TheosGuy

The Lord uses parables and types (models) to speak to us. Here are some scriptures supporting this statement.

I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets. (Hosea 12:10 NKJV)

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV)

which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— (Galatians 4:24 NKJV)

Tags: Bibliology

The word “all” or “every” does not necessarily mean every single individual entity. It means all or every of whatever the context is talking about. For example, it would be common for someone to say something like, “After church, we all went out to lunch together.” Quite clearly, the person was not speaking of every single individual on the earth. In fact, he probably (although possibly) was not even speaking of every single individual in the church. He was speaking of all of a smaller group defined by the subject of the sentence, “we.” Who is encompassed in the “we” would only be known by the context. This situtation can lead to some problematic interpretations of verses that use the word “all” and “every” in the Bible.

• Gen 6:17; 7:4: All flesh was not destroyed. Nor did everything die. Noah and his family, the animals on the ark and the sea life were not destroyed.
• Dan 4:1; 2:37-40; 4:11-12, 20: Says Nebuchadnezzar was king of ALL the earth. Yet he did not rule over Greece, Rome, Others
• Dan 2:39: Greece did not rule over ALL the earth; e.g., Spain, Italy, others.
• Dan 7:23: Rome did not rule over ALL the earth; China, Japan, etc.
• Mat 3:5-6: Did EVERY single Pharisee and Saduccee get baptized? Not according to Matthew 21:25.
• Luke 2:1-3: Did even the Australian aboriginees get taxed by Rome?
• Rom 1:8; 10:8: Did every single person on the earth hear about the church in Rome?
• Col 1:23: Did the gospel get preached to every ant and worm in the South Pacific?

Many times when the Bible says “all people,” it is referring to:

• Hebrews and Greeks as groups.

[Gal 3:28 NKJV] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

• Or all groups of men: Kings, noble, free and slaves.
  

  [1 Timothy 2:1-4 NKJV] Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, [2] for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

  Compare the above to 1 Timothy 4:10, where I believe the interpretation is all and everyone, since believers are clearly indicated as a special subset of “all men.”

[1 Timothy 4:10 NKJV] For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach,* because we trust in the living God, who is [the] Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

• Or back to a previously defined group.The “all” in 2 Peter 3:9 most likely by grammatical rules refers back to “us-ward”. The previous verse tells us that Peter is speaking to the “beloved,” i..e, believers.

[2 Peter 3:9 KJV] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

So the context of the paragraph determines to what or who “all” and “every” is referring.

Tags: Bibliology

One of the most important rules of hermenuetics (the interpretation of Scripture) is that the scripture must be interpreted in light of its context. Many problems with beliefs of the cults is that they take Scripture out of its context. Following are some examples.

Out of Context: Colossians 2:21 if not quoted with 2:20 is out of context! It can be used to define a system of legalism that is not Biblical.

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations; [21] “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, [Col 2:20-21NKJV]

Collapsing Contexts: Two or more verses which have little or nothing to do with each other are put together as if one were a commentary on the other(s). Example: the Mormons associate Jeremiah 1:5 with John 1:2, 1:14 and thus imply that both verses talk about the premortal existence of all human beings. Jeremiah 1:5, however, speaks of God’s foreknowledge of Jeremiah (not his premortal existence) and John 1:2 refers to the pre-existence of God the Son and not to human beings in general.

They also combine with: John 1:2,14; 8:56-58; 16:27-30; 17:3-5; Acts 17:26-29; Heb. 5:8;

Letterism: Letterism is the taking of the literal reading beyond its context. The literal method of interpretation understands based upon the customary usage of language, i.e., it understands that both figurative and non-figurative language is used.

The letterist would imply that God has wings from Psalm 91:4. John 4:10-11; John 7:38 speaks of Jesus as living water. In John 6:48, Jesus says that, “I am the bread of life.” In Matthew 16:18 and 1 Peter 2:7 Jesus is referred to as the Rock. Clearly, Jesus is not a chicken, nor water, nor bread, nor cement. These are figurative words. But the concepts behind them are true. He protects us as a mother bird would protect its little ones. He is the Sustainer (water and bread). The Church is built upon Jesus (the cornerstone) and we can stand firm on this Rock for all that He has promised us.

See post entitled “All Not Everyone.”

Tags: Bibliology

1. The Holy Spirit is revealed as a divine Person. This is expressly declared (e.g. John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Mt. 28:19), and everywhere implied.
2. The revelation concerning Him is progressive:
1. In the O.T. (see Mal. 2:15, note) He comes upon whom He will, apparently without reference to conditions in them.
2. During His earth-life, Christ taught His disciples (Lk. 11:13) that they might receive the Spirit through prayer to the Father.
3. At the close of His ministry He promised that He would Himself pray the Father, and that in answer to His prayer the Comforter would come to abide (John 14:16-17).
4. On the evening of His resurrection He came to the disciples in the upper room, and breathed on them saying, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22), but instructed them to wait before beginning their ministry till the Spirit should come upon them (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8)
5. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit came upon the whole body of believers (Acts 2:1-4).
6. After Pentecost, so long as the Gospel was preached to Jews only, the Spirit was imparted to such as believed by the laying. on of hands (Acts 8:17; 9:17, etc.).
7. When Peter opened the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles (Acts 10), the Holy Spirit, without delay, or other condition than faith, was given to those who believed. (Acts 10:44; Acts 11:15-18). This is the permanent fact for the entire church-age. Every believer is born of the Spirit (John 3:3, 6; 1 John 5:1), indwelt by the Spirit, whose presence makes the believer’s body a temple (1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 8:9-15; 1 John 2:27; Gal. 4:6), and baptized by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13; 1 John 2:20, 27), thus sealing him for God (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
3. The N.T. distinguishes between having the Spirit, which is true of all believers, and being filled with the Spirit, which is the believer’s privilege and duty (cf. Acts 2:4 with 4:29-31; Eph. 1:13-14 with Eph. 5:18)—”One baptism, many fillings.”
4. The Holy Spirit is related to Christ in His conception (Mt. 1:18-20; Lk. 1:35), baptism (Mt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22; John 1:32-33), walk and service (Lk. 4:1-14), resurrection (Rom. 8:11), and as His witness throughout this age (John 15:26; 16:8-11, 13, 14).
5. The Spirit forms the church (Mt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23) by baptizing all believers into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13), imparts gifts for service to every member of that body (1 Cor. 12:7-11, 27, 30), guides the members in their service (Lk. 2:27; 4:1; Acts 4:6-7), and is Himself the power of that service (Acts 1:8; 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:4).
6. The Spirit abides in the company of believers who constitute a local church, making of them, corporately, a temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17).
7. Christ indicates a threefold personal relationship of the Spirit to the believer: “With,” “in,” “upon” (John 14:17; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8). “With” indicates the approach of God to the soul, convicting of sin (John 16:9), presenting Christ as the object of faith (John 16:14), imparting faith (Eph. 2:8), and regenerating (John 3:3-16). “In” describes the abiding presence of the Spirit in the believer’s body (1 Cor. 6:19) to give victory over the flesh (Rom. 8:2-4; Gal. 5:16-17), to create the Christian character (Gal. 5:22-23), to help infirmities (Rom. 8:26), to inspire prayer (Eph. 6:18), to give conscious access to God (Eph. 2:18), to actualize to the believer his sonship (Gal. 4:6), to apply the Scriptures in cleansing and sanctification (Eph. 5:26; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2), to comfort and intercede (Acts 9:31; Rom. 8:26), and to reveal Christ (John 16:14).
8. Sins against the Spirit committed by unbelievers are: To blaspheme (Mt. 12:31), resist (Acts 7:51; Heb. 10:29, “despite,” lit. insult). Believers’ sins against the Spirit are: To grieve Him by allowing evil in heart or life (Eph. 4:30-31), and to quench Him by disobedience (1 Thes. 5:19). The right attitude toward the Spirit is yieldedness to His sway in walk and service, and in constant willingness that He shall “put away” whatever grieves Him or hinders His power (Eph. 4:31).
9. The symbols of the Spirit are:
1. oil (John 3:34; Heb. 1:9);
2. water (John 7:38-39);
3. wind (Acts 2:1; John 3:8);
4. fire (Acts 2:3);
5. a dove (Mt. 3:16);
6. a seal (Eph. 1:13; 4:30);
7. an earnest or pledge (Eph. 1:14).

Adapted from Scofield, C. I. The Scofield Study Bible.

Tags: Trinity

1. The personality and Deity of the Holy Spirit appear from the attributes ascribed to Him, and from His works.
2. He is revealed as sharing the work of creation and therefore omnipotent (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4; Psa. 104:30); as omnipresent (Psa. 139:7); as striving with men (Gen. 6:3); as enlightening (Job 32:8); enduing with constructive skill (Ex. 28:3; 31:3); giving physical strength (Jdg. 14:6, 19); executive ability and wisdom (Jdg. 3:10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:25); enabling men to receive and utter divine revelations (Num. 11:25; 2 Sam. 23:2); and, generally, as empowering the servants of God (Psa. 51:12; Joel 2:28; Mic. 3:8; Zech. 4:6).
3. He is called holy (Psa. 51:11); good (Psa. 143:10); the Spirit of judgment and burning (Isa. 4:4); of Jehovah, of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, good, knowledge, the fear of the Lord (Isa. 11:2), and of grace and supplications (Zech. 12:10).
4. In the O.T. the Spirit acts in free sovereignty, coming upon men and even upon a dumb beast as He will, nor are conditions set forth (as in the N.T.) by complying with which any one may receive the Spirit. The indwelling of every believer by the abiding Spirit is a N.T. blessing consequent upon the death and resurrection of Christ (John 7:39; 16:7; Acts 2:33; Gal. 3:1-6).
5. The O.T. contains predictions of a future pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel (Eze. 37:14; 39:29), and upon “all flesh” (Joel 2:28-29). The expectation of Israel, therefore, was twofold—of the coming of Messiah-Immanuel, and of such an effusion of the Spirit as the prophets described. See Mat. 1:18, refs.

1. Scofield, C. I. The Scofield Study Bible.

The major works and attributes of God are ascribed separately to each person of the Holy Trinity, as shown in the following table.

Tags: Theology, Trinity

Philippians 2:7 tells us that Jesus emptied (Greek = kenosis (1)(2)) Himself. What did this mean? Did He give up His Divine attributes? The following helps to define.

Dr. Walter Martin said,

Jesus put aside the independent exercise of His divine attributes in His full submission to the Father.

Dr. David Hocking adds,

The Roman centurion when going into battle would remove his insignia that identified his rank. He would then go to battle on the front lines with his soldiers. After the battle, he would then replace his insignia. The act of removing his insignia in the Greek language was denoted with the word, kenosis. The centurion did not cease to be in full command of this troops.

Tags: Theology

The following reading, Christ’s Passion,
is from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹.

The passion of His atoning death is ever the secret and soul of
the Gospel. It speaks of:

1. Sin’s hindrance removed—Heb. 9:26.
2. Sin’s guilt answered for—Heb. 2:17.
3. Sin’s author overthrown—Heb. 2:14.
4. Sin’s gulf spanned—Heb. 10:19-20.
5. Sin’s pollution removed—Heb. 10:10.
6. Sin’s power broken—Heb. 10:16-18.
7. Sin’s victory destroyed—1 John 3:8.

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E., Reading number 175.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Salvation, Teaching Ideas

The following reading, Christ’s Message on Being Saved,
is from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹.

The pages of the New Testament ring with the word “saved. ”

1. Christ’s message was, “That ye might be saved“
   (John 5:34).
2. He said those who entered into the shepherd fold of His
   grace should “be saved” (John 10:9).
3. His commission to His disciples was that those who
   believed should “be saved” (Mark 16:16).
4. He assured a woman who came in penitence to Him,
   “Thy faith hath saved thee” (Luke 7:50).
5. He declared that Satan’s machinations were to keep men
   from receiving His Word, lest they should “believe and be
   saved” (Luke 8:12).
6. He revealed that God sent Him into the world that it
   might “be saved” (John 3:17).

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E. Reading number 171.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Salvation, Teaching Ideas

Here is an outline comprised of Christ’s I “Have’s” in John 17, from F.E. Marsh’s 1000 Bible Study Outlines¹.

1. “I have glorified Thee” (John 17:4).
2. “I have finished the work” (John 17:4).
3. “I have manifested Thy Name” (John 17:6).
4. “I have kept” (John 17:12).
5. “I have given them Thy Word” and “Words” (John 17:8, 14).
6. “I have declared Thy Name” (John 17:26).
7. “I have known Thee” (John 17:25).
8. “I have sent” (John 17:18).
9. “I have given them Thy glory” (John 17:22).

1. 1000 Bible Study Outlines, Marsh, F.E. Reading number 160.

Tags: Christ, Marsh, Teaching Ideas