Newsletter 201 July 11, 2010
Romans 2:1-12 (King James Version)
YOU DO THE SAME THINGS
It is a very common thing that what one sees in others often the same sins that they would see in him. Because of this, beware of anyone who always sees any particular sin in others. That is often his own weakness, so he thinks he sees it in everyone else. All have sinned and fall short, but not always the same sins. Some are habitual liars. Some are promiscuous. Others are drunkards. Some are murderers, not necessarily in accomplished fact, but in the heart. We are told that any unforgiving sin is enough to bar us from Heaven.
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (Romans 1:20, Luke 12:14, Romans 2:3, Romans 9:20, 2 Samuel 12:5-7, Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:37, Romans 14:22)
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
MAN’S JUDGMENTS ARE NOT BASED ON KNOWLEDGE
Most of the time, these quick condemnations are based on assumptions, hearsay, or common gossip, and not certain fact. Thankfully, only God knows what is in the heart, and it is he, who will judge. Our Lord Jesus is our go-between us and our judge. He understands our weaknesses and temptations and an ably defend us, for he gave his very life to pay the price for our sins.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? (Luke 12:14, Romans 2:1, Romans 2:9, Romans 2:20)
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 9:23, Romans 11:33, 2 Corinthians 8:2, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 2:7, Philippians 4:19, Colossians 1:27, Colossians 2:2, Titus 3:6, Romans 11:22, Romans 3:25, Exodus 34:6, Romans 9:22, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:15)
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (Deuteronomy 32:34, Proverbs 1:18, Psalm 110:5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:5, Jude 6)
GOD WILL JUDGE BOTH THE GOOD AND THE EVIL
Even his judgments are not so much a judgment as they are a separation of the clean from the unclean. As a young lad, I often helped my aunt in her country store. It was often my task to sort the good from the bad. I candled the eggs that had been bought before they were placed for sale to others. I sorted bad vegetables or fruit that was starting to rot before it contaminated others in the basket, and often I had to wash and cleanse the whole basket’s contents. The first job was to separate the good from the bad, and to cleanse the salvageable. That is what the final judgment is. The parable of the good and the bad sheep tells us this fact. The good goes to the right, and the bad to the left. The good has already been cleansed through the blood of Christ. They have judged themselves; the bad as well. What we call the judgment is merely the separation and sorting out of that which is acceptable from that which is not.
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (Psalm 62:12, Proverbs 24:12, Matthew 16:27)
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: (Luke 8:15, Hebrews 10:36, Romans 2:10, Hebrews 2:7, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Corinthians 15:42, 1 Corinthians 15:50, 1 Corinthians 15:53, Ephesians 6:24, 2 Timothy 1:10, Matthew 25:46)
NATURAL MAN DESTROYS GOOD TO MAKE HIMSELF LOOK LESS EVIL
As with the fruit, the rotting potato or apple, will bring the who basket to its own level if it can. That makes it look normal.
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, (2 Corinthians 12:20, Galatians 5:20, Philippians 1:17, Philippians 2:3, James 3:14, James 3:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:12)
ALL UNFORGIVEN EVIL WILL BE PUNISHED.
Evil can not be tolerated by God, that is why he sent his Son to make a way to remove every vestige of sin so the saved can enter his presence in Heaven.
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (Romans 8:35, Acts 3:26, Romans 1:16, 1 Peter 4:17)
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: (Romans 2:7, Hebrews 2:7, 1 Peter 1:7, Romans 2:9)
MANKIND WILL BE JUDGE ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE
We will not be judged by hearsay. We have judged ourselves ahead of time and will be separated by the facts, we have perhaps thought we had hidden well in our hearts.
11 For there is no respect of persons with God. (Deuteronomy 10:17, Acts 10:34)
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (Acts 2:23, 1 Corinthians 9:21)
_________
JULY
11th. Sunday – 2 Kings 13, 14, Romans 1:18-32, Proverbs 16:25-33
12th. Monday – 2 Kings 15, 16, Romans 2, Psalm 84:1-7
13th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 17, Romans 3:1-20, Psalm 84:8-12
14th. Wednesday – 2 Kings 18, Romans 3:21-31, Psalm 85:1-7
15th. Thursday – 2 Kings 19, 20, Romans 4, Proverbs 17:1-12
16th. Friday - 2 Kings 21, 22, Romans 5, Psalm 85:8-13
17th. Saturday – 2 Kings 23, Romans 6, Psalm 86:1-10
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
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Questions and discussions
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Favorite Scripture Quotation
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Representing 70 world languages
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Short Bible studies
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Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 5 published books & more to come
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God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23-24
_____________
Fourth of July Groaners...
Why did Paul Revere ride his horse from Boston to Lexington? Because the horse was too heavy to carry!
_________
The Fourth of July weekend was approaching, and Miss Pelham, the nursery school teacher, took the opportunity to tell her class about patriotism. 'We live in a great country,' she announced. 'One of the things we should be happy is that, in this country, we are all free.'
Trevor, who was a little boy in her class, came walking up to her from the back of the room. He stood with his hands on his hips and said loudly, 'I'm not free. I'm four.'
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
MISSING FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Newsletter 200 July 4, 2010
Bob Mills
Shortly before his returning to heaven Jesus promised that he would send a comforter, the Holy Spirit, who would guide believers in all truth. (John 16:13) Prior to that God had sent John the Baptist who preached repentance and salvation through Jesus. John was preparing the way for Jesus, but did not mention the Spirit, for his is not a ministry of evangelism, but of nurture and support for believers. John completed his ministry, but that of the Spirit was just beginning among Christians. It continues until this day, and will continue until Jesus returns. The book of Galatians tells us how to see the difference between Christians and non believers. Christians show the fruit of the Spirit that entered into them at their new birth, baptism. If this fruit is not there, then the Spirit is not there either. Truly, “By their fruits, you shall know them.”
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS:
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Matthew 7:16, Ephesians 6:9, Romans 5:1-5, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Colossians 3:12-15)
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:18)
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (Galatians 3:26, Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 6:14)
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
APOLLOS AN ELOQUENT MAN
Apollos heard the preaching of John the Baptist, realized the truth of what he said and knowing the scriptures available to him, became an eloquent messenger of what he knew. The problem was, that he did not know the Lord Jesus and that he was the Messiah the fulfillment of those prophecies. This is where Aquila and Priscilla entered into his life. They listened to his preaching, recognized his sincerity and knowledge, and took action. They invited this young preacher to their home for a “chicken dinner” and taught him the rest of the message. (Acts 18:26)
Acts 18:24-28 (King James Version)
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. (Acts 19:1, 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 6:22, 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 16:12, Titus 3:13, Acts 6:9, Acts 18:19)
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. (Acts 9:2, Acts 18:26, Luke 7:29, Acts 19:3)
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:2, Acts 18:18, Acts 18:25)
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: (Acts 18:12, Acts 18:19, Acts 18:18, Acts 11:26)
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 8:35, Acts 18:5)
LEARNERS WHO KNEW NOT JESUS
Acts 19:1-5
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:15, Acts 11:16, John 7:39)
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (Luke 7:29, Acts 18:25)
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:4, Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3:16, John 1:26, John 1:27, Acts 13:24, John 1:7)
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(Acts 8:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48)
Paul, on his arrival at Ephesus, was delighted to find believers there also, but also recognized a lack of the fruit of the Spirit. Upon enquiry, he also found that they knew only the baptism of John, which did not result in the gift of the Spirit. John had been beheaded before Pentecost and the establishment of the church and the gift of the Spirit.
Do all things in the right order. I remember reading an “ABC” plan of salvation. That is in alphabetical order, but it is not God’s order. At Pentecost, Peter answered the cry of, “what shall we do” (Acts 2:37) with the answer, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ fir the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38) God is still calling lost sinners with the same answer. (Acts 2:39). The first step is always to hear, that is where we come in. We have to hear before we cam believe and repent. The same order was used by Philip later. (Acts 8:35-38)
Don’t miss the fruit of the Spirit. His presence in you will bear fruit!
_________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JULY
4th. Sunday – 2 Kings 4, Acts 24, Psalm 80:1-7
5th. Monday – 2 Kings 5, Acts 25, Psalm 80:8-19
6th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 6, Acts 26, Psalm 81:1-7
7th. Wednesday – 2 Kings 7, 8, Acts 27:1-20, Proverbs 16:16-24
8th. Thursday – 2 Kings 9, Acts 27:21-40, Psalm 81:8-16
9th. Friday - 2 Kings 10, Acts 28, Psalm 82
10th. Saturday – 2 Kings 11, 12, Romans 1:1-17, Psalm 83
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 691 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Romans 1:16
__________
Can I Get A Rim Shot
A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became.... a hardened criminal.
Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with... stalking.
We'll never run out of math teachers because they will.... always multiply.
What do you see when the smog lifts in Los Angeles..... U C L A.
The math professor went crazy with the blackboard. He did..... a number on it.
The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was..... on shaky ground.
The dead batteries were given out..... free of charge.
If you take a laptop computer for a run you could...... jog your memory.
A dentist and a manicurist fought..... tooth and nail.
What's the definition of a will?..... It's a dead giveaway
Bob Mills
Shortly before his returning to heaven Jesus promised that he would send a comforter, the Holy Spirit, who would guide believers in all truth. (John 16:13) Prior to that God had sent John the Baptist who preached repentance and salvation through Jesus. John was preparing the way for Jesus, but did not mention the Spirit, for his is not a ministry of evangelism, but of nurture and support for believers. John completed his ministry, but that of the Spirit was just beginning among Christians. It continues until this day, and will continue until Jesus returns. The book of Galatians tells us how to see the difference between Christians and non believers. Christians show the fruit of the Spirit that entered into them at their new birth, baptism. If this fruit is not there, then the Spirit is not there either. Truly, “By their fruits, you shall know them.”
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS:
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Matthew 7:16, Ephesians 6:9, Romans 5:1-5, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Colossians 3:12-15)
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:18)
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (Galatians 3:26, Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 6:14)
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
APOLLOS AN ELOQUENT MAN
Apollos heard the preaching of John the Baptist, realized the truth of what he said and knowing the scriptures available to him, became an eloquent messenger of what he knew. The problem was, that he did not know the Lord Jesus and that he was the Messiah the fulfillment of those prophecies. This is where Aquila and Priscilla entered into his life. They listened to his preaching, recognized his sincerity and knowledge, and took action. They invited this young preacher to their home for a “chicken dinner” and taught him the rest of the message. (Acts 18:26)
Acts 18:24-28 (King James Version)
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. (Acts 19:1, 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 6:22, 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 16:12, Titus 3:13, Acts 6:9, Acts 18:19)
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. (Acts 9:2, Acts 18:26, Luke 7:29, Acts 19:3)
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:2, Acts 18:18, Acts 18:25)
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: (Acts 18:12, Acts 18:19, Acts 18:18, Acts 11:26)
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 8:35, Acts 18:5)
LEARNERS WHO KNEW NOT JESUS
Acts 19:1-5
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:15, Acts 11:16, John 7:39)
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (Luke 7:29, Acts 18:25)
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:4, Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3:16, John 1:26, John 1:27, Acts 13:24, John 1:7)
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(Acts 8:12, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48)
Paul, on his arrival at Ephesus, was delighted to find believers there also, but also recognized a lack of the fruit of the Spirit. Upon enquiry, he also found that they knew only the baptism of John, which did not result in the gift of the Spirit. John had been beheaded before Pentecost and the establishment of the church and the gift of the Spirit.
Do all things in the right order. I remember reading an “ABC” plan of salvation. That is in alphabetical order, but it is not God’s order. At Pentecost, Peter answered the cry of, “what shall we do” (Acts 2:37) with the answer, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ fir the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38) God is still calling lost sinners with the same answer. (Acts 2:39). The first step is always to hear, that is where we come in. We have to hear before we cam believe and repent. The same order was used by Philip later. (Acts 8:35-38)
Don’t miss the fruit of the Spirit. His presence in you will bear fruit!
_________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JULY
4th. Sunday – 2 Kings 4, Acts 24, Psalm 80:1-7
5th. Monday – 2 Kings 5, Acts 25, Psalm 80:8-19
6th. Tuesday – 2 Kings 6, Acts 26, Psalm 81:1-7
7th. Wednesday – 2 Kings 7, 8, Acts 27:1-20, Proverbs 16:16-24
8th. Thursday – 2 Kings 9, Acts 27:21-40, Psalm 81:8-16
9th. Friday - 2 Kings 10, Acts 28, Psalm 82
10th. Saturday – 2 Kings 11, 12, Romans 1:1-17, Psalm 83
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 691 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Romans 1:16
__________
Can I Get A Rim Shot
A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became.... a hardened criminal.
Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with... stalking.
We'll never run out of math teachers because they will.... always multiply.
What do you see when the smog lifts in Los Angeles..... U C L A.
The math professor went crazy with the blackboard. He did..... a number on it.
The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was..... on shaky ground.
The dead batteries were given out..... free of charge.
If you take a laptop computer for a run you could...... jog your memory.
A dentist and a manicurist fought..... tooth and nail.
What's the definition of a will?..... It's a dead giveaway
Friday, June 25, 2010
A GOOD EXAMPLE
Newsletter 199 - June 27, 2010
Acts 17:10-15 (King James Version)
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 1:15, Acts 17:6, Acts 17:14-, Acts 17:4, Acts 17:13, Acts 20:4, Acts 17:1-)
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:1)
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 2:47, Mark 15:43, Acts 15:50)
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. (Acts 17:1, Acts 17:10, Acts 17:20)
14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timothy abode there still. (Acts 1:15, Acts 17:6, Acts 17:10, Acts 15:22, Acts 17:4, Acts 16:1)
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy for to come to him with all speed, they departed.(Acts 15:3, Acts 17:16, Acts 17:21, Acts 18:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:1, Acts 17:14, Acts 18:5)
Witness at Berea
In these postmodern times people have learned to live in a culture of lies, half truths, theories, and suppositions so long that they have a problem with accepting truth. When the Bible states a simple truth, they are suspicious and either, reject it and refuse to even read it, or look at it for reasons so that they can reject it. They have been so often taken advantage of that they can’t accept anything based on truth, faith, or love. When they hear the Christian gospel's call to faith, they do not quite know how to respond. Luke helps us through an example based on a most unexpected place: the "off-the-beaten-path" city of Berea. The people of Berea were different than those of the near by big city of Thessalonica.
The city at Thessalonica, which had a population of some 200,000 people, had a synagogue. As was his habit, Paul went first to the Synagogue, where he hoped to find a people whom God had prepared for the acceptance of Jesus through the fulfilled prophecies of the Old Covenant. Some there did believe including a many Greeks and several of the leading women from the Synagogue, but the Jews, jealous of his success, incited a riot. The result was that he was forced to move on somewhere else..
A People of Noble Character
He and his companions traveled west-southwest some twenty miles and then headed south another thirty miles further to Berea. This strategic withdrawal into the third district of Macedonia and to a city that was described as being "off the beaten track" As is so often the case, this was not a defeat, but was God’s way of leading them to a place that was ready to hear the truth.
The Berean Jews and God-fearers were described as having a more noble character, with open minds willing to learn and evaluate this new message fairly
This noble character manifests itself in two ways. There is great eagerness (literally, "all eagerness") to receive the message. Yet the people's enthusiasm is not gullibility, for they subjected Paul's message, the word of God, to thorough study. Daily they met to examine the Old Testament Scriptures to see if the gospel declarations square with them (compare Acts 17:2-3). Their investigation to get at the truth is admirable. (Luke 23:14; Acts 24:8). The result is that a large number of Jews and Greeks, prominent women as well as men, probably both God-fearers and pagans, believed the message and were saved (compare Acts 20:4; Rom 16:21).
To become believers, we must eagerly accept the gospel message, comparing scripture with scripture.
To be a believer also means to test the gospel's truth claims. When the Jews in Thessalonica heard Paul's evangelistic activity in Berea, they came and used the same public-disturbance tactics used earlier, with similar results (Acts 17:5). They shake up (saleuo, used literally of earthquakes at Acts 4:31; Acts16:26) and stir up the crowds (Acts 15:24; Acts 17:8). Possibly because the Berean Christians realized that the Thessalonian Jews have the ear of provincial authorities, they decided that in their situation "discretion is the better part of valor." Before any arrests and judicial action can be taken they courageously spirit Paul away toward the coast.
This second withdrawal will prove to be another advance: Not only does Paul leave behind a newly planted church to be nurtured by Silas and Timothy, but his escape will take him to Athens, the center of Greco-Roman culture and Greek religion. Paul's progress is like wildfire: try to stamp it out in one place and it crops up in another. David Livingstone's words could well have been his: "I am prepared to go anywhere, so long as it is forward" (Barclay 1976:129).
If Paul and the Bereans engage in a ruse, heading to the coast but then turning south to approach Athens by land, then the Bereans' "accompanying" involves providing protection and care as well. (compare Joshua 6:23, 2 Chronicles 28:15).
To be a believer means having not only noble character that commits itself to the message but also a courageous soul that commits itself to the messenger, and to all who are part of the body of Christ. (Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33-34, Acts17:4, Acts 17:7). Post moderns have as hard a time with long-term commitments in relationships, as they do with bowing to the authority of a divine message. In both cases Luke's presentation of the Bereans' example gives them hope. By the power of the Spirit anyone can have what it takes to believe. (Acts 2:42-47, Acts 16:14)
________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010\
JUNE
27th. Sunday – 1 Kings 18, Acts 19:1-20, Psalm 78:21-30
28th. Monday – 1 Kings 19:1-20:21, Acts 19:21-41, Psalm 78:31-39
29th. Tuesday – 1 Kings 20:-21:29, Acts 20, Proverbs 15:27-33
30th. Wednesday – 1 Kings 22, Acts 21:1-16, Psalm 78:40-55
JULY
1st. Thursday – 2 Kings 1, Acts 21:17-40, Psalm 78:56-72
2nd. Friday - 2 Kings 2, Acts 22, Psalm 79
3rd. Saturday – 2 Kings 3, Acts 23, Proverbs 16:1-15
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
With links to 690 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11
__________
Where Do We Come From?
A little girl asked her mother, 'How did the human race begin?' The mother answered, 'God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so all mankind began with His creation.'
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question. The father answered, 'Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved.'
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, 'Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they evolved from monkeys?'
The mother answered, 'Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his.'
_________
Acts 17:10-15 (King James Version)
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 1:15, Acts 17:6, Acts 17:14-, Acts 17:4, Acts 17:13, Acts 20:4, Acts 17:1-)
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:1)
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 2:47, Mark 15:43, Acts 15:50)
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. (Acts 17:1, Acts 17:10, Acts 17:20)
14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timothy abode there still. (Acts 1:15, Acts 17:6, Acts 17:10, Acts 15:22, Acts 17:4, Acts 16:1)
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy for to come to him with all speed, they departed.(Acts 15:3, Acts 17:16, Acts 17:21, Acts 18:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:1, Acts 17:14, Acts 18:5)
Witness at Berea
In these postmodern times people have learned to live in a culture of lies, half truths, theories, and suppositions so long that they have a problem with accepting truth. When the Bible states a simple truth, they are suspicious and either, reject it and refuse to even read it, or look at it for reasons so that they can reject it. They have been so often taken advantage of that they can’t accept anything based on truth, faith, or love. When they hear the Christian gospel's call to faith, they do not quite know how to respond. Luke helps us through an example based on a most unexpected place: the "off-the-beaten-path" city of Berea. The people of Berea were different than those of the near by big city of Thessalonica.
The city at Thessalonica, which had a population of some 200,000 people, had a synagogue. As was his habit, Paul went first to the Synagogue, where he hoped to find a people whom God had prepared for the acceptance of Jesus through the fulfilled prophecies of the Old Covenant. Some there did believe including a many Greeks and several of the leading women from the Synagogue, but the Jews, jealous of his success, incited a riot. The result was that he was forced to move on somewhere else..
A People of Noble Character
He and his companions traveled west-southwest some twenty miles and then headed south another thirty miles further to Berea. This strategic withdrawal into the third district of Macedonia and to a city that was described as being "off the beaten track" As is so often the case, this was not a defeat, but was God’s way of leading them to a place that was ready to hear the truth.
The Berean Jews and God-fearers were described as having a more noble character, with open minds willing to learn and evaluate this new message fairly
This noble character manifests itself in two ways. There is great eagerness (literally, "all eagerness") to receive the message. Yet the people's enthusiasm is not gullibility, for they subjected Paul's message, the word of God, to thorough study. Daily they met to examine the Old Testament Scriptures to see if the gospel declarations square with them (compare Acts 17:2-3). Their investigation to get at the truth is admirable. (Luke 23:14; Acts 24:8). The result is that a large number of Jews and Greeks, prominent women as well as men, probably both God-fearers and pagans, believed the message and were saved (compare Acts 20:4; Rom 16:21).
To become believers, we must eagerly accept the gospel message, comparing scripture with scripture.
To be a believer also means to test the gospel's truth claims. When the Jews in Thessalonica heard Paul's evangelistic activity in Berea, they came and used the same public-disturbance tactics used earlier, with similar results (Acts 17:5). They shake up (saleuo, used literally of earthquakes at Acts 4:31; Acts16:26) and stir up the crowds (Acts 15:24; Acts 17:8). Possibly because the Berean Christians realized that the Thessalonian Jews have the ear of provincial authorities, they decided that in their situation "discretion is the better part of valor." Before any arrests and judicial action can be taken they courageously spirit Paul away toward the coast.
This second withdrawal will prove to be another advance: Not only does Paul leave behind a newly planted church to be nurtured by Silas and Timothy, but his escape will take him to Athens, the center of Greco-Roman culture and Greek religion. Paul's progress is like wildfire: try to stamp it out in one place and it crops up in another. David Livingstone's words could well have been his: "I am prepared to go anywhere, so long as it is forward" (Barclay 1976:129).
If Paul and the Bereans engage in a ruse, heading to the coast but then turning south to approach Athens by land, then the Bereans' "accompanying" involves providing protection and care as well. (compare Joshua 6:23, 2 Chronicles 28:15).
To be a believer means having not only noble character that commits itself to the message but also a courageous soul that commits itself to the messenger, and to all who are part of the body of Christ. (Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33-34, Acts17:4, Acts 17:7). Post moderns have as hard a time with long-term commitments in relationships, as they do with bowing to the authority of a divine message. In both cases Luke's presentation of the Bereans' example gives them hope. By the power of the Spirit anyone can have what it takes to believe. (Acts 2:42-47, Acts 16:14)
________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010\
JUNE
27th. Sunday – 1 Kings 18, Acts 19:1-20, Psalm 78:21-30
28th. Monday – 1 Kings 19:1-20:21, Acts 19:21-41, Psalm 78:31-39
29th. Tuesday – 1 Kings 20:-21:29, Acts 20, Proverbs 15:27-33
30th. Wednesday – 1 Kings 22, Acts 21:1-16, Psalm 78:40-55
JULY
1st. Thursday – 2 Kings 1, Acts 21:17-40, Psalm 78:56-72
2nd. Friday - 2 Kings 2, Acts 22, Psalm 79
3rd. Saturday – 2 Kings 3, Acts 23, Proverbs 16:1-15
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
With links to 690 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11
__________
Where Do We Come From?
A little girl asked her mother, 'How did the human race begin?' The mother answered, 'God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so all mankind began with His creation.'
Two days later the girl asked her father the same question. The father answered, 'Many years ago there were monkeys from which the human race evolved.'
The confused girl returned to her mother and said, 'Mom, how is it possible that you told me the human race was created by God, and Dad said they evolved from monkeys?'
The mother answered, 'Well, dear, it is very simple. I told you about my side of the family and your father told you about his.'
_________
Friday, June 18, 2010
WHO WAS CORNELIUS, AND WHY IS HE IMPORTANT?
Newsletter 198 - June 19, 2010
Bob Mills
THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
Before we think about Cornelius, we need to consider the purpose of the book of Acts. A complete title could be, “Some of the acts of some of the apostles.” Though much of it centers on the Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, it is not his biography, this portion enters on Peter, but this is only a fragment of his life. It is not a biography.
It is historical, and is about the beginning of the church, its growth and expansion throughout the Roman world. The author, Luke, in the closing words of his Gospel, quotes Christ who said, “that repentance and the remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
There are today many which call them selves His church, but Christ said, “I will build my church” and at Pentecost, in Jerusalem, we read, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47) A better translation would be, “were being saved,” as we see in several newer translations. The time, place, founder, and name are all thus established. If he is the head, then, as his body, it will naturally bear his name. That is the beginning, but where is Cornelius involved.?
THE FIRST CONVERTS WERE JEWS FROM ALL OVER THE ROMAN WORLD
Since all these people were in Jerusalem for the Passover and Pentecost, Jewish festivals, we know that the first converts were either Jews or Jewish proselytes.
In Christ’s prayer recorded in John 17, he says “as thou hast sent me unto the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” (John 17:18), And also John 17:20 where he says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe through their word.” The church is made up of people from all nations, every where.
BUT CORNELIUS WAS A GENTILE, A ROMAN CENTURION
He was open to hear and had already prayed to God. God heard him and answered through Peter, (Acts 10:5-8), though it took three special and personal visions to convince Peter that God loved Gentiles as well as Jews. (Acts 10:9-16)
As evidence of this fact, the same signs that had been shown at Pentecost, were repeated.
Acts 10:34-43 (King James Version)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (Matthew 3:2, Deuteronomy 10:17, 2Chronicles 19:7, Romans 2:11, Galatians 2:6, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25, 1 Peter 1:17)
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:28, Acts 10:2)
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all, Acts 13:32, Luke 1:79, Luke 2:14, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:17, Matthew 28:18, Acts 2:36, Romans 10:12)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 2:22, Acts 4:26, Matthew 4:23, John 3:2)
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: (Luke 24:48, Acts 10:41, Acts 5:30)
40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; (Acts 2:24)
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. (John 14:19, John 14:22, John 15:27, Luke 24:48, Acts 10:39, Luke 24:43, Acts 1:4)
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Acts 1:2, Luke 16:28, Luke 22:22, John 5:22, John 5:27, Acts 17:31, 2 Timothy 4:1, 1 Peter 4:5)
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins (Acts 3:18, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12)
GOD OPENED DOORS TO OTHERS AS WELL
God sent Phillip to meet and teach the Ethiopian from Africa, and Paul from Troas to Europe. Just a little supplementary reading will suggest others who went in every direction, and thus the church continues to grow even until today.
_________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JUNE
20th. Sunday – 1 Kings 8, Acts 14, Psalm 76
21st. Monday – 1 Kings 9, 10. Acts 15:1-22, Proverbs 15:9-18
22nd. Tuesday – 1 Kings 11, Acts 15:23-41, Psalm 77:1-
23rd. Wednesday – 1 Kings 12, Acts 16:1-18, Psalm 77:10-20
24th. Thursday – 1 Kings 13, Acts 16:19-40, Psalm 78:1-8
25th. Friday - 1 Kings 14, 15, Acts 17, Proverbs 15:19-26
26th. Saturday – 1 Kings 16, 17, Acts 18, Psalm 78:9-20
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 689 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 6 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11
__________
These are all available from Amazon.com
Or click on the illustration of the cover for a hyper link with details.
Questions and Answers
Why do politicians envy ventriloquists? Because they can lie without moving their lips. What do you call a politician who swears to tell the truth? A liar. If con is the opposite of pro then what is the opposite of progress? How can you tell when a politician is lying? His lips are moving.
_________
Bob Mills
THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
Before we think about Cornelius, we need to consider the purpose of the book of Acts. A complete title could be, “Some of the acts of some of the apostles.” Though much of it centers on the Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, it is not his biography, this portion enters on Peter, but this is only a fragment of his life. It is not a biography.
It is historical, and is about the beginning of the church, its growth and expansion throughout the Roman world. The author, Luke, in the closing words of his Gospel, quotes Christ who said, “that repentance and the remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
There are today many which call them selves His church, but Christ said, “I will build my church” and at Pentecost, in Jerusalem, we read, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47) A better translation would be, “were being saved,” as we see in several newer translations. The time, place, founder, and name are all thus established. If he is the head, then, as his body, it will naturally bear his name. That is the beginning, but where is Cornelius involved.?
THE FIRST CONVERTS WERE JEWS FROM ALL OVER THE ROMAN WORLD
Since all these people were in Jerusalem for the Passover and Pentecost, Jewish festivals, we know that the first converts were either Jews or Jewish proselytes.
In Christ’s prayer recorded in John 17, he says “as thou hast sent me unto the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” (John 17:18), And also John 17:20 where he says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe through their word.” The church is made up of people from all nations, every where.
BUT CORNELIUS WAS A GENTILE, A ROMAN CENTURION
He was open to hear and had already prayed to God. God heard him and answered through Peter, (Acts 10:5-8), though it took three special and personal visions to convince Peter that God loved Gentiles as well as Jews. (Acts 10:9-16)
As evidence of this fact, the same signs that had been shown at Pentecost, were repeated.
Acts 10:34-43 (King James Version)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (Matthew 3:2, Deuteronomy 10:17, 2Chronicles 19:7, Romans 2:11, Galatians 2:6, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25, 1 Peter 1:17)
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (Acts 10:28, Acts 10:2)
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all, Acts 13:32, Luke 1:79, Luke 2:14, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:17, Matthew 28:18, Acts 2:36, Romans 10:12)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 2:22, Acts 4:26, Matthew 4:23, John 3:2)
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: (Luke 24:48, Acts 10:41, Acts 5:30)
40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; (Acts 2:24)
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. (John 14:19, John 14:22, John 15:27, Luke 24:48, Acts 10:39, Luke 24:43, Acts 1:4)
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Acts 1:2, Luke 16:28, Luke 22:22, John 5:22, John 5:27, Acts 17:31, 2 Timothy 4:1, 1 Peter 4:5)
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins (Acts 3:18, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12)
GOD OPENED DOORS TO OTHERS AS WELL
God sent Phillip to meet and teach the Ethiopian from Africa, and Paul from Troas to Europe. Just a little supplementary reading will suggest others who went in every direction, and thus the church continues to grow even until today.
_________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JUNE
20th. Sunday – 1 Kings 8, Acts 14, Psalm 76
21st. Monday – 1 Kings 9, 10. Acts 15:1-22, Proverbs 15:9-18
22nd. Tuesday – 1 Kings 11, Acts 15:23-41, Psalm 77:1-
23rd. Wednesday – 1 Kings 12, Acts 16:1-18, Psalm 77:10-20
24th. Thursday – 1 Kings 13, Acts 16:19-40, Psalm 78:1-8
25th. Friday - 1 Kings 14, 15, Acts 17, Proverbs 15:19-26
26th. Saturday – 1 Kings 16, 17, Acts 18, Psalm 78:9-20
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 689 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 6 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11
__________
These are all available from Amazon.com
Or click on the illustration of the cover for a hyper link with details.
Questions and Answers
Why do politicians envy ventriloquists? Because they can lie without moving their lips. What do you call a politician who swears to tell the truth? A liar. If con is the opposite of pro then what is the opposite of progress? How can you tell when a politician is lying? His lips are moving.
_________
Saturday, June 12, 2010
TO EVERY LANGUAGE ON EARTH
Newsletter 197 - June 12, 2010
Bob Mills
“The computer dictionary defines a blog as being a type of a website or a part of a website, usually maintained by individuals.” By that definition, I am a blogger, not to be confused with the idle chit chat, many people think of as being “blogging.” I divide my contributions into nine, at the present time, different categories, depending on the type and subject matter. One of those is a weekly newsletter titled, “Searching the Scriptures with Bob.” This lesson is a feature article from this week’s issue of that posted yesterday. That was issue number 196.
I closed my large website in favor of blogs, for several reasons, one being expense, blogs are free, web sites are not. The same “searchers” cover them. They are also far more flexible to maintain and make editorial changes to or even delete entirely or replace. I have been working my way through the New Testament following a daily reading guide for a few years now with these. This particular scripture is”
Acts 2:5-18 (King James Version)
Since the content of Peter’s sermon and the crowd’s response, has already been commented upon, I am dealing with the verses leading up to that. These give us background information about his listeners.
THEY WERE JEWS AND THEY CAME FROM THE KNOWN WORLD
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. (Luke 2:25, Acts 8:2)
EACH HEARD IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE
In his previous book, Luke had recorded these works, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem..” (Luke 24:47)
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:2)
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (Acts 2:12, Matthew 26:73, Acts 1:11)
Their local language dialect made clear their Galilaean origins, but they spoke clearly in other tongues. We read in Mark that Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, be he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16)
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
These people came from every direction, they were Jews who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover and Pentecost festivals, but they would return home after that. God was opening the door to every language as far away as Rome or Asia. These were all known languages, the apostles speaking them was through the power of the Holy Spirit, but they were all known and understood languages, not unknown languages. God wants his word understood by every man, woman and child on this earth. That was the command of Christ. (Matthew 28:18)
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (1 Peter 1:1, Acts 18:2, 1 Peter 1L1, Acts 6:9, Acts 16:6, Acts 19:10, Acts 20:4, Acts 21:22, Acts 24:18, Acts 27:2, Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:15, Revelation 1:4)
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 16:6, Acts 18:23, Acts 13:13, Acts 14:24, Acts 15:38, Acts 27:5, Matthew 27:32)
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. (Barnabas was from Crete)
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (Acts 2:7)
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. (1 Corinthians 14:23)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: (Acts 1:26)
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (1 Thessalonians 5:7)
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (Joel 2:26-32)
This old man dreams dreams, that is why he blogs the Word. I have been reading “Lost Boy No More” Read it. Christians are suffering for their faith as never before! And that is only about Ethiopia.
_________
I RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JUNE
13th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 22, Acts 9:23-43, Proverbs 14:26-35
14th. Monday – 2 Samuel 23, 24, Acts 10:1-18, Psalm 73:15-28
15th. Tuesday – 1 Kings 1, Acts 10:19-48, Psalm 74:1-9
16th. Wednesday – 1 Kings 2, Acts 11, Psalm 74:10-17
17th. Thursday – 1 Kings 3, 4, Acts 12, Proverbs 15:1-8
18th. Friday - 1 Kings 5, 6, Acts 13:1-25, Psalm 74:18-23
19th. Saturday – 1 Kings 7, Acts 12:26-52, Psalm 75
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 688 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
___________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
_________
Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really upset.
She told him "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE !!"
The next morning he got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.
Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, brought the box back in the house. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.
Bob has been missing since Friday!
__________
ITS TRUE, GOD LOVES YOU! - Arabic
هذا صحيح! الله يحبك!
فيليس ميلز
نعم. وهذا حقيقي ، والله لا أحبك. بينما كنت ما زلت كريه ، أرسل الله ابنه لانقاذ لكم. "وبينما نحن بعد خطاة مات المسيح لأجلنا". -- رومية 5:8.
ليس لديك ليصبح شخص جيد في سبيل الله أحبك. لا! انه يحبك مجرد وسيلة أنت وأنت تريد أن يكون لها مكان في السماء معه. "ال معكم المريض ، لا يريد أحد أن يموت." -- بيتر الثاني 3:9.
بعد الله لا يمكن ان تسمح فاسقين للعيش معه في السماء. "الله هو الخفيفة ؛ له في الظلام لا يوجد على الاطلاق". -- أنا يوحنا 1:5. و "الأشرار لا يرثون ملكوت الله". -- أنا كورنثوس 6:9. الله قد جعل هذه الخطة.
الله مرسوما يقضي بأن "بدون سفك دم لا تحصل مغفرة." -- عب 9:22. ولذلك ، يسوع ، ابن الله العزيز ، من شأنه أن يسفك دمه ويموت بحيث خطاياك يمكن جرفت. "وغسلنا من خطايانا بدمه". -- الوحي 1:5 ب)
الله قد أدى واجبه. الآن يجب عليك بدورك. بيتر لبشر المؤمنين الأولى : "توبوا وعمد كل واحد منكم باسم يسوع المسيح حتى بأن ما تتمتعون به غفران الخطايا وسوف تتلقى هدية من الروح القدس". -- أعمال 2:38.
بعد التعميد كنت يصبح شخص جديد. القديم هو ذهب. "واذا كان احد في المسيح فهو خليقة جديدة. القديم قد ولى ، والجديد قد حان". -- أنا كورنثوس 5:17. هذا الشخص الجديد يريد أن يعيش حياة لارضاء الله.
"عش حياتك تستحق الرب ومرضاته في كل شيء : تؤتي ثمارها في كل عمل جيد ، وتزايد في معرفة الله -- وبفرح تقديم الشكر." -- كولوسي 1:10-12.
Posted by Bob at 12:28 PM 0 comments
Labels: Arabic Salvation Tracts
This is only one of our tract portions which are available in many different languages, just ask and we will seek or compose.
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com/
Bob Mills
“The computer dictionary defines a blog as being a type of a website or a part of a website, usually maintained by individuals.” By that definition, I am a blogger, not to be confused with the idle chit chat, many people think of as being “blogging.” I divide my contributions into nine, at the present time, different categories, depending on the type and subject matter. One of those is a weekly newsletter titled, “Searching the Scriptures with Bob.” This lesson is a feature article from this week’s issue of that posted yesterday. That was issue number 196.
I closed my large website in favor of blogs, for several reasons, one being expense, blogs are free, web sites are not. The same “searchers” cover them. They are also far more flexible to maintain and make editorial changes to or even delete entirely or replace. I have been working my way through the New Testament following a daily reading guide for a few years now with these. This particular scripture is”
Acts 2:5-18 (King James Version)
Since the content of Peter’s sermon and the crowd’s response, has already been commented upon, I am dealing with the verses leading up to that. These give us background information about his listeners.
THEY WERE JEWS AND THEY CAME FROM THE KNOWN WORLD
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. (Luke 2:25, Acts 8:2)
EACH HEARD IN HIS OWN LANGUAGE
In his previous book, Luke had recorded these works, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem..” (Luke 24:47)
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:2)
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (Acts 2:12, Matthew 26:73, Acts 1:11)
Their local language dialect made clear their Galilaean origins, but they spoke clearly in other tongues. We read in Mark that Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, be he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16)
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
These people came from every direction, they were Jews who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover and Pentecost festivals, but they would return home after that. God was opening the door to every language as far away as Rome or Asia. These were all known languages, the apostles speaking them was through the power of the Holy Spirit, but they were all known and understood languages, not unknown languages. God wants his word understood by every man, woman and child on this earth. That was the command of Christ. (Matthew 28:18)
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (1 Peter 1:1, Acts 18:2, 1 Peter 1L1, Acts 6:9, Acts 16:6, Acts 19:10, Acts 20:4, Acts 21:22, Acts 24:18, Acts 27:2, Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Corinthians 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:15, Revelation 1:4)
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (Acts 16:6, Acts 18:23, Acts 13:13, Acts 14:24, Acts 15:38, Acts 27:5, Matthew 27:32)
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. (Barnabas was from Crete)
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (Acts 2:7)
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. (1 Corinthians 14:23)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: (Acts 1:26)
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (1 Thessalonians 5:7)
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (Joel 2:26-32)
This old man dreams dreams, that is why he blogs the Word. I have been reading “Lost Boy No More” Read it. Christians are suffering for their faith as never before! And that is only about Ethiopia.
_________
I RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JUNE
13th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 22, Acts 9:23-43, Proverbs 14:26-35
14th. Monday – 2 Samuel 23, 24, Acts 10:1-18, Psalm 73:15-28
15th. Tuesday – 1 Kings 1, Acts 10:19-48, Psalm 74:1-9
16th. Wednesday – 1 Kings 2, Acts 11, Psalm 74:10-17
17th. Thursday – 1 Kings 3, 4, Acts 12, Proverbs 15:1-8
18th. Friday - 1 Kings 5, 6, Acts 13:1-25, Psalm 74:18-23
19th. Saturday – 1 Kings 7, Acts 12:26-52, Psalm 75
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 688 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
___________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
_________
Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really upset.
She told him "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE !!"
The next morning he got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway.
Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, brought the box back in the house. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.
Bob has been missing since Friday!
__________
ITS TRUE, GOD LOVES YOU! - Arabic
هذا صحيح! الله يحبك!
فيليس ميلز
نعم. وهذا حقيقي ، والله لا أحبك. بينما كنت ما زلت كريه ، أرسل الله ابنه لانقاذ لكم. "وبينما نحن بعد خطاة مات المسيح لأجلنا". -- رومية 5:8.
ليس لديك ليصبح شخص جيد في سبيل الله أحبك. لا! انه يحبك مجرد وسيلة أنت وأنت تريد أن يكون لها مكان في السماء معه. "ال معكم المريض ، لا يريد أحد أن يموت." -- بيتر الثاني 3:9.
بعد الله لا يمكن ان تسمح فاسقين للعيش معه في السماء. "الله هو الخفيفة ؛ له في الظلام لا يوجد على الاطلاق". -- أنا يوحنا 1:5. و "الأشرار لا يرثون ملكوت الله". -- أنا كورنثوس 6:9. الله قد جعل هذه الخطة.
الله مرسوما يقضي بأن "بدون سفك دم لا تحصل مغفرة." -- عب 9:22. ولذلك ، يسوع ، ابن الله العزيز ، من شأنه أن يسفك دمه ويموت بحيث خطاياك يمكن جرفت. "وغسلنا من خطايانا بدمه". -- الوحي 1:5 ب)
الله قد أدى واجبه. الآن يجب عليك بدورك. بيتر لبشر المؤمنين الأولى : "توبوا وعمد كل واحد منكم باسم يسوع المسيح حتى بأن ما تتمتعون به غفران الخطايا وسوف تتلقى هدية من الروح القدس". -- أعمال 2:38.
بعد التعميد كنت يصبح شخص جديد. القديم هو ذهب. "واذا كان احد في المسيح فهو خليقة جديدة. القديم قد ولى ، والجديد قد حان". -- أنا كورنثوس 5:17. هذا الشخص الجديد يريد أن يعيش حياة لارضاء الله.
"عش حياتك تستحق الرب ومرضاته في كل شيء : تؤتي ثمارها في كل عمل جيد ، وتزايد في معرفة الله -- وبفرح تقديم الشكر." -- كولوسي 1:10-12.
Posted by Bob at 12:28 PM 0 comments
Labels: Arabic Salvation Tracts
This is only one of our tract portions which are available in many different languages, just ask and we will seek or compose.
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com/
Friday, June 4, 2010
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Newsletter 196 - June 5, 2010
Bob Mills
Of all the apostles, John is singled out as being the Apostle Jesus Loved. He was one of the inner circle, and is the one that Jesus asked, just before his death, to care for his mother. This may have had something to do with the fact that John was the youngest of the apostles, did not die the death of a martyr, and that he lived to an old age. Mary may have still been living.
This account of Resurrection Sunday, is the last of the gospels to have been written, and reflects the resurrection event looking back a number of years later from the view point of John, who also wrote the book of Revelation.
Without the resurrection, there could be no such thing as the church, and the salvation of lost souls. It is not possible to know what the world would be like without the ministry of Christ. This was the final stamp of approval of His divinity and the completion of his work. All that remained to be done were the final proofs to the believers and the handing over all into their hands at Pentecost following his ascension back to be with his Father, where he would prepare a place for all obedient believers. (John 3:16)
John 20:1-10 (King James Version)
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher. (John 20:1-8, Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-10John 19:25, John 20:18, Matthew 27:60, Matthew 27:66, Matthew 28:2, Mark 15:46, Mark 16:3, Luke 24:2, John 11:38)
PETER AND JOHN
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him. (John 13:23, John 20:13)
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. (Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10)
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. (John 20:11, John 19:40)
PETER SEES THE GRAVE CLOTHING LYING, BUT NO BODY
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. (John 11:44, John 19:40)
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. (John 20:4)
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (Matthew 22:29, John 2:22, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:46)
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. (Luke 24:12)
We know that the women had witnessed where the body was placed but probably not that a Roman guard was placed there or that it was sealed with
The Roman seal. They had seen that it was hurriedly placed there and clearly felt that inadequate spices were used
Mary Magdalene arrived first, very early. It was she who ran to find Peter and John. John, being much younger, outran Peter, and it was Peter who first entered into the tomb itself.
He would have instantly known that the body had not been removed by man. Men would have taken the wrappings and the napkin along with the body, but they found those still there, not in a heap, but still as they were when they still enclosed the body, and with the napkin neatly folded and lying by itself.
The other accounts give additional information. Jesus had risen, not been carried away as the Jews fabricated story suggests.
He arose, and he still lives to this day. Weeks later, he ascended back to be with the Father and to prepare for all obedient believers who one day will follow him to find that eternal dwelling place that he has prepare for each of them.
_________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JUNE
6th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 10, 11, Acts 5:17-42, Psalm 70
7th. Monday – 2 Samuel 12, 13, Acts 6, Psalm 71:1-8
8th. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 14, 15, Acts 7:1-36, Psalm 71:9-18
9th. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 16, 17, Acts 7:37-60, Proverbs 14:19-25
10th. Thursday – 2 Samuel 18, Acts 8:1-24, Psalm 71:19-24
11th. Friday - 2 Samuel 19, Acts 8:25-40, Psalm 72
12th. Saturday – 2 Samuel 20, 21, Acts 9:1-22, Psalm 73:1-14
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 687 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
John 17:21-22
__________
Family News. We just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary!
Bob Mills
Of all the apostles, John is singled out as being the Apostle Jesus Loved. He was one of the inner circle, and is the one that Jesus asked, just before his death, to care for his mother. This may have had something to do with the fact that John was the youngest of the apostles, did not die the death of a martyr, and that he lived to an old age. Mary may have still been living.
This account of Resurrection Sunday, is the last of the gospels to have been written, and reflects the resurrection event looking back a number of years later from the view point of John, who also wrote the book of Revelation.
Without the resurrection, there could be no such thing as the church, and the salvation of lost souls. It is not possible to know what the world would be like without the ministry of Christ. This was the final stamp of approval of His divinity and the completion of his work. All that remained to be done were the final proofs to the believers and the handing over all into their hands at Pentecost following his ascension back to be with his Father, where he would prepare a place for all obedient believers. (John 3:16)
John 20:1-10 (King James Version)
RESURRECTION SUNDAY
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher. (John 20:1-8, Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-10John 19:25, John 20:18, Matthew 27:60, Matthew 27:66, Matthew 28:2, Mark 15:46, Mark 16:3, Luke 24:2, John 11:38)
PETER AND JOHN
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him. (John 13:23, John 20:13)
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. (Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10)
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. (John 20:11, John 19:40)
PETER SEES THE GRAVE CLOTHING LYING, BUT NO BODY
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. (John 11:44, John 19:40)
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. (John 20:4)
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (Matthew 22:29, John 2:22, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:46)
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. (Luke 24:12)
We know that the women had witnessed where the body was placed but probably not that a Roman guard was placed there or that it was sealed with
The Roman seal. They had seen that it was hurriedly placed there and clearly felt that inadequate spices were used
Mary Magdalene arrived first, very early. It was she who ran to find Peter and John. John, being much younger, outran Peter, and it was Peter who first entered into the tomb itself.
He would have instantly known that the body had not been removed by man. Men would have taken the wrappings and the napkin along with the body, but they found those still there, not in a heap, but still as they were when they still enclosed the body, and with the napkin neatly folded and lying by itself.
The other accounts give additional information. Jesus had risen, not been carried away as the Jews fabricated story suggests.
He arose, and he still lives to this day. Weeks later, he ascended back to be with the Father and to prepare for all obedient believers who one day will follow him to find that eternal dwelling place that he has prepare for each of them.
_________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
JUNE
6th. Sunday – 2 Samuel 10, 11, Acts 5:17-42, Psalm 70
7th. Monday – 2 Samuel 12, 13, Acts 6, Psalm 71:1-8
8th. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 14, 15, Acts 7:1-36, Psalm 71:9-18
9th. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 16, 17, Acts 7:37-60, Proverbs 14:19-25
10th. Thursday – 2 Samuel 18, Acts 8:1-24, Psalm 71:19-24
11th. Friday - 2 Samuel 19, Acts 8:25-40, Psalm 72
12th. Saturday – 2 Samuel 20, 21, Acts 9:1-22, Psalm 73:1-14
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 687 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
John 17:21-22
__________
Family News. We just celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary!
Friday, May 28, 2010
THE PARABLE OF THE VINE
Newsletter 195 - May 29, 2010
Bob Mills
In Dallas this parable would possibly have been the Parable of the Branches. As we drove across the city recently, many piles of branches littered the curbs. Home owners were tidying up misshaped or damaged trees from the recent high winds.
Jesus chose to use vines, which have to be pruned every year to keep them bearing good fruit.
John 15:1-11 (King James Version)
GOD IS THE HUSBANDMAN AND CHRIST IS THE VINE.
This is the basic unit. I remember seeing vines that, I was told, husbandman, and they still bore fruit. God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are the totally reliable, unchangeable constants in the parable.
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (Psalm 80:91, Isaiah 5:1, Ezekiel 19:10, Matthew 21:33, Matthew 15:13, Romans 11:17, 1 Corinthians 3:9)
CHRISTIANS ARE THE BRANCHES
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
The caretaker knows just where and how to cut the branches back years ago, we were involved in restoring a badly neglected church building. It’s front steps were flanked by two rose bushes that had not been pruned for years. At the time, I was reprimanded when I cut away masses of tangled growth, but later the same person came to thank me for the results were unbelievable that it could be the same plants.
For the Christian, represented by the branches of the parable there are several parallels. The branch draws all its strength and life from the vine. Without that vital source, we are dead. We have no life apart from Christ, and no power apart from the Spirit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 13:10, John 17:17, Ephesians 15:26)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (John 6:56, John 15:4-7, 1 John 2:6)
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:16)
THE BARREN BRANCHES ARE DESTINED TO DESTRUCTION
Like those barren branches the Christian who neglects his source of Spiritual strength, must expect to be reprimanded and cut back. The final destiny of a fruitless person is the judgment and destruction. He knows what the fruit is, but has chosen the fruit of the world and in so, the destiny as well. That fruit is shown in Galatians 5:22-25.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:2)
THE FAITHFUL HAVE THE POWER OF THE FATHER BACKING THEM UP
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (Matthew 7:7, John 15:16)
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; (Galatians 5:22-25) so shall ye be my disciples. (Matthew 5:16, John 8:31)
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (John 3:35, John 17:23-23)
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept
my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 14:15, John 8:29)
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 17:13, John 3:29)
THE JUDGMENT TIME WILL BE A TIME OF REJOICING FOR THE FRUITFUL
God has prepared the time of rejoicing for the wedding feast of Christ and His bride, the church.
_________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
MAY
30th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 28, 29, John 20, Psalm 68:20-27
31st. Monday – 1 Samuel 30, 31, John 21, Psalm 68:28-35
JUNE
1st. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 1, 2, Acts 1, Proverbs 14:1-9
2nd. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 3, Acts 2, Psalm 69:1-12
3rd. Thursday – 2 Samuel 4, 5, Acts 3, Psalm 69:13-28
4th. Friday - 2 Samuel 6, 7, Acts 4, Psalm 69:29-36
5th. Saturday – 2 Samuel 8, 9, Acts 5:1-16, Proverbs 14:10-18
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 686 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
John 15:12
__________
SEARCH: “Turning Point, by PJ Mills” Available from Amazon.com, Barnesand noble.com, Xlibris.com or by phone 1-888-795-4274, ext. 7876
_______
Bottle of Red, Bottle of White...
she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car.
Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.
'What in bag?' asked the old woman. Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, 'It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband.'
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said, 'Good trade.'
Bob Mills
In Dallas this parable would possibly have been the Parable of the Branches. As we drove across the city recently, many piles of branches littered the curbs. Home owners were tidying up misshaped or damaged trees from the recent high winds.
Jesus chose to use vines, which have to be pruned every year to keep them bearing good fruit.
John 15:1-11 (King James Version)
GOD IS THE HUSBANDMAN AND CHRIST IS THE VINE.
This is the basic unit. I remember seeing vines that, I was told, husbandman, and they still bore fruit. God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are the totally reliable, unchangeable constants in the parable.
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (Psalm 80:91, Isaiah 5:1, Ezekiel 19:10, Matthew 21:33, Matthew 15:13, Romans 11:17, 1 Corinthians 3:9)
CHRISTIANS ARE THE BRANCHES
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
The caretaker knows just where and how to cut the branches back years ago, we were involved in restoring a badly neglected church building. It’s front steps were flanked by two rose bushes that had not been pruned for years. At the time, I was reprimanded when I cut away masses of tangled growth, but later the same person came to thank me for the results were unbelievable that it could be the same plants.
For the Christian, represented by the branches of the parable there are several parallels. The branch draws all its strength and life from the vine. Without that vital source, we are dead. We have no life apart from Christ, and no power apart from the Spirit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 13:10, John 17:17, Ephesians 15:26)
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (John 6:56, John 15:4-7, 1 John 2:6)
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:16)
THE BARREN BRANCHES ARE DESTINED TO DESTRUCTION
Like those barren branches the Christian who neglects his source of Spiritual strength, must expect to be reprimanded and cut back. The final destiny of a fruitless person is the judgment and destruction. He knows what the fruit is, but has chosen the fruit of the world and in so, the destiny as well. That fruit is shown in Galatians 5:22-25.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:2)
THE FAITHFUL HAVE THE POWER OF THE FATHER BACKING THEM UP
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (Matthew 7:7, John 15:16)
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; (Galatians 5:22-25) so shall ye be my disciples. (Matthew 5:16, John 8:31)
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (John 3:35, John 17:23-23)
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept
my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 14:15, John 8:29)
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 17:13, John 3:29)
THE JUDGMENT TIME WILL BE A TIME OF REJOICING FOR THE FRUITFUL
God has prepared the time of rejoicing for the wedding feast of Christ and His bride, the church.
_________
RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010
MAY
30th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 28, 29, John 20, Psalm 68:20-27
31st. Monday – 1 Samuel 30, 31, John 21, Psalm 68:28-35
JUNE
1st. Tuesday – 2 Samuel 1, 2, Acts 1, Proverbs 14:1-9
2nd. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 3, Acts 2, Psalm 69:1-12
3rd. Thursday – 2 Samuel 4, 5, Acts 3, Psalm 69:13-28
4th. Friday - 2 Samuel 6, 7, Acts 4, Psalm 69:29-36
5th. Saturday – 2 Samuel 8, 9, Acts 5:1-16, Proverbs 14:10-18
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 686 titles)
GOOGLE TRANSLATOR: The Translator is available only to e-mail blog readers and needs to be activated by scrolling to the very bottom of the monitor screen. Using it, you may have any of our blogs on the screen translated into one of many languages and you can then copy and forward them to email addresses all over earth. “Go ye unto all the world.”
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ 4 published books & more to come
http://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
God’s gifts cannot be bought for any money.
____________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
John 15:12
__________
SEARCH: “Turning Point, by PJ Mills” Available from Amazon.com, Barnesand noble.com, Xlibris.com or by phone 1-888-795-4274, ext. 7876
_______
Bottle of Red, Bottle of White...
she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car.
Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.
'What in bag?' asked the old woman. Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, 'It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband.'
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said, 'Good trade.'
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