Results 81 - 100 of 109
|
||||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: eklektos Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 153980 | ||
Tongues, Gift of - Part 3 of 3 4. Religious Emotionalism: Paul's treatment of the tongues in 1 Cor 12 through 14 is a classical passage for the evaluation of religious emotionalism. Tongues are a divine gift, the exercise is not to be forbidden (1Co 14:39), and Paul himself is grateful that he has the gift in an uncommon degree (1Co 14:18). Indeed, to those who treat them simply with scorn they become a “sign” that hardening is taking place (1Co 14:21-23). Yet a love of them because they are showy is simply childish (1Co 14:20; 1Co 13:11), and the possessor of the gift is not to think that he has the only thing worth obtaining (1 Cor 12). The only gift that is utterly indispensable is love (1Co 13:1-13), and without it tongues are mere noise (1Co 13:1). The public evidential value of tongues, on which perhaps the Corinthians were inclined to lay stress, Paul rates very low (1Co 14:21-23). Indeed, when exercised in public they tend to promote only the self-glorification of the speaker (1Co 14:4), and so are forbidden when there is not an interpreter, and they are limited for public use at all times (1Co 14:27, 1Co 14:28). But the ideal place for their exercise is in private: “Let him speak to himself, and to God” (1Co 14:28). The applicability of all this to modern conditions needs no commentary. Ultra-emotionalistic outbreaks still cause the formation of eccentric sects among us, and every evangelist knows well-meaning but slightly weak individuals who make themselves a nuisance. On the other hand, a purely intellectual and ethical religion is rather a dreary thing. A man who has never allowed his religious emotions to carry him away may well be in a high state of grace - but he has missed something, and something of very great value. 5. The Cessation of Tongues: 1 Cor 13:1-3 – Paul reports the excellency of love above the power of speaking the languages of men and of angels; above the power of understanding all mysteries; above all faith, even of the highest kind; and above the virtue of giving all one’s goods to feed the poor, or one’s body to be burned. All these endowments would be valueless without love. 1 Cor 13:4-7 - statements of the characteristics of love; or its happy influences on the mind and heart. 1 CoR 13:8-13 - a comparison of love with the gift of prophecy, and with the power of speaking in tongues, and with knowledge. In this portion of the chapter, Paul shows that love is superior to them all. It will live in heaven forever and these gifts are but earthly and will cease when all things are restored and will constitute the chief glory of that world of bliss. How that now, in this world, he sees dimly and only knows in part and can only speak of those things to come in part, (1Co 13:10) “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” When we are with Him and all things have been put under His footstool, of all these gifts, love will remain. Literature: Wright, “Some New Testament Problems” (1898) Walker, “The Gift of Tongues and Other Essays” (1906), have collections of material. Of the commentaries on 1 Corinthians those of Heinrici (latest edition, 1896), Lietzmann (1907) and J. Weiss (1910) are much the best, far surpassing Robertson and Plummer in ICC (1911). For the Greek material, see Rhode's Psyche. Gunkel, “Die Wirkungen des heiligen Geistes” (1888, 2nd reprint in 1909), was epoch-making. For the later period, see: Weinel, “Die Wirkungen des Gelstes und der Geister” (1899). Lake, “The Earlier Epistles of Paul” (London, 1911). Inge, “The Quarterly Review” (London, 1914). by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
82 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 153981 | ||
Tongues, Gift of - Part 2 of 3 3. A State of Ecstasy: A complete explanation of the tongues is given by the phenomena of ecstatic utterances, especially when taken in connection with the history of New Testament times. In ecstasy the soul feels itself so suffused with the divine that the man is drawn above all natural modes of perception (the understanding becomes “unfruitful”), and the religious nature alone is felt to be active. Utterances at such times naturally become altogether abnormal. If the words remain coherent, the speaker may profess to be uttering revelations, or to be the mere organ of the divine voice. Very frequently, however, what is said is quite incomprehensible, although the speaker seems to be endeavoring to convey something. In a still more extreme case the voice will be inarticulate, uttering only groans or outcries. At the termination of the experience the subject is generally unconscious of all that has transpired. For the state, compare Philo, ‘Quis rerum. divin., li-liii. 249-66’: “The best (ecstasy) of all is a divinely-infused rapture and 'mania,' to which the race of the prophets is subject.... The wise man is a sounding instrument of God's voice, being struck and played upon invisibly by Him.... As long as our mind still shines (is active)...we are not possessed (by God)...but ... when the divine light shines, the human light sets.... The prophet ... is passive, and another (God) makes use of his vocal organs.” Compare, further, the descriptions of Celsus (Origen, “Contra Celsus”, vii. 9), who describes the Christian “prophets” of his day as preaching as if God or Christ were speaking through them, closing their words with “strange, fanatical, and quite unintelligible words of which no rational person can find the meaning.” The Greek papyri furnish us with an abundance of magical formulas couched in unintelligible terms (e.g. Pap. Lond., 121, “Iao, eloai, marmarachada, menepho, mermai, ieor, aeio, erephie, pherephio,” etc.), which are not infrequently connected with an ecstatic state (e.g. Reitzenstein, “Poimandres”, 53-58). Interpretation of the utterances in such a state would always be difficult and diversities of interpretation would be unavoidable. Still, with a fixed content, such as the Christian religion gave, and with the aid of gestures, etc., men who felt that they had an understanding of such conditions could undertake to explain them to the congregation. It is to be noted, however, that Paul apparently does not feel that the gift of interpretation is much to be relied on, for otherwise he would have appraised the utility of tongues more highly than he does. But the popularity of tongues in Corinth is easily understood. The speaker was felt to be taken into the closest of unions with God and hence, to be an especial object of God's favor. Indeed, the occurrence of the phenomenon in a neo-convert was irrefragable proof that the conversion was approved by God (Act 10:44-48; Act 11:15; Act 19:6). So in Mar 16:17 the gift is treated as an exceptional and miraculous divine blessing (in this verse “new” is textually uncertain, and the meaning of the word, if read, is uncertain also). Moreover, for the more selfish, the gift was very showy (1Co 13:1 suggests that it was vociferous), and its possession gratified any desire for personal prominence. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
83 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 153982 | ||
Hello Kennyittis, Tongues, Gift of - Part 1 of 3 1. Basic Character of 1 Corinthians 14: A spiritual gift mentioned in Act 10:44-46; Act 11:15; Act 19:6; Mar 16:17, and described in Act 2:1-13 and at length in 1 Cor 12 through 14, especially chapter 14. In fact, 1 Cor 14 contains such a full and clear account that this passage is basic. The speaker in a tongue addressed God (1Co 14:2, 1Co 14:28) in prayer (1Co 14:14), principally in the prayer of thanksgiving (1Co 14:15-17). The words so uttered were incomprehensible to the congregation (1Co 14:2, 1Co 14:5, 1Co 14:9, etc.), and even to the speaker himself (1Co 14:14). Edification, indeed, was gained by the speaker (1Co 14:4), but this was the edification of emotional experience only (1Co 14:14). The words were spoken “in the spirit” (1Co 14:2); i.e. the ordinary faculties were suspended and the divine, specifically Christian, element in the man took control, so that a condition of ecstasy was produced. This immediate (mystical) contact with the divine enabled the utterance of “mysteries” (1Co 14:2) - things hidden from the ordinary human understanding. In order to make the utterances comprehensible to the congregation, the services of an “interpreter” were needed. Such a man was one who had received from God a special gift as extraordinary as the gifts of miracles, healings, or the tongues themselves (1Co 12:10, 1Co 12:30); i.e. the ability to interpret did not rest at all on natural knowledge, and acquisition of it might be given in answer to prayer (1Co 14:13). Those who had this gift were known, and Paul allowed the public exercise of “tongues” only when one of the interpreters was present (1Co 14:28). As the presence of an interpreter was determined before anyone spoke, and as there was to be only one interpreter for the “two or three” speakers (1Co 14:28), any interpreter must have been competent to explain any tongue. But different interpreters did not always agree (1Co 14:26), whence the limitation to one. 2. Foreign Languages Barred out: These characteristics of an interpreter make it clear that “speaking in a tongue” at Corinth was not normally felt to be speaking in a foreign language. In 1Co 14:10 English Versions of the Bible are misleading with “there are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world,” which suggests that Paul is referring directly to the tongues. But (tosaúta) there should be rendered “very many,” “ever so many,” and the verse is as purely illustrative as is 1Co 14:7. Hence, foreign languages are to be barred out. (Still, this need not mean that foreign phrases may not occasionally have been employed by the speakers, or that at times individuals may not have made elaborate use of foreign languages. But such cases were not normative at Corinth.) Consequently, if “tongues” means “languages,” entirely new languages must be thought of. Such might have been of many kinds (1Co 12:28), have been regarded as a fit creation for the conveyance of new truths, and may even at times have been thought to be celestial languages - the “tongues of angels” (1Co 13:1). On the other hand, the word for “tongue” (glóssa) is of fairly common use in Greek to designate obsolete or incomprehensible words, and, specifically, for the obscure phrases uttered by an oracle. This use is closely parallel to the use in Corinth and may be its source, although then it would be more natural if the “ten thousand words in a tongue” of 1Co 14:19 had read “ten thousand (glossai).” In no case, however, can “tongue” mean simply the physical organ, for 1Co 14:18, 1Co 14:19 speaks of articulated words and uses the plural “tongues” for a single speaker (compare 1Co 14:5, 1Co 14:6). by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
84 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 153984 | ||
Hello Wild Olive Shoot, Hermeticism is that which treats some universal principles. Hermeticism does not always indicate sorcery. Only in today's culture is this term held to its worst degree. Biblically, we could look at: Rev 4:1. John was on the island and the voice said "Come up hear" and immediately he was in the spirit. 2 Cor 12:2 "...whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth...", Paul mentions some wonderful revelations which he had received from the Lord, 12:4, "heard unspeakable words". Being in an ecstatic state wouldn’t you say?. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
85 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 153994 | ||
Hello Searcher, Unless I have typed a Scripture verse incorrectly, I believe I have confirmed my beliefs of an older generation that haven't been indoctrinated to as many of the traditions of various theologies in some churches today. Being open to other views is also attractive and this is a forum for education. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
86 | Is "repeating that word" meaningless? | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154000 | ||
Not necessarily, it could be phrase, "Blessed is the Lamb" or "Holy art Thou O Lord". It is not, at all times, a prayer, it may be a praise. As Paul states it is without understanding to him but not to God. 1Co 14:2 "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." 1Co 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Paul says he will do both, "with the spirit" and "with understanding". Have you ever been in that deep of prayer where you couldn't even talk and just groaned or couldn't get the words out properly and the words were garbled because of the intensity of the burden you were under for someone, some direction or something? That is being ‘in the Spirit’ but God understood your want. Also, it is most unfortunate that the NASB in italics inserts "his" for "the". 1 Co 14:2 "but in (his) spirit he speaks mysteries". View the Amplified: 1 Co 14:2 For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding]. Both translations come from the same publisher. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
87 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154004 | ||
Hello BradK, Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of American English Hermetic HERMET'IC HERMET'ICAL, a. [Gr. Mercury, the fabled inventor of chimistry.] 1. Designating chimistry; chimical; as the hermetic art. 2. Designating that species of philosophy which pretends to solve and explain all the phenomena of nature from the three chimical principles, salt, sulphur and mercury; as the hermetic philosophy. 3. Designating the system which explains the causes of diseases and the operations of medicine, on the principles of the hermetical philosophy, and particularly on the system of an alkali and acid; as hermetical physic or medicine. 4. Perfectly close, so that no air, gas, or spirit can escape; as a hermetic seal. The hermetic seal is formed by heating the neck of a vessel till it is soft,and then twisting it, till the aperture or passage is accurately closed. Hermetic books, books of the Egyptians which treat of astrology. Books which treat of universal principles, of the nature and orders of celestial beings, of medicine and other topics. -- end of my dictionary -- Observe, your information says the teachings are attributed to Hermes and my dictionary it is Mercury, the fabled inventor of chemistry and yours does not mention universal principles. This is why when anyone talks about Scripture and they are using theological wording we need to find out exactly what they mean by the same word. For some relate hermeticism to the occult and to magic and others relate it to the natural order and universal principles. The Biblical connection I was making was to a previous note (ID 153981) that referenced Reitzenstein, “Poimandres” which has to do with some magic. But the context of that specific paragraph was describing the 'state' one can get in when in the Spirit. That it is similar to being 'in the Spirit' as the Scriptures I cited to 'Wild Olive Root', (Rev 4:1 and 2 Co 12:2, 4) corresponded to that type or similarity of state. Does this clear things up for you? by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
88 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154037 | ||
Hello Wild Olive Shoot, Before this thread gets off the track maybe we should go back to your original post ID 153983. You wrote: "Hermeticism is biblical???" Just what part of my original posts did you think or get the idea that it was Heremtical? My Post ID#'s: Part 1 153982 Part 2 153981 Part 3 153980 The dictionary I use is on the Cornerstone Baptist Temple Website. http://www.cbtministries.org/resources/webster1828.htm Just type in 'hermetical'. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
89 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154046 | ||
Hello Wild Olive Seed, As was told BradK, these were used as a comparison or a similitude. I do hope that you can see this but if you are having a hard time understanding, possibly if you re-read all the posts you might see that the main ingredient is the working of the Holy Spirit and that Philo and Celsus has nothing to do with it. They are only put there for information and study. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
90 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154124 | ||
Hello Wild Olive Shoot, Pardon my tardy response but other matters required attention. You wrote: “…you used the writings of Reitzenstein, Philos and Celsus to support and uphold your view of what one will endure while under the influence of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, am I mistaken on that point? My friend, even if what they claim is truth, the source of it is still evil, as their claims and teachings and lives were and are contrary to the Word of God.” Let us take this line by line: (1) As to Philo’s quote: “The best (ecstasy) of all is a divinely-infused rapture and 'mania,' to which the race of the prophets is subject.... The wise man is a sounding instrument of God's voice, being struck and played upon invisibly by Him.... As long as our mind still shines (is active)...we are not possessed (by God)...but ... when the divine light shines, the human light sets.... The prophet ... is passive, and another (God) makes use of his vocal organs.” This Philo observes of one that is filled with the Spirit of God and prophesies. (2) As to quoting Celsus’ : (the entire quote is offered here). Being a non-believer, this is what he observed of the early Christians. “There are many who, although of no name, with the greatest facility and on the slightest occasion, whether within or without temples, assume the motions and gestures of inspired persons; while others do it in cities or among armies, for the purpose of attracting attention and exciting surprise. These are accustomed to say, each for himself, 'I am God; I am the Son of God; or, I am the Divine Spirit; I have come because the world is perishing, and you, O men, are perishing for your iniquities. But I wish to save you, and you shall see me returning again with heavenly power. Blessed is he who now does me homage. On all the rest I will send down eternal fire, both on cities and on countries. And those who know not the punishments which await. them shall repent and grieve in vain; while those who are faithful to me I will preserve eternally.'" Then he goes on to say: "To these promises are added strange, fanatical, and quite unintelligible words, of which no rational person can find the meaning: for so dark are they, as to have no meaning at all; but they give occasion to every fool or impostor to apply them to suit his own purposes.” Though he did not understand the happenings, his observations are that of Christians filled with the Holy Ghost preaching and speaking in tongues. Even though he was not of the church, what he observes is supporting Biblical accuracies of the Corinthian epistle. (3) “of what one will endure while under the influence of the Holy Spirit” I never stated "will endure"; I stated "similar to". (4) My desire was not to judge good and evil but to compare historically what was observed in those days of the early church. Many historians have been most valuable in their views to those times. I do not praise these men nor do I condemn them but my eyes can’t see what they saw, thus by reading about times of the past, to me, is most helpful in understanding. If what they say conflicts with Scripture, the Holy Spirit witnesses the falsehood. If what they say supports the Scriptures, all to the better. These men are dead and in the hands of God but their experiences are still valuable, historically. Just as we read about some of the good-guys and bad-guys in the Old Testament; they are all written in history for us to learn. There is something to learn in everybody. If we are grounded and our roots have taken deep hold upon the Truth, the readings of historical documents, either of a believer or an unbeliever (insert the history textbooks of our schools here), in no way tarnishes the Word of God to us. In another post you say (pertaining to Celsus): “… thought Jesus was no more than a bastard … who acquired certain magical powers…”, even the Pharisees in the Bible voiced this, John 8:19, John 8:48. So, lastly, if one would read again my first post, it was offered for the reader to “compare” what was said by these people for a historical view as to a "state" of one being in the Spirit. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
91 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154157 | ||
Hello Wild Olive Shoot, Though we disagree on the uses of historical data it cannot bring a division between us and I also will not belabor any more points that would jeopardize a brotherly relationship. Thank you for your sharing and your gentle way. We are of the same branch and are supported by the same root, Jesus. I too, would enjoy other topic discussions with you. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
92 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154166 | ||
Hello Hunting, It truly is refreshing to hear that the Spirit is working freely in others. For we are told not to quench the Spirit (1 Th 5:19). Yes, God is willing to bless us with these gifts and we should be willing to use them. In 1 Co 13, the raw, basic, total concept and context is Paul talking about how that love is eternal. Love, prophesies, tongues and knowledge are compared to this world and the next world. In this world we have all these things but when the "perfect comes" (1 Co 13:10) we will no longer need these gifts of the Spirit for we will see and know all things clearly but love will still exist. There is not a drop of instruction that prophecies, tongues or knowledge are to cease in this world. 1 Co 3:9 "For we know in part", true. We are still bound to earth. For if we knew all knowledge this forum would be useless and debates and discussions would not be necessary. When the "perfect comes", all this will pass away but not love. 1 Co 3:9 "and we prophesy in part", true. Because we know in part. When the "perfect comes", all this will pass away but not love. 1Co 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly", because we are bound to earth, but then (when the perfect comes) face to face (truly being in the presence of the Lord), the limits of this earthly boundary will disappear, but not love. "now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known", again the "but then" references to the heavenly future. All these things will pass away but not love. Hunting is a good name also; keep hunting in the Word of God. You linked your response to me and I am responding. You might want to link a response to Kennyittis so he may get an email and your uplifting words also. by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
93 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | eklektos | 154177 | ||
Hello Searcher56, You wrote: "... prophesy and knowledge will cease differently than tongues. The latter is (was) not affected by the perfect coming." To respond to your comment with understanding, the following two items would need to be clarified first. What will make these cease differently? And could you explain what "is(was)" indicates? by Grace, eklektos |
||||||
94 | can we love unconditionally ? | Eph 5:25 | eklektos | 173815 | ||
Tim, The answer from brother BradK is well given. In reading your question and the response from your pastor i.e. "we must continue to serve our spouse when we get home." A perplexing thought came to mind, and that is by your pastor using these words does he believe that you are married? I only ask this because in a following sentence you use the word fiancé. Are you living with your fiancé? Dear Tim, with all due respect, the comparing of you to Christ by your fiancé is in itself not loving. If she is looking for a human man that has no shortcomings, I do believe she is in for a disappointment. Moreover, your pastor is right about servant hood, but it goes both ways, it is also incumbent upon the wife or fiancé. Altogether Tim, this is not a counseling forum and we can only see one side of a story, no offense, so, we press on toward the mark of what we may become. (Jam 3:17)KJV But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. by Grace eklektos |
||||||
95 | can we love unconditionally ? | Eph 5:25 | eklektos | 173880 | ||
Dearest Tim, Thank you for the kind words. Sounds like you are getting a hold on things and I would say to you to keep seeking the Lord with all your heart. The shepard that God has put in charge of your congregation is there to feed His sheep. Keep up with your Bible studies and believe with all your heart that God WILL solve your concerns and enlighten you and your fiancé with the kind of love for each other that will become one flesh. Bless the Lord! (Pro 27:17) Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Pro 18:22) Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. eklektos |
||||||
96 | Can wives be older than husbands? | Eph 5:25 | eklektos | 174613 | ||
Dear Ashind, Welcome to the forum. If you have struggled with this dilemma for seven years and are still looking for a legal excuse to go forward with marriage and you are aware that this union will cause great strife in the church and great lose in the man's ministry and life, then your answer is clear. Christ has not called us to foster ill will but has bought us to be one church united in Him. Although the following Scripture, mainly, has to do with food and drink, it also applies to "everything" we do in Christ. Rom 14:19-23 (CEV) "We should try to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith. Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat. It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes problems for other followers of the Lord. What you believe about these things should be kept between you and God. You are fortunate, if your actions don't make you have doubts. But if you do have doubts about what you eat, you are going against your beliefs. And you know that is wrong, because anything you do against your beliefs is sin." Dear sister: God loves us all and He wants His children to live in peace with respect to all men. If, at all possible, heed the warnings of those in your social atmosphere and be an example to them with all love and by your example you may bring some into the kingdom of God. Proclaim openly your willingness to follow Christ and stand boldly for Him. Often times, a legal thing to do is not the best thing to do. the best to you, eklektos |
||||||
97 | Did Cain marry one of his sisters? | Eph 5:25 | eklektos | 174763 | ||
Greetings Magellan, Consider the following per you post 174645? Please observe that some of the following is not explicitly written in the Word of God. I am not adding to the Word of God but trying to expound on some given facts that are written. In the Scriptures the lineage of the genealogies that are mostly enhanced upon are those that point to Christ, and or, are instructional by example. Sometimes starting with the firstborn but mostly the more significant member of the lineage and the lesser prominent roles in God’s design of history are listed as other sons and daughters. For instance, Mat. 1:2, Jacob is mentioned but not Esau. Jacob being the significant in the lineage. Therefore, the least significant may not have even been recorded. When these lesser prominent ones were born is not always told either. This is most evident in the genealogies of Chronicles were some names are listed but not all have much of their history expounded upon. Moreover, sometimes the order of listings is yet different again. In 1 Chr 2:1 we see the tribe of Judah, the lineage of Christ, is listed forth in order. In (Gen 5:3) “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:”. So, Adam was 130 years old when he had Seth. This could give way for many less prominent persons to be born within that period of time. Hypothetically, if Adam and Eve started having children at the age of 18 and if each male offspring mated with a sister and those in turn, had at least 4 children, and they in turn had children at 18 years old, the population would expand to be around 254 when Adam turned 126 years old. Therefore, Cain’s remark about being slain in Gen 4:14 has merit. If we calculate this formula until Adam was at the age of 576 and all the offspring had 4 children the population would be around 8 billion. That is just mathematically if all things remained constant. These are more likely possibilities that can be used as to Cain’s wife and his worries about ‘whoever finds him will kill him’. In Gen.4:4 it tells us that Abel took the firstlings (plural) of his flock. Now, two sheep with an offspring is not considered a flock. These offerings to the Lord most likely were at each season of the offspring and harvest. There had to be sufficient time for the use of the word “flock”. Therefore it could have been many seasons before this particular event took place for the Scripture says in Gen 4:3 “And in the process of time it came to pass”. This use of this phrase does not have a time period related to it. Some say it was a week some say it was a year but you can’t raise a flock in a week or a year, so the time span must have been many seasons or years. Therefore using this as a long period of time and the idea that Cain and Abel have offered sacrifices to the Lord each season, the event of the offering in Gen 4:3 has no basis that this is the first time they ever offered their sacrifices. Now concerning Adam’s other sons and daughters, in Gen chapter 5, it is listed as “The book of the generations of Adam. One will notice that Cain and Abel are not listed in the genealogies. This is also true in 1 Chr 1:1. The ‘lineage’ starts with Seth. Cain was outcast by God, and Able was dead, therefore the lineage that was of a concern toward Christ, was Seth and not being listed, Cain and Able, doesn’t mean they didn’t exist. This could also be true about the “other sons and daughters” during the times that Cain and Able were still living family members. In Gen 4:17 “And Cain knew his wife...”, ( Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament) comments: “ The text assumes it as self-evident that she accompanied him in his exile; also, that she was a daughter of Adam, and consequently a sister of Cain.” Notice in Gen 4:1 when Cain was born, Eve states, “I have gotten a man from the Lord” … a man, not a seed. When Seth was born Eve states in Gen 4:25 “God hath appointed me another seed instead of Able...”. Able was the “seed” but was killed. Seth became the “another seed”, used here to indicate a significant character in the lineage, which leads us to Christ (Luke 3:38). Division of families: Does not always include the listing of family members. Consider the separation of Abraham and Lot. (Gen 13:10) And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. (Gen 13:11) Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. This important family separation does not list Lot’s wife either or even if he had one at the time of separation or married and sired while in Sodom. Yet we know of their flight from Sodom being four of them. Thanks for your attention, eklektos |
||||||
98 | Fasting | Colossians | eklektos | 174381 | ||
Greetings Corin, 1. You asked: "How many types of fasting are there in the Bible?" Fast, Fasting Depriving oneself of food for a period of time for a specific purpose, often spiritual. It is the "weakening" of the body in order to "strengthen" the spirit. It is interesting to note that sin entered the world through the disobedience of eating (Gen. 3:6). We are called to fast in the N.T. (Matt. 6:16 ). (See also 1 Kings 21:27; Psalm 35:13; Acts 13:3; 2 Cor. 6:5). (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry [C.A.R.M.] www.carm.org) The length of time for a fast varies from one day, Darius, king of Persia (Dan 6:18) to 40 days as with Jesus (Mat 4:2), Moses (Exo 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8). 2. You asked: "If somebody restraint from watching movie is that consider as fasting?" Movies have nothing to do with fasting, it always involves food. The length of time for a fast varies from one day, Darius, king of Persia (Dan 6:18) to 40 days as with Jesus (Mat 4:2), Moses (Exo 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8). 3. You asked: "What shall we do while fasting in order to get the best result from God?" Although fasting is used to show our consecration to God and asking for His Divine will to be done in special cases, it is not a magic tool for getting what you want. Be "dedicated" to the reason for your fast and God will reward you. Mat 6:16 When you go without eating, don't try to look gloomy as those show-offs do when they go without eating. I can assure you that they already have their reward. Mat 6:17 Instead, comb your hair and wash your face. Mat 6:18 Then others won't know that you are going without eating. But your Father sees what is done in private, and he will reward you. (Contemporary English Version) There may be more information by using the "Search" tool in the upper right corner of this page. Type in Fasting and click the Search button. eklektos |
||||||
99 | Holy Living | 1 Thess 4:7 | eklektos | 174084 | ||
Dearest Kalos and Doctrinograce, With all due respect, the next question to John MacArthur would be, "Tell me exactly how God works!" How does he know what one experiences in the privacy of ones closet? Ask David what he learned by his estatic times with God. May it be that Mr. MacAuthor has very had a personal experience with the Lord? I am not his judge, but NO one can say how God works. This is very well evident thoughout the dialogs in Job. "Who has been His counselor?" Hold me, I love you, eklektos |
||||||
100 | Holy Living | 1 Thess 4:7 | eklektos | 174091 | ||
Dearest Doctrinograce, Well understood. Even the prophesy of Joel also is understood, dream dreams, having visions, is this not sober mindedness or is it madness? Does one see these dreams or visions in public or in private? Tell me tearcher! What are the dreams about? What are the visions about? Tell me if you have wisdom! We are NOT dependent on experiences. You KNOW that and I know that! Experiences happen and you KNOW that. Have you not had an experience, a private time with our Lord, when you where ecstatic, in prayer, when you could not speak, but all you could do was weep, weep for the future or because of your past or of one that is deep in need? In all your experiences with our Lord, tell me you have never come to the point in all your prayer life, with all your Scriptural knowledge, where you were completely void of self-expression. Tell me teacher; how does the Lord work in MY life? Do you READ only Scripture? Are you talking with God as Adam did in the cool of the garden? Their dialog was not recorded, is it un-Scriptural? Christianity is not a textbook but a Personal relationship, personal, personal relationship, a time for talking and a time for listening. What do you think you will hear … something un-Scriptural? NOT! (Mat 6:6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Then, after our communion, we share it, if so ordered, that which the Lord has revealed to us. Not all things that Jesus did are expressed in the Scriptures: (Joh 21:25) Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. In addition, not all things the Lord God of Heaven does are in the Scriptures. One can miss heaven by 18 inches. Lovingly, Still Your Brother, eklektos |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 ] Next > Last [6] >> |