Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. |
Bible Question:
I have a question about Acts 5:1. I'm a relatively new Christian, and I am working my way through the Bible. I found the Old Testament to be somewhat violent...people being killed immediately for sins, stoned to death, falling over dead. I sure am glad for Jesus even more after reading the OT. But, in the NT, in Acts 5:1, Paul is accepting gifts from those who sold their property to give the money away. There is a couple that lied about how much money they got, and they were instantly killed for that. Being new to reading the Bible, please forgive my ignorance, but that seems a little over the top for being post-Jesus. Am I way off base here? I'm just not sure what to think. Seems like they should have been given a chance to repent and ask for forgiveness before being immediately stricken with death. I'm sorry to sound negative, and I love Jesus with all my heart. I just wondered what others' opinions were. Thanks, Dan |
Bible Answer: Dan, Congratulations on your chose for life. You are developing a good habit by reading the Word. I encourage you to stay diligent in your studies. As you study, there will be passages of scripture that you may not understand or believe at all. But as you begin TO DO the things which you have read, e.g. pray without ceasing, meditate on the Word, lean not to your own understanding, etc., God will reveal things to you in answer to your questions or disbelief. I warn you, be not wary of the passages which you do not understand, but of the ones which you do; Revelations will continue for you as you are willing to accept them, but as you are holding on to that which you understand, you will not be able to receive anything more which God has for you. God does everything decent and in order; therefore He will not reveal B until you understand A. But if you accept A as the ultimate truth, you will never get to Z. In response to your question, the couple had all the opportunity to repent from the time they conceived of the idea to hold back until the time in which they actually held back. Their immediate death shows that the presence of God was at that place of assembly, therefore, sin could not be present. Read the following scripture and meditate on them: Mt 12:22-37, Ja 1:13-18, and Rev 3:14-19. I admonish you to read Psalms and Proverbs (read at least one of each daily); in them you will find a lot of the wisdom, trust, love, and strength of God which you will need in your spiritual warfare. Continue to seek, for "blessed are they which do hunger and thirt after righteousness: for they will be filled." May God bless you and grant you peace in Jesus' name. |