Showing posts with label holy spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holy spirit. Show all posts

Friday 16 August 2013

Being sure of their deliverance

In the old times before Christ Jesus (Jeshua) was born there were several people who believed in the Creator and his promises. They were sure that the divine Creator was with them and would continuously guide them through easy but also through difficult times.
The Holy Bible in Modern Greek translated by N...
The Holy Bible in Modern Greek translated by Neophytus Vamvas (Νεόφυτος Βάμβας): At Exodus 6:3 the divine name of God, the sacred Tetragrammaton, is rendered "Ιεοβά" (Ieová, that is "Yehova" (Eng.) or "Iehova" [Lat.], also "Ιεχωβά" [Gr.]). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the Holy Scriptures we can find the Hebraic writers and the congregations of ancients who used their songs in worship to God and did not mind showing to others in Whom they believed and how He was guiding them and giving them deliverance.

Those men of God had a special relation with Him, whom they could not see. But they told others about their experience an ongoing, intimate walk with God and for that reason they could have faith in Him about their deliverance.
English: John the Baptist baptizing Christ
 John the Baptist baptizing Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Psalms 32:6-11 The Scriptures 1998+:  (6)  Therefore, let every kind one pray to You While You might be found; Even in a flood of great waters They would not reach him.  (7)  You are my hiding place; You preserve me from distress; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.  (8)  “Let Me instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; Let Me counsel, My eye be on you.  (9)  Do not be like the horse, like the mule, With no understanding, with bit and bridle, Else they do not come near you.”  (10)  Many are the sorrows of the wrong; But as for the one trusting in יהוה {Jehovah}, Kindness surrounds him.  (11)  Be glad in יהוה {Jehovah} and exult, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Like King David those men could say these things and mean them because they like we knew they could count on the Only One God, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah. And they were willing to give their heart and soul (their whole being) onto the Eternal Creator and led them be fed by His Mighty Power the Holy Spirit.

 Today we still can look forward to the “songs of deliverance” with great joy and big expectations. For we have received the Full Grace of Salvation. By Jesus Christ the Messiah our relationship with the Creator is restored and we can go up to our Holy father in heaven. Because of the Offer of Jeshua (Jesus Christ) we have received the  proffered gift of salvation and presence with and friendship with Jehovah for all eternity. though we still may do faults we can count on it that we can get forgiveness of sins through Jesus the Messiah, who is the son of God, the only human being who resisted all evil and who managed to stay clean in the eyes of God, always doing the will of his Father above his own will.

God took care that we still can read the old songs of deliverance and we too can use them. Therefore take up the Bible and use those songs and prayers to worship the Only One God and show your thanks for His blessings.


Please do find a Dutch version of this writing / Gelieve de Nederlandstalige versie van dit artikel te vinden op: 


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About prayer and trust in God you may read:

  1. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
  2. God should be your hope
  3. God Helper and Deliverer
  4. Gods promises
  5. Belief of the things that God has promised
  6. Gods salvation
  7. God Feeds The Birds
  8. Gods measure not our measure
  9. God showing how far He is willing to go to save His children
  10. Listening and Praying to the Father
  11. Prayer, important aspect in our life
  12. Worship and worshipping
  13. Praise and give thanks to God the Most Highest
  14. Praise the God with His Name
  15. Gods non answer
  16. Faithful to the leastening ear
  17. Wishing to do the will of God
  18. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
  19. Golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters obedience
  20. Happy who’s delight is only in the law of Jehovah
  21. Rest thy delight on Jehovah
  22. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #1 Kings Faith
  23. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #2 Calling upon the Name of God
  24. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #6 Words to feed and communicate
  25. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #4 Transitoriness #1 Prosperity
  26. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #4 Transitoriness #2 Purity
  27. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #4 Transitoriness #3 Rejoicing in the insistence
  28. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #1 Listening Sovereign Maker
  29. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #2 Witnessing
  30. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #3 Callers upon God
  31. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #6 Prayer #4 Attitude
  32. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #7 Prayer #5 Listening Ear
  33. Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #8 Prayer #6 Communication and manifestation
  34. Some one or something to fear #6 Faith in the Most High
  35. Attributes to God
  36. Scripture Word from God
  37. Bible Word from God
  38. Bible Word of God, inspired and infallible
  39. Scripture Word from God
  40. Bible guide Taking the Bible as a lead
  41. Bible a guide – Bijbel als gids
  42. Bible in the first place #1/3
  43. Bible in the first place #2/3
  44. Bible in the first place #3/3
  45. Bible in a nutshell
  46. The Bible and names in it
  47. The Divine name of the Creator
  48. יהוה , YHWH and Love: Four-letter words
  49. God about His name “יהוה“
  50. Another way looking at a language #5 Aramic, Hebrew and Greek
  51. Knowing old sayings to understand the Bible
  52. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
  53. God of gods
  54. A god between many gods
  55. Hashem השם, Hebrew for “the Name”
  56. I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered
  57. Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua
  58. Jehovah Yahweh Gods Name
  59. Archeological Findings the name of God YHWH
  60. Titles of God beginning with the Aleph in Hebrew
  61. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
  62. Without God no purpose, no goal, no hope
  63. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #1 Creator and His Prophets
  64. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #2 Instructions and Laws
  65. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #3 A voice to be taken Seriously
  66. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #4 Words in Scripture
  67. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #5 To meditate and Transform
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Monday 20 May 2013

Pope Francis I on the Holy Spirit

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we contemplate and re-live in the liturgy the outpouring of the Holy Spirit sent by the risen Christ upon his Church; an event of grace which filled the Upper Room in Jerusalem and then spread throughout the world.

But what happened on that day, so distant from us and yet so close as to touch the very depths of our hearts? Luke gives us the answer in the passage of the Acts of the Apostles which we have heard (2:1-11).
The evangelist brings us back to Jerusalem, to the Upper Room where the apostles were gathered. The first element which draws our attention is the sound which suddenly came from heaven “like the rush of a violent wind”, and filled the house; then the “tongues as of fire” which divided and came to rest on each of the apostles. Sound and tongues of fire: these are clear, concrete signs which touch the apostles not only from without but also within: deep in their minds and hearts. As a result, “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit”, who unleashed his irresistible power with amazing consequences: they all “began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability”. A completely unexpected scene opens up before our eyes: a great crowd gathers, astonished because each one heard the apostles speaking in his own language. They all experience something new, something which had never happened before: “We hear them, each of us, speaking our own language”. And what is it that they are they speaking about? “God’s deeds of power”.


In the light of this passage from Acts, I would like to reflect on three words linked to the working of the Holy Spirit: newness, harmony and mission.

1.
 Newness always makes us a bit fearful, because we feel more secure if we have everything under control, if we are the ones who build, programme and plan our lives in accordance with our own ideas, our own comfort, our own preferences. This is also the case when it comes to God. Often we follow him, we accept him, but only up to a certain point. It is hard to abandon ourselves to him with complete trust, allowing the Holy Spirit to be the soul and guide of our lives in our every decision. We fear that God may force us to strike out on new paths and leave behind our all too narrow, closed and selfish horizons in order to become open to his own. Yet throughout the history of salvation, whenever God reveals himself, he brings newness and change, and demands our complete trust: Noah, mocked by all, builds an ark and is saved; Abram leaves his land with only a promise in hand; Moses stands up to the might of Pharaoh and leads his people to freedom; the apostles, huddled fearfully in the Upper Room, go forth with courage to proclaim the Gospel. This is not a question of novelty for novelty’s sake, the search for something new to relieve our boredom, as is so often the case in our own day.
 The newness which God brings into our life is something that actually brings fulfilment, that gives true joy, true serenity, because God loves us and desires only our good. Let us ask ourselves: Are we open to “God’s surprises”? Or are we closed and fearful before the newness of the Holy Spirit? Do we have the courage to strike out along the new paths which God’s newness sets before us, or do we resist, barricaded in transient structures which have lost their capacity for openness to what is new?
The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, surrounded...
The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove, surrounded by angels, by Giaquinto, 1750s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


2. A second thought:
 the Holy Spirit would appear to create disorder in the Church, since he brings the diversity of charisms and gifts; yet all this, by his working, is a great source of wealth, for the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity, which does not mean uniformity, but which leads everything back to harmony. In the Church, it is the Holy Spirit who creates harmony.
 One of Fathers of the Church has an expression which I love: the Holy Spirit himself is harmony – “Ipse harmonia est”.
 Only the Spirit can awaken diversity, plurality and multiplicity, while at the same time building unity. Here too, when we are the ones who try to create diversity and close ourselves up in what makes us different and other, we bring division. When we are the ones who want to build unity in accordance with our human plans, we end up creating uniformity, standardization. But if instead we let ourselve be guided by the Spirit, richness, variety and diversity never become a source of conflict, because he impels us to experience variety within the communion of the Church. Journeying together in the Church, under the guidance of her pastors who possess a special charism and ministry, is a sign of the working of the Holy Spirit.

 Having a sense of the Church is something fundamental for every Christian, every community and every movement. It is the Church which brings Christ to me, and me to Christ; parallel journeys are dangerous! When we venture beyond (proagon) the Church’s teaching and community, and do not remain in them, we are not one with the God of Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Jn 9). So let us ask ourselves: Am I open to the harmony of the Holy Spirit, overcoming every form of exclusivity? Do I let myself be guided by him, living in the Church and with the Church?

3. A final point.
The older theologians used to say that the soul is a kind of sailboat, the Holy Spirit is the wind which fills its sails and drives it forward, and the gusts of wind are the gifts of the Spirit. Lacking his impulse and his grace, we do not go forward. The Holy Spirit draws us into the mystery of the living God and saves us from the threat of a Church which is gnostic and self-referential, closed in on herself; he impels us to open the doors and go forth to proclaim and bear witness to the good news of the Gospel, to communicate the joy of faith, the encounter with Christ. The Holy Spirit is the soul of mission. The events that took place in Jerusalem almost two thousand years ago are not something far removed from us; they are events which affect us and become a lived experience in each of us.

 The Pentecost of the Upper Room in Jerusalem is the beginning, a beginning which endures. The Holy Spirit is the supreme gift of the risen Christ to his apostles, yet he wants that gift to reach everyone. As we heard in the Gospel, Jesus says: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to remain with you forever” (Jn 14:16). It is the Paraclete Spirit, the “Comforter”, who grants us the courage to take to the streets of the world, bringing the Gospel! The Holy Spirit makes us look to the horizon and drive us to the very outskirts of existence in order to proclaim life in Jesus Christ.

 Let us ask ourselves: do we tend to stay closed in on ourselves, on our group, or do we let the Holy Spirit open us to mission?

Today’s liturgy is a great prayer which the Church, in union with Jesus, raises up to the Father, asking him to renew the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. May each of us, and every group and movement, in the harmony of the Church, cry out to the Father and implore this gift. Today too, as at her origins, the Church, in union with Mary, cries out:“Veni, Sancte Spiritus! Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love!” Amen
- Pope Francis I

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Related readings:

Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is controlled strength...
After the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles at Pentecost, the prime question of Judaic observance was debated. Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem and consulted with the other Apostles. This was a hint of how the Church was to resolve matters in great Councils. Given the stolid temperament and vivid personalities of the Apostles, the term “debated” might be an understatement. But they remembered that the Risen Lord had promised that his “Paraclete” would guide them. Only rarely does ancient Greek use that term, as when the orator Demosthenes used it for a sort of legal advocate, and not necessarily an ethical one at that. But Christ makes it mean the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. How the Apostles were helped by this divine Helper is not said, but they sent their decision to the scattered Christians, beginning with the words “It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us.”

To claim private guidance from the Holy Spirit that departs from what has inspired the collective agreement of the successors of the Apostles, would be to confuse personal opinion with divine truth. But the Holy Spirit does help us in the ways of truth every day. Sometimes he even works through children: “. . . and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). The birth of a child may convert a parent to more intense faith, or a child's First Communion may inspire a young father to return to Confession. The Holy Spirit works through encounters that are often unnoticed. Yogi Berra, not to be underestimated as a philosopher, said, “Some things are just too coincidental to be a coincidence.”

Do You Speak in Tongues?
 What would you say if we told you that speaking in tongues was necessary for your eternal salvation? Many of you would be trembling in fear because you have never spoken in tongues. Yet there are members of the Pentecostal church who insist that you are not sealed by the Spirit of God unless you speak in tongues. In other words, speaking in tongues is the outward sign of your redemption and salvation.

Brief hiatus

First, a happy Shavuos (celebrating the giving the of the Torah at Mt. Sinai) to all those celebrating and a happy Pentecost (celebrating the Holy Ghost descending on the early Christian apostles) to all those celebrating.
These holidays are sometimes celebrated through study, and especially to those of you who are studying, I wish that you enjoy full fruits of your study and that your study brings understanding and wisdom.



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Wednesday 1 May 2013

Did the Inspirator exist

When we see those different Books who make up that one inspirational Book of Books, we can either see those 40 different authors, Hebrew or Greek writers from 19 different occupations (including shepherd, farmer, fisherman, tax collector, doctor, king)

Could it be possible that  those human writers all speak in the name of the same Spirit?


The Gutenberg Bible displayed by the United St...
The Gutenberg Bible displayed by the United States Library of Congress, demonstrating printed pages as a storage medium. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In these 66 books we hear them telling about history, prophecy, poetry, and theology. Despite their complexity, differences in writing styles and vast time periods, the books of the Bible agree miraculously well in theme, facts and cross-referencing. No human beings could have planned such an intricate combination of books over a 1,500-year time span.

The writers did live in different places and in different times. Strangely enough there seems to be one line in their stories. An astonishing 668 prophecies have been fulfilled and none have ever been proven false. An honest study of biblical prophecy will convincingly show the divine authorship of the Bible, the infallible Word of God. Furthermore, archaeology confirms or supports many Biblical accounts. No other holy book comes close to the Bible in the amount of evidence supporting its divine authorship.

Everything recorded in the Bible is true and factual, and you will also see that men of the Bible recorded things that they had no way of knowing, unless they had been divinely inspired by a greater being than any human being, namely God, the Creator of all things.

Nobody has ever seen God, so how can they know that He exist. "Hè" you could think and say to us "you say nobody saw God, but did not many people see and spoke to Jesus Christ". Then we would say: "Yes, many saw Jesus Christ"; But that Nazarene man who was a master teacher was and is not God; He is the son of God, which is totally different than "god the son". In case Jesus would have been God than all the people who saw him would have died straight ahead, because God is a man of His Word and never lies. So what He said many centuries before the birth of Christ would still happen at the time of Christ or thousands of years later. God who can not be tempted nor say something which is not true said about the nephew of John the Baptist that it was His "only begotten son". Jesus who could be tempted and was tempted more than once, did not sin, which also means that he never lied, so when he said he was not a spirit but a man of flesh and blood, and showed his wounds from the wooden stake where he was brought to death (while God can not die and is an eternal Spirit) Jesus did tell the truth.

Jesus his Father is the Only One God and Creator of heaven and earth.

In nature, in Jesus, in the men or prophets of God, in the people of God, we can see the manifestation of God. The trees, the flowers, the beauty of the natural world, the stars; none of these things can answer straight away, the question if that Creator God has an existing and  purpose.

All the things around us can show that there must be a Greater Power who made all this.

We may be sure that all the created elements show the world their existence and the secrets of the Maker behind it. By those incredible things in the world God His invisible attributes are clearly seen. Because all creatures are created in the image of God, all inherited parts of that godhead and received from Him the possibility to think and to understand where they came from. Either with many or with not many brains people still would have the instinct to get to know their Maker and to know what is good or bad. As such  they really are without excuse. Everybody received the possibility tho think but also to make their own free choice. So when people deceide to ignore what their heart is telling them they are responsible themselves for their choice and way of direction.

Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools … (Romans 1:19–22)

Paul was saying that what we see with our naked eyes of the natural world provides us with ample evidence that an almighty and eternal power exists which created and brought order to everything around us. We don’t need to depend on the thoughts of mankind: the latest scientific discovery or theory, or the continuing arguments of men. Evidence for the existence of God is all around us, if we are prepared to look and think about it.

Notice too that to deny the existence of God, since He has given adequate evidence to convince us, leaves us in the apostle’s words, “without excuse”. It is inexcusable to deny the existence of God, regardless of what current phi­losophy or polite society might think. Do we first need to believe the Bible to accept this proof? Not so! The Bible is pointing out that the evidence for an eternal power and Godhead is all around. If you can accept that, then clearly the Bible will have other good things you want to know about.

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Please do read the articles:  Belief in God &  

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Read also:

  1. Science and God’s existence
  2. Creator and Blogger God 1 Emptiness and mouvement
  3. My Beliefs and the World
  4. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #1 Creator and His Prophets
  5. On the Nature of Christ
  6. Hellenistic influences
  7. Politics and power first priority #2
  8. Politics and power first priority #3 Elevation of Mary and the Holy Spirit

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Sunday 2 December 2012

No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation


“now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;” (Romans 4:23 Webster)

 “20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 for prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of god spoke [as they were] moved by the holy spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21 Webster)

 “and thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law, very plainly.” (Deuteronomy 27:8 Webster)

 “for whatever things were written formerly, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 Webster)

 “write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;” (Revelation 1:19 Webster)

 “the spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and his word [was] on my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:2 Webster)

 “but those things which god before had shown by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.” (Acts 3:18 Webster)

 “and by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.” (Hosea 12:13 Webster)

 “24 he that loveth me not, keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but that of the father who sent me. 25  these things have I spoken to you, being [yet] present with you. 26 but the comforter, [who is] the holy spirit, whom the father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you. 27 peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world giveth, give I to you. let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28  ye have heard that I said to you, I go away, and come [again] to you. if ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go to the father: for my father is greater than I. 29 and now I have told you before it cometh to pass, that when it hath come to pass, ye may believe. 30 hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 but that the world may know that I love the father; and as the father gave me commandment, even so I do. arise, let us go hence.” (John 14:24-31 Webster)

 “and when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after Paul had spoken one word, well spoke the holy spirit by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,” (Acts 28:25 Webster)

 “whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which god hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began.” (Acts 3:21 Webster)

 “thus saith the lord GOD, it shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.” (Isaiah 7:7 Webster)

 “16 all scripture [is] given by inspiration of god, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of god may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 Webster)

 “believest thou not that I am in the father, and the father in me? the words that I speak to you, I speak not from myself: but the father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” (John 14:10 Webster)

 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of god:” (Ephesians 6:17 Webster)

“1  now therefore hearken, O Israel, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach you, to do [them], that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD god of your fathers giveth you. 2 ye shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [aught] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your god which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Webster)

 “and it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his god, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:” (Deuteronomy 17:19 Webster)

 “thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalms 119:11 Webster)

 “LAMED. for ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalms 119:89 Webster)

 “NUN. thy word [is] a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105 Webster)

 “119 thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth [like] dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. 120 my flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. 121  AIN. I have done judgment and justice; leave me not to my oppressors. 122 be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. 123  my eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. 124  deal with thy servant according to thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. 125 I [am] thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. 126  [it is] time for [thee], LORD, to work: [for] they have made void thy law. 127  therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yes, above fine gold. 128 therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all [things to be] right; [and] I hate every false way. 129  PE. thy testimonies [are] wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130  the entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” (Psalms 119:119-130 Webster)

 “so shall my word be that proceedeth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 Webster)

 “16 all scripture [is] given by inspiration of god, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of god may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 Webster)

 “6 the words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” (Psalms 12:6-7 Webster)

 “5 every word of god [is] pure: he [is] a shield to them that put their trust in him. 6 add thou not to his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6 Webster)

 “18 for verily I say to you, till heaven and earth shall pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 whoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever shall do, and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19 Webster)

 “heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” (Mark 13:31 Webster)

 “and it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than one tittle of the law to fail.” (Luke 16:17 Webster)

 “for whatever things were written formerly, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 Webster)

 “but the word of the lord endureth for ever. and this is the word which by the gospel is preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:25 Webster)

 “18 for I testify to every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add to these things, god will add to him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, god will take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19 Webster)


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Read also:
  1. Absolute Basics to Reading the Bible
    English: Peresopnytsia Gospels. 1556-1561. Min...
    English: Peresopnytsia Gospels. 1556-1561. Miniature of Saint Matthew. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
  2. Finding and Understanding Words and Meanings
  3. Bible in the first place #1/3
  4. Missional hermeneutics 1/5
  5. Missional hermeneutics 5/5
  6. Comparisson Bible Books in English, Dutch and French
  7. The Importance Of Scripture
  8. Incomplete without the mind of God
  9. Loving the Word
  10. Condemnation of the World and Illustration of Justification
  11. The Bible and names in it
  12. The importance of Reading the Scriptures

Saturday 30 July 2011

Groot Drie-eenheidsdebat

Enkele maanden geleden gingen twee ernstige denkers over de Bijbel met elkaar in debat over een zeer moeilijk onderwerp in het Christendom, dat al honderden jaren de Kerk in beroering heeft gehouden en waar reeds veel bloed, letterlijk en figuurlijk, is over gevloeid.



The Great Trinity Debate

Rob Bowman vs Dave Burke
Now this is eternal life — that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. (John 17:3)
It is a matter of eternal life to know the true God and his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to understand the one true God. But do we really know him? Or do we just believe in a God that we've learned about from others?

The identity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is a fundamental belief in Christianity and increasingly Christians don't know why they believe in what they do, unable to defend the doctrine of the Trinity when challenged.
There seems to be a kind of complacency that comes from being a mainstream Christian, thinking that being in the majority is enough to make the doctrine true without needing proof.

The Bereans searched their scriptures daily to make sure what they heard was true and that's no different with the doctrine of the Trinity, we have to search our scriptures to decide if it's true or not, not take it for granted or rely on someone else to tell us that it is or isn't true.
The debate about the Trinity has been raging on since the early church and it still rages on today. Rob Bowman, a Trinitarian issued a challenge last year for a non-Trinitarian to debate him on the subject of the Trinity. This year, Dave Burke a non-Trinitarian, took up that challenge and presented his case for the unity of God. A fascinating debate resulted and was captured on the Parchment and Pen blog.
I recommend you read both sides of the argument thoroughly, it's not all as black and white as you might think as both sides have strong arguments.
The Great Trinity Debate
The Challenge | Introduction | Resources List
Part 1: God & Scripture Burke vs Bowman
Part 2: Jesus Christ Burke vs Bowman
Part 3: Jesus Christ (continued) Burke vs Bowman
Part 4: Holy Spirit Burke vs Bowman
Part 5: Father, Son & Holy Spirit / The Trinity Burke vs Bowman
Part 6: Closing Statement Burke vs Bowman

A Trinitarian blogger (Dale) provides useful commentary on the debate... Final Summary | Full Commentary List ... concluding that Burke won the debate.
P.S. If you are a Trinitarian and still think 1 John 5:7-8 is a valid proof for the doctrine of the Trinity, you most definitely need to read this debate to learn some better proofs! Also read "The Trinity is Like 3-in-1 Shampoo". . . And Other Stupid Statements

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Speaking in tongues

So often we do hear that we as Christians do have to speak in tongues. those who are not able to speak in tongues, what they ever may mean by it, would not be real believers endowed with the new born life.

According to me speaking in tongues is not speaking in gibberish or not uttering words which make no sense for others.
In the early centuries of Christianity and today to speak in tongues or languages was and is only useful when preaching in a foreign country where that language was or is spoken..

It is probable that the apostles were able to bestow Spirit gifts for as long as they lived (Acts 8:14-17); by which time the Christian Church would have attained maturity.
One may wonder how long the ministration of the Spirit gifts would continue.
This being so, any claim in later times to the possession of Holy Spirit gifts, especially speaking in tongues, does not agree with what we have found in the foregoing Scriptures and therefore should not be accepted as valid.

Read more about it in:

The Gifts of the Spirit – Speaking in Tongues


Tuesday 31 August 2010

Know Who goes with us and don't try to control life


Stop trying to control life.
Let the Spirit lead us through the mystery like children
being led along a path where every turn reveals a new surprise, some pleasant and some not
but our guide is always with us
and He knows what is around the next corner.
We don’t always know where we are going
but we know Who goes with us
and that is all that matters.
Explore the mystery with Him.
Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Weet wie met je gaat en stop te proberen je leven te controleren

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