Results 1 - 16 of 16
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: userdoe213 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What is the mission of the church? | Matt 28:19 | userdoe213 | 8758 | ||
The work and mission of the Lord's church today should be the same as it was in the first century church. According to God's Word, the work and mission of the Lord's church includes the following areas: I. EDIFICATION (PREPARING THE SAINTS FOR SERVICE) A. IMPLIED BY ITS ORGANIZATION AND WORSHIP... 1. The local church when completely organized will have bishops, elders, pastors) a. Their function is to feed and oversee the flock - Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-2. b. As they carry out their responsibilities, the church will be built up (edified) 2. The activities of their worship are designed to edify a. E.g., singing designed to exhort and admonish, as well as praise God - Eph 5:19; Co 3:16 b. E.g., preaching and teaching which certainly edifies the church. B. EXPLICITLY STATED IN THE SCRIPTURES... 1. Speaking of the gifts which Christ gave His church - Ep 4:11 2. Such gifts (including that of evangelists, pastors and teachers) are designed: a. For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry b. For the edifying of the body of Christ - Ep 4:12 3. As each person in the church does their part, the end result will be the "growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" - Ep 4:15-16. But clearly there is more. The work of the local church certainly includes... II. BENEVOLENCE (PROVIDING FOR THE NEEDY SAINTS) A. THE EARLY CHURCH CARED FOR ITS MEMBERS... 1. We see it in the church at Jerusalem for its own - Ac 4:32-37. 2. We see it in the church at Antioch for their brethren in Judea - Ac 11:27-30. 3. We see in the churches of Macedonia and Achaia for their brethren in Jerusalem - Rom 15:25-26. B. ITS ORGANIZATION AND WORSHIP ACCOMMODATED SUCH WORK... 1. Deacons were appointed - cf. Ph 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8-13. a. They served the congregation. b. If the seven selected in Acts 6 were prototypes of the work of deacons, they would certainly serve in providing assistance for widows and other needy members -Acts 6:1-6. 2. The collection for needy saints was made a part of the weekly assembly - 1 Cor 16:1-2. C. BUT THERE WERE LIMITATIONS TO ITS BENEVOLENCE... 1. In Paul's instructions to Timothy - 1 Ti 5:9-16. a. Widows with believing family members were not to be supported. b. Their own families should support them, that "the church not be burdened". 2. Examples of church benevolence are limited to needy saints. a. In every case of church benevolence, i.e., where money was taken from the church treasury, the recipients were believers in need - cf. Ro 15:25-26; 1 Co 16:1-2; 2 Co 8:1-4; 9:1. b. Of course, individually Christians would be expected to be "good Samaritans" and help those in the world as they had opportunity and ability. This implies that the local church was not intended to be an agency to cure all the social ills in the world. It has neither the organization nor resources to do so! [The work of benevolence, while important, appears to take a back seat to the primary work of the church, which was edification. But there is another work of the church, which is a natural outgrowth of equipping the saints for ministry...] III. EVANGELISM (PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL TO THE LOST) A. THE EARLY CHURCHES WERE INVOLVED IN EVANGELISM... 1. They sent out preachers to spread the word in new places - cf. Ac 13:1-3. 2. They provided support for such preachers - e.g., 2 Co 11:8,9. B. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE LORD EXPECTS... 1. For His disciples were to make more disciples - Mt 28:19-20. 2. For His people are to proclaim God's praises - 1 Pe 2:9-10. 3. And among the gifts He gave to His church was the function of "evangelists" - Eph. 4:11. CONCLUSION 1. The work of the church can be summarized as: a. Edification (preparing the saints for service) b. Benevolence (providing for the needy saints) c. Evangelism (proclaiming the gospel to the lost) 2. For such work the Lord designed His church, especially in the local sense... a. As reflected in its organization. b. As reflected in its worship. 3. When we let the local church do its proper work, it will... a. "equip saints for the work of the ministry" b. "edify the body of Christ" c. "grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ" |
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2 | Are the gifts of the spirit for today? | 1 Cor 13:8 | userdoe213 | 8733 | ||
No, the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. MIRACULOUS GIFTS Like scaffolding, a temporary platform for workmen on a new building, miraculous gifts were temporary to enable the early church time to mature and grow. Instruction had to be given in the absence of a written, confirmed, complete and perfect revelation. These gifts were to last "till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto the fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). These gifts came through the laying on of the apostles' hands. The apostles had to go to Samaria to lay hands on those Philip had converted and bestow gifts on them, because Philip could not do it (Acts 8:16). Paul laid his hands on twelve men at Ephesus and they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6). The seven deacons, including Philip, received the laying on of hands of the apostles (Acts 6:6). Paul laid his hands on Timothy to enable him to receive a special gift (2 Timothy 1:6). Finally, Paul longed to go to Rome, "that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established" (Romans 1:11). It is very, very important that we keep in mind the third-persons with reference to miraculous gifts. Only the apostles could give the nine miraculous gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11). The ones upon whom they laid their hands could not impart the gifts to the third-person Christians. If they could, why didn't Philip bestow the gifts on the Christians in Samaria? Therefore, when the apostles died, their hands died with them and the ability to bestow gifts by "the laying on of hands" died also. THE NINE GIFTS The nine miraculous gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-11) relate specifically to the infant church when it did not have the completed revelation of God as we have today. There was a special need then that does not exist now. The gifts were to confirm the word (Hebrews 2:1-4). They helped the church grow and keep out false teachers (Eph. 4:11-15). The word preached by the apostles was oral. They didn't have a New Testament like we have today. It was being written. Therefore, they had these gifts and could bestow them on others to confirm the spoken word (Hebrews 2:3,4). Since the Hebrew writer said it "was confirmed," and it is in the past tense, we learn two important lessons: First, the signs, wonders and gifts of the Spirit were manifested through the miraculous gifts. Secondly, for us to look for confirming signs today, exemplifies our lack of faith in the miracles of the apostles and the genuineness of the word of God. THAT WHICH IS PERFECT After discussing the nine miraculous gifts in the 12th chapter of First Corinthians, Paul wanted to point up a "More excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31), hence he points to the way of love in the 13th chapter. He puts a deadline and dateline on the miraculous gifts by saying, "Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away" (1 Cor. 13:8-9). When the scriptures were completed; the oral message spoken and the gifts to confirm that message were recorded, we received that "perfect law, the law of liberty" (James 1:25). It is therefore the New Testament that circumscribes his church today. It is incorrect to simply assume that because a spiritual gift is listed in the New Testament period, it must exist today. The form of the questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 ("do all speak with tongues?") points out the self-evident fact that not every Christian was meant to possess every gift, since all Christians were not apostles, nor all prophets, neither did all speak with tongues, nor work miracles of various kinds." Finally, with reference to 1 Corinthians 13:9, "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part," we have always had perfect knowledge in quality but not in quantity. Likewise, we have always had perfect prophecy in quality but not in quantity. But when Jesus' revelation came, miraculous gifts ceased and we have today perfect knowledge and prophecy in quality and quantity. Mike |
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3 | Are the gifts of the spirit for today? | 1 Cor 13:8 | userdoe213 | 8731 | ||
No, the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. MIRACULOUS GIFTS Like scaffolding, a temporary platform for workmen on a new building, miraculous gifts were temporary to enable the early church time to mature and grow. Instruction had to be given in the absence of a written, confirmed, complete and perfect revelation. These gifts were to last "till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto the fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). These gifts came through the laying on of the apostles' hands. The apostles had to go to Samaria to lay hands on those Philip had converted and bestow gifts on them, because Philip could not do it (Acts 8:16). Paul laid his hands on twelve men at Ephesus and they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6). The seven deacons, including Philip, received the laying on of hands of the apostles (Acts 6:6). Paul laid his hands on Timothy to enable him to receive a special gift (2 Timothy 1:6). Finally, Paul longed to go to Rome, "that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established" (Romans 1:11). It is very, very important that we keep in mind the third-persons with reference to miraculous gifts. Only the apostles could give the nine miraculous gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11). The ones upon whom they laid their hands could not impart the gifts to the third-person Christians. If they could, why didn't Philip bestow the gifts on the Christians in Samaria? Therefore, when the apostles died, their hands died with them and the ability to bestow gifts by "the laying on of hands" died also. THE NINE GIFTS The nine miraculous gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-11) relate specifically to the infant church when it did not have the completed revelation of God as we have today. There was a special need then that does not exist now. The gifts were to confirm the word (Hebrews 2:1-4). They helped the church grow and keep out false teachers (Eph. 4:11-15). The word preached by the apostles was oral. They didn't have a New Testament like we have today. It was being written. Therefore, they had these gifts and could bestow them on others to confirm the spoken word (Hebrews 2:3,4). Since the Hebrew writer said it "was confirmed," and it is in the past tense, we learn two important lessons: First, the signs, wonders and gifts of the Spirit were manifested through the miraculous gifts. Secondly, for us to look for confirming signs today, exemplifies our lack of faith in the miracles of the apostles and the genuineness of the word of God. THAT WHICH IS PERFECT After discussing the nine miraculous gifts in the 12th chapter of First Corinthians, Paul wanted to point up a "More excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31), hence he points to the way of love in the 13th chapter. He puts a deadline and dateline on the miraculous gifts by saying, "Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away" (1 Cor. 13:8-9). When the scriptures were completed; the oral message spoken and the gifts to confirm that message were recorded, we received that "perfect law, the law of liberty" (James 1:25). It is therefore the New Testament that circumscribes his church today. It is incorrect to simply assume that because a spiritual gift is listed in the New Testament period, it must exist today. The form of the questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 ("do all speak with tongues?") points out the self-evident fact that not every Christian was meant to possess every gift, since all Christians were not apostles, nor all prophets, neither did all speak with tongues, nor work miracles of various kinds." Finally, with reference to 1 Corinthians 13:9, "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part," we have always had perfect knowledge in quality but not in quantity. Likewise, we have always had perfect prophecy in quality but not in quantity. But when Jesus' revelation came, miraculous gifts ceased and we have today perfect knowledge and prophecy in quality and quantity. Mike |
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4 | Are the gifts of the spirit for today? | 1 Cor 13:8 | userdoe213 | 8728 | ||
No, the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. MIRACULOUS GIFTS Like scaffolding, a temporary platform for workmen on a new building, miraculous gifts were temporary to enable the early church time to mature and grow. Instruction had to be given in the absence of a written, confirmed, complete and perfect revelation. These gifts were to last "till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto the fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). These gifts came through the laying on of the apostles' hands. The apostles had to go to Samaria to lay hands on those Philip had converted and bestow gifts on them, because Philip could not do it (Acts 8:16). Paul laid his hands on twelve men at Ephesus and they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6). The seven deacons, including Philip, received the laying on of hands of the apostles (Acts 6:6). Paul laid his hands on Timothy to enable him to receive a special gift (2 Timothy 1:6). Finally, Paul longed to go to Rome, "that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established" (Romans 1:11). It is very, very important that we keep in mind the third-persons with reference to miraculous gifts. Only the apostles could give the nine miraculous gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-11). The ones upon whom they laid their hands could not impart the gifts to the third-person Christians. If they could, why didn't Philip bestow the gifts on the Christians in Samaria? Therefore, when the apostles died, their hands died with them and the ability to bestow gifts by "the laying on of hands" died also. THE NINE GIFTS The nine miraculous gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-11) relate specifically to the infant church when it did not have the completed revelation of God as we have today. There was a special need then that does not exist now. The gifts were to confirm the word (Hebrews 2:1-4). They helped the church grow and keep out false teachers (Eph. 4:11-15). The word preached by the apostles was oral. They didn't have a New Testament like we have today. It was being written. Therefore, they had these gifts and could bestow them on others to confirm the spoken word (Hebrews 2:3,4). Since the Hebrew writer said it "was confirmed," and it is in the past tense, we learn two important lessons: First, the signs, wonders and gifts of the Spirit were manifested through the miraculous gifts. Secondly, for us to look for confirming signs today, exemplifies our lack of faith in the miracles of the apostles and the genuineness of the word of God. THAT WHICH IS PERFECT After discussing the nine miraculous gifts in the 12th chapter of First Corinthians, Paul wanted to point up a "More excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31), hence he points to the way of love in the 13th chapter. He puts a deadline and dateline on the miraculous gifts by saying, "Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away" (1 Cor. 13:8-9). When the scriptures were completed; the oral message spoken and the gifts to confirm that message were recorded, we received that "perfect law, the law of liberty" (James 1:25). It is therefore the New Testament that circumscribes his church today. It is incorrect to simply assume that because a spiritual gift is listed in the New Testament period, it must exist today. The form of the questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 ("do all speak with tongues?") points out the self-evident fact that not every Christian was meant to possess every gift, since all Christians were not apostles, nor all prophets, neither did all speak with tongues, nor work miracles of various kinds." Finally, with reference to 1 Corinthians 13:9, "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part," we have always had perfect knowledge in quality but not in quantity. Likewise, we have always had perfect prophecy in quality but not in quantity. But when Jesus' revelation came, miraculous gifts ceased and we have today perfect knowledge and prophecy in quality and quantity. Mike |
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5 | Why did Gideon make an ephod? | Judg 8:24 | userdoe213 | 8710 | ||
Gideon made the ephod to perpetuate the remembrance of the victory (from the hand of Midian - vs. 22) by an ephod made of the choicest of the spoils. Mike The following is submitted from Matthew Henry's Commentary: "Gideon's irregular zeal to perpetuate the remembrance of this victory by an ephod made of the choicest of the spoils. 1. He asked the men of Israel to give him the ear-rings of their prey; for such ornaments they stripped the slain of in abundance. These he demanded, either because they were the finest gold, and therefore fittest for a religious use, or because they had had as ear-rings some superstitious signification, which he thought too well of. Aaron called for the ear-rings to make the golden calf of, Exod. xxxii. 2. These Gideon begged v. 24. And he had reason enough to think that those who offered him a crown, when he declined it, would not deny him their ear-rings, when he begged them, nor did they, v. 25. 2. He himself added the spoil he took from the kings of Midian, which, it should seem, had fallen to his share, v. 26. The generals had that part of the prey which was most splendid, the prey of divers colours, ch. v. 30. 3. Of this he made an ephod, v. 27. It was plausible enough, and might be well intended to preserve a memorial of so divine a victory in the judge's own city. But it was a very unadvised thing to make that memorial to be an ephod, a sacred garment. I would gladly put the best construction that can be upon the actions of good men, and such a one we are sure Gideon was. But we have reason to suspect that this ephod had, as usual, a teraphim annexed to it (Hos. iii. 4), and that, having an altar already built by divine appointment (ch. vi. 26), which he erroneously imagined he might still use for sacrifice, he intended this for an oracle, to be consulted in doubtful cases. So the learned Dr. Spencer supposes. Each tribe having now very much its government within itself, they were too apt to covet their religion among themselves. We read very little of Shiloh, and the ark there, in all the story of the Judges. Sometimes by divine dispensation, and much oftener by the transgression of men, that law which obliged them to worship only at that one altar seems not to have been so religiously observed as one would have expected, any more than afterwards, when in the reigns even of very good kings the high places were not taken away, from which we may infer that that law had a further reach as a type of Christ, by whose mediation alone all our services are accepted. Gideon therefore, through ignorance or inconsideration, sinned in making this ephod, though he had a good intention in it. Shiloh, it is true, was not far off, but it was in Ephraim, and that tribe had lately disobliged him (v. 1), which made him perhaps not care to go so often among them as his occasions would lead him to consult the oracle, and therefore he would have one nearer home. However this might be honestly intended, and at first did little hurt, yet in process of time, (1.) Israel went a whoring after it, that is, they deserted God's altar and priesthood, being fond of change, and prone to idolatry, and having some excuse for paying respect to this ephod, because so good a man as Gideon had set it up, and by degrees their respect to it grew more and more superstitious. Note, Many are led into false ways by one false step of a good man. The beginning of sin, particularly of idolatry and will-worship, is as the letting forth of water, so it has been found in the fatal corruptions of the church of Rome; therefore leave it off before it be meddled with. (2.) It became a snare to Gideon himself, abating his zeal for the house of God in his old age, and much more to his house, who were drawn by it into sin, and it proved the ruin of the family." |
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6 | Why did Gideon make an ephod? | Judg 8:24 | userdoe213 | 8709 | ||
Gideon made the ephod to perpetuate the remembrance of this victory (from the hand of Midian - vs. 22) by an ephod made of the choicest of the spoils. Mike The following is submitted from Matthew Henry's Commentary: "Gideon's irregular zeal to perpetuate the remembrance of this victory by an ephod made of the choicest of the spoils. 1. He asked the men of Israel to give him the ear-rings of their prey; for such ornaments they stripped the slain of in abundance. These he demanded, either because they were the finest gold, and therefore fittest for a religious use, or because they had had as ear-rings some superstitious signification, which he thought too well of. Aaron called for the ear-rings to make the golden calf of, Exod. xxxii. 2. These Gideon begged v. 24. And he had reason enough to think that those who offered him a crown, when he declined it, would not deny him their ear-rings, when he begged them, nor did they, v. 25. 2. He himself added the spoil he took from the kings of Midian, which, it should seem, had fallen to his share, v. 26. The generals had that part of the prey which was most splendid, the prey of divers colours, ch. v. 30. 3. Of this he made an ephod, v. 27. It was plausible enough, and might be well intended to preserve a memorial of so divine a victory in the judge's own city. But it was a very unadvised thing to make that memorial to be an ephod, a sacred garment. I would gladly put the best construction that can be upon the actions of good men, and such a one we are sure Gideon was. But we have reason to suspect that this ephod had, as usual, a teraphim annexed to it (Hos. iii. 4), and that, having an altar already built by divine appointment (ch. vi. 26), which he erroneously imagined he might still use for sacrifice, he intended this for an oracle, to be consulted in doubtful cases. So the learned Dr. Spencer supposes. Each tribe having now very much its government within itself, they were too apt to covet their religion among themselves. We read very little of Shiloh, and the ark there, in all the story of the Judges. Sometimes by divine dispensation, and much oftener by the transgression of men, that law which obliged them to worship only at that one altar seems not to have been so religiously observed as one would have expected, any more than afterwards, when in the reigns even of very good kings the high places were not taken away, from which we may infer that that law had a further reach as a type of Christ, by whose mediation alone all our services are accepted. Gideon therefore, through ignorance or inconsideration, sinned in making this ephod, though he had a good intention in it. Shiloh, it is true, was not far off, but it was in Ephraim, and that tribe had lately disobliged him (v. 1), which made him perhaps not care to go so often among them as his occasions would lead him to consult the oracle, and therefore he would have one nearer home. However this might be honestly intended, and at first did little hurt, yet in process of time, (1.) Israel went a whoring after it, that is, they deserted God's altar and priesthood, being fond of change, and prone to idolatry, and having some excuse for paying respect to this ephod, because so good a man as Gideon had set it up, and by degrees their respect to it grew more and more superstitious. Note, Many are led into false ways by one false step of a good man. The beginning of sin, particularly of idolatry and will-worship, is as the letting forth of water, so it has been found in the fatal corruptions of the church of Rome; therefore leave it off before it be meddled with. (2.) It became a snare to Gideon himself, abating his zeal for the house of God in his old age, and much more to his house, who were drawn by it into sin, and it proved the ruin of the family." |
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7 | Why did Gideon make an ephod? | Judg 8:24 | userdoe213 | 8706 | ||
Your answer is: Gideon made the ephod to perpetuate the remembrance of this victory (from the hand of Midian - vs. 22) by an ephod made of the choicest of the spoils. Mike The following is submitted from Matthew Henry's Commentary: "Gideon's irregular zeal to perpetuate the remembrance of this victory by an ephod made of the choicest of the spoils. 1. He asked the men of Israel to give him the ear-rings of their prey; for such ornaments they stripped the slain of in abundance. These he demanded, either because they were the finest gold, and therefore fittest for a religious use, or because they had had as ear-rings some superstitious signification, which he thought too well of. Aaron called for the ear-rings to make the golden calf of, Exod. xxxii. 2. These Gideon begged v. 24. And he had reason enough to think that those who offered him a crown, when he declined it, would not deny him their ear-rings, when he begged them, nor did they, v. 25. 2. He himself added the spoil he took from the kings of Midian, which, it should seem, had fallen to his share, v. 26. The generals had that part of the prey which was most splendid, the prey of divers colours, ch. v. 30. 3. Of this he made an ephod, v. 27. It was plausible enough, and might be well intended to preserve a memorial of so divine a victory in the judge's own city. But it was a very unadvised thing to make that memorial to be an ephod, a sacred garment. I would gladly put the best construction that can be upon the actions of good men, and such a one we are sure Gideon was. But we have reason to suspect that this ephod had, as usual, a teraphim annexed to it (Hos. iii. 4), and that, having an altar already built by divine appointment (ch. vi. 26), which he erroneously imagined he might still use for sacrifice, he intended this for an oracle, to be consulted in doubtful cases. So the learned Dr. Spencer supposes. Each tribe having now very much its government within itself, they were too apt to covet their religion among themselves. We read very little of Shiloh, and the ark there, in all the story of the Judges. Sometimes by divine dispensation, and much oftener by the transgression of men, that law which obliged them to worship only at that one altar seems not to have been so religiously observed as one would have expected, any more than afterwards, when in the reigns even of very good kings the high places were not taken away, from which we may infer that that law had a further reach as a type of Christ, by whose mediation alone all our services are accepted. Gideon therefore, through ignorance or inconsideration, sinned in making this ephod, though he had a good intention in it. Shiloh, it is true, was not far off, but it was in Ephraim, and that tribe had lately disobliged him (v. 1), which made him perhaps not care to go so often among them as his occasions would lead him to consult the oracle, and therefore he would have one nearer home. However this might be honestly intended, and at first did little hurt, yet in process of time, (1.) Israel went a whoring after it, that is, they deserted God's altar and priesthood, being fond of change, and prone to idolatry, and having some excuse for paying respect to this ephod, because so good a man as Gideon had set it up, and by degrees their respect to it grew more and more superstitious. Note, Many are led into false ways by one false step of a good man. The beginning of sin, particularly of idolatry and will-worship, is as the letting forth of water, so it has been found in the fatal corruptions of the church of Rome; therefore leave it off before it be meddled with. (2.) It became a snare to Gideon himself, abating his zeal for the house of God in his old age, and much more to his house, who were drawn by it into sin, and it proved the ruin of the family." |
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8 | What is "casting lots"? | John 19:24 | userdoe213 | 8702 | ||
The following information concerning the word, "lot" (a pebble) is submitted from Peloubet's Bible Dictionary: "The custom of deciding doubful questions by lot is one of great extent and high antiquity. Among the Jews, lots were used with the expectation that God would so control them as to give a right direction to them. They were very often used by God's appointment. As to the mode of casting lots, we have no certain information. Probably several modes were practised. Very commonly among the Latins little counters of wood were put into a jar with so narrow a neck that only one could come out at a time. After the jar had been filled with water and the contents shaken, the lots were determined by the order in which the bits of wood, representing the several parties, came out with the water. In other cases they were put into a wide open jar, and the counters were drawn out by the hand. Sometimes again they were cast in the manner of dice. The soldiers who cast lots for Christ's garments (John 19:24) undoubtedly used these dice." Mike |
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9 | What is "casting lots"? | John 19:24 | userdoe213 | 8700 | ||
The following information concerning the word, "lot" (a pebble) is submitted from Peloubet's Bible Dictionary: "The custom of deciding doubful questions by lot is one of great extent and high antiquity. Among the Jews, lots were used with the expectation that God would so control them as to give a right direction to them. They were very often used by God's appointment. As to the mode of casting lots, we have no certain information. Probably several modes were practised. Very commonly among the Latins little counters of wood were put into a jar with so narrow a neck that only one could come out at a time. After the jar had been filled with water and the contents shaken, the lots were determined by the order in which the bits of wood, representing the several parties, came out with the water. In other cases they were put into a wide open jar, and the counters were drawn out by the hand. Sometimes again they were cast in the manner of dice. The soldiers who cast lots for Christ's garments (John 19:24) undoubtedly used these dice." Mike |
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10 | What is "casting lots"? | John 19:24 | userdoe213 | 8697 | ||
The following information concerning the word, "lot" (a pebble) is submitted from Peloubet's Bible Dictionary: "The custom of deciding doubful questions by lot is one of great extent and high antiquity. Among the Jews, lots were used with the expectation that God would so control them as to give a right direction to them. They were very often used by God's appointment. As to the mode of casting lots, we have no certain information. Probably several modes were practised. Very commonly among the Latins little counters of wood were put into a jar with so narrow a neck that only one could come out at a time. After the jar had been filled with water and the contents shaken, the lots were determined by the order in which the bits of wood, representing the several parties, came out with the water. In other cases they were put into a wide open jar, and the counters were drawn out by the hand. Sometimes again they were cast in the manner of dice. The soldiers who cast lots for Christ's garments (John 19:24) undoubtedly used these dice." Mike |
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11 | Was Eli lax in discipline? | 1 Sam 2:22 | userdoe213 | 8694 | ||
Your answer according to the Scriptures is YES, Eli was definitely lax in the discipline of his sons. Eli - (1 Samuel 2:22-36; 3:11-14). He was a great priest of God in a dangerous and difficult time. He was devout and powerful. Yet God stripped him of priestly successors because of what happened with his sons (1 Samuel 2:12; 2:22). Through the young man Samuel, God said, "For I have told him (Eli) that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them" (1 Samuel 3:13 NASB). In fact, God told him that he had honored his sons above Him and had been lead to share in unlawful benefits because of them (1 Samuel 2:29). As a result, Eli lost his sons (1 Samuel 2:34; 4:11) and a future lineage of priests because he did not take decisive action by rebuking his sons when they sinned. Mike |
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12 | Was David a good father? | 2 Samuel | userdoe213 | 8693 | ||
According to the Scriptures your answer is NO, David was not a good father. Please note the following comments: David - David is an example of a passive father too hesitant to punish when corrective discipline was needed. As a shepherd, as servant to King Saul, as a mighty warrier, as man of spiritual depth, and as a king, David stands out in the Old Testament as truly a great man. Nothing should be said to diminish his statue in our eyes. However, the Bible does not hide his sins of weakness, as in the case of Bathsheba (2 Samuel Chapters 11 and 12). Second Samuel Chapter 13 reveals David as one who failed to take needed action toward a disobedient son, and it cost him and the nation of Israel dearly. As you recall, when Amnon, David's son, raped his half sister Tamar, he not only violated a command of God, but he violated the person of a woman, and brought shame on the household. David's response to Anon's sin is stated in a single sentence: "Now when king David heard of all these matters, he was very angry" (2 Samuel 13:21). He was angry with the actions of his son, but what did he do about the matter? What punishment did he exact on Amnon for such a shameful deed against one of David's own daughters? NOTHING, as far as the Scriptures reveal. His lack of appropriate discipline prompted Absalom, Tamar's brother, to begin a plan for the execution of Amnon that took two years to develop. When Absalom killed Amnon, David and his other sons wept bitterly (2 Samuel 13:36). David's lack of bold action toward his children is also revealed in yet another place. When David was old and Solomon was about to be made King, one of David's sons named Adonijah rose up in rebellion against his father and sought to become king (1 Kings 5). Adonijah was disobedient to his father in part because his father had never crossed him at any time by asking, "why have you done so?" (1 Kings 1;6). David had never challenged Adonijah in any way about his son's plans or actions. Is it any wonder that such a son would rise up in rebellion against God and man to try to usurp the throne? For his rebellion, Adonijah was spared for a while, but after David's death, he was killed by the command of Solomon for an apparent covert effort to gain authority (1 Kings 2:13-25). Mike |
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13 | What was the first language of Adam/Eve? | Gen 11:1 | userdoe213 | 8692 | ||
The following commentary on Genesis 11:1 is from Adam Clarke's Commentary On The Holy Bible. 1. "The whole earth was of one language." The "whole earth" - all mankind - "was of one language," in all liklihood the Hebrew; "and of one speech" - articulating the same words in the same way. It is generally supposed that, after the confusion mentioned in this chapter, the Hebrew language remained in the family of Heber. The proper names and their significations given in the Scripture seem incontestable evidences that the Hebrew language was the original language of the earth - the language in which God spake to man, and in which He gave the revelation of His will to Moses and the prophets." 2. In vs. 1, the words "language" and "speech" translated from the Hebrew means, "lip" and "words". 3. Thus, Adam and Eve must have spoken the Hebrew language. Adam thus used the Hebrew language to name the animals. Mike |
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14 | Divine Plan | Matt 7:13 | userdoe213 | 8546 | ||
Appreciate the compliment and pray that the Lord will bless us richly as we continue to study His Word. Mike |
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15 | Divine Plan | Matt 7:13 | userdoe213 | 8516 | ||
Receiving the "gift of the Holy Spirit" in Acts 2:38 has been the subject of much controversy. Does the "gift" refer to miraculous manifestions of the Spirit given to only those in the first century? We know that miraculous "gifts" were necessary in the church as the New Testament was in the process of being completed. As you recall, Christians in the first century did receive a miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit. Joel had been quoted by Peter as being fulfilled at this time (Acts 2:17); hence, The Spirit dispensation was now beginning and those who obeyed the gospel would receive all the blessings promised by this dispensation. Through my study the "gift of the Spirit" that Christians receive at the completion of baptism (Acts 2:38) is simply "salvation" from one's sins (Colossians 2:6-13). The Holy Spirit then "attests" to our compliance with the command to be baptised and bears witness to that fact (Romans 8:16). At that point, we become (1) children of God; (2) heirs of God; and (3) joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). God (through the Spirit) gives his "stamp" (or seal) of approval that we have complied with the Spirit's teachings (Ephesians 1:13). We then receive the "promise" of salvation as promised to Abraham by God in Genesis 12:3; Galations 3:26-29). This "sealing of the Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13) is the "earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession" (obedient Christians - vs. 14). An "earnest" is money given in advance, as a pledge or security that the full amount promised shall be paid. This promise will be fulfilled by God (when Christ returns to reclaim his heritage (faithful Christians), and give us full possession of our heritage in Christ (Ephesians 2:14). Our inheritance is now being "reserved" for those (John 14:1-3; 1 Peter 1:3-5) who (1) continue to "Walk in the Spirit" (continue in the teachings of the Spirit) (Galations 5:16); and (2) for those who remain "faithful" to those teachings (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10). Christians are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5). |
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16 | What about the Jabez Prayer? | 1 Chronicles | userdoe213 | 8506 | ||
From the reading in 1 Chronicles 4:9,10, we learn the following about the character of Jabez: 1. He was more honourable than his brethren (vs. 9). 2. He was one who worshipped God (vs. 10). 3. He prayed to God with an attitude of humility (vs. 10). 4. He asked God to (1) bless him; (2) enlarge his coast; (3) be with him; (4) keep him from doing evil, that it might not grieve him (vs. 10). In other words, he was anxious to grow in the knowledge of God and to do His Will and not his own. The Apostle Peter exhorts us as Christians to aspire to do the same thing (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18). Appreciate your question and pray that the Lord will continue to bless you as you study His Word and seek to do His Will. Mike |
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