How to force a contradiction by misreading the Bible Muslim style

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Jerry

The Nugget:

2Ti 2:15  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (ESV)

The Muslim Challenge:

GOD says in the bible:

Hosea 11:9 “I am God, and not a man”

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man”

Christians say “Jesus is both God and Man”

Don’t we see a major contradiction here? Major misinterpretation. Major error. Are Christians ready to face God and tell him He’s both God and Man after He plainly tells you He is NOT a man?

My Response:

When it comes to correctly understanding the Bible we must read it carefully. Careful reading takes into account the immediate context, the near context, and the whole context of Scripture.

Numbers 23:19
19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
King James Version

When referencing “God is not a man,” we must account for the immediate context, for it tells us in what respect God is not a man: in this case, with reference to the absolute character of God, for unlike man, God cannot lie.

Accounting for the whole context of Scripture, we are taught expressly that God cannot lie:

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
American Standard Version

Numbers 23:19. God is not a man. This expression does not deny that our Lord Jesus Christ is God, for here God is a reference to the Father, not the Son. So, when it has been proved that Jesus is Jehovah (+1Pe 2:3 note. +Exo 3:2 note. +Gen 19:24 note), this is not to say that Jesus is the Father, but rather that there is more than one Jehovah in the Godhead (Gen 19:24 note). [From my Bible study resource, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury]

Hosea 11:9
9  I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
King James Version

In the immediate context of Hosea 11:9 God is said to be “not man” with respect to His own character of extending patience and restraining anger, for God keeps His promises to His people and will ultimately extend His mercy to Ephraim, that is, to His people and nation of Israel, in accordance to promises He has already given.

In the near context of Hosea 11:8, God states He will not give up His love for Ephraim and will not utterly destroy Ephraim as God destroyed Admah and Zeboim which were destroyed in the overthrow and destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Deuteronomy 29:23).

This reflects the promises founded upon the character of God expressed in the wider context of the whole of Scripture:

Isaiah 41:9
9  Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
King James Version

Lamentations 3:22
22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
King James Version

Malachi 3:6
6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
King James Version

Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
English Standard Version

Therefore, to say

“Don’t we see a major contradiction here? Major misinterpretation. Major error. Are Christians ready to face God and tell him He’s both God and Man after He plainly tells you He is NOT a man?”

is a forced misreading of the Bible designed to foist a supposed contradiction on the text when there is no contradiction when the Bible is read carefully and properly.

Posted in Bible 'Contradictions' Answered, Bible Promises, Bible Prophecy, Bible Study Tools, False Religions, How to Interpret the Bible Correctly, How to Study the Bible | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

My answer to the Muslim claim Jesus is not Lord or God

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Jerry

The Muslim Claim:

what your Bible teaches about Jesus?

1-Jesus was born

As we all know, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, and so this clearly shows Jesus cannot be God as being born means he was created and not eternal. God is eternal, He is forever, He always is, and He did not come into being or into existence.

2- Jesus died

According to the gospels and Christianity, Jesus died, and this once again proves that he cannot be God, for God is eternal and does not die. God cannot die, to die is something for finite limited created beings, but God is obviously above that.

3-Jesus was not all knowing

In the gospels we learn that Jesus was not all knowing, he had limited knowledge, and this again show he cannot be God as God is perfect in knowledge and knows everything.

According to the Bible, Jesus did not know when the last hour would come:

But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)

Elsewhere in the Bible we read that Jesus grew in wisdom, and learned about right and wrong as he got older, can you imagine that? God having to learn about good and bad?

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

4- Jesus was a man

As we all know, Jesus was a man, and to put it simply, God is not a man. The fact that Jesus was a man proves he is not God. Being a man as we all know also comes with limitations, such as needing to eat, needing to sleep, and so on. God is obviously above all of that, He is all-powerful, and hence He does not need to eat or sleep. God is not in need of anything, while man is obviously in need of a lot. In the Bible we read about Jesus being hungry, can you imagine that, God, who created food, getting hungry?

5- Jesus had a God

This is probably the most ironic point, but Jesus who is supposedly God, had a God. In the Bible we see Jesus talking about having a God, and praying to God, so was he praying to himself?

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her. (John 20:16-18)

So Jesus as we read above, has a God. Not only does Jesus have a God, but he also prays to God:

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

So if Jesus is God, why is he praying to God to relieve him of his distress? Does that make any rational sense?

6- Jesus never said he was God

Now if Jesus was God, then you’d obviously expect him to say it right? You’d expect Jesus to say “I am God”, or “I am God worship me the one who created you” or something similar along those lines.

Yet when we read the Gospels, the supposed historical narratives of Jesus, they never once record him saying or calling himself God. Is it a coincidence that he never laid claim to being God? Of course not, the reason he never called himself God, is because he was not God.

Conclusion:

So we have given 6 clear reasons for why Jesus is not God, nobody can rationally or objectively look at these points and try to then reason that Jesus is God when we have such facts staring us right in the face.

The evidence points to the obvious, Jesus was not God, but a man of God, and this is why the Bible itself says:

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know (Acts 2:22)

My Point by Point Answer:

The six points above demonstrate that whoever composed them does not understand how to read the Bible correctly.

“1-Jesus was born
As we all know, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, and so this clearly shows Jesus cannot be God as being born means he was created and not eternal. God is eternal, He is forever, He always is, and He did not come into being or into existence.”

Luk 1:31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 
Luk 1:32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 
Luk 1:33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 
Luk 1:34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 
Luk 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Mat 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Mat 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

If Jesus is merely a man, explain how it is that “he shall save his people from their sins.”

If Jesus is merely a man, explain how it is that he is called “God with us.”

Jesus clearly declared that He existed before Abraham when He declared “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), after declaring “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8:56). Fully studying the implications of what Jesus said by reading the narrative account in Genesis absolutely identifies Jesus with the Angel of Jehovah, for in that context He is called both God and Jehovah.

“2- Jesus died
According to the gospels and Christianity, Jesus died, and this once again proves that he cannot be God, for God is eternal and does not die. God cannot die, to die is something for finite limited created beings, but God is obviously above that.”

Jesus became man with the intent that He would in His life perfectly fulfill the requirements of the Law of God (Matthew 5:17) to qualify as man as the perfect sacrifice for sin. If he were not a man, he could not die. If he were not God, the efficacy of his death would suffice only for a single man, but being divine, being God, his sacrifice is sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole human race–the whole world (1 John 2:2):

Mat 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 

1Jn 2:2 And He is Himself the atoning sacrifice for our sins; and not for ours alone, but also for the whole world.

“3-Jesus was not all knowing
In the gospels we learn that Jesus was not all knowing, he had limited knowledge, and this again show he cannot be God as God is perfect in knowledge and knows everything.
According to the Bible, Jesus did not know when the last hour would come:
But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)
Elsewhere in the Bible we read that Jesus grew in wisdom, and learned about right and wrong as he got older, can you imagine that? God having to learn about good and bad?
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. (Luke 2:52)”

In the Bible we also learn that Jesus is all-knowing:

John 16:30  Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

John 21:17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Cross references to John 16:30 furnish many more passages where the Bible asserts the omniscience of our Lord Jesus Christ:

thou knowest. +Joh 16:19, +Joh 1:48; +*Joh 2:24; +*Joh 2:25; Joh 4:29; Joh 6:61; Joh 6:64; +Joh 13:1; +Joh 13:11; +Joh 13:18; **Joh 21:15, 16, 17, %2Sa 14:20, 1Ki 8:39, +Mat 9:4; Mat 16:8, Mar 8:17, %Luk 7:39; Luk 9:47.

As man at the time during which Jesus ministered to people on earth He spoke only what the Father commanded Him to speak, so He obediently chose not to know the timing of His return. Since Jesus was truly human, he naturally grew in wisdom as he grew older, as normal human beings do (Hebrews 4:15), but unlike any of us, Jesus was always without sin and remained sinless.

“4- Jesus was a man
As we all know, Jesus was a man, and to put it simply, God is not a man. The fact that Jesus was a man proves he is not God. Being a man as we all know also comes with limitations, such as needing to eat, needing to sleep, and so on. God is obviously above all of that, He is all-powerful, and hence He does not need to eat or sleep. God is not in need of anything, while man is obviously in need of a lot. In the Bible we read about Jesus being hungry, can you imagine that, God, who created food, getting hungry?”

I have already affirmed that Jesus was a man. The Bible teaches He is still a man (1 Timothy 2:5).

Though not done so in this post, some appeal to Numbers 23:19 to assert that “God is not a man.”

Num 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 

The point of this verse is that unlike people, God never lies. He is affirming nothing about whether he is human or not. Jesus taught God is spirit (John 4:24) and so has no corporeality, though He may assume such in what are called theophanies, most of which in the Old Testament are actually Christophanies.

“5- Jesus had a God
This is probably the most ironic point, but Jesus who is supposedly God, had a God. In the Bible we see Jesus talking about having a God, and praying to God, so was he praying to himself?
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her. (John 20:16-18)
So Jesus as we read above, has a God. Not only does Jesus have a God, but he also prays to God:
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
So if Jesus is God, why is he praying to God to relieve him of his distress? Does that make any rational sense?”

As being truly man, Jesus acknowledged God as His Father. God was His Father in a unique sense because Jesus “came from the Father,”

John 16:28  I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

Since Jesus came from the Father and is the Son of the Father, the Son and Father in this unique and special sense share the same divine nature, proving that in His divine nature Jesus is God.

[Part two of my Internet comment:]

I was not able to include a response to all six points of the opening post because my comment would have exceeded the character limit. So I continue my answer with point six and the conclusion (also shortened at the end because of the character limit again!):

“6- Jesus never said he was God
Now if Jesus was God, then you’d obviously expect him to say it right? You’d expect Jesus to say “I am God”, or “I am God worship me the one who created you” or something similar along those lines.
Yet when we read the Gospels, the supposed historical narratives of Jesus, they never once record him saying or calling himself God. Is it a coincidence that he never laid claim to being God? Of course not, the reason he never called himself God, is because he was not God.”

This is an example of the often repeated and previously refuted “exact word fallacy.”

To argue that Jesus never said “I am God” does not mean He did not adequately demonstrate who He was and is:

(1) Mark 2:1-12

Mar 2:1  And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 
Mar 2:2  And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 
Mar 2:3  And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 
Mar 2:4  And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 
Mar 2:5  When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 
Mar 2:6  But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 
Mar 2:7  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 
Mar 2:8  And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 
Mar 2:9  Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 
Mar 2:10  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 
Mar 2:11  I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 
Mar 2:12  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. 

Jesus expressly told the paralytic man, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5).

The reaction in the minds of “certain of the scribes sitting there” (Mark 2:6) was to correctly ask,

Mar 2:7  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 

Now notice the omniscience of Jesus, for He immediately knew what they were thinking:

Mar 2:8  And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

So, how was Jesus to prove to these scribes that He indeed had power on earth to forgive sins?

Jesus performed an instantaneous miracle of healing:

Mar 2:9  Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 
Mar 2:10  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 
Mar 2:11  I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 
Mar 2:12  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. 

In the culture of that day the Jews also believed that only God could perform a miracle of healing. Jesus demonstrated He was God by healing the man in proof that He had forgiven the sins of the man who now was able before their eyes to pick up his bed and walk, something the man surely was unable to do before this miracle.

(2) John 5:14-18

We have in John 5:14-18 another case of Jesus healing a man and commanding that the man take up his bed and walk (John 5:8).

Joh 5:14  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 
Joh 5:15  The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. 
Joh 5:16  And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 
Joh 5:17  But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 

In response to the claim Jesus made, the Jews sought even more to kill Jesus not only because He had broken the sabbath but said “God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”

Joh 5:18  Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. 

Notice that Jesus did not correct or deny the conclusion the Jews made based upon what Jesus said.

(3) John 20:24-29

The case of Thomas, the disciple who doubted the testimonies of the other disciples who claimed they had seen the risen Christ, alive after His crucifixion by the bodily resurrection from the dead on the third day, gives firm evidence about Who they now knew Jesus to be:

Joh 20:24  But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 
Joh 20:25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 
Joh 20:26  And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 
Joh 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 
Joh 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 
Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 

Once again, notice Jesus did not correct or condemn Thomas for what Thomas said, but rather commended him.

There is much more in the Bible that confirms that Jesus possessed two natures, a human nature and a divine nature. Jesus is presented in the Bible as being truly God and truly man.

Immediately after this account of the testimony of Thomas, John declares the purpose of his book:

Joh 20:30  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 
Joh 20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. 

Anyone who dares to contradict or not believe in this record that John has written, John declares such unbelief is equivalent to making God a liar, because such a person has not believed the record that God has given about His Son:

1Jn 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 
1Jn 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jn 5:12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

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Can we be saved by Grace without the Law?

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Jerry

6-12-22 Can we be saved by Grace without the Law?

The Nugget:

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal_3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The Muslim question:

“So does being under Grace grant you Guarantee to get salvation without the Law?”

My Answer:

Anyone who depends upon their full obedience to Law for salvation will fail to receive salvation. The whole Bible proclaims this truth.

Leviticus 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.

Notice the included statement: “which IF a man do.” The rest of the Bible affirms that no man has ever met this requirement except the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, pointing to the very reason we need a Savior.

Deuteronomy 6:25
25  And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.
King James Version

Notice carefully in Deuteronomy 6:25 the clause “IF we observe to do ALL these commandments.”

Ecclesiastes 7:20
20  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
King James Version

Job 4:17
17  Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
King James Version

Job 15:14-16
14  What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15  Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
16  How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
King James Version

Psalms 14:3
3  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
King James Version

Proverbs 20:9
9  Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
King James Version

Isaiah 64:6
6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
King James Version

Philippians 3:9
9 and be actually in union with Him, not having a supposed right standing with God which depends on my doing what the law commands, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the real right standing with God which originates from Him and rests on faith.
William’s New Testament

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

Jesus declared He is the only way to God and heaven for all people, not the Jews only:

John 14:6
Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Jesus promised:

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.

 John 5:23  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 
John 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.

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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

 

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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.

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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.

 

 

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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).

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