Pastor Joseph J. Reine's two new books.


" Unlocking The Mysteries Of Prayer"

This short ebook could change your thinking about prayer, forever!


and

"SALVATION We Are Not Afraid!"

Catholicism Versus The Word Of God.

Traditions Of Men And What Saith The Lord.

Read first hand what your Bible says, you'll be

surprised to learn The Truth!

This book was written for thousands of people

to be liberated from ecclesiastical prisons.


http://www.amazon.com


Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Eve Deception

Bible Questions Answered:
Bro. Reine, our Bible Institute Class, is using some of your blog for our Bible discussions, here's a question we had some time back, and we'd like to know your answer on the subject. Why, did the serpent choose, Eve, and not Adam to deceive, in the garden? Thank you.
Avery/ Edinburgh, Scotland/ U.K.

Bible Answers:
Well, right at the outset, it is sad to say, this is where the parting of the way, will be for some, and not assuredly, by intention!

What is important, is what saith, the Word of God.
Romans 11:28 KJV "...let God be true, but every man a liar..."

Adam, was "never," deceived by the serpent.

I Timothy 2:14 KJV "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."

II Corinthians 11:3 KJV "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

Well, beyond the obvious, there are great differences between men and women, yes, God in His Infinite Wisdom, "did not," create, Adam and Eve, the same!

What differences where there between Adam and Eve?

Adam, (designed so by God.) was the hunter,gather, protector of his home.
He was a cunning builder, and provider.
Of Adam's wisdom, we are given only a glimpse.

Genesis 2:19,20 KJV
[19] And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
[20] And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field;

- - - - -

Eve, (Hebrew: Chav-vah/ Khavvaw:life-giver), was the mother, of children (Cain,Able, Seth and we read in Genesis, that Adam and Eve had "other sons and daughters."

Genesis 3:20 KJV "And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living."

Genesis 4:4,5 KJV
4 After the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters.
5 Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.


Where Adam, was concerned with survival and provision, Eve was called to love, nurture, and care for their children.

where Adam may have been all business of life, Eve's concern was that of love, care and raising, children.

Adam, calculating, and planning, Eve, full of love, and care (a mother's heart).

What a wonderful balance! Adam found what he lacked in the heart of his wife, Eve!
And what Eve lacked, she found in the wise strong arms of her husband, Adam.
What a marvelous plan of God!

Adam, well needed to balance his life with love, and care, and he found all those virtues in the heart of his wife, who was taken out from him.

His equal.

Galatians 3:28 KJV "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

Equal in the sight of God, and yet that does not mean that they had the same roles!

The human body has some two hundred bones, without which, we would be but a pool of flesh.
The skeletal frame, gives the body form, and the ability to move and work.
It was, of course the Creator, who saw fit to incorporate the skeleton.

It is the same Living God, who has seen fit, to incorporate within the family, a form, upon which the family may take form, and move in the blessing of God.

We read about that in...

Genesis 3:16 KJV "Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."

Ephesians 5:21-25 KJV
[21] Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
[22] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
[23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church: and He is the Saviour of the body.
[24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
[25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;

The old saying is, no animal ever existed with two heads. No,they only have one.

And the same is true for the home. Man, is to be the head of the home, his wife in subjection, his help mate, ruling over their children. All answering to the Lord.

Colossians 3:18-21 KJV
[18] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
[19] Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
[20] Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
[21] Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

I Corinthians 11:1-3 KJV
[1] Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
[2] Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
[3] But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

I Peter 3:1,2,5 KJV
[1] Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
[2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
[5] For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God,... being in subjection unto their own husbands:

And now the question.
Why did the tempter choose Eve, and not Adam, to deceive?
And why have the majority of all cults been perpetuated by women?
Why did not our Lord call women into His ministry?

And the answer is, the make up of woman.
She is the one (and Divinely chosen to be so) ruled by her "emotions."

Emotions of love, concern, caring, nurturing, etc...because she is a, divinely appointed, "mother."

Emotions such as love and care, should live in the hearts of God's people, but be not mistaken, they may never reign, which is of vast difference.

Now we are living in such a day as described as the Apostle Paul, that some would like to do away with God's Divinely appointed roles.

Romans 1:25 KJV "Who changed the truth of God into a lie...", but the Apostle, cautions.

I Corinthians 14:34 KJV
[34] Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
[35] And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

I Corinthians 14:34,35 NLT
34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says.
35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.

The Apostle Paul
I Timothy 2:11-15 KJV
[11] Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
[12] But I (The Apostle Paul, the author of some fourteen New Testament books stated) suffer (permit) not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

And why is that Paul?

[13] For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

Any other reason Paul?

[14] And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
[15] Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness
with sobriety.

I Timothy 2:11-15 NLT
11 Women should learn quietly and submissively.
12 I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.

Why?

13 For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve.

Why?

14 And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result.
15 But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

Romans 3:4 KJV "...let God be true,..."

Titus 2:1-8 NLT
1 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.
2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.
4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,
5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely.
7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Gospels-Why Four?

Bible Questions Answered
Why does the Bible have only four gospels?
Henry/ Walnut Grove, Mississippi

Bible Answer:
The four gospels, represent the the Lord Jesus.

These Cherubim, represent the Lord, each of them had four faces.

In
Ezekiel 1:4-14 (Ezekiel had a vision of four Cherubim.)
[4] And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.
[5] Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
[6] And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.
[7] And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass.
[8] And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.
[9] Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
[10] As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
[11] Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
[12] And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.
[13] As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
[14] And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

(See also: Ezekiel 10:14/ 17:3,7)

Revelation 4:6-8 NLT
6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.
7 The first of these living beings was like a lion;
the second was like an ox;
the third had a human face;
and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.
8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

What do these four faces represent?
They represent the four gospels, which depict the Lord Jesus.

The Gospel of Matthew:
Here the Lord Jesus is shown as the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah."
Israel's King.

Daniel 7:14 KJV "And there was given Him Dominion, and Glory, and a Kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His Dominion is an Everlasting Dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."

The Gospel of Mark:
Here the Lord Jesus is shown as the "Ox,"
Laboring patiently, in the service of His Father. Giving His life as a sacrifice.

Philippians 2:5-11 KJV
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
[7] But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a Servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Gospel of Luke:
Here the Lord Jesus is shown as the "Son of Man."
Representing lost humanity, and bearing their sin.

Matthew 20:27,28 KJV
[27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
[28] Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

The Gospel of John:
Here the Lord Jesus is shown as the "Eagle."
He came from heaven (became flesh), and went back up to heaven.
Because He became flesh...

Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV
[14] Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Bible Lesson: Church Symbol-The Eagle

Bible Lessons: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ

Church Symbol: The Eagle

The Eagle: Speaks of "Mother Love."

See Bible Prayer Line-Index; Bible Questions Answered: "Mother Love"

Friday, September 26, 2008

Bible Lesson: Church Symbol: The Dove

Bible Lessons: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ

Church Symbol: The Dove, a symbol of God the Holy Spirit, peace and meekness.

The Dove:

The dove (At Noah's Ark) was a sign of reconciliation with God, after the flood.
Genesis 8:8 KJV
Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;

Matthew 3:16,17 KJV
[16] And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him:
[17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Swiftness of the dove
Psalm 55:6 KJV
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

Zechariah 4:6 KJV
Then He answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of Hosts.

The Beauty of the dove
Psalm 68:13 KJV
Though ye have lien among the pots (ashes), yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. (Beauty for ashes.)

Ezekiel 36:27 KJV
And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.

The Mournful voice of the dove
Nahum 2:7 KJV
Nineveh’s exile has been decreed,00and all the servant girls mourn its capture.
They moan like doves and beat their breasts in sorrow.

Isaiah 38:14 KJV
Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

Isaiah 59:11 KJV
We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.

Romans 8:26 NLT
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[l] in harmony with God’s own will.

The Harmlessness of the dove
Matthew 10:16 KJV
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Bible Lesson: Church Symbol-Crowns-2

Bible Lesson: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ

Church Symbol: The Crown,(Sometimes combined with the Cross of Christ.)

Crowns: Crown, speaks of rewards for God's people.

Crown of thorns, speaks of the suffering of our Lord.

Revelation 19:11-16 KJV (A view of Christ at the second advent)
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself.
[13] And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.
[14] And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.


See The Bible Prayer Line - Index; Bible Questions Answered: Crowns

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Apostle Paul Stonned To Death

Bible Questions Answered:
Did the Apostle Paul die twice?

Bible Answers:
Everyone is familiar with the death and calling back from the dead,of the life of Lazarus (John 11:1-46). (A man who died twice.)

But the question is, did the Apostle Paul, meet with death, and yet come back to life?

It would seem so.

Acts 14:1-20 NLT

Paul and Barnabas in Iconium

1 The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers.
2 Some of the Jews, however, spurned God's message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas.
3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.
4 But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.
5 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them.
6 When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area.
7 And there they preached the Good News.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe

8 While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting
9 and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed.
10 So Paul called to him in a loud voice, "Stand up!" And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.
11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, "These men are gods in human form!"
12 They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.
13 Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting,
15 "Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
16 In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways,
17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts."
18 But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them.
19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.
20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.


All the people thought that Paul was dead, after all he had just been stoned by them all.
Criminals were killed in this fashion.

Some 14 yeas later the Apostle relates to the Corinthian believers this story....

II Corinthians 12:1-10 NLT

Paul's Vision and His Thorn in the Flesh

1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord.
2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don't know—only God knows.
3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know
4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I'm not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses.
6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it, because I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,
7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Did the Apostle Paul die at Lystra?
Was that when he was caught up to heaven?
Did God encourage him, and send him back, to finish his mission?

We'll have to ask him some day!

One thing we do know for sure, for all who love and do the work of the Lord...

Isaiah 43:1,3 NLT
1 But now, O Jacob (God's People), listen to the LORD who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
"Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are Mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Crowns-Different

Bible Questions Answered:
How many and different crowns are there?
Kelly S./ Nottingham, UK

Bible Answer:
Salvation is a “GIFT,” of God, to those who believe in and receive God's son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23 KJV “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The Word, does mention rewards (earned) by believers.
There is coming a day after the Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ, in heaven, that faithful believers will be rewarded for their work.

Crowns:
1)
The Crown of Rejoicing: Faithful Service.

I Thessalonians 2:19,20 KJV
[19] For what is our hope, or joy, or Crown of Rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
[20] For ye are our glory and joy.

Philippians 4:1 KJV “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my Joy and Crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

2)
The Crown of Righteousness: Faithful Testimony.

II Timothy 4:8 KJV “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”

3)
The Crown of Life: Faithfulness in Trial.

James 1:12 NIV “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

Revelation 2:10 KJV “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

4)
The Crown of Glory: Faithfulness in Suffering.

I Peter 5:4 NIV
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:
2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Hebrews 2:9 KJV “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

5)
The Incorruptible Crown: Faithfulness in Self-Control.

I Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV
[24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
[25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
[26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
[27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Bible Questions Answered: Bible Error-Acts9:7/22:9

Bible Questions Answered:
I see a biblical contradiction in the following verses...
Acts 9:7 KJV “And the men which journeyed with him (Saul) stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.”
Acts 22:9 KJV “ And they that were with me (Saul) saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of Him that spake to me."

The first text claims that the men heard the voice speaking to Paul, and in the second text, it says that they did not hear a voice talking to Paul.
Thus the bible contradicts itself!
Floyd L. / Berlin, New Jersey

Bible Answers:
The answer to this seeming quandary, is easily understood by anyone who has seen someone off in the distance (maybe in a meeting of some kind, or down the street, etc.). He sees the people, he hears then talking...but they are a ways from him, so that he only hears the sounds of them talking, but cannot understand any of the words.

This is exactly what these two texts are telling us.
Those who accompanied Paul, heard the sounds of talking, but could not understand the words, being said.
Did they hear Paul speaking to some one, yes!
Could they hear what was being said, no!

Here more easily translated is the New Living Translation:
Acts 9:7 NLT
“The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone's voice but saw no one”

and

Acts 22:9 NLT
“The people with me saw the light but didn't understand the voice speaking to me.”

The inerrant Word, remains true!

Bible Questions Answered: Christians And Worldly Things

Bible Question:
Is it so wrong to be and act like Non-Christians?
Kelly P./ Pueblo, Colorado

Bible Answer:
It seems that everyday there is more and more peer pressure to emulate worldly individuals. But the life of a Christian is to be different than the lives of the lost world.

Exodus 23:2
“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil...”

The enemy of our souls wants everyone to “Follow-The-Leader,” “Conform-To-Be-Like-Everyone-Else.”

The Word of God, tells us just the opposite...
II Corinthians 6:17,18
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Christians are to be a separated people, going against the evil current of our day.
The Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthian believers...

Romans 12:1,2
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

And again, The Apostle told the Galatians....

Galatians 6:14 “...God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

I John 2:15-17 NLT
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Bible Lesson: Church Symbol: The Circle

Bible Lesson: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ

Church Symbol: The Circle

A Circle, is endless, which is a symbol of the unity of God.
Our God is "Eternal, without beginning, and without end, everlasting."

God the Father

Exodus 3:13-15 KJV
[13] And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? what shall I say unto them?
[14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
[15] And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is My name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations.

Deuteronomy 32:39,40 KJV
[39] See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god with Me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of My hand.
[40] For I lift up My hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.

Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;..."

Psalm 135:13 KJV "Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and Thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations."

Psalm 145:13 KJV "Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations."

Isaiah 57:15 KJV "For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and Holy Place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Lamentations 5:19 KJV "Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; Thy Throne from generation to generation."

God the Son

Micah 5:2 KJV "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

John 1:1,2 KJV
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.

John 8:58 KJV "Jesus said unto them, Verily,verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."

John 17:5 KJV
5] And now, O Father, glorify thou Me with thine own Self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.
[24] Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.

Romans 1:19,20 KJV
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Hebrew 7:3 KJV "...the Son of God; abideth a Priest continually."

Revelation 22:13 KJV "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."

God the Holy Spirit

Hebrews 9:14 KJV "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: Festivals-Jewish

Bible Questions Answered:
How many Jewish special days are there?
Lucinda/ Camrose, Alberta, B.C.

Bible Answers:
Six Jewish festivals are mentioned in Leviticus twenty three.

Leviticus 23:1-44 NLT

The Appointed Festivals
1 The LORD said to Moses,
2 "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. These are the LORD's appointed festivals, which you
are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly.
3 "You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest,
an official day for holy assembly. It is the LORD's Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.
4 "In addition to the Sabbath, these are the LORD's appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly
that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.

1)
Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread

Passover was the dominant feast of Israel. It told of the Jews freedom from slavery in Egypt.
It spoke of the day when the Angel of the Lord "passed over," all of Egypt slaying all firstborn,both of people and animals, but God's people because they applied the blood of the Lamb to the door posts of their homes, he "passed over," them (Exodus 12:).

5 "The LORD's Passover begins at sundown on the fourteenth day of the first month.
6 On the next day, the fifteenth day of the month, you must begin celebrating the Festival of Unleavened Bread. This festival to the LORD continues for seven days, and during that time the bread you eat must be made without yeast.
7 On the first day of the festival, all the people must stop their ordinary work and observe an official day for holy assembly.
8 For seven days you must present special gifts to the LORD. On the seventh day the people must again stop all their ordinary work to observe an official day for holy assembly."

2)
Celebration of First Harvest (Pentecost, Feast of Weeks, day of First Fruits.)

The word Pentecost, means fifty, i.e. fifty days from Pass Over.
It was the end of the wheat harvest, and the people went to the House of God to offer their "first fruits," of their harvest. Their offering was in the form of loaves of leavened bread.

9 Then the LORD said to Moses,
10 "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring the priest a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest.
11 On the day after the Sabbath, the priest will lift it up before the LORD so it may be accepted on your behalf.
12 On that same day you must sacrifice a one-year-old male lamb with no defects as a burnt offering to the LORD.
13 With it you must present a grain offering consisting of four quarts of choice flour moistened with olive oil. It will be a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. You must also offer one quart of wine as a liquid offering.
14 Do not eat any bread or roasted grain or fresh kernels on that day until you bring this offering to your God. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live.


The Festival of Harvest

15 "From the day after the Sabbath—the day you bring the bundle of grain to be lifted up as a special
offering—count off seven full weeks.
16 Keep counting until the day after the seventh Sabbath, fifty days later. Then present an offering of new
grain to the LORD.
17 From wherever you live, bring two loaves of bread to be lifted up before the LORD as a special offering.
Make these loaves from four quarts of choice flour, and bake them with yeast. They will be an offering to the
LORD from the first of your crops.
18 Along with the bread, present seven one-year-old male lambs with no defects, one young bull, and two rams as
burnt offerings to the LORD. These burnt offerings, together with the grain offerings and liquid offerings,
will be a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
19 Then you must offer one male goat as a sin offering and two one-year-old male lambs as a peace offering.
20 "The priest will lift up the two lambs as a special offering to the LORD, together with the loaves
representing the first of your crops. These offerings, which are holy to the LORD, belong to the priests.
21 That same day will be proclaimed an official day for holy assembly, a day on which you do no ordinary work.
This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live.
22 "When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do
not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD
your God."

3)
The Festival of Trumpets

A new year was ushered in by the blowing of trumpets.

23 The LORD said to Moses,
24 "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet.
25 You must do no ordinary work on that day. Instead, you are to present special gifts to the LORD."

4)
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

A most sacred day, among the Jews. The people fasted and thought about their sins and short comings. Sins were atoned for by sacrifices at the House of God.

26 Then the LORD said to Moses,
27 "Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month—nine days after the Festival of Trumpets.* You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the LORD.
28 Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with* the LORD your God.
29 All who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God's people.
30 And I will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day.
31 You must not do any work at all! This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live.
32 This will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and on that day you must deny yourselves. This day of rest will begin at sundown on the ninth day of the month and extend until sundown on the tenth day."


5)
The Festival of Shelters

This festival, took place five days after The Day of Atonement. It spoke of Israel's wanderings in the dessert.
During the festival, Jews lived in "boths," consisting of branches and leaves, or they stayed in tents around Jerusalem.

33 And the LORD said to Moses,
34 "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. Begin celebrating the Festival of Shelters on the fifteenth day of the appointed month—five days after the Day of Atonement. This festival to the LORD will last for seven days.
35 On the first day of the festival you must proclaim an official day for holy assembly, when you do no ordinary work.


6)
The Sacred Assembly

This festival, reminded the people, to bring an offering to the Lord.
This was a sacred, and solemn gathering.

36 For seven days you must present special gifts to the LORD. The eighth day is another holy day on which you present your special gifts to the LORD. This will be a solemn occasion, and no ordinary work may be done that day.


37 ("These are the LORD's appointed festivals. Celebrate them each year as official days for holy assembly by
presenting special gifts to the LORD—burnt offerings, grain offerings, sacrifices, and liquid offerings—each on
its proper day.
38 These festivals must be observed in addition to the LORD's regular Sabbath days, and the offerings are in
addition to your personal gifts, the offerings you give to fulfill your vows, and the voluntary offerings you
present to the LORD.)
39 "Remember that this seven-day festival to the LORD—the Festival of Shelters—begins on the fifteenth day of
the appointed month, after you have harvested all the produce of the land. The first day and the eighth day of
the festival will be days of complete rest.
40 On the first day gather branches from magnificent trees palm fronds, boughs from leafy trees, and willows
that grow by the streams. Then celebrate with joy before the LORD your God for seven days.
41 You must observe this festival to the LORD for seven days every year. This is a permanent law for you, and
it must be observed in the appointed month from generation to generation.
42 For seven days you must live outside in little shelters. All native-born Israelites must live in shelters.
43 This will remind each new generation of Israelites that I made their ancestors live in shelters when I
rescued them from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."
44 So Moses gave the Israelites these instructions regarding the annual festivals of the LORD.


Now two additional Festivals are mentioned,and they were, while the Jews were in Babylonian exile.

7)
The Festival of the Feast of Lights (Hanukkah)

This festival, not mentioned in the Old Testament, but is mentioned in the Apocrypha.
Feast of Lights was begun by Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C. after the temple had been cleansed and sanctified.The festival lasted some eight days. One candle on the Menorah, was lit each day, until all eight had been lighted.
Adventures of Judas Maccabeus, and others were told.


8)
The Feast of Purim (Lots: A celebration of two days.)

Taken from the book of Esther, the story of how she saved Israel from certain extermination.
During this time, the book of Esther was read aloud in the House of God.


Month Festival

Nisan (April) 14th Passover
15th Unleavened Bread

21st Close of Passover

Iyar (May)

Sivan (June) 6th Feast of Pentecost

Tammuz (July)

Ab (August)

Elul (September)

Tishri (October) 1&2 The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)

10th Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

15th -21st Feast of Tabernacles

22 Sacred Assembly

Marchesvan (November)

Kislev (December) 25 Feast of Lights (Hanukkah)

Tebeth (January)

Shebet (February)

Adar (March) 14 Feast of Purim

Monday, September 15, 2008

Bible Lesson: Church Symbol-Chi Rho

Bible Lesson: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ

Church Symbol: Xp: Chi-Rho

Xp are the first two Greek letters in the word,"(Krist) Christ."

Xp: (Christos)The anointed, i.e. the Messiah-Jesus the Christ.

Among the Jews, Priests and Kings were anointed.
Psalm 105:15 KJV "Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."

John 1:41 KJV "He (Andrew) first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."

Psalm 45:7 KJV "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows."

Isaiah 61:1 KJV (Be sure to read the whole chapter on the blessing of the Messiah.)
(The Messiah's Calling-speaking of Christ.)
"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;"

Luke 4:18-21 KJV (Jesus said of Himself....)
[18] The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
[19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
[20] And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.
[21] And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Acts 4:27 KJV "...thy Holy Child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed,..."

Acts 10:38 KJV "...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."

Christ, the Messiah:

Matthew 16:16 KJV "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Luke 2:11 KJV "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

John 11:27 KJV "She (Martha) saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."

I John 5:1 KJV "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him."


Christ as Prophet:

Matthew 21:11 KJV "And the multitude said, This is Jesus the Prophet of Nazareth of Galilee."

Mark 6:15 KJV "Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a Prophet, or as one of the prophets."

Luke 7:16 KJV "And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great Prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited His people."

Luke 24:19 KJV "And He (the risen Lord)said unto them, What things? And they (Cleo pas) said unto Him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:"

John 7:37-41 KJV
[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.
[38] He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
[40] Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
[41] Others said, This is the Christ..."


Christ as Priest:

Hebrews 2:17 KJV "Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV
[14] Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 5:5,6 KJV
[5] So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an High Priest; but He (God the Father) that said unto Him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
[6] As He saith also in another place, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 6:18-20 NLT
18 So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.
20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:24-28 KJV
[24] But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood.
[25] Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
[26] For such an High Priest became us, who is Holy, Harmless, Undefiled, Separate from sinners, and made Higher than the heavens;
[27] Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.
[28] For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is Consecrated for evermore.

Hebrews 8:1 KJV "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;"


Christ as King:

Isaiah 9:7 KJV "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

Jeremiah 23:5 KJV "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a Righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth."

Daniel 7:14 KJV "And there was given Him Dominion, and Glory, and a Kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His Dominion is an Everlasting Dominion, which shall not pass away, and His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."

John 1:49 KJV "Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel."

John 18:37 KJV "Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a King then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice."

I Corinthians 15:25 KJV "For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet."

I Timothy 6:15 KJV "Which in His times He shall shew, who is the Blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Revelation 1:5 KJV "And from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,"

Revelation 17:14 KJV "...He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful."

Revelation 19:16 KJV "And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

Do you know this anointed Prophet, Priest, and King?
He came to be "your" Saviour!

See-Bible Prayer Line Index: Bible Lessons:Salvation Prayer

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Bible Questions Answered: The Kenosis

Bible Questions Answered:
Alright, Rev. you say that Christ was not a first son, never created, but how then do you deal with a scripture where Christ definitely says, that his Father is greater than he is? This is proof he is a created son!
Hank/ Leicester, U.K.

Bible Answers:
The scripture to which you refer is...

John 14:28 KJV "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."

This concept of the Father being greater is completely cleared up, if we but read...
Philippians 2, which deals with the "Greek-Kenosis: Voluntary abasement,self emptying,:"
in becoming man.

Philippians 2:5-11 KJV
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:.......
John 1:1,2 KJV
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.

[7] But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The Eternal Son of God, could never say this, because, as God, He was equal in every aspect to God the Father.
But Jesus, the man, God incarnate, could say this.

It has been well said, that Christ voluntarily emptied Himself of His Contents, not His Substance,i.e. in His self emptying He left His Throne and its Majestic Glory, which He had eternally shared with the Father, to became a man,for the purpose of man's redemption.

He gave up His Divine Majesty, but not His Divinity,for He was still every bit the Divine Son of God.

God's Son humbled Himself...

1) Became flesh and blood, the incarnation. (John 1:14 KJV "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Incarnation, was not an humiliation,or degradation, but that He was willing to take upon Himself the form of mans sinful flesh and all its limitations and weaknesses.

2) Made Himself of no reputation, took on the form of a servant.
3) Was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Amen

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Bible Lesson: Church Symbol: The Chalice

Bible Lesson: Symbols Of The Church Of Jesus Christ

Church Symbol: The Chalice (Speaks of Communion)

Exodus 12:1-14 NLT
The First Passover

1 While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron:
2 "From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you.
3 Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household.
4 If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat.
5 The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects.

A Prophetic picture of Christ, God's Son, the spotless "Lamb of God."

Isaiah 53:7 KJV "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."

I Peter 1:18,19 KJV
[18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
[19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot:

God's Lamb the sin bearer.

Isaiah 53:12 KJV "Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

I John 3:5 KJV "And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin."

God's Lamb, the burden bearer.

Isaiah 53:4 KJV "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted."

Matthew 8:17 KJV "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."


God's Lamb, the Saviour.

I Timothy 1:15 KJV "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;..."

Hebrews 7:25 KJV "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."

6 "Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight.
7 They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal.
8 That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast.
9 Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal—including the head, legs, and internal organs—must be roasted over a fire.
10 Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning.
11 "These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the LORD's Passover.
12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the LORD!
13 But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.
14 "This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time.


Institution of Communion (the Eucharist: Thanksgiving)

Matthew 26:26-30 NLT
26 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it, for this is My body."
27 And He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it,
28 for this is My blood, which confirms the covenant between God and His people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.
29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom."
30 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

I Corinthians 11:23-30 NLT
23 For I (The Apostle Paul) pass on to you what I received from the Lord Himself. On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread
24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then He broke it in pieces and said, "This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me."
25 In the same way, He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and His people—an agreement confirmed with My blood. Do this to remember Me as often as you drink it."
26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until He comes again.
27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.
29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself.
30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.


The Host (Unleaven Bread-representing the broken body of Christ.)

John 6:31-38 KJV
[31] Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
[32] Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
[33] For the bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
[34] Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
[35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.
[36] But I said unto you, That ye also have seen Me, and believe not.
[37] All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.
[38] For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.


The Wine (Representing the blood of Christ.)

Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV
[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
[32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an Husband unto them, saith the LORD:
[33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people.
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

I Corinthians 10:16 KJV "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"

Baptism and communion, are ordinances of the church of Jesus Christ.

"For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until He comes again."

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Bible Lesson: Church Smybol: The Altar

Symbols of the Church of Jesus Christ:

The Altar:

Hebrew-Genesis 8:20 KJV “And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.”

Altar: Mizbeach, an altar, from Zabach, to slaughter an animal in sacrifice.

Greek-Matthew 5:23,24 KJV
[23] Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
[24] Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Altar: Thusiasterion, a place of sacrifice, an altar.

Altars were usually built of earth, or stone.
Exodus 20:24,25 KJV
[24] An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
[25] And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

A clear reference to the fact that, “No-Sacrifice Of Man,” can appease Almighty God!
Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works (religious or otherwise!), lest any man should boast.

Isaiah 64:6 KJV “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses (self-righteousness) are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Altar builders:
Noah: Genesis 8:20
Abraham: Genesis 12:7; 13:4; 22:9
Isaac: Genesis 26:25
Jacob: Genesis 33:20; 35:1,3
Moses: Exodus 17:5; 20:24-26

Altars were often erected where hallowed events had transpired, e.g.
Genesis 12:7; 13:18; 26:25; and 35:1. (The appearance of God.)
Altars, were also erected for sacrifice, and memorials.

The altar, became a place of refuge, or asylum.
I Kings 1:50 “And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.”

A symbol of the “Saving-Blood-Sacrifice, of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.”
Exodus 12:13,14 KJV
[13] And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
[14] And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

At the Tabernacle, and the Temple, there were two different altars, an altar for burnt offerings, and an altar for offering of incense.

The Altar of Burnt Offerings:
Altar of Burnt Offerings, Exodus 30:28 KJV “And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.”
The Brazen Altar, Exodus 39:39 KJV “ The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,”
This altar is also called “The Table of the Lord,” in Malachi 1:7, 12.

Construction of the Altar.
Exodus 27:1-8 NLB
1“Using acacia wood, construct a square altar 7½ feet wide, 7½ feet long, and 4½ feet high.
2 Make horns for each of its four corners so that the horns and altar are all one piece. Overlay the altar with bronze (Bronze a symbol of judgment).
3 Make ash buckets, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans, all of bronze.
4 Make a bronze grating for it, and attach four bronze rings at its four corners.
5 Install the grating halfway down the side of the altar, under the ledge.
6 For carrying the altar, make poles from acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.
7 Insert the poles through the rings on the two sides of the altar.
8 The altar must be hollow, made from planks. Build it just as you were shown on the mountain.

Built four square
A symbol of the “New Jerusalem,” the city of God, home of Jesus Christ's blood bought children, His bride.
Revelation 21:10-27 KJV
[10] And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
[11] Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone (reddish brown-speaks of the precious blood of Christ), clear as crystal;
[12] And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
[13] On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
[14] And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
[15] And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
[16] And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal (Approximately 1400 miles).
[17] And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
[18] And the building of the wall of it was of jasper (reddish brown-speaks of the precious blood of Christ): and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
[19] And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
[20] The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
[21] And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
[22] And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
[23] And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
[24] And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
[25] And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
[26] And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
[27] And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The altar had horn-like projections coming from its corners.
The animal offering was tied to the altar at the horns of the altar.

A perpetual fire was to be kept burning on the altar.
Leviticus 6:12,13 KJV
[12] And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
[13] The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

The perpetual fire upon the altar, spoke of the perpetual worship that Israel was to have for their God.
Offerings for the forgiveness of sins were made at the Altar of Burnt Offerings.

Leviticus 6:1,2; 6,7 KJV
[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[2] If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, ...
[6] And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:
[7] And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.

And then there was secondly ...

The Altar of Incense:

The Altar of Incense, was also called the “Golden Altar.”
Exodus 30:1-10 NASB
1."Moreover, you shall make an altar as a place for burning incense ; you shall make it of acacia wood.
2."Its length shall be a cubit, and its width a cubit, it shall be square, and its height shall be two cubits ; its horns shall be of one piece with it.
3."You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns ; and you shall make a gold molding all around for it.
4."You shall make two gold rings for it under its molding ; you shall make them on its two side walls -on opposite sides -and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it.
5."You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
6."You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.
7."Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the lamps.
8."When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
9."You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering ; and you shall not pour out a drink offering on it.
10."Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year ; he shall make atonement on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the LORD."

The Altar of Incense (which stood in the Holy Place, before the veil leading to the Holy of Holies, in the Tabernacle.), was a symbol of – the prayers of the people, rising up to God in heaven.
The Altar of Incense, appears in Heavens Temple...
Isaiah 6:6 KJV “Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: “
Revelation 8:3,4 KJV 3] And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4] And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

Altars were important to God's people, because they were...:
A place for confession of sin.
A place to seek the presence and power of God, in prayer.
Sincere prayers are a fragrant aroma to God.
A place of worship of the Living God. The God who would never leave nor forsake His people.
A place of sacrifice. Not only of one's goods, but one's life.

Be sure your church has an altar!
Be sure you and your loved ones, meet the “living, Lamb of God,” at the altar.
The Altar, is a life changing place, because the Lord of glory, meets all those who call upon Him there!

Hebrews 13:10- NLT 10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp.
12 So also Jesus (the Lamb of God) suffered and died outside the city gates to make His people holy by means of His own blood.
13 So let us go out to Him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace He bore.
14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name.
16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.