the Gospel forefront; whether we are out shopping for others (talking about Christ being the "reason for the season") or with family members and friends let us continue to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.
a. His Names: Hebrews 1:8, John 20:28 (God); Matthew 16:16, Matthew 26:61-65 (the Son of God); Matthew 22:41-46 (Lord); Revelation 19:13 (Word of God); Revelation 19:16 (King of kings and Lord of lords).
b. His Characteristics: Matthew 28:18 (Omnipotence: all powerful); Luke 6:8, John 2:24,25, John 13:11 (Omniscience: all knowing); Matthew 18:20 (Omnipresence: present in any place); John 1:4 (Life); John 14:6 (Truth); Hebrews 13:8 (Immutability: unchanging); 1 Timothy 3:16, John 1:1-14 (God manifest in the flesh in Jesus).
c. His Works: John 1:3, Colossians 1:16 (creates); Colossians 1:17 (sustains); Luke 7:48,49 (forgives sin); John 11:41-44 (raises the dead); John 5:27 (judges); John 15:26 (sends the Holy Spirit).
d. His receiving Worship: Hebrews 1:6 (from angels); Revelation 5:11-13 (from other heavenly beings); Matthew 14:33 (from men); Philippians 2:10 (from all).
e. His equality within the Triune God: John 14:23, John 10:30-33 (with the Father); Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14 (with the Father and the Spirit).
I hope you can see from these few Scriptures that Jesus was not just a special Man or Prophet sent by God, but truly was "God manifested in the flesh". No other man before Jesus' coming, during, or after His leaving this Earth, could ever fully reflect God's Glory, Wisdom & Power. Only God could - and He did this by sending us His Word, made Him a Man, so that He could give His Life as full payment for our sins - but only to those who believe this & place their trust in Him. To some, the 'Trinity' teaching is abominable. But man's salvation depends on the Divine Person of the Lord Jesus Christ - that God could accept no other Sacrifice to redeem & secure people to Himself - only by giving fully of Himself, which is true love for all.
I would have to be honest and say Who knows?
I couldn't say one way or another. Scripture doesn't give us any info. We do know God wasn't sitting around throughout eternity to make man a few thousand years ago.
But I would say ALL that was created was created by the Lord.
Colossians 1:16-17. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
GB.
The 10 Commandments therefore are still in force today; but we are unable to follow with the MORE stringent matters of the heart which only again comes from the Spirit. Without this there is an outward obedience only. The only thing which has changed is the Sabbath Day; and I would say that Matthew 12:8 answers this by placing Sunday as the day of rest. This is also the only command that was peculiar to the nation of Israel; rather than universal law which clearly as shown with John the Baptist in matters of divorce holding for pagans as well. Other ceremonial rules changed with Peter's vision in Acts 10.
part 2. J Vernon mcgee
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ( Hebrews 11:1)
The Greek word for "substance" is hupostasis. It is a scientific term, the opposite of hypothesis or theory. It is that which rests upon facts. In chemistry it would be the chemical which settles at the bottom of the test tube after you have made an experiment. Dr. A. T. Robertson translates substance as "title deed." What is the title deed? What is the substance? It is the Word of God, my friend. If your faith does not rest upon the Word of God, it is not biblical faith at all. It has to rest upon what God says. Actually, it means to believe God.
The question is whether you believe God or not. Don't come up with the "I've got intellectual problems" excuse, because that won't work. The thing that keeps men from the Word of God is sin. It is sin in your life that keeps you from coming to God. It is the heart that needs to believe - it is "the heart that believeth unto righteousness." When you are ready to give up your sin, the Holy Spirit will make real to you the Word of God.
Paul wrote to the Colossian believers, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" ( Colossians 1:9). To know the will of God is to know the Word of God. He prayed that they might know the Word of God. The Greek word for "knowledge" which Paul used is epignosis. There were Gnostics in that day who professed to have super knowledge. Paul told the Colossians that he wanted them to have super knowledge which was genuine by knowing that the Bible is the Word of God, and he believed that the Holy Spirit would make it real to them.
see part 3.
It seems the "great falling away" may be as Jesus explained with the seed, parable. When they face trouble, not rooted in good soil; Please look at Matthew 13:6,20,21, notice Jesus says we will go through "the great tribulation" Matthew 24:21,22,29, Matthew 24:30, in context please read both full chapters, also please look at : Revelation 6:9-11, if Jesus says endure to the end, Matthew 24:13, 2Peter 3:3-14, 1Peter 5:2-11, Hebrews 12:23-29, Hebrews 10:35-39, Colossians 1:23,
1Peter 1:2-9, Jude 1:24,
Hopefully this is helpful
You are right saying that the saints are those that have made a covenant with God by sacrifice. Haven't we, christians, made a covenant with God by the sacrifice not of a lamp or a bull but with the sacrifice of God's Lamp, the Son of the God, Jesus Christ? If those who were not sanctified by the Spirit were called saints, how much more appropriate is for us who are baptised in the Spirit to be called so?
Please read how apostle Paul calls the believers in every church he addesses.
i.e. 1 Corinthians 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be SAINTS, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"
Ephesians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the SAINTS which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus"
Colossians 1:2 "To the SAINTS and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
And he calls saints all the LIVING BELIEVERS in all churches he has written letters to. So the saints are God's people from all over the nations through all the ages, dead and alive. GBU
Exodus 14:14 kjv, Psalm 59:16 -17 kjv, Isaiah 54:17 kjv, Colossians 1:12-14 kjv.
Ephesians 3:20-21 kjv, Psalm 46:10 kjv.
This completion is by the Spirit dwelling in us.
Hebrews 11:39-40. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
The law couldn't make one perfect.
Hebrews 7:19.
I believe Christ fulfilling the law, his righteousness imputed to us and the baptism of the Holyspirit is the consummation of all things.
God bless.