"Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together. Assemble, all of you, and listen! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; he shall perform his purpose on Babylon, and his arm shall be against the Chaldeans. I, even I, have spoken and called him; I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way. Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there." And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit. (Isaiah 48:12-16 ESV)
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV)
Friday, October 30, 2015
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Trinity In New Testament
Taken from this website:
QUOTE
Within the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit share an equality of divine nature. It is noteworthy that, in the great trinitarian passages in the New Testament, the scriptures do not adhere to any rigid sequence when mentioning the divine persons, thereby avoiding any suggestion of superiority or inferiority within the Godhead. Indeed every possible arrangement of the divine names is found:
Father, Son, Spirit (Matthew 28:19)
Father, Spirit, Son (1 Peter 1:2)
Son, Father, Spirit (John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Son, Spirit, Father (Ephesians 2:18)
Spirit, Father, Son (John 14:26)
Spirit, Son, Father (John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
In every instance, there is a precise reason for the sequence in the context of the verse. The divine persons within the Godhead are the same in substance, equal in powder and glory.
UNQUOTE
QUOTE
Within the Godhead, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit share an equality of divine nature. It is noteworthy that, in the great trinitarian passages in the New Testament, the scriptures do not adhere to any rigid sequence when mentioning the divine persons, thereby avoiding any suggestion of superiority or inferiority within the Godhead. Indeed every possible arrangement of the divine names is found:
Father, Son, Spirit (Matthew 28:19)
Father, Spirit, Son (1 Peter 1:2)
Son, Father, Spirit (John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Son, Spirit, Father (Ephesians 2:18)
Spirit, Father, Son (John 14:26)
Spirit, Son, Father (John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
In every instance, there is a precise reason for the sequence in the context of the verse. The divine persons within the Godhead are the same in substance, equal in powder and glory.
UNQUOTE
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Comma Johanneum
1 John 5:7-8
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (KJV)
For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. (ESV)
For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. (NASB)
For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood - and these three are in agreement. (HCSB)
The Comma Johanneum, also known as the Comma Johannine, is a textual variant in 1 John 5:7-8. The word comma simply means "short clause," and Johanneum means "pertaining to John."
This is the short clause: "three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost".
This only occurrence where God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is counted like discrete objects and assigned numerical properties of the natural number 3.
The Bible has always been very careful to present God as one, and that He is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. While God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is often seen simultaneously, interacting with one another, God is one.
In the Bible, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is always named distinctively, but never grouped or numbered, for example, like, "2 of the 3 persons of the Godhead" or "All the 3 persons of the Godhead".
Because of that, we can be sure that the Comma Johanneum is not part of the Bible, but inserted by theologians, who wanted to present God as 3-in-1, like some kind of coffee mix.
In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me." (John 8:17-18 ESV)
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (KJV)
For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. (ESV)
For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. (NASB)
For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water, and the blood - and these three are in agreement. (HCSB)
The Comma Johanneum, also known as the Comma Johannine, is a textual variant in 1 John 5:7-8. The word comma simply means "short clause," and Johanneum means "pertaining to John."
This is the short clause: "three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost".
This only occurrence where God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is counted like discrete objects and assigned numerical properties of the natural number 3.
The Bible has always been very careful to present God as one, and that He is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. While God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is often seen simultaneously, interacting with one another, God is one.
In the Bible, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit is always named distinctively, but never grouped or numbered, for example, like, "2 of the 3 persons of the Godhead" or "All the 3 persons of the Godhead".
Because of that, we can be sure that the Comma Johanneum is not part of the Bible, but inserted by theologians, who wanted to present God as 3-in-1, like some kind of coffee mix.
In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me." (John 8:17-18 ESV)
Monday, October 26, 2015
God Is One, Alone, Unique - 1
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 KJV)
Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. (Nehemiah 9:6 KJV)
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:5-6 KJV)
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6 NASB)
Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. (Nehemiah 9:6 KJV)
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:5-6 KJV)
For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6 NASB)
Sunday, October 25, 2015
God Is Spirit
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24 ESV)
God is spirit. What is spirit? Is it solid, liquid or gas, or none of these state? Is it countable like large solid discrete objects? We do not know. Our knowledge of God comes from His revelation. There is no way the creature can know the creator, except by revelation from the creator. God is without comparison.
We are flesh and blood. We creates digital world in computers by our word. The digital creation will never understand what flesh and blood is. We are invisible to them in our essence.
But we can create a digital image of ourselves and put it into our digital creation.
And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 YLT)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15 HCSB)
We can never see God in His essence. But God became flesh and we can see Him.
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 KJV)
God is spirit. What is spirit? Is it solid, liquid or gas, or none of these state? Is it countable like large solid discrete objects? We do not know. Our knowledge of God comes from His revelation. There is no way the creature can know the creator, except by revelation from the creator. God is without comparison.
We are flesh and blood. We creates digital world in computers by our word. The digital creation will never understand what flesh and blood is. We are invisible to them in our essence.
But we can create a digital image of ourselves and put it into our digital creation.
And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 YLT)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15 HCSB)
We can never see God in His essence. But God became flesh and we can see Him.
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17 KJV)
Saturday, October 24, 2015
God Is Like Nothing On Earth
Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I am who I am.” And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I am has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:13-14 ESV)
To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. (Isaiah 40:25 ESV)
When Moses asked God how to describe Himself so that he can report back to his people, God can only answer, "I am who I am." There is nothing in creation that God can be compared to. That is why idolatry is such a great sin.
To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. (Isaiah 46:5-7 ESV)
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (John 14:9 ESV)
For the entire fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ, (Colossians 2:9 HCSB)
So whosoever wants to see God, or know how God is like, he can look to Christ.
To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. (Isaiah 40:25 ESV)
When Moses asked God how to describe Himself so that he can report back to his people, God can only answer, "I am who I am." There is nothing in creation that God can be compared to. That is why idolatry is such a great sin.
To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. (Isaiah 46:5-7 ESV)
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (John 14:9 ESV)
For the entire fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ, (Colossians 2:9 HCSB)
So whosoever wants to see God, or know how God is like, he can look to Christ.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
The Empire Paul Built Through Christ
For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed, by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God's Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the good news about the Messiah from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. (Romans 15:18-19 HCSB)
I stand amazed at what Paul the apostle had accomplished during his times when transportation was primitive and a day's journey by foot was probably about 40 km. Yet he was able to spread the gospel in about 12 years from Jerusalem to Illyricum (modern day Serbia / Croatia) via Syria and Galatia.
I stand amazed at what Paul the apostle had accomplished during his times when transportation was primitive and a day's journey by foot was probably about 40 km. Yet he was able to spread the gospel in about 12 years from Jerusalem to Illyricum (modern day Serbia / Croatia) via Syria and Galatia.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Found By Prayer
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24 ESV)
Some time back, I wrote how I prayed when my daughter lost her keys and she found them.
A few days ago, I suddenly remembered about the hard disk which I store my photographs and videos. I went to the usual place to look for it but could not find. Then I started harassing my wife to ask her to help me find the hard disk. Still it could not be found and I was very upset. I tried to recall what I last did with the hard disk, but could not.
Yesterday evening, I was walking into my room, and I remembered how I found my daughter's keys by prayer and that I had not prayed for my hard disk. So while entering the room, I prayed to the Lord to help me recall where I kept the hard disk. Almost simultaneously, I suddenly remembered it could be in my drawer. I went to my desk and opened the drawer and the hard disk was right there.
The prayer was answered so fast that I did not have time to doubt.
Some time back, I wrote how I prayed when my daughter lost her keys and she found them.
A few days ago, I suddenly remembered about the hard disk which I store my photographs and videos. I went to the usual place to look for it but could not find. Then I started harassing my wife to ask her to help me find the hard disk. Still it could not be found and I was very upset. I tried to recall what I last did with the hard disk, but could not.
Yesterday evening, I was walking into my room, and I remembered how I found my daughter's keys by prayer and that I had not prayed for my hard disk. So while entering the room, I prayed to the Lord to help me recall where I kept the hard disk. Almost simultaneously, I suddenly remembered it could be in my drawer. I went to my desk and opened the drawer and the hard disk was right there.
The prayer was answered so fast that I did not have time to doubt.
Friday, October 16, 2015
The Beginning Of Grace
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
Salvation can only be found in the Gospel.
This is the grace of God to everyone who heard the Gospel, believed and is saved:
Grace is, by definition, unfair. - Philip Yancey
Justice gives a punishment we deserve; mercy withholds a punishment we deserve; grace gives a blessing we don't deserve.
If someone dies without hearing the Gospel, he gets justice.
If someone hears the Gospel and rejects it, he also gets justice.
If someone hears the Gospel and believes, he gets grace and mercy.
Salvation can only be found in the Gospel.
This is the grace of God to everyone who heard the Gospel, believed and is saved:
- God has placed you in a place where the Gospel can be heard;
- God has given you a heart (or a state of mind) to receive the Gospel.
Grace is, by definition, unfair. - Philip Yancey
Justice gives a punishment we deserve; mercy withholds a punishment we deserve; grace gives a blessing we don't deserve.
If someone dies without hearing the Gospel, he gets justice.
If someone hears the Gospel and rejects it, he also gets justice.
If someone hears the Gospel and believes, he gets grace and mercy.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Grace And Works
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in
his generations, and Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:8-9 KJV)
If Noah is just and perfect, he did not need the grace of God. Why did the Bible wrote that Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD? Because God had put him in a place where he could be just and perfect.
If Noah is just and perfect, he did not need the grace of God. Why did the Bible wrote that Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD? Because God had put him in a place where he could be just and perfect.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
The Great Tribulation
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27 KJV)
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1 KJV)
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7 KJV)
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22 KJV)
The Great Tribulation are for Israel. The Church should be raptured by then. But is this good news for Christians? No. Our Lord promised that Christians always have persecutions.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20 KJV)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 KJV)
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. (1 Thessalonians 3:4 KJV)
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12 KJV)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV)
Then the Christians said, "Well, at least it is not the Great Tribulation." But the Great Tribulation is great toward the nation of Israel, in that many will be killed.
In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. (Zechariah 13:8 ESV)
As for the method of persecution, would you be happier if you are imprisoned for life, sawn asunder or beheaded in this Church age and not during the Great Tribulation?
Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:36-38 ESV)
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1 KJV)
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7 KJV)
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22 KJV)
The Great Tribulation are for Israel. The Church should be raptured by then. But is this good news for Christians? No. Our Lord promised that Christians always have persecutions.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20 KJV)
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 KJV)
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. (1 Thessalonians 3:4 KJV)
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12 KJV)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV)
Then the Christians said, "Well, at least it is not the Great Tribulation." But the Great Tribulation is great toward the nation of Israel, in that many will be killed.
In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. (Zechariah 13:8 ESV)
As for the method of persecution, would you be happier if you are imprisoned for life, sawn asunder or beheaded in this Church age and not during the Great Tribulation?
Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:36-38 ESV)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)