Daily Bible Nugget #194, 1 Peter 2:2

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for promoting growth in grace. When it comes to spiritual things, there is always room for more growth. As we read and study the Bible, our knowledge of God and His will grows. Our knowledge of our Lord Jesus grows. Our growth in grace grows. The Holy Spirit is able to work in our lives to bring them more into the likeness of Christ. To grow in grace, we all need to partake regularly of the milk of the word. That word is now exclusively contained in the Bible. What a blessing it is to have free access to such a wonderful Book written by the very inspiration of God. Don’t go hungry spiritually, when the food you need is right before you!

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1457 for 1 Peter 2:2.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1474 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Peter 2:2.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

1 Peter 2:2. newborn. Gr. artigennētos (S#738g, only here), just born, that is, (figuratively) a young convert (Strong). The terms Peter uses do not imply he is addressing new converts, but demonstrate how all believers should have the same desire for God’s Word as a newborn baby has for its mother’s milk. 1 P 1:3, 23. Jn 1:13. Ep 4:24. 1 T 3:6. babes. Gr. brephos (S#1025g, Lk 18:15). T#1113. *1 P 1:23. =Le 22:11. Is 28:9. 40:11. +*Mt 11:25. *+Mt 18:3. 19:14. *Mk 10:14, 15. Lk 1:41n. 2:12, 16. 9:47. 10:21. +Lk 18:15, 16. Jn 21:15. Ac 7:19. Ro 2:20. *Ro 6:4. *1 Cor 3:1, 2. 14:20. +**2 Tim 3:15. desire. or, earnestly desire. Gr. epipotheō (S#1971g, Ro 1:11), to dote upon, that is, intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully) [Strong]. Peter states we should desire the Word of God just like a newborn baby desires milk. I think a fair inference to be drawn from Peter’s statement is that just like a newborn baby would die if it never gets milk, so anyone who does not feed on the written Word of God in the Bible will die spiritually. A further proper inference no doubt would be that anyone who has no desire to seriously feed on the written Word of God in the Bible is spiritually dead. *Jb 23:12. Ps 42:1. 84:2. 112:1. +*Ps 119:30, 31, 72, 131, 140, 165. Pr 2:1-6. %Is 58:2. Je 3:15. %Je 6:10. **Je 15:16. Mt 5:6. 13:23. *Ac 8:31n. 10:33. **+Ac 17:11. 2 Cor 7:11. Phil 2:26. the sincere. or, spiritual. or, pure. or, guileless. Gr. reasonable. Gr. adolos (S#97g, only here), undeceitful, that is, (figuratively) unadulterated (Strong). ver. 1 P 2:1. *Ps 19:7-10. +*Ps 119:40. +*Mk 4:24. +*Lk 8:18. Jn 10:5. Ro 12:1g. 2 Cor 4:2. milk. Gr. gala (S#1051g, 1 Cor 3:2). Is 28:9. 55:1. 66:11. Joel 3:18. *1 Cor 3:2. 9:7. *1 Tim 4:6. %*He 5:12, 13. 6:1. of the word. Gr. logikos (S#3050g, only here and Ro 12:1, “reasonable”), rational (“logical”) [Strong]; spiritual or rational, as opposed to literal and ceremonial (Vincent). The milk to be found in the Word of God is in the highest sense “reasonable.” See 1 P 3:15 (CB). It is the Word of God, not tradition, “which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Rather than contending so much for what is clearly not essential to faith in Christ, true Christians, Bible believing ones, encourage others to get into the written Word of God in the Bible for themselves so that they can come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way and have a life-giving relationship with Him that results in genuine belief that brings eternal life. Only the Bible provides the spiritual food necessary for spiritual growth and “works effectually” (1 Th 2:13n) in those who believe. *1 P 1:25. =Ex 16:15. +*Ps 119:50, 140. +Mt 4:4. Lk 8:15, +*Lk 8:18. Jn 3:12. +*Ro 10:17. 2 Cor 2:17. 4:2. Col 1:5. +**1 Th 2:13. 1 Tim 4:6. He 6:9n. +*James 1:21. grow. Gr. auxanō (S#837g, Mt 6:28). T#1048. 2 S 23:5. *Jb 17:9. Ps 19:11. +*Pr 4:18. *Ho 6:3. *Ho 14:5, 7. *Mal 4:2. Mt 13:23. Mk 4:8. Lk 8:15. +*Ac 20:32. Ep 2:21. *Ep 4:15. Phil 3:12. Col 1:6, +**Col 1:10. 2:19. *1 Th 2:13. 4:1, 10. 2 Th 1:3. +**2 Tim 3:16, 17. +*2 P 1:5-11. **2 P 3:18. thereby. Ac 11:14. Ep 4:13. *Col 1:6, 10.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #193, Matthew 4:4

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for supporting life. The Scriptures are our spiritual food. Regularly reading and studying them is what it takes to become strong spiritually. By the example of Jesus, notice He used the Scripture to foil the attack of Satan. Therefore, among many other things, the Scriptures are designed to answer the devil. We are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Where are those words to be found? Not in Tradition. They are found only in the Bible. Notice, too, that Jesus answers the temptation of Satan with Scripture. Jesus knew the Scripture well enough to quote it. We, too, should memorize Scripture. That will help us in our spiritual walk, equip us to deal with temptation or discouragement, and to share with others what God’s Word has taught us.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1017 for Matthew 4:4.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1036 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Matthew 4:4.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Matthew 4:4. It is written. The appeal is not to the spoken voice (Mt 3:17) but to the written Word (CB). T#1034. ver. Mt 4:6, 7, 10. **Mt 22:29. +**Ps 119:11. Mk 12:10. Lk 4:4, 8, 12. Jn 7:42. 17:8, 14, 17. +*Ro 15:4. *Ep 6:17. He 10:7, 8. Man. Mt 6:25-34. *>Dt 8:3. Lk 4:4. Jn 4:31-34. 6:49-51. not live. Is 38:16. Da 1:15. bread. FS171, +Ge 3:19. ver. Mt 4:3. Mt 6:11, 31. +*Mt 24:45. Ge 42:2. 1 K 17:4. but. Mt 14:16-21. Ex 16:8, 15, 35. 23:15. 1 K 17:12-16. 2 K 4:42-44. 7:1, 2. Hag 2:16-19. Mal 3:9-11. Mk 6:38-44. 8:4-9. Jn 6:5, 31, 63. by. T#1047. Dt 8:3. Note: That is, as Dr. Campbell renders, “by every thing which God is pleased to appoint;” for rama, which generally signifies a word, is, by a Hebraism, here taken for a thing, like davar, in Hebrew. every word. Gr. rhēma. S#4487g. Mt 5:11. 12:36. 18:16. 26:75. 27:14. Mk 9:32. 14:72. Lk 1:37, 65. 2:15 (thing), Lk 2:17, 19 (things), Lk 2:29, 50, 51. 3:2. 5:5. 7:1. 9:45. 18:34. 20:26. 24:8, 11. Jn 3:34. 5:47. 6:63, 68. 8:20, 47. 10:21. 12:47, 48. 14:10. 15:7. 17:8. Ac 2:14. 5:20, 32 (things). Ac 6:11, 13. Ac 10:22, 37, 44. 11:14, 16. 13:42. 16:38. 26:25. 28:25. Ro 10:8, 17, 18. 2 C 12:4. 13:1. Ep 5:26. 6:17. He 1:3. 6:5. 11:3. 12:19a. 1 P 1:25. 2 P 3:2. Jude 1:17. Re 17:17. of God. Dt 32:47. +*Jsh 1:8. =1 S 21:9. +*Jb 23:12. *Ps 17:4. **Ps 119:11. Is 38:16. +*Je 15:16. +*Jn 5:39. *Jn 6:63. 1 Cor 3:15. *Ep 6:17. **He 4:12. 1 P 4:18. Re 19:15.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #192, Deuteronomy 8:3

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for supporting life. Physical life is supported by food. Even the nation of Israel in the wilderness journey needed food to eat. God miraculously supplied them manna as physical food six days a week for forty years. During that time their clothes did not wear out. On that long desert walk their feet did not swell. Another Scripture tells us their shoes did not wear out (Deuteronomy 29:5). But God declares we need more than physical clothing and food. We need spiritual food that comes out of the mouth of God. In our time that spiritual food is found in one place–your Bible. Just as you could not stay alive very long without food and water, so your spiritual life will not continue to live apart from feeding regularly on God’s written word in the Bible. The Scriptures are designed for supporting spiritual life. Failure to feed on God’s Word in the Bible surely results in spiritual death. This verse (Deuteronomy 8:3) ought to take on special significance when you realize that Jesus quoted this verse in answer to Satan during His temptation in the wilderness. Take time to read the Bible and so choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19. Joshua 24:15). Bring fresh vitality to your spiritual life by feeding regularly on God’s Word.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 188 for Deuteronomy 8:3.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 206 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Deuteronomy 8:3.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Deuteronomy 8:3. he humbled thee. Dt 33:8. Pr 29:23. suffered thee to hunger. Ec 7:14. Da 11:35. fed thee. ver. Dt 8:16. Ex 16:2, 3, 12-35. Ne 9:15. Ps 78:23-25. 105:40. 143:5. 144:13. +*Je 31:2. Mt 4:4. Mk 6:42. Lk 22:35. Jn 6:30-35, 41, 48-51, 57, 58, 63. 1 Cor 10:3. *Phil 4:19. 1 Tim 6:8. neither did. +*Dt 5:3. make thee know. Ro 8:28. doth not live. Dt 6:24. Ps 37:3. 104:27-29. >Mt 4:4. Mk 6:42. >Lk 4:4. 12:29, 30. He 13:5, 6. bread. FS171, +Ge 3:19. Dt 29:6. Ps 104:15. Da 1:12. proceedeth. **Je 15:16. Jn 1:1, 14, 45. 6:52-55. +**2 Tim 3:16. mouth. FS22A10, +Nu 12:8. doth man live. Is 38:16.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #191, Psalm 17:4

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. (KJV)

Psalm 17:4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. (ESV)

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for keeping from destructive paths. Destructive paths take many forms, but they largely involve engaging in sinful actions. If we are Bible believing Christians, Satan is eager to see us fall. Satan lures just about everyone into dangerous snares. One of the greatest needs to revitalize our inner cities is to quell the violence that takes place there. Some political figures I have heard blame the many people who left the larger cities for the suburbs, taking, they say, their wealth and tax base with them. Well, just what would you expect? If a particular economic, social, or racial group seemingly cannot control the actions of their youth, so that crime rates soar, who in their right mind would stay there to become a victim? Now I hear on the radio in Detroit that the new police chief is seeking solutions to the problems the city is facing with its crime and its youth. Someone needs to send him a link to this site. I have given the solutions here to the problem.

I am not just speaking from a theoretical knowledge. I have lived and worked in Detroit for most of my life. I have been the victim myself of the terrible crime that goes on. On March 13, 1986 at 7:15 am on a Thursday morning I was shot at point blank range in the back of my head by an unknown black assailant wielding a nine millimeter handgun as I was crossing the teacher’s parking lot as I entered Southeastern High School. Did the police look for the criminal? Not at all. Since I was still alive, my case was never investigated, according to a front page Detroit News article just a week or so after I was shot.

But I have been working to improve the inner city streets of Detroit since well before 1961. I mention that date because I came upon a thank you letter today (tucked inside the front cover of a book I consulted) from one of the wayward youth I had led to the Lord while I worked with a group of young adults in connection with Dave Wilkerson’s Teen Challenge program or outreach.

I also worked with inner city youth at the Green Tree Coffee House in inner city Detroit. Several of the young people who used my reading program on Saturdays later entered the University of Michigan and were on the football team. But though I helped them academically at a critical age, I have since learned that they experienced moral failure which cut short their opportunity for further success. By the way, Pastor Emory Moss of Strictly Biblical Ministries in Detroit will certainly remember my work at the Green Tree Coffee House, for when he was a high school student, he came with me a few times. Many years later he said his parents would never allow him to enter that near west side neighborhood because it was too dangerous, but as long as he was with Mr. Smith, he could.

For students in my own public high school classes in Detroit I discovered how to guide my students toward positive, productive, moral values in my classroom by sharing themed units of daily proverbs and quotations. By having my students write weekly proverb interpretation and application compositions in my English class the students had the opportunity to deep-process the values and spiritual truths those proverbs and quotations contained. My students told me that this assignment revolutionized their lives. They thanked me for the help my assignment was to them, literally turning their lives around.

As an aside, the currently touted panacea, Common Core, promoted by the President and many others who are lacking in their knowledge about how students learn and what they need to know, will not work. Of course, the No Child Left Behind program, the previous panacea, has worked wonders. By year 2014 all students were to be performing in all subjects, especially reading, at grade level. The trouble is, that program left almost every student behind. But for all the money thrown at the problem, these solutions do not work and cannot work. The currently used Common Core materials and their associated goals are entirely untested. But there is big money in that stuff. Meanwhile I have written and professionally tested my own self-instructional program which does work for students of all ages, third grade through graduate school, for all ability levels, and my program works as a supplemental program any interested parent–or anybody else–can use with ease. Having problems with students learning English as a second language? The top official at the Detroit Public Schools years ago discovered my program worked as she saw by her personal observation, so she arranged to have as many of her ESL students at my high school enrolled in my English class in order to benefit from the program. Check out my statistics and the history of my Language Enrichment Program at www.readingsteps.com, if you don’t believe me.

Now where are the parents, the pastors, the leaders in the black community? There is no reason to have the kinds of behaviors I hear and read about in the inner city every day when the solution to the problem is so ready to hand.

When Trayvon Martin was in the headlines, I expressed on Facebook my opinion that had Trayvon Martin had the opportunity of being in my English class, or of another English teacher in his area with the same commitment to seeing to it that students were where they belonged, doing what they should be doing (my main classroom rule), the needless tragedy would never have happened. The black Christians I had addressed on Facebook disagreed with me, said I did not understand the situation Trayvon faced, and that I was expressing the usual white person’s prejudice against the black community. I told them frankly they knew me for many years, and knew better than to react to what I said that way. I emphasized that what they needed to be doing, and were not, was to seek solutions to the problem, not bemoan the tragedy further.

The answer and the solution, of course, is stated in the Bible verse which is today’s Bible Nugget, Psalm 17:4. Now, get busy and take steps to apply this verse if you have a heart for God and believe in His written Word. I can “lead a horse to water, but I can’t make him drink,” as the saying goes.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 541 for Psalm 17:4.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 593 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 17:4.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 17:4. works. Ps 14:1-3. Ge 6:5, 11. Jb 15:16. 31:33. 1 Cor 3:3, 15. 1 P 4:2, 3, 18. 1 J 4:5. of men. Adam:—natural men;—children of him, who transgressed (avar) God’s covenant (Kay). Ho 6:7mg. by the. *Ps 119:9-11, 105. Mt 4:4, 6, 7, 10. word. T#1046. *Ps 119:9-11, 105. *Pr 2:10-15. *Pr 6:22. Mt 4:4, 7, 10. *Jn 17:17. Ep 6:17. James 1:18. *Re 12:11. I have kept. Ps 18:21. 1 J 5:18. the paths. Pr 1:10. 7:6-10. +*Ga 5:19-21. destroyer. Jb 33:22. Pr 2:12. Jn 8:23. 1 P 5:8. Re 9:11mg.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, Education Issues, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #190, Psalm 119:9

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for cleansing the ways. As you can see, this truth about the effect of God’s written word was revealed even in Old Testament times. Reading, studying, meditating, and obeying God’s Word in the Bible will cleanse your ways. The Bible more than any other book impacts character. Reading the Bible can bring you to a knowledge and sure possession of salvation and eternal life. It can produce positive change in your character. Bible reading and study makes better people out of us. Want to know how to salvage wayward souls often up to no good in our inner cities? By experience, I know first hand. Reach these young people with the message of the Bible, then encourage them to read the Bible regularly for themselves. When they find Christ as their Savior, they will know it. They will want to reach others they know. That will change the neighborhood and reduce, even eliminate crime. Education alone is not the answer. Education in the Bible is the answer when young people and old seriously read it for themselves to seek guidance from God and find eternal life through faith in Christ. This is not an institutional thing. It is a personal thing. Go to the individuals where they are. Don’t wait for them to find your church. On their own, they may never darken the door of your church. Build personal relationships with them. Get to know them. You will find they are full of Bible and spiritual questions they want answers to! How do you get to know them? Ask God to help you meet just one person to start with that will hear you out once you have developed a friendship with them. One way is to offer to help them with their schoolwork–homework, if they have any. Many students need help in mathematics. If you understand algebra or geometry, you might be able to lend a helping hand. And don’t kid yourself. They all need help in reading. The best readers can learn to read even better. Bible reading and study most definitely raises reading achievement! What ever the need, if you can assist in meeting it, you may have found a friend who will be open to the Gospel. Through that person you may be able to reach some of their friends, or teach them to do so. Often there are certain young people in a neighborhood who have a great many friends. You can tell when there are many friends who come to see them. If you can reach such a young person, they may be the key to reaching many more. The same procedure will work with adults of any age too. Stamp out inner-city crime with the life-changing power of the Gospel found in your Bible.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 627 for Psalm 119:9.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 672 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:9.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:9. shall. *Ps 25:7. 34:11. 39:1. 71:17. 2 Ch 34:3. *Jb 1:5. 13:26. *Pr 1:4, 10. 2:1, 11. 4:1, 10-17. 5:7, etc. Pr 6:20, etc. *Pr 7:7. Ec 11:9, 10. *Ec 12:1. Je 3:4. Lk 15:13. *2 Tim 2:22. Titus 2:4-6. cleanse. T#1045. Ps 19:9, 11, 12. =Ex 30:18. Jn 13:4-10. *Jn 15:3. *Jn 17:17. 2 Cor 7:1. *Ep 5:26, 27. 2 Tim 2:21. *He 10:22. his way. ver. Ps 119:59. 1 K 2:4. Pr 6:22. 20:11. 23:26. by taking heed. ver. **Ps 119:11, **Ps 119:97-105. *Ps 1:1-3. *Ps 17:4. **Ps 19:7-11. 39:1. *Ps 74:4-8. Dt 4:15. 6:6-9. 17:18-20. Jsh 1:7. 2 K 10:31. Ne 13:3. **Pr 4:23. Lk 22:61, 62. **Jn 15:3. 17:17, 19. **2 Tim 3:15-17. He 2:1. James 1:21-25. according to. ver. +Ps 119:25, 154. Ps 103:18. +**2 Tim 3:15-17. thy word. Heb. dabar, S#1697h. ver. Ps 119:16, 17, 25, 28, 42 (twice), Ps 119:43, 49, 57 (plural), Ps 119:65, 74, 81, 89, 101, 105, 107, 114, 130 (plural), Ps 119:139 (plural), Ps 119:147, 160, 161, 169. This word refers to the articulate form of what is said, whether spoken or written; to the mode or manner by which the ipsissima verba are imparted. The first occurrence is in Ge 11:1 (“speech”) (CB, Appendix 73, “The Ten Words of Psalm 119,” page 108). Ps 12:6. 17:4. 18:30. 19:14.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #189, Ephesians 5:25-27

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for cleansing the heart. Paul writes that Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. He did that in order to sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. It is the Word of God we now have in the Bible by which cleansing is accomplished as we read it, believe it, and obey it. Christ is working towards the goal that he might present the church to himself as a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle. He intends that his church should be holy and without blemish.

Holiness is absolutely essential for salvation according to Hebrews 12:14. There is much mistaken teaching about these matters. In the Greek text of the New Testament it is a striking fact that though the Greek language possesses a future tense form for the verb “to make holy,” the future tense of this verb is never once used in the New Testament. This reflects the doctrinal fact that the Bible teaches that we must possess holiness in this life. Most teachers today teach that we become holy after death, and not until then. That is a seriously mistaken teaching.

The mistaken teaching is based upon a false theory of the central Bible doctrine of the Atonement of Christ. Most Bible teachers teach the Penal Atonement Theory, that Christ paid the penalty for our sin by being punished for our sin while on the cross. These teachers teach that Jesus was our substitute. They teach that when we believe on Christ then his righteousness is imputed to us. All these things, very widely taught, are utter errors and falsehoods. These falsehoods are continuously spread by all currently available English translations (except Young’s Literal Translation) which are worded so as to support the Penal Atonement Theory. The translations are wrong because they fail to represent accurately in English the truths that are plainly there in the Greek text they are translating.

For example, they fail to translate the subjunctive mood, which is present even in John 3:16. It is present all over. It is present in John 6:37, 44, 65. The subjunctive mood marks the presence of a contingency–a promise is given–but that promise is absolute only for those who meet the conditions stipulated in the context, the immediately surrounding verses.

The blood of Christ does much more for us than what most Bible teachers are presenting as supposed Gospel truth. The blood of Christ is stated in the New Testament to have power to remove sin. The blood of Christ has a power and effectiveness far greater than the blood of sacrificial animals in the Old Testament record. Hebrews 10:4 tells us that it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins (Hebrews 10:4, 11). In contrast, the blood of Christ has the power to remove sins now in this life (1 John 1:8). To deny that the blood of Christ now has the power to remove sin is to relegate the blood of Christ to the level of the blood of the Levitical sacrifices which left the worshiper still in sin.

These truths and their significance are hard to grasp because they run counter to everything we hear or read. I trust you will at least understand that the blood of Christ has much more power than we give it credit and that holiness and purity of heart are both possible and required in this life. These are not effects in our life that we somehow work up by our own efforts (Ephesians 2:8-10). Yet, this is not a passive process on our part (Philippians 2:12, 13). They are the result of regenerative change (Titus 3:5) brought about by the Holy Spirit when we truly place our faith in Christ. They are the result of the transformative change that takes place in our life when we become a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). They are the result of the fruit of the Spirit wrought in our lives by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Our salvation is the provision of God made possible by the death of Christ in Priestly-Sacrificial Atonement, a provision made unstintingly by God for all without exception, the “world” specified in John 3:16 and 1 John 2:2 (where “propitiation” should be translated “atonement”). The Bible absolutely does not teach limited atonement! The provision is for all. The benefit is made available to those who will believe the true Gospel–that is a major contingency or requirement which must be met to obtain the benefit promised. It is through the Word of God in the Bible that we are made clean as we read, believe, and obey it, because the Holy Spirit works to this end in our life as we do so.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1367 for Ephesians 5:25-27.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1387 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Ephesians 5:25-27.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Ephesians 5:25. Husbands. 1 Cor 14:35. love your wives. ver. Ep 5:28, 33. +*Ge 2:24. 24:67. 26:7. Ru 4:10. 2 S 12:3. Pr 5:18, 19. Pr 31:10. Ec 3:8. SS 1:11. 2:6. 4:7. 1 Cor 7:33. *Col 3:19. *1 P 3:7. loved. ver. +*Ep 5:2, 29. Ep 3:19. Ps 16:3. Is 54:5. 62:4. Ho 2:16, 19. Mt 12:50. 20:28. 25:1. Lk 5:34. 22:19, 20. Jn 3:29. 6:51. 11:36. 13:1. +*Ac 20:28. Ro 8:37. Ga 1:4. **Ga 2:20. 2 Th 2:16. **1 Tim 2:6. 1 P 1:18-21. 1 J 3:16. +*Re 1:5. *Re 5:9. the church. Mt 16:18. Re 12:1x. 21:2x. gave himself. or, gave Himself up (LNT). Gave Himself up translates paredōken, an indicative mood verb, which confirms the reality of the action. In ver. Ep 5:26, might make her holy translates hagiasē, a subjunctive mood verb which shows the action is not taking place, but is potential, objectively possible. The point is that the Atonement and its benefits are two different things; contrary to the Penal satisfactionists—that Christ’s death results in irresistible, unconditional salvation. The Atonement is an unconditional act of God which renders all men savable, but in and of itself saves no one. The Holy Spirit inspired the use of the subjunctive to show that the benefits of the Atonement are of a conditional nature (cf. Titus 2:14; He 13:12; 1 P 3:18) [LNT, fn w]. ver. Ep 5:2, 23. Le 8:22. 9:12. Mt 1:21. Jn 18:8. +Ro 4:25. *1 Tim 2:5, 6. Titus 2:14. 1 J 3:5. 5:6.

Ephesians 5:26. That he. *Jn 17:17-19. +*Ac 26:18. *1 Cor 6:11. *Titus 2:14. *He 9:14. *He 10:10. *1 P 1:2. *Jude 1:1. might sanctify. or, might make her holy (LNT). Gr. hagiazō [(S#37g), to make holy (L-N 88.26): Mt 6:9g (Hallowed). Mt 23:17g, 19g. Lk 11:2g. Jn 10:36g. **Jn 17:17g, 19g. *Ac 20:32g. *Ac 26:18g. Ro 15:16g. 1 Cor 1:2g. *1 Cor 6:11g. *1 Cor 7:14g. 1 Tim 4:5g. 2 Tim 2:21g. He 2:11g. 9:13g. *He 10:10g, 14g, 29g. 13:12g. *1 P 3:15g. *Jude 1:1g. Re 22:11g (be holy)]. Might make her holy translates hagiasē, an aorist active subjunctive. When we have a work of the Holy Spirit in mind, to make holy is a transformational experience, not a mere setting apart as under the Law (LNT, fn x). 2 Ch 29:5. Ezk 37:28. Jn 17:19. 1 C 1:2, 30. +*1 Th 4:3. He 10:14. 12:10. 13:12. and cleanse. or, having cleansed. Gr. katharizō (S#2511g, Mt 8:2). Having cleansed translates katharisas, to cleanse, i.e., the removal of impurities from whatever is cleansed. The Holy Spirit cleanses the believer from the fallen nature in Adam: Adamic nature, carnality, sin nature, in which we were conceived (Ps 51:5; Compare Ep 1:4, 7, 13 and notes). It is significant to note that when an aspect of salvation is in mind, katharizō (S#2511g, Mt 8:2) is always used of the cleansing work of the believer; when the sinner is saved from sin, dikaioō (S#1344g, Ro 8:30) is always used (LNT, fn y). Le 14:7. 16:30. Nu 19:19. Ezk 36:25. 37:23. Ml 3:3. Jn 2:6n. Titus 2:14g (purify). +2 P 1:9. *1 J 1:7, **1 J 1:9. with the washing. or, by the laver. Gr. loutron, *S#3067g, only here and Titus 3:5g. FS22M. The laver is put for Christ’s death and its results. Compare Nu 19:9, 17. Has nothing to do with baptism (CB). Washing of water is a picture, illustration, of the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit, and has nothing to do with ceremonial water baptism. The washing is real, transformational, and life-giving; this is water of eternal life (Compare Jn 4:10; 7:38, 39) [LNT, fn z]. =Ex 29:4. =Ex 30:18. Le 8:6. **Nu 19:9, 17. 2 K 5:13, 14n. +*Ps 51:7. Ezk 16:9. *Ezk 36:25. Zc 13:1. *Jn 3:5. 13:5, 8, 10. +*Ac 22:16. +*1 Cor 6:11. *Titus 3:5-7. +*He 10:22. *1 P 3:21. *1 J 5:6. Re 7:14. of water. Nu 31:23. Dt 23:11. Jn 19:34. 1 P 3:20. by the word. Gr. rhēma (S#4487g), Mk 9:32n. With a rhema or spoken word, is distinct from the written word. Rhema, the spoken word, is a reference to God’s intention, purpose, or promise (compare Jl 2:28; Ezk 36:26, 27). The Holy Spirit makes the believer holy as in wholly (1 Th 5:23, 24), and enables us to live accordingly (LNT, fn a). Ep 6:17. **Ps 119:9. *+Jn 15:3. 17:17. +Ro 10:8, 9. He 6:5. **He 11:3n. *James 1:18. *1 P 1:22, 23.

Ephesians 5:27. present. Gr. peristēmi (S#3936g, Mt 26:53). +Ep 1:4. Ge 2:22. 24:47, 67. Le 14:11. =Nu 3:6. Ps 45:9, 11. 68:13. Pr 31:29. SS 1:8. 2:14. 6:4, 10. *Ro 12:1. *2 Cor 4:14. *2 Cor 11:2. *Col 1:22, 28. *Jude 1:24. it. or, himself. glorious. Gr. endoxos (S#1741g). =2 Ch 5:1. Ps 45:13. *Ps 87:3. SS 1:5. *Is 60:15-20. *Is 62:3. Je 33:9. Lk 7:25g (gorgeously). Lk 13:17g (glorious things). Jn 17:22. 1 Cor 4:10g (honourable). 2 Th 1:10. *He 12:22-24. *Re 7:9-17. 19:7, 8. *Re 21:10-26. church. ver. Ep 5:23. +*1 C 12:13. Re 19:8. not having spot. or, blemish. Gr. spilos (S#4996g). +Le 1:3. 14:7. *SS 4:7. 5:2. 6:9. 1 Tim 6:14. *He 9:14. *1 P 1:19. %2 P 2:13g. *2 P 3:14. or wrinkle. Jb 16:8. but. FS15G, Ge +35:3. +*Ep 1:4. *2 Cor 11:2. *Col 1:22, 28. **1 Th 5:23. **Jude 1:24. *Re 21:10, 11, 27. 22:11. without blemish. or, faultless. Gr. amōmos (S#299g, Ep 1:4). +Ep 1:4. +Le 1:3. 4:32. 8:22n. 22:19. 2 S 14:25. Da 1:4. Ac 3:26. Ro 8:4. 1 Cor 1:8. Phil 1:10. 2:15. *1 Th 3:13. He 12:10. *Re 14:5. 19:8.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, Doctrinal Discussions, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #188, John 15:3

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for cleansing the heart. Jesus stated we are clean through the word which he has spoken to us. That word is recorded in the Bible. It is therefore through reading the Bible for ourselves, or through hearing it read aloud and properly taught, that our hearts are cleansed by the Word of God now strictly limited to what is contained in the Bible. Cleansing of the heart results in holiness in our life. Holiness is an absolute requirement for salvation as plainly stated in Hebrews 12:14. One of the hymns I appreciate is titled “Take Time to be Holy.” I have posted the words of that hymn elsewhere on this site, probably under Bible Study Methods, under the devotional study of the Bible. If we truly belong to God and have a personal relationship with His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, we will be attracted to the light of His Word. Those who have yet to experience the saving power of the Gospel and the cleansing power of the blood of Christ may not find the Bible and its message attractive to them yet. Recall that Jesus taught that men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). If you are not yet walking in the light of the Gospel, take time to read the Bible as frequently advocated here for yourself so that you may become rightly related with the loving Savior and enjoy eternal life starting in the here and now.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1198 for John 15:3.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1217 or in Logos 5 Bible software for John 15:3.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

John 15:3. are clean. or, pruned. or, purified. ver. John 15:2. T#1044. *Jn 13:10, 11. **Jn 17:17. =Ex 30:18. Le 13:6. Nu 19:18. **+Ps 119:9, 11. %Pr 20:9. Mk 1:42. *Ac 15:9. **Ep 5:26, 27. **1 P 1:22, 23. *1 J 3:3. the word. Gr. logos, Mk 9:32n. *Jn 8:43. 14:25. 17:6, 17, 19. Dt 12:28. +*Ps 119:9. Pr 15:31. Lk 22:61. +*Ac 20:32. *Ep 5:26. **+1 Th 2:13.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #187, Deuteronomy 17:18-20

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Deuteronomy 17:18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
Deu 17:19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
Deu 17:20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for producing obedience. The king in Israel from ancient times was commanded to have a copy of the Bible. He was to read the Bible “all the days of his life.” Reading the Bible would result in his proper attitude toward God. Reading the Bible would alert him to what God has commanded so he would obey. Reading God’s Word in the Bible would keep his pride in check: his heart would not be “lifted up above his brethren.” God promised that obedience to these directives would prolong his days in his kingdom for both he and his children. Our own political leaders might learn well from this passage of Scripture. Our judges at all levels would likewise benefit. How shall anyone obey the Scriptures if they have not taken the time to find out what they teach? Reading the Bible on a regular basis, even daily basis, brings many blessings. Take time to get in the Bible regularly. The Bible will teach you how to be rightly related to God for time and eternity.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 197 for Deuteronomy 17:18-20.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on pages 215-216 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Deuteronomy 17:18-20.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Deuteronomy 17:18. sitteth upon the throne. 1 K 1:13. Ezr 10:14. Ps 122:5. Pr 16:10. Ac 26:3. that he shall write. Dt 31:24. 2 K 11:12. a copy. Note: Mishneh hattorah hazzoth, “a duplicate of this law;” translated by the Septuagint, το δευτερονομιον τουτο, to deuteronomion touto, this Deuteronomy. From this version, both the Vulgate and all the modern versions have taken the name of this book; and from the original word, the Jews call it Mishneh. Some have supposed, that this command refers only to the book of Deuteronomy; but it is most probable, that the whole law is intended: and if Moses, with his immense engagements, found time for compiling and writing the whole, it could not be an intolerable task imposed upon any future prince to transcribe it. of this law. Dt 1:5. 4:44. 1 K 2:3. 2 Ch 23:11. Ezr 7:14. Ne 8:2. +**Ps 19:7. +**Ps 119:9, 24. in a book. +*Jsh 1:8. 2 K 22:10. 2 Ch 34:14, 30. +*Jn 5:39. Ac 8:28. out of that which is before. Dt 31:9, 25, 26. 2 K 11:12, 17. 22:8, 10, 11, 13. 2 Ch 34:15. the priests the Levites. ver. Dt 17:9. Dt 18:1. 21:5. 24:8. 27:9. 31:9. Jsh 3:3. 8:33.

Deuteronomy 17:19. read therein. *Dt 6:6-9. 11:18. *Jsh 1:8. **Ps 1:2. **Ps 119:97-100. +Mt 12:3n. **Jn 5:39. Ac 8:28. *1 Tim 4:13. +*2 T 3:15-17. all the days. *Ac 17:11. fear. *Dt 10:12. 1 K 2:2. Pr +1:7. 2 Cor 5:11. He 10:31. Re 19:5. keep all the words of this law. Dt 1:5. 4:10, 44. 14:23. 2 Ch 34:14, 18. Ezr 7:14. to do. T#1043. +*Dt 26:16, 18.

Deuteronomy 17:20. his heart. *Dt 8:2, 13, 14. 11:16. 2 K 14:10. 2 Ch 25:19. *2 Ch 26:16. 32:25, 26. *2 Ch 33:12, 19, 23. *2 Ch 34:27. *Ps 131:1, 2. Is 2:12. Da 5:20-23. Hab 2:4. +*2 Cor 1:24. *2 Cor 12:7. 1 Tim 3:6. *1 P 5:5. his brethren. 1 Ch 28:2. he turn. See on *Dt 4:2. *Dt 5:32. 12:25, 28, 32. 1 K 15:5. not aside. Dt 11:16. *Dt 28:14. Jsh 23:6. right hand. See on ver. *Dt 17:11. Jsh 23:6. *1 S 13:13, 14. *1 S 15:23. 1 K 11:12, 13, 34, 36. 2 K 10:30. *Ps 19:11. 132:12. that he may prolong. +Dt 4:40. 25:15. *Pr 10:27. *Pr 27:24. *Ec 8:13. in his kingdom. Ge 49:10. 2 S 23:1, 5. Ac 13:32-34. he, and his children. Note: From this it is apparent, that the crown of Israel was designed to be hereditary, as we find it actually was, when the sovereign did not forfeit it by his wickedness; and experience has proved, that hereditary succession in regal government is the safest and best. Perhaps also this provision of the Law was providentially given in preparation for the coming Messiah, the son of Abraham (+Mt 1:1), the son of David (Mt 22:41-46), Who is to rule forever upon this earth sitting upon the Throne of David as the Son of Man in fulfillment of the Abrahamic (+Ge 12:2n) and Davidic (+2 S 7:10n) Covenants.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #186, Romans 15:4

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for producing hope. If you need more hope, or stronger hope, let the Bible become your source of hope. That is what it has been written for. In times of personal and national trial, the Bible furnishes hope. In the Bible are promises God has made. A thorough knowledge of these eliminates despair and discouragement. God is able to comfort us through His Word. With the Bible available, there is no reason to feel hopeless! God knows all about each of us and our individual situation (Psalm 40:17). The Bible tells us God cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1298 for Romans 15:4.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1318 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Romans 15:4.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Romans 15:4. whatsoever. +*Ro 4:23, 24. *1 Cor 9:9, 10. *1 Cor 10:11. +**2 Tim 3:16, 17. *2 P 1:19-21. written. +Ro 3:10. *Ps 102:18. Je 30:2. Da 7:1. *Mt 4:4. Jn 19:35. 20:30, **Jn 20:31. aforetime. Jb 8:8. Ga 3:1. Ep 3:3g. Jude 1:4. for our learning. or, teaching. Note: Rather, “for our instruction.” T#1030. Ro 2:18. 12:7. +*Ps 119:130. +*Is 8:20. Mt 13:44. Mk 1:44. +*Mk 12:24. +*Jn 5:39. **Jn 20:31. 1 Cor 1:5. *1 Cor 10:6, 11. Col 2:17. 1 Tim 1:16. +**2 Tim 3:16. He 10:1. *2 P 1:19. **1 J 5:13. patience. or, patient endurance. FS134, +Mt 3:9. In Hebrew the words “patience” and “hope” would be sabbar and subar, thus exhibiting the figure Parechesis, or Foreign Paronomasia. +*Ro 2:7. *Ro 5:3-5. 8:24, 25. *Ro 12:12. Ps 119:81-83. +*Lk 8:15. 21:19. *1 Cor 13:4, 5. 2 Cor 6:4-6. 12:12. 1 Th 1:3. 2 Th 1:4. *He 6:10-19. +*He 10:35, 36. *He 13:5, 6. James 1:3. *James 5:7-11. 1 P 1:13. 2:19-23. 2 P 1:6. Re 2:3. 14:12. and comfort. FS93A, +Ge 1:26. T#1051. Ro 8:28. 2 Ch 31:4. 35:2. Jb 5:19. 6:10. 11:16. Ps 27:5. 30:5. 42:5. 103:13. +*Ps 119:50, **Ps 119:52, 82, 92, 143. 138:7. Is 46:4. 61:3. 63:9. +*Mt 5:4. Jn 14:1-3. Ac 4:36. 15:30, 31. +1 Cor 14:3. 1 Th 3:7. 4:13. James 5:7-11. 1 P 4:12, 13. Re 2:10. 3:10. 7:14-17. 14:13. the scriptures. +Ro 1:2. 16:26. Ps 19:7. +Mt 21:42. 22:29. +*Mk 12:24. +**2 Tim 3:15-17. hope. T#1042. Ro 4:18. 5:2, 4-6. 8:24. 12:12. +*Ps 34:4. *Ps 71:14. +*Ps 119:49, 74, 81, 114, 116. 130:5. +*Pr 3:5. 14:32. Jn 15:16. Ac 23:6. 26:6. 1 Cor 9:10. 13:13. 2 Cor 3:12. Ga 5:5. Ep 1:18. +**Ep 2:12. 4:4. Col 1:5, 23, 27. 1 Th 1:3. 2:19. *5:8. +*2 Th 2:16. 1 Tim 1:1. *Titus 1:2. *Titus 2:13. 3:7. *He 3:6. +*He 6:11, 18. 7:19. +*1 P 1:3, 4. +*1 P 3:15. **1 J 3:3.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Daily Bible Nugget #185, Psalm 119:49

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for producing hope. For those who will read them, the Scriptures will produce hope. The Psalmist read his Bible, and experienced that the Word of God and its promises were the foundation of his hope. Many people are searching for hope, and seeking encouragement. The source is “right under your nose,” available to and for everyone in the Bible. Once you come to understand that God does not go back on his promises, and once you come to understand “the plot” that God presents in the Bible, and understand the character and attributes of God, you will be unshakably encouraged. You will realize, as did Paul, that we do not base our hope on things that are seen, but unseen (2 Cor 4:18), and what God has in store for us who believe His word is more than we could ask or think (Ep 3:20). Isaiah told us that we have not seen anything yet, compared with what God ultimately has in store for us (Is 64:4; 1 Cor 2:9).

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 629 for Psalm 119:49.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 673 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:49.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:49. Remember. FS22C3, +Ge 8:1. T#1656. ver. Ps 119:41, 42. Ps 105:2, 42. 106:4, 45. Ge 8:1. 32:9-12. Jsh 23:14. 2 K 20:3. 2 Ch 6:42. Ne 1:8, 9. Jb 7:7. Is 62:6mg. unto thy servant. ver. Ps 119:38. 1 K 8:26. 1 Ch 17:23. upon which. ver. Ps 119:43, 74, 81, 147. +Ps 42:11. 71:14. 130:5, 6. 2 Sam 5:2. **2 Sam 7:25. *2 Sam 23:5. Ro 15:13. 1 P 1:13, 21. caused me to hope. ver. Ps 119:42, 43. Ps 33:22. 130:5. 138:7. **Ro 10:17. +*Ro 15:4. *He 11:1.

Posted in Daily Bible Nuggets, What the Bible says about itself | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment