These are but a tiny sampling of what God declares about His WORD, the BIBLE.
Psalms 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the WORDS of my mouth.
Psalms 119:151,152 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are TRUTH. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my WORDS shall not pass away.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Luke 1:1,2 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the WORD;
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the WORD of God, and keep it.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the WORDS of eternal life.
Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the WORD of God and prevailed.
Acts 12:24 But the WORD of God grew and multiplied.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God.
1.You say, "the law is holy, but it couldn't make you holy".
Luke 1:5,6; Leviticus 20:26; He's speaking in a present tense. King David, after he grievously sinned against the LORD, found a place humility, brokenness of heart & contriteness of spirit to Psalms 101:2; & what about all the writers of the OT, 2 Pet 1:21; they were holy! They walk in obedience to the measure of the Light that God was please to give them, under the gospel of their dispensation.
2. Rom 7:14-25 Here Paul is explaining his struggles with the sin nature. After his encounter with Christ, he finds the Covenant has now be change, finding himself without the righteousness of the law, in which Philippians 3:6. He seeks the righteousness that is by "faith". Rom 6 tell us, "Grace" appearance in his heart, how he exercise the Word of Righteousness, yielding his member to glory & the knowledge of God, that shine in his heart in the face of
Isa 38:3; 1 Kings 11:4; 1 Kings 8:61; "present tense", Luke 1:5,6; they were perfect under the gospel of their dispensation. What God requires of us, is to walk uprightly according to the Truth that we know.
NT
a perfect sacrifice requires a perfect offering Matt 5:48; Rom 12:1; Perfection is required. He's the head, we're His body, is Christ sinful?
Gigi, describe perfectly the heart intent of a believer journey in the work of regeneration, except, not being able to overcome all sin. 1John 3:8; the perfect work of Grace purges out all iniquity, Titus 2:14; the littlest of leaven, leaveth the whole lump.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the son's of God, & the Spirit of God will never, never lead one into sin. Therefore we know by who spirit we are of; 1John 3:9,10; Matt 17:17-23
"you don't know why I would bring up this matter, as it pertains to our discussion. When in Truth, it reaches to the very heart of it.
Going to the letter, in Hebrew or Greek etc; as you quoted & spoke from, comes from the traditions & teaching of man, the wisdom that's from below, earthy, which makes Mark 7:13, which sprang up in the Apostasy. Isa 55:8,9;
Whereas coming to the Spirit, our Teacher; The Word Rom 10:8; that comes Rom 10:17; within us, produces the fruit, the Word intended Isa 55;11; Isa 14:27;
Bringing this part of the conversation to a conclusion, by giving "the cause & effect of the learning from the letter, verses being taught by God Himself.
1Cor 2:10 which is freely & lavishly given unto us in Christ. Col 2:2,3; Proverbs 8:14;
You said; you don't subscribe to this type of application of sanctification ; citing verses with the word meaning; its plain to me that your faith is coming from books, & not our Teacher; who is Hebrews 12:2. Your trying to understand spiritual things by carnal means, Thus this faith you have is 2Timothy 3:7 Meaning; it will never bring one to the experiential knowledge of God; in Spirit & in Truth. Matt 11:27; For God is a Spirit & only by His Spirit is He manifested & known.
Jeremiah 31:33,34; New Covenant, he's prophesying, not that he partook of it, 1Peter 1:10; & yet he was cleansed & holy under the gospel of his dispensation 2 Peter 1:21; as many were Luke 1:5,6;
Again; what God requires of us, is to walk upright in the knowledge that He has given us.
Thank you for your kind apology, no offense taken, just a misunderstanding. Believe me, in this slow progressive work of sanctification, I've have had many misunderstanding & faltering, receiving His reproofs & admonishments, I've learnt Daniel 4:37; I love the way He gets to me. He always "hit the nail on the head" so to speak,& why? Daniel 2:22, Psalms 36:9;
you have experience Him in Spirit, Chris (in the car)
You are replying to a comment by "Bagwill" 5 days ago:
Where in the Bible does it say that it's okay for women to be preachers.
MOUNTHOREB REPLY: Woman can prophecy not new info outside of the scriptures 2 Timothy 3:15-17. However, They preach what they have learned to others outside of the church or congregation. When asked a question about the bible. a woman can reply to anyone who is asking the question. even if it's a man, elder 1 Timothy 3 or someone in authority. but within the church or congregation 1 Timothy 3, a woman does not have authority over a man to speak to the whole church or Congregation 1Timothy 2:11,12,14 (unless there's no men available, if this is the case she covers her head within the congregation to PREACH 1 Corinthians 11:5;16 because of the angels in heaven) however, Outside of the building, yes a woman can teach others outside (family, neighbors etc.) Acts 2:16,17.
Jesus allowed women to speak to him and listen. even sit at his feet and ask questions. he allowed woman to speak and listened to them. and to follow him as he preached. Luke 1:36-38; John 4:7-54; John 11:20-29; John 20:11-18; Acts 1:14; Luke 8:1-3; Luke 10:38-42; Romans 16:1-5; Acts 18:2; Acts 18:24-26;
In marriage: Ephesians 5:21-33
These are all the scriptures I can think of. Revelation 22:17 "Its free"
My purpose when answering that post from Yasser was not actually to dig deep in the Word of God but just simplify it in a simple answer.
I also believe that there will not be an Israelitic Kingdom on this earth, neither in the futute earth. Those promises that were said for Israel by God were and are still fulfilled in the church. The only promise that is left yet for Hebrews is their salvation. And we know that that will take place during the antichrist's rule on this earth at the end. Besides according to the scriptures there is no room left for an Israelitic kingdom. it is not going to happen now, neither in the last week, neither in the millenium, neither on the new earth that will be creared by God after the final Judgement.
I don't believe that there are different requirements for Hebrews and gentiles as far as salvation is concerned. We all are justified by the Blood of the Lamb.
What I wanted to say is:
In the O.T. there were people who tried to be righteous, they made efforts to follow God's Will. But like all people they were doing sins. So we have people that did righteous things but also sins. So they were in a sence righteous, this is called MAN'S RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is not a perfect righteousness, actually it is far far away from what God calls righteousness. But still God sometimes called them rightous because He appriciated their efforts, like Zacharias and Elisabeth in Luke 1:6, "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.". Also Noe is called righteous, Genesis 6:8-9, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God."
Also read Ezekiel 14:14, "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD."
COMPARING PREMILLENNIAL AND AMILLENNIAL VIEW POINTS.
By way of recap we're comparing the way these two groups interpret the scripture surrounding the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants.
Part 5.
In Hosea 3:4-5. before the Babylonian captivity, it was predicted: "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or Prince...
"Afterward SHALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Hosea 3:5
Also;
Amos 9:11.
Zachariah 14:4.
Zachariah 14:9.
This of is not a contradiction of the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant, but is a part of the same picture.
and many more OT references.
LET'S REVIEW THE NEW TESTAMENT.
According to Luke 1:30-33 the angel Gabriel told Mary that she is to be the mother of Christ and Christ will reign on the throne of His father David over the house of Jacob.
To Mary "the house of Jacob" could mean only one thing and that is the descendants of Jacob, namely, the twelve tribes of Israel.
It seems the disciples and others anticipated much the same kind of a literal fulfillment.
Matthew 19:28.
Matthew 20:20-21.
Luke 22:29-30.
Acts 1:6-7. The disciples were still anticipating an earthly kingdom and hoped for its immediately.
Christ did not say that their hope was vain and that there was not going to be a literal fulfillment. He replied: "It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority."
But He directs their attention to the immediately task before them, and to the power of the Holyspirit Spirit and proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.
Now this is where the line is drawn from dealing with Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Confirming verses at the council in Jerusalem in Acts 15:13-17.
The Davidic Covenant centers on several key promises that are made to David. First, God reaffirms the promise of the land that He made in the first two covenants with Israel (the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants). This promise is seen in 2 Samuel 7:10, "I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore." God then promises that David's son will succeed him as king of Israel and that this son (Solomon) would build the temple. This promise is seen in 2 Samuel 7:12-13, " I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name."
But then the promise continues and expands: "I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever" (verse 13), and "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" (verse 16). What began as a promise that David's son Solomon would be blessed and build the temple turns into something different-the promise of an everlasting kingdom. Another Son of David would rule forever and build a lasting House. This is a reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, called the Son of David in Matthew 21:9.
The promise that David's "house," "kingdom," and "throne" will be established forever is significant because it shows that the Messiah will come from the lineage of David and that He will establish a kingdom from which He will reign. The covenant is summarized by the words "house," promising a dynasty in the lineage of David; "kingdom," referring to a people who are governed by a king; "throne," emphasizing the authority of the king's rule; and "forever," emphasizing the eternal and unconditional nature of this promise to David and Israel.
Davidic Covenant; Jeremiah 23:5; 30:9; Isaiah 9:7; 11:1; Luke 1:32, 69; Acts 13:34; and Revelation 3:7.
1. ( Luke 1:16-17) "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord"
John's ministry apart from revealing the Savior to the Jews was to teach people to obey God's commandments (the OT ones), hence the "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord"
People came by and asked him what to do, Luke 3:7-18, (the people, the publicans and the soldiers). Note v18 " And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.".
Of course perfection came with Jesus but there were people in OT that strived to live according to God's Will. The scriptures call those people "righteous". An OT type of righteousness, not like of course the type of perfection in NT. Like Joshef in Matthew 1:19, "Then Joseph her husband, being a JUST man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.". Also Zacharias and Elisabeth in Luke 1:6, "And they were both RIGHTEOUS before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
So John with his teaching led people to repentance for their sins (what they knew in OT). John could not introduce the Savior to people who live and enjoy a sinful life. It was needed to become "clean" (the type of OT "cleanliness") first and then he led them to Jesus. He prepared their hearts to receive Jesus.
God is logical, He does not act in strange, abnormal ways. We often think that He is not logical because we don't understand Him and His plans. But He is logical. He knows how to approach people, every single one according to their own peculiaritiy.
But at that time the repentance and the subsequent remission of sins was done in baptism, in public.
In part 1 you gave me Luke 1:17 and stated, "This means that another part of John's ministry was to teach Hebrews to clean their heart by preaching them to obey God's commandments. I would have to disagree with you on that.
No one could keep the law therefore it couldn't make you clean. Acts 15:5-10. Romans 8:3. Galatians 3:10-14.
You also referred me to Luke 3:7-18. Notice vs 9) "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. They couldn't bare fruit! Israel was a degenerate vine.
Jeremiah 2:20-21. Matthew 21:42-44. In contrast to that Jesus is the genuine vine. John 15:1-2.
John was preparing the way for someone to do what the Law couldn't do. and that's Christ.
John's baptism was to turn the Jews "The lost sheep of Israel" to Christ and yet he says there comes one who will give a baptism that exceeds his that brings us to Jesus.
Now John says he must decrease, and Jesus must Increase. Now we have the beginning of Jesus ministry in which he came for the lost sheep of Israel. Due to blindness, they denied there king so as Paul says salvation has come to the Gentiles. That brings us to Pentecost. Here's a predominantly mostly if not all Jewish beginning of the Church. Here is where baptism of the Holyspirit begins and this is where the Spirit of God baptize Jews and Gentiles into the body of Christ and water baptism is a ritual way for you to display what the Spirit of God has already done once you TRULY believed.
So, the obedience is for you to show by display who and what you believe in. It's the faith of Christ that initiates your belief which leads to Salvation.
Hello Spencer, I agree with you about John's baptism.
In my previous post I wanted to put emphasis on the christian baptism and its meaning using as an introduction John's baptism.
So now mainly about John:
1. John's mission was to reveal the Savior (Jesus), John 1:31.
Also when Mary went to Elisabeth, Elisabeth prophesied and among other she said ( Luke 1:75-76), "And thou, child(John), shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord (Jesus) to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins".
Also John 1:29 (the Lamb of the God).
2. When the angel Gabriel came to Zacharias he said, ( Luke 1:16-17) "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord"
The latter means that another part of John's ministry was to to to teach Hebrews to clean their heart by preaching them to obey God's commandments, what they should do and what not, see Luke 3:7-18. And lead Hebrews to repentance for their sins to be forgiven. That remission of sins was done during the baptism, in public. ( Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;)
3. Isaiah prophesied about John the Baptist, ( Isaiah 30:3-5), "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."
So John prepared a smooth path for Jesus' ministry.
I briefly went through your reply and will read it again when time permits.
It's late here on the east coast.
However we disagree on what I gathered so far.
I believe the purpose of John baptism was to turn the hearts of the people away from Judaism to Christ, not only by what he said but by the area and the audience he approached and by what his Father said.
Luke 1:67-69. "And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
AND hath raised up an horn of salvation for "US" in the house of his servant David;
Luke 1:80
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts TILL THE DAY OF HIS SHEWING UNTO ISRAEL.
John came preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.
The religion in that area was Judaism. If publicans was in the that area they witnessed and was aware of the God of the Israelites. " John said prepare the way for the Lord.
They knew that was the God of the Jews.
And Mark 16:16 it says "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED.
"It doesn't say he that is not baptized shall be damned"
If you were standing in the way of my view of something and I said; "Sit down and get out the way"
When you sit down you would have gotten out the way. "You would have accomplished both "
That's the way I take Mark 16:16.
When they believed they were baptized.
It's the Baptism of the Holyspirit mentioned here, Not water. And If it was water baptism it's the believing or not believing that would make the difference here.
As for the creeds. One baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I believe that.
That's the baptism of the Holyspirit. The only baptism that can put you in the body of Christ.
I would like to include here the remainder of Zecharias' prophetic utterance in Luke 1. From just your selection there is no mention of sin and holiness. But the remainder of the utterance tells of these.
Luke 1:75-79
"In holiness and righteousness before Him, all of our life. And thou child (john) shalt be called the prophet of the Highest; for
thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of
their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on High hath visited us, to give light to them who
sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace."
The Israelites should have not just been looking for someone to free them from their enemies (at that time Rome) nor from
those who hated them, but more importantly, to free them from their sin and condemnation before God. All of these things were
prophesied in the OT and Zecharias here states as much. From the behavior of the Jewish leaders, the people were looking for
the first two things in the Messiah (deliverance from enemies and those who hated them) but most likely did not see the
Messiah as one who saved them from their sins because they had the Mosaic covenant and sacrifices, offerings, and priestly
rites to take care of their sin, if they thought they had any. This is part of the reason for the desolation of Jerusalem and and
Temple (which was burned to the ground and no "stone was left upon another." This being to stop the Jews from relying on such
sacrifices and rituals before God and to turn to Jesus for a once and for all sacrifice for their sins and reconcile them to God.
It took this sort of decimation to rid the nation of Judaism so that the Jews could turn to Jesus. But even though many did turn
to Him, many more did not and continued to hold onto whatever shreds of Judaism they could still perform dutifully.
The baptism of repentance to the lost sheep of Israel.
This was to Identify them with their savior.
In Matthew 3:15 Jesus was also baptized with this baptism to Identify the savior with the people and to fulfill all righteousness, he needed no repentance.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
JOHNS MISSION;
Luke 1:16-17. And many of ( THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ) shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready A PEOPLE prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:67-74. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Today we are baptized by the Spirit of God.
Acts 1:5. For John truly baptized with water; ( BUT) ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
If you take those verses you presented chronologically I believe it explains itself.
John 3:22-26. "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
For John was not yet cast into prison.
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
Then in John 4:1-2 the Pharisees took notice of this but verse 2 explains it.
Vs 2. ( Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
John's ministry was about up.
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. John 1:6-8."
John was to present the one in the loins of Abraham prophesied to come into the world in the OT.
John the baptist baptism was for Israel to turn/repent from Judaism.
Luke 1:16-17.
Malachi 4:5-6.
He announced one coming for the lost sheep of Israel.
She was blessed and highly favored. Only Jesus Christ was without sin. He was and is the perfect Lamb with out spot or blemish. There is none righteous no not one. Our righteousness is as filthy rags that why were washed in his blood when were born again. John 14:301 Peter 1:19Luke 1:26.
You have given the correct wording of Luke 1:27. That's exactly what it says. My question to you is how do you get "Mary the mother of God was without sin" out of that verse? I don't see how you come up with that. Please help!
There is not a verse in the Bible that calls Mary The Virgin Mary. The Bible does say that she was a virgin. However, being a virgin does not equate to sinlessness or else every woman who is a virgin could be said to be sinless.
Galatians 4:4 says that God the Father sent forth His Son in the fullness of time, born of a woman. God ordained that Mary would be the mother of His Son in His incarnation. She was selected before the world began.
Elizabeth said that Mary is blessed of all women in Mark 1:42. And therefore, she is the most blessed woman of all time. But that does not make her sinless. She said in Luke 1:47 that her spirit rejoices in God my Savior, showing that she knew that she was a sinner and in need of a Savior.
We can honor Mary for what God chose her to be, but she is not more than a woman chosen by God to become pregnant with Jesus and raise Him to manhood. What the Catholic and Orthodox churches teaches about her being sinless, having an assumption to heaven without dying, and being a co-redemptrix with Jesus are all added doctrines to the Scriptures and are to be rejected because the Bible does not teach these things.
I understand that you wish to follow the teachings of your church's authority. But I urge you to take a different approach and have the Scriptures be your final authority and submit to its teachings only for faith, life, and practice. While there is much to be commended in the teachings of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, there are many doctrines that have been added over the centuries that were not part of the doctrines of the apostles and early church. I recommend that you test all that is taught to you in your church by what the Scriptures teach and hold on to all that aligns rightly and taught with Scripture and reject all that cannot be found in Scriptures.
I have known a number of people in the Catholic Church who have done this and found that there are some teachings that they needed to reject upon examination.
Why would the Bible call Mary the mother of God " The Virgin Mary" if she was a sinner and besides Jesus is free from sin so God his Father would not have chosen a sinner to give birth to a sinless Jesus.
Luke 1:27
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And Catholics and Orthodox don't make a graven image of the Virgin Mary. And if what you said 'a graven image' then that is untrue.
Exodus 26:
Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim's of cunning work shalt thou make them.
The Bible does not teach that Mary was sinless. In fact, if you look at Luke 1:47, what Mary says in the content in Verse 47. My spirit celebrates in whom? God my Savior. She has an awareness already that she needs a Savior. That means that she has an awareness that she's a sinner and she needs a Savior just like everyone else does.
We have to keep that in mind about Mary. We don't want to put her down, but we want her put her in her place and realize that she is blessed among women, but she is still a sinner like you and I and needs a Savior.
In Luke 1:16-17 an Angel tells Johns father, "Zacharias". That he would have a son And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
John the baptist had a great crowd and devout followers and he preached the coming of their expected Messiah and King.
The pressing multitudes that had followed John continued to follow Jesus' ( Luke 5:15, Luke 12:1).
In the context of this chapter we have Jesus authenticating John's ministry.
SO THAT BRINGS US TO THE TEXT.
Mathew 11:12.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Let's look at the word violence in this text.
Greek:
Transliteration: biaz
Pronunciation: bee-ad'-zo
Definition: From G970; to force that is (reflexively) to crowd oneself (into) or (passively) TO BE SEIZED: - PRESS SUFFER VIOLENCE
The pressing multitudes that had followed John continued to follow Jesus' ( Luke 5:15, Luke 12:1).
This is what Jesus is saying "The kingdom of God suffers violence." Pointing to the huge crowds that followed John and that were now following Him, Jesus likens them to an invading army surrounding a city to capture it.
Look at Luke's account.
Luke 16:16.
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
( From the days of John the Baptist until now," there has been an extraordinary rush of people pressing in from all sides eager to hear the gospel that they resembled an army trying to besiege a city.)
Matthew 11:14 he says;
"And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come."
Matthew 17:12 says, but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they willed. Likewise shall they do to the Son of man, He shall suffer these things.
So Jesus said, indeed Elijah shall come first and restore all things, and that Elijah is come already. Very confusing, and that doesn't answer any questions. He will come and he has come. I'm sure the disciples are going Huh?
In John 1:21, the religious leaders sent delegates out to John's baptism and they asked him who are you? John says I'm not the Christ. In Verse 21, they said are you Elijah? And he said, no.
In Matthew 11:14, we see that John sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question, are you the Messiah or do we look for another?
And after His disciples left, He told the crowd that if you can receive it, John the Baptist is Elijah which was to come. What a lot of confusion here!
The key is found in Luke 1:17 when the angel Gabriel was speaking to Zacharias and he said that when John comes, he will come in the spirit and power of Elijah.
So he will not be Elijah the person, but he will have the same spirit and the same ministry as Elijah. Now what that means is that Elijah has come, but he as a person will come in the future.
And many, including myself, hold that in the book of Revelation, one of the two witnesses that witness in Jerusalem during the tribulation is Elijah coming to introduce the coming of Christ.
Both he and the other witness perform the same miracles and signs as Moses and Elijah did. But Elijah the person will come first.
That's why every year at the Passover meal, a Jewish family will leave an empty chair at the Passover table. It's because they believe that Passover time is when Elijah is going to come and announce the second coming of Christ. So they leave a chair vacant for him.
Very interesting how Jewish customs line up with things we study in scripture!
Also, to go along with what you said concerning John the Baptist of the revelation of who Jesus The Christ was before any miracles were performed. Even before John laid his physical eyes upon Jesus, it says in Luke 1:41 that the baby John leapt in his mother's womb at just the presence of Christ also in the womb in his mother's womb. This revelation only comes from the Father and His will and design.
We are not given that information in scripture but we do know that Zacharias prayed for a son based on what the angel said in Luke 1:13, and that his prayer was heard and answered.
These are but a tiny sampling of what God declares about His WORD, the BIBLE.
Psalms 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the WORDS of my mouth.
Psalms 119:151,152 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are TRUTH. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are LIFE.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my WORDS shall not pass away.
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Luke 1:1,2 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the WORD;
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the WORD of God, and keep it.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the WORDS of eternal life.
Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the WORD of God and prevailed.
Acts 12:24 But the WORD of God grew and multiplied.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God.
Friend,
Let go over some of what you have written here.
1.You say, "the law is holy, but it couldn't make you holy".
Luke 1:5,6; Leviticus 20:26; He's speaking in a present tense. King David, after he grievously sinned against the LORD, found a place humility, brokenness of heart & contriteness of spirit to Psalms 101:2; & what about all the writers of the OT, 2 Pet 1:21; they were holy! They walk in obedience to the measure of the Light that God was please to give them, under the gospel of their dispensation.
2. Rom 7:14-25 Here Paul is explaining his struggles with the sin nature. After his encounter with Christ, he finds the Covenant has now be change, finding himself without the righteousness of the law, in which Philippians 3:6. He seeks the righteousness that is by "faith". Rom 6 tell us, "Grace" appearance in his heart, how he exercise the Word of Righteousness, yielding his member to glory & the knowledge of God, that shine in his heart in the face of
NT
a perfect sacrifice requires a perfect offering Matt 5:48; Rom 12:1; Perfection is required. He's the head, we're His body, is Christ sinful?
Gigi, describe perfectly the heart intent of a believer journey in the work of regeneration, except, not being able to overcome all sin. 1John 3:8; the perfect work of Grace purges out all iniquity, Titus 2:14; the littlest of leaven, leaveth the whole lump.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the son's of God, & the Spirit of God will never, never lead one into sin. Therefore we know by who spirit we are of; 1John 3:9,10; Matt 17:17-23
"you don't know why I would bring up this matter, as it pertains to our discussion. When in Truth, it reaches to the very heart of it.
Going to the letter, in Hebrew or Greek etc; as you quoted & spoke from, comes from the traditions & teaching of man, the wisdom that's from below, earthy, which makes Mark 7:13, which sprang up in the Apostasy. Isa 55:8,9;
Whereas coming to the Spirit, our Teacher; The Word Rom 10:8; that comes Rom 10:17; within us, produces the fruit, the Word intended Isa 55;11; Isa 14:27;
Bringing this part of the conversation to a conclusion, by giving "the cause & effect of the learning from the letter, verses being taught by God Himself.
1Cor 2:10 which is freely & lavishly given unto us in Christ. Col 2:2,3; Proverbs 8:14;
You said; you don't subscribe to this type of application of sanctification ; citing verses with the word meaning; its plain to me that your faith is coming from books, & not our Teacher; who is Hebrews 12:2. Your trying to understand spiritual things by carnal means, Thus this faith you have is 2Timothy 3:7 Meaning; it will never bring one to the experiential knowledge of God; in Spirit & in Truth. Matt 11:27; For God is a Spirit & only by His Spirit is He manifested & known.
Jeremiah 31:33,34; New Covenant, he's prophesying, not that he partook of it, 1Peter 1:10; & yet he was cleansed & holy under the gospel of his dispensation 2 Peter 1:21; as many were Luke 1:5,6;
Again; what God requires of us, is to walk upright in the knowledge that He has given us.
Thank you for your kind apology, no offense taken, just a misunderstanding. Believe me, in this slow progressive work of sanctification, I've have had many misunderstanding & faltering, receiving His reproofs & admonishments, I've learnt Daniel 4:37; I love the way He gets to me. He always "hit the nail on the head" so to speak,& why? Daniel 2:22, Psalms 36:9;
you have experience Him in Spirit, Chris (in the car)
in Love & Truth
Frankie J
Where in the Bible does it say that it's okay for women to be preachers.
MOUNTHOREB REPLY: Woman can prophecy not new info outside of the scriptures 2 Timothy 3:15-17. However, They preach what they have learned to others outside of the church or congregation. When asked a question about the bible. a woman can reply to anyone who is asking the question. even if it's a man, elder 1 Timothy 3 or someone in authority. but within the church or congregation 1 Timothy 3, a woman does not have authority over a man to speak to the whole church or Congregation 1Timothy 2:11,12,14 (unless there's no men available, if this is the case she covers her head within the congregation to PREACH 1 Corinthians 11:5;16 because of the angels in heaven) however, Outside of the building, yes a woman can teach others outside (family, neighbors etc.) Acts 2:16,17.
Jesus allowed women to speak to him and listen. even sit at his feet and ask questions. he allowed woman to speak and listened to them. and to follow him as he preached. Luke 1:36-38; John 4:7-54; John 11:20-29; John 20:11-18; Acts 1:14; Luke 8:1-3; Luke 10:38-42; Romans 16:1-5; Acts 18:2; Acts 18:24-26;
In marriage: Ephesians 5:21-33
These are all the scriptures I can think of. Revelation 22:17 "Its free"
God in heaven Sees. 1 Samuel 16:7
Jesus who was chosen by Jehovah- psalm 83:18
Who is the one Chosen by God to bring salvation- John 3:16,17
never glorified himself. Matthew 22:36,37 but with the glory
and honor and title God gave to him, he spoke. John 5:19
Matthew 23:8-12; LUKE 1:28-33; Isaiah 9:6,7
Hello GiGi
My purpose when answering that post from Yasser was not actually to dig deep in the Word of God but just simplify it in a simple answer.
I also believe that there will not be an Israelitic Kingdom on this earth, neither in the futute earth. Those promises that were said for Israel by God were and are still fulfilled in the church. The only promise that is left yet for Hebrews is their salvation. And we know that that will take place during the antichrist's rule on this earth at the end. Besides according to the scriptures there is no room left for an Israelitic kingdom. it is not going to happen now, neither in the last week, neither in the millenium, neither on the new earth that will be creared by God after the final Judgement.
I don't believe that there are different requirements for Hebrews and gentiles as far as salvation is concerned. We all are justified by the Blood of the Lamb.
What I wanted to say is:
In the O.T. there were people who tried to be righteous, they made efforts to follow God's Will. But like all people they were doing sins. So we have people that did righteous things but also sins. So they were in a sence righteous, this is called MAN'S RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is not a perfect righteousness, actually it is far far away from what God calls righteousness. But still God sometimes called them rightous because He appriciated their efforts, like Zacharias and Elisabeth in Luke 1:6, "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.". Also Noe is called righteous, Genesis 6:8-9, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God."
Also read Ezekiel 14:14, "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD."
By way of recap we're comparing the way these two groups interpret the scripture surrounding the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants.
Part 5.
In Hosea 3:4-5. before the Babylonian captivity, it was predicted: "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or Prince...
"Afterward SHALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
Hosea 3:5
Also;
Amos 9:11.
Zachariah 14:4.
Zachariah 14:9.
This of is not a contradiction of the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant, but is a part of the same picture.
and many more OT references.
LET'S REVIEW THE NEW TESTAMENT.
According to Luke 1:30-33 the angel Gabriel told Mary that she is to be the mother of Christ and Christ will reign on the throne of His father David over the house of Jacob.
To Mary "the house of Jacob" could mean only one thing and that is the descendants of Jacob, namely, the twelve tribes of Israel.
It seems the disciples and others anticipated much the same kind of a literal fulfillment.
Matthew 19:28.
Matthew 20:20-21.
Luke 22:29-30.
Acts 1:6-7. The disciples were still anticipating an earthly kingdom and hoped for its immediately.
Christ did not say that their hope was vain and that there was not going to be a literal fulfillment. He replied: "It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority."
But He directs their attention to the immediately task before them, and to the power of the Holyspirit Spirit and proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.
Now this is where the line is drawn from dealing with Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Confirming verses at the council in Jerusalem in Acts 15:13-17.
More on this later.
God bless.
The Davidic Covenant centers on several key promises that are made to David. First, God reaffirms the promise of the land that He made in the first two covenants with Israel (the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants). This promise is seen in 2 Samuel 7:10, "I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore." God then promises that David's son will succeed him as king of Israel and that this son (Solomon) would build the temple. This promise is seen in 2 Samuel 7:12-13, " I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name."
But then the promise continues and expands: "I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever" (verse 13), and "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" (verse 16). What began as a promise that David's son Solomon would be blessed and build the temple turns into something different-the promise of an everlasting kingdom. Another Son of David would rule forever and build a lasting House. This is a reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, called the Son of David in Matthew 21:9.
The promise that David's "house," "kingdom," and "throne" will be established forever is significant because it shows that the Messiah will come from the lineage of David and that He will establish a kingdom from which He will reign. The covenant is summarized by the words "house," promising a dynasty in the lineage of David; "kingdom," referring to a people who are governed by a king; "throne," emphasizing the authority of the king's rule; and "forever," emphasizing the eternal and unconditional nature of this promise to David and Israel.
Davidic Covenant; Jeremiah 23:5; 30:9; Isaiah 9:7; 11:1; Luke 1:32, 69; Acts 13:34; and Revelation 3:7.
Next.
See Fulfillments.
Hello Spencer
1. ( Luke 1:16-17) "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord"
John's ministry apart from revealing the Savior to the Jews was to teach people to obey God's commandments (the OT ones), hence the "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord"
People came by and asked him what to do, Luke 3:7-18, (the people, the publicans and the soldiers). Note v18 " And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.".
Of course perfection came with Jesus but there were people in OT that strived to live according to God's Will. The scriptures call those people "righteous". An OT type of righteousness, not like of course the type of perfection in NT. Like Joshef in Matthew 1:19, "Then Joseph her husband, being a JUST man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.". Also Zacharias and Elisabeth in Luke 1:6, "And they were both RIGHTEOUS before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
So John with his teaching led people to repentance for their sins (what they knew in OT). John could not introduce the Savior to people who live and enjoy a sinful life. It was needed to become "clean" (the type of OT "cleanliness") first and then he led them to Jesus. He prepared their hearts to receive Jesus.
God is logical, He does not act in strange, abnormal ways. We often think that He is not logical because we don't understand Him and His plans. But He is logical. He knows how to approach people, every single one according to their own peculiaritiy.
But at that time the repentance and the subsequent remission of sins was done in baptism, in public.
Part 1
In part 1 you gave me Luke 1:17 and stated, "This means that another part of John's ministry was to teach Hebrews to clean their heart by preaching them to obey God's commandments. I would have to disagree with you on that.
No one could keep the law therefore it couldn't make you clean. Acts 15:5-10. Romans 8:3. Galatians 3:10-14.
You also referred me to Luke 3:7-18. Notice vs 9) "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. They couldn't bare fruit! Israel was a degenerate vine.
Jeremiah 2:20-21. Matthew 21:42-44. In contrast to that Jesus is the genuine vine. John 15:1-2.
John was preparing the way for someone to do what the Law couldn't do. and that's Christ.
John's baptism was to turn the Jews "The lost sheep of Israel" to Christ and yet he says there comes one who will give a baptism that exceeds his that brings us to Jesus.
Now John says he must decrease, and Jesus must Increase. Now we have the beginning of Jesus ministry in which he came for the lost sheep of Israel. Due to blindness, they denied there king so as Paul says salvation has come to the Gentiles. That brings us to Pentecost. Here's a predominantly mostly if not all Jewish beginning of the Church. Here is where baptism of the Holyspirit begins and this is where the Spirit of God baptize Jews and Gentiles into the body of Christ and water baptism is a ritual way for you to display what the Spirit of God has already done once you TRULY believed.
So, the obedience is for you to show by display who and what you believe in. It's the faith of Christ that initiates your belief which leads to Salvation.
See part 2.
Hello Spencer, I agree with you about John's baptism.
In my previous post I wanted to put emphasis on the christian baptism and its meaning using as an introduction John's baptism.
So now mainly about John:
1. John's mission was to reveal the Savior (Jesus), John 1:31.
Also when Mary went to Elisabeth, Elisabeth prophesied and among other she said ( Luke 1:75-76), "And thou, child(John), shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord (Jesus) to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins".
Also John 1:29 (the Lamb of the God).
2. When the angel Gabriel came to Zacharias he said, ( Luke 1:16-17) "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord"
The latter means that another part of John's ministry was to to to teach Hebrews to clean their heart by preaching them to obey God's commandments, what they should do and what not, see Luke 3:7-18. And lead Hebrews to repentance for their sins to be forgiven. That remission of sins was done during the baptism, in public. ( Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;)
3. Isaiah prophesied about John the Baptist, ( Isaiah 30:3-5), "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."
So John prepared a smooth path for Jesus' ministry.
Thanks for your response.
I briefly went through your reply and will read it again when time permits.
It's late here on the east coast.
However we disagree on what I gathered so far.
I believe the purpose of John baptism was to turn the hearts of the people away from Judaism to Christ, not only by what he said but by the area and the audience he approached and by what his Father said.
Luke 1:67-69. "And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
AND hath raised up an horn of salvation for "US" in the house of his servant David;
Luke 1:80
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts TILL THE DAY OF HIS SHEWING UNTO ISRAEL.
John came preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.
The religion in that area was Judaism. If publicans was in the that area they witnessed and was aware of the God of the Israelites. " John said prepare the way for the Lord.
They knew that was the God of the Jews.
And Mark 16:16 it says "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED.
"It doesn't say he that is not baptized shall be damned"
If you were standing in the way of my view of something and I said; "Sit down and get out the way"
When you sit down you would have gotten out the way. "You would have accomplished both "
That's the way I take Mark 16:16.
When they believed they were baptized.
It's the Baptism of the Holyspirit mentioned here, Not water. And If it was water baptism it's the believing or not believing that would make the difference here.
As for the creeds. One baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I believe that.
That's the baptism of the Holyspirit. The only baptism that can put you in the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:5-6.
Good night.
Pt. 1
I would like to include here the remainder of Zecharias' prophetic utterance in Luke 1. From just your selection there is no mention of sin and holiness. But the remainder of the utterance tells of these.
Luke 1:75-79
"In holiness and righteousness before Him, all of our life. And thou child (john) shalt be called the prophet of the Highest; for
thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of
their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on High hath visited us, to give light to them who
sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace."
The Israelites should have not just been looking for someone to free them from their enemies (at that time Rome) nor from
those who hated them, but more importantly, to free them from their sin and condemnation before God. All of these things were
prophesied in the OT and Zecharias here states as much. From the behavior of the Jewish leaders, the people were looking for
the first two things in the Messiah (deliverance from enemies and those who hated them) but most likely did not see the
Messiah as one who saved them from their sins because they had the Mosaic covenant and sacrifices, offerings, and priestly
rites to take care of their sin, if they thought they had any. This is part of the reason for the desolation of Jerusalem and and
Temple (which was burned to the ground and no "stone was left upon another." This being to stop the Jews from relying on such
sacrifices and rituals before God and to turn to Jesus for a once and for all sacrifice for their sins and reconcile them to God.
It took this sort of decimation to rid the nation of Judaism so that the Jews could turn to Jesus. But even though many did turn
to Him, many more did not and continued to hold onto whatever shreds of Judaism they could still perform dutifully.
The baptism of repentance to the lost sheep of Israel.
This was to Identify them with their savior.
In Matthew 3:15 Jesus was also baptized with this baptism to Identify the savior with the people and to fulfill all righteousness, he needed no repentance.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
JOHNS MISSION;
Luke 1:16-17. And many of ( THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ) shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready A PEOPLE prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:67-74. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
Today we are baptized by the Spirit of God.
Acts 1:5. For John truly baptized with water; ( BUT) ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Matthew 3:11.
1 Corinthians 12:13.
God bless.
Jesus certainly was overseeing some baptizing.
If you take those verses you presented chronologically I believe it explains itself.
John 3:22-26. "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
For John was not yet cast into prison.
Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him."
Then in John 4:1-2 the Pharisees took notice of this but verse 2 explains it.
Vs 2. ( Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
John's ministry was about up.
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. John 1:6-8."
John was to present the one in the loins of Abraham prophesied to come into the world in the OT.
John the baptist baptism was for Israel to turn/repent from Judaism.
Luke 1:16-17.
Malachi 4:5-6.
He announced one coming for the lost sheep of Israel.
God bless.
Advocate 1 John 2:1
Shephard & Bishop of souls I Peter 2:25
Man of sorrows Isa 53.3
Judge Acts 10:42
Faithful and True Witness Rev 3:14
Head of the Church Eph 5:23
Rock 1 Corth 10:4
High Priest Heb 6:20
Master Matt 8:19
Living Water John 4:10
Rose of Sharon Song of Solomon 2:1
Alpha and Omega Rev 22:13
Lamb of God John 1:29 Messiah Daniel 9:25
Mediator I Tim 2:5
Teacher John 3:2
Author and Finisher of our Faith Heb 12:2
Image of the invisible God Col 1:15
Everlasting Father Isa 9:6
The Word John 1:1
Holy One Mark 1:24
Light of the world John 8:12
Lion of the tribe of Judah Rev 5: 5
LORD OF LORDS I Tim 6:15
The Beloved Eph 1:6
Carpenter Mark 6:3 The Almighty Rev 21:
Shiloh Gen 49:10
The Way, the Truth and The Life John 14:16
Bright and Morning Star Rev 22:16
Good Shepherd John 10:11
Son of Man Matt 20:28
Only Begotten Son John 3:16
King Of Kings 1 Tim 6:15
Prince of Peace Isa 9:6
Bridegroom Matt 9:15
Dayspring Luke 1:78
Saviour of the world Eph 5:23
Immanuel Luke 1:78 & Matt 1:23
Wonderful Counselor Isa 9:6
I AM John 8:58
The Door John 10:9
The True Vine John 15:1
King of the Jews Mark 15:26
Prophet Matt 21:11
Redeemer Job 19:25
Saviour Isa 45:15 , John 42:2, 1 Tim 4:10
The Amen Rev 3:14
The Living God
Anchor Heb 6:19
The BRANCH Zech 6:12
Bread of Life John 6:15
The Resurrection & Life John 11.25
The Living God, who is the Saviour of all men,
You have given the correct wording of Luke 1:27. That's exactly what it says. My question to you is how do you get "Mary the mother of God was without sin" out of that verse? I don't see how you come up with that. Please help!
It is written in Luke 1:27 in the Holy Bible in KJV on this site.
"To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary."
"To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary."
There is not a verse in the Bible that calls Mary The Virgin Mary. The Bible does say that she was a virgin. However, being a virgin does not equate to sinlessness or else every woman who is a virgin could be said to be sinless.
Galatians 4:4 says that God the Father sent forth His Son in the fullness of time, born of a woman. God ordained that Mary would be the mother of His Son in His incarnation. She was selected before the world began.
Elizabeth said that Mary is blessed of all women in Mark 1:42. And therefore, she is the most blessed woman of all time. But that does not make her sinless. She said in Luke 1:47 that her spirit rejoices in God my Savior, showing that she knew that she was a sinner and in need of a Savior.
We can honor Mary for what God chose her to be, but she is not more than a woman chosen by God to become pregnant with Jesus and raise Him to manhood. What the Catholic and Orthodox churches teaches about her being sinless, having an assumption to heaven without dying, and being a co-redemptrix with Jesus are all added doctrines to the Scriptures and are to be rejected because the Bible does not teach these things.
I understand that you wish to follow the teachings of your church's authority. But I urge you to take a different approach and have the Scriptures be your final authority and submit to its teachings only for faith, life, and practice. While there is much to be commended in the teachings of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, there are many doctrines that have been added over the centuries that were not part of the doctrines of the apostles and early church. I recommend that you test all that is taught to you in your church by what the Scriptures teach and hold on to all that aligns rightly and taught with Scripture and reject all that cannot be found in Scriptures.
I have known a number of people in the Catholic Church who have done this and found that there are some teachings that they needed to reject upon examination.
Luke 1:27
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And Catholics and Orthodox don't make a graven image of the Virgin Mary. And if what you said 'a graven image' then that is untrue.
Exodus 26:
Moreover, thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubim's of cunning work shalt thou make them.
The Bible does not teach that Mary was sinless. In fact, if you look at Luke 1:47, what Mary says in the content in Verse 47. My spirit celebrates in whom? God my Savior. She has an awareness already that she needs a Savior. That means that she has an awareness that she's a sinner and she needs a Savior just like everyone else does.
We have to keep that in mind about Mary. We don't want to put her down, but we want her put her in her place and realize that she is blessed among women, but she is still a sinner like you and I and needs a Savior.
I will share my view.
In Luke 1:16-17 an Angel tells Johns father, "Zacharias". That he would have a son And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
John the baptist had a great crowd and devout followers and he preached the coming of their expected Messiah and King.
The pressing multitudes that had followed John continued to follow Jesus' ( Luke 5:15, Luke 12:1).
In the context of this chapter we have Jesus authenticating John's ministry.
SO THAT BRINGS US TO THE TEXT.
Mathew 11:12.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Let's look at the word violence in this text.
Greek:
Transliteration: biaz
Pronunciation: bee-ad'-zo
Definition: From G970; to force that is (reflexively) to crowd oneself (into) or (passively) TO BE SEIZED: - PRESS SUFFER VIOLENCE
The pressing multitudes that had followed John continued to follow Jesus' ( Luke 5:15, Luke 12:1).
This is what Jesus is saying "The kingdom of God suffers violence." Pointing to the huge crowds that followed John and that were now following Him, Jesus likens them to an invading army surrounding a city to capture it.
Look at Luke's account.
Luke 16:16.
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
( From the days of John the Baptist until now," there has been an extraordinary rush of people pressing in from all sides eager to hear the gospel that they resembled an army trying to besiege a city.)
Matthew 11:14 he says;
"And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come."
I hope this helps.
God bless.
Matthew 17:12 says, but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they willed. Likewise shall they do to the Son of man, He shall suffer these things.
So Jesus said, indeed Elijah shall come first and restore all things, and that Elijah is come already. Very confusing, and that doesn't answer any questions. He will come and he has come. I'm sure the disciples are going Huh?
In John 1:21, the religious leaders sent delegates out to John's baptism and they asked him who are you? John says I'm not the Christ. In Verse 21, they said are you Elijah? And he said, no.
In Matthew 11:14, we see that John sent his disciples to ask Jesus a question, are you the Messiah or do we look for another?
And after His disciples left, He told the crowd that if you can receive it, John the Baptist is Elijah which was to come. What a lot of confusion here!
The key is found in Luke 1:17 when the angel Gabriel was speaking to Zacharias and he said that when John comes, he will come in the spirit and power of Elijah.
So he will not be Elijah the person, but he will have the same spirit and the same ministry as Elijah. Now what that means is that Elijah has come, but he as a person will come in the future.
And many, including myself, hold that in the book of Revelation, one of the two witnesses that witness in Jerusalem during the tribulation is Elijah coming to introduce the coming of Christ.
Both he and the other witness perform the same miracles and signs as Moses and Elijah did. But Elijah the person will come first.
That's why every year at the Passover meal, a Jewish family will leave an empty chair at the Passover table. It's because they believe that Passover time is when Elijah is going to come and announce the second coming of Christ. So they leave a chair vacant for him.
Very interesting how Jewish customs line up with things we study in scripture!
I hope this helps!
We are not given that information in scripture but we do know that Zacharias prayed for a son based on what the angel said in Luke 1:13, and that his prayer was heard and answered.