Verse 34: Mary did not have doubt, but she was inquiring how she would become pregnant without having sexual relations. Mary was not ashamed of her virginity.
Verse 19: Zechariah doubted Gabriel's words. Although this message would have been hard to believe, Zechariah should have thought back to how Jehovah God blessed Abraham and Sarah with a child in their old age and that he still had the power to perform the same miracle.
It sounds like Luke was talking to a special people, maybe even people in the medical profession.....but my most inward parts tells me he is talking to a nation of people....perhaps even his peers....
" But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." If there is not a true repentance, and verifiable thorough-going conversion; if there is not an absolute and complete ceasing of sinning and turning one's back on the world, the flesh and the devil; all the church and Scripture quoting in the world will not get you into the kingdom of heaven!
"..it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto you in order, most excellent Theophilus, that you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been instructed." Theophilus was the High Priest at the time; and it was to confirm the fulfillment of the Scriptures, to those ordained to be the Keepers of the Holy Testimony.
"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." "..every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God" 1 Jn. 4:1-6.
V. 3 - " ..... most excellent Theophulis; v.4 - "That thou mightiest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed." "excellent" sounds like perhaps he was someone of the Temple, but Luke does not say, so neither can we state it as fact. But, he was a convert to Christianity of Luke's, We can know that much as per Luke's words to him. cont.
V. 36 - the angel Gabriel told Mary of Elisabeth's pregnancy. When you think on it, it seems 'odd' because now everybody concerned knows as soon as the couple knows. But then you think of the distance between Mary and Elis. and also their lives were just the same ol' same ol'; AND Elis. was 'old' so ...............
The great King of Heaven-Jesus, is preparing to come down to this lowly, filthy, sins-soaked earth on His mission of redemption. Mary is blessed to be the channel of His birth and Elisabeth to bring forth John, the precursor prophet. All these plans have been in place since the beginning of time. Praise God.
The great King of Heaven-Jesus, is preparing to come down to this lowly, filthy, sins-soaked earth on His mission of redemption. Mary is blessed to be the channel of His birth and Elisabeth to bring forth John, the precursor prophet. All these plans have been in place since the beginning of time. Praise God.
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth ? I tell you , Nay; but rather division. Luke12:51. Jesus will separate the bad from the good. Jesus wants no part of evil . I really understand that verse.
"It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto you in order, most excellent Theophilus, that you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you hast been instructed." I found something very interesting in Josephus; where he says that after Joseph Caiaphas, Jonathan became High Priest; and after Jonathan, his brother Theophilus.
Jedonai, You dare to say that we aren't able to keep God's commands? What God commands us to do; to love Him with all our being, and our neighbor as our selves; love out of a pure heart and a good conscience, and faith without hypocrisy; to not commit murder, adultery, lying, stealing, or coveting anything that is our neighbor's, and honoring our parents; Jesus said, "This do, and you shall live."
steve:what is the WILL of GOD?
This is the will of God. Luke 10:27. And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Just ponder over it continually in your heart and the Holy Spirit will guide you.
disciple: No one can keep the commandments! They show us how sinful we are, in need of a perfect Sacrifice. Hebrews 10:12/ Without The Blood of The Lamb,The Son of God,there is no Salvation. The Father will call: John 6:44/Forgiving 1John 1:9/Baptized with the Holy Ghost: Matthew 3:11/You will be made new 2Corinthians5:17 you will know impossible not to know! We're Holy before Him because of JESUS
Eliz. barrenness wasn't an unfortunate circumstance; it was God's plan to bring forth John at that time. Why John 'n Jesus were born 6 mos. apart I don't know; God has His planned timing. I concur that Zach. 'n Eliz. were sad about no children, but they stayed with the Lord in spite of trials. And were they BLESSED!!! God is so GOOD - all the time - if we will just trust Him, with patience.
"And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years." Difficulties and sorrows and being deprived of the natural comforts and good things of this life, did not keep Zechariah and Elizabeth from loving the LORD and walking faithfully with Him; and they found out one day, how God had a special plan for them: to be the parents of John the Baptist!
"And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." God has given us commandments and statutes for living good and holy before Him. The reason He gave us commandments, is for us to do them, that we may live and be blessed. We have all heard the devil's lies, saying that "no one can keep the commandments;" this is to get us to sin!
"...most excellent Theophilus," I found out, by reading in Josephus, that Theophilus was the High Priest at the time Luke wrote his books about Jesus coming in the flesh, and the subsequent divine workings begun upon the Disciples after His ascension and glory. The sons of Aaron were charged with keeping of the Holy Things of God for Israel; and it was necessary to give them the Completed Witness.
"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;" When we are really saved and have the Spirit of Christ; then we are made His witnesses by having been exercised in His grace through experience and proving.
I think it is awesome, i prayed for understanding and comprehension and meditated on this for the first time. It is a revelation and i also feel blessed and loved by the Lord who i want to walk in a holier relationship. I feel disciplined and more purposeful. God Bless us and help us to be truley your people!!
In verses 6 and 7 Elizabeth was barren, but this doesn't mean she didn't have God's favor because in verse 6 she is described as righteous. Unfortunate circumstances happen to good people sometimes.
This is the will of God. Luke 10:27. And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Just ponder over it continually in your heart and the Holy Spirit will guide you.