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NASB | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
Subject: Non-denominational theology? |
Bible Note: I am not sure I understand your meaning behind "combination of Scripture, which is not always absolutely clear on all points and the witness of the early history of the Church as written by the apostolic fathers" making it clear that the early Church had bishops, priests (presbuteri, elders) and deacons. The word presbuteros is the Greek word used whenever bishop, elder, shepherd, and overseer is used. The position of a bishop is the same as the rest. A deacon however is subordinate. Jesus is the head, then elders, deacons, then christians. Laying on of Hands - Does it always mean something was imparted or that baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred? 1. Acts 6:5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. The passage above says of Stephen, "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit". Why would he need to be brought before the apostles if he was already full of the Holy Spirit (I personally believe that this phrase "full of the Holy Spirit" is synonomous with "full of faith", the Holy Spirit causes belief), if for no other reason than to receive a gift of the Holy Spirit. They certainly would not have had to be "ordained" to serve food would they (Acts 6:1)? 2. Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; Acts 13:2 "...Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul...they laid their hands on them, they sent them away. At what point in the passages above did Paul actually receive the Holy Spirit? Ananias says (vs 17) that the Lord sent Paul to him for that very purpose. The event in Acts 13:2, I believe, was a result of the love the brethren shared for Barnabas and Saul and the "laid their hands on them" would have been similar to a brotherly embrace. Our Lord Jesus appeared before Paul. He chose him for a specific purpose. Can we not assume that the Lord gave Ananias special dispensation in order to impart the Holy Spirit to Paul? Or can we assume that there were more people other than the original eleven, Matthias, and Paul who could impart baptism or gifts of the Holy Spirit to others? This would have some serious consequences. First, Acts 2 teaches that only the eleven and Matthias received baptism of the Holy. Second, although Cornelius and his household received baptism of the Holy Spirit, the bible does not mention him or any of his household imparting the Holy Spirit or any gift to anyone else. The purpose behind them receiving this was to prove that God does not show partiality and that salvation is available to all men, not just the Jews. Third, scripture specifically says that gifts of the Holy Spirit were imparted through and only through the Apostles (Acts 6:6, 8:18). The passage 1 Tim 5:22 presents a dilemma for me. Why would Paul say this to him if for no other reason than to be careful who he imparted gifts to? This I will have to study further. Matthew 16:18-20 proves nothing but the fact that Jesus is the Christ, and because he is, the church will be built upon him (not Peter). 1 Cor 3:11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Matt 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, "Peace be with you." 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." What did the disciples receive here in the passages of John? Only the power to forgive sins? I honestly don't know and must study this further.e disciples receive here in the passages of John? Only the power to forgive sins? I honestly don't know and must study this further. |