Believers Acts 5:14And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Brethren / Brother (Brethren in not in Scripture). Brother = A blood relative of the same mother. One of the same tribe, Of the same people, or even of a cognate people. An ally. Occurs 109 times in the New Testament. Christian Acts 11:26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 1 Peter 4:16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. Disciple 255 times in Matthew thru Acts. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, and during the days of the early church, the term that was used most frequently to designate one of Jesus’ followers was “disciple”. Hence, discipleship is a central theological theme of the Gospels and Acts. But not in Paul’s letters.
Today, if you believe the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and Confess that Jesus is LORD (Romans 10:9-13) You are a Believer, Brother, Christian, Saint……….. Mostly Saint.
Gideon gathers the booty of war: Judges 8:24-26 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey. And the weight of the golden earringsthat he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks. The young man who slew King Saul, reports it to David: 2 Samuel 1:10So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. King Solomon decorates the house of the Lord: 1 Kings 6:21So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold. 2 Chronicles 3:5 And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains. King Solomon decorates his house 1 Kings 7:17 And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter. 2 Chronicles 3:16And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains. King Ahasuerus’ Palace: Esther 1:6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. Haman rewarded by King Ahasuerus: Esther 3:10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. Esther 3:12Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. Mordecai rewarded by King Ahasuerus: Esther 8:2And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Esther 8:8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse. Esther 8:10And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
Job is rewarded for his suffering: Job 42:11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. Instructions from parents compared to: Proverbs 1:9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. More words of wisdom compared to Jewelry: Proverbs 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear Solomon compares attributes to Jewels: Song of Solomon 1:10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. Song of Solomon 4:9Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. Song of Solomon 5:14His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. In that day the Lord will take away: Isaiah 3:19-21The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, Therings, and nose jewels, The Lord’s judgement continues: Isaiah 40:19The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. Jeremiah 22:24 As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Ezekiel 16:11-12I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. Israel continues in sin: Ezekiel 23:42And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her: and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads.
King Belshazzar announces his reward: Daniel 5:7The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel 5:16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel collects: Daniel 5:29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put achain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel sealed in the lion’s den: Daniel 6:17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Again, the Lord judges Judah: Hosea 2:13And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD. Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: Haggai 2:23In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts. The Lord’s parable of the Parodical Son: Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: With respect of persons: James 2:2For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment
Jewels and Jewelry are thru out Scripture, and continue to this day in both good and bad examples. The best rule is “Don’t overdue it”. Also See Jewels and Gems
Job elaborates on the riches of earth: Job 28:17The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. From Proverbs: Proverbs 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. Proverbs 20:15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Solomon compares his love’s beauty to Jewels: Song of Solomon 1:10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. Song of Solomon 7:1 How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince’s daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman. Isaiah describes the dress of the day: Read the whole chapter Isaiah 3:21 The rings, and nose jewels, Isaiah symbolizes how one feels when saved: Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. God’s love for Jerusalem:Read the whole chapter Ezekiel 16:12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. Ezekiel 16:17 Thou hast also taken thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest to thyself images of men, and didst commit whoredom with them, Ezekiel 16:39And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare. When Israel forgets God’s blessings: Ezekiel 23:26 They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy fair jewels. Hosea 2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD. Prophecy: Malachi 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Interesting that Jewels are not mentioned in the New Testament
What do you know about the Cross? The Cross that the Lord died upon. It’s interesting that it was made of wood AND that God chose NOT to save it … What did it look like> A “T” or “t” or “X” or “I” .The word Cross only appears in the New Testament. 28 times. 17 times in the Gospels and 11 times in the epistles. Jesus mentioned the cross 6 times BUT not to His cross. Matthew 10:38, 16:24, Mark 8:34, 10:21, Luke 9:23, 14:27 As a burden. The cross has been immortalized in song: “The Old Rugged Cross”.
What was THIS Cross? To the Mob … it was an instrument of punishment and death. One of the cruelest forms of execution devised by man. It wasn’t around very long, used by the Romans. Yet 1000 years before the Psalmist wrote Psalm 22. To the Jew … His cross was a curse! On the way to Calvary, the Lord stumbles and Simon the Cyrene was compelled to take up the cross. Why compelled? Matthew 27:32 Simon was a Jew, on a pilgrimage to the Holy City, Jerusalem. He knew Hebrew Law, Deuteronomy 21:23, And the cross was a tree. YES, to the mob, an instrument of death, to the Jew a curse. But to God, it was an altar. Since the days of Adam, innocent blood has been shed to cover the sins of man. Now, the final sacrifice was to be given to forgive the sins of man. The Lamb of God would offer His blood for the Sin of all. 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 9:28, 10:12,14
To the mob, an instrument of death, to the Jew a curse, to God an altar.
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul is upset with anyone who would distort it? It’s Good news because God made it happen in spirt of what we are or what we have done. Galatians 1:12-20 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Good News that can and will change your life, and this Good News is not limited; It’s for all. Most Good News is limited to where, when and who it involves. A Game Victory in the winners locker vs the locker room of the loser. Elections have Good News for the winner .. not so for the looser The Gospel, Good News of God is for all who believe. When is it Good News? When you need it most… When you first believe … When you slip into sin … When you are at your lowest … When death comes stalking… When we will hear the trumpet… When we enter into Glory … TODAY ==Good News … Christ died for me… If I believe … I’m saved for all eternity THAT’S WONDERFUL, EXTRA GOOD NEWS
Acts 12:4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Easter, Latin Pascha, Greek Pascha, principal festival of the Christian church, which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. The earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration comes from the 2nd century, though the commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection probably occurred earlier. Acts 12:4 SHOULD NOT contain the word EASTER since the earliest recorded observation was in the 2nd century. Despite its significance as a Christian holy day, many of the traditions and symbols that play a key role in Easter observances actually have roots in pagan celebrations—particularly the pagan goddess Eostre—and in the Jewish holiday of Passover. Easter is also associated with the Jewish holiday of Passover, as well as the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, as described in the Old Testament. These links are clearly seen in the Last Supper, which occurred the night before Jesus’ arrest and the sufferings Jesus endured following his arrest. The Last Supper was essentially a Passover feast.
Just what LAND is being spoken about? 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. It would appear to be the Land of Israel. Psalm 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. A Further Look at what the Scripture says about the LAND! MOSES told the Israelites … Deuteronomy 4:40 Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever. IT APPEARS THE LAND BELONGS TO THE LORD GOD… Judges 11:12-13And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land? And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably. 2 Chronicles 7:20Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. Job 31:38If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; Isaiah 14:25That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders. Jeremiah 2:7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination. Jeremiah 16:18And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things. Ezekiel 36:5Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey. Ezekiel 38:16And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. Joel 1:6For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. Joel 3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Many today cite 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a promise to the Church. Although the application is there, this is a PROMISE to Israel. Believers DO NOT have a land in this world. Our home is in HEAVEN.
God said to Isaac: Genesis 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And the LORD said unto Jacob: Genesis 31:3And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. And the LORD said unto Moses: Exodus 3:12And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. And the LORD said unto Joshua: Deuteronomy 31:23 And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee. Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Joshua 3:7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. And the LORD said unto Gideon: Judges 6:16 And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. And the LORD said unto Jeroboam: 1 Kings 11:38And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. And the LORD said unto Israel: Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
