THE HOLY BIBLE

This is written to let you know that the Holy Bible is like no other books because it is the Book of God with the central message of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior of mankind. The Word of Jesus is the Word of God, ABSOLUTE, INFALLIBLE, SUPREME, ULTIMATE, AND ETERNAL. Heavens and Earth will pass away, but the Word of God will never pass away.

The Holy Bible is One, consists of the Old Testament written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. The Old Testament is composed of 39 books, and the New Testament is comprised of 27 books; a total of 66 books. The Holy Bible is the sole basis upon which Christianity is built on. Like Luther and all true Christians, I believe in Sola Scriptura (which means by Scripture alone). Sola Scriptura means that Scripture alone is the authoritative guide for the faith and practice of all Christians. The Bible is complete, authoritative, absolute, perfect, supreme, infallible, eternal and true because it is the Word of God. The Word of God cannot be violated.

There is no danger in believing Sola Scriptura just as there is no danger in believing One and True God. The God of the Holy Bible is Omniscient, Omnipotent, All Wise, Self-Existent, Eternal God. The Word of God is therefore infallible and eternal. Beware of false teachers who pretend to be Christians, yet they intend to destroy the Word of God with false science, false teachings, false theology, false doctrines, and heresies. There are many websites that pretend to be Christian but they are diabolical.

It is of utmost important to know the miracles of God are supernatural in nature, no scientist or anyone can use the natural principles to explain the supernatural. The Word of God is truth and does not need to be confirmed or validated by scientists or anyone. Miracles are the acts of God do not need to be explained by scientists. Actually scientists cannot use the natural to explain the supernatural. For example, some scientists use the “red tides” to explain Exo 7:17,”This is what the Lord says: By this you shall know that I AM the Lord: behold, I am going to strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned into blood.” The Lord said the water of Nile turned into blood, not the “red tides.” So scientific explanation of the supernatural is useless. Scientists are humans, fallible and mortal. They do not even know when they are going to die.

The most famous English Bible was the 1611 King James Version, the originally published KJV text from 1611 A.D. using archaic English. However, the first English translation was completed by John Wycliffe who was an English philosopher, theologian, biblical translator, and a seminary professor at the University of Oxford. What is the difference between translation and version?

“According to Ethnologue, there are currently 7,106 living languages in the world. As of 2020 the full Bible has been translated into 704 languages. The New Testament has been translated into 1,551 languages and parts of the Bible have been translated into 1,160 additional languages.”

According to:

https://www.wycliffe.net/



According to http://infomory.com/numbers/number-of-bibles-printed/

How many Bibles have been printed? 6,001,500,000

According to Webster’s New Word College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, “translation implies the rendering from one language into another of something written or spoken (a German translation of Shakespeare); version is applied to a particular translation of a given work, spec. of the Bible (the King James Version).”

I recommend this Dictionary to all my students, except Taiwan is not a nation, but a province of China.

For practical reasons since then there have been many English translations the English Bible, including the following translations and version available:

King James Version, New King James Version, New Living Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version, Christian Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible, New English Translation, Revised Standard Version, American Standard Version, Young’s Literal

Translation, Darby Translation, Webster’s Bible, Hebrew Names Version,

provided free by https://www.blueletterbible.org; although I personally and preferably use the NASB. When it does not seem clear to me or it has some flaws, I consult also other translations and versions, or I make translations myself through the study of the original words.

As far as I know, God did not and does not grant any individual, group, or institution the right and privilege to translate the Holy Bible. For that reason, I strongly believe it is wrong and corrupt to copyright the Bible for business purposes. It is un-scriptural and wrong for any individual, group, or institution to make, publish, and merchandise the Holy Bible for high profit. Some famous and infamous individuals through greed and covetousness they used with feigned words and private interpretations to make merchandise of the Bible and sell them to make profits. I believe such rendering the Bible for the purpose of merchandising is wrong and corrupt. For that reason, we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation.

For those who study the Word of God and those who learn the English language, the Holy Bible is the greatest world’s masterpiece. When I was a boy learning the English language and used the English Bible as a textbook, it was difficult because the Bible of King James English was archaic. Now the English Bible is blessed with many modern and contemporary English versions which are very helpful and useful and beautiful and powerful. I often thought what China could have been if men like Confucius, Lao Zi, etc. had read the Holy Bible. The new versions of the Holy Bible include New King James Version, New Living Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version and New American Standard Bible 2020. Without doubt, these new versions of the Holy Bible express the most beautiful and powerful English. There is no book like the Bible which contains the Gospel and Parable, Philosophy and Theology, Doctrine and Discourse, History and Literature, Prophecy and Poetry, Monologue and Prologue, Biography and Autobiography, Treatise and Teaching, Sign and Miracle, Law and Grace, Heaven and Hell, Sin and Salvation, Maxim and Proverb, God and Devil, Time and Eternity, Material and Spiritual, Flesh and Spirit, Children of God and Children of the Devil, Good and Evil, the Righteous and the Wicked, this World and the World to come, etc.

This article is written so that you may know the Holy Bible is not like any other book. The Holy Bible is the Book of God, God speaks to mankind, the whole world. Human books are originated by men, great and small, famous and infamous. There are many useful books. Good books are few. Great books are rare. The Bible is the greatest Book of all times. The Bible is the sole Book whereby Christianity is built and based upon. The Bible or the Scripture claims to be the Word of God, although holy prophets and holy apostles were moved and wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Bible never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and wrote them down. The Bible is right because God cannot be wrong. It simply means the Bible is not the teaching of man; it is the revelation of God. The Holy Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is the basis of Judaism, mainly the Mosaic Law and the Prophets – from Genesis to Malachi, a set of 39 book. The New Testament is the basis of Christianity, written by apostles after the ascension of Jesus Christ – from Matthew to Revelation, a set of 27 books. Thus, the Bible is composed of 66 books.

Unfortunately, the Jews still wait for the Messiah, they do not know or believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah who was God and became Man some 2,000 years ago. For this reason the Jews believe only the Old Testament. Christians believe in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament because Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses. All the prophets spoke about the Messiah fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible is not like other books, it is the message of God to mankind. The central message of the Bible is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was sent into the world to die for our sins, rose from death for our justification. He ascended to the highest Heaven sitting at the right hand of God, and He is coming again to reign with the saints forever and ever. Some humanists and modernists and unbelievers out of their evil heart of unbelief want a ‘different and better Bible’. There is no other Bible, there is no better Bible, there is only one Bible which is the Word of the Lord. Men may fake a Good Book. There is no other Good Book, the Bible is the only Good Book because it has the Word of life, and it teaches the Way of God in truth.

The Bible was not conceived by man, or woman, or men. The Bible was not invented by human being or human beings. The Bible was not made by an institution or institutions. The Bible was not a product of culture, tradition, religion, custom, experience or experiment, discovery or wisdom of human beings. The Bible was not a fable, composition, novel, anthology, essay, philosophy of human mind. The Bible is the Holy Scripture, the Word of God.

Jhn 10:35 ,“If he called them gods, to whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken).” The Bible, the Scripture and the Word of God are synonymous. Word in Greek is logos which means speech, a living voice, a conception or idea, what is said, decree, dictum, mandate, declaration, instruction, reason, revelation, oracle or utterance, the sayings of God, the moral precepts given by God, doctrine, teaching, the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal Wisdom and Power in union with God; – it occurs 334 times in the New Testament. The Word of God came to holy prophets and apostles. To be broken means to be nullified or violated. The Word of God cannot be nullified or violated.

Luk 3:2 ,“In the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.”

Luk 5:1 ,“Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the Word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.”

The Word of Jesus is the Word of God.

Jhn 1:1 ,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Mat 24:35,“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”

To pass away in Greek is parerchomai which means to perish, go out of existence, end, come to an end; – it occurs 46 times in the New Testament. If Heaven and earth will pass away, how much sooner the American imperialism, Islamic terrorism and the empire of Japan? All things will pass away; the Words of Jesus will never pass away. The Word of God will not pass away.

The Word of God reveals God to mankind. Scripture in Greek is graphē which means a writing, thing written, the book itself, or its contents; a certain portion or passage or section of the Holy Scripture; – it occurs 51 times in the New Testament. To break in Greek is lyō which means to dismiss, break up, annul, subvert, undo, do away with, deprive of authority, demolish, destroy, overthrow, do away with; – it occurs 45 times in the New Testament. The Word of God cannot be nullified or violated.

Psa 119:89 , “Lamedh.

Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in Heaven.”

Word in Hebrew is dabar which means speech, saying, utterance, discourse, edict, oracle; – it occurs 1,414 times in the Old Testament. To settle in Hebrew is natsab which means to stand firm, establish, station, set, fix, put, place; – it occurs 79 times in the Old Testament. The Word of God is settled in Heaven where no missile, rocket, warplane, radar, etc. can reach. Whatever the rich and powerful do on earth does not affect the Word of God fixed in Heaven one bit.

To say the Bible says is the same to say the Scripture says. To say in the Bible is the same to say in the Scriptures. To say according to the Bible is the same to say according to the Scriptures. The Holy Bible means the Holy Scriptures. To say the Word of the Lord is the same as the Word of God. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. The Word of Jesus is the Word of God. The Holy Bible is the Holy Scripture and the Word of God.

Luk 24:25-27, “And He (Jesus) said to them: “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Note: All the Scriptures proclaim one central message of the Bible which is Jesus Christ. Foolish in Greek is anoētos which means unintelligible, not understanding, unwise; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. To explain in Greek is diermēneuō which means to unfold the meaning of what is said, expound; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament.

There is no such a thing called a liberal interpretation of the Bible, a broad interpretation of the Bible, or a rigid interpretation of the Bible, a narrow interpretation of the Bible, etc. There is only one correct interpretation of the Bible is to explain it accurately.

To begin with there are millions of Christians who do not know how to search the Scriptures. For example, they remember the Bible says about all things work together for good of Christians, they do not know exactly the Book and the Verse. If you remember the Scripture cited is in the New Testament may help you a lot. Here is the tool how you can find the Scripture you are looking for: You need a computer (or cellphone) with Internet access. You visit the following address: https://www.blueletterbible.org/

When it opens up, on your left the top click on Search, there are many versions of the Bible, such as

KJV, NKJV, NLT, NIV, ESV, CSB, NASB
NET, RSV, ASV, YLT, DBY, WEB, HNV

I usually pick NASB (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) because it is my opinion that the translation is more accurate and the language is more American. There is no perfect translation.

Then you remember the key words: ‘all things’. In the box Search the Bible, you enter all things and click the arrow on your right. It opens up many Scriptures with the words “all things.” If you know the verse is in the New Testament, you just scroll down to click on 2. Immediately you will see:

Rom 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

I hope this illustration may help you henceforth easy to find the Scriptures you are looking for with ease. The Holy Bible is a treasure you can find spiritual truths for your whole life.

1. The Word of the Lord.

Specifically at a point in time God spoke to a particular person or group of people, it can be cited as the Word of the Lord.

Gen 15:1 ,“After these things the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

Note: Word in Hebrew is dabar which means speech, saying, utterance, something said; – it occurs 1,439 times in the Old Testament. Vision in Hebrew is machazeh which means in the ecstatic state; – it occurs only 4 times in the Old Testament.

Gen 15:4 ,“And behold, the Word of the LORD came to him, saying: This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”

Note: The Word of God often explains and gives instruction or command. God told Abram (later became Abraham) specifically that Ishmael shall not be his heir, but Isaac who will come from his own body shall be his heir.

Exd 8:1 ,“And the LORD spoke to Moses: Go to Pharaoh and say to him, Thus says the LORD: Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

Note: The Lord told Moses to say to Pharaoh: Thus says the Lord. The standard formula was used by all prophets who spoke for God to anyone from king to the Israelites: Thus says the Lord.

Exd 9:20 ,“He who feared the Word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses.”

Note: The LORD said to Moses that tomorrow He would cause very heavy hail to rain down throughout the land of Egypt. Those servants of Pharaoh who feared the Word of the Lord made their servants and their livestock flee to the houses. Those who did, did not die in the field. Those who did not died.

Num 3:16 ,“So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the Word of the LORD .”

Note: Command in Hebrew is tsavah which means to order, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to; – it occurs about 494 times in the Old Testament. Moses took a census of the Israelites as God commanded him. To obey God’s Word is to obey God’s command. To obey God’s command is to obey God.

Num 15:31 , “Because he has despised the Word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.”

Note: Despise in Hebrew is bazah which means to hold in contempt, disdain, regard with contempt, figuratively to trample with the feet, make light of; – it occurs about 43 times in the Old Testament. To despise the Word of the Lord is to despise the Lord, a very serious sin. Anyone who breaks the Lord’s commandment, that person shall be completely cut off. To be cut off is to be killed.

Num 22:18 ,“Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak: Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the Word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. ”

Note: Silver and gold stands for money. Almost all sins ever committed have been committed for the love of money. In fact the love of money is the root of all evils. No prophet can go beyond the Word of the Lord, to do more or less.

Go beyond in Hebrew is `abar which means to pass over, cross, cross over, march over; pass beyond, violate, overlook or neglect, bypass, omit, supersede; – it occurs about 559 times in the Old Testament. This is a core principle: Preachers cannot and must not go beyond the Word of the Lord as it written in the Bible. Speculation or private interpretation of the Bible is strictly forbidden.

Question: How does a prophet of God speak for God?

Num 22:38 ,“And Balaam said to Balak: Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The Word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak. ”

Note: Balaam was bad in other things, but he was right that what God put in his mouth that he must speak. All preachers must not use their imagination to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ; they must adhere to what the Bible clearly teaches. For example, some false preachers teach that God is love therefore there is no hell. But Jesus Christ says, Mat 10:28 , “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him (God) who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”

Note: God destroys the body and soul of the wicked or unbeliever in Hell, but the body and soul do not die (cease to exist) but suffer for eternity.

2Pe 2:15, “They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.”

Note: Wages in Greek is misthos which means dues paid for work, reward: used of the fruit naturally resulting from toils and labors; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. This Scripture says that Balaam loved the wages of wickedness; therefore do not follow the way of Balaam. The way of Wall Street is the way of Balaam who loved the wages of wickedness. Hedge fund managers who do nothing productive but gambling on investors’ money make several billions a year can be called the wages of wickedness. Doctors and hospital owners who become filthy rich by predatory and fraudulent practices can be called the wages of wickedness. Corrupt politicians and bureaucrats also love the wages of wickedness.

Jud 1:11 ,“Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.”

Note: Balaam’s error was that he rushed for profit. You can observe how government officials and business executives, institutions and individuals, etc. rush for profit in a capitalistic society. The financial and economic crisis created by Wall Street in 2008 was caused by Balaam’s error, those who loved the wages of wickedness and defrauded the world more than US $50 trillion dollars.

Rev 2:14 ,“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.”

Note: The teaching of Balaam entices people to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Some false Chinese preachers teach it is o.k. to worship ancestors and eat food offered to ancestors or idols. Some false teachers say it is o.k. to divorce and remarry. Certain minority groups covertly consent their church leaders to have extramarital or homosexual affairs. Any teaching entices idolatry is the teaching of Balaam. In the West, few worship idols; but prosperity gospel preachers encourage people to love money. Col 3:5, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”

Note: Earthly nature includes sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. Greed is idolatry. Capitalism is based on greed; therefore it is not compatible with Christianity. Western values are based on the love of money, power and sex; therefore they are not compatible with the Christian values of faith, hope and love. Wall Street people are experts in greed.

Deu 5:5-7 ,“At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the Word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain. And He said: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Note: Moses stood before God and the Israelites to declare the Word of God to them. Moses symbolizes the model of God’s servants.

Deu 30:14 ,“But the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.”

Note: If the Word is in your heart and in your mouth, it is very near you. It is our duty to meditate on the Word of the Lord day and night.

Deu 34:5 , “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the Word of the LORD .”

Note: Moses died in the land of Moab was a historical fact. Everything written in the Bible is according to the Word of the Lord. What the Lord says is so, historically and spiritually true.

2Sa 7:4-5 ,“But it happened that night that the Word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David:This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build Me a house to dwell in?”

Note:David wanted to build a house for the Lord. Even what you wanted to do may be good; you better listen to what the Lord says. So the Word of the Lord came to Nathan the prophet, Nathan told David what the Lord said. The Word of the Lord is the supreme and final authority.

2Sa 22:31, “As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

Note: Proven means refined, pure, can be trusted. The Word of the Lord is proven true all the time.

Psa 33:4 ,“For the Word of the LORD is right , and all His work is done in truth.”

Note: Right in Hebrew is yashar which means straight, upright, correct, straightforward, just, fitting, proper, righteous, true; – it occurs about 119 times in the Old Testament. The Word of the Lord is forever right, men are usually and repeatedly wrong.

Psa 33:6 , “By the Word of the LORD the Heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”

Note: Heavens in Hebrew is shamayim visible heavens, as abode of the stars, the visible universe, the abode of God and holy angels; – it occurs about 420 times in the Old Testament. which means The Word of the Lord is so powerful that the heavens (universe) were made by the Word of Lord. There are three heavens, the first is the sky where birds and planes fly; the second is the universe where countless stars and galaxies are; the third heaven if the abode of God and holy angels.

Act 8:25 , “So when they had testified and preached the Word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the Gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”

Note: Word in Greek is logos which means what someone has said, speech, the sayings of God, the doctrine concerning the attainment through Jesus Christ salvation in the Kingdom of God; – it occurs about 330 times in the New Testament. Many preachers do not know how to preach the Word of the Lord which is the Gospel, so they preach how to win friends and influence people, how to get rich, etc.

Act 13:48 ,“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”

Note: The Word of the Lord that made me glad is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Glorify in Greek is doxazō which means to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate, honor, do honor to, hold in honor, make glorious, cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged; – it occurs about 62 times in the Old Testament. Believers honor and magnify the Word of the Lord. Appoint in Greek is tassō which means to arrange, ordain, order, decree; – it occurs only 8 times in the New Testament. As many as were appointed or ordained by God to obtain eternal life believed. This does not mean God predetermines some to go to heaven and others to go to hell. Heaven or hell, you have a choice. You have a choice does not mean you can save yourself by your own merit or good deed, for no one is good enough in the sight of God. That is why God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for sinners, so that all who accept and believe in Jesus Christ may be saved by faith through grace of God. God’s love is for everyone, but not everyone would accept and believe. A boy of a Chinese church was taught that Jesus loved him because he had good points. No, God loved sinners not because they are worthy. No one deserves the love of God. No one is worthy the grace of God. God knows from ages past who would believe and who would not believe. Jesus Christ says,

Jhn 8:24 , “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the One I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” Jhn 5:40, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” Are you willing to believe and be saved?

Act 15:35 , “Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.”

Note: Teach in Greek is didaskō which means to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, impart instruction, instill doctrine into one, explain or expound a doctrine; – it occurs about 97 times in the New Testament. Preach in Greek is euaggelizō which means to announce or proclaim glad tidings, in the New Testament it is used especially of the good news of the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, how Christ died for sinners to atone our sins and rose from death for our justification. The word ‘evangelism’ is derived from the Greek word. Preaching is focused on those who have not known the Lord, while teaching is to provide instruction for believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Word of the Lord is right and true.

Mar 16:15 , “And He said to them: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”

Note: In obeying the command of the Lord, I proclaim the Gospel to the world through the Internet my website, not for money or praise of man.



2. The Word of the Lord is also called the Word of God.
1Sa 9:27 ,“As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul: Tell the servant to go on ahead of us. And he went on. But you stand here awhile, that I may announce to you the Word of God. ”

Note: Announce in Hebrew is shama` which means to cause to hear, call to hear, summon, give heed, make proclamation; – it occurs 1,159 times in the Old Testament. To announce the Word of God was a serious and solemn matter, much more than the practice of announcing the Chinese imperial decree because Israel was then ruled by theocracy.

1Ki 12:22-24 , “But the Word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying: Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying, Thus says the LORD: You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel. Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me. Therefore they obeyed the Word of the LORD, and turned back, according to the Word of the LORD.”

Note: Obey in Hebrew is shama` which means to hear with attention or interest, listen to, yield to, be obedient to, give heed to; – it occurs about 1,159 times in the Old Testament. The Word of God came to the man of God. The man of God spoke what God spoke. What God spoke people must obey. The Word of God stopped the war between king of Judah and king of Israel.

Pro 30:5 ,“Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

Note: Pure in Hebrew is tsaraph which means refined, purified, tested, proven true; – it occurs about 33 times in the Old Testament. For this reason, filthy and corrupt people do not like the Word of God. Crooks and criminals and corrupt officials do not like the Word of God.

Mar 7:13 , “Making the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

Note: Tradition in Greek is paradosis which means a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing, tradition by instruction, precept, narrative, etc., of the body of precepts, especially ritual, which in the opinion of the later Jews were orally delivered by Moses and orally transmitted in unbroken succession to subsequent generations, which precepts, both illustrating and expanding the written law, as they did were to be obeyed with equal reverence; – it occurs about 13 times in the New Testament. Traditions of man may be opposite to the divine teachings. In Jesus’time, Pharisees used rituals and traditions to nullify the Word of God. The Chinese have many customs and traditions which are contrary to the Word of God. You cannot call yourself a Christian and worship idols as the leader of Taiwan does. If you are a Buddhist or Taoist, then you are not a Christian. Buddhists and Taoists may become Christians, Christians can never become Buddhists or Taoists or other religions.

Isa 40:8 ,“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.”

Note: Men are like grasses wither, beautiful women are like flowers fade.

Stand in Hebrew is quwm which means to stand up, maintain oneself, endure, persist, establish, stand firm, be valid, stand fast; – it occurs 628 times in the Old Testament. Empires crumble, riches fly away, everything in the world passes away, but the Word of God stands forever.

Luk 3:2 ,“While Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the Word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”

Note: For a prophet, the most important thing is that the Word of God comes to him, it does not matter where he is, city or wilderness. Now the revelation of Jesus Christ is complete, no one can say the Word of God comes to him which is different from what is already written in the Bible. It still can happen from time to time God may speak to individuals in terms of special revelation. A special revelation cannot contradict the general revelation. For example, if you claim God spoke to you that Jesus Christ will return on July 11, 2011 – you must be a false prophet because Jesus Christ makes it clear,

Mat 24:36 ,“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” When Jesus Christ made this statement He was in a humble state on earth, I believe after the resurrection and ascension the exalted Jesus Christ knows that day and hour when He returns. For Jesus Christ says,

Rev 22:12 ,“And behold, I AM coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Work in Greek is ergon which means an act, deed, thing done; – it occurs about 176 times in the New Testament. The Lord will judge people according to his thought, word and deed.

Luk 5:1 ,“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the Word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret.”

Note: Press in Greek is epikeimai which means to be urgent; – it occurs only 7 times in the New Testament. When Jesus Christ spoke, God spoke. The Word of Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Do you feel urgent to know the Word of God?

Luk 8:11 ,“Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God. ”

Note: Parable in Greek is parabolē which means a placing of one thing by the side of another, comparison of one thing with another, similitude, an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning; – it occurs about 50 times in the New Testament. When the Bible says it is a parable, it should be treated as a parable. Jesus Christ compares the Word of God with the seed. The seed is serving as the figure of the Word of God. The explanation below given by Jesus Christ is most interesting and instructive. What kind of people are you?

Luk 8:12 , “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”

Note: The work of the devil is to take the Word out of the hearts of men. Make sure you do not have an evil heart of unbelief, so that you should believe and be saved.

Luk 8:21 ,“But He answered and said to them: My mother and My brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do it.”

Note: Jesus Christ elevates those who hear the Word of God and do it as His mother and brothers. Obedience to God is much more important than human relationship.

Luk 11:28 ,“But He said: More than that, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it! ”

Note: Keep in Greek is phylassō which means to guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate, observe; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament. Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it. Spiritual blessings are much more than material blessings.

Act 4:31,“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.”

Note: Boldness in Greek is parrēsia which means freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech, openly, frankly, i.e. without concealment, without ambiguity or circumlocution, fearless confidence; – it occurs about 31 times in the New Testament. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is not to display one’s special status or superiority before God, it is to receive power from above to speak the Word of God with boldness. The Bible says: all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; there is no exception, including you and me, including Gandhi or your country most revered leader. The wages of sin is death; if you have no sin you will not die. You will die because you have sinned; but the gift of God in Christ is eternal life. We should speak the Word of God with boldness.

Act 6:2, “Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said: It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables.”

Note: Desirable in Greek is arestos which means pleasing, agreeable, fit, proper; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Few things are desirable; most things are undesirable in this world. To preach the Word of God is most desirable, this does not mean everyone is going to be a preacher or pastor. Not everyone is called to be a preacher, but every Christian is a witness for Christ. The Twelve Apostles were very special, called and chosen by God to preach the Word of God. For them to do anything else would be not desirable, not proper; it does not mean to serve tables are undesirable. Whatever God appoints you to do is desirable and proper. In Jesus time there were slaves, there were slaves who became Christians, but they were the Lord’s slaves.

Act 6:4 , “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word .”

Note: Ministry in Greek is diakonia which means service of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote the Gospel among men, the office of the apostles and its administration; – it occurs about 34 times in the New Testament. Apostles were called to the ministry of the Word, engaged in the work of inducing men to embrace the offered reconciliation with God through the redemption of Jesus Christ. There are people today who are called to preach the Word. Occupational preachers are miserable people; preachers of prosperity gospel are false preachers. Those who merchandise the Gospel for profit are the enemies of the cross.

Act 6:7 ,“Then the Word of God spread , and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

Note: Multiply in Greek is plēthynō which means to increase, abound; – it occurs about 12 times in the New Testament. There are preachers who evangelize in order to build themselves spiritual empires as inheritance to their children. There are preachers who build mega-churches for money and glory. The Word of God is spread so that people can be saved, and believers become obedient to the faith. Faith is demonstrated and proven by obedience.

Act 10:36 ,“The Word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.”

Note: Lord in Greek is kyrios which means the title given to God, the Messiah; – it occurs about 748 times in the New Testament. It is much more than the relationship between a master and his slaves. Jesus Christ is the Lord of all, the Lord of the universe.

Jhn 3:34 , “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.”

Note: Measure in Greek is metron which means limited quantity or quality, determined extent; – it occurs about 13 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ has power, wisdom, honor, glory, etc. without measure. Without measure means cannot be measured.

Act 11:1,“Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God. ”

Note: Receive in Greek is dechomai which means to take hold of, take up, give ear to, embrace, accept, make one’s own; – it occurs about 59 times in the New Testament. Gentiles are all non-Jews. The Gospel must be received by the Jews and Gentiles alike in order to be saved.

Act 12:24 ,“But the Word of God grew and multiplied. ”

Note: The Word of God is alive and powerful; it can grow and multiply. Grow in Greek is auxanō which means to increase, become greater; – it occurs in the New Testament about 22 times. Now you ask: Can the Word of God grow? Remember to apply the principle of letting the Bible to interpret the Bible. Do you remember the Word of Jesus?

Luk 8:11 ,“Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God.” It means the number of people who believed in Jesus Christ grew and multiplied.

Act 13:5 ,“And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.”

Note: In the beginning Jesus Christ taught in the temple and Jewish synagogues. The apostles and early disciples also preached the Word of God in the temple and synagogues of the Jews and also at homes and everywhere. Christian meeting places were later established separate from the synagogues of the Jews.

Act 13:7 ,“Who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the Word of God. ”

Note: Intelligent in Greek is synetos which means having understanding, wise, learned, prudent; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Seek in Greek is epizēteō which means to seek for, search for, seek diligently, wish for, crave; – it occurs about 14 times in the New Testament. An intelligent man should seek to hear the Word of God.

Act 13:44 ,“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God. ”

Note: For the Jews, Sabbath was a good day because it was a day of rest to come together to hear the Word of God. It was remarkable that almost the whole city of Antioch came together to hear the Word of God via evangelists Paul and Barnabas even without the organization of an evangelistic campaign, without inviting dignitaries, movie or sport stars, and without entertainment. American mega-churches use Hollywood style entertainment to attract crowds.

Act 13:46 ,“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said: It was necessary that the Word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”

Note: Reject in Greek is apōtheō which means to thrust away, push away, repel, repudiate, refuse; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. Those who reject the Word of God judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life. It is not God who rejects anyone; it is those who reject the Word of God judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life. Terrible is the truth that it is possible to judge yourselves unworthy, count yourselves out, condemn yourselves to eternal punishment.

Rom 9:6-8 ,“But it is not that the Word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, in Isaac your seed shall be called. That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”

Note: This Scriptures explain why some Jews rejected Christ and why many Gentiles do not believe. The seed of Abraham means the descendant of Abraham. It is not that the Word of God is not effective, it is because they are not all Israel who are of Israel. If you do not believe because you are not a sheep of Jesus, you are not a child of God. The children of the flesh are not the children of God. There are only two kinds of people in the world: the children of the flesh and the children of God. If you are a child of the flesh, you are not a child of God.

2Cr 2:17,“For we are not, as so many, peddling the Word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”

Note: Peddle in Greek is kapēleuō which means to be a retailer, make money by selling anything, trade in the Word of God, try to get base gain by teaching divine truth; corrupt, adulterate; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. It is sinful to handle the Word of God deceitfully as many theologians and Bible scholars do today. I believe it is wrong to trade in the Word of God, or to try to get base gain by teaching the divine truth. For example, it is wrong to copyright the Bible, it is also wrong to adulterate the Word of God by making your special version of the Bible to make money – the Bible according to guru so and so. Something is seriously wrong with any preacher or Bible scholar who gets rich by peddling the Word of God. There were so many who did that during Paul’s times, there are even more today in particular in the United States – the cesspool of capitalism.

Eph 6:17 ,“And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. ”

Note: Sword in Greek is machaira which means a weapon for making or repelling an attack, a weapon of war; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the Spirit subdues the impulse to sin and proves it power and efficacy in destroying false doctrines and falsehoods. Jesus defeated the temptations of the devil by the Word of God.

1Ti 4:5 ,“For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.”

Note: The Word of God has power to sanctify our hearts and souls. The best of books may inspire people, but never sanctify people. The worst of books indulge people to sin and lust and greed.

2Ti 2:9 ,“For which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained. ”

Note: Chain in Greek is deō which means to bind, tie, fasten with chains, hinder; – it occurs about 44 times in the New Testament. There is nothing in the world which can bind, chain or hinder the Word of God. Why?

Hbr 4:12 ,“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Note: Living in Greek is zaō which means having vital power in itself, to be in full vigor, strong, efficient, active, powerful, efficacious; – it occurs about 143 times in the New Testament. Powerful in Greek is energēs which means active, effectual; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. There exists division of soul and spirit, but we do not know about it. We do not know much about earthly things, we do no know even more heavenly things. Discerner in Greek is kritikos which means fit for judging, skilled in judging; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. A person who is skilled in the Word of God is also skilled in judging between truth and falsehood, right and wrong, good and evil.

3. The Word of God is also called the Word.
Mar 4:19 ,“And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

Note: There are three things that choke the Word and make it unfruitful: the cares of this world, the deceitful of riches, and the desires for other things. Choke in Greek is sympnigō which means to press round or throng one so as almost to suffocate; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. The more a person is worldly, the more a person loves the world and the things of the world, the less likely he becomes a fruitful believer. For this reason, Jesus says,

Mar 10:25 , “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” A thousand richest people in America have more money than one billion poorest people in the world. There maybe some Christians among the thousand richest persons in America, will these Christians give away their wealth for the cause of Christ? On the contrary, there are millions who want to be rich believing God would prosper them if they give offerings as many prosperity preachers suggest.

Jhn 1:14 , “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Note: Although the word “Word” used in Mar 4:19 and Jhn 1:14 are the same word logos in the original language, but it has a different meaning. It is important to distinguish the Word as the Written Word – usually refers to as the Scripture or Scriptures or the Bible, the Word of God. The Word also means Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Word of God, God who became Man – the Living Word. Mar 4:19 refers to the Word of God that came out of the mouth of God, while Jhn 1:14 refers to the Second Person of the Trinity who became Man. Jesus Christ is the Word of God.

Rev 19:13 , “He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” One of the names of Jesus Christ who died for sinners is called The Word of God. As the Bible is the Written Word of God, so Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God. The Living Word of God is the Eternal Word of God.

Col 4:3 ,“Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.”

Note: Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means the hidden or secret thing, God’s plan of providing salvation for mankind through Jesus Christ was once hidden but now is revealed; – it occurs about 27 times in the New Testament. To speak the Word of the Gospel is to speak the mystery of Christ.

1Ti 5:17 , “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.”

Note: Doctrine in Greek is didaskalia which means that which is taught, instruction, body of Christian faith; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. Those who truly preach Jesus Christ and labor in teaching and instructing people the Word of God and doctrine of Jesus Christ are worthy of honor.

2Ti 4:2 , “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

Note: Preach in Greek is kēryssō which means to proclaim, publish; – it occurs about 61 times in the New Testament. In obedience to Christ and in a humble way, I preach the Word by proclaiming and publishing through the Internet. The methodology of preaching is to convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Convince in Greek is elegchō which means to convict, refute, confute, bring to the light, expose, find fault with, show one his fault, correct; – it occurs about 17 times in the New Testament. Rebuke in Greek is epitimaō which means to chide, reprove, censure severely, admonish or charge sharply; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. Exhort in Greek is parakaleō which means to admonish, address, speak to with directness; – it occurs about 109 times in the New Testament. You can see why preaching against sin cannot make one popular. That is why no American preachers preach against the sins and crimes of American presidents and politicians.

Tts 1:3 , “But has in due time manifested His Word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.”

Note: Manifest in Greek is phaneroō which means to make known by teaching; – it occurs 49 times in the New Testament. The Word of God can only be made known by preaching and teaching. God our Savior commands believers to preach the Gospel to every creature.

1Pe 2:2 , “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.”

Note: Just as the infant needs milk to grow, so the babes in Christ need the pure milk of the Word to grow thereby. It is the task of preachers to preach the fundamentals of the Christian faith. There are so many failed preachers in many churches because the congregations are not fed with the pure milk of the Word.

Eph 4:15 ,“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all things into Him who is the Head, into Christ.”

Note: We are to grow up in all things into Him who is the Head. The Head of the church is Jesus Christ, not the pope or any man.

2Pe 3:7 , “But the Heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same Word, are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

Note: Christ holds the Heavens (universe) and earth together by His power. The heavens and earth will be burned up by fire on the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Perdition in Greek is apōleia which means utter destruction, ruin, the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell; – it occurs about 20 times in the New Testament. All who rejected Christ are ungodly men. The end of ungodly men is perdition.

1Jo 2:5 , “But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

Note: To love God you must keep His Word. Keep in Greek is tēreō which means to observe, preserve and stand firm, hold fast, follow; – it occurs about 75 times in the New Testament. Jesus says,

Jhn 14:15 , “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

Col 4:3 , “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.”

4. The Word of God is the Word of truth.
2Ti 2:15 , “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Note: Rightly divide in Greek is orthotomeō which means to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, make straight and smooth, handle aright, teach the truth directly and correctly; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Many false teachers err in dividing the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is important to know the Old Testament was the dispensation of law, while the New Testament is the dispensation of grace.

Psa 119:160 , “The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”

Note: The Bible does not only contain truth, the Bible is truth.

2Cr 6:7 , “By the Word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.”

Note: The Bible is the Word of truth. Scientific truth is temporal and tentative, the truth of God is absolute and eternal.

Eph 1:13 , “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”

Note: The Gospel of your salvation is the Word of truth. The only proof that you are saved is that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit lives in you.

Jam 1:18 , “ Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”

5. The Word of God is the Word of salvation.
Act 13:26 , “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the Word of this salvation has been sent.”

Note: Salvation in Greek is sōtēria which means salvation as the present possession of all true Christians as forgiveness of sins and new birth (salvation of soul); future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills of body, to enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal Kingdom of God; – it occurs about 45 times in the New Testament. The Word of salvation explains the way of salvation. The way of salvation is the way of God. Salvation is not what man can earn by merit or good deeds. No one is good enough to go to heaven; everyone is bad enough to go to hell. There is no difference whether it is Gandhi or Lincoln. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Salvation if a gift of God to whoever accepts and believes in the Son of God who came into the world to save sinners. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

6. The Word of God is also called the Word of the Kingdom.
Mat 13:19,“When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.”

Note: The Kingdom is the Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven. The wicked one does not want you to enter the Kingdom of God.

Jhn 18:36 , “Jesus answered: My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.” If you seek the kingdom of this world, you are not following Jesus. For that reason, imperialists, colonialists, hegemonists, capitalists, monopolists, terrorists, etc. are not Christians and cannot be Christians.

Rev 11:15 ,“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” America, Britain, China, India, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Australia, etc. will soon vanish and disappear and become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ.

Human knowledge is of this world, the knowledge of God is heavenly and eternal.

7. The Word is also called the Word of His grace.
Act 14:3 , “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the Word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”

Note: Grace in Greek is charis which means the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, makes them grow in Christian faith, knowledge, love, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; – it occurs about 156 times in the New Testament. The Word of God is the Word of His grace because by which we are saved in Jesus Christ. Although nowadays signs and wonders are granted sparingly and rarely, but there is no reason why you do not accept the Word of His grace.

Poor sinners do not know God has grace for them. No one deserves the grace of God. All you need to do is to believe and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your God and Savior.

8. The Word is also called the Word of the Gospel.
Act 15:7 , “And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.”

Note: Dispute in Greek is syzētēsis which means mutual questioning, disputation, discussion; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. There are people who want to demonstrate their intelligence; they like to argue about everything, they want to argue with God. There have been heated arguments about healthcare reform in America, but few dare to speak the truth and point to the fraudulent and predatory nature of healthcare system as the root cause of the high costs of American healthcare.
Col 1:5 , “Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the Word of the truth of the Gospel.”

Note: The hope of believers is laid up in heaven, not on the earth. Peoples of nations are desperate because they do not see hope in their future. The Gospel of Jesus is the Word of the truth.

9. The Word is also called the Word of life.
Phl 2:16 , “Holding fast the Word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
Note: Those who hold fast the Word of life, do not run in vain or labor in vain. Those who live without God and without the Word of life, someday will discover they have run in vain or labored in vain. Isn’t it terrible to come to the end, the rich and powerful of the world realize they have run in vain and labored in vain. Those who seek money, power and sex will run in vain and labor in vain in the end.
10. The Word of God is also called the Scriptures.
The Bible is the Word of God, a single passage or verse is called Scripture, and the whole body of holy writings is called the Scriptures.

Dan 9:2 , “In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the Word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.”

Note: Scriptures in Hebrew is cepher which means books, scrolls, a scroll of a book, books of prophecy, books of the canon, holy books; – it occurs about 184 times in the Old Testament. The same original word is used in

Exd 17:14 , “Then the LORD said to Moses: Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven.”

Note: This was the origin of the Bible, God told Moses to write it. The same word is used in

Exd 24:7 ,“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said: All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.”

Note: A portion of the Old Testament was called the Book of the Covenant. The same word is used in

Deu 31:24-26 ,“So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying: Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you.”

Note: Probably by this time, the Penteteuch (five books of Moses) was completed. The same word is used in Jos 1:8 , “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Note: By the time of Joshua, the successor of Moses, the Penteteuch or the Book of the Law must have been completed. So the books of Moses were called the Book of the Law, or the Book of the Law of Moses, or the Book of the Law of God, or the Book of the Law of the LORD, or the Scriptures. Other books mentioned in the Old Testament such as the Book of Jasher, the Book of Nathan, the Book of Gad, the book of Shemaiah, etc. were authentic historical books, but they were not treated as the Scriptures. Prosper in Hebrew is tsalach which means to make progress, succeed, be profitable, go on well; – it occurs about 65 times in the Old Testament. To have good success in Hebrew is sakal which means to be successful in doing anything; – it occurs about 63 times in the Old Testament.

Dan 10:21 , “But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.”

Note: Scripture in Hebrew is kathab which means writing, a book; – it occurs about 17 times in the Old Testament. The Bible is the Scripture of Truth.

2Ki 23:21, “Then the king commanded all the people, saying: Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”

Note: As it is written becomes known as referring to the Scriptures. Nothing else written is more important than what is written in the Bible.

Mat 21:42 , “Jesus said to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?”

Note: Read in Greek is anaginōskō which means to know accurately, recite; – it occurs about 33 times in the New Testament. Reading is a profitable activity; it should be cultivated from childhood. Nowadays too much time is wasted on watching TV. Reading the Scriptures has benefits for this life and the life to come. Scriptures in Greek is graphē which means the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents, a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture; – it occurs about 51 times in the New Testament. The same original word used in Mat 21:42 is also used in

1Cr 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Everything we believe is according to the Scriptures. Christianity is based totally on the Scriptures. The two Scriptural truths are the foundation of Christianity: Jesus Christ died for our sins and He rose from death for our justification.

Jhn 6:45, “It is written in the prophets: AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.”

Note: Jesus often uses the formula, ‘It is written’. But careful, the devil can also use the same formula to distort the Word of God.

Mat 22:29 , “Jesus answered and said to them: You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God.”

Note: To be mistaken in Greek is planaō which means to lead away from the truth, lead into error, deceive, err; – it occurs about 39 times in the New Testament. People who do not know the Scriptures or the power of God are wrong or bound to be wrong. Unbelieving and arrogant scientists do not know that they are mistake.

Mat 26:56 ,“But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. Then all the disciples left Him and fled.”

Note: Fulfill in Greek is plēroō which means to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish; – it occurs about 90 times in the New Testament. True prophecies always came true, false prophecies never come true.

Mar 15:28 , “So the Scripture was fulfilled which says: And He was numbered with the transgressors.”

Note: The transgressors refer to the two robbers; Jesus was crucified among the two robbers.

Luk 24:27 ,“Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Note: From Moses to all the prophets in all the Scriptures, Jesus Christ is the central message of God to mankind – the Messiah, the Christ.

Jesus Christ used the Bible (the Old Testament, at that time the New Testament did not exist yet) to explain the things concerning Himself. The central message of the Bible is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was sent to the world to die for the sins of mankind so that those who repent and believe in Him may have the eternal life by the grace of God.

Luk 24:45 , “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”

Note: Open the mind in Greek is dianoigō which means to open the mind of one, i.e. to cause to understand a thing; – it occurs only 8 times in the New Testament. This explains why otherwise intelligent scientists and scholars could not understand the Scriptures.

2Cr 4:4 ,“Whose minds the god of this world has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” Understand in Greek is syniēmi which means to bring together, put the perception with the thing perceived, set or join together in the mind, spiritual insight; – it occurs about 26 times in the New Testament. No matter who you are, unless the good Lord opens your mind, you cannot understand the Scriptures. The Scriptures are divine; the carnal mind cannot understand it.

Jhn 2:22 ,“Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the Word which Jesus had said.”

Note: The Christian faith is based on the Scripture (the Old Testament) and the Word of Jesus (the New Testament).

Jhn 5:39 ,“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.”

Note: Search in Greek is eraunaō which means to examine into, look through, examine closely and carefully; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. All the articles I have presented on my website are based on the methodology of searching what the Scriptures say about the subject matter. Testify in Greek is martyreō which means to bear witness, certify as true, affirm by divine inspiration or revelation; – it occurs about 79 times in the New Testament. The Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) testify about Jesus.

Jhn 7:38 , “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Note: As the Scripture has said, it is so. As it is written, it is so.

Jhn 7:42 , “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”

Note: What the Scripture has said about David was true; David was a real historical person. What the Scripture has said about Bethlehem was true because Bethlehem was and is a real place.

Jhn 10:35 , “If He called them gods, to whom the Word of God came and the Scripture cannot be broken.”

Note: Break in Greek is lyō which means to break up, dismiss, annul, subvert, do away with, demolish, overthrow, destroy, deprive of authority; – it occurs about 43 times in the New Testament. You can burn the Bible, but you cannot destroy it. You can tear the Bible to pieces, but you cannot demolish it. The Scripture cannot be broken, cannot be annulled.

Jhn 13:18 , “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.”

Note: Jesus knew from the beginning whom would betray Him. Everything happened as the Scripture said it would happen so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Jhn 17:12 , “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Note: None of believers in Christ would be lost except the son of perdition, the traitor Judas. If you reject Jesus Christ, you will be a child of perdition too.

Jhn 19:28 , “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst!”

Note: Divine knowledge is perfect knowing, knowing the end from the beginning. Nothing takes God by surprise; everything that must be accomplished was accomplished or will be accomplished.

Jhn 19:36 , “For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled: Not one of His bones shall be broken.”

Note: The Roman soldiers broke the legs of the two robbers; they did not break the bone of Jesus because the Scripture predicted not one of His bones would be broken.

Psa 34:20 ,“He guards all His bones; not one of them is broken.”

Jhn 20:9 , “For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.”

Note: As yet the disciples did not know or understand the Scripture that Christ the Savior must die and rise again from the dead. They did not know the Scripture that Jesus died as the Lamb of God for sinners in order to obtain forgiveness and rose from death for our justification before God.

Act 8:32 , “The place in the Scripture which he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth.”

Note: Later the disciples knew the Scripture.

Act 8:35 , “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.”

Note: If a preacher does not preach Jesus Christ, everything else he preaches would not matter. Some preachers like to preach stories of Old Testament because they do not know how to preach the Gospel of Jesus.

Act 17:11 , “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

Note: Eagerness in Greek is prothymia which means zeal, spirit, inclination, readiness of mind; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. Examine in Greek is anakrino which means to investigate, inquire into, scrutinize, sift, question, look through, search after; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament. It is noble-minded to believe the Scriptures and examine to see whether things were so as the Scriptures say. You must not blindly accept what your minister or preacher says, you need to examine whether they are according to the Scriptures. When a preacher says the Bible is not clear whether it is wrong to worship ancestors, he is mistaken and does not know the Scripture. Those pastors who support a political leader who claims to be a Christian and yet he publicly worships idols are mistaken. The right way to examine the Scriptures is to see what the Scriptures say, not what you want to say, not what you think it should say. You must not be guilty of making the Bible to say what the Bible does not say, or make void what the Bible clearly says. Eagerness in Greek is prothymia which means inclination, readiness of mind, zeal, spirit, willingness; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. We must accept the Bible as it is.

Act 18:28 , “For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.”

Note: Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures means he was excelling in the knowledge of the Scriptures. Refute in Greek diakatelegchomai which means to confute with rivalry and effort, prove a person to be in error; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Demonstrate in Greek is epideiknymi which means to exhibit, show, prove; – it occurs about 9 times in the New Testament. Every preacher should be able to prove by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ – the Messiah. The central message of the Bible is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Rom 4:3 , “For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Note: For all Christians, the most important question is: What does the Bible say? It is not what theologians say, it is not what the pastor says, it is not what the leader says, etc. Believe in Greek is pisteu which means to think to be true, place confidence in, trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something or saving; – it occurs about 248 times in the New Testament. Account in Greek is logizomai which means to reckon, count, impute, consider, deem, take into account, make account of; – it occurs about 41 times in the New Testament. Abraham believed in God, and God counted him or credited to him as righteousness. So man is justified (counted as righteous) by faith in Christ Jesus who died for sinners to fulfill the righteousness of God.

Rom 1:2 , “Which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”

Note: Holy in Greek is hagios which means worthy of veneration, most holy thing, sacred to God; – it occurs 229 times in the New Testament. Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and should be treated as holy. For that reason Christians should not make fun of the Word of God and quote the Bible in a jest.

Rom 9:17 ,“For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh: For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”

Note: The Scripture says, the same way we say the Bible says. The Scripture says what God says. The Scripture exalts the power of God.

Rom 10:11, “For the Scripture says: Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

Note: When we do not quote the Bible exactly with the book and verse, we can say the Scripture says, or the Bible says. Whoever in Greek is pas which means all, every, any, everybody; – it occurs about 1,243 times in the New Testament. God’s grace is for everyone, everyone or anyone (without restriction) who believes in Jesus Christ will not be put to shame. Anyone and everyone who comes to Jesus Christ for salvation will not be cast out. For Jesus assures the world,

Jhn 6:37 ,“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”

No matter how wicked and sinful you are, if you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, He will not throw you out but save you and save you to the end. John Calvin was wrong. The one who comes to Christ He will by no means cast out.

Gal 3:8 , “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying: In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

Note: Foresee in Greek is proorao which means to see before as respects to time or place, know beforehand, see ahead; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. God foresees everything from beginning to the end. There is nothing that takes God by surprise. God preached the Gospel to Abraham. All who believe like Abraham believed would be justified or to be counted as righteous before God.

Gal 3:22 , “But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

Note: Confine in Greek is sygkleiō which means to shut up together, enclose, shut up on all sides, shut up completely, consign, include; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Sin is like a big prison, the Scripture has put all in the prison of sin; for all have sinned.

1Ti 5:18 , “For the Scripture says: You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain, and, the laborer is worthy of his wages.”

Note: The evil of capitalism has a lot to do with unfair wages. Wall Street hedge fund managers gamble on others’money and make several billion a year. Corporate executives give themselves hefty compensations and perks and bonuses. Doctors and hospital owners suck the blood of patients with predatory and fraudulent practices. Lawyers by monopoly and flawed legal system get big pay, capitalizing on crime and kangaroo courts. Most government and unionized workers and white workers are overpaid, blacks are given preferential treatment because of Affirmative Action, all the rest have been underpaid. There are still millions who earn the minimum wage of $7.30 to $10 an hour. When I worked my way through college, the minimum wage was $1.25 an hour.

2Ti 3:16 ,“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Note: Given by inspiration of God in Greek is theopneustos which means inspired by God; it occurs only once in the New Testament. The contents of Scripture are inspired by God. Even the best and greatest books in the world cannot be said to be inspired by God. Profitable in Greek is ōphelimos which means gaining or yielding benefit; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Doctrine in Greek is didaskalia which means systematized teaching or instruction, that which is taught as a creed or fundamental principle or precept of faith; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. Inspiration of the Bible, Pre-existence of Christ, Incarnation, the Virgin Birth, the Divinity of Christ, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, Justification, Regeneration, Sanctification and the Second Coming are basic doctrines of Christianity. Reproof in Greek is elegchos which means conviction, the inward result of proving; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament. The Scripture is the effective tool or the Sword of the Spirit to convict a man of his sins. Correction in Greek is epanorthōsis which means restoration to an upright or right state, rectification, improvement of life or character; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Instruction in Greek is paideia which means the whole training and education of children, whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions; instruction which aims at increasing virtue; admonition; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament.

Jam 2:8 , “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture: You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well.”

Note: The royal law means the chief or principal law according to the Scripture. The royal law is to love your neighbor as yourself. If you fulfill the royal law, you do well. Compare the religions of hatred and hostility and revenge with the Christian law of love, you should be able to know the truth. Imperialism, colonialism, hegemonism, capitalism, terrorism, etc. are contrary to the royal law of the Scripture.

Jam 4:5 , “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?”

Note: The Scripture never says in vain. What man says may be in vain, what God says has consequence.

Jhn 8:24 ,“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He (Christ), you will die in your sins.” If you do not believe in Jesus Christ, you will die in your sins. This is not what I said; this is what Jesus Christ said. If you do not believe it, you take the risk on your life. Not only you will die in your sins, you will suffer for eternity. Why not turn around and have the hope of glory? Jesus Christ is coming again soon to reign with the saints forever and ever.

11. The seriousness and sanctity of the Word of God.
Deu 4:2 ,“You shall not add to the Word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”

Note: Add in Hebrew is yacaph which means to increase, change the quantity and size, change the total effect; – it occurs about 213 times in the Old Testament. Take from in Hebrew is gara` which means to diminish, subtract, restrain, withdraw, abate, keep back, do away, take from, clip, scrape off; – it occurs about 21 times in the Old Testament. Years ago the Reader’s Digest published a condensed Bible. I believe they had violated the commandment of God.

1Sa 3:1 , “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the Word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

Note: This Scripture gives a background situation of the period when Eli was the priest. The Word of the Lord was rare and there was no widespread revelation. Rare in Hebrew is yaqar which means scarce, uncommon, infrequent; – it occurs about 36 times in the Old Testament. Widespread means frequent. Revelation in Hebrew is chazown which means a divine revelation, an oracle, vision; – it occurs about 35 times in the Old Testament. When God was displeased with Eli, the Word of the Lord was rare and divine revelation was infrequent. When God is displeased with a church, the church is without the power from on high and the preacher is useless.

1Sa 3:7 ,“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the Word of the LORD yet revealed to him.”

Note: Reveal in Hebrew here is galah which means to uncover, disclose, discover, lay bare, make known a secret, show, manifest; – it occurs about 188 times in the Old Testament. Little boy Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the Word of the Lord yet revealed to him. Those who do not know the Lord also do not understand the Word of God. Christianity is the revealed religion; you cannot know Jesus Christ by your own effort or wisdom or intelligence.

1Sa 15:23 , “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”

Note: Rebellion in Hebrew is mĕriy which means contumacy, insubordination, disobedience, stubborn refusal to submit; – it occurs about 23 times in the Old Testament. Witchcraft in Hebrew is qecem which means divination, it occurs only 11 times in the Old Testament. Stubbornness in Hebrew is patsar which means insolence, arrogance, presumption; – it occurs only 7 times in the Old Testament. Iniquity in Hebrew is ‘ aven which means wickedness, trouble, sorrow, emptiness, vanity; – it occurs about 78 times in the Old Testament. Idolatry in Hebrew is tĕraphiym which means a kind of idol used in household shrine or worship, of human figure and stature; – it occurs about 15 times in the Old Testament. It should be noted, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. In the New Testament, greed is as the sin of idolatry. Reject in Hebrew is ma’ac which means to refuse, despise, loathe, abhor; – it occurs about 76 times in the Old Testament. Saul rejected the Word of the Lord, and the Lord also rejected him from being king over Israel. Those who reject the Word of the Lord will be rejected by the Lord.

1Ki 13:26 , “Now when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard it, he said: It is the man of God who was disobedient to the Word of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the Word of the LORD which He spoke to him.”

Note: How serious is the Word of the Lord: The man of God who was disobedient to the Word of the Lord, therefore the Lord delivered him to the lion which had torn him and killed him according to the Word of the Lord which He spoke to him. In fact, the first sin committed by Adam and Eve was not eating the forbidden fruit; they were disobedient to the Word of the Lord. Disobedience to God’s Word is disobedient to God.

1Ki 17:16,24 ,“The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the Word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah…

Then the woman said to Elijah: Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the Word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”

Note: The miracle of the bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry was very interesting. All was done according to the Word of the Lord which is the truth.

1 King Chapter 22 is a very interesting historical chapter about the evil king of Israel Ahab who did not want to listen to the Word of God. King Ahab put the prophet Micaiah in prison and ordered to feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction.

1Ki 22:28 ,“But Micaiah said: If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me. And he said: Take heed, all you people!” To make the long story short,

1Ki 22:37-38 ,“So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. Then someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, according to the Word of the LORD which He had spoken.” What happened to the evil king Ahab was according to the Word of the Lord which He had spoken. Not only Ahab died, he died according to the Word of the Lord the way he died.

2 King Chapter 9 records how Jezebel the wicked wife of Ahab died as the Word of the Lord said.

2Ki 9:33-37 ,“He said: Throw her down. So they threw her down; and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled on her. Then he went in and ate and drank; and he said: See now to this cursed woman, and bury her; for she is a king’s daughter. But when they went to bury her, they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. When they came back and told him, he said: This is the Word of the LORD, which He spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the territory of Jezreel, so that no one can say: Here lies Jezebel.”

Note: Curse in Hebrew is ‘arar which means to lay under a curse, put a curse on, be made a curse, abhor, detest; – it occurs about 63 times in the Old Testament. The Word of the Lord always came true. Probably Jezebel was the most evil woman – abusive of power, greedy, wicked, merciless, unjust, corrupt and hostile to God – in the history of mankind with most tragic end.

Zec 12:1 ,“The burden of the Word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.”

Note: The prophet Zechariah through the Word of Lord knew about God stretching out the Heavens (universe) some 500 B.C. long before the scientists who recently discovered the expanding universe.

Mat 4:4 , “But He answered and said: It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Note: It is true the Bible is affected by language and culture of the nation. Jesus said: Man shall not live by bread alone because the Jews ate bread. If Jesus said: Man shall not live by rice alone, the Jews would not understand. So the word ‘bread’ simply means food. Man does not live by food alone, although many live to eat. Linguistic limitation and cultural inadequacy do not limit the Word of God. The Word of God proceeds from the mouth of God, so it is most serious and sacred. Men must heed and obey the Word of God.

Jud 1:11,“Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”

Note: Cain, Balaam and Korah serve as historical warnings to those who rejected and rebelled against the Word of God.

1Jo 3:12 , “Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.” Western imperialism and hegemonism, and all terrorism are the way of Cain. Power politics is the way of Cain. Wall Street has run greedily in the error of Balaam, for profit they defrauded and looted the world. The error of capitalism is the error of Balaam for profit. Prosperity gospel preachers and followers and those who merchandise the Gospel have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit. Rebellion in Greek is antilogia which means opposition, gainsaying, resistence to authority, contradiction; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. This was how Korah and his household and followers perished in rebellion:

Num 16:30-33 ,“But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD. Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.”

Note: Those who rebel against God and reject the Lord Jesus Christ will be swallowed up in Hell for eternity.

12. No Scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:20-21 , “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” The Bible makes it clear; holy men of God (prophets and apostles) spoke and wrote the Bible. Private in Greek is idios which means pertaining to one’s self, one’s own, belonging to one’s self; – it occurs 113 times in the New Testament. A private interpretation is an interpretation which one thinks our for oneself, opposed to that which the Holy Spirit teaches. Move in Greek is pherō which means to prompt, press on; – it occurs about 64 times in the New Testament. No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private interpretation. If you want to argue with God, that is not my problem. The Bible is not a matter of private interpretation. The Bible speaks and interprets itself. As an illustration, a black preacher preached political gospel based on his private interpretation. Now his followers admitted he was no saint but a sinner, but his cause was holy. Anyone who preaches a false gospel cannot have a holy cause. Affirmative Action is unholy travesty of justice. No racial group is entitled to preferential treatment. When a race is given preferential treatment, all other races suffer injustice. Black preferential treatment is just as bad as white supremacy. All are equal under God, all are equal under the law. Political gospel, social gospel, feminist gospel, prosperity gospel, possibility gospel, etc. are all false gospels base on private interpretations of false prophets and false teachers. Many false theologians like to transmogrify the Word of God.

2 Pe 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort to their own destruction, as they do also the other Scriptures.”

Note: Hard to understand in Greek is dysnoētos which means difficult to be understood; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Apostle Peter talked about the writings of Apostle Paul containing some things that are hard to understand. Even to the great apostle Peter, there were some things in the Bible hard for him to understand. Do hydrocephalic self-conceited unbelieving scientists and obscure scholars think they could understand everything? Ignorant and unstable people distort the Bible as they do the other Scriptures will bring their own destruction.

Mat 7:15 ,“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Note: Beware of ravenous wolves who appear in sheep’s clothing means people who pretend to be Christians but they are not, pretend to have knowledge of the Bible but they do not, and pretend to be servants of God but they are actually agents of Satan. Ravenous wolves are savage wolves.

Rev 22:18-19 ,“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the Holy City, which are written in this book.”

Note: The Word of God strongly warns and condemns those who add and delete what the Bible says in the form of private interpretation. Years ago the Reader’s Digest published a condensed bible which I believe also violated what this Scripture forbids by “taking away from the words” from the Good Book.

A false Pentecostal preacher not the first time made private interpretations of the Bible by saying divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer’s is justifiable because the disease is “a kind of death.” What a false preacher teaches is not important, what Jesus Christ says matters for time and eternity. Jesus Christ says:

Mat 5:32 ,“But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”

Mat 19:9 ,“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

Mar 10:9-12 ,“Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. So He said to them: Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Luk 16:18 , “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.”

Christians, there are so many false prophets, false preachers, and false teachers today. Do you follow false preachers or the Lord and Savior?

13. The Words of Jesus will not pass away.

Mat 24:35 , “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”

Note: Pass away in Greek is parerchomai which means to perish, go past, pass by, pass over; – it occurs about 31 times in the New Testament. Everything you have, see, enjoy, etc. will go pass, pass by, pass over, and pass away that means to perish. Everyone and everything in the world will pass away – what people cherish such as money, power and sex will pass away. You may burn the Bibles, but no one can do away the Words of Jesus. Heaven and earth will pass away because there will be a new heaven and a new earth; but the Words of Jesus will by no means pass away. Christians will not kill anyone who burns the Bible; because the Word of God is the Word of truth which fire cannot burn. Science and medical knowledge will also pass away.

Psa 119:89 ,“Lamedh. Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in Heaven.”

Note: Settle in Hebrew is natsab which means to stand, station oneself, take an upright position, stand firm, fix, establish; – it occurs about 75 times in the Old Testament. What God has established no one can destroy.

Isa 40:8 ,“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.”

Note: Stand in Hebrew is quwm which means to rise up, stand up, maintain oneself, endure, make binding, preserve, continue; – it occurs about 628 times in the Old Testament. Men die, beautiful women fade, empires fall, but the Word of God stands forever.

Luk 1:2 , “Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word delivered them to us.”

Note: Eyewitness in Greek is autoptēs which means seeing with one’s own eyes, one who has seen or heard something; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Minister in Greek is hypēretēs which means a servant, any one ministering or rendering service, any one who aids another in any work, an assistant, the preacher of the Gospel; – it occurs in the New Testament 20 times. The apostles were from the beginning eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word. The Gospels and the Epistles (from Matthew to Revelation) were written by early apostles and disciples who were with the Lord from the beginning, and they were first hand witnesses and ministers of the Word. Thus it is impossible for anyone later to claim new revelation.

Luk 24:19 ,“And He said to them: What things? So they said to Him: The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and Word before God and all the people.”

Note: Jesus of Nazareth was a Prophet mighty in deed and Word before God and all the people. Mighty in deed because of the countless miracles that Jesus performed. Mighty in Word because there is power in the Word of Jesus. For example: The wind and sea obeyed Jesus. Demons obeyed Jesus’command. Jesus raised Lazarus from death by His Word.

Jhn 15:3 ,“You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you.”

Note: Clean in Greek is katharos which means pure, purified, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit; – it occurs about 28 times in the New Testament. The Word of Jesus has power to cleanse us and make us fit to serve the Lord.

Eph 5:26 , “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word.”

Note: Sanctify in Greek is hagiazō which means to separate from profane things and dedicate to God, purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin, purify internally by renewing of the soul; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. Cleanse in Greek is katharizō which means to make clean, free from defilement of sin and from faults, purify from wickedness; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament. The Lord Jesus sanctifies and cleanses the church with the washing of water by the Word – by the Word of God.

Luk 9:26 , “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

Note: The Words of Jesus are mostly written in the Gospels. Whatever Jesus says is so. I have no respect for those pseudo-intellectuals who call themselves Christians and at the same time declare they believe in evolution. Jesus Christ confirms the creation of Adam and Eve by God’s direct act. Jesus Christ confirms the creation of the universe by God.

No ‘big bang’ or ‘small bang’ can invalidate the Words of Jesus. No scientists or any men can annul the Words of Jesus.

Jhn 6:68 ,“But Simon Peter answered Him: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life.”

Note: Why there is singular for “word” and plural for “words”? Are there any difference? It is not that I am not aware of the English grammar regarding singular and plural of a noun. I believe what the Scriptures say are far above the elements of linguistic. Whether Jesus says about some specific teaching – word, or a bunch of related teachings – words, it is our duty to listen, believe and obey. Jesus Christ has the Words of eternal life, scientists don’t even know the day of their deaths.

Jhn 20:29 , “Jesus said to him: Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Note: Blessed are those who believe in the Words of Jesus because they are the Words of eternal life.

Act 20:35 ,“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, that He said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Col 3:16 , “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Note: Those who are rich in the Word of Christ and in all wisdom is much better than those who are rich in material things. The best kind of singing is singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

14. The Lord revealed Himself by the Word of the Lord.
1Sa 3:21 , “Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of the LORD.”

Note: Reveal in Hebrew is galah which means to uncover, disclose, make known, show, make bare; – it occurs about 188 times in the Old Testament. This is a fundamental doctrine of Christianity: No one can discover God by his own efforts or wisdom. You cannot discover God unless God reveals Himself to you. God reveals Himself through His Word. Little Samuel did not know God, but God revealed Himself to Samuel by the Word of the Lord. The Bible is the revealed Word of God. The main function of the Word of the Lord is to reveal the Lord.

Deu 29:29 , “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Note: There are two types of thing in the world: the knowable and the unknowable. The secrets things are unknowable and they belong to the Lord our God. God revealed certain things to the children of men through His Word. The Old Testament and the New Testament reveal the secret things that belong to the Lord.

Jhn 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” This Scripture explains succinctly the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament was about the law of Moses. The New Testament is about grace and truth in Jesus Christ. What cannot be fulfilled by the law is fulfilled by grace in Jesus Christ.

Rom 16:25 , “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.”

Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ was a mystery kept secret since the world began, it was made known when God became Man in Jesus Christ. Revelation in Greek is apokalypsis which means laying bare, making naked, disclosure of things before unknown; – it occurs about 18 times in the New Testament. Revelation is a disclosure of divine things before unknown, especially those things relating to the Christian salvation, to be received by faith in Jesus Christ, and through the operation of the Holy Spirit. The revelation was completely written by the early disciples and apostles who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Gal 1:12 , “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Note: The original revelation of Jesus Christ cannot be taught; it must be given or made known by the revelation of Jesus Christ. The holy apostles who wrote the New Testament did not receive it from men, nor was they taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. The revelation of Jesus Christ was completed some two thousands years ago as it is written in the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation. No one can add to it or subtract from it. It is completed. There cannot be any new revelation contrary to what is already written in the Bible.

Rev 1:1 , “THE Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.”

Note: Revelation focuses mainly on two subjects, salvation and prophecy. Salvation covers salvation of the soul – the first mission of Christ’s first advent, and the salvation of the body – the second mission of Christ’s second coming. Prophecy covers things to come. The most important event to happen in the universe is the second coming of Christ and eschatology regarding things to happen in the last days.

Luk 2:32 , “The light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

Note: Jesus Christ is the Light that brings revelation to the Gentiles and Israel.

Eph 1:17 ,“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

Note: To know God you need the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Unbelieving scientists and scholars do not have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that is why they are ignorant about spiritual things.

1Cr 14:26 , “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”

Note: The word ‘revelation’here is the same word used in Rom 16:25. It is important to know that the general revelation was completed as it is written in the New Testament, while the Holy Spirit still may give a special revelation or shed light on a Scripture to any individual. The special revelation will not contradict the general revelation. For example,

Luk 2:26 , “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. It was a special revelation, and that did not contradict in any way the general revelation about the coming of the Messiah, or the Person and work of the Messiah.

Mat 11:27 ,“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

Note: This Scripture states the futility of human mind and human efforts to acquire divine knowledge. God is the greatest mystery, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and the one whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Jesus Christ reveals God, to know Jesus Christ is to know God.

Psa 98:2 , “The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.”

Note: God has made known His salvation in Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God has been revealed to the nations.

Isa 40:5 , “The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Note: The prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus Christ when He appeared on earth, and the glory of the Lord shall be fully revealed when Jesus Christ returns to reign with the saints forever and ever.

Rom 1:17 ,“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: The just shall live by faith.”

Note: This is a cardinal doctrine of Christianity: The Lord reveals Himself through His Word. Without the revelation, the wisest people grope in darkness. The righteousness of God cannot be accomplished by keeping the law of Moses, for no one is able to keep all the law all the time. The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith because those who put their faith in Christ are counted righteous by God. To be counted righteous is to be counted not guilty. Not by work, but by grace, we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ who fulfilled the righteousness of God for sinners who come to Him to have life.

Rom 3:21 ,“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.”

Note: The Law and the Prophets witness that God has revealed the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ apart from the law which is available to all who come and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

1Cr 2:10 ,“But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

Note: The Holy Spirit was sent to witness for Jesus Christ, to reveal that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and all who believe may receive the eternal life. Do you know the deep things of God? For example, God loves the humankind, but human beings are sinful, unworthy, undesirable, and unlovable. God’s love for unworthy sinners is one deep thing of God. The love of God was demonstrated in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins; this is a deep thing of God. The fact the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ was decreed by God before the world began is a deep thing of God. The fact that the universe is expanding without countless stars and galaxies and the heavens are too vast and impossible to measure is a deep thing of God. The fact the triune God is Self-existent, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, holy and true, righteous and good, without beginning and without ending, forever and ever is a deep thing of God. With God, nothing is impossible; this is a deep thing of God.

Eph 3:5 , “Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.”

Note: The way of salvation or the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not known in ages past, but the Holy Spirit revealed to the holy apostles and prophets who were inspired to write the Bible, the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.

Col 1:26 , “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.”

Note: Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means hidden thing, a hidden purpose or counsel; – it occurs about 27 times in the New Testament. God’s plan of providing salvation for men through Jesus Christ was once hidden but is now revealed. Jesus Christ is the mystery of God which has been hidden from ages past, but now has been revealed to His saints. His saints are His followers dead or alive. Dead saints are those who have fallen asleep in Christ. Living saints are those who are still alive on earth.

1Pe 1:5 ,“Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Note: In the first advent, Jesus Christ came to save our souls. When Christ returns the second time, the redemption or salvation of the bodies of the saints will be revealed in the last time. The bodies of the saints will be transformed into spiritual and glorious and immortal bodies. Then the blessed Kingdom of God will be consummated with power and glory forever and ever. Scientific truth is acquired by discovery, the truth of God is obtained by revelation as it is written the Bible.

15. There are many false teachings about the Bible.
There are infinite varieties of crooked ways; there is only one straight way. There are unlimited false teachings about the Bible; there is only one correct doctrine as the Bible claims to be the Word of God. All false teachings about the Bible are private interpretations. Private interpretations are inspired by the evil spirit and personal ambition of men. Among those false teachings are:

A. ”The Bible is a book written by men.”

2Pe 1:21 , “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

No. The Bible is not a book written by men. The Bible was written not by ordinary men of their own imagination, they were holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Question: How did the Bible come about?

Act 1:16 , “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.”

Note: Foretell in Greek is prolegō which means to say before, say beforehand i.e. before the event, predict; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit told David beforehand concerning Judas. The Holy Spirit spoke to David because David was a prophet. In fact, the Bible was made up of all the things God told the prophets and apostles over the ages through the Holy Spirit and had them written down, from Moses of the Penteteuch to John of the Revelation.

Eph 3:5 ,“Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:”

Note: Reveal in Greek is apokalyptō which means to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up, make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown; – it occurs about 26 times in the New Testament. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was not made known in ages past, it has now been revealed by the Holy Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. For that reason the Bible is not a book written by men.

2Pe 3:2 , “That you may remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior.”

Note: Remember in Greek is mimnēskomai which means to remind one’s self of, be mindful of; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. Commandment in Greek is entolē which means collectively the whole body of moral precepts of Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ and His apostles; – it occurs 71 times in the New Testament. All the words or sayings and the commandments written in the Bible are called the Scriptures for Christians to observe and follow.

B. “The Bible contains the Word of God.”

The Bible is the Word of God. The Bible contains some what the devil and men and angels said, but God said that they said them. This is the most vicious false doctrine that pretends to believe by saying the Bible contains the word of God. The Bible is the Word of God, and it contains what God said about what other people also said. God says the fool says there is no God.

Jos 14:6 , “Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: You know the Word which the LORD said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea.”

Note: The Pentateuch (the five books of Moses) is the Word which the Lord said to Moses.

1Ki 12:22 ,“But the Word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying.”

Note: The Word of God came to the prophet, the prophet could only say what God said.

1Ki 13:21-22 ,“And he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying: Thus says the LORD: Because you have disobeyed the Word of the LORD, and have not kept the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you, but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the LORD said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water, your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.”

Note: Prophets were spokesmen of God. All prophets would declare to the people: Thus says the Lord.

1Ch 17:3 , “But it happened that night that the Word of God came to Nathan, saying:”

Note: The Word of God came to a prophet not that the prophet had expected. It happened when God wanted it to happen.

2Ch 11:2 , “But the Word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying.”

Luk 4:3 ,“And the devil said to Him: If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

Note: It is true, this was what the devil said to Jesus: If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread. The Word of God said that the devil said so.

Luk 1:34-37, “Then Mary said to the angel: How can this be, since I do not know a man? And the angel answered and said to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Note: ‘I do not know a man’ means I do not have sex with a man. The angel Gabriel was sent by God to speak to Mary of the virgin birth, Mary was puzzled because how could a virgin to have a child. Gabriel as an archangel of God, empowered to give explanation to Mary. Gabriel said what God wanted him to say.

Mat 19:4 ,“And He answered and said to them: Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female.”

Note: Jesus Christ affirms and confirms the Old Testament was written as the Word of God. Jesus also confirms and validates the fact that Adam and Eve were created by God’s direct act as it is written. There is an American president who advertised himself as born again, and yet he is an evolutionist. You cannot be a Christian and an evolutionist at the same time. Evolution is a scientific theory that contradicts the teaching of Jesus Christ. A Christian does not and cannot contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Word of Jesus Christ which will never pass away.

Mar 12:26 , “But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?”

Note: Jesus Christ unequivocally reaffirms the Old Testament is the Word of God.

Mar 12:10 ,“Have you not even read this Scripture: The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.”

Note: A passage of the Bible is called a Scripture. Jesus Christ validates a passage written in the Old Testament as the Scripture.

Luk 1:19 ,“And the angel answered and said to him: I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.”

Note: Angels are messengers of God. Prophets are spokesmen of God. Both angels and prophets speak only what God told them to speak.

Luk 3:2 , “While Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the Word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”

Note: John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for the Son of God. The Word of God came to John in the wilderness. The Word of God did not come to the palace, the seat of power, wealth and glory. Do you know any seat of power, wealth and glory which receives the Word of God?

Jhn 10:35, “If He called them gods, to whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken).”

Note: The Word of God did not come to just any person. Jesus Christ verified and validated that the Word of God came to the holy men (prophets) in the past.

Luk 24:27 , “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

Note: Expound in Greek is diermēneuō which means to unfold the meaning of what is said, explain, interpret; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. All the Scriptures mean the Old Testament because the New Testament was not written at the time of the resurrection of Christ. The central message of Moses and all the Prophets was the Messiah, the Son of God who came to the world to die for sinners.

Act 13:44 , “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God.”

Note: Sabbath was the day of rest for the Jews, most suitable to come together to hear the Word of God. Later Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and assembled on Sunday to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Word of God, and sing praises and worship God.

Act 28:23 ,“So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.”

Note: Paul was a great apostle who received the revelation directly from Jesus Christ. Paul was also a great preacher, he explained and solemnly testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Now it is much easier to preach the Gospel because the whole New Testament explains it. Explain in Greek is ektithēmi which means to metaphorically set forth, declare, expound, make clear or understandable; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Testify in Greek is diamartyromai which means to confirm a thing by testimony, cause it to be believed; – it occurs about 15 times in the New Testament. All the apostolic instruction boiled down to testimony respecting things they themselves had seen or heard, or which had disclosed to them by divine revelation. Persuade in Greek is peithō which means to induce one by words to believe, inspire confidence, cause to believe, cause to have faith; – it occurs about 55 times in the New Testament. What the apostles could do are not what present day evangelists and preachers can. The apostles had power, first-hand experience, had seen the Lord and could perform miracles.

When the Bible says the devil said, the devil did say so. When the Bible says angels said, angels did say so. When the Bible says a certain individual says something, that individual did say just that. Whatever the Bible says is so because God says so. Thus the Bible is the Word of God.

C. “The Bible is full of allegories, illusions, legends, mythologies, myths, parables and stories.”

The Bible is not a history textbook, but it is historically correct. When the Bible speaks of an individual like David and a place like Bethlehem, David was a real historical person, not a fiction; Bethlehem was and is a real place even today. The Bible is not a scientific textbook, but it is scientifically correct. When the Bible says it is a parable, it is a parable. There is no legend, mythology or myth in the Bible. What is plain is plain. What is a figure of speech is a figure of speech.

Mat 22:42-45 , “Saying: What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He? They said to Him: The Son of David. He said to them: How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool? If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”

Note: The Bible is not a scientific textbook, but it is scientifically correct. When God revealed to Jeremiah more than 2,000 years ago about the expanding universe, it was and it is scientifically correct.

True, the Bible contains parables, allegories, and stories. When the Bible says it is a parable, it should be taken literally as a parable.

Eze 17:2 , “Son of man, set forth a riddle and tell the house of Israel a parable.”

Note: Riddle in Hebrew is chiydah which means difficult question, enigmatic saying or question, perplexing saying or question, dark obscure utterance, dark speech, hard question; – it occurs about 17 times in the Old Testament. Parable in Hebrew is mashal which means proverbial saying, aphorism, similitude, byword; – it occurs about 39 times in the Old Testament. When the Bible says it is a riddle, it is a riddle. When the Bible says it is a parable, it is a parable. However, the Bible is not made of riddles and parables.

Jdg 14:12 -14 , “Then Samson said to them: Let me pose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing. But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing. And they said to him: Pose your riddle, that we may hear it. So he said to them: Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet. Now for three days they could not explain the riddle”

Note: Samson’s riddle was very interesting. Yes, the Bible contains riddles, but the Bible is not made of riddles.

Mat 13:36, “Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying: Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”

Note: Jesus tells many parables as they are written in the Gospels. Parable in Greek is parabolē which means comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude, an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning; – it occurs about 50 times in the New Testament. The explanations of the parable are plain truths, no parable:

Mat 13:37-42 ,“He answered and said to them: He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the Kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” These are sober truths.

Gal 4:24 ,“Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.”

Note: Allegory in Greek is allēgoreō which means speaking allegorically or in a figure; – it occurs only once in the New Testament.

Pro 1:6 , “To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.”

Note: Figure in Hebrew is mĕliytsah which means an obscure saying, what needs an interpretation; – it occurs only 2 times in the Old Testament.

Jhn 10:6 , “Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them.”

Note: Figure of speech in Greek is paroimia which means any dark saying which shadows forth some didactic truth, a symbolic or figurative saying, speech or discourse in which a thing is illustrated by the use of similes and comparisons, extended and elaborate metaphor; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament.

Jhn 16:29 ,“His disciples said to Him: See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!”

Isa 30:10, “Who say to the seers: You must not see visions; and to the prophets, You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.”

Note: Illusion in Hebrew is mahathallah which means deception, deceit; – it occurs only once in the Old Testament.

Luk 24:11 , “And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.”

Note: Idle tale in Greek is lēros which means idle talk, nonsense; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. At first the disciples who had not seen the risen Lord did not believe the women who had seen the Lord; their words seemed to them like idle tales.

1Ti 1:4 , “Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.”

Note: Fable in Greek is mythos which means a fiction, myth, invention, falsehood, legend; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. The Word of God edifies and builds you up in the faith.

1Ti 4:7 , “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.”

Note: Godliness in Greek is eusebeia which means piety towards God; – it occurs about 15 times in the New Testament. Exercise in Greek is gymnazō which means to strive earnestly, train vigorously like those in a school of gymnastics; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Godliness is some virtue that Christians must strive, train and practice vigorously.

2Ti 4:4 , “And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Note: The Bible is truth, against fables. So it is impossible for the Bible to be made of fables.

Tts 1:14 , “Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.”

Note: The Jewish fables were propagated by Pharisees and scribes.

When Jesus says, I am the door of the sheep; it is a figure of speech. Jesus is not a door made of wood or steel. But Jesus is the door in the sense without going through Jesus you cannot enter the sheepfold.

Jhn 14:6 ,“Jesus said to him: I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Note: The statement above is plain truth which is spiritually true: Jesus is the Way to God, no one comes to the Father except through Him. That Jesus is the Way to God is the Truth. Those who believe the truth in Christ has eternal life.

2Th 2:11 , “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.”

Note: God is against delusion and lie. Delusion in Greek is planē which means error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion; – it occurs about 10 times in the New Testament. Many white supremacists and uninformed Americans believe in the delusion that America is exceptional, chosen by God to rule the world. It is a lie, a big lie that deceives white and black supremacists.

Lam 2:14 , “Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back your captives, but have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.”

Psa 4:2 , “How long, O men, will you turn My glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah.”

Jer 14:14 , “Then the LORD said to me: The prophets are prophesying lies in My name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.”

Note: The Bible is against false and deceptive visions; false prophecies and delusions; false gods; divinations, idolatries and the delusions of the minds of the wicked.

Delusion in Hebrew is tormah which means treachery, fraud, deceit, deceitfulness; – it occurs only 6 times in the Old Testament. Delusions of the minds are most destructive. ‘White man’s burden’ is a fraud. Evolution is a delusion of the mind. Power is a delusion of the mind. Wealth is a delusion of the mind. Pleasure is a delusion of the mind. Because God is love, therefore there is no hell – a big illusion and delusion of the mind.

1Ti 1:4 , “Nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith.”

Note: Myth in Greek is mythos which means a fiction, fable, invention, falsehood; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. Speculation is ekzētēsis which means subtle inquiry, dispute; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Unbelieving scholars and modernists are good at making subtle inquiries such as so-called ‘historical Jesus’,‘textual criticism’, etc. The Bible is against all kinds of myths, endless genealogies and speculations. All private interpretations of the Bible are speculations at the least, and heresies at most.

1Ti 4:7 , “Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness.”

Note: There is infinite variety of godless and silly myths. One silly myth is if you go to the pulpit and kneel down there, God will be nearer to you and answer your prayer. Some Chinese churches are like Buddhist temples, those who go to church have some silly Buddhist practices. Catholics have many silly myths; they kiss the statue of Mary or cross to get healing. Catholics believe in the myth that Mary is the mediator between God and men. Westerners are superstitious about the number 13. Chinese believe the number 8 brings them good luck and good fortune – all these silly myths Christians have nothing to do with them.

Tts 1:14 ,“Instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth.”

Note: If you give heed to Jewish myths and scientific myths or to commands of men, you will reject the truth because they are not compatible with the Word of God.

2 Pe 1:16 , “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”

Note: The most cunningly devised fables are evolution and the “big bang” devised by unbelieving scientists. Apostles were eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection, power and majesty. All plain statements of the Word of God are not parables, fables, mythologies or myths, dreams, delusions, allegories, tales or stories. Plain statement should be taken as plain statements. Plain statements of the Bible are plain truths. Western leaders and politicians also have cunningly devised fables like democracy, human rights, freedom, justice — because they never practice them, and the peoples of their nations do not have them.

16. The Bible Speaks and Interprets Itself.

2Pe 1:20 ,“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private interpretation. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Note: Interpretation in Greek is epilysis which means a loosening, unloosing, explanation, exposition; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. The Bible makes it clear; holy men of God (prophets and apostles) spoke and wrote the Bible. No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private interpretation. If you want to argue with God, that is not my problem. The Bible is not a matter of private interpretation. The Bible speaks and interprets itself.

Question: How Does the Bible Interpret Itself?

The following are examples of ways in which the Bible interprets itself.

A. Biblical Definitions

The Bible provides many definitions which are vital to understand the Word of God. If you do not know the definition of the Bible on a certain topic, it means you may know the word and still do not understand what the Bible is talking about. Here only a few topics with explanations are cited to aid in forming Biblical Theology about God, sin, Christ, hell. Biblical definitions are God’s definitions, not the definitions of theologians, scholars or scientists.

(1). God

Jhn 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Note: Spirit in Greek is pneuma which means the life giving spirit, the essence of God; – it occurs about 385 times in the New Testament. Jesus further explains,

Luk 24:39 ,“See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” A spirit does not have flesh and bones, that is definitive. Thus the Bible interprets what does it mean that God is Spirit. This is the primary meaning. Spirit also has secondary meaning. True, God is Spirit. The Bible also says,

Hbr 12:29 ,“For our God is a consuming fire.” God is a consuming fire, but fire is not God. To believe in fire god is pantheism. Those who worship fire god do not know the true God. The Bible also says,

1Jo 4:8 , “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

God is love, but love is not God. Those who worship the goddess of love are pagans, not Christians. Thus if you gather all the Scriptures that say about God in one place, sort them out and study them systematically, and present them in a cohesive manner it forms Biblical Theology. That is how the Bible interprets itself. You cannot single out one passage of the Scripture to contradict other Scriptures. The unity of the Word of God presents the central message of God to mankind, and rejects any private interpretation.

(2). Sin

1Jo 3:4 ,“Whoever commits sin violates also the law: for sin is the violation of the law.”

Note: Sin is the violation of the law, that is one definition. Sin is judged according to the law of Moses – the law that God gave to Moses. This is the fundamental definition of sin. Without the law, you would not know what sin is. The law says,

Exd 20:17 ,“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Rom 7:7 ,“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said: You shall not covet.” However, that is not all the Scriptures say or define about sin.

Rom 14:23 ,“But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.” Whatever is not of faith is sin, that brings a broad perspective of what sin is. Probably the greatest of all sins is not to believe in God. The fools says in his heart there is no God.

You sin if you live not by faith, but by feeling. Furthermore,

Jam 4:17 ,“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” This is the sin of omission; most sins are confined to commissions. You are rich, you are able to do good but you do not, that is sin. You have power to right the wrong, but you do not, it is sin. You are a politician, you know your colleagues violate the law and commit corruption, you say and do nothing, it is sin. You are a doctor, you know the healthcare system defraud and overcharge patients, you say and do nothing, it is sin. You are a Wall Street executive, you know the financial system systematically defraud and loot the world, but you say and do nothing, it is sin.

1Jo 5:17 ,“All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.”

All unrighteousness covers a lot of sins: Lie, murder, robbery, terrorism, lawlessness, riot, looting, adultery, fornication, superstition, greed, violence, fraud, corruption, oppression, arson, rape, drunkenness, prostitution, pimping, injustice, theft, false witness, false accusation, fake news, fake documentation, fake report, fake license, counterfeit money, discrimination, pride, lust, arrogance, jealousy, envy, conflict, false claim, taking advantage of others, rumor, slander, evil thought, disobedience, rebellion, and a million other things are unrighteousness.

For example, to give tax cuts to the wealthy and powerful is unrighteousness, all unrighteousness is sin. From general to the specific,

Col 3:5 ,“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

This Scripture defines covetousness (greed) as idolatry. In America very few people worship idols, but most Americans worship money (the love of money) which is greed. Wall Street is a definitive demonstration of greed, and capitalism is made of greed and infected the whole world with frauds and all sorts of evils.

Rom 6:23 ,“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Note: The fact we will all die because we have all sinned. If you have not sinned, you will not die. Since Adam, there is no one who has not sinned. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(3). Christ

Mat 16:16 , “Simon Peter answered and said: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Note: Christ in Greek is Christos which means ‘anointed’, the Messiah, the Son of God; – it occurs about 569 times in the New Testament. Christ the Messiah is the Son of the living God. It refers to Jesus only, Jesus as the Christ (Messiah), the proper name Jesus Christ.

Mat 23:10 ,“And do not be called masters; for One is your Master, the Christ.”

Note: Master in Greek is kathēgētēs which means a guide, teacher, the supreme leader who has authority and power; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the Master like no one. Many heresies were born because certain puffed-up and hydrocephalic individuals wanted to be masters and formed a theological school of thought based on their private interpretations of the Word of God.

Mar 1:1 ,“The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Note: Jesus Christ is the beginning of the Gospel, without Jesus Christ there is no Gospel.

Luk 2:11 , “For there is born to you this day in the city of David the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Note: Savior in Greek is sōtēr which means deliverer, preserver, redeemer, through whom God gives salvation; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. Lord in Greek is kyrios which means the Ruler of the universe, this title is given to: God, the Messiah; – it occurs about 748 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the Savior, the Lord just as God is the Lord.

Luk 24:46 ,“Then He said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.”

Note: The Jews and the disciples had a wrong idea about the Messiah. They thought the Christ must remain forever, not knowing that it was necessary for Christ as the Lamb of God to suffer and die for sinners in order to save them. If only death, then there would be no salvation; for Christ rose from the dead for our justification.

Jhn 1:17 , “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Note: Since man cannot obtain the righteousness of God through keeping the Law, so God provide grace for all who come to Christ for salvation. The righteousness of God is awarded freely to all who trust in Christ, this is the truth.

Jhn 1:41 , “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him: We have found the Messiah (which is translated, the Christ).”

Jhn 4:42 , “Then they said to the woman: Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

Note: Jesus indeed is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Truth is exclusive; there is only one Messiah, the Savior of the world. A spouse is also exclusive; you cannot have more than one spouse.

Jhn 6:69 , “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Note: In secular things you know and believe. In divine things you believe and know. Come to believe is come to know.

Jhn 17:3 , “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

Act 2:36 , “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Act 2:38 , “Then Peter said to them: Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Note: Remission in Greek is aphesis which means forgiveness, pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed); – it occurs about 17 times in the New Testament.

Rom 1:16 ,“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Note: The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Gentiles can be saved just as the Jews can be saved.

Rom 2:16 ,“In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.”

Note: The day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ is when He returns to reign with the saints. Ah, do you know that God knows your secrets? God knows the secrets of America, EU, UK, Canada, France, Australia, Japan and all nations. God also knows the secrets of all national leaders and politicians. God also know all corporate secrets and the secrets of corporate leaders and executives. The leader of a nation has many secrets, God knows them. A nation has many secrets or classified information because its leaders and officials have done many evil things, God knows them. A corporate executive has many secrets how he looted the corporation, God knows them. Doctors and hospital owners have defrauded and overcharged patients for many years, God knows all their secrets. Whatever you have done and think no one knows about, God knows the secrets of men.

Rom 3:22 ,“Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.”

Note: The righteousness of God is not possible to obtain through the law is given freely to all through faith in Jesus Christ.

Rom 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Note: End in Greek is telos which means termination, that by which a thing is finished, the end to which all things relate; – it occurs about 42 times in the New Testament. This is a vital truth: Christ is the end of the law. Roughly there are two dispensations: law (Old Testament) and grace (New Testament). The dispensation of law was ended; the dispensation of grace began when Christ first appeared on earth and lasts until Christ returns to reign. Now is the dispensation of grace. The righteousness of God which man cannot obtain through the law is given by grace to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. Christ fulfills and completes the law for righteousness to everyone who believes in Him as Lord and Savior.

1Cr 1:24 , “But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

Note: Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1Cr 10:4 , “And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

When Jesus Christ says,

Mat 16:18 ,“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Note: You see the Bible interprets itself. Peter was not the rock, that Rock was Christ. The Bible does not contradict itself. The Roman Catholic Church teaches Peter as the rock of the church although they know the Bible says that Rock is Christ.

1Cr 12:27 , “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

Note: The Scripture provides the definition of the Church. Believers are the body of Christ, and members individually. The Church is the body of Christ.

1Cr 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Note: The Scriptures cited are the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Christ died for our sins and He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

1Jo 1:7 ,“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Christianity is based on the Scriptures, the Word of God. Christ rose from the dead for our justification, so that all believe in Him may be counted as righteousness. The substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the right and left sacred pillars of the truth of Christianity. Without Jesus Christ dying for sinners, sinners cannot be redeemed. Without resurrection of Jesus Christ, sinners cannot be justified or counted righteous before God. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ completed the redemption of our souls; the second coming of Christ will complete the redemption of our bodies, from mortal to immortal, from inglorious to glorious. Only Christianity has the empty tomb, for our Redeemer lives forever. The dead leaders of many religions could not even save themselves. Recently a Hindu guru worshiped by millions died at 84. The Hindu guru died because he was also a sinner. If he was not a sinner, he would not have died. Death is the destiny of all men. For the wages of sin is death.

(4). Hell

Hell is not a state of mind; it is a real place of suffering, eternal suffering.

Deu 32:22 , “For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn to the lowest Hell; it shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.”

Note: The Chinese concept of 18-floor hell is a pure imagination, but the Bible does say about the lowest hell. Apparently people who are sent to the lowest hell are the most wicked and will suffer the most. The lowest hell is the bottomless pit. Apparently the hell ( shĕ’owl ) of the Old Testament has been moved to the hell ( hadēs ) described in Rev 20:14 after Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended to the highest Heaven. We should not speculate what is not spelled out in the Bible.

Psa 9:17 ,“The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

Note: All the nations that forget God shall be turned into hell, including nations that call themselves ‘Christian’ but practices wickedness and unrighteousness.

Psa 55:15 ,“Let death seize them; let them go down alive into Hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.”

Pro 5:5 ,“Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of Hell.

Pro 7:27 ,“Her house is the way to Hell, descending to the chambers of death.”

Note: Her refers to prostitute and bad woman. The house of prostitution is the way to Hell.

Pro 27:20 , “Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”

Note: Hell is never full because it is the Bottomless Pit.

Eze 31:16 , “I made the nations shake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to Hell together with those who descend into the Pit; and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the depths of the earth.”

Mat 5:22 , “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of Hell fire.”

Mat 5:29 , “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell.”

Mat 5:30 ,“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell.”

Mat 10:28 , “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”

Note: This Scripture answers the question how is that the suffering in Hell is forever, because they shall be tormented both soul and body. The body of the wicked after resurrection can feel the pain of fire and worm, it is continuously dying but never dies, there is no ending. The suffering in Hell involves body and soul of the wicked or unbeliever.

Mat 23:15 ,“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of Hell as yourselves.”

Note: There are bad and false preachers who make believers their disciples. Remember, a true preacher makes believers the disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ calls the evildoer, a son of Hell. Truth is offensive. Something is seriously wrong with you if you think the truth of God must please you. You study the Bible not to find whether it pleases you or not. You study the Word of God to find out whether you please God or not.

There are many sons of Hell making Hell on earth; someday the sons of Hell will be tormented in Hell forever and ever. A greedy capitalist that robs and loots the world is a son of Hell. A warmonger that starts war of aggression is a son of Hell. A CORRUPT doctor and hospital owner who defraud and prey on patients are sons of Hell. A lawyer who practices legal terrorism is a son of Hell. A terrorist is a son of Hell…

Mat 23:33 ,“Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of Hell.”

Note: Some people think Jesus was too kind and only spoke kind words, but He calls the wicked, serpents, brood of vipers.

Mar 9:43, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—.”

Note: Hell fire is worse than nuclear fire, fire produced by fission or fusion. Hell fire is eternal, and suffering in Hell is also eternal.

Luk 12:5 , “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into Hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”

2Pe 2:4 ,“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.”

Note: It appears God has sent the angels who sinned and maybe the wicked also who died to chains of darkness. After judgment, the Lake of Fire (Hell) will be the final place of punishment for them. If God did not spare the angels who sinned, don’t think you are better than an angel can escape God’s judgment.

B. The Unity of the Word of God.

The Word of God gives one consistent message, the work of the devil is trying to cast doubt or distort the Word of God. The Bible does not contradict itself.

Mat 7:15 , “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Note: Jesus Christ calls false prophets ravenous wolves. Those ravenous wolves come to you in sheep’s clothing. There are many false prophets who appear in cathedrals, seminaries, megachurches, etc. False prophets are ravenous wolves because they deceive people and destroy their faith.

In America a false prophet who deceived people repeatedly about the Day of Judgment is very rich because fools gave him their money and assets.

Mat 24:11 , “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”

Note: Preachers of prosperity gospel are false prophets, they deceive many by teaching if you give your money to them as investment, God will open up heaven and pour down material blessings on you so that you prosper and become rich.

Mat 24:24 ,“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

Note: False christs and false prophets can also show great signs and wonders to deceive people.

Luk 6:26 , “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”

Note: Some false prophets and false teachers have fallen from grace and disgraced themselves. Some may be well received in palaces, white house, big mansions, big institutions, big firms, etc.

2Cr 11:13 , “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.”

Note: These deceitful workers may claim to be apostles of Christ. Since the Twelve, Judas lost his and replaced by Paul, all the apostles had gone to heaven; there will never be another apostle. If anyone declares himself to be a modern day apostle of Christ, you can be sure he is a false apostle.

Gal 2:4 , “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage).”

2Pe 2:1 , “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”

Note: Those who insist they have power to make private interpretation of the Word of God, they will bring swift destruction upon themselves. You cannot use the words of man to measure the Word of God; you must measure the words of man by the Word of God. All false prophets and false teachers deny Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God who became Man.

2Pe 3:16 ,“He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”

Note: Destruction in Greek is apōleia which means a perishing, ruin, the destruction which consists of eternal misery in Hell; – it occurs about 20 times in the New Testament. Apostle Peter talked about the writings of Apostle Paul containing some things that are hard to understand. Ignorant and unstable people distort the Bible as they do the other Scriptures will bring their own destruction. There is such a thing that people do bring or cause their own destruction.

Rev 20:10 ,“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
Note: The Scripture cited explains the end of the evil trinity, the devil, the beast and the false prophet – tormented in hell forever and ever.

Eph 4:5 -6 ,“One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Note: The Bible presents one Lord (Jesus Christ), one faith (not denominations), one baptism; one God and Father of all. The Father and Son are One. All believers in Christ are one.

C. The Word of God centers on Jesus Christ.

Jhn 1:45 ,“Philip found Nathanael and said to him: We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Note: Find in Greek is heuriskō which means to find by inquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation, find out, come to know, find by chance; – it occurs about 178 times in the New Testament. Messiah whom Moses and the prophets wrote about had been expected by the Jews for thousands of years. Have you found out what is the most important thing in your life?

Luk 24:27 ,“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

Note: The things concerning the Messiah the Christ are written in the books of Moses and all the Prophets (the Old Testament).

Luk 24:44 , “Then He said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

Note: The three major portions of the Old Testament are the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms – in fact the whole Old Testament was written about Jesus Christ – the Messiah. The Book of Psalms is very useful to teach believers how to pray, how to communicate with God.

Mat 3:17 ,“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Mat 17:5 ,“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Mar 9:7 ,“And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Luk 9:35 , “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Note: The central message of God to mankind is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God’s beloved Son, hear Him, listen to Him, accept Him, believe in Him, obey Him, and love Him.

2Pe 1:17 , “For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Note: God is the Excellent Glory, Jesus Christ is His beloved Son.

1 Cr 2:2, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

Note: Everything else you know is useless if you do not know that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, died for your sins and rose from death and He is able to save you to the end.

Act 4:12 , “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Note: This Scripture is very clear: there is no salvation in any other, there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. No matter who you are, Gandhi or Lincoln, you need Jesus to save you. No one is good enough to go to heaven.

1Cr 3:11 ,“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

Note: Foundation in Greek is themelios which means the thing laid down as a foundation; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christianity, the Rock of the Church.

1Ti 1:3-4 , “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia–remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.”

1Ti 2:5 , “For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Note: Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and men. It is not Mary, it is not apostles, it is not angels, and it is not any man.

D. The Way.

Jhn 14:6 ,“Jesus said to him: I AM the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”

Note: Way in Greek is hodos which means a traveled way, road, by which one passes; – it occurs about 102 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the way with whom all who seek approach to God must enter into closest fellowship. Jesus Christ is the way to God, there is no other way. This is the truth if you want to receive life. Truth is not narrow-mindedness. Truth is exclusive, not inclusive. Think about this as the most important thing: If Jesus Christ is right, then all religions are false. However, there is religious freedom, you may receive or reject Jesus Christ; but you will not escape the consequence. The Bible has made it clear about the consequences of unbelievers. What you decide will determine your eternal destiny. I had made choice long ago; I accept and believe Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, no regret whatsoever.

Mat 7:13 -14 , “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Mat 22:16 , “And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying: Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.”

Note: Truthful in Greek is alēthēs which means true, speaking the truth; – it occurs about 25 times in the New Testament. To be partial means to regard the person, pay attention to who is the person, or regard the position of man. Jesus Christ does not regard whether you are the president of America, the prime minister of Britain, or the king of any nation. In the sight of God, man is nothing, less than nothing.

Luk 1:79 ,“To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Note: Those who walk in darkness, such as Wall Street crooks, corrupt officials, fraudulent doctors and hospital owners, predatory lawyers, etc. do not know the way of peace.

Isa 57:21, “There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.” God says: There is no peace for the wicked.

Luk 20:21 , “Then they asked Him, saying: Master, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth.”

Note: Do not show personal favoritism means not being partial to any. To teach the way of God in truth, one cannot show personal favoritism. Jesus Christ is the way, the narrow way, the way of peace, the way of God in truth, the way of salvation, the way of the Lord, the way of God.

Act 9:2 ,“And asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

Note: The word ‘way’used in Act 9:2 is the same original word used in Jhn 14:6. Whether used it favorably or unfavorably, Christianity is the Way. Christians are people of the Way – the Way of God.

Act 16:17 , “This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”

Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the way of salvation.

Act 18:25-26 ,“This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately.”

Note: The more knowledge you have of the Word of God, the more accurately you explain the Way of God, the way of salvation.

Act 19:9 ,“But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.”

Note: Do not be surprised if some hardened unbelievers speak evil of the Way. The enemies of the cross oppose the Way of God.

E. The Door.

Jhn 10:1 ,“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”

Note: Leaders of false religions are actually thieves and robbers because they misled the people with the wrong way.

Jhn 10:2 , “But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”

Jhn 10:7 ,“So Jesus said to them again: Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”

Jhn 10:9 , “I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Note: Jesus Christ is the door of salvation, enter by Jesus means to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and you will be saved.

Gen 7:13-16, “On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark– they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.”

Note: To shut in means the door is closed. Now the door of salvation is open, now you can be saved. The day is coming when the door of salvation is shut, then you cannot enter.
Gen 19:10-11 ,“But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.”
Note: The Old Testament story cited above is very interesting and illustrates the importance of the door.

Act 14:27 , “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”

Note: God has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles and the Jews. All may come in and be saved.

Col 4:3 , “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.”

Note: Pray God to open to us a door for the Word through the Internet to reach millions with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jam 5:9 ,“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door

Rev 3:20 , “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Note: Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your heart, open your heart and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. The most wonderful garage door leads you only to a car. White house door cannot lead you to heaven. Congressional door cannot lead you to heaven. Palace door does not lead you to paradise. Jesus is the door that leads you to God and heaven.

17. What to Do with the Word of God.

Peoples of the world and Christians are at least told to do the following. The Word of God speaks two groups of people: believers and unbelievers. What the Word of God tells Christians to do, unbelievers cannot do.

A. Hear the Word.

Isa 28:14 , “Therefore hear the Word of the LORD, you scornful men, who rule this people who are in Jerusalem.”

Isa 66:5 , “Hear the Word of the LORD, you who tremble at His Word: Your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name’s sake, said: Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy. But they shall be ashamed.”

Jesus says, Mat 13:9 , “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Rom 10:17 , “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Note: Hear the Word means to listen to what God says and obey the Word of God.

B. Pay attention to the Word.

2Pe 1:19 , “And we have the Word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

Note: Pay attention in Greek is prosechō which means to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive, give attention to, take heed, devote thought and effort to; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. You do well to pay attention to the Word of God which a light like the morning star that shines in your hearts.

C. Believe the Word.

Act 4:4 , “However, many of those who heard the Word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

Note: Believe in Greek is pisteuō which means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, place confidence in, trust in Jesus or God as able to aid; – it occurs about 248 times in the New Testament. To believe the Word is to take God at His Word.

Act 15:7 ,“And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.”

Note: It is the duty of man to hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.

Eph 1:13 , “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”

Note: To hear the Word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation and believe is to be sealed to receive the Holy Spirit.

D. Receive the Word.

Act 8:14 , “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.”

Note: Receive in Greek is dechomai which means to take hold of, take up, give ear to, embrace, approve, make one’s own; – it occurs 59 times in the New Testament. We must receive the Word of God.

Act 17:11 , “These were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

Note: Readiness in Greek is prothymia which means readiness of mind, eagerness, zeal, spirit, inclination; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. Search the Scriptures and receive the Word with readiness of mind and eagerness.

1Th 1:6 , “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.”

Note: For followers of Jesus Christ to receive the Word in affliction means to suffer for the Lord and to be with joy of the Holy Spirit.

1Th 2:13 , “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

Note: The Word of God is the word of truth.

E. Desire the Word.

1Pe 2:2 , “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.”

Note: Desire in Greek is epipotheō which means to long for, pursue with love, long after; – it occurs only 9 times in the New Testament. As newborn babes desire the milk so Christians should desire the pure milk of the Word. The Word is vital for spiritual growth. Christians are to grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. Knowledge of and obedience to the Word of God are essential for Christian growth.

F. Taste the Word.

Hbr 6:5 , “And have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come.”

Note: Taste in Greek is geuomai which means to try the flavor of, partake of, enjoy, feel and experience; – it occurs about 15 times in the New Testament. The taste of the Word of God is good because of its promises and blessings. If you are a child of God, you must have experienced the divine providence and how God has blessed and helped you in many ways.

G. Keep the Word.

Luk 11:28 , “But He said: More than that, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!”

Note: Keep here in Greek is phylassō which means to guard, watch, keep watch, guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate, observe; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament.

1Jo 2:5 , “But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in Him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

Note: Keep in Greek is tēreō which means to attend to carefully, take care of, observe of God’s or Christ’s command; – it occurs about 75 times in the New Testament. To keep the Word is to obey the commandments of God and do the will of God.

H. Remember the Word.

Jhn 15:20 , “Remember the Word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also.”

Note: Remember in Greek is mnēmoneuō which means to be mindful of, call to mind, hold in memory, keep in mind, make mention of; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. Christians must remember the Word that Jesus said in the New Testament and keep it. To remember the Word of Christ you have to keep it in your heart. Here “yours” refers what the apostles later said and wrote in the New Testament. It does not mean what church leaders, theologians or pastors say.

I. Obey the Word.

Jos 24:24 , “The people said to Joshua: We will serve the LORD our God and we will obey His voice. ”

Note: Obey in Hebrew is shama` which means to hear, listen to, consent, agree, yield to, be obedient, give heed; – it occurs about 1,159 times in the Old Testament. God’s voice and God’s word mean the same. To obey God’s voice is to obey His Word.

2Th 1:8 , “Dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

Note: Obey in Greek is hypakouō which means to be obedient to, submit to, harken to a command; – it occurs 21 times in the New Testament. To obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus is to obey the Word. Those who do not obey will receive retribution. Retribution in Greek is ekdikēsis which means vengeance, punishment; – it occurs only 9 times in the New Testament. What punishment for those who do not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ says, Mat 25:46 , “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Punishment in Greek is kolasis which means correction, penalty; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. What is eternal punishment? Body and soul suffer in Hell forever.

J. Be doers of the Word.

Jam 1:22 , “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Note: Doer in Greek is poiētēs which means a performer, practitioner, one who obeys or fulfills the law; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. One who hears the Word, but does not do it, deceives himself. A good illustration is the Western powers that claim to be Christian, but they practice imperialism, colonialism, capitalism, and hegemonism which are totally contrary to the Word of God.

Luk 6:46 , “Why do you call Me: ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

Be doer of the Word is to do what the Lord says.

K. Hold firm the Word.

Phl 2:16, “Holding out the Word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

Note: Hold out in Greek is epechō which means to have or hold upon, hold toward, hold forth; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament.

Tts 1:9 ,“Holding firm the faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”

Note: Hold firm in Greek is antechō which means to hold to firmly, cleave to; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Believers must hold out and hold firm the Word of life in this ungodly world.

L. Speak the Word.

Act 4:31 , “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.”

Note: Speak in Greek is laleō which means to utter a voice or emit a sound, use the tongue or the faculty of speech, talk, tell, use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts, make known by speaking; – it occurs about 296 times in the New Testament. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is not meant to speak in tongues, but to speak the Word of God with boldness. Boldness in Greek is parrēsia which means freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech, open, frankly, free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, assurance; – it occurs about 31 times in the New Testament.

Act 16:32 ,“Then they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.”

Phl 1:14 , “And most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear.”

Note: What is the difference between speaking the Word and preaching the Word. Speaking the Word is informal, preaching the Word is formal. We should pray that the Word of God can be proclaimed everywhere without fear. In some countries that have state religion, you will lose your life to preach the Word of God. If one of their citizens is converted to Christianity, he/she will be beheaded. That kind of oppressive religion should be outlawed in all civilized nations. Religious freedom should mean preaching and practicing the Gospel of Jesus Christ without fear. Hold firm the truth of Christ means you do not let go, do not stray into falsehood.

M. Preach the Word.

Act 8:4 , “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.”

Note: Preach in Greek is euaggelizō which means to evangelize, bring good news, announce glad tidings, proclaim glad tidings; – it occurs about 55 times in the New Testament.

Act 8:25 ,“So when they had testified and preached the Word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the Gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”

Act 15:35 ,“Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.”

2Ti 4:2, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

Note: Here the word ‘preach’ is kēryssō which means to be a herald, to officiate as a herald, publish, proclaim openly; – it occurs about 61 times in the New Testament. The Gospel of Jesus Christ can be preached by TV, radio, movie, printed matter, record, DVD, and the Internet.

N. Spread the Word.

Act 13:49, “And the Word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.”

Note: Spread in Greek is diapherō which means to bear or carry through any place, carry in different directions, to different places, spread abroad; – it occurs about 13 times in the New Testament. Preachers must preach the Gospel; all Christians must spread the Word. Today the Internet is the most effective and fastest means of spreading the Word of the Lord throughout the world, and the cheapest means.

O. Bear witness to the Word.

Act 14:3 ,“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the Word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”

Note: Bear witness in Greek is martyreō which means to testify, affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, be a witness of the truth; – it occurs about 79 times in the New Testament. Every born-again Christian is a witness to the Word of His grace; even most believers do not have the gift of performing signs and miracles. A Christian life is a living testimony to the grace and power of God.

Outside the Holy Bible, here is a list of some noteworthy historical people, excluded myself, who said somethings about the Bible worth listening to:

Martin Luther, “Let the man who would hear God speak, read Holy Scripture.” Here alone, in the pages of the Bible, God speaks with final authority.

Isaac Newton, “We account the scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever.”

Immanuel Kant, “I believe that the existence of the Bible is the greatest benefit to the human race. Any attempt to belittle it, I believe, is a crime against humanity.”



Abraham Lincoln, “I am busily engaged in the study of the Bible. I believe it is God’s word because it finds me where I am.”

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good of the Savior of the world is communicated to us through the Book.”



Patrick Henry, “The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”



George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”



St. Jerome, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”



Sir Ambrose Flemming, “We must not build on the sands of an uncertain and everchanging science…but upon the rock of inspired Scriptures.”



Jean Jacques Rousseau, “Jewish authors would never have invented either that style nor that morality; and the Gospel has marks of truth so great, so striking, so utterly inimitable, that the invention of it would be more astonishing than the hero.”



Robert E. Lee, “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.”



Woodrow Wilson, “When you have read the Bible, you know it is the word of God, because it is the key to your heart, your own happiness, and your own duty.”



Theodore Roosevelt, “A thorough understanding of the Bible is better than a college education.”



Daniel Webster, “I believe that the Bible is to be understood and received in the plain and obvious meaning of its passages; for I cannot persuade myself that a book intended for the instruction and conversion of the whole world should cover its true meaning in any such mystery and doubt that none but critics and philosophers can discover it.”

“Education is useless without the Bible.”



John Wesley, “This book had to be written by one of three people: good men, bad men or God. It couldn’t have been written by good men because they said it was inspired by the revelation of God. Good men don’t lie and deceive. It couldn’t have been written by bad men because bad men would not write something that would condemn themselves. It leaves only one conclusion. It was given by divine inspiration of God.”



Concerning the Bible, Edward Meyer said:“…There is no ground at all for refusing to accept these oldest traditions as historically trustworthy in all essentials, and in their chronological ordering of history.”



Francis Bacon, called the Bible: “The book of God’s word.”



Goethe, “I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus Christ.”



Augustine, “The Holy Scriptures are out letters from home.”



Willie Wong, “The Holy Bible is not like any other book. It gives me life, light, comfort, inspiration, joy, strength, and hope that I find only in Jesus Christ.”

P. Teach the Word.

Act 18:11 ,“And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.”

Note: Teach in Greek is didaskō which means to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, impart instruction, instill doctrine into one, explain or expound a thing; – it occurs about 97 times in the New Testament. The strangest things are professors of theology and ministers who do not know the Word but teach everything to deny and repudiate the Word. Such are false teachers. You wonder why they exist in seminaries and churches today. Actually it is a fulfilled prophecy,

Jud 1:4 , “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2Pe 2:1 ,“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” Any doctrine that denies Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world is a destructive heresy and false doctrine.

Q. Labor in the Word.

1Ti 5:17 ,“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.”

2Ti 2:15 , “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Note: Labor in Greek is kopiaō which means to toil with wearisome effort; – it occurs about 23 times in the New Testament. What I am trying to do is to put the Word and fundamental doctrines of Christianity on the Internet absolutely free, rightly dividing the Word of truth, proclaiming and promoting the Kingdom of God and Christ. Rightly dividing in Greek is orthotomeō which means to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. To explain the differences between law and grace, between work and gift, between reward and punishment, between Heaven and Hell, between this life and the life to come, between things below and things above, between the worldly and the spiritual, between the eternal life and eternal punishment, etc. is rightly dividing the Word of truth. Among those who labored in the Word and doctrine that I admire most are G. Campbell Morgan, J. C. Ryle, John Bunyan, etc.

R. Glorify the Word.

Act 13:48 ,“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”

Note: Glorify in Greek is doxazō which means to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate, honor, do honor to, hold in honor, make glorious, adorn with luster, clothe with splendor, render it excellent or illustrious; – it occurs 62 times in the New Testament. There is nothing like the Holy Bible because it is the Word of God. There is nothing like the Word of God because it is truth, nothing but the truth, trustworthy to accept and believe. To glorify the Word of the Lord is to glorify God. Those who glorify the Word of God do not commit idolatry (bibliolatry). To glorify the Word of God you cannot glorify the words of men. Those who glorify the words of men are guilty of idolatry. The church of Jesus Christ must obey the Word of God. Christians glorify the Word of God, not the words and teachings of any man.

Now you have learned a lot about the Holy Bible, the Word of God. The central message is Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. Christianity is solely based on the Holy Scripture, the ultimate authority for faith and practice.

If you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ, you will have eternal life, as it is written.

N.B.

Like Martin Luther, I believe in Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone).

I am grateful to those who provide free online access to Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon. My research and study of the Bible cannot be done without it. My knowledge of the original words of the Scriptures is based on the Hebrew and Greek Lexicon. I thank God for this worthy and noble ministry. I hope every Bible student and preacher knows about this and uses this indispensable Bible study tool.

I am an old man and I have studied many books. There is no book like the Holy Bible because it is the World of God. I have no reason to lie to you because I am not selling anything or getting money from you or anyone else. Besides the salvation offered in Jesus Christ, the benefits I have received from the Holy Bible lasts for time and eternity. I am glad to glorify the Holy Bible.

Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon
http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 4, 2025
https://williewong.cw.center/wp-admin

*ACCORDING TO

*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth. 

According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, the meaning of “according to” is “in conformity with”.

According to Collins Dictionary, it means “in accordance with”. 

Gen 1:11, “Then God said, “Let the earth sprout 

vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit according to their kind with seed in them”; and it was so.”

Kind in Hebrew is mîn which means species. According to Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, form hence species, kind, sort.

God created fruit trees according to their kind with seed in them.

Gen 1:12, “The earth produced vegetation, plants 

yielding seed according to their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, according to 

their kind; and God saw that it was good.”

The taxonomy of God was good.

Gen 1:21, “And God created the great sea creature

and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and

every winged bird according to its kind; and God saw that it was good.”

Gen 1:24, “Then God said, “Let the earth produce 

living creatures according to their kind: livestock and crawling things and animals of the earth according 

to their kind”; and it was so.

Gen 1:25, “God made the animals of the earth

according to their kind, and the livestock according 

to their kind, and everything that crawls on the ground according to its kind; and God saw that it was good.”

According to https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/how-many-animals-are-in-the-world/#:~:text=Of%20the%208.7%20million%20species

Top 10 Most Startling Stats

Gen 1:26, “Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.”

God only created mankind in His image, according to His likeness.

According to https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/the-image-of-god-11580158.html

It would be difficult to overstate the centrality of the image of God as a crucial theme in Biblical theology. From the beginning of the end in Genesis (protology) to the end of the beginning in Revelation (eschatology), the image of God is crucial for understanding the flow of redemptive history. God creates humans in his image, justly punishes them for rebellion, yet graciously provides redemption from that rebellion, and then finally consummates redemptive history by transforming the whole creation into new heavens and a new earth. 

It would be difficult to overstate the centrality of the image of God as a crucial theme in Biblical theology. From the beginning of the end in Genesis (protology) to the end of the beginning in Revelation (eschatology), the image of God is crucial for understanding the flow of redemptive history. God creates humans in his image, justly punishes them for rebellion, yet graciously provides redemption from that rebellion, and then finally consummates redemptive history by transforming the whole creation into new heavens and a new earth.

Genesis 1:26-27 indicates that God created humankind as male and female in his image (tselem [,l,x]) and likeness (demut [tWm.D]). It is doubtful that distinctions between the meanings of these two words are to be pressed. Rather, the pair of words convey one idea through a literary device known as hendiadys. Later, in Genesis 5:1-3, after God’s image-bearers had sinned against him, the language of Genesis 1:26-27 is repeated as a prelude to a list of Adam’s posterity. Significantly, this passage links God’s original creation of humans in his likeness with the subsequent human procreation of children in Adam’s image and likeness. Following the Genesis narrative further, after the flood of NoahGenesis 9:6 indicates that due to the image of God, capital punishment is required in cases of murder. To murder a creature who images God is tantamount to an attempt to murder the God who created the image-bearer, and the heinous nature of this offense warrants the forfeiture of the murderer’s life as well.”

Gen 5:3, “When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

  •  in his own likeness, after his image] Cf. Genesis 1:26. Man was made in God’s image, after His likeness; he begets a son, in his own likeness, after his image. Many Heb. MSS., however, only read “in his image.” On the words “image” and “likeness,” see note on Genesis 1:26. The phrase here is evidently intended to shew that the elements of resemblance to the Divine image, which at the first were implanted in man’s nature, were communicated from father to son.
    That the priestly document contained any tradition respecting the Fall, or the murder of Abel, seems improbable.
    Seth] See note on Genesis 4:25. The father here gives the name; the mother’s name is not mentioned in this genealogy.”

Gen 6:20, “Of the birds according to their kind, and of the animals according to their kind, of every crawling 

thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

20Of the fowl, &c.] The order in which the animals are here mentioned is deserving of notice; first the fowls, then the cattle, and finally the creeping things. What is the reason of this order? Probably the order of the account of the Creation in chap. 1 is followed, where the creation of the fowls is recorded in Genesis 1:20-22, and of the cattle and creeping things in Genesis 1:24. The same order is maintained in Genesis 1:26.
kind] The same word as in Genesis 1:12 (P).
cattle] as in Genesis 1:24, denoting domestic animals generally. The only group of animals mentioned in Genesis 1:21Genesis 1:24, which is here omitted, is “the beast of the earth,” i.e. “the wild beast.” Is this intentional? The LXX adds, after “every creeping thing,” καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν θηρίων = “and of every wild beast.”
creeping thing] See note on Genesis 1:24. The exact phrase “everything that creepeth upon the ground after its kind” is reproduced from Genesis 1:25.
Genesis 6:20.”

Gen 10:5, “From these the people of the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every 

one according to his languageaccording to their families, into their nations.”

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Thus, we have discovered the ancient seats of Japheth, Iapetos – , around the Caspian, the Euxine, the Aegean, and the north of the Mediterranean. From these coastlands they seem to have spread over Europe, northern, western, and southern Asia, and, both by Behring’s Straits and the Atlantic, they at length poured into America. So true is it that Japheth was enlarged, and that by them were “the isles of the nations divided.”

In their nations. – We here note the characteristics of a nation. First. It is descended from one head. Others may be occasionally grafted on the original stock by intermarriage. But there is a vital union subsisting between all the members and the head, in consequence of which the name of the head is applied to the whole body of the nation. In the case of Kittim and Dodanim we seem to have the national name thrown back upon the patriarchs, who may have themselves been called Keth and Dodan. Similar instances occur in the subsequent parts of the genealogy. Second. A nation has a country or “land” which it calls its own. In the necessary migrations of ancient tribes, the new territories appropriated by the tribe, or any part of it, were naturally called by the old name, or some name belonging to the old country. This is well illustrated by the name of Gomer, which seems to reappear in the Cimmerii, the Cimbri, the Cymri, the Cambri, and the Cumbri. Third. A nation has its own “tongue.” This constitutes at once its unity in itself and its separation from others. Many of the nations in the table may have spoken cognate tongues, or even originally the same tongue. Thus, the Kenaanite, Phoenician, and Punic nations had the same stock of languages with the Shemites. But it is a uniform law, that one nation has only one speech within itself. Fourth. A nation is composed of many “families,” clans, or tribes. These branch off from the nation in the same manner as it did from the parent stock of the race.”

Nations were formed according to their families and language.

According to https://blog.rosettastone.com/how-many-languages-are-there

Today there are 7,164 languages spoken across the world. However, these languages are not evenly distributed across populations. Over 3.6 billion people speak the 20 most spoken languages in the world, accounting for only 0.3% of the world’s total languages.”

2Pe 2:5, “and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly.”

1Pe 3:20, “who once were disobedient when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through 

the water.”

Gen 7:13 , “On the very same day Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark.” 

Note: Ark in Hebrew is tebah which means a chest, coffer; the ship which Noah made like a chest or coffer; – it occurs 28 times in the Old Testament.

Something is most interesting and amazing about the Chinese character for ship. Chinese characters are square. The etymology of the Chinese word 

” ship ”   船 ,  舟  (big boat)

   八  (eight), 口  (mouth).   One mouth means one person. So the Chinese character   

  means in a big boat, there were 8 mouths or 8 persons. Thus ship 

is written with “boat” on the left, “eight mouths” on the right. In the big ship there were  8 persons, one mouth stands for one person. In counting population, you count how many mouths. It is historically significant because Noah, his wife, their three sons and three daughters-in-law made up a family of 8 persons who entered the Ark and were saved from the Flood or the Deluge. And so the Chinese character  “ ship ”  is written that there are 8 mouths in the Ark. 

Gen 6:22, “So Noah did these things; according 

to everything that God had commanded him, so he did.”

Benson Commentary

Genesis 6:22Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him — And that both as to the matter and manner of it. And when we consider how laborious, tedious, and dangerous a work the building of the ark was, and what ridicule he would have to encounter from the ungodly and profane, while engaged in a business apparently foolish, and that for so many scores of years together, we shall not wonder that the faith whereby he surmounted all these difficulties should be so celebrated in the Scriptures. See Hebrews 11:7.”

Heb 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence 

prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Noah was a righteous man because he did everthing according to that God had commanded him.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

7warned of God] The same word is used as in Hebrews 8:5Hebrews 12:25.
moved with fear] Influenced by godly caution and reverence; the same kind of fear as that implied in Hebrews 5:7.
condemned the world] His example was in condemning contrast with the unbelief of the world (Matthew 12:41Luke 11:31).
of the righteousness which is by faith] Rather, “which is according to faith” (comp. Ezekiel 14:14). Noah is called “righteous” in Genesis 6:9, and Philo observes that he is the first to receive this title, and erroneously says that the name Noah means “righteous” as well as “rest.” St Paul does not use the phrase “the righteousness according to faith,” though he has “the righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13). “Faith” however in this writer never becomes the same as mystic oneness with Christ, but means general belief in the unseen; and “righteousness” is not “justification,” but faith manifested by obedience. Throughout this chapter righteousness is the human condition which faith produces (Hebrews 11:33), not the divine gift which faith receives. Hence he says that Noah “became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith,” i.e. he entered on the inheritance of righteousness which faith had brought him. In 2 Peter 2:5 Noah is called “a preacher of righteousness;” and in Wis 10:4 “the righteous man.”

Gen 19:31, “Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to have relations with us according to the custom of all the earth.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the firstborn said unto the younger,…. That is, the firstborn of those two, or the elder of them; for, if Lot had other daughters that were married in Sodom, it is probable they were elder than either of these: Aben Ezra intimates, that Lot had another wife, who died first, and these were by his second; the following motion is made by the eldest of them to the youngest, as being bolder, having more authority, and a greater influence to persuade:

our father is old; if he was fifty years of age when he was taken captive by the kings, as says the Jewish chronologer (q) he must now be sixty five, since the destruction of Sodom, according to Bishop Usher (r), was fifteen years after that:

and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth; to marry them, cohabit with them, and procreate children of them, which was the common way of the propagation of mankind in the earth; they thought the whole world was destroyed by fire, as it had been by a flood; they understood it would be no more consumed by water, but they had been told it would be by fire, and they imagined the time was now come, and this was the case; that not only Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire, and that by this time the fire had reached to Zoar, and had consumed that, but that the whole earth was destroyed, and not a man left but their father, and therefore thought it could be excusable in them, and lawful for them to take the following method to repopulate the world; or else they supposed there were none in the land, the land of Canaan, not of any of their kindred and relations, for they might be ignorant of Abraham and his family, or however of any good man that they knew of, that they could be joined to in marriage; for as for the inhabitants of Zoar, they had just left, they were as wicked as any, and therefore could not think of living with them in such a near relation: but all this is not a sufficient excuse for contriving and executing what is after related; for they should have inquired of their father, who could have informed them better.”

Sometimes we must do according to the custom of all the earth.  Sometimes we must not do according to the custom of the world. The first born did not ask the opinion of her father first because she knew what would be the answer.

Exo 12:35, “Now the sons of Israel had done 

according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing.”

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 35. – The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses. See above, Exodus 11:2. They borrowed. On this mistranslation, see the comment upon Exodus 3:22. It is plain that the gold and silver articles and the raiment, were free-will gifts, which the Egyptians never expected to see again, and which the Hebrews asked and took, but in no sense “borrowed.” Hengstenberg and Kurtz have shown clearly that the primary meaning of the words translated “borrowed” and “lent,” is “asked” and “granted,” and that the sense of “borrowing” and “lending” is only to be assigned them when it is required by the context. Exodus 12:35.”

According to https://www.apmex.com/gold-price

Gold Spot Price

$3,344.20 USD – ($93.40) USD -2.72% 1WAsk: $3,344.30 USD Bid: $3,323.30 USD Change: + $1.40 USD +0.04%

Silver Spot Price

$38.39 USD – ($1.07) USD -2.71% 1WAsk: $38.39 USD Bid: $38.02 USD Change: – ($0.01) USD (-0.03%)”

Exo 16:14-16, “When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone gather as much as he will eat; you shall take an omer apiece according to the number of people each of you has in his tent.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when the children of Israel saw it,…. As they could not but observe it, it being spread over the face of the wilderness; and besides, as they were told, that in the morning they should have bread to the full, they were up early to look after it:

they said one to another, it is manna; not such as is known by that name now, which is only used in medicine; nor anything that was then known by any such name; but so they called it, because it was, as Jarchi says, a preparation of food, or food ready prepared for them, from “manah”, which signifies to appoint, prepare, and distribute, see Daniel 1:5, so Christ is appointed of God, and prepared in his purposes and decrees, and delivered out, by his grace as proper food for his people, who have everyone their portion in due season: for Kimchi and Ben Melech give the sense of the word, a gift and portion from God; and such is Christ, the gift of his grace, and an unspeakable one. Some think these words were spoken by the Israelites on first sight of the manna, by way of question, “Man hu, what is it?” and so Josephus (o) says it signifies in their language; but it does not appear that the word is so used in the Hebrew tongue, though it might in the Syriac or Chaldee, which was more in use in the times of Josephus. But it can hardly be thought that the Israelites could speak in either of these dialects at this time; it is much more probable what others say, that it so signifies in the Egyptian tongue; and it is not at all to be wondered at that Israel, just come out of Egypt, should use an Egyptian word: and this best agrees with the reason that follows, “for they wist not what it was”; which contradicts our version; for if they knew not what it was, how came they to call it manna? but taking the above words as an interrogation, asking one another what it was, those come in very pertinently, and assign a reason of the question, because they were ignorant of it, having never seen any such thing before; and this sense is confirmed by what Moses says in the next clause, telling them what it was: and thus Christ is unknown to his own people, until he is revealed unto them; not by flesh and blood, by carnal reason or carnal men, but by the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; and he remains always unknown to natural men, though ever so wise and prudent:

and Moses said unto them, this is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat; which he had promised them the day before, and which he had now rained in plenty about them; and which they had as a free gift of his, without any merit and desert of theirs, and without their labour, diligence, and industry, and which they had now power from him to eat of freely and plentifully.”

Exo 17:1, “Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink.

Benson Commentary

Exodus 17:1The children of Israel journeyed — By divers stations, recorded Numbers 33:12-13, but here omitted, because nothing extraordinary happened in them. According to the commandment of the Lord — Signified either by word, or by the motion or rest of the pillar of cloud and fire. Although led by this, they came to a place where there was no water for them to drink — We may be in the way of our duty and yet meet with troubles, which Providence brings us into for the trial of our faith.”

There is no guarantee that Christians who obey the commandment of the Lord is free from trouble. The Lord may want you to campt where there was no water to drink. But those who obey the Lord will see miracles:

Exo 17:6, “Behold, I will stand before you there on the Rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”

You may drink water that comes out of Rock.

1Co 10:4 “and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a Spiritual Rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.”

Exo 21:31, “Whether it gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule.”

Long before the woman right, God treated male and female according to the same rule.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter,…. A little son or daughter, and both Israelites, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; this is observed, because only a man or woman are made mention of in Exodus 21:29 persons grown up; and lest it should be thought that only adult persons were intended, this is added, to show that the same regard is had to little ones as to grown persons, should they suffer by an ox in like manner as men and women may. The Targum of Jonathan restrains this to a son or daughter of an Israelite; but the life of everyone, of whatsoever nation, is equally provided for, and guarded against by the original law of God:

according to this judgment shall it be done unto him; to the owner of the ox that has gored a child, male or female; that is, he shall be put to death, if he has been warned of the practice of his ox for three days past, and has took no care to keep him in; or he shall pay the ransom of his life, as it has been laid by the court, with the consent of the relations of the children.”

According to https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2017-01-20/timeline-the-womens-rights-movement-in-the-us

Historians describe two waves of feminism in history: the first in the 19th century, growing out of the anti-slavery movement, and the second, in the 1960s and 1970s. Women have made great strides – and suffered some setbacks – throughout history, but many of their gains were made during the two eras of activism in favor of women’s rights.”

God treats male and female according to the same rule.

Deu 12:15, “However, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, whatever you desire, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as the gazelle and the deer.

From the beginning, God has ordered that the Jews may eat the clean and unclean meat according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Notwithstanding, thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates,…. They might kill such cattle that were allowed for food, and eat the flesh of them in theie own cities and houses in which they dwelt; they were not obliged to bring these to the place God should choose, and kill them there, as they had been wont to bring them to the tabernacle while in the wilderness:

whatsoever thy soul lusteth after; whatever they had a mind to, or their appetite craved, and were desirous of, provided it was not any thing forbidden, but was allowed to be eaten:

according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee; which it was in the power of their hands to procure for themselves; they might live according to their abilities, and keep a table answerable to what God had blessed them with; from which they were so far from being restrained, that it was rather commendable in them so to do, provided they did not indulge to luxury and intemperance:

the clean and the unclean may eat thereof; that is, such in their families who laboured under any ceremonial uncleanness by the touch of a dead body, or by reason of issues and menstrues; these, as well as those who were free from anything of this kind, might eat of common food in their houses, though they might not eat of the holy things; see Leviticus 7:20.

as of the roebuck, and as of the hart; that is, as those were clean creatures, and allowed for food, Deuteronomy 14:5 so they might eat of oxen or sheep, or lambs or rams, and goats, though they were creatures used in sacrifice.”

Jos 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous; 

be careful to do according to all the Law which 

Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve 

success wherever you go.”

Benson Commentary

Joshua 1:7Commanded thee — Remember, that though thou art the commander of my people, yet thou art my subject, and obliged to observe all my commands. To the right hand or to the left — That is, in any kind, or upon any pretence; which plainly shows, that God’s assistance, promised to him and the Israelites, was conditional, and might justly be withdrawn upon their breach of the conditions. Whithersoever thou goest — That is, whatsoever thou doest. Men’s actions are often compared to ways, or steps, by which they come to the end they aim at. This charge, given by God himself to Joshua, highly deserves our notice. Though Joshua was to be, in his place, as great a man as Moses; though the Lord was to do signs and wonders by him, as he did by the hand of Moses; and though he was to settle the people in the promised land, which Moses was not allowed to do, yet he was to do according to all the law which Moses had commanded. And we find that, amid all his successes, and all the wonders that the Lord did by him, Joshua made the book of the law the guide of his conduct, strictly adhering to it in every point, and always recommending the strict observation of it to the people. In this he is an example worthy of the imitation, as of all professors of Christianity in general, so of all Christian magistrates and generals, in particular, who are under equal obligations to make God’s laws or revealed will the rule of their conduct, in all affairs, public and private. For no man’s dignity or dominion, how great soever, sets him above the law of God.”

According to https://www.fcgchurch.org/Messages/Pages/Human%20Vs%20Divine%20Success.html

“The two kinds of success in the world are human and divine, but only divine success is safe.  Human success leaves God out of our plans and always leads to problems.  If there is no change or conversion, human success will lead us to the lake of fire.  It is not God’s will that we have any lack or meet with any defeat, because we were created to be successful in the Christian life.”

Jos 8:34, “Then afterward he read all the words of the Law, the blessing and the curse, according to everything that is written in the Book of the Law.

Benson Commentary

Joshua 8:34-35Afterward — After the altar was built, and the stones plastered and written upon; he read — That is, he commanded the priests or Levites to read, Deuteronomy 27:14Blessings and cursings —
Which words come in, not by way of explication, as if the words of the law were nothing else besides the blessings and curses; but by way of addition, to denote that these were read, over and above the words of the law. There was not a word which Joshua read not — Therefore, he read not the blessings and curses only, as some think, but the whole law, as the manner was when all Israel, men and women, were assembled together. The strangers that were among them — Who were proselytes, for no others can be supposed to have been with them at this time. Thus, after Joshua had gained these victories, and had had such manifest proofs that God was with the Israelites, and was fighting for them, he laboured the more earnestly to set before them the whole of their duty, and to engage them to walk therein, that they might in that way testify their thankfulness to God at the same time when he was fulfilling his promises to them. Reader, learn from his example thy duty to those whom God hath committed to thy care and government, and endeavour that thy own faith and confidence in the divine goodness, as well as theirs, may thus work by love!”

The Word of the Lord is the whole thing, not what some “pick and choose.”

1Ki 2:3, Do your duty to the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn.”

Cited above is the last word of King David to his son Solomon. Today, a father can say to his son the last time, “Do your duty to the Lord your God, according to what is written in the New Testament.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

3keep the charge of the Lord] The word rendered ‘charge’ here has no connexion with the verb used in 1 Kings 2:1, but is the customary expression in the Book of Numbers for the care and oversight of the Tabernacle and other things committed to the Levites. (See Numbers 1:53Numbers 3:7-8 &c.) It is used also of other sacred offices and the duties attached thereto. Thus is imported into the word a solemn signification, though in etymology it is connected with the word which precedes it, rendered ‘keep’.

to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgements] These words appear to refer to the three portions of the divine law, the ceremonial, the moral, and the judicial ordinances revealed by God in the Mosaic code; while testimonies may be interpreted of those evidences of God’s will towards man which are made clear by His dealings with bygone generations. Thus God in His word bears witness to Himself.
as it is written in the law of Moses] The allusion is to Deuteronomy 17:18-20, where the king, in time to come, is bidden to keep a copy of the Law, and to study it, that so his days may be prolonged.”

1Ki 17:5, “So he went and did everything according to the Word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.”

Elijah was a great prophet because he did everything according to the Word of the Lord. Where is Elijah today?

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

17:1-7 God wonderfully suits men to the work he designs them for. The times were fit for an Elijah; an Elijah was fit for them. The Spirit of the Lord knows how to fit men for the occasions. Elijah let Ahab know that God was displeased with the idolaters, and would chastise them by the want of rain, which it was not in the power of the gods they served to bestow. Elijah was commanded to hide himself. If Providence calls us to solitude and retirement, it becomes us to go: when we cannot be useful, we must be patient; and when we cannot work for God, we must sit still quietly for him. The ravens were appointed to bring him meat, and did so. Let those who have but from hand to mouth, learn to live upon Providence, and trust it for the bread of the day, in the day. God could have sent angels to minister to him; but he chose to show that he can serve his own purposes by the meanest creatures, as effectually as by the mightiest. Elijah seems to have continued thus above a year. The natural supply of water, which came by common providence, failed; but the miraculous supply of food, made sure to him by promise, failed not. If the heavens fail, the earth fails of course; such are all our creature-comforts: we lose them when we most need them, like brooks in summer. But there is a river which makes glad the city of God, that never runs dry, a well of water that springs up to eternal life. Lord, give us that living water!”

Ezr 2:69, “According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold 

drachmas, five thousand silver minas, and a hundred priestly garments.”

In the Old Testament people gave according to their ability and there was the treasury. In the New Testament Christians also give according to their ability. Be particularly careful, there is no Treasury in the New Testament. The pleas of a false teacher are still ringing in my ears. There are so many false prophets and false teachers who ask for your tithes and donation.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the world threescore and one thousand drachms of gold,…. These “darcemons or darics” were a Persian coin; one of which, according to Brerewood (k), was of the value of fifteen shillings of our money, and so this quantity of them amounted to 45,750 pounds; but according to Bishop Cumberland (l) they were of the value of twenty shillings and four pence of our money, and so came to upwards of 61,000 pounds; these everyone, according to his ability, put into the common stock or treasury for the work of building the temple; the Vulgate Latin (m) reads 40,000:

and five thousand pounds of silver; and an Hebrew “mina”, or pound, being of our money seven pounds, ten shillings, according to Brerewood (n), amounted to 31,250 pounds: but others (o), reckoning a drachm of gold at ten shillings, and a mina or pound of silver at nine pounds, make the whole to amount only to 75,500 pounds of our money:

and one hundred priests’ garments; which, as they were laid up among treasures, so were necessary for the service of the temple.”

Ezr 7:18, “And whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do according to the will of your God.

I have known preachers who got money to build institutions in their names and pass it on to their decendants; moneys to educate their children, not one penny to the children of missionaries; and also those who receive offerings as their own money. You must give to the preaching of the Gospel according to the will of God. Just take a glance, there are so many on the Internet who demand your offerings and donations boldly and shamelessly.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14. sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors—This was the fixed number of the privy council of the kings of Persia (Es 1:10, 14). The document describes, with great clearness and precision, the nature of Ezra’s commission and the extent of power and prerogatives with which he was invested. It gave him authority, in the first place, to organize the colony in Judea and institute a regular government, according to the laws of the Hebrew people, and by magistrates and rulers of their own nation (Ezr 7:25, 26), with power to punish offenders by fines, imprisonment, exile, or death, according to the degree of their criminality. Secondly, he was empowered to carry a large donation in money, partly from the royal treasury and partly raised by voluntary contributions among his countrymen, to create a fund out of which to make suitable provision for maintaining the regular worship of God in Jerusalem (Ezr 7:16, 17). Thirdly, the Persian officers in Syria were commanded to afford him every assistance by gifts of money within a certain specified limit, in carrying out the objects of his patriotic mission (Ezr 7:21).”

Job 4:8, According to what I have seen, those who plow wrongdoing and those who sow

trouble harvest it.

The Word of God is supreme, but it can be confirmed by OBSERVATIONS and EXPERIENCES.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. – Even as I have seen; rather, according as I have seen – so far, that is, as my observation goes (see the Revised Version, which is supported by Professor Lee and Canon Cook). They that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same (comp. Proverbs 22:8Hosea 8:7Hosea 10:13Galatians 6:7, 8). The words translated “iniquity” and “wickedness” express in the original both moral and physical evil. Men sew the one and reap the other. Eliphaz extends this general rule into a universal law, or, at any rate, declares that he has never known an exception. He has not, therefore, been grieved and perplexed, like David, by “seeing the ungodly in such prosperity” (Psalm 73:3). He would seem not to have been a man of very keen observation. Job 4:8.”

Psa 7:17, “I will give thanks to the LORD 

according to His righteousness and will sing 

praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Benson Commentary

Psalm 7:17I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness — I will give him the glory of that gracious protection under which he takes his afflicted people, and of the just vengeance with which he will pursue them that afflict them; and will most thankfully acknowledge, not only the power, but the just judgment of God, and his faithfulness to his word. “Whatever doubts may at present arise in our minds concerning the ways of God, let us rest assured that they will receive a solution; and that the
‘righteousness’ of the great Judge, manifested in his final determinations, will be the subject of everlasting hallelujahs.” — Horne.”

Righteousness is an attribute of God. We praise God according to His excellent greatness and according

to the abundance of His mercies.

Psa 25:7, “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoings; Remember me according to Your faithfulness, for Your goodness’ sake, LORD.

As Augustine said, “non secundum iram, qua ego dignus sum, sed secundum misericordiam tuam, quae te digna est.” —  not according to the anger of which I am worthy, but according to Your mercy, which is worthy of You.

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Remember not the sins of my youth – In strong contrast with God, the psalmist brings forward his own conduct and life. He could ask of God Psalm 25:6 to remember His own acts – what “He himself” had done; but could not ask him to remember His conduct – His past life. He could only pray that this might be forgotten. He did not wish it to come into remembrance before God; he could not ask that God would deal with him according to that. He prays, therefore, that he might not be visited as he advanced in life with the fruits of his conduct in early years, but that all the offences of that period of his life might be forgiven and forgotten. Who is there that cannot with deep feeling join in this prayer? Who is there that has reached the period of middle or advanced life, who would be willing to have the follies of his youth, the plans, and thoughts, and wishes of his early years brought again to remembrance? Who would be willing to have recalled to his own mind, or made known to his friends, to society around him, or to assembled worlds, the thoughts, the purposes, the wishes, the “imaginings” of his youthful days? Who would dare to pray that he might be treated in advancing years as he treated God in his own early life? Nay, who would venture to pray that God would treat him in the day of judgment as he had treated the friends of his childhood, even the father who begat him, or the mother who bore him? Our hope in regard to the favor of God is that he will “not” summon up the thoughts and the purposes of our early years; that he will “not” treat us as if he remembered them; but that he will treat us as if they were forgotten.

Nor my transgressions – The sins of my early years.

According to thy mercy remember thou me – Deal with me, not according to strict justice, but according to mercy. Deal with me indeed according to thy nature and character; but let the attribute of mercy be that which will be the guide rather than the attribute of justice.

For thy goodness’ sake – In order that thy goodness or benevolence may be displayed and honored – not primarily and mainly that I may be saved, but that thy character may be seen to be good and merciful.”

No one can stand or survive if God remembers the sins of our youth or our wrongdoings.

Psa 51:1, “For the music director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, God, 

according to Your faithfulness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. – Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness. It is observable that the whole psalm is addressed to God (Elohim), and not to Jehovah (the “Lord” in ver. 15 is Adonai), as though the psalmist felt himself unworthy to utter the covenant-name, and simply prostrated himself as a guilty man before his offended Maker. It is not correet to say that “loving-kindness implies a covenant” (Cheyne), since God is “good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Psalm 145:9). According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. David’s first prayer is for pity; his second, to have his offences “blotted out,” or “wiped out” – entirely removed from God’s book (comp. Exodus 32:32Isaiah 43:25Isaiah 44:22). He says “my transgressions,” in the plural, because “his great sin did not stand alone – adultery was followed by treachery and murder” (Canon Cook). Psalm 51:1

Sinners can only beg God for grace and mercy. Had God dealt with us according to our sins and rewarded us according to our guilty deeds, we would have all perished.

Jer 25:14, “For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, even them; and I will repay

them according to their deeds and according 

to the work of their hands.)’”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also,…. Take their cities, seize upon the kingdoms, spoil them of their wealth and riches, and bring them into servitude to them: these “many nations”, which should and did do all this, were the Medes and Persians, and those that were subject to them, or were their allies and auxiliaries in this expedition; and the “great kings” were Cyrus and Darius, and those that were confederate with them:

and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands; as they have done to others, it shall be done to them; as they have served themselves of other nations, other nations shall serve themselves of them; as they have cruelly used others, they shall be used with cruelty themselves; and as they have made other countries desolate, their land shall become desolate also; not only their tyranny and cruelty, but all their other sins, shall receive a just recompence of reward.”

Leaders of many nations think they can get away with murders. God will repay them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands; and according to their ways God will judge them.

Mat 9:29, “Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done for you according to your faith.”

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Then touched he their eyes – Simply to indicate that the power proceeded from him. Compare Matthew 8:3.

According to your faith … – That is, you have “believed” that you could be healed, be healed accordingly. Your faith covered the whole extent of the work respecting my power and the absolute restoration to sight, and that power is exerted accordingly, and your sight is restored. So with the sinner. If he has faith in the Son of God; if he believes that he is able and willing to save him: and if he earnestly desires to be saved, the power of Jesus will be put forth to the full extent of his faith.”

Mat 25:15, “To one He gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and He went on His journey.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And unto one he gave five talents,…. A “talent” with the Jews, if of silver, was, according to Brerewood (w), of the value of 375 l. of our money; according to Bishop Cumberland, 353 l. 11 s. 10 1/2 d.; and if of gold, was equal to 4500l. and, according to the latter, 5075 l. 15 s. 7 1/2 d.: so that five of these talents, if of silver, were 1875 l. and if of gold, 22,500 l. according to Brerewood; a very large sum for one servant to be intrusted with. The Persic version reads “pounds”, as in Luke 19:13. By these talents, special grace is not meant; for the parable speaks not of what was wrought in these servants, but of what was committed to their trust, and of what might lie useless by them, and be taken away from them; whereas special grace is internal, something, implanted in man, and is an incorruptible seed, that can never be lost, or will be taken away; and it is certain, that one of these servants had not special and saving grace, but was wicked, slothful, and unprofitable, and was cast into utter darkness: but outward gifts are designed by the talents; and these not merely the gifts of natural knowledge and riches, the gifts of nature and of providence; nor the external ministry of the word, Gospel ordinances, and opportunities of enjoying them; but ministerial gifts, such as fit and qualify men to be preachers of the Gospel, as appears from their name, “talents”: they being the greatest gifts for usefulness and service in the church, as talents were the greatest of weights and coins among the Jews; from the nature of them, being what may be improved or lost, and for which men are accountable; from the persons to whom they were delivered, the servants of Christ; from the time of their delivery, when Christ went into a far country, to heaven, when he ascended on high, and received gifts for men, and gave them to them; and from the unequal distribution of them, being given to some more, and others less; all which perfectly agree with ministerial gifts: for it follows,

to another two, and to another one; and these were given

to every man, according to his several ability, or “according to his own power”; his proper power that belonged to him, as the Lord of these servants: for the sense is, not that he gave these talents, or gifts, according to the different capacities, abilities, stations, and employments of these men; but according to that power and authority which he, as Mediator, had, to dispense these gifts to each as he would; to some more, others less, as he knew would best serve his interest and kingdom:

and straightway took his journey; after he had signified, that all power in heaven and earth was given to him, by virtue of which he ordered them to go into all the world, and preach his Gospel, and administer his ordinances; for which he had, and would abundantly qualify them; with a promise of his presence with them to the end of the world; he took his leave of them, blessed them, and was parted from them, and went up into heaven.”

Act 13:23, ““From the descendants of this man, 

according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus.”

Benson Commentary

Acts 13:23-25Of this man’s seed — From that rod out of the stem of Jesse, that branch out of his roots; hath God, according to his promise, (Isaiah 9:6-7Isaiah 11:1Jeremiah 23:5-6,) raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus — So long foretold in the sacred oracles. When John had first preached, before his coming — Greek, προ προσωπου της εισοδουto introduce his appearance: (so Doddridge:) the baptism of repentance — Even that baptism which, in token of their repentance, they were commanded by God to receive. Of John’s preaching, see the notes on Matthew 3:1, &c.; Luke 3:7-17. He mentions the preaching of John in this incidental manner as a thing already known to them. And so, doubtless, it was: for it gave so loud an alarm to the whole Jewish nation, as could not but be heard in foreign countries, at least as remote as Pisidia. As John fulfilled his course — His work was quickly finished, and, therefore, might well be termed, a course, or race: he said, Who think ye that I am? I am not he — I am not the person whom you suppose me to be, that is, the Messiah. See the notes on John 1:20John 1:27.”

Rom 16:25, “Now to Him who is able to establish 

you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long 

ages past.”

Eph 3:4-6, “By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

which in other generations was not made known to 

mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy

apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members 

of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.”

Rom 1:4, “who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

  •  declared] Better, defined, marked out by sure signs. Same word as Hebrews 4:7 (“He limiteth a certain day”). His Resurrection shewed Him to be none other than the Son. The same Greek word is used in e.g. Acts 10:42Acts 17:31; and rendered there “ordained;” perhaps rightly so. But obviously its meaning will slightly vary as connected with the Sonship or with the Judgeship of Christ.
    the Son of God] Cp. Acts 13:32-33, for a close parallel; one of the many between St Paul’s Discourses and Epistles. The Sonship of the Redeemer, the truth proclaimed at His baptism (Matthew 3:17), is enforced and illustrated through the N. T. In this Epistle see especially cch. Romans 5:10Romans 8:3Romans 8:29Romans 8:32.
    with power] Lit. in power. Cp. 1 Corinthians 15:43Power attended and characterized His Resurrection, both as cause and as effect. The practical reference here is to the fulness of the proof of the fact. The true Resurrection was not such as that imagined by e.g. Schleiermacher; the creeping forth of a half-slain Man from his grave. It was miracle and triumph.
    according to the Spirit of holiness] This phrase presents two questions: (1) what is “the Spirit of Holiness”? (2) what is meant by “according to”? We take them in order. A. “The Spirit of Holiness” must mean either the Holy Paraclete, or the sacred Human Spirit of Christ, or His Deity regarded as (what it is, John 4:24,) Spirit. The reference here seems to be to the Paraclete; for (1) in this Epistle He is very frequently referred to, in a way which makes an initial reference here highly probable; (2) the expression “Holy Spirit” is so closely akin to “Spirit of Holiness” that any reference of the words other than that to the Paraclete would need special evidence; and such evidence can hardly be found in St Paul. (See 1 Timothy 3:16Hebrews 9:14; for the nearest approaches to it in N. T.) B. The words “according to” may refer to the Paraclete, either (1) as the Agent in the Incarnation (Luke 1:35), or (2) as concerned in the Resurrection (see Romans 8:11 for a very partial parallel), or (3) as the Inspirer of the Prophets. Of these possibilities (1) is most unlikely, for the Sonship of Christ here in question is plainly the Eternal Sonship (see Romans 9:5), not that of the Incarnation; (2) accords better with Scripture usage; but (3) far more so, in view of the frequent mention of the Holy Spirit as the Inspirer. See Acts 20:231 Timothy 4:1Hebrews 3:7Hebrews 9:8Hebrews 10:15, (and cp. 1 Peter 1:11); for places where “the Spirit” is evidently the Holy Spirit as the Author of Prophecy. The present passage will thus mean: “He was declared to be the Son of God, with power, (even as the Holy Ghost foretold,) in consequence of the resurrection.”
    by the resurrection] Lit. out of, from; i.e. in consequence, as a result, of. The same construction and meaning occur e.g. 2 Corinthians 13:4, where lit. “He was crucified out of weakness; He liveth out of the power of God; we shall live out of, &c.” The grand result of the resurrection here stated is that His prophesied character and dignity were, by the resurrection, made unmistakably clear.”

This is the Gospel: Jesus the Savior is the Son of God, the Messiah promised by God, who died for sinners and rose again by the power of God, as foretold by the Holy Spirit.

Rom 8:27, “and He who searches the hearts 

knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

The Spirit of Truth, not only will guide believers into all the truth (Jhn 16:13), He will also intercede for the saints according to the will of God.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

  •  He that searcheth the hearts] Certainly here, the Father. But it is the more noteworthy that the same words are used of the Son, Revelation 2:23.—“The hearts” here are human hearts. In them the Father sees, below the surface of “ignorance what to pray for as they ought,” the sacred longings which are the expression of the Spirit’s influence.
    knoweth] And meeteth with a corresponding answer; crossing perhaps the saint’s explicit prayer, but granting the implicit.
    the mind] The whole Aim and Choice of the great Intercessor.
    because] If this rendering is kept, the connexion is; “The Father knows (and welcomes) the ‘mind of the Spirit,’ because in its requests it is in Divine harmony with His own.”—But it is better to render that. “The Father knows the mind of the Spirit; He knows that He intercedes in harmony with His Own will and purpose, and for His Own children.”
    the saints] Lit. saints (without article). Such is the character of those for whom He pleads.
    according to the will of God] Lit. according to God; in unerring coincidence with the Father’s will. The words are used in emphatic contrast to the possible errors in detail of the saint’s unaided desires and prayers.”

1Co 15:3-8, “For I handed down to you as of first 

importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was

buried, and that He was raised on the third day

according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared 

to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and

sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to 

James, then to all the apostles; and last of all,

as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”

This is the essence of the Gospel according to the Scriptures: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, raised on the third day, appeared to all the apostles.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

  •  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received] The close resemblance of this passage to the Apostles’ Creed shews that this summary of the doctrines of our faith is actually what it professes to be, a short compendium of Apostolic teaching. Irenaeus, a writer in the second century, and a careful observer of Apostolic tradition, gives a very similar summary in his treatise against Heresies, Book iii. c. 4. Dean Stanley calls attention to the fact that this bold affirmation of the truth of the Resurrection, possibly the earliest we have (see above ch. 1 Corinthians 11:23) was written barely twenty-five years after the event St Paul does not state here from whom he received his doctrine, but he must have acquired some elementary instruction in the first principles of the Christian faith from his intercourse with the disciples (Acts 9:19), and even at his admission into the Christian body. And what he had received from others he tested by examination of the Scriptures, by prayer and silent communing with God, till it became his own, by revelation and by that inward conviction which none but God can give. See Galatians 1:12Galatians 1:16.
    died for our sins] Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 1:181 Corinthians 5:71 Corinthians 8:11. Also St Matthew 20:28; St Mark 10:45Romans 5:8-102 Corinthians 5:14-151 Timothy 2:61 Peter 1:19, &c.
    according to the scriptures] What Scriptures? Those of the O. T., clearly. Those of the New (see ch. 1 Corinthians 4:6 and note) were hardly any of them in existence. If it be asked what Scriptures of the O. T. are meant, we may refer to Psalms 22.; Isaiah 53., as well as to Genesis 22.; Deuteronomy 9:24-26Zechariah 12:10. For the same words in the next verse see Psalm 16:10Isaiah 53:10Hosea 6:2Jonah 2:10. This latter passage having been applied to the Resurrection by Christ Himself (St Matthew 12:40Matthew 16:4), may not unnaturally be conceived to be among those St Paul had in his mind here.”

Bengel’s Gnomen

1 Corinthians 15:4ἘτάφηHe was buriedMatthew 12:40. [Here the burial of Christ is more closely connected with His resurrection, than with His death. Assuredly, about the very moment of His death, the power of His life incapable of dissolution exerted itself1 Peter 3:18Matthew 27:52The grave was to Christ the Lord not the destined receptacle of corruption, but an apartment fitted for entering into lifeActs 2:26.—V. g.]—ἐγήγερταιwas raised again [rose again]) This enlarging on the resurrection of Christ is the more suitable on this account, that the epistle was written about the time of the passover; ch. 1 Corinthians 5:7, note. We must urge the weight of the subject of the resurrection, inasmuch as it is one which is made light of in the present day under various pretexts.—κατὰ τὰς γραφὰςaccording to the Scriptures) which could not but be fulfilled.”

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. – Was seen of Cephas (Luke 24:34). The appearances to the women (John 20:14, etc.) are omitted, as being evidential rather to the apostles than to the world. The twelve (John 20:19, 26). Some officious scribes have in some manuscripts altered the word into” the eleven.” But “the twelve” is here the designation of an office, and great ancient writers are always indifferent to mere pragmatic accuracy in trifles which involve nothing. To witness to the Resurrection was a main function of “the twelve” (Acts 2:23Acts 3:15Acts 10:40, etc.). 1 Corinthians 15:5.”

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 6. – Above five hundred brethren at once. We cannot be certain whether this memorable appearance took place in Jerusalem or in Galilee. It is, however, most probable that this was the appearance on the mountain (Matthew 28:16, 17; comp. Matthew 26:32). Of whom the greater part remain unto this present. This sentence – a confident contemporary appeal to a very large number of living witnesses, by one who would rather have died than lied – is of the highest evidential value. It shows that the Resurrection was not “a thing done in a corner “(Acts 26:26). Fallen asleep. The beautiful and common word for death in the New Testament (Matthew 27:52John 11:11Acts 7:60, etc.). Hence the word “cemetery” – “a sleeping place.” 1 Corinthians 15:6.”

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. – Seen of James. The “James” intended is undoubtedly the only James then living, who was known to the whole Christian Church, namely, “the Lord’s brother,” the author of the Epistle, and the Bishop of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9Acts 15:13Acts 21:18). James the son of Zebedee had by this time been martyred, and James the son of Alphaeus was never much more than a name to the Church in general. There is no mention of this appearance in the Gospel; but in the Gospel of the Hebrews was a curious legend (preserved in St. Jerome, ‘De Virr. Illust.,’ 2.) that James had made a vow that he would neither eat nor drink till he had seen Jesus risen from the dead, and that Jesus, appearing to him, said, “My brother, eat thy bread, for the Son of man is risen from the dead.” The truth of the appearance is strongly supported by the fact that James, like the rest of the Lord’s “brothers,” “did not believe” in Christ before the Crucifixion, whereas after the Resurrection we find him and the rest of “the Lord’s brothers” ardently convinced (John 12:3-5Acts 1:14Acts 9:5, etc.). Of all the apostles (Acts 1:3Luke 24:50). James the Lord’s brother was only an apostle in the wider sense of the word. 1 Corinthians 15:7.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

  •  of me also, as of one born out of due timeDeed borun, Wiclif. The word here (after Tyndale) translated born out of due time refers to a birth out of the usual course of nature (cf. Psalm 58:8), about which there is therefore, (1) something violent and strange. Such was the nature of St Paul’s conversion, an event unparalleled in Scripture. Moreover, (2) such children are usually small and weakly, an idea which the next verse shews St Paul also had in mind. St Paul saw the Lord on more than one occasion. See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 9:1.”

The historical Jesus was born the Son of God, died for our sins, buried, rose from the death on the third day by the power of God, ascended to the highest Heaven and seated on the right hand of God. He is coming again to reign because He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

2Co 7:10, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading 

to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces

death.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

  •  For godly sorrow worketh repentance] Rather, For the sorrow which is according to God (that is aftir God, Wiclif) worketh change of mind. The difference between the true repentance and the false remorse may be illustrated by the cases of David and Saul, St Peter and Judas.
    to salvation not to be repented of] Or not to be regretted, the word here used involving the idea of sorrow or anxiety. It is by most commentators connected with salvation, as though that were the result not to be regretted. But it may as naturally be referred to the change of mind. “The beautiful law is,” says Robertson, “that in proportion as the repentance increases, the grief diminishes. ‘I rejoice,’ says St Paul, ‘that I made you sorry, though it were but for a time.’ Grief for a time, but repentance for ever.”
    but the sorrow of the world] i.e. of the world untouched and un-regenerated by the Spirit of God—the sorrow of the natural man, “the opposite of the sorrow according to God.” Stanley. See 1 Corinthians 2:14.
    worketh death] Death of the body, sometimes, as when despair tempts to suicide, or brings on deadly sickness. Death of the soul, when sorrow fails to melt the heart, but leads it to that state of rebellious stubbornness, of entire alienation from God, which is expressed in the words “hardness of heart and contempt of His word and commandment.” Cf. Proverbs 17:22.”

No godly sorrow, no true repentance.

Gal 3:29, “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

3:26-29 Real Christians enjoy great privileges under the gospel; and are no longer accounted servants, but sons; not now kept at such a distance, and under such restraints as the Jews were. Having accepted Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and relying on him alone for justification and salvation, they become the sons of God. But no outward forms or profession can secure these blessings; for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. In baptism we put on Christ; therein we profess to be his disciples. Being baptized into Christ, we are baptized into his death, that as he died and rose again, so we should die unto sin, and walk in newness and holiness of life. The putting on of Christ according to the gospel, consists not in outward imitation, but in a new birth, an entire change. He who makes believers to be heirs, will provide for them. Therefore our care must be to do the duties that belong to us, and all other cares we must cast upon God. And our special care must be for heaven; the things of this life are but trifles. The city of God in heaven, is the portion or child’s part. Seek to be sure of that above all things.”

Whenever I meet Jewish people, I tell them I am also a descendant of Abraham.

Phl 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs 

according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Christians, do not worry about your life.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

  1.  But] R.V., “And.” But surely there is a slight contrast meant, to an implied wish that he could send back some material requital of his own to alleviate their “deep poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:2).
    my God] Words deeply characteristic of St Paul. See on Php 1:3 above. Bp Lightfoot well remarks that the phrase is specially in point here; the Apostle is thinking of what God on his behalf shall do for others.
    shall supply] Promise, not only aspiration. He is sure of His faithfulness.—“Supply”:—lit., “fill,” pouring His bounty into the void of the “need.”
    all your need] R.V., somewhat better, every need of yours. See again, 2 Corinthians 8:2, where the exceptional poverty of the converts of Northern Greece is referred to. The prominent thought here is, surely, that of temporal poverty. Cp. particularly 2 Corinthians 9:8, where the first reference seems to be to God’s ability to supply to His self-denying servants always more from which they may still spare and give. But neither here nor in 2 Cor. are we for a moment to shut out the widest and deepest applications of the truth stated.
    his riches in glory] His resources, consisting in, and so lodged in, His own “glory” of Divine power and love. Cp. Romans 6:4, and note in this Series, for a similar use of the word “glory.”—Bp Lightfoot prefers to connect “shall supply, in glory, your need, according to His riches,” and he explains the thought to be, “shall supply your need by placing you in glory.” But we venture to think this construction needlessly difficult.—Anything in which God is “glorified” (see e. g. Galatians 1:24) is, as it were, a reflection of His holy glory, and a result of it. Tender providential goodness to the poor Philippians would be such a result.
    On St Paul’s love of the word “riches” in Divine connexions, cp. Ephesians 1:7, and note in this Series.
    in Christ Jesus] “in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead,” “in whom” the saints are “filled,” as regards all their needs (Colossians 2:9-10). The “glory” of both grace and providence is lodged, for His people, in Him.”

Tit 3:7, “so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

That being justified by his grace – Not by our own works, but by his favor or mercy; see the notes at Romans 3:24.

We should be made heirs – See the notes at Romans 8:15Romans 8:17.

According to the hope of eternal life – In reference to the hope of eternal life; that is, we have that hope in virtue of our being adopted with the family of God, and being made heirs. He has received us as his children, and permits us to hope that we shall live with him forever.”

Heb 7:16, “who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.”

Eternal life is an indestructible life.

2Pe 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for New Heavens and a New Earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

  1.  we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth] The promise of which the Apostle speaks is that of Isaiah 65:17Isaiah 66:22, where we have the very words, “new heavens and a new earth,” the context there connecting it with the restoration of Israel to their own land and the renewed glory of Jerusalem. The same hope shews itself in the visions of the Apocalypse (Revelation 21:1) as connected with the “new Jerusalem” coming down from God, and appears in a fuller and more expanded form in the Apocryphal Book of Enoch. “The former heaven shall pass away and a new heaven shall shew itself” (chap. xcii. 17). “The earth shall be cleansed from all corruption, from every crime, from all punishment” (c. x. 2–7).
    wherein dwelleth righteousness] This again reproduces the thought of Isaiah (Isaiah 65:25) that “they shall not hurt (LXX. “act unrighteously”) nor destroy in all my holy mountain,” and St John’s account of the new Jerusalem that “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth” (Revelation 21:27). It is implied in St Paul’s belief that “the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption” (Romans 8:21). Earth itself, purified and redeemed, is to be the scene of the blessedness of the saved, as it has been, through the long æons of its existence, of sin and wretchedness.”

1Co 2:9, “but just as it is written: THINGS WHICH 

EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN

HEART, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED 

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

Jhn 14:2, “In My Father’s home are many mansions; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

I believe with all my heart, the Holy City, New Jerusalem,  Rev. Chapter 21, is the place Jesus Christ has prepared for the saints.

God’s promise for His children are New Heavens and a New Earth. Rev. Chapter 21, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Please read https://williewongthought.hpage.com/the-kingdom-of-heaven.html

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. – And I saw. The usual introduction to a new vision (cf. Revelation 20:11, etc.). Having described the origin and progress of evil in the world, the final overthrow of Satan and his adherents, and the judgment when every man is rewarded according to his works, the seer now completes the whole by portraying the eternal bliss of the redeemed in heaven (cf. on Revelation 20:10). The description is based upon Isaiah 60. and Ezekiel 40et seq.; especially the latter, which follows the account of God and Magog, as does this. A new heaven and a new earth. The dispute as to whether a new creation is intended, or a revivified earth, seems to be founded on the false assumption that the dwellers in heaven must be localized in space (cf. Isaiah 65:17, “I create new heavens and a new earth;” also Isaiah 66:222 Peter 3:13). For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. The Revisers follow B and others in reading ἀπῆλθον, and render it by the English perfect tense. In א, A, is read ἀπῆλθαν, while other manuscripts give ἀπῆλθεν and παρῆλθε. The first heaven and earth; that is, those now existing pass away as described in Revelation 20:11. And there was no more sea; and the sea no longer exists. The threefold division of heaven, earth, and sea represents the whole of this world (cf. Revelation 10:6). Some interpret the sea symbolically of the restless, unstable, wicked nations of the earth, which now exist no longer; others understand the absence of sea to typify the absence of instability and wickedness in the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:1.”

The grace of God prompts you to repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus as your God and savior in order to get forgiveness of sins and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. You must not neglect so great a salvation.

You can do it now. For today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may be too late for you.

To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.  

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT 

WILLIE WONG

AUGUST 3, 2025

https://williewong.cw.center/wp-admin

THE INCOMPARABLE JESUS

This article is written to let you know that Jesus Christ is unlike any man. Jesus Christ is incomparable, there is no other can compare with Him. Jesus Christ is One and Only Son of God, and Savior of mankind. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Anyone who compares Jesus with any OTHER famous or great man in history is indicative of his ignorance of who really Jesus Christ is. Needless to say, the eternal and incomparable Jesus is the most famous and the most influential and most revered in history and on Earth for good reasons:

FIRSTLY, even the secular world recognizes and counts the history of the world by the birth of Jesus Christ as B.C. or A.D. B.C. is an abbreviation for “Before Christ.” A.D. is an abbreviation for “anno Domini,” which is Latin for “in the year of our Lord.” So B.C. and A.D. are universally used to count years in time. The birth of Jesus Christ is used as the starting point to count historical years that existed before (B.C.) and after (A.D.) He was born. There is no one else in history like Jesus.

SECONDLY, the life of Jesus recorded in the New Testament, mostly the Gospels and Acts, is so unique, incomparable, matchless, immortal, glorious, noble, unforgettable, unusual, righteous, faultless, blameless, peerless, sinless, flawless, holy, and perfect that is one and only. Act 10:38-43, “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins .”

Luk 24:19-27, “And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see. And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures .”

Note: Most people know that the New Testament records all the mighty deeds and words of Jesus Christ, while Jesus beginning with Moses and with all the prophets explained the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. By that time the New Testament has not been written yet, all the Scriptures refer to the Old Testament. The authentic and consistent writings of the New Testament more exactly explain all the things concerning Jesus, His divinity and humanity, His work of redemption, His words and deeds, etc.

Heb 7:25-26, “ Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens .”

Note: To be able in Greek is dynamai which means can; to be capable, strong and powerful; to have power to do; – which occurs 211 times in the New Testament. Save in Greek is sōzō which means to to rescue from danger or destruction ; to make whole or well; to heal; to make one a partaker of the salvation by Christ; to deliver from the penalties of sins and judgement; – which occurs 123 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is able to save all sinners who come to Him. Jesus always lives. I will live because My Redeemer lives forever. Fit in Greek is prepō which means to be becoming; to stand out; to be eminent; to be right; to be suitable; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. High Priest in Greek is archiereus which means chief priest; used of Christ because by undergoing death on the cross He offered Himself as an expiatory sacrifice to God, and has entered into the Heavenly Sanctuary where He continually intercedes on behalf of all believers; – which occurs 242 times in the New Testament. Holy in Greek is hosios which means undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious ; (Strong’s Concordance); divine; a peculiar and pre-eminent character of the Messiah the Holy One; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Innocent in Greek is akakos which means harmless; pure; without guile or fraud; free from guilt or sin; unsuspecting; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Undefiled in Greek is amiantos which means not defiled; free from that which is deformed or debased; unsoiled; pure from sin; without defect; without blemish; incorrupt; untainted; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Separate in Greek is chōrizō which means to depart; to put asunder; to separate oneself from; to keep apart; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Exalted in Greek is hypsēlos which means highly esteemed; lofty; exalted on high; eminent; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Jesus is the most fitting High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens who always lives and intercedes for Christians before God.

THIRDLY, the words and deeds of Jesus Christ are so amazing and wonderful that are unprecedented, having no antecedent or subsequent.

The following are just a sample of the Words of Jesus:

Jhn 8:32, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free .”

Mat 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ”

Mat 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you ; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ”

Mat 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you .”

Mat 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ”

Luk 23:34, “But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them ; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Jhn 8:12 , “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness , but will have the Light of life. ”

Jhn 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “ I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. ”

Jhn 8:24,“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

The Pharisees heard many of the crowd believed in Jesus, the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him. The officers returned without arresting Jesus. The chief priests and the Pharisees then asked the officers why they did not bring Him.

Jhn 7:46 , “The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this Man speaks.”

Mar 7:37, “They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Note: Utterly in Greek is hyperperissōs which means beyond measure; exceedingly; super-abundantly; scarcely found elsewhere; totally; absolutely; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Astonish in Greek is ekplēssō which means to be amazed; to be pleasantly surprised; to be struck with great wonder; to strike with astonishment; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. The people who were eyewitnesses said, Jesus has done all things well. Well in Greek is kalōs which means good; full well morally; beautifully; excellently; finely; nobly; commendably; rightly so that there is no room for blame; fitly; truly; uprightly; – which occurs 41 times in the New Testament. Even is Greek is kai which means and specially. Jesus has done all things beautifully, excellently, nobly, etc. and specially He makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak. Honestly, you cannot say about anyone in history who has done all things well. Can anyone honestly say he has never done anything wrong or stupid even unintentionally? Up to the present, even in the future, except Jesus, no one ever raised a person who was dead four days, etc. The miracles that Jesus did no one has ever done before.

FOURTHLY, Jesus Christ made claims to be the Son of God, the Lord’s Anointed, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and rose again from the dead the third day to prove it.

Mat 1:21, “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Mat 1:25, “but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. ”

Note: The birth of Jesus is the most unusual and unprecedented in the history of mankind. Never before and never will a virgin give birth. Because Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, or God became Man. The virgin Mary will bear a son, not just any son, but the Son of God. His name is Jesus for He will save His people from their sins. Jesus in Greek is Iēsous which means “Jehovah is salvation”; the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, God incarnate ; – which occurs 914 times in the New Testament.

According to Online Etymology Dictionary – https://www.etymonline.com/

Jesus personal name of the Christian Savior, late 12c.; it is the Greek form of Joshua, used variously in translations of the Bible. From Late Latin Iesus (properly pronounced as three syllables), from Greek Iesous, which is an attempt to render into Greek the Aramaic (Semitic) proper name Jeshua (Hebrew Yeshua, Yoshua ) “Jah is salvation.”

Jesus is not an average or ordinary man. Jesus is not only a good and great man. If Jesus were only a good and great man, then there would be no hope for mankind and the world. Secular academics and unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not know Jesus Christ. In whose case the god of this world (the Devil) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Therefore their opinions about the historical Jesus are empty and not worth a dime. These are my observations of those impostors, you can verify for yourself. They are vain persons who shamelessly speak vain words, utter vain knowledge, imagine vain things and vain thoughts, live vain lives, labor in vain, walk after vanity and have become vain. They speak a vision of their own heart , they desire vain glory, they deceive the public with vain words. They spoil people through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, they practice vain jangling; and make profane and vain babblings, and propositions of science falsely so called. Beware, there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, seeking fame and fortune under many disguises and pretexts. After studying their works, I discover secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are enemies of the truth.

The only authentic source of facts and information and the fundamental elements about the historical Jesus Christ can be found only in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. They are clear and plain truths which cannot be debated or doubted. Luk 1:1-4 , “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. ”

Note: Theophilus in Greek is Theophilos which means “friend of God” ; the person to whom Luke addresses in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts; apparently a high ranking official worthy of the title Most Excellent who was a Christian convert; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Investigate in Greek is parakoloutheō which means to follow closely; to know fully; to have understanding; to follow up a thing in mind so as to attain to the knowledge of it; to examine thoroughly; to trace out; to follow a matter up; to observe by close study or examination; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Carefully in Greek is akribōs which means diligently; perfectly; circumspectly; exactly; accurately; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. From the beginning in Greek is anōthen which means from above; from the very first; from a higher place; from the top; from origin; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. In consecutive order in Greek is kathexēs which means one after another, successively; consecutively; by or in order; in a consecutive manner; with each following the other without interruption; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. The New Testament were written by eyewitnesses and servants of the Word concerning the exact truth about Jesus Christ. Exact truth in Greek is asphaleia which means undoubted truth; truth of certainty; absolute truth; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Having investigated everything carefully from the beginning Luke wrote it out in consecutive order so that you may know the exact truth about Jesus Christ. You can know the exact truth about Jesus Christ from the only authentic source – the Holy Bible, and no other; not from apocrypha or false gospels or speculative literature. Luke wrote two books in consecutive order from historical point of view.

Jhn 20:28-31, “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” Many other miracles Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. ”

Note: The internal evidence proved the integrity and authenticity of the Scriptures. It did not say all the disciples just believed it. The doubting Thomas after he saw in Jesus’ hands the imprint of the nails, and put his finger into the place of the nails, and put his hand into His side, he said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. ” The Apostles and the early disciples all saw Jesus and believed. Since then all disciples of all generations do not see and yet believe. Jesus Christ performed many other miracles which are not written, and there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. We believe and know the Holy Bible is complete, 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. The Christian faith rests on the Word of God, no more no less.

Jhn 21:24-25, “This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. ”

Also in the Old Testament as Jesus explained: Luk 24:27, “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures .” Not many have the knowledge of the Old Testament; it is easier to start with the New Testament which is plain and clear historical record of Jesus Christ, especially the Gospels; but not the false gospels outside of the Bible. All the known facts, all you need to know, about Jesus Christ you can find by and for yourself, you do not need the opinions and speculations of impostors and deceivers. May I suggest you start with the Gospel of John.

Jesus is not only the PERSON at the center of Christianity, He is the founder of Christianity. Jesus Christ is Christianity. Without Jesus Christ there is no Christianity. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega of Christianity, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Who was Jesus? Or rather, Who is Jesus? Jesus Christ is the only ONE who is the same yesterday and today and forever. Jesus Christ is the same, and His years will not come to an end.

No man can be said he is the same yesterday and today, not to say forever. You can ask who was Abraham? You cannot ask Who is Abraham? Abraham was yesterday, several thousand years ago. Abraham is not today because Abraham is no more.

The question was actually raised by Jesus Christ Himself in two aspects.

Who do people say that I am?

Who do you say that I am?

1Jo 1:1-4, “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands , concerning the Word of Life —and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. ”

Luk 10:22-24, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them. ”

Note: The Apostles and early disciples of Jesus Christ were supremely blessed because they heard the things and saw the things that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which they saw and did not see them, and to hear the things which they heard and did not hear them. Therefore, what the people said about Jesus was quite different from what the disciples said about Jesus. The disciples were supposed to have intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ because they followed and lived with Him. They knew everything Jesus said and watched every miracle Jesus performed. What they had heard, seen, and touched no others had.

Mat 16:13-17, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven.”

The Son of Man, according to Strong’s Concordance, used by Christ Himself, doubtless in order that He might intimate His Messiahship and also that He might designate Himself as the head of the human family, the Man, the one who both furnished the pattern of the perfect M an and acted on behalf of all mankind. Christ seems to have preferred this to the other Messianic titles, because by its lowliness it was least suited to foster the expectation of an earthly Messiah in royal splendor. I personally do not think this is a satisfactory explanation, but I do not have a better explanation. For me, I always prefer to use, the Son of God.

I also find the explanations of theologians inadequate and insufficient. The Son of Man is not a kind of circumlocution. I can honestly say after much deliberation and study, I do not know why Jesus called Himself, the Son of Man. I do not believe any man knows why. The same way I do not know why Jesus is referred to in the Bible as Jesus Christ and also referred to as Christ Jesus. This is indicated the limit of human intelligence or knowledge outside of revelation. What is not explained in the Word of God, no man should speculate. I do not like people who pretend to know what they actually do not know. No Apostle or disciple ever addressed Jesus as the Son of Man. I habitually and properly call Jesus Christ, the Son of God, my Lord and Savior.

It is interesting that the Jewish people then said Jesus was one of the prophets. We do not know what other Apostles said who Jesus was. Simon Peter was quick to confess that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Christ in Greek is Christos which means the Lord’s “anointed”; the Messiah; the Son of God; – which occurs 531 times in the New Testament. For Gentiles, the meaning of the epithet of Christ may not be apparent to everyone. For the Jews, the Christ was the One sent by God, the coming King whom the Jews expected to be the Savior of their nation, and the Author of their highest felicity and prosperity. Christ is the Messiah.

Blessed in Greek is makarios which means happy; supremely blest; fortunate; well off; holy; – which occurs 50 times in the New Testament. Flesh and blood means the totality of human beings, the natural man, no matter whether they are scientists, theologians or philosophers, who by nature do not and cannot know the divine truth. Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, because the Holy Father in Heaven revealed this truth to him. This truth is of great importance that no human being by nature can by his own wisdom or scientific inquiry to discover the knowledge of God. Reveal in Greek is apokalyptō which means to uncover; to take off the cover; to disclose what before was unknown; to make known; to make manifest; to lay open what has been veiled or covered up; is used of God revealing to men things unknown; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. So the Christian religion is the Revealed religion, not the opinions, views, traditions or imaginations of flesh and blood. Thus the Christian faith rests completely and absolutely on the Word of God.

The Apostle Paul would have you know, would have the world to know:

Gal 1:11-12, “For I would have you know, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Note: Know in Greek is gnōrizō which means to make known; give to understand; declare; certify; to gain knowledge of; to have thorough knowledge of; to become known; to recognize; – which occurs 50 times in the New Testament. Gospel in Greek is euaggelion which means good tidings; good news; the Gospel of Christ; the Gospel of God; the Gospel of the Kingdom; the glad tidings of salvation through Christ; the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently Christ the Messiah would reign; good message; the preaching of Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross for sinners to procure eternal salvation for believers in the Kingdom of God, and rose from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God, thence to return in great power and glory to consummate the Kingdom of God; – which occurs 77 times in the New Testament. The word evangelization is derived from the Greek word. Preach in Greek is euaggelizō which means to proclaim the Gospel; to bring good tidings; to declare glad tidings; to show good news; to announce glad tidings; in the New Testament it is used especially of the glad tidings of the Kingdom that God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners by grace through faith in Jesus Christ to receive the eternal life; – which occurs 95 times in the New Testament. The Gospel which was preached by Paul was not according to man. Paul did not receive the Gospel from man or transmitted by man. Teach in Greek is didaskō which means to impart instruction; to instill doctrine into one; to explain or expound something; to deliver didactic discourses; to impart the knowledge of; to make known; – which occurs 97 times in the New Testament. The Gospel which Paul preached he was not taught it by man. You cannot be taught in seminary to invent a new gospel. Receive in Greek is paralambanō which means to take; to accept something transmitted; to learn from; acquire; – which occurs 57 times in the New Testament. The original and true Gospel of Jesus Christ was received by the Apostles through the revelation of Jesus Christ, they did not learn it from man or tradition. Revelation in Greek is apokalypsis which means manifestation; enlightenment; a disclosure of truth; instruction concerning divine things before unknown; something to be made visible or known; an uncovering; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. The Gospel which Paul preached he received it through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Many secular academics, unbelieving theologians and scientists and philosophers try to distort and pervert the Gospel.

Apostle Paul was making such statement because some false teachers had perverted and distorted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and preached a different gospel ( different from the true doctrine concerning Christian salvation ). The contents of the Gospel of Christ were decreed and revealed by God from eternity.

Gal 2:1-2, “Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. ”

What is the nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Rom 16:25-26, “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith.”

Note: The origin of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith. The Gospel, the Holy Scriptures, are not subject to be debated by men of vain thoughts and unbelief. According to the commandment of the eternal God, the Gospel leads believers of all generations to obedience of faith. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers think they are somebodies because they can vent their private opinions and conceited thoughts and lofty theories against the Word of God.

Eph 3:3-10, “that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the Church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. ”

Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the mystery of Christ and the manifold wisdom of God and the power of God working to bring salvation to those who believe in His name. This great mystery of godliness is beyond the reach of those who have a defiled and evil and unbelieving heart.

1Ti 3:16 , “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ”

The secular academics claim that after his death Jesus came to be called Jesus Christ. Absolutely wrong. While Jesus was alive on earth, before the Crucifixion, before the Resurrection, He made the prayer to God:

Jhn 17:1-8, “ Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to Heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You;for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. ”

Note: Clearly and plainly, here Jesus calls Himself, Jesus Christ. The enemies of truth can misinterpret and distort the Gospel of Christ or the Scriptures to their own destruction.

FIFTHLY, the saving power and positive influence of Jesus Christ manifested in the lives of billions of Christians in more than 2,000 years is immeasurable and inestimable.

1Ti 1:15-16, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. ”

Note: Paul was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet he was shown mercy because he acted ignorantly in unbelief. Paul is classic example how Christ Jesus saved and changed people. The following is the confession how Saul was transformed into Paul, two different persons by the power of God.

Act 22:3-15, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished. But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’ But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus. A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.”

Note: Zealous in Greek is zēlōtēs which means one burning with zeal; a zealot; characterized by zeal; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Saul was persecuting Christians to death and he thought he was zealous for God. There are people who murder thinking they serve God. There are terrorists today who lie, kill, rob, and destroy people and property in the name of God. Persecute in Greek is diōkō which means to pursue or run after with hostility; to harass, punish or molest in any way whatever; to mistreat; to afflict; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament. Way in Greek is hodos which means a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding prescribed and approved by God; the Christian faith is a way of life; a journey; Jesus is the Way; used of the Christian religion; by which all who seek approach to God must enter into closest fellowship; – which occurs 100 times in the New Testament. Happen in Greek is ginomai which means to come to pass; of events to appear in history; of events come upon the stage; to come into existence; to occur; come to be; – which occurs 536 times in the New Testament. God controls whatever comes to pass. God is able to cause things or events to take place. No man controls events, events control men. When the Lord or the Holy Spirit speaks to a person, the person understands it, but the people around cannot hear it. There are enemies of Christ who are persecuting Jesus by killing Christians, they are deaf to hear the voice, “Terrorists, terrorists, why are you persecuting Me?” They are in darkness, they do not see the Light. Appoint in Greek is tassō which means to ordain; to choose someone officially to do something; assign; determine; order; addict; set officially; put in place; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. I believe the Lord Jesus appointed the Apostles and other disciples like Stephen. I believe even today our Lord appoints each Christian to do something special for Him. If you are a believer, ask the Lord what He wants you to do with your life. Blessed is the person who finds out what the Lord wants him/her to do and do it. Devout in Greek is eulabēs which means pious; committed; circumspect; fearing God; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Every devout Christian lives to the New Testament standard. Every Christian appointed by the Lord is devout. Ask God the Father to appoint you to know His will. Do you know what a privilege to witness for Christ wherever you are? I witness for Christ AND preach the Gospel through the Internet.

Rom 9:1-8, “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. But it is not as though the Word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. ”

Note: Paul had great sorrow and unceasing grief in his heart for his kinsmen who are Israelites that they might be saved. Here is a great truth: The Jews who did not believe not as though the Word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants. Jesus says to those who do not believe; Jhn 10:26 , “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. ” Once I was sitting outside a church on a rainy day. I witnessed to an old man there who did not believe. But his wife came along and I witnessed to her, and she gladly accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. You should have a burden for the salvation of your relatives and friends.

One thing is of most importance is the fact that 1Co 2:11 , “ For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. ”

1Co 2:10-14, “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, comparing spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. ”

Note: God revealed His wisdom and hidden things to His children through the Holy Spirit. Human wisdom is contrary to the wisdom of God. The things of God cannot be taught by human wisdom; for that reason, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers cannot by human wisdom discover God. They do not have the Spirit of God, but the spirit of the world. The best of science and philosophy are the things taught by human wisdom, tentative, fallible and imperfect. Comparing in Greek is sygkrinō which means to join together fitly; to compare with; to interpret; to judge of one thing in connection with another; to adapt the discourse to the subject; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. One must compare spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. One must interpret spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. One must synchronize spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. The natural man is devoid of spiritual thoughts and spiritual words. Here lies the basic difference between the natural man and the spiritual man. Do you see the difficulty or problem of being a natural man? A natural man includes all who have not been born again by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are natural men who do not accept the the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them. For examples, the Virgin Birth, the Creation of the Universe and mankind, the miracles of Jesus Christ, the infallible and inerrant Word of God, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God, etc. are foolishness to them. They cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. Appraise in Greek is anakrinō which means to examine; discern; search; to investigate, inquire into, scrutinize; to judge of, estimate, determine, evaluate; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. The Christian faith is spiritually appraised. You cannot have a blind man to appraise a perfect diamond or the glorious sunset. You cannot have a tone-deaf person to appraise the sound of music. 2Co 4:4, “ in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ” The minds of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are blinded by the god of this world (the devil), so they cannot see the light of the Gospel or understand the Word of God. Not only they are blind, they walk in darkness and they are deaf to the truth. On the other hand, Christians have the mind of Christ.

Act 7:51 , “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!”

Note: Resist in Greek is antipiptō which means to oppose; to run against; to strive against; to be adverse; to fight against; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. God has given man free will and so he can make a choice. Everyone may make a decision. Some resist the Holy Spirit and reject Jesus Christ. It is sad to observe many stubborn people who are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. I hope you are not like that. I am writing this article so that you might have a good and sincere heart to receive the truth in Jesus Christ.

2Co 10:12 , “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. ”

Note: There are things we should be bold, there are other things we should not be bold. I have never known secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers who are humble. Class in Greek is egkrinō which means to reckon among; to make of the number; to judge one worthy of being admitted to a certain class ; to count among; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Do you notice that warmongers, aggressors, imperialists, supremacists, militarists, capitalists, monopolists, and terrorists belong to a certain class? Do you take note that secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers belong to another class? Compare in Greek is sygkrino which means to compare with; compare among; to interpret; combine; to judge of one thing in connection with another; collate; to examine to discover differences or similarities; to consider similarities; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. There are people who compare themselves with God, just like an ameba compares itself to man. Commend in Greek is synistēmi which means to approve; to stand with; to set in the same place; to set one with another; to set together; to hold together; to recommend as worthy; to praise; – which occurs 17 times in the New Testament. Pro 27:2 , “ Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—a stranger, not your own lips. ” The rich and powerful like to blow their own horns. Measure in Greek is metreō which means to mete out to; to judge according to any rule or standard; to estimate; to ascertain in size by a fixed standard; to derive from oneself the standard by which one estimates oneself ; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. A five year old boy said to his mother, “I am 7 feet tall.” The mother asked how did he measure himself. The boy answered he used his shoe to measure himself, it is 7 shoes tall, so 7 feet. Those who compare themselves with themselves, measure themselves by themselves and commend themselves are without understanding. Miserable man, do not use your measure to measure God! Microscope cannot be used to observe the stars in the sky.

Paul was a scholar, in contrast to a blind illiterate man. Jesus healed a man born blind. There was a division among the people who witnessed the miracle. The Pharisees were saying Jesus is not from God because He does not keep the Sabbath. Others were saying how can a man who is a sinner perform such miracles? They asked the blind man about Jesus and he said, He is a prophet.

Jhn 9:24-30, “So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see .” So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing , that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. ”

Note: The man born blind gave an amazing and powerful witness, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. ” Every saved soul has a powerful witness. The Pharisees did not want to know the truth, so they believed a lie to say Jesus is a sinner. They could not and would not answer the challenge, How can a man who is a sinner perform such miracles? The same is true with secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers who do not want to know the truth, because they have the spirit of the world. A man’s reason can be blinded by his bias and prejudices.

Rom 1:20 , “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes , His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ”

Note: The world was created by God, not by Big Bang. God is Spirit, He is invisible. Invisible in Greek is aoratos which means unseen; that cannot be seen; invisible nature; not perceptible by vision; impossible to see; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. God cannot be seen. Power in Greek is dynamis which means mighty work; strength; might; ability; force; – which occurs 124 times in the New Testament. Divine nature in Greek is theiotēs which means divinity; Godhead; divine essence; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Although God cannot be seen, but His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made. For example, the Universe created by God is immeasurable and continuously expanding, and the stars and planets in heaven cannot be numbered and so we understand how great God is. God creates snowflakes and no two snowflakes are alike, and so we see the wonder of God’s power and perfect nature.

1Co 2:16 , “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. ”

Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are arrogant that they think they can instruct God, although they have no idea and know nothing about the mind of God or the mind of Christ.

Eph 4:17-19, “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. ”

Note: Affirm in Greek is martyromai which means to testify; take to record; to declare solemnly; to cite a witness; to obtest; to call to witness; to bring forward a witness; to confirm; to state positively; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. How do the Gentiles walk? Walk in Greek is peripateō which means to live; to conduct one’s self; to regulate one’s life; to be occupied with; to behave; to pass one’s life; – which occurs 105 times in the New Testament. The live in futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. Futility in Greek is mataiotēs which means vanity; depravity; frailty; what is devoid of truth and appropriateness; perverseness; inutility ; uselessness; deprivation; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Darkened in Greek is skotoō which means full of darkness; to cover with darkness; to obscure or blind the mind; to make dark; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Exclude in Greek is apallotrioō which means to be alienated; to estrange; to be shut out from fellowship; to be non-participant; to expel or bar; used of those who have estranged themselves from God;- which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Ignorance in Greek is agnoia which means lack of knowledge, especially of divine things; moral blindness; want of knowledge; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Hardness in Greek is pōrōsis which means blindness; the covering with a callus; dulled perception; blunted mind; obtrusiveness of mental discernment; porosis; stupidity or callousness; obduracy; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Become callous in Greek apalgeō which means to be past feeling; to cease to feel pain or grief; to become insensible or apathetic; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Sensuality in Greek is aselgeia which means lasciviousness; wantonness; filthiness; unbridled lust; licentiousness; shamelessness; outrageousness; worldliness; flesh; insolence; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Impurity in Greek is akatharsia which means uncleanliness; immorality; the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living ; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Homosexuality is kind of impurity. Greediness in Greek is pleonexia which means avarice; fraudulency; covetousness; greed; extortion; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Many doctors, dentists, hospital owners, drug makers, lawyers, monopolists, politicians, bankers, imperialists, and terrorists, etc. practice extortion.

The Word of God performs a surgical analysis and describes the character or nature of a natural man:

(a) . Walk in the futility of their mind;

(b) . Being darkened in their understanding;

(c) . Excluded from the life of God;

(d) . Ignorance is in them;

(e) .The hardness of their heart;

(f) .Having become callous;

(g) .Have given themselves over to sensuality;

(h) .Practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

With these 8 characteristics, the natural man is spiritually dead and buried.

Note: Every element of the cited above is deadly. Take excluded from the life of God, the natural man is spiritually dead; living in this world without God and without hope. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers may be so proud of their works or writings, but God says they walk in the futility of their mind. Their mind is vain, depraved, useless and devoid of truth. God sees you may be entirely opposite of what you think of yourself. They are darkened or blind in their understanding. There is ignorance in them. The hardness of their heart becomes callous or apathetic. They have given themselves to sensuality and practice every kind of impurity with greediness. They are slaves of sin, the sinful passions. The whole world is infected with greediness which is especially prominent in capitalistic and imperial nations and entrepreneurs, even among prosperity gospel preachers and followers.

Heb 4:12-13, “ For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. ”

Note: Living in Greek is zaō which means quick; alive; lively; in full vigor; strong; powerful; efficacious; having vital power in itself; – which occurs 143 times in the New Testament. Active in Greek is energēs which means effectual; effective, powerful; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Sharper in Greek is tomos which means more keen; more sharp; more cutting or piercing; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. The Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. The above cited surgical analysis of the natural man by the Word of God is an example. Pierce in Greek is diïkneomai which means to penetrate; to go through; to reach through; to enter or thrust into; to discern; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Just as there is a division between joints and marrow, so there is also a division between soul and spirit. Soul in Greek is psychē which means life, heart, mind; the breath of life; the vital force which animates the body; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.) ; an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death (distinguished from other parts of the body) ; a person’s total self; self-consciousness; – which occurs 101 times in the New Testament. Spirit in Greek is pneuma which means the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides ; a human soul that has left the body ; the divine consciousness; the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one ; the power of perceiving and grasping divine and eternal things, and upon which the Spirit of God exerts its influence; Luther calls it “ the highest and noblest part of man, which qualifies him to lay bold of incomprehensible, invisible, eternal things; in short, it is the house where Faith and God’s word are at home ”; – which occurs 380 times in the New Testament. A man is a tripartite being: body, soul and spirit. The Word of God can pierce through a man’s soul and spirit. Able to judge in Greek is kritikos which means fit for judging; skilled in judging; able to discern; able to discriminate; tracing out and passing judgement on the thoughts of the mind; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Thought in Greek is enthymēsis which means a thinking; consideration; something in the mind; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Intention in Greek is ennoia which means intent; meditation; a thought, notion or conception; thoughtfulness; moral understanding; purpose; what one intends to do; an aim; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. The Word of God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. You can hide nothing from God. Open in Greek is gymnos which means bare; naked; nude; without cover; not covered; completely free from concealment; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. Lay bare in Greek is trachēlizō which means to lay open, to make manifest to one, to expose; to uncover; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers usually think they are special elites, but there is no creature hidden from God’s sight, and all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of God who controls the Universe and with whom we have to do. God especially hates hypocrites because they pretend to be what they are not. Everyone (including you and I) is naked before God, and God knows all our thoughts and intentions.

Jesus Affirms His Deity
Col 2:9, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. ”

Note: Deity in Greek is theotēs which means the state of being God, godhood, Godhead; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. God became Man in Jesus Christ in human form. Only God could have the mode of existence of God. By creation alone no one can know God; for that reason Jesus Christ, the Son of God came into the world to reveal God. God reveals Himself in His Son. Paul is declaring that in the Son there dwells all the fullness of absolute Godhead; they were no mere rays of divine glory which gilded Him, lighting up His person for a season and with a splendor not His own; but He was, and is, absolute and perfect God; and the Scripture teaches this essential and personal Godhead of the Son in bodily form. The Scripture means Jesus is God in human form. God is in the body of Christ.

For this reason Jesus declares,

Jhn 14:7 , “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also ; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”

You may know the different etymologies of the Greek words, theiotēs (divinity) and theotēs (deity) and still do not know God and our Savior.

The divinity of Christ means “God was in Christ.” The divinity of Christ means Christ is divine, Christ is God. The divinity of Christ means Christ has divine nature. The divinity of Christ means Jesus Christ is my God and my Lord. Those who do not believe God are without excuse. God’s everlasting power and divinity dwells fully in Jesus Christ.

Unbelieving liberals or modernists, who are crafty in distorting the Bible, claim that in fact, mankind possesses a “spark of divinity,” a spark which relates him to God. If a “spark of divinity” means man was created in the image of God, that is true. If it means everyone can potentially become a son of God by his own efforts, it is false and un-Scriptural. A fallen man cannot perfect himself. A sinful man cannot save himself. The human conscience is NOT the “divine spark.”

Hbr 10:22,“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Note: Conscience in Greek is syneidēsis which means the consciousness of right and wrong, the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other; moral consciousness, free from guilt; – it occurs 32 times in the New Testament. Sinful man has an “evil conscience.” An unbeliever does not have a good conscience. American leaders violated China’s sovereignty and gave control of China’s Diaoyu Islands in 1971 to the war crime nation of Japan and passed law to defend Japan are liars and killers who have an evil conscience. The leaders of the evil empire of Japan who bought and nationalized China’s Diaoyu Islands and say they belong to Japan, not negotiable, and rely on the protection of the sole superpower and prepare war with China are liars and killers and have an evil conscience.

1Ti 1:19,“Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” Liars and killers do not have a “good conscience.”

1 Ti 4:2, “By means of the hypocrisy of liars their own conscience is seared as with a branding iron.” A dead conscience cannot have a “spark of divinity.” The conscience of America and Japan has been seared with a red hot iron. Japanese leaders are pagans and idol worshipers, liars and killers who are sons of the devil defined by Jesus Christ, Jhn 8:44 . Although American leaders and politicians claim to be Christians, they are proven liars and killers and robbers and children of the devil who have an evil conscience. People who have an evil conscience do not know God and Savior.

There is no doubt or debate or division, the divinity of Jesus Christ is clearly and definitely taught and written in the Bible. Let the Word of God explain the Word of God.

Mat 16:16 ,“Simon Peter answered: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jhn 6:69 ,“And we believe and are sure that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Cf. Jhn 11:27,“She said to him: Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, He who is coming into the world.”

Jhn 20:31 ,“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Act 8:37,“And Philip said: If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he replied: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

2 Cr 1:19, “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in Him it is always Yes.”

1 Jo 1:3,“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

1 Jo 5:20,“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”

Note: Christ in Greek is Christos which means the Lord’s “anointed”, the Messiah, the Son of God; – it occurs 569 times in the New Testament. Christ is used in generic sense, unlike prophet, as an appellative, One and Only, the Messiah. There is no other Christ, there are anti-christs. Foolish unbelieving scientists and scholars, don’t you know by your own understanding you cannot know God who is true? You need Jesus Christ, the Son of God to give you understanding, spiritual understanding, not scientific understanding.

It does not matter if you do not know the difference between divinity and deity, it matters if you believe or not Jesus Christ is God. This is the fatal mistake of Unitarianism. Doubting Thomas made the confession after the convincing evidence,

Jhn 20:28-29, “ Thomas answered and said to Him, “ My Lord and my God! ” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. ”

Note: After Jesus ascended to the highest Heaven, all subsequent believers did not see, and yet believed. Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.

Jesus Christ says:

Jhn 10:30, “I and the Father are One. ” The Father and the Son are One. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. God and Jesus are One. The unbelieving Jews knew exactly what Jesus said and claimed that He and God are One, for that reason all the more they wanted to kill Him. There is no debate or doubt or division that Jesus Christ claims of His Divinity.

Mat 2:11 , “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ”

Note: Wise men from the East were truly wise men, they fell to the ground and worshiped the Child Jesus; unlike the Roman Catholics who worship Mary.

Mat 8:2-3, “ And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Note: A leper came and worshiped Jesus even before He cleansed him. The leper’s prayer indicated his faith, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Mat 9:18 , “ While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. ”

Note: The ruler worshiped Jesus Christ even before He restored the life of his little girl.

Mat 14:33, “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him , saying, “You are certainly God’s Son !”

Note: After seeing Jesus walking on the sea, the disciples worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son.”

Mat 15:25 , “Then came she and worshiped Him , saying, Lord, help me. ”

Note: A Syrophoenician woman worshiped Jesus to ask the Lord to help her, whose daughter was cruelly demon-possessed. Her daughter was healed at once by the Word of the Lord.

Jhn 9:38 , “And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him . ”

Note: Jesus healed a man born blind. Because he testified for Jesus, the Jewish religious establishment excommunicated him. Jesus found him and asked him whether he would believe in Him. The former blind man said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Jesus.

Mat 28:9 , “ And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him . ”

Note: On the day of Resurrection, the women who saw the angel and the empty tomb and ran to report to Jesus’ disciples, Jesus met them. They came up and took hold of Jesus’ feet and worshiped Him.

Mat 28:17, “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him ; but some were doubtful. ”

Note: During the Great Commission, the disciples saw and worshiped Jesus, but some were doubtful. Be doubtful in Greek is distazō which means to waiver mentally; to be fearful; to be uncertain; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. We can know with certainty that 1Pe 1:21 , “who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

Luk 24:51-52, “ While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy .”

Note: The disciples witnessed Jesus ascending to Heaven, as He blessed them and parted from them. After worshiping Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Joy in Greek is chara which means gladness; joyfulness; cheerfulness; blessedness; – which occurs 59 times in the New Testament. Why the great joy? Act 1:10-11, “And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Cheer up, Jesus Christ is coming again with great power an glory. All Christians in the world, get ready to welcome the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

We may only worship God. Christians do not worship Apostles, Angels, Mary, idols, ancestors, Sun, Moon, Stars, the pope, dead saints, or any man or object. The people cited above all worshiped Jesus. When people worship Jesus they worship God. There is no slightest doubt or debate that the Divinity of Jesus Christ is a clear and sure doctrine taught in the Bible. Disciples universally practiced worshiping of Jesus Christ as God, the Son.

Rev 5:6-10, “And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a Kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

Note: Lamb in Greek is arnion, which is used of Christ, innocently suffering and dying to expiate the sins of men ; the Lamb of God who is the Son of God; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament. In Heaven the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, saints and angels, worship the Lamb. The Lamb purchased for God with His blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Jesus Christ made them to be a kingdom and priests to God, and they will reign with Him upon the earth. In Heaven, Christians will sing the song of the Lamb.

Rev 5:11-14, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.”

Note: Myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands mean innumerable, too many to be counted. Many angels, the living creatures, the elders, and innumerable number of the Elect, and every created thing which is in Heaven and on the Earth, under the Earth and on the sea, and all thing in them saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. They worship God and the Lamb.

Rev 7:9-12, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Note: No one could count means no one could enumerate or number which is innumerable or countless. The stars in the sky are also innumerable, too many to be counted. So it is a wrong idea to think the numbers of the saved are few. Heaven will be a lonely place. For a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, will stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches are in their hands; and they cry our with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Salvation belongs to our God the Father and to the Lamb the Son. The way of salvation is the way of God. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Outside of Christ, there is no other salvation. Countless saved believers, all the angels, the elders and the four living creatures fall on their faces and worship God the Father, and Lamb the Son forever and ever.

Debate about Jesus?

If you stand under the sun, do you debate the existence of the sun? If you walk in the light, do you debate about the existence of light? If you are full, do you debate the existence of food? If you know God, there is no debate about the existence of God.

Debate may be applicable to doubtful things. For example, you can debate whether the United State of America is a true democracy or not. One percent of the population rules over the 99 percent cannot be a democracy. Ninety-nine percent of population serve the 1% of the population cannot be a true democracy, for democracy serves the largest number of the population. I prefer to discuss issues with reasonable persons. Once a woman challenged me to prove her sins. Why would I be interested in how many fornication or adulteries, thefts and lies, malice and ill will, etc. she has committed? If I know a person is determined not to believe the truth, I would not waste my time on her/him. Jesus said, Jhn 8:45-47, “But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”

In my life experiences, I have encountered a group of people who do not and would not believe the truth, no matter what. I shun this kind of people because I do not want to waste my effort and time on them. I have learned a great truth from Jesus Christ that those who did not believe because they were not of His sheep. The truth strikes me how many deliberately and willfully send themselves to Hell!

Jhn 10:24-28, “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

Note: Jesus said to the Jews, “I told you, and you do not believe…But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” This explains why some people will not believe no matter what. Because they are not of Jesus’ sheep. Whether you believe or not will determine whether you are of Jesus’ sheep or not.

Act 17:16-21, “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said.“You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.”(It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) ”

Note: Primitive people still worship idols today. In the Western world, however, people worship money, power and sex as their idols. Reason in Greek is dialegomai which means to dispute; discuss; argue; try to persuade; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. The Christian faith is reasonable. Christians are told in 1Pe 3:15 , “But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” Be prepared is to be ready. Defense in Greek is apologia which means an answer; a reasoned statement or argument ; clearing of oneself; making good of a cause; an argument for justification; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. The word apologetics is derived from the Greek word. Reason in Greek is logos which means ground; cause; justification; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Paul had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Debate in Greek is zētēsis which means questioning; dispute; investigating; a contention by words or arguments; a formal discussion; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Epicurean philosophers believe that pleasure or happiness is the highest good. So Epicureanism devotes to pleasure, comfort, and high living. Stoicism is somewhat the opposite of Epicureanism which is indifference to pleasure or pain. Stoic philosophers believe virtue as the highest good in life. The two groups of philosophers thought Jesus and His resurrection were strange ideas. Babbler in Greek is spermologos which means an empty talker; a seed-picker as a crow; a sponger, loafer; trifler; an excessive talker; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. These philosophers called Paul a babbler, but they seemed to be interested in this new teaching and wanted to know more about strange things. The footnote is interesting: (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) ” Interestingly, some countries ban Christianity on ground it is a foreign god. Some countries prefer superstitions over truth. Ignorant and superstitious people are easier to control, free people who know the truth cannot be enslaved. Jesus Christ does not belong to the Jews only. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world.

Act 18:28 , “For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, demonstrating from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. ”

Note: Apollos was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Refute in Greek is diakatelegchomai which means to prove downright; to prove wrong by argument; show to be false; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Demonstrate in Greek is epideiknymi which means to show; exhibit; prove; to bring forth to view; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. The Scriptures prove that Jesus is the Messiah.

The Council at Jerusalem was a result of an important debate, the first debate among early Christians:
Act 15:1-29, “ Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. Therefore, being sent on their way by the Church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the Church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus , in the same way as they also are.” All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what miracles and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. ”

Note: Dissension in Greek is stasis which means a popular uprising; strong disagreement; sedition; uproar; an insurrection against; strife; controversy; contentious quarreling; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Debate in Greek is zētēsis which means a questioning; a subject of questioning; a matter of controversy; a searching for solution; a dispute; a subject of subtle inquiry; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. When some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Apostle Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them. The brethren decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to the Apostles and elders concerning this issue.

Issue in Greek is zētēma which means a question; debate; a vital or unsettled matter; a matter that is in dispute; a subject or problem of disagreement; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. The Jerusalem Church after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was the presiding Church. The Church received them. Some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.” Sect in Greek is hairesis which means a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party); dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims ; disunion; an opinion varying from the true exposition of the Christian faith (heresy); an opinion, doctrine, or practice which is contrary to the truth of Christian faith; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. It is a heresy to insist that Gentile believers necessary to be circumcised and to observe the Law of Moses. Since the early Church, there have been many heresies upon which cults and sects build their denominations. Roman Catholicism is the greatest heresy of them all. The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus , in the same way as they also are.” Peter pointed out that God made no distinction between Jewish disciples and and Gentile disciples , cleansing their hearts by faith . God gave Gentile believers the Holy Spirit just as He also did to the Jewish believers. To demand Gentile believers of circumcision and observance of the Law of Moses is to put God to the test and placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither Jewish fathers and Jewish disciples have been able to bear. Yoke in Greek is zygos which means a yoke that is put on draught cattle; metaphorically used of any burden or bondage as of slavery; as of troublesome laws imposed on one one (commands of the Pharisees); servitude; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what miracle s and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas testified what miracles and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. The Pharisees may think only the Jews were privileged to see miracles and wonders God performed.

James’s Judgment
Act 15:13-29, “After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me.“ Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.

With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return,
AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN,
AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS,
AND I WILL RESTORE IT,

SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD,
AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME ,’

SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.

Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.

For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barnabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, and they sent this letter by them, “The Apostles and the brethren who are elders , to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings.

Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

Note: Gal 2:9 , “ and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ” James and Peter and John were reputed to be pillars of the Church. Apparently besides Peter and James others had spoken also, but they were not cited. Obviously, James was the presiding Elder of the Church of Jerusalem and who presided over the Jerusalem Council. At that time it seems the Church of Jerusalem is the headquarters of Christianity (all Christian churches) presiding by the Apostles. While Antioch is the headquarters of the Gentile Church. As the Scripture says, 1Co 12:27-28, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the Church, first Apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” Collectively, all believers or disciples, both Jewish and Gentiles, form the Body of Christ (the Church), and individually members of it. God appointed in the Church, first Apostles. There was no Gentile apostle. The twelve Apostles include Paul, excluded Judas the traitor. At the Church of Jerusalem there were other leading men also whose names were not mentioned. To judge in Greek is krinō which means to determine, resolve, decree; to be of opinion; to deem, think; to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong ; to rule, govern; to decide mentally or judicially; to conclude; – which occurs 123 times in the New Testament. Trouble in Greek is parenochleō which means to annoy; to harass; to cause trouble in a matter; to disturb; to oppress; to afflict; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. The sect of the Pharisees wanted to trouble the Gentile believers by demanding that they be circumcised and to observe the Law of Moses. Abstain in Greek is apechō which means to hold back, keep off, prevent; to hold oneself off; to keep oneself away; to choose not to do; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. Contamination in Greek is alisgēma which means pollution; defilement; condemnation; impurity; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Fornication in Greek is porneia which means illicit sexual intercourse; adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. ; sexual intercourse with close relatives; sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Strangled in Greek is pniktos which means suffocated; an animal choked to death not bled; an animal deprived of life without shedding its blood ; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament.

James’s judgment, agreed by all, was to command Gentile believers to abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. All Christians must abstain from things offered to idols and therefore contaminated, from fornication, from what is strangled, and from blood. Chinese Christians in particular beware, not to eat any kind of blood, not to worship ancestors or any idol. Do well means to act rightly, to be well off, to prosper, considered “Well done!” Christians who abstain from the four things cited above have done we ll. Farewell in Greek is rhōnnymi which means good bye; the usual formula in closing a letter ; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament.

Pro 13:10 , “A vain man through pride causes debate, but with ones who take advice is wisdom. ”

Note: A vain man through pride causes debate. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are vain by nature, they love debate to show off their worldly and empty arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” — especially the way they distort the Word of God, or they are not afraid to insult the Glorious One. The most ludicrous and ridiculous is that some argued that Jesus never existed. This one thing is clear and sure, there was no division or debate or doubt by the Apostles and early disciples concerning the Divinity of Christ, and they never argued about the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

2Pe 1:16-18, “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”—and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. ”

Note: Do not follow the cleverly devised tales made by secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers.

The term “Jesus” occurs 1,275 times in the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible. Some pseudo-scholars and unbelieving scholars manufactured the idea of “historical Jesus.” The Jesus of the New Testament is the authentic historical Jesus. Any concept or explanation which is not based on the New Testament is not the historical Jesus, but false Jesus made by unbelievers to discredit the Bible and distort the truth. There is only one Jesus which is written in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels. There are four Gospels, namely, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. There are no discrepancies in the Gospels; there are only misconceptions and distorted interpretations of unbelieving scholars. There are four aspects the Gospel by which Jesus Christ is presented. There are no contradictions in the four Gospels; there is only different emphasis or focus. There are not four kinds of Gospel, there is only one Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah.

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of God.

The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as the Redeemer.

The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the Son of God.

If Jesus were only a good man and a great man, then there is no hope for the world. Jesus is everything as the Bible says He is.

There are four types of book. Books that indulge you are bad; books that inform you are useful; books that instruct you are good; and books that inspire you are great. All good books and great books are human. If I read a great book several times, it begins to tire me. The Bible is divine, the greatest of all books. I have studied the Bible many times all my life and still it does not make me tired or weary. Every time I read the Bible over again, I receive new revelation and inspiration. The Bible has the most instructive history, the most fascinating biography, the sweetest poetry, the most inspiring message, the most comfortable counsel, the most soul-searching prayer, the greatest sermon, the purest wisdom, the truest knowledge, and the powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of all books is God’s Word, the Eternal Word of God. There is no other. You can find out for yourself.

Christianity is neither superstition nor science. Superstition is based on false and unfounded beliefs, rumors and fears. Science is limited by human and empirical and tentative knowledge at a time and place. Christianity is the revealed religion. Only God makes revelation of the ultimate truth and wisdom. Revelation cannot be achieved by human discovery or wisdom. Christianity is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was God who became Man to reveal God and spiritual things to human beings.

The Church of Jesus Christ is the pillar of truth.
The Roman Catholic Church is historically false, full of heresies and wrong doctrines and superstitions.
Science cannot provide ultimate truth and wisdom because science at best is human tentative knowledge at a given time and place. Human philosophies cannot provide ultimate truth and wisdom because they are limited human thoughts confined to limited intelligence. All religions except Christianity are man-made.

Christianity – the revealed religion – explains and exalts the Supreme Being, Wisdom and Truth.
Neither science nor religion can save mankind.
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life – outside of Christ there is no salvation.
The wisdom of the living is to know the Most High rules the universe and over the realm of mankind.
It is of infinite truth and wisdom that human beings must submit themselves humbly to the Will of God.

Jhn 10:35,“If he called them gods, to whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken).” The Bible, the Scripture and the Word of God are synonymous. Word in Greek is logos which means speech, a living voice, a conception or idea, what is said, decree, dictum, mandate, declaration, instruction, reason, revelation, oracle or utterance, the sayings of God, the moral precepts given by God, doctrine, teaching, the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal Wisdom and Power in union with God; – it occurs 334 times in the New Testament. The Word of God came to holy prophets and apostles.

Luk 3:2,“In the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.”

Luk 5:1,“Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the Word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.”

The Word of Jesus is the Word of God.

Jhn 1:1,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Mat 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”

To pass away in Greek is parerchomai which means to perish, go out of existence, end, come to an end; – it occurs 46 times in the New Testament. If heaven and earth will pass away, how much sooner the American imperialism, Islamic terrorism and the evil empire of Japan? All things will pass away; the Words of Jesus will never pass away. The Word of God will not pass away.

The Word of God reveals God to mankind. Scripture in Greek is graphē which means a writing, thing written, the book itself, or its contents; a certain portion or passage or section of the Holy Scripture; – it occurs 51 times in the New Testament. To break in Greek is lyō which means to dismiss, break up, annul, subvert, undo, do away with, deprive of authority, demolish, destroy, overthrow, do away with; – it occurs 45 times in the New Testament.

Why does Jesus say, The Scripture cannot be broken?

Psa 119:89, “Lamedh.

Forever, O LORD,

Your Word is settled in Heaven.”

Word in Hebrew is dabar which means speech, saying, utterance, discourse, edict, oracle; – it occurs 1,414 times in the Old Testament. To settle in Hebrew is natsab which means to stand firm, establish, station, set, fix, put, place; – it occurs 79 times in the Old Testament. The Word of God is settled in Heaven where no missile, rocket, warplane, radar, etc. can reach. Whatever the rich and powerful do on earth does not affect the Word of God fixed in Heaven one bit.

To say the Bible says is the same to say the Scripture says. To say in the Bible is the same to say in the Scriptures. To say according to the Bible is the same to say according to the Scriptures. The Holy Bible means the Holy Scriptures. To say the Word of the Lord is the same as the Word of God. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. The Word of Jesus is the Word of God. The Holy Bible is the Holy Scripture and the Word of God.

Luk 24:25-27, “And He (Jesus) said to them: “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”

Note: All the Scriptures proclaim one central message of the Bible which is Jesus Christ. Foolish in Greek is anoētos which means unintelligible, not understanding, unwise; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. To explain in Greek is diermēneuō which means to unfold the meaning of what is said, expound; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament.

There is no such a thing called a liberal interpretation of the Bible, a broad interpretation of the Bible, or a rigid interpretation of the Bible, a narrow interpretation of the Bible, etc. There is only one correct interpretation of the Bible is to explain it accurately. The Bible interprets itself. Jesus Christ is the central message of the Bible.

There is an irreverent aspect of American culture. Many Americans knowingly or unknowingly take the name of Jesus Christ in vain. Whenever many Americans encounter or experience some disaster, distress, difficulty, discontent, dismay, displeasure, dispute, disappointment, dissatisfaction, etc. they would automatically lash out the name of Jesus Christ as curse words or interjection or exclamation. If you are a Christian, you should repent of your sin and ask God for forgiveness and stop using the name of the Lord in vain. If you are an unbeliever, unless you repent, this will be added to your sins which you will face God on the Day of Judgment.

Once a junior high student could not understand the Einstein’s formula of E=mc2 and boldly declared that the formula was wrong. There are many things in the Bible that no human could fully understand, not because they are wrong, but because they are beyond human capacity to understand. I do not know why the Bible uses the term Jesus Christ more often than Christ Jesus. I do not know if there is significance or not in the usage. For example, in English my name is Willie Wong, in Chinese it should be Wong Willie. That is the difference between two cultures having a different order of names. In English my last name is my surname or family name. In Chinese my first name is my surname or family name. For my name there is absolutely no difference in either order. No one knows for sure the order of Jesus’ name as Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus has any difference or significance. However, this knowledge of the order of Jesus’ name has no effect on your knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. We should stress what the Bible stresses,and not to stress what the Bible does not stress.

A pseudo-scholar at Harvard Divinity School (Harvard College was founded by a good minister, his school turned out to be a secular and anti-Bible university) , in seeking fame and publicity, fraudulently announced the so-called finding that Jesus had a wife. Did she look for a virgin in a whore house? Did she consult the father of lies? There are so many false prophets, false teachers and false preachers since the days of Apostles who had fabricated and manufactured many false doctrines and teachings of men damnable. The most shocking about sinful nature of man is the truth people are not interested, lies and falsehoods they are very interested. The twelve Apostles and early disciples confirmed that Jesus never had a wife; the Son of God never had carnal relationship with any woman. Anyone who adds lies to the historical Jesus is an anti-christ. Anyone who sins against the Holy Spirit (I am afraid anyone who makes false claim that Jesus had a wife sins against the Holy Spirit) will never be forgiven. Knowing Jesus Christ is the Son of God, one distorts history by trampling on the truth and by saying things against Jesus Christ is a sin against the Holy Spirit, an unpardonable sin.

Hbr 7:26, “For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the Heavens.”

Note: Jesus Christ lived a life on earth which was holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners. John Harvard would be outraged because his college turned into a university of unbelievers and deniers of the Christian faith, a Modernist bastion of spreading heresy and false doctrine. Harvard Divinity School is a school of the devil. The woman who made fraudulent discovery based on a so-called papyrus is a liar and an anti-Christ. For the Bible says, 1Jo 2:22-23, “Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.” The daughter of Jezebel will not have a good end.

There are quite a few difficult passages of the Bible, for examples:

(1). Gen 1:1,“In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth.”

Note: It is not said whether this “beginning” was the commencement of time, or far back of the creation of man, and long before the present geological period. I believe the “beginning” refers to the physical beginning of the universe. The beginning was before the starting point of time and space.

(2). Rom 5:1,“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – justified by faith.

Rom 5:9,“Since, therefore, we are now justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”- justified by His blood.

Jam 2:24,“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” – justified by works.

Note: There seems to be a contradiction, but not really. We are justified by Jesus’ blood because of the redemption accomplished by Christ meritoriously on the cross; by faith because in our hearts we believe in the Word of God instrumentally; by works because we confess Jesus our Lord and Savior with our mouths declaratively. Christ’s righteousness is the ground of our justification; faith is the medium or means by which that righteousness becomes ours, and an obedient life is the visible evidence of our acceptance with God and path to happiness.

The only real Jesus is the historical Jesus presented in the New Testament, especially narrated in the four Gospels. The Jesus recorded in the New Testament is the real Jesus and the historical Jesus. The real Jesus was not of human origin, for a man of human origin cannot be sinless and divine. Jesus was divine of a supernatural birth, the true Man and true God, the complete Man and complete God, the perfect Man and perfect God. Jesus is the unity of humanity and divinity. God became Man. There is no other Jesus made in the image or imagination of men. The historical Jesus presented in the New Testament is only and totally relevant to Christian faith. Christians put their faith in Jesus who was born of a virgin, God manifested in human flesh, died on the cross for sinners, rose from the dead for our justification, ascended to heaven to prepare a place for believers, and He is coming again to reign with the saints forever and ever. A reconstructed historical Jesus stripped of His divinity and supernatural power is a denial of faith, a pious fiction or mythology unworthy of acceptance. The Christian faith stands on the person and work of Jesus Christ as it is written in the New Testament. The Word of God does not require the consensus of men.

2Cr 9:15,“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Note: Indescribable in Greek is anekdiēgētos which means unspeakable, inexpressible, words fail to describe; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Jesus is God’s indescribable gift. Jesus is indescribable because He is both human and divine. There is no one like Jesus. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. Jesus is Wonderful, the Wonder of all wonders, the mystery of God.

I. Jesus was born of virgin Mary.

Mat 1:16, “And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

Note: Jesus in Greek is Iēsous which means “Jehovah is salvation”, the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, God incarnate; – it occurs 975 times in the New Testament according to the King James Version (KJV). Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament.

Mat 1:18, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”

Note: A historical fact must be stressed that Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus, that was before Joseph and Mary had sex. Mary was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Mat 1:25, “But kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.”

Note: The doctrine of Incarnation and the doctrine of the Virgin Birth are inseparably linked together. Those who believe that Jesus was God who became Man for the purposes of man’s salvation invariably also believe the virgin Mary conceived of sinless Jesus by the Holy Spirit. One doctrine supports the other.

Isaiah 9:6,7, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, [Father of Eternity], The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

This prophecy quoted was fulfilled in Christ’s birth in Matthew 1:23.

Note: Virgin in Greek is parthenos which clearly means a young girl who has never had sexual intercourse with a man; – it occurs about 14 times in the New Testament. Both the text and context of the Scriptures clearly lay an emphasis on a word which does mean “virgin.” As testified by Mary herself,

Luk 1:34-35, “Mary said to the angel: How can this be, since I am a virgin? The angel answered and said to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”

A real event took place in a real place. It was not a fable or legend.

In Bethlehem of Judea, as Micah had foretold, was born of a virgin mother, He whose “goings forth” were “from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). In detailed history, that Jesus, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, was born of a pure virgin, Mary of Nazareth, espoused to Joseph, who later became his wife. The birth took place at Bethlehem, where Joseph and Mary had gone for enrollment in a census that was being taken. The announcement was made to Mary beforehand by an angel, and the birth was preceded, attended, and followed by remarkable events that are narrated (birth of John the Baptist, with annunciations, angelic vision to the shepherds, visit of wise men from the east, etc.). The narratives should be carefully read at length in order to understand the background material. Matthew tells about Joseph’s difficulties and action. Luke tells much about Mary—even her inmost thoughts. The narratives, in short, are independent and complementary. The one supplements and completes the other. Both together are needed to give the whole story. They bear in themselves the stamp of truth, honesty, integrity and purity, and are worthy of all acceptation, as they were evidently held to be in the early Church. The birth of Jesus was not, as in ordinary births, the creation of a new personality. It was a divine Person—already existing—entering on this new mode of existence. The pre-existence of Christ and the Virgin birth of Jesus fit together.

II. Jesus was born a Jew.

Mat 1:1, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

Note: Genealogy in Greek is genesis which means source, origin, a book of one’s lineage, i.e. in which his ancestry or progeny are enumerated; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. According to the flesh, that is according to human genealogy, Jesus was born a Jew.

Mat 2:1-2,“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him.”

Note: Bethlehem is a real historical place, and Herod the king was also a real historical person. The time and place that Jesus was born was real time and real place. The first group of people who worshiped Jesus was wise men from the East, not from the West. The chronology of the history of mankind is counted from the birth of the historical Jesus as B.C. and A.D. B.C. means before Christ, and A.D. means anno Domini, “in the year of the Lord.” Most scholars believe the birth of Jesus was counted a few years short.

Jhn 18:37, “Therefore Pilate said to Him: So You are a king? Jesus answered: You say correctly that I am a King. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Note: Recently I came across something most absurd and abnormal that a black man claims that he can prove from the Bible that Jesus was a Black man. There are too many false teachers, false prophets, and anti-christs already in the world. I do not know whether this black man has committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit or not. What he claims is false, untrue, and deceptive. The Jews are the ancient Hebrews, the descendants of Abraham. This is a historical fact of about 4,000 years old. Jesus was a public figure, known and recognized by millions of peoples in His country. Even a Samaritan woman knew and recognized Jesus,

Jhn 4:9, “



Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)




Jesus came into the world as no one ever came. For Jesus came into the world to die for sinners and to testify to the truth of God. Everyone who is of the truth believes in Jesus’ word.

Beware in these last days there are many anti-christs, false prophets, false teachers, and false brothers. Even the children of the devil may quote and use the Bible to serve their unholy purposes. For your information, in Heaven there are no black angels or black children of God. Do not get the wrong idea. I do not mean a black person cannot enter Heaven; a black child of God on earth in Heaven he will receive a glorious and immortal body which is not black anymore. And no one wears black in the Paradise of God.

III. Jesus was born the Savior.

Luk 2:11,“For today in the city of David there has been born for you the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Note: Savior in Greek is sōtēr which means deliverer, preserver, the author of our salvation through Jesus Christ; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world, through whom God gives salvation.

Mat 1:21,“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Note: The first advent of Jesus was to save people from their sins.

Mar 2:17,“And hearing this, Jesus said to them: It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Note: Those who think they have no sin cannot be saved. The first thing to be saved you must realize you are a sinner. Only sinners need the Savior, just as the sick needs a physician. There is no hope for self-righteous people. Self-righteous people cannot be saved because they will not repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus is the Savior of the world; there is no other savior whereby we can be saved.

IV. Jesus existed before He was born a Man.

Mar 12:35-37,“Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple: How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool. Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son? And the common people heard Him gladly.”

Note: This can only be explained that Jesus had pre-existence. That means Jesus existed eternally with God before He became Man. According to flesh, Jesus is the Son of David based on human genealogy. According to Jesus’ divinity, Jesus is David’s Lord. Jesus is also the Lord of Abraham just as David was the son of Abraham. Often the common people are closer to the Kingdom of God than the arrogant scientists and scholars, the rich and powerful people. The elect is composed of most common people.

Luk 10:21, “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said: I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”

Note: Pharisees and the scribes thought they were wise and prudent, and yet the pre-existence of Jesus was hidden from them. They did not know to know Jesus is to know God. Unbelieving scientists think they are wise and prudent, and yet they do not know the Scriptures and the power of God. So they spread the myth of science called the evolution theory and the irrational theory of big bang. Jesus Christ is the only Man who had pre-existence. We exist the moment we are born. Before a man is born, he is nothing, he has no pre-existence. True, the history of the world begins counting with the birth of Jesus Christ, so we count the time and event as B.C. or A.D. But Jesus Christ did not begin to exist some 2,000 years ago. True, God became Man in Jesus Christ about 2,000 years ago. However, God existed before time and space eternally. God is Self-Existent from the eternal past to the eternal future, time without end, forever and ever. Thus, it is clear that Jesus Christ had pre-existence. The pre-existence of Jesus Christ means He existed before He came into the world. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Jesus Christ was born so that He may die for sinners and save us from eternal punishment. One thing that makes Jesus Christ different from all humans was the fact He had preexistence or prior existence before He was born (Incarnation). When a human being was born, that moment was the beginning of his or her existence. No human being has preexistence or prior existence. Reincarnation is a Hindu religious belief of the rebirth of the soul in another body. Such a belief is a myth, contrary to fact and Biblical teaching. Jesus Christ was, is, and will be the only Person who existed before His birth on earth.

Jhn 8:58, “Jesus said to them: Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Note: Historically speaking, the first man Adam could say: “Before Abraham was, I was.” It was a correct statement in time and place. But Adam could not say: “Before Abraham was, I am.” Because by the time of Abraham, Adam was no more. Time and place define everything, except God. Truly, Jesus is before Abraham was, before Adam was, before the universe was.

Jhn 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. ”

Note: Glory in Greek is doxa which means divine honor, radiance, magnificence, preeminence, dignity; – it occurs about 168 times in the New Testament Before in Greek is pro which means prior to, in front of, earlier than; – it occurs about 48 times in the New Testament. Christ had glory with the Father prior to the existence of the universe. This Scriptural statement alone covers both Christ’s divinity and preexistence with absolute certainty and clarity. “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal.” (2Ti 1:9) Before times eternal in Greek means before the times of the ages. Although the Bible does not say when the world began, Jesus Christ was before the world began, before the existence of time and space. For Jesus Christ was God from the beginning, from eternity.

Jhn 1:1,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” James Ussher (1581-1656) said, “According to our chronology, the creation of the world fell upon the entrance of the night preceding the twenty third day of October in the year of Julian Calendar, 710 [4004 B.C.].” The Ussher’s statement was both serious and presumptuous; serious because of an attempt to calculate the date of the creation of the world, presumptuous because no one has the full knowledge of complete chronology. Chronology is the scientific measurement of time and the arrangement of events in their order or proper sequence of occurrence. The Bible does not record all the events of creation in their chronological order. For example, the Bible does not provide any geological chronology of the planet earth, nor the solar system. God’s purpose and grace to call and save the elect was in Christ Jesus before the world began.

1Cr 2:7-8,“ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Note: Jesus is the Lord of glory who existed before everything and before everyone.

V. Jesus was testified by the Spirit.

Mat 3:16-17, “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Note: God testified that Jesus is His beloved Son.

Jhn 1:33, “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me: Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”

Note: John saw the Spirit descending and remaining on Jesus, and knew Jesus was baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Hbr 2:3-4, “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard Him, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His own will.”

Note: God bore witness of Jesus by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit. If your heart is open, the Holy Spirit is testifying that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior.

Luk 24:46-49, “Then He said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Note: The Holy Spirit is the power from on high; the disciples received the power from on high in order to witness for the Lord.

1Jo 4:14, “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world.”

Note: God sent Jesus His Son as the Savior of the world. There is no other savior. There is no other way. There is no other truth.

Act 18:5,“When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.”

Note: Compel in Greek is synechō which means to urge, impel, press; – it occurs about 12 times in the New Testament. Paul was compelled by the Holy Spirit to testify to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah).

1Pe 1:11,“Searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.”

Note: The sufferings of Christ were necessary to redeem mankind, and the glories that would follow exalted Jesus Christ above all in the highest heavens.

VI. Jesus was tempted by the devil.

Mat 4:1, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”

Note: Tempt in Greek is peirazō which means to solicit to sin, the solicitations and suggestions of Satan intended to break one down under the proof; – it occurs about 39 times in the New Testament. Jesus overcame the tempter.

1. The first temptation.

Mat 4:2-3,“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said: If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

Note: Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights. You cannot follow Jesus’ step to do the same because you would die. The devil uses the human basic need to tempt people. Notice, the devil assailed the person and challenged the deity of Jesus Christ, “if you are the Son of God.” Believers must never doubt the faith or do what the devil asks. The answer of Jesus is based on the Word of God.

Mat 4:4,“But He answered and said: It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Eph 6:17,“And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Note: Take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God – the most powerful weapon to fight the devil and his agents.

Hbr 4:12,“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

2. The second temptation.

Mat 4:5-6,“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him: If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you, and, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”

Note: When you reach the pinnacle of your life, that is the most dangerous point; beware lest you fall. The devil assailed Jesus’ position again, “if you are the Son of God.” Christians do not need to prove what they are by doing the bidding of the devil.

Mat 4:7,“Jesus said to him: It is written again, You shall not tempt the LORD your God.”

Note: Jesus again used the Sword of the Spirit to cut down the devil.

Do not put God to the test. Do not test God’s justice and patience by impious and wicked conduct.

3. The third temptation.

Mat 4:8-9,“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him: All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Note: The weakest point of mankind is the prevailing Western values of money, power and sex, or what the Chinese call 荣华富贵. Many sell their souls to the devil for money, power and sex as Wall Street and Washington and Hollywood have demonstrated. For money, power and sex many kiss the devil’s ass like a dog licking its master’s hand. The rich and powerful people fall down and worship the devil.

Mat 4:10-11,“Then Jesus said to him: Away with you, Satan! For it is written: You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve. Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

Note: Once more time Jesus cut down the devil by the Sword of the Spirit.

Worship in Greek is proskyneō which means to do homage to one or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication; kiss like a dog licking his master’s hand; homage rendered to God and the ascended Christ; – it occurs about 60 times in the New Testament. Serve in Greek is latreuō which means do the service; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. To serve God is the duty of all believers, children of God. Sinners cannot serve God. The saddest thing is many of Wall Street and Washington think they are Christians, but in fact they worship and serve the devil who is the ruler of this world. Preachers and followers of prosperity gospel also worship and serve the devil because they love money, power and sex. Corrupt officials everywhere love money, power and sex. The scandals of politicians are well-known all over the world.

Luk 4:1,“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness.”

Note: To be led by the Spirit is the life surrendered to God.

JESUS WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL, BUT JESUS IS FREE FROM ALL SINS.

VII. Jesus’ threefold ministry.

Luk 3:23,“When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli.”

Note: Begin the ministry in Greek is archō which means to discharge the Messianic office; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. This does not mean every servant of God has to begin serving God at 30 years of age. We cannot follow in His step. God had a specific plan for Jesus’ life on earth according to His schedule.

The ministry of Jesus was multifold, but the main focus was preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus did not come just to preach, He came to die for sinners and rise from the dead to redeem believers.

Mat 2:11,“On coming to the house, they saw the Child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Note: Some think there was a significance in their gifts; they offered Him gold, as a king, paying Him tribute, to Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s; frankincense, as God, for they honored God with the smoke of incense; and myrrh, as the Savior that should die, for myrrh was used in embalming dead bodies. Frankincense was an aromatic used in sacrificial offerings; myrrh was used in perfuming ointments. These, with the gold which they presented, seem to show that the wise men from the East were persons of affluence. That the gold was presented to the infant King in token of His royalty; the frankincense in token of His divinity, and the myrrh, of His sufferings; or that they were designed to express His divine and human natures; or that the prophetical, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ are to be seen in these gifts; or that they were the offerings of three individuals respectively, each of them kings, the very names of whom tradition has handed down–all these are suppositions. But that the feelings of these devout givers are to be seen in the richness of their gifts, and that the gold, at least, would be highly serviceable to the parents of the blessed Child in their unexpected journey to Egypt and stay there–that much at least admits some significance. Anyway, gold signifies Jesus is the King, incense the great High Priest, and myrrh the Prophet sent by God to die as the Savior. Gold representing royalty, frankincense representing priesthood, and myrrh representing death.

The Person and work of the Savior has three aspects.

A. Prophet-Messiah.

Mat 9:35,“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

Mat 11:4-5,“Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.”

Note: As the Word of God, Jesus was unlike all other prophets. When Jesus spoke, God spoke. All other prophets spoke for God, and spoke what God spoke using the famous formula: Thus says the Lord.

The term “Messiah” is the translation of the Hebrew term mashiyach, which is derived from the verb masah, meaning to smear or anoint. When grease or oil was applied to objects by Israelites and non-Israelites, they were said to be anointed. The term “Messiah” is not used to refer to “anointed” objects that were designated and consecrated for specific purposes but to persons only. Persons who were anointed had been elected, designated, appointed, given authority, qualified, and equipped for specific offices and tasks related to these. The Messianic concept also has a wider dimension than the royal, priestly, and/or prophetic person. Included in this wider view are the characteristics, tasks, goals, means, missions and consequences of the Messianic person. Isaiah was the prophet of Messianic gospel in the Old Testament and his prophetic proclamations are of great significance:

Isa 7:14,“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Note: Immanuel in Hebrew is `Immanuw’el which means “God with us” or “with us is God”, the prophetic name of the Messiah; – it occurs only twice in the Old Testament.

Isa 9:6,“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Note: Jesus is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. These titles indicate the divinity of Jesus proclaimed by Prophet Isaiah even in the Old Testament before God became Man.

Isa 11:1,“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”

Isa 49:6,“Indeed He says: It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a Light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Note: Jesus is God’s Servant, the Light to the Gentiles, and God’s Salvation to the whole world.

Isa 52:13,“Behold, My Servant shall prosper, He shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.”

Note: This prophecy was fulfilled when by the power of God Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to the highest heavens.

Isa 53:12,“Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

Note: This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Isa 61:1-3,“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Note: This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus as the Prophet-Messiah proclaiming the good tidings (Gospel) to the poor.

The hope for the Messiah is central to the life of the observant Jewish believer. The prayers of the faithful and the teachings of the rabbis down through the ages have focused on this promise. The hope for the Messiah actually predates the promise recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 18. For thousands of years the rabbis have recognized that the promise of a Redeemer for mankind goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden and is thereafter woven throughout the Tanakh, even up to the last prophet Malachi.

Mat 16:21,“From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

Note: Every man is born to live. The mission of Jesus was unlike any prophet or any man. Jesus was born to die for sinners. That was the topic on the Holy Mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus. (Mat 17:1-3)

Jhn 1:29,“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said: Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Note: Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the word, for this reason He is the Savior of the world.

The following Scripture sums up the ministry of Jesus as the Prophet:

Luk 24:19,“And He said to them: What things? So they said to Him: The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.”

Jesus was the Prophet unlike all prophets. All prophets spoke what God told them to speak. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus is the Messiah because He was sent by God to become the Savior of the world. What Moses and all prophets could not do, Jesus came to save sinners.

B. Priest.

Hbr 2:17-18,“Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”

Note: High Priest in Greek is archiereus which means chief priest, used of Christ because by undergoing a bloody death on the cross He offered Himself as an expiatory sacrifice to God, and has entered into the heavenly sanctuary where He continually intercedes on behalf of believers; – it occurs 123 times in the New Testament. The chief duty of the high priest was, once a year on the day of atonement, to enter the Holy of holies (from which other priest were excluded) and offer sacrifice for his own sins and the sins of the people. Make atonement in Greek is hilaskomai which means to become propitious, expiate, make reconciliation, make propitiation for; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament.

Hbr 4:15,“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

Note: From Aaron down, all human priests have their own sins; only Jesus the High Priest is without sin. Catholic priests have sins too; it is a folly to confess sins to people who are as sinful as we are.

Hbr 7:26-27,“For it was fitting for us to have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”

Note: Jesus the High Priest is unlike those high priests who had to offer up sacrifices for their own sins and then for the sins of the people.

Jesus offered Himself once for all on the cross. Our High Priest is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens. Jesus, not Mary, not apostles, not angels, not any mediator, is interceding for His believers at the right hand of God.

Hbr 9:14-15,“How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason He is the Mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Note: The eternal inheritance of believers was paid by the precious blood of Christ. Jesus inaugurates the new covenant, who serves as the Mediator between God and men, which supersedes the old. Jesus the High Priest continues in the presence of God, and His blood cleanses our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Christians now have confidence to come to the throne of mercy for help.

Hbr 9:28,“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”

Note: The saving of the second coming of Jesus has to do with the body, transforming the bodies of saved souls into glorious and spiritual bodies fit for heaven and eternity.

C. King.

Mat 19:28,“Jesus said to them: I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Note: Jesus was born in the time of Herod king of Judea (Mat 2:1; Luk 1:5) and Caesar Augustus who reigned over the Roman world (Luk 2:1), Magi from the East came to Jerusalem looking for “the one who has been born King of the Jews” (Mat 2:2).

After Jesus fed the 5,000, the crowd wanted to force Him to become their king (Jhn 6:15). Jesus entered Jerusalem like a King, riding on the colt of a donkey (Mat 21:5; Luk 19:38; Jhn 12:13,15; cf. Zec 9:9). The governor Pilate asked Jesus: “Are you the king of the Jews?” To which Jesus answered: “Yes, it is as you say”(Mar 15:2). Throughout the New Testament Jesus is described as the Son of David, the King.

After receiving the divine anointing at His baptism (Mark 1:9-11), Jesus begins to proclaim the inauguration of the Kingdom in Galilee:

Mar 1:15,“And saying: The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” This becomes the central theme in all that Jesus preaches, and He defines its nature in response to Pilate. Jhn 18:36,“Jesus answered: My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be handed over to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.” The disciples, however, misunderstood the nature of the Kingdom to the day of crucifixion. Although the Kingdom is not a political, temporal or visible kingdom; it is eschatological and will be consummated when Jesus returns with power and glory to reign with the saints.

Jhn 1:48-49,“Nathanael said to Him: How do You know me? Jesus answered and said to him: Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. Nathanael answered Him: Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”

Note: Nathanael confessed not only Jesus is the Son of God, but also the King of Israel.

Luk 23:38, “And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. ”

Note: When Jesus was crucified, the accusation against Him was: This is the King of the Jews.

Rev 15:3,“They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the saints!”

Note: Jesus is the King of the saints.

Rev 17:14,“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

Note: Jesus is the Lord of lords and King of kings who will overcome Satan and his agents. The Kingdom of God is not democracy that serves 1 percent at the expense of 99 percent. The Kingdom of God is absolute theocracy with absolute justice and joy.

VIII. Various forms of Jesus’ ministry.

Jesus’ ministry not only having the three-office of Prophet-Messiah, Priest and King, it involves many aspects.

A. Preaching.

Mat 4:17,“From that time on Jesus began to preach: Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”

Note: Preach in Greek is kēryssō which means to proclaim openly, used of the public proclamation of the Gospel and matters pertaining to it; – it occurs about 61 times in the New Testament. Preaching is always with a suggestion of formality, gravity, and authority which must be listened to and obeyed.

Mat 4:23,“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”

Note: The subject of preaching is always the good news of the Kingdom.

Preaching of Jesus was accompanied by calling people to become His disciples.

Mat 4:18-20,“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow Me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

Mat 4:21-22,“Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”

Mar 3:14,“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”

Luk 9:6,“So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.”

Note: Preaching here in Greek is euaggelizō which means to bring good news, to proclaim glad tidings specifically concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation; to bring to one the good news concerning Jesus as the Savior (Messiah); to evangelize; – it occurs about 55 times in the New Testament. So many pastors today do not know how to evangelize or preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They like the Scribes teaching people how to live a Christian life without first getting out the message how to be born again, how to receive a new life. It is like teaching a drowning person the importance of swimming. A man must have the Spirit of Christ in him/her before he/she can live a spiritual life. There are so many dead sermons in many dead churches today like Selah used as a topic. The thing that shocked me most is that cathedrals in European nations are actually cemeteries of dead kings and queens and famous people. They are not centers of evangelization or proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus.

Mat 8:22, “But Jesus told him: Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Note: Impotent pastors like to stress on rituals, even manifested in the way they read the Scriptures and sing lifeless hymns and pray long prayers or hold the Lord’s Supper. They like to call a church building the Temple of God or the Holy Sanctuary. They hypnotize the congregations by their lifeless and useless sermons.

Mat 9:9,“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. Follow me, He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.”

Mar 1:14,“Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God.”

Mar 6:34,“When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.”

B. Teaching.

Jesus has taught many doctrines unknown and unrevealed before.

Mar 1:27,“Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying: What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

Note: New in Greek is kainos which means as respects substance of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of; – it occurs about 44 times in the New Testament. New should be viewed under the aspects of time and quality. Doctrine in Greek is didachē which means teaching, that which is taught, instruction; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament.

Jesus often says, Mat 5:27-28,“You have heard that it was said to those of old: You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The crux of new doctrine is Jesus’ authority “I say to you” as no other prophets could or would dare to say. The new doctrine of Jesus puts all men and women under the condemnation of committing adultery in the heart. No one can escape the guilt and condemnation.

Mat 7:28,“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching.”

Mar 1:22,“And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”

Note: Let me make a poor comparison. You can clearly see the difference between a preaching empowered by the Holy Spirit with those occupational preachers who put their congregations to sleep Sunday after Sunday. Even the Spirit-filled preachers are no comparison with Jesus who taught with authority.

Just a few new doctrines are mentioned here:

(1). Render to God the things that are God’s.

Mar 12:17,“And Jesus said to them: Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they were amazed at Him.”

Note: Western nations and Japan and other nations had robbed and looted China’s national treasures in the last 200 years or so. It is time they return China’s national treasures belonging to China worth market value of US$100,000 trillion dollars not counting the interest.. Corrupt preachers render church offerings as their own. I have known the head of a mission who used offerings to the mission to pay for higher education of all his children in America while the children of his missionaries in the field did not get one penny and lived in abject poverty. I have known preachers who used offerings to build universities in their names as inheritance for their descendants. Some evangelists built spiritual empire or cathedral for their children. A world-famous evangelist left $10 million dollars for his children at his death.

(2). You are mistaken because you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God.

Mar 12:24,“Jesus said to them: Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?”

Note: All false doctrines and heresies were born due to ignorance of the Scriptures or the power of God.

(3). You must be born again.

Jhn 3:5, “Jesus answered: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”

Note: Water symbolizes the Word of God. Eph 5:26,“That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word.” A person is born again by believing in the Word of God and through the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. Jesus is the Word of God.

(4). God is working.

Jhn 5:17, “But Jesus answered them: My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

Note: This Scripture rejects the idea propounded by unbelieving scholars that God created the universe like winding a clock and then let it go; and God is not doing anything ever since. Our heavenly Father is working according to His plan and will, although no one is wise enough to know the detail.

Some of the works God had done are written in the Scriptures, such as the creation, the calling of Abraham, the leading of Jewish nation, etc. There is one thing that no one knows what God is actually working.

Rom 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Note: According to this Scripture, we know that God causes all things to work together. No one knows how many are children of God alive today. Say one billion. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are called according to His purpose. No one knows how marvelous and wonderful the way God causes all things to work together it is due to His Omnipotence and Omniscience. Man is so helpless and powerless, cannot even make a few things to work together. No one can control time and events. My journey of life is not finished yet, so I do not know what and how God causes all things to work together for my good. Of course I also do not know at all how and what God causes all things to work together for my dear ones. But Jesus tells us that God has been working. It is wonderful to know that my Heavenly Father is working to cause all things work for my good.

As William Cowper said,

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sovereign will.

God rules the universe and history is marching as God is directing. The end of the world is near. Jesus is coming again soon.

(5). Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jhn 14:6,“Jesus said to him: I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me.”

Note: Truth is exclusive, not inclusive. Christianity is the only revealed religion, all others are man-made religions. Truth is not narrow-mindedness. This is exactly what Jesus Christ claims to be. There is only one way to God, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is up to you whether you believe or not, but do not fool yourself in believing there are many ways to God.

(6). Wise man building his house on the rock.

Mat 7:24-29,“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

Note: Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood represent the love of money, power and sex – they are building on the sand. They are falling. The American way of life is falling. Those who believe in faith, hope and love are building on the rock.

(7). You will die in your sins.

Jhn 8:23-24,”And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I AM from above; you are of this world, I AM not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Note: Jesus was from above who came down to be the Savior of the world. Unless you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you will die in your sins. Sinners cannot save themselves, only Jesus Christ can save sinners.

C. Healing.

Mat 9:35,“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”

Note: Every in Greek is pas which means each, any, all, of every kind, all manner of, the whole; – it occurs about 1,243 times in the New Testament. Sickness in Greek is nosos which means infirmity, illness, unsound condition; – it occurs about 12 times in the New Testament. Disease in Greek is malakia which means malady, debility, bodily weakness, infinity; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. When Jesus was on earth, He healed every kind of disease and illness, not just some sickness. All who came to Him were healed and healed immediately unlike some faith healing performed by charismatic people.

Mat 12:15,“Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed Him, and He healed all their sick.”

Note: Unlike faith healers, Jesus healed all their sick.

(1). Healing ten lepers.

Luk 17:12-17,“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! So when He saw them, He said to them: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said: Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”

Note: The vast numbers of human beings are ungrateful people.

(2). Healing the man born blind.

Jhn 9:1-3,“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying: Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered: Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”

Jhn 9:6-7,“When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him: Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.”

Jhn 9:11,“He answered and said: A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and I received sight.”

Note: Do not be confused, clay does not have power to open the eyes of the blind. Jesus healed with or without means. Jesus can heal by just His word.

Jhn 9:16-17,“Therefore some of the Pharisees said: This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath. Others said: How can a man who is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again: What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes? He said: He is a prophet.”

Jhn 9:20-25,“His parents answered them and said: We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself. His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said: He is of age; ask him. So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him: Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner. He answered and said: Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

(3). Healing the impotent man at Bethesda.

Jhn 5:2-11,“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him: Do you want to be made well? The sick man answered Him: Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus said to him: Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured: It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed. He answered them: He who made me well said to me: Take up your bed and walk.”

(4). Healing the dumb demoniac.

Mat 9:32-33,“As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying: It was never seen like this in Israel!”

(5). Healing the deaf and dumb man.

Mar 7:32-37,“Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him: Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying: He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Note: Putting fingers in the ears of a deaf person does not cure him. The Lord cures by all means or no means. By command Jesus can heal any illness or disease. Jesus can do anything with a word. Jesus has done all things well.

(6). Healing Peter’s mother-in-law.

Mat 8:14-15,“Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.”

Note: The Catholic church teaches the pope is the sole representative of Jesus on earth and the pope must be celibate. Both doctrines are false, the Holy Spirit is the Sole Representative of Jesus Christ on earth. The Bible does not recognize pope. Secondly, Peter the so-called fist pope, had a wife, and his mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Jesus touched her hand and the fever left her. Peter’s mother-in-law arose and served Jesus and the disciples.

D. Performing miracles.

Act 2:22,“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—”

Note: Here is this Scripture sums up the supernatural acts that Jesus did, they were miracles, wonders, and signs. Miracle in Greek is dynamis which means outcoming of that mighty power of God, outcoming of the greatness of God’s power and glory, the supernatural work wrought by Christ; – it occurs about 120 times in the New Testament. Wonder in Greek is teras which means something of extraordinary character is wont to be watched and observed; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament. Sign in Greek is sēmeion which means an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature; a thing which is distinguished from others and known; – it occurs about 77 times in the New Testament. They are not so much to represent different kinds of miracles, as miracles contemplated under different aspects and from different points of view. A miracle is a wonder, a wonder may not be a sign, and a sign may not be a miracle. The translation of using the term “miraculous sign” is misleading and confusing.

The miracles Jesus performed were not only healing all kinds of diseases, although healing illness is a kind of miracle.

Jhn 21:25,“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.”

The miracles that Jesus did were innumerous. There are many things including miracles that Jesus did were not recorded in the Gospels.

Arbitrarily, only a few miracles are selected for our edification:

(1). Raising Lazarus after had been dead four days.

Jhn 11:39-45,“Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him: Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her: Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said: Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me. Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice: Lazarus, come forth! And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.”

(2). Raising the widow’s dead son.

Luk 7:11-16,“Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her: Do not weep. Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said: Young man, I say to you, arise. So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet has risen up among us; and, God has visited His people.”

(3). Raising Jairus’ dead daughter.

Luk 8:41-42,“And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him…”

Luk 8:49-56,“While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him: Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying: Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well. When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said: Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping. And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying: Little girl, arise. Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.”

(4). Feeding the five thousand.

Jhn 6:9-14,“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many? Then Jesus said: Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost. Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said: This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Feeding the five thousand is no big deal, but feeding the five thousand with five barley loaves and two small fish is a big miracle.

(5). Calming the winds and the sea.

Mat 8:24-27,“And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying: Lord, save us! We are perishing! But He said to them: Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying: Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

(6). Walking on the sea.

Mat 14:25-33,“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying: It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. And Peter answered Him and said: Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. So He said: Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying: Lord, save me! And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him: O you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying: Truly You are the Son of God.”

E. Casting out demons.

Mar 1:39,“And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”

Note: Cast out in Greek is ekballō which means to drive out, compel one to depart, command or cause one to depart in haste; – it occurs about 82 times in the New Testament.

(1). The legion of demons.

Luk 8:27-35,“And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said: What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me! For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying: What is your name? And he said, Legion, because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.”

Note: Demons are afraid to be tormented by Jesus. Unbelievers out of ignorance are not afraid to be tormented in hell. Ignorance may embolden the wicked to do evil.

(2). Demons came out of many.

Luk 4:41,“And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying: You are the Christ, the Son of God! And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.”

Note: Apparently demonic knowledge is superior to scientific knowledge because many unbelieving scientists do not know Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

(3). Deaf and dumb spirit came out of the boy.

Mar 9:20-27,“Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father: How long has this been happening to him? And he said: From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. Jesus said to him: If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears: Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more! Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said: He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.”

(4). Seven demons came out of Mary Magdalene.

Luk 8:2-3,“And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.”

(5). The unclean spirit came out of the child.

Luk 9:42-44,“And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples: Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”

Note: They were all amazed at the majesty of God because Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and the boy was healed.

(6). A man with an unclean spirit.

Mar 1:23-27,“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying: Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God! But Jesus rebuked him, saying: Be quiet, and come out of him! And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying: What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. ”

Note: Jesus has power over nature, illness, demons and unclean spirits.

IX. Jesus’ Dual Nature.

Jesus had dual nature because He was human and divine. Jesus was perfect Man and perfect God.

(A). Jesus’ humanity.

Luk 1:31,“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.”

Note: The only difference was the fact the virgin Mary conceived of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luk 2:21,“And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”

Luk 2:27,“And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law.”

Luk 2:52,“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Note: The Child Jesus kept growing indicates His humanity. This is a model of child development: grow in wisdom (intellectual and moral) and stature (physical), and in favor with God (spiritual) and men (social).

Luk 20:34, “Jesus answered and said to them: The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.”

Note: Jesus never married and never had a woman. It is a sin against the Holy Spirit for those who lied that Jesus had a bunch of women.

Luk 8:22-25,“Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them: Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying: Master, Master, we are perishing! Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them: Where is your faith? And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another: Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

Note: There is nothing that more fully illustrates the dual nature of Jesus than the Scriptures cited above. The fact that Jesus fell asleep in a boat tells of His humanity. The fact that Jesus could sleep in the midst of the windstorm speaks clearly of His divinity. The fact the winds and waves obeyed the commands of Jesus tells His divinity.

Jhn 4:6,“Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.”

Note: The fact that Jesus was thirsty, hungry and tired, etc. prove He was human. The big difference is the fact Jesus was both human and divine.

Mat 27:54,“Now the centurion, and those who were with Him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said: Truly this was the Son of God!”

Note: The death of Jesus was so different because of the earthquake and the things that were happening that convinced the centurion that Jesus was truly the Son of God.

Luk 23:46,“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said: Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. Having said this, He breathed His last.”

Note: Jesus died a physical death for the sins of the world. He rose from the dead was a bodily resurrection.

(B). Jesus’ Divinity.

Mat 16:15-18,“He said to them: But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter replied: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered him: Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the he gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”

Note: Rock in Greek is Petra which means a large stone; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament.

1Cr 10:4,“And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”

Note: The Rock was Christ, upon the Rock revealed by the Father that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God – Jesus builds His church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. This Scripture is often misquoted by Catholics to refer to Peter; Peter was only a stone, not the Rock. The church of Jesus Christ could not be built on a man who denied Jesus three times. Jesus builds His church on the rock solid revelation of God that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God. The divinity of Jesus is the foundation of the church.

Mar 1:1,“The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

Note: Jesus, the Son of God, is the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no Gospel outside of Jesus.

Luk 3:21-22,“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said: You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Note: God and the Holy Spirit testified for Jesus the Son of God.

Mar 9:2-7,“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah—because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Note: Jesus transfigured to show His glory before He became Man. God called Jesus His beloved Son, we must hear Him.

Jhn 2:24,“But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men .”

Note: You may not even know your friend only after you have known him for 30 years. You may not know your spouse only after you have lived with him/her a lifetime. How many marriages broke up after 30 years! Jesus knew all men from the beginning because He was God.

Jhn 4:28-30,“The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men: Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ? Then they went out of the city and came to Him.”

Note: Jesus knew all things that you and I ever did because He is omniscient. Jesus knew the end from the beginning of everything.

Mar 5:25-34,“Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said: If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well. Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said: Who touched My clothes? But His disciples said to Him: You see the multitude thronging You, and You say: Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her: Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Note: Only Jesus who is the power of God can heal people simply by touching His clothes.

Mar 10:32,“Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him.”

Note: The smartest people do not know what is going to happen to them.

Luk 23:34,“Then Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots.”

Note: Here comes the famous saying, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him, for they did not know what they did. As a human, I probably would ask to send the angel of death to slaughter them all.

Jesus’ power is displayed over nature(wind and sea), over demons, over illness, over the devil, over difficulties, etc.

X. Crucifixion.

Mat 27:1,“Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death.”

Note: The chief priests and the elders represent the religious establishment. Why were they against Jesus and wanted to put Jesus to death?

Mar 15:10, “For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.”

Note: Pilate knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. Envy in Greek is phthonos which means displeasure at another’s good, a mean passion used only in evil significance; – it occurs only 9 times in the New Testament. The chief priests envied Jesus because they could not preach or teach as Jesus did with authority, and they had no power to perform miracles, and people followed Jesus not them. By the same token, some Western powers and Japan envy of China’s rise and spectacular successes, plot to “divide and destroy” China using Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong and under the pretexts of democracy, religious freedom, human rights, etc. White supremacists expressed their malice and ill will and hatred without cause overtly and covertly more against China since 1949.

Mat 27:26,“Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”

Note: Roman injustice not only scourged the innocent but handed Him over to be crucified. The criminal justice systems of many nations serve the rich and powerful at the expense of justice. When the corrupt officials violated the laws, they were called mistakes. When people made mistakes not understanding the laws, they were considered violations.

Mat 27:38,“Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.”

Note: The Chinese character “come” 來 has prophetic and historic significance. 十 is the cross. There was a cross, a small man 人 who was a robber crucified on the left, and another small man 人 who was a robber crucified on the right. The big Man 人 was crucified in the center. So two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and another on the left, it forms the word 來. The Chinese have the character 來 a few thousands years B.C. – so it was prophetic. Jesus was crucified among two thieves as the character 來 says, so it was historic. Jesus died on the cross was an invitation of God to mankind:

Isa 1:18,“Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Note: Reason in Hebrew is yakach which means to prove, decide, judge; figuratively to be in the sunshine, to be clear; to dispute; – it occurs about 59 times in the Old Testament. The Christian faith is reasonable, not superstitious.

Isa 55:3,“Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David.”

Mat 11:28,“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Jhn 7:37,“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”

Mar 15:34,“At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice: ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI? which is translated: MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

Note: Bearing the sins of the world, Jesus cried out as if God had forsaken Him.

Luk 23:34,“Then Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots.”

Note: The most compassionate words ever spoken: Father, forgive them!

Jhn 19:30,“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said: It is finished! And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Note: The most important words Jesus uttered on the cross: It is finished. The redemptive work of Jesus was finished.

Mat 27:58,“This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.”

Mar 15:43,“Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the Kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

Note: Jesus died a physical death, not a spiritual death. Joseph of Arimathea asked for the dead body of Jesus.

XI. Resurrection

Every time Jesus spoke about His death invariably He also stressed His resurrection on the third day. Empty tomb is the proof that differentiates Christianity from all other religions.

Mat 16:21,“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Mat 17:23,“And they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up. And they were exceedingly sorrowful.”

Note: The disciples were exceedingly sorrowful because they did not expect the Messiah to be killed.

Mat 20:19,“And deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

Mar 9:31,“For He taught His disciples and said to them: The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”

Mar 10:34,“And they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

Luk 9:22,“Saying: The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

Luk 13:32,“And He said to them: Go, tell that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.”

Note: The redemptive work of Jesus was perfected when He rose from death.

Luk 24:7,“Saying: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

Luk 24:46-48,“Then He said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.”

Note: The work of disciples is to testify the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ so that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in Jesus’ name to all nations.

Act 10:40,“Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly.”

1Cr 15:4,“And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Luk 24:1-8,“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them: Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words.”

Mat 28:9,“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.”

Jhn 20:27-29, “Then He said to Thomas: Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. And Thomas answered and said to Him: “ My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him: Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is based on the death of Jesus on the cross for sinners and the resurrection to perfect the redemption. The early disciples had seen the resurrected Lord; we the latter believers have not seen and yet have believed. I know my Redeemer lives, and I will live because He lives forever.

1Pe 1:3,“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

XII. Ascension

Jhn 16:28,“I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

Note: Jesus came forth from the Father and came into the world, that is Incarnation, God became Man. Jesus left the world and went to the Father, that is ascension.

Jhn 20:17,“Jesus said to her: Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”

Note: By ascension Jesus also elevated the position of His believers to ‘My God and your God.’

Mat 28:16-20,“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”

Note: The resurrected Jesus is glorified and received all authority in Heaven and on earth. The disciples worshiped Jesus as the Old Testament saints worshiped Jehovah.

Mar 16:19,“So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.”

Note: Jesus was received up into heaven means Jesus ascended into heaven. Sit down at the right hand of God means Jesus has been given all power and authority in Heaven and on earth.

Luk 24:50-53,“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him , and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”

Note: Jesus was carried up into Heaven means Jesus ascended into Heaven.

Act 1:9-11,“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said: Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.”

Note: Jesus was taken up means Jesus ascended; He went up to Heaven. The angels also proclaimed the prophecy of Jesus second coming, This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven. Just as Jesus bodily rose from the dead, and bodily ascended into Heaven, He will bodily come again.

Jhn 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Note: Jesus went to Heaven to prepare a place for His followers, that is Heaven or Paradise of God, the new Heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem. I believe all have been prepared. Jesus may come imminently anytime. Heaven is not a state of mind, it is the real place of many mansions, the Paradise of God.

Eph 4:10,“He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the Heavens, that He might fill all things.”

XIII. Second Coming

Mat 26:64,“Jesus said to him: You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

Mar 14:62, “And Jesus said: I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

Note: The most important event to take place in the universe is the second coming of Jesus Christ. The return of Christ will be a universally visible and glorious event. It will be the largest parade in the universe when the King of kings and Lord of lords leads the apostles and holy angels and countless saints descend from the space to the earth. Just as the ascension of Jesus Christ was bodily and visible, so the coming again of Jesus Christ will be bodily and visible. It will be with great power and glory. You do not know what power and glory until you see the coming of Jesus Christ.

Here are some awesome scenes will feature the second coming of Christ:

Rev 6:13-17,“And the stars of Heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Note: The arrogant supremacists, warmongers, dictators, corrupt leaders, Wall Street executives, terrorists, and monopolists, corrupt doctors and greedy hospital owners, etc., you will not be able to stand the wrath of God!

2Th 1:6-10,“Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”

Note: Let the wicked tremble, and the righteous rejoice, for the Lord is coming again soon.

(1). Judgment.

Jhn 12:48,“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

Note: Judge in Greek is krinō which means to pass judgment on the deeds and words of others, condemn; – it occurs about 114 times in the New Testament. The judgment of Jesus the Messiah will decide between the righteousness and unrighteousness of men. Sinners and evildoers will not be able to stand. The last day is the day Jesus returns. Those who reject Jesus will be judged in the last day.

Act 10:42,“And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.”

2Ti 4:1,“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom.”

1Pe 4:5,“They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Note: Jesus was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. The living means those who are alive when Jesus returns. The dead means those who are already dead waiting to be raised for the final judgment. Corrupt politicians and officials do not give an account of what they have done to the people even among so-called democratic governments, they will have to give an account to Jesus who is the Judge. Western and Japanese leaders will not escape the wrath of God.

Act 17:31,“Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Note: God has appointed the Day of Judgment on which Jesus will judge the world in righteousness. No one will escape the judgment of God, especially the wicked and evildoers and unbelievers, the greedy and warmongers. Jesus rose from the dead is the assurance God has given to the world.

Rom 2:16,“In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.”

Note: Secrets in Greek is kryptos which means the hidden things which are concealed; – it occurs about 19 times in the New Testament. The word “cryptic” is derived from the Greek word. So many intelligence operations are cryptic. Some classified secrets of some nations committed by dictators, warmongers, corrupt leaders, brutal agents, etc. have been leaked. God knows the secret bank accounts of so-and-so dictator or leader that defrauded the people. God knows all about them. God knows how many innocent people were killed by abusive and cruel officials. Not only God knows your secret deeds, God also know your secret thoughts, feelings and desires. The Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. The Lord knows how many millions of children all over the world were sexually abused and raped by Catholic priests and nuns, and rapists. God knows how many millions of people were killed by white supremacists and recently terrorists. God knows how many trillions were defrauded by Wall Street and doctors and hospital owners and drug companies. God knows how many unnecessary surgeries and tests and treatments were performed by immoral doctors to maximize profits. God knows all the secrets of American leaders and politicians and all the evil deeds committed by the U.S. government and Japan no matter how the Japanese prime minister and his gang deny them. Mercy is available even for the wicked who want to repent now, but there will be no mercy in the Day of Judgment. God will judge the secrets of all men by Jesus Christ, except the forgiven believers who will not be condemned.

1Cr 6:2-3,“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?”

Note: Not only there is no condemnation for the saved souls, the saints will judge the world with the Lord. The saints are those who have been saved and washed by the blood of Jesus. Saints are not dead people canonized by the Catholic church.

Jam 5:9,“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

Note: Let the wicked tremble, the Judge is standing at the door!

(2). Reign.

1Cr 15:25,“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.”

Note: Enemies in Greek is echthros which means men as at enmity with God by their sin; it occurs about 32 times in the New Testament. All evildoers including fraudulent Wall Street executives, supremacists, hegemonists, warmongers, dictators, terrorists, monopolists, capitalists, imperialists, predatory doctors, hospital owners, lawyers, oppressors, corrupt and abusive officials, etc. are enemies of Christ. When Jesus Christ reigns, all enemies will be under His feet.

2 Ti 2:12, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”

Note: If we suffer for Christ, we shall also reign with Him.

Rev 5:10, “And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”

Note: Believers in Christ are children of God. God has made Christians kings and priests to our God. Saints shall reign with Christ for a thousand years on earth.

Rev 20:6,“ Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

Rev 11:15,“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: “ The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Rev 22:5,“There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”

In my opinion Martin Luther was the greatest man ever lived in history outside the Holy Bible. I recently came across the fine statement made by Martin Luther. I paraphrase it and make small changes as follows to sum up the Incomparable Jesus:

In a Christian life on earth, Jesus Christ is our Example, showing us how to live in His Death, by His obedience and sacrifice, justifying for our sins in His Resurrection, the Conqueror of the universe in His Ascension to the highest Heavens, and as the High Priest and Mediator, in His intercession at the right hand of God.

Jesus Christ is the wonderful Savior, you will know Him if only you believe in Him. No one is like Jesus, the Son of God, the coming King of kings and Lord of lords. Would you now accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Today is the day of salvation, would you do it now?

You have learned a lot about the Incomparable Jesus, there was and there is and there will be no one like Him. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT

WILLIE WONG

AUGUST 3, 2025

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