The real meaning of John 3:5

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

John 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

My comment:

John 3:5 has nothing to do with ritual water baptism.

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

The doctrine of baptismal regeneration is heresy. This doctrine is evident when water baptism is claimed to be necessary for salvation or that water baptism procures salvation. We are not saved by water baptism.

 

The failure to understand John 3:5 is rooted in the failure to accurately study the text, the context, and the wider context of the whole of Scripture.

There is present in John 3:5 the Figure of Speech called Hendiadys. This figure is present when two words are used but only one thing is meant. In John 3:5 this involves the two words “water” and “Spirit.” This grammatical construction, properly translated into English, would read “water, even the Spirit.” The reference in John 3:5, therefore, is to real baptism by the Holy Spirit, not ritual baptism in or by water baptism.

In context, Jesus indicates His surprise that Nicodemus, a ruler and teacher of the Jews, was not fully aware of this. If Jesus expected Nicodemus to be aware of this, this must be a teaching which is found in the Old Testament, thus reflecting the important principle that to properly interpret the Bible, and particularly a particular verse in the Bible, we must be careful to consider the larger context of the whole of Scripture. That is what Jesus did in His discussion with Nicodemus.

Here is my documentation regarding the Figure of Speech Hendiadys, critical to understanding John 3:5, which I placed in my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, and its expanded digital version, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

and. FS93A, +Gen 1:26, Hendiadys; or, Two for One F/S 657, Two words are used (water, Spirit), but one thing is meant (Spirit). By this figure water and spirit are joined by “and.” There is no of in the Greek, supplied here by the translators. There is no article to either of the two nouns.

This figure gives the meaning, “born of water, even the spirit.” That only one thing is meant by the two words is clear from verses 6 and 8 (Joh 3:6; Joh 3:8), where only the Spirit (the one thing) is mentioned. The figure may also be understood to mean “born of spiritual water,” where the “spiritual water” is, by the figure Metonymy, put for the Holy Spirit Himself, as is clear from Joh 7:38, 39.

The reference is to the real baptism by the Holy Spirit which is the one indispensable condition of entering the kingdom of God (Rom 8:9, 1Co 12:13), not to the water of ritual baptism (Acts 1:5 note).

The Old Testament text that bears most directly and emphatically upon these themes spoken by Jesus is Ezekiel 36:25-27,

25  And I have sprinkled over you clean water, And ye have been clean; From all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols, I do cleanse you.

26  And I have given to you a new heart, And a new spirit I give in your midst, And I have turned aside the heart of stone out of your flesh, And I have given to you a heart of flesh.

27  And My Spirit I give in your midst, And I have done this, so that in My statutes ye walk, And My judgments ye keep, and have done them.

1898 Young’s Literal Translation

 

Posted in Doctrinal Discussions, How to Study the Bible | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Daily Bible Nugget #687, Psalm 78:41

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 78:41  Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 78:41 They again challenged God,
and offended the Holy One of Israel. (NET Bible).

My Comment:

Where the King James Version has “limited the Holy One of Israel,” the NET Bible reads “offended the Holy One of Israel.” The NET Bible in a footnote for “offended” states “Or “wounded, hurt.” The verb occurs only here in the OT. [Biblical Studies Press. (2019). The NET Bible (Second Edition). Thomas Nelson.]

The King James Version rendering supports the principle that we can limit what God will do by provoking, grieving, and tempting or testing God by our lack of obedience, patience, and faith as did Israel in the wilderness:

Psalm 78:40  How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

Even during the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ this lack of faith in Him was evident when He visited His home town of Nazareth where everyone had known Him and His family since His childhood:

Mar 6:1  And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
Mar 6:2  And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Mar 6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Mar 6:4  But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Mar 6:5  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
Mar 6:6  And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

We in our day need to be extra careful that we not fall into the same trap of the devil. Be careful lest over-familiarity with what we think we know about the truths of the Bible blind and block us from learning something new!

Here for your deeper study are the extensive cross references and notes for Psalm 78:41 from my Bible study resource, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 78:41

Yea. Psa 78:57, +*Psa 101:3, *Num 14:4; *Num 14:22, Deut 6:16, 1Sa 15:11, Eze 20:13, *Act 7:39, Heb 3:8, 9, 10, 11, 2Pe 2:21, 22.

and tempted. Psa 78:18; Psa 78:56, Psa 95:9; Psa 106:14, Exo 17:2, Deut 6:16, Mal 3:15, Mat 4:7, Act 5:9.

God. Heb. El, +Exo 15:2.

limited. Hithvu. By entertaining mean and circumscribed notions of His power, and goodness, and faithfulness. (Compare tavah in Num 34:7; Num 34:10,) So they profaned the glory of the Holy One, who had “been sanctified before them” by so many miraculous deeds. Psa 78:19, 20, Gen 18:14; Gen 19:22, Num 11:23; Num 14:11, 2Ki 7:2, *Eze 9:4 (set). *Mat 13:58; Mat 25:24 note. Mar 5:35, 36; *Mar 6:5; *Mar 6:6, Joh 6:9; Joh 11:21.

the Holy One of Israel. Psa 71:22; Psa 89:18, Isa 1:4.

For Matthew 25:24 note see:

Matthew 25:24

Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

he which. Note: Our Lord placed the example of negligence in him to whom the least was committed, probably to “intimate,” says Doddridge, “that we are accountable for the smallest advantage with which we are entrusted; but it cannot imply that they who have received much will ordinarily pass their account best; for it is too plain, in fact, that most of those whose dignity, wealth, and genius give them the greatest opportunities of service, seem to forget that they have any Master in heaven to serve, or any future reckoning to expect; and many render themselves much more criminal than this wicked and slothful servant who hid his talent in the earth.” 1Co 1:26.

had received. Note the change from the Aorist to the Perfect. He had received it, and it remained with him (CB).

and said. +Eze 33:20.

Lord. *Mat 7:21, *Luk 6:46.

I knew thee. or, I got to know thee. Gr. ginōskō (S# G1097), Joh 8:55 note. Notice that a wrong conception of who God is will make it impossible to render proper service to Him (+**Psa 9:10, +**Gen 18:25 note). *Mat 20:12, 1Sa 25:3, %+*Job 1:22; +*Job 2:10; Job 21:14, 15, +Psa 9:10 note. +**Pro 19:3, +**Isa 29:24; Isa 58:3, Jer 2:31; Jer 44:16, 17, 18, +*Eze 18:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, Mal 1:12, 13; Mal 3:14, 15, *Luk 15:29; *Luk 19:20, 21, 22, Joh 5:44, Rom 3:3, 4; Rom 8:7; +*Rom 9:14; +*Rom 9:20, +*2Co 11:13.

that thou art. Mat 25:44, Deut 1:27, 1Ki 20:40, 1Ch 13:12, Eze 33:17, Luk 19:21.

an hard man. Mat 20:11, 12, Jer 44:16, 17, 18, Mal 1:13, %**1Jn 5:3.

reaping where. Pro 20:4, %2Co 8:12.

gathering. Isa 18:5.

where. Gr. ehothn (S# G3606, Mat 12:44). Heb 11:19 note.

 

Posted in Christian Living, Daily Bible Nuggets, Practical Application Bible Studies, Principles of Christian Living | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Who is the Promised Seed of Abraham Part Three

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

My Comment:

Casual Bible readers, careless Bible readers, and none Bible readers miss the significance of what is taught in John 3:16.

My claim is readily demonstrated. If I were to ask any of the three classes of Bible readers I just mentioned a simple question about John 3:16, they all would be stumped!

Here is my question:

How is John 3:16 related to the question “Who is the Promised Seed of Abraham”?

If you do not know the answer to my question, do you know how or where to find the answer to this important question?

Let me help you quickly learn how to answer my question and, at the same time gain a better understanding of John 3:16.

Here is my answer:

Simply look up John 3:16 in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge or my expansion of this resource, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

begotten. Gr. monogenes, S# G3439, +Luk 7:12, lit. the only one of a family, unique of its kind. Monogenes, applied to Jesus, expresses the unique and eternal relationship of the Son to the Father. As firstborn does not mean born first (Col 1:15 note), neither does only begotten imply a begetting, birth, or origin in time.

In His pre-existence, Jesus was always uniquely the Son of God (Psa 2:7, +*Isa 9:6, Heb 1:8). When used of Christ, only begotten speaks of “unoriginated relationship.” Only begotten “indicates that as the Son of God He was the sole representative of the Being and character of the One who sent Him” (Vine, Expository Dictionary, vol. 3, p. 140).

It is a word picture which portrays the relationship of the Father to the Son in the terms of a Middle Eastern patriarchal family (**Gen 21:12; Gen 22:2; Gen 22:12; Gen 22:16, Heb 11:17).

Isaac, termed Abraham’s only begotten son (Heb 11:17), though Abraham had a prior son Ishmael by Hagar (Gen 16:15) and later sons by Keturah (Gen 25:1, 2, 3, 4, 1Ch 1:32, 33), sustains a unique relationship to Abraham as the son of promise (Gal 4:23).

The same picture, portrayed in parable (Mat 21:37), emphasizes the unique authority of Jesus as sent by the Father (Joh 20:21, 1Jn 4:9), and our responsibility to receive the truth declared by Him (Joh 1:14; Joh 1:18; Joh 3:18, Mat 17:5). Pro 8:24, Col 1:15, Heb 1:6; Heb 11:17, %1Jn 5:18.

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Other Faiths, Bible Promises, Bible Study Tools, Doctrinal Discussions, False Religions, How to Interpret the Bible Correctly, How to Study the Bible | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Who is the promised seed of Abraham Part Two

Posted on June 2, 2022 by Jerry

5-21-22 Who is the promised seed of Abraham Part Two

The Nugget:

Gen 22:2  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

TK continued this discussion:

Ismael is the promised son to Abraham, Isaac promised to Sarah

Gen 15: God told Abraham about a son and innumerable offspring, and promised vast lands to them. There’s no mention that this son is from Sarah.

Gen 16: Angel informed Hagar she’s pregnant with Ishmael.

Gen 17: God made a covenant of circumcision with Abraham. Ishmael was among the first to be in this covenant.

Gen 17: God promised Abraham a son by Sarah and would establish another covenant with him for his offspring, and for Ishmael a great nation

Gen 18: Visit by 3 Angels who delivered a message that Sarah would bear a son the following year

TK continued:

when God first promised Abraham a son and tonnes of offspring, He did not say a son by Sarah. So why would she lose faith for ever having a son as you and all Christians think?

I replied:

The narrative in Genesis involving Sarai (later renamed Sarah) begins in Genesis 11,

Gen 11:29  And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
Gen 11:30  But Sarai was barren; she had no child.

Abram (later renamed Abraham) took Sarai to be his wife.

In terms of Bible chronology, this event is dated A.M. 2078 = B.C. 1926.

The narrative regarding Sarai’s childlessness continues in Genesis 16,

Gen 16:1  Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
Gen 16:2  And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
Gen 16:3  And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

In terms of Bible chronology, this event is dated A.M. 2092 = B.C. 1912.

At this point, fourteen years later, Sarai is concerned that she was getting too old to bear Abram a son.

Sarai devised what she thought was a solution to her problem. She gave Hagar to Abram to be his wife so she (Sarai) could obtain children by her.

This practice was a part of that ancient culture’s custom. That practice is reflected in what is written at Ruth 4:11,

Ruth 4:11
11  And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
King James Version

As for Rachel, see the account in Genesis 30:1-3,

Gen 30:1  And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
Gen 30:2  And Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
Gen 30:3  And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.

As for Leah, see Genesis 29:32-35,

Genesis 29:32-35
32  And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
33  And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
34  And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
35  And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
King James Version

So this practice within that culture is represented in the narratives in the Bible.

But the issue in the case of Abraham and Sarah is who is the “son of promise”?

Clearly, Ishmael is the son of expediency on Sarai’s part: the result of her effort to take a “work around” to apparently help God out since she was to that point barren. Ishmael, therefore, is not the son of promise.

Who is the “son of promise” in fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant provision?

Gen 17:15  And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
Gen 17:16  And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
Gen 17:17  Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
Gen 17:19  And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Gen 18:10  And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

Gen 18:14  Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Gen 21:1  And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
Gen 21:2  For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
Gen 21:3  And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.
Gen 21:4  And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
Gen 21:5  And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

Gen 21:12  And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Gen 22:2  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Gen 22:12  And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Jos 24:3  And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

There is much more in the Bible that pertains to this issue. But what I have presented from the Old Testament certainly establishes beyond any possibility of doubt that Isaac born of Sarah is the only “seed of promise” recognized by the Bible.

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

Who is the promised seed of Abraham Part One

Posted on May 25, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Gen 22:2  And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

The Muslim claim:

Genesis 22:2 is a corrupted text. He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah”

TK commented:

does logic fly off your brain just because you need to make Isaac the son for sacrifice?

If you have 2 sons and one is living in another continent, does it mean he’s no longer your son? Then that’s being an evil father who don’t acknowledge his own son!

We know Abraham is not evil. He’s a friend of God, remember? But you Christians make him to be an adulterer and an irresponsible father!!

 

if you think I’m posting lies, try to refute me

I responded:

The refutation is direct and simple:

Abraham’s first son was Ishmael whose mother was Hagar.

This son was born as a result of Sarah’s mistaken suggestion that Abraham beget a son by Sarah’s maid since over a good period of time Sarah proved unable to have a child by Abraham. This shows Sarah’s lack of faith. This is also one of several such examples in the Bible of a wife taking the mistaken lead over her husband with ultimately disastrous or negative results.

The birth of Ishmael by Hagar does not make Abraham an adulterer. He mistakenly followed the suggestion of Sarah, a suggestion that followed a common ancient middle eastern practice as the custom of the country.

In answer to Abraham’s intercession on behalf of Ishmael, God did grant special promises to Ishmael exclusive to him and his offspring outside of the provisions of the original Abrahamic Covenant.

Abraham’s son by Hagar was not the promised seed and forms no part of the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant which stipulated that Abraham would have a son by Sarah not someone else.

Therefore, Abraham’s son Isaac by Sarah is the son of promise that fulfilled a major provision of the original Abrahamic Covenant.

 

TK responded:

before God made a covenant with Abraham and Isaac, what covenant did God make with Abraham?

I replied:

God made what is called the Abrahamic Covenant. Here is my list of its provisions with the Scripture reference where each is found:

(1) Great nation to come from Abraham, Gen 12:2;

(2) Abraham himself to be blessed, Gen 12:2;

(3) Abraham’s name to be great, Gen 12:2;

(4) Abraham shall be a blessing, Gen 12:2;

(5) Those who bless Abraham shall be blessed, Gen 12:3;

(6) Those who curse Abraham shall be cursed, Gen 12:3;

(7) All families of the earth shall be blessed in Abraham, Gen 12:3;

(8) The land of Canaan given to Abraham’s seed, Gen 12:7;

(9) Abraham personally and his seed are to inherit the land as promised, the land of Canaan or Palestine, Gen 13:15;

(10) The land of Canaan given to Abraham and his seed forever, Gen 13:15;

(11) The multitude of his seed or descendants shall be as the dust of the earth, Gen 13:16;

(12) Abraham’s seed to be innumerable as the stars of heaven, +Gen 15:5;

(13) Abraham received the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant by faith alone, through which he was counted righteous, Gen 15:6;

(14) Abraham to be the father of many nations, Gen 17:4;

(15) Nations to come of Abraham, Gen 17:6;

(16) Kings to come of Abraham, Gen 17:6;

(17) The Abrahamic Covenant declared an everlasting or perpetual covenant, Gen 17:7;

(18) God to be Abraham’s God, Gen 17:7;

(19) All the land of Canaan to be an “everlasting possession,” Gen 17:8;

(20) God to be a God to Abraham’s seed as “their God,” +**Gen 17:8;

(21) Sarah to be the mother of nations, Gen 17:16;

(22) Kings of people shall be of Sarah, Gen 17:16;

(23) Abraham’s Seed to be the Messiah, Gen 21:12 note.

(24) Abraham’s seed to be multiplied as the sand upon the sea shore, Gen 22:17;

(25) Abraham’s seed to “possess the gate of his enemies,” Gen 22:17;

(26) Abraham’s descendants will be “his people,” Exo 6:7;

(27) God to dwell among the children of Israel, Exo 29:45.

 

 

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

Another Bible Contradiction Answered

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mar 6:5  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

The Muslim Challenge:

50,000 Errors and Biblical contradictions

If the Bible was divinely inspired, then why would it have so many really obvious contradictions?

 

[There followed a listing of 250 alleged Bible contradictions]

My Response:

That is a marvelous listing of alleged Bible contradictions.

I hope you will not mind if I borrow these (by making a copy via “copy and paste” to add to my collection of alleged Bible contradictions to answer). These always make for very interesting and instructive material for a deeper study of the Bible.

Of course you have provided too many examples to answer here on this discussion thread.

Each supposed contradiction is a lesson about or an example of misreading the Bible text.

I will answer just one (now unnumbered) example:

All power is given unto [Jesus] in heaven and in earth.
– Matthew 28:18

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

And [Jesus] could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them.
– Mark 6:5

To assert that this constitutes a contradiction involves two or three major errors in reading the Bible text:

(1) The chronological error. Failure to take into account the chronology of the narrative can lead to serious misconceptions regarding what the Bible affirms. Mark 6:5 takes place well before what is proclaimed in Matthew 28:18. The proclamation found in Matthew 28:18 was given after the glorious bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2) The insufficient context error. When sufficient context is provided for Mark 6:5,  we learn that a lack of faith may limit what God will do for a person, in this case, physical healing. The account demonstrates that the people of His own town Nazareth who knew Jesus and His family well were blocked from genuinely receiving His message and largely blocked from benefiting from His healing ministry.

Here is more of the context for Mark 6:5 to show how taking into account the immediate context helps to remove the alleged contradiction for those capable of reading the Bible apart from imposing their own unbelieving worldview which blinds them to seeing the simple truth that is being presented:

Mar 6:1  And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
Mar 6:2  And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Mar 6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Mar 6:4  But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Mar 6:5  And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
Mar 6:6  And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

(3) Failure to take into account the wider context of the whole of Scripture. When we consult all that the Bible has to say on a particular subject or theme we will better understand what the Bible teaches. To find all that the Bible teaches we must use such resources as The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, or The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. These resources furnish cross references for every verse in the Bible, cross references which serve to explain, illustrate, or confirm what is said in the verse being studied.

Here are the cross references for the first clause in Mark 6:5, “he could there do.”

Mar 5:17; Mar 9:23, Gen 19:22; Gen 32:25, *Psa 78:41, Isa 59:1-2, *Mat 11:21, 23, 24. 13:58, Luk 13:34, Heb 4:2.

Mark 5:17
17  And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
King James Version

Mark 9:23
23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
King James Version

Genesis 19:22
22  Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
King James Version

Genesis 32:25
25  And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
King James Version

Psalms 78:41
41  Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
King James Version

Isaiah 59:1-2
1  Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
2  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
King James Version

Matthew 11:21  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:23  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Matthew 11:24  But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Matthew 13:58
58  And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
King James Version

Luke 13:34
34  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
King James Version

Hebrews 4:2
2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
King James Version

The proper response to our own lack of faith should be to follow the example presented in the New Testament of a man who responded to Jesus:

Mar_9:24  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Consider the promise found in Hebrews 11:6,

Heb 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.

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Other Faiths, Bible 'Contradictions' Answered, How to Interpret the Bible Correctly, How to Study the Bible | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #686, Ezekiel 33:16

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Eze 33:16  None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

My Comment:

To properly understand any verse or passage of Scripture we must take into account the near context and the wider context of the whole of Scripture.

The near context of Ezekiel 33:16 includes the preceding verses:

Eze 33:14  Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;
Eze 33:15  If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Notice the words in Ezekiel 33:15, “without committing iniquity.” These words would bring to mind for those who have carefully read the Bible these two passages:

Lev 18:5  Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

Jas 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

The book of James has a remarkable literary structure. That structure is called a chiasm. The word chiasm comes from the Greek, and if I recall correctly, alludes to the form of the letter X.

What this means is that the topics discussed by James in his book follow the pattern ABCDEFGH HGFEDCBA.

In the book of James the first topic is Patience, James 1:1-4. The last topic is Patience, James 5:7-12. The rest of the structure is presented on page 1847 of the Companion Bible. My point here is that James 2:10 is the middle or central member of the structure, which means this is the emphatic point James intends his book to stress: H: James 2:9, 10. Moses’ Law. One offence breaks it. H. James 2:11. Moses’ Law. One offence breaks it.

All of this is to stress that the Bible presents two ways of salvation:  Leviticus 18:5, keep the Law of Moses perfectly, or Genesis 15:6, fully place our faith and trust in the promises and provision God has  made for our salvation. This is done by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ:

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

No one but our Lord Jesus Christ has ever kept the whole law. But all of us are invited to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved, for that is something we all can do (Acts 16:31).

I have placed the following note at Ezekiel 33:16 in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury which you may study to dig far deeper into the plan of salvation:

None of his sins. Since the unsaved will go to hell to suffer eternal punishment (+*Eze 18:4 note, Eze 18:20 note; +Mat 25:46),

while the saved upon death go immediately to be with Christ (+2Co 5:8, +Php 1:23);

since the unsaved will experience eternal torment (Luk 16:24),

while the saved experience eternal life (Joh 11:25, 26, +*Rev 14:13),

there is no middle ground (**Joh 3:36).

The sins of the saved person “shall not be mentioned unto him” (+*Eze 18:22),

for Christ died for our sins (**2Co 5:15; **2Co 5:17; **2Co 5:21),

forever purged our sins by his shed blood (Eph 1:7, Rev 1:5)

by the forever complete and perfect sacrifice of himself just once (Heb 10:10, 11, 12)

on the cross (1Pe 2:24).

In Christ we are a new creature (*2Co 5:17),

justified by faith (Rom 5:1),

no longer under condemnation (Joh 3:18; Joh 5:24, Rom 8:1),

possessing the righteousness of Christ (Php 3:9),

ready to be presented faultless before God (Jud 1:24),

on the basis of our placing faith in his finished work for us (Eph 2:8, 9, 10).

Posted in Bible Promises, Bible Study Tools, Daily Bible Nuggets, Doctrinal Discussions, How to Interpret the Bible Correctly, How to Study the Bible | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #685, 2 Peter 2:7

Posted on May 14, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

2Pe 2:7  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (KJV, King James Version)

2Pe 2:7  Yet, God rescued Lot, a man who had his approval. Lot was distressed by the lifestyle of people who had no principles and lived in sexual freedom. (GW, God’s Word translation)

My Comment:

Peter’s message in the context of this passage is that God is able to deliver those who belong to Him from the surrounding wickedness present in today’s culture.

No Christian has any business supporting any part of the wicked culture around us:

2Ch 19:2  And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. (KJV)

2Ch 19:2  Jehu, son of the seer Hanani, asked King Jehoshaphat, “Why do you help wicked people and love those who hate the LORD? The LORD’S anger is directed toward you because you have done this. (GW)

No Christian has any business participating in protests and civil disorder that are in support of ungodly causes or lifestyles:

Exo 23:2  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: (KJV)

Exo 23:2  Never follow a crowd in doing wrong. When you testify in court, don’t side with the majority to pervert justice. (GW)

Exo 23:2 Do not be moved to do wrong by the general opinion, or give the support of your words to a wrong decision: (BBE, Basic English Bible)

Exo 23:2  Never follow a crowd in doing wrong. When you testify in court, don’t side with the majority to pervert justice. (GW)

The answer to the decidedly wrong direction many are turning to is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We who know the Lord Jesus Christ need to actively share the truth of the Gospel, the truth of the Bible, with those God has placed in our circle of influence.

Be prepared to share answers to the moral questions and Bible questions others ask you.

1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  (KJV)

1Pe 3:15  But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect. (GW)

1Pe 3:15 Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Every person is of extreme value and importance to God (Matthew 16:26). God’s Word declares it is wise to win souls to Him.

Pro 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (KJV)

Pro 11:30  The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.  (GW)

Pro 11:30 Live right, and you will eat from the life-giving tree. And if you act wisely, others will follow. (CEV)

When we consider what is taking place today, it is very clear that too many genuine Christians have not been doing their job!

Jas 5:19  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Jas 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (KJV)

Jas 5:19  My brothers and sisters, if one of you wanders from the truth, someone can bring that person back.
Jas 5:20  Realize that whoever brings a sinner back from the error of his ways will save him from death, and many sins will be forgiven. (GW)

 

Posted in Christian Living, Daily Bible Nuggets, Politics and the Bible, Practical Application Bible Studies, Principles of Christian Living | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Problem of Lot’s Daughters

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Jerry

What the Bible says:

2Pe 2:6  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

2Pe 2:7  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

2Pe 2:8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

2Pe 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

The Atheist Challenge:

If you are righteous like Lot, u can get away with death as punishment from having sex with your kids cause god is on your side.

The gospel of jesus 1.0

Debbie: Jesus! Why did you save lot & his daughters but killed all the sexually immoral and perverted people in Sodom & Gomorrah? (Jude 1:7)

Jesus: I saved them because it is not immoral if ever you want to have sex with your drunk father, Deb. (Genesis 19:34)

My response to the Opening Post:

What the Bible records is true history. The Bible nowhere suggests that we follow the bad examples of some of its characters. This may be another example to show that some atheists do not understand how to read the Bible and interpret it correctly.

MT responded:

thats why the bible is not in the history section in the library same as its not use as history book in history class

I responded:

Evidently you have not read the book titled The Bible as History.

MT replied:

like i said the bible is not in the history section same as its not use as history book in schools

I replied:

If you have spent time actually studying the Bible you would know that the Bible contains HISTORY, letters (epistles), law, and prophecy, and more.

So while you may not find the Bible located in the history section of a public library, that does not refute the fact that the Bible contains works of history within its many documents.

The history within the Bible has been carefully verified by current modern scholarship.

The many works written by K. Kitchen, including especially his book titled The Reliability of the Old Testament, are sufficient to document this.

Scholars working in the field of archeology have likewise demonstrated the accuracy of the history recorded in the Bible. I just finished reading a book yesterday by Eric Metaxas titled Is Atheism Dead? Part 2 of this book reports on the bearing of archeology on the truth of the Bible. I found Chapter 18, “The Discovery of Biblical Sodom,” to be most fascinating.

Chapter 9, “The Evidence of Archaeology,” relates the history of the discovery of the empire of the Hittites, once thought to be a mere Canaanite tribe. Some “scholars” of former generations mocked the Bible’s references to this great and powerful people.

Contemporary scientists have proven that the Biblical references to this history are correct. Because of my interest in linguistics, I was fascinated to learn that the Hittite language was an Indo-European language. At the time I taught courses in world history this was not yet known because the huge libraries of tablets found in Hittite libraries had not yet been translated.

 

MT replied:

no matter how long is ur reply, still not a fact..bible is not use as reference book in history class and its not place in history section in the library. But only use as reference at churches and faith dscusions. Let me know if that fact changes

I responded:

It might be possible that you did not know that Biblical Christianity is the only fact-based religion. It is based upon the fact that certain events it records actually happened in history.

These events were seen and experienced by people who recorded the facts.

The evidence demonstrates the historicity of the record, including the bodily resurrection of Christ.

So while it may be true that the Bible is classified in the Dewey Decimal System as belonging to the 220 section in the library that hardly invalidates the fact that the Bible contains accurate history.

I responded:

Let me share the specifics of the book I alluded to in my earlier comment:

Werner Keller, The Bible as History: A Confirmation of the Book of Books. Translated by William Neil. New York: William Morrow and Company. (C) 1956. Fully revised by the author, 1964. 457 pages.

MT replied:

same answer, the bible is not used in history class and cant be found in history section in the library. But its in religious section togther with hindu books

My response:

It may be that you have not gotten the point even yet! I will try to help you.

Just because the Bible is found in libraries in the religion section, not the history section, does not deny the FACT that the Bible contains much history.

The Bible is so accurate in its recording of history that modern archeologists use it to guide their researches in the ancient land of Israel.

The Bible has been used to help with the original discovery of oil in the Middle East.

Both Judaism and Christianity are FACT-BASED religions. Their claims to truth are based upon the certainty and correctness of the history recorded in the Bible.

Hinduism and all other non-Judeo-Christian religions are not fact-based religions: that is, these religions are not staking their truth-claims upon historical events, if any, that they record in their sacred texts.

You mentioned that you studied comparative religions at Harvard University. Did they introduce you to the writings of Hendrik Kraemer?

He wrote a book titled World Cultures and World Religions: the Coming Dialogue.

Another title he wrote: Why Christianity of all Religions?

MT replied:

same no matter how u deny the fact

same answer, the bible is not used in history class and cant be  found in history section in the library. But its in religious section together with hindu books.

My response:

At least you have been consistent in your replies!

But notice that your replies give no evidence that you have either understood or have the ability to respond to my truth claims.

It ought to be obvious that your repeated fact that the Bible is classified in the library as a book of religion does not deny the fact that the Bible records accurate history.

Since the history the Bible records has been proven accurate, the claims of the Bible are true.

Posted in Apologetics Issues--Atheism | Tagged | Leave a comment

National Day of Prayer

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Ti 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (KJV)

1Ti 2:1  First of all, I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks for all people,
1Ti 2:2  for rulers, and for everyone who has authority over us. Pray for these people so that we can have a quiet and peaceful life always lived in a godly and reverent way. (GW)

1Ti 2:1 First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them.
1Ti 2:2 Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God. (CEV)

My Comment:

I think it is a very good thing to observe a National Day of Prayer. I believe our country and the whole world situation needs even more than just a single day of prayer.

The Bible tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) with a promise attached.

The Bible encourages us to pray for one another to receive healing (James 5:16).

There is much more in the Bible about prayer.

In the United States of America our First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of religion. There are many today who seem not to believe in freedom and liberty except for themselves. In the news most recently and now before the United States Supreme Court is the case of a football coach who prayed after each game had ended to thank the Lord for the safety of the players. No students were required to stay for prayer after the game. No one was pressured to take part in a religious act against their will. But from what I have read, school administrators insisted that the coach stop this practice. The coach disagreed and refused to follow the directive of the school administration.

On this National Day of Prayer I think it would be wise to pray for our schools, our students, our teachers, and our administrators that they would exercise greater wisdom in respecting the free speech rights and religious freedom rights of both staff and students. It is nonsense to suppose that the Founding Fathers who wrote the Bill of Rights and the Constitution would have objected in their day to a school staff member praying silently by himself after a game at a public school after all had left the field before re-entering the school.

Some might object and say such prayer  activity on the part of a public school employee amounts to proselytizing. Again, I would say nonsense. I object to the proselytizing going on daily in many schools with regard to the so-called gay agenda. I object firmly against any instruction in public schools about the so-called “critical race theory.” Instructional time is and has already been in short supply. When two-thirds of students cannot meet the reading standards of the National Assessment of Educational Progress we need to get back to teaching what really matters–Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic.

 

Posted in Politics and the Bible | Tagged | 1 Comment