Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
"Therefore being justified by faith." Even though the word "being" is in there which shows a condition or a state, literally in the Greek text it shows Past Tense. "After having been placed in a position of justification." You've now been justified. It's put in the past. It's a one-time thing, never to be taken back!
Romans 5:2 - By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The word rejoice is literally the word to boast or show boldness. We have boldness in hope of the glory of God. That is to say, "One day I am going to be in His presence." And that is the hope that my life is built on, not on the economic condition of the world, not on the condition of the worlds systems. Even though I get discouraged and I feel bad for people and the way things are in this world, my hope is not on this world getting straightened out. My hope is to one day be in the presence of God.
Romans 5:3 - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Tribulations are those afflictions, and the word is THLIPSIS which means stress, pressure of the mind. In Acts 14:22, when Paul was re-circling through the cities that he had testified to in his first missionary journey, he went through confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorted them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
God allows tribulation and stress in order to direct us to Christ and to trust Him! We rejoice in tribulations. People think we're crazy! It says next, about the character of the believer, "And not only so but we glory in tribulations also:
Knowing (and that's the key), knowing what they are for. Knowing that tribulation works patience; Patience is the word HUPOMENO for remain under. It's the word endurance.
Acts 14:23 - And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
The word "commended" is actually a banking term. It means to make a deposit in the bank. And the term "believed" is a Perfect Tense, speaking of the Lord upon whom they have believed.
So, they have been believers for quite some time. And what they were doing was they were saying we appointed elders. Now you are ready to have leaders in your church. You been walking with the Lord for a while now.
And they deposited, (those who had believed in the Lord, those who had trusted in the Lord), they deposited to the Lord and basically said "We're leaving, and we are committing you to Him.
Acts 15:1 - And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Verse 1 tells us that certain men came down from Judaea. That little phrase "from Judaea" tells us that these people came into town and presented themselves as officials, representatives of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is in Judaea. They were Jewish. They were legalists. And they come into town up in Antioch.
And secondly, they taught. But in the Greek text, it is an Imperfect Tense which means they were continuously teaching. This was a "campaign." It was a campaign where Judaizers came into Antioch, and they were continuously teaching one message.
And they were teaching the brethren, and they said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. That's what they were spreading. "You can believe in Jesus as Messiah all you want to, but if you're not circumcised"
And there's even some that went as far to say to keep the law, and you have to become a Jew. You have to become a Jew in order to be saved. You cannot be saved unless you're circumcised. That's what they were saying.
Acts 14:12 - And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius. Except in the Greek text, it is literally "They called Barnabas ZEUS, and they called Paul HERMES."
In Greek mythology, Zeus is the supreme deity. He is the god over all the gods in Greek mythology. He's the head!
Hermes is the god of speech, or messenger. And Hermes would be the messenger for Zeus. Hermes would do all the talking. And Zeus was the supreme deity. In Greek mythology it says that at one point in history that both Zeus and Hermes visited the Greek people in human form.
And so, since Barnabas is the quiet one, and probably the bigger one because the word Paul means small, but when they saw Barnabas standing there and not saying anything, and Paul doing all the talking and miracles, they said "Zeus and Hermes have come back!"
And they called Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker. Of course!
Acts 14:14 - Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
They didn't go down and rent clothes. The term is an expression of anguish. They began to tear their clothes as an outward sign. That would get somebody's attention in church, wouldn't it? You know, if the pastor started ripping his clothes because he was so angry!
So, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
Acts 14:22 - Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
The word tribulation is the word THLIPSIS which means stress. As you serve the Lord, and follow Him, and represent Him, and even maybe preach the gospel, people are going to pursue you. They are going to cause affliction or stress.
Acts 14:2 - But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
But the unbelieving Jews. A very fascinating statement. The word unbelieving in our text, the "ing" on the end tells us that it is a Present Participle. But the word belief is the word persuasion.
The un-persuaded Jews, or to put it literally, the Jews who were continually unwilling to be persuaded, they stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Acts 14:3 - Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
I want to share this with you because it becomes a very important element in our day. In the early church, God gave them the power to do signs and wonders. It was a sign to them!
In the book of Hebrews, it says "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him, God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders, and with divers (or various) miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will."
God bearing witness! We are also told by Paul in his presentation in 2 Corinthians 12:12, he says "Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience in signs and wonders and mighty deeds."
God had told them that signs and wonders would accompany them in order to establish for those that were listening that what they are hearing is the word of God. Once God's word has been established, and that's all it was for, no more signs and wonders, at least in this way!
Acts 14:9 - The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Isn't that amazing? They looked at this man and perceived that God had given him faith to be healed. And the word healed is the word SODZO for salvation!
Our Lord JESUS maked this very clear, saying: John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in GOD, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Matthew 25:31-34 and 41&46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Get ready-> Acts 14:22
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the RIGHTEOUS into life ETERNAL.( Romans 2:7-11.Take a look)
Revelation 20:4
4-And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them( Revelation 11:16-17), and Judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of GOD, and which had not worshipped the Beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
The most important thing is to be with Him, no matter where or in what place, the problem is to be cast into the fire of hell.--> Matthew 10:28-take a look.
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples,and exhorting them to continue in the faith,and that WE MUST through much TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of GOD.
Re.11:15:The kingdoms OF THIS WORLD(DEVIL's WORLD)are become the kingdoms of our Lord,and of his Christ;and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Re.11:18-And the NATIONS were(will be)angry(why?),and GOD's WRATH is come...-->WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES IN ALL THE NATIONS?All will see from now on.The message for ALL the believers is:GET READY,and do what the Lord GOD commands:--> Isaiah 26:20-21,and trust in the Word of GOD--> Psalm 91 among many other biblical references.
NOW,even now,the current time-->it is the time of the dead that they should be Judged--> Isaiah 26:19 combined with Daniel 12:1-4,and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16;
NOW, even now-->the Lord GOD should give REWARD unto His servants the prophets,and to the saints( 1Corinthians 6:2 combined with Daniel 7:22 andd 26-27),and them that fear HIS NAME,small and great;
NOW,even NOW,from NOW on -->our Lord GOD should DESTROY them which destroy the earth.-> 2Peter 3:11->Seeing then that all these things shall be DISSOLVED(AS AN IMPLOSION),what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of GOD, wherein the heavens being on fire(THE HEAVENLY ENVIRONMENT ESTABLISHED BY GOD OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS-BOTH COVENANTS)shall be DISSOLVED,and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13Nevertheless we,according to his promise,look for new heavens and a NEW earth( Acts 3:19-21),wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Revelation 16:15-->15Behold,I come as a thief.Blessed is he that watcheth,and keepeth his garments,lest he walk naked,and they see his shame.
Mat.24:22-23
22And except these days should be shortened,there should no flesh be saved:but for the elect's sake these days shall be shortened.
23Then if any man shall say unto you,Lo,here is Christ,or there;believe it not.->be careful
Likewise, did Timothy & Titus also understand it in that way? Rather, we have a large group of translators (KJB), in the 17th Century AD, unable to render any other meaning to the Gk, episkopos (which is a superintendent, an overseer, an elder), simply because 'episkopos' was a bishop in the church of that day, but for us in the evangelical community, that is not how we should read it, as it gives us an incorrect understanding. Many of the recent translations change it to 'overseer' - I'm unsure whether any of them use 'elder'.
Now when we look at Acts 14:23 for example, the Gk, word for 'elder' is 'presbuteros', from which we get 'presbytery' (a body of Church elders & ministers). Yet, the KJB translators, being faithful to the Greek had to differentiate between the two (episkopos & presbuteros), which would have been meaningful to those of their day & Church structure, but forces us to re-word those passages to fit our present evangelical Church structure. Were the KJB translators or other modern translators wrong in what they've understood & translated? I don't believe so, they just did what they understood & from the material they had before them. So then back to the old question: how then do we decide which translation is the most accurate & inspired? Is it seen from the original manuscripts/original writings, or just believing that the KJB can be the only one from God for us today? For me, I only read & study from the KJB: it's the one I grew up with, memorized from & love. However, since it didn't come to us in English/modern English, I am constantly on guard to ensure that I am reading the Scriptures as originally given, without the culture & era of the translators impeding on my understanding. Yes, they were inspired to translate, but did so within the limitations of their time & with the understanding that no translation from one language to another can ever be perfect (differences in grammar, syntax, nuances, etc. always apply). Onto Page 2.
To compare, here's two similar terrible situations
Ps.34:19-Many are the afflictions of the righteous:but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Acts 14:22-We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of GOD
The KING of DARKNESS,the Devil, showed to JESUS all the kingdoms of the world,the glory of them,and said:All will I give thee,if thou fall down and worship me.Mat.4:8-9.
Re.13:1&15:
1 I stood upon the sand of the sea(John was a citzen of Israel),and saw a(MAN)Beast rise up out of the sea(Gentile nations),having 7 heads,10 horns, upon his HORNS 10 crowns(CROWNS UPON HORNS?),and upon his heads a NAME of blasphemy.
15 And he-MAN Beast of earth-Re.13:11-a false messiah- John 5:43-47,had power to give life unto the Beast's image,that the image should speak,who worships not the image must be killed.
Daniel 3:2-20
The KING sent to gather the princes,governors,the captains,judges, counsellors,all the rulers of the provinces,to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.They stood before the image and an herald cried:To you is commanded,O people,NATIONS,and languages,that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet,flute, harp,and all kinds of musick,ye fall down and worship the image the king has set up:Whoso falls not down and worships shall be cast into the burning fiery furnace.But Shadrach,Meshach,Abednego,O king, have not regarded thee,they serve not thy gods,nor worship the image you has set up.So in his rage and fury the KING commanded to bring them,and said:Is it true,O Shadrach,Meshach,Abednego,do not ye serve my gods,nor worship the IMAGE I have set up?When you hear the sound of the cornet,all kinds of musick,ye fall down and worship the image I have made;well:if not,ye shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace;who is that GOD that shall deliver you out of my hands?
O king,our GOD whom we serve is able to deliver us from furnace,thy hands,and we will not serve thy gods,nor worship the image you have set up.
Daniel 12:1->1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time(because the archangel Michael stands up): and at that time(the current time-the seventh and last millennium or the seventh and last GOD's Day), thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book (according Re.7:1-14.Take a look). JESUS prophesied, saying: Matt.24:15 & 21:
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
21...then shall be great Tribulation(Dan.12:1& Acts 14:22),such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time(to this current time, time of the last GOD's Day),no, nor ever shall be.
By the way, it's very important to know who comes first: Michael or JESUS?
Michael the archangel is one like unto the Son of man, the difference is that Michael is a warrior, JESUS the Savior, He is the stone which is become the head of the corner. There is no salvation in any other(except in JESUS Christ):for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.
Basically, no matter the opposition- we are able to over come it and go forward in the work of the LORD. Not easy, but that is what we are called to do. Remember, it is not our job or responsibility to save the lost; only to plant the seed.
May we be obedient, diligent, and faithful in our walk with the LORD.
Merry Christmas everyone and have a prosperous New Year.
Your thinking is from human perspective, a stumblingblock, not from GOD's perspective- Matthew 16:23-23.
In Romans 5:9 Paul was speaking of the salvation of the wrath, NOT of the salvation of the tribulation. It seems you don't know to distinghish between WRATH and TRIBULATION. When Paul, author of Romans, returned to Lystra, and Iconium and Antioch- Acts 14:22-, he said to the believers to exhort the disciples to continue in the faith, because we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of GOD(as is written in Revelation 11:15-18 and 1 Cor.15:24-26).
Furthermore, you repetidly say in your post the Father WRATHED against His Son, the Christ, the Messiah, what you are preaching will NEVER happended, GOD the Father NEVER wrathed against His Son, so what you wrote is devilish, in fact is satanic. As was revealed to Isaiah "Surely he -JESUS, the Messiah- hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, He was WOUNDED for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the CHASTISEMENT WAS UPON HIM (NOT THE WRATH OF THE FATHER AS YOU IN MALIGN SENSE WROTE) and with His stripes we are healed. Yeah, GOD NEVER wrathed against His own Son. By the way, your evil post is a confirmation of what is written the Word of GOD: "he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth"- John 3:31:
Your interpretation of Scriptures is not different of the man of sin, son of perdition- Genesis 3:1, but equal. GOD forbid us.
Well, in fact "no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him- Matthew 11:27. It's it.
Written by Paul. Paul's Inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
It was written to Timothy who was pastoring in Ephesus and its territories, because out of Ephesus went the missionary journeys. So, Timothy not only was pastor at Ephesus, but also several churches. We know at least the churches that are in the book of Revelation.
III. THE HISTORY OF TIMOTHY:
His name mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. Timothy was from Lystra and was saved during Paul's first missionary trip ( Acts 14:19-20; 16:1-2). His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were godly Jewish women, and we see that in 2 Timothy 1:5. They were Jewish, they were raised on the scriptures, and they also had been saved under Paul's ministry, and had a great influence over Timothy's life.
Timothy was about 15 years old when he met Paul.
Timothy's father was a pagan Greek ( Acts 16:1; II Timothy 1:5).
Timothy was raised hearing Old Testament Scriptures ( II Timothy 3:14-15).
He joined Paul, along with Silas and Luke, during their second missionary trip ( Acts 16:3).
Paul had Timothy circumcised so that he might have the freedom to preach the gospel in Jewish synagogues ( Acts 16:3; I Corinthians 9:20).
Because his mother was Jewish, he is considered Jewish, even though his father was a Greek. Now had it been reversed, and his father was Jewish and his mother a Greek, he would not be considered Jewish. The mother has to be Jewish to be considered Jewish.
1 Timothy and Titus were written between Paul's first and second imprisonment. And 2 Timothy was Paul's last letter that he wrote, some believe hours before he was executed outside of Rome. Tradition says that he was beheaded.
But then you have Philemon which goes with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. The reason why Philemon is there on the end is because the final four letters are the only four letters written to individuals. And that's how they canonized scripture. They put the individual letters at the end and put the church letters at the front.
So that's why Philemon is on the end, but it really was part of the prison epistles, or prison letters.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Written by Paul. Paul's Inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
To Timothy who was pastoring in Ephesus
III. THE HISTORY OF TIMOTHY:
His name is mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. Timothy was from Lystra and saved during Paul's first missionary journey ( Acts 14:19-20; 16:1-2). His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were godly Jewish women. In fact, Timothy was taught the Old Testament scriptures since he was a little boy. So, he has a scriptural background.
Timothy was about 15 years old when he first met Paul. And when Paul writes his letter to Timothy, he's approximately 35. So, he has spent approximately 20 years with Paul in ministry learning.
Even though Timothy's mother and grandmother were godly Jewish women, his father was a pagan Greek ( Acts 16:1; II Timothy 1:5).
Do True Believers go through great tribulation? Mt.24:21-22 (21) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (great tribulation is the time period the antichrist forces all to accept a mark, which is called the mark of the beast. This time period is shortened by God because True Believers are the ones who will be persecuted during this time.) Now a look at the meaning of (tribulation)#2347; it means pressure, afflicted (-tion) anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble, to crowd, suffer tribulation. Imagine not being able to go in a grocery store to buy food for your family, no medications, more than likely no electricity, or buying fuel for cars unless you have the mark of the beast! Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that WE MUST THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of God. The word (disciples)#3101; it means a learner, pupil. 1.Pet.1:7 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. 2.Tim.3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Phil.1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. 1.Pet.4:12-13 (12) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the (fiery trial) that is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. The word (fiery)#4451; it means calamity as a test. Let your faith be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ!
Thanks again Jimbob for your thoughts on this. Tribulation or Great Tribulation? I see a difference. The apostles, the early Church & believers today are not exempt from tribulation; it will come to us as declared ( Matthew 13:21; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 7:4; etc): not just physical hardships, but certainly the exercises by the enemy against us, even to testings of faith & martyrdom. We are not insulated from any of these, nor should we expect to be, but what of the Tribulation sent by God our Father? You shared 1 Thessalonians 3:4, "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." You understand that Paul was referring to the Great Tribulation, of God's Wrath. I don't see that at all in his discourse, rather, that Paul was describing his own afflictions (vv 3,7 & coupled with 1 Thessalonians 2:2,9,14). I see a clear difference between the two expressions of Tribulation: that which comes to all of us, & that which is only directed to haters of God & His Christ.
What then are we not appointed to? To our daily tribulations, even to suffering or dying for Christ, or to God's Wrath to unbelievers? I note that you agree to this: that believers won't face the outpouring of God's Wrath against a Christ-rejecting World, by your understanding that this outpouring will happen only after the believers are caught away (i.e. post-tribulation). The contention then is: is God's Wrath the same as the Great Tribulation? I believe the Great Tribulation is still to come - we haven't in the least begun to experience anything of it now. When it starts, we know that the time of the end is at hand and believers will be caught away before the world begins to feel the Mighty Hand of God against them. (cont'd).
"They know not, neither will they understand; they walk in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High. But ye shall die like men; and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth; for thou shalt inherit all nations."
Here the judges appointed over Israel were called "gods" because they represented God before the people when they judged matters. But God speaks ill of them because they were wicked and made unjust judgments. He was not affirming that they were indeed, divine beings, nor that they would or could become so. No, rather, God was judging them to be mere men who will face death as every human will.
In Acts 14:11-15 says, "And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia; The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabus and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein."
Here, the people were so sure that Paul and Barnabas must be gods because they had miraculously healed a crippled man. But the apostles were grieved that the people would treat them as gods and wished to sacrifice to them. They refused such worship and pointed the people to the living God instead.
Hi Cindy. As far as Paul & Silas being imprisoned together, you can find this full account in Acts 16:16-40. I'm unsure if you're referring to healing that Paul administered by the Holy Spirit's Power, but there are accounts in Acts 14:8-10 and Acts 28:8,9 of this.
Or, if you want to read the many other verses pertaining to healing, then this Site has helps on this topic & others. At the top of this page, go to 'More', then to 'Bible Verses About Various Topics' (under Bible Study Help). Then go to 'H' and search for 'Healing, etc.'
Matthew 6, Luke 4:40, Matthew 12:15, Luke 6:19, Psalms 139, Psalms 107:20, Matthew 15:30, Luke 9:11, Matthew 4:24, Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:13, Acts 5:6, Acts 14:9, Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:17,18, John 16:23, Luke 11:9-11, context Luke 11:2-13, James 5:13-20,
Hopefully these are helpful & encouraging & healing to you, that you likewise will help others Matthew 10:8,
Hi Alleylee. I agree with what Ryan has shared with you about the apostolic position ending with the Apostle Paul. However, there seems to be a reference to Paul's companion, Barnabas, also being referred to as an apostle ( Acts 14:14). Even as the word, 'apostle' (in Greek, 'apostolos') means 'a messenger or one sent on a mission', which gives this word a more general meaning, one should be careful in seeking an appointment to apostleship. Today, the word 'missionary', or 'servant of the Lord, a preacher of the Gospel', may better fit the ministry of carrying the Good News to others/other nations. The Apostolic Church is one type of Fellowship that fosters the positions of apostles, prophets, etc. You may or may not find yourself at variance with their other beliefs concerning the Trinity, Holy Spirit baptism, falling from Grace, etc.
As a simple man, my understanding of faith is based on belief, trust, obedience, and thanksgiving, from our mind to our heart, a relationship offered by God through the sacrifice and resurrection of His Son Jesus, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Faith is a responsibility likened to marriage referred to many times in the bible. Our commitment and love are shown by our actions, which come from our hearts to our hands as in James 2:14-17 which is sometimes misunderstood as works for salvation.
This faith is a gift we have been given, its growth is dependent on how it is fed. Jesus said faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain, that shows how large it can grow in the word of God and prayer. We can sometimes hinder its growth as said in Col. 2:8 following the majority down the wide road when the truth is down the path that has grown up from the lack of traffic.
It will be tried, we have been told we will be tempted and will have tribulation in this world that many say we will be spared, John 16:33Acts 14:22, but that builds patience, James 1:3. We see we will need if we are here, we will need in the great tribulation Rev. 13:10.
The growth of our faith is to add "virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity' 2 Peter 1:4-8.
This may not be what you are looking for but just my thoughts.
The Lord Jesus taught two different gospels in vs. 14-15 all Christians are familiar with the gospel that brings about salvation by faith without works, but most Christians are not familiar with the gospel of the kingdom by faith with works. The main message of the apostles while the Lord Jesus was alive was the gospel of the kingdom, Mat. 10:7-8 they never preached the message of the gospel as long as Christ was alive, yet the Lord Jesus taught both gospels while he was alive. Christ Jesus dying on a cross for the sins of the world, causes the sinner to become a Christian, on the day of salvation his spirit enters the kingdom of God, during the first dispensation from the time the Son of man died on the cross, until the Son of man returns. However, the next dispensation which is for a millennium, no Christian has a promise to enter unless he meets the conditional promises spoken of by the Lord Jesus and the apostles. Mat. 7:21, Acts 14:22, Mat. 5:10 After the second dispensation has ended, the new heaven begins with the final dispensation of the kingdom of God, not all Christians will be able to enter that kingdom of God if they have buried their talents, Mat. 25:14-30 or they do not have on a wedding garment, but only those believers who received glorification as all others will be outside that kingdom of God, the city New Jerusalem as dogs, needing the leaves from the tree of life for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2 and 14-15
Hello Bee V. Thank you for sharing all that is on your heart, especially your agony over your husband's spiritual state.
But to your first question: "What verses apply to a Christian wife who was a fornacator before she was married?" I'm assuming that the woman in question wasn't a believer at the time of her indiscretions. But even if she was a believer, almost all sin is forgivable when truly repented of & cast aside, as we read in 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And as Paul & Barnabas urged the Gentiles to "turn from these vanities (sins of idolatry & false worship) & turn unto the living God" ( Acts 14:15). Forgiveness from God comes when we repent of our sins & purpose in our heart to turn from them.
And then to your husband, and particularly the state of his soul before God & his disbelief in the authority & veracity of the Scriptures. This is always a hard area to deal with as once a person has in his mind that something is false, then any proof given may well be rejected. However, I would base my discussion with him on: on what basis was he saved (just from a man's word, or from that word that originated from the Bible)? If he has doubts about the Bible, then he should have doubts about his salvation, the reality of God & Jesus, & in fact much of history of that time. Onto Page 2.
I'm in agreement with the other responses you received, StandTro, that Paul was the last apostle. Of course, when we think of apostles, we understand that they had to have been with Jesus in His earthly ministry & also appointed by Him to take the Gospel into all the world. Paul seems like the exception, though we know that Jesus spoke to Him on Damascus Road via the brilliant light from Heaven & Jesus' discussion with him & his appointment ( Acts 9:3-6) - so this would qualify Paul to be included with the twelve.
And we also have references to other 'apostles', such as Barnabas ( Acts 14:14); James (the Lords brother, Galatians 1:19); Epaphroditus ( Philippians 2:25, note: 'messenger' in the Greek is 'apostolos'); & Titus & a few others ( 2 Corinthians 8:23; again 'apostolos' used here). I understand these men, though referred to as apostles, were apostles in the general sense of doing the apostolic work (today, we would call them 'missionaries'). So, Paul spoke of them as apostles, yet were not numbered with the original twelve, plus Paul. In that sense, today's missionaries taking the Gospel to unreached peoples could also be considered as apostles, doing the same work that Jesus commanded the twelve plus one, to do.
The time frame of the book of Acts, appears to be many years. Starting right about the time of the Resurrection of Jesus CHRIST. Please note Acts 1, Acts 2, - Acts 4:34-35, shows time passage, because those events cannot be done in one day, but over time. Acts 7, young man Saul, Acts 8,
Acts 12 again shows process of time, note Acts 12:25, Acts 14:21-28, again Acts 15, note Acts 15:33,36, Acts 27, Acts 28:11,
Judas Iscariot, with the other eleven, were never apostles while they travelled around with Jesus. They were called Disciples (i.e. a student, a follower of a Rabbi or teacher). They were only known as Apostles after Jesus died, arose from the grave, & He sent them out into the world. Apostle, means 'one sent out; a messenger'.
After Judas Iscariot died, Matthias was appointed as his replacement & this appointment was from God ( Acts 1:24-26, i.e. the eleven prayed asking God to direct them to this new disciple). So, men did not choose Matthias, God did by their casting of lots. And this had to be, as Peter declared, by referring to the fulfilment of Psalm 41:9; Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8.
True, we don't hear of Matthias, but the lack of information doesn't mean that he just disappeared & went back to his occupation, or whatever else. We don't hear again of several of the other disciples either after Acts 1:13.
Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. As was Apostle Barnabas ( Acts 14:14), James (the Lord's half-brother; Galatians 1:19), possibly Timothy & Silas ( 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:6, if Paul was using 'we' to refer to them as apostles as well). And Paul often had to emphasize his apostleship to the Churches, & even defend it, as believers were being seduced to believe otherwise (as much of 2nd Corinthians indicate).
So, from what we read in the Scriptures, Matthias was the twelfth disciple, being an apostle, & subsequently, Paul & others were either called by the Lord to apostleship, or considered as apostles because of their ministry of getting the Gospel out.
Paul wrote two letters to Timothy who was pastoring the church in Ephesus. Timothy's name is mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. Timothy was from Lystra and he was saved during Paul's first missionary journey ( Acts 14:19-20; Acts 16:1-2)
His mother Eunice, and his grandmother Lois, were godly Jewish women. In fact, Timothy was taught the Old Testament scriptures since he was a little boy. So he has a scriptural background. Timothy was about 15-years-old when he first met Paul. And when Paul writes his letter to Timothy, he's approximately 35. So he has spent approximately 20 years with Paul in ministry learning.
Even though Timothy's mother and grandmother were godly Jewish women, his father was a pagan Greek. ( Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy was raised hearing Old Testament Scriptures. ( 2 Timothy 3:14-15). He joined Paul, along with Silas and Luke, during second missionary trip. ( Acts 16:3).
Paul had Timothy circumcised so that he might have the freedom to preach the gospel in Jewish synagogues. ( Acts 16:3; 1 Corinthians 9:20). He could not do that unless he was circumcised. Timothy was ordained by Paul and the Presbytery. ( 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). He accompanies Paul on his third missionary trip. ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 1:19).
Timothy ministered in at least five churches as Paul's representative:
Timothy was with Paul during Paul's first imprisonment ( Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1) and went to Philippi after Paul's release. ( Philippians 2:19-23). Timothy was around 35-years of age when Paul wrote I Timothy. Timothy also suffered imprisonment. ( Hebrews 13:23).
I've understood it to be similar to Simon called Peter: Matthew 4:18, Matthew 10:2, different than Acts 8:9, & Luke, Acts 10:18, Acts 13:1, Acts 13:9, Acts 14:2, notice in Acts, the same book, there are multiple names referenced even a wind, Acts 27:14, Acts 27:8, Hebrews 11:18,
Matthew 1:6 Jesus called Christ, John 4:25, Luke 6:15, John 1:42, John 11:16, not Colossians 4:11,
Romans 2:17, Romans 7:3, same supposed writer as Acts , also Romans 9:26
Matthew 26:14, Luke 23:33, John 19:13, John 19:17, Acts 6:9, Revelation 11:8,
Revelation 12:9,
Luke 2:4, Luke 8:2, John 21:2, different than Acts 9:11,
Please read Matthew 24, & Mark 13, Jesus' words : Matthew 24:4 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed that no man deceive you" ._.._.._.. Matthew 24:7-9, "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilence, and earthquakes, in diverse places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my names sake." ._..
Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." ._.._
Matthew 24:21-22 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."
And except those days should be shortened, there shall no flesh saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." ._._._.
Matthew 24:29-30 "immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Also repeated in Mark 13,
Deuteronomy 4:30
Matthew 13:20-21
John 16:33
Acts 14:22
1Thessalonians 3:4,
Hopefully these are helpful in you study of the Word
God always leaves a witness, a remnant, a true testimony of Himself ( Acts 14:17)
Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
"Therefore being justified by faith." Even though the word "being" is in there which shows a condition or a state, literally in the Greek text it shows Past Tense. "After having been placed in a position of justification." You've now been justified. It's put in the past. It's a one-time thing, never to be taken back!
Romans 5:2 - By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
The word rejoice is literally the word to boast or show boldness. We have boldness in hope of the glory of God. That is to say, "One day I am going to be in His presence." And that is the hope that my life is built on, not on the economic condition of the world, not on the condition of the worlds systems. Even though I get discouraged and I feel bad for people and the way things are in this world, my hope is not on this world getting straightened out. My hope is to one day be in the presence of God.
Romans 5:3 - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Tribulations are those afflictions, and the word is THLIPSIS which means stress, pressure of the mind. In Acts 14:22, when Paul was re-circling through the cities that he had testified to in his first missionary journey, he went through confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorted them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
God allows tribulation and stress in order to direct us to Christ and to trust Him! We rejoice in tribulations. People think we're crazy! It says next, about the character of the believer, "And not only so but we glory in tribulations also:
Knowing (and that's the key), knowing what they are for. Knowing that tribulation works patience; Patience is the word HUPOMENO for remain under. It's the word endurance.
Acts 14:23 - And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
The word "commended" is actually a banking term. It means to make a deposit in the bank. And the term "believed" is a Perfect Tense, speaking of the Lord upon whom they have believed.
So, they have been believers for quite some time. And what they were doing was they were saying we appointed elders. Now you are ready to have leaders in your church. You been walking with the Lord for a while now.
And they deposited, (those who had believed in the Lord, those who had trusted in the Lord), they deposited to the Lord and basically said "We're leaving, and we are committing you to Him.
Acts 15:1 - And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Verse 1 tells us that certain men came down from Judaea. That little phrase "from Judaea" tells us that these people came into town and presented themselves as officials, representatives of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is in Judaea. They were Jewish. They were legalists. And they come into town up in Antioch.
And secondly, they taught. But in the Greek text, it is an Imperfect Tense which means they were continuously teaching. This was a "campaign." It was a campaign where Judaizers came into Antioch, and they were continuously teaching one message.
And they were teaching the brethren, and they said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. That's what they were spreading. "You can believe in Jesus as Messiah all you want to, but if you're not circumcised"
And there's even some that went as far to say to keep the law, and you have to become a Jew. You have to become a Jew in order to be saved. You cannot be saved unless you're circumcised. That's what they were saying.
Acts 14:12 - And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius. Except in the Greek text, it is literally "They called Barnabas ZEUS, and they called Paul HERMES."
In Greek mythology, Zeus is the supreme deity. He is the god over all the gods in Greek mythology. He's the head!
Hermes is the god of speech, or messenger. And Hermes would be the messenger for Zeus. Hermes would do all the talking. And Zeus was the supreme deity. In Greek mythology it says that at one point in history that both Zeus and Hermes visited the Greek people in human form.
And so, since Barnabas is the quiet one, and probably the bigger one because the word Paul means small, but when they saw Barnabas standing there and not saying anything, and Paul doing all the talking and miracles, they said "Zeus and Hermes have come back!"
And they called Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker. Of course!
Acts 14:14 - Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
They didn't go down and rent clothes. The term is an expression of anguish. They began to tear their clothes as an outward sign. That would get somebody's attention in church, wouldn't it? You know, if the pastor started ripping his clothes because he was so angry!
So, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
Acts 14:22 - Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
The word tribulation is the word THLIPSIS which means stress. As you serve the Lord, and follow Him, and represent Him, and even maybe preach the gospel, people are going to pursue you. They are going to cause affliction or stress.
Acts 14:2 - But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
But the unbelieving Jews. A very fascinating statement. The word unbelieving in our text, the "ing" on the end tells us that it is a Present Participle. But the word belief is the word persuasion.
The un-persuaded Jews, or to put it literally, the Jews who were continually unwilling to be persuaded, they stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
Acts 14:3 - Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
I want to share this with you because it becomes a very important element in our day. In the early church, God gave them the power to do signs and wonders. It was a sign to them!
In the book of Hebrews, it says "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard him, God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders, and with divers (or various) miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will."
God bearing witness! We are also told by Paul in his presentation in 2 Corinthians 12:12, he says "Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all patience in signs and wonders and mighty deeds."
God had told them that signs and wonders would accompany them in order to establish for those that were listening that what they are hearing is the word of God. Once God's word has been established, and that's all it was for, no more signs and wonders, at least in this way!
Acts 14:9 - The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Isn't that amazing? They looked at this man and perceived that God had given him faith to be healed. And the word healed is the word SODZO for salvation!
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in GOD, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Matthew 25:31-34 and 41&46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Get ready-> Acts 14:22
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the RIGHTEOUS into life ETERNAL.( Romans 2:7-11.Take a look)
Revelation 20:4
4-And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them( Revelation 11:16-17), and Judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of GOD, and which had not worshipped the Beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
The most important thing is to be with Him, no matter where or in what place, the problem is to be cast into the fire of hell.--> Matthew 10:28-take a look.
GOD BLESS
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples,and exhorting them to continue in the faith,and that WE MUST through much TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of GOD.
Re.11:15:The kingdoms OF THIS WORLD(DEVIL's WORLD)are become the kingdoms of our Lord,and of his Christ;and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Re.11:18-And the NATIONS were(will be)angry(why?),and GOD's WRATH is come...-->WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES IN ALL THE NATIONS?All will see from now on.The message for ALL the believers is:GET READY,and do what the Lord GOD commands:--> Isaiah 26:20-21,and trust in the Word of GOD--> Psalm 91 among many other biblical references.
NOW,even now,the current time-->it is the time of the dead that they should be Judged--> Isaiah 26:19 combined with Daniel 12:1-4,and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16;
NOW, even now-->the Lord GOD should give REWARD unto His servants the prophets,and to the saints( 1Corinthians 6:2 combined with Daniel 7:22 andd 26-27),and them that fear HIS NAME,small and great;
NOW,even NOW,from NOW on -->our Lord GOD should DESTROY them which destroy the earth.-> 2Peter 3:11->Seeing then that all these things shall be DISSOLVED(AS AN IMPLOSION),what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of GOD, wherein the heavens being on fire(THE HEAVENLY ENVIRONMENT ESTABLISHED BY GOD OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS-BOTH COVENANTS)shall be DISSOLVED,and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13Nevertheless we,according to his promise,look for new heavens and a NEW earth( Acts 3:19-21),wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Revelation 16:15-->15Behold,I come as a thief.Blessed is he that watcheth,and keepeth his garments,lest he walk naked,and they see his shame.
Mat.24:22-23
22And except these days should be shortened,there should no flesh be saved:but for the elect's sake these days shall be shortened.
23Then if any man shall say unto you,Lo,here is Christ,or there;believe it not.->be careful
Likewise, did Timothy & Titus also understand it in that way? Rather, we have a large group of translators (KJB), in the 17th Century AD, unable to render any other meaning to the Gk, episkopos (which is a superintendent, an overseer, an elder), simply because 'episkopos' was a bishop in the church of that day, but for us in the evangelical community, that is not how we should read it, as it gives us an incorrect understanding. Many of the recent translations change it to 'overseer' - I'm unsure whether any of them use 'elder'.
Now when we look at Acts 14:23 for example, the Gk, word for 'elder' is 'presbuteros', from which we get 'presbytery' (a body of Church elders & ministers). Yet, the KJB translators, being faithful to the Greek had to differentiate between the two (episkopos & presbuteros), which would have been meaningful to those of their day & Church structure, but forces us to re-word those passages to fit our present evangelical Church structure. Were the KJB translators or other modern translators wrong in what they've understood & translated? I don't believe so, they just did what they understood & from the material they had before them. So then back to the old question: how then do we decide which translation is the most accurate & inspired? Is it seen from the original manuscripts/original writings, or just believing that the KJB can be the only one from God for us today? For me, I only read & study from the KJB: it's the one I grew up with, memorized from & love. However, since it didn't come to us in English/modern English, I am constantly on guard to ensure that I am reading the Scriptures as originally given, without the culture & era of the translators impeding on my understanding. Yes, they were inspired to translate, but did so within the limitations of their time & with the understanding that no translation from one language to another can ever be perfect (differences in grammar, syntax, nuances, etc. always apply). Onto Page 2.
Ps.34:19-Many are the afflictions of the righteous:but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Acts 14:22-We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of GOD
The KING of DARKNESS,the Devil, showed to JESUS all the kingdoms of the world,the glory of them,and said:All will I give thee,if thou fall down and worship me.Mat.4:8-9.
Re.13:1&15:
1 I stood upon the sand of the sea(John was a citzen of Israel),and saw a(MAN)Beast rise up out of the sea(Gentile nations),having 7 heads,10 horns, upon his HORNS 10 crowns(CROWNS UPON HORNS?),and upon his heads a NAME of blasphemy.
15 And he-MAN Beast of earth-Re.13:11-a false messiah- John 5:43-47,had power to give life unto the Beast's image,that the image should speak,who worships not the image must be killed.
Daniel 3:2-20
The KING sent to gather the princes,governors,the captains,judges, counsellors,all the rulers of the provinces,to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.They stood before the image and an herald cried:To you is commanded,O people,NATIONS,and languages,that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet,flute, harp,and all kinds of musick,ye fall down and worship the image the king has set up:Whoso falls not down and worships shall be cast into the burning fiery furnace.But Shadrach,Meshach,Abednego,O king, have not regarded thee,they serve not thy gods,nor worship the image you has set up.So in his rage and fury the KING commanded to bring them,and said:Is it true,O Shadrach,Meshach,Abednego,do not ye serve my gods,nor worship the IMAGE I have set up?When you hear the sound of the cornet,all kinds of musick,ye fall down and worship the image I have made;well:if not,ye shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace;who is that GOD that shall deliver you out of my hands?
O king,our GOD whom we serve is able to deliver us from furnace,thy hands,and we will not serve thy gods,nor worship the image you have set up.
That said,Get ready
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
21...then shall be great Tribulation(Dan.12:1& Acts 14:22),such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time(to this current time, time of the last GOD's Day),no, nor ever shall be.
By the way, it's very important to know who comes first: Michael or JESUS?
Michael the archangel is one like unto the Son of man, the difference is that Michael is a warrior, JESUS the Savior, He is the stone which is become the head of the corner. There is no salvation in any other(except in JESUS Christ):for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we MUST be saved.
Get ready
May we be obedient, diligent, and faithful in our walk with the LORD.
Merry Christmas everyone and have a prosperous New Year.
December 24, 2023
Your thinking is from human perspective, a stumblingblock, not from GOD's perspective- Matthew 16:23-23.
In Romans 5:9 Paul was speaking of the salvation of the wrath, NOT of the salvation of the tribulation. It seems you don't know to distinghish between WRATH and TRIBULATION. When Paul, author of Romans, returned to Lystra, and Iconium and Antioch- Acts 14:22-, he said to the believers to exhort the disciples to continue in the faith, because we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of GOD(as is written in Revelation 11:15-18 and 1 Cor.15:24-26).
Furthermore, you repetidly say in your post the Father WRATHED against His Son, the Christ, the Messiah, what you are preaching will NEVER happended, GOD the Father NEVER wrathed against His Son, so what you wrote is devilish, in fact is satanic. As was revealed to Isaiah "Surely he -JESUS, the Messiah- hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, He was WOUNDED for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the CHASTISEMENT WAS UPON HIM (NOT THE WRATH OF THE FATHER AS YOU IN MALIGN SENSE WROTE) and with His stripes we are healed. Yeah, GOD NEVER wrathed against His own Son. By the way, your evil post is a confirmation of what is written the Word of GOD: "he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth"- John 3:31:
Your interpretation of Scriptures is not different of the man of sin, son of perdition- Genesis 3:1, but equal. GOD forbid us.
Well, in fact "no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him- Matthew 11:27. It's it.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Written by Paul. Paul's Inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
It was written to Timothy who was pastoring in Ephesus and its territories, because out of Ephesus went the missionary journeys. So, Timothy not only was pastor at Ephesus, but also several churches. We know at least the churches that are in the book of Revelation.
III. THE HISTORY OF TIMOTHY:
His name mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. Timothy was from Lystra and was saved during Paul's first missionary trip ( Acts 14:19-20; 16:1-2). His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were godly Jewish women, and we see that in 2 Timothy 1:5. They were Jewish, they were raised on the scriptures, and they also had been saved under Paul's ministry, and had a great influence over Timothy's life.
Timothy was about 15 years old when he met Paul.
Timothy's father was a pagan Greek ( Acts 16:1; II Timothy 1:5).
Timothy was raised hearing Old Testament Scriptures ( II Timothy 3:14-15).
He joined Paul, along with Silas and Luke, during their second missionary trip ( Acts 16:3).
Paul had Timothy circumcised so that he might have the freedom to preach the gospel in Jewish synagogues ( Acts 16:3; I Corinthians 9:20).
Because his mother was Jewish, he is considered Jewish, even though his father was a Greek. Now had it been reversed, and his father was Jewish and his mother a Greek, he would not be considered Jewish. The mother has to be Jewish to be considered Jewish.
1 Timothy and Titus were written between Paul's first and second imprisonment. And 2 Timothy was Paul's last letter that he wrote, some believe hours before he was executed outside of Rome. Tradition says that he was beheaded.
But then you have Philemon which goes with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. The reason why Philemon is there on the end is because the final four letters are the only four letters written to individuals. And that's how they canonized scripture. They put the individual letters at the end and put the church letters at the front.
So that's why Philemon is on the end, but it really was part of the prison epistles, or prison letters.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Written by Paul. Paul's Inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
To Timothy who was pastoring in Ephesus
III. THE HISTORY OF TIMOTHY:
His name is mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. Timothy was from Lystra and saved during Paul's first missionary journey ( Acts 14:19-20; 16:1-2). His mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, were godly Jewish women. In fact, Timothy was taught the Old Testament scriptures since he was a little boy. So, he has a scriptural background.
Timothy was about 15 years old when he first met Paul. And when Paul writes his letter to Timothy, he's approximately 35. So, he has spent approximately 20 years with Paul in ministry learning.
Even though Timothy's mother and grandmother were godly Jewish women, his father was a pagan Greek ( Acts 16:1; II Timothy 1:5).
Thanks again Jimbob for your thoughts on this. Tribulation or Great Tribulation? I see a difference. The apostles, the early Church & believers today are not exempt from tribulation; it will come to us as declared ( Matthew 13:21; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:35; 2 Corinthians 7:4; etc): not just physical hardships, but certainly the exercises by the enemy against us, even to testings of faith & martyrdom. We are not insulated from any of these, nor should we expect to be, but what of the Tribulation sent by God our Father? You shared 1 Thessalonians 3:4, "For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." You understand that Paul was referring to the Great Tribulation, of God's Wrath. I don't see that at all in his discourse, rather, that Paul was describing his own afflictions (vv 3,7 & coupled with 1 Thessalonians 2:2,9,14). I see a clear difference between the two expressions of Tribulation: that which comes to all of us, & that which is only directed to haters of God & His Christ.
What then are we not appointed to? To our daily tribulations, even to suffering or dying for Christ, or to God's Wrath to unbelievers? I note that you agree to this: that believers won't face the outpouring of God's Wrath against a Christ-rejecting World, by your understanding that this outpouring will happen only after the believers are caught away (i.e. post-tribulation). The contention then is: is God's Wrath the same as the Great Tribulation? I believe the Great Tribulation is still to come - we haven't in the least begun to experience anything of it now. When it starts, we know that the time of the end is at hand and believers will be caught away before the world begins to feel the Mighty Hand of God against them. (cont'd).
part 3 continued..
"They know not, neither will they understand; they walk in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High. But ye shall die like men; and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth; for thou shalt inherit all nations."
Here the judges appointed over Israel were called "gods" because they represented God before the people when they judged matters. But God speaks ill of them because they were wicked and made unjust judgments. He was not affirming that they were indeed, divine beings, nor that they would or could become so. No, rather, God was judging them to be mere men who will face death as every human will.
In Acts 14:11-15 says, "And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia; The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabus and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein."
Here, the people were so sure that Paul and Barnabas must be gods because they had miraculously healed a crippled man. But the apostles were grieved that the people would treat them as gods and wished to sacrifice to them. They refused such worship and pointed the people to the living God instead.
see next post....
Or, if you want to read the many other verses pertaining to healing, then this Site has helps on this topic & others. At the top of this page, go to 'More', then to 'Bible Verses About Various Topics' (under Bible Study Help). Then go to 'H' and search for 'Healing, etc.'
Hopefully these are helpful & encouraging & healing to you, that you likewise will help others Matthew 10:8,
As a simple man, my understanding of faith is based on belief, trust, obedience, and thanksgiving, from our mind to our heart, a relationship offered by God through the sacrifice and resurrection of His Son Jesus, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Faith is a responsibility likened to marriage referred to many times in the bible. Our commitment and love are shown by our actions, which come from our hearts to our hands as in James 2:14-17 which is sometimes misunderstood as works for salvation.
This faith is a gift we have been given, its growth is dependent on how it is fed. Jesus said faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain, that shows how large it can grow in the word of God and prayer. We can sometimes hinder its growth as said in Col. 2:8 following the majority down the wide road when the truth is down the path that has grown up from the lack of traffic.
It will be tried, we have been told we will be tempted and will have tribulation in this world that many say we will be spared, John 16:33 Acts 14:22, but that builds patience, James 1:3. We see we will need if we are here, we will need in the great tribulation Rev. 13:10.
The growth of our faith is to add "virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity' 2 Peter 1:4-8.
This may not be what you are looking for but just my thoughts.
God bless,
RLW
Hello Bee V. Thank you for sharing all that is on your heart, especially your agony over your husband's spiritual state.
But to your first question: "What verses apply to a Christian wife who was a fornacator before she was married?" I'm assuming that the woman in question wasn't a believer at the time of her indiscretions. But even if she was a believer, almost all sin is forgivable when truly repented of & cast aside, as we read in 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And as Paul & Barnabas urged the Gentiles to "turn from these vanities (sins of idolatry & false worship) & turn unto the living God" ( Acts 14:15). Forgiveness from God comes when we repent of our sins & purpose in our heart to turn from them.
And then to your husband, and particularly the state of his soul before God & his disbelief in the authority & veracity of the Scriptures. This is always a hard area to deal with as once a person has in his mind that something is false, then any proof given may well be rejected. However, I would base my discussion with him on: on what basis was he saved (just from a man's word, or from that word that originated from the Bible)? If he has doubts about the Bible, then he should have doubts about his salvation, the reality of God & Jesus, & in fact much of history of that time. Onto Page 2.
And we also have references to other 'apostles', such as Barnabas ( Acts 14:14); James (the Lords brother, Galatians 1:19); Epaphroditus ( Philippians 2:25, note: 'messenger' in the Greek is 'apostolos'); & Titus & a few others ( 2 Corinthians 8:23; again 'apostolos' used here). I understand these men, though referred to as apostles, were apostles in the general sense of doing the apostolic work (today, we would call them 'missionaries'). So, Paul spoke of them as apostles, yet were not numbered with the original twelve, plus Paul. In that sense, today's missionaries taking the Gospel to unreached peoples could also be considered as apostles, doing the same work that Jesus commanded the twelve plus one, to do.
Acts 12 again shows process of time, note Acts 12:25, Acts 14:21-28, again Acts 15, note Acts 15:33,36, Acts 27, Acts 28:11,
Acts 18:11,18, Acts 19:10,22, Acts 20:3, Acts 24:27, Acts 28:30
Hopefully these are helpful
Judas Iscariot, with the other eleven, were never apostles while they travelled around with Jesus. They were called Disciples (i.e. a student, a follower of a Rabbi or teacher). They were only known as Apostles after Jesus died, arose from the grave, & He sent them out into the world. Apostle, means 'one sent out; a messenger'.
After Judas Iscariot died, Matthias was appointed as his replacement & this appointment was from God ( Acts 1:24-26, i.e. the eleven prayed asking God to direct them to this new disciple). So, men did not choose Matthias, God did by their casting of lots. And this had to be, as Peter declared, by referring to the fulfilment of Psalm 41:9; Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8.
True, we don't hear of Matthias, but the lack of information doesn't mean that he just disappeared & went back to his occupation, or whatever else. We don't hear again of several of the other disciples either after Acts 1:13.
Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. As was Apostle Barnabas ( Acts 14:14), James (the Lord's half-brother; Galatians 1:19), possibly Timothy & Silas ( 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:6, if Paul was using 'we' to refer to them as apostles as well). And Paul often had to emphasize his apostleship to the Churches, & even defend it, as believers were being seduced to believe otherwise (as much of 2nd Corinthians indicate).
So, from what we read in the Scriptures, Matthias was the twelfth disciple, being an apostle, & subsequently, Paul & others were either called by the Lord to apostleship, or considered as apostles because of their ministry of getting the Gospel out.
Paul wrote two letters to Timothy who was pastoring the church in Ephesus. Timothy's name is mentioned 24 times in the New Testament. Timothy was from Lystra and he was saved during Paul's first missionary journey ( Acts 14:19-20; Acts 16:1-2)
His mother Eunice, and his grandmother Lois, were godly Jewish women. In fact, Timothy was taught the Old Testament scriptures since he was a little boy. So he has a scriptural background. Timothy was about 15-years-old when he first met Paul. And when Paul writes his letter to Timothy, he's approximately 35. So he has spent approximately 20 years with Paul in ministry learning.
Even though Timothy's mother and grandmother were godly Jewish women, his father was a pagan Greek. ( Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy was raised hearing Old Testament Scriptures. ( 2 Timothy 3:14-15). He joined Paul, along with Silas and Luke, during second missionary trip. ( Acts 16:3).
Paul had Timothy circumcised so that he might have the freedom to preach the gospel in Jewish synagogues. ( Acts 16:3; 1 Corinthians 9:20). He could not do that unless he was circumcised. Timothy was ordained by Paul and the Presbytery. ( 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). He accompanies Paul on his third missionary trip. ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 1:19).
Timothy ministered in at least five churches as Paul's representative:
1) Thessalonica ( 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 3:6)
2) Corinth ( 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; 2 Corinthians 1:19)
3) Philippi ( Philippians 2:19-23)
4) Berea ( Acts 17:14)
5) Ephesus ( 1 Timothy 1:3)
Timothy was with Paul during Paul's first imprisonment ( Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1) and went to Philippi after Paul's release. ( Philippians 2:19-23). Timothy was around 35-years of age when Paul wrote I Timothy. Timothy also suffered imprisonment. ( Hebrews 13:23).
Hope this helps!
Matthew 1:6 Jesus called Christ, John 4:25, Luke 6:15, John 1:42, John 11:16, not Colossians 4:11,
Romans 2:17, Romans 7:3, same supposed writer as Acts , also Romans 9:26
Matthew 26:14, Luke 23:33, John 19:13, John 19:17, Acts 6:9, Revelation 11:8,
Revelation 12:9,
Luke 2:4, Luke 8:2, John 21:2, different than Acts 9:11,
Acts 1:23, Acts 9:36,
Colossians 3:15, 1John 3:1,
Hopefully these are all helpful in your study
Please read Matthew 24, & Mark 13, Jesus' words : Matthew 24:4 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed that no man deceive you" ._.._.._.. Matthew 24:7-9, "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilence, and earthquakes, in diverse places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my names sake." ._..
Matthew 24:13 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." ._.._
Matthew 24:21-22 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."
And except those days should be shortened, there shall no flesh saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." ._._._.
Matthew 24:29-30 "immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
Also repeated in Mark 13,
Deuteronomy 4:30
Matthew 13:20-21
John 16:33
Acts 14:22
1Thessalonians 3:4,
Hopefully these are helpful in you study of the Word
Deuteronomy 4:29,30,31, 1Samuel 26:24, Matthew 13:20-21, John 16:33, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3, Romans 8:35-39, Romans 12:12, 2Corinthians 1:3-5, 1Thessalonians 3:4, 2Thessalonians 1:6, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 2:9,10,22,
There seems to be a difference between tribulation & The great Tribulation,
Matthew 24:21, Romans 2, Revelation 7:14,
Matthew 24:3-51, Mark 13:4-37,