A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. (Isaiah 42:3 KJV)
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (Matthew 12:20 KJV)
During the Wednesday night prayer meeting, elder Cheong shared on "Kindness & Gentleness". An act of kindness has a three-way effect, on the helped, the helper and the observers.
Definition
Gentleness - power under perfect control;
Example
God has great power, but He exercise it with great gentleness. And Jesus is our great example in gentleness.
Application
Especially to our loved ones and family, where we normally show our true colour.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Monday, October 24, 2016
Life And Death - 1
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17 ESV)
When we read the Bible from the beginning, we will notice that the key concept of the Bible is not heaven and hell, but life and death. This concept was introduced straightaway by Moses in Genesis. God told Adam that if he eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he will certainly die. But Adam did not die immediately. He went on to live for 930 years. From this we know that life and death has a deeper meaning.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)
When we read the Bible from the beginning, we will notice that the key concept of the Bible is not heaven and hell, but life and death. This concept was introduced straightaway by Moses in Genesis. God told Adam that if he eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he will certainly die. But Adam did not die immediately. He went on to live for 930 years. From this we know that life and death has a deeper meaning.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)
Saturday, October 22, 2016
What If I Run The Universe
Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: Get ready to answer Me like a man; When I question you, you will inform Me. Would you really challenge My justice? Would you declare Me guilty to justify yourself? Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His? Adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory. Unleash your raging anger; look on every proud person and humiliate him. Look on every proud person and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand. Hide them together in the dust; imprison them in the grave. Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can deliver you. (Job 40:6-14 HCSB)
God challenged Job to run the universe his way, to punish all evil and injustice and humiliate every proud person. Does Job have the power to control not only the humans, but the forces of nature? Many people think that they can do a better job than God. But their narrow view of justice bring more misery to those they rule. And the world is more than just humans.
I, I am Yahweh, and there is no other Savior but Me. (Isaiah 43:11 HCSB)
God challenged Job to run the universe his way, to punish all evil and injustice and humiliate every proud person. Does Job have the power to control not only the humans, but the forces of nature? Many people think that they can do a better job than God. But their narrow view of justice bring more misery to those they rule. And the world is more than just humans.
I, I am Yahweh, and there is no other Savior but Me. (Isaiah 43:11 HCSB)
Friday, October 21, 2016
Jesus The Universal Saviour
And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him - for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength - he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49:5-6 ESV)
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44-47 ESV)
He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24 ESV)
"Indeed, We sent forth among every nation a Messenger,; saying: 'Serve you God, and eschew idols.' Then some of them God guided, and some were justly disposed to error. So journey in the land, and behold how was the end of them that cried lies. (Quran 16:36 Arberry)"
Muslims claimed that Allah send prophets to every nation and Jesus is one of them, being sent to the Jews. But the people kept corrupting the message of the prophets and so Allah sent Muhammad to be the last and universal prophet for all people for all time.
Firstly, we have to take note that Jesus is not sent to Israel alone. But He had to be sent to Israel first, to fulfil the scripture.
Secondly, God's Word stand forever but Allah's word through his many named and unnamed prophets always got lost without a trace. For the Taurat (Torah), Zabur (Psalms) and Injil (Gospel), the Muslims claimed that they were corrupted by Jews and Christians. Given Allah's bad track record, how can I be sure that the Koran is not corrupted by the Muslims?
Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. (Psalm 119:89 ESV)
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44-47 ESV)
He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24 ESV)
"Indeed, We sent forth among every nation a Messenger,; saying: 'Serve you God, and eschew idols.' Then some of them God guided, and some were justly disposed to error. So journey in the land, and behold how was the end of them that cried lies. (Quran 16:36 Arberry)"
Muslims claimed that Allah send prophets to every nation and Jesus is one of them, being sent to the Jews. But the people kept corrupting the message of the prophets and so Allah sent Muhammad to be the last and universal prophet for all people for all time.
Firstly, we have to take note that Jesus is not sent to Israel alone. But He had to be sent to Israel first, to fulfil the scripture.
Secondly, God's Word stand forever but Allah's word through his many named and unnamed prophets always got lost without a trace. For the Taurat (Torah), Zabur (Psalms) and Injil (Gospel), the Muslims claimed that they were corrupted by Jews and Christians. Given Allah's bad track record, how can I be sure that the Koran is not corrupted by the Muslims?
Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. (Psalm 119:89 ESV)
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Mohammed's Sex Entitlement
Mohammed can have sex with
You may refuse whichever (of the woman who offer themselves to you) as you want and accept whichever of them you wish. There is no blame on you if you marry (one whom you had refused previously). This would be more delightful for them. They should not be grieved but should be happy with whatever you have given to every one of them. God knows what is in your hearts. God is All-knowing and All-forbearing.
Besides these, other women are not lawful for you to marry nor is it lawful for you to exchange your wives for the wives of others (except for the slave girls), even though they may seem attractive to you. God is watchful over all things. (33:50-52 Muhammad Sarwar version)
- his lawful wives (bride price paid);
- slave girls (what his right hand possessed);
- daughters of Mohammed's uncles and aunts, both paternal and maternal who had migrated with him;
- any woman believer who she give herself to Mohammed and if Mohammed desire to take her in marriage (Mohammed-only privilege).
You may refuse whichever (of the woman who offer themselves to you) as you want and accept whichever of them you wish. There is no blame on you if you marry (one whom you had refused previously). This would be more delightful for them. They should not be grieved but should be happy with whatever you have given to every one of them. God knows what is in your hearts. God is All-knowing and All-forbearing.
Besides these, other women are not lawful for you to marry nor is it lawful for you to exchange your wives for the wives of others (except for the slave girls), even though they may seem attractive to you. God is watchful over all things. (33:50-52 Muhammad Sarwar version)
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Marriage - Bible vs Koran
You are not to come near any close relative for sexual intercourse; I am Yahweh. You are not to shame your father by having sex with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual intercourse with her. You are not to have sex with your father's wife; it will shame your father. You are not to have sexual intercourse with your sister, either your father's daughter or your mother's, whether born at home or born elsewhere. You are not to have sex with her. You are not to have sexual intercourse with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter, because it will shame your family. You are not to have sexual intercourse with your father's wife's daughter, who is adopted by your father; she is your sister. You are not to have sexual intercourse with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative. You are not to have sexual intercourse with your mother's sister, for she is your mother's close relative. You are not to shame your father's brother by coming near his wife to have sexual intercourse; she is your aunt. You are not to have sexual intercourse with your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife; you are not to have sex with her. You are not to have sexual intercourse with your brother's wife; it will shame your brother. You are not to have sexual intercourse with a woman and her daughter. You are not to marry her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter and have sex with her. They are close relatives; it is depraved. You are not to marry a woman as a rival to her sister and have sexual intercourse with her during her sister's lifetime. (Leviticus 18:6-18 HCSB)
If a man commits adultery with a married woman - if he commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife - both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death. If a man sleeps with his father's wife, he has shamed his father. Both of them must be put to death; their blood is on their own hands. If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. They have acted perversely; their blood is on their own hands. If a man sleeps with a man as with a woman, they have both committed a detestable thing. They must be put to death; their blood is on their own hands. If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned with fire, so that there will be no depravity among you. If a man has sexual intercourse with an animal, he must be put to death; you are also to kill the animal. If a woman comes near any animal and mates with it, you are to kill the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their own blood is on them. If a man marries his sister, whether his father's daughter or his mother's daughter, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off publicly from their people. He has had sexual intercourse with his sister; he will bear his punishment. If a man sleeps with a menstruating woman and has sexual intercourse with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has uncovered the source of her blood. Both of them must be cut off from their people. You must not have sexual intercourse with your mother's sister or your father's sister, for it is exposing one's own blood relative; both people will bear their punishment. If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has shamed his uncle; they will bear their guilt and die childless. If a man marries his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has shamed his brother; they will be childless. (Leviticus 20:10-21 HCSB)
When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money. (Exodus 21:7-11 ESV)
When you go out to war against your enemies, and the Lord your God gives them into your hand and you take them captive, and you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you desire to take her to be your wife, and you bring her home to your house, she shall shave her head and pare her nails. And she shall take off the clothes in which she was captured and shall remain in your house and lament her father and her mother a full month. After that you may go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife. But if you no longer delight in her, you shall let her go where she wants. But you shall not sell her for money, nor shall you treat her as a slave, since you have humiliated her. (Deuteronomy 21:10-14 ESV)
Both the Bible and the Koran have laws about whom one cannot marry and laws regulating marrying female slaves and captives. The Bible forbids a man from marrying his brother's widow (except in Levitical marriage) but he can marry his wife's sister (if she is available) when his wife died. The Koran also forbids marrying two sisters at the same time but is silent about marrying a brother's widow. The Bible has no explicit law forbidding a father from marry his daughter, natural or adopted. The Koran allows a father to marry his step-daughter if he did not have sex with her mother. The Bible forbids marriage to married women as that is adultery, but the Koran allows marriage to married women if they are captives. The Bible forbids bestiality but Koran is silent. In the Bible, these laws apply to all. In the Koran, Mohammed was allowed exceptions (Quran 33:50-52).
Do not marry, from now on, the ex-wives of your fathers for that custom was sinful, loathsome, and abominable.
You are forbidden to marry your mothers, daughters, sisters, paternal aunts, maternal aunts, nieces, your foster-mothers, your foster-sisters, your mothers-in-law, your step-daughters whom you have brought up and with whose mothers you have had carnal relations. It would not be a sin to marry her if you did not have carnal relations with her mother. You are forbidden to marry the wives of your own sons and to marry two sisters at the same time without any adverse affect to the such relations of the past. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful.
You are forbidden to marry married women except your slave-girls. This is the decree of God. Besides these, it is lawful for you to marry other women if you pay their dower, maintain chastity and do not commit indecency. If you marry them for the appointed time you must pay their dowries. There is no harm if you reach an understanding among yourselves about the dowry, God is All-knowing and All-wise.
If any of you do not have the means to marry a chaste believing woman, marry your believing slave-girls. God knows best about your faith. You have the same faith. Marry them with the permission of their masters and if they are chaste and have avoided fornication and amorous activities, give them their just dowries. If after marriage they commit adultery, they should receive half of the punishment of a free woman who has committed the same crime. This is for those who fear falling into evil. It is better for you to have self-control. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful.
4:22-25 Muhammad Sarwar version
If a man commits adultery with a married woman - if he commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife - both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death. If a man sleeps with his father's wife, he has shamed his father. Both of them must be put to death; their blood is on their own hands. If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. They have acted perversely; their blood is on their own hands. If a man sleeps with a man as with a woman, they have both committed a detestable thing. They must be put to death; their blood is on their own hands. If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned with fire, so that there will be no depravity among you. If a man has sexual intercourse with an animal, he must be put to death; you are also to kill the animal. If a woman comes near any animal and mates with it, you are to kill the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their own blood is on them. If a man marries his sister, whether his father's daughter or his mother's daughter, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off publicly from their people. He has had sexual intercourse with his sister; he will bear his punishment. If a man sleeps with a menstruating woman and has sexual intercourse with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has uncovered the source of her blood. Both of them must be cut off from their people. You must not have sexual intercourse with your mother's sister or your father's sister, for it is exposing one's own blood relative; both people will bear their punishment. If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has shamed his uncle; they will bear their guilt and die childless. If a man marries his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has shamed his brother; they will be childless. (Leviticus 20:10-21 HCSB)
When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money. (Exodus 21:7-11 ESV)
When you go out to war against your enemies, and the Lord your God gives them into your hand and you take them captive, and you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you desire to take her to be your wife, and you bring her home to your house, she shall shave her head and pare her nails. And she shall take off the clothes in which she was captured and shall remain in your house and lament her father and her mother a full month. After that you may go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife. But if you no longer delight in her, you shall let her go where she wants. But you shall not sell her for money, nor shall you treat her as a slave, since you have humiliated her. (Deuteronomy 21:10-14 ESV)
Both the Bible and the Koran have laws about whom one cannot marry and laws regulating marrying female slaves and captives. The Bible forbids a man from marrying his brother's widow (except in Levitical marriage) but he can marry his wife's sister (if she is available) when his wife died. The Koran also forbids marrying two sisters at the same time but is silent about marrying a brother's widow. The Bible has no explicit law forbidding a father from marry his daughter, natural or adopted. The Koran allows a father to marry his step-daughter if he did not have sex with her mother. The Bible forbids marriage to married women as that is adultery, but the Koran allows marriage to married women if they are captives. The Bible forbids bestiality but Koran is silent. In the Bible, these laws apply to all. In the Koran, Mohammed was allowed exceptions (Quran 33:50-52).
Do not marry, from now on, the ex-wives of your fathers for that custom was sinful, loathsome, and abominable.
You are forbidden to marry your mothers, daughters, sisters, paternal aunts, maternal aunts, nieces, your foster-mothers, your foster-sisters, your mothers-in-law, your step-daughters whom you have brought up and with whose mothers you have had carnal relations. It would not be a sin to marry her if you did not have carnal relations with her mother. You are forbidden to marry the wives of your own sons and to marry two sisters at the same time without any adverse affect to the such relations of the past. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful.
You are forbidden to marry married women except your slave-girls. This is the decree of God. Besides these, it is lawful for you to marry other women if you pay their dower, maintain chastity and do not commit indecency. If you marry them for the appointed time you must pay their dowries. There is no harm if you reach an understanding among yourselves about the dowry, God is All-knowing and All-wise.
If any of you do not have the means to marry a chaste believing woman, marry your believing slave-girls. God knows best about your faith. You have the same faith. Marry them with the permission of their masters and if they are chaste and have avoided fornication and amorous activities, give them their just dowries. If after marriage they commit adultery, they should receive half of the punishment of a free woman who has committed the same crime. This is for those who fear falling into evil. It is better for you to have self-control. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful.
4:22-25 Muhammad Sarwar version
Sunday, October 16, 2016
In the World But Not of the World
And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:23-24 NASB)
Naturally separated
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19 ESV)
But not taken out of the world
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:14-19 ESV)
So as to be a witness
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 KJV)
Therefore interaction is still needed
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people - not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. (1 Corinthians 5:9-10 ESV)
But we do not conform to this world
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)
Remaining separated
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV)
Lest we become the enemy of God
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4 KJV)
For we worked against spiritual wickedness in high places
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)
And our adversary is like a lion seeking to devour us
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8 HCSB)
But we are not fearful, for we have the right Man on our side
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (John 10:28-29 ESV)
Naturally separated
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19 ESV)
But not taken out of the world
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:14-19 ESV)
So as to be a witness
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 KJV)
Therefore interaction is still needed
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people - not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. (1 Corinthians 5:9-10 ESV)
But we do not conform to this world
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)
Remaining separated
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV)
Lest we become the enemy of God
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4 KJV)
For we worked against spiritual wickedness in high places
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)
And our adversary is like a lion seeking to devour us
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8 HCSB)
But we are not fearful, for we have the right Man on our side
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (John 10:28-29 ESV)
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Grace of God
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14 ESV)
Grace is a donor-beggar relationship (Titus 2:11);
Grace brings salvation (Titus 2:11), teaches godliness (Titus 2:12) and gives hope (Titus 2:13);
Grace is found in Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people for His own possession (Titus 2:14).
Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:11-13 HCSB)
Grace is a donor-beggar relationship (Titus 2:11);
Grace brings salvation (Titus 2:11), teaches godliness (Titus 2:12) and gives hope (Titus 2:13);
Grace is found in Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people for His own possession (Titus 2:14).
Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:11-13 HCSB)
Friday, October 14, 2016
Biblical Separation
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3 KJV)
Separation is natural, and sometimes, necessary.
Examples of natural separation
Separation from sin
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV)
Separation from the world
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV)
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4 KJV)
Separation from immoral brethren
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17 ESV)
I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5:9-11 HCSB)
Effects of non-separation
Separation is natural, and sometimes, necessary.
Examples of natural separation
- Truth from lies;
- Light from darkness;
- Sick from healthy (especially in hospitals).
Separation from sin
Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV)
Separation from the world
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV)
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4 KJV)
Separation from immoral brethren
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17 ESV)
I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5:9-11 HCSB)
Separation from brethren who believe in false doctrines
Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. (Titus 3:10-11 HCSB)
Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don't say, "Welcome," to him; for the one who says, "Welcome," to him shares in his evil works. (2 John 1:9-11 HCSB)
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17 ESV)
Anyone who does not remain in Christ’s teaching but goes beyond it, does not have God. The one who remains in that teaching, this one has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don't say, "Welcome," to him; for the one who says, "Welcome," to him shares in his evil works. (2 John 1:9-11 HCSB)
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17 ESV)
Effects of non-separation
- Separation from God
- Infection
- Destruction
- But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2 KJV)
-
Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." (1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV)
Leaven - false doctrine
A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9 ESV)
Leaven - immorality
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6 ESV)
-
Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. (Numbers 16:21 KJV)
But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:14-16 ESV)
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:4-5 ESV)
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Believe In Him Who Is From Above
And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:23-24 NASB)
Believe the One who is from above, born of a virgin, who died for our sins and was resurrected again. Do not believe in those who were born of a father and a mother, who claimed (without proof) to be somebody, preached things for us to follow without doing anything for us, and then died like anyone of us.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NASB)
Believe the One who is from above, born of a virgin, who died for our sins and was resurrected again. Do not believe in those who were born of a father and a mother, who claimed (without proof) to be somebody, preached things for us to follow without doing anything for us, and then died like anyone of us.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NASB)
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Trinity, Help or Heresy
Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One (אֶחָֽד). (Deuteronomy 6:4 HCSB)
This is what the Bible affirmed about God:
There are implications when cardinal numbers are assigned to the persons in the Godhead. The immediately obvious implication is that the cardinal number 3 is now an attribute associated with God, and therefore co-existed with God. Since God is self-existent and eternal, so is the cardinal number 3. If the cardinal number 3 is eternal, then the whole number system is eternal. My question will be, is God self-existent and eternal, or are the rules of mathematics self-existent and eternal?
There are three persons in the room. We have no problem with this statement because people are discrete and countable. We cannot say "There are three waters", or "There are three airs". It does not make sense. God is spirit (John 4:24). The Father, the Son and the Spirit is distinct. But is the Father, the Son and the Spirit discrete and countable? Why does the Bible scrupulously avoid the cardinal number of 3 when the Father, the Son and the Spirit seems to be crying out to be counted as 3? Rather, the Bible tells us that God is one, despite the Father, the Son and the Spirit. When Jesus was on earth, He was a discrete countable human. Thus He and the Father can be counted as two witnesses (John 8:17-18).
אֶחָד
What about the number "one"? Is it not also a cardinal number? Yes. But one can mean unique, alone or first, which is definitely an attribute of God. Before creation, time and space and the number system did not exist. But God is.
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Psalm 119:160 ESV)
This is what the Bible affirmed about God:
- God is One;
- The Father is God;
- The Son is God;
- The Spirit is God;
- The Father, the Son and the Spirit is distinct (The Father is not the Son, The Father is not the Spirit, the Son is not the Father, the Son is not the Spirit, the Spirit is not the Father, the Spirit is not the Son.).
There are implications when cardinal numbers are assigned to the persons in the Godhead. The immediately obvious implication is that the cardinal number 3 is now an attribute associated with God, and therefore co-existed with God. Since God is self-existent and eternal, so is the cardinal number 3. If the cardinal number 3 is eternal, then the whole number system is eternal. My question will be, is God self-existent and eternal, or are the rules of mathematics self-existent and eternal?
There are three persons in the room. We have no problem with this statement because people are discrete and countable. We cannot say "There are three waters", or "There are three airs". It does not make sense. God is spirit (John 4:24). The Father, the Son and the Spirit is distinct. But is the Father, the Son and the Spirit discrete and countable? Why does the Bible scrupulously avoid the cardinal number of 3 when the Father, the Son and the Spirit seems to be crying out to be counted as 3? Rather, the Bible tells us that God is one, despite the Father, the Son and the Spirit. When Jesus was on earth, He was a discrete countable human. Thus He and the Father can be counted as two witnesses (John 8:17-18).
אֶחָד
What about the number "one"? Is it not also a cardinal number? Yes. But one can mean unique, alone or first, which is definitely an attribute of God. Before creation, time and space and the number system did not exist. But God is.
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (Psalm 119:160 ESV)
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Why Did King James Support A New Translation of the Bible
Why did King James I of England decide to embark on a new translation of the Bible? Below are two articles about the motives for the king.
The following was paraphrased from "The Reformed Reader introduction to the Geneva Bible for the historic Baptist faith".
BEGIN
The sole intent of King James support for a new translation of the Bible was to deny the people the marginal notes of the Geneva Bible. The Puritans, the Calvinists, and the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock, would never use a King James Bible even if it had been given to them free. The King James Bible was, and is for all practical purposes, a government publication. The Geneva Bible annoyed King James I because it does not support the "divine right of kings". Since a king's power came from God, the king then had to answer to no one but God. The Geneva Bible had marginal notes that simply didn't conform to that point of view. Those marginal notes had been, to a great extent placed in the Geneva Bible by the leaders of the Reformation including John Knox and John Calvin. Knox and Calvin could not and cannot be dismissed lightly or their opinions passed off to the public as the mere dithering of dissidents. First, notes such as, "When tyrants cannot prevail by craft, they burst forth into open rage," (Note i, Exodus 1:22) really bothered King James. King James disapproved of the Geneva Bible because of its Calvinistic leanings. He also frowned on what he considered to be seditious marginal notes on key political texts. A marginal note for Exodus 1:9 indicated that the Hebrew midwives were correct in disobeying the Egyptian king's orders, and a note for 2 Chronicles 15:16 said that King Asa should have had his mother executed and not merely deposed for the crime of worshipping an idol. The King James Version of the Bible grew out of the king's distaste for these brief but potent doctrinal commentaries. He considered the marginal notes to be a political threat to his kingdom. In 1604, shortly after his own accession to the throne, King James I commissioned his own version of the Bible, that would later come to be known as "The Bishop's Bible" or, more commonly, the Authorized Version. James' motive for promulgating his own version was simple: he did not want the people to have in hand a Bible with all the marginal notes that the Geneva Bible had. This version was first published in 1611. A later king (Charles I) would take the first steps toward suppression of the Geneva Bible toward the end of his reign. In 1644, the Geneva Bible went out of print and would remain out of print for more than four hundred fifty years.
END
The following was quoted from "A Puritan's Mind » The Proposal of John Reynolds - by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon".
QUOTE
Three reasons prompted King James I to make a new translation. One reason was the "back to the Bible" movement trying to recapture the true meaning of scripture as a result of the Reformation, and the King desired to ride that soap box as a way to "identify with the people" as best he could. The second reason was the scholarship which was beginning to become prominent during the Renaissance. Being a King during the reign of scholarship was always something that has been noted in history. It was another way King James would be "remembered." Thirdly, the King detested the current bible. The most beloved bible was the Geneva Bible. It was the favorite of Puritans and almost every home had one. But the Geneva Bible had something the other bibles had not previously had - extensive notes reflecting reformation thought. This was dangerous to the King because of his immoral lifestyle. (He was a very corrupt king, and a sodomite as well.) The Geneva Bible extensively spoke against corrupt kings. King James did not favor this at all. So he desired a new translation without notes.
What ancient texts did they work with? They had the Complutensian Polygot of 1517, published at Complutum, now in Alcala de Hanares, Spain, and they had the Antwerp Polygot, 1569-1572. These gave the Hebrew and Greek texts with versions in other tongues added. Of course they had the Latin Vulgate, though that was suspect because it was popish and uninspired. With some fragments of early church scrolls, they had countless comments by the early church fathers and ancient scholars. Often they referred to Saint Chrysostom, (347-407 A.D.), whose works Sir Henry Saville had begun to edit, with the help from Andrew Downes and John Bois. Another reference authority was the Geneva scholar, Theodore Beza, (1519-1605 A.D.).
The outcome was not a bible literally translated from the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, but a redaction of the Geneva bible (20%) and the Bishop's Bible (80%) but all without notes. Some of the more difficult passages were translated from the original, but most of the Bible was cutting and pasting from the other sources.
After the final draft was completed by the fifty-four scholars, a concluding committee of twelve reviewed what the lower committees had prepared, and then Bishop Thomas Bilson and Dr. Miles Smith added the finishing touches. By 1609 the whole revision was ready for the public. Though the King contributed no money to its production, and though no record of an official authorization of the finished product survives, if such were ever given, the Bible became to be known as the King James Version. Miles Smith, Canon of Hereford, later to be known as the Bishop of Gloucestor, and Thomas Bilson, Bishop of Winchester, saw it through the press, and Miles Smith composed the informative preface, "The Translators to the Readers." The title of this new translation was: "The Holy Bible, Conteyning the Old Testament and the New: Newly Translated out of the Original tongues, with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majesties speciall commandment. Appointed to be read in the Churches. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. Anno Dom. 1611." The New Testament Bore a different title: "The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Newly translated out of the Originall Greeke; and with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by His majesties speciall Commandment. Imprinted at London by Robert Baker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. Anno Dom. 1611. cum Privilegio."
Though the King James Bible was never "authorized" by King James, it was called the authorized King James Version nevertheless. "Many stood up against the King James Version. Dr. Hugh Boughton, a distinguished scholar recognized by John Lightfoot, said "The late Bible...was sent to me to censure: which bred in me a sadness that will grieve me while I breathe, it is ill done. Tell His Majesty that I had rather be rent in pieces with wild horses, than any such translation by my consent should be urged upon poor churches...The new edition crosseth me. I require it to be burnt." Even John Lightfoot, in 1629, objected to the Apocrypha being placed in the canon. The King James Version went through fifteen printings in the first three years. It seems many disagreed with its translation and the committees were forced to revise it over and over again. The first major revision being some months after the 1609 version and the authorized version (1611) came two years after.
The King James Version underwent a flutter of minor revisions until a final revision was brought about by Dr. Benjamin Blaney in 1769. This revision was not authorized. Not until 1881 was an official revision done.
UNQUOTE
The following was paraphrased from "The Reformed Reader introduction to the Geneva Bible for the historic Baptist faith".
BEGIN
The sole intent of King James support for a new translation of the Bible was to deny the people the marginal notes of the Geneva Bible. The Puritans, the Calvinists, and the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock, would never use a King James Bible even if it had been given to them free. The King James Bible was, and is for all practical purposes, a government publication. The Geneva Bible annoyed King James I because it does not support the "divine right of kings". Since a king's power came from God, the king then had to answer to no one but God. The Geneva Bible had marginal notes that simply didn't conform to that point of view. Those marginal notes had been, to a great extent placed in the Geneva Bible by the leaders of the Reformation including John Knox and John Calvin. Knox and Calvin could not and cannot be dismissed lightly or their opinions passed off to the public as the mere dithering of dissidents. First, notes such as, "When tyrants cannot prevail by craft, they burst forth into open rage," (Note i, Exodus 1:22) really bothered King James. King James disapproved of the Geneva Bible because of its Calvinistic leanings. He also frowned on what he considered to be seditious marginal notes on key political texts. A marginal note for Exodus 1:9 indicated that the Hebrew midwives were correct in disobeying the Egyptian king's orders, and a note for 2 Chronicles 15:16 said that King Asa should have had his mother executed and not merely deposed for the crime of worshipping an idol. The King James Version of the Bible grew out of the king's distaste for these brief but potent doctrinal commentaries. He considered the marginal notes to be a political threat to his kingdom. In 1604, shortly after his own accession to the throne, King James I commissioned his own version of the Bible, that would later come to be known as "The Bishop's Bible" or, more commonly, the Authorized Version. James' motive for promulgating his own version was simple: he did not want the people to have in hand a Bible with all the marginal notes that the Geneva Bible had. This version was first published in 1611. A later king (Charles I) would take the first steps toward suppression of the Geneva Bible toward the end of his reign. In 1644, the Geneva Bible went out of print and would remain out of print for more than four hundred fifty years.
END
The following was quoted from "A Puritan's Mind » The Proposal of John Reynolds - by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon".
QUOTE
Three reasons prompted King James I to make a new translation. One reason was the "back to the Bible" movement trying to recapture the true meaning of scripture as a result of the Reformation, and the King desired to ride that soap box as a way to "identify with the people" as best he could. The second reason was the scholarship which was beginning to become prominent during the Renaissance. Being a King during the reign of scholarship was always something that has been noted in history. It was another way King James would be "remembered." Thirdly, the King detested the current bible. The most beloved bible was the Geneva Bible. It was the favorite of Puritans and almost every home had one. But the Geneva Bible had something the other bibles had not previously had - extensive notes reflecting reformation thought. This was dangerous to the King because of his immoral lifestyle. (He was a very corrupt king, and a sodomite as well.) The Geneva Bible extensively spoke against corrupt kings. King James did not favor this at all. So he desired a new translation without notes.
What ancient texts did they work with? They had the Complutensian Polygot of 1517, published at Complutum, now in Alcala de Hanares, Spain, and they had the Antwerp Polygot, 1569-1572. These gave the Hebrew and Greek texts with versions in other tongues added. Of course they had the Latin Vulgate, though that was suspect because it was popish and uninspired. With some fragments of early church scrolls, they had countless comments by the early church fathers and ancient scholars. Often they referred to Saint Chrysostom, (347-407 A.D.), whose works Sir Henry Saville had begun to edit, with the help from Andrew Downes and John Bois. Another reference authority was the Geneva scholar, Theodore Beza, (1519-1605 A.D.).
The outcome was not a bible literally translated from the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, but a redaction of the Geneva bible (20%) and the Bishop's Bible (80%) but all without notes. Some of the more difficult passages were translated from the original, but most of the Bible was cutting and pasting from the other sources.
After the final draft was completed by the fifty-four scholars, a concluding committee of twelve reviewed what the lower committees had prepared, and then Bishop Thomas Bilson and Dr. Miles Smith added the finishing touches. By 1609 the whole revision was ready for the public. Though the King contributed no money to its production, and though no record of an official authorization of the finished product survives, if such were ever given, the Bible became to be known as the King James Version. Miles Smith, Canon of Hereford, later to be known as the Bishop of Gloucestor, and Thomas Bilson, Bishop of Winchester, saw it through the press, and Miles Smith composed the informative preface, "The Translators to the Readers." The title of this new translation was: "The Holy Bible, Conteyning the Old Testament and the New: Newly Translated out of the Original tongues, with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majesties speciall commandment. Appointed to be read in the Churches. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. Anno Dom. 1611." The New Testament Bore a different title: "The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Newly translated out of the Originall Greeke; and with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by His majesties speciall Commandment. Imprinted at London by Robert Baker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie. Anno Dom. 1611. cum Privilegio."
Though the King James Bible was never "authorized" by King James, it was called the authorized King James Version nevertheless. "Many stood up against the King James Version. Dr. Hugh Boughton, a distinguished scholar recognized by John Lightfoot, said "The late Bible...was sent to me to censure: which bred in me a sadness that will grieve me while I breathe, it is ill done. Tell His Majesty that I had rather be rent in pieces with wild horses, than any such translation by my consent should be urged upon poor churches...The new edition crosseth me. I require it to be burnt." Even John Lightfoot, in 1629, objected to the Apocrypha being placed in the canon. The King James Version went through fifteen printings in the first three years. It seems many disagreed with its translation and the committees were forced to revise it over and over again. The first major revision being some months after the 1609 version and the authorized version (1611) came two years after.
The King James Version underwent a flutter of minor revisions until a final revision was brought about by Dr. Benjamin Blaney in 1769. This revision was not authorized. Not until 1881 was an official revision done.
UNQUOTE
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