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The author of these articles and features quotes verses from the King James Version. We have a Greek to English dictionary that is a work in progress. Please use it whenever you have a question about the meaning of a word, it can be of great assistance to you.
We investigate the Bible's original text, examine the Greek and Hebrew, the context, symbols and terminologies. We will continue to make every effort to aid readers to grow in their individual faith. We will also make every effort to assist, and to support those who have vowed to honor our Lord Jesus Christ, and His finished work.
Think on this.
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Part 3, part 2-1 follow.
Were the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke written for the Jews?
The Jews were given an earthly promise, this found in the Abrahamic, and Davidic covenants. The church was given a heavenly promise.
The Gospel of the kingdom (earthly promises) was preached to the Jews, in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. There was no mention of the cross to the Jews during Christ's ministery. And never was salvation by faith (Gentiles gospel) taught to the Jews.
In the three gospels only the phrase, "Gospel of the kingdom," is taught by Jesus, and the apostles to the Jews. The Jews, and not the Gentiles were waiting for their King, so the kingdom of God would come in.
In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, grace is never mentioned to the Jews except that in Luke 2:40, which speaks of Jesus Chirst as a child. "The grace of God was upon Him (Jesus.)"
In my first post on the subject, I asked the question, "Are the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke written for the Jews? I left out John for a reason.
John 3:16-17, "For God (the Father) so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
The plain and literal sense of these passages as well as of the whole context is, the whole of mankind, including both Jews and Gentiles without any exception of individuals, were/are in a state of total ruin. The whole of the human race was about to perish and be condemned to an everlasting punishment. But the power of deliverance did come from the Father who gave His Son for the rescue and salvation of all men, both Jew and Gentile
In this verse we can understand that all who believe what the Father has spoken through His Holy Spirit concerning Jesus Christ; and to those who believe by faith in his glorious work of redemption, shall be exempted from eternal perdition, and come to an eternal glory.
He came to His own, and His own received Him not. We can find another hint of salvation coming to the whole of the human-race in Matt.23:11. Salvation was to come to all men, both Jew and Gentile. Jesus is said, "To come to save that which was lost," the Greek here for "lost," is not to be restricted to any one group, but is to be understood in the universal sense.
The Holy Spirit did leave us bits and pieces for to examine concerning the Gentiles being brought into the sheep-fold.
Phil LaSpino
Part 2, part 1 follows.
The apostles were sent to the Jews, and remained for the most part in the land of Israel. Paul on the other hand was sent to the Gentiles. Some 20 years passed before Peter even realized the Gentiles had been adopted into the Jewish promises. Some of the apostles did teach in other countries, but according to Jesus command for them to go to the Jews only, they probably went to the Jews that had dispersed.
Gal.2:7, Paul writes, "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision (Gentiles) was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision (Jews) was unto Peter."
"Rom.11:13, Paul writes, "I am the apostle of the Gentiles."
1 Cor.9:2, Paul writes to the Gentile church at Corinth, "If I be not an apostle unto other, yet doubtless I am to you (the Corinthians, a Gentile church.)" Just the fact that this Gentile church existed was a tribute to Paul's apostleship.
1 Tim.2:7, Paul writes, "I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."
2 Tim.1:11, "Whereunto I (Paul) am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."
Gal.2:2, "I (Paul) went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preached among the Gentiles."
Question, Why was Jesus so adamant that the apostles were to go to the Jews only, and they were remain in the land of Israel?
And why was Paul told to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles? Was there a difference in the gospels they taught?
Phil LaSpino
Part 1.
Some believe the Gentiles in the days of Jesus ministry on earth, were included in the teaching of the three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. I say no. Following, are my reasons.
We must keep in mind, Paul was not involved anywhere in the three gospels. He came on the scene later. So to whom had Jesus Christ come?
A woman came to Jesus and said, "O Lord thou son to David; my daughter is grievously vexed (possessed) with a devil.
Jesus responds, Matt.15:24, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep (Jews) of the house of Israel (the Jews.)"
There is no doubt to who Jesus came. By Divine appointment, Jesus came to preach the good news of the gospel to the Jews only. His ministry was an earthly ministry. He continued to respond to the woman's request,
Matt.15:26, It is not meet (good) to take the children's (Jews) bread, and to cast it to dogs (meaning Gentiles.)"
Yet in His mercy, and because of this woman's faith, her daughter was healed.
Matt.10:5-6, "These twelve (apostles) Jesus sent forth, and commanded them saying, Go NOT into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
The land of Samaria lay between Judaea and Galilee, so the Jews could not avoid going through Samaria. But Jesus instructed them not to go into any of their cities. This restriction was upon the apostles only in their first mission, but after, some 20 years later, they went into all the world, and to all nations.
The first offer of salvation was to the Jews. Until Christ death, there stood a wall of separation between the Jews and Gentiles.
The middle wall of partition, representing the law of the Jews, had divided the Jews from the Gentiles. But there was another stone wall that separated the court of the Gentiles from the holy place. For a Gentile to cross over was death.
After Jesus death, and after the Holy Spirit had been sent on Pentecost, both walls had been removed. Jesus our High Priest gave all believers a way to the Holy place in heaven, and the separation between Jew and Gentile had been abolished.
Eph.2:14, "For He (Jesus) is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition (division) between us (Jew, and Gentile.)"
Here is one of the differences between the gospels to the Jews in Matt. Mark, and Luke, that differ with Paul's gospel. The Jews were not lost sheep, in the same sense
all sinners are. They were in the fold of God, and strayed; Gentiles had never been brought into the sheep-fold of the good Shepherd.
Isa.53:6, "All we (Jews) like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way."
1 Pet.2:25, "For ye (Jews) were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd (Jesus) and Bishop (Overseer) of your souls."
We will discuss Paul's being sent to the Gentiles.
Phil LaSpino
I have been a Christian only for the last half of my life. Some 30 years ago I became interested. Where am I now? I profess only Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I serve Him, and Him alone.
Raised and baptized Catholic, married, having baptized my children as Catholics. BUT, up to the age of 30, I had never read a Bible, nor had I ever studied a Bible. But I did believe in God. Had no real knowledge of Him, but I did believe in Him.
After life had knock me on the seat of my pants, not so much financially, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. When I was about 40 then, I told myself, "son, you need more than what you think you need, or want, something is missing." Small things began to point me in the direction of the Bible; something I may have heard on the radio; or a small pamphlet I read; or at times a few Christian horsemen talking at the racetrack. Let me reveal my environment at the time this began.
I was divorced, I was a professional harness racing trainer, and driver, running a public stable. Had a new girl-friend every week, was drinking moderately, gambled, but never smoked, or did drugs. I had started collecting books about the age of 25. Had collected some 4000 books when I left my wife. Sold 90% of them, all the others, I stored at my friends home. I had no idea what books had not been sold, or what remained.
What was left?
Most of the 400 that remained in my collection were Hebrew, Greek Lexicons, Commentaries on the Bible, English dictionaries, etc. most pre-dated 1850. I found a little humor in the fact, when I sold off my collection, and no-one wanted these. A question I often ask myself, "Did God have his hand in this?" I can look back 29 years later, and say, "Yes."
My first introduction to religion was the Jehovah Witnesses. The reason is, my whole immediate family had gone from Catholic to Jehovah Witnesses. Let me brush past this: I never became one. Why? I am an inquisitive person, always asking questions.
I had considered joining them, but before I did, I went to the library and checked out several books on the history of the Jehovah Witnesses; studying their founder, Taze Russel, and including what they had done up to about 1980. Didn't like what I read. So I needed to have another door opened for me.
One day I decided to take everything I could find that had any information concerning Jesus Christ; a Bibles, Greek, Hebrew, and English dictionaries, even had some books on Critical studies in the Scriptures published 1823. I then locked myself down for 1 year until I knew the who, why, where, and what of Jesus Christ; this is all I studied. Then I spent the next year studying the Holy Spirit. Now I knew who God was, who my teacher was to be, and why I was to become a Christian.
My point; We all have a tendency to be influenced by others in one way or another. Sometimes its because of personalities, appearance of sincerity, supposed knowledge, a hug, a word, or what-ever. But most of these come from insincere good salesman, they working for an organization; and many selling a defective product.
Buying and selling horses for 28 years taught me about these people. Life has taught me that most people are not as honest, and sincere as they appear to be. To me, most Lawyers, Politicians, and religious leaders fall into this category. It seems they have a problem with the truth, or they themselves have been sold a bill of good, having come to believe it.
I have found a great deal of dishonesty in the so called Christian community. I found it safer to check out everything there is to be checked out, rather them believe everything they teach, or say. We need to be careful; our eternal soul, and the souls of others are at stake. Who can we trust? Being I know Jesus, and understood the work of the Holy Spirit, and my own motives, I started on my journey, as you should also.
Using the Bible alone, that is except for some good Greek, Hebrew, and English dictionaries to give me an understanding of words as they were meant when the Scriptures were written; and maybe 4 or 5 commentaries, some old, some new; used only to compare what I was reading in the Bible, to how others have understood these particulars.
Any outside sources such as in the Watch Towers, book of Mormon, Koran, Zen, Scientology, etc. are not to be used. No influence peddlers, no Jim Jones, David Korish's, or Applewhite's.
I don't know any of you, but I am sure you are all intelligent, willing to debate, and discuss issues. You should always answer directly any, and all questions, and hopefully can think for yourselves. I guarantee you, if you go into a study like I did, using the Scriptures alone as your foundation, trusting God, using your common sense, and listen with your heart, you will come to an understanding very similar to mine.
I have met people that I had never studied with, nor did we even read the same books. One thing we had in common, we used the Scriptures as the foundation. And we agreed on the most basic, fundamental rudiments, and principles of the Scripture. This told me, there is only one teacher, that being the Holy Spirit.
Compare this to the Jehovah Witnesses, or even the Mormons. Without using their printed material, there is no way anyone could draw the same conclusions they have drawn, "NONE."
For example, lets say the Bible is your foundation, and you are not going to use and outside source. Lets take Rev.22:18-19. I know Mormons use the K.J.B. as I do also. Read these two verses, and ask yourself, "How does using the Book of Mormon not give the idea of a head on collision with what the Bible instructs us to do, or not do?"
Some will say, "Oh that not what that verse means," or, "What we are telling you is a new revelations," or "that's their opinions," etc. What they are really telling you is, "Your not smart enough to understand this on your own, let us explain it to you.
Now the hook has been baited, and the fish is about to be caught. Trust the Scriptures, trust God, and trust common sense, and the Scriptures will speak to you.
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com
A reader wrote, "Christianity is a faith based religion."
Phil replies, "I hope you agree that most all religions are faith based. But so is science in many ways. Most of what science knows about space, to the working of the brain, D.N.A., all has some science involved, but also speculation, and theory are involved. Why? In order for anything to be science, it has to be investigated under laboratory conditions, and many things cannot pass that test.
But faith is what is under discussion here. Faith is a necessary thing in order to survive. When I get on a plane, I have to have faith in the pilot that is flying the aircraft. When I go into a restaurant, I need faith the chef isn't going to poison me. We need faith in the people we work for, faith that they will have a job for us tomorrow, and in the future, and a paycheck at the end of each week. So I guess your point is correct that Christianity is faith based, as is most every other thing we do, or are involved with."
Reader wrote, "So you choose to believe that God exists?"
Phil replies, "Yes that's true. The way I see it, I would need more faith to believe that He doesn't exist." I will rest my case on, "First cause."
Reader asked, "Faith means you choose to believe in God without proof."
Phil replies, "There are so many parts to your question in order to get the whole picture. What specific part are we to consider? The creation? The Biblical evidence of foreknowledge? That Jesus was who He said He was? Of life and death? The cause and reasons for these things have been proven in the Biblical record. Its funny how the more knowledgeable scientists get, the more they prove there has to be a God.
Lets move on. If I were to take your questions to a court of law, what evidence would have to be produced in order to draw a proper conclusion to prove God exists? Material evidence? Eye witnesses? Recorded history? What?
Reader wrote, "If indisputable proof, the type that makes most everyone agree concerning its conclusions, for or against God's existence, several things would happen:
Faith would become knowledge, rendering salvation null and void.
When you have this knowledge of God, you would no longer have a choice to believe. There is that risk of angering God, scenario (the fact that he exists, therefore we are expected to Worship). With the opposing view: God does not exist so any worship is pointless."
Phil replies, "Let me tackle #1 first. Many people over the centuries have had Biblical knowledge, and have chosen to leave the faith. These people have become the greatest adversaries to Jesus Christ. Hitler, Stalin, Voltair, and many others. If these enemies of the Cross had absolutely no knowledge of the Scriptures, or of Jesus Christ, they would have no reason to be God's enemies, would they?
But with that said, without knowledge, how can you love anything without knowing anything about that person? Who are they? What's their background? How do they think, what do they expect? Blind love can be dangerous, don't you agree? So knowledge is an essential criteria for having faith, or to rejecting the faith of Jesus Christ.
Reader wrote, "In the end, no proof of his existence, or nonexistence is currently available, hopefully this will end all arguments."
Phil replies, "Now this is the first thing you said that puzzles me. All I can say is look at the making of a child from conception to birth. Or at the structure of D.N.A. the universe itself. Every aspect from gravity, to the magnetic field, to the pull of the sun on our earth, to the moons pull on our tides, and the millions of other finely tuned laws of physics that have been put in place so life can exist as we know it. If one, just one of these laws did not exist, I would not be writing this to you.
To deny this would be like examining a watch and making the statement, "This timepiece designed, and put itself together. Examine a cruise liner, a car, train, or bridge, then claim they had no designer, no engineers, no workmen, nobody; because they came together by chance. We both know there had to be a designer, even a simple thing like a pair of shoes needs a craftsman."
Reader wrote, "Believe, or don't believe it your choice. It's that simple."
Phil replies, "I have been sort of an investor most of my life. A smart investor will gather as much information as possible, weight what he has learned, and then put down his cash.
Well salvation is about the same. Gather knowledge, weight your evidence, and then stake your life on it, because you will be doing just that, and that's every individual's choice."
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com
Web-sites I would recommend.
Christian forums
www.lesfeldick.org
www.biblediscovertv.com
www.ligonier.org
www.backtothebible.org
www.gty.org
Previous Editions Of Think On This
RECENT REVISIONS TO GREEK DICTIONARY
Please make use of the Greek Dictionary as you study God's Word. On this website you will also find additional resources including articles and features to help you understand and study the Scriptures. There are Biblically rooted articles concerning various topics such as Christian Fundamentals, the Old and New Testaments, end time prophesy and so much more to give you additional information as you go through God's Word.
sincerely,
Phillip LaSpino
McCalla, Alabama
Greek Dictionary - Biblical Terminology - Biblical Symbols - How to Study the Bible
Biblical End Time Prophesy - Strong's Concordance
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