HOW WE OUGHT TO BE LIVING IN THE FAITH

Philippians 4:4-13

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; (Don’t worry about anything.) but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

King James Version

The apostle Paul wrote these touching words to the church at Philippi. We know a number of things about this church which might not even have come to be had God not sent new instructions to him in a dream. Paul had been planning an evangelization trip to northern Galatia, but it seemed that nothing was working out and he had a vivid dream while he was still at Troas. In this dream, he saw a man from Philippi who beconed to him to come there. He wasted no time in making preparations and boarding a ship sailing there.

All who trace their origins to Europe should be thankful that he did, for this was the very first church to be planted in Europe. The first converts were Lydia and her staff followed a few days later by the Jailer and his household. From this small beginning grew a church which flourished; a church which apparently remembered Paul for the rest of his life, sending time and again to his aid when they had the opportunity. Note his words, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.” In another Place Paul speaks of sending greetings to the church which met in Lydia’s home. These people cared, and shared that others also might be blessed.

Paul blesses them for their “moderation.” They were not carried away to extremes; not fanatical at one moment, and neglectful at others. In other words, they were not led by their emotions, but by the Spirit of God, who works from the heart to change the whole being. This whole portion of his letter is a praise and thanks giving for the genuine way in which they are showing the faith that dwells within them. This is what the Lord wants us all to be like.

These were not like the Corinthians who battled with many problems, and this letter is not at all like the letters that Paul wrote to them. We need both letters, one to encourage us in how we should live, and the other how not to live.

HOW TO SPOT A FALSE TEACHER.

If one would serve the Lord, he must first know what His teachings are. A red letter New Testament makes this abundantly clear in that the words of Jesus are printed in red ink. This makes it impossible to miss his teachings. It was to these words, and of course the entire New Testament, that he was referring when he said, “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20. Words to the same effect are also found in Mark 16:15,16.These were the closing words of Jesus‘ three year ministry. Three things stand out in this the “Great Commission.” They are, his followers teach, what they are to teach, and what to expect of those who believe what they have been taught. These all depend on the divinity of Jesus, that he is the Christ, the divine only begotten Son of God. Romans assures us that faith comes of hearing the Word of God, and when Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, Jesus pointed out that this knowledge came of God. So it does with all who confess this fact. Let us also keep in mind the thought, “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
Having said this, let us consider our teat for today.

2 John 1:9-11

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Again three facts stand out in these verses, but not in the order that we want to consider them. Verse eleven tells us that any teacher who does not believe and teach these same, red letter, teachings of Christ, is evil and not to be listened to. In fact so much so, that we are instructed not to receive him into our house, or even bid him God’s speed. Why?, because his message is not of God, therefore it is evil. What is not of God is of this world, and Satan is the prince of this world. Recall that Satan offered Jesus the world, you might say, “on a platter” if he would just bow down and worship him. Again, recall that we read in Job, when God asked Satan where he had been, he replied that he had been walking back and forth on earth. He had been looking over his people like a farmer goes out and walks back and forth looking over the crop he has planted. Do we wonder that believers can never be completely at home on this earth?

A false teacher, does not believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. As soon as he says Jesus is a god, and believes that Jesus and Satan are brothers, we know that he is false. If a would be teacher comes to your door, before you welcome him or her, make sure that he or she believes that Jesus is the Son of God, and not a son of a god. That distinction is crucial and will cause the recruiters of two major cults suddenly remembering that they have another appointment and their quick departure. God’s messengers use God’s Word, not the writings of men, and they believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ His Son and are obeying Him in sharing that truth. It is the solid rock upon which the whole church is built.

WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?

Matthew 16:13-19

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Jesus was well aware that people had many different opinions as to who he was. Ask that question of the man on the street today, and you would also get a variety of answers. In fact you could ask that question of the men in the pulpits of America and you would still get a number of different answers. They would range from those who would say, “He never existed. It is all a fairy tale.”. To, “ He was a great teacher,” “He was the founder of a religion.” And a few, would perhaps answer, “He is the Son of God.” Yes, Jesus was aware of what they were saying then, as he is today. What he wanted was that his disciples would put into words, what they believed about him.

Peter spoke for them all when he said, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.” Peter did not hesitate to speak on behalf of them all. He was a natural leader, even then. Unfortunately at that stage he was still very unstable in his own faith. Still, he knew what he believed and did not hesitate to put it into words. This was the same Peter who not many days afterwards would waver in faith to such an extent that on the night of Jesus’ betrayal he would deny, not once but three times in quick sequence, that he did not even knew Him. Realizing what he had done, he repented with bitter tears. If only men would follow that example, rather than covering up, or denying their weakness. This confession, one that Christians are all called upon to make not once but frequently, came of God the father and not of Peter himself. Faith comes of hearing the Word, and not of ourselves. God still speaks to us and brings a change of heart though his Word, the Bible. Many clergy, have many degrees after their names, but their knowledge has come from books of men, and not of the one Book of God. They know what men had concluded about the Bible, but not the Author back of the “scribe” He used to record the inspired, “God breathed” Word. Jesus said this came of God, the Father.

I would be error not to mention the wonderful line, “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He clearly points out that Peter is as a small pebble indeed, “petros,” and not the solid (rock-mass,) or “petra,” on which the church is firmly founded. The indestructible church, is founded on the fact of the divinity of Christ, the Son of God. Any group which denies the divinity of Christ, is not the indestructible church and body of Christ. This statement of the faith of Christians and a part of their conversion and witness, will prevail until he comes again to call them home.

IN THE LATTER TIMES

Keeping in mind that the Apostle Paul when he spoke of the “latter times” meant the times from the beginning of the church until the Lord returns to judge the earth, we look at most of them as history today. We have the ability to look back over the recorded history of man and to see that what he said was true, and is even more so today. A news paper or news presentation on either radio or television is like reading the fulfillment of these words One can not deny that faith is under the attack of seducing spirits that speak lies as glibly, and perhaps more often than truth. In the book written to the Romans we are told that faith cometh of hearing and hearing of the Word of God. That being so, how many people bother to read for themselves from the Word. Most are content to permit someone else explain the Scriptures for them. The Ethiopian invited Philip to sit with him in his chariot and explain what he was reading, but how many people are willing to do that today?

I am a believer in blogging, but I must confess that as I read an exchange of comments in a blog recently, I was sickened at both the comments and the replies. Both were in error, neither turned to the Word of God the Father. The Christian’s marching orders are to “teach all nations whatsoever I have commanded you.” Don’t ignore the words, “whatsoever I have commanded you.” Paul refers back to this in verses six and seven below. Compressing the thought, a good teacher, knows the words “of faith and good doctrine,” refusing “old wives fables.” He is confident of his faith, because it is the result of his knowledge of the Word of God. He shares it, because that is what a Christian does.
Because he knows the Word, he recognizes and rejects false doctrines

1 Timothy 4:1-11

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Paul points out that bodily exercise is good, but there is something that is far more important. At the age of eighty, my wife and I both try to go to the exercise room daily in our community where we use the stationary cycle for a simulated hilly five miles, and I set the machines for fifty pounds resistance and do about a dozen various arm, chest, and leg exercises. These take perhaps a half an hour, but the really important appointment, the one we start the day with, is our early morning walk in the open, topped off by our morning reading and devotional time with the Lord.

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

11 These things command and teach.

(KJV)

EVEN OUR DOG KNOWS HOW TO PRAY

She knows who loves her and cares for her.

Every domestic animal knows where to go to find food and water. It may be simply a time of the day. In the afternoon the cattle all start their way in from the pasture. It may be the sound of the refrigerator door opening, or the whirr of the can opener, but the cats are right there rubbing the leg of their benefactor. Peaches knew who loved her. They all came to their provider every day. Jesus said, “Pray without ceasing.*”

She knew exactly where to go.

to the right place, God said, “Go to your inner room, shut the door, and there pray to God alone.*” Too often we don’t shut out the things of the world. We leave the television and radio going, or perhaps those are off, they do have off buttons you know, but we don’t shut the world out of our minds, even in the content of the prayer itself. How many times has our prayer been mostly, “Please God.” How infrequently, “Praise be to you Father,” “Thank you God,” “Hallellujah,” “What would you have me do?”

She knew to catch and hold her god’s full attention. She would come, sit up “eye to eye” in front of him and then to put her paws together in a beseeching attitude, perhaps adding a little “yip” if she was not being noticed sufficiently. Too often we like Peter, as Jesus was facing his coming crucifixion, fall asleep. We have God’s attention, let us give Him ours.

* Please note, the scriptures are paraphrased.

THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA, IS IT TODAY’S CHURCH FORETOLD?

Some people never read the book of Revelation, saying that it is too difficult, but there are portions that cannot be more clear. They are missing the blessing of God given through John who wrote:
“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 the hand.” Revelation 1:3.
If you make a habit of following a “through the Bible in one year reading guide,” such as the one we include in our weekly mailings, you will read Revelation through every year, and you will be greatly blessed even if there are parts that it is best not to be dogmatic in your interpretion.
I used to have in my library a book written by the founder of a highly respected American Bible College. He felt that the letters to the seven churches of Asia were symbolic of the church universal’s condition in seven periods through the ages from Pentecost to the return of Christ. Whether or not that is the case may or may not be so, but two of the seven churches do stand out, and they are the final two in the series. The church at Philadelphia stands tall being the only one of the seven that has no negative criticism. The last one, Laodicea has grown cold and self satisfied. Even though it has some who are faithful. Let us look at it a little closer. If it represents the church at the time of the Lord’s second coming, studying it should tell us why he comes just then, assuming the order has been chronologically arranged. That may or may not be so. Even if it is not, the Laodicean church has much to teach us.
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wreched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22.
Sadly, this text describes a lukewarm church which thinks herself blessed, rich, and very active, but is blind that so much of this activity is of the world, material, and not of God, spiritual. It is blind to its own nakedness, something like the emperor in the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” In five of the other churches, He calls for the church to repent, but notice that in this case repentance is directed to the individual members (any man). Because He loves, he does not give up on the individuals, but one gets the impression that He has given up on the church as a body and is determined to save from it the genuine, repentant individuals, whom He will bless with the invitation to sit with Him on his own throne.
How could the church go from the blessed Philadelphia church to this in so short a time? Through neglect of the Word, the source of faith, Neglect the Word and Prayer, and the fire of Faith goes out. The fire goes out, and the faith become lukewarm like the cup of coffee abandoned on the breakfast table. Faith comes of hearing the word, so don’t let anything come between you are your devotion time!

YOU ARE A TEACHER

WHETHER YOU PLANNED TO BE, OR NOT

A paraphrased portion of the Great Commission, ”As you go, teach all nations,” comes to mind when we read today’s text, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.” Good teaching is always like a “two-way street.” The communication goes both ways. There can be a question plus an answer, or there can be a discussion of what has just been presented, but our text continues, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:6-10.

Our prayers are perfect examples of this as well. Returning to the illustration of the street that flows both ways with traffic, we pray toGod and he answers back tous. Any time that we teach another, there is that sort of exchange. The one whom we are teaching, probably also knows us and how well we are living up to what we teach. There is an old saying, “I cannot hear you, because your actions speak louder than your words.” God, knows us even better than we know ourselves. He has instructed, “As you go, teach.” He meant teach by what you say, but also by what you do. That kind of teaching cannot fail to make an impression.

Everyone is sowing something. Some are teaching a message of materialism. That is rampant today. A better address, a more impressive house, a bigger car, a swimming pool, and expensive clothing: these are all material things. One cannot take any of them with him to heaven. The museums of the world are filled with such things left behind by the wealthy of the world. That is what is meant when the text says, “he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.” Those things shall all be destroyed, when this world and all that it contains, is destroyed by fire.

In direct contrast, “he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Our Lord is even now putting the final touches on that new world, prepared for his family to occupy forever.

Whether we want to be or not, we are all teachers. This world’s teachers all teach a material god, but God has given a mandate that His teachers, all Christians, must teach a spiritual message. He and his will live eternally in a spiritual heaven.
He urges us on when we grow weary. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” What is this, “if we faint not?” Fainting is a physical thing. If you have ever watched a marathon with thousands of participants, you know that many hundreds never finish. Their physical bodies just cannot take the strain. He is saying in effect, Keep your mind on the goal; think on spiritual things. Don’t turn back to the old ways and old goals. The one who faints, is the one who turned back or dropped out of the race.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

DRESSED FOR THE WEDDING FEAST

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:1-4.

Having been a sailor at the end of World War II, there were a few times, times of great celebration, when we held “open house” and the public was invited aboard our ship, the flagship of the fleet. At such times, the Admiral was on board. We were always at the dock side when this happened, and everything had to be in perfect condition. The ship was dressed like a Christmas tree. Signal flags stretched the length of the ship from stem to stern. Actually, I do not recall having ever seen then at any other time. I was usually stationed in the CIC where it was our assignment to find and track any aircraft in the area on radar and pass along the bearing, altitude, and speed to our anti-aircraft gun emplacements.

How the new Jerusalem will be prepared “like a bride adorned for her husband” will appear, I do not know, but I picture every signal flag flying, perhaps surrounded by a gigantic rainbow. Light everywhere, not from lamps, but from God himself. I picture all that light reflecting off the precious jewels that make up the foundations of the new Jerusalem, and the gigantic pearls that form it‘s gates.. How can anyone not long to be there? Three places in chapter 22, John records the words of Jesus, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”,“behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” and finally, “Surely I come quickly.” and then our prayer in response, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” It can not be too quick.

What a glorious time, what a magnificent sight, and to be a part of it all. “Come Lord Jesus!”

Since there will be no sadness, and no tears in heaven, I can only presume that all memories of earth, families and friends that we know here, will have to have been erased, and that we no longer think of those we know and love there as husband, wife, children, grandchildren, brothers or sisters. They will all have come to be fellow children of God, brothers and sisters in the Lord, and we will be so thrilled with what is there that the things of earth will just have faded away.

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY

The book of Luke gives us a shorter version of this prayer, Luke 11, often called “The Lord’s Prayer.” Luke also introduces it with the information that it was given at the request of one of the apostles, a fact that Matthew omits. Prayer is as essential to a Christian well being as breathing is to life itself.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Matthew 6:9-13:
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
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 apostles had often seen and heard the Lord pray, and they knew how important prayer was. They had seen the Pharisees praying on the street corners, and at the Synagogue and the Temple. Just as there was a difference in the teaching of Jesus, there was also a difference in his prayers.

When we follow his teaching on prayer, we do need to keep in mind some of the background circumstances. We need to remember that at the time of this instruction, Jesus and the apostles were living under the Old Covenant. Just as he gave them a few pointers, it is good that we note them as well. The exact wording of this prayer is perhas no longer appropriate for Christians. First he told them, don’t pray like the Pharisees. They prayed to be seen of men, on the street corner, in the temple, or in the Synagogue. He said, “they pray to be seen of men.” and that is exactly what they got. For the same reason, they also wore special garments which set themselves apart from others. I was once a guest in a worship service in which the minister led the services wearing what seemed to me, an amazing crocheted white robe worn over a white lining. He wore it with a clerical collar, and with shoes which had the appearance of being something to be worn in a factory. He certainly accomplished his purpose if it was that he might stand out as being different from other men. Secondly, Jesus told then to go to an inner room to pray. This is so that they could pray privately, without interruption, with the heavenly Father. Some of our African brethren take this so literally, that they close the doors so that no one can either enter or leave the room during the prayers. No matter how hot the sun may be and how low the unlined metal roof is, they also close any windows and pray long prayers, kneeling if there is room or standing if the room is heavily packed with people. Third, note that this is not a long prayer, there is no repetition, nor are there repeated phrases, such as "O,God" several times in a sentence. Jesus said not to use “vain repetitions.” Why not? Because our Father knows what we need. He knows and understands fully. We do not have to plead with him. It is the heathen man who thinks he must pray on and on like the pagan priests who spent the entire day praying, slashing themselves with knives, and shouting to their gods, whereas Elijah’s prayer was to the point, and confident. He knew God heard and would answer. God wants us to have that kind of faith and confidence in Him. Address your prayers simply to “Our Heavenly Father, in Jesus name.”

Here, because this was before Pentecost, and the church Kingdom had not yet come, the line “thy kingdom come” could be changed to praise for the church, and the fact that we now seek to do his will here as it is done in Heaven. And will be for ever. We should give thanks for our daily needs, food, clothing, and housing. We should be able to pray, “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, really meaning it,” keeping in mind that this demands a forgiving spirit. The requests of verse thirteen are as applicable to us as they were to those who lived under the Old Covenant.

It is personal. It is not lengthy. It is not obscure. It is not filled with repetition. Our personal prayers are between us and our Father. Our public prayers are on behalf of all present, therefore all must be able to say “Amen,” So be it.

DON’T INVITE DISASTER

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:35-44.

The red lights flash, the bells clang, and the boom starts to lower. The wise man, not only obeys the law by stopping, but he also preserves himself and any others in his car from being destroyed by the passing train. We all know these warnings, anyone of which should be adequate to catch our attention and preserve our safety. Then, why is it that even with all these, plus the whistle of the train as well, do hundreds if not thousands die every year. They were warned, but they ignored the warning. In most cases they made a decision that they could beat the train across, for, after all it could be a very long train, and a long wait.

Jesus told the apostles, “If I go, I will come again.” There they were standing, mouths agape, staring up at the clouds where he had disappeared from their sight. It took two angels to break up their trance, and move them on to the task that Jesus had just assigned them. “Go ye unto all the world…” Jesus had returned to his Father, and to prepare a place for all who believe and obey that command. Jesus had not stated any date for his return. To have done so, would have seem to sanction doing nothing until one knew that the date was near. Instead he said, not even the angels know when, not even himself; only his Father. In effect he was saying to every generation that was to come, this is my command, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,” Matthew 28:19-20. To this command, he adds the promise, and he keeps his promises, “and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

In other references, he gives a log list of things to expect before he comes, things which every generation since that time, have seen as reminders that he is returning, and it could possibly be at any time, for the entire period of history from his ascension back to Heaven to make the final preparations for his return, is spoken of as being “the latter days” or the “end times.” The ever increasing violence of those signs seems to indicate the nearness of the end. Read the statistics. Every record seems to be being broken. This is true of both mankind and of the created earth itself. Nevertheless life continues now as it did up until the day that Noah entered the ark and God “took them all away.” “Therefore be ye also ready” today. God was vague in details, because He wanted every generation to live in anticipation and preparedness that it would always be ready. Don’t invite disaster, make ready, “for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

We have all read the signs at the rail way crossings. We have heard the bells ringing. We have seen the lights flashing. Now we see the final dropping of the boom, and hear the horn of the approaching train. Are we ready? We don’t know when our Lord is coming, but it would seem that only the event itself lies ahead!

WHEN GOD SAYS NO

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not, ye kill, and desire to have, and can not obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, tat ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do you think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:1-6.

God is pictured in both the Old Testament and in the New as being a loving father figure. James, the half-brother of Jesus was well acquainted with both testaments, and knew of that relationship. He was well acquainted with the realities of life, and that sometimes even the most loving father, must discipline his sons and daughters. Much of what is wrong with the youth of today began with a lack of discipline in the early days at home. If no boundaries, and no rules have been set, can we be surprised that the adult has no self-control? But, I diverge.

God has set rules and boundaries, and God can, has, and will discipline. When God says, “No” in answer to our prayers, there is a reason, and that reason always seems to come back to ourselves. In this particular case, James points out that they are at war with one another, fighting with one another, and behind that are greed, envy, and worldliness. He sums it up with one word, lust! That is a nasty word and It is hard to believe that he could have called the church, the bride of Christ, an adulteress, but then the Children of Israel had often been unfaithful when they cast aside God for the gods of the people among whom they lived. This term was used of them, and it is also used in the New Testament of unfaithful Christians, who cast aside Christ, because of a love for the world. They worship the creation, and not the Creator. If that is true, how can they expect God to answer their prayers. I have known evangelists, God’s servants, who lusted after powerful cars; a Mercedes, a BMW, a Jaguar, a Citroen. In each case, God permitted them to have it for a short time, but each was a total disaster in the end. A lesson was learned. We learn to be humble, dependent upon him. He can and will provide for his own. “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.”

If he says, “Yes,” that is good. If he says, “Not now,” let us be patient and wait for his timing. But, if the says “No,” let us await his unquestionable leading. God knows the conclusion, even before we come up with our “bright ideas.” If he planted the idea there, then he will open the way, for his humble servant. The cycle returns to us. Our motivation makes all the difference.

Sometimes God says, “No,” and it is for own good. He who loves us, knows what is best.

ONE ANT TO ANOTHER

DON’T LOOK NOW, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING OUT THERE LOOKING AT US.

Let me tell you the great news a lone ant carried back to the ant colony following his escape to the real world outside, and then he somehow made his way back in again. He had great news. “There is a great, wonderful, world out there. It has huge colonies of other ants of all kinds and colors. You can not imagine it!” That could be us. We could be that ant. There is a great, wonderful, world out there beyond our galaxy, a place that we can never understand or describe! To most of the world, it is a well kept secret, though it shouldn’t be. How could it be? How did it come about? The world asks those very questions. What is out there? Well, you and I know in part. We know because we have been told how it came about. We know the maker of it all.

We know Jesus. We can even quote one of the scriptures that tells us of his part in creating it. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” John, the apostle who was closest to Jesus told us these facts in the first three verses of his gospel account. Paul in Colossians also wrote, “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: And he is before all things and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16,17.

But, let us go back a few thousand years, as we measure time, to the first verse of Genesis. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.“ How can it say, “in the beginning” when he existed before then? Simple, there was no such thing as time, for months, days, and years all came about as part of the creation.

I recently saw a picture taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of the Helix Nebula that looked shockingly like a gigantic eye peering back at the camera! Of course it was something else, not an eye at all. Still it's resemblance gained it the name "Eye of God." But there IS something out there. That something is intensely interested in all that happens here. We are like the ant in the ant colony, the galaxy of which we are but a tiny speck is like that colony. That something is God, without beginning, and without end, so powerful that he spoke, “And God said,” and all that we know and see about us came into being. God wanted us to know that, so He saw to it that Moses wrote of it the book of, beginnings, Genesis. He also wants us to know about Heaven, Hell, and the ending of this “ant colony” we call our galaxy. There is a whole world out there, one that will never end, a world grand beyond our ability to visualize it, one where His family will be blessed to go to, because all that is evil will have been separated and sent to the place especially prepared for Satan and his fallen angels. There are glimpses of this place in the accounts of the rich man and Lazarus, portions of the book of Revelation 21 and 22, and numerous other scattered scripture references. There is no reason to wonder; his creation speaks loudly, “Look at me and see God’s handwork.” We only have to open our eyes and our minds to see.

THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understand, There is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, They are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; With their tongues they have used deceit; The poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

No, this is not the ravings of some present day preacher condemning today’s living generation. It is actually the apostle Paul, writing to the church in Rome. Romans 3:10-18. In the King James version of the Bible, it is also written all in capital letters, which I have not done. That would be unacceptable on the web today.

These words were, and are, spoken of all mankind, for “all have sinned and fallen short.” To most people, religion is the keeping of a set of laws. Remember what Jesus said to the rich young ruler who came to him and asked, What must I do to the saved? Remember that he said of the Law; I have kept all those from my youth up. The Word tells us that Jesus loved him, so that must have been a fairly accurate statement, but it wasn’t enough, was it? His wealth was the major obstacle. Everyone has a major obstacle that needs to be overcome. It effects not only the individual but all those who follow him. Anyone who has watched racing of nearly any type can recall occasions when a leader of the pack makes a mistake and there is a pile up. It is not only the leader that suffers, but what ever happened to him, also happens to many others as well. However, don’t despair, salvation is not earned by good works. We need to overcome whatever may be holding us back; not because of a law, but because we want to serve the Lord and we know it has to be removed before we can do so. In my own case, because of my military service, I could have used the G.I. Bill of rights to go back and complete the university training I had started. I had in fact, already recieved acceptance to return to the university. Had I done so, probably by now I would be more than financially secure for life but what about after that? That training could well have been my own downfall. Our Bible says, he that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin. There are times in all our lives, when, like a fork in the road, effect everything from there on, including the final destination we all want to reach, Heaven.

Paul was pointing out that there is not one person, no not one, who of himself is righteous. We all need help. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We read in the book of Acts 2:38, that those who were obedient in baptism, received two things, the forgiveness of their past sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide them from returning to all those things of before ever again. When Jesus forgave the sins of any individual, he always instructed them to go and sin no more. Now, he has sent us the Spirit to guide and be with us, and help us to be living temples. The temple was the dwelling place of God. With the Holy Spirit to guide us, and the Lord within us, there is nothing He wants us to do for Him that we can not do. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God: being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 3:23-25.

HE CAME TO SAVE SINNERS

“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, the said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I WILL HAVE MERCY, AND NOT SACRIFICE: for I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:11-13. KJV

It is a fact that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s will, and that God loves everyone, John 3:16. Jesus came to fulfill his Father’s purpose. What he taught, and who he taught, was his Father’s will. It is the will of the Lord God that all have an opportunity to receive the forgiveness of sins. That is the background and reason for the great commission of Matthew 28:19.

But, he not only commanded us to go to all nations, but he set the example himself. Isaiah, prophesied, “And leaving Nazareth, he came down and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, and the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nepthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and the shadow of death light is sprung up.” Matthew 4:13-18. Where he went, and as he went, he spoke to the people. Recall, his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in Samaria. More than once he went to the aid of the Romans. The Pharisees hated both of these peoples and avoided all contact with them they could. Not once do we ever see him turning anyone away because they were sinners; not the woman taken in the act of adultery, not Matthew the tax collector, not Judas the betrayer. No sin was too evil for him to be filled with compassion for the sinner. Why was that? That was because sins do not come in degrees of evil in God‘s sight. All have sinned. There are no black lies and no little white lies. We are told that there will be no liars enter into heaven. As Paul said “of such were some of you.” There are no social drinkers, and no alcoholics, the statement is that there will be no drunkards, and probably none of us can be certain that we would not abuse that addiction, thus it is safer not to place that burden of decision upon ourselves. The same could be said of Marijuana, crack, painkillers, or whatever. I choose to under-medicate on any medication or perscription so long as it accomplishes the purpose.

But we are off the subject, Jesus did not avoid sinners, they were everywhere, and they needed him the most. Likewise, since all have sinned, and if they have not accepted the Lord and been obedient to him in repentance and baptism, they are our challenge. We rub shoulders with them every day. The vital words of the great commission are “as you go, teach.” It is part of living to go. Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink of water. He was breaking several “No, No’s” in doing that. This was a woman, she was a woman of bad reputation, she was a Samaritan, and they were alone in a remote place. A present-day setting could be, a woman, a prostitute, a woman of a different race than our own, late at light on a dark street corner. Now Jesus would not have us deliberately put ourselves in such a setting, but what is he saying, is “As you go, teach, all nations whatsoever I have commanded you, baptizing,” and he set the example by doing what he asked that we do. Let us not be so concerned about whether they believe or not that we forget it is we who have been sent. We are just the messenger, the carrier of good news. He came to save sinners. Let us go for the same reason. Only we have the light that can take away the darkness.

YOU ARE A PERFECT FIT

FOR THE JOB AHEaD

The first verse of this text was a favorite my mother often quoted, but I don’t recall her ever getting involved in a discussion of the rest of the text. Two of my uncles by marriage, often became engrossed in a heated “discussion” of the use of the word “predestinate” in the other portion. One was a firm believer in “predestination” while the other, as far as I could see, was so uninformed in scripture that his opinions could be ignored entirely. Mother used to say of the two of them that they would argue with a fence post. Let us hope that we can do a little better than that.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might, be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30.

You will recall that when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, they ate of the forbidden fruit of the tree that was in the midst of the garden. Satan, the master of deceptions, used a half-truth. Hs said that they would be like God in that they would know good and evil, to deceive them. Adam had been created in the image of God, but was not aware, at this stage of good and evil. God, knowing what was best for them, had forbidden them to eat, or even touch the fruit of that particular tree. We all start out, like them, not knowing the difference between good and evil. Satan used that half-truth to lead Eve, probably the most easily deceived of the two, to just taste that fruit. That was the first sin, disobedience. With the “Pandora’s box” opened; all the rest followed in quick order. Man is not like the animals. They have no knowledge of good or evil. Man was created to use his brain to logically plan and make decisions. He is not a robot, mindlessly going through life. He is, like God, able to think and come to conclusions.

Now what about the predestination side of the text? The choice of two phrases, “according to his purpose” and “whom he did foreknow” need to be considered here. God has a purpose for every person on this earth. Noah was born and used of God to save a new start for mankind following the flood. Moses was born and preserved that he might lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt to the land of promise. Elijah was sent to be the major prophet to announce the Messiah to come. John to be his forerunner, and to introduce him. These are but a few examples, We could go on to Peter, the leader of the apostles, and Paul the evangelist to the Gentile world.

As God sent each of these, He also sent us, even the unborn who have been slaughtered without a chance to be used. They had been unable to fulfill their purpose; perhaps that is the reason the world is in such a state today. Those who succeed, he calls, he justifies, and he will glorify in time to come. We have been assured that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” He knew them from the beginning. He knows them now, and he will reward them when the time is right.

God has chosen each of us for a purpose. Even as Jesus repeatedly assured his apostles, “It is not yet my time,” when the time came he sent Judas to go do his task. Judas was to be the betrayer, just as John the Baptist was to be the forerunner, and Peter to preach at Pentecost. Each to his own task, for good or bad. And that includes all of us as well.

ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU.

“Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good gifts to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:7-12.

I once knew an evangelist who applied the first portion of this parable as the basis for his prayers that God would provide him with a Mercedes sedan. Now, I am sure that he was thinking a new one as he prayed. God permitted him to have what he asked for, but it was an older one and it was unreliable, a veritable “thorn in the flesh.” Sometimes our Lord permits is to have what we have asked for, in order to teach us a lesson about prayer. He wants us to come to him to ask for what we really need to do his work better, not what we want, perhaps for a questionable motive. Like Ananias and Saphira, we can do the right thing for the wrong motive. I also remember another evangelist, who asked for a BMW. God also allowed him to have it, much to his regrets.

On the other hand, I myself once prayed earnestly for a particular church building, that was up for sale, even though I had no money available at all. God answered that prayer and set in motion the means to provide it. It was a great blessing both to us and to the work that we were doing for Him at the time. It provided a debt free, house of worship, a Bible Bookstore, an apartment for ourselves, guest rooms for visitors, and space for our printing and publishing work. Where we had been working had been frequently burgled, but this replacement was never invaded, though not that they did not try. Our very presence on the property, saved the day, probably also with the protection of our guardian angels for I really do not see myself as being responsible for the two van loads of would be thieves who fled the scene one dark night. They never returned. That could have resulted in a tragic end to our very lives.

I like the second part of the parable. Jesus pointed out that we know how to give what our children need. Sometimes, in fact, we are too generous to their loss. How many times has an only son, or a youngest son, been given everything he wanted to the extent that he never learned to work and accept responsibility for his own family? God knows how to give “good gifts” to those who ask of Him. But, He also knows when it it not for our own good that he give it, then or even at all.

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” What a wonderful note on which to end this parable. Like beautiful music, we have all listened to a magnificent musical presentation, which comes to a perfect close leaving us with a memory that will stay with us, perhaps for life. Let s keep this thought ever before us. “Do ye even so to them.”

When you go to God in prayer, pray, not for yourself alone, but pray that the answer to your prayer may be a blessing to others. After all we are here, not for our own blessing, but that we might be a blessing to others. Jesus also said, “Go ye to all the nations.”

BAIE WONINGS - Johannes 14:1-7

Afrikaans

1. Laat julle hart nie ontsteld word nie; glo in God, glo in My.

2. In die huis van my Vader is daar baie wonings; as dit nie so was nie, sou Ek dit vir julle gesê het. Ek gaan om vir julle plek te berei.

3. En as Ek gegaan en vir julle plek berei het, kom Ek weer en sal julle na My toe neem, sodat julle ook kan wees waar Ek is.

4. En waar Ek heengaan, weey julle en die weg ken julle.

5. Thomas sê vir hom: Here. Ons weet nie waar U gaan nie, en hoe kan ons die weg ken?

6. Jesus antwoord hom: Ek is die weg en die waarheid en die lewe; niemand kom na die Vader behalwe deur My nie.

7. As julle My geken het, sou julle my Vader ook geken het, en van nou af ken julle Hom en het julle Hom gesien.

WAT MOET EK DOEN OM GERED TE WORD?

1771 - Afrikaans

J.D. Phillips

Voorberei in die presiese woorde van gei½spireerde mense.

1. GLO in die Here Jesus en jy sal gered word (Handelinge 16:30,31). En sonder geloof is dit onmoontlik om God te behaag; want hy wat tot God gaan, moet glo dat Hy is en ½ beloner is van die wat Hom soek (Hebreërs 1:6). Hy wat die glo nie, sal veroordeel word (Markus 16:16). As julle nie glo dat dit Ek is nie, sal julle in jul sondes sterwe (Johannes 8:24). Geloof, as dit geen werke het nie, is in sigself dood (Jakobus 2:17).

2. BEKEER ... elkeen van julle (Handelinge 2:38). As julle jul nie bekeer nie, sal julle almal net so omkom (Lukas 13:3,5). God ... verkondig nou aan al die mense oral dat hulle hul moet bekeer (Handelinge 17:30). So het God dan ook aan die heidene die bekering tot die lewe geskenk (Handelinge 11:18).

3. Met die mond BELY ons tot redding (Romeine 10:10). As jy met jou mond die Here Jesus bely en met jou hart glo dat God Hom uit die dode opgewek het, sal jy gered word (Romeine 10:9). Elkeen dan wat My sal bely voor die mense, hom sal Ek ook bely voor my Vader wat in die hemele is (Mattheus 10:32). U is die Christus (Matthéüs 16:6). Ek glo dat Jesus Christus die Seun van God is (Handelinge 8:37).

4. Die DOOP, ons nou ook red (1 Petrus 3:21). Hy wat glo en hom laat doop, sal gered word (Markus 16:16). As iemand nie gebore word uit water en Gees nie, kan hy in die koninkryk van God nie ingaan nie (Johannes 3:5). Na sy barmhartigheid het Hy ons gered deur die bad van die wedergeboorte en die vernuwing deur die Heilige Gees (Titus 3:5). Bekeer julle, en laat elkeen van julle gedoop word in die Naam van Jesus Christus tot vergewing van sondes (Handelinge 2:38). Laat jou doop en jou sondes afwas (Handelinge 22:16). Want julle almal wat in Christus gedoop is, het julle Christus beklee (Galasiers 3:27). Of weet julle nie dat ons almal wat in Christus gedoop is, in sy dood gedoop is niw? (Romeine 6:3). As iemand in Christus is, is hy ½ nuwe skepsel (2 Korinthiërs 5:17).

En leer ons om ... ingetoë en regverdig en vroom in die teenwoordige wêreld te lewe, terwyl ons die salige hoop en die verskyning van die heerlikheid verwag van die grote God en ons Verlosser Jesus Christus, wat Homself vir ons gegee het om ons te verlos van alle ongeregtigheid en vir Homself ½ volk as sy eiendom te reinig, ywerig in goeie werke (Titus 2:12-14).

En ek prys julle, broeders, dat julle ... aan die leringe vashpu soos ek dit aan julle oorgelewer het (1 Korinthiërs 11:2).

DIE GENADE van onse Here Jesus Christus sy met julle almal! Amen (Openbaring 22:21).

Salig is die wat sy gebooie doen, sodat hulle reg kan hê op die boom van die lewe en ingaan deur die poorte in die stad (Openbaring 22:14).

Moenie agtergelaat word met die koms van die Here nie!

KOM, HERE JESUS!

1061 Afrikaans

Openbaring 22:20

1933 -Bybel

"En as hierdie dinge begin gebeur, kyk dan na bo en hef julle hoofde op, omdat julle verlossing naby is." - Lukas 21:28

KOM, HERE JESUS!

Christus:

"En as Ek gegaan en vir julle plek berei het, kom Ek weer en sal julle na My toe neem, sodat julle ook kan wees waar Ek is." - Johannes 14:3

Engel:

Hierdie Jesus wat van julle opgeneem is in die hemel, sal net so kom soos julle Hom na die hemel sien wegvaar het." - Handelinge 1:11

Apostel Paulos:

"Want die Here self sal van die hemel neerdaal met 'n geroep, met die stem van 'n aartsengel en met geklank van die basuin van God; en die wat in Christus gesterf het, sal eerste opstaan. Daarna sal ons wat in die lewe oorbly,saam met hulle in wolke weggevoer word die Here tegemoet in die lug; en so sal ons altyd by die Here wees." - 1 Thessalonicense 4:16,17

KOM, HERE JESUS!

"En jy, Daniel, hou die woorde geheim en verseel die boek tot die tyd van die einde toe; baie sal dit deursoek, en die kennis sal vermeerder." - Daniel 12:4

"Want daar sal 'n tyd wees wanneer hulle die gesonde leer nie sal verdra nie, maar, omdat hulle in hul gehoor gestreel wil wees, vir hulle 'nn menigte leraars sal versamel volgens hulle eie begeerlikhede, en die oor sal afkeer van die waarheid en hulle sal wend tot fabels." - 2 Timotheus 4:3-5

"Want baie sal onder my Naam kom en se: Ek is die Christus! en hulle sal baie mense mislei. En julle sal hoor van oorloe en gerugte van oorloe. Pas op, moenie verskrik word nie, want alles moet plaasvind, maar dit is nog nie die einde nie. Want die een nasie sal teen die ander opstaan en die een koninkryk teen die ander; en daar sal hongersnode wees en pessiektes en aardbewings op verskillende plekke. Maar al hierdie dinge is 'n begin van die smarte. Dan sal hulle jul aan verdrukking oorgee en julle doodmaak; en julle sal deur al die nasies gehaat word ter wille van my Naam. En Dan sal baie tot struikel gebring word en mekaar verraai en mekaar haat. En baie valse profete sal opstaan en baie mense mislei. En omdat die ongeregtigheid vermeerder word, sal die liefde van die meeste verkoel. Maar wie volhard tot die einde toe, hy sal gered word. En hierdie evangelie van die koninkryk sal verkondig word in die hele wereld tot 'n getuienis vir al die nasies; en dan sal die einde kom." - Mattheus 24:5-14, (ook Markus 13:, Lukas 21:25-28)

"En as daardie dae nie verkort was nie, sou geen vlees gered word nie; maar ter wille van die uitverkorenes sal daardie dae verkort word. As iemand dan vir julle se: Kyk, hier is die Christus! of: Daar! - moet dit nie glo nie. Want daar sal valse christusse en valse profete opstaan, en hulle sal groot tekens en wonders doen om, as dit moontlik was, ook die uitverkorenes te mislei. Kyk, Ek het dit vir julle vooruit gese. As hulle dan vir julle se: Kyk, Hy is in die woesryn - moenie uitgaan nie; kyk, Hy is in die binnekamer - moet dit nie glo nie. Want soos die weerlig uit die ooste uitslaan en tot in die weste skyn, so sal ook die koms van die Seun van die mense wees. Want oral waar die dooie liggaam le, daar sal die aasvoels saamkom. En dadelik na die verdrukking van daardie dae sal die son verduister word, en die maan sal sy glans nie gee nie, en die sterre sal van die hemel val, en die kragte van die hemele sal geskud word. En dan sal die teken van die Seun van die mens in die kemel verskyn, en dan sal al die stamme van die aarde rou bedryf en die Seun van die mens sien kom op die wolke van die hemel met groot krag en heerlikheid. En Hy sal sy engele uitstuur met harde tompetgeluid, en hulle sal sy uitverkorenes versamel uit die vier windstreke, van die een einde van die hemele af tot die ander einde daarvan." - Mattheus 24:22-31

"Maar weet dit, dat daar in die laaste dae swaar tye sal kom. Want die mense sal liefhebbers van hulleself wees, geldgieriges, grootpraters, trotsaards, lasteraars, ongehoorsaam aan hulle ouers, ondankbaar, onheilig, sonder natuurlike liefde, onversoenlik, kwaadsprekers, bandeloos, wreed, sonder liefde vier die goeie, verraaiers, roekeloos, verwaand, meer liefhebbers van genot as liefhebbers van God; mense wat 'n gedaante van godsaligheid het, maar die krag daarvan verloen het. Keer jou ook van hierdie mense af. Want uit hulle is die wat in die huise insluip en arme vroue gevange neem wat met sondes belaai is en deur allerhande begeerlikhede gedryf word, wat altyd leer en nooit tot die kennis van die waarheid kan kom nie." - 2 Timotheus 3:1-7

"Daar aan die einde van die dae spotters sal kom wat volgens hulle eie begeerlikhede wandel en se: Waar us die belofte van sy wederkoms? ... Maar laat hierdie een ding julle nie ontgaan nie, geliefdes, dat een dag by die Here soos duisend jaar is en duisend jaar soos een dag. Die Here vertraag nie die belofte soos sommige dit vertraging ag nie, maar Hy is lankmoedig oor ons en will nie he dat sommige moet vergaan nie, maar dat almal tot bekering moet kom. Maar die dag van die Here sal kom soos 'n dief in die nag, waarin die hemele met gedruis sal verbygaan en die elemente sal brand en vergaan, en die aarde en die werke wat daarop is, sal verbrand. Terwyl al hierdie dinge dan vergaan, hoedanig moet julle nie wees in heilige wandel en godsvrug nie? - Julle wat die koms van die dag van God verwag en verhaas, waardeur die hemele deur vuur sal vergaan en die elemente sal brand en versmelt." - 2 Petrus 3:3-12

"Maar oor die tye en geleenthede, broeders, het julle nie nodig dat aan julle geskryf word nie; want julle weet self baie goed dat die dag van die Here kom soos 'n dief in die nag. Want wanneer hulle se: Vrede en veiligheid - dan oorval 'n skielike verderf hulle soos die barensnood 'n swanger vrou, en hulle sal sekerlik nie ontvlug nie. Maar julle, broeders, is nie in duisternis, dat die dag julle soos 'n dief sou oorval nie." - 1 Thessalonicense 5:1-4

"Laat niemand julle op enige manier mislei nie, want eers moet die afval kom en die mens van sonde geopenbaar word, die seun van die verderf, die teestander wat hom verhef bo al wat God genoem word of voorwerp van aanbidding is, sodat hy in die tempel van God as God sal sit en voorgee dat hy God is." - 2 Thessalonicense 2:3,4

"En ek het een van sy koppe gesien net of dit dodelik gewond was, en sy dodelike wond is genees. En die hele wereld het verwonderd agter die dier aan gegaan. En hulle het die draak aanbid wat die dier (duiwel) mag gegee het, en die dier aanbid en gese: Wie is aan die dier gelyk? Wie kan teen hom oorlog voer? En 'n mond is aan hom gegee wat groot woorde en godslasteringe uitspreek, en aan hom is mag gegee om dit twee-en-veertig maande lank te doen. En hy het sy mond oopgemaak on te laster teen God, om sy Naam en sy tabernakel en die wat in die hemel woon, te laster. Dit is ook aan hom gegee om oorlog te voer teen die heiliges en hulle te oorwin, en aan hom is mag gegee oor elke stam en taal en nasie. En al die bewoners van die aarde sal hom aanbid, almal wie se name nie van die grondlegging van die wereld af in die boek van die lewe van die Lam wat geslag is, geskrywe is nie." Openbaring 13:3-8

"En uit die aarde het ek 'n ander dier sien opkom, en hy het twee horings gehad net soos 'n lam (Kristus) en gepraat soos 'n draak. (duiwel) En hy oefen al die mag van die eerste dier uit voor sy oe, en hy maak dat die aarde en die wat daarop woon, die eerste dier aanbid, waarvan die dodelike wond genees is. Hy doen ook groot tekens, sodat hy selfs vuur uit die hemel laat neerdaal op die aarde voor die oe van die mense. En hy verlei die bewoners van die aarde deur die tekens wat hom gegee is om voor die oe van die dier te doen, deur aan die bewoners van die aarde te se dat hulle 'n beeld moet maak vir die dier wat die swaardwond ontvang en lewendig geword het. En dit is hom gegee om 'n gees aan die diere se beeld te gee, sodat die dier se beeld ook sal praat en maak dat almal gedood word wat die dier se beeld nie aanbid nie. En hy maak dat aan almal, klein en groot, en die rykes en die armes, en die vrymense en die slawe 'n merk op hulle regterhand en op hulle voorhoofde gegee word; sodat niemand kan koop of verkoop nie, behalwe hy wat die merk of die naam van die dier of die getal van sy naam het. Hier kom die wysheid te pas. Wie die verstand het, laat hom die getal van die dier bereken, want dit is die getal van 'n mens; en sy getal is seshonderd-ses-en-sestig." (666) - Openbaring 13:11-18

"En ek het die dier en die konings van die aarde en hulle leers versameld gesien, om oorlog te voer teen Hom (DIE KONING VAN DIE KONINGS EN DIE HERE VAN DIE HERE) wat op die perd sit, en teen sy leer. En die dier is gevange geneem, en saam met hom die valse profeet wat die tekens in sy teenwoordigheid gedoeen het, Waarmee hy hulle verlei het wat die merk van die dier ontvang en sy beeld aanbid het. Lewend is die twee gewerp in die vuurpoel wat met swawel brand. En die ander is gedood met die swaard wat uit die mond gaan van Hom wat op die perd sit; en al die voels is versadig van hulle vlees." Openbaring 19:19-21

"Geliefdes, glo nie elke gees nie, maar stel die geeste op die proef of hulle uit God is, want baie valse profete het in die wereld uitgegaan. Hieraan ken julle die Gees van God: elke gees wat bely dat Jesus Christus in die vlees gekom het, is uit God; en elke gees wat nie bely dat Jesus Christus in die vlees gekom het nie, is nie uit God nie; en dit is die gees van die Antichris waarvan julle gehoor het dat hy kom, en hy is nou al in die wereld." - 1 Johannes 4:1-3

"Waak dan, omdat julle nie weet watter uur julle Here kom nie. ... Daarom moet julle ook gereed wees, want die Seun van die mens kom op 'n uur dat julle dit nie verwag nie." - Mattheus 24:42, 44

"Nie elkeen wat vir My se: Here, Here! sal ingaan in die koninkryk van die hemele nie, maar hy wat die wil doen van my Vader wat in die hemele is. Baie sal in daardie dag vir My se: Here, Here, het ons nie in u Naam geprofeteer en in u Naam duiwels uitgedrywe en in u Naam baie kragte gedoen nie? En dan sal Ek aan hulle se: Ek het julle nooit geken nie. Gaan weg van My, julle wat die ongeregtigheid werk!" - Mattheus 7:21-23

"En ek het die dode, klein en groot, voor God sien staan, en die boeke is geopen; en 'n ander boek, die boek van die lewe, is geopen. En die dode is geoordeel na wat in die boeke geskryf is, volgens hulle werke. En die see het die dode gegee wat daarin was, en die dood en die doderyk het die dode gegee wat daarin was; en hulle is geoordeel, elkeen volgens hulle werke. en die dood en die doderyk is in die poel van vuur gewerp. Dit is die tweede dood. En as dit bevind is dat iemand nie opgeskryf was in die boek van die lewe nie, is hy in die poel van vuur gewerp." - Revelation 20:12-15

INLEIDING

0638 - Afrikaans

J. Conley

In die volgende studie, die skrifte in gebnrike sal beperk wees tot die wat gevind word beginnende in die boek van Handelinge en eindig in die boek van Judas. Die rede hiervoor is om vennrarring te vermy. Handelinge is 'n boek van geskiedenis. Dit hou senvoudig net rekord van gebeurtnisse soos dit plaasgevind en bevat geen figuudike taalgebruik. Die briewe vanaf Romeine tot Judas is briewe geskrywe aan verskillende gemeentes en individuele. Dit is praktiese instruksies vir daardie gemeentes en individu’s. Dit moet gelees en letterlik aanvaar word. Die briewe was geskrywe aan die mense in hul eie taal. Die doelwit was om die mense te leer in letterlike taal hoe orri God en Sy Seun te dien.


As iemand die Bybel lees moet hy weet dat geen skrif ooit `n ander gedeelte van die skrif betwis nie. In ander woorde, alle skrifte stem ooreen. Ook dat skrifte kan nie minder beteken as wat dit se nie, dit mag meer beteken in die lig van ander skrifte: In ander woorde, wanneer ons ander skrifte lees oor dieselfde onderwerp dan werp hulle lig op die moeilik verstane skrifgedeeltes. God wil nie die verwar nie. As die mens God se woord will aanvaar soos dit is en nie probeer om dit te verander nie sal daar geen verwarring wees nie.


ln doop en en die Heilige Gees bestaan daar baie verwarring. Die rede vir die verwarring is omdat die mens nie God se woord aanvaar soos dit is nie. Hulle probeer om dit te verander en bring sodoende verwarring.

DIE DOOP

Die woord doop in die Bybel beteken dompel. Sprinkeling kan in geen manier oorweeg word as doop in die Bybel. Sprinkeling vemietig die idea van die dood, begrafnis, en opstanding van die dode. In die studie wanneer ons praat van doop praat ons van onderdompeling. Wanneer 'n persoon gedoop is volgens die skrifte, plaas die persoon sy vertroue en die dood, begrafnis, en opstanding van Jesus. Ook die persoon wat gedoop woed geniet `n sterfte van sy sonde, `n begrafiis van die ou mens van sonde en `n opstanding tot in `n nuwe lewe in Christus. Alles hierdie is verlore in Sprinkeling.


NIE `N WERK


Doop in the Bybel word nooit as 'n "werk" genoem of as sodoende gedink nie. Die mens vandag noem dit `n "werk " in Kolossense 2: 12 lees ons.


"Dit het by die doop gebeur deurdat Julle toe saam met Hom begrawe is. Deur Julle verbondenheid met Hom is Julle ook saam met Hom opgewek, omdat Julle glo het in die krag van God wat Hom uit die dood opgewerk het."


Ook in Galasiérs 3:26_27


"Want Julle is almal kinders van God deur die geloof in Christus Jesus; want julle almal wat in Christus gedoop is, het Julle met Christus beklee." (1953 vertaling)


Doop is "Geloof in die werking van God." Doop is die geloof dat ons onsself beklee met die geregtigheid van Christus en word "Kinders Van God." Doop verseker nie redding. Dit is geloof in die dood, begrafnis, en obstanding wat in instaat is om te red.


NET EEN DOOP


Volgens Skrifte is daar net een doop vandag. Efesiërs 4:4_6 sê: "Daar is net een liggaam en net een Gees, soos daar net een hoop is waartoe God Julle geroep het. Daar is net een Here, een geloof, een doop, een God en Vader van almal: Hy wat oor almal is, deur almal werk en in almal woon."


Daar word van meer as een doop melding gemaak in die Bybel, soos die doop van luding, die doop van Johannes, en die doop van die Heilige Gees en vuur. Maar daar was net een doop staande toe Paulus die brief aan die Efesiërs skryf. (Die Heilige Gees doop sal later bespreek word in die Heilige Gees afdeling.) Christelike doop is die enigste doop wat beloftes inhou vir mense vandaag. Die beloftes is "Vergewing van sondes en gawe van die Heilige Gees." Handelinge 2:38.


DOOP VIR DIE VERGEWING VAN SONDE


Die doop water is nie dit wat red of sondes wegneem nie. Die bloed van Christus is die enigste ding wat sondes kan weg neem. Hoe die bloed van Christus en die doop gemeen het met mekaar sal later bespreek word.


Handelinge 2:38 sê: Toe antwoord Petrus hulle: "Bekeer julle en laat elkeen van julle gedoop word in die naam van Jesus Christus. Dan sal God, julÏe sondes vergewe, en sal julle die Heilige Gees as gawe ontvang."

Handelinge 22:16 sê: "En nou, waarom nog wag? Kom laat jou doop en jou sondes afwas nadat jy sy naam aangeroep het."


Hierdie skrifgedeeltes kan nie minder beteken as wat dit sê nie, maar, dit beteken meer in die lig van ander skrifte. Die skrif wat meer lig werp is die verse in Romeine 6:3_11 wat lees:


"Of weet julle nie dat ons almal wat in Christus Jesus gedoop is, in sy dood gedoop is nie? Deur die doop is ons immers saam met Hom is Sy dood. begrawe, sodat, soos Christus deur die heerlike magsdaad van die Vader uit die doop opgewek is, ons ook so in nuwe lewe kan lei.


"Aangesien ons met Hom een geword het in Sy dood, sal ons sekerlik ook met hom een wees in sy opstanding. Ons weet tog dat die sondige mens wat ons was, saam met Christus gekruisig is sodat ons sondige bestaan beeindig kon word. Ons is dus nie langer slawe van die sonde nie. Iemand wat gestert het, is immers vary van die mag van die sonde. Ons het saam met Christus gesterwe, daarom glo ons dat ons ook saam met Hom sal lewe. Ons weet dat Christus wat uit die dood opgewek is, nie weer kan sterwe nie; die dood het nie meer mag oor hom nie. Hy het gesterwe en is eens en vir altyd vir die sonde dood. Nou lewe hy, en hy lewe vir God. Julle moet dus altyd onthou dat julle vir die sonde dood is maar vir God lewe, omdat julle een is met Chnstus Jesus."


Wanner iemand skriftelik gedoop is, is hy "gedoop in Christus Jesus." Hy is "gedoop in sy dood." Jesus het sy bloed gestort in sy dood.


Johannes 19:33_3 sê:


"Toe hulle egter by Jesus kom en sien dat Hy al klaar dood is, het Hulle nie sy bene gebreek nie. Maar een van die soldate het met die spies in sy so gesteek, en daar het dadelik bloed en water uitgekom."


Die manier van Jesus se sterfte was die oorsaak van die bloed wat gestort het. In sy dood gee Jesus sy bloed. In die doop word ons "Gedoop in sy dood" waar Jesus sy bloed gestort het.


Die Bybel is baie duidelik om te së "Begrawe MET HOM deur díe doop." Dit is nie "soos Hy" dit is nie "as Hy" en dit is nie "vir Hom." Die Bybel se "met Hom." "Met" beteken saam of verenig. In vers 5 is dit die woord in gebruik. "Aangesien ons het Hom een geword het in sy dood" Tydens die doop laat ons Christus se dood die plek in neem van die dood wat ons so ontvang vir ons sonde, Romeine 6:23. Verenig in die dood waar sy bloed gevloei het, die bloed neem die sondes weg.


In die lig van Romeine 6:3_11 het Handelinge 2:38 en 22:16 meer betekenis. In Romeine 6:6 die ou sondige mens is "Gekruisig" of laat sterwe. Sonde kan nie die persoon wat gedoop is in Christus se dood beheer nie. Vers 7 sê daardie man is "vry van sonde." Die gedoopte persoon het sy sondes vergewe want Christus se dood het die plek ingeneem van die sondide mens. Die bloed van Jesus het die sondige mens gereinig.


Geeneen kan `n lewe begin alvorens sy sondes vergewe is nie. "Romeine 6:3_11 maak dit duidelik wanneer die dopeling opstaan uit die doopwater hy opstaan om in `n "Nuwe lewe te wandel." Die lewe wat die persoon lewe na die doop is `n lewe vir God. Tydens doop word `n persoon "lewend vir God in Christus Jesus." ook "as ons dan saam met Christis gestert het; glo ons dat ons ook saam met Hom sal lewe."


Kyk na Galasiërs 3:27 weer; "Want julle almal wat in Christus gedoop is, het julle met Christus beklee." Die persone wat "gedoop is in Christus" maak nie staat op hulle eie regverdigheid vir redding maar het hulle met Christus beklee. Christus het hulle regverdheid gewoord en hulle het hul beklee met Christus vir redding. Persone wat gedoop is plaas hulle "geloof in die werking van God wat Hom uit die dode opgewek het." Kolossense 2:12.


1 Petrus 3:2i sê; "Die doop red ons nou." Dit het niks te doen, om te was om die vuicheid van die liggaam te verwyder. Doop is `n "Bede tot God om `n goeie gewete _ deur die opstanding van Jesus Christus." Hoe kan enige persoon `n goeie gewete het as hy nog in sy sonde lewe? Doop maak ook ons gewete skoon want vergifnis van sonde kom tydens doop deur die dood, begrafnis, en opstanding van Jesus Christus.


DIE DIEF AAN DIE KRUIS


Die vraag ontstaan altyd. Wat van die dief aan die Kruis? Daar is geen rekord van hom dat hy gedoop was nie maar Jesus het hom gese dat hy sal saam met Hom in paradys wees Die antwoord tot die vraag word gevind in Hebreërs 9:15_17 wat sê:


"daarom is hy ook die MIDDELAAR VAN 'N NUWE VERBOND. Sy doop het plaasgefind om mense te verlos van die oortreding wat onder die eerste verbond begaan is, sodat die wat geroep is, die beloofde ewige erfenis kan ontvang. Dit is soos met `n testament: Daar moret eers bewys word dat die testamentmaker dood is, want 'n testament word alleen geldig by die dood van ‘n testamentmaker, dit word nooit van krag so lank as hy nog leef nie."


Die dief aan die kruis het nie gelewe onder die Nuwe Testament maar onder die Oue. Hy het gesterwe voor dat die Nuwe Testament in werking was. Hy het gesterwe onder die wet en nie onder genade. Toe die bloed van Jesus gevloei het en sy dood bevestig was. Het `n Nuwe Testament in werking getree. In die Nuwe Testament persone moet "bekeer en gedoop word in die Naam van Jesus Christus tot vergewing van sondes, en julle sal die gawe van die Heilige Gees ontvang."


DIE HEILIGE GEES


Die Nuwe Testament was die Helige Gees aan die mens gegee in drie verskillende maniere. (1) Direk vanaf die Hemel, Handelinge 2:1_5. (2) Hand oplegging van die Apostels, Handeling 8:17_18 and 19:&7. Een (3) tydens doop, Handelinge 2:38 and 19:2_5. Daar is `n spesifieke rede vir elkeen en `n definitiewe doel waarom die Heilige Gees gegee was ‘n verskillende maniere aan verskille persone.


DOOP IN DIE HEILIGE GEES


In Handelinge 1:1_5 belowe Jesus die Apostels dat hulle van die Hemel krag sal ontvang. Die Apostels moes in Jerusalem bly tot Hulle die krag ontvang het. Handelinge 1:5 sê; "Johannes het wel met water gedoop, maar julle sal binne `n paar dae met die Heilig Gees gedoop word."


Jesus het die Aposteis dit belowe en hulle is dit wat dit ontvang. het. In die laaste gedeelte van Handelinge, hoofstuk 1, het die gelowiges `n plaas vervanger gekies wat Judas se plek moes inneem saam met die twaalf. Die gekose een was Mattias "en was in getal met die elf "Apostels." Beginnende in hoofstuk twee "was hulle almal op een plek bymekaar." Dit is duidelik dat die bynaamwoord "hulle" verwys na die Apostels want dit is die naaste naamwoord vir die bynaamwoord om na te verwys.


Verder bewys is dat "Petrus, staan met die elf" nie die hondred en twintig, Handelinge 2:14.


Die rede is, die hondred en twintig het nie die doop van die Heilige Gees ontvang nie. Ook in Handelinge 2:43, "die Apostels het baie wonders en tekens gedoen," Die Apostels was die enigste wat wonderwerke gedoen het tot en by hoofstuk ses van Handelinge wanneer die "handoplegging" plaasvind. Alhoewel die Apostels alleenlik wonderwerke en tekens verrig het, het God nog altyd die Heilige Gees gegee aan die wat glo, Handelinge 2:38 en 5:32.


Die doop van die Heilige Gees het direk gekom vanaf die hemel met die geluid "soos van `n geweldige stormwind." "Hulle het iets soos vuur gesien wat in tonge verdeel en op elkeen van hulle gekom het." Hulle het in ander talle begin praat. Wat gebeur het toe die Heilige Gees gekom het, kon gesien en gehoor was. Handelinge 2:33 sê "Hy het die Heilige Gees wat belowe is, van die vader ontvang en uitgestort. Dit is wat Julle nou sien en hoor."


Die volgende rekord van die Heilige Gees se koms in soortgelykemanier is opgeteken in Handelinge 10:44_48. Dit het kom as bewys aan die Jode dat die heidene ook di Evangelie moet ontvang soos hulle. Ons weet dat dit is presies soos wat gebeur het in Handelinge 2 om dat in Handelinge 11:15. Petrus vertel die gebeurtenis aan die Jode en sê, "Skaars het ek begin praat, of die Heilige Gees kom op hulle net soos op ons in die begin." In die begin het die Heilige Gees direk gekom vanaf die Hemel, met die geluid soos van `n geweldige stormwind, hulle het iets soos vuur gesien wat in tonge verdeel en op elkeen van hulle kom sit het. Die voorval in Handelinge 10 is ten minste sewe jaar later as die voorval in Handelinge 2. Petrus het dit nie weer gesien na Pinksterdag, sewe jaar tevore, want hy se "die Heilige Gees het op hulle gekom net soos op ons in die begin." Die eerste Jode het die Heilige Gees ontvang op hierdie manier en so ook die eerste heidene. God is geen uitsoeker van persoon.


DIE HEILIGE GEES DEUR DIE HANDOPLEGGING VAN DIE APOSTELS


In die sesde hootstuk van Handelinge het die werk van prediking en die uitdeling van goedere te veel geword vir die Apostels.''Daarom was daar sewe manne gekies wat "vol was van die Heilíge Gees." Hulle was voor die Apostels geplaas. Die Apostels het "gebed en die hande opgelê." In Handelinge 6:8 ons lees dat Stefanus (een van die sewe) "het groot wonders en tekens onder die volk gedoen." In Handelinge 8:6 die mense van Samaria "het aandagtig na sy prediking geluister." (Ook een van die sewe.) "Toe die mense hoor wat hy verkondig en die wonders sien wat hy doen." Die wonderwerke is opgeteken in vers 7. In Handelinge 5:12 allenlik die Apostels het wonderwerke gedoen. Maar in hoofstuk 6, na die handoplegging van die Apostels het ander ook wonderwerke gedoen.


Alhoewel Filippus hierdie wonderwerke kan verrig was hy nie instaat om dit oordra na die Samaritane. Maar in Handelinge 8:14 toe die Apostels in Jerusalem hoor dat Samaria ook die Evangelie geglo het, het hulle die Apostels Petrus en Johannes gestuur wat daar "gaan bid het dat hulle die Heilige Gees mag ontvang, want die Gees het nog nie op een van hulle gekom nie; hulle was net in die naam van die Here Jesus gedoop. Die Apostels het hulle die hande opgelê, en hulle het die Heilige Gees ontvang." In Handelinge 8:18 "toe Simon sien dat die mense die Gees ontvang as díe Apostels die hande ople, het hy hulle geld aangebied."


In Handelinge 19:6_7 het Paulus hand opgelê vir "ongeveer twaalf" manne wat vorige dissipels was van Johannes en die Heilige Gees het op hulle gekom, en hulle het in tale gespreek en geprofeteer." Paulus bewys sy Apostelskap in 1 Korinthiërs 9:1_2.


VERDUIDELIKING


Waarom was die Heilige Gees gegee in hierdie twee rnanier? (1) Die doop van die Heilige Gees, en (2) Die Heilige Gees deur die handpleglegging van die Apostels. Albei het tekens en wonders bevat. Beide het die ontvanger in staat gestel om een of meer wonders te verrig, soos die spreek van tale. profesie of gesondmaking. Die antwoord is in 1 Korinthiërs 13:8_13. Wanneer `n persoon 1 Korinthiërs lees, moet hy onthou dat hoofstuk 12, 13, en 14 handel oor die gawes van die Heilige Gees. In 1 Korinthiërs 13:8 Paulus sê:


"Maar profesieë _ hulle sal tot gaan, of tale _ hulle sai ophou, of kennis - dit sal tot niet gaan."


Paulus vertel in verse 9 en 10 wanneer dit sal gebeur:


"Want ons ken ten dele en ons profeteer ten dele. Maar as die volmaakte gekom het, dan sal wat ten dele is, tot niet gaan."


Volmaak beteken net "Voltooi" of "heel" niks meer.


Die Bybel is volmaak of voftooi Johannes voltooi die boek van openbaring ongeveer 95 n.c. en geen boek was aygevoeg sedert daardie tyd. Die Bybel is volmaak. Dit het al die inligting wat ons nodig het om God te leer ken. Die "wet van die vryheid" of Bybel word volmaakte genoem in Jakobus 1 :25.


Alhoewel die Bybel vir ons voltooid is, het die Apostels en hulle dikekte leerlinge nie die Nuwe Testament gehad nie. Die kekens wat hulle ontvang het van die Heilige Gees moes dien as hulp totdat die "volmaakte" of "Nuwe Testament" voltooid was. Hierdië tekens as deel van die groet van `n baba gemeente tot ‘n volwassw een, 1 Korinthiërs 13:11.


Die Nuwe Testament, wanneer voltooid, sou die mens wys presies soos Hy is, 1 Korinthiërs 13:12 en Hebreërs 4:12_13. Met die voltooing van die Nuwe Testament die profesiee en kennis (inspirasie om skrifte te skryf) "sal tot niet gaan" en die "tale" sal ophou.


Dit is ook bewys in geskiedenis. Die kerkvaders (hierdie wat getuies was van die Apostels of wie vriende van iemand was) vertel dat die tekens en wonders of gehou het by die tweede eeu (150_200n.c.) Johannes was die laaste Apostel en het gesterf ongeveer 95_97 n.c. Op wie Johannes ook die hande gele het sal die laaste wees wat instaat sou wees om wonders te doen. Die wonderwerke was nie meer langer nodig. Die Nuwe Testament is voltooid (volmaakt). Die gemeente het vanaf `n pas gebore baba in Jerusalem of Pinksterdag tot `n werêld_wye liggaam gegroei, Kolossense 1:23.


Hierdie gawes van die Gees word ook in ander skrifte melding gemaak soos 1 Timoteüs 4:4 en 5:22. In 2 Timoteüs 1:6 herinner Paulus, Timotheüs "om die genadegawe van God aan te wakker wat in jou is deur die oplegging van my (Paulus en die Apostels) hande."


Wanneer Paulus geskrywe het aan die Korinthiërs, praat hy van die gawe van die Gees (wonders, tale ens.) Maar, wanneer hy skryf aan die Romeine, 'n gemeente wat nie gebegin is "deur 'n Apostels. Paulus maak geen melding van die gawes. Die Romeine het die Heilige Gees volgens Romeine 5:5, maar Paulus verlang om hulle te sien "om genadegawes aan Hulle oor te dra" om hulle te versterk" Romeine 1:1. Hulle het geen wonderwerkende gawes want geen apostel was daar om die hande op hulle te Iê nie.


DIE HEILIGE GEES GEGEE BY DIE DOOP


In Handelinge twee, die doop van die Heilege Gees kom net op die Apostels. Hulle het die kragtige werk van God verkondig. Petrus het opgestaan met die elf Apostels en die mense vertel van Jesus. Petrus het vertel van Christus se dood, begrafnis, en opstanding uit dode, en dat Jesus aan die regterkant van God was. Handelinge 2:37 sê:


"By die aanhoor hiervan is die mense diep getref en het hulle vir Petrus en die ander Apostels gevra: "Wat moet ons doen, broeders?"

Handelinge 2:38-39 gee die antwoord van Petrus.


Toe antwoord Petrus hulle "Bekeer julle en laat elk een van julle gedoop word in die Naam van Jesus Christus. Dan sal God julle sondes vergewe, en sal julle die Heilige Gees as gawe ontvang Wat God belowe het, is vir julle en vir julle kinders en vir almal wat daar ver is, vir almal wat die Here onse God na Hom toe sal roep."


Hierdie mense was vertel dat by die doop sal hulle vergifnis van sonde en die gawe (nie gawes) van die Heilige Gees ontvang. God gee die Heilige Gees aan die wat Hom gehoorsaam, Handelinge 5:32, maar tekens was alleenlik gegee aan die Apostels tot Handelinge 6 en vir diegene wat die Apostels hande oplê. In Handelinge 2:39 Petrus sê:

"want die belofte, is vir julle en vir julle kinders en vir almal wat ver is, vir almal wat die Here onse God na Hom sal roep." Die belofte is die vergifnis van sonde, en die gawe van die Heilíge Gees by die doop. Die belofte was vir die wat Petrus gehoor het, hulle kinders en die wat daar ver is. Alhowel ons daar "ver is", vanaf Pinksterdag of van om Jode te wees, die belofte is nog altyd ons sn. Ons belofte van God is dat ons sal ontvang "vergifnis van sonde en die gawe van die Heilig gees."


In Handelinge 19:1_7 het Paulus die dissipels van .Johannes vra, "Het julle die Heilige Gees ontvang toe julle belowig geword het?" Hulle het nooit gehoor dat die Heilige Gees gegee is nie. Toe vra Paulus "Watter soort doop het julle dan ontvang?" Hulle het nie die Heilige Gees ontvang nie wat hulle doop was verkeerd. Hierdie manne was net gedoop in Johannes se doop. Doop vir die vergewing van sondes en die gawe van die Heilig Gees was nog nie in werking. Na hulle gedoop was in die Naam van Jesus vir hierdie beloftes, het Paulus die hande op hulle gele en hulle was instaat om in tale te praat en te profeteer.


Handeling 8:4_25, Filippus het tekens en wonders gedoen en die mense het geglo en was gedoop in die naam van Jesus. Hulle het ook die belofte ontvang van Handelinge 2:38 (vergewing van sondes en die gawe van die Heilige Gees). In teendeel die mense van Samaria het geen uiterlike gawes gehad wat sigbaar was. Hulle het geen sigbare tekens gehad totdat die Apostels Petrus en Johannes hulle die hande kom oplê. Hulle bekering was van geen waarde as hulle nie die Heilige Gees gehad nie. Romeine 8:9 sê: "As iemand die Gees van Christus nie het nie, behoort hy nie aan Christus nie."


In die ander bekeringe van die boek van Handeling is `n opname gemaak dat die mense gedoop was. Voorbeelde is die ontmande Etiopier, Handelinge 8:26_40; Lydia en haar huis, Handelinge 16:11_16; bewaarder van Filippi, Handelínge 16:25-34. Almal hierdie was gedoop in geloof in die beloftes van Handelinge 2:38. As hulle niks van Christus is nie. Daar is geen rekord dat hulle die Heilige Gees op `n ander manier ontvang het nie. Daar is net een doop volgens Efesiërs 4:5. Daardie doop is onderdompeling in Christus se dood vir die vergifnis van sonde en om die Heilige Gees as gawe te ontvang.


DIE WERK VAN DIE HEILIGE GEES IN ONS LEWE VANDAG


Eerstens is die Heilige Gees "die waarborg dat ons ook verder sal ontvang wat God belowe het," Efesiërs 1:14. Hier maak Paulus dit duidelik dat God ons beseël met sy gees tot dat ons aankom in die hemel. Die gees is aan Christene gegee om hulle te wys Hom om te "lewe sodat hy kan verheerlik word." Die Christene is beseël met die Heilige Gees tot die verlossingsdag. Maar die Heilige Gees kan bedroef word as die Christen nie toelaat dat die Heilige Gees Hom lei; Efesiërs 4:30.


Ons benodig nie help van die Heilige Gees om die Woord van God te kan skryf, maar ons benodig Sy help om dit te vefstaan. God belowe ons dit in 1 Korinthiërs 2:10_13. Die Woord van God is die instrument wat die Heilige Gees gebruik om die mens te oortuig van sy sonde. Hebreërs 4:12_13. Die swaard van die Gees is die Woord van God, Efesiërs 6:17. As `n persoon toelaat dat die Heilige Gees hom lei dan doen hy nie meer die werk van die vlees soos geskrywe in Galasiërs 5:1 & 21. As die Heilige Gees in ons lewens is, sal Hy vrug voortbring. Sy vrug is: "Liefde, vreuge, vrede, geduki, vriendelikheid, goedhartigheid, getrouheid, nederigheid en selibeheersing.


Romeine 8:1_27 vrertel dit duidelik van die werk van die Gees om oheers oor die begeertes van die vlees. Dit vertel ook hoe die Gees ons help in ons swakhede in gebed deur bekend te maak ons "versugtinge wat níe met woorde gese kan word nie." (Hierdie is nie tale want dit kan nie met woorde Gese word nie.) Die Gees ondersoek ons harte en pleit volgens die wil van God vir die gelowiges.


Alle skrifte in gebruik is uit die Bybel Nuwe Vertaling. Waaraangedui met * uit die 1953 vertaling.

GOD SE WOORD VERTEL -

0605 -Afrikaans

GOD SE WOORD VERTEL
DIE GELOWIGE HOE OM AFVALLIG WORD TE VERMY

G. Faull

Meeste van ons het daardies geken wat die naam van Christus "genoem het en weer terug geval het in die manier van lewe waarvan _ dan hulle gekom het. Satan is nie dood nie. Hy leef grootliks en hy verlei nog altyd met die lering van bedrog, die belofte van `n goeie tyd, of net die apatie om die lewe te leef soos dit kom. Ons, onsself mag ook al die wegdrywe van dinge wat ons ken ondervind het. Hoe kan ons dit voorkom? 'n Konsiderasie van hierdie feite van afvallig word kan ons help om aan die Here Jesus vas te hou.

MOONTLIKHEID

Erken die moontlikheid van afvallig word. Is dit nie ironies met daardies rondom ons wat terug gedraai het om te proef dit is moontlik om afvallig te word! Openbaarlik, om afvallig te word is nie net moontlik nie, maar dit kom dikwels voor. God se mense was gesê, "Neem jou net in ag en wees terdeë op jou hoede, dat jy die dinge nie vergeet wat jou oë gesien het nie, en dat hulle uit jou hart nie wyk al die dae van jou lewe nie; en jy moet dit aan jou kinders en kindskinders bekend maak." (Deut. 4:9)

Die sout kan sy smaak verloor. Die saad kan verstik word tussen: die dorings. Een kan sy hand aan die ploeg sit en terug kyk. Een kan skipbreuk van die geloof ly. Paulus het gese dat sommige weggedrai het na die Satan. Die liefde vir geld kan veroorsaak dat iemand afdwaal van die geloof. Daar is mense soos Demas wat die teenwoordige wereld lief gekry het. Ons moet oppas dat ons slegte harte ons nie weg neem van God nie. Ons kan verhard word deur die verleiding van sonde. Ons moet daarvoor vrees dat ons nie kort kom bv die beloofde rus.

`n Wortel van bitterheid kan opspring en ons besmet. Dit kan kom dat ons weer verwar word in die wêreld sodat ons einde erger word as die begin. Ons kan wegdraai van God se gebooie. Ons kan oortreë en nie in die lering van God by nie. Ons kan ons eerste liefde verlaat. Dit is moontlik om terug te draai soos die vark om weer in die modderpoel te gaan rond rol. Hierdie beskrywings is die beskrywings van die Skrifte. Om die moontlikheid van val te verloën is die hoogte van onkundigheid: "Daarom, wie meen dat hy staan, moet oppas dat hy nie val nie." (I Kor. 10:12)

VEROORSAAK

Oorweeg die veroorsaak van afvallig word. God se oorvloedige voorsienings kan veroorsaak dat iemand Hom vergeet. God moes Israel waarsku dat hulle Hom mag vergeet. Hy het hulle gesê: "Sodat julle nie miskien eet en versadig word nie en mooi huise bou en woon nie, en jou beeste en jou kleinvee vermeerder en jou silwer en goud vermeerder, ja alles wat jy het, vermeerder _ en jou hart hom dan verhef, dat jy die Here jou God mag vergeet wat jou uit Egipteland, uit die slawehuis, uitgelei het;" (Deut 8:12_14)

Wanneer iemand nie in teenspoed is nie, hy kan God maklik vergeet en dink dat wat hy het was gevra deur sy eie vindingrykheid. Soos Jesurun wat "vet geword het," baie verlaat die God wat hulle gemaak het. "Toe het Jesurun vet geword en agterop geskop _ jy het vet geword, dik geword, spekret geword _ en jy het God verwerp wat Hom gemaak het, en die steenrots van sy heil geminag." (Deut 32:15) Jesus het geleer dat terwille van ongeregtigheid, die liefde van baie sal koud word. (Matt 24:12) Hy het ons geleer dat die sorge en rykdom van hierdie wereld sal veroorsaak dat somige gelowiges verlore sal gaan. Hy het gesê dat beproewings en vervolging sal veroorsaak dat qelowiges afvailig word. `n Terug keer na daardie dinge wat ons lief het _ persone, plekke, of besittings _ kan veroorsaak dat ons kan terug draai. Onthou die vrou van Lot!

Ander verwerp die geestelike waarheid, verwysing na fisiese brood, en draai weg van Jesus. (Joh 6:66) Die liefde vir geld, populariteit, lntelleksie trots, sekssuele toestemming, eie_wil, en mismoedigheid kan veroorsaak dat andere terugval. Baie struikel oor die aksies, gesindheid en die arrogante van ander Christene. Baie val onder die kuislike hand van God. Gewoontes, vermaak, metgeselle, okkupasies, vooroordeel kan ons weg lei van God.

Dit is nie net as iets kwaad in homself het dan iei dit ons af na die pad van verderwing. Iemand kan terugdraai om sy vader te begrawe. Iemand kan betrokke wees in `n plaas wat hy verwerf. Iemand mag nog sy osse voer voed. Hierdie is nie kwaad nie. Hulle is juis die eksuuses wat mense gee om nie vir Jesus te kan volg nie, maar hulle kan ook redes wees vir afvallig word. As hulle jou hart wegdraai om die Here te volg, hulle word die redes dat jy sal uitlos dit wat Christus vir jou het.

Die pad is reguit en smal. Ons moet ons "des te meer beywer om ons roeping en verkiesing vas te maak." (2 Pet 1:10) Ons moet in ag neem

HOE OM DIE BYBEL TE STUDEER

0607 - Afrikaans

Seth Wilson

"Hoe om te" kan verwys na programme, metode, en help, of na beginsels, ervare, en oefeninge deur wie dit reg gedoen word. Baie metodes is beskikbaar. Maar die doel bly dieselfde: om te verstaan. wat God ons offer en leer, en dit te gebruik om Hom tevrede te stel en te verheerlik. In hierdie boeke deel ons nie baie met metode nie, as met beginsels en oefeninge wat lei na korrek interpretasies en gebruik van die Bybel.

Hoe ook al, beginsels en reëls sal nie die werk vir jou doen nie. Hulle help as gids vir ons pogings. Hulle is gidslyne wat ons help van wegdwaling van die pad, waarin 'n ware kommunikasie is wat gemaak is in die vorm van menslike taal.

METODE OM MEE TE BEGIN

1. Stel 'n tyd vas vir studie; plaas dit in jou rooster waar dinge van minder belang dit nie aanhoulik volprop nie.

2. Berei 'n plek: dit help om gunstige toestande te hë en `n plek waar jou gewoonte van studie groei.

3. Kry `n paar gereedskap, verseker `n Bybel wat jy kan lees. `n Standhoudende vergelykings met verskillende vertallings kan van baie waarde wees. Woorde verandering help om die regte idee aan die gedagte te bring. Hulle ooreenstemming bewys wat duidelik en seker is in die teks. Kry `n Bybel wat in paragrawwe is. Vermy om net een vers te lees, gebruik dit asof dit `n paragraaf is.

As jy een soos hierdie gebruik, wees baie versigtig om te weet waar die regte paragraaf begin. Moenie elke vers lees as `n eenheid op sy eie gedagte nie. Lees al die sinwe, en lees hulle met hul konneksie met mekaar, in die aanhoudende lyn van die skrywer se gedagte. Jy sal ontdek dat baie verkeerde idees 'n gewoonte geword het, by die oefen om te probeer uitbrei en aanpas op die een vers, sorder om die skrywer se lyn te sien van sy gedagte, waarvan die een vers maar net 'n beperkte deel is van sy uitdrukking.

Bybel woordeboeke kan help, en by geleentheid kan hulle mislei. Verwysings boeke van mense is foutief. Bybel handboeke gee gewoonlik help en informasie omtrent elke boek van die Bybel, wat betekenis kan byvoeg by `n leser se belange en verstand.

4. Werk op 'n plan; stel 'n paar doele vas. Maak dit buigbaar.

5. Maak notas. Voorsien notaboekies of leêrs vir die maak, hou en gebruik van notas in ons studies.

6. Gee vastige aandag. Wees ywerig en hou aan.

7. Hersien en gebruik wat jy geleer het.

8. Vind en korrek jou foute soos wat jy meer leer.

9. Studeer saam as `n groep. Dit is baie hulpsaan om die Bybel met ander Christene te studeer. Ons verstaan dit eintelik beter om die ander te help, om dit in die taal van die skrywer te sien wat hy sê. Om belang te stel om anders te help verskaf `n goeie Christen motivering vir pogings en aanmoedigings, wanneer die werk verstom en verwaarloos mag lyk. God het ons bestem om sy lerings te leer en oefen in die gemeenskap met mekaar.

REGTE GESINDHEID EN DOEL

1. Verlang om te wil weet wat leer die Bybel.

2. Verwag om iets verstaandbaar te ontvang. Verwag om te leer en gebruik wat God ons gee. Gebruik jou intelligensie om elke waarheid te sien. Dan plaas tesame in jou gedagtes al die idees en feite, met verwagtinge en opbouing en vermeerder jou begrip.

3. Wees gewillig om dit te laat wees wat dit is en sê wat dit eintlik bedoel was om te sê. Jy kan op `n wyse manier ondersoek dat die Bybel God se Woord is, maar ons kan dit nie lees met die gedagte dat ons die waarheid van God's woord kan oordeel nie, om te verwerp wat ons nie te vore geken het nie. Ons kan nie God vertel wanneer Hy reg of vergeet is nie. Hy moet ons sê.

4. Het nederigheid en eerlikheid wat nie die Bybel voorskryf wat dit moet sê nie, of om sy bestemde mening te verdraai. Ons moet enige duidelik ons eie gedagte minder vertrou as wat ons enige duidelike boodskap van die Bybel minder vertrou.

5. Vind die feite voordat jy jou eie sienswysa vorm. Moenie eers jou sienswyse vorm dan kyk jy net vir die woorde en frasse wat lyk dit onderhou jou sienswyse.

6. Soek antwoorde vir vrae uit die Bybel homself, met eerlike lees.

Moenie tevrede wees met menslike tradisies, veral as dit ‘n swak onderhoud het met die teks waarmee jy dit aanheg.

7. Het `n vertroue dat dit waar is, dat dit onbestaanbaar en harmornes is, dat dit geneem was om verstaan te word, sodat ons geduldig aanhou lees in die hoop van om dit te verstaan en dit bymekaar te kry.

8. Erken dat dit 'n verbond is vir ons van God om te ontvang, om deur dit te lewe, en op dit te steun vir ons toekomstige erfenis.

9. Erken dat die skrywers van die Bybel het 'n betekenis in gedagte , wat ons nodig om dit te moet vind. Enige een het die reg om die skrywer se bestemde gedagte te vind, maar geen een het die reg om dit `n betekenis te gee wat verskillend is nie. Die oorspronklike betekenisse verander nie, alhoewel ons verstand van dit mag vermeerder, of die stroom gebruik van sy woorde en sinne mag verskillend wees. As die woorde waarby ons die Bybel vertaal het (of sy betekenisse uitdruk) verander in betekenis met die mense met wie ons praat, dan moet ons ander woorde kies om te gebruik in ons blootstelling, wat sal die oorspronklike betekenis van God se openbaring bewaar.

WAT IS DIE REGTE INTERPRETASIE?

Dit is wat die skrywer bedoel het om te sê. Ons doel is om die dinkende uitdrukkings te lees, as een wat, `n betekenis in gedagte het. Ten minste, in die eerste, ons moet nie dink aan ons verlange of wat die woord aan ons doen nie, maar liewer om `n goeie gebruik te maak van die skrywer se taal, waarin by ons waarheid en verstaand gee. Vertaling is nie `n uitwerking of verduideliking (sekerlik nie verandering) wat die skrywer gesê het nie; dit is om die boodskap aan ons te gee: Verdere ondersoek van die vak van die boodskap mag begeerbaar wees na ons dit gelees het; selfs dit mag ons help om seker te wees hoe goed ons dit gelees het. Maar die interpretasie, spreek streng, is eenvoudig om goed te lees wat hy geskryf het.

Baie van dit wat genoem was "interpretasie" van die Bybel is gebaseer op die probeer slag dat dit nie kan geneem word op die gesigs waarde, dat dit nie duidelik en gewoonlik uitdruk wat waar is nie of wat ons behoort te glo omtrent dit. Mense het probeer om agter sy woorde "betekenis te vind verskillend van dit wat uitgedruk is. Sommige van hierdie mense het sy vereiste verwerp as die bonatuurlike openbaring van God. Hulle vertaal 'n verklaring van feite nie as `n verslag van wat nie regverdig nie, geen ervarings nie, geen intelligensíe nie, nie eerlik nie. Probeer hard om nie van sy spore af te gaan nie. Hoe beter jy die leier ken en die grond wat hy bedek, hoe beter kan jy volg.

HULPSAME METODES EN OEFENINGE

1. Maak 'n voorlopige studie van die boek. Vind uit so goed as wat jy kan wie het dit geskryf? aan wie? wanneer? vir watter doel? om by watter situasie in te pas? onder watter situasie in te pas? Onder watter verbond of dispensasie of goddelike genade?

2: lees in `n vinige opname, `n vlugtigheid van die hele boek, om die sakke te vind waarmee gedeel word, die hele plan van die bedeking die hoof beklemtoning en sentraal van die heelal, en rigtings van die skrywer se doel.

3: Maak `n skets van die hoof seksies en lyne van ontwikkeling.

4. Lees `n seksie om die vrag te vind waarvoor dit bestem is om te antwoord. Skryf die vrag uit en kyk vir al die antwoorde wat jy kan vind. Neem kennis van enige woord, frasse, of idees wat moelik is om te verstaan, sodat jy dit kan opkyk in die verwysingsboeke en hulle oplet in jou verdere lees, of gesels dit met ander studente.

Onthou die leestekens en volg dis grammatieke struksies van die sinne. Nie woorde nie, rnaar sinne, is die ware eenheid Van die betekenis. Die betekenis en vors van `n woord is grootliks aangedaan by die konneksies wat dit het met ander woorde, deur die doel van die skrywer op die tyd, en die teenoorgestelde wat hy in gedagte het vir elke instansie. Woorde is die stene en planke waarvan `n huis van betekenís gebou is; grammar ís díe ontwerp waardeur dit bymekaar gesit is om `n huis te maak in plaas van `n hoop. Wat die skrywer dink oor dinge wat deur sy woorde ontwerp is word gewys in die grammar wat hy gebruik. Die struktuur van sy sinne wys ook hoe hy voel oor die dinge waarvan hy praat.

Kyk vir die manier waarin hy dink, die spesifieke gedeelte van gedagte wat hy in sienswyse het: Hou jou gedagtes in die raamwerk van die venster wat hy vir jou oopmaak met sy sinne rigting van gedagtes.

Een van die beste oefeninge om enige boek te studeer of seksie is om `n skets van dit te maak en skryf 'n verkorte frasse oor dis dinge wat hy meeste probeer om te se. Hou dan aan om die skets vermeerder em maak die frasse om alles te se wat hy se, met dieselfde beklemtoon en gebeur het nie maar as ‘n slim fabel, `n ware, betekenis waarvan besluit moet word op die basies van ons filosofie en werklikheid, nie in die nugter manier verklaring van die Bybel se skrywers. Hierdie soort van "vertalings" begin met die verwerping van die verslag en sy openlike mening, en probeer dit om iets te maak wáarvoor dit nooit bestem was om te wees nie.

Maar daar is anders wat glo dat die Bybel het `n bonatuurtike oorsprong en spesiale bedekte betekenisse verby wat openlik uitgedruk is in sy taal. Enige vertaling is onbetroubaar wat `n mening van buite af neem en dit in die gedeelte bring in plaas van om die skrywer se woorde te vind in sy boodskap.

HOE IDENTIFISEER ONS DIE SKRYWER SE IDEE?

Hy het dit vir ons uitgedruk in sy woorde, in die vorm van sy sinne (die manier hoe die woorde saam gevoeg is in verband met mekaar), en in die lyn van gedagte soos dit gevolg word in die ínhoud. Ons kan ons denkbeeld laat vermeerder met sy idees deur die omstandighede die presiesheid van sy situasie, en so vind ons sy doel vir skrywe. Ons kan die presiesheid van sy gedagte toets deur die vergelyking van paralelle gedeeltes, _ ander verklarings op dieselfde vak deur gelyke skrywer.

Die ware interpretasie is die een wat die skrywer pas, die lesers se oogmerk, die toespraak van die situasie, soos die woorde gebruik is die spraakkuns van sy sinne, die veroorsaak van sy gedagte, die teenstelling wat hy uitgedruk het of die begrepe, van die res van die Skrifte. As ons 'n betekenis vind wat goed pas en dit lyk so seker, as die enigste een wat kan pas op alle maniere, dan kry ons die gevoelens dat hierdie interpretasie nodig is, dit is die enigste een wat ons moet glo dit is waar. Enige interpretasie wat geheel en al nie nodig is nie, is baie twyfelagtig.

Interpretasie deur 'n streng lesing van die skrywer se sinne, is soos wat jy `n geestelike spel speel "wat die skrywer volg." As ons presies die pad volg wat hy geneem het, dan deel ons sy ondervinding daarin. As ons afgaan vanaf die pad wat hy vir ons gemerk het, dan breek ons die reëls van die spel, want deur dit te doen deel ons nie in sy ondervinding nie. Ons probeer om `n ander leier te word in plaas van ‘n na volger. As ons weggaan op ons eie gedagtes lyn in plaas van om hom te volg, dan skryf ons ons eie skrif in kompetisie met hom. Om sy woorde te gebruik vir ons gedagtes in plaas van te se sy betekenis is gedagte. Laat die Bybel die Bybel vertaal. Vermeerder jou verstand van `n woord deur al sy gebruike en betekenisse van die Bybel te onderhou; neem kennis van die verskille van geskeide gedeeltes, en moenie `n woord verwag wat elke keer dieselfde dinge meen nie. Voeg by jou begrip van een gedeeltes wat `n ander gedeeltes sê van dieselfde vak; maar wees ook,versigtig om een gedeelte te gebruik om ander mee te verwag, en dit dan weghou van die gedagte wat dit bestem was om te sê. Laat elke gedeelte se wat dit behoort om te sê en dan ons gedagtes vervul met die vak waarmee dit deel.

Hou aan om te oefen, om te groei, en versamel 'n ware kennis en verstand.