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Bible Studies

December 11, 2020 by for_his_glory

The Unveiling

Over the next few days I am going to present my study on the book of Revelations. Before we begin our study in Revelation there is one thing we must remember that is very important. Revelation was given to John in visions as prophecies that had their beginnings in the Old Testament, being fulfilled in the New Testament and yet much to be fulfilled in future events before the great and terrible day of the Lords return.

Revelations is given to all nations and tongues that live throughout the whole world as in Jew and Gentile. Israel is mainly mentioned, but not all of Israel is Gods chosen people. Those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb are joined as a branch with Israel as God is the root of that branch and those who are sealed by His Holy Spirit are His own who find favor in Him, Romans 11:11-31. Therefore, our attention needs to be on those things that are happening in Israel especially Jerusalem as being Gods Holy City.

Within Gods final chastisement on man He continues to call them to repentance and one has to take into consideration during the time of the seven trumpets sounding what God pours out that destroys man will be a third part of every nation simultaneously being destroyed unless they repent and turn back to God. This also includes those who call themselves a Christian, but by name only as they have not Gods Holy Spirit dwelling in them and will also be destroyed, Matthew 7:21.

I have intentionally left out numbering the verses as these revelations given by Jesus to John to write them down were written as many individual letters in chronological order that were carried to the seven Churches in the Roman province of Asia and now revealed to the whole world.

From the very beginning of time starting with Adam man has allowed themselves to lose that Spiritual fellowship with God as Adam did when he fell to temptation through Satan’s deceit. Through the sin of Adams disobedience, we have all allowed ourselves to be deceived causing us to fall short of Gods glory and became children of disobedience as we continue to allow Satan to deceive us unaware of his devices. God will chastise his children as a Father that disciplines his children. He only wants the best for them, but many have a rebellious heart that will not heed His warnings and have turned a deaf ear towards Him as they love their own lives unto death and will perish never knowing Gods mercy and grace.

Wars and rumor of wars, nation against nation and kingdoms against kingdoms, famines, pestilences and earthquakes are all results of mans sin as they continue to fall from Gods grace as they become lovers of self, 2 Timothy 3:2-4. The fulfillment of prophecy is in that of Jesus life, death and resurrection that we can reconcile ourselves back to God through His grace before the return of Jesus. Our covenant promise from God is that we will have eternal life with Him, John 10:27, 28, through grace that we can reconcile ourselves back to the Father and live our lives according to His will.

What you are about to read and have revealed to you in these revelations are those things that are yet future compared with that of the past. It has always been kingdom against kingdom and nation against nation. There are only two kingdoms as one is Gods kingdom that is taught in all truths through Gods Holy Spirit and the other a ruling kingdom of Satan who uses a Jezebel spirit that speaks a deceptive word to deceive the nations, Revelation 2:20.

Revelations is full of symbolism that is literal where it needs to be and Spiritual where it needs to define that of the literal. These revelations are given as a warning to those who have yet to accept Jesus as Messiah. Gods chastisements are to draw those back to him in repentance before that door of salvation is closed forever when Jesus returns and Gods true Church is gathered up to be with the Father forever.

The focus in Revelations would seem to center around Israel only and the nations that come against her for this is how John would recognize it to be since all other nations were not yet developed in his time. Revelations is about all of us, Jew and Gentile, past, present and future that by faith keep Gods commandments. We are Gods witnesses that testify of His mercy and grace as we take His word out into the world to those who have ears to hear.

Israel lost her right to be called Gods chosen people, (God did save a faithful remnant), as they fell into idolatry worshiping other gods as they allowed themselves to fall from Gods grace as they followed the lust of their own hearts as they practiced Judaism, 1 Kings 9:1-9. God’s judgment against them led them to be captured, 605 – 537 B.C., by Nebuchadnezzar and taken into Babylon for seventy years while Nebuchadnezzar’s army killed many Jews in Judah and Jerusalem destroying the whole city of Jerusalem including the first Temple that was built through King Solomon’s reign in Jerusalem.

The second Temple was built under Ezra’s leadership and Israel continued practicing Judaism and their Temple was desecrated as part of an effort to impose Greek-oriented culture and customs on the entire population. Roman rule refurbished the temple as Herod, Romans vassal king, rules the land of Israel. In 70 A.D. the Temple is once again destroyed. The Temple Mount was taken over in 691 A.D. as the Arab nation built the Dome of the Rock and there has not been any other Temple built since that time on the original Temple Mount.

God gave Israel 490 years to repent. They were set free from Babylon when the Medes and Persian conquered Babylon (Chaldean) around 538 B.C. They were allowed back in the land and to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, however, they still did not repent for their sin of idol worshiping and they continued to receive punishment from God as the kingdom was taken away and eventually taken over by the Roman Empire. Malachi Chapter 1-4.

The 490 years were up and many of the Jews not only did not repent but they killed the very Messiah they had been waiting for as well as in 24 A.D. they made an opened display of rejecting the Gospel message as they stoned Stephen being the final messenger that was sent to give them their last chance to repent. The Jews were now rejected as God’s chosen people and were no different from the Gentiles as from that time forth each individual, Jew and Gentile has to make their own decision to accept or reject Jesus as Lord and Savior, John 3:3-7; Romans 10:9, 10.

The disciples were called first to preach to the Jews, Matthew 10:6, and Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles, Acts 22:21. God has saved a remnant out of the twelve tribes of Israel even up to a thousand generations that have always been faithful to Him, Exodus 20:1-6; Psalms 105:7, 8, but those who have yet to accept Jesus as Messiah God will continue to cut them off.

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The Disciples who sat with Jesus on the Mt. of Olives in Matthew 24:3 asked Him three questions, when shall these things be, what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? These three questions are now revealed to us as the Spirit of God has revealed them to John who told him to write these visions down and give them to the Church for instruction and understanding.

May God bless you as you allow your Spiritual eyes and ears to be opened as the Holy Spirit reveals all truths and gives us wisdom and understanding of the word of God. We are not to fear that which has to come, but be prepared for when it does so we will not be taken as a thief in the night, but to be a faithful watchman waiting patiently for that great and terrible day of the Lords return.

Exodus 20:1-6 (LEB)

Ten CommandmentsAnd God spoke all these words, saying,Ten CommandmentsAnd God spoke all these words, saying,2“I am Adonai, your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, from the house of slaves.2“I am Adonai, your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, from the house of slaves.3“There shall be for you no other gods before me.3“There shall be for you no other gods before me.4“You shall not make for yourself a divine image with any form that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth below or that is in the water below the earth.4“You shall not make for yourself a divine image with any form that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth below or that is in the water below the earth.5You will not bow down to them, and you will not serve them, because I am Adonai your God, a jealous God, punishing the guilt of the parents on the children on the third and on the fourth generations“Generations” is understood from comparison with parallel verses (compare Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9) of those hating me,5You will not bow down to them, and you will not serve them, because I am Adonai your God, a jealous God, punishing the guilt of the parents on the children on the third and on the fourth generations“Generations” is understood from comparison with parallel verses (compare Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9) of those hating me,6and showing loyal love to thousands of generations“Generations” is understood from comparison with parallel verses ( compare Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9) of those loving me and of those keeping my commandments.6and showing loyal love to thousands of generations“Generations” is understood from comparison with parallel verses ( compare Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9) of those loving me and of those keeping my commandments.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Exodus+20%3A1-6…

1 Kings 9:1-9 (LEB)

Adonai’s Challenge to SolomonIt happened that as Solomon finished the building of the house of Adonai, the king’s house, and all the things Solomon desired to do,Adonai’s Challenge to SolomonIt happened that as Solomon finished the building of the house of Adonai, the king’s house, and all the things Solomon desired to do,2Adonai appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him in Gibeon.2Adonai appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him in Gibeon.3Adonai said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house which you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.3Adonai said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house which you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.4As for you, if you walk before me as David your father walked, with integrity of heart“in blamelessness of heart” and with uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep my ordinances and my judgments,4As for you, if you walk before me as David your father walked, with integrity of heart“in blamelessness of heart” and with uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep my ordinances and my judgments,5then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘A man will not be cut off for you from upon the throne of Israel.’5then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘A man will not be cut off for you from upon the throne of Israel.’6“If ever you or any of your descendantsOr “children” turn from following me and do not keep my commandments and my ordinances that I have set before you and you go and serve other gods and bow down to them,6“If ever you or any of your descendantsOr “children” turn from following me and do not keep my commandments and my ordinances that I have set before you and you go and serve other gods and bow down to them,7then I will cut Israel off from the face of the land that I have given to them, even the house which I have consecrated for my name I will cast away from my face; and Israel shall become a proverb and an object of taunting among all the peoples.7then I will cut Israel off from the face of the land that I have given to them, even the house which I have consecrated for my name I will cast away from my face; and Israel shall become a proverb and an object of taunting among all the peoples.8This house shall become a heap of ruins; all those passing by will be appalled by it and hiss, and they will say, ‘On what account did Adonai do this to this land and to this house?’8This house shall become a heap of ruins; all those passing by will be appalled by it and hiss, and they will say, ‘On what account did Adonai do this to this land and to this house?’9And they will say, ‘Because they have forsaken Adonai their God who brought their ancestorsOr “fathers” out from the land of Egypt and they embraced other gods and bowed down to them and served them. Therefore, Adonai brought on them all of this disaster.’”9And they will say, ‘Because they have forsaken Adonai their God who brought their ancestorsOr “fathers” out from the land of Egypt and they embraced other gods and bowed down to them and served them. Therefore, Adonai brought on them all of this disaster.’”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=1+Kings+9%3A1-9…

Matthew 7:21 (LEB)

The Sermon on the Mount: False Followers“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.21The Sermon on the Mount: False Followers“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew+7%3A21…

Matthew 10:6 (LEB)

but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.6but go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew+10%3A6…

Matthew 24:3 (LEB)

Signs of the End of the AgeAnd asHere “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was sitting”) he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came up to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”3Signs of the End of the AgeAnd asHere “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was sitting”) he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came up to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew+24%3A3…

John 3:3-7 (LEB)

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born from above,The same Greek word can mean either “from above” or “again,” which allows for the misunderstanding by Nicodemus here; Jesus was speaking of new birth “from above,” while Nicodemus misunderstood him to mean a second physical birth he is not able to see the kingdom of God.”3Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born from above,The same Greek word can mean either “from above” or “again,” which allows for the misunderstanding by Nicodemus here; Jesus was speaking of new birth “from above,” while Nicodemus misunderstood him to mean a second physical birth he is not able to see the kingdom of God.”4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born of water and spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born of water and spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you to be born from above.’The same Greek word can mean either “from above” or “again” (see also v. 3)7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you to be born from above.’The same Greek word can mean either “from above” or “again” (see also v. 3)
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+3%3A3-7…

John 10:27 (LEB)

My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.27My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+10%3A27…

Acts 22:21 (LEB)

And he said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”21And he said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Acts+22%3A21…

Romans 11:11-31 (LEB)

I say then, they did not stumble so that they fell, did they?*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here May it never be! But by their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy.*The words “to jealousy” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied for clarity11I say then, they did not stumble so that they fell, did they?*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here May it never be! But by their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, in order to provoke them to jealousy.*The words “to jealousy” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied for clarity12And if their trespass means riches for the world and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean?12And if their trespass means riches for the world and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness mean?13Gentile Branches Grafted inNow I am speaking to you Gentiles. Therefore, inasmuch as I am apostle to the Gentiles, I promote my ministry,13Gentile Branches Grafted inNow I am speaking to you Gentiles. Therefore, inasmuch as I am apostle to the Gentiles, I promote my ministry,14if somehow I may provoke my people to jealousy and save some of them.14if somehow I may provoke my people to jealousy and save some of them.15For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean except life from the dead?15For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean except life from the dead?16Now if the first fruits are holy, so also is the whole batch of dough, and if the root is holy, so also are the branches.16Now if the first fruits are holy, so also is the whole batch of dough, and if the root is holy, so also are the branches.17Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although youHere “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were”) which is understood as concessive were a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them and became a sharer of the root of the olive tree’s richness,17Now if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although youHere “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were”) which is understood as concessive were a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them and became a sharer of the root of the olive tree’s richness,18do not boast against the branches. But if you boast against them, you do not support the root, but the root supports you.18do not boast against the branches. But if you boast against them, you do not support the root, but the root supports you.19Then you will say, “Branches were broken off in order that I could be grafted in.”19Then you will say, “Branches were broken off in order that I could be grafted in.”20Well said! They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand firm because of faith. Do not think arrogant thoughts, but be afraid.20Well said! They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand firm because of faith. Do not think arrogant thoughts, but be afraid.21For if God did not spare the natural“according to nature” branches, neither will he spare you.Some manuscripts have “perhaps he will not spare you either”21For if God did not spare the natural“according to nature” branches, neither will he spare you.Some manuscripts have “perhaps he will not spare you either”22See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity upon those who have fallen, but upon you the kindness of God — if you continue in his kindness, for otherwise you also will be cut off.22See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity upon those who have fallen, but upon you the kindness of God — if you continue in his kindness, for otherwise you also will be cut off.23And those also, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, because God is able to graft them in again.23And those also, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, because God is able to graft them in again.24For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are natural branches“by nature” be grafted into their own olive tree?24For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are natural branches“by nature” be grafted into their own olive tree?25All Israel to be SavedFor I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you will not be wise in your own sight,“in yourselves” that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,25All Israel to be SavedFor I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you will not be wise in your own sight,“in yourselves” that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,26and so all Israel will be saved, just as it is written, “The deliverer will come out of Zion; he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.26and so all Israel will be saved, just as it is written, “The deliverer will come out of Zion; he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.27And this is the covenant from me with themfrom Isa 59:20–21 when I take away their sins.”from Isa 27:9; Jer 31:33–3427And this is the covenant from me with themfrom Isa 59:20–21 when I take away their sins.”from Isa 27:9; Jer 31:33–3428With respect to the gospel, they are enemies for your sake, but with respect to election, they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers.28With respect to the gospel, they are enemies for your sake, but with respect to election, they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers.29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.29For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.30For just as you formerly were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of the disobedience of these,30For just as you formerly were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of the disobedience of these,31so also these have now been disobedient for your mercy, in order that they also may now be shown mercy.31so also these have now been disobedient for your mercy, in order that they also may now be shown mercy.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Romans+11%3A11-31…

Romans 10:9 (LEB)

thatOr “because” if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.9thatOr “because” if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Romans+10%3A9…

2 Timothy 3:2-4 (LEB)

for people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,2for people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,3hardhearted, irreconcilable, slanderous, without self-control, savage, with no interest for what is good,3hardhearted, irreconcilable, slanderous, without self-control, savage, with no interest for what is good,4traitors, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God,4traitors, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God,
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A2-4…

2 Peter 2:9 (LEB)

then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to reserve the unrighteous to be punished atOr “until” the day of judgment,9then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to reserve the unrighteous to be punished atOr “until” the day of judgment,
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=2+Peter+2%3A9…

2 Peter 3:9 (LEB)

The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, because heHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“want”) which is understood as causal does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.9The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, because heHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“want”) which is understood as causal does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=2+Peter+3%3A9…

Revelation 2:20 (LEB)

But I have against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, the one who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and deceives my slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.20But I have against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, the one who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches and deceives my slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Revelation+2%3A20…

Filed Under: Bible Studies, Revelation

September 15, 2020 by Susannah

And a Child Shall Lead Them

“And a Little Child Shall Lead Them.” Isaiah 11:6

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ” Matthew 18:3 RSV

These are words of wisdom. They are direct and to the point—do this and this will happen—cause and effect. And certainly, if we truly want to go to heaven, we need precise directions. Being told to be “good” Christians is such vague advice. This verse offers us much more specific information. We must “turn and become like children.”

I assume that to “turn” means to change in a very unique way. Not by adopting new and never experienced attitudes, but by reclaiming a former way of feeling, thinking and behaving. One can visualize, with the aid of the verb “turn,” that we are being told to do an about-face and go back to where we started. This surprising advice reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son, in which to move on to a better and more fulfilling life, the son had to turn back to something he had abandoned.

What specifically are the characteristics or personality traits of children which make emulating them the key factor to our entry into “the kingdom of heaven”? Certainly not every personality trait is relevant. Will having a temper tantrum get me into heaven? I think not. However, using the imagery of the parent/child relationship and looking more closely at some of the qualities intrinsic to children, we can clarify the point Jesus is making.

One characteristic of children is the complete confidence they have in their parents. Children recognize and totally accept their dependence on their mother and father to provide food, clothes, shelter, and emotional support. As a result, children do not have to be encouraged to give credit where credit is due, or to believe and trust in their parents. It is not a soul searching experience, it is just reality.

As adults we must emulate this natural, spontaneous, unquestioning faith. We must not doubt God’s role as the provider of our “daily bread,” and we must not hesitate to believe and trust “Our Father who art in heaven.” The less our faith is compromised by doubt, the closer we are to being like innocent children, and the closer we are to the kingdom of heaven. In speaking of Corrie ten Boom, Jean Buckingham observed, “As a little girl believes her Daddy can do anything, so Corrie ten Boom trusts in God—even more. She is living proof of what happens when a woman—when any person—is filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Because children are dependent on their parents, they are (for the most part) obedient. They may seem somewhat rebellious and independent, but when push comes to shove they do as they are told. As adults, we too must be obedient to God. We may have our own ideas about how to live our lives, but in the last analysis we must say to God, “Thy will be done.”

Furthermore, because they trust in the omnipotence of their parents, children do not have as many fears as adults. For the normal child, life is carefree as long as parents are near at hand. As adults we too must take this brave attitude. Despite our awareness of the reality of evil in this world, if we are to have peace of mind (heaven here on earth), we must turn our fears over to God and never forget that God is with us always. Our state of mind should reflect our belief and trust in God’s love and power to carry us through.

In observing children, I have noticed that their perceptions of the world are based more on their feelings than their thoughts. They don’t analyze or think about their experiences, they just “feel” them. Adults can really take a cue from this. Feeling, I am convinced, is the most pleasurable way to experience God in our lives. The intellect can easily dismiss God.

In this age of scientific rational thought, thinking can be an unemotional activity which can leave us cold. Feelings, on the other hand, promote a bond of understanding between ourselves, other human beings and God. Feelings are universal and thoughts are unique to the particular ego. We all can experience God as love.

Children are also more intuitive than adults because they are less cluttered by ego-oriented, analytical thoughts. “Out of the mouths of babes shall come gems of wisdom.” The child’s gift of intuition is based on a lack of self-consciousness and doubt (both products of the thought process). Children are also more honest and don’t compromise their intuitive feelings. They just spontaneously share their perceptions.

To me this is illustrated beautifully in the fairy tale about the child who can see that the emperor has no clothes even though the adults around him are acting as if he is fully dressed. In the adult Christian, this can be seen as the evangelical experience, the spirit of God bursting from the human heart and lips, not the mind. We adults must seek to experience God more intuitively so that we can see to the heart of things. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall
see God.”

Another noteworthy characteristic of children is the natural (ego-less) bond they feel with their parents. In their infancy, they feel completely at one with the mother and are not conscious of themselves as separate human beings. The development of the ego, which results in the consciousness of self and later preoccupation (or obsession) with self, has not yet separated them. Later, the bond between parent and child is based more on love but they always retain the memory of feeling totally at one with their parent.

This reminds me of Adam and Eve, before their expulsion from the Garden, when they had no sense of separateness from God, when communion with God was a way of life, and when self-will had not yet spawned disobedience. In many ways, entering the kingdom of heaven is like finding our way back to the Garden and bringing to our lives that feeling of oneness with God. This can happen with the deflation of our ego, that part of us that can only see ourselves and therefore cannot see God. In turning away from being ego centered, we can return to the state of being like a child. We can perceive ourselves as being one with God.

Another aspect of the child’s personality which adults should emulate is the wonderful lack of prejudice and preconceived notions. Unlike the average adult, the happy, well-adjusted child wants to touch and embrace everybody without discrimination. And they do just that until the parent begins to socialize them into the mores of their particular culture by separating them from the “unacceptable.”

In a multiethnic community such as Berkeley, I have been privileged to see what happens when you place young children of various ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds in the same room. They don’t waste any time getting acquainted and have no inhibitions about enjoying each other’s company. They are easily able to transcend the barriers that adults might erect in a similar situation.

We grownups can learn from the “open-arms” attitude of children. We can set aside our prejudices and experience brotherhood in the full sense of the word. This can be a major milestone in our journey to the kingdom of heaven. Prejudice is the product of fear and intolerance. It has no place where love rules supreme. Ask any child.

Finally, we should note that children are more teachable and enthusiastic about learning new things. If you do not believe me, just sit down and play with youngsters and see how anxious they are to learn how to hold a paintbrush, stack blocks, and read a book. Many adults only want to learn new things grudgingly.

More often than not, they are closed-minded and full of outdated information. To enter the kingdom of heaven, we must be willing to be molded by God—or to transcend our limited notion of who we are and how we relate to the universe. And we would do well to reach out joyously for what God wants us to learn. For it is through lessons learned along life’s way that we are shown the way to heaven.

It is obvious that there is much to be learned from the ways of children. In becoming more dependent, obedient, trusting, intuitive, tolerant, teachable and less analytical we are humbling ourselves before God.

Isaiah 11:6 (LEB)

And a wolf shall stay“dwell as an alien” with a lamb, and a leopard shall lie down with a kid, and a calf and a lion and a fatling together as a small boy leads“and a small boy leading” them.6And a wolf shall stay“dwell as an alien” with a lamb, and a leopard shall lie down with a kid, and a calf and a lion and a fatling together as a small boy leads“and a small boy leading” them.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Isaiah+11%3A6…

Matthew 18:3 (LEB)

and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn around and become like young children, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven!3and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn around and become like young children, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven!
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew+18%3A3…

Filed Under: Bible Studies, Member Writings, Susannah's Corner

December 8, 2019 by Serving Zion

What’s in a name?

Amen, amen I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you

Jesus Christ, John 16:23 TLV

This is a solid promise that Jesus gives us. He doesn’t leave any room for failed prayers, but specifically says “anything you ask for will be given” – Yet, we see so many prayers going without action while there are times indeed God does answer prayer. So we are forced to wonder why sometimes God does not answer our prayers .. and why should we be afraid to ask?

A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth, and grace rather than silver or gold

Proverbs 22:1 TLV

This proverbial wisdom says that we sometimes have to make a choice where our choice may lead us to give up a good name for the sake of wealth. It is a warning too, that even though we have wealth, if the world does not think well of us when our name is spoken, it would be more troublesome to us than if we had not been lured into disrepute by that wealth.

A name is a label that is used in language, to identify a person. Whenever that name is heard, the character of that person comes to mind in the hearer, and the hearer’s mind begins to think according to their opinions of that person. Sometimes a person’s mood can be lifted when they are reminded of someone, and other times they can become upset and not want to hear that name spoken.

The name of Jesus has a tendency to produce that behaviour in a very powerful way.

So a name is more than just the sound of the syllables spoken or the shape of the letters on paper. A name is the whole reputation and belief of the expected behaviour of a person we have come to know.

So it leads us to consider that sometimes a person has not got the right idea in mind of who Jesus is when they pray, and James 4:3 confirms this: although they ask as people with a Christian faith, their motives are so unable to glorify Jesus that he goes right on to name them adulteresses! Even though they would speak the words “in the name of Jesus”, because they believe that is God’s prerequisite, they have yielded themselves as adulteresses to an inferior spirit, so they are praying in the name of a counterfeit.

That shouldn’t really surprise anyone, because just as there are many who have named their child “Jesus”, so also there are many who have taught lies in His name. They have never truly known Him (Matthew 7:21-23, John 14:21, John 15:18-21).

Words are the same as names, because in fact names are words. The functional difference is that names identify a person while words identify a concept. So what is a concept?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary has defined the word “concept” as “something conceived in the mind”. A concept is literally the picture that comes to mind when the word is spoken. So when I say the word “boat”, your mind remembers a concept that was once formed when you saw a thing that is made to float on water.

Things are the basic building blocks of language, because whenever we communicate, we are cooperating in an exchange of conceptualisations – that is to say that we speak primarily for the purpose of living together. The words we use to describe things in the world, are called “nouns”: “people”, “places” and “things”. But we can conceive of non-physical things too, such as joy, patience, endurance, or love. Those things are said to be spiritual concepts, because they pertain to the spiritual rather than the physical.

Surely spiritual things can become manifest into the physical, but they are of themselves spiritual until they are manifest into the physical. A rock or a chair does not have a spiritual quality, because they are simply nouns, and yet there is a spiritual element in the difference between the words “chair” and “throne”.

So this word “spirit” is a very important word in our vocabulary, because it is the essential force that manifests through living things, thereby being a part of our reality that is incredibly important to understand – for it is in the spirit that the war between good and evil vies for power over the minds that ultimately bring forth the actions into the world, creating conditions that can be described as “heaven” or “hell”.

Jesus said “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth”. He also said that the devil is the father of lies (John 8:42-44), and as He was saying that, He was telling them that they were unable to hear His speech because they were of their father, the devil.

Now there is spiritual language in action!

Although they were born of a human father, Jesus is not saying that their earthly father is the devil. Instead He is speaking about their way of thinking by saying that they had taken on the form/likeness of the one who begat their way of thinking, and that their way of thinking was preventing them from hearing His speech. It is not that they were physically unable to hear the words He was saying (because they did return dialogue), but that their mind was stuck in a mode of thinking that was prejudiced to oppose Him and thus resolved to not receive the concept He was attempting to convey by His speech (eg John 10:24-27 (opens in a new tab)">John 10:24-27).

That happens a lot to us in our discipline, doesn’t it?

So that is where love and sin are made distinct, and that marks the sinners apart from the godly. Love will cause us to listen with a genuine interest – to offer our mind to the one who is speaking so that they may lead it to conceive of the knowledge that they wish to impart. Those who are sinful, perhaps being motivated by pride, wrath or fear.. fundamentally they have decided to despise the one who is speaking to them, and so their mind becomes focused only on calculating the words to say that will deliver the outcome they seek – that is, to refuse the speaker the opportunity to make his point, and regardless of whether it is honest or fair to do.

That is where quarrels and conflicts arise. It is through the desires of the flesh to wage war for selfish interests that they close up their heart against the one who needs them to listen. To justify their callousness in the face of love, they have no other means than repentance. That is why they lie and that is how the devil wins them over.

So lay aside lying and “each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

St. Paul, Ephesians 4:25 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A25&version=TLV" target="_blank">Ephesians 4:25 TLV

Being truthful with each other is more than simply being respectful – it is the only way Christ can remain in us!

If we say we have fellowship with Him and keep walking in the darkness, we are lying and do not practice the truth.

St. John, 1 John 1:6 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+1:6&version=TLV" target="_blank">1 John 1:6 TLV

What makes a person unable to do the truth? Is it fear? Is it distrust? Is it pride? Is it spite? …

So remember that any time there is disunity there is suffering. When we love others enough, we will notice their suffering and we will care. It is through love that He is able to heal a broken spirit, and as we keep giving ourselves to love for Him to work through us, our confidence increases.

We know He is for us, and we have no doubt that what we ask for He is pleased to give.

For He who spared not the own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, with Him, grant us all things?

Jesus Christ, Romans 8:32 DARBY

Proverbs 22:1 (LEB)

A reputation“name” is to be chosen rather than“from” great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.“from silver and from gold, favor is better”A reputation“name” is to be chosen rather than“from” great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.“from silver and from gold, favor is better”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Proverbs+22%3A1…

1 John 1:6 (LEB)

If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.Or “we are lying and are not practicing the truth”6If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.Or “we are lying and are not practicing the truth”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=1+John+1%3A6…

Matthew 7:21-23 (LEB)

The Sermon on the Mount: False Followers“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.21The Sermon on the Mount: False Followers“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many miracles in your name?’22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many miracles in your name?’23And then I will say to them plainly,“I will declare to them” ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!’23And then I will say to them plainly,“I will declare to them” ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew+7%3A21-23…

John 15:18-21 (LEB)

The World’s Hatred for the DisciplesIf the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hatedHere the verb “hated” is an understood repetition of the verb earlier in this verse you.18The World’s Hatred for the DisciplesIf the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hatedHere the verb “hated” is an understood repetition of the verb earlier in this verse you.19If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.19If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.21But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.21But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+15%3A18-21…

John 10:24-27 (LEB)

So the Jews surrounded him and began to sayImperfect tense as ingressive (“began to say”) to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense?“until when will you take away our life” If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!”24So the Jews surrounded him and began to sayImperfect tense as ingressive (“began to say”) to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense?“until when will you take away our life” If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!”25Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe! The deeds that I do in the name of my Father, these testify about me.25Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe! The deeds that I do in the name of my Father, these testify about me.26But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep!26But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep!27My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.27My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+10%3A24-27…

John 8:42-44 (LEB)

Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I have come forth from God and have come. For I have not come from myself, but that one sent me.42Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I have come forth from God and have come. For I have not come from myself, but that one sent me.43Why“because of what” do you not understand my way of speaking? Because you are not able to listen to my message.43Why“because of what” do you not understand my way of speaking? Because you are not able to listen to my message.44You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father! That one was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he speaks the lie, he speaks from his own nature,*The word “nature” is not in the Greek text but is implied because he is a liar and the father of lies.“of it”44You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father! That one was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he speaks the lie, he speaks from his own nature,*The word “nature” is not in the Greek text but is implied because he is a liar and the father of lies.“of it”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+8%3A42-44…

John 16:23 (LEB)

And on that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.23And on that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+16%3A23…

John 14:21 (LEB)

The one who has my commandments and keeps them — that one is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him.”21The one who has my commandments and keeps them — that one is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him.”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+14%3A21…

Romans 8:32 (LEB)

Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, together with him, freely give us all things?32Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, together with him, freely give us all things?
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Romans+8%3A32…

Ephesians 4:25 (LEB)

Old Behavior, New Behavior, and MotivationTherefore, putting aside the lie, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor,An allusion to Zech 8:16 because we are members of one another.25Old Behavior, New Behavior, and MotivationTherefore, putting aside the lie, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor,An allusion to Zech 8:16 because we are members of one another.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Ephesians+4%3A25…

James 4:3 (LEB)

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, in order that you may spend it on your pleasures.3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, in order that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=James+4%3A3…

Filed Under: Bible Studies Tagged With: Communication, Miracles, Prayer, Repentance

July 22, 2019 by for_his_glory

NEW WINE – NEW MAN

God’s word can be literal and Spiritual as in the case of the wedding in Cana. The wedding represents the Spiritual being the union between Jesus and his bride whom are the children of God through repentance. Jesus brings his disciples to the wedding to show them the wonders of God through the renewal of his Spirit. I want you to see the relationship we have between the old self in the flesh and the new Spiritual rebirth in Christ. We are called the bride of Christ and I could not find any better example of this as in the story of the first wedding Jesus attended with his disciples, (Ref: John 2:1-11).

The word marriage represents our relationship with Jesus. We are called the bride of Christ which means when we become Spiritually born again or renewed in our spirit we become one in the Spirit that is in Christ and have communion with his life, death and resurrection. We are united with Jesus as one body that has been renewed through the Spirit that is God. We become as a bride to the bridegroom as we are joined together as one.

(Matthew 9:15; Revelation 21:9)

The word call means that we do not just happen to fall into a relationship with Jesus as we are called of God or predestined before the world began for Gods purpose and grace. Jesus brought his disciples to the wedding to witness God’s power and authority through the miracle of changing water into wine, which was Jesus first miracle. The water and the wine represent the word of God and his Spirit as a renewal of our body and soul through the salvation of Jesus.

(Jeremiah 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:9; John 3:5)

Wanting wine meant the disciples wanted understanding of those things Jesus was teaching them as they could not understand with their carnal minds, but did know that Jesus was a prophet sent by God. When Jesus said to his mother my time has not come yet he was speaking of his death and resurrection. Spiritual understanding could not come until Jesus ascended unto the Father and the Holy Spirit that is the Spirit of God be brought down from heaven to open our Spiritual eyes and ears to understand those teachings of Jesus while he walked the earth with his disciples.

(Romans 8:5-8; John 14:26)

The water pots in themselves are a Jewish tradition of placing these pots outside the wedding feast so everyone could wash their hands and feet before entering into the feast. The significance of there being six water pots of stone is that the number six represents the number of the beast or sinful nations that are being controlled by Satan using others to deceive man like he used a serpent to deceive Adam and Eve as Satan is a spirit that has no form and has to use whatever or whomever he can to work through to deceive man.

When Jesus asked the servants to fill the water pots with water and then he changed the water into wine is a Spiritual representation of the water being the word of God and the wine being the Holy Spirit as it is only by the word of God and his Holy Spirit that we can see the kingdom of God through a renewed Spiritual rebirth through repentance.

The governor asked Jesus why was the good wine served last after everyone was already drunk as he could not understand such a thing. In the beginning man was pure and knew no sin until they allowed themselves to be deceived by Satan who used the serpent to deceive them thus the knowledge of sin was revealed to them and extended to all generations. The good wine (Gods Spirit come to flesh in Jesus) was sacrificed for the atonement of sin as through repentance we now have the Holy Spirit (Spirit of God – new wine) that renews our inner man through the word of God that we can now have life eternal with the father.

(Revelation 13:18; John 1:14; Colossians 3:6; 12-14; Genesis 3:6, 7)

Before the dispensation of grace (Jesus) men were bound by the laws and traditions enforced by the Priest and the Scribes. The laws that were established by God were changed daily by the Pharisees so they could justify their own deeds of unrighteousness, By changing the laws this put men under bondage and they ended up dying in their sins for if you broke even one you were guilty of breaking them all because the law had no saving provisions in it and became a curse to men because they could not e justified by the laws.

(Galatians 3:10-12)

Jesus gave a parable about the old garment and old bottle which represents our old sin nature. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior through repentance this created a new Spiritual inner man and old things are passed away (sin) and remembered no more by God and all things become new once again.

You have two masters you can choose to serve as one is God and the other is self. If we have truly died to self (old garment, old bottle) and serve God then he clothes us in his robe of righteousness and we drink from the new bottle from the fountain of living water. There is no fence riding when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. You either trust him in all things or you deny him in all things. You can not put a new piece of garment on an old piece as it ruins the new garment if you cut into it. (Note: wine bottles were made from the hide of animals and if used to much the hide would wear out and split.)

(Luke 5:36-39; Matthew 6:24)

When the Pharisees saw Jesus sitting with such undeliverable type of people in their opinion they question his disciples why he would waste his time on those they deemed unworthy and Jesus overhearing their conversation told them that he came to call the sinner not the righteous back to the grace of God through repentance as the righteous already hold that which is of God in their hearts. The Pharisees could not understand what Jesus meant as they felt that anyone who did not support their interpretations of the laws of Moses would become an outcast forever.

Their interpretations of the laws, as they changed them daily, became more authoritative than the original ones God gave to Moses. The laws had become bondage and caused many to die in their sin for they could not keep all the laws as there were over 613 of them as I said before the Pharisees added to them daily to try and justify their own deeds. Jesus was sent of God to make an end to the curse of the law as he was made the final blood sacrifice to redeem us all from sin through repentance to bring us back to the grace of God.

(Matthew 9:10-13; Galatians 3:10-14)

Once again the Pharisees came against Jesus and his teachings for what he was teaching came against their own interpretations and traditions of the laws and as he was also teaching to the gentiles who were thought to be heathens as they worshipped other gods this angered those who held high office in the Priesthood in the Jewish nation. The Jewish people were bound by the laws as they were taught by the Priest and Rabbi in the Synagogue they also questioned Jesus about why his disciples did not fast as fasting was part of the law of purification and Jesus told them why would one fast for something they already had. He also told them that he would not always be with the people and they would fast again, but it would be another type of fast that the disciples of Jesus (us) would loose the bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke of bondage. The fast Jesus was talking about was to feed the hungry, help the poor and clothe the naked.

Fasting was not afflicting the soul as what would that bring about, but only ones own emotions of pain. Fasting is to take the word of God out to those who need to hear of Gods salvation and showing the actions of the word of God by helping those in need. The old bottle or the old wineskin (man under the law) was bound by the law or the interpretation of it, which only brought Spiritual death and literal death, but the new bottle or new wine skin (man under grace) has been set free from the curse of the law as the Holy Spirit has been given to us that renews Gods Spirit in us and teaches us the true knowledge of Gods spoken word.

(Matthew 9:14-17; Isaiah 58:5-8)

We have to be careful for what we are being taught by others so we will not fall into the bondage of traditional interpretations and preach a deceptive gospel that will cause others to stumble and separate themselves from grace, but rather we need to be teaching the acceptable word of God in all truths no matter what tries to come against us. You might think that anything taught from the pulpit is truth because after all these people are our teachers and they should know what they are speaking, but we are warned many times in the word of God to watch out for wolves in sheep’s clothing because Satan as a roaring lion is seeking to whom he can use to devour us. Learn to discern what is being taught to you so you can rightly divide the word of God to know what is truth or what is error as we will stand before God individually to give an account for what we have learned and taught others and there will be no excuses before the father as he has given us truth by his Spirit, but it was up to us to accept it or reject it.

Never take anyone’s word for what they teach unless they can back themselves up with scripture and you study it for yourself by asking the Holy Spirit to confirm if what you have been taught is truth or error and if you find error in those teachings it is up to you to go to them in love and compassion to show them where they have erred as when you do this you gain a brother, but if they refuse to hear you then shake the dust from your feet and move on. Never argue or debate Gods word for this will only bring foolishness on you and is not pleasing to the Father, but in all things let us bring glory and honor to the Lord by living in his will of love and show forth the good fruits of his grace.

(Acts 13:38, 39; 1 Peter 5:8; 1Timothy 1:4-7)

Genesis 3:6 (LEB)

WhenOr “And” the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was desirable to make one wise, thenOr “and” she took from its fruit and she ate. And she gave it also to her husband with her, and he ate.6WhenOr “And” the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was desirable to make one wise, thenOr “and” she took from its fruit and she ate. And she gave it also to her husband with her, and he ate.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Genesis+3%3A6…

Isaiah 58:5-8 (LEB)

Is the fast I choose like this, a day for humankind to humiliate himself“his soul”? To bow his head like a reed, and make“he makes” his bed on sackcloth and ashes; you call this a fast and a day of pleasure to Adonai?5Is the fast I choose like this, a day for humankind to humiliate himself“his soul”? To bow his head like a reed, and make“he makes” his bed on sackcloth and ashes; you call this a fast and a day of pleasure to Adonai?6Is this not the fast I choose: to release the bonds of injustice, to untie the ropes of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and tear“you must tear” every yoke to pieces?6Is this not the fast I choose: to release the bonds of injustice, to untie the ropes of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and tear“you must tear” every yoke to pieces?7Is it not to break your bread for the hungry? You must bring home“a house” the poor, the homeless. When you see the naked, you must cover him, and you must not hide yourself from your relatives.“flesh”7Is it not to break your bread for the hungry? You must bring home“a house” the poor, the homeless. When you see the naked, you must cover him, and you must not hide yourself from your relatives.“flesh”8Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall grow quickly. And your salvation shall go before you; the glory of Adonai will be your rear guard.8Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall grow quickly. And your salvation shall go before you; the glory of Adonai will be your rear guard.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Isaiah+58%3A5-8…

Jeremiah 1:5 (LEB)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you came out from the womb I consecrated you; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you came out from the womb I consecrated you; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Jeremiah%0A1%3A5…

Matthew 9:10-13 (LEB)

And it happened asHere “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was dining”) he was dining“was reclining at table” in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners were coming andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were coming”) has been translated as a finite verb dining“reclining at table” with Jesus and his disciples.10And it happened asHere “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was dining”) he was dining“was reclining at table” in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners were coming andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were coming”) has been translated as a finite verb dining“reclining at table” with Jesus and his disciples.11And when theyHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw it,*supplied from English context the Pharisees began to say to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”11And when theyHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal saw it,*supplied from English context the Pharisees began to say to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”12And when heHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal heard it,*supplied from English context he said, “Those who are healthy do not have need of a physician, but those who are sick.“having badly”12And when heHere “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal heard it,*supplied from English context he said, “Those who are healthy do not have need of a physician, but those who are sick.“having badly”13But go andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“go”) has been translated as a finite verb learn what it means, “I want mercy and not sacrifice.”from Hos 6:6 (see also Matt 12:7) For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”13But go andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“go”) has been translated as a finite verb learn what it means, “I want mercy and not sacrifice.”from Hos 6:6 (see also Matt 12:7) For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew%0A9%3A10-13…

Matthew 9:14-17 (LEB)

On FastingThen the disciples of JohnThat is, John the Baptist approached him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”14On FastingThen the disciples of JohnThat is, John the Baptist approached him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”15And Jesus said to them, “The bridegroom’s attendants“the sons of the bridal chamber” are not able to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them. But days are coming when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.15And Jesus said to them, “The bridegroom’s attendants“the sons of the bridal chamber” are not able to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them. But days are coming when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.16But no one puts a patch of unshrunken cloth on an old garment, for its patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear becomes worse.16But no one puts a patch of unshrunken cloth on an old garment, for its patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear becomes worse.17Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise“but if not” the wineskins burst and the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are destroyed. But they put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.”17Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise“but if not” the wineskins burst and the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are destroyed. But they put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew%0A9%3A14-17…

Matthew 9:15 (LEB)

And Jesus said to them, “The bridegroom’s attendants“the sons of the bridal chamber” are not able to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them. But days are coming when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.15And Jesus said to them, “The bridegroom’s attendants“the sons of the bridal chamber” are not able to mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them. But days are coming when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew%0A9%3A15…

Matthew 6:24 (LEB)

“No one is able to serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You are not able to serve God and money.Traditionally transliterated from the Greek as “mammon”24“No one is able to serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You are not able to serve God and money.Traditionally transliterated from the Greek as “mammon”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew+6%3A24…

Luke 5:36-39 (LEB)

And he also told a parable to them: “No one tears a patch from a new garment andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“tears”) has been translated as a finite verb puts itsupplied from English context on an old garment. Otherwise, he will have torn the new also, and the old will not match the patch that is from the new.36And he also told a parable to them: “No one tears a patch from a new garment andHere “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“tears”) has been translated as a finite verb puts itsupplied from English context on an old garment. Otherwise, he will have torn the new also, and the old will not match the patch that is from the new.37And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the wineskins, and it will be spilled and the wineskins will be destroyed.37And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the wineskins, and it will be spilled and the wineskins will be destroyed.38But new wine must be put into new wineskins.38But new wine must be put into new wineskins.39And no one afterHere “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“drinking”) which is understood as temporal drinking old wineThe word “wine” is not in the Greek text but is implied wants new, because he says, ‘The old is just fine!’”39And no one afterHere “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“drinking”) which is understood as temporal drinking old wineThe word “wine” is not in the Greek text but is implied wants new, because he says, ‘The old is just fine!’”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Luke%0A5%3A36-39…

John 2:1-11 (LEB)

The Wedding at Cana: Water Turned into WineAnd on the third day, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.The Wedding at Cana: Water Turned into WineAnd on the third day, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.2And both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding.2And both Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding.3And when theHere “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“ran out”) wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine!”3And when theHere “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“ran out”) wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine!”4And Jesus said to her, “What does your concern have to do with me,“to me and to you” woman? My hour has not yet come.”4And Jesus said to her, “What does your concern have to do with me,“to me and to you” woman? My hour has not yet come.”5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it!”*supplied from English context5His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it!”*supplied from English context6Now six stone water jars were set there, in accordance with the ceremonial cleansing of the Jews, each holding two or three measures.A “measure” was about 9 gallons (40 liters)6Now six stone water jars were set there, in accordance with the ceremonial cleansing of the Jews, each holding two or three measures.A “measure” was about 9 gallons (40 liters)7Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim.7Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” And they filled them to the brim.8And he said to them, “Now draw somesupplied from English context out and take itsupplied from English context to the head steward. So they took it.*supplied from English context8And he said to them, “Now draw somesupplied from English context out and take itsupplied from English context to the head steward. So they took it.*supplied from English context9Now when the head steward tasted the water which had become wine and did not know where it was from — but the servants who had drawn the water knew — the head steward summoned the bridegroom9Now when the head steward tasted the water which had become wine and did not know where it was from — but the servants who had drawn the water knew — the head steward summoned the bridegroom10and said to him, “Everyone“every man” serves the good wine first, and whenever they are drunk, the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”10and said to him, “Everyone“every man” serves the good wine first, and whenever they are drunk, the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”11This beginning of signs Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee, and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.11This beginning of signs Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee, and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+2%3A1-11…

John 14:26 (LEB)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name — that one will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything that I said to you.26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name — that one will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything that I said to you.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+14%3A26…

John 1:14 (LEB)

And the Word became flesh and took up residence among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.14And the Word became flesh and took up residence among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+1%3A14…

John 3:5 (LEB)

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born of water and spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless someone is born of water and spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+3%3A5…

Acts 13:38 (LEB)

“Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and from all the things from which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses,38“Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and from all the things from which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses,
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Acts+13%3A38…

Romans 8:5-8 (LEB)

For those who are living according to the flesh are intent on the things of the flesh, but those who are living according to the Spirit are intent on the things of the Spirit.5For those who are living according to the flesh are intent on the things of the flesh, but those who are living according to the Spirit are intent on the things of the Spirit.6For the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace,6For the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace,7because the mindset of the flesh is enmity toward God, for it is not subjected to the law of God, for it is not able to do so,7because the mindset of the flesh is enmity toward God, for it is not subjected to the law of God, for it is not able to do so,8and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.8and those who are in the flesh are not able to please God.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Romans%0A8%3A5-8…

Galatians 3:10-12 (LEB)

For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things that are written in the book of the law to do them.”from Deut 27:2610For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things that are written in the book of the law to do them.”from Deut 27:2611Now it is clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because “the one who is righteous will live by faith.”Or “the one who is righteous by faith will live,” a quotation from Hab 2:411Now it is clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because “the one who is righteous will live by faith.”Or “the one who is righteous by faith will live,” a quotation from Hab 2:412But the law is not from faith, but “the one who does these things will live by them.”from Lev 18:512But the law is not from faith, but “the one who does these things will live by them.”from Lev 18:5
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Galatians%0A3%3A10-12…

Galatians 3:10-14 (LEB)

For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things that are written in the book of the law to do them.”from Deut 27:2610For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse, for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things that are written in the book of the law to do them.”from Deut 27:2611Now it is clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because “the one who is righteous will live by faith.”Or “the one who is righteous by faith will live,” a quotation from Hab 2:411Now it is clear that no one is justified in the sight of God by the law, because “the one who is righteous will live by faith.”Or “the one who is righteous by faith will live,” a quotation from Hab 2:412But the law is not from faith, but “the one who does these things will live by them.”from Lev 18:512But the law is not from faith, but “the one who does these things will live by them.”from Lev 18:513Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming”) which is understood as means becoming a curse for us, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”from Deut 21:2313Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“becoming”) which is understood as means becoming a curse for us, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,”from Deut 21:2314in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.14in order that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Galatians+3%3A10-14…

Colossians 3:6 (LEB)

because of which the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,6because of which the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Colossians+3%3A6…

2 Timothy 1:9 (LEB)

who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began“before times eternal”,9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace that was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began“before times eternal”,
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=2+Timothy+1%3A9…

1 Peter 5:8 (LEB)

Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.8Be sober; be on the alert. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=1+Peter+5%3A8…

Revelation 13:18 (LEB)

Here is wisdom: the one who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number,Or “it is the number of a man” and his number is six hundred sixty-six.A few significant manuscripts read “six hundred sixteen”18Here is wisdom: the one who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number,Or “it is the number of a man” and his number is six hundred sixty-six.A few significant manuscripts read “six hundred sixteen”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Revelation%0A13%3A18…

Revelation 21:9 (LEB)

A Description of the New JerusalemAnd one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”9A Description of the New JerusalemAnd one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Revelation+21%3A9…

Filed Under: Bible Studies

April 1, 2019 by Lucian Hodoboc

April Fools’ Day and Christianity

Although April Fools’ Day has been observed for centuries in several countries, the origin of the custom is unknown. While it resembles other festivals — such as the Hilaria of ancient Rome (March 25) and the Holi festival of India (ending March 31) —, the first reference to April Fool’s Day comes from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales“. The Nun’s Priest’s Tale is set on a date “syn March was gon”. In other words, “since March was gone,” or — most readers surmised — April 1. The tale is about the fox, a character that tricks the vain cock Chanticleer. It’s usually regarded as the first April Fool’s prank.

April Fools Day’s timing seems related to the vernal equinox (March 21), when nature ‘fools’ mankind with sudden changes in the weather. Some people have tried to justify that April Fools’ Day can be considered a fairly innocuous holiday that Christians can partake in.

In one of her articles, writer Peggy Fletcher attributes the modern and widespread acceptance of April Fool’s Day to Pope Gregory XIII, who, by decreeing the adoption of the ‘Gregorian calendar’ — named after himself —, moved New Year’s Day from the end of March to January 1st. Although the change was published widely, some people did not get the message and continued to celebrate on April 1st. According to Ginger Smoak, an expert in medieval history at the University of Utah, these people ‘were ridiculed and, because they were seen as foolish, called April Fools’.

Regardless of the historical background of the holiday, in our time, on April Fools’ Day people are given an excuse to “play the fool”. But is that really something Christians are called to do? Personally, I don’t believe it is. Here are a few things we should take into consideration when voluntarily engaging in pranks and other deceitful activities that might cause even the slightest inconvenience to our fellow brethren.

  1. God is the Author of wisdom, not of foolishness. He expects His servants to seek His wisdom (James 1:5), not play the fool.
  2. Today, April Fool’s Day is observed in most of the countries of the world. Although it is not a formal holiday in any country, it’s a day for jokes, pranks, and hoaxes. Many of these pranks and hoaxes are mean-spirited and cause either physical or emotional harm to our fellow brethren, which is the opposite of what we are called to do (Ephesians 4:2). Even the pranks and hoaxes that don’t necessarily cause any inconvenience to anyone are generally based on lies. Lying on purpose is a violation of the 9th Commandment.
  3. If April Fools’ Day falls during the (Great) Lent period, a time when we should strive to live particularly holier lives than throughout the rest of the year, then it goes without saying that engaging in foolish behavior (pranking, tricking, joking on each other’s expense etc.) for an entire day, for the purpose of celebrating foolishness, should be avoided.
  4. Proverbs 24:9 informs us that God’s Word says, “The thought [devising] of foolishness is sin.” And sin is the breaking of God’s spiritual laws (I John 3:4; Rom. 7:14).
  5. Foolish talking and jesting displeases God (Ephesians 5:1-4). Christ stated, “…whosoever shall say, «You fool», shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22).
  6. Christ also condemned engaging in foolishness: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within and defile the man” (Mark 7:21-23).
  7. Also, God commands His people to “Learn not the way of the heathen… For the customs of the people are vain [futile]” (Jeremiah 10:2-3). He also commands, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate” (2 Corinthians. 6:17). As followers of Christ, we should strive to bee set apart, to separate ourselves from the pagan customs, practices and traditions of this world — including April Fools’ Day.

Let me know your opinions about April Fools’ Day in the comments section below. Do you think that Christians should partake in the celebration of this holiday?

Proverbs 24:9 (LEB)

Devising folly is a sin, and an abomination to humankind is a scoffer.9Devising folly is a sin, and an abomination to humankind is a scoffer.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Proverbs+24%3A9…

Jeremiah 10:2-3 (LEB)

Thus says Adonai: “You must not learn the way of the nations, and you must not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them.2Thus says Adonai: “You must not learn the way of the nations, and you must not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them.3For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, for it is a tree cut down from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with the tool.3For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, for it is a tree cut down from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with the tool.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Jeremiah+10%3A2-3…

Matthew 5:22 (LEB)

But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’Greek “Raca,” a term of verbal abuse involving lack of intelligence will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’Perhaps with the idea of obstinate, godless foolishness; some take the word to be a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20) will be subject to fiery hell.22But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’Greek “Raca,” a term of verbal abuse involving lack of intelligence will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’Perhaps with the idea of obstinate, godless foolishness; some take the word to be a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20) will be subject to fiery hell.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Matthew+5%3A22…

Mark 7:21-23 (LEB)

For from within, from the heart of people, come evil plans, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,21For from within, from the heart of people, come evil plans, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,22adulteries, acts of greed, malicious deeds, deceit, licentiousness, envy,“the evil eye” abusive speech, pride, foolishness.22adulteries, acts of greed, malicious deeds, deceit, licentiousness, envy,“the evil eye” abusive speech, pride, foolishness.23All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”23All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Mark+7%3A21-23…

John 3:4 (LEB)

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+3%3A4…

Ephesians 5:1-4 (LEB)

Imitators of GodTherefore become imitators of God, as beloved children,Imitators of GodTherefore become imitators of God, as beloved children,2and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell.Or “a fragrant offering”2and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell.Or “a fragrant offering”3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints),3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints),4and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving.4and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Ephesians+5%3A1-4…

Ephesians 4:2 (LEB)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love,2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love,
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=Ephesians+4%3A2…

James 1:5 (LEB)

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=James+1%3A5…

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: April Fools' Day, Christianity, Christians, holiday

March 4, 2019 by Lucian Hodoboc

The doctrine of The Trinity

The Trinity can be considered one of the most significant doctrines of the Christian faith. While it has been often attacked by people who have held other beliefs, and it has been alleged that it is not a Biblical doctrine due to the fact that the word “Trinity” is not mentioned in The Bible, the doctrine, according to Christians is, at least in substance, Biblical.

At the outset we must state the study of The Trinity, because it discusses the nature of The One, true God, is holy ground and the doctrine itself can be known only by divine revelation. Human reason is incapable of fathoming it. It was God’s Will to reveal to humanity His inner working. According to mainstream Christianity, the doctrine, having been revealed to mankind through Scriptures, is far from being the result of human reasoning.

To define The Trinity according to the teachings found in The Bible, we have to first make it very clear that there is only One eternal God, Who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Deut. 4:35; 4:39; 32:39; 2 Sam. 22:32; Isa. 37:20; 43:10; 44:6-8; 45:14; 45:21-22; 46:9; John 5:44; Rom: 3:30; 16:27; 1 Cor. 8:4-6 etc.). He is the only God that exists (2 Chr. 15:3; Jer 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 John 5:20-21) and all other “gods” that various nations have created are false gods / idols (Deut. 32:21; 1 Sam. 12:21; Psa. 96:5; Isa. 37:19; 41:23-24; 41:29; Jer. 2:11; 5:7; 16:20; 1 Cor. 8:4; 10:19-20). However, within His nature, this One God is three co-equal and co-eternal persons, or three centers of consciousness: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. While being distinguishable or distinct from one another, these three Persons (also called “Hypostases” by some Christian denominations) constitute the One God.

Also, it is important to understand that, despite being possible for everything that is true about God to be true about The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, the reverse is not true. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God, but it is incorrect to say that God is the Father, God is the Son, or God is the Spirit. God’s nature consists of three distinct Persons and, while it is permissible to pray to only one Person of The Trinity, it generally regarded as an error to limit God to one particular member of the Trinity.

Let us analyze some of the points made by Scripture about the nature of God.

1. There Is Only One God That Exists

Central to the doctrine of the Trinity is the biblical teaching of the existence of only one God. It would be false to affirm that any other divine being has real existence. Trinitarians, or those who believe in the Trinity, are positive that only one God exists. Additionally, it is impossible for the essence of God to be divided. God, by nature, is spirit and possesses no physical form. It is not possible to divide up spirit. The God of the Bible is One single infinite being Who has always existed, exists and will always exist in an indivisible state.

2. There Are Three Distinct Persons Who Exist (The Father, Son, And The Holy Spirit)

Scripture also implies that there are three distinct Persons Who exist within the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. To give some illustrative examples: Jesus prayed to God the Father, not to Himself. At His baptism the voice of the Father spoke in an approving way of Jesus; it was not Jesus who spoke of Himself. Consequently, the three Persons should not be confused with one another.

3. Each Of The Three Persons Is Called God

This one should be pretty easy to grasp: The Father is God, The Son is God, and The Holy Spirit is God. Each are called God, and each possesses attributes that only God can possess.

4. The Three Persons Are The One God (The Trinity)

If we take the above facts into consideration, we can come to the conclusion that, if only one God exists, and if there are three distinct persons who are all called God, then the three persons must be the one God. This is the doctrine of the Trinity.

An additional clarification of the doctrine of The Trinity would have to be the following: all the three Persons of The Trinity are distinct in their roles and have different functions within the Godhead. The Father is The One Who sent The Son and then The Holy Spirit to testify of The Son (Jesus The Messiah). While being equal in nature with God The Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are subordinate in their relationships. This should not be understood as meaning that they are lesser in character, as that would be incorrect. They are equal in dignity, majesty, glory, and power but different in their roles, so we should not only focus on only one Person of The Trinity (for example, only on Jesus or only on The Holy Spirit), but rather on the entire Trinity. Jesus Himself instructed us to pray to God The Father, so we should conclude that we should focus our prayers on the Persons of The Trinity in the hierarchical order of their relationships, asking God The Father to help us in Jesus Christ’s Name through The Holy Spirit.

1 John 5:20-21 (LEB)

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, in order that we may know the one who is true, and we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life.20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, in order that we may know the one who is true, and we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life.21Little children, guard yourselves from idols.21Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=1+John+5%3A20-21…

John 5:44 (LEB)

How are you able to believe, if youHere “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“accept”) which is understood as conditional accept glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from the only God?44How are you able to believe, if youHere “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“accept”) which is understood as conditional accept glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from the only God?
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+5%3A44…

John 17:3 (LEB)

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.3Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Read more: www.biblegateway.com/?search=John+17%3A3…

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: doctrine, God, God's nature, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, The Holy Trinity, Trinitarian, Trinity

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