Bible Discussion Thread

Mark 12: 32-35 "The scribes"

"And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?"(v.35). The scribes as mentioned here is a generic name for those who interpret the Law but they do not consider they are bound by it. "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." For they says, and they do not."(Matt.23:2-3). Matthew is referring to the scribes and the Pharisees who sit in Moses' seat. It is a metaphor for spiritual authority of the Law. Isaiah gives us a throne which is the ultimate authority "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool."(Is.66:1)

Mark gives 'the woe to ye' discourse in Ch.23 as part of his doctrine which explains why the word of God is a two-edged sword (He.4:12).The Gospel is for salvation and if it is neglected it shall prove unto damnation. "And he said unto them in his doctrine," is consequential since it is the eternal word. In our times we could call what the scribes indulged was in Jesus talk. The saying of Jesus "but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not," is a sane advice for Christians who would want to live a godly life.

Jesus.

In vv.35-37 Jesus asks,"How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?"The scribes erred in their textual criticism by omitting the intent and the integrity of the Psalm 110:1 This is what literal approach does. What they threw out is the everlasting covenant were seven days pendent on the day decreed for the Son. Along with it goes the significance of the Lamb slain, (Ps.2:7; Re.13:8) What happened in a megachurch where The elders had publicly disciplined a woman for refusing to take back her husband owes to their lack of understanding the word. As it turned out, the woman's fears proved true, and her husband went to prison for child molestation and abuse. The church never retracted its discipline or apologised in the 20+ years since.

Than you Brother for your messages . It's sad to say this but the ' church ' whichever one is ran by men and they have always had a shoddy reputation with regard to their treatment of their very own sisters in Christ . As we can read in the Gospels that this has always been the case and very shameful it is too . Our Lord loves male and female equally and ladies are to be treated as equals in his love if not able to perform all church tasks . This does not negate his love for them and shouldn't be seen as a denigration of the weaker vessel . Many men including I'm sad to say even brethren feel very threatened by knowledgeable sisters and feel some strange need to dominate them either openly or surreptitiously . We brethren need to always remember that Our Lord sees our actions towards all of our family in Christ and expects us especially if we hold any position of authority in our congregation to show much love towards the ladies in our care . We are not to be partial if we have to judge a matter between a brother and sister . In my own congregation a sister left because a brother was pestering her romantically and the brethren took his side completely and did not believe her or take her complaint at all seriously . It was a shameful incident which I am thankful I was not part of but I held no office at the time and had no influence at all . He is still a member and she has been gone from us for over twenty years and it still grieves me but doesn't seem to bother any of the other members . We shall have to answer for that I'm sure .

There is no salvation in any man other than Jesus Christ. Calvin would want to create a city of God in his time and it did not work. The basic problem is whoever steps in as shepherd of the flock has to play by the ear and administering a congregation can be pretty challenging. Jesus Christ as the word become flesh made manifest the word of God totally. Calvin who preached limited salvation had a problem. Faulty understanding of the scriptures is playing into the hands of the devil, so Jesus warns of the wolves in sheep clothing; it is thus false shepherds end up as ravening wolves; instead o the will of God they serve their own will.