Category: CHURCH

False Teachers Part 3

Peter also warned the Jews scattered abroad of false prophets and teachers, teaching the law not belief in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:12):
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
John in his first epistle also warned of false prophets;
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Also, in his second epistle he warns of deceivers and how to identify them:
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
And he writes how to deal with them:
2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
John writing in Revelation about the time of Tribulation tells of Satan and a false prophet (a deceiver):
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Now believers will not have to be concerned with this individual, WE will already be in Heaven as the Rapture has already happened before the Tribulation (7 years of Jacob) began. (See Article on the Rapture).

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False Teachers Part 2

As Barnabas and Saul set out on their 1st missionary journey to encourage Jews who had been scattered throughout the Roman kingdom, they encountered a false prophet:
Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
So Saul (Paul) had first hand dealings with false prophets. and later in a letter to Corinth, he spoke of the perils he had among many false brethren:
2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, … in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
Paul continued to warn of false prophets, teachers as he wrote his epistles:
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might…
1 Timothy 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Paul warns to be wary of vain talkers and deceivers (specially Jews):
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children,not tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Paul warned of those who were preaching ANOTHER gospel:
2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
The true and only Gospel was taught by Paul:
1 Corinthians 15:1-5 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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:

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Church(es) Should Preach Part 3

The joyful responsibilities of every true believer in Christ Jesus:
a. TO GOD:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, …? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required …
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. Ephesians 3:9…and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
b. TO ONE ANOTHER:
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
c. TO THE WORLD
Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 3:24-25 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures ,

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Church(es) Should Preach Part 2

  1. The oneness of all TRUE believers in (the death, burial and resurrection) Christ Jesus:
    a. Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
    b. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
    c. Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, … one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, kwho is over all …
  2. The perfect standing of every true believer in Christ Jesus:
    a. Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order …
    b. Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him …
    c. Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every …
  3. The oneness of all TRUE believers in (the death, burial and resurrection) Christ Jesus:
    a. Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
    b. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
    c. Ephesians 4:3-6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, … one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all …
  4. The perfect standing of every true believer in Christ Jesus:
    a. Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order …
    b. Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him …
    c. Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every …

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Thanksgiving Part 3

What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving Day?
Turkey? Family? Friends? Big Meal? Fun-Happiness?
Thanks to God? What the Lord Jesus has done? Pilgrims?

Pilgrims … they had many reasons for coming to the new world: escape government oppression,
escape old debts, dislike of old life of persecution, challenge, adventure, a new beginning, etc. etc.
Thanksgiving should remind us of a new beginning.

When you got saved, you got a new beginning. Your name was written into the Lambs Book of Life, ALL old events of your life are blotted out by the blood of the Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

THANK GOD FOR EVERYTHING – ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR SALVATION – And the opportunity to spend eternity with HIM forever in a place we can’t even describe.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

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Joseph & Mary

not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

What do we know about Joseph? 
    He was a just Man Matthew 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
    He was obedient to God Matthew 1:24-25Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.              See also Matthew 2:13-14, 19-23
    He was a Jew, in the linage of the house of David Luke 1:27 states “To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.” 
Matthew 1:1-16 “……And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ”.
Luke 3:23-38 records the geology of Joseph. Vs 31 states ”Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,”.
    He was a Carpenter by trade Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter‘s son? is not his mother called Mary? …
Joseph disappears from the scripture but some things are surmised:
He was probably in his mid-twenties, a carpenter, not wealthy but able to support a family.
     He was obedient to the Temple and to the Law, (both God’s and Man’s).
   He probably died before Jesus was Crucified as he is not mentioned there.

What do we know about Mary? 
   She was espoused to Joseph Matthew 1:18
She was a Virgin Luke 1:27
   She was in favor with God Luke 1:30
She was obedient to God Luke 1:38
   She was a Jew and acknowledged God as her Savior Luke 1:46-47
   She was related to Elisabeth, (Luke 1:40-41) Mother of John the Baptist Luke 1:57-63
   She was probably in her teenage years.

Joseph & Mary had at least 6 other children after the birth of Jesus. 
Matthew 13:55-56 Is not this the carpenter‘s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? …

     Note: James was the leader of the Assembly in Jerusalem, and wrote the epistle of JAMES. Judas (Jude) wrote the epistle of JUDE.

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Taxation

Pin on Sunday
a decree from Caesar Augustus

Luke 2:1-3 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

The Census of Quirinius was a census of Judea taken by the Roman governor upon the imposition of direct Roman rule in 6 CE.

This taxation order forced Joseph, who obeyed the Law of the Kings, to leave Nazareth, the city where He and Mary lived awaiting the birth of their first child and return to Bethlehem, his birth place.

Luke 2:4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

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City of Bethlehem

Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

Roman Census

     It would appear it took Joseph, and a heavily pregnant Mary riding on a donkey, about a five-day journey (possibly longer) to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Bethlehem is situated in the Judaean Hills 5 miles (8 km) south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem was a small farming and sheep town with many shepherds living there.

     The City of Bethlehem is mentioned in 12 Books of the Old Testament most notability:

MICAH 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

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The Manger

Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

     The word “manger” comes from the Old French mangier (meaning “to eat”), from Latin mandere (meaning “to chew”). A manger or crib is a wooden or stone feeding trough or food box that holds hay for larger farm animals like cattle, horses, and donkeys. Mangers are generally found in stables and farmhouses. The manger is not a room or place.

     When Joseph and Mary arrived at the Inn, all the travelers had overcrowded the guest rooms. Inns at the time were not like today. There was not a room for everyone that checked in. There was one, possibly two large rooms where all slept together. Perhaps the Inn keeper seeing Mary’s condition offered a place where the animals lived so she could have privacy while she delivered her child. Then she placed her child in a manger (filled with Hay) for comfort.

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The Shepherds

LUKE 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

WHY Shepherds?   
     It may also be worth noting that many biblical figures were shepherds, among them the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, the twelve tribes, the prophet Moses, King David, and the Old Testament prophet Amos, who was a shepherd in the rugged area around Tekoa.

Who were the Shepherds? 
     Shepherds had a difficult job that earned no rank in society. Some believe they were priests, actually fulfilling Temple duties, and the only ones who could perform Temple duties were priests.

How Many?
    There had to be at least 2, possibly 4 or 5, but the scripture does not say. But how many could have crowded into the place where the manger was to see the new born child?

What were they doing?
  A shepherd’s primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock. The shepherd will graze the animals, herding them to areas of good forage, and keeping a watchful eye out for dangerous animals.

They were Jews and probably knew of the promises of a coming Messiah (Christ the Lord).
They were given a sign (Jews looked for a sign). Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
They Obeyed God (Thru the Angel’s Message) and headed for the city Luke 2:15.

It would appear that they arrived in a short order as Joseph & Mary were still in the Manager. Luke 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

They made this knowledge known abroad. Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

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