1 Corinthians (Letter to a Carnal Church containing Correction and Instruction)
(1 Corinthians Part 1):
1 Corinthians 1:1 - Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
As I noted before in an earlier study, in all of Paul's letters, the words "to be" are in italics. It's because it is not in the original Greek transcript. He is literally saying that he is a called apostle. He's expressing what kind of apostle he is. He is an apostle by calling. It was his emphasis that this is not his ambition or his choice. The word apostle means someone sent out with a commission.
Notice that he claims himself not only to be a called apostle, but he is an apostle of Jesus Christ, not of people. In Galatians 1:1, Paul told them that he is an apostle, not through men, not from men (plural) meaning a committee, nor through a man (singular), meaning no human element appointed him. His appointment to be an apostle came from God.
So, number 1, he's a called apostle. Number 2, he's an apostle of Jesus Christ. And again, in Galatians 1:10, Paul says if I try to please men, I would no longer be a servant of Christ. That's a verse that needs to cut through the heart of every person in the ministry. If you represent Christ and His word, you can't work for anybody else. You've got to represent Christ and His word. And then thirdly, he's an apostle through the will of God. This is God's will for his life. Again, not ambition nor appointment.
Q. If they believed the bible was the written word of God, why didn't they use the manuscripts God used and just make simple changes to the language?
A. Again, not knowing their motive, I cannot answer this one. But if these men truly believed the bible was the written word of God, I would have to believe that there would be no need to for them to even "make simple changes to the language."
Q. Why if they loved God and respected His word would they do what they did and now there are those of you who don't even believe God wrote a word of truth for us?
A. Once again, I have no way of knowing what their motives were.
Q. What joy is there in reading man's interpretation of what God may have said, or maybe not?
A. I'm sure no one would find any joy in that! If I were to read the preface of any bible and it said that the word written herein may be what God has said, or may not be what He said, the preface would be as far as I would read.
Q. How do we know that they (JW's, Mormons, Buddhists) don't have the truth?
A. If what they teach goes against what Paul preached and taught, their "truth" is to be rejected. ( Galatians 1:8-9)
Q. Why don't we just all make up our own religion and do what we want from whatever versions we choose to believe or maybe bits here and bits there from every version. Whatever suits us.
A. With all the various religions out there (too many to count), it's already been done! The reason why we have so many religions and denominations are because man cannot agree on what God's word says. Many of us here (including you and I) read the KJB but we disagree on what it says in certain places. Why is that? It's because English is such a general language. Hebrew also is a general language. But not so with Greek. Greek is such an exact language to where it makes it almost impossible to come up with different conclusions as to what the text is saying.
Consider for a moment someone who is kind and considerate all his life to friends; family and others but either doesn't believe or never shares the Gospel with them. Many would say "he is a good man"-and we are reminded of those who said that about Jesus or that He was a prophet but not recognized as God in the flesh.
Meanwhile consider someone else who is characteristically gruff; loudmouthed; opinionated and overall a pain to be around who takes the time to correctly explain the Gospel; but of course befitting his usual character doesn't show empathy or bothers to listen much to any responses or otherwise be very helpful even with practical needs that are obvious to others such as atheists who reach out.
Natural man; of course would hang out with the first person and be repulsed with the second; but in all fairness the second person is the one who gives a message in which eternity hangs in the balance. Such a case study of course isn't to justify such an approach to witnessing; but to also avoid what is far WORSE; that is showing all sorts of compassion to someone but WATERING down the Gospel; and not giving a clear warning of the deadly and eternal destruction which every unbeliever is about to face as life is as a vapor.
Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Praise and highly esteeming a brother seems rare today but it can be edifying
We know that Jesus is forever our high priest and mediator between mankind and the Father. ( Heb. 510; 6:20; 8:6; 1 Tim. 2:5.
The doctrine that Jesus will forever remain God and man is commonly held doctrine throughout the centuries. If you have not heard of it, perhaps you can try to learn more about it historically before dismissing it.
At Jesus' ascension, the angels told the disciples that Jesus would return in the SAME manner as He ascended. This not only means "on the clouds" but in the same body.
As to your second concern about Jesus being everywhere present. His divine nature is not confined to within His human body. As the divine Son of God, He can be everywhere present because He always has the divine spirit nature as the Father and Holy Spirit.
He told the disciples that He would always be with them, EACH of them individually. ( Mt. 28:20) He said that the Father and the Son will come and make their abode in the believer who loves God and obeys His commands. ( Jn. 14:2). Jesus' divine nature is limitless, but His human nature, though glorified is limited. He can live as God in His human nature AND also fill the universe as His Father and the Spirit can. His divine nature can be everywhere present but His human nature is limited. Jesus sits on the throne in heaven as "God made flesh" and also abides in every believer in His divine nature.
As the your third concern about Paul's instruction. He was many years in the Arabian desert where he was given the gospel message from the risen Jesus Himself (see Galatians 1:11-17; 1Cor. 11:23).
Hi Symone63. You must be referring to some other teaching (e.g. Roman Catholicism) which maintains Mary's perpetual virginity. If you are, then the Scriptures are replete with verses to show that after Jesus was born to Mary, then Mary gave birth to other children (sons & daughters), but Mary was indeed a virgin when the Holy Spirit placed this Godly Seed into her, so that God could appear unto men in the flesh in the Person of Jesus, as only God could make the full, acceptable, & permanent payment for mankind sins ( 1 Timothy 2:16; 1 John 3:16; John 15:13).
You can look at the following Scriptures to show that Jesus did have siblings, albeit half-siblings now by both Joseph & Mary. Matthew 12:46,47; Matthew 13:55,56; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; John 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:19.
Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?
Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15Matthew 1:20
My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:71 Corinthians 1:32 Corinthians 1:2Galatians 1:3Ephesians 1:2Ephesians 6:23Philippians 1:2Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.
If so, who were they in relation to the Father?
I believe the above answers this.
How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?
My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1Genesis 1:31Proverbs 16:4Isaiah 45:18Nehemiah 9:6.
Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?
Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.
Thank you again, from my heart, the truth is my search not to offend. It all goes back to one verse when I read it, it stood out in my heart, Corinthians 11:4. I know I am alone here on this, but saying Jesus is part of the Triune God, who eternally exists and expresses himself as three distinct persons with one essence all three co-equal. One God in three persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This to me denies the Son, 1 John 2:23
What I see in the Bible is the relationship between the Father and the Son, the Son is obedient to the Father. Jesus said His Father is greater than Him, John 14:28. Jesus has said the Father is His God, John 20:17Revelation 3:12.
The Bible defines God's nature as eternal and unchanging; there is only one throne of God and through the Bible, only the Father is on the throne until the Father raised His Son from the dead and placed Him on His right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, there is nothing about the Holy Spirit.
As we see in Revelation Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple and the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof, Rev. 21:22-23 no Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit, not another person.
Jesus confirmed there is only one true God, Mark 12:28-34, in Jesus's prayer to His Father said in John 17:3. All the greetings in the New Testament are from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 1:3Ephesians 6:231 Thessalonians 1:12 Timothy 1:2Titus 1:42 John 1:3 and more but no Holy Spirit.
If the Trinity true and is so important, why is it not once taught in Scripture? God cannot change and God cannot die, so how do we understand John 3:16 if God the Father did not send his actual begotten Son to die for our sins? We see Jesus also had His own will, Luke 22:42.
c. "How have we been justified? Christ has paid the full penalty, eternal DEATH for the sins of those He is saving by being perfectly faithful in taking upon Himself all of the sins of each of His Elect". John 3:16 states that God so loved the world (not just the Elect), that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish". Here, I understand that God's Love extends to both the Elect & non-Elect (the world), but of those in the World who place their trust in Him (proving they're the Elect of God), will not go the way of eternal damnation, but of eternal life.
d. Did Christ die "an eternal death" for us? Not sure if you meant that Christ died & saved us from the eternal death that we were destined for.
Part 4: you referred to the Galatians' passages. The reason for Paul's reference to the Law, was because of the Judaizers (Jewish Christians - Galatians 1:7) who taught those in the Galatia region, that obedience to the Law was necessary (Works) for salvation & Paul's Gospel was defective (i.e. justification by faith alone plus nothing, not even the Mosaic Law).
So from here we begin to separate in our understanding of this Doctrine of Salvation. You have asked the question, "So what is a good WORK? Are our BELIEF, our FAITH, our REPENTENCE good WORKS? The best definition of a "good WORK", I believe, is "any obedience to the COMMANDMENTS of God, the LAW of God". Of course you believe that not only obedience to the Law of God is a 'Good Work', but also belief, faith, & repentance are. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 does not speak of Faith as a work towards salvation, but of having Faith that works in the believer's life & Paul prayed 'for a powerful faith in them'.
Ephesians 2:8,9 is actually a great example of a God-given Faith in Salvation, which is not included in a works-based salvation. Faith is God's Gift to believe - leading to salvation.
Those who believe they DIED and were made ONE in Christ, will never die again.
Those who don't believe they DIED, and the resurrection made them ONE as the Father and Son and son are ONE will be cast into prison, the GRAVE. "Made one in Christ" in Jordyn's opinion means you become Gods"
Is this not another Gospel?
More issues.
Jordyn claims the flesh of the unbelievers is the devil and the bottomless pit mentioned in Revelation 20:2-3 is the grave.
He also claims we are already living in the 1000 years mention in verse 5.
He claims the unbelievers/Devil will be loosed out of the grave, "resurrected" in Revelation 20:7.
After all the dead are raised at the second resurrection, "LOOSED OUT OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT" the Sons of God "WILL PREACH THE TRUTH TO THEM ABOUT THE TRUTH OF THE RESURRECTION"
LET'S EXAMINE.
Revelation 20:7-8. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
AND SHALL GO OUT TO DECIEVE THE NATIONS which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
(Jordyn says these verses says the unbelievers will preach the truth!)
The bible says Satan will deceive the nations!
So, Jordyn says God will judge the unbelievers by the word of God and give them the truth and mercy given to us, and they will have DIED the second death, and also become the SONS of God and will enter the Kingdom. Thats what he gets out of Revelation 20:2-8.
However, Look at Revelation 22:11-15. SOME REMAIN UNJUST!
Some have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Some are seen here in verse 15. "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
BEWARE OF WHO YOU FOLLOW! NO CHILD OF GOD WOULD DO SUCH BLASPHEMY TO THE WORD OF GOD!
"Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen (relatives), and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."
So Paul had relatives who were in Christ before him. I believe that they were certainly praying for him. I believe that God answered their prayers and saved Paul.
In Galatians 1:15-16 Paul writes, "15 But when it pleased God, who separated me(Paul) from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen..."
Here Paul claims that God had chosen him from his mother's womb to send him to preach about Christ.
SO which one is true? Was Paul saved because some people were praying for him OR because that was God's plan before Paul was born?
The answer is, both.
Lets examine it. It was Jesus who appeared to Paul on his way to Damascus. Later God called him to go and preach to the gentiles together with Barnabas, and led them to all the places He intented them to go ( Acts 13:2-4).
So one expects that God gave them His grace to complete their ministry, doesn't he?
But lets read Ephessians 6:19, "And (pray) for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel," Somewhere else Paul asks for prayers for him to be freed from his enemies.
So the question is. Why is Paul asking his fellow christians to pray for him to be given words of preaching? Wasn't God who sent him to preach? Wasn't God going to give him words to do what He asked him for?
Yes it was God who sent him BUT God is expecting us to cooperate with Him. God will not do anything unless we cooperate with Him. He asks for our cooperation, whatever that is, prayers, testimonies, preachings, helping others, ...
Lets not expect for God to do all things on His own while we are laying lazely on our couches. HE WILL NOT. He demands our cooperation, the offering of ourselves for His purposes. And prayers are very significant. So... lets go.
Acts Chapter 15 records that by the time the early church was formed, James the half-brother of Jesus was then in charge of and leading the church that was in Jerusalem. In Galatians 1:19, Paul says that when he went into Jerusalem, he looked for the leaders and he spent time with James the Lord's brother.
So, scripture, as well as tradition, backs up the fact that we are studying a letter that was written by the half-brother of Jesus Christ, a natural born child to Joseph and Mary, and who is the head of the church in Jerusalem.
There is also another letter in the New Testament that was written by a half-brother of Jesus and that is the book of Jude. It is a one-chapter book right before the book of Revelation. So, we have actually 2 letters in the New Testament by believing half-brothers of Jesus Christ.
And none of them of course pulled the "I'm the brother of Jesus" card to bring out their superiority or even to get favoritism from the early church. They all presented themselves as the servant and slave of Jesus Christ.
Can you imagine if your half-brother turned out to be the Messiah, God Himself in the flesh? "I knew there was something about that brother of mine. I mean, he never did anything wrong!" And then they still didn't believe until after His resurrection when He appeared to them. Then they believed.
But then can you imagine yourself living out your life saying that I am a slave to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ my half-brother? It just doesn't sound right, you know? But that's what they had to go through. And none of them pulled rank within the body of Christ that they should be treated better or different than anybody else!
There are some difficulties with the theory of Paul. And by the way, many scholars now do not hold that view because of all the difficulties.
For example, the letter was written by a second-generation Christian because of what he stated in Hebrews 2:3 which says, "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him."
Whoever wrote Hebrews did not hear the Lord directly, nor receive from the Lord directly, but received and was confirmed and established for us, he being one of them, by those that heard Him. So, this is just one of the problems.
Paul himself, as stated in Galatians 1:11-12 said, but I certify to you brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. So, Paul is not a second generation Christian, and whoever wrote Hebrews is a second generation Christian.
Another theory was that it was Barnabas, because the letter appears to have been written by a Levite. Now a Levite, from the tribe of Levi, they were those who worked the temple. They were the priests. And they are the ones who took care of the temple.
The letter appears to have been written by a Levite because of the familiarity with the temple functions and rituals. According to Acts 4:36, Barnabas was a Levite. So, some people theorize that Barnabas wrote it.
The name Barnabas means "Son of Encouragement." The writer states in Hebrews 13:22 that he encourages them to endure the word of encouragement. Even the writer is saying he's giving encouragement to them, and he encourages them to endure. So, Barnabas was the encourager, another point that people make who theorize that Barnabas wrote the book.
Some say Luke wrote Hebrews. Some scholars believe that Luke took a Hebrew version of the Book of Hebrews and translated it into Greek.
Paul said in Galatians 1:8-9 that if anybody preaches a gospel that is different than Paul's, let them be accursed. And we're going to see that applied to some false teachers that came into the area of Galatia.
So, he sets himself up. Everyone is going to be judged according to Paul's gospel. It sounds rather arrogant. But at the same time, he has been chosen by God to reveal the mysteries of the church of Christ to the church.
He's also connected to the Lord in that in Galatians 1:11-18, he said he did not receive his gospel through the teachings of man, but rather directly through Jesus Christ, as Christ revealed Himself to Paul as he was out in the Arabian Desert and back into Damascus which was right on the edge of what was called the Arabian Desert at that time.
So, the Lord gave Paul the gospel. Therefore, the teachings of the Lord and the teachings of Paul should be the same. In fact, not only are they the same, but Paul's teachings amplify and explain and go into more detail than some of the teachings that Jesus gave in the gospels. And many times, that Jesus taught in the gospels, He didn't give the answer. He didn't tell what it means.
So, we have to take it in context. And we have that safety valve because whatever conclusions we come up with as far as what Jesus is teaching in the gospels, we have about 63 years of teaching from Romans through Revelation of what they taught in the early church. And so, we can check our understanding to see if we understand that particular issue or teaching correctly. We just put it together.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Paul - Again, his inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
To several churches in Asia Minor in the region of Galatia.
Paul's writings are at the beginning of the teaching section. And in Galatians 1:8-9, Paul makes a very bold statement. He says, "If anyone preaches any other Gospel than that which I have preached, let them be accursed." Even if an angel comes down, or if we change our teaching and give you a different gospel, it is only the gospel that Paul preached.
And that is what the early church went by, and that is why the New Testament is laid out the way it is. It is so that they would have history, and then they would have Paul's writings at the beginning of the teaching section. And everyone else's teachings had to line up with Paul's. If it was different than Paul's, it was not considered legitimate because the early church had already accepted the fact that Paul was chosen to be the instrument to reveal the mysteries of Christ. Nobody else!
This layout of the New Testament is "Foolproof!" If we are presented something from scripture that doesn't seem quite right, all we need to do is go to Paul's teachings. What did Paul teach about that? Well, we know that Paul was taught by Jesus Himself while he was out in the desert for three years. So, if we are presented something, we have the responsibility to search the scriptures. What did Paul teach? If it is different from what he taught, we are not to even entertain it!
We in the church today are under the same thing as far as what we preach and teach. If we preach any other gospel than what Paul preached, we are in trouble, and that's paraphrasing it lightly!
Even in the Jewish literature section (Hebrews through Revelation), in their writings, they would make reference back to Paul's teaching, and you'll never find anything in the Jewish literature section that contradicts anything that Paul said. They all blend together.
Different Testaments? No, not really. Actually the Old one but renewed.
Jesus has said, Matthew 17-19, "(17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
The New Testament is actually a "renewed version" of the Old Testament.
BUT it progresses one step forward. It goes deep in the heart of people where all starts.
Jesus quides people into the deeper origins of sin creation. Sin, He said, is not pnly the outward manifestation of it but people should look inside their heart to find out the origins of it and fight it. The circumcition of the flesh should become the circumsision of the heart. There is no need to swear, just say the truth. Don't separate your wife, God doesn't accept it any more, it wasn't His actual wish from the very beginining. Do not get angry with your brother since that may lead you even to murder. You can eat any type of animal we want, because God now cleans them through prayer...and many more. And mainly the sacrifices of animals were actually of no use in erasing sins. Jesus has now become our sacrifice. The Old Testament revealed what sin is, BUT gave no way of escaping from it. Paul says in Romans 7: 7 that the Law showed us what is sin.The Law lead people to Christ, Paul in Galatians 1:24 says "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." The perfect sacrifice who leads believers to perfection. Not abolishing of our sinful nature but forgiveness through His sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith OF the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
If one decide to minister on this site he has the freedom to do so.
If one decide not to minister he has the freedom to do so.
If one decide to treat this community as a round table he has that freedom and if one takes the word of God to be handed serious he had that freedom.
Freedom goes on and if it's freedom you want, give it and expect it from everyone including me.
I'm not giving my opinion, I'm repeating what they have literally said out their own mouth!
If the accusation is false that's one thing but if it's true and is as easy as asking them, feel freely to do so.
In other words ask them directly and they should tell you directly that which they have said "We will be Gods and the Gospel which we preach is man made.
If it don't bother you when they say it don't let it bother you when I repeat it.
This is a King James site and what's written in it tells us to mark such a person.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Romans 16:17.
Galatians 1:8-9.
Titus 3:10.
2 John 1:10-11.
Sometimes it's easier to know what the bible says than to do what it says.
Is the Gospel of the Bible a gospel of Grace Alone or is it a gospel of Grace plus Works?
We can find many verses in the Bible that if isolated from the rest of the Bible could lead us down a path of believing that we must DO something to become saved. And if that is the case, then we can certainly DO something, or fail to DO something to lose our salvation. But when we look at everything in the Bible that teaches us about the Nature of Salvation, we find that is not true.
Many people use the term ACCEPTING CHRIST or DECIDING FOR CHRIST. These are things that WE DO. Just like obedience to any commandment of God is a WORK that WE DO. And no WORK that WE DO can save us. That is a gospel of grace plus works. It is not the gospel of the Bible.
Read Galatians very carefully. Read Romans very carefully. Read the entire chapter.
Galatians 1:6-9
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The True Gospel of the Bible is a gospel where God does ALL THE WORK in saving us and KEEPING US. This must be the case because we BY NATURE are DEAD spiritually. It is when GOD SAVES US that he raises us to spiritual life. A life that CANNOT be lost. A life that is ETERNAL LIFE. And there will be a "want to" in our life to keep the Law, but it is NOT our obedience to the Law that saves or keeps us. We must make that distinction.
In coming to an understanding of what it means to be "saved" we must compare scripture with scripture and not isolate verses form the rest of the Bible.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
If one is not barring fruit and you are not sure by his doctrine he's probably a worker of the flesh.
You will notice the absence of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance in him.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND WORKS OF THE FLESH.
See; Galatians 5:19-21.
Here's a few of the Characteristics I picked out of the list that has similar properties of one lacking the Spirit.
* Variance = contention debate strife variance.
* Strife = Contentious.
* Sedition = division sedition, "Perhaps one who brings an uproar with the intent to divide against.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST HERESIES.
( Probably is the cause of the previous three mentioned.)
*Heresies = properly a choice that is (specifically) a party or (abstractly) disunion . (heresy is the Greek word itself.) the formal denial or doubt of a core doctrine of the Christian faith as defined by one or more of the Christian churches.
If we bring such accusation as this on someone do we thrive with such a person?
Amen.! Galatians 1:1-12 also proves there is only one gospel to follow. NO other book of any form, belief or cult will do.! Pray this day finds you well & still w/Christ.! I've believed all my life yet didn't truly come to know Him till I stopped listening to others & read, studied & learned for myself in last 2-3 years.! God is so good.! Just sad I waisted over 50 yrs getting here. Yet, it's all in His perfect timing.
Are the Prophecies in Revelation and the gospels any different than those in Mosses and the Prophets? Are, or they just a second witness?
There was no brick and mortar churches, no doctrines of those churches, until the apostles founded them.
How did the apostles and first men come to the truth of the KINGDOM OF GOD?
Luke 16:31 ....If they HEAR NOT Mosses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Acts 28:23 ....he (Paul) expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Mosses, and out of the Prophets, from morning till evening.
Galatians 1:17 Neither went I (Paul) up to Jerusalem to THEM which were apostles before me, but I went into Arabia (the wilderness) ......Where the Spirit taught him ......
Revelation 12:6 And the WOMAN (the bride of Christ, his church) fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, and there should feed her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
The disciples were feed by Christ for one thousand two hundred and threescore days, 42 months, 3 1/2 years, you and I are still being feed by that 3 1/2 year ministry, except NOW, Christ is WITHIN US, his second coming; but, we are still in the wilderness being feed.
Revelation 11:11 And after three days and a half (the great tribulation poured out on Christ) the Spirit of LIFE ( I am the Resurrection) from God entered into them ( those of OLD, the law and prophets, the old testament saints) --- Matthew 27:52-53 ---
Isaiah 26:19 ....with my dead body shall they arise .....
There are 2 deaths, 2 resurrections, 2 second comings and 2 judgements, one for the Firstfruits, feast of weeks, and one for the feast of the ingathering, AKA feast of tents, AKA feast of the tabernacles.
The woman, Christ bride, the church, rides the BEAST, and we are told TO COME OUT of here MY PEOPLE.
Hi Herbert. Acts 12:2 speaks about James the brother of John (the disciple & apostle). In Acts 12:17, the James here is Jesus' brother ( Galatians 1:19).
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Isaiah 28:16.
THAT ROCK IS THE LORD JESUS.
The Lord is going to judge his Church BUT the Church is not backed into a corner by the adversary screaming for help!
Matthew 16:18 is not a picture of the Church on defense! It's hell needs the Gates.
We march straight forward with the truth! THE WORD OF GOD.
We're not of the world where we compromise it.
We're separated and the Lord done the separating!
And by his word the climax of victory shall be seen.
I Love what you said! Christ is the HEAD OF THE CHURCH.
How could someone supposedly having the Spirit of God come against it?
If you have not the Spirit of God you're none of his.
We're not all Brothern!
The difference in the Gospels speaks for itself.
If that sounds harsh listen to Paul in
Galatians 1:6-10.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Did Paul say let him be accursed?
Lord help anyone else that says that!
The scripture is to sharp!
If I left out scripture and used secular definition here's what I come up with.
IMPOSTER; a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.
...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." That is part of Galatians 2:20. His Spirit also testifies with our spirit that we "are children of God" according to Romans 8:16. Scripture cannot be read alone with mental faculties and understood as God's truth unless these realities exist; namely being Born of the Spirit ( John 3:6-8) makes the Word living and active in our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12).
Scriptural truth also is what separates the God of truth and His angels from the fallen angels and demons that are the ruling principalities and powers of this world in this age ( Ephesians 6:12). Thus; we can experience God whether "in or out of the body" ( 2 Corinthians 12:2) as Paul did and by extension a demonic spiritual "trip" can occur much in the same way.
Anyone realistically wanting to understand 2 Corinthians 5:8 on being absent from the body; present with the Lord will understand that being in His presence as a believer is overwhelming to the extent that John fell at His feet as though dead ( Revelation 1:17). This is all the more telling since he was the disciple who always was closest to Jesus and even in his own testimony most loved ( John 13:23 and apparently in 4 other verses).
If we are NOT truly in Christ then there is only the terror of the Lord and of course immediate judgment and condemnation for those who are goats rather than sheep. Thus; those who promote a false gospel even if they were brain dead and came back to life God allows them to continue here for a while for His purposes. It would seem that it is possible as long as a body can be resuscitated for a few minutes that this can occur; that is a far cry from Lazarus being raised from the dead or the Lord Himself.
In any case, anyone preaching a gospel other than the truth let him be "anathema" ( Galatians 1:8); and that includes angels as well. To know we are hearing from God being saved is a minimum requirement.
I agree with you on the two Gospels being preached. Where some get confused is they think that means there's 2 means to salvation. But that's not so.
HERE'S A ARTICLE FROM J VERNON MCGEE ON THIS.
( This may take several posts)
Part 1.
The gospel of the kingdom is the preaching of John the Baptist: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" ( Matthew 3:2). We do not preach that gospel today. The Lord Jesus preached it when He first began (see Matthew 4:17), and He sent His disciples out, saying, "Goto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand" ( Matthew 10:6,7). These men went out and preached that, but the day came when that changed. After His death and resurrection He said, "Don't just go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but go now to the world" (see Mark 16:15). And to the world was to be preached the gospel of Christ. Paul mentions in Romans 15:19, "I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." Read his epistles and you'll find that the gospel he preached was that of the death and resurrection of Christ. He wrote to the Corinthians and said, "I delivered unto you first of all the gospel. And the gospel I preach is the one that you believed in, the one that saved you." Well, what is it, Paul? It's "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" ( 1 Corinthians 15:3). That's the gospel, it's nothing but the gospel, and nothing else is the gospel. Even if an angel from heaven appears to you and preaches any other gospel, Paul says let him be accursed! (See Galatians 1:8.) Because there's only one gospel that we are to preach today. We do not preach the gospel of the kingdom. I wish we could get that through today to a great many who are talking about the gospel of the kingdom.
Therefore; many may be genuinely shocked when the Lord says that He never knew them and they ask for entrance into heaven. ( Matt. 7:21). Sadly; many never will know the depths of their own depravity until they enter hell; surely then they will know how helpless they are; although there will be no love and appreciation for a Holy God. The biggest message I can see here is that we must in this life be saved; as well as love God. Mankind in his natural state can fear God but cannot love Him; nor Christ who the Father sent to die in our place. All believers are called to share in the sufferings of Christ; and to bear their own cross daily. ( Romans 8:17; Matt. 16:24). Only believers can understand being part of the Body of Christ and fellowship of the saints. ( 1 John 1:3 and many other passages). We must die to ourselves daily ( Galatians 2:20). This involves selfless acts; but also has to have a heart change ( Ezekiel 36:26). To be drawn to the light is the state of those who He has called to be His children and chosen ( John 3:21).
As my last commentary stated; we are not to worry about whether we are elected by God; at least as some curiousity or intellectual concept. Our responsibility is ultimately ours to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5). His Spirit communes with our spirit to show us if we are of God ( Romans 8:16).
Verses 18 through 19 reminds us of the seriousness of God's Word. No other religions or other writings that change the Word of God or create another method of salvation; another Christ etc. are to be tolerated (See Galatians 1:8). Such a reverent fear of God's Word today is sorely lacking. Many probably don't believe these things are really going to be this bad; sadly a former Pastor of mine used to have these thoughts when reading the Book of Isaiah. If the rich man in hell is any example; no one there will be grateful for our lackluster witness here now.
There is no contradiction between Paul and James dear Ronnette. James shows another aspect of the word "faith". What James says in his epistle is that works are the external signs of an internal faith. If works do not exist then that means that there is no active faith inside a person. An active faith is the one that produces the fruit of the Holly Spirit, and that fruit is shown externally by works. So believers that do not work their salvation to produce fruit are not to enter Heaven, since their faith is considered dead. Salvation produces good works, if not then the particular person is in disobedience (means sinning) to God's Word, and if they stay like that till the end of their lifes and do not repent and correct themselves, then the wage of their sin is death.
1 Corinthians (Letter to a Carnal Church containing Correction and Instruction)
(1 Corinthians Part 1):
1 Corinthians 1:1 - Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
As I noted before in an earlier study, in all of Paul's letters, the words "to be" are in italics. It's because it is not in the original Greek transcript. He is literally saying that he is a called apostle. He's expressing what kind of apostle he is. He is an apostle by calling. It was his emphasis that this is not his ambition or his choice. The word apostle means someone sent out with a commission.
Notice that he claims himself not only to be a called apostle, but he is an apostle of Jesus Christ, not of people. In Galatians 1:1, Paul told them that he is an apostle, not through men, not from men (plural) meaning a committee, nor through a man (singular), meaning no human element appointed him. His appointment to be an apostle came from God.
So, number 1, he's a called apostle. Number 2, he's an apostle of Jesus Christ. And again, in Galatians 1:10, Paul says if I try to please men, I would no longer be a servant of Christ. That's a verse that needs to cut through the heart of every person in the ministry. If you represent Christ and His word, you can't work for anybody else. You've got to represent Christ and His word. And then thirdly, he's an apostle through the will of God. This is God's will for his life. Again, not ambition nor appointment.
(Part 2):
Continuation of your questions:
Q. If they believed the bible was the written word of God, why didn't they use the manuscripts God used and just make simple changes to the language?
A. Again, not knowing their motive, I cannot answer this one. But if these men truly believed the bible was the written word of God, I would have to believe that there would be no need to for them to even "make simple changes to the language."
Q. Why if they loved God and respected His word would they do what they did and now there are those of you who don't even believe God wrote a word of truth for us?
A. Once again, I have no way of knowing what their motives were.
Q. What joy is there in reading man's interpretation of what God may have said, or maybe not?
A. I'm sure no one would find any joy in that! If I were to read the preface of any bible and it said that the word written herein may be what God has said, or may not be what He said, the preface would be as far as I would read.
Q. How do we know that they (JW's, Mormons, Buddhists) don't have the truth?
A. If what they teach goes against what Paul preached and taught, their "truth" is to be rejected. ( Galatians 1:8-9)
Q. Why don't we just all make up our own religion and do what we want from whatever versions we choose to believe or maybe bits here and bits there from every version. Whatever suits us.
A. With all the various religions out there (too many to count), it's already been done! The reason why we have so many religions and denominations are because man cannot agree on what God's word says. Many of us here (including you and I) read the KJB but we disagree on what it says in certain places. Why is that? It's because English is such a general language. Hebrew also is a general language. But not so with Greek. Greek is such an exact language to where it makes it almost impossible to come up with different conclusions as to what the text is saying.
One more short post, I promise!
Meanwhile consider someone else who is characteristically gruff; loudmouthed; opinionated and overall a pain to be around who takes the time to correctly explain the Gospel; but of course befitting his usual character doesn't show empathy or bothers to listen much to any responses or otherwise be very helpful even with practical needs that are obvious to others such as atheists who reach out.
Natural man; of course would hang out with the first person and be repulsed with the second; but in all fairness the second person is the one who gives a message in which eternity hangs in the balance. Such a case study of course isn't to justify such an approach to witnessing; but to also avoid what is far WORSE; that is showing all sorts of compassion to someone but WATERING down the Gospel; and not giving a clear warning of the deadly and eternal destruction which every unbeliever is about to face as life is as a vapor.
Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
John 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Praise and highly esteeming a brother seems rare today but it can be edifying
Good to hear back from you.
As to your first concern.
We know that Jesus is forever our high priest and mediator between mankind and the Father. ( Heb. 510; 6:20; 8:6; 1 Tim. 2:5.
The doctrine that Jesus will forever remain God and man is commonly held doctrine throughout the centuries. If you have not heard of it, perhaps you can try to learn more about it historically before dismissing it.
At Jesus' ascension, the angels told the disciples that Jesus would return in the SAME manner as He ascended. This not only means "on the clouds" but in the same body.
As to your second concern about Jesus being everywhere present. His divine nature is not confined to within His human body. As the divine Son of God, He can be everywhere present because He always has the divine spirit nature as the Father and Holy Spirit.
He told the disciples that He would always be with them, EACH of them individually. ( Mt. 28:20) He said that the Father and the Son will come and make their abode in the believer who loves God and obeys His commands. ( Jn. 14:2). Jesus' divine nature is limitless, but His human nature, though glorified is limited. He can live as God in His human nature AND also fill the universe as His Father and the Spirit can. His divine nature can be everywhere present but His human nature is limited. Jesus sits on the throne in heaven as "God made flesh" and also abides in every believer in His divine nature.
As the your third concern about Paul's instruction. He was many years in the Arabian desert where he was given the gospel message from the risen Jesus Himself (see Galatians 1:11-17; 1Cor. 11:23).
You can look at the following Scriptures to show that Jesus did have siblings, albeit half-siblings now by both Joseph & Mary. Matthew 12:46,47; Matthew 13:55,56; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; John 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 1:19.
Part 2 Trinity discussion
Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?
Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20
My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 1 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 1:2 Galatians 1:3 Ephesians 1:2 Ephesians 6:23 Philippians 1:2 Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.
If so, who were they in relation to the Father?
I believe the above answers this.
How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?
My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:31 Proverbs 16:4 Isaiah 45:18 Nehemiah 9:6.
Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?
Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.
See part 3.
Thank you again, from my heart, the truth is my search not to offend. It all goes back to one verse when I read it, it stood out in my heart, Corinthians 11:4. I know I am alone here on this, but saying Jesus is part of the Triune God, who eternally exists and expresses himself as three distinct persons with one essence all three co-equal. One God in three persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This to me denies the Son, 1 John 2:23
What I see in the Bible is the relationship between the Father and the Son, the Son is obedient to the Father. Jesus said His Father is greater than Him, John 14:28. Jesus has said the Father is His God, John 20:17 Revelation 3:12.
The Bible defines God's nature as eternal and unchanging; there is only one throne of God and through the Bible, only the Father is on the throne until the Father raised His Son from the dead and placed Him on His right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, there is nothing about the Holy Spirit.
As we see in Revelation Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple and the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof, Rev. 21:22-23 no Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit, not another person.
Jesus confirmed there is only one true God, Mark 12:28-34, in Jesus's prayer to His Father said in John 17:3. All the greetings in the New Testament are from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 1:3 Ephesians 6:23 1 Thessalonians 1:1 2 Timothy 1:2 Titus 1:4 2 John 1:3 and more but no Holy Spirit.
If the Trinity true and is so important, why is it not once taught in Scripture? God cannot change and God cannot die, so how do we understand John 3:16 if God the Father did not send his actual begotten Son to die for our sins? We see Jesus also had His own will, Luke 22:42.
God bless,
RLW
c. "How have we been justified? Christ has paid the full penalty, eternal DEATH for the sins of those He is saving by being perfectly faithful in taking upon Himself all of the sins of each of His Elect". John 3:16 states that God so loved the world (not just the Elect), that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish". Here, I understand that God's Love extends to both the Elect & non-Elect (the world), but of those in the World who place their trust in Him (proving they're the Elect of God), will not go the way of eternal damnation, but of eternal life.
d. Did Christ die "an eternal death" for us? Not sure if you meant that Christ died & saved us from the eternal death that we were destined for.
Part 4: you referred to the Galatians' passages. The reason for Paul's reference to the Law, was because of the Judaizers (Jewish Christians - Galatians 1:7) who taught those in the Galatia region, that obedience to the Law was necessary (Works) for salvation & Paul's Gospel was defective (i.e. justification by faith alone plus nothing, not even the Mosaic Law).
So from here we begin to separate in our understanding of this Doctrine of Salvation. You have asked the question, "So what is a good WORK? Are our BELIEF, our FAITH, our REPENTENCE good WORKS? The best definition of a "good WORK", I believe, is "any obedience to the COMMANDMENTS of God, the LAW of God". Of course you believe that not only obedience to the Law of God is a 'Good Work', but also belief, faith, & repentance are. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 does not speak of Faith as a work towards salvation, but of having Faith that works in the believer's life & Paul prayed 'for a powerful faith in them'.
Ephesians 2:8,9 is actually a great example of a God-given Faith in Salvation, which is not included in a works-based salvation. Faith is God's Gift to believe - leading to salvation.
Galatians 1:8-9.
Jordyn said;
Those who believe they DIED and were made ONE in Christ, will never die again.
Those who don't believe they DIED, and the resurrection made them ONE as the Father and Son and son are ONE will be cast into prison, the GRAVE. "Made one in Christ" in Jordyn's opinion means you become Gods"
Is this not another Gospel?
More issues.
Jordyn claims the flesh of the unbelievers is the devil and the bottomless pit mentioned in Revelation 20:2-3 is the grave.
He also claims we are already living in the 1000 years mention in verse 5.
He claims the unbelievers/Devil will be loosed out of the grave, "resurrected" in Revelation 20:7.
After all the dead are raised at the second resurrection, "LOOSED OUT OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT" the Sons of God "WILL PREACH THE TRUTH TO THEM ABOUT THE TRUTH OF THE RESURRECTION"
LET'S EXAMINE.
Revelation 20:7-8. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
AND SHALL GO OUT TO DECIEVE THE NATIONS which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
(Jordyn says these verses says the unbelievers will preach the truth!)
The bible says Satan will deceive the nations!
So, Jordyn says God will judge the unbelievers by the word of God and give them the truth and mercy given to us, and they will have DIED the second death, and also become the SONS of God and will enter the Kingdom. Thats what he gets out of Revelation 20:2-8.
However, Look at Revelation 22:11-15. SOME REMAIN UNJUST!
Some have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Some are seen here in verse 15. "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
BEWARE OF WHO YOU FOLLOW! NO CHILD OF GOD WOULD DO SUCH BLASPHEMY TO THE WORD OF GOD!
Revelation 22:19.
God bless.
"Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen (relatives), and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."
So Paul had relatives who were in Christ before him. I believe that they were certainly praying for him. I believe that God answered their prayers and saved Paul.
In Galatians 1:15-16 Paul writes, "15 But when it pleased God, who separated me(Paul) from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen..."
Here Paul claims that God had chosen him from his mother's womb to send him to preach about Christ.
SO which one is true? Was Paul saved because some people were praying for him OR because that was God's plan before Paul was born?
The answer is, both.
Lets examine it. It was Jesus who appeared to Paul on his way to Damascus. Later God called him to go and preach to the gentiles together with Barnabas, and led them to all the places He intented them to go ( Acts 13:2-4).
So one expects that God gave them His grace to complete their ministry, doesn't he?
But lets read Ephessians 6:19, "And (pray) for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel," Somewhere else Paul asks for prayers for him to be freed from his enemies.
So the question is. Why is Paul asking his fellow christians to pray for him to be given words of preaching? Wasn't God who sent him to preach? Wasn't God going to give him words to do what He asked him for?
Yes it was God who sent him BUT God is expecting us to cooperate with Him. God will not do anything unless we cooperate with Him. He asks for our cooperation, whatever that is, prayers, testimonies, preachings, helping others, ...
Lets not expect for God to do all things on His own while we are laying lazely on our couches. HE WILL NOT. He demands our cooperation, the offering of ourselves for His purposes. And prayers are very significant. So... lets go.
Acts Chapter 15 records that by the time the early church was formed, James the half-brother of Jesus was then in charge of and leading the church that was in Jerusalem. In Galatians 1:19, Paul says that when he went into Jerusalem, he looked for the leaders and he spent time with James the Lord's brother.
So, scripture, as well as tradition, backs up the fact that we are studying a letter that was written by the half-brother of Jesus Christ, a natural born child to Joseph and Mary, and who is the head of the church in Jerusalem.
There is also another letter in the New Testament that was written by a half-brother of Jesus and that is the book of Jude. It is a one-chapter book right before the book of Revelation. So, we have actually 2 letters in the New Testament by believing half-brothers of Jesus Christ.
And none of them of course pulled the "I'm the brother of Jesus" card to bring out their superiority or even to get favoritism from the early church. They all presented themselves as the servant and slave of Jesus Christ.
Can you imagine if your half-brother turned out to be the Messiah, God Himself in the flesh? "I knew there was something about that brother of mine. I mean, he never did anything wrong!" And then they still didn't believe until after His resurrection when He appeared to them. Then they believed.
But then can you imagine yourself living out your life saying that I am a slave to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ my half-brother? It just doesn't sound right, you know? But that's what they had to go through. And none of them pulled rank within the body of Christ that they should be treated better or different than anybody else!
There are some difficulties with the theory of Paul. And by the way, many scholars now do not hold that view because of all the difficulties.
For example, the letter was written by a second-generation Christian because of what he stated in Hebrews 2:3 which says, "how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him."
Whoever wrote Hebrews did not hear the Lord directly, nor receive from the Lord directly, but received and was confirmed and established for us, he being one of them, by those that heard Him. So, this is just one of the problems.
Paul himself, as stated in Galatians 1:11-12 said, but I certify to you brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. So, Paul is not a second generation Christian, and whoever wrote Hebrews is a second generation Christian.
Another theory was that it was Barnabas, because the letter appears to have been written by a Levite. Now a Levite, from the tribe of Levi, they were those who worked the temple. They were the priests. And they are the ones who took care of the temple.
The letter appears to have been written by a Levite because of the familiarity with the temple functions and rituals. According to Acts 4:36, Barnabas was a Levite. So, some people theorize that Barnabas wrote it.
The name Barnabas means "Son of Encouragement." The writer states in Hebrews 13:22 that he encourages them to endure the word of encouragement. Even the writer is saying he's giving encouragement to them, and he encourages them to endure. So, Barnabas was the encourager, another point that people make who theorize that Barnabas wrote the book.
Some say Luke wrote Hebrews. Some scholars believe that Luke took a Hebrew version of the Book of Hebrews and translated it into Greek.
Paul said in Galatians 1:8-9 that if anybody preaches a gospel that is different than Paul's, let them be accursed. And we're going to see that applied to some false teachers that came into the area of Galatia.
So, he sets himself up. Everyone is going to be judged according to Paul's gospel. It sounds rather arrogant. But at the same time, he has been chosen by God to reveal the mysteries of the church of Christ to the church.
He's also connected to the Lord in that in Galatians 1:11-18, he said he did not receive his gospel through the teachings of man, but rather directly through Jesus Christ, as Christ revealed Himself to Paul as he was out in the Arabian Desert and back into Damascus which was right on the edge of what was called the Arabian Desert at that time.
So, the Lord gave Paul the gospel. Therefore, the teachings of the Lord and the teachings of Paul should be the same. In fact, not only are they the same, but Paul's teachings amplify and explain and go into more detail than some of the teachings that Jesus gave in the gospels. And many times, that Jesus taught in the gospels, He didn't give the answer. He didn't tell what it means.
So, we have to take it in context. And we have that safety valve because whatever conclusions we come up with as far as what Jesus is teaching in the gospels, we have about 63 years of teaching from Romans through Revelation of what they taught in the early church. And so, we can check our understanding to see if we understand that particular issue or teaching correctly. We just put it together.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Paul - Again, his inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
To several churches in Asia Minor in the region of Galatia.
Thank you.
Paul git his revelation directly fron Christ! Galatians 1:11-12.
God bless.
Now, back to Paul's writings:
Paul's writings are at the beginning of the teaching section. And in Galatians 1:8-9, Paul makes a very bold statement. He says, "If anyone preaches any other Gospel than that which I have preached, let them be accursed." Even if an angel comes down, or if we change our teaching and give you a different gospel, it is only the gospel that Paul preached.
And that is what the early church went by, and that is why the New Testament is laid out the way it is. It is so that they would have history, and then they would have Paul's writings at the beginning of the teaching section. And everyone else's teachings had to line up with Paul's. If it was different than Paul's, it was not considered legitimate because the early church had already accepted the fact that Paul was chosen to be the instrument to reveal the mysteries of Christ. Nobody else!
This layout of the New Testament is "Foolproof!" If we are presented something from scripture that doesn't seem quite right, all we need to do is go to Paul's teachings. What did Paul teach about that? Well, we know that Paul was taught by Jesus Himself while he was out in the desert for three years. So, if we are presented something, we have the responsibility to search the scriptures. What did Paul teach? If it is different from what he taught, we are not to even entertain it!
We in the church today are under the same thing as far as what we preach and teach. If we preach any other gospel than what Paul preached, we are in trouble, and that's paraphrasing it lightly!
Even in the Jewish literature section (Hebrews through Revelation), in their writings, they would make reference back to Paul's teaching, and you'll never find anything in the Jewish literature section that contradicts anything that Paul said. They all blend together.
Testaments, Old and New.
Different Testaments? No, not really. Actually the Old one but renewed.
Jesus has said, Matthew 17-19, "(17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
The New Testament is actually a "renewed version" of the Old Testament.
BUT it progresses one step forward. It goes deep in the heart of people where all starts.
Jesus quides people into the deeper origins of sin creation. Sin, He said, is not pnly the outward manifestation of it but people should look inside their heart to find out the origins of it and fight it. The circumcition of the flesh should become the circumsision of the heart. There is no need to swear, just say the truth. Don't separate your wife, God doesn't accept it any more, it wasn't His actual wish from the very beginining. Do not get angry with your brother since that may lead you even to murder. You can eat any type of animal we want, because God now cleans them through prayer...and many more. And mainly the sacrifices of animals were actually of no use in erasing sins. Jesus has now become our sacrifice. The Old Testament revealed what sin is, BUT gave no way of escaping from it. Paul says in Romans 7: 7 that the Law showed us what is sin.The Law lead people to Christ, Paul in Galatians 1:24 says "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." The perfect sacrifice who leads believers to perfection. Not abolishing of our sinful nature but forgiveness through His sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith OF the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Yes we have freedom of speech as the world gives.
What is important to spiritual growth is truth!
That's what we earnestly seek for.
If one decide to minister on this site he has the freedom to do so.
If one decide not to minister he has the freedom to do so.
If one decide to treat this community as a round table he has that freedom and if one takes the word of God to be handed serious he had that freedom.
Freedom goes on and if it's freedom you want, give it and expect it from everyone including me.
I'm not giving my opinion, I'm repeating what they have literally said out their own mouth!
If the accusation is false that's one thing but if it's true and is as easy as asking them, feel freely to do so.
In other words ask them directly and they should tell you directly that which they have said "We will be Gods and the Gospel which we preach is man made.
If it don't bother you when they say it don't let it bother you when I repeat it.
This is a King James site and what's written in it tells us to mark such a person.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. Romans 16:17.
Galatians 1:8-9.
Titus 3:10.
2 John 1:10-11.
Sometimes it's easier to know what the bible says than to do what it says.
God bless.
It really comes down to this.
Is the Gospel of the Bible a gospel of Grace Alone or is it a gospel of Grace plus Works?
We can find many verses in the Bible that if isolated from the rest of the Bible could lead us down a path of believing that we must DO something to become saved. And if that is the case, then we can certainly DO something, or fail to DO something to lose our salvation. But when we look at everything in the Bible that teaches us about the Nature of Salvation, we find that is not true.
Many people use the term ACCEPTING CHRIST or DECIDING FOR CHRIST. These are things that WE DO. Just like obedience to any commandment of God is a WORK that WE DO. And no WORK that WE DO can save us. That is a gospel of grace plus works. It is not the gospel of the Bible.
Read Galatians very carefully. Read Romans very carefully. Read the entire chapter.
Galatians 1:6-9
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The True Gospel of the Bible is a gospel where God does ALL THE WORK in saving us and KEEPING US. This must be the case because we BY NATURE are DEAD spiritually. It is when GOD SAVES US that he raises us to spiritual life. A life that CANNOT be lost. A life that is ETERNAL LIFE. And there will be a "want to" in our life to keep the Law, but it is NOT our obedience to the Law that saves or keeps us. We must make that distinction.
In coming to an understanding of what it means to be "saved" we must compare scripture with scripture and not isolate verses form the rest of the Bible.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
If one is not barring fruit and you are not sure by his doctrine he's probably a worker of the flesh.
You will notice the absence of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance in him.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND WORKS OF THE FLESH.
See; Galatians 5:19-21.
Here's a few of the Characteristics I picked out of the list that has similar properties of one lacking the Spirit.
* Variance = contention debate strife variance.
* Strife = Contentious.
* Sedition = division sedition, "Perhaps one who brings an uproar with the intent to divide against.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST HERESIES.
( Probably is the cause of the previous three mentioned.)
*Heresies = properly a choice that is (specifically) a party or (abstractly) disunion . (heresy is the Greek word itself.) the formal denial or doubt of a core doctrine of the Christian faith as defined by one or more of the Christian churches.
If we bring such accusation as this on someone do we thrive with such a person?
Here's a few principle scriptures.
Titus 3:9-11.
2 Peter 1:10.
Galatians 1:8-9.
God bless.
Are the Prophecies in Revelation and the gospels any different than those in Mosses and the Prophets? Are, or they just a second witness?
There was no brick and mortar churches, no doctrines of those churches, until the apostles founded them.
How did the apostles and first men come to the truth of the KINGDOM OF GOD?
Luke 16:31 ....If they HEAR NOT Mosses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Acts 28:23 ....he (Paul) expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Mosses, and out of the Prophets, from morning till evening.
Galatians 1:17 Neither went I (Paul) up to Jerusalem to THEM which were apostles before me, but I went into Arabia (the wilderness) ......Where the Spirit taught him ......
Revelation 12:6 And the WOMAN (the bride of Christ, his church) fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, and there should feed her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
The disciples were feed by Christ for one thousand two hundred and threescore days, 42 months, 3 1/2 years, you and I are still being feed by that 3 1/2 year ministry, except NOW, Christ is WITHIN US, his second coming; but, we are still in the wilderness being feed.
Revelation 11:11 And after three days and a half (the great tribulation poured out on Christ) the Spirit of LIFE ( I am the Resurrection) from God entered into them ( those of OLD, the law and prophets, the old testament saints) --- Matthew 27:52-53 ---
Isaiah 26:19 ....with my dead body shall they arise .....
There are 2 deaths, 2 resurrections, 2 second comings and 2 judgements, one for the Firstfruits, feast of weeks, and one for the feast of the ingathering, AKA feast of tents, AKA feast of the tabernacles.
The woman, Christ bride, the church, rides the BEAST, and we are told TO COME OUT of here MY PEOPLE.
God Bless You!
Well stated, The Church is built on a rock!!
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Isaiah 28:16.
THAT ROCK IS THE LORD JESUS.
The Lord is going to judge his Church BUT the Church is not backed into a corner by the adversary screaming for help!
Matthew 16:18 is not a picture of the Church on defense! It's hell needs the Gates.
We march straight forward with the truth! THE WORD OF GOD.
We're not of the world where we compromise it.
We're separated and the Lord done the separating!
And by his word the climax of victory shall be seen.
I Love what you said! Christ is the HEAD OF THE CHURCH.
How could someone supposedly having the Spirit of God come against it?
If you have not the Spirit of God you're none of his.
We're not all Brothern!
The difference in the Gospels speaks for itself.
If that sounds harsh listen to Paul in
Galatians 1:6-10.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Did Paul say let him be accursed?
Lord help anyone else that says that!
The scripture is to sharp!
If I left out scripture and used secular definition here's what I come up with.
IMPOSTER; a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.
I'll stick to scripture.
God bless.
Sons of GOD: John 1:12, Romans 8:14, Philippians 2:15, Psalms 82,= John 10:34-42, John 3:1,2,
The Hebrew word for Angel is "mal'ak" Sons of GOD in Hebrew "ben elohiym"
James 1:5, Colossians 2:8, 2Timothy 2:15,
Hopefully these are helpful
...The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God..." That is part of Galatians 2:20. His Spirit also testifies with our spirit that we "are children of God" according to Romans 8:16. Scripture cannot be read alone with mental faculties and understood as God's truth unless these realities exist; namely being Born of the Spirit ( John 3:6-8) makes the Word living and active in our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12).
Scriptural truth also is what separates the God of truth and His angels from the fallen angels and demons that are the ruling principalities and powers of this world in this age ( Ephesians 6:12). Thus; we can experience God whether "in or out of the body" ( 2 Corinthians 12:2) as Paul did and by extension a demonic spiritual "trip" can occur much in the same way.
Anyone realistically wanting to understand 2 Corinthians 5:8 on being absent from the body; present with the Lord will understand that being in His presence as a believer is overwhelming to the extent that John fell at His feet as though dead ( Revelation 1:17). This is all the more telling since he was the disciple who always was closest to Jesus and even in his own testimony most loved ( John 13:23 and apparently in 4 other verses).
If we are NOT truly in Christ then there is only the terror of the Lord and of course immediate judgment and condemnation for those who are goats rather than sheep. Thus; those who promote a false gospel even if they were brain dead and came back to life God allows them to continue here for a while for His purposes. It would seem that it is possible as long as a body can be resuscitated for a few minutes that this can occur; that is a far cry from Lazarus being raised from the dead or the Lord Himself.
In any case, anyone preaching a gospel other than the truth let him be "anathema" ( Galatians 1:8); and that includes angels as well. To know we are hearing from God being saved is a minimum requirement.
I agree with you on the two Gospels being preached. Where some get confused is they think that means there's 2 means to salvation. But that's not so.
HERE'S A ARTICLE FROM J VERNON MCGEE ON THIS.
( This may take several posts)
Part 1.
The gospel of the kingdom is the preaching of John the Baptist: "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" ( Matthew 3:2). We do not preach that gospel today. The Lord Jesus preached it when He first began (see Matthew 4:17), and He sent His disciples out, saying, "Goto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand" ( Matthew 10:6,7). These men went out and preached that, but the day came when that changed. After His death and resurrection He said, "Don't just go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but go now to the world" (see Mark 16:15). And to the world was to be preached the gospel of Christ. Paul mentions in Romans 15:19, "I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." Read his epistles and you'll find that the gospel he preached was that of the death and resurrection of Christ. He wrote to the Corinthians and said, "I delivered unto you first of all the gospel. And the gospel I preach is the one that you believed in, the one that saved you." Well, what is it, Paul? It's "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" ( 1 Corinthians 15:3). That's the gospel, it's nothing but the gospel, and nothing else is the gospel. Even if an angel from heaven appears to you and preaches any other gospel, Paul says let him be accursed! (See Galatians 1:8.) Because there's only one gospel that we are to preach today. We do not preach the gospel of the kingdom. I wish we could get that through today to a great many who are talking about the gospel of the kingdom.
See part 2.
Therefore; many may be genuinely shocked when the Lord says that He never knew them and they ask for entrance into heaven. ( Matt. 7:21). Sadly; many never will know the depths of their own depravity until they enter hell; surely then they will know how helpless they are; although there will be no love and appreciation for a Holy God. The biggest message I can see here is that we must in this life be saved; as well as love God. Mankind in his natural state can fear God but cannot love Him; nor Christ who the Father sent to die in our place. All believers are called to share in the sufferings of Christ; and to bear their own cross daily. ( Romans 8:17; Matt. 16:24). Only believers can understand being part of the Body of Christ and fellowship of the saints. ( 1 John 1:3 and many other passages). We must die to ourselves daily ( Galatians 2:20). This involves selfless acts; but also has to have a heart change ( Ezekiel 36:26). To be drawn to the light is the state of those who He has called to be His children and chosen ( John 3:21).
As my last commentary stated; we are not to worry about whether we are elected by God; at least as some curiousity or intellectual concept. Our responsibility is ultimately ours to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5). His Spirit communes with our spirit to show us if we are of God ( Romans 8:16).
Verses 18 through 19 reminds us of the seriousness of God's Word. No other religions or other writings that change the Word of God or create another method of salvation; another Christ etc. are to be tolerated (See Galatians 1:8). Such a reverent fear of God's Word today is sorely lacking. Many probably don't believe these things are really going to be this bad; sadly a former Pastor of mine used to have these thoughts when reading the Book of Isaiah. If the rich man in hell is any example; no one there will be grateful for our lackluster witness here now.