There was a question posted few weeks, regarding The Gift of The Holy Spirit.
Part 1
-I believe Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God and He died on the Cross for my sins, and He was buried and rose on the third Day and He is sited at the right hand of the father, and He is our high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
-Brethren bear this in mind that God is the same and He does not change.
As it is written Malachi 3:6, kjv
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
-As God spoke by the prophets in time past in these days, these last hours ( John 1:18) He speaks to us by His beloved son in whom we have been qualified to be saints in the inheritance in the light by His blood at the cross By repentance. ( Colossians 1:12-14,KJV)
-And if you have repented at the cross and received salvation which is by grace and faith alone none of any of our works then we receive gifts according to His will which He gives for the edifying of the ministry (body of Christ For He is the Head of the Church Colossians 1:18, KJV.)
As it written in Ephesians 4:7-8, KJV
7.But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
-And in time past ( Hebrews 1:1, KJV) They the prophets healed the sick, raised the dead and provided provisions and all according to the will of God and not mans will.
-Therefore, we serve the same Living God who has been in the beginning and Does not Change and Was manifest unto us as a child, but He was there from the begging as a Son given unto us as a Son Mighty God, everlasting Father. (Isiah 6:9 KJV)
As it is written in 1 timothy 3:16, KJV.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
2 Peter 2:20. They had the knowledge of the Lord and Savior; they were saved and had escaped the pollutions/sins of the world. Can we escape sin outside of Christ? They choose to go back to a life of habitual, intentional, and willful sin. And their punishment will be worse, Luke 12:47-48.
Galatians 6:9 This to me is obedience, It says unless we faint, to me that is to give up, quit, intentionally turn away, we reap life everlasting. Colossians 1:23 "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel". If we continue that is a choice, we must make that is not given that is our obedience.
Jude 1:21 We are to keep ourselves, the Holy Spirit helps us, but this is something we do and if we do, He will keep us from falling. 2 Peter 1:10 If we do, it is not done for us, we have been given but it is up to us to obey and do, if they have forgotten they had to know it to forget it. If We Do!!! we shall never fall. Hebrews 6:13-16 What Abraham did, in his faith, he waited for a long time he endured. He did not faint or grow weary or turn his back to God, the evidence of his faith, just like when he drew back the knife.
This is not about a Christian who is struggling and battling sin regardless of how long they struggle they are still in the race and if they repent and return in the light will be forgiven and in the grace of God. As David said restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, Psalms 51:12. We all are in a battle with our flesh and sin daily. We can lose the joy of salvation and if we come under repentance, we will still be in God's grace but without repentance, we will be cut off.
This section I will attempt to address those scriptures you presented suggesting one can lose his Salvation.
Hebrews 3:12-13.
Verse 12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Well, if there is an evil heart of unbelief, and deceitfulness of sin. THEN YOU ARE NOT SAVED!
1 John 1:7.
Ronald, I don't grasp you here. This is not a verse saying you can lose Salvation.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, if we are in the light we are saved. If we are not in the light, we are not saved.
2 Peter 2:20.
Look at 2 Peter 2:22. These are dogs, NOT SONS! This is the same group described in the previous verses!
Take it from 2 Peter 2:9-20 to get the context.
Galatians 6:9.
Christians will go before the judgement seat of Christ to give an account for the things done in the flesh.
We are to keep sowing and in due season we will reap. this is the fruit of their labor.
He that soweth to the Spirit, sows to the spirit by the power of the Holyspirit.
Paul has just asked the Galatian Christians to be convinced, once again, that trusting their flesh in this life will only lead to corruption. Reliance on our own power only leads to death. That is true whether we trust human effort to save us by following the rituals and sacraments of the law, or by following our own selfish, sinful desires.
Salvation comes only by "planting" the Spirit. Through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sin.
God gives to us His own Spirit. Only that Spirit will deliver eternal life in the end.
Colossians 1:23.
Verses 21-22 states we have been reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Jude 1:24. says "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
So, those who is moved away from the faith was never saved.
As I promised, I would get back to you on this Salvation matter.
Sorry for such a delay.
(BY WAY OF RECAP.)
Context from the original post.
Paul is urging believers to "RECOGNIZE" you wasn't just Identified with Christ death in baptism,
You should also be Identified in his resurrection and have newness of Life.
God didn't just offer Christ as a free gift for those who believe unto Salvation. SALVATION IS A NEW LIFE.
(PAUL IS SAYING RECOGNIZE THAT SIN SHOULDN'T DOMINATE IN A BELIEVER'S LIFE.)
Does this make you perfect?
No, NOT CONDITIONALLY.
Shall we resist sin? Yes
We are perfect POSITIONALLY.
Colossians 3:1-4
We have been given an earnest of the Spirit, will be perfect CONDITIONALLY and glorified when we cast off this tabernacle/ Body of sin.
FOR CLARITY.
When I said Sanctification comes after Salvation, I want to clear that up a bit. We are Sanctified "Given Christ righteousness" That is the means of our Salvation. That is Positional Sanctification. THAT COME IMMEDIATLY!
We are hidden in Christ! We are sealed by the Holyspirit! Romans 8:23-32 sums the context of this thread perfectly.
"Conditional Sanctification" is the process we go through as WE GROW IN GRACE.
This is the imperfect condition a believer while in the body, "YET POCESSING EVERLASTING, ETERNAL SALVATION.
Your walk and works testifies of your faith and rebirth.
As I quoted in my prior post,JESUS shewed unto His disciples His HANDS and His FEET- Luke 24:40.
You think that "Scripture does not give us that", but remember that our GOD said to the Serpent-> GEnesis 3:13-15 combined with Job 13:27:
13And the Lord GOD said unto the woman,What is this that thou hast done?And the woman said,The serpent beguiled me,and I did eat(i.e.the woman believed in the interpretation of the Word of GOD by the man of sin,son of perdition,called Serpent in Genesis.Today, i.e.in this time of Apocalypse,he is called red Dragon- Revelation 12).
14And the Lord GOD said unto the serpent,Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed...and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: (man was made of the dust",so once man fell deceived by the woman deceived by the man of sin,and still is until this current time, who is the son of perdition,in the beginning called Serpent.
In fact,all mankind was made/produced into the belly of the Serpent, EXCEPT JESUS,of course,my oldest brother,the firstborn among many brethren- Romans 8:29.By the way, GOD has a lot and countless sons,but there are two who are lawful GOD's sons,not by adoption-JESUS and the Comfort,the Paraclete,the Ancient of days.
15And I-GOD- will put enmity between thee and the woman(now the Church-the body of Christ-,and between thy seed(sons of Devil) and her seed(sons of GOD, true believers);it shall bruise thy head,and thou shalt bruise His heel.
Remember,JESUS said- Luke 20:35-36:
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world(the next world-the millennial GOD's Kingdom- Revelation 11:15-18),and the resurrection from the dead(dead? Colossians 3:3-7.Take a look), neither marry,nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more:for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God,being the children of the resurrection ( Colossians 3:3-7 combined with 1Thessalonians 4:17 and 1Corinthians 15:51-55).
2 Timothy 2:21 shows that we can clean ourselves so that we are not just vessels of clay but can be vessels of honor. Jesus tells us that he purges branches to produce more fruit ( John 15:2). We thus face that the lost are nothing but dead branches or profane vessels but we can through sanctification work towards purification and honor. We can perhaps see this also with the parable of the sower where some have the thorns of worldly cares snuff them out. ( Mark 4:18-19). A truly saved individual will pass the test of the trials which God places to test His own (see 1 Peter 1:7).
To succeed we need to be hidden in Christ ( Colossians 3:3) and truly be dead in Christ. Our old nature is impossible to put to death otherwise and will forever try to resurrect itself. God has put eternity into the hearts of men ( Ecclesiastes 3:11); yet that verse shows we cannot see to understand God who is basically beyond time and ourselves. Perhaps self preservation is a reflection that we are an eternal soul; thankfully God has the upper hand for those He has called and predestined will make it to glorification; and that for eternity ( Romans 8:30).
The concept of redemption or Kinsman redeemer is seen with the story of Ruth. Christ redeemed us from among men through His atoning sacrifice ( Galatians 3:13). He purchased us with His blood. He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west ( Psalm 103:12 also read verses 13 to 14). We have passed from death to life ( John 5:24). His Spirit bears witness with our spirit as to our salvation ( Romans 8:16).
These and many other promises are things to meditate on and give comfort. We can only undestand such things if we are spiritually discerned; however and one of His children. ( 1 Cor. 2:14-15). Let us test ourselves to see if we are in the faith therefore ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6).
Christ has already come the second time, as a thief in the night, you don't see the thief?
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered for the SINS of many, and to those who look for him he shall APPEAR THE SECOND TIME without SIN unto SALVATION.
John 16:7 For I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter WILL NOT COME unto you, but if I depart, I will sent him to you.
John 15:26 ....but when the Comforter IS COME ....... even the SPIRIT of TRUTH ..... he will testify of me ......
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ..... Christ ON YOU ......
From what you have described the churches have always had a mingled condition. Most of the books in the New Testament discuss and warn about this mingled condition. 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3, John, even Jude which is known really as the "acts of the apostates" Galatians the Jewdisers, Colossians heresy with Gnostics. The apostles were not even dead and buried and they were dealing with all sorts of mingled conditions within the church. Some of his honest errors and some of it heresy.
So here we are in the present 2023, we have our current state of affairs, with new modern bible perversions, churches with female pastors/bishops, homosexual pastors, churches consecrating same-sex marriages, feminist-influenced congregations that no longer teach Ephesians 5 wives submitting toward their husband, 1 Corinthians 11 head coverings for women during corporate worship, and the further watering down of the Word of God to please the masses by the clergy.... 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Many churches have fallen into a state of apostasy... We are in a very sad state of affairs in today's Christendom.
So yes in my humble opinion, the churches today are out of order and that is why judgment starts in the house of God.
1 Peter 4:17 (KJV) 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
"LIKEWISE RECKON" ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,
What does Paul mean by saying "LIKEWISE RECKON"?
Obviously Paul we are warned we shouldn't continue in sin after being saved by grace as Paul mentioned in Romans 5:15-21. through Romans 6:1-2.
Paul goes on in verses 3-4. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so WE ALSO SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.
Paul goes on in verses 6-7- "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not SERVE sin.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Verses 9-11.
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
LIKEWISE RECKON YE ALSO YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN, BUT ALIVE UNTO GOD through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul is talking to Believers!
Paul is urging believers to "RECOGNIZE" you wasn't just Identified with Christ death in baptism,
You should also be Identified in his ressurection and have newness of Life.
God didn't just offer Christ as a free gift for those who believe unto Salvation. SALVATION IS A NEW LIFE.
( PAUL IS SAYING RECOGNIZE THAT SIN SHOULDN'T DOMINATE IN A BELIEVERS LIFE. )
Does this makes you perfect?
No, not CONDITIONALLY.
Shall we resist sin? Yes
We are perfect POSITIONALLY
Colossians 3:1-4.
We have been given an earnest of the Spirit, will be perfect CONDITIONALLY and glorified when we cast off this tabernacle/ Body of sin.
I wonder if the majority of Western women who claim to be Christian do not actually submit to their Christian husbands. This is no small thing to Christ!
1 Peter 3:1 (KJV) 1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Peter 3:5-6 (KJV) 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Colossians 3:18 (KJV) 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Ephesians 5:22-24 (KJV) 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Ep 5:23 The reason for the wife's submission is that her husband is her head. He occupies the same relation to her that Christ occupies to the church. Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (The word Savior here can have the meaning of Preserver, as it has in 1Ti 4:10, JND). So the husband is head of the wife, and he is her preserver as well. As head he loves, leads, and guides; as preserver he provides, protects, and cares for her.
We all know there is great revulsion against this teaching in our day. People accuse Paul of being a bigoted bachelor, a male chauvinist, a woman-hater. Or they say his views reflect the social customs of his day but are no longer applicable today. Such statements are, of course, a frontal attack on the inspiration of the Scriptures. These are not merely Paul's words; they are the words of God. To refuse them is to refuse Him and invite difficulty and disaster.
. "For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,"(Matt.11:13) Worthy was the Lamb who is revealed in control of the seven Spirits of God. Spirit of prophecy was one and spirit of Christ is another. So we are seeing the fulness of God in Jesus Christ to which St Paul alluded in his epistle to the Colossians. Forty-two months refer to him by the same measure as a thousand two hundred and three score days. What was the measure of Jesus Christ we discussed in the previous post Golden Reed," according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17) The temple of God can only be measured by the risen Christ which has a spiritual body,- that is an angel signifying the world of the Spirit and the other the measure of the Son of man. Without abiding in him we do not fit neither here nor there.
We shall refer the vision of Zechariah,
Two Olive Trees
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."(v.4)
Key to understand these olive trees we need go back to the Book of Zechariah and the inaugural vision of St John. Iconography employed by the Spirit in the vision of John and of Zechariah is similar but their significance is vastly different. While the risen Christ was shown in the midst of Seven Golden Candlesticks (Re.1:12-13) its intended message was for the church per se. Whereas the vision of Zechariah was to instruct believer of the eternal Will of God in terms of his heart which is what the central stem of the Lamp stand instructs us.
Heart of man serves as a sanctuary. It was solid gold, the royal highway in one sense taking the heart to the throne of heaven where seven lamps represent God a Spirit.(Re.4:5b) "And behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:" (Ze.4:2)
You cannot be saved from DEATH until God sends his angles to HARVEST the SEED.
ONLY mature SEED are harvested, immature SEED are scattered to the wind as is chaff.
Fruit produces SEED, the fruit never look like the SEED, the SEED always looks like the SEED that was planted.
Luke 11:8 Now the PARABLE is this: the SEED is the word of God.
John 1:14 ..... and the word (SEED) was made flesh.
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ (the SEED) was once offered for the sins of many; and unto them that look for him (TRUTH, Christ is truth) he (the SEED) shall APPEAR the SECOND TIME.
Matthew 24:30 Then SHALL APPEAR the sign (the image oft he SEED) of the son of man in heaven (IN YOU).... the son of man COMING in the CLOUDS of heaven (IN YOU).
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ in YOU ......
Matthew 12:28 But if I CAST OUT DEVILS by the Spirit (TRUTH) of God; then the Kingdom of God has COME TO YOU.
"In our POST-Feminist Western culture where women are above men. I have often heard the scriptures regarding wives submitting to their husbands being "spiritualized." Rather than taking it at face value, they attempt to either "spiritualize" the passage such as "Oh, it means the man is the spiritual head." Other times they will attempt to merge two periscopes of scripture such as verse 21 which belongs to the prior periscope and attempt to apply it in the marriage periscope. Claiming oh it means "submit to one another in marriage."
Yet the command is found yet again in Colossians 3:18 (KJV) 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
2 Peter 3:16 (KJV) 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Yes, twisting scripture to their own destruction...
Walk in Wisdom
Ephesians 5:15-21 (KJV) 16 through verse 21(periscope) verse 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Marriage--Christ and the Church
Ephesians 5:22-28 (KJV)
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."
We cannot say Satan made me do it, we are responsible if we sin.
What is death? Is it just the body that dies and our conscious soul, lives on somewhere outside the body? This started when the serpent said to Eve, Ye shall not surely die, you will be as gods. Most pagan religions have an afterlife where the soul lives forever. In the Bible, the OT is the word Sheol meaning the grave and death was sleep with no knowledge or consciousness, nowhere is the immortal soul in the Bible.
When Adam and Eve sinned, they were taken out of the garden and forbidden eternal life/immortality from the Tree of Life, Gen. 3:24. When the OT was translated into Greek Sheol became Hades with the Greek meaning that came with it, and in English, it's Hell with the same Greek meaning, the soul separates from the body and the conscious souls goes to a place of the dead. Many believe there is either eternal life with Jesus or eternal damnation in Hell/lake of fire where they will be tormented for eternity.
If we say our soul is immortal, we are saying we are gods because we cannot die. But the Bible says without the gift of eternal life given to us in the resurrection we will die the second death, we will perish, be destroyed forever to be no more. Romans 6:23Psalms 37:10-13Psalms 92:7Proverbs 10:25, 29 John 3:162 Peter 2:10-12, they are mortal and will perish.
The unrighteous will be destroyed/perish, they will have their part in the lake of fire, Rev. 21:8. Their death is forever, not forever in torment. When we die our destiny is fixed, there is not a second chance after death. This adoption of the Greek philosophy of the immortal soul and Hades fogs our understanding, it plugs our ears that are to hear.
I could say more but I will leave it here, I hope you will study for the truth. We should empty our minds in prayer where we are open to the truth given by the Spirit of Truth, not led by the traditions of men, Colossians 2:8.
Thanks for your explanation of 'abrogation' Daruled. Though I understand what you're writing, I still can't see how if 'you don't believe in it' (i.e. in this instance by my use of it), yet I can still "use it correctly". Therefore, Matthew 5:18 as you quoted, is of no problem to me as I read that Jesus was born "under the Law ( Galatians 4:4), to redeem them that were under the law" ( Galatians 4:5). He came as a Jew, abiding by the Laws & all the ceremonial requirements, as the Old Covenant was still in force. And as He said, "I am not come to destroy (the Law), but to fulfil"; His purpose was not to remove the Law but to fulfil its demands perfectly (and so He did in His Life & in His Death). He could not be accused to have broken any Law, even though the religious leaders had much to accuse Him of according to their interpretations & inclusions within the Law. They might even have thought of this Man, with this new teaching, as an opponent to 'their brand' of Laws & thus undermining their hypocritical regime. But Jesus said that the true Law's destruction wasn't His purpose of coming.
But when the Work at the Cross was fully accomplished, the Law that once only led to death giving no hope, was nailed to the Cross ( Colossians 2:14), thus bringing an end to both it & the Old Covenant under which it was enshrined. To Page 2.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
This verse shows much like Matthew 24:36 that some things apparently are still appropriated by the Father; at least in regard to the timing of events in the future and the day and hour they begin. Admittedly; this is a mystery as Christ is fully God and fully man but we can learn the Godhead and how the Son does nothing apart from the Father here at the very least ( John 5:19). Indeed that verse says the Son can do NOTHING of Himself; which could have been particularly true during His earthly ministry.
Nonetheless we see that death could not overcome Him ( Acts 2:24). God exalted Him as High Priest and King and gave Him all authority in heaven and earth positionally ( Matt. 28:18); restoring the position which He no doubt had since He was the One who created all things ( Colossians 1:16).
verse 3 states Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. It reminds us of the verse in Revelation 22:12 where He states that He comes quickly; and the delay of the church age can be seen in the verse Habakkuk 2:3 where it says although it tarries wait for it and the original language shows that it will surely come in its time and not delay. There is a crown; in fact for those who patiently wait for it; we are warned against losing our crown in Revelation 3:10. See also 2 Timothy 4:8 and Malachi 3:16.
The subsequent chapters show what happens when one casts aside their first love (with the Ephesian church); and other churches as to false doctrines. Since only God knows when the Rapture and subsequent Tribulation begins; any attempt for Satan to bring it forth sooner will fail so many will not believe it when it truly comes.
You wrote "Yes it is the 4th Commandment. Regarding the Sabbath scripturally, this is directly from God."
There are several scriptures here that do not lend support to your position regarding Christians having to maintain the Sabbath. Not to mention the entire book of Galatians weighing in on the law.
Colossians 2:16 (KJV) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
2 Corinthians 3:7-11 (AMP)
7 Now if the dispensation of death engraved in letters on stone [the ministration of the Law], was inaugurated with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its brilliance, [a glory] that was to fade and pass away,
8 Why should not the dispensation of the Spirit [this spiritual ministry whose task it is to cause men to obtain and be governed by the Holy Spirit] be attended with much greater and more splendid glory?
9 For if the service that condemns [the ministration of doom] had glory, how infinitely more abounding in splendor and glory must be the service that makes righteous [the ministry that produces and fosters righteous living and right standing with God]!
10Indeed, in view of this fact, what once had splendor [the glory of the Law in the face of Moses] has come to have no splendor at all, because of the overwhelming glory that exceeds and excels it [the glory of the Gospel in the face of Jesus Christ].
11 For if that which was but passing and fading away came with splendor, how much more must that which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!
Are the "commandments" you are referring to the Old Testament laws, especially the Ten Commandments, or are they commands or charges given by Christ?
The book of Galatians addressed this legalism, and one might conclude that Paul defeated the teachers of legalism so effectively that the issue would never trouble the church again. History and experience prove otherwise! Legalism has become so important a part of Christendom that most people believe that it actually belongs.
Let's examine them one at a time. In regards to 1 John 2:4
Those who understand "knowing" in reference to salvation insist that assurance of salvation comes by obeying either the Old Testament laws or the commands of Christ in the New Testament. Those of the Reformed covenant persuasion generally see commandments as referring to the Ten Commandments, which they believe are still binding on believers as a rule of life. Interestingly, the word translated commandments is not the Greek nomos, which John reserves for the Mosaic Law. It is rather entole, meaning order, command, or change. Dispensationalists, on the other hand, do not believe the Law of Moses is binding upon believers today as a rule of life, as the way by which God deals with His people ( 2Co 3:7-11; Heb 7:11-14).*[For a full discussion of the contrasts between covenantism and dispensationalism, see Renald E. Showers, There Really Is a Difference (Bellmawr, NJ "Twenty-First Century Biblical Commentary". Marion, IA: Laridian, Inc., 2021.
All Scripture including all of Paul's letters to the churches are inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit and Jesus do not contradict each other. Paul wrote in Colossians 2:16 (KJV) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Hence why majority of Christians do not believe the Law of Moses is binding upon believers today as a rule of life, as the way by which God deals with His people ( 2Co 3:7-11; Heb 7:11-14).
Please refer to my respond to Chris re Heb 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
On your statements regarding the Wrath of God and the nature of Christ's Atonement, I must disagree.
I would encourage you to carefully read Isaiah 53, the entire chapter.
And also consider these verses:
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
2 Corinthians 5:21 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.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Colossians 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
So if God has "saved" us, it means that Christ, eternal God Himself, had taken upon Himself every dirty rotten sin that we have committed or ever will commit, and has paid the full penalty for those sins, the Wrath of God, Eternal Death, which we rightly deserve, required by the Law of God, as our substitute. And He has freed us from Bondage to Sin and Satan, and has raised us from Spiritual Death and given us Eternal Life. And will at the Last Day, complete our Salvation by giving us our Resurrected Spiritual Body ( 1 Corinthians 15) in which we will live and reign with Christ as joint inheritors with Christ of the New Heavens and New Earth for ever more.
I'm with you, I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God given to us. A reason we differ, preconceived ideas are obstacles to the truth. We all grow up in cultures where we inherit certain biased beliefs, values, and attitudes from our parents, teachers, religious affiliation, peer groups, and friends. When we study the Bible unless we can clear these obstacles, and beliefs when we read our sub-conscience mind will block the true meaning with the ones we have stored in our mind.
We must empty our minds as we know nothing, take out the garbage, pray, and let the Spirit of Truth show us the true meaning of what we are studying. We must keep in mind we get milk first and then meat and it can be years between.
I also believe in one God and Father of all, who is the God and Father of Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah/Christ.
John 20:17Romans 15:62 Corinthians 1:32 Corinthians 11:31Ephesians 1:3Ephesians 1:17Ephesians 5:20Colossians 1:31 Peter 1:31 Corinthians 8:6.
Recognizing that God is generous to you is acknowledging God and his presensence in you: YOUR HIS BODY. His word says he causes you to do his pleasure; therefore, you are not acting irresponsible with his generosity, but are acting according to his will.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that WORKETH in you, both TO WILL and TO DO of his good pleasure.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL put my spirit IN YOU and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my JUDGEMENTS and DO THEM.
Colossians 1:27 .....THIS MYSTERY ..... CHRIST IN YOU ......
You DIED with Christ on the cross, ONLY Christ arose; and you as a joint heir, with Christ of that resurrection, A NEW CREATION.
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (YOU, Jema) DIE anymore, for they (YOU, Jema) are equal unto the angels, and are the children of God, being the CHILDREN (YOU, Jema) of the RESURRECTION.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he (YOU, Jema) that hath part in the FIRST (you and Christ) RESURRECTION ......
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of God (TRUTH) CANNOT COMMIT SIN; for his seed (the anointing) remaineth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God (TRUTH).
The wages of sin is DEATH: you DIED on the cross, the life IN YOU is CHRIST, your the BODY of CHRIST.
BELIEVE, Christ is CAUSING you to do HIS WILL, for his good pleasure, you ARE NOT irresponsible, but walking in the WILL of God.
Then what about Abraham? Abraham was dead & buried, how could he being dead rejoice to see Jesus' Day, this is the Day of Jesus' Coming? This wasn't a situation of (the Genesis) Abraham knowing about Jesus & waiting patiently with joy, for Jesus' Sacrifice & Redemption. This dialogue with the Jews was to show that Abraham was alive in Hades all this time, but NOW rejoicing to see the Messiah finally come (in Jesus' Day) Who would give full atonement to him & all others waiting in hope.
Yes, Abraham, as those many others, 'who looked for a heavenly city', expected it (in faith) & died (in faith), "not having received the promises, but seeing them afar off" ( Hebrews 11:13,16). Their faith/faithfulness to God was vibrant even to this point in their death & confinement in Hades, but until the Atonement was completed at Calvary, they remained in limbo, waiting, in expectation of the promised eternal rest that awaited them, to have Christ's Blood applied to them as well.
Now the Gospel was complete for them (what they once knew imperfectly); the eternal Rest they longed for was now realized in Christ Jesus, in Whose Blood there is Peace with God ( Colossians 1:20) & eternal Rest in Christ ( Hebrews 4:9). GBU.
Colossae was a city of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia. It was about 90 miles east of Ephesus. Colossae was in the Lycus Valley along with Laodicea and Hierapolis. The population of Colossae was mostly Gentile but had a large number of Jewish population.
The church at Colossae began during Paul's three-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts Chapter 19). Paul didn't start the church in Colossae, but he spent three years in Ephesus. And you can see why. There was a tremendous amount of ministry going on there. During this three-year period, a man by the name of Epaphras was saved while visiting Ephesus.
The Church at Colossae was established by Epaphras, not Paul ( Colossians 1:5-7). So Epaphras came from Colossae into Ephesus, met Paul, heard him preach, and received Christ. Epaphras goes back to Colossae, and he establishes the church there, not Paul.
Several years after the Colossians church was founded, dangerous heresies began to circulate in it. Epaphras was so concerned about these heresies that he made the long journey from Colossae to Rome were Paul was a prisoner ( Colossians 4:12-13).
IV. THE THEME OF PHILEMON:
The portrayal of the Gospel expressed between Paul and Philemon over Philemon's slave Onesimus.
V. DELIVERED BY:
Philemon was delivered with Colossians and Ephesians by Tychicus who was accompanied by Onesimus ( Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8). Epaphras remained behind in Rome ( Philemon 23). So Epaphras was there with Paul. He didn't go back with the letters. He stayed with Paul. Very interesting!
Philemon is on the end of Paul's writings. Philemon is part of a four-book set. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are a set of books known as the prison epistles, or prison letters, because they were written by Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome.
And Philemon is separated from them and on the end because the arrangement of Paul's letters put the letters to the churches first, and then letters to individuals last. So, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon have their letters at the end. But Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians all traveled together by Tychicus and Onesimus.
Philemon is the name of a man that lives in Colossae.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Paul and Timothy. Paul's inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
Philemon was written to a Christian businessman by the name of Philemon who was living in the city of Colossae. And Paul wrote to Philemon concerning his run-away slave Onesimus.
Philemon was written at the same time as Colossians.
Both Philemon and Colossians are two of four epistles or letters known as the Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Both were written around 63 A.D. while Paul was under house arrest in Rome for two years ( Acts 28:16-31).
Timothy, Aristarchus, Archippus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke, Onesimus, and Demas all appear in both letters demonstrating Colossians and Philemon were written by the same author at the same time.
And so, Timothy was considered Jewish. And in case some of the Hebrew and Jewish people would hear that he's Jewish as he's traveling and wanted to corner him and pin him down as to whether he's been circumcised, and whether he's been through the synagogue ceremonies, Paul had him circumcised so that he would be free to preach the gospel in the synagogues.
Timothy was ordained by Paul and the Presbytery ( I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6).
He accompanies Paul on his third missionary trip ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; II Corinthians 1:1, 19).
Timothy ministered in at least five churches as Paul's representative. He sent Timothy to:
1) Thessalonica ( I Thessalonians 3:2, 6).
2) Corinth ( I Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; II Corinthians 1:19).
3) Philippi ( Philippians 2:19-23).
4) Berea ( Acts 17:14).
5) Ephesus ( I Timothy 1:3).
Timothy was with Paul during Paul's first imprisonment ( Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1) and went to Philippi after Paul's release ( Philippians 2:19-23).
After Paul's release from his first imprisonment ( Acts 28:30), he revisited several cities leaving Timothy at Ephesus.
Paul went on to Macedonia from where he wrote Timothy this letter ( I Timothy 3:14-15).
Timothy was around 35-years of age when Paul wrote I Timothy.
Paul was arrested in Troas and taken to Rome and imprisoned for the second and last time.
Timothy also suffered imprisonment ( Hebrews 13:23).
For every believer, Paul fought for their minds, that their minds would be taken captive by Christ, and that their minds would be in obedience of Christ, and not following some false teaching.
Paul knowing that if you learn his gospel, that you would be learning the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will not contradict anything Jesus said. In fact, it would give more meaning and depth to it when we go into the teaching section.
All of Paul's letters (Romans to Philemon) are arranged according to 2 Timothy 3:16, that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine (the book of Romans), for reproof (which would be 1st and 2nd Corinthians), for correction (the book of Galatians), and for instruction in righteousness (and that's Ephesians through Philemon).
Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians are known as the prison epistles written by Paul when he was in prison, along with Philemon, the last letter.
So, there's a collection of four. The first three and the last one go together. And the reason why Philemon is on the end is because the personal letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon are put at the end of Paul's letters, and the church epistles, and the church letters are put at the front.
But just for your understanding, Philemon goes with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. And then we have 1st and 2nd Thessalonians.
And then we have 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. I just shared with you 1 Timothy, and I am giving you 2 Timothy right now. These three (1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus) are known as pastoral epistles, Paul writing to Timothy and Titus who he put in charge of other churches. Titus was on the island of Crete.
And Timothy of course is the one who followed in Paul's footsteps. He took over for Paul after Paul's death. Paul trained him for over 20 years as he followed and went with Paul on his journeys.
As I pointed out in another comment, we must be extremely careful when talking about the God Head, as our finite minds cannot fully grasp the Nature of Infinite God. We read the Bible and accept what we read by faith without attempting to go beyond that. And there is no question that Jesus, the Lord Jesus Christ, was and is Eternal God Himself.
I am a bit shocked by you statement. And that is absolutely not what the Bible teaches. In the first place if Jesus was not God, He could not have paid for the sins of anyone by enduring the Wrath of God, eternal death required by the Law of God and then have risen again.
Here are just a couple of verses that militate against what you are suggesting:
Speaking of Jesus, we read in Colossians 2:8,9 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. FOR IN HIM DWELLETH ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY.
And then in John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
And there are others, like John 1:1-5.
Now you do make a very interesting point about Jesus being called the "SON" of God, and "BEGOTTEN" of the Father. There is no question that Christ existed from Eternity past as Eternal God Himself and will continue to exist throughout Eternity future as Eternal God Himself. But it is fair to ask the question, When did Christ "become" the Son of God? Because the word "Begotten" signifies a "beginning". I submit that Christ became the Son of God when He rose from the Dead. But Jesus is referred to as the Son of God even before going to the Cross here on earth. Without getting into a detailed discussion, I think the case can be made that Christ was, very literally, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" Rev13:8.
There was a question posted few weeks, regarding The Gift of The Holy Spirit.
Part 1
-I believe Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God and He died on the Cross for my sins, and He was buried and rose on the third Day and He is sited at the right hand of the father, and He is our high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
-Brethren bear this in mind that God is the same and He does not change.
As it is written Malachi 3:6, kjv
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
-As God spoke by the prophets in time past in these days, these last hours ( John 1:18) He speaks to us by His beloved son in whom we have been qualified to be saints in the inheritance in the light by His blood at the cross By repentance. ( Colossians 1:12-14,KJV)
-And if you have repented at the cross and received salvation which is by grace and faith alone none of any of our works then we receive gifts according to His will which He gives for the edifying of the ministry (body of Christ For He is the Head of the Church Colossians 1:18, KJV.)
As it written in Ephesians 4:7-8, KJV
7.But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
-And in time past ( Hebrews 1:1, KJV) They the prophets healed the sick, raised the dead and provided provisions and all according to the will of God and not mans will.
-Therefore, we serve the same Living God who has been in the beginning and Does not Change and Was manifest unto us as a child, but He was there from the begging as a Son given unto us as a Son Mighty God, everlasting Father. (Isiah 6:9 KJV)
As it is written in 1 timothy 3:16, KJV.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Part 2 next.
Part four,
2 Peter 2:20. They had the knowledge of the Lord and Savior; they were saved and had escaped the pollutions/sins of the world. Can we escape sin outside of Christ? They choose to go back to a life of habitual, intentional, and willful sin. And their punishment will be worse, Luke 12:47-48.
Galatians 6:9 This to me is obedience, It says unless we faint, to me that is to give up, quit, intentionally turn away, we reap life everlasting. Colossians 1:23 "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel". If we continue that is a choice, we must make that is not given that is our obedience.
Jude 1:21 We are to keep ourselves, the Holy Spirit helps us, but this is something we do and if we do, He will keep us from falling. 2 Peter 1:10 If we do, it is not done for us, we have been given but it is up to us to obey and do, if they have forgotten they had to know it to forget it. If We Do!!! we shall never fall. Hebrews 6:13-16 What Abraham did, in his faith, he waited for a long time he endured. He did not faint or grow weary or turn his back to God, the evidence of his faith, just like when he drew back the knife.
This is not about a Christian who is struggling and battling sin regardless of how long they struggle they are still in the race and if they repent and return in the light will be forgiven and in the grace of God. As David said restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, Psalms 51:12. We all are in a battle with our flesh and sin daily. We can lose the joy of salvation and if we come under repentance, we will still be in God's grace but without repentance, we will be cut off.
See part 5.
Part 6.
This section I will attempt to address those scriptures you presented suggesting one can lose his Salvation.
Hebrews 3:12-13.
Verse 12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Well, if there is an evil heart of unbelief, and deceitfulness of sin. THEN YOU ARE NOT SAVED!
1 John 1:7.
Ronald, I don't grasp you here. This is not a verse saying you can lose Salvation.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, if we are in the light we are saved. If we are not in the light, we are not saved.
2 Peter 2:20.
Look at 2 Peter 2:22. These are dogs, NOT SONS! This is the same group described in the previous verses!
Take it from 2 Peter 2:9-20 to get the context.
Galatians 6:9.
Christians will go before the judgement seat of Christ to give an account for the things done in the flesh.
We are to keep sowing and in due season we will reap. this is the fruit of their labor.
He that soweth to the Spirit, sows to the spirit by the power of the Holyspirit.
Paul has just asked the Galatian Christians to be convinced, once again, that trusting their flesh in this life will only lead to corruption. Reliance on our own power only leads to death. That is true whether we trust human effort to save us by following the rituals and sacraments of the law, or by following our own selfish, sinful desires.
Salvation comes only by "planting" the Spirit. Through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sin.
God gives to us His own Spirit. Only that Spirit will deliver eternal life in the end.
Colossians 1:23.
Verses 21-22 states we have been reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Jude 1:24. says "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
So, those who is moved away from the faith was never saved.
See Part 7.
Part 1.
Romans 8:23-32
As I promised, I would get back to you on this Salvation matter.
Sorry for such a delay.
(BY WAY OF RECAP.)
Context from the original post.
Paul is urging believers to "RECOGNIZE" you wasn't just Identified with Christ death in baptism,
You should also be Identified in his resurrection and have newness of Life.
God didn't just offer Christ as a free gift for those who believe unto Salvation. SALVATION IS A NEW LIFE.
(PAUL IS SAYING RECOGNIZE THAT SIN SHOULDN'T DOMINATE IN A BELIEVER'S LIFE.)
Does this make you perfect?
No, NOT CONDITIONALLY.
Shall we resist sin? Yes
We are perfect POSITIONALLY.
Colossians 3:1-4
We have been given an earnest of the Spirit, will be perfect CONDITIONALLY and glorified when we cast off this tabernacle/ Body of sin.
FOR CLARITY.
When I said Sanctification comes after Salvation, I want to clear that up a bit. We are Sanctified "Given Christ righteousness" That is the means of our Salvation. That is Positional Sanctification. THAT COME IMMEDIATLY!
We are hidden in Christ! We are sealed by the Holyspirit! Romans 8:23-32 sums the context of this thread perfectly.
"Conditional Sanctification" is the process we go through as WE GROW IN GRACE.
This is the imperfect condition a believer while in the body, "YET POCESSING EVERLASTING, ETERNAL SALVATION.
Your walk and works testifies of your faith and rebirth.
See part 2.
It's a pleasure to hear from you,brother.
As I quoted in my prior post,JESUS shewed unto His disciples His HANDS and His FEET- Luke 24:40.
You think that "Scripture does not give us that", but remember that our GOD said to the Serpent-> GEnesis 3:13-15 combined with Job 13:27:
13And the Lord GOD said unto the woman,What is this that thou hast done?And the woman said,The serpent beguiled me,and I did eat(i.e.the woman believed in the interpretation of the Word of GOD by the man of sin,son of perdition,called Serpent in Genesis.Today, i.e.in this time of Apocalypse,he is called red Dragon- Revelation 12).
14And the Lord GOD said unto the serpent,Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed...and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: (man was made of the dust",so once man fell deceived by the woman deceived by the man of sin,and still is until this current time, who is the son of perdition,in the beginning called Serpent.
In fact,all mankind was made/produced into the belly of the Serpent, EXCEPT JESUS,of course,my oldest brother,the firstborn among many brethren- Romans 8:29.By the way, GOD has a lot and countless sons,but there are two who are lawful GOD's sons,not by adoption-JESUS and the Comfort,the Paraclete,the Ancient of days.
15And I-GOD- will put enmity between thee and the woman(now the Church-the body of Christ-,and between thy seed(sons of Devil) and her seed(sons of GOD, true believers);it shall bruise thy head,and thou shalt bruise His heel.
Remember,JESUS said- Luke 20:35-36:
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world(the next world-the millennial GOD's Kingdom- Revelation 11:15-18),and the resurrection from the dead(dead? Colossians 3:3-7.Take a look), neither marry,nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more:for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God,being the children of the resurrection ( Colossians 3:3-7 combined with 1Thessalonians 4:17 and 1Corinthians 15:51-55).
2 Timothy 2:21 shows that we can clean ourselves so that we are not just vessels of clay but can be vessels of honor. Jesus tells us that he purges branches to produce more fruit ( John 15:2). We thus face that the lost are nothing but dead branches or profane vessels but we can through sanctification work towards purification and honor. We can perhaps see this also with the parable of the sower where some have the thorns of worldly cares snuff them out. ( Mark 4:18-19). A truly saved individual will pass the test of the trials which God places to test His own (see 1 Peter 1:7).
To succeed we need to be hidden in Christ ( Colossians 3:3) and truly be dead in Christ. Our old nature is impossible to put to death otherwise and will forever try to resurrect itself. God has put eternity into the hearts of men ( Ecclesiastes 3:11); yet that verse shows we cannot see to understand God who is basically beyond time and ourselves. Perhaps self preservation is a reflection that we are an eternal soul; thankfully God has the upper hand for those He has called and predestined will make it to glorification; and that for eternity ( Romans 8:30).
The concept of redemption or Kinsman redeemer is seen with the story of Ruth. Christ redeemed us from among men through His atoning sacrifice ( Galatians 3:13). He purchased us with His blood. He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west ( Psalm 103:12 also read verses 13 to 14). We have passed from death to life ( John 5:24). His Spirit bears witness with our spirit as to our salvation ( Romans 8:16).
These and many other promises are things to meditate on and give comfort. We can only undestand such things if we are spiritually discerned; however and one of His children. ( 1 Cor. 2:14-15). Let us test ourselves to see if we are in the faith therefore ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6).
Agape.
Christ has already come the second time, as a thief in the night, you don't see the thief?
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered for the SINS of many, and to those who look for him he shall APPEAR THE SECOND TIME without SIN unto SALVATION.
John 16:7 For I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter WILL NOT COME unto you, but if I depart, I will sent him to you.
John 15:26 ....but when the Comforter IS COME ....... even the SPIRIT of TRUTH ..... he will testify of me ......
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ..... Christ ON YOU ......
God Bless YOU!
So here we are in the present 2023, we have our current state of affairs, with new modern bible perversions, churches with female pastors/bishops, homosexual pastors, churches consecrating same-sex marriages, feminist-influenced congregations that no longer teach Ephesians 5 wives submitting toward their husband, 1 Corinthians 11 head coverings for women during corporate worship, and the further watering down of the Word of God to please the masses by the clergy.... 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Many churches have fallen into a state of apostasy... We are in a very sad state of affairs in today's Christendom.
So yes in my humble opinion, the churches today are out of order and that is why judgment starts in the house of God.
1 Peter 4:17 (KJV) 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
GBU
What does Paul mean by saying "LIKEWISE RECKON"?
Obviously Paul we are warned we shouldn't continue in sin after being saved by grace as Paul mentioned in Romans 5:15-21. through Romans 6:1-2.
Paul goes on in verses 3-4. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so WE ALSO SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.
Paul goes on in verses 6-7- "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not SERVE sin.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Verses 9-11.
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
LIKEWISE RECKON YE ALSO YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD INDEED UNTO SIN, BUT ALIVE UNTO GOD through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul is talking to Believers!
Paul is urging believers to "RECOGNIZE" you wasn't just Identified with Christ death in baptism,
You should also be Identified in his ressurection and have newness of Life.
God didn't just offer Christ as a free gift for those who believe unto Salvation. SALVATION IS A NEW LIFE.
( PAUL IS SAYING RECOGNIZE THAT SIN SHOULDN'T DOMINATE IN A BELIEVERS LIFE. )
Does this makes you perfect?
No, not CONDITIONALLY.
Shall we resist sin? Yes
We are perfect POSITIONALLY
Colossians 3:1-4.
We have been given an earnest of the Spirit, will be perfect CONDITIONALLY and glorified when we cast off this tabernacle/ Body of sin.
God bless.
Galatians 2:20 I AM CRUCIFIED with Christ .......
I BELIEVE God's word, I'm DEAD.
..... nevertheless I LIVE ...... yet NOT I, BUT CHRIST .......
Psalms 1:2 ... his delight is the LAW of the Lord .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW of the SPIRIT OF LIFE in Christ ......
John 14:6 .... I am the LIFE ......
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE body ...... ONE Spirit .....
1 Corinthians 15:38 ... to every SEED ..... his (Christ's) own BODY .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 NOW ye are the BODY of Christ .....
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ in you ....
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
I'm DEAD, dead men CANNOT sin.
God Bless YOU!
1 Peter 3:1 (KJV) 1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Peter 3:5-6 (KJV) 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Colossians 3:18 (KJV) 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Ephesians 5:22-24 (KJV) 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Ep 5:23 The reason for the wife's submission is that her husband is her head. He occupies the same relation to her that Christ occupies to the church. Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (The word Savior here can have the meaning of Preserver, as it has in 1Ti 4:10, JND). So the husband is head of the wife, and he is her preserver as well. As head he loves, leads, and guides; as preserver he provides, protects, and cares for her.
We all know there is great revulsion against this teaching in our day. People accuse Paul of being a bigoted bachelor, a male chauvinist, a woman-hater. Or they say his views reflect the social customs of his day but are no longer applicable today. Such statements are, of course, a frontal attack on the inspiration of the Scriptures. These are not merely Paul's words; they are the words of God. To refuse them is to refuse Him and invite difficulty and disaster.
Gospel is one
. "For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,"(Matt.11:13) Worthy was the Lamb who is revealed in control of the seven Spirits of God. Spirit of prophecy was one and spirit of Christ is another. So we are seeing the fulness of God in Jesus Christ to which St Paul alluded in his epistle to the Colossians. Forty-two months refer to him by the same measure as a thousand two hundred and three score days. What was the measure of Jesus Christ we discussed in the previous post Golden Reed," according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17) The temple of God can only be measured by the risen Christ which has a spiritual body,- that is an angel signifying the world of the Spirit and the other the measure of the Son of man. Without abiding in him we do not fit neither here nor there.
We shall refer the vision of Zechariah,
Two Olive Trees
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."(v.4)
Key to understand these olive trees we need go back to the Book of Zechariah and the inaugural vision of St John. Iconography employed by the Spirit in the vision of John and of Zechariah is similar but their significance is vastly different. While the risen Christ was shown in the midst of Seven Golden Candlesticks (Re.1:12-13) its intended message was for the church per se. Whereas the vision of Zechariah was to instruct believer of the eternal Will of God in terms of his heart which is what the central stem of the Lamp stand instructs us.
Heart of man serves as a sanctuary. It was solid gold, the royal highway in one sense taking the heart to the throne of heaven where seven lamps represent God a Spirit.(Re.4:5b) "And behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:" (Ze.4:2)
What is one SAVED from?
DEATH
You cannot be saved from DEATH until God sends his angles to HARVEST the SEED.
ONLY mature SEED are harvested, immature SEED are scattered to the wind as is chaff.
Fruit produces SEED, the fruit never look like the SEED, the SEED always looks like the SEED that was planted.
Luke 11:8 Now the PARABLE is this: the SEED is the word of God.
John 1:14 ..... and the word (SEED) was made flesh.
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ (the SEED) was once offered for the sins of many; and unto them that look for him (TRUTH, Christ is truth) he (the SEED) shall APPEAR the SECOND TIME.
Matthew 24:30 Then SHALL APPEAR the sign (the image oft he SEED) of the son of man in heaven (IN YOU).... the son of man COMING in the CLOUDS of heaven (IN YOU).
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ in YOU ......
Matthew 12:28 But if I CAST OUT DEVILS by the Spirit (TRUTH) of God; then the Kingdom of God has COME TO YOU.
God Bless YOU!
Yet the command is found yet again in Colossians 3:18 (KJV) 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
2 Peter 3:16 (KJV) 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Yes, twisting scripture to their own destruction...
Walk in Wisdom
Ephesians 5:15-21 (KJV) 16 through verse 21(periscope) verse 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Marriage--Christ and the Church
Ephesians 5:22-28 (KJV)
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself."
We cannot say Satan made me do it, we are responsible if we sin.
What is death? Is it just the body that dies and our conscious soul, lives on somewhere outside the body? This started when the serpent said to Eve, Ye shall not surely die, you will be as gods. Most pagan religions have an afterlife where the soul lives forever. In the Bible, the OT is the word Sheol meaning the grave and death was sleep with no knowledge or consciousness, nowhere is the immortal soul in the Bible.
When Adam and Eve sinned, they were taken out of the garden and forbidden eternal life/immortality from the Tree of Life, Gen. 3:24. When the OT was translated into Greek Sheol became Hades with the Greek meaning that came with it, and in English, it's Hell with the same Greek meaning, the soul separates from the body and the conscious souls goes to a place of the dead. Many believe there is either eternal life with Jesus or eternal damnation in Hell/lake of fire where they will be tormented for eternity.
If we say our soul is immortal, we are saying we are gods because we cannot die. But the Bible says without the gift of eternal life given to us in the resurrection we will die the second death, we will perish, be destroyed forever to be no more. Romans 6:23 Psalms 37:10-13 Psalms 92:7 Proverbs 10:25, 29 John 3:16 2 Peter 2:10-12, they are mortal and will perish.
The unrighteous will be destroyed/perish, they will have their part in the lake of fire, Rev. 21:8. Their death is forever, not forever in torment. When we die our destiny is fixed, there is not a second chance after death. This adoption of the Greek philosophy of the immortal soul and Hades fogs our understanding, it plugs our ears that are to hear.
I could say more but I will leave it here, I hope you will study for the truth. We should empty our minds in prayer where we are open to the truth given by the Spirit of Truth, not led by the traditions of men, Colossians 2:8.
RLW
Thanks for your explanation of 'abrogation' Daruled. Though I understand what you're writing, I still can't see how if 'you don't believe in it' (i.e. in this instance by my use of it), yet I can still "use it correctly". Therefore, Matthew 5:18 as you quoted, is of no problem to me as I read that Jesus was born "under the Law ( Galatians 4:4), to redeem them that were under the law" ( Galatians 4:5). He came as a Jew, abiding by the Laws & all the ceremonial requirements, as the Old Covenant was still in force. And as He said, "I am not come to destroy (the Law), but to fulfil"; His purpose was not to remove the Law but to fulfil its demands perfectly (and so He did in His Life & in His Death). He could not be accused to have broken any Law, even though the religious leaders had much to accuse Him of according to their interpretations & inclusions within the Law. They might even have thought of this Man, with this new teaching, as an opponent to 'their brand' of Laws & thus undermining their hypocritical regime. But Jesus said that the true Law's destruction wasn't His purpose of coming.
But when the Work at the Cross was fully accomplished, the Law that once only led to death giving no hope, was nailed to the Cross ( Colossians 2:14), thus bringing an end to both it & the Old Covenant under which it was enshrined. To Page 2.
you quoted:
matthew 10:23 .... ye (those 12 disciples) shall not have gone over the cities of israel, til the son of man be come.
christ came the second time when god raised him from the dead, we became joint-heirs, we are the body of christ.
christ came; the second time, in the clouds of heaven, the new creation.
colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ...... christ in you .......
john 17:22 and the glory that thou has give me, i have given them, that they may be one, as we are one.
the gospel is believing what god has done for man.
psalms 107:8 o that man would praise the god of his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of man.
god bless you!
Verse one states:
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
This verse shows much like Matthew 24:36 that some things apparently are still appropriated by the Father; at least in regard to the timing of events in the future and the day and hour they begin. Admittedly; this is a mystery as Christ is fully God and fully man but we can learn the Godhead and how the Son does nothing apart from the Father here at the very least ( John 5:19). Indeed that verse says the Son can do NOTHING of Himself; which could have been particularly true during His earthly ministry.
Nonetheless we see that death could not overcome Him ( Acts 2:24). God exalted Him as High Priest and King and gave Him all authority in heaven and earth positionally ( Matt. 28:18); restoring the position which He no doubt had since He was the One who created all things ( Colossians 1:16).
verse 3 states Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. It reminds us of the verse in Revelation 22:12 where He states that He comes quickly; and the delay of the church age can be seen in the verse Habakkuk 2:3 where it says although it tarries wait for it and the original language shows that it will surely come in its time and not delay. There is a crown; in fact for those who patiently wait for it; we are warned against losing our crown in Revelation 3:10. See also 2 Timothy 4:8 and Malachi 3:16.
The subsequent chapters show what happens when one casts aside their first love (with the Ephesian church); and other churches as to false doctrines. Since only God knows when the Rapture and subsequent Tribulation begins; any attempt for Satan to bring it forth sooner will fail so many will not believe it when it truly comes.
You wrote "Yes it is the 4th Commandment. Regarding the Sabbath scripturally, this is directly from God."
There are several scriptures here that do not lend support to your position regarding Christians having to maintain the Sabbath. Not to mention the entire book of Galatians weighing in on the law.
Colossians 2:16 (KJV) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
2 Corinthians 3:7-11 (AMP)
7 Now if the dispensation of death engraved in letters on stone [the ministration of the Law], was inaugurated with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its brilliance, [a glory] that was to fade and pass away,
8 Why should not the dispensation of the Spirit [this spiritual ministry whose task it is to cause men to obtain and be governed by the Holy Spirit] be attended with much greater and more splendid glory?
9 For if the service that condemns [the ministration of doom] had glory, how infinitely more abounding in splendor and glory must be the service that makes righteous [the ministry that produces and fosters righteous living and right standing with God]!
10Indeed, in view of this fact, what once had splendor [the glory of the Law in the face of Moses] has come to have no splendor at all, because of the overwhelming glory that exceeds and excels it [the glory of the Gospel in the face of Jesus Christ].
11 For if that which was but passing and fading away came with splendor, how much more must that which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!
Also, Romans 8:1-4 (KJV)
The book of Galatians addressed this legalism, and one might conclude that Paul defeated the teachers of legalism so effectively that the issue would never trouble the church again. History and experience prove otherwise! Legalism has become so important a part of Christendom that most people believe that it actually belongs.
Let's examine them one at a time. In regards to 1 John 2:4
Those who understand "knowing" in reference to salvation insist that assurance of salvation comes by obeying either the Old Testament laws or the commands of Christ in the New Testament. Those of the Reformed covenant persuasion generally see commandments as referring to the Ten Commandments, which they believe are still binding on believers as a rule of life. Interestingly, the word translated commandments is not the Greek nomos, which John reserves for the Mosaic Law. It is rather entole, meaning order, command, or change. Dispensationalists, on the other hand, do not believe the Law of Moses is binding upon believers today as a rule of life, as the way by which God deals with His people ( 2Co 3:7-11; Heb 7:11-14).*[For a full discussion of the contrasts between covenantism and dispensationalism, see Renald E. Showers, There Really Is a Difference (Bellmawr, NJ "Twenty-First Century Biblical Commentary". Marion, IA: Laridian, Inc., 2021.
All Scripture including all of Paul's letters to the churches are inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit and Jesus do not contradict each other. Paul wrote in Colossians 2:16 (KJV) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Hence why majority of Christians do not believe the Law of Moses is binding upon believers today as a rule of life, as the way by which God deals with His people ( 2Co 3:7-11; Heb 7:11-14).
Colossians 2:16 (KJV) 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Please refer to my respond to Chris re Heb 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
On your statements regarding the Wrath of God and the nature of Christ's Atonement, I must disagree.
I would encourage you to carefully read Isaiah 53, the entire chapter.
And also consider these verses:
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
2 Corinthians 5:21 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.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Colossians 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
So if God has "saved" us, it means that Christ, eternal God Himself, had taken upon Himself every dirty rotten sin that we have committed or ever will commit, and has paid the full penalty for those sins, the Wrath of God, Eternal Death, which we rightly deserve, required by the Law of God, as our substitute. And He has freed us from Bondage to Sin and Satan, and has raised us from Spiritual Death and given us Eternal Life. And will at the Last Day, complete our Salvation by giving us our Resurrected Spiritual Body ( 1 Corinthians 15) in which we will live and reign with Christ as joint inheritors with Christ of the New Heavens and New Earth for ever more.
Praise God for so great Salvation!
I'm with you, I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God given to us. A reason we differ, preconceived ideas are obstacles to the truth. We all grow up in cultures where we inherit certain biased beliefs, values, and attitudes from our parents, teachers, religious affiliation, peer groups, and friends. When we study the Bible unless we can clear these obstacles, and beliefs when we read our sub-conscience mind will block the true meaning with the ones we have stored in our mind.
We must empty our minds as we know nothing, take out the garbage, pray, and let the Spirit of Truth show us the true meaning of what we are studying. We must keep in mind we get milk first and then meat and it can be years between.
I also believe in one God and Father of all, who is the God and Father of Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah/Christ.
John 20:17 Romans 15:6 2 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 11:31 Ephesians 1:3 Ephesians 1:17 Ephesians 5:20 Colossians 1:3 1 Peter 1:3 1 Corinthians 8:6.
God bless,
RLW
Recognizing that God is generous to you is acknowledging God and his presensence in you: YOUR HIS BODY. His word says he causes you to do his pleasure; therefore, you are not acting irresponsible with his generosity, but are acting according to his will.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that WORKETH in you, both TO WILL and TO DO of his good pleasure.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL put my spirit IN YOU and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my JUDGEMENTS and DO THEM.
Colossians 1:27 .....THIS MYSTERY ..... CHRIST IN YOU ......
You DIED with Christ on the cross, ONLY Christ arose; and you as a joint heir, with Christ of that resurrection, A NEW CREATION.
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (YOU, Jema) DIE anymore, for they (YOU, Jema) are equal unto the angels, and are the children of God, being the CHILDREN (YOU, Jema) of the RESURRECTION.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he (YOU, Jema) that hath part in the FIRST (you and Christ) RESURRECTION ......
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of God (TRUTH) CANNOT COMMIT SIN; for his seed (the anointing) remaineth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God (TRUTH).
The wages of sin is DEATH: you DIED on the cross, the life IN YOU is CHRIST, your the BODY of CHRIST.
BELIEVE, Christ is CAUSING you to do HIS WILL, for his good pleasure, you ARE NOT irresponsible, but walking in the WILL of God.
God Bless you
Then what about Abraham? Abraham was dead & buried, how could he being dead rejoice to see Jesus' Day, this is the Day of Jesus' Coming? This wasn't a situation of (the Genesis) Abraham knowing about Jesus & waiting patiently with joy, for Jesus' Sacrifice & Redemption. This dialogue with the Jews was to show that Abraham was alive in Hades all this time, but NOW rejoicing to see the Messiah finally come (in Jesus' Day) Who would give full atonement to him & all others waiting in hope.
Yes, Abraham, as those many others, 'who looked for a heavenly city', expected it (in faith) & died (in faith), "not having received the promises, but seeing them afar off" ( Hebrews 11:13,16). Their faith/faithfulness to God was vibrant even to this point in their death & confinement in Hades, but until the Atonement was completed at Calvary, they remained in limbo, waiting, in expectation of the promised eternal rest that awaited them, to have Christ's Blood applied to them as well.
Now the Gospel was complete for them (what they once knew imperfectly); the eternal Rest they longed for was now realized in Christ Jesus, in Whose Blood there is Peace with God ( Colossians 1:20) & eternal Rest in Christ ( Hebrews 4:9). GBU.
III. THE HISTORY OF COLOSSAE:
Colossae was a city of Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia. It was about 90 miles east of Ephesus. Colossae was in the Lycus Valley along with Laodicea and Hierapolis. The population of Colossae was mostly Gentile but had a large number of Jewish population.
The church at Colossae began during Paul's three-year ministry at Ephesus (Acts Chapter 19). Paul didn't start the church in Colossae, but he spent three years in Ephesus. And you can see why. There was a tremendous amount of ministry going on there. During this three-year period, a man by the name of Epaphras was saved while visiting Ephesus.
The Church at Colossae was established by Epaphras, not Paul ( Colossians 1:5-7). So Epaphras came from Colossae into Ephesus, met Paul, heard him preach, and received Christ. Epaphras goes back to Colossae, and he establishes the church there, not Paul.
Several years after the Colossians church was founded, dangerous heresies began to circulate in it. Epaphras was so concerned about these heresies that he made the long journey from Colossae to Rome were Paul was a prisoner ( Colossians 4:12-13).
IV. THE THEME OF PHILEMON:
The portrayal of the Gospel expressed between Paul and Philemon over Philemon's slave Onesimus.
V. DELIVERED BY:
Philemon was delivered with Colossians and Ephesians by Tychicus who was accompanied by Onesimus ( Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8). Epaphras remained behind in Rome ( Philemon 23). So Epaphras was there with Paul. He didn't go back with the letters. He stayed with Paul. Very interesting!
Philemon is on the end of Paul's writings. Philemon is part of a four-book set. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon are a set of books known as the prison epistles, or prison letters, because they were written by Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome.
And Philemon is separated from them and on the end because the arrangement of Paul's letters put the letters to the churches first, and then letters to individuals last. So, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon have their letters at the end. But Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians all traveled together by Tychicus and Onesimus.
Philemon is the name of a man that lives in Colossae.
I. ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Paul and Timothy. Paul's inscription is on all thirteen of his letters.
II. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
Philemon was written to a Christian businessman by the name of Philemon who was living in the city of Colossae. And Paul wrote to Philemon concerning his run-away slave Onesimus.
Philemon was written at the same time as Colossians.
Both Philemon and Colossians are two of four epistles or letters known as the Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Both were written around 63 A.D. while Paul was under house arrest in Rome for two years ( Acts 28:16-31).
Timothy, Aristarchus, Archippus, Mark, Epaphras, Luke, Onesimus, and Demas all appear in both letters demonstrating Colossians and Philemon were written by the same author at the same time.
And so, Timothy was considered Jewish. And in case some of the Hebrew and Jewish people would hear that he's Jewish as he's traveling and wanted to corner him and pin him down as to whether he's been circumcised, and whether he's been through the synagogue ceremonies, Paul had him circumcised so that he would be free to preach the gospel in the synagogues.
Timothy was ordained by Paul and the Presbytery ( I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6).
He accompanies Paul on his third missionary trip ( Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4; II Corinthians 1:1, 19).
Timothy ministered in at least five churches as Paul's representative. He sent Timothy to:
1) Thessalonica ( I Thessalonians 3:2, 6).
2) Corinth ( I Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; II Corinthians 1:19).
3) Philippi ( Philippians 2:19-23).
4) Berea ( Acts 17:14).
5) Ephesus ( I Timothy 1:3).
Timothy was with Paul during Paul's first imprisonment ( Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1:1) and went to Philippi after Paul's release ( Philippians 2:19-23).
After Paul's release from his first imprisonment ( Acts 28:30), he revisited several cities leaving Timothy at Ephesus.
Paul went on to Macedonia from where he wrote Timothy this letter ( I Timothy 3:14-15).
Timothy was around 35-years of age when Paul wrote I Timothy.
Paul was arrested in Troas and taken to Rome and imprisoned for the second and last time.
Timothy also suffered imprisonment ( Hebrews 13:23).
For every believer, Paul fought for their minds, that their minds would be taken captive by Christ, and that their minds would be in obedience of Christ, and not following some false teaching.
Paul knowing that if you learn his gospel, that you would be learning the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will not contradict anything Jesus said. In fact, it would give more meaning and depth to it when we go into the teaching section.
All of Paul's letters (Romans to Philemon) are arranged according to 2 Timothy 3:16, that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine (the book of Romans), for reproof (which would be 1st and 2nd Corinthians), for correction (the book of Galatians), and for instruction in righteousness (and that's Ephesians through Philemon).
Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians are known as the prison epistles written by Paul when he was in prison, along with Philemon, the last letter.
So, there's a collection of four. The first three and the last one go together. And the reason why Philemon is on the end is because the personal letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon are put at the end of Paul's letters, and the church epistles, and the church letters are put at the front.
But just for your understanding, Philemon goes with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. And then we have 1st and 2nd Thessalonians.
And then we have 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. I just shared with you 1 Timothy, and I am giving you 2 Timothy right now. These three (1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus) are known as pastoral epistles, Paul writing to Timothy and Titus who he put in charge of other churches. Titus was on the island of Crete.
And Timothy of course is the one who followed in Paul's footsteps. He took over for Paul after Paul's death. Paul trained him for over 20 years as he followed and went with Paul on his journeys.
As I pointed out in another comment, we must be extremely careful when talking about the God Head, as our finite minds cannot fully grasp the Nature of Infinite God. We read the Bible and accept what we read by faith without attempting to go beyond that. And there is no question that Jesus, the Lord Jesus Christ, was and is Eternal God Himself.
I am a bit shocked by you statement. And that is absolutely not what the Bible teaches. In the first place if Jesus was not God, He could not have paid for the sins of anyone by enduring the Wrath of God, eternal death required by the Law of God and then have risen again.
Here are just a couple of verses that militate against what you are suggesting:
Speaking of Jesus, we read in Colossians 2:8,9 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. FOR IN HIM DWELLETH ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY.
And then in John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
And there are others, like John 1:1-5.
Now you do make a very interesting point about Jesus being called the "SON" of God, and "BEGOTTEN" of the Father. There is no question that Christ existed from Eternity past as Eternal God Himself and will continue to exist throughout Eternity future as Eternal God Himself. But it is fair to ask the question, When did Christ "become" the Son of God? Because the word "Begotten" signifies a "beginning". I submit that Christ became the Son of God when He rose from the Dead. But Jesus is referred to as the Son of God even before going to the Cross here on earth. Without getting into a detailed discussion, I think the case can be made that Christ was, very literally, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" Rev13:8.
To be continued