I am in a bible study in church and I thought that there was a verse in Jhon where he said that he was enduring the tribulation of the first three seals.
I cant find the verse again. can you tell me if there is one ?
I don't think there is a verse that says that John endured the tribulation of the first three seals. Revelation Chapter 4 tells us that John was caught up in the spirit realm and got to see the events unfold on the earth as they were literally happening. John got to see the future in real-time. Physically, he was still on the island of Patmos, but spiritually, he was caught up into heaven and got to see it all unfold from above.
Personally, I believe this represents the church being caught up, as the church will no longer be mentioned during the tribulation period. The next mention of the church will be in Revelation Chapter 19, where we will be participating in the marriage supper of the lamb. So we see no mention of the church during the tribulation from Chapter 4 to Chapter 19. Revelation 19:14 mentions armies that will come back with Christ at His second coming. Those armies I believe are referring to the church.
I know jot of any verse in the gospel of John where he speaks of the first 3 seals of the tribulation spoken of in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
I have heard it spoken that the first seal has been opened with this "covid" hoax.
Because the first seal in Revelation 6 speaks about the rider of the white horse having a crown (Corona = crown in latin).
I am not fully convinced of this but don't count it out.
God didn't just give power to the Deciples He gave power toAll he has no respect of persons He said go in my name casting out devils lay hands on the sick and they Shall be healed
When the Lord comes, will he find the faith upon the earth? Will He find His people praying and trusting, or will He find them giving in and giving up?
When the Lord comes back, that's all that's going to be left. It's not a matter of how faithful we were with church attendance. The last days will get so tough in circumstances that it's a matter of us having necessity that we ought to always pray and never to faint and continue to trust the Lord no matter what is attacking us.
Sorry this was long. I hope I did this section some justice, and I hope this helps you!
In our English vocabulary, we probably say the jab, the boxer that jabs, continuously throwing the jab, wearing his opponent down so that he can throw the knockout punch. And he says she is continually coming. She is not going to give up.
And she had three things going against her. Number one, she was a woman, and a woman did not have any leverage in court whatsoever. Secondly, she was a widow. She had no husband to represent her in court. And thirdly she was poor, so she didn't have enough to give a bribe. So she just came and continued to come and wearied the judge.
In Verse 6, the word "hear" is a command. Hear what he said.
Verses 7 and 8 can be read together. Verse 8 says I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. It doesn't mean right away. It means when He judges, it will come fast. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find the faith upon the earth?
So He's contrasting. If the judge who has no regard for God and no regard for man, if he gives in because this widow continues to weary him with her continual coming, and he just gives in and says "Okay, I will rule in your favor, get out of here, leave me alone," that's not justice.
It is showing contrast. If God, who hears our every request, answers our requests as His children right away, it is in contrast to the unjust judge who answered somebody who persistently bothered him.
Some people teach that this parable means that if you want God to answer you, you must consistently bug Him. Weary God and He will give you your request. No, it is a contrast. You don't have to do that with God.
I send one more post. It will be short, I promise!
This is the parable of the unjust judge. It might help if I share the meaning of some words being used in this section. I may need more than one post so please bear with me.
The premise of this parable is in Verse 1, that men ought always to pray and not to faint. The word "ought" is the word necessary. It comes from the word DEO that means to bind. It is necessary for men always to pray and to not faint.
The word faint in the Greek text means to give in, to give up, or to give in to your circumstances. And as the Lord is explaining the difficulties that God's people will experience, He is now focusing on the main activity that the believer has with his or her Lord, and that is prayer, that when difficulties happen through circumstances, it's necessary for the believer to always pray and never to give in, or to never give up.
In other words, whatever situation I am in, my main focus is my circumstance or situation that I'm praying about. But prayer, when I ask for the Lord's will to be done, I am in submission to whatever the Lord wants to do. I'm letting go of that situation.
John says if you pray for the Lord's will to be done, then you have (present tense), you have the answer to your request. Things might not change in the circumstance. In fact, things might get worse from a human standpoint. But my alignment will be with the Lord.
If my alignment is not with the Lord I will give in, especially if I had to suffer what the early church had to suffer. And even in our day, it is necessary that we should always pray and not give in, or to not give up.
This is a parable of contrast. Verse 2 through 5 is the parable. In Verses 2 and 3, She is asking the court to come to her aid. The word adversary is a legal term that means the opponent in a court of law.
Then read Verses 4 and 5. The word weary in Greek means to give somebody a black eye. He's not worried about the woman attacking him. In fact, the word is a very special word.
The Deity of Christ bridging over from the old testament on to the new testament.
Malachi 2:17- Malachi 3:1. Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah 40:3. 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.
I cant sleep until i get this last bit out ,Genesis 22 is much more than the story of the testing of Abrahams faith ,it is the foreshadow of Christ sacrifice ,Isaac even carries the wood ,Abraham says 'God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering ' ,Isaac completely submits to his fathers will and there was a ram caught in a thicket which is Christ with a crown of thorns , its the story of a father sacrificing his only son, whom he loves ,if we accept that this is a foresshadowing of Jesus' sacrifice then Jesus cant be the sacrifice and the one who does the sacrificing ,the romans didnt kill Jesus and neither did the jews ,God sacrificed His only begotten Son ,who unlike Adam obeyed God totally and was therefore sinless and not deserving of death , as Adam and we do deserve it .This is not just the story of the trial of Abrahams faith it is the foreshadowing of the future and there is a sacrificer and a sacrifice.Father and son .Thankyou and goodnight and God bless you all for being so generous to me .
Here is Mark 13:32. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. There is nothing to explain there! Jesus says the son don't know and I believe him, And I agree with you Genesis 22 is a foreshadowing of God sacrificing the Lord, you asked how can Jesus be the sacrifice and the sacrificer, no point in explaining that either. The difference between me and you is you need an explanation to believe, I believe without the explanation, I also believe when the Lord says I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I believe that because he said it. I also believe Isaiah 9:6, John 14:9, and many other verses that proves his deity,
As equal important I believe Genesis 1:1. and I believe And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. I believe it because he's GOD! Jesus said he was not of this world, the scripture says Jesus came out of the bosom of the father and he go back to the father, Sacha The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. God is the creator who speaks things to exist out of thin air!! There is NOTHING he cant do! Do you believe that? If you do then your problem is not believing Mark 13:32, Your problem is accepting Mark 13:32. If God wanted to manifest himself into 10 beings at one time, disperse them all over the world with the father being the living Devine headquarters from whence they came, limiting them, and bring them back to there former Glory, Can he do it? NOTE: I'm not asking you did he do it! I'M ASKING YOU CAN HE DO IT? Yes he can. When it come to Jesus being The Almighty, Everlasting father, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. "GOD" manifesting himself in the flesh, The scripture says that's who he is and that's what he did. And I believe it.
satan was/is an angel who (because of pride) was cast out of his place as the worship leader of heaven. He still travels to and fro on the earth and even up to heaven to accuse the brethren before God. He is referred to as the dragon/that old serpent in the revelation. During the time of Jacob's trouble/ the Great Tribulation, he will be cast out permanently from heaven (Luke 10:18/Revelation 12:9). He is also spoken of in Ezekiel as the King of Tyre.
Lucifer, however, is (will be) a man; the antichrist, in whom satan will dwell. There are passages in Isaiah 14 about him, as well as in Ezekiel; where he is spoken of as the prince of Tyre. Also, in the Revelation, he is referred to as the beast.
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the word unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Concerning "spiritual gifts" being given to believers, years ago I was taught that the only gift we are actually given is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Our English bibles seem to indicate that God gives us other gifts. But does He?
I did a study in both the KJV and the Textus Receptus about gifts. I began in 1 Corinthians 12:1 where it says "Now concerning spiritual gifts." Our English bible says spiritual gifts, but the Greek does not have the word gifts.
The literal translation from the Greek text reads "Now concerning the things of the Spirit."
The things that we call "gifts," as if God is giving these gifts to us, are not gifts we receive. We are given His Spirit. That's the gift. Everything else that we call a gift, and I think there are nine things that are mentioned, they are not actually gifts that God gives us, but manifestations of His Spirit.
Throughout the NT, there is only one place that the Greek word for gift, as in giving a gift to someone is used. Every other place the word gift is used, a different Greek word is used and it describes the capacities of the Holy Spirit. Paul taught that there is one Spirit and He has all the abilities and capacities for all of the ministry things of God.
The Greek text uses two different words for our word gift. The only place I see the word gift used in the New Testament that refers to a gift that is actually given to us is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 2:38, Peter says you shall receive the (gift) of the Holy Ghost. The word gift here is actually a gift that's given. It's the word DIDOMAI. It means to give. Every other place where the word gift is found, the word used is CHARISMA. It comes from the word CHARIS which means grace. CHARISMA is an expression of God's grace. It has nothing to do with a gift that is given to us.
The only gift we are promised and given is the gift of the Holy Spirit. All the other gifts (CHARISMA) are the capacities of God's Spirit and expressions of His grace.
Very good detail to come up with in your study Jesse. As I checked you are correct and the word "gifts" is not in the Textus Receptus in (1 Corinthians 12:1. Great job! God shall choose what gifts to bloom through His Holy Ghost in all His different members of the body of Christ. By His Will. Amen.
God gives us one gift, His Spirit. I agree with you in that "God shall choose what gifts to bloom through His Holy Ghost in all His different members of the body of Christ. By His Will."
It's through His Spirit who has the ability and capacity to do all these things through us that we call "gifts." And yes indeed, I fully agree that it is by His will, not ours!
I am looking at 1 Corinthians 12:1 that says But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
I can see where the confusion comes in. We look at that and we think that we are supposed to seek for and ask God to give us the best gifts/s. But God only gives us one gift, His Spirit. I mean if God sovereignly gives according to His will, it doesn't make any difference what we ask for, right? He does what He wants. And that's the emphasis!
The last phrase, "And yet I shew I unto you a more excellent way."
Paul has already talked about the ministry of the one Spirit of God who He Himself has all the abilities and capacities. And God sovereignly ministers to me and through me, by His one Spirit, through various expressions of grace according to His will.
It's very simple until we start getting into the teachings that twist things like that last verse. People will say that God wants you to come and ask for the "best gifts" for yourself. But that's not what it's making reference to!
Here it speaks of John the Baptist, and Jesus said John was the greatest of all the prophets.
Verse 15 says John was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb . So John did not live a life of sin . Yet John is not The Son of God like Jesus , because John has a fleshy father called Zechariah.
Jesus father was God via the Holy Spirit .
Two very different births both living Holy lives .
Jesus is the Son of God not a prophet like John . John expressed this at Jesus Baptism.
Jesus Born of God and God being with him . Yet only the Son of God .
Not God himself . Two distinct identities.
If you asked Jesus for his address then it would have been from Nazareth.
If you asked God the father for his address it would be in heaven , eternally, With no limitations.
People often say Jesus was before the world .
Yes so is anyone born of God . If a person is born of God , God is with them (God does not have limitations Of this world but is eternal) . Jesus was born of God in a way John was not .
No man can say I was before the world unless he is born of God .
John was the best of all and acknowledged he was not worthy to unloose Jesus boot straps .
I hope this helps some , I don't want to write a book .
Not until Christ rose from the dead were we given the power over sin, ""Not sinless but nolonger running after sin"".
( Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.)
John knew himself Jesus baptism was different and he needed it
Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Before the Christ was crucified and rose again there was a dwelling of the Holyspirit for God's servants to minister but there wasn't a baptism of the Holyspirit that proceeded after the Lamb slain for the sins of the World. by which we minister and by which we are "Positionally sanctified " ( Forever cleansed from the penalty of sin)
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Romans 3:23-24. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Yes John inherited flesh from Adam and needed to be born again .
But When God the father wants to do something or use someone, no one can prevent him from his will .
Remember Jesus said God could raise up stones to worship as Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey ?
With God all things are possible, he proves that often .
If God chooses to use anyone he will equip and use them .
So John the man was used by God , read about it ...
God seems to enjoy doing the impossible for those that trust him . How about the parting of the Red Sea ! That's contrary to the laws of nature . So many examples in the bible .
Just one question to your post. As most is accurate. So if John the baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb how can you, in another post, and others, think Jesus Christ received the Holy Ghost at His water baptism?
Jesus was Born of God through Mary and the Holy Spirit .
At Jesus baptism Jesus was anointed by the father with the Holy Spirit for Jesus ministry that he finished! Amen
Anointing is for service to God .
It shows how the father is in control of the Holy Spirit ...
Without anointing by God , all is vain service . We need to walk holy lives to please God , a challenge indeed. You can not sin and be lead by the Holy Spirit , John was an exceptional man being led by the Holy Spirit from the womb . Yes John had a special service to be a light for the Lord Jesus .
Love your quest to know everything about Jesus; why he did things the way he did them. All these things are recorded in Scripture. This event is a prophesy fulfilled.
3:15 It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness - It becometh every messenger of God to observe all his righteous ordinances. But the particular meaning of our Lord seems to be, that it becometh us to do (me to receive baptism, and you to administer it) in order to fulfil, that is, that I may fully perform every part of the righteous law of God, and the commission he hath given me.
Mt 3:15 Suffer [it to be so] now. The term "now" implies that the relation of Jesus to his work made it proper that now he should be baptized. It is true that baptism was for sinners; Jesus was sinless; but he humbled himself, accepted the burden of human duties, and must set a perfect example to men. He obeyed the Jewish law, and it was needful also that he obey the Divine rite that John had inaugurated. Thus it becometh us. In order to fulfill all righteousness, show forth a perfect obedience, set a perfect example, it became him to submit to the institution of baptism, and it became John to administer it to him. "Us" refers to Jesus and John.
Comment by Mishael:
There are CHARTS online of Every Prophesy, the life of Jesus fulfilled on earth. Put that in Google and find those charts. Save to your Google desktop for easy reference.
The day Jesus died on the Cross for our sins; over 100 prophesies were Fulfilled. Or, marked DONE. The ODDS of that being done by one person exceeds the number of stars in our Universe! :)
This is the Man, prophesied to save us from our sins, and give us eternal life. Trust Him.
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life".
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
(2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
I cant find the verse again. can you tell me if there is one ?
Thanks Matt G R
Thanks alot for your reply to the question that I had. I was in a discusion with a friend of mine, if we are in
pre-tribulation or in tribulation. I to think that this covid hoax could very well be the begining.
I don't think there is a verse that says that John endured the tribulation of the first three seals. Revelation Chapter 4 tells us that John was caught up in the spirit realm and got to see the events unfold on the earth as they were literally happening. John got to see the future in real-time. Physically, he was still on the island of Patmos, but spiritually, he was caught up into heaven and got to see it all unfold from above.
Personally, I believe this represents the church being caught up, as the church will no longer be mentioned during the tribulation period. The next mention of the church will be in Revelation Chapter 19, where we will be participating in the marriage supper of the lamb. So we see no mention of the church during the tribulation from Chapter 4 to Chapter 19. Revelation 19:14 mentions armies that will come back with Christ at His second coming. Those armies I believe are referring to the church.
I know jot of any verse in the gospel of John where he speaks of the first 3 seals of the tribulation spoken of in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
I have heard it spoken that the first seal has been opened with this "covid" hoax.
Because the first seal in Revelation 6 speaks about the rider of the white horse having a crown (Corona = crown in latin).
I am not fully convinced of this but don't count it out.
Hope this helps,
Andrew
Look at the question in Verse 8, the predicament:
When the Lord comes, will he find the faith upon the earth? Will He find His people praying and trusting, or will He find them giving in and giving up?
When the Lord comes back, that's all that's going to be left. It's not a matter of how faithful we were with church attendance. The last days will get so tough in circumstances that it's a matter of us having necessity that we ought to always pray and never to faint and continue to trust the Lord no matter what is attacking us.
Sorry this was long. I hope I did this section some justice, and I hope this helps you!
In our English vocabulary, we probably say the jab, the boxer that jabs, continuously throwing the jab, wearing his opponent down so that he can throw the knockout punch. And he says she is continually coming. She is not going to give up.
And she had three things going against her. Number one, she was a woman, and a woman did not have any leverage in court whatsoever. Secondly, she was a widow. She had no husband to represent her in court. And thirdly she was poor, so she didn't have enough to give a bribe. So she just came and continued to come and wearied the judge.
In Verse 6, the word "hear" is a command. Hear what he said.
Verses 7 and 8 can be read together. Verse 8 says I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. It doesn't mean right away. It means when He judges, it will come fast. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find the faith upon the earth?
So He's contrasting. If the judge who has no regard for God and no regard for man, if he gives in because this widow continues to weary him with her continual coming, and he just gives in and says "Okay, I will rule in your favor, get out of here, leave me alone," that's not justice.
It is showing contrast. If God, who hears our every request, answers our requests as His children right away, it is in contrast to the unjust judge who answered somebody who persistently bothered him.
Some people teach that this parable means that if you want God to answer you, you must consistently bug Him. Weary God and He will give you your request. No, it is a contrast. You don't have to do that with God.
I send one more post. It will be short, I promise!
This is the parable of the unjust judge. It might help if I share the meaning of some words being used in this section. I may need more than one post so please bear with me.
The premise of this parable is in Verse 1, that men ought always to pray and not to faint. The word "ought" is the word necessary. It comes from the word DEO that means to bind. It is necessary for men always to pray and to not faint.
The word faint in the Greek text means to give in, to give up, or to give in to your circumstances. And as the Lord is explaining the difficulties that God's people will experience, He is now focusing on the main activity that the believer has with his or her Lord, and that is prayer, that when difficulties happen through circumstances, it's necessary for the believer to always pray and never to give in, or to never give up.
In other words, whatever situation I am in, my main focus is my circumstance or situation that I'm praying about. But prayer, when I ask for the Lord's will to be done, I am in submission to whatever the Lord wants to do. I'm letting go of that situation.
John says if you pray for the Lord's will to be done, then you have (present tense), you have the answer to your request. Things might not change in the circumstance. In fact, things might get worse from a human standpoint. But my alignment will be with the Lord.
If my alignment is not with the Lord I will give in, especially if I had to suffer what the early church had to suffer. And even in our day, it is necessary that we should always pray and not give in, or to not give up.
This is a parable of contrast. Verse 2 through 5 is the parable. In Verses 2 and 3, She is asking the court to come to her aid. The word adversary is a legal term that means the opponent in a court of law.
Then read Verses 4 and 5. The word weary in Greek means to give somebody a black eye. He's not worried about the woman attacking him. In fact, the word is a very special word.
I'll send more!
Malachi 2:17- Malachi 3:1. Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah 40:3. 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.
Mark 1:2-4
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
NOTE: In Isaiah and Malachi the plural form for God is used. ( El-o-heem' ) as it is in Deuteronomy 6:4.
Who was the messenger preparing the way for God as mentioned? 'John the baptist'
When God came who did he show up as? " The Lord Jesus Christ. God bless.
You asked in your post for someone to explain Mark 13:32 and genesis 22,
Here is Mark 13:32. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. There is nothing to explain there! Jesus says the son don't know and I believe him, And I agree with you Genesis 22 is a foreshadowing of God sacrificing the Lord, you asked how can Jesus be the sacrifice and the sacrificer, no point in explaining that either. The difference between me and you is you need an explanation to believe, I believe without the explanation, I also believe when the Lord says I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I believe that because he said it. I also believe Isaiah 9:6, John 14:9, and many other verses that proves his deity,
As equal important I believe Genesis 1:1. and I believe And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. I believe it because he's GOD! Jesus said he was not of this world, the scripture says Jesus came out of the bosom of the father and he go back to the father, Sacha The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. God is the creator who speaks things to exist out of thin air!! There is NOTHING he cant do! Do you believe that? If you do then your problem is not believing Mark 13:32, Your problem is accepting Mark 13:32. If God wanted to manifest himself into 10 beings at one time, disperse them all over the world with the father being the living Devine headquarters from whence they came, limiting them, and bring them back to there former Glory, Can he do it? NOTE: I'm not asking you did he do it! I'M ASKING YOU CAN HE DO IT? Yes he can. When it come to Jesus being The Almighty, Everlasting father, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. "GOD" manifesting himself in the flesh, The scripture says that's who he is and that's what he did. And I believe it.
satan was/is an angel who (because of pride) was cast out of his place as the worship leader of heaven. He still travels to and fro on the earth and even up to heaven to accuse the brethren before God. He is referred to as the dragon/that old serpent in the revelation. During the time of Jacob's trouble/ the Great Tribulation, he will be cast out permanently from heaven (Luke 10:18/Revelation 12:9). He is also spoken of in Ezekiel as the King of Tyre.
Lucifer, however, is (will be) a man; the antichrist, in whom satan will dwell. There are passages in Isaiah 14 about him, as well as in Ezekiel; where he is spoken of as the prince of Tyre. Also, in the Revelation, he is referred to as the beast.
Hope this helps as you search the scriptures.
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the word unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
I did a study in both the KJV and the Textus Receptus about gifts. I began in 1 Corinthians 12:1 where it says "Now concerning spiritual gifts." Our English bible says spiritual gifts, but the Greek does not have the word gifts.
The literal translation from the Greek text reads "Now concerning the things of the Spirit."
The things that we call "gifts," as if God is giving these gifts to us, are not gifts we receive. We are given His Spirit. That's the gift. Everything else that we call a gift, and I think there are nine things that are mentioned, they are not actually gifts that God gives us, but manifestations of His Spirit.
Throughout the NT, there is only one place that the Greek word for gift, as in giving a gift to someone is used. Every other place the word gift is used, a different Greek word is used and it describes the capacities of the Holy Spirit. Paul taught that there is one Spirit and He has all the abilities and capacities for all of the ministry things of God.
The Greek text uses two different words for our word gift. The only place I see the word gift used in the New Testament that refers to a gift that is actually given to us is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 2:38, Peter says you shall receive the (gift) of the Holy Ghost. The word gift here is actually a gift that's given. It's the word DIDOMAI. It means to give. Every other place where the word gift is found, the word used is CHARISMA. It comes from the word CHARIS which means grace. CHARISMA is an expression of God's grace. It has nothing to do with a gift that is given to us.
The only gift we are promised and given is the gift of the Holy Spirit. All the other gifts (CHARISMA) are the capacities of God's Spirit and expressions of His grace.
God gives us one gift, His Spirit. I agree with you in that "God shall choose what gifts to bloom through His Holy Ghost in all His different members of the body of Christ. By His Will."
It's through His Spirit who has the ability and capacity to do all these things through us that we call "gifts." And yes indeed, I fully agree that it is by His will, not ours!
I am looking at 1 Corinthians 12:1 that says But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
I can see where the confusion comes in. We look at that and we think that we are supposed to seek for and ask God to give us the best gifts/s. But God only gives us one gift, His Spirit. I mean if God sovereignly gives according to His will, it doesn't make any difference what we ask for, right? He does what He wants. And that's the emphasis!
The last phrase, "And yet I shew I unto you a more excellent way."
Paul has already talked about the ministry of the one Spirit of God who He Himself has all the abilities and capacities. And God sovereignly ministers to me and through me, by His one Spirit, through various expressions of grace according to His will.
It's very simple until we start getting into the teachings that twist things like that last verse. People will say that God wants you to come and ask for the "best gifts" for yourself. But that's not what it's making reference to!
Here it speaks of John the Baptist, and Jesus said John was the greatest of all the prophets.
Verse 15 says John was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb . So John did not live a life of sin . Yet John is not The Son of God like Jesus , because John has a fleshy father called Zechariah.
Jesus father was God via the Holy Spirit .
Two very different births both living Holy lives .
Jesus is the Son of God not a prophet like John . John expressed this at Jesus Baptism.
Jesus Born of God and God being with him . Yet only the Son of God .
Not God himself . Two distinct identities.
If you asked Jesus for his address then it would have been from Nazareth.
If you asked God the father for his address it would be in heaven , eternally, With no limitations.
People often say Jesus was before the world .
Yes so is anyone born of God . If a person is born of God , God is with them (God does not have limitations Of this world but is eternal) . Jesus was born of God in a way John was not .
No man can say I was before the world unless he is born of God .
John was the best of all and acknowledged he was not worthy to unloose Jesus boot straps .
I hope this helps some , I don't want to write a book .
I believe anyone born again can make that claim, because of we being baptized in Christ, "read Romans 6.
BUT that don't make us sinless, as long as we're in these bodies sin is there,
read Romans 7.
Not until Christ rose from the dead were we given the power over sin, ""Not sinless but nolonger running after sin"".
( Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.)
John knew himself Jesus baptism was different and he needed it
Matthew 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Before the Christ was crucified and rose again there was a dwelling of the Holyspirit for God's servants to minister but there wasn't a baptism of the Holyspirit that proceeded after the Lamb slain for the sins of the World. by which we minister and by which we are "Positionally sanctified " ( Forever cleansed from the penalty of sin)
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Romans 3:23-24. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
But When God the father wants to do something or use someone, no one can prevent him from his will .
Remember Jesus said God could raise up stones to worship as Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey ?
With God all things are possible, he proves that often .
If God chooses to use anyone he will equip and use them .
So John the man was used by God , read about it ...
God seems to enjoy doing the impossible for those that trust him . How about the parting of the Red Sea ! That's contrary to the laws of nature . So many examples in the bible .
Just one question to your post. As most is accurate. So if John the baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb how can you, in another post, and others, think Jesus Christ received the Holy Ghost at His water baptism?
Thank you.
At Jesus baptism Jesus was anointed by the father with the Holy Spirit for Jesus ministry that he finished! Amen
Anointing is for service to God .
It shows how the father is in control of the Holy Spirit ...
Without anointing by God , all is vain service . We need to walk holy lives to please God , a challenge indeed. You can not sin and be lead by the Holy Spirit , John was an exceptional man being led by the Holy Spirit from the womb . Yes John had a special service to be a light for the Lord Jesus .
Wesley's Notes for Matthew 3:15
3:15 It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness - It becometh every messenger of God to observe all his righteous ordinances. But the particular meaning of our Lord seems to be, that it becometh us to do (me to receive baptism, and you to administer it) in order to fulfil, that is, that I may fully perform every part of the righteous law of God, and the commission he hath given me.
People's Bible Notes for Matthew 3:15
Mt 3:15 Suffer [it to be so] now. The term "now" implies that the relation of Jesus to his work made it proper that now he should be baptized. It is true that baptism was for sinners; Jesus was sinless; but he humbled himself, accepted the burden of human duties, and must set a perfect example to men. He obeyed the Jewish law, and it was needful also that he obey the Divine rite that John had inaugurated. Thus it becometh us. In order to fulfill all righteousness, show forth a perfect obedience, set a perfect example, it became him to submit to the institution of baptism, and it became John to administer it to him. "Us" refers to Jesus and John.
Comment by Mishael:
There are CHARTS online of Every Prophesy, the life of Jesus fulfilled on earth. Put that in Google and find those charts. Save to your Google desktop for easy reference.
The day Jesus died on the Cross for our sins; over 100 prophesies were Fulfilled. Or, marked DONE. The ODDS of that being done by one person exceeds the number of stars in our Universe! :)
This is the Man, prophesied to save us from our sins, and give us eternal life. Trust Him.