I will Pay My Vow

 

As we listen to the local, national and the international news, we can’t avoid hearing of the surging crime rate in the world, and the havoc it brings to bear in communities around the world. This is the result of the sin of Adam and Eve in Eden almost 7, 000 years ago. And is passed on from generation to generation by the seed of Adam and can only be delivered by faith in the power of the “Blood of Jesus Christ” that was shed over 2,000 years ago on the slopes of a hill near Jerusalem called Calvary PS 116:14-18; King David writes;

“ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people, In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord“.

David uses the Nation of Israel as witnesses as he made a public “Vow unto the Lord”. There are vows that are made in private prayer unto the Lord that no one other than God and the person making the vow hears or knows about. These are as binding as those made in public.

In a number of programs on T.V. by the televangelist’s in their “fund raising” ask the audience to make pledges or “vows to the Lord” to send gifts to their ministry. This is to create a feeling of “guilt” if they later question their liberality in making their pledge. They use the term “seed faith” in relation to the gift sent to or promised to the program.

In the O.T. the word “seed” S # 223 “zera” is used 223 times and refers # 1 to the “kernel” of the grain that when planted in the ground and “watered” and fertilized will “sprout” and reproduce hundreds of its kind.

# 2 It is used to the “semen” of a man or beast that is released and planted in the womb of the female of its kind will fertilize the “egg” of the female and after a “gestation period” will reproduce its self.

# 3 It also refers to the descendants from an “original source“; As in sons of God or Abraham.

# 4 It can also refer to a “race of people“.

In the O.T. there are two Hebrew words for “vow” S# 5087 “nadir” to make a vow and S# 5088 “neder” a vow or a votive offering. The word “Vow” is preceded by the word “pay” S# 7999 “shalam” to make amends, or restitution ; as to pay a debt that is owed. When a person in prayer unto God in seeking for God to grant a request understands that Prayer is the “Sincere desire of the heart”;

The first use of the word vow is in Genesis 28:20 where Jacob made a vow unto God saying; “If thou will be with me, and will keep me in the way that I go and will give me bread to eat and clothing to put on; So that when I come again to my father’s house in peace; then the Lord [ S# 3068 Yehovah; Hebrew, Jehovah; English] will be my God. [S# 430 "Elohiym" plural for Godhead]

In O.T. times the “making of a vow unto God” was accompanied by an offering. When Jacob made this “vow unto God” he took the stone that he sat on and

Poured oil upon it and then vowed unto God.

In the N.T. the word for “vow” is S#2171 “euche” a votive obligation to God. In the N.T. Christians are instructed in Romans 12:1 ” I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”. In Exodus 30:10; Aaron was commanded to “Pour the blood of the “sin offering” upon the horns of the altar once in a year as an “offering for sin” throughout your generations. It is most holy unto the Lord.

Presenting an “offering unto God” began early after the completion of the creation process; in Genesis 4: Cain and Abel; the sons of Adam and Eve” in the process of time; brought offerings unto God without any recorded commandment to do so. And Abel’s offering was accepted by God because it was a “blood offering” that cost the life of an animal. Cain’s offering was rejected because it was of the “fruit of the ground“. This resulted in the “sin of Jealousy being revealed and the first murder being committed.

We learn from Heb 10:1-7 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure”.

Because of this fact; God sent his son Gal 4:4-6 ” But when the fullness 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. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father“.

Instructions are given in Leviticus 22:17-33 to Moses regarding the whole burnt offering; First it was required to be a “freewill offering”, next the offering would be a male without blemish from the herd of sheep or goats. Verse # 22 warns against presenting an animal that had defects; such as, broken or maimed or having a wen, [running sore] scurvy, [cause to itch] scabbed, [wounded] or lacking in parts. The offering could not be bruised, crushed, broken or cut. And it could not be from a strangers [a Gentile] hand because of corruption.

The same principle applies to the Christian Church today. 1 Cor 12:27 ” Now ye are the body of Christ , and members in particular”. Rom 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”. Where the O.T. animal sacrifices would not be accepted if they showed signs of physical abuse or injury; when we present our bodies to God as a sacrifice if it is scared by sin will also be rejected until it is washed and made white by the blood of Jesus.

There are two instances in the N.T. where “vows” according to O.T. Scriptures were made, In Acts 18:18 Paul in route from Corinth to Syria with Priscilla and Aquila had shorn his head “for he had a vow”. And in Acts 21:23 Paul is making a report to James and the Elders at Jerusalem and with him were four converted Jewish brethren “that had a vow” and he was told to “take them and purify thyself with them” that they know that you are not breaking the law. The Jewish believers were in a transition period in moving from “keepers of the Law” to living under Grace and were very careful not to offend the Jewish Christians. This did not change the fact that according to Rom 10:4-5 that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every ne that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law; That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

When a person in prayer makes a “vow” or commitment to God it is good to remember the words of Solomon in Eccl 5:4-5 ” When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay”.Too many people with good intentions after hearing an inspired sermon will make vows to pray more, visit more, study the Bible more, love the family more and other things to improve their life and relationship with God.

KJV

www.Godswordtooyou.com

revashelton@aol.com

Questions and Comments are welcomed

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Adultery-Fornication

 

FORNICATION-ADULTERY
The above named sins have been the cause of more heart-ache, sorrow and destruction of family relationship than any other sin.
First I want to give the Bible definition of “Sin”: From the N.T. There are three Greek words that are translated “sin”;
S# N.T.264 “ a(marta/nw hamartano (ham-ar-tan’-o); perhaps from NT:1 (as a negative particle) and the base of NT:3313; properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin: “for your faults, offend, sin, trespass”. This word is used 43 times in the N.T.
S# N.T. 266 “hamartia, hamartias, he”
a failing to hit the mark
1.a sinning, whether it occurs by omission or commission, in thought and feeling or in speech and action
2.that which is done wrong, committed or resultant sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act 1 John 3:4
a.generally: James 1:15
b.some particular evil deed Acts 7:60
3.collectively, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many
4.abstract for the concrete, equivalent to
“hamartoolos”
This word is used 173 times in the N.T.
S# 268; “hamartoolos, hamartoolon”
devoted to sin, a (masculine or feminine) sinner.
a.not free from sin.
b.pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked
a. universally: 1 Tim 1:9
This word is used 47 times in the N.T.
And S# NT:361 anamarteetos, anamarteetonsinless, both one who has not sinned, and one who cannot sin. This word is used only one time in John 8:7.
James writes; in 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”.
From the beginning of the creation of “Mankind”; God designed the “Family unit of Husband, Wife and Children”.
Gen 2:23-25 And Adam said; “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed”.
Notice: The scripture says; “The man and his wife”; not man and woman; were “naked and not ashamed”.
There are three types of sexual sins; # 1;Fornication; [Illicit sex between a man and a woman with-out the bond of marriage]# 2 Adultery; [committing a sexual act between persons that are married to others.] # 3 Homosexual acts; [Sex between couples of the same sex. All of these fall under the description of the “Works of the flesh” listed in Galatians 5:19-21; “And they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.

FORNICATION
[for nih KAY shun] — sexual relationships outside the bonds of marriage. The technical distinction between fornication and ADULTERY is that adultery involves married persons while fornication involves those who are unmarried. But the New Testament often uses the term in a general sense for anything that is “unchaste”. Of the seven lists of sins found in the writings of the apostle Paul, the word fornication is found in five of them and is first on the list each time (1 Cor 5:11; Col 3:5). In the Book of Revelation, “Spiritual fornication” is symbolic of how idolatry and pagan religion defiles true worship of God (Rev 14:8; 17:4).
(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
ADULTERY; “A married woman or man; cohabiting with another’s spouse”. The prevalent polygamy in patriarchal times rendered it impossible to stigmatize as adultery the cohabitation of a married man with another besides his wife. But as Jesus saith, from the beginning it was not so, for He which made male and female said, They twain shall be one flesh. So the Samaritan Pentateuch reads Gen 2:24, as it is quoted in Matt 19:5. A fallen world undergoing a gradual course of remedial measures needs anomalies to be pretermitted for a time (Rom 3:25 margin; Acts 17:30), until it becomes appropriate for a higher stage, in its progress toward its finally perfect state. God sanctions nothing but perfection; but optimism is out of place in governing a fallen world not yet ripe for it. The junction of the two into one flesh when sexual intercourse takes place with a third is dissolved in its original idea”.
“Faussets’ Bible Dictionary”:
Exodus 20:14; “Thou shalt not commit adultery”. From the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai; God in establishing the family as a unit consisting of the Father, Mother and Children; designed a lifestyle for a man and a woman to be joined together as Husband and wife for life.
Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:27-32; the difference in the Old Covenant and the New Covenant concerning marriage and divorce.
The words of Jesus; “Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time,[ Ex.20:14 & Deut. 5:18] Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust [S# 1937 “epithumeo”; lust for, desire, long for, covet] after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
The penalty for this sin under the Law was; Deut 22:21–“ If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.” This death was to be by stoning and it was to be a public event at the “gate of the city”.
“If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed to an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her: Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; The damsel, because she cried not, [called for help] being in the city: [help was available] and the man because he hath humbled [shamed] his neighbor’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you”.
The Law concerning “chastity” is found in Deut. 22:13-21; To put it in simple terms; If a man took a wife and “goes into her to consummate the marriage” and finds that she is not a “maid” [virgin] and goes out and degrades her character by declaring to the public that she was not the virgin she claimed to be; Then her father “shall bring his daughter with her mother and bring the “token of his daughter’s virginity” [ A piece of cloth “stained with blood” taken from her virginal area] and present it to the Elders at the gate of the city as proof of her virginity and tell the Elders “this man has shamed my daughter” by saying my daughter is not a virgin. The Elders would then chastise him and demand payment of 100 shekels of silver in payment for his “wrong doing”.

The next verse deals with a man who forces [rapes] a woman that is betrothed [engaged] to a man into a sexual act; then the man only shall die.
Paul deals extensively with this subject in 1st. Corinthians 7: In verse # 36 he writes; “If any man thinks that he behaves himself uncomely[S# 807 unseemly, problem with sexual desires ] toward his virgin [S# 3933 young unmarried woman] If she has passed the “flower of her age” [reached maturity as a woman] and need so require, [and has natural desires for sex] let them marry [then consummate the marriage to satisfy their sexual desires] they have committed no sin. The word “his” [S# 3588 a demonstrative pronoun]; denoting a commitment to or the promise of marriage.
The words “put away” S# 630 “apoluoo”; To dismiss, divorce, set free; means to break or disannul the marriage bond or contract. The next part of this verse gives the only legitimate reason for divorce and remarriage is the sin of “fornication”. Mark 10:11-12 includes the same penalty for a woman as a man. The Gospel of Luke 16: 18 repeats the same teaching.
Paul writes in 1Tim. 5:14 “I will therefore that the young women marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully”.
In 1st. Corinthians 7: Paul teaches that it is “good” for a man not to touch [S# 680; to connect intimately] a woman. But to avoid the sin of fornication; let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Then he instructs the married couples to “render due benevolence” [NT:3782 “that which is owed; properly, a debt”: Matt 18:32; metaphorical plural, dues: Rom 13:7; specifically, of conjugal duty (R.V. her due), 1 Cor 7:.(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000,
From this text it is very clear that it is not only the duty; but the will of God and the command of the Holy Scriptures, for both husband and wife to satisfy each others’ sexual needs. But there are times in the Christians’ life when by mutual agreement the husband and wife will refrain from sexual activity that they may devote themselves to “fasting and prayer”. And then after the committed time; they “come together again”; to avoid the temptation of Satan for the lack of “incontinency”. [S# 193; lack of self control]
Paul continues with; “I speak this by permission and not by commandment. For I wish that all men were unmarried as I”; See ch.9:5. But every man has his proper gift of God, And some are different from others.Ch.7:7 “I say to the unmarried [men] and widows; It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, [S# 1467 to exercise self restraint, or chastity] let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
In the Epistle to the Romans chapter 13: 9 cites the list of “Thou shalt not’s” beginning with “Thou shalt not commit adultery”, And in verse # 13 he warns against “chambering” [S# 2485 NT:2846 “cohabitation, whether lawful or unlawful”] and “wantonness” S# 766 also translated as lasciviousness and filthy.
This sin has caused more men and women in the church to be tempted and “fall from grace” than any other sin.
James 1:14-15; “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”.
The seriousness of this sin is made clear when Jesus said in Matt 5:28 “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”. When a man or woman looks at a member of the opposite sex and in their heart [mind] thinks; “If I had the opportunity I would take advantage it and enjoy the pleasure of the sexual act with them”; then he or she has committed adultery in their heart. And expect to receive the judgment of God for their sin.
Now back to Paul’s instructions to the married in 1st. Cor. 7:10; “To the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not [don’t allow] the wife depart [leave] her husband: But if she chooses to depart, let her remain unmarried [single; w/o a husband] or be “reconciled “ to her husband: And let not the husband put away his wife.
Verse # 11; Paul repeats what he had said in verse # 10; It is the command of the Lord; If any [all inclusive] brother has a wife that is not a “believer” [a Christian] and she is pleased to live with [ continue in marriage] him, let him not [don’t allow]him to “put her away”.
Verse # 13 reverses the order and instructs the woman [wife] in the same way.
Verse # 14 teaches that the manner of lifestyle of the Christian husband or wife will “sanctify” [change or convict] the unsaved partner in marriage. And adds to the fact, that the consecrated Christian can expect that their children of this marriage will be saved.
Verse # 15 makes it very clear; That if the “unsaved partner” in any union chooses to leave; Then the Christian brother or sister are released from the bondage [commitment or contract] of marriage. And in my opinion is free to enter into marriage with another partner, with-out guilt.
Verse # 16 gives hope to the Christian; that by living a faithful Christian life and keeping the names of their “unbelieving husband or wife” before the Lord in prayer; they may be led into Christian faith.
Then verse # 27 Paul advises; If you are bound [married] to a wife; seek not to be loosed. If you are loosed [have no] from a wife; seek not a wife. But if you marry, you have not sinned. Nevertheless you will have trouble in the flesh.
In verse # 34 Paul states; “There is a difference of desires between a wife and a virgin. The “unmarried cares for the things of the Lord; that she may be “holy both in body and spirit; But she that is married cares for “the things of the world”, how she may please her husband.
Paul closes the subject of marriage in verse # 39 “The wife is bound by the law as long as he liveth; But if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to she will; only in the Lord”.
There is nothing better in this life than being married to a Christian wife or husband; And nothing worse than being married to an unfaithful mate.
Many “good Christians” misunderstand the statement of Jesus in; Matt 19:9 “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery”.
This is also repeated in Matthew 5:32, Mark 10:11-12 and Luke 16:18.
There is a statement by Paul in 2 Cor 6:14 “ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”; that is over-looked or ignored by many. This applies both to the church and the home.
There was a commitment made between Jonathan the son of King Saul and David that is an example of Love that Christians should have between themselves and God and one another.
1 Sam 20:42 “And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city”.
Another example of acceptable commitment is recorded in Ruth 1:16-17;

“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me”.
The beloved disciple of our Lord wrote in his epistle; 1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth”.
I will close with this; The relationship between a husband and wife is compared with Christ and the Church; Eph 5:25- “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”. When this type of love is demonstrated between husband and wife in the home; there will be an end to broken homes, divorce and children brought up with-out the benefit of a united Christian home.

“MORAL AND RELIGIOUS [BIBLICAL] CONVICTIONS”

Then women began to use “four letter” words. Soon it didn’t matter who was
present when an “ugly word” slipped out.

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Tonight is Monday November 2, 2009 and I have been watching a T.V. Show of the Oak Ridge Boys Quartet that began as a Gospel Quartet at Knoxville Tn. in 1947. Their personnel has changed many times over the years; But the greatest change is that they no longer sing Gospel Music; but over the years as they became popular they began to add “Country Music” to their program to please their audience. Soon they dropped “Gospel” all together.
In like manner I have seen Community Morals and Convictions change from considering drinking liquor and cursing and swearing in public as being immoral; to the present where there is no shame or blush when this is heard in public. This did not happen overnight; First foul language was not used when women, children or the preacher was present. As time progressed there was no embarrassment when women were in the group. Then women began to use “four letter” words. Soon it didn’t matter who was present when an “ugly word” slipped out.

Perhaps the greatest visible change came in the Church Community that at one time reflected the “Standard of Conduct” for the others in the community. There began a change in dress code for both men and women when they went to church. Both sexes wore their best when they went to the House of God. If the best a man had to wear was a “new pair” of bib overalls; they were washed, starched and ironed. The same applied to women’s dress; If a “print cotton” dress was the best they could afford they added special sleeve cuffs” to wear with it and the shoes were newly polished. And of course the “skirt length” was at least to mid-calf. The collar was buttoned at the neck and the legs were covered with “cotton stockings”. It was a sin to wear “worldly nylon’s”.

The arrangement of a man and woman “living together” without the benefit of marriage and for a woman to “get pregnant” and give birth to a bastard child was disgrace no one wanted to bring upon the family.
Yesterday a young man that was raised in a “Holiness Church” brought his “live in girlfriend” to the same church and put his hand on her belly and bragged about what she was carrying inside. And when I spoke to them about their sin and the burden the child would bear because of their sin; they left the church.
A notable change has developed in the manner of “conducting church services” over the years. Seating arrangements in the early 20th; Century were the women and small children sat on one side of the church and the men and “older boys sat on the other side.

Some churches did not allow any type of music to be played in the church. Some allowed the Organ to be played, but all “stringed instruments” were worldly and not allowed.
I grew up in DeKalb County in North Alabama that was a “dry county” no liquor or beer was sold there by law. Drinkers had to drive @ 40 miles into Georgia or find a “moonshiner” to buy a drink. In Georgia they had “Road Houses” along the highway that sold “booze” by the bottle or by the drink. A man could usually find a “loose woman” there to tempt him to cheat on his wife and take his money. Now they don’t have to go to Georgia; all of this is available close to home. As morals deteriorated, first beer and then “hard liquor” was kept in the home and served at the dinner table.

This change is the result of men [and women] having no personal convictions about what is sin. And this is partly the result of Pastors and Preachers failing to “Preach against” common sins from the Pulpit.

In the Old Testament in the “Books of the Law” Moses met with the” Lord [Yehovah] thy God [Elohiym] which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage”. Then he proceeded to give him the “Ten Commandments” that became the “Basis of the Law of God” given to the Children of Israel.
#1; Thou shall have no other gods before me.
#2; Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
# 3; Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;[S#7733; deceitfully, consider to be worthless, empty] for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
# 4; Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. [ OT:6942 qadash —“to consecrate, to sanctify, to prepare, to dedicate, to be hallowed, to be holy, to be sanctified, to be separate”]
# 5; Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
# 6; Thou shall not kill. [ OT:7523 jx^r* ratsach (raw-tsakh'); a primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. kill (a human being), especially to murder: KJV - put to death, kill, (man-) slay (-er), murder (-er).]
# 7; Thou shall not commit adultery. [ OT:5003 [a^n* na'aph (nawig-af'); a primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize: KJV - adulterer (-ess), commit (-ing) adultery, woman that breaketh wedlock.
# 8; Thou shall not steal.
# 9; Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
# 10; Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s house, wife, manservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is thy neighbor’s.Jesus modified these commandments in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:-7. Where he said; “Ye have heard that it hath been said of them of old time” then he would name the commandment and then say; “But I say unto you”; then he would give strict information giving his word that superseded the words of the Law.
Jesus had made a tour of the region about Galilee and selected one of the mountains of the area and began the Sermon on the Mount that is recorded in Matthew’s Gospel chapters 5-7.

GALILEE: [GAL ih lee] (circle or circuit) – a Roman province of Palestine during the time of Jesus (see Map 3, B-2). Measuring roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) north to south and about 58 kilometers (30 miles) east to west, Galilee was the most northerly of the three provinces of Palestine-Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. Covering more than a third of Palestine’s territory, Galilee extended from the base of Mount Hermon in the north to the Carmel and Gilboa ranges in the south. The Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River were its western and eastern borders, respectively. See Nelson’s dictionary. Copyright © 1986,

GALILEE; Galilee had such a mixed population that Solomon could award unashamedly to Hiram, king of Tyre, 20 of its cities in payment for timber from Lebanon (1 Kings 9:11). After conquest by Tiglath Pileser, king of Assyria, (about 732 BC), Galilee was repopulated by a colony of heathen immigrants (2 Kings 15:29; 17:24). Thus the Galilean accent and dialect were very distinct (Matt 26:69,73). For this and other reasons, the pure-blooded Jews of Judea, who were more orthodox in tradition, despised the Galileans (John 7:52). Rather contemptuously Nathanael asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

JUDAISM; and practices of the Jews. One of the three great monotheistic world religions, Judaism began as the faith of the ancient Hebrews, and its sacred text is the Hebrew Bible, particularly the Torah. Fundamental to Judaism is the belief that the people of Israel are God’s chosen people, who must serve as a light for other nations. God made a covenant first with Abraham and then renewed it with Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. The worship of Yahweh (God) was centred in Jerusalem from the time of David. The destruction of the First Temple of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (586 BCE) and the subsequent exile of the Jews led to hopes for national restoration under the leadership of a messiah. The Jews were later allowed to return by the Persians, but an unsuccessful rebellion against Roman rule led to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and the Jews’ dispersal throughout the world in the Jewish Diaspora. Rabbinic Judaism emerged to replace the beliefs and practices associated with the Temple at Jerusalem, as the Jews carried on their culture and religion through a tradition of scholarship and strict observance. The great body of oral law and commentaries were committed to writing in the Talmud and Mishna. The religion was maintained despite severe persecutions by many nations.

Two branches of Judaism emerged in the Middle Ages: the Sephardic, centred in Spain and culturally linked with the Babylonian Jews; and the Ashkenazic, centred in France and Germany and linked with the Jewish culture of Palestine and Rome. Elements of mysticism also appeared, notably the esoteric writings of the Kabbala and, in the 18th century, the movement known as Hasidism. The 18th century was also the time of the Jewish Enlightenment (Haskala). Conservative and Reform Judaism emerged in 19th-century Germany as an effort to modify the strictness of Orthodox Judaism. By the end of the 19th century Zionism had appeared as an outgrowth of reform. European Judaism suffered terribly during the Holocaust, when millions were put to death by the Nazis, and the rising flow of Jewish emigrants to Palestine led to the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948. In the early 21st century there were nearly 15 million Jews worldwide.For more information on Judaism, visit Britannica.com. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Copyright © 1994-2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Christianity; is a faith based religion that stands on the foundation of the fact that Jesus that was conceived of the Holy Ghost in the womb of a virgin named NT:3137 “Mariam”; [Greek translation; or Mary in English](from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.) That fulfilled the prophecy of Isa 7:14-“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”. And Isa 9:6-7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform”.

Isa 53:1-10 “ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. We like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and make intercession for the transgressors.
This Jesus was rejected by the Jews as the “promised Messiah” because they expected him to be born of Royalty and restore the “National Kingdom” to Israel Acts 1:5. Jesus the “only begotten son of God” was sent by Jehovah to become the “sinless sacrifice” that would end the annual animal sacrifices made by the Jews on the Day of Atonement.

Heb 10:12-17 “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more”.

Not only did they reject him as their Messiah; they conspired with the Romans and “cried crucify him”; Give us Barabbas. At his death on the cross Jesus prayed; “Father forgive them, They know not what they do”.
Now many “Christian Churches” are little more than a social organization with the preachers suggesting that the people use the political system to change or challenge the morals of the community.
Let us now look to the “Word of God” and examine with honest hearts and sober minds what God said to his people and what we will be held accountable for at the White Throne Judgment at the end of this “age” or world.
The Hebrew word for Holy in the O.T. is S# 430 “qodesh” and means; separateness, apartness, Sacredness, consecrated, [to God and his service] dedicated, Saint and Sanctuary. And is used 430 times in the O.T.

The Greek word for Holy in the N.T. is S# 40 “Hagios, hagia or hagion”, and means in a moral sense; pure, upright, sanctified or holy and is used 181 times in the N.T. This condition is obtained by the act of sanctification or “being sanctified”. The Greek word for “sanctify” is S# 37 “hagiazoo” and means to render holy, consecrated to God, or separated from things profaned or unholy. This word is used 29 times in the N.T and is a “work of grace and is accomplished by the act of “sanctification”; by “truth” John 17:19, by the “word of God and prayer” 1st. Tim. 4:5, by faith in Jesus Acts 26: 18, by the H.G. Rom. 15:16, by the offering of the “body of Jesus” Heb. 10:10 and the “blood of Jesus” Heb. 13:12.

About the year of 28-29 A.D. as the know world had wondered from the righteousness of God into the worship of idols and even to the point of bowing to the Caesars of Rome at their command. A major event began in the Judean wilderness; along the Jordan River. A man dressed in clothes made of Camel’s hair and wearing a girdle made of leather. He lived in the “out country” and his diet was Locusts a “grasshopper” like creature that was “approved” as “clean food” for the Jews by God. See Lev. 11:22. This man named John was sent of God to preach repentance and to baptize those that repented. He was sent to prepare the way of the Lord. See Matt. 3:3, Mk.1:3 and Lk. 3:4.

John became very popular among the religious leaders of the land and many came “to be a part of the crowd” without repenting. Luke 3:4-10” As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias [Isaiah] [ch. 40:3] the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves; We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 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.

Jesus; When he was set, his disciples came unto him and he began to teach them; beginning with the Beatitudes. Then he said unto them; don’t think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. Heaven and earth will not “pass away” till every jot and every tittle be fulfilled. Then he begins to define the difference in the Law and the doctrine of Grace.

Matt. 5:21; “You have heard by those of old time [Law]; Thou shall not kill; Ex.20:13; but I say unto you; Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment”.

Matt. 5:27; You have heard by those of old time ]Law]; Thou shall not commit adultery; But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matt. 5:31; It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her writing of divorcement; But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife saving [except] for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery

Matt. 5:33; It hath been said by them of old time; Thou shall not forswear thyself, but you shall perform unto the Lord thy oaths. But I say unto you, Swear not at all: Neither by heaven, for it is Gods throne: Nor by earth for it is his foot-stool: Neither by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King: Neither by thy head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your communication be Yea, yea and Nay nay: For whatsoever is more than these commeth evil.

Matt. 5: 39; You have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth: [Lev. 24:20] But I say unto you, That you resist not evil; But whosoever shall smite you on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Paul writes in 2 Cor 6:17-18; “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”. The introduction to this text is that the Corinthian Church had become “Yoked together with unbelievers and were having fellowship with things and people that were “unrighteous” and were involved with idol worship. Paul makes it very clear that the “Church” [Christians] must not be a part of unholy living.

I will close this discourse with a quote from Lev 20:7 “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am the Lord your God”. And from 1 Peter 1:15-16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because, It is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”. Take notice from the Leviticus quote; God said. Sanctify yourselves; before we can expect to be sanctified by the “Blood of Christ Jesus” there are some actions that we must take as convicted individuals. See the Hebrew definition of the word “Sanctify”.

OT:6942 qadash —to consecrate, to sanctify, to prepare, to dedicate, to be hallowed, to be holy, to be sanctified, to be separate
a) (Qal)1) to be set apart, to be consecrated2) to be hallowed3) consecrated, tabooedb) (Niphal)1) to show oneself sacred or majestic2) to be honored, to be treated as sacred3) to be holyc) (Piel)1) to set apart as sacred, to consecrate, to dedicate2) to observe as holy, to keep sacred3) to honor as sacred, to hallow4) to consecrated) (Pual)1) to be consecrated2) consecrated, dedicatede) (Hiphil)1) to set apart, to devote, to consecrate2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow3) to consecrate) (Hithpael)1) to keep oneself apart or separate2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (used of God)3) to be observed as holy4) to consecrate oneself.
This action is to; “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”: Hebrews 12:14.

Bible Study

www.godswordtooyou.com Email revashelton@aol.com or Email revashelton82@yahoo.com

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS EASTER?

THE RESURRECTION Of JESUS EASTER?

I want to address a major error of certain leaders of the Christian Church; both Protestant and Catholic denominations. This is the doctrine of the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus; Namely “Easter”. It is closely connected to the Jewish Passover; Because the trial, conviction and crucifixion occurred at the time of this Holy Day. Matt 26:18-19; “And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover”.

The Passover was instituted in Egypt by Moses and Aaron at the command of the Lord; [Jehovah] In the year 1491 B.C. as they prepared to lead the Nation of Israel from Egypt to Canaan; the “Promised Land”. For the Lord said; “About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the “firstborn” in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even to the firstborn of the maidservant tha t is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts”. Ex. 11:4-5.

Then in verse # 7 the Lord continued; “But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast; that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel”.

PASSOVER: The 14^th. Day of first month; [Nisan; March-April of the Roman Calendar] Ex 12:27 “That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped”.

Celebrating; the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt after serving 430 years of captivity as a result of Jacob’s sons selling their brother Joseph into slavery to

POTIPHAR an officer of the ruling Pharaoh at the time because of their jealousy and as a result of a famine that was over all the “face of the earth” [Gen. 41:56-57] they were forced to go to Egypt to buy corn that was plentiful there because the Pharaoh had placed Joseph in charge of their economy as governor and their barns were full

The 70 souls that went with Jacob into Egypt in the space of 430 years had multiplied into a number that “filled the land of Egypt”; Ex. 1:7. And the cries and prayers of the Israelites “went up to God” by reason of their bondage and God called a young man named Moses to lead them from Egypt to a “Promised Land”; named Canaan. Estimates range up to two million Jews.

The story of the “Exodus” is found in the book bearing that name in chapter # 12:1-13; is the story of the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron saying; This month shall be unto you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Then he introduces the “Feast of Passover” and the killing of a lamb and taking its blood and mark the lintel and door posts of each house with its blood in preparation for the time that “I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all of the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and against all of the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. And the blood shall be a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood.

I will pass over you, and the plague will not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt”.

Contrary to what many preachers and Bible teachers have said; There is no place in the Bible that speaks about “the death angel” passing over Egypt and killing the first born. The Lord said; “I will pass over Egypt”.

After wondering around in the wilderness of Sinai for a while; Moses went up “to meet with God” on the top of the mountain where God delivered the “Ten commandments” written [engraved] on tablets of stone. On which the entirety of the Law was based on. Along with the commandments God gave Moses the “Ritual of the Law” that required a Tabernacle that held a special place “behind the Vail” that held the “Ark of the Covenant” where God visited on the “Day of Atonement” when the blood of the sacrificial lamb was poured upon on the Day of Atonement for the sins of his people. This complete instruction is recorded in the book of Liviticus.

As a part of this covenant a number of “Holy Days and seasons” that demanded recognition were designated. These included the Passover, First Fruits, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Dedication and the Feast of Purim was added later

Next a system of Government was set in order with “Seventy Elders” headed by the High Priest. This became known as the “Sanhedrin Court” enforced both religious and civil law.

All of this is covered in detail in the “Five Books of the Law” Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

EASTER: The day most Christians celebrate as the day Jesus was resurrected was set in the year 325 A.D. Easter is a moveable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the vernal equinox.^[3] Ecclesiastically, the equinox is reckoned to be on March 21 (regardless of the astronomically correct date), and the “Full Moon” is not necessarily the astronomically correct date. The date of Easter therefore varies between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Christianity bases its calculations on the Julian Calendar whose March 21 corresponds, during the twenty-first century, to April 3 in the Gregorian Calendar, in which calendar their celebration of Easter therefore varies between April 4 and May 8.

This council was assembled by Roman Emperor Constantine in the year 325 A.D. This is a prime example of the influence the Roman Church has on societies around the world.

Jesus was crucified on the day before the “Day of preparation”; See Matt. 27:29-66.

[PREPARATION DAY: “The day immediately before the Sabbath and other Jewish festivals. Preparation Day always fell on Friday among the Jewish people, because all religious festivals began on the Sabbath, or Saturday (Matt 27:62; John 19:14,31). With a week of holidays ahead, the Preparation Day for the PASSOVER was especially busy. The details for preparing the Passover supper had to be completed by afternoon. Preparations included baking the unleavened bread, gathering festive garments to wear for the occasion, and taking a ceremonial bath. But above all, the paschal lamb had to be slain. Slaughtering began an hour or more earlier than for the usual daily evening sacrifice. At the Temple, the priests slaughtered thousands of lambs brought in by the people. Their blood was poured at the foot of the altar. Then the lambs were roasted whole in preparation for the Passover meal in each home that evening. (from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

And was in the tomb a portion of three days and arose early on the firs t day of the week; Luke 24:1-7 “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again”.

A short time after the resurrection he appeared “in another form” to two of his disciples [one of them named Cleopas] on the road to Emmaus and they talked with him about the recent events and they did not recognize him. He later appeared to the eleven as they sat “at meat” and asked for some meat and they gave him a piece of broiled fish.

Later he gave them the “Great Commission” and led them out to Bethany and lifted up his hands and blessed them. And when he completed the blessing he was “parted from them, and carried up into heaven”. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Luke 24:50-52.

All Comments welcome revashelton@aol.com godswordtooyou.com

Born Again,Born of The Spirit And Holy Ghost Baptism

BORN AGAIN, BORN OF THE SPIRIT AND HOLY GHOST BAPTISM
1.we are going to examine some words in the “Original Greek”
NT:4151 pneuma, pneumatos, This word with a “lower case “s” is used 126 times in the N.T.
1. a movement of air (gentle) blast
a. used of the wind:
b. breath of the nostrils or mouth, 2 Thess 2:8
2. the spirit, i. e., the vital principle by which the body is animated
3. a spirit
a. generically: Luke 24:37
b. a human soul that has left the body Heb 12:23
c. a spirit higher than man but lower than God, i. e. an angel: plural Heb 1:14
d. the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels, close to God and most intimately united to him (in doctrinal phraseology the divine nature of Christ): 1 Tim 3:16
4. The Scriptures also ascribe the pneuma to God, i. e., God’s power and agency
(from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
The word “spirit” L.C. “s” is used 126 times in the N.T. and always deals with the “spirit of life” in mankind and in some cases an “evil spirit” in a person, or in animal or bird life.
S# NT:4151 pneuma, pneumatos, is used in the N.T 388 times as Spirit, spirit ,Spirit of God, Born of the Spirit, Spirit of Truth and Spiritual Gifts.
(from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
The same Greek word with a Higher Case .S. “Spirit” is used 135 times in the Spirit of God or the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost; the third person of the “God Head”.
As simply “Holy Ghost” 90 times.
John 3:5-8 “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit”.
NT:1080 gennaoo, gennoo; [born]
1. properly: of men begetting children, Matt 1:1-16
2. metaphorically,
a. universally, to engender, to cause to arise, to excite 2 Tim 2:23
b. in a Jewish sense, of one who brings others over to his way of life: 1 Cor 4:15
c. after Ps 2:7, it is used of God making Christ his son
a. formally to show him to be the Messiah Acts 13:33
b. to be the author of the divine nature which he possesses Heb 1:5; 5:5
d. peculiarly, in the Gospel and First Epistle of John,
absolutely, 1 John 5:1
Since “Jews” [Hebrews] were children of God by lineage [birth; descendants of Abraham through the lineage of Jacob. Under the covenant of grace; [Saved through and by faith in the blood of Christ; It was required that they be “born again” of the water and the Spirit. See John 3:8. Under this same covenant of Grace the Gentiles were required to be “adopted”. Rom 8:15-17 “ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption , whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together”.
Gal 4:6-7 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son [Holy Ghost] into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father; Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ”.
This tells us plainly that for Jews to be saved after Calvary they had to be “born again” by faith in Jesus Christ. And Gentiles who had never been children of God could now be saved by receiving the “Spirit of adoption” by faith in the same Jesus.
1 Cor 12:13 “ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body , whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit”.
Let us go back to John 3:5 “Except A man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. If baptism in the Holy Ghost and being “born again” are the same thing; There were believers at Ephesus [Acts 19] that died lost during the elapsed time when they became believers and when the Holy Ghost was poured out on them some 20 years later.
From that which was designed to be “The great gift of God” to the church; the “Baptism with the Holy Ghost” later became the greatest divider of brethren in the church. A number of different organizations using variations of the name Church of God came into being along with Pentecostal Holiness; Assemblies of God, Independent and Free Holiness groups sprang into existence throughout the world. Each of these came into existence mainly because of “Charismatic Leaders” that preached a variation of the Pentecostal message and claiming to have received “special revelation or vision” from God. This fulfilling the prophecy of the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:30 “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them”.
RELIGION: “Belief in and reverence for God or some supernatural power that is recognized as the creator and ruler of the universe; an organized system of doctrine with an approved pattern of behavior and a proper form of worship. The classic New Testament passage on religion is James 2:17. Faith divorced from deeds, says James, is as lifeless as a corpse”.
from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Instead of “belief in and reference for” Elehoim” [S#430 the God of creation of Genesis 1:1] this generation has degenerated to the condition to the Greeks of Athens on Mars’ Hill in Acts 17:22-25 when they were involved in the worship of multiple gods; built an altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD” and bowed in worship to it; Being afraid that they would miss the worship of a god without a name.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1st. Cor 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine , hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying”.
The “Bottom Line” is that every man [person] must “search the scriptures” to know the truth of the Word of God for themselves. The key to understanding the Bible is.
1. Know the time of the writing.
2. Know who is writing.
3. Know who the letter or Epistle is directed.
4. Know the purpose of the letter or Epistle.
5. Know the subject matter.
There is also a difference in being “born of the Spirit” and being “born of God”. 1 John 3:9-10 “ Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin , because he is born of God In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother”. The above says that a person that is “born of God” cannot sin”. And we know that a person that is “born of the Spirit” can sin. And if he can’t sin it would be impossible to ”backslide” or fall away from God.
I have to end this somewhere; but I could go on and on.
Give me your thoughts on the subject after you complete the study.
Shelton Turner

The Biblical Church

THE BIBLICAL CHURCH
1. SCRIPTURE TEXT: Heb. 2:1-3,Matt.22:5, 1st’ Tim.4:13-15, 2nd’ Tim.1: 6, Heb.8:9
1 Corinthians 31 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.[ The word “carnal” S#4559 “The nature of the human appetites of the natural man [Adamic nature] before regeneration or the “Born again experience”.]
Rom 8:6-10 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
2 Cor 3:1-6 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Paul addressing the church at Ephesus:
Acts 20:28-33 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
1st’ Tim. Ch.3, Bishops and Deacons; Timothy bishop of church at Ephesus
1 Tim 3:15But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Titus 1:9-12 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,[caught] ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
See Matt 18:15- 18; James 5: 16, 19-20, 1st’John 5:16-17.
Fornication: S# 4202 “porneia” [harlotry including incest, unlawful sex acts, to indulge in these things.]
26 times Matt. 5:2,15:19, 19:9,1 Cor, 5:1, 6:13, 14, Gal. 3:5, Eph. 5:3,Col. 3:15, 1 Thes. 4:3.
Spritual: Rev. 2:21, 9:21, 14:8, 17:2-4, 18:3, 19:2.
Fornication S# 4203 “porneuoo” [unlawful, immoral sexual activities, to prostitute ones body to the sinful lusts of another,] 8 times 1 Cor. 6:18, 10:8,twice. Spiritual Rev. 2:20, 17:2, 18:3, 0.
Fornicator: S# 4205 “pornos” [a whoremonger, a prostitute, one who commits fornication] 10 times; 1st’ Cor.5:9,10,11, 6:9, Eph. 5:5, 1st’ Tim. 1:10, Heb. 12:6,13,14, Rev. 21:8, 22:15.
Fornication S# 1608 “ exporneuo” [to surrrender to or to continually indulge in} 1 time Jude :7
Concerning Timothy: Read Acts chapters 16-20.
Paul wrote 13 epistles; [14 if you take Hebrews] 3 were pastoral letters, 1st’ and 2nd’ Timothy and Titus. One private letter to Philemon. Four of his letters were written from a Roman prison; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Concerning Offices of Bishops and Deacons: 1st’ Tim. 3:1-16, 4:6,16, Titus 1:5-11, Acts 6:1-8, 13:1-4, 14:21, 20:17-32, 1st’ Cor.12:28-31, Eph. 4:10-15, Phili.1:1, Heb. 13:7.
Trespass: S# 264 “harmartanao” [ to offend, to commit an act of sin, to sin against, to be at fault] This word is found 43 times in the NT. Translated 3 times as trespass and 40 times as SIN. Instructions for
handling Matt. 18:15-20, Luke 17:3-4, Gal. 6:1
Offend S# 4624 “skandahzo” [to entice to sin, to cause to stumble or fall] This word is found 30 times in the NT; always translated “offend or offence”. Instructions for handling; Matt.9:13, Lk. 22:32, Rom. 15:1, Heb. 12:13, James 5:19-20, 1st’John 5:16-17, Jude :22-23.
Study of the Church at Ephesus: This city was the capital of the chief Province of Asia. Located on the Aegean Sea. The temple of the goddess Diana [Artemas] was located here and this made the city of great commerce because of people coming there to worship. Paul was a missionary there receiving much help from Aquilla and Pricilla. Acts 18:1-3. Later he made another visit to Ephesus with several other brethren including Timothy. Acts 20:1-4. Paul left Timothy there as Bishop at his leaving 1st’ Tim. 1:3. There were many problems at this church that continued many years. See Revelation 1:11-2:6.

Questions & Comments email revashelton@aol.com Www.godswordtooyou.com

A Thanksgiving Prayer

We Give Thanks

Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in Jesus Name,
Amen

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“THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT”

THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT There are 9 Gifts of the Spirit.  Join Us as we study each of them.

1. Corinthians chapter 12:1-11.

There are nine “named gifts” listed in verses 8-11; specifically;

1 The word of wisdom.

2 The word of knowledge.

3 Faith.

4 Healing.

5 Working of miracles.

6 Prophecy.

7 Discerning of spirits.

8 Diverse kinds of tongues.

9 Interpretation of= tongues. >> Find out more in detail link here >>> THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

Questions and Comments email revashelton@aol.com.    Bible Study Website for other topics BIBLE STUDY PAGE with godswordtooyou.com

Angels and Other Heavenly Beings

ANGELS AND OTHER HEAVENLY BEINGS www.godswordtooyou.comThe OT word “mal’ak” S# 4397 is used 213 times in the OT and is translated “angel or angels” 104 times and as messenger or messengers 109 times. The word is used in describing messengers of God, Kings, and rulers and Individuals.

Vines defines it as;

OT:4397 The noun mal’ak appears 213 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. Its frequency is especially great in the historical books, where it usually means “messenger”: Judges (31 times), 2 Kings (20 times), 1 Samuel (19 times), and 2 Samuel (18 times). The prophetical works are very moderate in their usage of mal’ak, with the outstanding exception of the Book of Zechariah, where the angel of the Lord communicates God’s message to Zechariah. For example: “Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked to me, ‘What are these, my lord?’ And the angel answered and said unto me, ‘These are the four spirits

READ THIS WEEKS BIBLE STUDY

ANGELS AND OTHER HEAVENLY BEINGS

56 times it is used as “the angel of the LORD in the OT.

It was first used in Gen. 16: 7 when the LORD sent an angel to Haggar after she fled from an angry Sarai.

It is last used in Zech. 12: 8 where the prophet said “In that day the LORD will defend Jerusalem with angels.

The word is used as “messenger” in 1^st. Sam.23:27 where a messenger came to Saul to warn him of the Philistines. And last in Mal. 3:1 where the prophet described the coming of John the Baptist as being “the messenger of the LORD”.

ANGEL: A member of an order of heavenly beings who are superior to man in power and intelligence. By nature angels are spiritual beings (Heb 1:14). Their nature is superior to human nature (Heb 2:7), and they have superhuman power and knowledge (2 Sam 14:17,20; 2 Peter 2:11). They are not, however, all-powerful and all-knowing (Ps 103:20; 2 Thess 1:7).

(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Psalm 148: 2-5 tells us angels were created by the LORD.

There were at least three “Arch- Angels”, Gabriel. Michael and Lucifer and it appears that there was another named Abaddon that ruled the “bottomless pit” of Revelation 9:11.

John tells a story in Rev. 12: about a woman [Israel] bringing forth a “man child” [Jesus] that would rule all nations with a “rod of iron” and about another wonder about a “red dragon” [Roman Empire] that sought to devour the child as soon as it was born.

These two powers represent the two major forces  that were together long before in Heaven when Lucifer sought to usurp the throne of God that resulted in war with the dragon that was called the Devil and Satan being “cast out” to earth with one third of the angels of Heaven.

Psalm 78: 49 reminds us that there are “evil angels”

Ezekiel in chapter # 28: 1-19 describes the prince or king of  Tyrus” as “Satan” as a being an “anointed cherub” perfect in beauty with great wisdom and had been upon the “holy mountain of God” and had been “perfect” in his ways and had been in the in Eden the garden of God until iniquity was found in him. His heart was “lifted up” because of his beauty and this corrupted him and because of this he would be cast down to the ground.

Tyrus or Tyre was a wicked Phoenician city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and this prince or king was the “strong power” over the city.

There are two other Hebrew words used in connection with the word “angel” that add to the definition of the word. They are S# 47 “abbiyr”; mighty or valiant; and S# 8136 “shin’an”; multiple thousands or myriads. These words tell us of the quality and number of the angels of God.

This brings us to other “heavenly beings”; Cherub, [Cherubim plural] and Seraphims.

Cherubim were first used of God to guard Eden after Adam and Eve were driven out.

In Exodus chapter # 25 Moses was directed by God to “forge” two Cherubim out of “beaten gold” and place them on each end of the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant with their wings meeting in the middle.

In 1^st Kings 6: Solomon in building the Temple in Jerusalem made two Cherubim of olive wood overlaid with gold ten cubits high with wings five cubits long and place them in the “Inner house” [Holy of Holies] and their wings reached from wall to  wall. The cherubim in the Temple were 15 ft. tall with a wing-span of 15 ft.

From the time of Moses building the first Ark for the Covenant until the destruction of the Temple in 586 BC the LORD dwelt between the Cherubs.

These “hewn” Cherubim were designed as images of the “heavenly creatures” that were around the Throne.

Beginning in  Eze. Ch. # 40:1 -41: 26 the prophet is shown a vision of the land of Israel and of a Temple there that was adorned with cherubims.

Cherubims are named 19 times in the book of Ezekiel.

The writer of Hebrews describes the Tabernacle in the wilderness as having cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat.

Now we examine the “creatures” that are called “seraphims”  OT:8314 saraph —

1)         a serpent, a fiery serpent; a poisonous serpent (fiery from burning effect of poison)

2)         seraph, seraphim; majestic beings with six wings, human hands or voices in attendance upon God

Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993

This word is used 7 times in the OT first in Numbers 2: 6-8 where God sent “fiery serpents” that “bit the people and the people died”; because Israel murmured  and complained against God.

Deut.8:15 describes the same instance.

The same word is used in Isa.6: 2-6in a much different setting; There Isaiah sees the “Lord sitting on his throne, high and lifted up. And above the throne stood a number of  “seraphims”: Each with 6 wings with two wings their faces were covered and with two they covered their feet and they used two wings to fly with. These creatures were able to speak and cried to each other “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory”.

. After seeing this event, Isaiah called out; Woe is me! I am unclean and a man with unclean lips. Then one of the seraphim flew to him with a “live coal” in his hands that he had taken with tongs from off the altar and placed it upon his mouth and said, Lo this has touched thy lips and your iniquity is taken away.

Again in Isa. 14:29 a warning is sent to Palistina and a “fiery flying serpent” [S# 8314 seraphim] is sent to bring judgment to on the people.

Isaiah 30:6 Israel a rebellious people desire to return to Egypt and “fiery serpents” are sent to the rebellious nation.

Ezekiel the pries in Babylonian captivity begins in ch.1:5 to report a “vision” in which he saw four “living creatures” coming out of a whirlwind from the north. These creatures had the “likeness” of a man; But they each had “four faces” and “four wings” with feet like a calf’s foot and hands like a man beneath their wings. These are described in verse 10 has having faces as a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle. In chapter # nine these creatures seem to be identified as cherubim.

John in Revelation 4:6-8 sees in a vision four “beasts” that have a similar description, but these “beasts” had six wings” each.

It is my opinion that these “creatures” with various descriptions represent different powers and forces that are used by both God and Satan as tools in performing their work and purpose

NEW TESTAMENT STUDY

Angels: S# 32 “angelos” A messenger, Envoy, one sent is used 80 times in the NT.

Angels are Heavenly Creatures that are recognized by both Christians and Jews as that are in Heaven continually offering praise and worship to God the father and Jesus Christ the Son. # 1: They are as “servants” to serve the Godhead..

They are also dispatched to earth to act as messengers of the LORD. They represent the divine power of Jesus and assist him in discharging his office. Luke 2:9-16 and Heb. 1:13-14.

John 1:51; Jesus said “Here after you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. These were special attendants at the command of Jesus. See Matt. 13:38-43 and 24:31.

# 2: They escort the souls of “departed Saints” to their rest in Heaven. Luke 16:19-31

# 3: Although Angels are “super human” they are also capable of sin 2^nd. Pet.2:4 and Jude : 6.

# 4 There are guardian angels dispatched to “watch over” and protect saints of God. Matt. 18:10, Acts 12: 14-15.

# 5: There were large numbers of Angels that rebelled with Lucifer and were “cast out” of Heaven. Matt.25: 41 and Rev. 12: 9.

These are still servants of Satan that serve in opposition to Jesus and Christians; See 2^nd. Cor. 12:1-10, Job 2:1-7, Luke 13:11-16.

Not all Angels are “winged beings” but are unseen “spirits”; see  below and

Heb 1:13-14 “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

In Rev. 3: 5 Jesus acknowledges Christians to the Father and “before his angels”.

In chapter’s # 5-11 and 13- 22 there are a number of groups of angels that have a part in the end time tribulation and the Judgments of God upon this sinful world.

In verse # 9 one angel shows John the Church of the Living God and introduces it as the “Bride, the Lambs Wife. And in verse # 12 there are 12 angels guarding the 12 gates to prevent intruders from entering the Holy City.

Now we examine in some detail the NT teaching of “angels”.

Matt. 13:1-50; Jesus gives a parable to explain the “kingdom of heaven”; [another misunderstood subject] A sower [Jesus] went forth to sow, he sowed good seed but the seed fell on different grades of soil that determined the grade of harvest. The devil sowed evil [bad] seed on the same ground.

At harvest time the Lord sent “his angels” and gathered out of “his kingdom” all things that offend and cast them in a furnace of fire. [Hell]

Matt. 18:3-10 little children have “angels” representing them before the Father.

Matt. 22:29-32 Christians are equal to angels at the resurrection.

Matt. 24:29-25: 46; The teaching of the second coming of Jesus; Angels will have a major part in gathering the saints from the uttermost part of earth to them uttermost part of heaven. [the elements above the earth]

Matt. 26:53 Jesus had 12 legions [72,000] of angels at his command to avoid the cross if he had called for them.

Acts 7: Stephen before is martyrdom declared that, “the law came by disposition of angels”. [Messengers, prophets]

Rom. 8:38 Paul was persuaded that not even “angels” could separate Christians from the love of God.

1^st. Cor. 6:3 Paul writes that Christians will judge “angels”, see also Jude : 6 and 2^nd. Peter2:4. [Fallen angels]

1^st. Cor. 13:1 Christians may speak the tongues of “angels”. [Language of]

Heb.1:4-8  Jesus was made “much better than angels” and obtained by inheritance a name more excellent than they. These angels “worship him”. And he “made them spirits” and his ministers a flame of fire.

Heb.2:2-16; In spite of his “being God” he humbled himself lower than angels to become “a man” to die at Calvary for the sin of mankind.

1^st. Pet.1:12 Angels desire to “look into” the Gospel and the gift of the Holy Ghost that was sent down from heaven.

2^nd. Pet. 2:4 the “angels that sinned” were cast down to “hell” [S# 5020 “tartaros”; the deepest abyss of “hades” to be reserved for judgment at the end of the world. See Jude: 4-15.

Jude writes of the “angels” S#32 that certain angels “kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation” [Heaven] See “Rev 12:7-9 “And there was war in heaven : Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not, neither was their place found anymore in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”.

The word “angel or angels” are used 73 times in the book of Revelation; 1^st. in 1:1  “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John”: and 2^nd. In Rev 22:16 “ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star”.

There is “one Devil or Satan”; but many demon or evil spirits; Just as there is “one God” that works through the “seven spirits of God” Rev. 3:1, 4:5, 5:6.

The “Jehovah God” “LORD” appeared to the Apostle John on the island of Patmos and commanded him to write seven letters addressed to seven angels of seven churches that were located in Asia.  The Greek word for angel was S# 32 “NT:32 “<START GREEK>”aggelos”

<END GREEK> aggelos (ang’-el-os); from aggello [probably derived from NT:71; compare NT:34] (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication, a pastor:

- angel, messenger.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

So ”angels” may be both “spirit beings” or a minister of God with an anointed gift or calling.

The Root of Ignorance

THE SCAPEGOAT

THE SCAPEGOAT
THE CEREMONIAL PART OF THE SIN OFFERING
MADE ON THE “DAY OF ATONEMENT
LEV. 16: 1-34: A brief history of the Egyptian captivity of Israel. Jacob [heal catcher; supplanted] was the second son of Isaac and Rebekah. After an encounter with God; who appeared to him at the brook Jabbok and wrestled with him until the “break of day” until his thigh was “out of joint” because Jacob refused to let him go until he received a blessing. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. [Prince of God] See Gen. 32:22-32. As a result of this incident Israel walked with a limp the rest of his life; And Jews will not eat of the meat of that part of an animal around the “hollow” of the thigh that shrank when it was touched by God until this day. See Gen. 32:32.
As a result of Jacob’s marriage to the two daughters of Laban, Leah and Rachel and their “handmaids” [Jacob loved Rachel but was required to marry Leah the eldest first because of the customs of the Hebrews at that time. See Gen. ch. 29-31] Jacob; now Israel fathered 12 sons Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Issachar, Gad, Asher, Zebulon, Joseph and Benjamin. These men became fathers of the 12 “Tribes of Israel. At a later time the tribe of Joseph was divided into two half tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim and the tribe of Joseph ceased to exist.
Joseph Jacob’s first son by Rachel became known as “My son of old age” and received special favors from Jacob including a “coat of many colors” that was made of material and decorated as a garment of Royalty. This made his brothers very jealous and they developed a scheme to deceive their father into believing that he was dead. They killed a kid of a goat and dipped his coat in its blood and took it to Jacob and convinced him that Joseph had been slain br ravenous beast. In the mean time they sold him to Midianite merchantmen for twenty pieces of silver. These men in turn sold him to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh of Egypt and he was carried into Egypt as a slave. See Gen. ch. 37.
While he was in Egypt he grew in favor with the Pharaoh because of his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and was soon married to Pharaoh’s daughter and advanced his authority over all of Egypt.
While in Egypt Pharaoh had a dream about 7 well favored kine [cattle] that grazed in a meadow and 7 ill favored kine [cattle] that were on the brink of the river. And Pharaoh slept and dreamed a second dream about 7 ears of corn came up on one stalk full and good and 7 thin ears of corn that were blasted with an east wind came up afterward and they devoured the 7 full ears .Pharaoh called for his wise men who failed to interpret the dream. Then he was informed of a young man among the Hebrews that was able to interpret dreams and when Joseph was brought to Pharaoh he gave him a warning of seven good years of harvest and seven bad years of harvest that would bring famine upon Egypt and adjoining nations that would eat up the bounty of the seven prosperous years. See Gen. ch. 41. After this warning Pharaoh recognized that Joseph had the “spirit of the Gods” with him and made him ruler over all of Egypt. by giving him the title of Prime Minister and gave him the Asenath the daughter of the priest of On for his wife.
At this time Joseph was @ 30 years of age. In his position as Prime Minister of Egypt during the seven years that the ground produced plentifully Joseph ordered that the excess of grain be placed in storage for future need.
Gen 41:55-57 “And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all land”.
Now to avoid a lot of typing I suggest that the reader continue to read from the book of Genesis chapters 42-50 to learn how Jacob and his family that totaled “seventy souls” that became permanent residents
of Egypt. See Gen. 46:26 and Ex. 1:5. From this time of @ 1060 BC to @ 1490 BC 430 years the Israelites had multiplied to an estimated three million Jews that were happy in Egypt until “Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph“. Ex 1:8. And great persecution were put upon the children of Israel including the slaying of every male child born to a Jewish family but save the female babies in an attempt to stop the growth of these people of God. And the people of Israel began to “call on God” and God heard them and sent them a man named Moses and his brother Aaron to be his spokesman. The story of the ten plagues and the Passover is found in the book pf Exodus chapters # 6-12 After the LORD commanded Pharaoh to “Let my people go”. See Ex. 5:1, 7:16, 8:1, 21, 9:1, 13, 10:3-4. Then after the LORD passed over Egypt at midnight on the 14th. day of Nissan the tenth plague of death to the first born of of the Egyptians in every household died because the doorposts were not marked with blood as the houses of the Israelites who believed God when he said; Ex 12:13-14 “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. [Note: most people have heard that "At midnight the death angel will pass over you"; No place in the Bible is the words "death angel" mentioned. It was the God Jehovah that passed over Egypt that night and caused those without faith to feel his wrath.]
And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever”. Thus they celebrated the feast of “Unleavened Bread in the land of Egypt.
After this the Jews began their long journey from Egypt to Canaan, the land of promise.
Exodus; 19:1-2 ” In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount”.
At this point God commanded Moses to Sanctify Mt. Sinai and to set bounds that the people not touch the mountain for it is Holy unto the LORD. Then God instructed Moses to meet him on the mountain and there he gave him the “Law of God” written on tablets of stone. In addition to this he gave him specific instructions concerning the Feast Days; [Holy Days] and the ceremonial law recorded in the book of Leviticus. See my article; “The five offerings of Leviticus”.
One of the “High Holy Days” was the Day of Atonement. See Leviticus chapter # 16.
Remember that at this time the Priesthood was “set in order” with Aaron as the High Priest and his sons making up the Aaronic Priesthood. The Tabernacle has been erected according to instructions from God. The “Ark of the Covenant with the mercy seat between the Cherubims” is in place behind the Holy vail. The Golden Candlestick and the Altar of incense are in place in the Holy Place within the Tabernacle. The “Laver” for the Priest to bathe in before entering the Tabernacle was in place just outside of the door. “LAVER

1. “In Solomon’s temple there was one great brazen “sea” for the priests to wash in, and ten lavers on bases which could be wheeled about, for washing the animal victims for burnt offering, five on the N., five on the S. sides of the priests’ courts; each contained 40 “baths” (1 Kings 7:27,39; 2 Chron 4:5-6). Ahaz mutilated the bases; and Nebuzaradan carried away the remainder (2 Kings 16:17; 25:13). No lavers are mentioned in the second or Herod’s temple. Solomon’s “molten sea” was made of the copper captured from Tibhath and Chun, cities of Hadarezer king of Zobah (1 Chron 18:8), five cubits high, ten diameter, 30 circumference; one hand-breadth thick; containing 3,000 baths according to Chronicles, but 2,000 in Kings; 2,000 is probably correct, Chronicles reading is a transcriber’s error. It is thought that it bulged out below, but contracted at the mouth to the dimensions in 1 Kings 7:23-26. A double row of gourds (“knops”), 5 + 5 or 10 in each cubit, ran below the brim. The brim or lip was wrought curving outward like a lily or lotus flower. Layard describes similar vessels at Nineveh, of smaller size. The 12 oxen represent the 12 tribes of Israel the priestly nation, which cleansed itself here in the person of its priests to appear holy before the Lord. The sacrificial animals, the oxen, represent the priestly service. The “oxen” in 2 Chron 4:3 instead of “gourds” or “knops” in Kings is a transcriber’s error“.
(from Fausset’s Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright © 1998, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
And the Altar of Burnt Offerings was in place with wood stacked in place so that the “fire would never go out”. Lev 6:12-15 “And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the Lord, before the altar“. This was a type of the “Tongues of Fire” that fell at Pentecost see Acts 2:1-4. It is the responsibility of the Church Elders to see that “Pentecostal Fire” never go’s out in the Church of today.
Le. 16:2; God tells Moses to relay a message to Aaron that he not come into the Holy Place within the vail at any time; but only once each year when he appears in a Cloud between the Cherubim in the “Mercy Seat”. At this time Aaron is instructed to first remove his royal robe of the Priesthood and wash himself in the Laver and put on the ” Linen coat, linen breeches and girded with a linen girdle and with a linen mitre [head piece] shall he be attired. And since these are holy garments he shall first wash himself in water in the laver in front of the Tabernacle, and then he shall put them on.
Then shall Aaron come into the holy place: With a young bullock [a full grown male of the cattle family [Bull, Bullock. terms used synonymously with ox, oxen, and properly a generic name for horned cattle when a full age and fit for the plough. It is variously rendered "bullock," Isa 65:25, "cow," Ezek 4:15, "oxen," Gen 12:16. Kine is used in the Bible as the plural of cow. In Isa 51:20, the "wild bull" ("wild ox" in Deut 14:5) was possibly one of the larger species of antelope, and took its name from its swiftness. Dr. Robinson mentions larger herds of black and almost harmless buffaloes as still existing in Palestine, and these may be the animal indicated.]
(from Smith’s Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
for a “sin offering” and a ram for a “burnt offering” for himself and his family. This is a type of the N.T. ministry; “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.” 2nd. Tim. 2:6.
Then he will take of the “Congregation of the children of Israel two kids of goats [male "he goats"] for a sin offering, and one ram for a for a burnt offering. Note these animals must be taken from the congregation of Israel.
These two goats were to be presented before [the face or presence of] the LORD [Jehovah] at the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation Lev. 16:7. Both of these goats are to be presented as a “gift to God”. And through the Lot process God chooses which animal is to die and which will become “the scapegoat”.
[LOTS, CASTING BY;
Early used to decide an issue; so in choosing each of the two goats on the day of atonement (two inscribed tablets of boxwood were the lots used according to Joma 3:9), Lev 16:8, and in assigning the inheritances in Canaan (Num 26:55; 34:13), in selecting men for an expedition (Judg 1:1; 20:10), in electing a king (1 Sam 10:20), in detecting the guilty (14:41-42), in selecting an apostle (Acts 1:26), as formerly priests' offices among the 16 of Eleazar's family and the eight of Ithamar (1 Chron 24:3,5,19; Luke 1:9), in apportioning spoil (Obad 11; Joel 3:3), in dividing Jesus' garments (Matt 27:35; Ps 22:18). In Prov 16:33, "the lot is cast into the lap," i.e. into an urn or cap in the judge's lap; "but the whole disposing (Hebrew: judgment) thereof is of the Lord." Only in weighty cases resort was had to judgment by lot; it was entered on with solemnity, as God is arbiter. Sanctification of the people preceded in Josh 7:13-18.
(from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright © 1998, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)]
Notice verses # 8-19 The goat that the Lord chooses is the goat that must die that the blood might be first sprinkled on the “horns of the Altar” and the rest to be poured on the base or in front of the Altar as a sin offering.
Next the goat that the lot fell on “Azazel “[ Hebrew; S# 5799 Lev. 16:8,10 and 26] Goat of departure; scapegoat] would also be presented by Aaron alive before the Lord and “Aaron shall lay both of his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of Israel, and all their transgressions and all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and he shall be led away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness”. Note the words iniquities, transgressions and sins; this covered all of the faults or errors of the entire nation of Israel. This ritual ended when Jesus died on the cross for the sin “# 264″ of the world. See Rom. 10:4. 1 John 2:1-3 “If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments”.
When the “fit man [one especially selected] led the scapegoat into the wilderness; [an uninhabited place] it represented the promise of God to make a “New Covenant with his people; Heb. 8:8-13 and 10:16-22.
” This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more”.
After he released the Goat and before he returned into the camp he was commanded to “wash his clothes and bath his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp. Lev. 16:26.
After Aaron had completed his part of the ritual he was instructed to come into the tabernacle and “Take off the linen garments that he wore when he entered which he put on when he entered and “leave them there” and wash his flesh with water and put on the other garments and then he can make atonement for himself and the people. This describing the statement of Jude 23-” And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh”.

Christian Perfection

CHRISTIAN PERFECTION

BIBLE:Matt. 5:48.>
This statement has nothing to do with a person being without sin, fault, or error. But rather it deals with growth or maturity. This is speaking to spiritual rather than natural growth.
Paul addressees the subject of perfection in 2nd < Cor.13:9>“For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection” The word for perfection here is “katartisis” S# <STRONGS:NT:2676> (perfection by training and discipline) I want to address at this time the word “teleios” S# 5046the word Jesus uses in the text; Strong’s dictionary defines it as; full grown, complete, of full age or a man. (adult) This word is found twenty times in the New Testament.
The Christian begins the walk with God by as a baby. (new born) This new child requires care by someone who has grown and matured enough to feed, care for and teach; until he is able to care for it’s
self.” As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” <BIBLE:1 Peter 2:2:>
If a newborn Christian does not receive proper nourishment it will die of spiritual malnutrition. This
Nourishment must include both the teaching and receiving of proper instructions from the “Word.”
Paul writes the Corinthians; “I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, (natural
man) even as unto babes (infants, immature) in Christ.” <BIBLE:1 Cor. 3:1> He then tells them that after several
years as a church, they were still unable to eat meat offered them. They began in a great revival, (see <BIBLE:Acts ch.18;See 1st. Cor. 5:1-16.) but problems had developed among the body, some causing divisions. There were also sins of fornication, of going to law with one another, of eating meat sacrificed to idols, and of improper
conduct in many other things. Paul blames this on the fact “Some have not the knowledge of God.”1st’Cor. 15:34
also see

 

Jesus speaks “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. <

ch<BIBLE:. 8:7.> It appears Paul is placing blame on carnal unqualified teachers and pastors for conditions of the Corinthian Church.The prophet Isaiah looks at the condition of Israel in Isaiah 28:9, and laments; “Whom shall he teach knowledge, and make to understand doctrine?” Then he answered the question with, “Them that
are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts.” Hosea declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge I will also reject thee.” Ch.4:6
James advises the Christian to “Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Ch. 1:4 The word for perfect here is also “teleios”. James is saying don’t be too fast
to grow up; it is a process of learning, and experience that if it is properly completed will lead the person to a point of being “entire” ( complete in all parts) wanting nothing. In other words, you can grow to perfection in Jesus. Malachi; looking to the future Church says, “Ye shall go forth, and grow
up as calves of the Stall.” ch.4:2 I think he meant that there is sufficient food in the House of the Lord for a person to attain full growth without having to look elsewhere for something to satisfy the need. “If any lack wisdom let him ask God.” James 1:5
Paul after sending Timothy to Ephesus as Bishop writes to him, “Be strong in grace that is In Christ
Jesus and the things you have learned commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others.”
2Tim.2:2 2 This man who declared himself to be “a wise masterbuilder” of the Church 1st. Cor.3:10, uses
body parts to explain the working nature of the spiritual Body of Christ in chapter 12 of this letter.
Also states that as a part of the plan of God for the Church, there are gifts of apostleship, prophets,
teachers and miracles (power “dunamis”). Paul continues to address this need in his letter to the
Ephesians in chapter 4:11-13. Here he names the five callings of ministry in the Church, and explains the purpose of each calling or ministry. “For the perfecting (here the gr. word is “katartismos” meaning to equip. completely) of the saints, for the work of the ministry the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ.till we all come to the knowledge of the Son of God. And unto a perfect man, (teleios) unto the measure of the stature (maturity) of the fullness of Christ.”The condition of the Christian Church has changed little since this letter to the Corinthians. At the time
of this letter, he could not speak to them as “spiritual but as carnal” because they walked as men, not as “Children of God”. (spiritual) ” I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for ye were not able to bear it, and neither are ye now able. .”1st. Cor.ch.3:1-2. He also warns in ch. 2:14; that spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. See Col 1:9.
Peter, instructs in his first epistle chapter two verse two; “As newborn babes, (infants) desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby.” See also 2nd Pet.3:18 and Eph. 4:15.
Paul recognized the fact that he was once a child “I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: But when I became a man I put away childish things. “1st.Cor.13:11.
Then in ch. 14:20 he admonishes “Brethren, be not children in understanding; but be men.”
The writer of the book of Hebrews sees an existing problem with those he is writing; and states “We have many things to say and hard to be uttered, (of interpretation) seeing ye are dull (slowful) of
hearing; For when ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one, teach you again.” Ch.5:11-12.
One of the great problems in world society causing much delinquency among the youth today is the fact; children are raising children! The same condition is prevalent in the church today. We are short in quantity of teachers that are able, by knowledge and experience to teach the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the requirements for a bishop is being “apt to teach.” (Skillful) 1 Tim.3:2.
Everyone that has knowledge is not, skillful in teaching. This is the reason church leadership must be careful in selecting those that are placed inteaching positions that will impact the future spiritual growth and maturity of the body of Christ. Growth to perfection (teleios) of the Christian Church depends on the joining of knowledge of God’s word and the Holy Ghost anointing. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” Phil.3:14-15 Copyright © 1999 All rights reserved.

www.godswordtooyou.com Revashelton@aol.com
Next: “Let us go on unto perfection.”

SEPARATION(“Preparation for the tribulations that will come upon the world as the end time approaches”.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is an article that someone  inspired me to write; to post this after I was questioned ”What do we do when the time comes”?  This question of concern.   ”Will there come a time when we will not be able to buy, sell, or trade”?  The year 2009 all of us are finacially in debt.  Church attendance is down, job loss among many christians.  Many Christians and non christians have lost their homes.   Christians and Non Christians alike.  “Where do we find comfort”?  This is just some questions brought to my attention.   My Prayers are with many facing these same ?’s  Let’s again all turn to Gods word for answers.   I have posted this same article (topic) on my Bible Study page.  (www.godswordtooyou.com)

www.godswordtooyou.com

 

SEPARATION (www.godswordtooyou.com        revashelton@aol.com)

“Preparation for the tribulations that will come upon the world as the end time approaches”.

 
It is my opinion that the popular teaching [with many variations] that the

“Church” will be “Raptured ” out of this world before this event occurs is misleading.
1 Cor 7:29-31; But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
2 Cor 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”.

 

Many Preachers and Bible Teachers have “misquoted” and taken out of context this Scripture for ages past. The text begins in verse # 14; 2 Cor 6:14-16

“ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people”.Paul wrote in his first letter to Corinth in chapter 7:29-31

That the time is short: It remains that those that have wives as though they had none. As those that weep as if they had not wept and as those who are rich in possessions as though they possessed nothing. And those that “use this world” [To borrow from and use for personal benefit; and using it to the full.] as not abusing it. [without expecting to pay the debt] For the fashion [The style or manner of life; the visible “adorning” world S# 2889 kosmos]. of this world will pass away. Read Ecc. 12:1-7, Isa. 24:1-5 and James 4:13-17. (Cont. Pg2)

 

 

It has not been many years past that Husbands were “heads of the household” and wives were “keepers at home“. Eph. 5: 23 and Titus 2: 5-6.

 

Then the ” desire to be like others” in the neighborhood, crept in and women found jobs; Then this required a baby sitter and a second car to get to work. And soon they found they hadn’t helped their financial situation. Then they decide to take special courses in trade schools to improve their opportunities for better jobs.

This takes them (loving mothers) away from home and family; They loose the romance of the marriage and arguments develop that requires marriage counseling that take more money from the “piggy bank”. There is less time and money for home and family vacations. Next they decide to miss church to have “family time”; this results in “growing cold” spiritually and the vicious circle continues.

 

Jesus in his Olivet message in Matt. 24: Matt 24:21-22; “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened”.

 

To be “yoked yoked together” is a term used by “dirt farmers” that use oxen or horse stock to pull a plow. Two animals wear a yoke across their shoulders to hook a chain to that connects to the plow to till the ground. The pair must be about the same size and their “gait”[length of steps] must match or the plow will not go straight. In the same manner people that are united in marriage, work positions or in Christian labor must be in agreement for their union to be successful. Each party of the marriage must enjoy the same lifestyle and at the same time understand the personality of the other. Each member of the union must also be tolerant of the others family and friends and their lifestyle; including religion. There can be no true fellowship between Christians and pagans. Or even of different Christian organizations if either party is dogmatic concerning their beliefs. It is as being in a dark room and a light is turned on; the room is not dark any more. The same principle applies with the Christian life; you can’t be righteous and unrighteous at the same time.

 

The term “Be ye separate” S# 873 means “to set apart by boundary” to exclude or be different.

 

In 2nd. Cor. 6:15-18; The question is asked; What concord [agreement] hath Christ with Belial [the worthless one or Satan] or what part has a believer [one with faith in Jesus] with an infidel? [an unbeliever] Or what agreement has the Temple of God with idols?

 The answer is obvious there can be no idol set in the Temple on Mt. Zion.

Next Paul states; “You are the Temple of the living God”; as God hath said; I will dwell with them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people”.

In verse # 16; “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”

 

Paul is saying that the Christian is commanded to separate themselves from those who are partakers of the works of darkness of this world.
Matt 5:14-16

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.

 

It has been my experience during my 70 plus years being a part of the “Holiness movement”; if a person holds to their principles of Biblical Holiness they will have few problems of separating themselves from past friends that live in open sin. They will feel uncomfortable being in your presence and will withdraw themselves for other interests.

In Matthew 22:36 A lawyer [S# 3544 "an expert in the Law of Moses] ask Jesus a question to tempt him;

“Master [teacher] which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus answered him with; “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with thy soul and with all thy mind”. This requires knowing God by having his Spirit living within the Soul. This is accomplished by the act of “The washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost”. Titus 3:5, Psa. 51:10, Rom. 12:2, 1st. Cor. 6:11, Eph. 5:26, Col. 3:10 and 1st. Pet. 3:21.

 

Eph 2:12-13;

 ”That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ”.

 

1st. Peter 2:9;

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”:

 

The promise of Jesus to this separated people was; “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph. 5:25-27.

 

Copyright © 2009. Shelton Turner All rights reserved.

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Spiritual Warfare

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

2 Cor 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”.

In the long past “aions” of time there have been two “spiritual forces” of power [S# 1849 "exousia" authority of God] and the power of Satan; that war against each other for control of the Universe; including Heaven, Earth and the Elements between. Eph. 2:1-3. The first of these powers is God [S# 430 The plural Hebrew "Elohiym" Jehovah, The Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Ghost. The Spirit through which the Father works in Earth. The second power is Lucifer Isa. 14:12-20 that we know as the Dragon, Serpent, the Devil and Satan. Rev, 12:7-12. This power was cast out of Heaven into the Earth after the "War in Heaven" described in Revelation chapter # 12. With a warning to all on Earth that he has "come down with great wrath" with the intent to destroy all of the good that God created.

Both of these forces are "spirits" and cannot be seen; but the beauty of Gods creation and the wreckage that Satan has caused are easily visible.
Gen 2:7 "And the Lord God formed man [S# 120 Adam] of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul“. So mankind is made of three parts; Body, Spirit and Soul. The body is the sensual part of mankind. Both the male and female bodies were designed to physically attract each other. They were so designed that by a physical sexual union of the two they could reproduce their on kind. And this “offspring” would reflect the “genes” [physical [attributes] of both the parents. The “spirit” was the life giving part that caused the lungs to breath and the heart to pump blood through the arteries and veins to all parts of the body including the brain that directed every motion of the body to be alive. The soul was and is the invisible part that reflects the identity and character of the person and is eternal. At the death of the body this soul returns to God that gave it. Since the soul is also an invisible inanity it is also referred to as a spirit in scripture.
Paul in Romans chapter # 7 teaches concerning the Christian struggle with the problem of life and describes it as a “battle between the law of God and the flesh“.
In verse # 15 describes his life as the life of “two men”; one of them trying to keep and live by the righteous law while the carnal man or the flesh fights continually to satisfy his lustful desires. In verse # 17 he goes so far as to say; When I sin [S# 266 "hamartia" sin nature or man of sin] it is not me that sins, but the sin nature that I can’t control. In verse # 24 he declares; “I am a wretched man! Who shall deliver [save] me from this death? Then in verse # 25 he reveals the answer; “I thank God that this deliverance comes through the Anointed Jesus our Lord I serve the law of God while the flesh still desires to live by the law of sin. Chapter eight verses # 1 and 2; Paul now shouts the “victory”; “Rom 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
He uses the marriage of a man and woman and the binding law that holds them together. In marriage; a woman is bound by the “law of her husband” as long as he lives. If she marries a second man [or has a relationship with] while her husband is alive; she is guilty of either adultery or fornication. But if her husband dies, she is freed from the “law of her husband” and she can marry again without guilt. 7:1-3. The same principle applies to a Christian; Until we are saved we are “bound by the law of the “flesh“; [the carnal mind, our mortality[ the motions [acts] of sins that worked in our members [body parts] to sin and bring fruit “unto death“. Verses # 4-5. But now we that are Christians have been delivered from the law are now “dead to the letter of the law, but now we serve God through the “newness of the spirit“.
Romans 8:1-10 describes the life of a person who has been redeemed from the curse of the law. Verses 5-8 tells us that those who are after the flesh do mind [obey] the things [lusts] of the flesh. Verses 7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
James writes in James 4:1-3 ” From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts”. The Greek word for “members” is S#3296 “melos” and means “limbs or body parts”. Paul writes in 1 Cor 12:27 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular”. Jesus spoke in Matt. 18:2-9; that if a “body part” becomes offensive it is to be “removed and cast away” to prevent the whole body cast into hell.
Peter writes in 1st. Peter 2:11 “I beseech you as strangers and Pilgrims, abstain from “fleshly lusts that war against the Soul“. These “lusts” or works are named in Gal. 5:19-24 and advises that the Christian who is “in Christ has crucified the flesh with its affections and its lusts.
One of the main problems of the Christian life is the “misunderstanding” that in the regeneration process; God takes “complete command” of the Christian’s body and the person is freed from all responsibility of “right living“; When in fact we are commanded in 2 Cor 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them,[ those who worship false Gods] and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty“. Paul also gives testimony in Gal 2:20-21
” I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain”.
Sin is any violation of the “law of God. James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”.
Satan uses the “mind” to introduce temptation to the mankind. And at the same time, the “Spirit of God” speaks to the “conscience” [mind] of man telling him, this action if performed is a “sin against God“. Thus, a war of the mind begins and a decision of direction must be made. Rom 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”. James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”.
In Romans 7:12- Paul describes further this “war” that was within him. He has become “two persons” living in the same body. Because the law of the Spirit directs him one way and the “law of the flesh” [carnal mind; nature] directs him another way working “death in him”.And what his “inner spirit” says no to; the flesh [natural carnal man that is sold under sin 7:14] tells him it is OK and is not a sin. Verse # 17 Paul declares that “after he commits the “act of sin” it his not him that is guilty; but the sin [nature of] that dwells in him. The only answer is to “Crucify the flesh with its affections and its lusts. Gal. 5:24. In Gal. 6:14 Paul states; “By the cross the world [S# 2889 "kosmos" the adorning world, Including the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ" (cf. Winer's Grammar, 26): John 7:7; 14:27 (John 17:27"
(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, PC Study Bible formatted Electronic Database.
Eph 2:13-19 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God".
In teaching and preaching about the power of the "law of sin and death" we must be able prove that because that we have been "born of the Spirit" we are no longer of the "world because we live in the world. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world". 1st. John 4:4. And the words of Jesus John 8:34-32 " Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth [continues to practice and "live in sin"] sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”.
Paul writing in 1st. Cor. 15:13-26 about the resurrection of the dead at the coming of Jesus declares that the end will come when Jesus delivers up the “kingdom” to God the Father and has put down all rule and all authority and power. For Jesus must reign, til he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death”
So Christians can shout into the face of the enemy in battle; I have read the promise of Jesus in Rev 22:12-17 “And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely”

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Crucifixion as described in the Bible. The story of the Cross and Crucifixion

 

THE STORY OF THE CROSS AND CRUCIFIXION                                                                    Capital punishment was widely applied in ancient times; it can be found (c.1750 B.C.) in the Code of Hammurabi. From the fall of Rome to the beginnings of the modern era, capital punishment was practiced throughout Western Europe. The modern movement for the abolition of capital punishment began in the 18th cent. with the writings of Montesquieu and Voltaire, as well as Cesare Beccaria’s Essay on Crimes and Punishments (1764). In Great Britain, Jeremy Bentham was influential in having the number of capital crimes reduced in the 18th and 19th cent. Some of the first countries to abolish capital punishment included Venezuela (1863), San Marino (1865), and Costa Rica (1877). Current International Practice As of 2004, 81 countries had entirely abolished the death penalty, including the members of the European Union. Some other countries retained capital punishment only for treason and war crimes, while in others, death remained a penalty at law, though in practice there had not been any executions for decades. Among countries that retained the death penalty for ordinary crimes were many in the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. The United States and China were believed to impose capital punishment most frequently. In the United States Since the 1970s almost all capital sentences in the United States have been imposed for homicide. There has been intense debate regarding the constitutionality, effect, and humanity of capital punishment; critics charge that executions are carried out inconsistently, or, more broadly, that they violate the cruel and unusual punishment provision of the Eighth Amendment. Supporters of the death penalty counter that this clause was not intended to prohibit executions. In the 1972 case of Furman v. Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment as then practiced was unconstitutional, because it was applied disproportionately to certain classes of defendants, notably those who were black or poor. This ruling voided the federal and state death penalty laws then in effect but left the way open for Congress or state legislatures to enact new capital punishment laws, a process that began almost immediate From Columbia Encyclopedia. Execution by Crucifixion as described in the Bible. Cross: S# 4716 Greek “staruros” NT:4716 “denotes, primarily, “an upright pale or stake.” On such malefactors were nailed for execution. Both the noun and the verb stauroo, “to fasten to a stake or pale,” are originally to be distinguished from the ecclesiastical form of a two beamed “cross.” The shape of the latter had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in that country and in adjacent lands, including Egypt. By the middle of the 3 rd cent. A.D. the churches had either departed from, or had travestied, certain doctrines of the Christian faith. In order to increase the prestige of the apostate ecclesiastical system pagans were received into the churches apart from regeneration by faith, and were permitted largely to retain their pagan signs and symbols. Hence the Tau or T, in its most frequent form, with the cross-piece lowered, was adopted to stand for the “cross” of Christ“. (from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.) The word cross is used 27 times in the N.T. First by Jesus in Matt. 10:38 and 16:24. See also Mk. 8:34 and 10:21 and Lk. 9:23 and 14:27. In these scriptures Jesus is speaking about “bearing the burden or the persecution of becoming a Christian and not bearing a “Physical Cross”. This could also require death by crucifixion, stoning or some other method of taking life. A great error was permitted in enter into the Church Doctrine of the cross @ 213 A.D. when the Roman Emperor Caesar Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Augustus[2] (27 February c. 272[1] – 22 May 337), commonly known in English as Constantine I, or Constantine the great professed his conversion to the Christian Faith after seeing a vision of a “flaming Cross in the sky and hearing a voice saying; “By this sign you will conquer the world”. He had the sign of the Cross placed on the “Battle Flag” and the shields of his soldiers and began his conquest in the name of Jesus. The Roman Church soon adopted this symbol as a rallying sign for the Church. After the Protestant movement began no one was concerned about the “true story of the cross” and different designs were admitted into the different sects of the Christian faith. See below: Cross 1. The forms in which the cross is represented are these: 1. The crux simplex (I), a “single piece without transom.” 2. The crux decussata (X), or St. Andrew’s cross. 3. The crux commissa (T), or St. Anthony’s cross. 4. The crux immissa (t), or Latin cross (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.) The Punishment; There were various methods of performing the execution. Usually, the condemned man, after being whipped, or “scourged,” dragged the crossbeam of his cross to the place of punishment, where the upright shaft was already fixed in the ground. Stripped of his clothing either then or earlier at his scourging, he was bound fast with outstretched arms to the crossbeam or nailed firmly to it through the wrists. The crossbeam was then raised high against the upright shaft and made fast to it about 9 to 12 feet (approximately 3 metres) from the ground. Next, the feet were tightly bound or nailed to the upright shaft. A ledge inserted about halfway up the upright shaft gave some support to the body; evidence for a similar ledge for the feet is rare and late. Over the criminal’s head was placed a notice stating his name and his crime. Death, apparently caused by exhaustion or by heart failure, could be hastened by shattering the legs (crurifragium) with an iron club, so that shock and asphyxiation soon ended his life. With much prayer and study of the Word I am fully convinced of the fact that Jesus was Crucified as a common criminal on a “tree or pole” and the Church has no need to “enhance or elaborate” on the story. Let’s just teach and preach the word as it was written in the Book. John 12:32-33 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die“.

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