The Gospel of Barnabas

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Jerry

9-30-23 The Gospel of Barnabas

The Nugget:

Pro 30:6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Cross reference Bible study for Proverbs 30:6 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Proverbs 30:6

Add thou not. T50, T1032, Gen 3:3, +*Deut 4:2; Deut 12:32, Ecc 3:14, Isa 29:13; +Isa 42:21 (T284). +*Mat 15:9, 1Co 3:12, +*Gal 1:8; +*Gal 1:9, 2Pe 3:15, 16, *Rev 22:18; *Rev 22:19.

and. Gen 3:3, Job 13:7, 8, 9, 1Co 15:15.

My Comment:

Various groups have made attempts to add to the written Word of God as we find it in the Old and New Testaments.

Muslims have added the Gospel of Barnabas and the Injil or Injeel (the revelation of the Gospel by God to the mind of Jesus himself which He subsequently preached and taught, different from the content of the New Testament which some Muslims claim is the very corrupted message of the false apostle Paul).

All such additions are false, and those who promote them represent either mistaken world religions or apostate false cults of Christianity.

Below I share a very small portion of a lively discussion I have been having for the past number of days with some very kind and gracious Muslim individuals about the Gospel of Barnabas and related matters. This is a long read, but if you patiently study our discussion you will learn very much about how to defend your faith (1 Peter 3:15).

The Muslim claim:

“Barnabas taught the truth and he confirmed Jesus was not killed on the cross but Paul lied to the pagan Jinntiles.”

“Muslim scholars reject the Christian canonical Gospels, which Muslims know are not the original teachings of Jesus and which have been corrupted over time. Most scholars have suggested that the original Gospel can only be found in the Gospel of Barnabas.”

“Not just was Barnabas banned but as many as 60 books were removed from the original text by the Council of Nicea”

“Sadly you don’t have the Gospel

According to Barnabas.

If you read it you would see it agrees with Al Quran. Paul was a renegade from the ranks of the Jews. He hated Jesus and he hate the Jinntiles.

What Paul did was create a new Jesus and new teachings which were far far far away from what the tree Jesus originally taught the Jews.

“The closest source to what Jesus taught and his life can be found in the Gospel of Barnabas. If The Council of Nicea had accepted the Gospel of Barnabas they would have found right guidance but they rejected the Gospel of Barnabas to accepted the narratives of the greatest of deceivers Paul.”

A further Muslim comment to me:

From the Qur’an Baqara 2:79

Baqarah 2:79

79

فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يَكْتُبُونَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ يَقُولُونَ هَـٰذَا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَشْتَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا ۖ فَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا كَتَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَوَيْلٌ لَّهُم مِّمَّا يَكْسِبُونَ

Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say: “This is from Allah” to traffic with it for a miserable price! Woe to them for what their hands do write and for the gain they make thereby.

________________________________

This verse speaks to the evils of men like Paul. Men who rewrote revealed Books with their owns hands. They traffic it to those who accept it being clueless to the fact it’s message is adulterated.

The worst form

Of adultery is not intercourse between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse.

The worst form

Of adultery is the intercourse of G-D’s Truth with the lies of devilish men.

MY RESPONSE:

I agree with you that the worst form of adultery is the intercourse of God’s Truth with the lies of devilish men.

I mentioned before that the Gospel of Barnabas is not an authentic record of first century Christianity as founded by our Lord Jesus Christ and officially taught by the Apostles of Christ as now found committed to writing in the 27 first century historical primary source documents in the New Testament.

Ibn Yasin wrote a book, published in 2011, titled The Authenticity of the Gospel of Barnabas.

In the Introduction, on page 9, he states that for Muslim and non-Muslim scholars to project the gospel of Barnabas as the ‘Muslim gospel,’ suggesting that it agrees with Islamic beliefs and doctrines about Jesus … must be investigated by comparing the beliefs of Islam using the Qur’an and the authentic Hadith to those stated in the Gospel of Barnabas. He found that the beliefs stated in the Gospel of Barnabas and that of Islam are radically different, and that the similarities are not as great or significant as the differences which have been found.

Ibn Yasin also states in his introduction on pages 9 and 10 that Islamic belief is based on a system of authenticity which must be followed strictly even when looking at texts like the Gospel of Barnabas that support some Islamic beliefs. He warns that some authors who have lowered their guard and accepted the Gospel of Barnabas at face value have endangered this important process by allowing such a text to be regarded as authentic but carelessly overlooking or abandoning the isnad or chain of transmission, which Islamic scholars have developed over the centuries to safeguard against forgeries and fabricated tales becoming accepted as scripture. Thus, authors and other individuals who continue to support and promote the Gospel of Barnabas are allowing a false history and portrayal of Jesus which is not supported by Islam. They are in fact guilty of intellectual dishonesty and casting serious doubts on Islamic scholarship and the truth-seeking nature of Islam.

You can read Ibn Yasin’s exact words by consulting the limited preview of his book available on the Internet. I have abridged and paraphrased some of his text for brevity and clarity, but what I have shared accurately reflects what he has written.

Muslim Response to me:

Who told you the Gospel of Barnabas was not authentic and the narrative of the liar Paul is true???

My Reply:

Islamic scholars state (as I just quoted one at length above–did you read it?) that the Gospel of Barnabas is not a genuine Gospel from the first century.

You mentioned that you wondered why the Council of Nicea did not include the Gospel of Barnabas. The answer: the Gospel of Barnabas had not been written yet!

Here is a bit more on the Gospel of Barnabas:

The Gospel of Barnabas

In this book, we have with good reason restricted our discussion to the apocryphal writings from the earliest centuries of the church, but we must make an exception in the case of the Gospel of Barnabas. Let us begin by clearing up any possible risk of confusion: this text has nothing to do with the ‘Gospel under the name of Barnabas’ in the Decretum Gelasianum. It was written in Italian or Spanish in the period between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. (The Italian manuscript is in the Austrian National Library in Vienna; one of the two known Spanish manuscripts is now lost, but the second—an incomplete text—has turned up again in Sydney.)

What we know, or rather suspect, about the author sounds like the synopsis of a novel. According to the prologue to the Spanish version, a Franciscan named Fra Marino discovered the Gospel of Barnabas in the library of Pope Sixtus V (1585–1590) and stole it. As soon as he had read it, he converted to Islam and fled to Istanbul. This is likely to be an editorial fiction which conceals the true author, perhaps a Spanish Jew who had been forced to convert to Christianity, but later became a Muslim and sought to avenge himself on Christianity with this work. As far as I can see, however, there is no actual evidence to support this hypothesis. There exists a vague possibility—nothing stronger—that the unknown author had genuine access to ancient but otherwise unattested traditions.

The Gospel of Barnabas is a very lengthy work, with 222 chapters. Its title calls it vero euangelio, the only true gospel of the prophet Jesus, written down by his apostle Barnabas. The identification of Barnabas with Matthias, who took Judas Iscariot’s place, led the Pseudo-Clementines too to number him among the apostles. In the prologue to the Italian version of the Gospel of Barnabas, ‘Barnabas’ at once attacks Paul as the source of the erroneous views held by many Christians: they call Jesus the Son of God (although he understood himself only as a prophet), they no longer practise circumcision, and they make no dietary distinctions, but eat all impure foods. In an author of the first centuries of the Common Era, we would call such a position ‘Jewish-Christian’.

Klauck, H.-J. (2003). Apocryphal gospels: an introduction (pp. 208–209). T&T Clark.

My further reply:

You state:

“There’s a great discrepancy in what’s taught in the Gospel Jesus received and Bible.

“The Gospel Jesus received from his Lord teaches to worship the Lord Creator not him who is a servant of The Lord Creator.”

Kindly share with me the written documentation of “the Gospel Jesus received.”

The only genuine record of the Gospel Jesus taught is found within the pages of the New Testament.

I agree that there is a great discrepancy in what is taught in the supposed Gospel that Jesus received and what is taught in the Bible. When you follow an undocumented alleged “gospel” which is really more properly described as “another gospel,” you are following or believing in “another Jesus,” not the true Jesus of history found in the pages of the New Testament. That is why I invite you to read and re-read the New Testament for yourself. That is the only way you can find out for yourself what the true Gospel is about.

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (KJV)

Mar 1:14 After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God.

Mar 1:15 “The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!” (GNB, Good News Bible)

Muslim reply to me:

It’s reported that 75 books that have been removed from the Bible over time.

So please don’t say Bible wasn’t changed. The Bible was produced by Paul and his cohorts.

The Gospel not Bible are the Words of G-d.

My reply to Muslim claim:

Be sure to read my comment above. I accidently posted it before I was finished writing it.

No books have been removed from the Hebrew Bible as used by Jesus when He read from the Hebrew scrolls in the synagogue at Nazareth as reported in Luke 4:15-19,

Luk 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

Luk 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Luk 4:17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Luk 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

Luk 4:21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

The New Testament has always contained the 27 first century primary source historical documents as it does now. No one disputes the content of the NT who has made a careful study of the subject of the canon of Scripture.

Anyone who reads any of the books which were never part of the first century NT canon would immediately sense the difference and discern why they were not included.

Muslim reply to me:

Masses are worshiping Jesus instead of worshiping the Lord Jesus worshipped.

Matthew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 6:9-10

King James Version

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Matthew 4:10 NIV

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

——————————————

You say Lord Jesus while Jesus stated the following :

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

The system of belief is loaded with confusion.

My reply to Muslim claim:

You very graciously responded to my request to “Kindly share with me the written documentation of “The Gospel Jesus received” by sharing the following evidence:

Masses are worshiping Jesus instead of worshiping the Lord Jesus worshipped.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10
King James Version
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 4:10 NIV
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
——————————————
You say Lord Jesus while Jesus stated the following :
“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
The system of belief is loaded with confusion.

You will recall this was your response–In answer to my challenge:

“The only genuine record of the Gospel Jesus taught is found within the pages of the New Testament.”

My challenge was a response to your claim:

“There’s a great discrepancy in what’s taught in the Gospel Jesus received and Bible.

“The Gospel Jesus received from his Lord teaches to worship the Lord Creator not him who is a servant of The Lord Creator.”

I requested that you:

“Kindly share with me the written documentation of “the Gospel Jesus received.”

Thank you for confirming my claim that the only source we have which contains the original words of the Lord Jesus Christ is the New Testament, for in response to my request to share with me the written documentation of “The Gospel Jesus received,” you quoted the words from Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 6:9-10, and Matthew 4:10.

I trust you can see the irony of your reply! You are unable to furnish any documented words of “the Gospel Jesus received” unless you get them from the New Testament historical first century record.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Other Faiths, Bible Historicity and Validity, False Religions | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #781, Proverbs 30:5

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Jerry


The Nugget:

Proverbs 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

My Comment:

I have been responding to a number of Muslim challenges to the truth of the Bible. Here is a short example from today that should be instructive to all where I said to a fine Muslim:

You comment with great insight above that:

“The biggest problem with Bible is the various voices. Some places G-d Speaks. Some places Jesus speaks. Some places wicked men like Paul speaks. Some places the enemy of man speaks.”

This may be a very unique quality of the Bible: it faithfully and accurately records the words of the people it tells us about.

The Bible says this about itself:

Proverbs 30:5
5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
King James Version

We should have no problem believing what God has spoken in His written word, the Bible.

We should have no problem believing what our Lord Jesus Christ has spoken in His written word recorded in the Bible.

Jesus told us in no uncertain terms that Satan or the Devil is a liar (John 8:44), so we must be very cautious about believing what Satan says, for often when Satan speaks, what he says is untrue, incorrect, or a flat-out lie. But the Bible truthfully records what Satan has said when it quotes him.

Now there are wicked men whose words are also truthfully and accurately recorded in the Bible as a matter of historical record.

However, we must not blaspheme our Lord Jesus Christ by suggesting that what Paul is accurately recorded as saying, doing, or writing is wicked because our Lord Jesus Christ Himself has told us that He chose Paul to be His Apostle to proclaim His truth to the Jews, the Gentiles, and to kings. The historical record in the New Testament shows Paul faithfully accomplished that appointed mission.

Jesus said:

Acts 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Acts 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

 

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Other Faiths, Daily Bible Nuggets, False Religions | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #780, Galatians 2:20

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook post:

9-14-23 Ken Sagely contribution Ga 2v20

LIVING BY FAITH GALATIANS 2.20

Faith is the key to victory in the Christian life (1 John 5.4, 5)

I received Christ as my Saviour by Faith (John 1.12) and in the same way I am to walk and live the Christian life (Col 2.5, 6)

It is not my fleshly trying or struggling, but it is by faith. It is not my working (Heb 4.10) but it is “God working in me” (Phil 2.13 Heb 13.21)

Cross References on Faith

PROVERBS 3.5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

GALATIANS 2.20

I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh: I live by Faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

COLOSSIANS 2:6-7

AS you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in Him.
7. Rooted and built up in him, and established in the Faith, as you have been taught, abounding with thanksgiving.

HEBREWS 11.6

But without Faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must Believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

1 JOHN 5.4-5

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our Faith.
5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that Believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.

JOHN 1.12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe.

Hebrews 4.10

For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

PHILIPPIANS 2.13

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION

How firm a foundation , ye saints of the Lord,

is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What

more can He say to you He hath said–To you,

who for refuge to Jesus have fled? What more

can He say than to you He hath said–To you, who

for refuge to Jesus have fled. AMEN

Dig deeper into God’s Word by studying Galatians 2:20 by means of the more extensive cross references given in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Galatians 2:20
crucified with. Gr. sustauroō (S# G4957: Mat 27:44, Mar 15:32, Joh 19:32, Rom 6:6). *Gal 5:24; *Gal 6:14, Jos 4:9, Mar 8:34, *Rom 6:3, 4, 5, 6, 7; **Rom 7:4; Rom 8:3, 4, Eph 2:16, Php 3:10, *Col 2:11, 12, 13, 14; *Col 2:20; Col 3:3, 2Ti 2:11, 1Pe 2:24.

Christ. FS66, +Gen 9:3.

nevertheless I live. Jos 4:3, Rom 6:8, 9, 10, 11; Rom 6:13; Rom 8:2, Eph 2:4, 5, 6, Php 1:22, Col 2:13; Col 3:1; Col 3:3, 4.

yet not I. FS69B, +Pro 6:16. Rom 6:6, **Eph 4:22, 23, 24, Col 3:9, 10.

but Christ liveth. *Jos 5:13, 14, 15, Joh 6:54; Joh 14:19, 20; Joh 17:21, 2Co 4:10, 11; 2Co 13:3; 2Co 13:5, *Eph 3:16; *Eph 3:17, +*Col 1:27; Col 3:1; Col 3:11, 1Th 5:10, 1Pe 4:2, Rev 1:18; **Rev 3:20.

in me. Joh 14:17; Joh 15:4; +Joh 17:23, **Rom 8:9, 10, 11, *Eph 3:17, Col 1:27; Col 2:6, *1Jn 4:13; 1Jn 5:12.

the life. Deut 30:20, 2Co 4:11; 2Co 10:3, 1Pe 4:1, 2.

I now live. FS147F, +Eze 28:2. *Gal 2:16, Gal 3:11, Joh 6:57, +*Rom 1:17; Rom 5:2; Rom 6:5; Rom 6:10, 11; Rom 6:13; Rom 14:7, +*2Co 1:24; *2Co 5:7; *2Co 5:15, Php 1:21; **Php 4:13, *Col 3:1; *Col 3:17, *1Th 5:10, 1Pe 1:8; *1Pe 4:2.

I live by. Psa 85:13, Rom 6:11.

the faith. Gal 2:16, Jer 17:5; Jer 17:7, Act 20:21; Act 24:24; *Act 26:18, *2Co 5:7, *Heb 12:2, 1Pe 1:5.

of. or, in. The objective genitive, not the faith of the Son of God (Robertson’s Word Pictures. 2Jn 1:9 note. *Rev 14:12 note.

the Son of God. +Mat 14:33, Luk 1:35, Joh 1:49; **Joh 3:16; **Joh 3:35; +Joh 5:25; Joh 6:69; Joh 9:35, 36, 37, 38; Joh 10:36; Joh 11:4; Joh 20:31, **Act 8:37; Act 9:20, Rom 1:4, 1Co 1:9, 2Co 1:19, Eph 4:13, +*1Th 1:10, *Heb 1:2; *Heb 1:3; Heb 4:14; Heb 6:6, *1Jn 1:7; *1Jn 4:9; *1Jn 4:10; *1Jn 4:14; **1Jn 5:10, 11, 12, 13; **1Jn 5:20, Rev 2:18.

who. Gal 1:4, Song 2:16; Song 5:2; Song 5:16; Song 7:10, Mat 20:28, *Joh 10:11; Joh 15:13; Joh 17:26, +*Rom 8:37, Eph 5:2; Eph 5:25, *Tit 2:14, +*Rev 1:5.

loved me. Mar 10:21, +Rom 8:37, Eph 3:18, 19; %Eph 5:25, 2Th 2:16, *1Ti 1:14, %1Jn 4:19, Rev 3:9.

gave himself. Gr. paradidōmi (S# G3860). +Gal 1:4, =Lev 4:3; Lev 7:5; Lev 8:31; Lev 9:17, =Num 8:12, Joh 10:15, Rom 4:25 g. Rom 5:18; Rom 8:32 g. Eph 5:2 g, Eph 5:25 g.

for me. Paul’s use of the first person singular “I” and the singular personal pronoun “me” proves the promise and work of Christ applies to and is valid for each believer as an individual. Compare 1Jn 5:13 (ye, plural) with 2Ti 1:12 (I know, singular). Jud 1:24 (you, plural) with Psa 37:24 (he, singular). The promises of present assurance of salvation and the security of the believer are thus valid for each individual, and not merely to an unspecified group inapplicable or uncertain of fulfillment to particular individuals as some would claim. *2Co 8:9, %Tit 2:14, 1Jn 5:13 with 2Ti 1:12, Jud 1:24 with Psa 37:24.

 

Posted in Bible Promises, Bible Study Tools, Daily Bible Nuggets, Ken Sagely contributions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #779, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Jerry


The Nugget:

1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)

From Ken Sagely’s Facebook post:

9-19-23 Ken Sagely FB post 1 Corinthians 10:13

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

1 CORINTHIANS 10.13

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is Faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

1 CORINTHIANS 1.9

God is Faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord

2 PETER 2.9

then the Lord knows how to rescue, the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.

2 TIMOTHY 4.18

The Lord will rescue me from evil deed, and bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom, to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

DANIEL 3.17-18

17. If it be so, our God whom we serve is Able to Deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire: and He will Deliver us out of your hand, O king

  1. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden Image that you have set up.!!

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not:

As thou hast been Thou forever will be
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord, unto thee!

Cross reference Bible study for 1 Corinthians 10:13 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

1 Corinthians 10:13
hath no temptation. +*Jer 12:5, Mat 24:21, 22, 23, 24; Mat 26:41, Mar 4:17, Luk 11:4; Luk 22:31; Luk 22:46, 2Co 1:7; 2Co 11:23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, Eph 6:12, 13, Heb 2:18; Heb 11:35, 36, 37, 38; Heb 12:4, Jas 5:10, 11, 1Pe 1:6, 7; 1Pe 5:8, 9, Rev 2:10; +*Rev 3:10.

common. or, moderate. T722, Gen 22:1, 2, Job 5:7, Gal 4:14, +*Heb 4:15, Jas 1:2, 3, *1Pe 4:12.

but God. *+1Co 1:9, Deut 7:9, +*Psa 36:5; Psa 89:33; Psa 102:2, Isa 11:5; Isa 25:1; Isa 49:7, +*Jer 29:11, Lam 3:23, Hos 2:20, 1Th 5:24, **2Th 3:3, 2Ti 2:11, 12, 13, Heb 6:18; Heb 10:23; Heb 11:11, 1Pe 4:19, **1Jn 1:9, Rev 19:11.

is faithful. 1Co 1:9, Num 4:44 note. +*Psa 36:5, 1Pe 4:19.

who will not suffer you. Gen 42:36, Exo 3:17, Psa 125:3, Isa 27:8, +*Dan 3:17; +*Dan 3:18, +*Mat 6:13, Luk 22:32, **Joh 10:28, 29, 30, +*Rom 8:28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, *2Co 1:10; **2Co 12:8, 9, 10, *2Ti 4:18, *Jas 5:11, 1Pe 1:5, *+2Pe 2:9.

to be tempted. +*Jas 1:13.

above that. Job 1:12; Job 2:6, *Psa 103:14, 2Co 4:8, Php 2:27.

make a way. T725, Gen 19:20, 21; Gen 22:12, 13, +Deut 8:2 (T4). Job 5:19, +1Sa 2:7 (T3). +Psa 23:4 (T6). Psa 71:20; Psa 124:7; Psa 138:7, +*Jer 29:11, Luk 16:26, Act 27:44, +2Co 4:17 (T5). Heb 2:18; Heb 13:7 g. Jas 5:11, *+2Pe 2:9, *Rev 3:10.

to escape. 1Sa 29:10, Psa 71:2, +*Luk 21:36, Joh 18:8, 2Pe 2:7, +*Rev 3:10.

that ye. Psa 125:3.

to bear. or, endure. Gr. hupopherō (S# G5297, 2Ti 3:11). Deut 33:25, Psa 62:2, Eph 6:11, 2Ti 3:11, 1Pe 2:19.

 

Posted in Bible Promises, Bible Study Tools, Ken Sagely contributions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #778, Hebrews 10:25

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Jerry

9-17-23 Daily Bible Nugget 778 Hebrews 10:25

The Nugget:

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

My Comment:

My long-time Facebook friend, Pastor Scott Cheatham, posted this comment an hour ago:

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of the LORD. ”

(Psalms 122:1 RV)

Today is National “Back to Church” Sunday nationwide. It’s a beautiful morning and a good time to return to church if you haven’t been for a while. Come sit with me and my son at the 9 a.m. service at Copper Creek Christian Church in Maryville. There’s a 10:30 service also.

Fall is here. It’s a good time to reconnect with others. I pray many will make it a point to attend somewhere!

My response to Pastor Cheatham and everyone who reads here:

That is very good advice. If you are blessed with having a sound Bible teaching, Bible believing church that you can attend, I suggest that you do so regularly and do what you can as opportunity arises to encourage the pastor and support its ministry.

However, earlier this week, I responded to a Facebook page of another Facebook friend which featured a “meme” on this very topic of church attendance. The meme stated:

“A Christian without a church is like a football player without a team or a soldier without an army. You’re not strong enough to survive alone.”

I commented:

Not always the case! Too many churches fail to obey Romans 15:7. There are no churches close to where I live that I know of that would welcome me. That is unfortunate. There are hospitality commands that are not obeyed, and the result is that the Gospel outreach of such churches is greatly suppressed.

I did not experience this problem when I lived in Detroit.

There is a huge difference between sociologically “village churches” and “camp churches.” You have to be born into village churches to be accepted; people who form “camp churches” are there for spiritual reasons and are eager to study and learn more from the Bible, win others to Christ, and grow spiritually.

My friend responded:

Where 2 or more are gathered…He is in the midst, My Brother. I bet if you start a small group, God will send truth seekers who worship Him in Spirit and Truth. You are a great theologian pour into someone. Im praying right now for God to make a way. If He said we are to not fail to assemble with believers…we need to find a way to do it….even if we have to facilitate it. Blessings to you my brother and co-laborer in Christ.

I replied:

Believe it or not, I have had a small group Bible study in my home in the past. It is ironic, to say the least, that a local pastor, visiting my home, asked what went on at our dining room table. When he learned I held a Bible study around that table, he inquired who attended. When I told him, he responded as best I recall, “Thank God, it is no one from my church.” He, at that same first visit, told me, “Jerry, you talk too much about the Lord and too much about the Bible.”

I continued to attend that church for four more years, hoping to “break the ice.” Instead, I was asked by the pastor to “find a church that believes what you do, and attend church there.”

I served as a “ghost writer” and helped my college friend, Dr. Carl George, write his book, Prepare Your Church for the Future. When he spoke to me on the telephone and I told him about how I was disinvited from a local church, Carl responded, “Why would you even attend such a church–didn’t you learn from editing my book about a “village church” compared to a “camp church”? How could you forget?”

It turns out that the Lord works out everything according to His timing. When I visited a Christian bookstore in Port Huron, I asked the lady in charge if she knew of a Bible-believing church I could attend. She directed me to her own church and explained how to get there. I left the bookstore and went directly to the church. I met the pastor, and it turns out he already had a copy of my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, right there in his study.

I explained how I was disinvited from a church much more local to me, where the pastor and church board had judged that since I went to Bob Jones University, I must be a strict Calvinist, whereas they were staunchly Arminian in their theology, so they disinvited me.

Pastor Steve at Hillside Wesleyan Church welcomed me with open arms. He invited me to attend a Saturday “scholars study” where I met Malcolm Lavender, and we became good friends. I helped edit many of his books and also his Lavender New Testament translation, for which I wrote the preface. Dr. Lavender said more than once that it surely was the hand of the Lord that brought us together at just the time He did.

I was recently asked, “So most of the churches that you’ve encountered no longer receive you? Why is that so?” Here is my answer:

Some have very unbending views on the matter of the mode of baptism. While I do not bring up this issue, they eventually force the matter. As a new believer, I was baptized by sprinkling in the Methodist church. As a Sunday school teacher at Highland Park Baptist Church, I was required to be baptized by immersion. So, whichever mode might be correct, I’ve experienced both as a believer.

Many years later I met an elderly gentleman named “Uncle Frank.” He lived in the hotel that was next door to the apartment building where I lived. When I first met him, he asked me what I believed was the proper mode of baptism. I had come by then to believe immersion was the biblical mode. He asked me if I would be willing to read a book he had by G. W. Hughey titled The Scriptural Mode of Christian Baptism.

I read it at his good suggestion. I have since studied other books on both sides of the issue. It turns out that the Greek word for baptism is a non-modal word–it tells what was done without specifying the manner in which it was done. So in a sense, all modes are acceptable, though strictly speaking the usage in Scripture itself never implies or requires the immersion of persons in water for any religious purpose whatsoever.

So, follow the view of your conviction, your church, and I’m fine with that. But I will not affirm that immersion is the only valid mode when that is not the affirmation of Scripture.

I suspect that is one reason that leads to my being uninvited from any church that is baptistic/immersionist in practice.

I also believe every church must obey Romans 15:7. Many, if not most, churches are not structured for fellowship. This means they are sometimes very resistant to the idea of small group home Bible studies. All teaching must be done or authorized by the pastor.

I believe that real discipleship and learning can take place only in a small group setting. I “ghost wrote” the book by Dr. Carl George, Prepare Your Church for the Future, where these ideas, as taught in Dr. George’s church growth seminars are quite fully explained.

I transcribed Dr. George’s seminar lectures from the recordings he furnished me. I converted his “spoken English” to written English, and produced the basic text from which the final book was produced by others.

But no one today where I am would ever take to heart any  constructive suggestions I might offer on the subject, so my expertise remains untapped.

But when I am given the opportunity to teach a Sunday school class, the class grows in number, the church grows in size, and my classes often ask me to teach a home Bible study group in their homes so they can dig deeper into the Bible.

This threatens some pastors and some Sunday school superintendents. In the latest case in my experience the Sunday school superintendent was a member of my Sunday school class! He often disagreed with my teaching. When I backed up my teaching with more Scripture, appealing to the grammar and principles of Biblical hermeneutics, I suspect he felt some discomfort.

Other members in the class were members of the church board and said they would back me up so I should have no worries. They were true to their word.

I continued having home Bible studies with those members even after I ceased teaching the Sunday school class because of heavy obligations I had teaching English at Denby High School. I was near retirement. I was under a new department head, so I had to be very meticulous in meeting lesson plan requirements, etc.

I was also the Union Representative for the school. I had to handle grievance procedures, where I always won against the administration when the administration failed to honor the provisions of the Teacher Contract and failed to follow the specified due process procedures as required.

As for churches, the fact that I was a Union Representative for the Detroit Federation of Teachers may not have sat well with some. Yet the Bible is replete with instruction on this subject!

So now, I just stay home with my wife and we enjoy studying the Bible together. We are both in good health, are long past the age where we would qualify to be “shut-ins,” and I share my faith and knowledge of the Bible as I answer people’s questions on the Internet.

Some would offer me Hebrews 10:25 to suggest I ought to be attending church. I then carefully draw their attention to the word “together” in that verse, and I point out that sitting in the church pew listening to the pastor teach is not following what this verse teaches!

See the notes and cross references I have placed at Hebrews 10:25 in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. Perhaps I should create a new Real Bible Study post for that verse.

This is that promised post for Hebrews 10:25!

For serious Christians, here are my notes and cross references for Hebrews 10:25 as given in my Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking. Gr. enkataleipō (S# G1459, 2Co 4:9), to leave behind in some place, that is, (in a good sense) let remain over, or (in a bad one) to desert (Strong). The word enkatleipontes conveys the notion not simply of leaving, as no longer taking part in the assembly, but of abandoning, leaving the assembly exposed to peril in the conflict (Westcott, who cites Heb 13:5, 2Ti 4:10; 2Ti 4:16, 2Co 4:9, Mat 27:46). The unsteady professor has no spiritual home. No church is sound enough for him; none wholly molded to his taste. Like the wandering bird, he is always on the wing. Any one place is too strait for him. The accustomed food, even though coming down from heaven, is “loathed as light bread” (Num 21:5). His vitiated appetite leaves him often on the Sabbath morning undecided whom to hear, his own will being his only guide. He is anxious to hear from all; and, as the sure result, he learns from none (2Ti 3:7). In this self-willed delusion the form and substance of the Church is destroyed. It is not a few wandering sheep, but a fold and a shepherd; not a heap of loose scattered stones, but stones cemented, fitted into their several places; and “the building thus fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord” (Eph 2:21, 22). The Church is “terrible” not in her single members, but “as an army with banners” (Song 6:10); close in rank, where each soldier keeps his own place. The individual profession, in the stead of collective unity, is a purely schismatical spirit, the essence of pride and selfishness (Charles Bridges, Proverbs, p. 509, on Pro 27:8). Heb 10:26; Heb 10:29, Heb 2:1; Heb 3:7, 8; Heb 6:4; *Heb 13:5 g. Gen 13:11, Exo 34:24, Neh 10:39, +*Pro 27:8, +*Mat 18:20, Joh 20:19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, Act 1:13, 14; Act 2:1; *Act 2:42; Act 2:46; Act 16:16; Act 20:7, 1Co 5:4; 1Co 11:17, 18; 1Co 11:20; 1Co 14:23, *Jud 1:19.

the assembling. T745, Neh 8:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Psa 40:7, 8, 9, 10, *Mat 18:20; Mat 23:37 g. +*Mat 24:31 g. +*Luk 17:37 g. Joh 20:24, Act 11:25, 26; Act 13:14, 15, 16; Act 13:42, 43, 44, 45; **+Act 20:7 note. **1Co 14:26; +*1Co 14:29, 2Th 2:1 g.

ourselves. Gr. heautou (S# G1438). *FS39, +Act 17:27. Westcott notes (on Heb 3:13) that the use of this pronoun suggests the close unity of the Christian body. The similar usage of this pronoun in other places will repay study (Eph 4:32, Col 3:13; Col 3:16, 1Th 5:13, 1Pe 4:8; 1Pe 4:10). The use of this pronoun here fixes attention on the meeting as characteristically Christian (Westcott).

together. Gr. episunagōgē (S# G1997, only here and 2Th 2:1). Some true believers have been improperly shunned and excluded from fellowship when a local church, its pastor, elders or other leadership, and the congregation itself fail to obey the commandment to “receive one another” (+**Rom 15:7). Gen 49:1, Dan 11:33, +Mal 3:16, *Mat 18:20, Act 19:9, 10, +**Rom 15:7, 1Co 14:26; 1Co 14:29; 1Co 16:15, 16; 1Co 16:19, Eph 5:19, 20, 21, *1Pe 4:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, +*2Jn 1:10.

as the manner. or, custom. Luk 1:9, Joh 19:40, Jud 1:19.

of some. Such conduct on the side of the Christians would arise partly from fear lest they should provoke the active hostility of the Jewish authorities; partly from self-confidence, as though they no longer needed the assistance of ordinary common worship where the general average of spiritual life might be counted too low to aid more mature believers. And yet more than this, the Christian assemblies must have appeared insignificant when compared with those to which the Hebrews were accustomed (Westcott).

but exhorting. or, encouraging. Gr. parakaleō (S# G3870, 2Co 1:4). See on Heb 10:24, +*Heb 3:12, 13, 14; Heb 12:5; Heb 13:19; Heb 13:22, +*1Sa 23:16, +*Rom 12:8; Rom 15:14, +1Co 14:3, 1Th 4:18; *1Th 5:11 mg.

one another. A properly functioning local church must provide the opportunity for those gathered for worship and fellowship to have genuine fellowship. Sitting in a pew looking at the pastor and the backs of the heads of those seated in rows ahead doing the same is not fellowship. Few opportunities are given, if any, for mutual sharing of faith and concerns. No one gets to know the person sitting next to them. Churches need to find better ways than those practiced now to encourage actual fellowship. Fellowship cannot occur in groups much larger than eight. See +**Exo 18:21 Note. We must change the culture and structure of our churches to match the divine design for them taught in Scripture. Failure to do so is what is driving down church attendance and successful local outreach to the surrounding community with the Gospel. +**Jon 4:11 note. **+Rom 12:5.

so much the more. Heb 10:26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, +Heb 1:4; Heb 2:1, 2, 3, 4; Heb 9:14, +Act 1:4.

as ye see. Heb 10:37, Mat 24:33, 34, Mar 13:29, 30, *Luk 21:20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, +*Rom 13:11, 12, 13, 1Co 10:11, Php 4:5, *+Jas 5:8, 1Pe 4:7, +*Jas 5:8, *2Pe 3:9; *2Pe 3:11; *2Pe 3:14.

the day. Heb 9:27, 28, +*Isa 2:12, Jer 39:17, Mat 7:22; Mat 10:15; Mat 11:22; Mat 11:24; *Mat 12:36; Mat 24:21; Mat 24:36, Mar 13:32, Luk 10:12; Luk 17:26; Luk 17:30, 31; Luk 21:34, +*Joh 6:39; Joh 8:56, Act 2:20, Rom 2:5; Rom 2:16, 1Co 1:8; *+1Co 3:13; %1Co 4:3 note. 1Co 5:5, 2Co 1:14, %Eph 4:30, Php 1:6; Php 1:10; Php 2:16, 1Th 5:2; 1Th 5:4, +*2Th 1:10; *2Th 2:2; *2Th 2:3, *1Ti 4:1, *2Ti 1:12; *2Ti 1:18; +*2Ti 4:8, 2Pe 2:9; 2Pe 3:7; 2Pe 3:10; 2Pe 3:12, 1Jn 2:8; 1Jn 4:17, Jud 1:6, Rev 1:10 note. Rev 6:17; Rev 16:14.

approaching. Joh 21:21, 22, +*Rom 13:12, Php 4:5, %+*2Th 2:2, Jas 5:8, 1Pe 4:7.

 

Posted in Bible Study Tools, Christian Living, Daily Bible Nuggets, Doctrinal Discussions, Practical Application Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #777, Philippians 2:6

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (KJV)

Php 2:6 Though He was existing in the nature of God, He did not think His being on an equality with God a thing to be selfishly grasped, (Williams NT)

My Comment:

Ten days ago I wrote in my post here (on September 6, 2023):

  1. The Bible teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ, being–subsisting, or being essentially–in the form–essential form–of God (Philippians 2:6), took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7). Therefore Jesus existed from eternity past as fully God yet came to earth and took upon Himself the form of a man, and so was truly and fully human, for the purpose of becoming “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

This passage in Philippians 2:6, 7, 8 is one of the most important passages in the Bible. This passage directly asserts the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many Bible scholars believe this statement Paul placed in his letter to the Philippians comes from a much earlier statement of faith that has been written in the form of a hymn. If this is the case, and I believe that it is, then this demonstrates that the earliest Christians believed in the Deity of Christ from the very beginning of the Church or Christian movement. Paul did not invent Christianity. Paul learned the Gospel directly from our Lord Jesus Christ, as Paul explicitly affirms in Galatians 1:11, 12,

Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Himself in person commissioned the Apostle Paul:

Acts 9:15
15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
King James Version

Acts 26:16-18
16  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17  Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
King James Version

Paul taught the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

For yet deeper study of this important subject, I share below notes and cross references from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury for your consideration:

Philippians 2:6
Who. +*Joh 1:1 note.

being. or, subsisting, or being essentially. Gr. huparchō (S# G5225, Luk 9:48). Joh 1:15.

in the form. The essential form, including all the qualities which can be made visible to the eye. Gr. morphē (S# G3444). Php 2:7 g. Exo 39:27, Lev 16:23, +*Isa 7:14; Isa 8:8; +*Isa 9:6, +*Jer 23:6, Dan 7:13, +*Mic 5:2, +*Mat 1:23; Mat 17:2, Mar 9:2; Mar 16:12 g. *Joh 1:2; *Joh 1:18; **Joh 17:5, +*Rom 9:5, *+2Co 4:4; 2Co 8:9, +*Col 1:15; +*Col 1:16, *1Ti 1:17; *1Ti 3:16, *Tit 2:13, *Heb 1:3; *Heb 1:6; *Heb 1:8; +*Heb 13:8.

of God. This is a clear assertion on Paul’s part of the deity of Christ.

Daniel Waterland gets to the crux of the controversy by setting forth two series of texts. The first series includes Isa 43:10; Isa 44:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 46:9, which declare that God is one, and to him none can be likened.

The second series includes Joh 1:1, Rom 9:5, Php 2:6, Heb 1:3; Heb 1:8, which declare that Jesus Christ is God.

The consequences of the Arian scheme [Jehovah Witnesses are the modern day Arians] are that if the texts of Isaiah exclude the Son, he is altogether excluded, and is no God at all. He cannot, upon Arian principles, be the same God, because he is not the same Person: he cannot be another God, because excluded by the Isaiah texts. If, therefore he be neither the same God, nor another God, it must follow, that he is no God. This is the difficulty which lies against the Arian scheme, and which Arians have not sufficiently attended to.

It will not do to make Jesus Christ “a god” in a lesser sense, reserving only to the Father the title of supreme God, for neither Isaiah, nor the first commandment, allow for such a distinction.

If they had allowed such a distinction, then in what sense would the worship of Baal and Ashteroth be considered idolatry, if they were merely looked upon as inferior deities, and served with a subordinate worship?

The Old Testament texts cannot mean that there is merely no other Supreme God; but absolutely no other: and therefore our blessed Lord must either be included and comprehended in the one Supreme God of Israel, or be entirely excluded with the other pretended or nominal deities.

In no case have the Arians proved—what must be proved if their understanding is to be received as correct—that texts which designate God the Father as the “only true God” (Joh 17:3) or “one God” (1Co 8:6) are meant to teach that the Son is absolutely excluded also from such designations, just as the Son is emphatically designated one Lord (Eph 4:5) without design to exclude the Father from being Lord also (see Daniel Waterland, Works, vol. 1, pp. 275-280).

Waterland observes that the tactics of Arians in his day were to industriously run from the point, misrepresent our sense, and artfully conceal their own—characteristics which have not changed from his day to ours. Jesus must either be entirely excluded by the Isaiah texts, or not at all: and if he be not excluded, he is comprehended in the one Supreme God, and is one with him.

Arians produce texts to show that the Father singly is the Supreme God, and that Christ is excluded from being the Supreme God: but I insist upon it, that you misunderstand those texts; because the interpretation you give of them is not reconcilable with other texts; and because it leads to such absurdities, as are too shocking even for yourself to admit. In short, either you prove too much, or you prove nothing (Waterland, vol 1, p. 278, 281).

Subsisting in the form of God proves his nature and essence to be divine. John Daille states “As then the Lord Jesus, before He took our flesh, was in the form of God, it necessarily follows that He was truly God, no one being able to have the glory of God but He who had His nature also. And what the apostle adds, that He was “equal with God,” clearly also determines the same thing; it being evident that if the Son were a creature, He could not be equal to God; every creature being of necessity infinitely below the nature, power, and majesty of the Creator” (Comm. on Philippians, Sermon 9, pp. 91, 92). Isa 43:10; Isa 44:8; Isa 45:5; Isa 46:9, Joh 1:1, Rom 9:5, Heb 1:3; Heb 1:8.

thought. or, reckoned. Same word as “esteem,” Php 2:3. *Gen 32:24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30; *Gen 48:15; *Gen 48:16, *Exo 3:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, *Jos 5:13, 14, 15, *Hos 12:3, 4, 5, +*Zec 13:7, +**Joh 5:18; Joh 5:22; Joh 5:23; **Joh 8:58; **Joh 8:59; +**Joh 10:30; Joh 10:33; Joh 10:38; *Joh 14:9; +**Joh 20:28, Heb 5:5, *Rev 1:17; *Rev 1:18; *Rev 21:6.

not robbery. or, counted it not a prize. The Greek word harpagmos may bear either of two meanings:

(1) in the active sense, the act of seizing, robbery;

(2) in the passive sense, a thing held as a prize.

The orthodox position may accept of either meaning, but the Arian position requires the latter meaning only, which is the reason they contend so strongly for it.

The former meaning may be understood in the sense “Who because He was subsisting in the essential form of God, did not regard it as any usurpation that He was on an equality of glory and majesty with God, but yet emptied Himself of that co-equal glory”; the latter meaning may be understood in the sense “Who though He was subsisting in the essential form of God, yet did not regard His being on an equality of glory and majesty with God as a prize and a treasure to be held fast, but emptied himself thereof” (Vine, Expository Dictionary, vol. 3, p. 216, citing Gifford, The Incarnation, pp. 28, 36).

Waterland offers the following explanatory paraphrase for the second view: “Who being essentially God (and consequently having a rightful claim to be honoured equally with God), yet did not covet or desire to be so honoured, did not insist upon his right; but, for the greater glory of God, and for the good of others, chose rather (in the particular instance of his incarnation) to wave his pretensions, and, in appearance, to recede from them” (Works, vol. 2, p. 110). +*Joh 5:18; *Joh 10:33; %+*Joh 14:30.

equal with. FS45, +Isa 40:31, FS24G, Gen 1:9. i.e. on an equality with God. This is what the first man grasped at, tempted and deceived by the Old Serpent. But Christ, the second man, the last Adam, did not think it a matter to be grasped at in this way, “but humbled Himself,” and through suffering and death reached His exaltation (F/S 496). Seven steps downward in the Saviour’s humiliation are followed in verses 9, 10, 11 by seven steps upward in His glorification (F/S 433). Psa 89:19, Isa 40:25; Isa 45:5; Isa 46:5, Zec 13:7, Mal 3:6, Mat 12:42, +*Joh 5:18 note. Joh 10:18; %*Joh 14:28, 2Co 4:6, Rev 1:17.

with God. Joh 8:49; Joh 10:30; Joh 17:21, 1Co 11:3.

Note that just as Jesus is declared to be “made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7) and was “found in fashion as a man” (Philippians 2:8), and so was most certainly and truly a human being, Jesus was also “in the form of God” (Philippians 2:6) and “equal with God” (Philippians 2:6). The purpose for our Lord Jesus Christ being truly man is so that he could be “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Only in this way could our Lord Jesus Christ become the Priestly-Sacrificial Atonement for our sins.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, Doctrinal Discussions, False Religions | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #776, Colossians 1:15

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

My Comment:

Ten days ago on September 6, 2023, I posted this comment:

  1. The Bible teaches that Jesus is before all things (thus, Jesus is eternal and uncreated) and that by Jesus “all things consist” (KJV) (Colossians 1:17). Thus the whole universe is sustained and held together by our Lord Jesus Christ, who created all things (John 1:3. Hebrews 1:2. 2:10. Revelation 4:11.).

The context of Colossians 1:17 is very instructive. In fact, my interest in cross reference Bible study was lastingly increased by the cross references I found and read for Colossians 1:10,

Col 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

From the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Colossians 1:10
ye: Col 2:6, Col 4:5; Mic 4:5; Rom 4:12, Rom 6:4; Eph 4:1, Eph 5:2, Eph 5:15; Php 1:27; 1Th 2:12

all: Col 3:20; Pro 16:7; Php 4:18; 1Th 4:1; 2Ti 2:4; Heb 11:5, Heb 13:16; 1Jn 3:22

fruitful: Joh 15:8, Joh 15:16; Gal 5:22, 23; Eph 2:10; Php 1:11; Tit 3:1, Tit 3:14; Heb 13:21; 2Pe 1:8

increasing: Col 2:19; Isa 53:11; Dan 12:4; Hab 2:14; Joh 17:3; 2Co 2:14, 2Co 4:6, 2Co 9:8; Eph 1:17, Eph 4:13; 2Pe 1:2, 3, 2Pe 3:18; 1Jn 5:20.

Be sure you check the above references out for your own spiritual encouragement!

To dig still deeper into Colossians 1:10, study these expanded references from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Colossians 1:10
walk worthy. T1741, +*Col 2:6; *Col 4:5, +Gen 5:22, Deut 13:4, +*Psa 1:1; +*Psa 1:3; *Psa 119:3; Psa 128:1, *Mic 4:5; +*Mic 6:8, +**Luk 21:36, Act 9:31, Rom 4:12; +*Rom 6:4; Rom 13:13, *+Eph 4:1; *Eph 5:2; *Eph 5:15, *Php 1:27, *1Th 2:12.

all pleasing. *Col 3:20, Exo 33:13, Ezr 10:11, Psa 143:10; Psa 147:11; Psa 149:4, +*Pro 16:7, *Rom 8:8; Rom 15:2, *1Co 10:33, 2Co 5:9, %Gal 1:10, Eph 5:10, Php 4:18, *1Th 2:4; *1Th 4:1, 1Ti 2:3, *2Ti 2:4, *Heb 11:5; *Heb 13:16; *Heb 13:21, *1Jn 3:22.

fruitful. T1503, Col 1:6, Exo 28:34, +*Psa 1:3, **Pr 11:30, Mat 7:17; *Mat 13:23, Mar 4:20; Mar 4:28, Luk 8:8; Luk 8:15, +*Joh 15:5; +*Joh 15:8; +*Joh 15:16, **Rom 6:22; **Rom 7:4, 2Co 9:10, +**Gal 5:22; +**Gal 5:23, **Eph 2:10, *Php 1:9, 10, 11; Php 4:17, *Tit 3:1; *Tit 3:14, *Heb 13:21, Jas 3:17, +**1Pe 2:2, **2Pe 1:8.

good work. Mat 26:10, Mar 14:6, +Act 9:36, *2Co 9:8, *Eph 2:10, *1Ti 5:10, *Tit 3:1; *Tit 3:8; *Tit 3:14.

increasing. Col 2:19, *Isa 53:11, +*Dan 12:4, *Hab 2:14, **Joh 17:3, 2Co 2:14; *2Co 4:6; **2Co 9:8, *Eph 1:17; Eph 4:13, +1Pe 2:2, 2Pe 1:2, 3; +*2Pe 3:18, 1Jn 5:20, 21.

knowledge. Gr. epignōsis (S# G1922, Rom_10:2). Col 1:9, +**Psa 9:10 note. +*Psa 51:6, +*Pro 15:14, Hos 2:20; *Hos 6:3; *Hos 6:6, *Joh 8:19, 1Co 1:5, 2Co 6:6, *Eph 3:19, +*2Pe 3:18.

Now to get back to the main study topic at hand, here are the cross references for Colossians 1:15 as given in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Colossians 1:15
the image. Gr. eikōn (S# G1504, 1Co 15:45). Gen 1:26, 27, Exo 24:10, *Num 12:8, Eze 1:26, 27, 28, **Zec 13:7, **Joh 1:18; Joh 12:45; **Joh 14:9; *Joh 15:24, Rom 8:29, *2Co 4:4; *2Co 4:6, +*Php 2:6, *1Ti 3:16, **Heb 1:3.

the invisible. Gr. aoratos (S# G517, Rom 1:20). %+*Gen 32:30, Deut 4:12, Isa 40:18; Isa 46:5, +Joh 1:18; Joh 6:46; Joh 14:7, +Rom 1:20.

God. Col 2:2, +*Joh 1:18; Joh 8:19, Rom 1:20, *1Ti 1:17; **1Ti 6:16, Heb 11:27.

the firstborn. or, heir. Gr. prōtotokos
[S# G4416: Rendered (1) firstborn: Mat 1:25, Luk 2:7, Rom 8:29, Col 1:15; Col 1:18, Heb 11:28; Heb 12:23, (2) firstbegotten: Heb 1:6, (3) first begotten: Rev 1:5].

In this messianic title, firstborn of all creation may be interpreted as “existing before all creation” (LN 13,79) or “existing superior to all creation (LN 87.47). FS22D4C, +Rom 8:29, FS157, +1Co 15:6. Lightfoot remarks, “all the Fathers of the second and third centuries without exception, as far as I have noticed, correctly refer it [the expression “first-born”] to the Eternal Word and not to the Incarnate Christ.” Compare Gen 41:51, 52 with +**Jer 31:9. *Exo 4:22, superiority of position, rank, priority. Deut 21:15, 16, 17, +**Psa 89:20; +**Psa 89:27.

Consider Abraham’s sons: Ishmael was the firstborn, but Isaac was the promised heir and seed, Gal 4:23. Consider also Jacob and Esau: Gen 25:23, *Mal 1:1; *Mal 1:2; *Mal 1:3, Rom 9:12, 13. Among Jacob’s sons, Reuben was the firstborn, but the birthright was Joseph’s, 1Ch 5:1, 2. Simri was made firstborn, 1Ch 26:10, though expressly not born first. Manasseh was firstborn, but the blessing was given to Ephraim, Gen 48:14.

If “firstborn” invariably means “born first,” then how can Israel (Exo 4:22), David (Psa 89:27), and Ephraim (+**Jer 31:9), and Christ (Rom 8:29, Col 1:15; Col 1:18, Heb 1:6, Rev 1:5) all be called by God “my firstborn”?

Therefore, use of the term firstborn in reference to Christ says nothing concerning his origin, but declares his position, rank, and office. Note the use of “firstborn” in Job 18:13. John Daille notes that we are to understand “…eldest or first born, to signify the head, the lord, and the master. We say, therefore, that it is in this sense we must understand the apostle’s words, Christ ’is the first-born of every creature,’ that is, the Master and Lord of them; which in no way implies that he himself is a creature; lords not being always of the same extraction and lineage with their subjects, but most frequently of another very different. And as it would be ridiculous reasoning to conclude that he who has the dominion of death is death itself, under the colour that Job terms him, ‘the first-born of death;’ so is it most impertinent arguing to infer that the Lord is a creature, because the apostle says here, that he  ‘is the first-born of every creature’” (An Exposition of Colossians, p. 102).

The term first-born does not imply that Christ was a created being. It has been interpreted as used in the absolute sense, becoming a recognized title of Messiah; thus, His preeminence and sovereignty (LNT, fn h). Col 1:17, 18, +=Lev 23:10, **Jos 14:6 note. *1Ch 5:1; 1Ch 8:38 note. Psa 45:2; *Psa 89:27, Isa 14:30, *Luk 11:31, Joh 1:14; **Joh 3:16, Act 7:35; +**Act 10:36, *+Rom 8:29; **+Rom 9:5, Eph 1:21, *Heb 1:2; *Heb 1:6, *Rev 1:5.

of every creature. or, over all creation. That Christ is the firstborn of every creature does not require that Christ himself be a creature, because firstborn has reference not to origin but to rank or position. Dr. John MacArthur notes here that “when the ‘firstborn’ is one of a class, the class is in the plural form (cf. Col 1:18; Rom 8:29), but ‘creation,’ the class here, is in a singular form” (Study Bible, p. 1833). **Col 1:16; **Col 1:17, Neh 9:6, *Pro 8:29, 30, 31, Jer 32:17, Mar 13:19, **Joh 17:5; **Joh 17:10, +**Act 10:36, **Rom 9:5; Rom 11:36, +**Rev 3:14 note.

These should be studied in conjunction with the next verse, Colossians 1:16,

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:16
by him were. Col 1:15, 2Ch 2:12, *Psa 102:25, 26, 27, Pro 8:27, *Isa 40:9, 10, 11, 12; **Isa 44:24, *+Joh 1:3; Joh 5:17; +*Joh 5:19, +*1Co 8:6, *Eph 3:9, 1Ti 3:16, *Heb 1:2; *Heb 1:10, 11, 12; *Heb 3:3; *Heb 3:4.

all things. Logically, if all things have been created by Christ, then he of necessity is uncreated, an absolute proof of His deity. This explains why the Jehovah’s Witnesses in their New World Translation felt constrained, for doctrinal reasons, to make the unwarranted addition to the Word of God at this verse by adding “other” so as to read “all other things,” making a lame attempt to justify such an addition by a reference to Luk 11:41, 42 or Luk 13:2; Luk 13:4. In the early editions (1950, 1951, and six volumes bound in one, 1963) of their translation, “other” was not even included in brackets, as it now is—a change perhaps prompted by the harsh criticism of many Bible scholars. Col 1:17; Col 1:20, Isa 44:24, +Joh 1:3, 2Co 5:18, Eph 3:9, Heb 1:2; Heb 2:10.

created. Gen 1:1, 2Ch 2:12, +*Neh 9:6, **Psa 33:9; Psa 146:6, Isa 37:16; Isa 40:26, +*Jer 32:17; Jer 51:15, *Joh 1:3, Heb 1:2.

in heaven. Col 1:20, *Deut 4:39, 1Ch 29:11, Isa 40:26, Jer 10:12; +*Jer 32:17; Jer 51:15, *+Eph 1:10, *Php 2:10, *Rev 5:13; *Rev 5:14.

in earth. **+Psa 78:69, Jer 10:12; *Jer 27:5; +*Jer 32:17; Jer 51:15.

whether. Without exception on the score of magnificence or rank (WKF, p. 109). Eph 1:21.

thrones. FS173, +Gen 27:44. Col 2:10; Col 2:15, Eze 10:1, +*Rom 8:38, *Eph 1:21; *Eph 3:10; *Eph 6:12, *1Pe 3:22.

dominions. Col 2:15, *+Eph 1:21.

powers. 2Th 1:7, 1Pe 3:22.

all things. Psa 8:6, Pro 16:4, *+Joh 1:3, Php 3:21; %Php 4:13, Heb 3:4, Rev 4:11.

were created. 1Pe 4:19, 2Pe 1:3, **Rev 4:11.

by him. *Pro 16:4, *Isa 43:21, *Rom 11:36, 1Co 8:6, *Heb 2:10.

for him. T76-2, Col 3:11, +Pro 16:4 (T209). Mat 28:18, **Rom 9:5, *2Co 8:9, Eph 1:5, +Heb 9:14 (T346).

These verses should be studied in connection with Colossians 1:17, the verse I cited in my post of September 6, alluded to above:

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Colossians 1:17
he is before. *Col 1:15, Psa 55:19, *Pro 8:22; *Pro 8:23, *Isa 43:11, 12, 13; *Isa 44:6, +*Mic 5:2, *+Joh 1:1, 2, 3; **Joh 1:15; **+Joh 8:35; Joh 8:58; +*Joh 17:5, +*1Co 8:6, +*Heb 13:8, +*Rev 1:8; Rev 1:11; Rev 1:17; *Rev 2:8.

all things. Col 1:16; Col 1:20, *1Co 8:6.

and by him. Col 1:11, *1Sa 2:8, +*Neh 9:6, Psa 75:3, Isa 40:26; *Isa 44:24; Isa 66:2, Jer 51:15, **Joh 1:3; +**Joh 5:17; Joh 5:18, *Act 17:28, Eph 1:19; **Eph 3:9, **Heb 1:3, 2Pe 3:5 g. +*Rev 3:14.

all things. Isa 44:24, **Joh 1:3, 2Co 5:18, **Heb 1:2; *Heb 2:10, *Rev 4:11.

consist. or, subsist. or, cohere or hold together. Gr. sunestēken (S# G4921, Luk 9:32). 1Ch 16:30, +*Neh 9:6, Psa 33:9; +*Psa 78:69, 2Pe 3:5.

Posted in Bible Study Tools, Daily Bible Nuggets, Doctrinal Discussions, How to Study the Bible | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #775, John 3:13

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Joh 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

The Muslim challenge and my answer:

(3) Your claim,  that then “the son come to earth to deliver the message while God remains in His throne,” demonstrates “Jesus cannot be God as you Christians claimed” is not correct according to the words of the Bible found in John 3:13.
 
John 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
 
The narrative in John chapter 3 records this claim by Jesus Christ, that while he was there speaking before them he was also as the Son of man in heaven at the very time he was then also upon this earth. This demonstrates that Jesus Christ possesses the incommunicable divine attribute of immensity.
 
Once  properly understood, this evidence resolves the issue of the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is God the Son.
My Comment:
Contrary to many modern scholars who leave the last clause out of John 3:13, I firmly believe this clause belongs in the text. I have given the evidence in my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and also my digital Bible study resource, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury.

Joh 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (KJV)

Joh 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. (ESV)

Notice the ESV does not contain the words “even the Son of man which is in heaven.” (Emphasis added)
Here is the portion of the pertinent note which supports the retention of the words “which  is in heaven”:

which is in heaven. ?FS96C5, +Mat 2:13, Some authorities omit this phrase, but its retention may be argued for on the ground that these words may have been dropped out of the text at an early date as superfluous or objectionable (Thomas Whitlaw, commentary on John, p. 69).

That this text is weighty and difficult, is on this very account the more certainly genuine (Scrivener, Introduction, vol. 2, p. 360). While missing from some MSS., it is attested to by the early versions. The text figured early in controversy, including the Apolinarian, and in some instances even the orthodox were reluctant to cite it. The modern counterparts of the ancient Socinian and Arian heresies seem to have a particular attraction to this text.

Burgon has shown that it was cited many times by the church fathers. The manuscripts which omit this clause are convicted “of the deliberate suppression of one of the most mysterious, yet one of the most glorious, glimpses afforded to us in Scripture of the nature of the Savior, on the side of His Proper Divinity” (Scrivener, p. 361). Burgon, discussing this passage, notes it teaches that “Christ ’came down from heaven’ when he became incarnate: and having become incarnate, is said to have ’ascended up to Heaven,’ and ‘to be in Heaven,’ because ’the Son of Man,’ who was not in heaven before, by virtue of the hypostatical union was thenceforward evermore ’in heaven’” (Causes of Corruption in the Traditional Text, p. 223).

“Hypostatical union” is a term representing Christ as possessing two natures in one Person, human and divine. George Hutcheson explains, “The Son of God hath assumed the human nature into so strict a personal union, that what is proper to either nature is ascribed unto the person under whatsoever name; for, saith he, ’the Son of man which is in heaven,’ which is not to be understood, as if either his human nature came from heaven (for he is speaking of what still is there) or that his human nature were in every place, but that the same person who is the Son of man according to our nature is in heaven according to his divine nature, and yet but one person still” (Commentary, p. 46). God the Son possesses the incommunicable divine attribute of immensity (Psa 139:7 note. *Jer 23:24 note. +*Mat 28:19 note).

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Other Faiths, Apologetics--Christian, Bible Study Tools, Daily Bible Nuggets, Doctrinal Discussions | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

My Answer to Muslim challenge re Who controlled the universe when God was a man?

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Jerry

9-6-23 Answer to Muslim challenge re Who controlled the Universe when God was a man

The Muslim Challenge:

“When god comes into the body of a man, he becomes limited. Who controlled the universe during the 30 years when he was a man?” (TK on 9-2-23 at 6:14 AM)

My Response (9-2-23):

Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

TK replied (9-3-23):

Who controlled the universe when god became a man?

My Answer to TK’s Question:

From the very Bible passages I shared with you in my response above where I cited John 3:13, Colossians 1:16-17, and Philippians 2:6-11, the Bible teaches:

  1. Even while Jesus was here on earth as a man, He was at the same time also in heaven (John 3:13).
  2. The Bible teaches that Jesus is before all things (thus, Jesus is eternal and uncreated) and that by Jesus “all things consist” (KJV) (Colossians 1:17). Thus the whole universe is sustained and held together by our Lord Jesus Christ, who created all things (John 1:3. Hebrews 1:2. 2:10. Revelation 4:11.).

John 1:3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created6 that has been created. “NET” is the Net Bible

Hebrews 1:2 in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. (NET Bible)

Revelation 4:11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
since you created all things,
and because of your will they existed and were created!” (NET Bible)

  1. The Bible teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ, being–subsisting, or being essentially–in the form–essential form–of God (Philippians 2:6), took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7). Therefore Jesus existed from eternity past as fully God yet came to earth and took upon Himself the form of a man, and so was truly and fully human, for the purpose of becoming “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Therefore, Jesus in His full Deity was always in control of the universe for He did not give up His Deity when He became a man, as the Bible passages I cited above declare.

 

WZ responded to my comment:

‘son of man’

My response to WZ (9-5-23):

“Son of man” is a Messianic title applied in the Bible to our Lord Jesus Christ. The title has reference to Daniel 7:13, 14. The title emphasizes that our Lord Jesus Christ will reign forever in His kingdom still possessed of His visible human nature.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Other Faiths, Doctrinal Discussions, False Religions | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Daily Bible Nugget #774, Leviticus 19:13

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Lev 19:13  Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. (KJV)

Lev 19:13  “Do not rob or take advantage of anyone. Do not hold back the wages of someone you have hired, not even for one night. (GNB, Good News Bible)

My Comment:

Today is Labor Day. The Bible has much to say about labor and wages.

Many people think unions are a very bad thing. I remember my father told me, when I encountered the issue of being required to be a union member when I began working for Michigan Bell Telephone Company, that “The only reason we need unions is because of bad management.”

We still have bad management, just as we have bad government, when individuals and organizations fail to follow what God has commanded in the Bible.

I happened to speak to a customer while I was in The Tree of Life Bookstore who thought that abortion was the most significant moral issue of our time. I agreed that abortion is a significant issue, but I suggested that a careful study of the over-all emphasis within the Bible itself demonstrates that justice is the main issue. The customer thought otherwise. I replied that when Jesus listed the commandments, He included the command, “Defraud not.” That is recorded in Mark 10:19, where Jesus was quoting from Leviticus 19:13.

We need to preserve in our teaching and witness the balance of truth found in the Bible itself. Many Bible believing Christians have made the mistake of being “single issue” Christians, and as a result we have now largely lost the culture.

Labor Day ties in to the subject of justice, an issue too many churches and individual Bible believing Christians have missed. The way to learn what the Bible emphasizes is to (1) read the Bible, starting with the New Testament, long enough each day–at least twenty minutes, often enough each week–at least four days a week, on a  continuing basis. You will discover, as I did beginning now 70 years ago, that doing this will bring real change for the better to your life, but you will also begin to learn what the Bible itself emphasizes; (2) study  the Bible using Cross Reference Bible Study.

My experience of teaching public school in Detroit, Michigan from 1962 until 2001, brought me into contact with many school administrators. Most of them were quite helpful and supportive of me and the teachers I worked with. But from time to time I encountered the exceptions–administrators who were not supportive of their teachers and said so! I became a Union Representative and filed (and usually if not always won) grievances against administrators who improperly withheld individual teacher’s paychecks as a disciplinary tactic, a practice not authorized by the Teacher Contract. Several such administrators were active in their churches, so I shared with them what the Bible commands when it comes to paying workers on time. I even printed out the Bible cross-references with the full text of Scripture and left a copy on each administrator’s desk. Some of the cross references I shared are given below in the references for Leviticus 19:13,

Cross Reference Study for Leviticus 19:13 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Leviticus 19:13
not defraud. Pro 20:10; Pro 22:22, Jer 22:3, Eze 22:29, >Mar 10:19, Luk 3:13; *1Th 4:6.

the wages. T1853, **Deut 24:14; **Deut 24:15, Job 31:39, +*Jer 22:13, +*Mal 3:5, +**1Ti 5:18; +**1Ti 5:19 note. +*Jas 5:4. lit. work. FS121C1F. Metonymy of the Cause F/S 551, Work is put for the wages paid for it. For other instances of this figure see Jer 22:13, Rom 11:6, Rev 14:13.

Posted in Bible Study Tools, Christian Living, Daily Bible Nuggets, Education Issues, How to Interpret the Bible Correctly, How to Study the Bible, Politics and the Bible, Practical Application Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment