By Whose authority did that Nazarene rebbe speak and did he such incredible things

“Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him.

“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked.

“And who gave you this authority?”” (Mt 21:23 NIV)

In the previous chapters written by Matthew we came to see a Jesus who was in everything like other people around him, except for his goodness and certain miraculous things he could do. He was hungry and needed sleep like any other of us. He also wanted some quietness of some time for himself.

Many were amazed about the strange things that Jesus could do. Many wondered how it was possible that this man could do such special things. Some found it also strange that this man dared to pose certain questions  and speak against the people in charge of the temple, though he was not a priest.
He was making great changes in the affairs of the temple, and the priests claimed the right to know why this was done, contrary to their permission. He was not a priest; he had no civil or ecclesiastical authority as a Jew. It was sufficient authority indeed, that he came as a prophet, and worked miracles. But they professed not to be satisfied with that.

Never did Jesus claim to speak or act in his own name. He told the people around him that the doctrine he preached was not his doctrine, but the one of his heavenly Father, Who is the Only One True God. though at certain times this teacher dared to warn those around him that they had to listen to his words and should act on them because otherwise they would be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. (Matthew 7:26)

“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” (Mt 7:26 NIV)

“But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”” (Lu 6:49 NIV)

Also today we can hear those words from Jesus, by the delivered stories of the gospel-writers. They clearly wrote down the words of Jesus so that people after them also could get to know them. By those writings we also can come to see what wonderful things Jesus not only said but also did.

The question the religious leaders asked was relevant both to the cleansing of the Temple (vv. 12-14;’are you doing’) and to his teaching in the Temple (’ while he was teaching’). The double form of the question is typically Jewish. {cf. Mr 12:14 13:4 Ac 4:7 } The two questions are certainly interrelated but not identical.

The first questions the quality of Jesus’ authority:

is it that of a scribe, or a prophet, or is it something else again?

The second question concerns the source of Jesus’ authority.

The authority to instruct on one’s own account could only be given to a rabbi by the laying on of hands (SB, II, 647-649). The deputation’s question was especially suitable as the starting-point for a lawsuit against him.

Any Jew was allowed to talk publicly about religious questions (as in our social meetings), but if he proposed to be a regular teacher (Rabbi), than he had to be authorized by a rebbe or an other high rabbi or by the Sanhedrin. Lots of people told about this man who was going from one place to an other, always teachings and as such it could be considered that he was making it not only his occupation to teach, but he was also working miracles, cleansing the temple as if a prophet, and apparently justifying his followers in greeting him as the Messiah.

Jesus had no intention to becoming a worldly ruler at that time, getting rid of the Romans, though many thought he was the promised one who would liberate them from those Roman occupiers. By this time Jesus had become very well aware of his task, being a speaker for God, even when that required to put himself aside.

The spiritual leaders of the land did not like this man who was telling so many things and doing so many things which got people away from their teachings and seemed to undermine their position. But many where convinced that he spoke with authority.

“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” (Mr 1:22 NIV)

“All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!”” (Lu 4:36 NIV)

Because Jesus came to see that many thought it would be from himself that he was saying and doing those things, he told them that he could do nothing without his heavenly Father.

“Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (Joh 5:19 NIV)

According to Jesus the problem was that many did not know the God, like we can see also today.  At that time there was probably not one person who had taken Jesus as their god, though today many have done so and do not see how Jesus was the sent one from God, Who is much greater than Jesus. Therefore many of those persons do not see and are blind for the word because they prefer to keep to human doctrines instead of the words of God and the words of Christ.

“Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.” (Joh 7:16 NIV)

“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.” (Joh 8:42 NIV)

“”You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” (Joh 14:28 NIV)

Jesus told everybody it was by him they could come to see and to understand, him being the way to God, (and not to himself) and therefore he was going to suffer.

“But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognise him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”” (Mt 17:12 NIV)

“5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” (Joh 14:5-6 NIV)

It is by Jesus we can come to know the truth and find the way to the small gate.

“13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Mt 7:13-14 NIV)

“7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. {Or kept safe } He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (Joh 10:7-9 NIV)

The spiritual leaders of that time where afraid this Nazarene would come to be favoured more by the people and would take their place as a reformer.

Jesus dispatched them with speed, as if he had been loath to have been taken with his task undone.

Jesus was not willing to have a high position prepared by men, nor to be crowned by the multitude, there being only too good reason, him being sent by his heavenly Father. Their ideas of royalty were entirely different from his. Had he allowed himself to be borne on the tide of popular favour to royal honours, His kingdom would have been thereby marked as “of this world,” it would have been stamped as something very different from the kingdom of “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” he had come to establish.

Had he been a mere enthusiast, he would have undoubtedly have yielded to such a tidal wave of public excitement; but his unerring wisdom taught him that he must reach the throne by another path than that of popular favour. Rather must it be through popular rejection — through the dark portals of despite and death; and for that, his hour had not then come.

So many years later we should see by Whose authority Jesus said and and all those things. Everything he did and said was done because God allowed him to do that and gave him power to do so. today still a lot of Christians too, like the Pharisees, do not believe Jesus acted as a sent one from God. Many christians have taken Jesus into their god and do not see how he should be their way to God.

Do you think Jesus is God, or do you accept Jesus as the sent one from God, who was authorised by God?

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Preceding

Authority from the One God to one mediator between God and men

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 9:1-8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Messiah Forgives Sins and Heals Paralytic

Matthew 9:32-34 – How others look at the blind, speechless and demoniac being healed

Matthew 13 – Parables on Kingdom mysteries

Matthew 21:1-3 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Sent Ahead for a Donkey

Matthew 21:4-5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Your King Is Coming upon a Donkey

Matthew 21:6-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Blessed the One Coming in God’s Name!

Matthew 21:10-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Who Is This?

Matthew 21:12-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Temple Cleansed

Matthew 21:12-14 – From a den of thieves to a house of prayer

Matthew 21:15-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Out of the Mouth of Babes

Matthew 21:18-22 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: A Cursed Fig Tree a Lesson in Faith

Matthew 21:23-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Question of Authority

Matthew 21:10-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Who Is This?

Matthew 21:10-11 Who Is This? – a Question still posed today #1

Matthew 21:10-11 Who Is This? – a Question still posed today #2

More than just a man with authority of speaking

 

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Additional reading

1. The 1st Adam in the Hebrew Scriptures #8 Looking for the 2nd Adam
2. A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
3. Americans their stars, pretension, God, Allah and end of times signs #2 War on God’s Plan, Name and title
4. The meek one riding on an ass
5. Infinite payment of sin by the son of God
6. The son of man given authority by God
7. Authority given to him To give eternal life
8. Blindness in the Christian world
9. Memorizing wonderfully 52 Acts 7:56: the Son of man standing on the right hand of God
10. Priest, scribes and others with authority

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Related

1. the Authority of Jesus questioned
2. Luke – Chapter 20
3. Words of Life ~ Author(ity)
4. His U
5. A King & a Kingdom
6. Authority of Jesus — It is Questioned

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #5 Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

Matthew 7:28-29 – The Crowd’s Reaction

MT7:28 Now, when the Jesus finished these words, it took place that the crowds were astounded at his teaching. MT7:29 For Jesus was teaching them as one possessed of authority and not as their Copyists.

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B.S. Commentary:

Known as the son of a manual labourer people often where surprised to hear so much wisdom coming out of this man‘s mouth. The Nazarene as a sent one from God was the greatest human teacher to ever live because his knowledge was beyond what any human could possibly attain.

When he started his public life there where people who wanted to follow him. Even scribes saw in him a teacher worth following (Matthew 8:19) and several people came to him for advice (Matthew 19:16). Several people became convinced that he was the sent one from God and a rebbe teaching the way of God truthfully. He also was known as one who did not care about anyone’s opinion, for he was not swayed by appearances. (Matthew 22:16).

Jesus considered his listeners when he taught. He spoke to them in a way that the message would get into their hearts, the place that motivates people. He skilfully used illustrations and questions and engaged people of any age.

After listening to the Sermon on the Mount people wondered how this man could say such things. They also questioned if he could have the right to speak in such a manner. More and more people started wondering who this person could be who dared to speak in public with such authority. Some got really annoyed by his manner of speaking and attracting such a crowd. Recall from the Gospel of John the Jewish religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus’ effectiveness with people. So much so, they conspired to arrest him.

Mt 13:54 And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these {1 } mighty works? {1) Gr powers }

Mt 22:33 And when the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Mr 1:22 And they were astonished at his teaching: For he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.

Mr 6:2 And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and {1 } many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such {2 } mighty works wrought by his hands? {1) Some ancient authorities insert the 2) Gr powers }

Mr 11:18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, for all the multitude was astonished at his teaching.

Lu 4:32 and they were astonished at his teaching; for his word was with authority.

Joh 7:46 The officers answered, Never man so spake.

In the previous articles on the Mountain Sermon we could see that Jesus used unassailable logic (Matthew 7:24-27), meaningful illustrations (Matthew 7:3-5) and object lessons (John 13:2-16) which today are still of value.

Jesus not only used his own words. He got inspired by the Words of his heavenly Father. He quoted from the Hebrew Old Testament over 120 times, and from over 20 of the 39 books. When asked which commandment was the greatest, he summed it up this way, as he quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18,

“³⁷ And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. {1) De 6:5} 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 {1} And a second is like it: {2} You shall love your neighbor as yourself.{1) Or [And a second is like unto it, Thou shalt love etc] 2) Le 19:18} 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”.” (Mt 22:37-40 Updated ASV)

Jesus spoke to them in parables,

“because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand”

and in his time it was as difficult for people as it is today because many did or do not want to hear the truth and prefer to clinch to human teachings or church doctrines.

Jesus did not need any human teaching, like the scribes quoted others to lend authority to their teachings. For him God’s Word was saying enough and should be clear enough for people to understand, if they would be willing to hear and to open their hearts.

Jesus authority questioned

Jesus always was humble, willing to listen to others and not using hurting words or vile language. With his example and manner of speaking he showed to have a worthy authority (which he had received from God). Today there are still lots of Christians who do not understand that a man of flesh and blood could receive authority from God and therefore they say Jesus has to be God.

“And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.” (Mt 28:18 ASV)

“All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal [him].” (Mt 11:27 ASV)

First lower than angels, he followed God’s Word and always kept doing the Will of God, putting his own will aside. Two years after Jesus had given his first sermon on that mountain he as a forerunner entered for man in God’s Reign and was received up into heaven to sit down at the right hand of God where he was made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek and received full authority over the earth. (Hebrews 4:14 + 6:20)

“who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (1Pe 3:22 ASV)

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Preceding articles

The Nazarene master teacher learning people how they should behave

Matthew 7:1-11 – The Nazarene’s Commentary on Neighbor Love Continued 7: Matthew 7:1-5 Judgment and neighbor love

Matthew 7:12 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Summary on the Torah’s Fulfillment

Matthew 7:13-14 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #1 The Narrow Gate and the way to destruction

Matthew 7:15-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #2 False prophets and fruitage

Matthew 7:13-23 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #3 Matthew 7:21-23 The ones Jesus never knew

Matthew 7:13-27 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The True Disciple #4 Matthew 7:24-27 – Conclusion

Authority from the One God to one mediator between God and men

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Additional reading

1. Entrance of a king to question our position #2 Who do we want to see and to be
2. Hearing words to accept
3. Priest, scribes and others with authority
4. Gain Christ, trusting Jehovah
5. Witnesses of Christ and of his gospel
6. The Mountain: Radical Obedience

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Further reading

1. Teachings of Jesus
2. Category Archives: Teachings of Jesus: Introduction; Teachings on the Great Commission; Jesus’ Teachings on Character
3. The Gospel According to Matthew: The Principles of the King
4. But because You said so…2
5. Truth For Today
6. Authority Must Flow Down From On High
7. Hearing the king (Matthew 7:28-29)
8. Who is Jesus to You?
9. What’s Demanded of Me?
10. Good Teaching, Jesus!
11. Writer claims Tebow’s prayers contradict teachings of Jesus; and why that’s ridiculous
12. Hypocrites in church isn’t the issue. Faithless pseudo-Christians are the issue.

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Related articles

• No judgement

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:1-4 A Wilderness Temptation

Chapter Four:
Three tests and Kingdom preaching

Matthew 4:1-4 – A Wilderness Temptation: ‘If you are a son’

|| Mark 1:12, 13; Luke 4:1-4

MT4:1 Then Jesus was led[1] up into the wilderness by the Pneuma to be tempted[2] by the Devil.[3] MT4:2 After fasting for forty days[4] and forty nights he felt hungry.[5] MT4:3 And the Tempter approached Jesus and said to him, “If you are a son[6] of The God tell these stones[7] to become loaves of bread.”[8] MT4:4 But, Jesus replied and said to the Devil: “It has been written[9] [by Moses]: ‘Not on bread alone will humans live, but upon every utterance[10] coming forth through God’s Mouth.’” [Deuteronomy 8:3]

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Temptation of Jesus in desert. Hole, William: The Life of Jesus of Nazareth. Eighty Pictures. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The sent one from God after he was baptised went into the desert to meditate. Being alone with his thoughts did not liberate him from bad thoughts coming up in his mind. Jesus was allowed into the wilderness to be tested, like all of us are allowed to be tested and to prove ourselves.

God has given mankind the freedom to think and to take decisions for him self. God is no dictator Who prohibits man to think and to decide for himself. Though we should know that already from the beginning of times man has shown to have a sort of weaknesses, doubting those who are higher placed than they. The first human beings rebelled against the Most High Maker. They took adversary against God. The adversary of God or satan is in each of us and Jesus as a man of flesh and blood had this also in him.

Satan or the the ‘tempter’ brings man to question the relationship with God. He also caught Jesus to be a prey. A young man starting his public life and having to prove himself for the community. Fasting, having hunger, knowing we need our daily bread, the tempter tried to seduce Jesus with the offer of ‘bread’.

We may not forget what is the cause of the temptation  of man, they wondering if God had the right to be their ‘dominant’ or their ‘Father‘. Many do forget that is the whole key to the fall of man. Man not willing to accept God as their Father, Who may tell them what to do.

Satan wants us to believe that we’re not children of God. When the adversary of God tours around us, in our mind, temptation will come in the form to make use doubt the position of the Most High God. Man gets blinded by his own thoughts which try to mislead him.The adverser will use our relationship with God as a weapon against us. He also wants us to believe we do not need God, but that we are able to live on the material of the earth, like bread, and that those goods will keep us alive.

From this chapter we also can see that baptism is no liberator of temptation. When we are baptised it does not mean that we would not any more be tempted or would not sin any more. Be not mistaken, the adversary of God is always there to get us away from God. Even when we are sometimes doubting he will be more at work.

Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Perhaps the moments we take time to think about everything and to be just on our own, meditating, are the most dangerous moments to become tempted, doubting ourselves, our own ‘I am‘ and the Most High ‘I Am’ the ‘I Am that I Am‘ or the ‘I Am Who is‘.

Too many people do forget that Jesus could be and was tempted many times. God cannot be tempted, but Jesus as an ordinary man (though specially made by God) was like any man able to sin, but never did sin. Jesus never went against the wishes of God. He could put his own will aside for doing the Will of God.

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[1] Was led: Mark 1:12 says the Spirit “drove” so that Jesus became “driven” into the desert.

[2] Tempted: God cannot be “tempted” (James 1:13,) though Jesus is here, three times.

[3] Devil: The Greek is DIABOLOS. Meaning “Slanderer,” or “Liar,” this name for Satan occurs 36 times, never in the Hebrew Bible and first here. Note that the Dragon is on hand when the “woman gives birth” to a spiritual Son (Revelation 12:4).

[4] Forty days: An experience shared by only two others: Moses and Elijah (Exodus 24:18; 1 Kings 19:8).

[5] Hungry: Jesus becomes hungry several times in the Gospel accounts (Matthew 21:18; Mark 11:12). May it be assumed that God cannot become hungry?

[6] If you are a son: Two things are noticed here: the word “if” is an attempt to create doubt; and, the Devil calls Jesus “a son” knowing full well he is “the Son.”

[7] Stones: These have already been mentioned when John spoke of God’s ability to make sons of Abraham from stones (Matthew 3:9).

[8] Bread: Self-denial was the law of our Lord’s mission (Philippians 2:6-8).

[9] Written: The first Bible verse quoted by Jesus (Deuteronomy 8:3).

[10] Utterance: The Greek is RHEMATI. Or, KJV: word; RHM: declaration; KNX: words.

 

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Preceding articles

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 3:1-6 – A Wilderness Baptist Prepares the Way

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 3:7-12 – Opposition and Two Baptisms

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus Declared God’s Son at His Baptism

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:15-17 – The Baptisms of the One Coming

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:21-23 – The Baptism of Christ

2015 the year of ISIS

Next:

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:5-7 – A Temptation to Test God

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:8-11 – A Temptation to Gain World Rule

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:12-17 – Galilee Saw A Great Light

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:18-22 – The Calling of the First Disciples

Nazarene Commentary Matthew 4:23-25 – Kingdom Preaching and Healing Draws Crowds

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Additional reading

1. To mean, to think, outing your opinion, conviction, belief – Menen, mening, overtuiging, opinie, geloof
2. Words to inspire and to give wisdom
3. What we do
4. The I Am to explore
5. Just One More Minute
6. satan or devil
7. Satan the evil within
8. The Son can do nothing of his own accord
9. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God
10. Sayings of Jesus, what to believe and being or not of the devil

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Further reading

1. Jesus is tested – In the wilderness
2. Temptation in the Desert
3. The Temptation of Jesus
4. Dealing With Temptation
5. But Deliver Us from the Evil One
6. Watch Over Us
7. Does God Love Satan? (1 of 2)
8. The Devil Made Me Do it…
9. Getting Testy
10. When we stumble
11. Love Came Down in Obedience/L’amour est descendu dans l’obéissance
12. 40 days
13. 40 days and 40 nights
14. SMS 144 Matthew 4:2-3
15. Stones Into Bread
16. My Life As An Itchy Man
17. The Camera

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Related articles

• Beware of Making Jesus Your Password
• God Hates Pride
• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
• Your Word for This Day: “I’m Safe in His Hands”
• Blessed are the peacemakers (or how to spot God’s kids)
• First or Last?
• ‘Look to him and be radiant.’
• For those who believe Jesus is God
• What I believe about the Bible

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Authority from the One God to one mediator between God and men

5 For there is one God,+ and one mediator+ between God and men,+ a man, Christ Jesus,+ 6 who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all*+—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time. (1 Timothy 2:5, 6 NWT)

1 Timothy 2:5 Reference Bible: 5 For there is one God,+ and one mediator+ between God+ and men,+ a man, Christ Jesus,+ 6 who gave himself a corresponding ransom* for all*+—[this is] what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times.

1 Timothy 2:5 Kingdom Interlinear:

• • 5 Εἷς One γὰρ for θεός, God, εἷς one καὶ also μεσίτης mediator θεοῦ of God καὶ and ἀνθρώπων of men ἄνθρωπος man Χριστὸς Christ Ἰησοῦς, Jesus,

  • 6 ὁ the (one) δοὺς having given ἑαυτὸν himself ἀντίλυτρον corresponding ransom ὑπὲρ over πάντων, all (ones), τὸ the μαρτύριον witness καιροῖς to appointed times ἰδίοις· own;

1 Timothy 2:5 Byington: 5 For there is one God, one mediator too between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, 6* he who gave himself as a ransom for everybody; the attestation when the right time came,

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there is one God:

• Deuteronomy 6:4: 4 “Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.+

• Romans 3:30: Since God is one,+ he will declare circumcised people righteous+ as a result of faith and uncircumcised people righteous+ by means of their faith.

• Deuteronomy 5:7: You must never have any other gods besides me.*+

• Isaiah 42:8: I am Jehovah. That is my name; I give my glory to no one else,* Nor my praise to graven images.+

• Zechariah 14:9: And Jehovah will be King over all the earth.+ In that day Jehovah will be one,+ and his name one.+

• Mark 12:29: Jesus answered: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel, Jehovah* our God is one Jehovah,*

• Mark 12:32: The scribe said to him: “Teacher, you spoke well, in line with truth, ‘He is One, and there is no other besides him’;+

• 1 Corinthians 8:6: there is actually to us one God,+ the Father,+ from whom all things are and we for him;+ and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are+ and we through him.

• Deuteronomy 5:7: You must never have any other gods against my face.*+

• Zechariah 14:9: And Jehovah must become king over all the earth.*+ In that day Jehovah will prove to be one,+ and his name one.+

one mediator:

• Hebrews 8:6: But now Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry* because he is also the mediator+ of a correspondingly better covenant,+ which has been legally established on better promises.+

• Hebrews 9:15: That is why he is a mediator of a new covenant,+ in order that because a death has occurred for their release by ransom+ from the transgressions under the former covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the everlasting inheritance.+

• Hebrews 12:24: and Jesus the mediator+ of a new covenant,+ and the sprinkled blood, which speaks in a better way than Abel’s blood.+

• Luke 22:20: Also, he did the same with the cup after they had the evening meal, saying: “This cup means the new covenant+ by virtue of my blood,+ which is to be poured out in your behalf.+

between God and men

• 1 Corinthians 11:25: He did the same with the cup+ also, after they had the evening meal, saying: “This cup means the new covenant+ by virtue of my blood.+ Keep doing this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”+

• Galatians 3:20: Now there is no mediator where only one person is concerned, but God* is only one.+

men

• Galatians 3:29: Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed,+ heirs with reference to a promise.+

• Ephesians 5:27: that he might present the congregation to himself in its splendor,+ not having a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish.+

• Hebrews 2:16: For he is really not assisting angels at all, but he is assisting Abraham’s seed.+

a man, Christ Jesus

• Acts 4:12: Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name+ under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”+

• Romans 5:15: But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by one man’s trespass many died, how much more did the undeserved kindness of God and his free gift by the undeserved kindness of the one man,+ Jesus Christ, abound* to many!+

• 2 Timothy 1:9, 10: 9 He saved us and called us with a holy calling,+ not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and undeserved kindness.+ This was given to us in connection with Christ Jesus before times long ago, 10 but now it has been made clearly evident through the manifestation of our Savior, Christ Jesus,+ who has abolished death+ and has shed light on life+ and incorruption+ through the good news,+

• Matthew 1:21: She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus,*+ for he will save his people from their sins.”+

• Acts 10:43: To him all the prophets bear witness,+ that everyone putting faith in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”+

• Philippians 2:9, 10: 9 For this very reason, God exalted him to a superior position+ and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name,+ 10 so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground+—

• Colossians 2:13: Furthermore, though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of YOUR flesh, [God]* made YOU alive together with him.+ He kindly forgave us all our trespasses+

6 who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all*+

ransom for all = Or “all sorts of people.”: “Ransom.” Gr., lyʹtron; Lat., re·dem·pti·oʹnem; J^17,18,22(Heb.), koʹpher. Compare 1Ti 2:6 ftn, “Ransom.”: “Corresponding ransom.” Gr., an·tiʹly·tron (from an·tiʹ, “against; in correspondence to; in place of,” and lyʹtron, “ransom [price paid]”). Compare Mt 20:28 ftn, “Ransom.”

• Matthew 20:28: Just as the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister+ and to give his life* as a ransom in exchange for many.”+

• Mark 10:45: For even the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister+ and to give his life* as a ransom in exchange for many.”+

• Colossians 1:13, 14: 13 He rescued us from the authority of the darkness+ and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins.+

• Isaiah 53:11: 11 Because of his anguish,* he will see and be satisfied. By means of his knowledge the righteous one, my servant,+ Will bring a righteous standing to many people,+ And their errors he will bear.+

• Titus 2:13, 14: 13 while we wait for the happy hope+ and glorious manifestation of the great God and of our Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us+ to set us free*+ from every sort of lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people who are his own special possession, zealous for fine works.+

• Hebrews 9:28: so also the Christ was offered once for all time to bear the sins of many;+ and the second time that he appears it will be apart from sin,* and he will be seen by those earnestly looking for him for their salvation.+

+

Matthew 28:18-20: 18 Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.+ 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations,+ baptizing them+ in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.+ And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”*+

Matthew 28:18 Reference Bible: 18 And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority*+ has been given me in heaven and on the earth.

Matthew 28:18 Kingdom Interlinear:

• • 18 καὶ And προσελθὼν having come toward ὁ the Ἰησοῦς Jesus ἐλάλησεν spoke αὐτοῖς to them λέγων saying ᾿Εδόθη Was given μοι to me πᾶσα all ἐξουσία authority ἐν in οὐρανῷ heaven καὶ and ἐπὶ upon τῆς the γῆς· earth;

Matthew 28:18 Byington: And Jesus approached them and spoke to them, saying “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth:

***

“Authority.” Gr., e·xou·siʹa; Lat., po·teʹstas; J¹⁸(Heb.), mim·shalʹ.

• Daniel 2:44: “And in the days of those kings*+ the God of heaven+ will set up a kingdom*+ that will never be brought to ruin.+ And the kingdom* itself will not be passed on to any other people.+ It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms,+ and it itself will stand to times indefinite;+

• Daniel 7:14: And to him there were given rulership+ and dignity+ and kingdom,*+ that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him.+ His rulership is an indefinitely lasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be brought to ruin.+

• Matthew 11:27: All things have been delivered to me by my Father,+ and no one fully knows the Son but the Father,+ neither does anyone fully know the Father but the Son and anyone to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.+

• Ephesians 1:21: far above every government and authority and power and lordship+ and every name named,+ not only in this system of things,*+ but also in that to come.+

• Philippians 2:9: For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position+ and kindly gave him the name that is above every [other] name,+

• Colossians 2:10: And so YOU are possessed of a fullness by means of him, who is the head of all government and authority.+

• Hebrews 1:4: So he has become better than the angels,+ to the extent that he has inherited a name+ more excellent than theirs.

• 1 Corinthians 15:24: Next, the end,* when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power.+

All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth:

• Ephesians 1:20, 21: 20 which he exercised toward Christ when he raised him up from the dead and seated him at his right hand+ in the heavenly places, 21 far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named,+ not only in this system of things* but also in that to come.

• Philippians 2:9: For this very reason, God exalted him to a superior position+ and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name,+ 10 so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground+— 11 and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord+ to the glory of God the Father.

• Acts 4:12: Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name+ under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”+

+

John 5:25-27-30: 25 “Most truly I say to you, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have paid attention will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself,*+ so he has granted also to the Son to have life in himself.+ 27 And he has given him authority to do judging,+ because he is the Son of man.+ 28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice+ 29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.+ 30 I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous+ because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.+

John 5:27:

John 5:27 Reference Bible: And he has given him authority to do judging,+ because Son of man+ he is.

John 5:27 Kingdom Interlinear

• • 27 καὶ and ἐξουσίαν authority ἔδωκεν he gave αὐτῷ to him κρίσιν judgment ποιεῖν, to be doing, ὅτι because υἱὸς Son ἀνθρώπου of man ἐστίν. he is.

John 5:27 King James Version: And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

John 5:27 American Standard Version: and he gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.

John 5:27 Byington: and he has given him authority to administer judgment because he is Son of Man.

***

authority to do judging

• John 5:22: For the Father judges no one at all, but he has entrusted all the judging to the Son,+

• 2 Timothy 4:1: I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is to judge+ the living and the dead,+ and by his manifestation+ and his Kingdom:+

• 2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear* before the judgment seat of the Christ, so that each one may be repaid according to the things he has practiced while in the body, whether good or bad.*+

• Acts 17:31: Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge+ the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead.”+

+

Preceding articles:

Jehovah’s Witnesses Circuit Assembly and a Pillar to freedom

Jesus’ footstep followers, irrespective of sectarian lines

+++

Related articles

• Sunday, 3 July 2016 : 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle (Second Reading)
• Child of my Father
• The Destiny of God’s People
• 07/28/2016 Scripture
• we need more “character” and less “characters” #GreatestGeneration
• Blessing God in a Dark World
• 1 Peter 5-10 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
• The Least of the Apostles, Chief of Sinners, but Blameless and Righteous
• Yes, You Can Be A Christian And Wrong

As Christ’s slaves doing the Will of God in gratitude

When we seem to receive everything why are we not much more showing gratitude to that One Who provides?

Not many people today are seeing that it is the Great God Who gives us everything we need for life. Not much seems to have changed by the years. Like we can find godliness in His Book of books, though it may be a Best-seller, not many people are following all the advice which is given in it.

In that ancient writing we are given words which should be precious and should be burned in the hearts of many.

Our hearts should be be comforted (+) and all that say they love Jesus should be harmoniously joined together in love (+). We that call ourselves Christians should be true followers of Christ Jesus, accepting that what he, Jeshua, Jesus from Nazareth says, but also should accept what his heavenly Father, the God of Jesus, says, Who is also the God of Abraham. In our faith in Jesus accepting him to be the son of God, and not making him a god son, we may have all the riches that result from the full assurance of our understanding, in order to gain an accurate knowledge of the sacred secret of God, namely, Christ.(+)

It is true that for many it still may not be clear and that even a lot of Christians do not believe a man could keep to God’s commandments. Though all that call themselves Christians should know that carefully concealed in this Nazarene man, Jesus, are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. (+)

The apostle Paul said this already some two thousand years ago so that no one may delude the first nor the later Christians with persuasive arguments. Having accepted Christ Jesus the Lord, we should go on walking in union with him, being rooted and built up in him (+) and being stabilized in the faith, (+ ) just as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving. (+)

It is in Jesus that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily. (+) and by means of him we have acquired a fullness and can receive so many more blessings already in this life. Though we should know that our baptism is not a stop in our way to search. We continuously have to go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (+) Though there may be many things to get our minds from Scripture and to distract us from the real Truth, we have to keep your minds fixed on the things above, (+) the more important things than worldly gain.

We see that the majority of this world is most interested to enlarge their gain and to provide themselves with a name so that others can look up to them. But we should not be bounded to this earth and to the gains of the earth. not on the things on the earth.

Black and white student clasping hands – Unity – Photo Frerieke

Several Christians do see in the union of Christ a proof for their three headed god, but forget that God as well as Jesus do ask us to become in the same union. Our life has should not be one of being on our own but be one of being in union with Christ like Jesus was and is in union with God. Being united with Jesus like he is united with God, does not make us Jesus nor will it make us God, but it will give us divine force of being stronger than the world.  When the Christ, our life, is made manifest, then we also will be made manifest with Jesus in glory.

3 If, however, You were raised up+ with the Christ, go on seeking the things above,+ where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God.+2 Keep Your minds fixed on the things above,+ not on the things upon the earth.+3 For You died,+ and Your life+ has been hidden with the Christ in union+ with God. 4 When the Christ, our life,+ is made manifest, then You also will be made manifest+ with him in glory.+ (Colossians 3: 1-4)

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossians, highlights the superiority and supremacy of Christ in the first two chapters. Then, he teaches the believers how to live in Christ. He sums up a lot of things we do have to do. though in certain faith groups the believers do think we do not have to do anything any more because we are saved, Paul assures them they are mistaken and confirms what James said that faith without works is dead, and we should be alive in Christ doing the works of Christ.

12 Accordingly, as God’s chosen ones,+ holy and loved, clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion,+ kindness, lowliness of mind,*+ mildness,+ and long-suffering.+ 13 Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely+ if anyone has a cause for complaint+ against another. Even as Jehovah* freely forgave You,+ so do You also. 14 But, besides all these things, [clothe yourselves with] love,+ for it is a perfect bond+ of union.*

15 Also, let the peace+ of the Christ* control in Your hearts,+ for You were, in fact, called to it in one* body.+ And show yourselves thankful. 16 Let the word of the Christ* reside in You richly in all wisdom.+ Keep on teaching+ and admonishing one another with psalms,+ praises to God,* spiritual songs+ with graciousness, singing in Your hearts to Jehovah.*+17 And whatever it is that You do in word or in work,+ do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,+ thanking+ God the Father through him. (Colossians 3: 12-17)

We should have the words of Christ dwell in us richly. We should accept what Jesus tells about himself and about his heavenly Father and should not fabricate other ideas to confirm with the worldly thinking of the many gods and idols. We should honour the words of Christ and be willing to accept what he tells about his Father and what the Father tells about him.

Not keeping to human traditions and not adhering to human doctrines we should follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and whatever we do, in word or deed, we have to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. With these words of Christ we should let others know those words and show them the way Jesus showed to his disciples. By the servant of the heavenly Father we are liberated from the chains of this world. As we were slaves of the world enjoying all the temptations we now should know better and look further than our nose and look for a better future. Though we should know that we can not do differently than living in this world at the moment, we should make the best out of it, but by keeping to God’s commandments, doing Jesus and doing God His Will, like Jesus did not his will but the Will of God.

Being a good Christian we should, like Jesus asked, give the Caesar what the Caesar wants, being obedient in everything to those who are your human fleshly masters, (+) not only when they are watching, just to please men, but with sincerity of heart, with fear of Jehovah. We as Christ’s slaves should be doing the will of God whole-souled, loving Jehovah our Only One God with our whole heart and with our whole soul (*) and with our whole strength and with our whole mind. (Ephesians 6:5, 6)

* 23 Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled* as for Jehovah,*+ and not for men, 24 for you know that it is from Jehovah* you will receive the inheritance as a reward.+ Slave for the Master, Christ. 25 Certainly the one who does wrong will be repaid for the wrong he has done,+ and there is no partiality.+ (Colossians 3: 23-25)

At all moments we should be thankful for what Jesus has done for mankind and praise God in His sanctuary, in the firmament of His power, showing our gratitude for Him willing to accept the ransom Jesus offered Him.

To praise God we can use the many Psalms God has provide us by his servant King David. God His other servant, Jeshjua, Jesus Christ showed us the way to his Father in heaven. Jesus also prayed to this God of Abraham in Whom he had put his faith and in Whom we also should put our faith. Jesus was fully penetrated by the Words of God and we should come one with God like Jesus is one with God.

21 so that they may all be one,+ just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you,+ that they also may be in union with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. (John 17:21)

Everything what Jesus has done, was in accordance not to Jesus his will but along the lines and wishes of his heavenly Father, The Only One True God Who is One. For Jesus the Words of his Father sounded like music in his ears. All the words God said, should also resound as music in our ears.

As James Faris in Christian Living writes:

God has given us the whole Scriptures for our aid. But, God created the human heart to respond in special ways to his word set to music. In song, the word of God penetrates the soul. In song, we experience union with Christ. In the throes of life – the crisis moments – it is words set to music that first come to mind. In those moments, we can’t always run to the desktop, but we should have the smartphone of soul embedded in our hearts.

Apple used to use that catchy phrase “there’s an app for that.” Need to send flowers to mom? there’s an app for that. Need to know the name of the constellation of stars in the sky overhead? There’s an app for that. Need supper? There’s an app for that.

Well, whatever your circumstance of life, there’s a Psalm for that:

• Contemplating origins? Think Psalm 33.
• Considering the consummation of the age? Think Psalm 149.
• Rising from bed? Think Psalm 5.
• Going to bed? Think Psalm 4.
• Awake at night? Think Psalm 63.
• Ready to eat? Think Psalm 145.
• Thirsty? Think Psalm 42.
• Going to work? Think Psalm 104.
• Celebrating the Lord’s Day? Think Psalm 122.
• Checking your genealogy? Think Psalm 16.
• Your beginning? Think Psalm 139.
• Your birth? Think Psalm 71.
• Celebrating a birthday? Think Psalm 104.
• Enjoying childhood? Think Psalm 34.
• Need motivation to study well? Think Psalm 111.
• Gazing at the stars? Think Psalm 19.
• Maturing as a youth? Think Psalm 119.
• Ready to pop the question? Think Psalm 45.
• Bringing children into the world? Think Psalm 128.
• Questions about parenting? Think Psalm 103.
• Playing with your grandchildren? Think Psalm 71.
• Harvest time here? Think Psalm 65.
• Seasons changing around you? Think Psalm 147.
• Traveling? Think Psalm 121.
• On the water? Think Psalm 107.
• Remembering history? Think Psalm 78.
• Talking with your financial planner? Think Psalm 49.
• Tempted by the world? Think Psalm 73.
• Disappointed by life? Think Psalm 77.
• Weeping over your sins? Think Psalm 51.
• Engaged in evangelism? Think Psalm 96.
• Overcome by fear? Think Psalm 91.
• Angered by the wickedness of men? Think Psalm 94.
• Disappointed by civic elections? Think Psalm 2.
• Rejoicing in the incarnation? Think Psalm 113.
• Prone to worry? Think Psalm 130.
• Growing old? Think Psalm 92.
• Butchering or preparing meat? Think Psalm 8.
• Going to war? Think Psalm 18.
• In the process of dying? Think Psalm 6.
• Mourning the death of a loved one? Think Psalm 116.
• Anticipating eternity? Think Psalm 73.

Of course, you can add other life experiences to the list. Why is the Psalter the smartphone of the soul? Rowland Prothero notes:

“The Book of Psalms contains the whole music of the heart of man, swept by the hand of his Maker. In it are gathered the lyrical burst of his tenderness, the moan of his penance, the pathos of his sorrow, the triumph of his victory, the despair of his defeat, the firmness of his confidence, the rapture of his assured hope. In it is presented the anatomy of all parts of the human soul. In it, as Heine says, are collected ‘sunrise and sunset, birth and death, promise and fulfillment – the whole drama of humanity.’”

Thus, we carry the Psalms in our mental pockets daily. Our minds race here to check for truths, to hear from God, and see our decisions and emotions governed when we cannot access the rest of Scripture. This has been my experience of life…from birthdays, to emergency room visits, to maternity wards, to the graveside, and beyond.

Smartphones are great, but they only go so far. They may reveal where you are in a building, but they cannot reveal what is in your building. They may map the stars in the sky, but they cannot unite you to the maker of the stars. They may point you to bread on earth, but they cannot feed you bread from heaven. The Psalms do all of these things and more. Phone programs fail, contracts expire, and phones are dropped in toilets. The Psalms hidden in the heart will never fail you. They will cause the peace of Christ to rule in your heart. They will order your life. But the Psalms only function this way in the hearts of those who own them. {The Psalter: Smartphone of the Soul (revisited)}

We shall praise God for His creation and all the wonder-works He did but also to show our thankfulness for accepting the ransom offer Jesus brought for us all. We shall bring praise to God because He has verified His promise to bless all those who wait upon Him in faith and sincerity. Even we do know that we or those who come behind us shall have to face an other terrible war, we can see the signs of the end coming near.

Bringing praise to God let us step in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and let us share our blessings with others by taking to as many
as possible who are truth hungry the “sincere milk of the Word,” and the “meat in due season” from His storehouse.

Praise God from whom all bless is honour to his beloved Son!

+

Preceding articles:

Be vigilant with a view to prayers

Psalm 150 Praise Jah, You people!

Psalm 150 Praise Jah! Praise God

+++

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  The Apostle Paul was a dynamic leader as a founder of Christianity and the church of Jesus Christ. As a Jew, Paul was keenly aware of the culture of the Jewish people and their customs, but recognized growth was necessary for his people to follow Jesus the Christ. Paul’s central message throughout his ministry focused on a simple concept: to become like Jesus Christ and live a life in accordance with his teachings and example. (I Co. 11:1, Ep. 5:1, 4:22-24, Ga. 3.27, Ro. 8:29) In establishing Christianity, Paul was on a journey to change the culture of the Jewish people to embrace a new reality given to them by Jesus.
• A New Past, Present and Future in Jesus (revolutionarypaideia.com)
  We enter into this blood-bought Grace Covenant with Jesus when we receive the Salvation He has made available to everyone.
  +
  Jesus expects for you to no longer live a life where you’re sin-conscious: “For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins” (Hebrews 10:2). When you’re constantly worried about sin threatening your position of righteousness in Christ Jesus, this sin-consciousness causes you to receive bondage and fear—this bondage and fear is not a part of your reborn spirit in Christ Jesus,
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  Jesus was always available to those who were in need and that He is still accessible today [Hebrews 4:15-16]).
  +
  Jesus instructed the apostles to teach those they baptized “to observe all things whatever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42). If I likewise instruct people to observe all that Christ commanded and to continue faithfully in the doctrine of Christ’s apostles, am I not, in reality, preaching Jesus?
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