Bible Questions Answered:
My church believes in suffering after death, if at death you are not spiritually perfect. Souls stained with venial, forgivable mortal sins, go to purgatory, where they will go through a period of suffering so that they may be cleansed. Is this correct?
Marsha/ Newark, New Jersey
Bible Answers:
Roman Catholics, find the basis of their belief in one of the apocryphal (Fourteen books, rendered as not being canonical by Jews and Protestants,)
book of II Maccabees.
II Maccabees 12:42-45
[42] Betook themselves unto prayer, and besought him that the sin committed might wholly be put out of remembrance. Besides, that noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they saw before their eyes the things that came to pass for the sins of those that were slain.
[43] And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection:
[44] For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.
[45] And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.
Also quoted is....
Acts 2:27 KJV
Because thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Speaking of Christ.
Yet the word, “hell,” used here is the Greek word Hades (Hah-dace), the place of departed souls: the grave.
Christ told us about the abode of the dead.
Luke 16:19-31 KJV
[19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
[21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
[22] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into
Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
[23] And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
[24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
[25] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
[26] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
[27] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
[28] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
[29] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
[30] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
[31] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
The righteous dead were in a place called Abraham's Bosom, separated from hell, a place of torment.
At our Lord's resurrection, He took the righteous dead up with Him to heaven.
Now since that time all righteous dead go to heaven to be with the Lord.
Ephesians 4:8-10 KJV
[8] Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[9] (Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
[10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that He might fill all things.
Ephesians 4:8,9 RSV
[8] Therefore it is said, "When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, (Righteous spirits in Abraham's Bosom.)
and He gave gifts to men."
[9] (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that He had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
II Corinthians 5:6-8 KJV (Philippians 1:23)
[6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
[7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
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, lest any man should boast.
(Works, religious or otherwise, do not save in this world, or the next!)
John 17:4 KJV (Christ's Priestly prayer to His Father.)
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest Me to do.
The work of Redemption, not on going, but forever “finished.”
John 19:30 KJV
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.
Christ's work of redemption, was completed on the cross.
Romans 8:1 KJV
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isaiah 1:18 KJV
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Psalm 103:12 KJV
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.
Micah 7:19 KJV
He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities;
and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Hebrews 10:14 KJV
For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Christians are, “made perfect,” by the blood of Christ, a finished work.
I John 1:7 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from ALL sin.
Not accomplished by man, before or after his death by others..and their sayings of prayers, masses etc.. etc...etc...
Forgiveness of sins, comes by the blood of Christ, and receiving Him as Saviour, in this life.
Hebrews 3:7,8 NLT
7 "...the Holy Spirit says,“Today when you hear His voice,
8 don’t harden your hearts
II Corinthians 6:2 NLT
For God says,“At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.”Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Hebrews 9:27 KJV
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
See subject listing: Bible Lesson: Salvation Prayer
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Bible Questions Answered: Witnessing
Bible Questions Answered:
Are we supposed to do gospel work, if Christians, and if so what?
Karen/ Brandenburg, Germany
Bible Answers:
THE CHURCHS' GREAT COMMISSION:
As Christians, we are called to evangelize the world for Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 11:30 KJV
"...he that winneth souls is wise."
James 5:20 KJV
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Daniel 12:3 KJV
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Matthew 5:16 KJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Mark 16:15-18 KJV
[15] And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them*; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
* See Bible Lessons: Healing-Divine: Explanation of Mark 16:15-18.
Romans 10:9,10 KJV
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9,10 AMP
9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
Matthew 10:32,33 KJV
[32] Whosoever therefore shall confess Me (Christ) before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.
[33] But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.
Luke 9:26 KJV
For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own Glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.
Luke 12:8,9 KJV
[8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God:
[9] But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
I John 2:23 KJV
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Philippians 2:11 KJV
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.
I John 4:15 KJV
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Confessions of Faith:
Peter:
Matthew 16:16 KJV
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
John 6:68,69 KJV
[68] Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
[69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Nathanael:
John 1:49 KJV
Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Woman of Samaria:
John 4:29 KJV
Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Martha:
John 11:27 KJV
She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Thomas:
John 20:28 KJV
And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.
Ethiopian Eunuch:
Acts 8:37 KJV
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (Be baptized). And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Titus 2:15 KJV
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
What Should You Tell Those, Who You Witness To:
Salvation is “not,” of works, it is the “Gift,” of God, received by faith.
(Commit to memory, or mark your Bible, with one or more of the following verses.)
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.
Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
[21] Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to Me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and
in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah 53:6 KJV
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 64:6 KJV
But we are "all"(no exceptions) as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Titus 3:4,5 NLT
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love,
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 2:16 KJV
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Romans 5:1 KJV
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Galatians 3:10,11 KJV
[10] For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
[11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 3:10,19-25;28 KJV
[10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
[28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:10,19-25,28 AMP
10 As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one.
19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the murmurs and excuses of] every mouth may be hushed and all the world may be held accountable to God.
20 For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].
21 But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets,
22 Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives.
24[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
25 Whom God put forward before the eyes of all as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.
28 For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of the Law). [The observance of the Law has nothing to do with justification.]
John 1:11-14 KJV
[11] He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
[12] But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name:
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14] 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.
Hebrews 10:4-6 KJV
[4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
[5] Wherefore when He (Christ) cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me:
[6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Prayerfully talking with the lost:
I) Mankind Is Lost In Sin, And Needs A Saviour.
(See above, man may not be, “saved,” by works.)
Psalm 143:2 KJV
"...for in thy sight shall no man living be justified."
Romans 5:12,18,21 KJV
[12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
[21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:12,18,21 NLT
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Corinthians 15:22 KJV
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Ephesians 2:1-3 KJV
[1] And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Colossians 2:13 NLT
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins.
II) Salvation comes “only,” through Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 KJV
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NLT
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Isaiah 53:6 KJV
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD (God the Father.) hath laid on Him (The Lord Jesus Christ.) the iniquity of us all.
John 3:14-18 KJV
[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up:
[15] That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Romans 5:18,19 KJV
[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
[19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Colossians 1:20 NLT
And through Him (The Lord Jesus Christ.) God reconciled everything to Himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
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:
I John 1:7 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
I John 5:11-13 KJV
[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
III) Regeneration (Spiritual Birth) Is By The Power Of The Holy Spirit.
John 3:3-8 KJV
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him (Nicodemus), Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
[8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Romans 5:5 KJV
"...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
I Corinthians 6:11 KJV
"...but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Titus 3:5 KJV
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:4,5 NLT
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love,
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Mankind, lost in sin, in need of a Saviour. Salvation is in and only through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Regeneration, through the power of God's Spirit.
Mark some of these verses in your Bible and be ready to win the lost for the Lord Jesus.
There are many other verses used, for e.g.
Romans 3:23 KJV
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 1:12 KJV
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name:
Revelation 3:20 KJV
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
Whatever verses you choose, use them humbly and reverently, praying that God, will touch forever the heart to who you are ministering.
Matthew 21:22 KJV
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Are we supposed to do gospel work, if Christians, and if so what?
Karen/ Brandenburg, Germany
Bible Answers:
THE CHURCHS' GREAT COMMISSION:
As Christians, we are called to evangelize the world for Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 11:30 KJV
"...he that winneth souls is wise."
James 5:20 KJV
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Daniel 12:3 KJV
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Matthew 5:16 KJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Mark 16:15-18 KJV
[15] And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them*; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
* See Bible Lessons: Healing-Divine: Explanation of Mark 16:15-18.
Romans 10:9,10 KJV
[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9,10 AMP
9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.
Matthew 10:32,33 KJV
[32] Whosoever therefore shall confess Me (Christ) before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.
[33] But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.
Luke 9:26 KJV
For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own Glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.
Luke 12:8,9 KJV
[8] Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God:
[9] But he that denieth Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
I John 2:23 KJV
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Philippians 2:11 KJV
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.
I John 4:15 KJV
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
Confessions of Faith:
Peter:
Matthew 16:16 KJV
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
John 6:68,69 KJV
[68] Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
[69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Nathanael:
John 1:49 KJV
Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
Woman of Samaria:
John 4:29 KJV
Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Martha:
John 11:27 KJV
She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Thomas:
John 20:28 KJV
And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God.
Ethiopian Eunuch:
Acts 8:37 KJV
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (Be baptized). And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Titus 2:15 KJV
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
What Should You Tell Those, Who You Witness To:
Salvation is “not,” of works, it is the “Gift,” of God, received by faith.
(Commit to memory, or mark your Bible, with one or more of the following verses.)
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.
Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
[21] Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to Me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and
in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isaiah 53:6 KJV
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 64:6 KJV
But we are "all"(no exceptions) as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Titus 3:4,5 NLT
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love,
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 2:16 KJV
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Romans 5:1 KJV
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Galatians 3:10,11 KJV
[10] For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
[11] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 3:10,19-25;28 KJV
[10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
[19] Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
[20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
[21] But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24] Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
[25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
[28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:10,19-25,28 AMP
10 As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one.
19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the murmurs and excuses of] every mouth may be hushed and all the world may be held accountable to God.
20 For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].
21 But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets,
22 Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives.
24[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
25 Whom God put forward before the eyes of all as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.
28 For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of the Law). [The observance of the Law has nothing to do with justification.]
John 1:11-14 KJV
[11] He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.
[12] But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name:
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
[14] 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.
Hebrews 10:4-6 KJV
[4] For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
[5] Wherefore when He (Christ) cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared Me:
[6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Prayerfully talking with the lost:
I) Mankind Is Lost In Sin, And Needs A Saviour.
(See above, man may not be, “saved,” by works.)
Psalm 143:2 KJV
"...for in thy sight shall no man living be justified."
Romans 5:12,18,21 KJV
[12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
[21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:12,18,21 NLT
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Corinthians 15:22 KJV
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Ephesians 2:1-3 KJV
[1] And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Colossians 2:13 NLT
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all our sins.
II) Salvation comes “only,” through Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 KJV
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 NLT
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Isaiah 53:6 KJV
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD (God the Father.) hath laid on Him (The Lord Jesus Christ.) the iniquity of us all.
John 3:14-18 KJV
[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up:
[15] That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Romans 5:18,19 KJV
[18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
[19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Colossians 1:20 NLT
And through Him (The Lord Jesus Christ.) God reconciled everything to Himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
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:
I John 1:7 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
I John 5:11-13 KJV
[11] And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
[12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
[13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
III) Regeneration (Spiritual Birth) Is By The Power Of The Holy Spirit.
John 3:3-8 KJV
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him (Nicodemus), Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
[8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Romans 5:5 KJV
"...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
I Corinthians 6:11 KJV
"...but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Titus 3:5 KJV
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:4,5 NLT
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love,
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
Mankind, lost in sin, in need of a Saviour. Salvation is in and only through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Regeneration, through the power of God's Spirit.
Mark some of these verses in your Bible and be ready to win the lost for the Lord Jesus.
There are many other verses used, for e.g.
Romans 3:23 KJV
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 1:12 KJV
But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name:
Revelation 3:20 KJV
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
Whatever verses you choose, use them humbly and reverently, praying that God, will touch forever the heart to who you are ministering.
Matthew 21:22 KJV
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Bible Lesson: Symbols Of Biblical Characters- Matthias
Symbols Of Biblical Characters:
Church Symbol: Double-edged battle axe, open Bible (Symbols of Matthias: Mat-tath-ee-as; Gift of Jehovah.)
Luke 3:25 KJV (Son of Amos)
Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos,...”
Matthias, was elected to take Judas Iscariot's place.
Acts 1:12-26 NLT
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.
13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James).
14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.
16 “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.
17 Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
18 (Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines. 19 The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”)
20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’
21 “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—
22 from the time He was baptized by John until the day He was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen
25 as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.”
26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
The criteria upon which the apostle would be chosen was....
1)Someone who was a witness of John the Baptist's baptism of Jesus, to the time of Christ's resurrection, and ascension, also...
2)He had to be divinely selected.
Matthias, met these criteria.
Neither of these two, Justus Barsabbas, or Matthias are mentioned elsewhere in the new testament.
It has been assumed that both, Justus, and Matthias were among the seventy that Jesus commissioned. (;Eusebius)
Luke 10:1, 17-19 KJV
[1] After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.
[17] And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
[18] And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
[19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
There are a few, who think for some reason, later on, Matthias, did not meet all the qualifications, so James the brother of the Lord, was chosen in his place, and here are the scriptures, they base their speculation on.
Galatians 1:19 KJV
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Galatians 2:9 KJV
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
This would all be fine, but for the fact that James, was not converted until after the resurrection of Christ, clearly not putting him in the criteria needed.
Be this as it may, we are well lead to believe that there were more than twelve individuals who were thought to be Apostles in the early church.
Was it important to replace Judas, with Matthias?
It was because each Apostle represented a tribe of Israel ( i.e. 12, tribes, 12 apostles.)
Old church manuscripts, state that a tribe had been assigned to each Apostle.
Church tradition states that Matthias preached to cannibals in Mesopotamia, yet still others state that, in Jerusalem, he was lanced or axed to death by the Jews, and yet still that he was martyred in Ethiopia.
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.
Church Symbol: Double-edged battle axe, open Bible (Symbols of Matthias: Mat-tath-ee-as; Gift of Jehovah.)
Luke 3:25 KJV (Son of Amos)
Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos,...”
Matthias, was elected to take Judas Iscariot's place.
Acts 1:12-26 NLT
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.
13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James).
14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
15 During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.
16 “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.
17 Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
18 (Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines. 19 The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”)
20 Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’
21 “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—
22 from the time He was baptized by John until the day He was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen
25 as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.”
26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
The criteria upon which the apostle would be chosen was....
1)Someone who was a witness of John the Baptist's baptism of Jesus, to the time of Christ's resurrection, and ascension, also...
2)He had to be divinely selected.
Matthias, met these criteria.
Neither of these two, Justus Barsabbas, or Matthias are mentioned elsewhere in the new testament.
It has been assumed that both, Justus, and Matthias were among the seventy that Jesus commissioned. (;Eusebius)
Luke 10:1, 17-19 KJV
[1] After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.
[17] And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
[18] And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
[19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
There are a few, who think for some reason, later on, Matthias, did not meet all the qualifications, so James the brother of the Lord, was chosen in his place, and here are the scriptures, they base their speculation on.
Galatians 1:19 KJV
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Galatians 2:9 KJV
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
This would all be fine, but for the fact that James, was not converted until after the resurrection of Christ, clearly not putting him in the criteria needed.
Be this as it may, we are well lead to believe that there were more than twelve individuals who were thought to be Apostles in the early church.
Was it important to replace Judas, with Matthias?
It was because each Apostle represented a tribe of Israel ( i.e. 12, tribes, 12 apostles.)
Old church manuscripts, state that a tribe had been assigned to each Apostle.
Church tradition states that Matthias preached to cannibals in Mesopotamia, yet still others state that, in Jerusalem, he was lanced or axed to death by the Jews, and yet still that he was martyred in Ethiopia.
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.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Bible Questions Answered: Healing - Divine
Bible Questions Answered:
In my church, no one prays on sick people. We are taught that Jesus did those thing only to prove who he was.
So who is right on this?
Isabel/ Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bible Answers:
To be sure the miracles that Jesus performed, were attestations of His divine origin, and power, but they also served another purpose, that of “healing the sick.”
The question before us then, is was this practice something to be passed on, i.e. praying for the miraculous recovery of the sick, for the purpose of their deliverance?
And what is the Biblical Answer?
John 2:11 KJV
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.
John 3:2 KJV (The testimony of Nicodemus)
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him.
John 7:31 KJV
And many of the people believed on Him, and said, When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles than these which this Man hath done?
John 10:25,38 KJV
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.
John 20:30 KJV
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:
God's promise to His people
Exodus 15:26 KJV
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians:
for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
The work of Jesus
Matthew 9:35 KJV
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Mark 6:55,56 KJV
[55] And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard He was.
[56] And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment: and as many as touched Him were made whole.
Acts 10:38 KJV
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.
We as Christ's disciples in the 21st century, are we to pray for the sick?
Matthew 10:1-7 KJV
[1] And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
[2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
[3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
[4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Luke 10:1-9 KJV
[1] After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.
[2] Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.
[3] Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
[4] Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
[5] And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
[6] And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
[7] And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
[8] And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
[9] And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Malachi 3:6 KJV
For I am the LORD, I change not..."
Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
John 8:31 KJV
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
THE GREAT COMMISSION: (Of the Church of Jesus Christ.)
Mark 16:15 KJV
[15] And He (Risen Lord Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents*; and if they drink any deadly thing*, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
*(Not things gone after, but evil things, that can come upon the people of God.)
Acts 28:1-6 KJV
[1] And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
[2] And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
[3] And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
[4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
[5] And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
[6] Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
On his way to Rome, the Apostle Paul was involved in a mighty ship wreck. His boat was dashed to pieces at the island of Melita.
The people of Melita, kindled a fire for the survivors, because of the wind, rain, and the cold.
Verse three tells us that the Apostle gathered together a bundle of sticks to feed the fire, when placed on the flame, a viper jumped out and bit the Apostle on the hand.
The people of Melita, thought at first that Paul, must be a criminal, murderer, though he had escaped the sea, yet vengeance would not permit him to live.
But, the Apostle, merely shook off the snake, feeling “no harm.”
Then the people of Melita, thought of him as a god.
God, had protected the Apostle Paul, from harm.
Was this anything that Paul had sought-the handling of snakes....absolutely not!”
Christ in his desert temptation by Satan, was so tempted by him, as to do works of foolishness (jump from the pinnacle of the temple) to force God's miraculous protecting hand.
Matthew 4:5-7 KJV (Christ's righteous works, were not for grandstanding, but for displaying the power and love of God.)
[5] Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple,
[6] And saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[7] Jesus said unto Him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew 4:5-7 NLT
5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple,
6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say*,
‘He will order His angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’
Lucifer, knew well the Angelic Codes of heaven, as he was once an angel of very high rank
(Psalm 91:11,12).
How “many,” a nefarious ne'er-do-well, or explicit, exhibitionist, has murdered the wonderful word of God, by preforming snake handling exhibitions, or made some open ridiculous spectacle, of the very dear and precious “Gifts of the Spirit.”
Dear friend, never forget the enemy of our souls, wants you and I, to “miss it.”
Error from the truth, miss the great things of God. Miss all the blessing that He has for us, etc. etc. etc.
It is our responsibility, to recognize things for what they are, of the Spirit, or of the flesh and the devil!
Is Divine Healing for the children of God, Yes!
John 13:15 KJV
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Matthew 10:1 KJV
And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Mark 3:15,15 KJV
[14] And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,
[15] And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Luke 1:37 KJV
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 10:19 KJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
God's promise to heal:
Exodus 15:26 KJV
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians:
for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Moses knew, that God was their keeper!
Deuteronomy 29:5,6 NLT
5 For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.
6 You ate no bread and drank no wine or other alcoholic drink, but He gave you food so you would know that He is the Lord
I Peter 2:24 KJV
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (Past tense, victory achieved, by the stripes of our Lord, (Isaiah 53:).
Psalm 103:3 KJV
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
John 14:14 KJV
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
James 5:14,15 KJV
[14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Isaiah 58:6 KJV
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is sickness, evil, from the evil one?
Job 2:7 KJV
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Luke 13:11-16 KJV
[11] And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
[12] And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
[13] And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
[14] And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
[15] The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
[16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Matthew 12:22 KJV
Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Mark 9:17-27 KJV
17] And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
[18] And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
[19] He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto Me.
[20] And they brought him unto Him: and when He saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
[21] And He asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
[22] And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
[23] Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
[24] And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
[25] When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
[26] And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
[27] But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
Acts 10:38 KJV
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.
The Early Church, believed, and practiced, prayer for the sick, in the name of the Lord.
Mark 16:20 KJV
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Acts 5:14-16 KJV
[14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
[15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
[16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
I Peter 3:12 KJV
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
I John 5:14,15 KJV
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
[15] And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
Psalm 107:20 KJV
He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Mark 11:24 KJV
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
When we pray, we must have faith!
Romans 10:17 KJV (See Hebrews 11:)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
I Thessalonians 5:24 KJV
Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.
Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Psalm 89:34 KJV
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.
John 15:7 KJV
If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
I Kings 8:56 KJV
"...there hath not failed one word of all His good promise..."
II Corinthians 1:20 NLT
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.
Matthew 24:35 KJV
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
Ezekiel 12:25 KJV
For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; ...I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
Much more could be said, and no doubt in the future, more will be.
Believe in the Power of the Lord, for your self, and for the many needs of others!
I John 4:4 KJV
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
In my church, no one prays on sick people. We are taught that Jesus did those thing only to prove who he was.
So who is right on this?
Isabel/ Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bible Answers:
To be sure the miracles that Jesus performed, were attestations of His divine origin, and power, but they also served another purpose, that of “healing the sick.”
The question before us then, is was this practice something to be passed on, i.e. praying for the miraculous recovery of the sick, for the purpose of their deliverance?
And what is the Biblical Answer?
John 2:11 KJV
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him.
John 3:2 KJV (The testimony of Nicodemus)
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him.
John 7:31 KJV
And many of the people believed on Him, and said, When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles than these which this Man hath done?
John 10:25,38 KJV
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.
John 20:30 KJV
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:
God's promise to His people
Exodus 15:26 KJV
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians:
for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
The work of Jesus
Matthew 9:35 KJV
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Mark 6:55,56 KJV
[55] And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard He was.
[56] And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment: and as many as touched Him were made whole.
Acts 10:38 KJV
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.
We as Christ's disciples in the 21st century, are we to pray for the sick?
Matthew 10:1-7 KJV
[1] And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
[2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
[3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
[4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Luke 10:1-9 KJV
[1] After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come.
[2] Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.
[3] Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
[4] Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
[5] And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
[6] And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
[7] And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
[8] And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
[9] And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Malachi 3:6 KJV
For I am the LORD, I change not..."
Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
John 8:31 KJV
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
THE GREAT COMMISSION: (Of the Church of Jesus Christ.)
Mark 16:15 KJV
[15] And He (Risen Lord Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
[16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
[17] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
[18] They shall take up serpents*; and if they drink any deadly thing*, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
*(Not things gone after, but evil things, that can come upon the people of God.)
Acts 28:1-6 KJV
[1] And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
[2] And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
[3] And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
[4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
[5] And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
[6] Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
On his way to Rome, the Apostle Paul was involved in a mighty ship wreck. His boat was dashed to pieces at the island of Melita.
The people of Melita, kindled a fire for the survivors, because of the wind, rain, and the cold.
Verse three tells us that the Apostle gathered together a bundle of sticks to feed the fire, when placed on the flame, a viper jumped out and bit the Apostle on the hand.
The people of Melita, thought at first that Paul, must be a criminal, murderer, though he had escaped the sea, yet vengeance would not permit him to live.
But, the Apostle, merely shook off the snake, feeling “no harm.”
Then the people of Melita, thought of him as a god.
God, had protected the Apostle Paul, from harm.
Was this anything that Paul had sought-the handling of snakes....absolutely not!”
Christ in his desert temptation by Satan, was so tempted by him, as to do works of foolishness (jump from the pinnacle of the temple) to force God's miraculous protecting hand.
Matthew 4:5-7 KJV (Christ's righteous works, were not for grandstanding, but for displaying the power and love of God.)
[5] Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple,
[6] And saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[7] Jesus said unto Him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Matthew 4:5-7 NLT
5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple,
6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say*,
‘He will order His angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’
Lucifer, knew well the Angelic Codes of heaven, as he was once an angel of very high rank
(Psalm 91:11,12).
How “many,” a nefarious ne'er-do-well, or explicit, exhibitionist, has murdered the wonderful word of God, by preforming snake handling exhibitions, or made some open ridiculous spectacle, of the very dear and precious “Gifts of the Spirit.”
Dear friend, never forget the enemy of our souls, wants you and I, to “miss it.”
Error from the truth, miss the great things of God. Miss all the blessing that He has for us, etc. etc. etc.
It is our responsibility, to recognize things for what they are, of the Spirit, or of the flesh and the devil!
Is Divine Healing for the children of God, Yes!
John 13:15 KJV
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Matthew 10:1 KJV
And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Mark 3:15,15 KJV
[14] And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,
[15] And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Luke 1:37 KJV
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 10:19 KJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
God's promise to heal:
Exodus 15:26 KJV
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians:
for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Moses knew, that God was their keeper!
Deuteronomy 29:5,6 NLT
5 For forty years I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out.
6 You ate no bread and drank no wine or other alcoholic drink, but He gave you food so you would know that He is the Lord
I Peter 2:24 KJV
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (Past tense, victory achieved, by the stripes of our Lord, (Isaiah 53:).
Psalm 103:3 KJV
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
John 14:14 KJV
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
James 5:14,15 KJV
[14] Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
[15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Isaiah 58:6 KJV
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is sickness, evil, from the evil one?
Job 2:7 KJV
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Luke 13:11-16 KJV
[11] And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
[12] And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
[13] And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
[14] And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
[15] The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
[16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Matthew 12:22 KJV
Then was brought unto Him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and He healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Mark 9:17-27 KJV
17] And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
[18] And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
[19] He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto Me.
[20] And they brought him unto Him: and when He saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
[21] And He asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
[22] And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
[23] Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
[24] And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
[25] When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
[26] And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
[27] But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
Acts 10:38 KJV
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.
The Early Church, believed, and practiced, prayer for the sick, in the name of the Lord.
Mark 16:20 KJV
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Acts 5:14-16 KJV
[14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
[15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
[16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
I Peter 3:12 KJV
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
I John 5:14,15 KJV
[14] And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
[15] And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
Psalm 107:20 KJV
He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Mark 11:24 KJV
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
When we pray, we must have faith!
Romans 10:17 KJV (See Hebrews 11:)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
I Thessalonians 5:24 KJV
Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.
Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Psalm 89:34 KJV
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips.
John 15:7 KJV
If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
I Kings 8:56 KJV
"...there hath not failed one word of all His good promise..."
II Corinthians 1:20 NLT
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.
Matthew 24:35 KJV
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
Ezekiel 12:25 KJV
For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; ...I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.
Much more could be said, and no doubt in the future, more will be.
Believe in the Power of the Lord, for your self, and for the many needs of others!
I John 4:4 KJV
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Bible Questions Answered: Laughter-God's
Bible Questions Answered:
I have heard that Jesus never laughed, isn't God like us?
Jason/ Sacramento, California
Bible Answers:
Jesus was on a serious mission of course, but it is also true that not everything is recorded in the Bible that Jesus did.
John 21:25 KJV
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
The truth is, we, have been created, like God.
Genesis 1:26,27 KJV
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:...
[27] So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.
If we can laugh, and have joy and be happy, so can our God.
In the Old Testament we read of God “Laughing at His enemies.”
Psalms 2:4 KJV
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psalm 2:4 NLT
But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
Psalm 37:12,13 KJV
[12] The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
[13] The Lord shall laugh at him: for He seeth that his day is coming.
Abraham's wife Sarah, said of her son, born in her old age.
Genesis 21:6 KJV
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
And so she named the son of her old age (90), Isaac: Hebrew: Yitschaq (Yits-khawk) for “Laughter.”
Psalm 126:1-6 NLT
1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,it was like a dream!
2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.
5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
Proverbs 15:15 KJV
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Proverbs 17:22 KJV
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Isaiah 12:2,3 KJV
[2] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.
[3] Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Malachi 4:2,3 NLT
2 “But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Philippians 4:4 KJV
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
I Thessalonians 5:16 KJV
Rejoice evermore.
I Peter 1:8 KJV
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing,
ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Hebrews 1:9 KJV
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God,
hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an
everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
John 3;16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 KJV
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
I have heard that Jesus never laughed, isn't God like us?
Jason/ Sacramento, California
Bible Answers:
Jesus was on a serious mission of course, but it is also true that not everything is recorded in the Bible that Jesus did.
John 21:25 KJV
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
The truth is, we, have been created, like God.
Genesis 1:26,27 KJV
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:...
[27] So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.
If we can laugh, and have joy and be happy, so can our God.
In the Old Testament we read of God “Laughing at His enemies.”
Psalms 2:4 KJV
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psalm 2:4 NLT
But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.
Psalm 37:12,13 KJV
[12] The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
[13] The Lord shall laugh at him: for He seeth that his day is coming.
Abraham's wife Sarah, said of her son, born in her old age.
Genesis 21:6 KJV
And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.
And so she named the son of her old age (90), Isaac: Hebrew: Yitschaq (Yits-khawk) for “Laughter.”
Psalm 126:1-6 NLT
1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,it was like a dream!
2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.
5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
Proverbs 15:15 KJV
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Proverbs 17:22 KJV
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Isaiah 12:2,3 KJV
[2] Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.
[3] Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Malachi 4:2,3 NLT
2 “But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Philippians 4:4 KJV
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
I Thessalonians 5:16 KJV
Rejoice evermore.
I Peter 1:8 KJV
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing,
ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Hebrews 1:9 KJV
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God,
hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an
everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
John 3;16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 KJV
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Bible Questions Answered: Resurrected Bodies-Christian
Bible Questions Answered:
What will the resurrected body be like?
William/ Queensland, Brisbane Australia
Bible Answers:
It will not be a flesh and blood body, like we presently have.
I Corinthians 15:50 KJV
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Our Lord's resurrected body:
Luke 24:36-43 KJV
[36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them (the disciples), and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
[38] And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
[39] Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have.
[40] And when He had thus spoken, He shewed them His hands and His feet.
[41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, He said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
[42] And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
[43] And He took it, and did eat before them.
Christ's resurrected body, was not some spirit form, but a body with flesh and bone.
The Apostle Paul:
I Corinthians 15:35-58 KJV
[35] But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
[36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
[37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
[38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body.
[39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
[40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
[41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
[42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
[43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
[44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
[45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
[46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
[47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
[48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
[49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:35-58 NLT
35 But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?”
36 What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first.
37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting.
38 Then God gives it the new body He wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed.
39 Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.
40 There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies.
41 The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.
42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever.
43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.
44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.
46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.
48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man.
49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!
52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
New, Glorified, Resurrected Bodies, no more pain, no more sickness, no more disease, decay or death.
The Christian's new body, will be raised in glory, and power.
The Psalmist, said of our “present,” body.
Psalm 139:14 KJV
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
What may be said of our coming new bodies, if this was said of the old?
(The resurrected Lord Jesus, could pass through a wall.)
John 20:18-20 KJV
[18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
[19] Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[20] And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
(At Bethany, the resurrected Lord, blessed His followers and ascended into heaven.)
Luke 24:50-53 KJV
[50] And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them.
[51] And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
[52] And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
[53] And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
The wonders of the Glorified body is not for us to fully know at this time...
John 16:12 KJV
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
John 16:12 NLT
There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
It is enough, now, to know that the resurrected body will be wonderful, and full of power, but more than all of these...they will be like our Saviour!
I John 3:2 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
Philippians 3:20,21 KJV
[20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
[21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His Glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
Philippians 3:20,21 NLT
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.
21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into Glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.
What will the resurrected body be like?
William/ Queensland, Brisbane Australia
Bible Answers:
It will not be a flesh and blood body, like we presently have.
I Corinthians 15:50 KJV
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Our Lord's resurrected body:
Luke 24:36-43 KJV
[36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them (the disciples), and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
[38] And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
[39] Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have.
[40] And when He had thus spoken, He shewed them His hands and His feet.
[41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, He said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
[42] And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
[43] And He took it, and did eat before them.
Christ's resurrected body, was not some spirit form, but a body with flesh and bone.
The Apostle Paul:
I Corinthians 15:35-58 KJV
[35] But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
[36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
[37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
[38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body.
[39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
[40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
[41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
[42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
[43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
[44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
[45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
[46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
[47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
[48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
[49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
[50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:35-58 NLT
35 But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?”
36 What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first.
37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting.
38 Then God gives it the new body He wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed.
39 Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.
40 There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies.
41 The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.
42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever.
43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.
44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.
46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.
48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man.
49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!
52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
New, Glorified, Resurrected Bodies, no more pain, no more sickness, no more disease, decay or death.
The Christian's new body, will be raised in glory, and power.
The Psalmist, said of our “present,” body.
Psalm 139:14 KJV
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
What may be said of our coming new bodies, if this was said of the old?
(The resurrected Lord Jesus, could pass through a wall.)
John 20:18-20 KJV
[18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.
[19] Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[20] And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
(At Bethany, the resurrected Lord, blessed His followers and ascended into heaven.)
Luke 24:50-53 KJV
[50] And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them.
[51] And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
[52] And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
[53] And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
The wonders of the Glorified body is not for us to fully know at this time...
John 16:12 KJV
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
John 16:12 NLT
There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
It is enough, now, to know that the resurrected body will be wonderful, and full of power, but more than all of these...they will be like our Saviour!
I John 3:2 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
Philippians 3:20,21 KJV
[20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
[21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His Glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
Philippians 3:20,21 NLT
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.
21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into Glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Bible Lesson: Persecution-Religious
Bible Lesson: Persecution, Religious.
According to the Free Republic:
ROME, (Zenit.org).- The 20th century may have been the most striking in the annals of Christian martyrdom, and a new book shows it with numbers.
In two millennia of Christian history, about 70 million faithful have given their lives for the faith, and of these, 45.5 million -- fully 65% -- were in the last century, according to "The New Persecuted" ("I Nuovi Perseguitati").
What does your faith mean to you, would you be willing to die for it?
Many are doing just that.
The Word of God tells us that in the last days...
Revelation 12:12 KJV
"...Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
So many so called Christian people today, say yes, I will keep the faith!
And yet, those same people, will not so much as bow their heads to say a prayer of thanksgiving while eating out, nor will they ever be seen carrying, of all things their Bibles, anyone knows thats just for church. Witnessing, why isn't that for a preacher?
Here is a very serious verse from the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed * the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
*Exceed: Greek-Perisseuo (Per-is-syoo-o): Super abound, excel, make more, be more abundant, be better, increase, over and above.
Matthew 5:20 NLT
But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Matthew 5:20 NIV
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Every day, the Church of the Lord Jesus, and His followers are coming under attack.
A former U.S. Attorney General, once stated that anyone believing in the “Second Coming,” is a radical.
The church today is coming under attack, as a place where “Hate,” is being perpetrated, because of it's Biblical standards against homosexuality, polygamy, and abortion, just to name a few.
Some so called Christians are heading for the door.
Now is the time for “real-Christians,” to take their stand for their Saviour!
If the world had “no other,” example of what a Christian is, what could they ascertain by watching you?
Hebrews 4:16 KJV (Tells us where you and I may find boldness to stand for Jesus Christ.)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace (the Altar), that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
If we try to exalt the Lord Jesus, by ourselves, we will fail, yes we need the Lord's help even in exalting Him!
We need His strength, and His wisdom. And we can have it if we but wait upon Him, at the altar.
The altar, is the place (of grace) where God and man meet. The curtain has been forever torn, between the holy place and the holy of holies, the way is open to be in His presence.
Persecution, yes it will come and in many forms, but may we be determined to be faithful ambassadors of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Then it will be said of us as it was said of our Master.
John 6:38 KJV
For I came ..., not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.
John 9:4 KJV
I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Persecution: The testing of faith.
Daniel 3:16-18 KJV
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Matthew 10:16-18 KJV
[16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
[17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
[18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Matthew 10:16-28 NLT
16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.
17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.
18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about Me.
19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.
20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.
22 And all nations will hate you because you are My followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.
24 “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master.
25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the Master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of My household will be called by even worse names!
26 “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mark 8:31-38 KJV
[31] And He began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
[32] And He spake that saying openly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him.
[33] But when He had turned about and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
[34] And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
[35] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
[36] For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
[37] Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
[38] Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.
Mark 15:29-32 KJV
[29] And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
[30] Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
[31] Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
[32] Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Luke 6:22,23 KJV
[22] Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
[23] Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
John 12:42,43 KJV
42 Many people did believe in Him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.
43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
John 15:18,19 KJV
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 16:1-4 KJV
[1] These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
[2] They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
[3] And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.
[4] But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Acts 5:41 KJV
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
II Corinthians 6:4-10 KJV
[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
[8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
[9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
[10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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.
Revelation 6:9-11 NAS
9. When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained ;
10. and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long , O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth ?"
11. And there was given to each of them a white robe ; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.
Revelation 11:3-12 NAS
3. "And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
4. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
5. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies ; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.
6. These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying ; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
7. When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.
8. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.
9. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.
10. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate ; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11. But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet ; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.
12. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.
Revelation 13:5-10 NLT
5 Then the beast (The Anti-Christ) was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months (3 1/2 years).
6 And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering His name and His dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven.
7 And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.
8 And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered.
9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
10 Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.
Revelation 14:12 NLT
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying His commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
Romans 5:3-4 KJV
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 8:18,31 KJV
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 12:12,14 KJV
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Philippians 1:29-30 NLT
29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.
30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
Philippians 3:10-11 KJV
[10] That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;
[11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
I Thessalonians 1:6 KJV
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
I Thessalonians 3:3-4 NLT
3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.
4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.
II Thessalonians 1:6-10 NLT
6 In His (God's) justice He will pay back those who persecute you.
7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His Glorious Power.
10 When He comes on that day, He will receive glory from His holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about Him.
II Timothy 2:3 KJV
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
II Timothy 4:18 KJV
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 2:10 NLT
God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that He should make Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
Hebrews 10:32-34 NLT
32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.
33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.
34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
Hebrews 11:24-26; 35-40 NLT
24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.
26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.
35 ...But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.
36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons.
37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.
38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.
40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.
Hebrews 13:6,
So we can say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”
James 1:2-4,12 NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
I Peter 1:6-7 KJV
[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
I Peter 2:19-21 NLT
19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment.
20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.
I Peter 3:17 KJV
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
I Peter 4:12-16 KJV
[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.
[15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
[16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
II Peter 2:9 KJV
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Psalm 135:14 NIV
For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.
Revelation 21:1-4 KJV
[1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
[2] And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
[3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
According to the Free Republic:
ROME, (Zenit.org).- The 20th century may have been the most striking in the annals of Christian martyrdom, and a new book shows it with numbers.
In two millennia of Christian history, about 70 million faithful have given their lives for the faith, and of these, 45.5 million -- fully 65% -- were in the last century, according to "The New Persecuted" ("I Nuovi Perseguitati").
What does your faith mean to you, would you be willing to die for it?
Many are doing just that.
The Word of God tells us that in the last days...
Revelation 12:12 KJV
"...Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."
So many so called Christian people today, say yes, I will keep the faith!
And yet, those same people, will not so much as bow their heads to say a prayer of thanksgiving while eating out, nor will they ever be seen carrying, of all things their Bibles, anyone knows thats just for church. Witnessing, why isn't that for a preacher?
Here is a very serious verse from the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed * the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
*Exceed: Greek-Perisseuo (Per-is-syoo-o): Super abound, excel, make more, be more abundant, be better, increase, over and above.
Matthew 5:20 NLT
But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Matthew 5:20 NIV
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Every day, the Church of the Lord Jesus, and His followers are coming under attack.
A former U.S. Attorney General, once stated that anyone believing in the “Second Coming,” is a radical.
The church today is coming under attack, as a place where “Hate,” is being perpetrated, because of it's Biblical standards against homosexuality, polygamy, and abortion, just to name a few.
Some so called Christians are heading for the door.
Now is the time for “real-Christians,” to take their stand for their Saviour!
If the world had “no other,” example of what a Christian is, what could they ascertain by watching you?
Hebrews 4:16 KJV (Tells us where you and I may find boldness to stand for Jesus Christ.)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace (the Altar), that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
If we try to exalt the Lord Jesus, by ourselves, we will fail, yes we need the Lord's help even in exalting Him!
We need His strength, and His wisdom. And we can have it if we but wait upon Him, at the altar.
The altar, is the place (of grace) where God and man meet. The curtain has been forever torn, between the holy place and the holy of holies, the way is open to be in His presence.
Persecution, yes it will come and in many forms, but may we be determined to be faithful ambassadors of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Then it will be said of us as it was said of our Master.
John 6:38 KJV
For I came ..., not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.
John 9:4 KJV
I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Persecution: The testing of faith.
Daniel 3:16-18 KJV
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.
18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Matthew 10:16-18 KJV
[16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
[17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
[18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Matthew 10:16-28 NLT
16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.
17 But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.
18 You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about Me.
19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.
20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.
22 And all nations will hate you because you are My followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.
24 “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master.
25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the Master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of My household will be called by even worse names!
26 “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
27 What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mark 8:31-38 KJV
[31] And He began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
[32] And He spake that saying openly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him.
[33] But when He had turned about and looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
[34] And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
[35] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
[36] For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
[37] Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
[38] Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.
Mark 15:29-32 KJV
[29] And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
[30] Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
[31] Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
[32] Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Luke 6:22,23 KJV
[22] Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.
[23] Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
John 12:42,43 KJV
42 Many people did believe in Him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.
43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
John 15:18,19 KJV
[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 16:1-4 KJV
[1] These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
[2] They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
[3] And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.
[4] But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Acts 5:41 KJV
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
II Corinthians 6:4-10 KJV
[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
[8] By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
[9] As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
[10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
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.
Revelation 6:9-11 NAS
9. When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained ;
10. and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long , O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth ?"
11. And there was given to each of them a white robe ; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.
Revelation 11:3-12 NAS
3. "And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
4. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
5. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies ; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.
6. These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying ; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
7. When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.
8. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.
9. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.
10. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate ; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11. But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet ; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.
12. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.
Revelation 13:5-10 NLT
5 Then the beast (The Anti-Christ) was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months (3 1/2 years).
6 And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering His name and His dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven.
7 And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.
8 And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered.
9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
10 Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.
Revelation 14:12 NLT
This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying His commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
Romans 5:3-4 KJV
[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
[4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans 8:18,31 KJV
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
[31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 12:12,14 KJV
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Philippians 1:29-30 NLT
29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him.
30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
Philippians 3:10-11 KJV
[10] That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;
[11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
I Thessalonians 1:6 KJV
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
I Thessalonians 3:3-4 NLT
3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.
4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.
II Thessalonians 1:6-10 NLT
6 In His (God's) justice He will pay back those who persecute you.
7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His Glorious Power.
10 When He comes on that day, He will receive glory from His holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about Him.
II Timothy 2:3 KJV
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
II Timothy 4:18 KJV
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 2:10 NLT
God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that He should make Jesus, through His suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
Hebrews 10:32-34 NLT
32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.
33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.
34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
Hebrews 11:24-26; 35-40 NLT
24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25 He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin.
26 He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.
35 ...But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.
36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons.
37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.
38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised.
40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.
Hebrews 13:6,
So we can say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”
James 1:2-4,12 NLT
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
I Peter 1:6-7 KJV
[6] Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
[7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
I Peter 2:19-21 NLT
19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment.
20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.
I Peter 3:17 KJV
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
I Peter 4:12-16 KJV
[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.
[15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
[16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
II Peter 2:9 KJV
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Psalm 135:14 NIV
For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.
Revelation 21:1-4 KJV
[1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
[2] And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
[3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
[4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
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