Acts 6:3 - Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
The literal translation here when it says, "of honest report," this is the word "testimony" and it is in a Present Participial form. Those who are carrying the testimony of two things: number one, being full of the Holy Spirit. And number two, being full of wisdom.
To be filled with the Holy Spirit doesn't have anything to do with the Holy Spirit "leaking out" and you have to go to a meeting or church and get filled up again. The Greek word for "filled" means to have your inner faculties filled and influenced by something.
We always have the Holy Spirit living inside of us no matter what we're doing. Even if we're not doing what He's doing, He's always in us and He's always active. But then there are times when God's Spirit would fill our inner human faculties and use us to either do something or say something.
Acts 6:5 - And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Wow! That's his reputation. By the way, these are all Jews with Greek names from the Hellenist community.
As a side note, Nicolas was a proselyte from Antioch. From the history of this man, he eventually left God's work somewhere down the line and he gathered his own following. Because his name is Nicolas, they were called the Nicolaitans. Beginning at Revelation 2:6, he told the church at Ephesus, "You hate the deeds and the doctrines of the Nicolaitans which I also hate."
They were followers of Nicolas, and the trail leads back, at least to the historians and the archaeologists, to this Nicolas of Antioch. Just a side note!
Prayer for clarity of mind and removal of curses and manipulations trying to cause me to be hindered in thought in LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME, amen. Thank you for your prayers.
What would you have gained if you had gained the whole world, but lost your soul? [NOTHING] You will spend eternity in Hell fire and brimstone where the fire never quench. Tormented for all eternity
Jesus said I am the way, the truth, the life,
Jesus said I am the bread of life.
Jesus said I am the living water.
Jesus said I am the door of eternity of life.
Jesus said I AM the Son of God. Whosoever calls on Me shall have eternal life. That is a promise from our Lord and Savior.
Jesus said by Faith through Grace through the Righteousness Blood of Jesus Christ.
Neither is there any other name under Heaven whereby you can be saved. God's only begotten Son is the only way to get SAVE!
No church, no baptism, no work, no pay, no Religion, no Denomination, no goodness, no helping thy neighbor, no Preacher,
no Evangelist, no TV preacher/evangelist, no miracle worker on TV, Etc. Etc. Etc.
Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God can save you through His Righteous Blood can Save a lost Soul. NO OTHER WAY.
The clock of life is clicking off fast, Today, is the time to get saved, right now, before it is to late. After death, TO LATE!!!!
Prayer to keep the job I have and that God will Bless me to talk to the women He want me to talk to with full confidence and I am ready for a relashonship with this women in Lord Jesus Christ Name, and I ask for provision in finances that I can pay all of my bills, get out of debt, be able to get my daughter into dance class soon and be able to provide for a future relashonship with my future spouse when the time comes in LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME, amen. Thank you all for the prayer and I will continue to pray for you all as soon as possible and I ask that THE LORD GOD Bless all of us in any and all areas we are in need of in LORD JESUS CHRIST NAME, AMEN.
Q: "In what sense one should approach the Bible,- for knowledge or for understanding?"
A: Neither. Wisdom according to the world does it for self. Improve what without a standard is a wild goose chase. Wisdom from heaven sets the standard: Be ye holy for I am holy. Knowledge of the holy is understanding. As such skills that God a Spirit calls for is different.
The Bible is God breathed and its purpose is in instruction in righteousness. (2 Ti.3:16-17). So the Spirit has pressed human hands to shape the literal text in a manner it can be used at different levels. The Spirit is the author so doctrinally it cannot be bettered. God is perfect so his word is perfect "for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." In short furnishing a man perfect unto all good works is what insisted upon. If truth be told and obeyed what heresy can rear its head? The devil is in details by which scholarship of carnal minds have let these loose. These are the tares sown by the enemy while a child of God nodded.
The text is like the shirt front with seven buttons with accompanying eyes so the button has to go into the right button hole. The Spirit has set the buttons and also holes which when correctly placed it is called, wisdom from heaven. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God./ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Co.2:12-13) Without setting the everlasting covenant stated in the first chapter of Genesis and Ch.2:1-3 as set by Law of the Spirit, no one can be called to blessed in his Son. He has his volume in which all the blessings of seven days are equally distributed. No nation no man is exempt from the covenant. He has to be taught by the Spirit. Remember if one button is misplaced it affects the entire.
You have put the finger on the spot. Literal text is like the shirt front with seven buttons with accompanying eyes so the button has to go into the right button hole. The Spirit has set the buttons and also holes which when correctly placed it is called, wisdom from heaven. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God./ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Co.2:12-13) You notice how nations, churches are tying themselves into knots trying to justify Israel, and ludicrousness of it for example is in the manner one button is wrongly placed. It is straightforward and simple. Without setting the everlasting covenant stated in the first chapter of Genesis and Ch.2:1-3 as set by Law of the Spirit, no one can be called to blessed in his Son. He has his volume in which all the blessings of seven days are equally distributed. Eating the angel's food is according to each believer's capacity. No nation no man is exempt from the covenant. He has to be taught by the Spirit. Remember if one button is misplaced it affects the entire.
Thanks brother S. Spencer for the response, to which I agree. I was actually beginning to wonder whether I was misreading these various texts since some pictures given to us of the future or heavenly things can sometimes cause concern as to how we should be reading & interpreting them. Thanks again for the clarification. GBU.
You make an interesting point. You write,"Next why in Stephen's stoning Jesus is not sitting but standing? Because His child was going to be stoned and die. How would it appear to Stephen to see Jesus just sit comfortably on His throne at the same time that he wan stoned?" Human tendency is to read much into gestures as you mention. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;/That ye may eat the flesh of kings,"(Re.19:17-18) Angel in the sun is about under the sun in the sense the preacher deals with it. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Thereafter the angel is inviting the fowls ' that fly in the midst of heaven'. Similarly "And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem."(1 Chr.21:16) We look at him sent from heaven rather than his standing. So it is his Will is the driver. We see the Lamb, "and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion," Do we look his standing on the mount or the decree of the Father, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Hermeneutics that foolish teacher follow skip the lead of the Spirit and divine Will.
I would like prayer for my Church family at Edisto United Methodist Church located in Orangeburg, SC. I would like prayer for myself, my brother, Kevin Brunson and my sister, Ambi Brunson, all nephews and my niece Assata. I would like a special prayer request for my entire workplace at Sunset Trading, OUR warehouse manager, myself and all the employees that we become more productive and safe in meeting the expectations of our boss and the Cellmark business in California.
Q:"In view of the fulness of God being in Jesus Christ what does right hand signify? "
A: We shall first look at it in terms of Jesus Christ as the visible image of the invisible God. " For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." And out of this we received grace for grace, as John's Gospel instructs us. This is set in an everlasting covenant and the Parable of the Nations tells us how we should approach the right hand. The nations designated under the sheep are grouped on his right hand. "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."(Matt.25:34) This blessing is what we have received in his Son. " Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."(v.40). What we have done in his name is counted as done on his behalf. For the righteous it is life eternal.(v.46)
Secondly we shall look at the position of the Son"when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." This brings naturally those who are blessed. So the throne of God and of the Lamb establishes the position of Zion and New Jerusalem in eternity. Ps.110:1 elaborates on the wrath of the Lamb is His own displeasure."Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure."(Ps.2:5) These are the heathen the left-behind church and the mingled people of the Jews and the Gentiles. "The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath."(110:5) The Father Son relationship, 'the Lord at thy right hand' a moot point. "I and my Father are one."
"And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me." This arm by the same token is dervied from this unity. (Is. 63:5) "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm."
My opinion about Jesus sitting on a throne next to God.
Firstly in grk we very rarely use the word "hand" when we talk about direction or position. We just say "to the/your right or left". Rarely we may say "to the right hand", more frequently we say "to the right side". Another thing in grk is that we mainly use the noun "to" in all cases where the Egl language uses nouns like on, at, in, to, ..., etc , apart from a few cases. So in grk "to" is a general noun who is often used instead of all those.
The other thing whether all those phrases are litteral or figurative, my opinion is that they are litteral, otherwise why Jesus is either sitting or standing next to God? The position on the right shows a honorable position and a position of authority that is given by the person who sits on the throne. .
Next why in Stephen's stoning Jesus is not sitting but standing? Because His child was going to be stoned and die. How would it appear to Stephen to see Jesus just sit comfortably on His throne at the same time that he wan stoned? Jesus/God participates in our persecutions, He has an agony (although He knows the outcome). God is not an apathetic observer of our lives who just sits comfortably on His throne when all those hard things come to our lives. So in that instance Jesus who was sitting next to God, got up off His throne. So Stephen saw His interest and anguish in him, which Jesus was really having for him.
Christians who consider that all those expressions in the scriptures that talk about God having ears, mouth, hands, legs, thrones, etc, are anthropomorhical expressions always interprete those phrases as being figurative. So for them God as sittiing on a throne can not be a real thing. Anyway, either this or that, Jesus is having authority and is always participating in everything that comes to our lives.
The right hand designates the Word become flesh. The right arm by the same token refers to the salvation aspect. "For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them." Ps.44:3 Three refers to the Son . Firstly Jesus Christ as the true Light secondly the everlasting covenant, the Law aspect. Thirdly the arm signifying salvation. "saving strength of his right hand"(Ps.20:6). "And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me."(Is.63:5)
May I add to this, the quote "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,/And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."(Ac.7:55-56) The Holy Spirit sets Jesus on the right hand of God. The next verse is what he quotes Stephen."This is a validation of the decree of the Father, " Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."(Ps.110:1) compare with these in the same Psalm, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek./The Lord at thy right hand" In v.5 The Lord "shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath." The right hand refers to his Son "after our image" or Jesus Christ 'after our likeness". In the Parable of Jesus, "When the Son of man shall come in his glory," the nations designates as the sheep on the right hand. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." In Jesus's name is whoever Jesus designates as blessed." Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." That is the right side in terms of the covenant under seven days.
Thanks brother S. Spencer for sharing on this. You wrote, "Christ standing visually expresses in a figurative way his established position of power and his sitting expresses with that authority the work of redemption is complete."
So, do you believe that these expressions of Jesus standing or sitting are simply figurative language of His position of power and completed redemption? That when Stephen spoke, or Paul, Peter, the Hebrews writer, or even the Lord Himself spoke, they didn't mean that they believed or saw Jesus assuming a sitting or standing position, rather the words (sitting & standing) are just metaphors of Who Jesus is in Heaven & of His Work fulfilled? I do understand the meaning that you & Jesse have shared & I agree to that completely, but I'm looking for some clue as to why these men who saw Jesus sitting or standing were not actually seeing Him doing that, but rather chose to speak of Him metaphorically. Sorry to belabor this matter, but it's one of those points in the Bible that I've never considered a mystery but seemed quite plain & straightforward. Thanks again & every blessing.
Q:The vision of Daniel sets the Law of the Spirit as the Ancient of days. "Judgement was set" in v.10 validates "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."What is the significance?"
A: Firstly the fulness of Jesus Christ as stated in the Gospel is doctrinally correct. Jesus Christ shall judge on the basis of the Law. The phrase one "like the Son of man" refers to him. This explains the Law of Gradation which carry appropriate tags. In.v10 we have two sets of numbers. "And ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." Against this number we have in the vision of St John"two hundred thousand thousand" the latter is retained to torment those who have sinned again 'heaven and thee'.(Re.9:16)
One example we have from the life of David. He is set as the man after the heart of God, after the likeness of his Son. "TheLordsaid unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."(Ps.110:1) The Law is spoken. But what did David do? "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." (" and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it"-1 Chr.21:1-2) and we read,"And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel."(21:7) So theLordsent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men." (v.14) 70x1000 explains David sinned against the Law of the Spirit. Multiples of seven. Similarly 144,000 explains the firstfruits and the Gospels sets them follow the Lamb and the are preserved according too his purpose (Re.14:1). All the martyrs in Matt.23:35 and in Re.15:2 are the 144,000 who have got victory over the beast. They were sealed in Re.ch.7.From David's example are we not created after 'our image and after our likeness?" Do we break the everlasting covenant by interpreting the word of God as we will to our convenience?
In other words, Christ standing visually expresses in a figurative way his established position of power and his sitting expresses with that authority the work of redemption is complete.
Here's what I find that may or may not be significant.
In Acts 7:56 the word for standing I believe is "histemi"
A prolonged form of a primary word stao (of the same meaning and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively) used in various applications (literally or figuratively): - abide appoint bring continue covenant establish hold up lay present set (up) stanch stand (by forth still up).
Mark 14:62 and Luke 22:69
Christ is "sitting" refers to the fact that His work of redemption is done.
Hebrews 10:12-13.
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
In Luke 22:69 Jesus states "Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God" and then they ask him "Art thou then the Son of God? ( They understood his claim to sit on the right hand of the power of God makes him God.)
And he said unto them, (I am.)
And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
They accused him of Blasphemy!
God's right hand" refers to the Messiah, the LORD Jesus Christ, and He is of equal position, honor, power, and authority with God!
I may be wrong but I believe there is figurative emphasis on the standing and sitting.
John 6:28-29 reads "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Afterwards we benefit from Philippians 2:13
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
I'd like to share this as an encouragement to the ones that are believing for a miracle on how the Lord Raise Me Up and healed me when the doctors had given up hope of me recover
I was woken up one morning about 5:30 with A massive pain in the right side of my stomach
as quick as it came it stopped so I just dismissed it as being a cramp 2 or 3 days later IT came back but this time
it was much worse so I went to my GP and he organised me to have a cat scan about a half an hour after I got home I got a phone call from my doctor saying that he had organised me and ambulance to take me straight up to the hospital as they found
a white mass near my appendix by the time I got to the hospital my body was going downhill fast
the specialist came and see me and told me that I had a very rare tumour only about 1 in 25 million people will get it (it was a liquid form of tumour which the doctors called Jelly Belly ( you can Google it to find out more just type in medical Jelly Belly )
at that time I was only given about 2 hours to live they rushed me into surgery and they remove the tumour they had to remove my panic and they found a cancer as well which they also removed
I was in theatre for over 12 hours 6 weeks later I went for more tests and they found another cancer
this was the beginning of one thing after another my body rejected chemo and painkillers they could use
Dyers my body rejected that to, for the next 3 years there was one thing after another
I had 4 cancers and 1 rare tumour cancer my appendix bursts and previous to this I had a tumour cut out of the corner of my eye I ended up having three heart attacks and a triple bypass because of what my body had been through at that time
I was giving a maximum of 13 weeks to live that was 3 years ago I said to the doctorsI appreciate your concerned but I will stand on the word of God I know my time is Lotta on this Earth and I will not allow the enemy to rob me
There's something I've been really selfish with and have acted really foolishly. It's challenged me, I've known better, but I haven't acted better. I'm asking for the grace to yield this and seek others help and work towards changing regularly. Would you pray I'm helped with releasing this and changing my outlook to become someone whose working to become a better person? Thank you.
Brother, what you do is appreciated, you inspire study. I hope you do not mind this is my understanding, you say Jesus is not sitting on the right of God on His throne, that is an idiom, this means it is saying this is the person that has authority and power, and I agree but was given authority and power, but not with we will not see Jesus, Revelation 21:22. If we also read Ephesians 1:17-23 along with Acts 5:31 it says God exalted Jesus, exalted, the Greek word hupsoo means to lift or raise up, to exalt, raise high.
Ephesians 1:20-21, God raised Jesus and set Him; the Greek word kathizo means make to sit; I set, appoint a physical position of the power of the throne, that is God's divine power and authority over all of creation. After Jesus was raised from the dead, Psalm 8:6Philippians 2:9-10. This will be until all enemies are under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. The throne can also mean sharing in honor and glory by overcoming as we see in Revelation 3:21.
Jesus has been given this position, we know God placed Jesus above all in heaven and earth and under the earth Ephesians 1:19-21. Jesus was raised in a glorified body, and we will be raised in a body as His, Philippians 3:21. Jesus ascended and is in heaven in that glorified body, Acts 1:10 and when He returns it will be in that same glorified body, Revelation 19.
The other words that throw light on this are Matthew 28:18 and John 13:3, given the Greek word didomi which means to give, to give something to someone, to bestow a gift, to appoint to an office, to supply, furnish necessary things. Something given to you that you did not have before it was given like salvation and eternal life is given, godliness, 2 Peter 1:3-8.
We also have Matthew 11:27 "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" delivered the Greek word paradidomi a close word to didomi properly to give, hand over, to deliver over with a sense of close personal involvement.
Acts 6:3 - Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
The literal translation here when it says, "of honest report," this is the word "testimony" and it is in a Present Participial form. Those who are carrying the testimony of two things: number one, being full of the Holy Spirit. And number two, being full of wisdom.
To be filled with the Holy Spirit doesn't have anything to do with the Holy Spirit "leaking out" and you have to go to a meeting or church and get filled up again. The Greek word for "filled" means to have your inner faculties filled and influenced by something.
We always have the Holy Spirit living inside of us no matter what we're doing. Even if we're not doing what He's doing, He's always in us and He's always active. But then there are times when God's Spirit would fill our inner human faculties and use us to either do something or say something.
Acts 6:5 - And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Wow! That's his reputation. By the way, these are all Jews with Greek names from the Hellenist community.
As a side note, Nicolas was a proselyte from Antioch. From the history of this man, he eventually left God's work somewhere down the line and he gathered his own following. Because his name is Nicolas, they were called the Nicolaitans. Beginning at Revelation 2:6, he told the church at Ephesus, "You hate the deeds and the doctrines of the Nicolaitans which I also hate."
They were followers of Nicolas, and the trail leads back, at least to the historians and the archaeologists, to this Nicolas of Antioch. Just a side note!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. The emphasis is on Jesus' position of authority and power, which you have shown.
Amen!
I do not mind at all, my brother. And thank you so much for sharing your understanding. Blessings to you also in Christ!
Jesus said I am the way, the truth, the life,
Jesus said I am the bread of life.
Jesus said I am the living water.
Jesus said I am the door of eternity of life.
Jesus said I AM the Son of God. Whosoever calls on Me shall have eternal life. That is a promise from our Lord and Savior.
Jesus said by Faith through Grace through the Righteousness Blood of Jesus Christ.
Neither is there any other name under Heaven whereby you can be saved. God's only begotten Son is the only way to get SAVE!
No church, no baptism, no work, no pay, no Religion, no Denomination, no goodness, no helping thy neighbor, no Preacher,
no Evangelist, no TV preacher/evangelist, no miracle worker on TV, Etc. Etc. Etc.
Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God can save you through His Righteous Blood can Save a lost Soul. NO OTHER WAY.
The clock of life is clicking off fast, Today, is the time to get saved, right now, before it is to late. After death, TO LATE!!!!
COME LORD JESUS
Q: "In what sense one should approach the Bible,- for knowledge or for understanding?"
A: Neither. Wisdom according to the world does it for self. Improve what without a standard is a wild goose chase. Wisdom from heaven sets the standard: Be ye holy for I am holy. Knowledge of the holy is understanding. As such skills that God a Spirit calls for is different.
The Bible is God breathed and its purpose is in instruction in righteousness. (2 Ti.3:16-17). So the Spirit has pressed human hands to shape the literal text in a manner it can be used at different levels. The Spirit is the author so doctrinally it cannot be bettered. God is perfect so his word is perfect "for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." In short furnishing a man perfect unto all good works is what insisted upon. If truth be told and obeyed what heresy can rear its head? The devil is in details by which scholarship of carnal minds have let these loose. These are the tares sown by the enemy while a child of God nodded.
The text is like the shirt front with seven buttons with accompanying eyes so the button has to go into the right button hole. The Spirit has set the buttons and also holes which when correctly placed it is called, wisdom from heaven. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God./ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Co.2:12-13) Without setting the everlasting covenant stated in the first chapter of Genesis and Ch.2:1-3 as set by Law of the Spirit, no one can be called to blessed in his Son. He has his volume in which all the blessings of seven days are equally distributed. No nation no man is exempt from the covenant. He has to be taught by the Spirit. Remember if one button is misplaced it affects the entire.
You have put the finger on the spot. Literal text is like the shirt front with seven buttons with accompanying eyes so the button has to go into the right button hole. The Spirit has set the buttons and also holes which when correctly placed it is called, wisdom from heaven. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God./ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Co.2:12-13) You notice how nations, churches are tying themselves into knots trying to justify Israel, and ludicrousness of it for example is in the manner one button is wrongly placed. It is straightforward and simple. Without setting the everlasting covenant stated in the first chapter of Genesis and Ch.2:1-3 as set by Law of the Spirit, no one can be called to blessed in his Son. He has his volume in which all the blessings of seven days are equally distributed. Eating the angel's food is according to each believer's capacity. No nation no man is exempt from the covenant. He has to be taught by the Spirit. Remember if one button is misplaced it affects the entire.
With God being a spirit how do we sketch that?
Do we draw two beings or one?
What does the right of a spirit looks like? Or the right hand of power?
God bless.
I may have slightly taken it off subject a bit.
I was putting emphasis on what may be the reason sometimes Christ is sitting and sometimes standing.
I believe Jesus was standing when it says standing and sitting when it says so.
I believe these visual descriptions of Christ
standing and sitting "also" strongly expresses a position or act.
Standing. Perhaps an expression of power!
Sitting. Perhaps completion of work and ready to pass Judgment.
Thanks for furthering the study!
God bless.
You make an interesting point. You write,"Next why in Stephen's stoning Jesus is not sitting but standing? Because His child was going to be stoned and die. How would it appear to Stephen to see Jesus just sit comfortably on His throne at the same time that he wan stoned?" Human tendency is to read much into gestures as you mention. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;/That ye may eat the flesh of kings,"(Re.19:17-18) Angel in the sun is about under the sun in the sense the preacher deals with it. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Thereafter the angel is inviting the fowls ' that fly in the midst of heaven'. Similarly "And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem."(1 Chr.21:16) We look at him sent from heaven rather than his standing. So it is his Will is the driver. We see the Lamb, "and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion," Do we look his standing on the mount or the decree of the Father, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Hermeneutics that foolish teacher follow skip the lead of the Spirit and divine Will.
Respectfully submitted,
Earl Lee Brunson
Eyes to see and ears to hear , yet.......
Q:"In view of the fulness of God being in Jesus Christ what does right hand signify? "
A: We shall first look at it in terms of Jesus Christ as the visible image of the invisible God. " For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." And out of this we received grace for grace, as John's Gospel instructs us. This is set in an everlasting covenant and the Parable of the Nations tells us how we should approach the right hand. The nations designated under the sheep are grouped on his right hand. "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."(Matt.25:34) This blessing is what we have received in his Son. " Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."(v.40). What we have done in his name is counted as done on his behalf. For the righteous it is life eternal.(v.46)
Secondly we shall look at the position of the Son"when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." This brings naturally those who are blessed. So the throne of God and of the Lamb establishes the position of Zion and New Jerusalem in eternity. Ps.110:1 elaborates on the wrath of the Lamb is His own displeasure."Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure."(Ps.2:5) These are the heathen the left-behind church and the mingled people of the Jews and the Gentiles. "The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath."(110:5) The Father Son relationship, 'the Lord at thy right hand' a moot point. "I and my Father are one."
"And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me." This arm by the same token is dervied from this unity. (Is. 63:5) "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm."
My opinion about Jesus sitting on a throne next to God.
Firstly in grk we very rarely use the word "hand" when we talk about direction or position. We just say "to the/your right or left". Rarely we may say "to the right hand", more frequently we say "to the right side". Another thing in grk is that we mainly use the noun "to" in all cases where the Egl language uses nouns like on, at, in, to, ..., etc , apart from a few cases. So in grk "to" is a general noun who is often used instead of all those.
The other thing whether all those phrases are litteral or figurative, my opinion is that they are litteral, otherwise why Jesus is either sitting or standing next to God? The position on the right shows a honorable position and a position of authority that is given by the person who sits on the throne. .
Next why in Stephen's stoning Jesus is not sitting but standing? Because His child was going to be stoned and die. How would it appear to Stephen to see Jesus just sit comfortably on His throne at the same time that he wan stoned? Jesus/God participates in our persecutions, He has an agony (although He knows the outcome). God is not an apathetic observer of our lives who just sits comfortably on His throne when all those hard things come to our lives. So in that instance Jesus who was sitting next to God, got up off His throne. So Stephen saw His interest and anguish in him, which Jesus was really having for him.
Christians who consider that all those expressions in the scriptures that talk about God having ears, mouth, hands, legs, thrones, etc, are anthropomorhical expressions always interprete those phrases as being figurative. So for them God as sittiing on a throne can not be a real thing. Anyway, either this or that, Jesus is having authority and is always participating in everything that comes to our lives.
The right hand designates the Word become flesh. The right arm by the same token refers to the salvation aspect. "For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them." Ps.44:3 Three refers to the Son . Firstly Jesus Christ as the true Light secondly the everlasting covenant, the Law aspect. Thirdly the arm signifying salvation. "saving strength of his right hand"(Ps.20:6). "And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me."(Is.63:5)
Cursed is the man who make flesh his arm.
May I add to this, the quote "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,/And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."(Ac.7:55-56) The Holy Spirit sets Jesus on the right hand of God. The next verse is what he quotes Stephen."This is a validation of the decree of the Father, " Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."(Ps.110:1) compare with these in the same Psalm, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek./The Lord at thy right hand" In v.5 The Lord "shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath." The right hand refers to his Son "after our image" or Jesus Christ 'after our likeness". In the Parable of Jesus, "When the Son of man shall come in his glory," the nations designates as the sheep on the right hand. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." In Jesus's name is whoever Jesus designates as blessed." Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." That is the right side in terms of the covenant under seven days.
So, do you believe that these expressions of Jesus standing or sitting are simply figurative language of His position of power and completed redemption? That when Stephen spoke, or Paul, Peter, the Hebrews writer, or even the Lord Himself spoke, they didn't mean that they believed or saw Jesus assuming a sitting or standing position, rather the words (sitting & standing) are just metaphors of Who Jesus is in Heaven & of His Work fulfilled? I do understand the meaning that you & Jesse have shared & I agree to that completely, but I'm looking for some clue as to why these men who saw Jesus sitting or standing were not actually seeing Him doing that, but rather chose to speak of Him metaphorically. Sorry to belabor this matter, but it's one of those points in the Bible that I've never considered a mystery but seemed quite plain & straightforward. Thanks again & every blessing.
Q:The vision of Daniel sets the Law of the Spirit as the Ancient of days. "Judgement was set" in v.10 validates "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."What is the significance?"
A: Firstly the fulness of Jesus Christ as stated in the Gospel is doctrinally correct. Jesus Christ shall judge on the basis of the Law. The phrase one "like the Son of man" refers to him. This explains the Law of Gradation which carry appropriate tags. In.v10 we have two sets of numbers. "And ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him." Against this number we have in the vision of St John"two hundred thousand thousand" the latter is retained to torment those who have sinned again 'heaven and thee'.(Re.9:16)
One example we have from the life of David. He is set as the man after the heart of God, after the likeness of his Son. "TheLordsaid unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."(Ps.110:1) The Law is spoken. But what did David do? "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel." (" and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it"-1 Chr.21:1-2) and we read,"And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel."(21:7) So theLordsent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men." (v.14) 70x1000 explains David sinned against the Law of the Spirit. Multiples of seven. Similarly 144,000 explains the firstfruits and the Gospels sets them follow the Lamb and the are preserved according too his purpose (Re.14:1). All the martyrs in Matt.23:35 and in Re.15:2 are the 144,000 who have got victory over the beast. They were sealed in Re.ch.7.From David's example are we not created after 'our image and after our likeness?" Do we break the everlasting covenant by interpreting the word of God as we will to our convenience?
In other words, Christ standing visually expresses in a figurative way his established position of power and his sitting expresses with that authority the work of redemption is complete.
God bless.
Here's what I find that may or may not be significant.
In Acts 7:56 the word for standing I believe is "histemi"
A prolonged form of a primary word stao (of the same meaning and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively) used in various applications (literally or figuratively): - abide appoint bring continue covenant establish hold up lay present set (up) stanch stand (by forth still up).
Mark 14:62 and Luke 22:69
Christ is "sitting" refers to the fact that His work of redemption is done.
Hebrews 10:12-13.
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
In Luke 22:69 Jesus states "Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God" and then they ask him "Art thou then the Son of God? ( They understood his claim to sit on the right hand of the power of God makes him God.)
And he said unto them, (I am.)
And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
They accused him of Blasphemy!
God's right hand" refers to the Messiah, the LORD Jesus Christ, and He is of equal position, honor, power, and authority with God!
I may be wrong but I believe there is figurative emphasis on the standing and sitting.
God bless.
John 6:28-29 reads "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Afterwards we benefit from Philippians 2:13
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God bless.
I was woken up one morning about 5:30 with A massive pain in the right side of my stomach
as quick as it came it stopped so I just dismissed it as being a cramp 2 or 3 days later IT came back but this time
it was much worse so I went to my GP and he organised me to have a cat scan about a half an hour after I got home I got a phone call from my doctor saying that he had organised me and ambulance to take me straight up to the hospital as they found
a white mass near my appendix by the time I got to the hospital my body was going downhill fast
the specialist came and see me and told me that I had a very rare tumour only about 1 in 25 million people will get it (it was a liquid form of tumour which the doctors called Jelly Belly ( you can Google it to find out more just type in medical Jelly Belly )
at that time I was only given about 2 hours to live they rushed me into surgery and they remove the tumour they had to remove my panic and they found a cancer as well which they also removed
I was in theatre for over 12 hours 6 weeks later I went for more tests and they found another cancer
this was the beginning of one thing after another my body rejected chemo and painkillers they could use
Dyers my body rejected that to, for the next 3 years there was one thing after another
I had 4 cancers and 1 rare tumour cancer my appendix bursts and previous to this I had a tumour cut out of the corner of my eye I ended up having three heart attacks and a triple bypass because of what my body had been through at that time
I was giving a maximum of 13 weeks to live that was 3 years ago I said to the doctorsI appreciate your concerned but I will stand on the word of God I know my time is Lotta on this Earth and I will not allow the enemy to rob me
I will just stan on the word of God AMEN
Brother, what you do is appreciated, you inspire study. I hope you do not mind this is my understanding, you say Jesus is not sitting on the right of God on His throne, that is an idiom, this means it is saying this is the person that has authority and power, and I agree but was given authority and power, but not with we will not see Jesus, Revelation 21:22. If we also read Ephesians 1:17-23 along with Acts 5:31 it says God exalted Jesus, exalted, the Greek word hupsoo means to lift or raise up, to exalt, raise high.
Ephesians 1:20-21, God raised Jesus and set Him; the Greek word kathizo means make to sit; I set, appoint a physical position of the power of the throne, that is God's divine power and authority over all of creation. After Jesus was raised from the dead, Psalm 8:6 Philippians 2:9-10. This will be until all enemies are under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. The throne can also mean sharing in honor and glory by overcoming as we see in Revelation 3:21.
Jesus has been given this position, we know God placed Jesus above all in heaven and earth and under the earth Ephesians 1:19-21. Jesus was raised in a glorified body, and we will be raised in a body as His, Philippians 3:21. Jesus ascended and is in heaven in that glorified body, Acts 1:10 and when He returns it will be in that same glorified body, Revelation 19.
The other words that throw light on this are Matthew 28:18 and John 13:3, given the Greek word didomi which means to give, to give something to someone, to bestow a gift, to appoint to an office, to supply, furnish necessary things. Something given to you that you did not have before it was given like salvation and eternal life is given, godliness, 2 Peter 1:3-8.
We also have Matthew 11:27 "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" delivered the Greek word paradidomi a close word to didomi properly to give, hand over, to deliver over with a sense of close personal involvement.
Thank you and God bless,
RLW