Daily Bible Nugget #592, Micah 5:5

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mic 5:5  And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.

My Comment:

This passage very likely has reference to the Antichrist. In my Bible study tool, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, I list the titles of the Antichrist as I have found them in the Bible as I prepared the over 900,000 cross references for this resource:

when the Assyrian. This is a title of the Antichrist, who will come from the same general geographical territory (Dan 11:40 note). Thus the Antichrist does not come from Rome or anywhere in Europe. +*Isa 7:14; +*Isa 7:20; Isa 8:7, 8, 9, 10; **Isa 10:12; **Isa 10:24; Isa 14:25; *Isa 30:31; **Isa 31:8; **Isa 31:9; Isa 37:31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36; Isa 65:8, 9, Jer 33:15-26, Zec 10:11, In Scripture the Antichrist is given the following titles:

(1) The Adversary, Psa 74:8, 9, 10.
(2) The Angel of the Bottomless Pit (?), Rev 9:11.
(3) The Antichrist, 1Jn 2:22.
(4) The Abomination of Desolation, Mat 24:15.
(5) The Assyrian, Mic 5:5, See also Isa 10:24; Isa 14:25; Isa 30:31; Isa 31:8.
(6) The beast, Dan 7:11, Rev 11:7; Rev 13:1.
(7) The bloody and deceitful man, Psa 5:6.
(8) The Branch of the Terrible Ones, Isa 25:5.
(9) The Desolator, Dan 9:27.
(10) The disperser, Nah 2:1 mg, literally “the hammer.”
(11) The Enemy, Psa 55:3.
(12) The extortioner, Isa 16:4.
(13) The fierce king, Isa 19:4, Compare Dan 8:23.
(14) The foolish shepherd, Zec 11:15.
(15) Gog, Eze 38:2, 3.
(16) A Grecian, Zec 9:13, Joel 3:6.
(17) The head, Psa 83:2, Hab 3:13.
(18) The Hypocrite, Job 34:30.
(19) The idol shepherd, Zec 11:17.
(20) The king, Dan 11:36.
(21) The king of Babylon, Isa 14:4, Jer 51:31.
(22) The king of fierce countenance, Dan 8:23.
(23) The king of the north, Dan 11:40.
(24) The king of Sheshach, Jer 25:26.
(25) The Lawless One, 2Th 2:8.
(26) The little horn, +Dan 7:8; +Dan 7:24, Dan 8:9; Dan 8:23.
(27) The man of the earth, Psa 10:18.
(28) The man of sin, 2Th 2:3.
(29) The mighty and strong one, Isa 28:2; Isa 10:34.
(30) The Mighty Man, Psa 52:1.
(31) The mighty one of the heathen, Eze 33:11.
(32) The Nail, Isa 22:25.
(33) The One Coming in His Own Name, Joh 5:43.
(34) The oppressor, Isa 51:13; Psa 72:4.
(35) The prince that shall come, Dan 9:26, 27.
(36) The Profane Wicked Prince of Israel, Eze 21:25, 26, 27.
(37) The son of perdition, 2Th 2:3.
(38) The spoiler, Isa 16:4, Jer 6:26.
(39) The Sun of the Morning, Isa 14:12.
(40) The Vile Person, Dan 11:21.
(41) The Violent Man, Psa 140:1.
(42) That wicked, 2Th 2:8.
(43) The wicked, Psa 9:5; Psa 9:17.
(44) The wicked counselor, Nah 1:11.
(45) The Wicked One, Psa 10:2, 3, 4.
(46) The Willful King, Dan 11:36.

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Daily Bible Nugget #591, 1 Timothy 4:12 Part 7

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (KJV)

1Ti 4:12 Let no one make little of you because you are young, but be an example to the church in word, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in holy living. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

1Ti 4:12 Let, no one, despise, thy youth, but, an ensample, become thou of the faithful, – in discourse, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in chastity. (EB, Emphasized Bible by Rotherham)

My Comment:

The sixth quality Paul encourages in Timothy is the quality of purity. Note that the three English translations cited above translate the underlying Greek word as purity, holy living, and chastity.

This is a most important character trait and lifestyle. This lifestyle trait is widely violated in today’s culture. But we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ do not set our standard by what the current world culture favors.

The best interpreter of Scripture is the Scripture itself. The Bible explains itself and is in no need of an official interpreter in the form of a self-proclaimed teaching authority claimed exclusively by or for a particular church or religious group. Bible cross references presented below will surely explain and amplify what the Word of God means by purity.

Here are the references from my book, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury: 

in purity. Gr. hagneia (S# G47, only here and 1Ti 5:2), cleanliness (the quality), that is, (specifically) chastity (Strong). 1Ti 1:5; 1Ti 5:2; 1Ti 5:22, Psa 24:4; +*Psa 101:3; *Psa 119:9, Pro 15:26; Pro 20:11; Pro 21:8, Mic 6:11, +*Mat 5:8, 2Co 6:6, **Php 4:8, 1Th 4:3, 4, 5, 6 note. *Tit 1:8; *Tit 1:15, Jas 1:27; Jas 3:17; Jas 4:8, +*1Pe 1:22; 1Pe 3:2, *2Pe 3:1; *2Pe 3:14, *1Jn 3:3, *Jud 1:24.

On some viewing platforms the above cross references are live links. When your mouse or other pointing device hovers over the reference, the text of the referenced verse will appear in a little window so you can read it directly. For the benefit of those who do not have access to those live links on their device, I share the text of the above cross referenced passages with some additional comments of my own.

1 Timothy 1:5
5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
King James Version

5 You must teach people to have genuine love, as well as a good conscience and true faith. Contemporary English Version

1 Timothy 5:2
2  The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
King James Version

2 and treat older women as you would your own mother. Show the same respect to younger women that you would to your sister. Contemporary English Version

1 Timothy 5:2
2  older women as if they were your mothers, and younger women as if they were your sisters, while keeping yourself morally pure.
GOD’S WORD translation

All of us at all times must keep ourselves morally pure. Notice how Paul has stressed this repeatedly in his instructions to Timothy. Those instructions apply to us. Satan delights in causing and continuing the moral downfall of a Christian believer. Take great care to not let this happen to you. Do not continue in the sin of moral impurity or unchastity.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is most gracious to sinners. He forgives our sins. But sins leave their mark on our lives even when forgiven. I recall hearing and watching Dr. Bob Jones Senior relate the story of a young man who asked his father for help in overcoming the tendency to constantly fall into sin. They lived on a farm. The father suggested that his boy pound a nail into the barn door for each time he did something wrong. Soon the boy showed his dad how disappointed he was because the barn door was soon full of nails. The father suggested that his son pull out a nail each time he overcame the temptation and did right. Finally, after a few weeks went by, the son excitedly showed his father the barn door free of all those nails. The father congratulated the son for a job well done. Then the son looked at the door and remarked,”But Dad, the nail holes are still there.” The father reflected that even though our sins can be forgiven by God through our Lord Jesus Christ, some effects of those sins may remain.

1 Timothy 5:22
22  Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.
King James Version

1 Timothy 5:22
22  Don’t be in a hurry to place your hands on anyone to ordain him. Don’t participate in the sins of others. Keep yourself morally pure.
GOD’S WORD translation

22 Don’t be too quick to accept people into the service of the Lord by placing your hands on them. Don’t sin because others do, but stay close to God. CEV, Contemporary English Version

Psalms 24:4
4  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
King James Version

Psalms 101:3
3  I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
King James Version

We need to exercise great caution and wisdom about what we choose to watch. Temptation can enter our hearts and minds through the eye-gate, just as it first did for Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). I have an interesting book from the field of psychology that describes an experiment that demonstrated that certain images, repeatedly seen, or certain actions, repeatedly done, actually bypass our moral judgment and cause us to let our guard down such that we can easily be led to do what we normally would never think of doing. That is why we must guard our hearts against such things.

Psalms 119:9
9  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
King James Version

The way to keep our minds pure and our actions right is to focus our attention upon God’s Word in the Bible. Read it enough to make a difference in your life. At first, I suggest you concentrate on the New Testament. Read it through from start to finish several times. Read the Bible daily at least five days a week. I used to encourage my high school friends to read three chapters a day to keep the Devil away. Recent research confirms the value of the recommendation I made many years ago.

Proverbs 15:26
26  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
King James Version

Proverbs 20:11
11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
King James Version

Proverbs 21:8
8  The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
King James Version

Micah 6:11
11  Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?
King James Version

Matthew 5:8
8  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
King James Version

2 Corinthians 6:6
6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
King James Version

Philippians 4:8
8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
King James Version

Important advice of what to think about from the Apostle Paul.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6
3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
King James Version

Notes from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury may help you to understand this passage better:

1 Thessalonians 4:4
should know. Gr. oida, Joh 8:55 note. 1Th 1:4, **Rom 6:19; +*Rom 12:1, *1Co 6:15; *1Co 6:18, 19, 20.
possess. Gr. ktaomai (S# G2932), to acquire, as money (Mat 10:9, Luk 18:12), lands (Act 1:18), political liberty (Act 22:28), or the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Act 8:20), as noted by Hogg and Vine, Comm. on Thessalonians, p. 116, Boyce W. Blackwelder points out that the present tense of this infinitive requires the meaning of “acquire;” if the perfect tense of the verb had been used, then the meaning of “possess” would be correct, but such is not the case here (Toward Understanding Thessalonians, p. 93). +Luk 21:19.
his vessel. FS46C, +Mat 8:6, Gr. skeuos, a vase or utensil, is used for the Hebrew klee, which has a wider meaning, instrument or weapon. See Hos 13:15 and 1Sa 21:3-6 (F/S 679). This may be a reference to himself, his body (1Sa 21:5, Rom 6:13, 1Co 9:27), or more likely, the reference is to acquiring his own wife (1Co 7:2), since one could hardly acquire himself. Rth 4:10, 1Sa 21:5, Est 2:12, +Hos 13:15 mg. *Act 9:15, Rom 9:21, 22, 23, **1Co 7:2, 2Co 4:7, 2Ti 2:20, 21, **1Pe 3:7.
in sanctification. +*1Th 4:3.
honour. +*Act 6:3, Rom 1:24, +*Php 4:8, +*Heb 13:4, 1Pe 3:7.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:6
go beyond. A command not to go beyond the fixed limits of chastity established by God’s law. +*Exo 20:14; +*Exo 20:17, +**Lev 19:11; +**Lev 19:13, Deut 24:7; Deut 25:13, 14, 15, 16, *Pro 11:1; Pro 16:11; *Pro 20:14; *Pro 20:23; *Pro 28:24, Isa 5:7; Isa 59:4, 5, 6, 7, Jer 9:4, Eze 22:13; Eze 45:9-14, Amos 8:5, 6, Zep 3:5, +*Mal 3:5, **Mar 10:19, **1Co 6:7, 8, 9; 1Co 13:5, +*Eph 4:28, +*Jas 5:4.
defraud. or, oppress, or, overreach. Gr. pleonekteō [S# G4122: Rendered (1) make a gain: 2Co 12:17, 18, (2) defraud: 2Co 7:2, 1Th 4:6, (3) get an advantage: 2Co 2:11]. We are not to destroy the moral purity of fellow believers or anyone else to satisfy our own impure desires by stepping over the boundaries God has established. The practice of men having “live in” girlfriends, or women having “live in” boyfriends, is clearly and absolutely forbidden by this Scripture. Christian parents further have the responsibility to shield their children from exposure to amoral or non-Christian instruction in these matters contrary to the principles of the written word of God (Mat 18:6, 1Co 7:36, 37, 38, Eph 5:12) by whatever means are necessary (+*Act 5:29). T732, Gen 23:16; Gen 27:35; Gen 43:12, +**Exo 20:17, Lev 19:11; Lev 19:13; Lev 19:35; *Lev 25:14; *Lev 25:17, +*Deut 24:14; Deut 25:13, 14, 15; Deut 27:17, 1Sa 12:3, 4, +*Psa 12:5; Psa 82:2, Pro 11:1; +Pro 21:3 (T629). +Pro 22:22 (T636). Jer 7:6, +*Eze 16:49, Mic 2:2, Zep 3:1, +Mar 10:19, 1Co 6:8; 1Co 6:10, *+2Co 2:11 g. Eph 4:19 note. Jas 2:6.
his brother. Used of mankind in general by Paul only here. Deut 22:2, Rth 3:12, Mal 2:10, Mat 5:22; Mat 7:2, 3; Mat 18:15, 1Co 6:8.
in any matter. or, in the matter. Paul delicately has reference to the sexual sin mentioned in the immediate context; in particular, adultery and pre-marital sex, sins absolutely forbidden to Christian men and women. As the preceding reference passages show, the commandment “Defraud not” elsewhere has broader application. Deut 22:25, **2Sa 13:1-14, Act 15:20, 1Co 6:9; 1Co 6:18, 19; 1Co 7:1, 2; 1Co 13:5, 2Co 7:11, Eph 5:3; Eph 5:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
the avenger. +**Gen 6:13, Num 31:2, Deut 25:16; **+Deut 32:35, Jdg 15:6, Job 31:13, 14; Job 36:12, 13, 14 mg. Psa 94:1; Psa 140:12, +*Pro 22:22; +*Pro 22:23, Ecc 5:8, Isa 1:23, 24, Jer 51:56, *Rom 1:18; **+Rom 12:19; Rom 13:4 g. Eph 5:6, Col 3:6; Col 3:25, **2Th 1:8, +*Heb 13:4 note.
as we. Luk 12:5, Gal 5:21, Eph 4:17.
forewarned. Gr. proeipō (S# G4277). +1Th 3:4, Jer 42:19, Eze 3:19; Eze 3:21; **Eze 33:9, Act 1:16 g. Gal 5:21 g. Col 1:28.
testified. Gr. diamarturomai (S# G1263, Luk 16:28). 1Th 2:11, Amos 3:13, Zec 8:16, +Luk 16:28, Act 2:40, Gal 5:3, +Eph 4:17, Php 3:18, 1Ti 5:21, 2Ti 2:14; 2Ti 4:1, Heb 2:6 g. Rev 22:18.

Titus 1:8
8  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
King James Version

Titus 1:15
15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
King James Version

James 1:27
27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
King James Version

1 Peter 1:22
22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
King James Version

1 Peter 3:2
2  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
King James Version

2 Peter 3:1
1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
King James Version

2 Peter 3:14
14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
King James Version

Because we as Bible-believing Christians look forward to the return of Christ, we are to be diligent to live at all times in all places in a manner that we will not be embarrassed by what we are doing or how we are living should our Lord Jesus Christ suddenly appear.

1 John 3:3
3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
King James Version

Jude 1:24
24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
King James Version

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Daily Bible Nugget #590, 1 Timothy 4:12 Part 6

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (KJV)

1Ti 4:12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. (NET)

My Comment:

Paul encouraged Timothy to be an example of the believers in faith or faithfulness. The underlying Greek word is also translated fidelity.

The lexicon in Strong’s Concordance for this word (G4102) gives the following information:

G4102
πιστις
pistis
pis’-tis
From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: – assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Total KJV occurrences: 244
Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries

Using the cross references given in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, much more that the Bible says related to this character trait and spiritual gift will be found:

in faith. 1Ti 6:11, *Gal 5:22; *Gal 5:23, Heb 10:22.

The above references are live links on some platforms. For those who cannot access the live links, here are the referenced texts with a few comments:

1 Timothy 6:11
11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
King James Version

At 1 Timothy 6:11 I have placed this information:

faith. Subjective sense, belief and trust in God and His promises. For the objective sense, the faith, what is believed in terms of the content of belief, see +Act 6:7; +1Ti 1:19; and especially 1Ti 6:10.

Galatians 5:22
22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
King James Version

At Galatians 5:22 for the fruit of the Spirit called faith the following helpful references are given:

faith. or, fidelity. Gal 2:16, Mat 23:23, +*Luk 16:10, +*Act 6:3, Rom 3:3, 1Co 4:2; 1Co 13:7; 1Co 13:13, +*2Co 5:7, 2Th 3:2, 1Ti 3:11; +*1Ti 4:12; 1Ti 6:11, *Tit 2:10, 1Pe 5:12.

Of these references for faith at Galatians 5:22, I invite your attention to Luke 16:10,

Luke 16:10
10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
King James Version

To which I would add a reference on the subject of faithfulness not given at any of the texts referred to:

Proverbs 20:6
6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
King James Version

The final reference to faith given at 1 Timothy 4:12 is Hebrews 10:22,

Hebrews 10:22
22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
King James Version

Giving more of the context for Hebrews 10:22,

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

This verse (Hebrews 10:22) and its immediate context is packed with material to study further. But for those unwilling to learn anything new, avoid like the plague any further study of this verse using The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. I warned in the Preface that this Bible study tool is not generic. It contains notes filled with Bible evidence that shows some doctrinal positions held by many may just not be correct when the Bible is studied accurately.

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Daily Bible Nugget #589, 1 Timothy 4:12 Part 5

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (KJV)

1Ti 4:12 let no one despise thy youth, but a pattern become thou of those believing in word, in behaviour, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity; (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

My Comment:

Paul encouraged Timothy to become a pattern or example of the believers in spirit.

Most modern translations drop or leave out “in spirit.” The Received Text and the Majority Text include in the Greek text the phrase “in spirit.” Dr. Malcolm Lavender, following the Majority Text, retains “in spirit” in his excellent Lavender’s New Testament. I prefer to follow the Received Text and the Majority Text here.

in spirit. Gr. pneuma, FS121A2, +Mat 5:3 note. +*Pro 4:23.

The word “spirit” involves a significant Figure of Speech here in 1 Timothy 4:12. I provided in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury the following explanation for this Figure of Speech at Matthew 5:3,

in spirit. FS121A2, Metonymy of the Cause, +Psa 51:10, “Spirit” (Gr. pneuma) put for character as being in itself invisible, and manifested only in one’s actions. Mat 11:29, Luk 9:55, Rom 8:15; Rom 8:15, 1Co 4:21, Gal 6:1, 1Ti 4:12, **2Ti 1:7, 1Pe 3:4, Rev 19:10.

If you read the above references where the same figure of speech involving the word “spirit” is found, you will easily catch on to the meaning in each place.

Your character is made known to others only by your actions. Take care at all times and in every way that your actions represent our Lord Jesus Christ well at all times.

Character is a matter of the heart. The single cross reference given is to  Proverbs 4:23,

Pro 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

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Daily Bible Nugget #588, 1 Timothy 4:12 part 4

Posted on August 9, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (KJV)

1Ti 4:12 Don’t let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

I suspect some visitors have missed some important posts here recently because they see the same Bible verse repeatedly as the Daily Bible Nugget. This time I further labeled this post as “part 4.” If you missed previous (unnumbered) parts, I invite you to go back and read them.

I have been amplifying Paul’s guidance to Timothy about how to be an example of the believers, and this time I will focus on Paul’s third area of emphasis, to become “an example…in charity” or love.

Here are the cross references as I have presented them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury: 

in charity. +1Ti 1:14, +*Joh 13:34; +*Joh 13:35, Eph 5:2, +*1Th 3:12, +*1Pe 1:22, +*2Pe 1:7.

These references should be “live links” for many readers, meaning if you place your mouse pointer over each separate link or Bible reference the text should appear.

For those using a device which does not display this feature, I share the references below with some additional commentary.

1 Timothy 1:14
14  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
King James Version

Paul speaks of how abundantly the Lord blessed him personally with His love.

John 13:34
34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
King James Version
John 13:35
35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
King James Version

Jesus gave us a new commandment by which all men may know that we are his disciples, if we have love one to another. This is a major issue that goes beyond a simple greeting or handshake when we visit a church. Real love is displayed when we receive or welcome one another into our fellowship, as commanded in Romans 15:7. Jesus repeatedly displayed this important quality of character such that He was known as “the friend of sinners.” Let Him share His love with you by carefully spending time reading His word. You might enjoy reading John chapter 14 on a regular basis for a while.

Ephesians 5:2
2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
King James Version

2 Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God. (Contemporary English Version)

We must be careful about the idea of “Let love be your guide.” You must be anchored in Christ so that you have the right kind of love. The wrong kind will lead you astray! I remember my students writing compositions about the subject of distinguishing love from lust.

1 Thessalonians 3:12
12  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
King James Version

1 Peter 1:22
22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
King James Version

Notice that love must be combined with “a pure heart.” True love involves the practice of holiness. That is far different from the love practiced by the world at large.

2 Peter 1:7
7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
King James Version

2 Peter 1:7
7  to godliness add Christian affection; and to Christian affection add love.
GOD’S WORD

7 to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. (“NET” is the Net Bible® ©2006 (www.bible.org)).

In context, Peter lists a series of qualities that need to be added to one another. I have thought of these as steps to Christian maturity. The CEV translates 2 Peter 1:7 by “concern for others, and love.”

Be very careful to always be exercising the proper kind of love. The wrong kind will get you into big trouble. The real thing must correspond to what the Bible teaches. And even then you will often be misunderstood.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #587, 1 Timothy 4:12

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

My Comment:

Paul encouraged Timothy to become an example of the believers about six things. The second thing Paul specified is that Timothy should be an example of the believers in conversation. Conversation is the word used by the King James translators to represent a word in the Greek text which means behavior. I was taught long ago that “conversation” in the KJV would be better represented in modern English by “manner of life.”

Does our manner of life bring honor to the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, then we must shape up and change our behavior!

Here are the cross references for in conversation as I have gathered them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury: 

in conversation. or, manner of life. Gr. anastrophē (S# G391, Gal 1:13). +*Jer 10:2, *Rom 12:2, Php 1:27, 1Th 1:5, 2Ti 3:10, Tit 2:12, Heb 13:7, +Jas 3:13, 1Pe 1:15; 1Pe 2:12; 1Pe 3:2, **2Pe 3:11, **1Jn 2:15, 16, 17.

The above cross references are “live links” and should automatically bring up each verse upon mouse-over. For those reading this site on a platform that does not display this feature, I have supplied the referenced texts below with some added comments.

Jeremiah 10:2
2  Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
King James Version

The Lord commanded the prophet Jeremiah to “Learn not the way of the heathen.” That is pertinent advice for every Bible-believing Christian today as well. We are to live according to what we are taught in the Bible, not according to what the surrounding society happens to favor at the moment. If your manner of life does not identify you as a Christian, then you are not living in a manner that Dr. Bob Jones, Senior aptly spoke of as being “show window material” for the Lord Jesus Christ. Just what is “show window material”? Years ago large downtown department stores had large windows, behind which the best of what they had for sale was displayed. That gave rise to the expression “I’m going window shopping,” which meant you were taking a good walk along Woodward Avenue in Detroit, for example, to view the featured displays. It also was a term which meant that you were just looking, not intending to immediately make a purchase. The point is, our lives must reflect positively upon our Lord Jesus Christ at all times. We are to represent Him well by all we say and do.

Romans 12:2
2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
King James Version

The Bible is clear. We are not to be conformed to this world. Our values, our focus, our purpose, our way of living, is to be patterned after the principles taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, not the values and motivations and behavior of the “in crowd” or the world around us. We have a much higher calling.

Philippians 1:27
27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
King James Version

Even when we think no one is looking, we are to always follow a manner of life or life-style that honors and is in accordance with the gospel of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:5
5  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
King James Version

If you have really got hold of the gospel, or better, the gospel has got hold of you, your life will exhibit or show forth the power of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. If this is not happening, you do not yet have the real thing. To get the real thing, keep reading your New Testament daily until it makes a difference in your life.

2 Timothy 3:10
10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
King James Version

Paul could confidently assert to Timothy that Timothy knew by Paul’s manner of life, and so well knew the validity of Paul’s doctrine or teaching and his full display of the listed spiritual qualities. If you are following Christ the way Paul advocated, others will see these things in your life too.

Titus 2:12
12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
King James Version

If we follow the teaching of the New Testament, we will live a life that denies ungodliness and worldly lusts. We will live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. We will live a life of holiness, an absolute requirement for salvation, according to Hebrews 12:14.

Hebrews 13:7
7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
King James Version

One of the major problems I have seen in many churches today is a lack of living examples for new or younger Christians to follow. I was fortunate enough as a young person to have examples, good examples, of others around me who demonstrated Christian commitment and maturity. I looked up to them and worked to reach their level of Bible knowledge and understanding and commitment to Christ. When such examples are missing, this represents a devastating loss and hindrance to the outreach of the Gospel of Christ. Nevertheless, even lacking such living examples, we all can reach toward the goal Christ has set before us by reading and studying and then applying His Word as recorded in the Bible.

James 3:13
13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
King James Version

1 Peter 1:15
15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
King James Version

Notice that Peter stresses the importance of holiness in everything we do.

1 Peter 2:12
12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
King James Version

Live such a careful, positive, exemplary life before others that they will have no basis to honestly speak against you.

1 Peter 3:2
2  While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
King James Version

Your life should be an example of reverence, of godliness, of absolute moral purity. We must not engage in behaviors characteristic of society and the world around us, such as premarital sex, and any other unchaste behavior or speech.

2 Peter 3:11
11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
King James Version

2 Peter 3:11 is a very interesting verse in Bible prophecy. Peter’s prediction is largely misunderstood today. Peter is speaking of the utter destruction of wicked men, not the total destruction of this physical planet, as anyone can verify by carefully studying the context (2 Peter 3:7), and most importantly, the predictions Peter makes reference to found in the Old Testament. In any case, the return of our Lord Jesus Christ for those who believe in Him will be unannounced. It will be sudden. The point is, we do not want to be caught by surprise at His return, doing anything or living in a manner displeasing to Him.

1 John 2:15-17
15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
King James Version

In his first letter, John speaks very plainly about what our focus should be: doing the will of God. We must not be so caught up in the affairs and pleasures of this world that we choose to live a lifestyle that is not pleasing to Him.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #586, 1 Timothy 4:12

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

My Comment:

Paul urged Timothy to become an example of the believers in six things. The first of these qualities that Paul mentions is to become an example in word.

Here are the cross references–links to other statements in the Bible that address the same or a closely related subject–as I have given them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury: 

in word. Pro 15:26, Mat 12:34, 35, 36, 37, *2Co 6:4-17, Eph 5:12, **Php 4:8, +*Col 4:6, *2Ti 2:22, Tit 2:8, Jas 3:13; Jas 3:17, +*2Pe 1:5, 6, 7, 8.

The Bible references above are “live links” and on many platforms will display the text upon mouse-over.

For the benefit of those who may not have access to the live links, I will present several of the verses below:

Proverbs 15:26
26  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
King James Version

Matthew 12:34-37
34  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
King James Version

Ephesians 5:12
12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
King James Version

Philippians 4:8
8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
King James Version

Colossians 4:6
6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
King James Version

2 Timothy 2:22
22  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
King James Version

Titus 2:8
8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
King James Version

James 3:13
13  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
King James Version

James 3:17
17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
King James Version

2 Peter 1:5-8
5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
King James Version

Be sure to read and re-read and then consistently follow the teaching of the above verses so that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. It would be a great tragedy with eternally unpleasant consequences for anyone to fail to heed this spiritual advice given directly in the words of Scripture.

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Daily Bible Nugget #585, 1 Timothy 4:12

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (KJV)

1Ti 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (ESV, English Standard Version)

1Ti 4:12  Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers. (GW, God’s Word translation)

1Ti 4:12 Don’t let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. (ASV, American Standard Version)

1Ti 4:12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. (NET Bible)

1Ti 4:12 Let no one make little of you because you are young, but be an example to the church in word, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in holy living. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

1Ti 4:12 Let, no one, despise, thy youth, but, an ensample, become thou of the faithful, – in discourse, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in chastity. (EB, Emphasized Bible, Rotherham translation)

My Comment:

I remember hearing Dr. Bob Jones, Senior say that we as believers are to be “show window material for Jesus Christ.” The Apostle Paul, in his instructions to Timothy, encouraged Timothy to be an example of and to the believers in his day, and he told Timothy how to do it by specifying what to focus on in his life.

Those suggestions, really, commandments, are as valid for each of us today as they were then for Timothy.

Does your life measure up to this standard? If not, it is time to shape up!

Meditate on and study 1 Timothy 4:12 from the eight English translations I have cited above. Notice that each translation sheds more light on the meaning of the original Greek text.

Paul encouraged Timothy to be an example of the believers:

(1) in word:  in speech, in discourse

(2) in conversation: in conduct, in behavior, in what you do, in manner of life

(3) in charity: in love

(4) in purity: in holy living, in chastity

Now, if you have been reading this carefully and with sensitiveness, you should see the truth of what I have said several times before, that it is good to read and study from all Bible translations, for each translation conveys, often uniquely, the sense of the original text. No one translation captures the full sense of the original text.

The next step in studying 1 Timothy 4:12 in my best judgment is to consider carefully the cross references available that shed further light on the text from what the rest of the Bible has to say. More on  that next time.

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Daily Bible Nugget #584, Psalm 94:16

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psa 94:16  Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? (KJV)

Psa 94:16 Who will stand up for me against those cruel people? (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Psa 94:16  Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will stand by my side against troublemakers? (God’s Word translation)

My Comment:

David tells us the source of his help in the very next verse:

Psa 94:17  If the LORD had not come to help me, my soul would have quickly fallen silent in death. (GW)

I have placed the following chapter headnote for Psalm 94 in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury (which can be displayed in eSword by clicking on the “C” icon for “Chapter Notes”):

The Psalmist calls on God to take vengeance on the persecutors of his people, 1-4, He complains of their cruelty and impiety, and sharply reproves their atheistical folly, 5-11, He shows the benefits of affliction, attended by divine teaching; and the security of God’s people, 12-15, He calls for helpers against evil doers; declares his experience of God’s goodness, and foretells the destruction of persecutors, 16-23.

(Title.) A.M. 3416, B.C. 588, Note: Dr. Delaney supposes that this Psalm was written by David on occasion of his war with the Ammonites, in consequence of the indignities shown to his messengers; but it is more probable that it was written to bewail the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.

Here are the cross references from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury (which will be displayed in eSword by clicking on the “V” icon for “Verse Notes”):

Psalms 94:16

rise up. Exo 32:26, 27, 28, 29, Num 25:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, Jdg 5:23, 1Ki 18:39, 40, 2Ki 9:32; 2Ki 10:15, Isa 59:16, 17, 18, 19; Isa 63:5, Jer 5:1, **Eze 22:30, Mat 12:30, 3Jn 1:8.

stand up. Neh 5:7, Jer 26:16, 17, 18, 19, Joh 7:50, 51, *2Ti 4:10; *2Ti 4:11.

against the workers. Luk 12:46.

Notice that under the keywords “rise up” that the reference to Ezekiel 22:30 is marked by a double asterisk, the symbol I have used to emphasize particularly clear and important references that should not be missed:

Ezekiel 22:30
30  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
King James Version

Today we have much lawlessness taking place in the form of violent protests, destruction of property, serious injury of police officers whether local, state, or federal, three I read were permanently and totally blinded by having lasers beamed directly at their eyes.

Those who are participating in such lawlessness are not doing so for a righteous cause. No Bible-believing Christian, no conservative, no patriot, should lend any form of support for such groups or their activities:

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

2Ch 19:2 But the prophet Jehu son of Hanani met him and said: By helping that wicked Ahab, you have made friends with someone who hates the LORD. Now the LORD God is angry at you! (CEV)

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

By the numbers alone, in this country Christians, conservatives, and patriots far outnumber those who are currently raising havoc throughout this land. We are reaping the reward of our failure to win souls to our Lord Jesus Christ (Proverbs 11:30; Luke 19:10; Acts 1:8). We are reaping the reward of our failure to teach others how to win souls to Christ. We are reaping the reward of our failure to carefully study the Bible ourselves and our failure to encourage others to do likewise. It is time for Christians to wake up and stand up for the Gospel of Christ:

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

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Daily Bible Nugget #583, Psalm 94:20

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 94:20  Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? (KJV)

Psa 94:20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute? (ESV, English Standard Version)

Psa 94:20  Are wicked rulers who use the law to do unlawful things able to be your partners?
Psa 94:21  They join forces to take the lives of righteous people. They condemn innocent people to death. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Psa 94:20 But you are opposed to dishonest lawmakers
Psa 94:21 who gang up to murder innocent victims. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Psa 94:20 Cruel rulers are not your allies,
those who make oppressive laws.
Psa 94:21 They conspire against the blameless,
and condemn to death the innocent. (NET Bible)

My Comment:

The possible application of these verses to contemporary affairs and concerns, such as locking down the economy by the executive order of state governors during this so-called Covid-19 crisis, is too obvious to require further comment by me.

These passages also apply to other events of our day, such as President Trump’s commutation of Roger Stone’s jail sentence. If you have carefully followed the events related to this, as I have, you will be pleased by President Trump’s compassionate and timely action. If you strongly believe otherwise, in my opinion I believe you have too readily swallowed the propaganda of the corporate media giants who often do not report the news, but rather editorialize upon the news, usually twisting the alleged facts to discredit President Trump every chance they get. Such consistent bias against the President is the very definition of propaganda.

We have recent generations of college graduates who have been systematically taught biased, slanted, information about our past history. The focus is upon victimhood and divisive, one-sided presentation of American history. I encountered this tendency in the field of education beginning in the 1960s when I taught English at Cass Technical High School. Our literature textbook, Insights into Literature, with such great classic short stories such as Anton Chekov’s story “The Bet,” was shelved and replaced with a series of paperbacks. That textbook also contained E. B. White’s essay “Freedom,” a most important subject to be taught deeply to students. My brighter students complained that they had actually read those replacement slender textbooks in middle school, and they resented having to use the material again in high school. I agreed with them. I typed up some of the most significant pieces of literature from Insights into Literature as reading selections to supplement the newly required slender paperback volumes so that some of my students, when they finished the regular assignment, could do extra reading of a more sophisticated nature, rather than dumbing down the curriculum entirely. I learned, many years later in the late 1990’s, that the literature featured in Insights into Literature were the stories being read in local college literature courses.

I was also told, when teaching the course Early American Literature, not to focus much attention on our nation’s earliest literature. I chose to do otherwise. Poetry by Phillis Wheatley (which I supplemented by presenting more of her poetry than was given in our textbook), the writings of William Bradford, leader of the Pilgrims, and the writings and wisdom of Benjamin Franklin and his bitter criticism of Thomas Paine’s work, Age of Reason, and much more furnished a  solid basis to ground student understanding of the ideas behind the founding of our nation.

In the late 1970s and 1980s I was once again given the suggestion that I should not focus on the Colonial Period of our nation’s history in my course in American History, but rather focus on more recent periods in our history. Once again, that is not the advice I chose to follow. To understand the United States of America, to understand the Constitution, to understand what American government ought to be in the vision of the founders of this nation, students must be thoroughly taught about these things.

Now, we see the fruit of neglecting our early American literature and history almost daily in the news. We see efforts and arguments about the Electoral College, with some of the loudest voices favoring the elimination of that antique relic of our past. When students have not been thoroughly taught the history behind the creation of the Electoral College, they ignorantly join the chorus of voices against it. We see young people defacing, toppling, and destroying our national monuments. They must not have been in Mr. Smith’s classes where they surely would have learned that those who do not remember history are condemned to repeat it.

With the recent trend in events, we are surely headed for more, not less, repression and oppression “on the anvil of Law.” It is time that we take time to read and study the Bible. It is time that we re-acquaint ourselves with genuine history. If we don’t, we will experience some very undesirable consequences, if I read my Bible correctly.

Notes on Psalm 94:20 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury for deeper study:

Psalm 94:20  Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

Psalms 94:20

throne of iniquity. Heb. havvah, cupidity. FS121C1D, Exo_6:6, Iniquity put by the Figure Metonymy (of Cause) for the injustice produced by desire for gain. Psa 94:3, 4, 5, 6, %Psa 47:8; *Psa 52:1; *Psa 52:2; Psa 56:7; *Psa 82:1; *Psa 82:2; Psa 140:8, *1Sa 22:17, 18, 19, 1Ki 21:2, 3, Ecc 3:16; +*Ecc 5:8, Jer 22:30, Eze 33:26, Dan 11:36, 37, 38, 39, *Amos 6:3, Joh 19:13.

fellowship. So as to divide men’s allegiance with Thee (Kay). Gen 49:6, +*2Ch 19:2, +*Psa 1:1; +*Psa 5:4; +**Psa 119:63, *Isa 1:11-20, *Jer 7:4-11, Joh 18:28, **2Co 6:14, 15, 16, **Eph 5:11, *1Jn 1:5; *1Jn 1:6.

frameth. or, forgeth. Al-choq; as if they hammered out their systematic oppression on the anvil of Law;—or, as if Law were the cast or mold, by which they gave shape to their iniquitous policy (Kay). Deut 24:17, +*1Ki 21:9; +*1Ki 21:12, Mat 26:3; Mat 26:59, +*2Th 1:6.

mischief. Psa 58:2, Exo 1:17, +*1Ki 12:32, *Est 3:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, *Isa 10:1, *Dan 3:4, 5, 6, 7; *Dan 6:7, 8, 9, Amos 6:12, Mic 6:16, +**Joh 7:24; Joh 8:15; *Joh 9:22; *Joh 11:57, Act 16:37; Act 22:3; Act 26:12, *Rev 13:15, 16, 17.

by a law. Isa 10:1, 2, Dan 2:13; Dan 3:10; Dan 6:15, +*Hab 1:4, *Act 4:17; *Act 4:18, Rev 13:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

A Phillis Wheatley poem I shared with my students:

On Being Brought from Africa to America

‘Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land
Taught by my benighted soul to understand
That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view that sable race with scornful eye:
“Their colour is a diabolic dye.”
Remember, Christians, Negroes black as Cain
May be refined and join the angelic strain.

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