Bible Questions Answered: Confession To Whom

Bible Questions Answered:
Who should we confess sins to?
Duran L./ Emerald, Queens Land, Australia

Bible Answers:

Ezra, a priest, said who confession should be made to!

Ezra 10:11 KJV “Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do His pleasure:...”

The Apostle Peter, if alive today, would do what he did when on earth....Peter did his confessing ....to the Lord!

Luke 5:8 KJV “When Simon Peter saw it (the Multitude of fish caught in the nets), he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying (confessing), Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”

John wrote...

I John 1:9 KJV
“If we confess our sins (to the Lord Jesus Christ), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Who should we confess our sins to? The Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalms 32:5 KJV
The Psalmist David said....
“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.”

When we are in need and we pray and ask God for help, He hears us!

I John 5:14,15 KJV
14 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us:
15 And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

Well, where does God go, when we go from praying for needs (which we can do for ourselves), to confession of sin, does He leave town?

If this sounds ludicrous, the plain fact is, that is exactly what many think!

Daniel said...
Daniel 9:4 KJV “ And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession,...”

Do we need an earthly go-between (an intermediary), between us and the Lord in the confession of sins?
We surely don't when we petition the Lord in prayer for our needs!

I Chronicles 4:9,10 NLT
9 There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers...
10 He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!" And God granted him his request.

We have a Heavenly Intermediary!

I Timothy 2:5 KJV
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

How many? One, just one, our High Priest the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 14:14-16 KJV
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Eternal High Priest:
Hebrews 6:20 NLT
“Jesus ...has become our eternal High Priest...”

Sinless High Priest:
Hebrews 7:26 KJV
“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;”

Exalted High Priest:
Hebrews 8:1 KJV
“... We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;”

THE LORD'S PRAYER:
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
[9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
[10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
[11] Give us this day our daily bread.
[12] And forgive us our debts (sins), as we forgive our debtors (those who have sinned against us.).
[13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The Lord Jesus taught us this prayer....and who did He say we were to confess our sins to?
“Our Father which art in heaven...”

Bible Questions Answered: Vicar, Bishop, Elder, Pastor

Bible Questions Answered:
What is the difference in all of these titles, from the New Testament?
Elder, Bishop, Pastor, Vicar.
Shelby N./ L eicester, U.K.

Bible Answers:
Three of these titles appear in the Word of God, the fourth does not.

Elder: Elder, or old man.

Luke 22:66 KJV (Greek- Presbuterion: The order of elders. The Presbytery.
“And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led Him into their council,...”

Acts 22:5 KJV (Greek-Presbuteros: A senior; member of the council, or presbyter.)
“As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren,...”

Bishop

I Timothy 3:1,2 KJV
[1] This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

(Greek-Episkope: The office of a Bishop, superintendence; Episkeptomai: To go to see, visitation.)

[2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

(Greek-Episkopos: A superintendent, in general charge of a church, overseer.)

Pastor:

Ephesians 4:11 KJV
“And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

(Greek-Poimen: A shepherd.) To, feed, guide and protect the sheep.

Vicar:/ Full Vicar:

Websters New World Dictionary: A person who acts in the place on another.
Roman Catholic Church: The Pope, full Vicar. A full representative of Christ. A person who acts in place of another; substitute.

Should anyone purport to take the place of Christ?
No!

Is Christ dead, and in the tomb?
No!

And because He is not dead and hanging on a cross today, no one need attempt to take His place, or to sacrifice Him again and again on a cross!

Hebrews 9:24-26 NLT
24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf.
25 And He did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal.
26 If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began.
But now, once for all time, He has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by His own death as a sacrifice.

I Peter 3:18 KJV
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 7:17,24-26 KJV
[17] ...Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
[24] But this man (Jesus Christ), because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
[25] Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
[26] For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Hebrews 13:5 KJV
“...He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Does anyone need to take His place? No!

He is a High Priest forever, He continueth forever, with and unchangeable Priesthood. He ever liveth to make intercession for His people!

I Peter 5:1-5 NLT
1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in His glory when He is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:
2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
3 Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for God opposes the proud but favors the humble.

Bible Questions Answered: Transubstantiation

Bible Questions Answered:
In the Eucharist, who's power, (the Holy Spirit's ?) turns the articles into the actual flesh and blood of Christ?
Thelene C. / White Plains, New York

Bible Answers:
The belief of “Transubstantiation,” is not taught in the Word of God.

Transubstantiation: To change from one substance to another.
The only time our Lord, ever did anything approaching this was at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1-11), when He changed the water into wine.

Matthew 26:26-28 KJV
[26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
[27] And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
[28] For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Mark 14:22-24 KJV
[22] And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
[23] And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
[24] And He said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Luke 22:17-20 KJV
17] And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
[18] For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
[19] And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

I Corinthians 11:23-26 KJV
[23] For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:
[24] And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[25] After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
[26] For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come.

In reading these verses from Matthew, Mark and Luke, we realize that, Christ was anything but dead!

Because He was not dead, there is no way, the bread could have been His flesh, nor the wine His blood.

Christ was alive and sharing this Last Supper with His Disciples.

Well, what is the answer then?

Luke 22:19 KJV “...this do in remembrance of me.

I Corinthians 11:24,25 KJV
“...this do in remembrance of me.”

“... in remembrance of me.”

Jesus said the Last Supper was to be a symbol of remembrance of His soon to be broken body, and shed blood.

Luke 22:19 KJV “...my body which is given for you:...”

Luke 22:20 KJV “...my blood, which is shed for you.”

When we look at a photograph of our children, or grandchildren, we say, there is my grand-son, my grand-daughter.

But is that photo, really our grand-child? Of course not, it is a representation of them.
And the same is true of the articles of the Last Supper.

Why would anyone promote the idea of transubstantiation?

They would do it as to have power over their congregants.

Only they the priests of this church, would have the power to transubstantiate the bread and the wine.

With out their mystical powers, the congregants would have no life in them.

Strange thing, the subject has yet to be decided, “Just how long does this mystical, life last?”
A week, a year, five years?

There is no answer forthcoming.

Revelation 22:13,18,19 KJV
[13] I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
[18] For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
[19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Bible Lessons: Fasting

Fasting; should Christian people fast today?

For faith, and power with God.

Matthew 17:21 KJV “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

As workers of God

II Corinthians 6:1-5 (The Apostle Paul-Fasted)
[1] We then, as workers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
[2] (For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
[3] Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
[4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;”

II Corinthians 11:27 KJV (The Apostle Paul) “ In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

Many today question the legitimacy of fasting, but don't ask the Early Church.

Acts 13:1-3 KJV
[1] Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;...
[2] As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
[3] And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Acts 14:21-23 KJV
[21] And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
[22] Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
[23] And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

The Disciples and the Early Church, believed in and practiced, Fasting.

Well, what good if any does going without food do?

Answer: Depends why one goes without the food.

By itself, it has no merit.
But if one fasts, with the idea of it, Humbling himself before God, all of a sudden fasting takes on Much Merit!

But if one fasts, with the idea of it, as a sacrifice, to God, all of a sudden fasting takes on Much Merit!

Do you think, that when we in earnest prayer to God, beseeching Him to do for us, that it would only be right of us to show how we as His people are willing to Humble ourselves, and to sacrifice for Him as well?

Fasting and Prayer, the call to the People of God.

Joel 1:14 KJV
“Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,”

Joel 2:12,13 KJV
[12] Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:...
[13] And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God:

Matthew 6:17,18 KJV (Jesus Christ)
[17] But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
[18] That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Psalm 35:13,14 KJV
[13] But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
[14] I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

Bible Questions Answered: God's Immutability

Bible Questions Answered:
I thought God couldn't change, what about Jonah 3:10?
Peter H. / Calgary, British Columbia

Jonah 3:10 Authorized KJV
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not.”

And how about this one?...

Genesis 6:6 AKJV
“And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.”

Bible Answers:

Does God, ever change?

Malachi 3:6 AKJV “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.“

I Samuel 15:29 NLT “And He who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will He change His mind, for He is not human that He should change His mind!"

James 1:17 AKJV “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

It seems fairly clear, that God, does not, change His mind!

Well, then how can one justify verses like Jonah 3:10 and Genesis 6:6?

This at best a poor homily, but let it suffice:

We all have a house and yard. And out in the yard is that plot of ground, we wish to call our garden.

Oh, the wonderful vegetables it can yield. So, we get up in the morning and go to work in the garden.

Digging and hoeing. But after ten hours something happens....it becomes dark and we can no longer work in our garden.

We hang up the tools, go into the house, have supper and go to bed, anticipating another day tomorrow.

Well, what changed?
The garden was still there.
We still had the tools and we were willing to work.
But, the light had changed, it had moved on, and we found ourselves in the dark.
The garden hadn't changed, the light had changed, and so all of our work was done.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

God, never under any circumstances, changes!

What changes, are the people who He deals with.

God hates sin, and He judges it.

Habakkuk 1:13 NLT
12 O LORD my God,...
13 ...you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil...."

But God is also a God of love and He rewards those who do good.

Provers 10:6 AKJV “Blessings are upon the head of the just:...”

Men change, but God does not!
And when a man or a nation, change their relationship with God, and repents such as Nineveh did under Jonah's preaching, then God's stance (His attitude) is now changed from judgment to blessing.

Jonah 3:10 NLT "When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, He changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction He had threatened."

The Unchangeable God, always judges evil, and rewards good.
So who changed?

It wasn't God, it was the people of Nineveh, they had repented of their sins and turned to God.

And in Genesis 6:6, what is true of individuals, is true for nations and a world that goes astray, from the pleading and warnings of God.

Hebrews 13:8 AKJV “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Bible Lessons: Heaven

Heaven A Real Place

John 14:1-6 KJV
[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
[4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
[5] Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 1:9-11 KJV
[9] And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
[10] And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
[11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

Ephesians 1:20,21 KJV
[20] Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places,
[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

A Real City...

Hebrews 11:10 KJV
For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet Him ahead of those who have died.
16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.
17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
18 So encourage each other with these words.

Revelation 21:1-27; 22:1-5
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.
2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever."
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."
6 And He also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.
7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
8 "But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.
11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal.
12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates.
13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west.
14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.
16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.
17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).
18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.
19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,
20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.
22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.
24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory.
25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there.
26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city.
27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.
3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and His servants will worship Him.
4 And they will see His face, and His name will be written on their foreheads.
5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

Wonderful promise of the future...

I John 3:2 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

What may seem as a mystery now, will be a mystery no longer, when our Lord appears.

I Corinthians 13:12 KJV
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Occupation of Heaven...

Revelation 7:9-12 KJV
[9] After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
[10] And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
[11] And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
[12] Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Bible Lessons: Teachers-The False And The True

Teachers-The False And The True

I John 4:1-3 KJV
[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Signs of God's Teacher:

A)
They believe that Christ is God:

John 1:1-4 KJV
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] The same was in the beginning with God.
[3] All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
[4] In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Colossians 1:12-18 KJV
[12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
[13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
[14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
[15] Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[16] For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:
[17] And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.
[18] And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.

Hebrews 1:1-3, 6-13 KJV
[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
[3] Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

[6] And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.
[7] And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
[8] But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
[9] Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
[10] And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
[11] They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
[12] And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.
[13] But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

B)
They believe the eternal Son of God, to become the incarnate son of a virgin.

Isaiah 7:14 KJV “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV
[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.
[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

John 1:14 KJV “ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

C)
They believe in the “substitutionary sacrifice” of sin, through the “Lamb of God.”

Psalm 22: KJV
[1] My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
[2] O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
[3] But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
[4] Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
[5] They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
[6] But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
[7] All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying,
[8] He trusted on the LORD that He would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, seeing he delighted in Him.
[9] But thou art He that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
[10] I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
[11] Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
[12] Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
[13] They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
[14] I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
[15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
[16] For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
[17] I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
[18] They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
[19] But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
[20] Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
[21] Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
[22] I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
[23] Ye that fear the LORD, praise Him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and fear Him, all ye the seed of Israel.
[24] For He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from Him; but when He cried unto Him, He heard.
[25] My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him.
[26] The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek Him: your heart shall live for ever.
[27] All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
[28] For the kingdom is the LORD's: and He is the governor among the nations.
[29] All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before Him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
[30] A seed shall serve Him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
[31] They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this.

Isaiah 53: KJV
[1] Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
[2] For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
[3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
[4] Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
[5] But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with his stripes we are healed.
[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.
[7] He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
[8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.
[9] And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.
[10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.
[11] He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.
[12] Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

John 1:29 KJV “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

I Corinthians 15:3 KJV “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

D)
They belleve Christ rose from the dead on the third day; delivered up for our offenses-raised up for our justification.

I Corinthians 15;4-8 KJV
[4] And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
[5] And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
[6] After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
[7] After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
[8] And last of all He was seen of me (the apostle paul) also, as of one born out of due time.

Romans 4:25 KJV “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

E)
They believe Christ ascended up into heaven, to sit at the right hand of God, serving as our High Priest, ever living to make intercession for us, and able to save all who come to Him, to the uttermost.

Psalm 110:1 KJV “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

Hebrews 7:25 KJV “ Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

F)
They believe Christ the eternal Son of God, resides in heaven as well as in the hearts of His people on earth.

Galatians 2:20 KJV “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

Colossians 1:27 KJV “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

G)
They believe that this risen Lord, will come again in like manner as He went into heaven.

Acts 1:9-11 KJ V
[9] And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
[10] And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
[11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

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Those who believe and teach these things are true teachers, but those who do not ....

II Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV
[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Bible Questions Answered: Annihilation Of The Wicked?

Bible Questions Answered:
I had some one over to my house that believed that all sinners will be annihilated.
What does the Bible teach?
Helen K./ Sheffield, United Kingdom

Bible Answers:

Matthew 25:41,46 KJV
[41] Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting (Greek-Aion: Perpetuity, eternal, forever, without end.) fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
[46] And these shall go away into everlasting (Greek-Aion: Perpetuity, eternal, forever, without end.) punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

This is what Jesus taught!

And again...

Revelation 19:20 KJV (At the close of the Tribulation, before the beginning of the Millennium.)
"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."

Revelation 20:10 KJV (One thousand years later (At the close of the Millennium), satan is loosed from the bottomless pit-prison. He again tempts many to sin, but he is apprehended and thrown into the lake of fire.)

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Greek-Aion: Perpetuity, eternal, forever, without end.)

After being in the lake of fire for one thousand years, the beast and the false prophet, have not been annihilated, but are still in torment.

Revelation 21:8 KJV
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

II Thessalonians 1:7-9 KJV
[7] ... the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
[8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
[9] Who shall be punished with everlasting (Greek-Aion: Perpetuity, eternal, forever, without end.) destruction (Greek-Olethros: Ruin, Puhishment) from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;

Mark 9:43-48 KJV
[43] And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
[44] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
[45] And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
[46] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
[47] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
[48] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Bible Lessons: Angels

Bible Lessons:

Angels, God's Messengers:

Before man was, the Angels were created. They are intelligent spirit beings, created to know and worship God, and to carry out His directives.

Revelation 12:3,4 KJV
[3] And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
[4] And his (Lucifer) tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:...”

When Lucifer fell in sin, he took with him, 1/3 of all the angels of heaven, (who also fell with him.)

These invisible agents can take on visible human form.

Genesis 18:1-2 KJV
[1] And the LORD appeared unto him (Abraham) in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
[2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

One of these men, was the preincarnate Lord Jesus (Theophany), the other two men, were mighty Angels, who had come to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.)

In Genesis 32:,24-30 KJV, Jacob learned that he had, had an encounter with the preincarnate Lord.
[24] And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
[25] And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
[26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
[27] And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
[28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
[29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
[30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Hebrews 13:2 KJV tells us that Angels may be in our midst.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Have you seen or talked to any Angels lately?

Angels may also appear as they really are, Angels.

John 20:10-12 KJV
[10] Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
[11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
[12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

Angels accompanied Jesus at His birth...

Luke 2:8-14 KJV
[8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
[9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
[10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
[12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
[13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Angels accompanied Jesus at His temptation in the wilderness...

Matthew 4:1-11 KJV
[1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
[2] And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred.
[3] And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
[4] But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
[5] Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple,
[6] And saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
[7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
[8] Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
[9] And saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
[10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.
[11] Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.

Angels accompanied Jesus at Gethsemane...

Luke 22:43 KJV
And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

Angels accompanied Jesus at His ascension....

Acts 1:10-11 KJ V
[10] And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
[11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

Angels have been known to appear in dreams, to help, guide, God's children.

Matthew 1:19,20 KJV
[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Angels have rescued God's children

Genesis 19:1,11 KJV
[1] And there came two angels to Sodom at even;
[11] And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

Acts 5:17-19 KJV
[17] Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
[18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
[19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth,...”

On one occasion, a mighty Angel of God slew 185,000 Assyrians. (in judgment-as the two angels
who visited Abraham, destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)..

II Kings 19:35 KJV
And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

Angels, do not marry, or ever die...

Luke 20:34-36 KJV
[34] And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
[35] But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, 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.

Angels are God's agents in the world, to minister to the Children of God.

Hebrews 1:14 KJV
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Bible Questions Answered: Following Jesus

Bible Questions Answered:
What did Jesus say about following Him?
Boyd P. / Rockford, Illinois

Bible Answers:
(Partial paraphrase)
Jesus said that He would send His people out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Beware of treacherous men, who will have you before councils of kings and governors.
Dorn't worry about what you will speak, because the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say.
They may scourage you, but be faithful unto the end.

Do not be afraid of anyone, including the members of your own family, confess the truth of the Word of God.

Evil men, may have power over the body, but not the soul.
Take up your cross and follow me.

Rewards for God's people, for the smallest of gestures, will follow.

Matthew 10:16-42 KJV
[16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
[17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
[18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
[19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
[20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
[23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
[24] The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
[25] It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household?
[26] Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
[27] What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
[28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
[29] Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
[30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
[31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
[32] Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
[33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
[34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
[35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
[36] And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
[37] He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
[38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
[39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
[40] He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
[41] He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
[42] And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Bible Questions Answered: Fig Tree Barrenness

Bible Questions Answered:
Why would Jesus curse a tree?
Den W./ Gainesville, Florida

Mark 11:12-14; 20,21 NLT
12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.
13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so He went over to see if He could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit.
14 Then Jesus said to the tree, "May no one ever eat your fruit again!" And the disciples heard him say it.

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree He had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up.
21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, "Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!"

Bible Answer:
The Fig tree, is different than most trees. It produces it's fruit, before it displays it's leaves. If you would see a fig tree with a full display of leaves, you would know that fruit would be there.

The tree had put all of it's strength into it's “full-display,” of leaves, and yet, it had no fruit.
The tree was a living lie.

II Timothy 3:1-5 KJV
[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
[4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(Again in the New Living Translation)

II Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.
2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.
4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

This tree was exactly like the Jewish nation, who though they had Jesus with them, and heard His messages, yet they were none the better, their lives, were lives of fruitlessness.

Oh, their religious actions had much “Pomp and Circumstance,”yet it was all a lifeless sham.

Why was Jesus so incensed, it was because, a lifeless (fruitless) tree, that looks so beautiful, and calls so many to itself, none the less gives no (fruit) life to those who come to it.

Religiosity, itself only damns mens souls, being only a lifeless form (Religious Ritual).

[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Is it possible to have Great (seemingly spiritual) Works, and not know the Lord?
Yes!

These false, empty, Religious Workers (and churches), are of all men the most dangerous!
Because they lead mankind to ritualistic spiritual death!

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works(including Religious works, however great!), lest any man should boast.

John 14:6 KJV
“Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 3:16-18 KJV
[16] For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Bible Questions Answered: Disciples-Apostles

Bible Questions Answered:
What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?
Sherry L./ New Castle, Northern Territory-Australia

Bible Answers:
A Disciple, was a “Learner.” Jewish Rabbis, usually had a troupe of disciples. Jesus, had tweleve Disciples.

Matthew 10:1-4 NLT
1 Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles:

first, Simon (also called Peter),

then Andrew (Peter's brother),

James (son of Zebedee),

John (James's brother),

3 Philip,

Bartholomew,

Thomas,

Matthew (the tax collector),

James (son of Alphaeus),

Thaddaeus,

4 Simon (the zealot),

Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Him).

Jesus had other Learner, disciples, as well, such as, Cleophas, Lazarus, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Jesus' mother Mary, Salome.

An Apostle, was one “Sent-Out.” The eleven Disciples became “Apostles,” in the true sense after Pentecost, after they had been baptized with the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:).

Jesus had other Apostles as well, Barnabas, John, Luke, Mark, Paul, Stephen.

Bible Questions Answered: Judas-Inaccuracies

Bible Questions Answered:

I see a great discrepancy between Peter's rendition of the accounts of Judas' death and the account given by Matthew. Peter says Judas fell down some ravine and his intestines burst out. Matthew claims that Judas hung himself.

Not only that, I see that Peter says that Judas bought the field “Aceldama,” while Matthew plainly states that the Chief Priests and Elders bought it.

Both of these cannot be correct, so we see biblical inaccuracy!

Ralph C. / Sheffield/Great Britain -UK

Acts 1;16-20 KJV
[16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
[17] For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
[18] Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
[19] And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
[20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

Matthew 27:1-8 KJV
[1] When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
[2] And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
[3] Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
[4] Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
[5] And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
[6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
[7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
[8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Sir, your first mistake, was to dismiss the unerant Word of God.

II Timothy 3:15-17 KJV
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

II Peter 1:20,21 KJV
[20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Now having set the record straight, let us proceed to answer this seeming dilemma.

Aceldama, also called “Potters Field,” is situated on the east end on the Southern slope of the vallely of Hinnom. (Ref. Ungers Bible Dict.) Hinnom is a deep and narrow ravine, containing steep and rocky sides.

Matthews states that Judas hung himself, in this area. Tradition says that as he hung there the branch with which he was hanging from, broke, and his body fell down the ravine, his intestines gushing forth.

Scripture Correct.

Now as regarding who bought the field of Aceldama.
Judas bought it, Peter plainly says so.

Well, how could he have, he was dead, and he had given back the money to the Chief Priests and Elders?

Very simply we see the answer in Matthew's account.

[6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
[7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
[8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

The Chief Priests and Elders, full well knowing that the thirty pieces of silver was blood money...

Deuteronomy 23:18 KJV “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”

..could not accept it. What then did they do with the money?
In Judas' name they purchased “Aceldama-the Field of Blood-Potter's Field.”
And they did so in Judas' name. (His heirs could have rightfully claimed the land.)

Scripture Correct:

And so we see, that both Matthews account and Peter's account are truthful, unerant, the Word of the Living God.

Isaiah 40:8 KJV “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”