Question: Why did Jesus answer the request, “teach us to pray” with the promise of the Holy Spirit?
Why
did Jesus answer the request, “teach us to pray” with the promise of
the Holy Spirit, in Luke 11:1-13?
note vs 13: why did jesus answer the question in verse 1 of teach us to pray with the answer in verse 13 of the promice of recieving the Holy Spirit in vs 13? could you explaine that to me. or in other words what does th Holy Spirit have to do with the question as asked?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
As you can see below, Christ did teach them to pray, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name”, etc.
Luke 11:1-13, “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’ 2 So He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 5 And He said to them, ‘Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him”; 7 ‘and he will answer from within and say, “Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you”? 8 ‘I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. 9 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!’”
Then, Jesus illustrated the importance of persevering in prayer. Finally, in verse 13, He said: “how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” However in the original, Holy Spirit does not have the definite article [dwvsei pneu'ma a@gion toi'" ai*tou'sin au*tovn]. This may be referring to the future day of Pentecost when Christ would pour out from His Spirit [e*kcew' a*poV tou' pneuvmato" mou e*piV pa'san savrka] in partial fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel in Acts 2:16-21 “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out from My Spirit on all flesh [Spiritual gifts.]; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out from My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
As we can see in verses 17&18, these will be, at least, the gifts of prophecy, visions and dreams. This was supposed to happen just before the tribulation. But, as we can see, the tribulation is still future.
In Christ,
Bob Hill
THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE PAULINE EPISTLES
THE
PRE-PRISON EPISTLES
GALATIANS
Even though many statements may sound dogmatic, remember, there
is much controversy on the chronology of the N.T. and the dates of each
book. The
historical background of this epistle is easy to discover once we
determine which churches are the Galatian churches.
I believe they are Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and Pisidian Antioch,
the churches of the southern part of the Roman province of Galatia.
Judaizers had gone to Galatia and subverted these churches.
Paul was amazed that his converts had turned so quickly from his
gospel to a different (heteros) one which was not in the same (allos)
rank as his (Gal. 1:6,7).
He had preached a gospel which was not connected to circumcision
and the Mosaic law (Acts 13:38,39; Gal. 5:2-4).
Although some able scholars believe it was written before, I
believe the epistle was written after the Jerusalem council of Acts 15.[1]
According to Acts 16:4, Paul and Silas delivered the council’s
decrees not only to the churches in Syria and Cilicia but also to the
Galatian churches.
That they also warned them at this time about the potential
troublemakers, may be inferred from Paul’s statement in Galatians one.
“As we [Paul and Silas] have said before, even now I say again,
if anyone preaches a gospel to you [different] from what you received,
let him be accursed.”
So, the historical setting shows there is conflict between the
Judaizers with their circumcision and law gospel and Paul and his gospel
which he was commissioned to preach to the Gentiles, kings and Israel.
C.H. Welch holds to an early date for Galatians but believes it
was written before the council of Acts 15.
He wrote, “It is strange that Paul makes no reference to the
‘Decrees’ in Galatians, and this silence is taken as an indication
that the epistle was written before Acts fifteen.”
I believe Paul does not mention the decrees for a number of
reasons: (1) He was establishing his complete independence from the
apostles in Jerusalem.
Instead of receiving anything from them, he added to their
understanding and enlightened them with the new gospel which Paul
preached among the Gentiles. (2) Paul had already delivered the decrees
earlier.
Acts 16:4 “And as they went through the cities, they delivered
to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and
elders at Jerusalem.”
They had departed from them.
Why should he appeal to the decrees again?
Would they listen now when they didn’t before?
He doesn’t appeal to the decrees in any subsequent epistle,
even though he dealt with the same subject repeatedly. (3) Galatians
1:9, “As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches
any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be
accursed,”
appears to be referring to the second missionary journey when he
and Silas delivered the decrees and warned them about receiving a
different gospel.
Notice the change from we to I.
Welch stated further, “The Judaizers could hardly ‘compel’
circumcision (6:12) after the decision at Jerusalem (Acts 15).
But many strange things were done after
Acts 15.
Paul was constrained to pay charges for four men and purify
himself according to the Jewish law.
This was done to change the opinion of those that were
“informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the
Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise
their children nor to walk according to the customs” (Acts 21:21).
He was rightly accused of teaching these things when we consider
Romans 3:19-31 and Galatians 5:2-6.
Therefore, if Paul could be compelled to do what he did in Acts
21, surely weaker brethren could be constrained to be circumcised even
after they heard the decrees.
From Acts 15:40-16:5, we see that these decrees were delivered on
the second missionary journey, and “the churches were strengthened in
the faith, and increased in number daily.”
This is why Paul was so amazed that they had departed from the
gospel so soon.
Paul used the word provteron
in Galatians 4:13, “You know that because of physical infirmity I
preached the gospel to you at the first.”
This word is translated “before, previously, formerly, and
former 7 of the 10 times it is used in the NKJV.
In Hebrews 4:6 it is “those to whom it was first [could be
formerly] preached did not enter because of disobedience.”
In Hebrews 7:27 it is translated, “as those high priests, to
offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the
people’s.”
Galatians 4:13 should be translated either “I preached the
gospel to you the first [time] eujhggelisavmhn
uJmi'n toV provteron, or, “I preached the gospel to you
formerly” [on the first missionary journey].
So, Paul wrote Galatians in Acts 18:1-4 when he was alone –
none of his close friends were with him.
THE THESSALONIAN
EPISTLES
After Paul’s experience in Philippi, apparently, he left Luke
and Timothy there and came to Thessalonica.[2]
Although Acts 17:2 seems to show that Paul was there just three
weeks (Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three
Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures), from Philippians
4:15,16, “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the
gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me
concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in
Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities,” he must
have been there for a number of months.
Philippi was 100 miles from Thessalonica, and the back and forth
communication and giving of support took time.
Timothy probably joined them and brought the second gift.
After the assault on “Jason and some of the brethren,” “the
brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When
they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.”
Things were great at first, but then Jews from Thessalonica came
“and stirred up the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul
away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So
those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command
for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed”
(Acts 17:13b-15).
After Paul’s experience on the Areopagus (Mars Hill), he was
depressed and seemed defeated. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 shows us his state of
mind: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with
excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ
and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much
trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive
words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of
God.”
This took place after Acts 18:1-4.
He had no spiritual zest in the first four verses.
Paul was also very concerned about the Thessalonians.
According to 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10, Paul wanted to see them
again.
He could hardly endure not knowing if they were still being
faithful to the Lord.
Acts 18:4 tells us “he reasoned in the synogogue every
Sabbath,” but notice the change after Silas and Timothy came from
Macedonia.
“Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews
that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:5).
When he first got to Corinth, Paul wrote Galatians during Acts
18:1-4 when he was alone – some men from Athens had joined him (Acts
17:34), but none of his close friends were with him.
He was depressed from what he heard was going on in Galatia as
well as being concerned about Thessalonica.
Was he so depressed that he was sick almost to death?
Notice 1 Thessalonians 3:8 “For now we live, if you stand fast
in the Lord.”
Note that in the salutation of Galatians Paul had his name alone.
In Acts 18:5, Silas and Timothy joined him in Corinth with good
news from Macedonia.
It was shortly after they returned to Corinth that he wrote
1&2 Thessalonians.
When he wrote the two Thessalonian epistles he included their
names in the salutation.
Therefore, the first three epistles chronologically were
Galatians, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians.
THE CORINTHIANS EPISTLES
1 CORINTHIANS
From Acts 18:4-12, we see that something dramatic happened in
Corinth. The fact that
Israel had been set aside was more dramatically shown here.
Previously, in Galatia, he had turned to the Gentiles (Acts
13:46). Now it’s worse,
they blasphemed just like the Jews who stoned Stephen, and he said,
“From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Then he went next door to Justus’ house which was contiguous[3]
with the synagogue next door. To
show the unbelieving Jews next door that they had been judged, this
church spoke in tongues more than any other church recorded in the
travels of Paul.[4]
After this, Paul remained in Corinth for a year and a half at the
time that Gallio was the proconsul. “And he reasoned in the synagogue
every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was
compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that
Jesus is the Christ. But when
they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his
garments and said to them, “Your blood be
upon your own heads; I am
clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man
named Justus, one who
worshipped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.
Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord
with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed
and were baptized. Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do
not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for
I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many
people in this city.’ And he continued there
a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. When Gallio
was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul
and brought him to the judgment seat.”
According to Suetonius, Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome in
approximately 49 AD. There had been rioting because of one called
Chrestus. Probably
Christians were mixed up in this matter.
It would be after the expulsion of the Jews that Paul met Aquila
and Priscilla. Also, from
an inscription at Delphi, we find that Gallio’s office as proconsul
commenced in midsummer of 52 AD. Therefore,
I think the Thessalonian epistles were written in 50-51 AD.
After this, Paul was on the go.
We won’t follow his journeys, but will pick him up again in
Ephesus. He was quite
concerned about the Churches and sent Timothy (1 Cor 4:17 For this
reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in
the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach
everywhere in every church. Also,
cf. 1 Cor 16:10,11) by land to see how things were going: “And it
happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through
the upper regions, came to Ephesus. 8 And he went into the synagogue and
spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the
things of the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did not
believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed
from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of
Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in
Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 21 When
these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had
passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying,
‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’ 22 So he sent into
Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but
he himself stayed in Asia for a time. After the uproar had ceased, Paul
called the disciples to himself, embraced them,
and departed to go to Macedonia” (Acts 19:1,8-10,21,22-20:1).
From this we can see that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus.
1 Corinthians 16:19, corroborates this, “The churches of Asia
greet you.” He left
Ephesus after Pentecost as he promised in 1 Corinthians 16:8.
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians
was a response to: (1) In formation from those of Chloe’s
household, “For it has been declared to me concerning you, my
brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you” (1 Cor 1:11). (2)
A letter which “Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus” apparently
brought (1 Cor 16:17). He
gives answers to questions raised in these communications to him by
writing, “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me” (1 Cor
7:1).
But
was this the real first Corinthians?
Many conservative scholars believe there was an epistle written
by Paul before our 1 Corinthians. They
refer to 1 Corinthians 5:9 “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep
company with sexually immoral people.”
I believe this is referring to the same epistle.
In 1 John 2:13,14, John wrote, “I write to you, fathers,
because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I
write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have
written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word
of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”
John used the same word Paul used in 1 Corinthians 5:9, “I
wrote to you.”[5]
In addition to this, the literal translation of 5:9 is: “I have
written (or, I wrote) in the epistle.”
Therefore, I believe 1 Corinthians was the first letter Paul
wrote to them. He wrote it
from Ephesus during the period of time covered by Acts 19.
This was approximately 57 AD.
2 CORINTHIANS
We find from the introduction to 2 Corinthians that Timothy was with Paul when he wrote it: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia” (2 Cor 1:1). Paul was going to Corinth for the 3rd time when he wrote 2 Corinthians, “Now for the third time I am ready to come to you” (2 Cor 12:14; 13:1). He had sent Titus to see how the Corinthians had accepted his first letter (2 Cor 12:17,18 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him.). Paul was very anxious about the reception of his first letter by the Corinthians. He set out for Troas to meet Titus. But Titus was not there. We see this from 2 Corinthians 2:12,13, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” When he reached Philippi, he was comforted by the information about the church and their response to the first epistle (2 Cor 7:5-9 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.). Hearing the good news, he responded to a number of items and sent Titus back with 2 Corinthians. He appreciated their response to his advice about disciplining the fornicator but asked that they restore him – apparently he heard from Titus that the man was repentant (2 Cor 2:1-11). He urged them to complete the collection for the Jerusalem saints (2 Cor 8:6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.). He had sent Titus to get this collection. They were already chosen by the churches that had given money to take the money to Jerusalem (2 Cor 8: 16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, 19 and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind.). Therefore, I believe that Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Philippi about a seven months after 1 Corinthians, in the autumn of 57 AD.
ROMANS
According to Acts 20:1-6, Paul spent some time in Macedonia after leaving Ephesus. Then he went to Greece for three months before returning to Macedonia on his way to Jerusalem. I believe he wrote Romans while he was in Corinth. This was after the collection was complete according to Romans 15:25-31, “But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. . . . 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. . . . 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.” From this, we can see that his face is set toward Jerusalem. This would correlate with Acts 20:1-3,16, “After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece 3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. . . . 13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.” He commends to them Phoebe, of Cenchrea, the port of Corinth, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” The greetings from both Gaius his host and Erastus who was the treasurer of the city seem to clinch it (Rom 16:23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, [who was left at Corinth later, 2 Ti 4:20] the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother). The date of writing was approximately the beginning of the year 58 AD. He seems to address a number of churches or groups of people in this epistle. They are included among the Gentiles (Rom 1:5-7 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints; 13-15 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also; 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry). But there was a strong Jewish faction associated with the church in some way. They seemed to be hassling the body of Christ church. Paul addressed them in the second chapter. Peter addressed the same group in 2 Peter 3:15. There were churches that met in Aquila and Priscilla’s house (16:3-5), maybe another is mentioned in 16:15, “Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.” It was a big city. Maybe there were more. This epistle was Paul’s thesis on justification.
THE PRISON EPISTLES
EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, PHILEMON, PHILIPPIANS,
1 TIMOTHY, TITUS, & 2 TIMOTHY
From Acts 28:16-31, we see that Paul became a prisoner at Rome
under fairly comfortable conditions.
He was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded
him in his own rented house for about two years and receive all who
wanted to see him. During this time, he was able to teach and preach without any
harassment. He had plenty
of time to hear about the state of the churches and receive further
revelations from the Lord. It
was at this time that he was given the commission to complete the canon
for the body of Christ (Col 1:24b-26, for the sake of His body, which is
the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship
[dispensation[6]]
from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill [to make full,
complete[7]]
the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from
generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.).
I believe this completion of the canon for the mystery church, the body of Christ referred to the statement in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” He had finished his ministry of showing Israel that they had been set aside, for the time being, as God’s people. Now it was time to write the pinnacle of God’s truth for this dispensation.
At this time that he began to write the Prison and Pastoral Epistles in the order found in our title. It seems that Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon were written at about the same time. He states that he was a prisoner (Eph 3:1,2, For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you. Eph 4:1, I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Eph 6:20, I am an ambassador in chains. Phi 1:13, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ. Col 4:10, Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you. Phi 1, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer. Phi 9, being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Phi 13, he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. Phi 23, Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you.). His first imprisonment was approximately 62,63 AD. I think that he wrote these three epistles at the beginning of this imprisonment.
Ephesians seems to be a circular letter.[8] It is probably the letter Paul told the Colossians to read (Col 4:16, Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.). We’re not sure of the details, but this epistle was written to Ephesus, the chief city of the Roman province of Asia. It may have been circulated from there with the “in Ephesus” removed. It dealt with the mystery in great detail.
Colossians dealt with doctrinal deviation from the great mystery. The deviation seemed to be caused by the influence of the mystery religions. The letter to Philemon was sent along with Colossians. Onesimus went with Tychicus, the bearer of the letters.
I believe Philippians was written toward the end of Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (Phi 4:22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.). He was expecting to be released shortly (Phi 1:19, For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; 2:23,24, Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.).
[1] I believe Paul’s conversion took place in 32 AD. Herod Agrippa’s death happened in 44 AD. The first missionary journey took place in 47. The Council of Jerusalem occurred in 49 AD. I consulted Guthrie, New Testament Introduction.
[2] A sister of Alexander the Great was called Thessalonica. The city Paul now visited was named in her honor by her husband Cassander. Thessalonica had been named that by her father, Philip of Macedon, in commemoration of his victory over the Thessalians, when he heard of her birth.
[3]
h& oi*kiva h\n sunomorou'sa th'/ sunagwgh'/.
BAGD,
border on, The New Analytical Greek Lexicon, Perschbacher, to be contiguous,
adjoin.
[4] See the pamphlet, Tongues, The Sign Gifts & The Revelatory Gifts, Hill. The two key passages to understand the significance of this event are Joel 2:28-32 and Isa 28:1-19. 1 Cor 14:21,22 must be interpreted in their light.
[5]
1 Cor 5:9, !Egraya u&mi'n
e*n th'/ e*pistolh'/ mhV sunanamivgnusqai povrnoi",·
1 John
2:13,14, gravfw u&mi'n,
patevre", o@ti e*gnwvkate toVn a*p * a*rch'". gravfw u&mi'n,
neanivskoi, o@ti nenikhvkate toVn ponhrovn. e!graya u&mi'n,
paidiva, o@ti e*gnwvkate toVn patevra. e!graya u&mi'n,
patevre", o@ti e*gnwvkate toVn a*p * a*rch'". e!graya
u&mi'n, neanivskoi, o@ti i*scuroiv e*ste kaiV o& lovgo"
tou' qeou' e*n u&mi'n mevnei kaiV nenikhvkate toVn ponhrovn.
[6] thVn oijkonomivan
[7] plhrw'sai
[8] P46, a and B all leave out ejn ejfevsw/.
THE
EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS
Hebrews was not written by Paul. This is maintained by most conservative scholarship.[1] Rotherham states it rather bluntly:
The one point which for myself remains firmly settled is the purely negative one: that whoever wrote this Epistle it was not the Apostle Paul. In holding fast to this conclusion, I find myself in excellent company. Professor Peake says: “Nothing is so certain with respect to the authorship as the negative conclusion that it was not written by Paul . . . . These differences not only preclude Pauline authorship; they show conclusively that Paul can have nothing to do with the Epistle directly or indirectly. It is in no sense a Pauline Epistle, and only in the loosest sense can it be spoken of as Pauline in theology.”[2]
I do not think it is necessary to know who wrote Hebrews, but it is important to rule out Pauline authorship. This is essential to understand this epistle when we see the concepts presented by the writer. It would be presumptuous to say this epistle is Pauline in any sense unless it could be shown that the theology is the same as that of the Pauline Epistles.
Further, we see in Hebrews 2:3 that “salvation . . . was confirmed to us by those who heard.” This is the most important portion of scripture against the Pauline authorship. If Paul received his gospel from “those who heard,” how could he write Galatians 1:1,11,12,16; 2:2?
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
No one confirmed salvation to Paul. Christ solely and directly revealed the gospel to him.
In Hebrews 2:1-4, we see that the writer was addressing, at least, nominal believers. He is concerned “lest we drift away.” In Hebrews 3:1 we have further evidence that the author considered his readers to be believers. He called them “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling.” The author must have had some authority with these circumcision believers, for as we read the epistle, we quickly see that he is calling circumcision believers from the sacrificial system mandated by the law to the redemption provided by the high priest, Christ.
[1]A. T. Robertson, Zahn, E.
F. Harrison, F. Delitzsch, J. B. Rotherham, Alford, Farrar, Westcott,
G. Lunemann in Meyer’s Commentary, and Moll in Lange’s Commentary
are a few of the authors. In Moulton’s Grammar of New Testament
Greek, v. 2, p. 11, this statement is made in relation to the number
of compound verbs found per page of Greek text. “A fondness for
compounds is fairly enough noted as a characteristic of an individual
style: for example, the contrast between the figures for Paul and for
Hebrews (3.8 per page and 8.0) is enough to discredit the Pauline
authorship of the Epistle, were there further need of witnesses.”
Also, an interesting book by A. Welch, The Authorship of the Epistle
to the Hebrews, (Edinburgh & London: Oliphant, Anderson &
Ferrier, 1898) argues cogently for a Petrine authorship. I agree with
him. However, the important point is: Paul did not write it as Hebrews
2:3 further shows.
[2]J. B. Rotherham, Studies
in the Epistle to the Hebrews, p. 7.
Question: Is it okay to be humorous?
From: Mark Carson Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2001 5:19 PM
Subject: Joy or silliness?
I have recently been accused of being “silly, and immature” because I like to laugh a lot, to make this life seem a little more joyful. To make it even worse this accusation came from my husband. I know that we are not to laugh at things that are sinful, and worldly, so I don’t do that, but it seems that when I find humor in everyday life, he just shuts down. He doesn’t laugh very often, and I worry about him. I want him to live a joyful, happy life in Christ. I want him to look forward to the joy that lay before him, not find fault with everything and everyone. How can I handle this? We have our first child on the way and I’m afraid of how he will act as a father. I want our child to grow up with healthy humor. Should I just grow up and get depressed at how awful this world is, or should I just make the best of it, knowing that I have eternity with Jesus to look forward to??? I know you give Biblical answers and that’s what I want. I want to do right. I love my husband very much and want us as a couple to have a good, and healthy marriage. Thank you for you time.
S
Carson
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Dear S,
God wants us Christians to be joyful. Is your husband a Christian? Do you and your husband have a time when you sit down and talk about things? I would be happy to talk with your husband by email. My temperament is a serious one, but God has made me into a happy man. It is very biblical to be joyful and happy. Here are a number of the Scriptures that tell us to be happy and joyful.
Psa 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
Pro 16:20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
Ezra 6:22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Psa 5:11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.
Psa 63:3-7 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. 7 Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
Psa 66:1,2 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! 2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.
Psa 89:15,16 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted.
Psa 100:1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Psa 113:9 He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!
Psa 149:1-6 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth.
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God.
Pro 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy.
Ecc 2:26 For God gives wisdom and
knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight.
Isa 9:3 You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; They rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Isa 51:3 For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
Isa 52:9 Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.
Isa 65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Act 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Rom 14:16-19 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.
Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2 Co 7:13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
Gal 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Col 1:9-12 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
1 Th 2:19,20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Th 3:9,10 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
Phile 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
1 Pe 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
Happy in the Lord,
Bob Hill
Question: Can a person have salvation and practice sin?
Dear brother Bob,
How would you answer this statement? If a person claims Jesus Christ as savior and still smokes they can’t be saved because a person cannot have salvation and practice sin.
your brother,
Kevin
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Dear Kevin,
I would answer the statement by asking if this is the passage to which they are referring: Gal 5:13-25 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you may not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice [pravssonte"] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Then I would show them this: The Greek word practice [pravssw] doesn’t mean practice most of the time. It occurs in 38 verses in the NT. Here are a number of examples of the use of the word that shows it means to do, not necessarily practice.
Lk 3:13And he said to them, “Collect [pravssete] no more than what is appointed for you.”
Lk 22:23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do [pravssein] this thing.
Lk 23:15 no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done [pepragmevnon] by Him.
Lk 23:41 And we indeed justly, for we receive [e*pravxamen] the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done [e!praxen] nothing wrong.
Acts 5:35 Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do [pravssein] regarding these men.
Acts 16:28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do [pravxh/"] yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
Acts 19:36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do [pravssein] nothing rashly.
Acts 25:11 For if I am an offender, or have committed [pevpraca] anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.
Acts 26:26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done [pepragmevnon] in a corner.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do [pravssw] I not; but what I hate, that do I
Then I would show them that Paul admonished the Romans not to walk in certain ways but to make no provision for the flesh: Rom 13:13,14 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Then, I would show him Rom 4:4,5: Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 4 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
Finally, I would show that when someone trusts in Christ as his savior, he is sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption, the rapture.
Eph 1:13: In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Eph 4:30: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
In Christ,
Bob Hill
Question: What were Jesus's purposes for quoting the Psalm in John 10:34? Are we mini-gods?
From: Walter Scott
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 3:32 PM
Subject: Are we gods?
Dear Bob,
In John 10:34 Jesus responded to the Jews argument against his deity with, "Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are Gods"(KJV). I believe the term "Gods" here in this sense means judges, but I'm not sure. I also thought that it was a possibility that Jesus used this Psalm to interrupt their thoughts of taking his life.
What were Jesus's purposes for quoting this Psalm? Are we mini-gods?
Seeking Him,
Walter Scott
(Greek fonts are GraecaII, Hebrew are HebraecaII.)
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Dear Walter,
This is a very interesting subject. I used to think
God was talking about the judges, but now it may also be a little
different. There is a Heavenly Host (ab;x;).
The definition in the Lexicon: ab;x; n.m.
army, war, warfare — 1. army, host: a.
organized for war; captain of (the) host; over the host
(as captain); lead out armies; army goes forth (to war);
going with our armies; fig. of great number,. b. host
(organized body) of angels, all the host of heaven; host of
the high (angel-princes; earthly monarchs); captain of the host
of (theophanic angel); (angel-prince of Israel, others, God). God
Is Surrounded by Gods.
Gen 2:1 Thus
the heavens and the earth, and all the host (ab;x;)
of them, were finished.
Psa 29:1 Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones [bene elohim], Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Psa 68:17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place.
Psa 82:1-8 A Psalm of Asaph. 1 God [elohim] stands in the congregation of the mighty [el]; He judges among the gods [elohim]. 2 How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked. 5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable. 6 I said, “You are gods [elohim], and all of you are children of the Most High. 7 But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.
Psa 86:8 Among the gods [elohim] there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works.
Psa 89:5-8 And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. 6 For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty [bibenay elim] can be likened to the Lord? 7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the holy ones, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him. 8 O Lord God [yahweh elohay] of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
Psa 95:3 For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods [elohim].
Psa 97:7-9 Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods [elohim]. 8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord. 9 For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods [elohim].
Psa 103:20,21 Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts [war word], You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Psa 135:5 For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods [elohim].
Jer 23:18,22 For who has stood in the council of the Lord, and has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it? 22 But if they had stood in My council, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings.
Dan 7:9,10 “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
Joel 3:11 Assemble and come, all you nations, and gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O Lord.
You know how sin entered the world when satan tempted Eve and Adam. But, after they sinned, a redeemer was promised – the seed of the woman. But it wasn’t long before Satan again attempted to destroy God’s world. Justice was corrupted. The gods that God created were free. Psa 97:7-9 Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods [elohim]. 8 Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord. 9 For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods [elohim].
God had to judge them. satan knew about the promised Messiah, so his plan was to contaminate the Seed. Gen 6:4-7 There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord repented [it repented the LORD] that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I repent that I have made them.”
Because of these free will sons of God, these spiritual beings, everything was a mess, and God had to destroy everyone except Noah and his family. He also punished these spiritual beings who left their own abode (oijkhthvrion) and took bodies of men. Jude 6-9 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode (oijkhthvrion), He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
So, God cast them down to Tartarus. 2 Pe 2:4-6 “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell (tartarwvsa") and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly.” So, not only may those gods be angels, but also, God says we’re in this battle too.
Our battle is described in Eph 6:10-20: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Dear Kevin,
First, let’s read the context. Remember, first and always, Paul was a missionary. Just as I like to stay in the same church and teach men and women the Bible so they can minister, Paul had the same drive to get out and do missionary work. Notice the context: Rom 15:15-21 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.” He was God’s man to do it, and he did it.
Bob Hill
Question: When Christ returns to the earth what kind of body will he have?
From: Dana Fitz-Randolph
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 4:23 PM
When Christ returns to the earth what kind of body will he have?
Kevin
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Kevin,
If we will be changed as it shows in 1 Co 15:42-57, we will be changed to be like Him. We will put on immortality. That means He will be like that glorious being described in Rev 1:10-18 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
1 Co 15:42-57 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
He’s described as having great power and glory at the second coming as well. Mk 13:26,27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
Therefore, I believe Christ will be like that when He comes.
In Christ,
Bob Hill
Question: Why did James teach not to judge when Jesus taught that we should judge?
From: Josh R Hall
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 1:27 PM
Subject: James 4:11-12
Bob -
Jesus many times taught his followers to judge (John 7:24, Luke 7:43, Luke 12:56-57). However, this passage in James seems to be saying not to judge another. What is the difference in this passage, so that it doesn't negate the teachings of Jesus?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
Josh,
First, here are the passages you mentioned: Lk 7:43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Lk 12:56,57 “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time? 57 Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? John 7:24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
I think most of the admonitions against judgment are based on our inability to judge because we are guilty of offenses that are different from the ones that we are condemning.
James 4:11,12 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
Here
are all of the other passages where our judging is mentioned in the New
Testament.
Mat 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Lk 6:37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Lk 12:56,57 “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time? 57 Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?”
John 7:21-24 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
John 8:14-16 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.”
John 12:46-48 “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”
Acts 15:19,20 “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.”
Rom 2:1-3 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
Rom 14:1-13 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
1 Co 4:3-5 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
1 Co 5:12,13 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.
1 Co 6:1-8 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!
1 Co 10:14,15 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.
1 Co 11:7-19 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman