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  • You are here: Blogs Directory / Apologetics / BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE (Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir) Welcome Guest
    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE (Rev. Joseph E. Mahabir)
          BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE - (Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers). PLEASE USE ANY VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE. You will discover that the concepts are the same. COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS will be appreciated. Blessings. Joseph

    Mon, Oct 29th - 5:20PM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    SABBATH DAY OBSERVANCE 

       Is the Sabbath Day law relevant under the New Covenant? 

     

     The keeping of the Sabbath Day was given to the Israelites. We read: Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites. ‘ You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you.  Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested (Exodus 31: 12-17).

     

     The Sabbath law was given under the first covenant. The first covenant became obsolete (Hebrews 8: 13) when Jesus established the New Covenant through his death and resurrection. It should be observed that Jesus did not utilize the Old Testament law when dealing with the teachers of the law, the Pharisees and the woman who was caught in adultery (John 8: 2-11). It should also be observed that Jesus and his disciples broke the Sabbath law ( Matt. 12: 1-14).

     

       If the law that governed adultery was applicable during the ministry of Jesus why did he not use it ? If the Sabbath law was relevant during the ministry of Jesus, why did he and his disciples "work" on the Sabbath day? Jesus did not utilize the law dealing with adultery and he and his disciples broke the law of the Sabbath in anticipation of the New Covenant which he came to establish through his death and resurrection. Jesus said to the Pharisees: For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath (Matt. 12: 8).

     

    Jesus is the end of the law (Rom. 10: 4), therefore the laws of the first covenant are not relevant under the New Covenant. The Old Testament laws have been done away with.

     

       The apostle Paul said to the churches in Galatia: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort (Gal. 3: 2-4). He said further: What then was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come (Gal. 3: 19). The Seed is Jesus (Gal. 3: 16).

     

     The apostle Paul cautioned the Galatians: All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, The righteous will live by faith’. The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree (Gal. 3: 10-13).

     

      If you are observing the Sabbath Day law, are you not making of little or no significance the cross of Calvary? Please remember the great sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Rom. 4: 25).

     

      Please remember that the Sabbath Day law was given to the Israelites under the first covenant (Exod. 31: 16-17).

     

      If you are observing the Sabbath day, then you are obligated to observe all the laws given under the first covenant.

     

       If you are observing the Sabbath day, please learn from the response that Jesus gave to an expert in the law when he questioned,  Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law  (Matt. 22: 36). Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (Matt. 22: 37-40).

     

      Please remember that the law does not save. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2: 8). 

     

       The apostle Paul in his concern for the Galatians wrote: But now that you know God – or rather are known by God – how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and monthe and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you (Gal. 4: 9-11).  

     

       



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    Mon, Oct 22nd - 9:46AM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    What does the Bible teach about God? 

    THERE IS ONE GOD. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one (Deut.6:4). There is one God but he is revealed in three persons - God the Father (Matt. 3:17), God the Son (John 1:18) and God the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; John 14:26). 

    In each of the three persons dwell the other two. Don't you believe that I am in the Father,and that the Father is in me (John 14:10). If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him (John 14:7). When they came to border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to (Acts 16:7). (The Spirit of Jesus is identified as the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6). Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (2 Cor. 1: 21-22). (The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13).

     

    GOD REFERS TO HIMSELF IN THE PLURAL

     

    1) Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,... (Gen. 1:26). 

    2) The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil ... (Gen. 3:22). 

    3) Come, let us go down and confuse their language so that they will not understand each other (Gen. 11:17). 

    4) Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us  Isa. 6:8). 

     

     

    GOD IS A TRINITY 

    The word trinity is not found in the Scripture but reference is made to Father, Son and the Holy Spirit in several contexts. Each person of the Trinity is distinct. 

    1) At the baptism of Jesus, we observe the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) and God the Father (Matt. 3:16-17). 

    2) When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, there was mention of God - the Most High, the Holy Spirit and the Son of God (Luke 1:26-36). 

    3) In the commission that Jesus gave to his disciples, they were instructed to baptize believers in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). 

    4) Jesus created all things. ...all things were created by him and for him (Jesus) (Col. 1:16). So when God created the heavens and the earth all persons of the Trinity were involved (Gen. 1:1-2). 

    5) Jesus said: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything (John 14:26). 

    6) The apostle Paul penned these words: But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, Abba, Father (Gal. 4:4-6). 

    7) We read in the Book of Titus: But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ... (Titus 3:4-6). 

    8) In John's Gospel, the three persons of the Trinity are identified - Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Father (John 16: 7-11).

     




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    Sat, Oct 13th - 10:47PM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    THE SEAL OF GOD 

      

     Ellen G. White (1827-1915) (the Seventh Day Adventist Church) wrote: The enemies of Gods law, from the ministers down to the least among them, have a new conception of truth and duty. Too late they see that the Sabbatb of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God.   Maranatha, The Lord is Coming, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, MD; ) p. 286.

     

     Ellen G. White also wrote: The substitution of the false for the true is the last act in the drama. When this substitution becomes universal, God will reveal himself. When the laws of men are exalted above the laws of God, when the powers of this earth try to force men to keep the first day of the week, know that the time has come for God to work. He will arise in His majesty, and will shake terribly the earth. He will come out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity.The earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain (Maranatha, p. 262).

     

    The seal of the living God has nothing to do with the Sabbath. We read in the Book of Revelation:  They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads (Rev. 9: 4). The righteous (born again believers) will have the seal of God (Eph. 1: 13-14) and the unrighteous (those who worship the beast) will have the mark of the beast (Rev. 13: 8, 16-18).

     

    According to the word of God, Ellen G. White was a false teacher. She has led many away from the truth of the inspired word of God by preaching another gospel. The apostle Paul warned the Galatians about a different gospel (Gal. 1: 6-9).

     

    There was a transitional period from worshiping on the Sabbath day to worshiping on Sunday, the first day of the week. Worshiping on the first day of the week, Sunday, is to commemorate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We read: After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just

    as he said. Come and see the place where he lay (Matt. 28: 1. 5-6).

     

     What did the apostle Paul say to the Corinthians? He wrote: Now about the collection for Gods people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made (1 Cor. 16: 1-2).

     

    Why did the apostle Paul say on the first day of the week and not on the last day the Sabbath day?

     

    The answer is found in the Acts of the Apostles. On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight (Acts 20: 7).

     

    It is obvious that they met on the first day of the week to fellowship.

     

     The Sabbath law was given under the first covenant. The first covenant became obsolete (Hebrews 8: 13) when Jesus established the New Covenant through his death and resurrection.  Jesus is the end of the law (Rom. 10: 4), therefore the laws of the first covenant are not relevant under the New Covenant. The Old Testament laws have been done away with.

     

    The apostle Paul said to the churches in Galatia: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort (Gal. 3: 2-4). He said further: What then was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come (Gal. 3: 19). The Seed is Jesus (Gal. 3: 16).

     

    The apostle Paul cautioned the Galatians: All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, The righteous will live by faith’. The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree (Gal. 3: 10-13).

     

      If you are observing the Sabbath Day law, are you not making of no significance the cross of Calvary? Please remember the great sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Rom. 4: 25).

     

     If you are observing the Sabbath day, please learn from the response that Jesus gave to an expert in the law when he questioned,  Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law  (Matt. 22: 36). Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (Matt. 22: 37-40).

     

     Please remember that the law does not save. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2: 8). 

     

    The apostle Paul in his concern for the Galatians wrote: But now that you know God – or rather are known by God – how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and monthe and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you (Gal. 4: 9-11).  

     

       

      



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    Fri, Oct 12th - 10:55PM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    What must a person do to become a citizen of heaven? What happens when a person becomes a citizen? What are the responsibilities of citizenship?

    ________________________________

     

    The apostle Paul stated: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him, to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Phil. 3:20-21).

     

    Luke, a medical doctor, wrote: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). The gospel writer penned these words:(Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:20-21).

     

     TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN

     

    The following phrases are synonymous with the term to be born again:  to receive Jesus;  to believe in the name of Jesus; believe in the Lord Jesus; confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord  and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and to believe that Jesus is the Christ.

     

    The apostle John penned these words: Yet to all who received him (JESUS), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12-13).

     

    The apostle Paul and Silas said to the Philippian jailer : Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved … (Acts 16:31).

    We read in Scripture:

     

    That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Rom. 10:9).

     

    Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well (1 John 5:1).

     

    For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

     

    Jesus said to Nicodemus :I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).  Jesus answered : I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit (John 3: 5-6).

     

     A PRAYER TO BE BORN AGAIN (that is, TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN)

     

    Almighty God, I thank you that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that you raised him from the dead as the Bible declares. Jesus, I now receive you as my Savior and Lord. I am sorry for my sins and I turn away from them. Lord Jesus, please fulfill your plan for my life. Amen.

     

     WHAT HAPPENS TO A PERSON WHO BECOMES A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN?

     

    Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption to those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory (Eph. 1: 13-14).

     

    Don’t you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him;  for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple (1 Cor. 3: 16-17).

    As citizens of heaven, we have the potential of living abundant lives. Jesus informed us: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).

     

    RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP

     

    Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. … Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according  to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Eph. 4: 25-27, 29-30).

     

    Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering, and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1).

     

    Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another, out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:15-21).

     

    But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt;  snatching others from the fire and save them;  to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh (Jude 20-23).

     

    And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints (Eph. 6:18).

     

    Therefore, as  God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3:12). Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him (Col. 3: 15-17).

     

    Be joyful always; pray continually;  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you, in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 4:16-18).

     

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spiritt (Gal. 5: 23-25).

    The apostle Paul made this statement to Timothy: I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing (1 Tim. 2:8).

     

    The author of the Book of Hebrews stated: We have come to share in Christ, if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first (Heb. 3:14).

     

    Jesus said to his disciples: You are my friends if you do what I command (John 15: 14).

     

    These are the words of Jesus: Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt. 24:12-13).

    The apostle Paul commented emphatically: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21).

    Timothy was instructed by the apostle Paul: The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1).





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    Thu, Oct 11th - 5:16PM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    REFERENCES TO CHRIST IN THE PENTATEUCH (BOOKS OF MOSES) PART 4

       On the day of the assembly at Horeb as the Israelites were on their way to the promised land, they asked of the Lord – Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die (Deuteronomy 18: 16).

      Moses said to the people, The Lord said to me: What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name , I myself will call him to account (Deuteronomy 18: 17-19).

      The people of Israel were expecting God to send the prophet. Who was that prophet? On the last and greatest day of the Feast (Feast of Tabernacles), Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.  Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified  (John 7: 37-39).  

      When the people heard what he said, some stated, Surely this man is the prophet. Others said, He is the Christ (John 7: 40-41).

     

    PETER'S CONFESSION OF CHRIST 

      When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matthew 16: 13-16).

      The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome stating, For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of Gods truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs  (Romans 15:8).

      Was Jesus the prophet that God promised through Moses (Deuteronomy 18: 17-19)? He certainly was.  Jesus was the prophet that God promised the Israelites through Moses. But he is more than a prophet. The Scriptures inform us that he is the Son of God and very God (Matthew 16: 16; John 1: 1-3, 14; Hebrews 1: 8-10). 

      






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    Tue, Oct 9th - 3:20PM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    REFERENCES TO CHRIST (JESUS) IN THE PENTATEUCH (BOOKS OF MOSES) PART 3

     

    As the Israelites traveled from Egypt to the promised land, water became a problem.When the Israelites arrived in the Desert of Zin, they stayed at Kadesh. There was no water for the people so they were angry with Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron approached the Lord and He miraculously provided water for the entire Israelite community and their livestock from a rock ( Numbers 20: 1-13).

     

    When the people set out from the Desert of Zin they traveled from place to place as God had commanded. They camped at Rephidim but there was no water. Since the Israelites could not get water to drink they quarreled with Moses. Moses cried out to the Lord. The Lord instructed Moses what he should do. As Moses obeyed, the Lord performed a miracle by bringing water out of the rock at Horeb ( Exodus 17: 5-6).

     

     Apart from providing water for the people and their livestock, was there any significance to the rock? There certainly was!

     

     Let us read what the apostle Paul said about the rock. In writing about the Israelites to the Church of God in Corinth, he penned these words. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ ( 1 Corinthians 10: 3-4).

     

    The rock is symbolic of Christ. Christ is our Rock, our God and our Redeemer (Psalm 19: 14). The Israelites received natural water from the rock for their bodies and livestock. Believers receive spiritual water ( the Holy Spirit) when they are brought from death to life by receiving Christ (John 1: 12; John 3: 3; John 3: 16; Ephesians 1: 13-14).

     

     Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4: 13-14).

     

     On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.  Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified  (John 7: 37-39).

     

     When the people heard what he said, some stated, Surely this man is the prophet. Others said, He is the Christ (John 7: 40-41).

     

    PETER'S CONFESSION OF CHRIST

     

    When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is? They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matthew 16: 13-16).

     

    Jesus was the prophet that God promised the Israelites through Moses. But he is more than a prophet. The Scriptures inform us that he is the Son of God and very God (Matthew 16: 16; John 1: 1-3, 14; Hebrews 1: 8-10).

     

     





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    Sun, Oct 7th - 1:25PM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    REFERENCES TO CHRIST (JESUS) IN THE PENTATEUCH (BOOKS OF MOSES) 

    PART 2

     

      When God called Abram he made him a number of promises. One was: I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Gen. 12: 3).

      God later changed Abram’s name to Abraham when He made him a father of many nations (Gen. 17: 3-5). How is Christ referred to (involved) in God’s promise to Abraham?

      The apostle Paul said to the Galatians: The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed (offspring). The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” (offsprings) meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” (offspring) meaning one person, who is Christ (Gen. 12: 7; 13: 15; 24: 7).

      How will all people on earth be blessed through Abraham? In the genealogical  list (Matthew’s Gospel) we read: A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham (Matthew 1: 1). All people on earth will be blessed through Abraham because of Christ. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ ( John 1: 12; John 3: 16; Matthew 1: 20-21).

     

    The apostle Paul writing to the Galatians penned these words, You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed (offspring) and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3: 26-29).

     Through Christ, God fulfilled his promise to Abraham. When a person receives Christ, he or she becomes a child of God (John 1: 12). A child of God has his/her citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3: 20-21). Through Abraham, through Christ many peoples on earth have been blessed (Hebrews 9: 15),  are being blessed and will be blessed (Galatians 3: 26-29). 

      





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    Fri, Oct 5th - 10:33AM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    REFERENCES TO CHRIST IN THE PENTATEUCH (BOOKS OF MOSES) PART 1 

     

    Before looking at these references, it is necessary for us to realize that the Holy Scriptures are comprised of literal, symbolic and figurative language.

     

      We observe the serpent speaking to Eve. He said to her, Did God really say , You must not eat from any tree in the garden (Genesis 3:1). The serpent is symbolic language for Satan.

      God said to the serpent (Satan), Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel (Genesis 3:14-15).

     God’s promise that the offspring of the woman would crush the head of the serpent was fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Christ. Satan struck the heel of Christ through his offspring, unbelievers. But Christ  by his resurrection and ascension crushed the head of Satan by rendering him powerless and providing the remedy for sin which came into the human race when Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis, Chapter 3).

     Jesus by his victory over Satan gained the keys of death and Hades.He said to the apostle John, Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:17-18).

    The apostle Paul (*)  penned these words to believers in Corinth, But Christ has indeed being raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man , the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits, then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:20-26).

     So Jesus by defeating Satan will defeat death. We read, Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55-56).

     All children of God, that is, born again believers (Jews and Gentiles) (John 1: 12-13;  3: 5-7; Eph. 1:13-14) will share in Christ’s victory over Satan.

      The apostle Paul informed believers in Rome, The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you (Romans 16:20).

     

     THE GLORY OF THE NEW COVENANT

     

     The apostle Paul wrote to believers in Corinth, Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom  (2 Corinthians 3: 7-17, NIV).

     

     *    The apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, who wrote letters to the Corinthians from which we have quoted, said in his defense after he was arrested at the temple, at the end of his third missionary journey.

     

     HIS STATEMENT TO THE PEOPLE

     

     He said to the commander,  I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people  (Acts 21: 39). He said, Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense (Acts 22: 1). I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.  I persecuted the followers of this Way (Christians) to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. About noon as I came near Damascus,  suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting, he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. What shall I do, Lord? I asked. Get up, the Lord said, and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do. My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me  (Acts 22: 1, 3-11). Please read the full account in Acts, chapter 9: 1-30).

     

     PAUL'S STATEMENT TO FELIX

     

    Paul’s trial before Felix, the governor (Acts, chapter 24). Here is a partial statement. However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers, as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man  (Acts 24: 14-16).

     

      PAUL’S TRIAL BEFORE FESTUS  (The governor of Judea who replaced Felix)

     

     Paul stated in his defense, I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar (Acts 25: 8).

     

     PAUL’S  STATEMENT TO KING AGRIPPA 11

     

    King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints (Christians) in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them (Acts 26: 2-11).

     

    The apostle Paul  made his apostleship very clear when he wrote to the Galatians. I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. ... I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie (Galatians 1: 11-12, 20).

     

     * The apostle Paul, a Pharisee, a Rabbi, a blasphemer, an expert in the Old Testament Law, the greatest enemy of the Church, after his conversion, became the most dynamic witness of Jesus and his Church that the world has ever seen. God gave him the privilege of  writing the majority of the books in the New Testament. Of the 66 books in the English Bible, 64 were written by Jews. Two (2) were written by Luke, a medical doctor. God works in mysterious ways.

     




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    Wed, Oct 3rd - 4:31PM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    WHO IS JESUS?

    There are some who teach that Jesus is a god and not God. They also teach that Jesus was created. What do we learn from Scripture?

     1) Jesus is called the Son of God (Luke 1:31,35). Jesus is called God the One and Only in the following Scripture. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known(John 1:17-18). 

    2) The Word is God and Jesus is the Word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1,14).

     

    3) The son is called -  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).

     

    4) God the Father calls the Son - God. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom (Heb. 1:8).

     

    5) God the Father calls the Son - Lord. In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands (Heb. 1:10).

     

    6) The prophet Isaiah wrote -  The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Isa. 7:14). This prophecy was filfilled in the days of Isaiah but it had a second fulfillment in the birth of Jesus. Matthew informed us:  Immanuel means God with us (Matt. 1:23).

     

    7) The apostle Paul penned these words - For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus) (Col. 1:19).

     

    8) The apostle John tells us that Jesus is the First and the Last. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Rev. 22:13).

     

    9) Jesus is eternal. But you Bethlehem ... out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times (from days of eternity) (Micah 5:2).

     

    10) Jesus laid the earth's foundation. But about the Son he says ... In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands (Heb. 1: 8-10).

     

     



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    Mon, Oct 1st - 1:14PM

    BIBLE STUDY - KNOW YOUR BIBLE



    WHAT DID JESUS DO?

     

    Jesus lived and died so that we could live. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Rom. 4:25).

     

    Jesus came to give us abundant life. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10: 10).

     

    Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. But when the Counselor (the Holy Spirit) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me John 15:26).

     

    WHAT IS JESUS DOING?

     

    Jesus has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us. He said: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going (John 14: 1-4).

     

    Jesus is interceding for us. Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Rom. 8: 33-34).

    Jesus gave and continues to give eternal life. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God (John 1: 12-13).

     

    Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - ... (Acts 16: 31).

     

    My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-28).





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    About Me

    Name: Joseph E Mahabir (Rev.)
    ChristiansUnite ID: immanuel
    Member Since: 2007-02-12
    Location: TORONTO, Canada
    Denomination: Nondenominational
    About Me: A servant of JESUS CHRIST

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