Do you know if you are saved? If yes, praise the Lord. Heaven
or For Eternity...
If not, This could be the last opportunity you will ever have!! Hell
There is somebody; somewhere in this world whose life is about to enter eternity... Like the [thief] on the cross beside the Everlasting life. [JESUS] in a FEW SHORT SECONDS DEATH THEN IN HELL FOR ALL eternity.
In my last posting; I mentioned the destruction of the library of Alexandria as to the historical relics of what may have described things from the first couple centuries of history if indeed it remained in any form that long. That may have not been necessary if it didn't contain New Testament relics but it would show what had developed no doubt in the intertestamental gap in scripture.
Anyway; having discussed the core foundation of saving faith which is belief in Christ being God in the flesh who died to atone for the sins of those who are ultimately saved and who repent and believe the Gospel but it bears reminding again that for Christ to be reduced to a mere man in any way; or conversely to disregard His perfect humanity along with perfect member of the Godhead already means that certain sects have deviated from the truth if they even believed in it in the first place. This forum is probably not the best place to get into a debate of errors in the Catholic church as I don't want to be booted off the site. In all fairness the Protestant or so called churches today have gone from the foundational truths of their original leaders much further and faster into error having to abandon all caution to the wind in a matter of basically one generation.
What needs to be focused on; therefore is the individuals and corporate relationships of the POSSESSING (of the Spirit) church and the scriptural; particularly Gospel truths that are the foundation for all teachings that honor His Name. If they intersect with the confessions; cathechisms and other church polity that exists; fine. If not; however we are to separate from those in grievous error and such is the place for the House church which is likely the bedrock of the church and where its lasting power derives from. Such may be the cornerstone of the true remnant of believers today; and it should have a resurgance here in the USA as it is in isolated parts of the world.
The NIcene creed apparently was developed in the year 325 and is a basic baseline that all denominations accept; whether in the Catholic; Eastern Orthodox and many Protestant denominations. We need to keep in mind that this came a couple centures before these first two churches developed and over 1000 years before we saw Protestantism come to pass. This was apparently in the time frame of Constantine who had his famous vision of a cross before procuring victory in battle some 13 years before this in the year 312. Immediately before this apparently the division of the Roman territory into east and west had begun with the earlier ruler of Rome. That would; of course allow for the development of the Catholic church in the west and Eastern Orthodox in the Eastern areas; which today is quite evident in Greek as well as Russian church traditions.
As far as the Coptic church is concerned as far as I know it started in the Egyptian area and is very mystical and not generally doctinally sound. The big questions in general come from either lack of information or my own lack of research on the evidence of the first centuries of church development in the rest of Africa as well as what type of churches were in areas such as India where Thomas was rumored to be martyred and where missionaries reached quite early on with at least one outreach.
The destruction of the library of Alexandria has several rumored dates; one of which was around 270 to 275 AD; which destroyed anything remaining from Julius Caesar's initial destruction or as some say it wasn't destroyed until the 7th century (see Daily History dot org; September 28, 2001).
In further postings I will go back once again to the scriptures to get to the subject of what defines a good church as well as how a church plant was originally conceived and designed and how it evolved to what we see with Denominations today. I will delve into how it takes great individual and group effort
remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Galatians 5:6 KJV
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Ways you can have faith in Jesus Christ Scriptures
Galatians 5:13-15 KJV
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Psalm 25:8 KJV
Good and upright is the LORD: Therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
I have used faith in serving others in the love of Gof not biting and devouring people.
The easiest way to track the initial progress of the church is; of course to study the New Testament between Acts and Revelation.
The true church is to be under the assumption of true doctrine as Christ's physical resurrection and belief in His atonement being a baseline to determine saving faith. As I stated in the first introduction posting on this subject even the greatest theologians had besetting sins; if Paul could say that he was the "chief of sinners" ( 1 Tim. 1:15) certainly no one else can be absolved from criticism for transgressions. Those who would try to lift up Peter; for instance indicating he was the first in the line of papacy are hesitant to mention his glaring issue of denying Christ; trying to stop him from going to his death in the famous "get behind me Satan" verse in Matthew 16:23; as well as his hypocritical stance with the Jews on avoiding unclean foods that Paul had to publically rebuke him for (Galatians I think).
Doctrinal error and general apostacy was predicted to occur as Peter and Paul's last writings before martyrdom indicated (also see James). The fact it existed before the end of the first century is clear from the admonitions to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3. In terms of the history of the church and or various types of churches throughout history, the seven churches clearly show that the Laodicean type is prominent today by far.
Going into the first few centuries; we can clearly see the errant influences that became the genesis for spurious doctrines of many denominations today which influenced Catholicism; Eastern Orthodox churches and Coptic ones where men were made saints then later taken from that auspicious category; and a lack of belief of Christ being God in the flesh; denial of the "Trinity" or better put Godhead in 3 persons; etc. There were gnostic influences and many other cultural assimilations that took over particularly in European circles.
Helene was devastating to a large part of the southeast U.S.A. It will take a long time for the towns and residences to be restored. I have been praying for God to send rescuers to those in need of being found and drawn out from danger. I pray for needed supplies, food, clothing, and necessities pour into these areas and be distributed without corrupt practices. I pray for families to be reunited and for communities to be helped to recover.
Hurricane Milton is expected to hit eastern Florida on Wednesday. I pray that it will degrade into a less severe storm by then. May God be merciful to those affected by Helene and protect those in Milton's pathway.
I will keep both of you in prayers this week. It is hard to separate from someone you love and have committed yourself to, especially if it has been a long term relationship. I have been through that in my young years with someone I was committed to in a four year relationship. He wanted to move on and I understood that it was best for him to choose his way in this regard. But it was very painful for me and took me some time to recover from the loss. I held onto God in all of it and He was near to me. I grew through this time to be more committed to our Lord than to anyone else. I then met the man I would marry after dating for two years. We will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary in December. God blessed me with him and I have been able to keep God first in my life with this relationship than the one I was in from age 17-21.
Dear lady , you have my sympathy . Gambling is an addiction and must be treated as such . Your husband will not break this addiction until he admits it's a problem and seeks professional help . Sadly this may not happen until he has run out of money . As a Christian couple it is your duty to stand by him , however this doesn't mean that you have to be a doormat . If your husband is truly a Christian then you are within your rights to challenge his behaviour based on scripture . Here are a couple of scriptures to start with : 1st Timothy Ch 6 verse 10 and Luke Ch 12 verses 13-34 .
Does your husband have a good make Christian friend or family member ? Someone that he respects and might listen to ? Maybe you could enlist their help ? Has he always gambled ? Was something going on in his life when he started to gamble ?
Do you have any money of your own ? If you do , make sure you put it somewhere where he won't find it . This may end up being a long battle for you both and as much as you may love him , you have to look after yourself while he is in the grip of this addiction . Stick close to God , say your prayers and read your Bible every day . Don't loose faith in Him just because your husband is not behaving in an exemplary manner , you need to be a good example to him . God will give you the strength to get through this if you stick with Him . This may be a long battle so you will need to lean on your Heavenly Father , that's what He wants you to do .
I for one am no expert on many church formalities; having only recently understood such terms as catechism. Frankly, I don't remember the reasoning for the Westminster "Divines" as to whether it is simply upholding principles of Protestant fathers of the faith movement itself or whether there is some exaltation above and beyond what is due for fellow sinners saved by grace no matter how great their doctrinal foundation was. Having held to a more Reformed view of scriptures the last 10 years; give or take doesn't give me any comfort in Calvin's actions toward Silvanus; or Luther's view toward the Jews. What I can say is that the necessity of viewing oneself as such a doctrine should makes a true worshipper humbled all the more (or they SHOULD) after realizing what a vile; wretched creature they were and their utter dependance on God's salvific grace. A cursory look at many who espouse such teachings however often seems in my viewpoint to reflect a lot of pride.
To objectively begin to study the history of the church as a whole has to avoid several common pitfalls. The first issue I see is the Euro Centrist sort of mindset; ignoring much of the history of the church and its origins in the Middle East and Africa; as well as places as far as India where evangelists seem to have made headway within the first few centuries after Christ's Resurrection.
The second issue is that many tend to indiscriminately consider all denominations without realizing the error that crept in everywhere. Some focus almost entirely on the Catholic church rather than the fact that the Protestant church itself started with a king who basically wanted to find a convenient way to get rid of his first (and I would argue only legitimate) wife. There were crusades (so called) where things were done going beyond scripture along with some where it could be argued were justifiable resistance to Muslim domination at the time.
Q:The golden girdle of Jesus Christ and of the angel with the vial cannot be set at random in view of the allegory of linen girdle. What is the significance?
A: You refer to Jeremiah 13:1-2. Firstly we will note the difference. Jeremiah has to act out the allegory and it was intended for Israel. "For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear"(Je.13:11)
In the revelation of Jesus Christ the girdle is one single unbroken hoop around his bosom as the high priest of our profession. The seven candlesticks signify the church his body. In his right hand the seven stars bring in the Law of the Spirit and it is his forever aspect of priesthood.(Ps.110:4). The seven angels with the girdle in Ch.15:6, ""clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles" reveal the righteousness of cleaving unto the Saviour Lord.(Re.19:8)
This unity of the Spirit, where heaven and earth are as one golden reed. This is what explains the metrics mentioned in Re.21:16-17. "And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal./And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."
The golden reed indicates faith, the pure speech of the saints redeemed from the earth.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Intro: Scripture indicates that there are sheep (saved individuals) and goats (lost souls) in the world. We are indeed in the world but not of it if truly saved. This theme was the introduction to today's sermon on 2 Timothy 3 where our Pastor preached about avoiding the extremes of living in the wilderness with no contact with the outside world and having too much comfort with the world where we are essentially nomads just passing through.
This passage should give us pause to consider that only a few are saved out of the professing church at large. Another theme today was about how Paul's sufferings showed his qualifications as a TRUE Apostle; so contrasted with those today who are almost aways part of some prosperity Gospel congregation or church. Matthew 19:30 was also mentioned as a sobering reminder that those who may appear publicly as famous preachers may be outranked when rewards are given by relatively unknowns doing the Lord's work in relative obscurity during their earthly sojourn. There was mention of someone who attended our church once who lives out of state who is likely to be martyred if she goes to a certain country on an upcoming trip and is transparent about her newfound Christian faith. Having met this person a few months ago I am glad the Pastor brought it up and the upcoming expected date so that I could keep her in prayer. Such individuals should not go unrecognized; and perhaps the prayers of the saints will give a different result (only God allows the date when someone is allowed to kill us).
As our Pastor greeted us after the service he mentioned how many could be tempted to give praise to another god (in this case Allah) to save their own skin (claiming it is showing respect as a sort of social grace). Not so for this person mentioned above.
Unknown martyrs are more than statistics and will be exalted in heavenly places.
Q: The golden girdle associated with Christ in the inaugural vision of John apparently connects with the seven angels in Ch.15:6. What does it signify?
A: Firstly the sovereignty of the Word or the Law. When God swore by an oath "and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." this forever aspect is signified by the girdle,- a golden circle unbroken, unlike the breast plate (and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod")
of the high priest.(Ps.110:4; Ex.29:5). The Law is established 'forever' in the heavens.(Ps.119:89) The seven angels in Re.15:6 are given vials by the four beasts, curiously enough, and they are memorial serving as the creation manifestation of the Law over the stewardship. They are avenging angels each vial is laden with plagues. The vials signify the oil of gladness with which the Son is anointed,"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre./Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." (Ps.45:6-7). His throne is forever. "(Jesus Christ) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;"The seven in number refers to the Law of the Spirit. The angels as with seven days encompass the forever aspect of the covenant. "After our image" every believer in his Son is a king. Similarly 'After our likeness" every believer is a priest anointed with the oil of gladness over 'thy fellows'.
The Lamb is found worthy to open the book bound with seven seals, reveals the divine will of His Father which is followed with seven trumpets. "the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." The iconography of trumpets and vials in the revelation of Jesus Christ is intended as the wrath of the Lamb.
Brother Jesse. Thanks again for this further batch of Scripture clarifications in Acts - very helpful. I understood what you wrote concerning the term "right hand" & certainly agree to it; and in many Scriptures this phrase comes up, having the meaning of 'a position of power & authority', which of course the Lord Jesus had, by virtue of His Divinity & completed work of Salvation for all.
But my thoughts turned to several Scriptures, some of which are Acts 7:55,56; Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22, etc., that certainly do imply Jesus' Divine Power & Authority, but I can't help but read of a positional aspect to it. When the words, 'seated or standing' are given, I think most of us would immediately see this aspect of Christ's 'physical' position as well (not to say, that Jesus doesn't move about in Heaven). How would you say that we should view such verses, especially the one where Stephen full of the Holy Spirit, was steadfastly ('atenizo': eyes affixed) on this wonder seeing the Risen Lord at God's right Hand? Even in this verse, & others, do we need to apply the 'right hand' as only to that of 'power & authority' & not of position? Thanks & blessings.
"The daydream of the imaginery playmate", the Branch? I'm afraid not. What you have shared is that of a child who enters a dream world of kings, queens, & playmates. And you also shared of an adopted child of God who can certainly have the capacity of day-dreaming of things in Heaven or on Earth, but what takes place by the intervention of God is based only on His irrefutable Word & upon a real, non-dreaming, non-wishing experience by the one who wholly trusts in God for his salvation.
And the evidence of the Holy Spirit must always be there, whether in some outward manifestation, but more commonly an inward experience of the Life-giving Spirit Who not only changes life but also gives Divine power, wisdom, faith, joy & assurance which can never be manufactured in the flesh & mind. The one who is NOT IN Christ might indeed give a passing thought of having such things, but those who are truly IN Christ have no need for such imagination, but have taken hold by faith of things unseen & mysterious ( Hebrews 11:1), as of a real abiding experience never to be discounted or cast aside as fanciful thinking. If one has never experienced in life the workings of God in him, then yes, the imagination is indeed a fertile ground for the breeding of fanciful dreams & wishes.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. ( Luke 18:17, KJV)
One day, I walked into the living room and saw my granddaughter sitting at a child's table, pretending she was a teacher. As I walked by her, I picked up the D volume of the Britannica Junior Encyclopedia she had on her table/desk and sat on the couch. As I thumbed through its pages, I heard her getting onto one of her imaginary students when the heading DEAM caught my eye, and I started to read. One paragraph really stood out that read: "There are two kinds of daydreams which children have but adults do not: the daydream of the imaginary playmate, and the daydream of the adopted child. A child, if he has few friends to play with, may daydream that he has a playmate. Such a child may find his imaginary friend so interesting that he spends long hours in this daydream play. Another child likes to imagine that he is "special"--that he is really a prince or princess and that his parents are king and queen. Such a child then daydreams that he has been adopted, and that his real parents are royalty."
Paul said, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." ( Romans 8:15, KJV) The daydream of the adopted child?
Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ( John 14:15, KJV) The daydream of the imaginary playmate?
In 2003 Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled John 14 in my life, not only for my life, but the church and humanity. He gave me revival and I lived His word, I got right with Him. I lived this and I still live this witness and my witness was persecuted beyond measure. Everywhere I looked or try to join to was all in error, and there was a nation that want to take over Christianity and were down right thugs to me and my son and my nation. They set about to destroy my life and witness and still they try and do what God did in my life, and for my nation/s, and set about to destroy my voice and that I am no more heard, seen, all because God fulfilled John 14 in my life. They set about to destroy my home and family and I became homeless, my house burnt down and moved around from place to place, in areas they would not go to, or care about and have neglected. The people know they are forgotten and the church couldn't care less about them. And people would not lift up a finger when we asked for help. You don't treat people like that. The perpetrators, then set about to replace my witness of this, with their own idolaterous version and try to join it with Kabbalah and all sorts of deception. They then sought to take over our nation and oppress us. But through it all, I am reminded we are not followers of men, even if they claim they are christians in churches, when they behave more like Judas.
They chose the love of money, more than the love of God. And still I am joined to God and I am following Jesus, because He is the one that fulfilled John 14 in my life and I have lived this witness and no one can take that away from me. No one can say God did not do this, and even if I have to sit alone until I die, I will not ever join to those that set about to destroy mine or the lives of another, simply because God fulfilled his word in my life.
The christians in that nation, you will not take over the world and you will not take over our nation, you don't betray anyone ever.
What you wrote here I think is a very important point and sometimes it's not enough emphasis put on it.
" You'll be my witnesses, not witnesses for me. But either one that you use, it is interesting that it is presented as fact. It doesn't say that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you ought to be, or you should be. He says you (will be) my witnesses.
That's because at the end of John Chapters 14 and 16, He says when the Holy Spirit comes, He will testify of me. It is the Holy Spirit in every believer that testifies to Christ through the believer.
We don't testify. We don't ever bring anybody to Christ. It's the Holy Spirit through us. So, you will be my witnesses, factual statement!
Great point!
Sadly sometimes we do things of the flesh and contribute it to the HolySpirit as well.
Acts 5:40 - And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
They didn't beat them. It is the word DEIRANTES for flogging or whipping. They were skinning them!
This is serious and that's why I bring this up. They actually had a room built for the flogging. They would take the shirts off, and they would shackle your arms up with your back towards the people. And you were actually standing in a trough. And as they were whipped and the blood came out, the blood would run down this trough and outdoors so it wouldn't collect in the room.
It's like a cat-o-nine tails and the whip literally had pieces of stone and glass in it. The term used here for "beating," in the Greek, it's like fileting a fish. It's literally ripping the skin off. What they wanted to do was make sure that these Christians were impressed that even though they couldn't do anything with them, they were going to leave them with this terrible, terrible condition.
I cannot help but be impressed at what they did in Verse 41!
Acts 5:41 - And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
They departed (Imperfect Tense)! They were continuing, and as they were going from the presence of the council, they were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Wow! Can you imagine these disciples carrying their robes, blood dripping down their backs as they're walking away, and they are saying "What an honor to be able to suffer for His namesake."
"Rejoicing" doesn't mean happiness. In the Greek, it has to do with satisfaction, much like an athlete would sense in an athletic contest. Even though physically you might get hurt, there's a certain satisfaction that you have in participating no matter how much it hurts you. That's what they felt. That was their attitude!
Acts 5:32 - And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
The word "obey" in the Greek is the word persuasion. And it is a Present Participle. To everybody who is obeying God, to everybody who is under the influence of the persuasion of God's Spirit, they are the ones who have been given the Holy Spirit.
When you submit to the Lord, He gives you His Spirit, and then you're continually under His influence.
Acts 5:33 - When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Now when they heard that, they were cut to the heart. The term "cut to the heart" is the word for conviction, but it means to take a wooden saw and cut somebody in half. You can imagine what happened in their heart! And they took counsel to slay them.
Acts 5:34 - Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
Then he stood up, somebody who is in the council, and number one: he's a Pharisee. And number two: he's a doctor of the law. And number three, he had a reputation amongst the people.
The word "reputation" (TIMIOS) means valuable. He was estimated as high as you can go as far as reputation goes. And he commanded that the apostles be put outside so that he could talk to the group.
Acts 5:39 - But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Those last three words, "fight against God" is one Greek word and it's a title. And its definition is God fighter. Do you want the reputation of being a God fighter? Then you better leave them alone.
Acts 5:29 - Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Verse 29 is one of the great verses of the bible. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, and notice the other apostles, because it's not just Peter this time.
All of the apostles were there, and all of them were saying the same thing. They said "We ought to obey God rather than men."
The word "ought" is the word necessary. Literally, it is binding. It is necessary, or binding that we obey God rather than man.
What they are saying is that God told us to go out and preach the word. You as the leaders are telling us to not preach anymore. We have to obey God rather than man.
Acts 5:31 - Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand. Whenever you see the term "right hand" in scripture, there is no word hand. It's an English idiom to try to translate the Greek idiom that just means "on his right."
In other words, when you get to heaven, you're not going to see God and then to the right of His throne here's another little figure over there called His Son on His right-hand side. You won't see that!
It's an idiom like we use if we say this person in my "right hand man." It means that this is the person that has authority and power.
So, when he says that Jesus is at the right hand, or at the right of God, what he's telling them is that Jesus Christ has all the authority of God. You can see why they would get angry!
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew. Him hath God exalted with his right to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
What he's saying is that Jesus is the one that has the authority to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to all of Israel, talking to the religious leaders.
Acts 5:17 - Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
The Sadducees and the Pharisees were the two groups that were dominant within Judaism. The Sadducees did not believe in the afterlife. They did not believe in angels, and they did not believe in spirits.
So, they come, and they were the dominant ones leading within the Sanhedrin, and they were filled with indignation. The word indignation in the Greek is the word "to boil." They were boiling mad. They were raging mad!
Acts 5:23 - Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Saying, The prison truly we found having been shut. The word "shut" is called the Perfect Tense. "It's as locked and shut up as it was when we put them in there!"
Now, in all safety, that is, all the security measures were in place. Nothing was touched! And the keepers, (that is, guards) who were watching the prison.
They had been still standing there, another Perfect Tense.
Everything was the same as the night before! It's still locked up, all the security people in line, and even the guards still standing outside the prison.
And they look in and there's no prisoners! And he says when we had the place opened up, we found nobody inside.
Acts 5:24 - Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
Literally in the Greek, that last phrase meant that they were worried about where this thing was going to lead. People are getting healed, people are getting saved, and now they find out that with the prison doors locked, and the guards still standing there, all of a sudden God's people got delivered! "Where's that going to lead?"
Acts 5:5 - And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
And while Ananias was hearing these words, he fell down and gave up the ghost. The phrase "gave up the ghost" is one Greek word EXEPSYXEN meaning he breathed out and that was it. He took his last breath, and he breathed out.
Acts 5:10 - Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And she fell down immediately at his feet and yielded up the ghost. (Again, she breathed her last). And the young men came in and found her dead. Obviously, they are a little surprised. "What's going on here?"
And they carried her out and buried her. Literally in the Greek text, Verse 10 says "they buried her face to face with her husband." That's how the Greek text reads.
Acts 5:13 - And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
And of the rest durst, (dared/ETOLMA) no man to join himself to them: but the people magnified or glorified them.
You talk about an opportunity for witnessing! The people just said "No way do I want to become a Christian. You lie and you're dead (referring to Ananias and Sapphira)! I don't want anything to do with them and that type of fellowship."
It's kind of interesting that the Lord continued to add people to the church, even in spite of all that! Mainly because it was the power of God saving people.
Q: "The Fulness of God is in the Man component but formatted as a testimony of Jesus Christ. What does does it intend to achieve by giving differing POV?"
A: Jesus as the Son of man testified, "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true." ( John 5:31) But as the Word that was with God he could assert, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself,yetmy record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go." ( John 8:14). The core value for this Revelation is the Fellowship of God with Man because of which as the v.1 states,"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, " and the angel serves as a witness. Moreover in signifying it through his angel unto his servant John, "Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ" (1:1-2) the law validates it as the truth.
In arranging this last book we can pinpoint the Law , the Son "after our image" and John "after our likeness" supplying their own POV so both heaven and the earth are equally pressed into service. Without setting the everlasting covenant as the rest frame the unseen world of the Father subsuming the world made to appear the testimony shall be severely damaged. Much of the visual motifs, vocabulary of day, night, seed ("the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself," separation of light, gathering of seas are derived from the covenant. Not to mention the significance of numbers the seven days pertain to the Law of the Spirit. God is a Spirit, the Son after "our image" serves as the inner man where the soul is the quickening aspect in the makeup of man. "The heart of the wicked is little worth.(Pr.10:20)
Q:"How does the time relates to the season for which the lives of the four beasts were prolonged?
A: In Daniel's vision the four beasts coming up diverse from one another owe to "the four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth,". They are as much under the command as the four angels "which are bound in the great river Euphrates./And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men."(Re.9:14-15;7:1; Dan.7:2,12)
The Law sets judgment and the books were opened' so there is only "now" that any man in his Son could be ensured from harm according to the everlasting covenant. "Now is the day of salvation established the day decreed for him guarantees their safety. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." The word of God has therefore how the two worlds framed by the word of God shall be completely reconciled. In these there is no place for disbelief since faith' the pure speech is the DNA of the family of God. For this reason Jesus would tell those who would seize him, "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). Similarly time is associated with the Son and when he was in Nazareth he read from the day's portion of reading, he fulfilled the word concerning him,"To preach the acceptable year of the Lord".( Luke 4:16-19)
Knowledge of the holy is understanding which is written in every man. So inability to know the times is a proof that there is no place for the word of God in a disbeliever. "Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD."(Je.8:7). "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time," (Ep.5:15-17
Q: "In vv.14-15 what does the duration "for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year," signify?"
A: Key to the times is in the purpose for which the four angels were bound to the 'great' river Euphrates. "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."(Re.16:12)
First we shall look at manner nations moved after the great flood (Ge.11:2). Relating to the end times the migration turns contrary. The river from Eden moved to wards east and after the fall of man without exception it has been 'Eastward ho' because the grace of God flows from the throne of grace. This contrary movement is how the Spirit informs us that age of grace was closed. In this context we can understand St Paul's warning," For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way./ And then shall that Wicked be revealed."(2 Th.2:7-8) The beast who resisted God's grace is marked 666 since he refused the blessings in his Son. So all the havoc meted out to the earth is the Son related," "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up."(Re.8:7)
Coming back to the river Euphrates it is set in terms of the waters."The same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened."(Ge.7:11) God has his way in the deep as well."Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known."(Ps.77:19)
Seven plagues on Egypt leading up to the firstborn is a dry run for the seven angels with trumpets and vials. The man who refused the Son is marked out for the wrath which is revealed from heaven. The day of wrath is spread over the day God has decreed for his Son.(Ps.2:7). It could be years, months days or an hour.
or For Eternity...
If not, This could be the last opportunity you will ever have!! Hell
There is somebody; somewhere in this world whose life is about to enter eternity... Like the [thief] on the cross beside the Everlasting life. [JESUS] in a FEW SHORT SECONDS DEATH THEN IN HELL FOR ALL eternity.
Jesus said ye must be born again
In my last posting; I mentioned the destruction of the library of Alexandria as to the historical relics of what may have described things from the first couple centuries of history if indeed it remained in any form that long. That may have not been necessary if it didn't contain New Testament relics but it would show what had developed no doubt in the intertestamental gap in scripture.
Anyway; having discussed the core foundation of saving faith which is belief in Christ being God in the flesh who died to atone for the sins of those who are ultimately saved and who repent and believe the Gospel but it bears reminding again that for Christ to be reduced to a mere man in any way; or conversely to disregard His perfect humanity along with perfect member of the Godhead already means that certain sects have deviated from the truth if they even believed in it in the first place. This forum is probably not the best place to get into a debate of errors in the Catholic church as I don't want to be booted off the site. In all fairness the Protestant or so called churches today have gone from the foundational truths of their original leaders much further and faster into error having to abandon all caution to the wind in a matter of basically one generation.
What needs to be focused on; therefore is the individuals and corporate relationships of the POSSESSING (of the Spirit) church and the scriptural; particularly Gospel truths that are the foundation for all teachings that honor His Name. If they intersect with the confessions; cathechisms and other church polity that exists; fine. If not; however we are to separate from those in grievous error and such is the place for the House church which is likely the bedrock of the church and where its lasting power derives from. Such may be the cornerstone of the true remnant of believers today; and it should have a resurgance here in the USA as it is in isolated parts of the world.
The NIcene creed apparently was developed in the year 325 and is a basic baseline that all denominations accept; whether in the Catholic; Eastern Orthodox and many Protestant denominations. We need to keep in mind that this came a couple centures before these first two churches developed and over 1000 years before we saw Protestantism come to pass. This was apparently in the time frame of Constantine who had his famous vision of a cross before procuring victory in battle some 13 years before this in the year 312. Immediately before this apparently the division of the Roman territory into east and west had begun with the earlier ruler of Rome. That would; of course allow for the development of the Catholic church in the west and Eastern Orthodox in the Eastern areas; which today is quite evident in Greek as well as Russian church traditions.
As far as the Coptic church is concerned as far as I know it started in the Egyptian area and is very mystical and not generally doctinally sound. The big questions in general come from either lack of information or my own lack of research on the evidence of the first centuries of church development in the rest of Africa as well as what type of churches were in areas such as India where Thomas was rumored to be martyred and where missionaries reached quite early on with at least one outreach.
The destruction of the library of Alexandria has several rumored dates; one of which was around 270 to 275 AD; which destroyed anything remaining from Julius Caesar's initial destruction or as some say it wasn't destroyed until the 7th century (see Daily History dot org; September 28, 2001).
In further postings I will go back once again to the scriptures to get to the subject of what defines a good church as well as how a church plant was originally conceived and designed and how it evolved to what we see with Denominations today. I will delve into how it takes great individual and group effort
Not to be destructive and harm one another.
It can come back on you
Having Faith Scriptures
1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV
remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Galatians 5:6 KJV
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Ways you can have faith in Jesus Christ Scriptures
Galatians 5:13-15 KJV
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Psalm 25:8 KJV
Good and upright is the LORD: Therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
I have used faith in serving others in the love of Gof not biting and devouring people.
The easiest way to track the initial progress of the church is; of course to study the New Testament between Acts and Revelation.
The true church is to be under the assumption of true doctrine as Christ's physical resurrection and belief in His atonement being a baseline to determine saving faith. As I stated in the first introduction posting on this subject even the greatest theologians had besetting sins; if Paul could say that he was the "chief of sinners" ( 1 Tim. 1:15) certainly no one else can be absolved from criticism for transgressions. Those who would try to lift up Peter; for instance indicating he was the first in the line of papacy are hesitant to mention his glaring issue of denying Christ; trying to stop him from going to his death in the famous "get behind me Satan" verse in Matthew 16:23; as well as his hypocritical stance with the Jews on avoiding unclean foods that Paul had to publically rebuke him for (Galatians I think).
Doctrinal error and general apostacy was predicted to occur as Peter and Paul's last writings before martyrdom indicated (also see James). The fact it existed before the end of the first century is clear from the admonitions to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3. In terms of the history of the church and or various types of churches throughout history, the seven churches clearly show that the Laodicean type is prominent today by far.
Going into the first few centuries; we can clearly see the errant influences that became the genesis for spurious doctrines of many denominations today which influenced Catholicism; Eastern Orthodox churches and Coptic ones where men were made saints then later taken from that auspicious category; and a lack of belief of Christ being God in the flesh; denial of the "Trinity" or better put Godhead in 3 persons; etc. There were gnostic influences and many other cultural assimilations that took over particularly in European circles.
Helene was devastating to a large part of the southeast U.S.A. It will take a long time for the towns and residences to be restored. I have been praying for God to send rescuers to those in need of being found and drawn out from danger. I pray for needed supplies, food, clothing, and necessities pour into these areas and be distributed without corrupt practices. I pray for families to be reunited and for communities to be helped to recover.
Hurricane Milton is expected to hit eastern Florida on Wednesday. I pray that it will degrade into a less severe storm by then. May God be merciful to those affected by Helene and protect those in Milton's pathway.
I will keep both of you in prayers this week. It is hard to separate from someone you love and have committed yourself to, especially if it has been a long term relationship. I have been through that in my young years with someone I was committed to in a four year relationship. He wanted to move on and I understood that it was best for him to choose his way in this regard. But it was very painful for me and took me some time to recover from the loss. I held onto God in all of it and He was near to me. I grew through this time to be more committed to our Lord than to anyone else. I then met the man I would marry after dating for two years. We will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary in December. God blessed me with him and I have been able to keep God first in my life with this relationship than the one I was in from age 17-21.
Does your husband have a good make Christian friend or family member ? Someone that he respects and might listen to ? Maybe you could enlist their help ? Has he always gambled ? Was something going on in his life when he started to gamble ?
Do you have any money of your own ? If you do , make sure you put it somewhere where he won't find it . This may end up being a long battle for you both and as much as you may love him , you have to look after yourself while he is in the grip of this addiction . Stick close to God , say your prayers and read your Bible every day . Don't loose faith in Him just because your husband is not behaving in an exemplary manner , you need to be a good example to him . God will give you the strength to get through this if you stick with Him . This may be a long battle so you will need to lean on your Heavenly Father , that's what He wants you to do .
I for one am no expert on many church formalities; having only recently understood such terms as catechism. Frankly, I don't remember the reasoning for the Westminster "Divines" as to whether it is simply upholding principles of Protestant fathers of the faith movement itself or whether there is some exaltation above and beyond what is due for fellow sinners saved by grace no matter how great their doctrinal foundation was. Having held to a more Reformed view of scriptures the last 10 years; give or take doesn't give me any comfort in Calvin's actions toward Silvanus; or Luther's view toward the Jews. What I can say is that the necessity of viewing oneself as such a doctrine should makes a true worshipper humbled all the more (or they SHOULD) after realizing what a vile; wretched creature they were and their utter dependance on God's salvific grace. A cursory look at many who espouse such teachings however often seems in my viewpoint to reflect a lot of pride.
To objectively begin to study the history of the church as a whole has to avoid several common pitfalls. The first issue I see is the Euro Centrist sort of mindset; ignoring much of the history of the church and its origins in the Middle East and Africa; as well as places as far as India where evangelists seem to have made headway within the first few centuries after Christ's Resurrection.
The second issue is that many tend to indiscriminately consider all denominations without realizing the error that crept in everywhere. Some focus almost entirely on the Catholic church rather than the fact that the Protestant church itself started with a king who basically wanted to find a convenient way to get rid of his first (and I would argue only legitimate) wife. There were crusades (so called) where things were done going beyond scripture along with some where it could be argued were justifiable resistance to Muslim domination at the time.
More to come...
Q:The golden girdle of Jesus Christ and of the angel with the vial cannot be set at random in view of the allegory of linen girdle. What is the significance?
A: You refer to Jeremiah 13:1-2. Firstly we will note the difference. Jeremiah has to act out the allegory and it was intended for Israel. "For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear"(Je.13:11)
In the revelation of Jesus Christ the girdle is one single unbroken hoop around his bosom as the high priest of our profession. The seven candlesticks signify the church his body. In his right hand the seven stars bring in the Law of the Spirit and it is his forever aspect of priesthood.(Ps.110:4). The seven angels with the girdle in Ch.15:6, ""clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles" reveal the righteousness of cleaving unto the Saviour Lord.(Re.19:8)
This unity of the Spirit, where heaven and earth are as one golden reed. This is what explains the metrics mentioned in Re.21:16-17. "And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal./And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."
The golden reed indicates faith, the pure speech of the saints redeemed from the earth.
Intro: Scripture indicates that there are sheep (saved individuals) and goats (lost souls) in the world. We are indeed in the world but not of it if truly saved. This theme was the introduction to today's sermon on 2 Timothy 3 where our Pastor preached about avoiding the extremes of living in the wilderness with no contact with the outside world and having too much comfort with the world where we are essentially nomads just passing through.
This passage should give us pause to consider that only a few are saved out of the professing church at large. Another theme today was about how Paul's sufferings showed his qualifications as a TRUE Apostle; so contrasted with those today who are almost aways part of some prosperity Gospel congregation or church. Matthew 19:30 was also mentioned as a sobering reminder that those who may appear publicly as famous preachers may be outranked when rewards are given by relatively unknowns doing the Lord's work in relative obscurity during their earthly sojourn. There was mention of someone who attended our church once who lives out of state who is likely to be martyred if she goes to a certain country on an upcoming trip and is transparent about her newfound Christian faith. Having met this person a few months ago I am glad the Pastor brought it up and the upcoming expected date so that I could keep her in prayer. Such individuals should not go unrecognized; and perhaps the prayers of the saints will give a different result (only God allows the date when someone is allowed to kill us).
As our Pastor greeted us after the service he mentioned how many could be tempted to give praise to another god (in this case Allah) to save their own skin (claiming it is showing respect as a sort of social grace). Not so for this person mentioned above.
Unknown martyrs are more than statistics and will be exalted in heavenly places.
Tomorrow may be too late
Life is just like a vapor here now, gone in the blink of an eye,
Our you saved? NOW IS THE TIME FOR SALVATION?
COME LORD JESUS
By faith through grace.
confess you are lost and you HAVE sinned.
Ask the Lord JESUS TO SAVE YOUR SOUL.
He saved you through Jesus His righteousness blood of our Lord Jesus Christ ....
COME LORD JESUS
come lord jesus
come lord jesue
Q: The golden girdle associated with Christ in the inaugural vision of John apparently connects with the seven angels in Ch.15:6. What does it signify?
A: Firstly the sovereignty of the Word or the Law. When God swore by an oath "and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." this forever aspect is signified by the girdle,- a golden circle unbroken, unlike the breast plate (and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod")
of the high priest.(Ps.110:4; Ex.29:5). The Law is established 'forever' in the heavens.(Ps.119:89) The seven angels in Re.15:6 are given vials by the four beasts, curiously enough, and they are memorial serving as the creation manifestation of the Law over the stewardship. They are avenging angels each vial is laden with plagues. The vials signify the oil of gladness with which the Son is anointed,"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre./Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows." (Ps.45:6-7). His throne is forever. "(Jesus Christ) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;"The seven in number refers to the Law of the Spirit. The angels as with seven days encompass the forever aspect of the covenant. "After our image" every believer in his Son is a king. Similarly 'After our likeness" every believer is a priest anointed with the oil of gladness over 'thy fellows'.
The Lamb is found worthy to open the book bound with seven seals, reveals the divine will of His Father which is followed with seven trumpets. "the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." The iconography of trumpets and vials in the revelation of Jesus Christ is intended as the wrath of the Lamb.
But my thoughts turned to several Scriptures, some of which are Acts 7:55,56; Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22, etc., that certainly do imply Jesus' Divine Power & Authority, but I can't help but read of a positional aspect to it. When the words, 'seated or standing' are given, I think most of us would immediately see this aspect of Christ's 'physical' position as well (not to say, that Jesus doesn't move about in Heaven). How would you say that we should view such verses, especially the one where Stephen full of the Holy Spirit, was steadfastly ('atenizo': eyes affixed) on this wonder seeing the Risen Lord at God's right Hand? Even in this verse, & others, do we need to apply the 'right hand' as only to that of 'power & authority' & not of position? Thanks & blessings.
And the evidence of the Holy Spirit must always be there, whether in some outward manifestation, but more commonly an inward experience of the Life-giving Spirit Who not only changes life but also gives Divine power, wisdom, faith, joy & assurance which can never be manufactured in the flesh & mind. The one who is NOT IN Christ might indeed give a passing thought of having such things, but those who are truly IN Christ have no need for such imagination, but have taken hold by faith of things unseen & mysterious ( Hebrews 11:1), as of a real abiding experience never to be discounted or cast aside as fanciful thinking. If one has never experienced in life the workings of God in him, then yes, the imagination is indeed a fertile ground for the breeding of fanciful dreams & wishes.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. ( Luke 18:17, KJV)
One day, I walked into the living room and saw my granddaughter sitting at a child's table, pretending she was a teacher. As I walked by her, I picked up the D volume of the Britannica Junior Encyclopedia she had on her table/desk and sat on the couch. As I thumbed through its pages, I heard her getting onto one of her imaginary students when the heading DEAM caught my eye, and I started to read. One paragraph really stood out that read: "There are two kinds of daydreams which children have but adults do not: the daydream of the imaginary playmate, and the daydream of the adopted child. A child, if he has few friends to play with, may daydream that he has a playmate. Such a child may find his imaginary friend so interesting that he spends long hours in this daydream play. Another child likes to imagine that he is "special"--that he is really a prince or princess and that his parents are king and queen. Such a child then daydreams that he has been adopted, and that his real parents are royalty."
Paul said, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." ( Romans 8:15, KJV) The daydream of the adopted child?
Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ( John 14:15, KJV) The daydream of the imaginary playmate?
In 2003 Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled John 14 in my life, not only for my life, but the church and humanity. He gave me revival and I lived His word, I got right with Him. I lived this and I still live this witness and my witness was persecuted beyond measure. Everywhere I looked or try to join to was all in error, and there was a nation that want to take over Christianity and were down right thugs to me and my son and my nation. They set about to destroy my life and witness and still they try and do what God did in my life, and for my nation/s, and set about to destroy my voice and that I am no more heard, seen, all because God fulfilled John 14 in my life. They set about to destroy my home and family and I became homeless, my house burnt down and moved around from place to place, in areas they would not go to, or care about and have neglected. The people know they are forgotten and the church couldn't care less about them. And people would not lift up a finger when we asked for help. You don't treat people like that. The perpetrators, then set about to replace my witness of this, with their own idolaterous version and try to join it with Kabbalah and all sorts of deception. They then sought to take over our nation and oppress us. But through it all, I am reminded we are not followers of men, even if they claim they are christians in churches, when they behave more like Judas.
They chose the love of money, more than the love of God. And still I am joined to God and I am following Jesus, because He is the one that fulfilled John 14 in my life and I have lived this witness and no one can take that away from me. No one can say God did not do this, and even if I have to sit alone until I die, I will not ever join to those that set about to destroy mine or the lives of another, simply because God fulfilled his word in my life.
The christians in that nation, you will not take over the world and you will not take over our nation, you don't betray anyone ever.
What you wrote here I think is a very important point and sometimes it's not enough emphasis put on it.
" You'll be my witnesses, not witnesses for me. But either one that you use, it is interesting that it is presented as fact. It doesn't say that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you ought to be, or you should be. He says you (will be) my witnesses.
That's because at the end of John Chapters 14 and 16, He says when the Holy Spirit comes, He will testify of me. It is the Holy Spirit in every believer that testifies to Christ through the believer.
We don't testify. We don't ever bring anybody to Christ. It's the Holy Spirit through us. So, you will be my witnesses, factual statement!
Great point!
Sadly sometimes we do things of the flesh and contribute it to the HolySpirit as well.
Thanks and Blessings.
Acts 5:40 - And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
They didn't beat them. It is the word DEIRANTES for flogging or whipping. They were skinning them!
This is serious and that's why I bring this up. They actually had a room built for the flogging. They would take the shirts off, and they would shackle your arms up with your back towards the people. And you were actually standing in a trough. And as they were whipped and the blood came out, the blood would run down this trough and outdoors so it wouldn't collect in the room.
It's like a cat-o-nine tails and the whip literally had pieces of stone and glass in it. The term used here for "beating," in the Greek, it's like fileting a fish. It's literally ripping the skin off. What they wanted to do was make sure that these Christians were impressed that even though they couldn't do anything with them, they were going to leave them with this terrible, terrible condition.
I cannot help but be impressed at what they did in Verse 41!
Acts 5:41 - And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
They departed (Imperfect Tense)! They were continuing, and as they were going from the presence of the council, they were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Wow! Can you imagine these disciples carrying their robes, blood dripping down their backs as they're walking away, and they are saying "What an honor to be able to suffer for His namesake."
"Rejoicing" doesn't mean happiness. In the Greek, it has to do with satisfaction, much like an athlete would sense in an athletic contest. Even though physically you might get hurt, there's a certain satisfaction that you have in participating no matter how much it hurts you. That's what they felt. That was their attitude!
Acts 5:32 - And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
The word "obey" in the Greek is the word persuasion. And it is a Present Participle. To everybody who is obeying God, to everybody who is under the influence of the persuasion of God's Spirit, they are the ones who have been given the Holy Spirit.
When you submit to the Lord, He gives you His Spirit, and then you're continually under His influence.
Acts 5:33 - When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Now when they heard that, they were cut to the heart. The term "cut to the heart" is the word for conviction, but it means to take a wooden saw and cut somebody in half. You can imagine what happened in their heart! And they took counsel to slay them.
Acts 5:34 - Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
Then he stood up, somebody who is in the council, and number one: he's a Pharisee. And number two: he's a doctor of the law. And number three, he had a reputation amongst the people.
The word "reputation" (TIMIOS) means valuable. He was estimated as high as you can go as far as reputation goes. And he commanded that the apostles be put outside so that he could talk to the group.
Acts 5:39 - But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Those last three words, "fight against God" is one Greek word and it's a title. And its definition is God fighter. Do you want the reputation of being a God fighter? Then you better leave them alone.
Acts 5:29 - Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Verse 29 is one of the great verses of the bible. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, and notice the other apostles, because it's not just Peter this time.
All of the apostles were there, and all of them were saying the same thing. They said "We ought to obey God rather than men."
The word "ought" is the word necessary. Literally, it is binding. It is necessary, or binding that we obey God rather than man.
What they are saying is that God told us to go out and preach the word. You as the leaders are telling us to not preach anymore. We have to obey God rather than man.
Acts 5:31 - Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand. Whenever you see the term "right hand" in scripture, there is no word hand. It's an English idiom to try to translate the Greek idiom that just means "on his right."
In other words, when you get to heaven, you're not going to see God and then to the right of His throne here's another little figure over there called His Son on His right-hand side. You won't see that!
It's an idiom like we use if we say this person in my "right hand man." It means that this is the person that has authority and power.
So, when he says that Jesus is at the right hand, or at the right of God, what he's telling them is that Jesus Christ has all the authority of God. You can see why they would get angry!
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew. Him hath God exalted with his right to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
What he's saying is that Jesus is the one that has the authority to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to all of Israel, talking to the religious leaders.
Acts 5:17 - Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
The Sadducees and the Pharisees were the two groups that were dominant within Judaism. The Sadducees did not believe in the afterlife. They did not believe in angels, and they did not believe in spirits.
So, they come, and they were the dominant ones leading within the Sanhedrin, and they were filled with indignation. The word indignation in the Greek is the word "to boil." They were boiling mad. They were raging mad!
Acts 5:23 - Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Saying, The prison truly we found having been shut. The word "shut" is called the Perfect Tense. "It's as locked and shut up as it was when we put them in there!"
Now, in all safety, that is, all the security measures were in place. Nothing was touched! And the keepers, (that is, guards) who were watching the prison.
They had been still standing there, another Perfect Tense.
Everything was the same as the night before! It's still locked up, all the security people in line, and even the guards still standing outside the prison.
And they look in and there's no prisoners! And he says when we had the place opened up, we found nobody inside.
Acts 5:24 - Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
Literally in the Greek, that last phrase meant that they were worried about where this thing was going to lead. People are getting healed, people are getting saved, and now they find out that with the prison doors locked, and the guards still standing there, all of a sudden God's people got delivered! "Where's that going to lead?"
(Acts Part 11):
Acts 5:5 - And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
And while Ananias was hearing these words, he fell down and gave up the ghost. The phrase "gave up the ghost" is one Greek word EXEPSYXEN meaning he breathed out and that was it. He took his last breath, and he breathed out.
Acts 5:10 - Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And she fell down immediately at his feet and yielded up the ghost. (Again, she breathed her last). And the young men came in and found her dead. Obviously, they are a little surprised. "What's going on here?"
And they carried her out and buried her. Literally in the Greek text, Verse 10 says "they buried her face to face with her husband." That's how the Greek text reads.
Acts 5:13 - And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
And of the rest durst, (dared/ETOLMA) no man to join himself to them: but the people magnified or glorified them.
You talk about an opportunity for witnessing! The people just said "No way do I want to become a Christian. You lie and you're dead (referring to Ananias and Sapphira)! I don't want anything to do with them and that type of fellowship."
It's kind of interesting that the Lord continued to add people to the church, even in spite of all that! Mainly because it was the power of God saving people.
Q: "The Fulness of God is in the Man component but formatted as a testimony of Jesus Christ. What does does it intend to achieve by giving differing POV?"
A: Jesus as the Son of man testified, "If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true." ( John 5:31) But as the Word that was with God he could assert, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself,yetmy record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go." ( John 8:14). The core value for this Revelation is the Fellowship of God with Man because of which as the v.1 states,"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, " and the angel serves as a witness. Moreover in signifying it through his angel unto his servant John, "Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ" (1:1-2) the law validates it as the truth.
In arranging this last book we can pinpoint the Law , the Son "after our image" and John "after our likeness" supplying their own POV so both heaven and the earth are equally pressed into service. Without setting the everlasting covenant as the rest frame the unseen world of the Father subsuming the world made to appear the testimony shall be severely damaged. Much of the visual motifs, vocabulary of day, night, seed ("the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself," separation of light, gathering of seas are derived from the covenant. Not to mention the significance of numbers the seven days pertain to the Law of the Spirit. God is a Spirit, the Son after "our image" serves as the inner man where the soul is the quickening aspect in the makeup of man. "The heart of the wicked is little worth.(Pr.10:20)
Q:"How does the time relates to the season for which the lives of the four beasts were prolonged?
A: In Daniel's vision the four beasts coming up diverse from one another owe to "the four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth,". They are as much under the command as the four angels "which are bound in the great river Euphrates./And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men."(Re.9:14-15;7:1; Dan.7:2,12)
The Law sets judgment and the books were opened' so there is only "now" that any man in his Son could be ensured from harm according to the everlasting covenant. "Now is the day of salvation established the day decreed for him guarantees their safety. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." The word of God has therefore how the two worlds framed by the word of God shall be completely reconciled. In these there is no place for disbelief since faith' the pure speech is the DNA of the family of God. For this reason Jesus would tell those who would seize him, "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). Similarly time is associated with the Son and when he was in Nazareth he read from the day's portion of reading, he fulfilled the word concerning him,"To preach the acceptable year of the Lord".( Luke 4:16-19)
Knowledge of the holy is understanding which is written in every man. So inability to know the times is a proof that there is no place for the word of God in a disbeliever. "Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD."(Je.8:7). "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time," (Ep.5:15-17
Q: "In vv.14-15 what does the duration "for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year," signify?"
A: Key to the times is in the purpose for which the four angels were bound to the 'great' river Euphrates. "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."(Re.16:12)
First we shall look at manner nations moved after the great flood (Ge.11:2). Relating to the end times the migration turns contrary. The river from Eden moved to wards east and after the fall of man without exception it has been 'Eastward ho' because the grace of God flows from the throne of grace. This contrary movement is how the Spirit informs us that age of grace was closed. In this context we can understand St Paul's warning," For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way./ And then shall that Wicked be revealed."(2 Th.2:7-8) The beast who resisted God's grace is marked 666 since he refused the blessings in his Son. So all the havoc meted out to the earth is the Son related," "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up."(Re.8:7)
Coming back to the river Euphrates it is set in terms of the waters."The same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened."(Ge.7:11) God has his way in the deep as well."Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known."(Ps.77:19)
Seven plagues on Egypt leading up to the firstborn is a dry run for the seven angels with trumpets and vials. The man who refused the Son is marked out for the wrath which is revealed from heaven. The day of wrath is spread over the day God has decreed for his Son.(Ps.2:7). It could be years, months days or an hour.