"ANSWER" in Bible Discussions

 
  • Sonofman1973 - In Reply - 19 hours ago
    Greetings my brother beloved. I will not rush in trying to answer all these questions in one sitting. For no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation ( Paraphrase) but scripture is always interpreted by the Holy Spirit through more scriptures. So Genesis 1:1 in the beginning God created The heaven and the earth. -- now thus far what scripture has revealed to me is something went wrong. Because scripture says 1 John 3:8- He that committeth sin is of the devil,FOR THE DEVIL SINNETH (FROM THE BEGINNING) for this purpose The son of God was manifest ( LIGHT) that he might destroy the works of the devil. ( There is our eternal purpose of God) Just think upon that and meditate. We'll rejoice in scripture together brother
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 day ago
    Hey Sonofman1973,

    As S Spencer said, this is an interesting question, just some last thoughts and whether or not we have enough Scripture to know the complete answer. Scripture is relatively silent about the eternal past, even in the New Testament, where the clearest and fullest light of God's revelation shines. Very few passages reach backward in their scope further than the foundation of the world at the beginning of the ages of our time. God's plan was before the foundation of this earth was laid.

    God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all, 1 John 1:5, and we know from Job 38 that the angels and the principalities and powers in heaven were created before Genesis 1. A thought, God created darkness as a place to put the earth outside of the third heaven, the earth was without form and void, this would be empty of all life and covered in surging water of chaos enclosed in total darkness that God's Spirit moved upon and God said let there be light, God called light out of darkness His light moved into the space of darkness.

    God called out of this darkness everything there is below the third heaven and the time we live in. My understanding is different on Lucifer in Isaiah 14, and something happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 but that may be for other discussions.

    Thank you for these questions, they inspire study.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 day ago
    Dear Kevin,

    I will pray for a job to be provided to you that will allow you to work in peace of mind and heart My son also suffers from anxiety and depression and has panic attacks from stressful situations also. Finding the right fit job has been an ongoing journey for him. He is 34. His first baby is due in May and he just began a new job this week. So, if you could pray for him I would appreciate that. His name is also Kevin.

    Kevin, I want to declare to you that your sins are all forgiven in Jesus Christ when He died in our place. This forgiveness is given to us as a gift and we can be assured that we are forgiven when we embrace Him and His work of salvation in faith. So, you say your faith is weak, yet you do believe the gospel. You do not need to have but simple faith in what He has done and declared in the Scriptures. He died and rose for you to provide forgiveness and salvation unto those who believe on Him.

    I am so glad you have shared your needs on this site. It is always a good thing to ask others to pray for oneself. So, be blessed by the Lord today and trust that He hears our prayers, knows our desires and every need and will bring answers that are the best for us.
  • Momsage - In Reply on Deuteronomy 28 - 4 days ago
    Hello Heir: What you have said is very interesting. It may seem hard to imagine why someone would be willing to forgo the wonderful blessings God promises them for the terrible curses they ended up suffering. But if we look at the way the world has been and how it is now we can see that the human heart is so terribly disobedient to God. Most people don't want to be on that straight and narrow path that takes them to heaven, they would rather be rebellious and have it their way. I do praise God that we are on the path that leads to heaven.

    I noticed you mentioned that you have never heard priests preach on this chapter. Are you a Catholic? I was raised by a Catholic mother but in my experience I found the religion shallow and hypocritical. Please don't be offended. I know there are a lot of Catholics who love Catholicism. The reason I am asking you this is, frankly, I hope your answer will be no because this religion doesn't tell the truth of salvation; that it is by the blood of Jesus Christ ONLY. I hope I hear from you so we can discuss this more. I love you in the Lord and I am hoping you are a child of God. God Bless :)
  • Bennymkje - 4 days ago
    Mark 6:4 " Prophet without honor"

    "But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."

    St John sums it up this way, "He (Jesus) came unto his own, and his own received him not."(v.11). He refers his Jewishness. "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,/To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."(Gal.4:4-5) The nation of Israel understood what the law meant but not what it referred to. Herein lay their dilemma. Law for them became traditions of their fathers so when the Law (its fulness) walked among them full of grace all they could say "they( the Pharisees) said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils." (Matt.12:24). Jesus was a sign as Moses was one. He served as his double before his Advent. They could not keep the Law of Moses but would want to go back to Egypt under another captain it showed they were incapable of holding truth.(Nu.14:4)

    Symptomatic of their perverseness was their curiosity. How often they demanded of Jesus to show them a sign. It merely satisfied their shallow religiosity. Jesus rightly condemned their place among the wicked adulterous generation than as the sons. "But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas."(Matt.12:39). Without entering into spiritual significance of the sign, and without dying in him they were not worthy to be called sons. In their rebellious spirit all chastisement was wasted so Jesus dismissed them by saying,"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt.23:36-38). For this reason Jesus instructed his disciples to shake off the dust of their feet for a testimony.(6:11)
  • Bennymkje - 5 days ago
    Mark 5:1-20 "my country" (1 of 2)

    "And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country." (v.10)

    Mark sets Jesus crossing" the other side of the sea into the country of the Gadarenes."The sea mentioned here is the lake of Galilee on the south. Lucan gospel explains the location so we may conclude that Jesus with his disciples arrived there from Galilee. ("which is over against Galilee".-8:26) Gadara is not directly named in the scripture but was a walled city where the Gentiles lived mostly and was a part of the Decapolis. The point of location we need note to our intent and purpose is this: geographically Gadarenes is situated on the east of the Jordan river. Crossing of the Jordan river in spiritual terms signifies death.

    Jesus cast out the many demons from the man. They all had a request:"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

    "For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit."/And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many./And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country."(vv.8-10)

    Unclean spirits require a body which is impossible for Satan to create. He is the father of lies and not of life. For this reason he used a serpent to beguile Eve and being cast out they had unanimously chose the herd of swine.

    "All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds."(1 Co.15:38-40). Here we have a country separate from the land of Galilee. In the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the latter had a place while Galilee signified the blessed state of the beggar. The other man's riches come in all forms and weights. Sheep, cattle and swines are part contributing to the wealth, and the rich man who wished Lazarus to visit him had chosen his own country. His cry came too late. ( Luke 16:24)
  • Momsage - In Reply - 6 days ago
    Hello Jessica: It sounds like you have been a really good person all your life, although I'm not sure what kind of "social justice" you have been an advocate/activists for, but I'm sure you have done your best to help people. I understand you now want Justise from God for this terrible wrong that has been done to you. First, I'd like to ask: do you BELIEVE in God and Jesus only, or are you a forgiven, justified, regenerated, new birth child of God because you have repented to Jesus and Jesus only and accepted Christ as your Savior? If not please read the book of John and 1st, 2nd, 3rd Peter and pray and ask Jesus into your heart. If you have never done this, if you "believe" in God because of the denomination you in and believe a doctrine, which doesn't teach a one-on-one relationship with Jesus Christ then I can understand why this prayer has not been answered answered for you, however, if you are a true child of God, you must trust Him to handle this situation in His time and His way. By fretting over this situation you are not allowing God to have His way. It is a sign to Him that you don't trust Him to take care of this for you. I'd like to give you three scriptures that I hope will help you besides the books I mentioned above.

    Mathew 6: 25-26, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:3-4
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hello Ronald,

    I am thankful that you did answer my questions honestly and respectfully.

    My postings about the Righteousness of God is not directed at you. I have been considering posting on this topic for weeks. But was waiting on the Holy Spirit to do so. I would have written the same thing weeks ago as I did today regardless of how you responded to my questions. So, please, I am sorry if I have offended you or feel like I was speaking to you specifically. I was not.

    I know I had written previously about God's holiness, purity, and justice, which are all related along with His righteousness.

    In writing about His Righteousness I wanted to highlight how the righteousness of Jesus is vastly superior to the righteousness of even the holiest human because He is God in the flesh and His Righteousness is the righteousness of God Himself, which is perfect, limitless, and all sufficient to cover the sins of humanity.

    I do think you are in error in your thinking about Jesus as to who He truly is and also about the Triune nature of God, along with anyone else who denies Jesus is God and also that God, though One deity, exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To me it is clearly revealed in Scripture through Jesus Christ in His life and words. But I do not intend to offend you. You are my friend and I care about you and your feelings. What I have said about believing in a different Jesus and God, I knew it would offend some on here. But, I don't think we are called not to say things that others will find hard to believe, or accept, or not be offended by, but rather, we are to speak the truth in love. That is what I did and what I intended.

    Have a good evening Ronald. We can talk more on another topic tomorrow.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hi GiGi,

    I answered all your questions as honestly as I can, and you post this as you are getting back to your postings about God's attributes. I am sorry you feel this way, I take this as a direct reply to me, you should have replied directly to me if you want to judge and condemn me. I have always treated you with respect along with everyone who is on this site. I guess the site considers your post fits in the guidelines.

    RLW
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Yes, Ronald, your explanations to my questions have helped me understand your viewpoint very well. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions seriously and respectfully. Be blessed today.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    GiGi,

    Part 2 Trinity discussion

    Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?

    Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20

    My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 1 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 1:2 Galatians 1:3 Ephesians 1:2 Ephesians 6:23 Philippians 1:2 Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.

    If so, who were they in relation to the Father?

    I believe the above answers this.

    How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?

    My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:31 Proverbs 16:4 Isaiah 45:18 Nehemiah 9:6.

    Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?

    Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.

    See part 3.
  • Chrisdube - In Reply - 1 week ago
    I wish I had a more direct answer, but I am not a Pastor. I read a book supporting the King James ONLY as God's true bible. (As opposed to the "modern translations.")

    In the book, "The Preeminence of Christ," the Authors, John A. Ricci and Louis E. DeBoer point out that most of the early "translations" were done by Gnostics, who carried (what we would call today) significant baggage. For instance, they did NOT believe in the Resurrection of Christ.

    They also frequently changed parts of the New Testament that they personally did not agree with.

    Most of the "modern translations," are translations of Gnostic translations (unlike the King James which principally comes from the Textus Receptus).

    The "modern translations" started around the time the Apocrypha was removed from the KJV. While I have no way of knowing, and I will not be dogmatic about it, I think a bunch of "modern translators" formed a group of "Bible scholars" and had it removed.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hi GiGi,

    Part 1 Trinity discussion

    To start; I used to have a similar understanding of the Trinity doctrine but over time it has changed, and I am still studying it. I do not consider myself part of any group or denomination other than a believer and follower of Jesus. I feel we should inspire each other to study in prayer for the truth and to be open to the Holy Spirit to unveil the truth as we know nothing.

    With me, it started with two verses, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, I contemplated these verses for a long time, it was like they stuck in my mind unanswered. In my study of the Trinity, I found out how it developed and how many deaths it caused even after the Reformation, and the questions I asked in Churches, many could not explain it and said it is a mystery that man cannot comprehend.

    Is God and has He always been one solitary person?

    Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD, Mark 12:29 and as said in 1 Cor. 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. My understanding is God the Father is eternal He has always been and will always be Psalms 90:2. God is Spirit, if a person means He has a will, emotions, the ability to speak, rationalize, self-awareness, to have a relationship with His creation, love, hate, etc. yes one person.

    Before creation was, He always and only alone, without anyone to love?

    What was before creation in Scripture we have no writings or information, Scripture tells us the hosts of heaven were before the creation of the earth and the galaxies, Job 38:4-7. How long before the physical world and universe we see we do not know. God's plan He declared the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:9-10. I may be wrong, but God has never been alone inside Himself, time nor space cannot contain who He is, the beginning of His plan was Jesus.

    See part 2
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Whole counsel of God: Church membership.

    Here is an issue that can leave us at times with more questions than answers. I may have stated in a past post about a friend of mine in a former church who gladly cleans bathrooms and does other "servile" actions. The definition of that word is interesting because it both encompasses someone who is exuberant about serving others as well as someone often looked down as a low class member of society. Food for thought...

    At any event; this friend of mine along with a sizeable group in my current church more than meet the commitment of those who are considered "members" (in fact they seem to exceed them in many ways). In general their explanation of not being a member when I have inquired is that they feel no need to make a formal commitment to something that is a man made sort of concept. Here are a few summary bullet points.

    WHY WE SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER

    WE MAKE A FORMAL DECLARATION AND ARE HELD TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR COMMITMENTS TO SERVICE; PRAYER; SCRIPTURE READING; EVANGELISM AND WHATEVER ELSE IS IN A DENOMINATIONAL "STATEMENT OF FAITH"

    WE ARE IN MANY CASES GIVEN ACCESS TO COMMINION AS WELL AS DECISIONS IN CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS ON FINANCES AND VOTES FOR NEW LEADERSHIP

    Now I am going to go through a couple reasons that we should be cautious about becoming a member. Most pressing in my situation is something I was concerned about before I was made a member; that is those who are taking communion unworthily (either in adultery or fornication in particular). I won't go into the subject again as to how I view remarriage when a spouse is still alive as being adultery. In general though if we are a church member we have a responsibility to hold leadership as well as other laypersons accountable which is often uncomfortable. Clearly we should expect our own conduct to be examined carefully as well; exhortation is said to be a spiritual gift but we rarely see it these days.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Ronald,

    I look forward to read your answers because I truly want to know what you believe on this topic and understand your point of view better. I will be better able to respond back to you without assuming that you believe in ways you do not.

    If there are any questions you wish to ask me, I would be glad to give you answers to those this week, too. Take care. I am on the mend and am thankful that covid did not do me in, having avoided it for 4 years. It seems that the present strains are not as dangerous for at risk people as at the beginning of the outbreak. Thanking God for that!

    Please pray for my nephew. He has been in psyche ward twice in the past two months. He has attempted suicide 5-6 times in the last two months. He does not want to go back home to live with his dad (my brother) or his mom (both contributed to his traumatic childhood by serious neglect, manipulation, and denial of his medical needs and mental health issues. They are catalysts for this dangerous place he is 'in' right now. He wants to move to Texas to live with his sister. He has several sisters there. I hope that will work out and we will help him move there if he needs assistance. It is best for him to not be around my family because so many things can trigger him. He asked my other brother if he could stay with him for a few weeks until he can move to Texas. But neither my brother, nor I really know him very well. I pray that he can go straight from the hospital to his sisters home to live. His sisters know him and experienced the same neglect and denial of medical needs as he did to their detriment. His sisters were also sexually abused by my brother, their father and step-father, which led to him being put out of the family when my nephew was 18 months old. He has been living with his dad (my brother) since he was 18 years old. But my brother is a spiritual abuser and manipulator to him. So, such a sad and bad situation. I think his sisters can give him the best support.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hi GiGi,

    You know I don't mind, we have had discussions before. You have given many questions, I will do my best to answer them. Hope you and your husband are well. It may be tomorrow or the next day but I will get back with you.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hello Ronald,

    I wish to enter this conversation with you even though we have discussed together this topic in other past converstations. I hope you do not mind.

    In regards to the doctrine of the triune nature of God, several questions come to my mind.

    Is God and has He always been one solitary person?

    Before creation was He always and only alone, without anyone to love?

    Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?

    If so, who were they in relation to the Father?

    How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?

    What does Scripture say about these questions?

    Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifest in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?

    (Modalism)

    For those who do not believe in the triune nature of God (three persons that share equally one divine nature) I would like answers to these questions. Since you have declared you to be non-trinitarian maybe you can give me your views in answer to these questions in this post.

    Do you believe the Son is a created being?

    I so, when did He come into existence?

    Do you believe that the Son is only human in nature?

    Do you believe that Jesus became "the Christ" during His lifetime (Adptionism)?

    Do you believe Jesus ever aquired a divine nature in His earthly life?

    Do you believe that the will of the Father and the will of the Son are always the same or different?

    Do you believe at a human being can truly save all men from sin and death by a perfect life in their own will?

    How would a human being know that they are the Messiah from birth and thus know not to ever sin?

    Do you believe that Jesus lived a sinless life?

    Do you believe that the Father and the Son are one as Jesus said in Jn. 17 or that He and the Father are "in" one another and if they see Jesus, they see the Father?

    How is it that Jesus AND the Father send the Holy Spirit if there is only one person as God?

    I appreciate your answers
  • Chrisdube - 1 week ago
    The Apocrypha wad translated by the Commission that translated the Textus Receptus (of which virtually all is the KJV).

    The Apocrypha did not get removed until the KJV was updated -- in 1882. So if it wasn't "God inspired," how did it manage to remain between the Testaments for 270+ years?

    Before you try to answer that, bear in mind thise who put it there also translated the Testaments, as well. So clearly they knew about it.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Matt.27:45-57 "Darkness at noon"

    "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour."

    Three hours as the Spirit records it intends the darkness as a sign independent of natural cause of a solar eclipse. The number Three decidedly favors the spiritual darkness enveloping in their rejection of the Son; by the same token we have another sign, of graves letting out their contents as though in protest; The torn veil of the temple is a symbolic act as the word of God fulfilling as in the case of the hour of darkness that had now taken over the land. Jesus was correct in the timing. "I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me./But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." (26:55-56) The word of God zeroed in, that the Word become flesh could not have missed. (To digress a little, obedience of Jesus Christ was perfected in letting the word of his Father work with him.)

    The voice came from heaven and in the Gospel of John Jesus explains it clearly. "Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes."( John 12:30). It was while he was alive. By the same token the death of the Son could not have passed on without some visible signs of it. There are so many strange signs and bizarre light and sound show in the sky. What does the man on the street say,"UFO sighting." His reasonable mind wants to hitch his mind to anything however silly it may be. But he rejects any suggestion that rejecting the word concerning shall have serious consequences. The mind of the centurion who witnessed the events, was much more of noble cast. " they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."(v.54) Consider the chief priests and the Pharisees who would hush up his resurrection, what was their mind like? (vv.62-66) Do you think the modern churches shall disband their churches or abjure their heresies in the face of truth revealed?
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.27:1-25 "Jesus is Questioned"

    God sent his only begotten Son to the world. St Matthew presents him deliver the doctrine of his Father. Sermon on the Mount in ch.5 gives it as the Word become flesh. As the Word there was no higher authority than what he signified in his person. John speaks of his deity thus, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." ( John 1:2).

    The Gospel presents him in the following chapters as Man is the Message. Evangelist traces a subtext why he was not received by his own." He came unto his own, and his own received him not"( John 1:11). Conflict between light and darkness must be resolved and it comes to a head on the charges of blasphemy. "I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me./But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled."(26:56-57)

    When Jesus told the truth, "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven" the council that tried him was certain,"Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy." Their entire process was illegal but his role as the Lamb to his slaughter was right on track. "he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."(Is.53:7)

    "And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly."(27:14). Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ in denying the truth they were proving that they were unworthy of the other. So the mob crying,"Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children."(v.27) illustrates what precious gift had they trodden underfoot. Holocaust wiped out some six million in the process. Has it sobered them up? Without grace beauty is blind and truth is darkness. We are warned what a terror awaits us if we neglect it.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:59-60 "False witnesses"

    "Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;/ But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,"

    The Seat of Moses is a symbol for authority. It signals the Law of Moses and his piety. What if the man who sits there is actively seeking false witnesses what are we to think of it. That law is an ass, is it not? Hypocrisy of chief priests and the council allowed their temple to be a den of thieves and now a Privy Council of Satan was called to order. They needed two witnesses since in their law two or three witnesses clinched the case against Jesus.

    "But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God./Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (vv.63-64)

    Simon Peter comments on the trial,"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."(Ac.2:23)

    Wicked men in their cloth pontificate and get their victims which explains, the Inquisition and the imposter church has soiled their hands ever since but the Word of God stands sure.

    vv.63-64 "Thou hast said"

    You shall be judged by what you say and the chief priest who said,"I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God" having said it was in judgment himself. In refusing the truth he was guilty of hellfire as well. This is what Jesus implied. Compare with this question, "The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?"(21:25-27)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:36-45 "Flesh v. spirit" (1 of 2)

    "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." The spirit that Jesus speaks here is of the spirit of man which St Paul finds as an essential tool, and he asks,"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."(1 Co.2:11) St Peter's flash of brilliance by fits and starts brought Jesus to commend him on one occasion, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God./And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."(16:16-17). When God breathed into the nostrils of man he made him a living soul and thereby he opened a way for the Spirit to work with Him. The Spirit of Christ for instance moved holy men of old to seek the path of righteousness. Jesus refers to it as 'dry places' so when an unclean spirit prompted Peter to speak a little later on it raised his master's ire. "Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee./But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."(16:22-23). Peter was capable of savouring things that be of man' equally as that of God. Jesus spoke a Parable, let me quote, "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places,"(12:43-45) is where the prince of the power of the air can move about. But the heart of a child of God is qualified as Isaiah says,"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."(Is.58:11)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:30-31 "The word"

    "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives./ Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad."

    The chief priests covenanted with Judas to pay thirty pieces of silver. Their conspiracy to kill Jesus was born out of their human failings which however connected with the Word that underpins the everlasting covenant. Who shall betray him was a question that cropped up when Jesus foretold it. "And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me./ The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born."(vv.23-24). Jesus knew all along what role his disciple would play and as the Word become flesh he did not refuse him but his deity demanded grace must be shown and it is what he did. John gives us that account. Peter professed his faith, saying, "And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God./ Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?/ He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. "( John 6:69-71).

    vv.14-16 It was purely Judas' free will to judge the event in the house of Bethany that tilted his decision to betray his master. He did not have to wait too long because the word sent forth before the worlds began was in control of every events ever since he sent it, and Judas chose to do the bidding of Satan,- and Jesus equates the son of perdition as the devil himself. "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

    Ze.13:7 was about to be fulfilled. In the following passages we shall see how the little ones fared after smiting the shepherd.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:17-30 "The Last Supper" (1 of 2)

    "Take, eat; this is my body."(v.26) "For this is my blood of the new testament,"

    All gospels save that of John narrate the last supper before his passion. It occurred in the evening.

    John instead gives us the first supper in the day of regeneration. This we shall examine before we consider 'my body' for bread and "new testament"

    The disciples according to the Gospel of John did not recognize their master. He was there in his risen body, naturally."but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." ( John 21:4). Significance is in the morning, "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore." The Spirit uses the morning to indicate that their repast shall be breaking the fast. He was evidently in his spiritual body and for forty days he was seen of them since he was risen. At the mount before his passion he carried both physical and spiritual bodies and transfiguration was merely a foretaste of what was to come. Death had no more hold on the risen Christ so while he stood on the other shore he was in his spiritual body.

    He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). The catch was apart from the fish. Their labour and the catch brought ashore was their testament. While what was the testament of the spiritual body? Is it not the fish laid thereon a fire of live coals and the bread? Thus there are to aspects to what we mean by the body.

    "A body hast thou prepared me" (He.10:5-7; Ps.40:7) is Word based so it points to the covenant between the Father and the Son. "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,/I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."

    The fish and bread witness the spiritual body of the risen Christ.
  • Adam - In Reply - 2 weeks ago
    Hi Pepper,

    Jesus provided an answer to that question in Matthew 6:5-15.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt. 21:10-13 "Who is this?"

    "And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?"And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." Evangelist Matthew reports after he cleansed the temple Jesus introduces himself as " My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (v.13) Compare how John treats the same cleansing of the temple, " And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."(John2:17). John places the emphasis on "My Father's house." It is in this gospel we have this citation, "I and my Father are one."( John 10:30). In the Gospel of Matthew the book introduced Jesus as the son of Abraham and son of David. (Matt.1:1) St John having presented the logos aspect of Jesus Christ gives us a concrete example in this cleansing. My house is as valid as My Father's house. John continues the Alpha aspect of Jesus by the next verse, "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."(v.17)

    This just shows each Gospel has its inner logic and what drives them as one is the Alpha Omega aspect of the Son hitched to the word.

    John 2:18-23

    Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?/Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up./Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?/But he spake of the temple of his body."

    "Temple of the body" how marvelously the Spirit gives us a concrete image of the Word become flesh? We are made kings and priests into Jesus Christ and the church as his body must witness this aspect of our Savior Lord. (Re.1:6)

    Levitical priesthood was set for the Israelites as befitting their bootcamp, while Order of Melchizadec is forever.
  • Chris - In Reply - 2 weeks ago
    Hi BillyRay. Proverbs 6:17 will answer your first question; with verses 16-19 describing the 'seven things that are an abomination to God'. I can't think of a specific verse to answer your second question, though James 2:10 comes to mind: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

    As with anything that comes into our minds, whether to lie, lust or whatever, when we it begins to take hold, to affect our minds & consciences, we must deal with it speedily, in the power of the Spirit lest it becomes sin & we offend our Heavenly Father. Yet, there is forgiveness if we earnestly repent of it & seek to cast it aside ( 1 John 1:9).
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.25:13 "Watch therefore"

    " Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

    The driver is "faith" which activates his body, spirit and soul and when God breathed into the nostrils of man so no one may say he is an exception. The parable of the foolish virgins inform their failure was in quenching the spirit, the oil in their lamps. Without trimming the wick and all other motions are waste of time. Either they replenished their store or let it go waste. They were like the unprofitable servant who simply did not put the one talent he was entrusted with, to work for the glory of his Lord. The wise virgins gathered with the Lord were blessed to be found ready. "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath."(13:12)

    The bride hath made herself ready. The bride is distinct from the five foolish virgins who shall be shut out from the joy in heaven. "Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us./But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. "(vv.11-12) "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."(Re.19:7)

    Either Or is rooted in the very first separation. "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." (Ge.1:4) Based on this your labor in your field or at home shall not deliver you. Jesus refers to the antediluvian world

    " But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

    But selection shall follow the divine Will (Ge.1:4)

    "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left./ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left./ Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."(24:37-42)
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:1-5 "in my name"

    "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you./For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

    When Christ sent his disciple he laid down the principle of Association."He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.". He that received in the name of Jesus received the Father who sent him.(10:40). If this is the case, where is the deception? We see in our times, how preaching of gospel is a ruse for Televangelists to add to their acquisitions Universities, real estate, fleet of sleek autos and aircrafts. It is of them Jesus warned, "For mayy shall come in my name and shall decieve many. They do not have to say, "I am Christ" but the principle is already laid down. They are collecting 'in my name; since the gospel stands as witness against them. All the while camera is rolling under the lights controlled to set off the preacher performing his spiel it is not for the glory of Christ but for his own brand name.

    We see already the beginning of sorrows.(v.8) "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. In the post-pandemic days uncontrolled wild fires and monster surges snowstorms inundating cities are merely the beginning. Famine in Gaza, Ethiopia or in Sudan, street violence in Haiti the list can go on endlessly. These sorrows ought to make the complacent nations realize that manifest destiny for them is no different. Seek the Lord while he may be found.
  • Giannis - In Reply - 3 weeks ago
    Hi GiGi

    It true that in the past decades parents used to use spanking to discipline their kids. In my country even the teachers in the elementary schools would spank a kid, but that was until the 80's. The past generations favoured a very strict discilpine towards kids. But today that has changed. Why would you use spanking when you can get better results by using other methods? Personally if my father spanked me then I would definitely leave the house and I would cut off any communication with him. But he never did that although I did some terrible things. Similarly many kids would had done the same. I got a few from my mother when I was little but I never got it seriously really, it was like fun to me. And really I loved her very much,

    When I got married to my wife and we had our first and only child sometimes I would lay my hand on him when my patience was expiring because he was extremely naughty. But my wife, thanks God, gave me a warning. She wouldn't tolerate it. Thanks God I stopped before it was too late. My wife wouldn't tolerate anything against our son. Now I know she was always right. And my boy is OK now. We have been teaching him the right behavior, sometimes successfully, other times not so. God uses His love to make us obey, nobody will ever go to heaven because they were compelled to do so. He lets us free. He even let the prodigal son free, He never tried to object him leaving the house.

    I don't think Jesus or the apostles would ever favour spanking the kids. As I said there are always better methods to discipline them, ie cut off anything they like, God does that to us very often. You will get a better result and they will never ever think that we don't love them.

    You know not all kids take spanking the same way. There are sensitive kids that will show a strange behavior when they grow up. In some cases they will show the same behavior to their kids.

    Anyway, thanks for you answer but to be honest it didn't change my beliefs about spanking. GBU


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