An other Christian WordPress.com site – Een andere Christelijke WordPress.com site

Posts tagged ‘Ruach’

Ezekiel 18:4 – What the Bible teaches about Soul and Spirit

This brief text expresses a simple truth. Souls die. Against the speculations of some that there is something within a man, a “soul,” which remains alive after death, lingering as a disembodied spirit, the scriptures affirm to the contrary. Death is what it seems to be — death.

When a dog dies, what happens to the dog? It stops breathing, its body decays and returns to the elements. Thought and consciousness immediately terminate. There is no more dog. It does not go to some place prepared for old dogs, to chew bones in bliss, for there simply is no more dog. It is dead, it is gone, it is no more.

Death is the same for human beings. Death is the cessation of life. Psalm 146:4 describes what happens when a man dies.

“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.”

“That which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other … they have all one breath … all go unto one place, all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20).

The Resurrection

However, unlike the animals, man has the hope of a resurrection from the dead. Animals were made to live for a limited period of time, procreate, age, and pass away as part of the cycle of nature. But man, the height of God’s physical creation, was created with the capacity to live forever. They appreciate life, plan for the future, and cherish the hope for continued life. Accordingly, the prospect of living forever was offered to Adam in the Garden of Eden, by God who created him.

This offer was contingent upon obedience, a test which Adam and Eve failed. But even after being expelled from the Garden, so robust was the human frame that Adam lived 930 years before death claimed his life (Genesis 5:5). Almost 4000 years after Adam sinned, Jesus died as a ransom for father Adam (1 Timothy 2:6), which allows Adam and his posterity a release from the death penalty — in other words, a resurrection from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:22). For the world, this will come during the Millennium so near at hand.

In the meantime, where are all the dead of past ages? They are simply dead. They silently await the resurrection, when they will be reconstituted as the persons they were before they died, to learn the lessons God has for them during the Kingdom on earth.

What is a Soul?

From our opening text, it is apparent that souls do die. The expression “immortal soul,” sometimes used among Christians, is not found in the Bible.

A soul is a living being, whether animal or human, and neither animals nor humans are immortal.

The Hebrew word for soul is nephesh, word number 5315 in Strong’s Concordance, which gives this definition: “A breathing creature, i.e. animal or (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.”

Genesis 2:7 uses the word “soul” for Adam.

“The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Here the word nephesh, or soul, is defined as a living being, a body combined with the breathe of life. Thus we learn, that man does not possess a soul, but that he IS a soul, which means simply that man, when alive, is a living being.” Adam subsequently died, and he with all the others silently awaits the resurrection.

Animals as Souls

The “breath of life” which animates the human organism is no different than the breath of life given to the lower animals. In reference to the “beasts and every creeping thing” which perished in the Flood, we read,

“All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died” (Genesis 7:21,22).

Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 informs us that both man and beast

“have all one breath, so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast.”

As Strong’s Concordance notes, animals are also souls — living beings. However, in the common English version this is hidden by the translation, which confuses the subject to many readers. When the word nephesh, soul, refers to an animal, the translators rendered it with some other word, such as creature or beast.

For example, Genesis 1:20 says

“let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature [nephesh, soul]…”

Verse 21, “God created great whales, and every living creature [nephesh, soul] that moveth…”

Verse 24, “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature [nephesh, soul] after his kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.”

Here are other texts of the same sort: Genesis 1:30, 2:14, 9:3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 18. And Isaiah 19:10,

“… all that make sluices and ponds for fish [nephesh, souls].

This method of translating hides the fact that animals are souls. Were this fact more open and apparent, it would assist people to recognize that souls are not immortal, for no one supposes that animals are in any sense immortal.

Only once in the Old Testament did the translators render the word nephesh “soul” when it applied to animals, namely Numbers 31:28, where the word applies at one time both to people and animals: “one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep.”

The Difference Between the Human Soul and the Animal Soul

The difference between the soul of a human and an animal is in the construction of the organism, particularly in the formation of the brain. Although some organisms of some of the lower animals may seem to be superior to man’s (such as a dog’s keen sense of smell and hearing and an eagle’s eyesight), God in his great wisdom created man in his own image, thus giving man the ability to reason, and to have a moral sense of right and wrong — possessing a conscience (1 John 3:20-22). Man has the ability to love and obey Jehovah-God as well as to love (agape) his enemies or those who do or wish him wrong through, striving to see all things through the eyes of their Bridegroom — Christ Jesus. He died as a “ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6) because of his great love of the Heavenly Father — stemming from a love for righteousness which comes from a knowledge, understanding and experience of the results of obeying the Heavenly Father, which permits the highest and purest form of joy to be felt, that joy that is felt through the eyes of faith, that joy that our Lord Jesus had in bringing the Heavenly Father joy, as reflected in his words:

“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work” (John 4:34, ESV).

Other Hidden References

There are other important places where the translators also obscured the use of nephesh.

“There were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body [nephesh, soul] of a man … those men said unto him, We are defiled by the dead body [nephesh, soul] of a man … If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body [nephesh, soul] …” (Numbers 9:6, 7, 10).

If the translation use “soul” in these places, it would be apparent to the reader that souls simply die. When Samson toppled the house of Dagon, he prayed to God:

“Let me [my nephesh, soul] die with the Philistines” (Judges 16:30).

Expanded Use

The texts above give us the proper meaning of the word soul, namely any living being. However, Strong’s Concordance shows that nephesh is sometimes used figuratively for one’s life, being, or vitality. Here are two examples of this.

(1) When Rachel was dying at the birth of Benjamin, Genesis 35:18 says

“As her soul was in departing (for she died) … she called his name Benomi: but his father called him Benjamin.”

(2) 1 Kings 17:21, speaking of the raisin of a young boy by Elijah, says he cried to God

“let this child’s soul come into him again.”

In both of these cases the word “life” or “being” is the meaning intended.

Sometimes the word is used of one’s deepest thoughts or feelings, distinguished from the mere body. Thus 2 Kings 4:27 says of a troubled woman,

“her soul is vexed in her.”

Language is flexible, and the word nephesh is used flexibly. But none of these cases are any predicate for believing some conscious force called “soul” mysteriously lingers after death. Death is death. It is the cessation of life.

Soul in the New Testament

The New Testament Greek word for soul is psuche. Whenever the word “soul” appears in the common English version of the New Testament, it is from this word (Strong’s number 5590).

1 Corinthians 15:45 uses psuche as the counterpart of the Hebrew nephesh, which serves to equate the two words.

“The first man Adam was made a living soul [psuche].”

This expression clearly draws from Genesis 2:7, where nephesh is used. This word is frequently rendered life.

“Whosoever will save his life shall lose it” (Mark 8:35).

“I lay down my life” (John 10:17).

“They seek my life” (Romans 11:3),

and many other examples. In these cases “life” refers to the being, the person. The same meaning attaches when the word is rendered “soul,” as in Acts 2:43,

“fear came upon every soul” — every person, or being.

Revelation 8:9 and 16:3 apply the word to sea creatures. Revelation 6:9 and 20:4 use the term metaphorically of the spent life of the saints, awaiting the resurrection. John 12:27 says of Jesus

“now is my soul troubled.”

Thus there is a breadth in this Greek word that matches the breadth of its Hebrew counterpart.

In the Old Testament the condition of death is expressed by the Hebrew sheol, and its Greek counterpart in the New Testament is hades. This was the condition into which Jesus’ “soul,” psuche, passed for three days until his resurrection, for a soul, psuche, dies and is later raised from the dead.

The Soul Is Not Immortal

If the soul were truly immortal, the soul would be indestructible, yet it is not, because each human born under the curse of Adamic condemnation, dies until the curse shall be lifted up from humanity once Christ’s ransom price has been applied to all mankind. By then the Bride of Christ will have completed their share in the sin offering — and the antityical “atonement day” sin offering thus completed. The High Priest in Leviticus 16 made atonement for himself, his sons, and then, finally, for the sins of the people (the world of mankind). God warned Adam that if he disobeyed God’s rule, then as a living soul Adam would cease to exist. We read about this in Genesis 2:17,

“but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

In Ezekiel 18:4 God said,

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth it shall die.”

This means that the person who sins shall die, and since all are born in sin, the entire human race has been dying for nearly 6000 years. Here are two examples of Scriptures about death being the consequence of sin:

“So death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12, NASV).

Every soul [person] sins and, as a consequence, every soul dies (Romans 6:16,23).

But God in his great love provided redemption from death for all sinful souls, or persons, through the gift of his beloved Son, Christ Jesus, who died as a corresponding ransom price to free mankind from the prison house of death. All of Adam’s progeny lost life through Adamic transgression and thus have inherited sin and imperfection. The Apostle Paul wrote that

“in Adam all die,”

adding to this,

“even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

And again,

“Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:21,22).

The Prophet Isaiah wrote that Christ’s “soul” was made an offering for sin, and also that he

“poured out his soul unto death” (Isaiah 53:10,12).

John 3:16 says,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Adam and all past generations of his children have fallen asleep in death, but they have not “perished,” because through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, and by the exercise of divine power, they are to be awakened in the resurrection and given an opportunity to believe. Then, upon the basis of their belief and obedience, they may live forever.

Those called to discipleship in the present life are given an opportunity to inherit eternal life by accepting Jesus as their personal Redeemer and responding to the invitation to take up their cross and follow him, gladly lay down their lives with him, and be planted together in the likeness of his death (Roman 6:3-6). These are referred to in Revelation 20:4 as the “souls” which are

“beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God.”

The Apostle Paul wrote,

“If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished” (1 Corinthians 15:17,18).

Thus, Paul speaks of Christians who die as merely being “asleep,” and not in any sense perishing in death.

Genesis 12:11-13 (NASB) says Abraham was afraid that his soul would not live, and thus, that he would die.

“It came about when he [Abram] came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, This is his wife; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I (“my soul,” nephesh) may live on account of you.” If the Hebrew word nephesh meant an indestructible immortal soul, Abram’s soul could not have died (Br. Peter Karavas, 2011).

Jesus emphasized this same important truth in an admonition to his disciples to meet courageously any and all opposition against them and any persecuted unto death, saying,

“Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [Gehenna]” (Matthew 10:28).

Jesus here refers to the possibility of permanent cessation of life by God for the incorrigible, which the Bible terms as “second death.”

“This does not imply that the soul can live apart from the body, for actually the body is the organism of the soul. Rather, Jesus is speaking from the standpoint of the divine plan to awaken the dead in the resurrection. It was from this standpoint that Paul could say that Christians who fell asleep in death had not ‘perished.’ If an enemy puts a Christian to death, he has not perished as a soul. The body dies, but the person, the soul, merely ‘sleeps’ until the resurrection. But if a Christian becomes a willful sinner and is not worthy of a resurrection, then death means extinction of that person, or soul, forever.

“Jesus explained this from another standpoint, as recorded in Luke 20:37,38… ‘

Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.’

Jesus did not say that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had gone to heaven to live with God. He simply explained that because there is to be a resurrection of the dead, and these faithful servants will be restored to life, God does not consider them as having gone out of existence — they ‘live unto him,’ or, to him they are alive.

“So it is with all God’s faithful servants of the past. They may have been ‘sawn asunder’ by their enemies; they may have been thrown to the lions, or beheaded, or burned at the stake, but to God they still live, they have not ‘perished,’ for he has the power and will use that power to awaken them from the sleep of death.

“The ‘souls’ which are ‘beheaded,’ as mentioned in Revelation 20:4, are brought forth in the ‘first resurrection’ to live and reign with Christ a thousand years. The ‘souls’ that died serving God during the ages preceding Jesus’ first advent will come forth to a ‘better resurrection,’ to serve as ‘princes in all the earth’ — Hebrews 11:35; Psalm 45:16” (The Dawn – and Herald of Christ’s Kingdom Magazine, January 1959 issue).

Lazarus – An Example that the Soul is not immortal

In John 11:11 Jesus said “Lazarus sleepeth.” Lazarus was dead for four days (John 11:39). Surely Jesus would not have retrieved Lazarus from the bliss of heaven. For those four days Lazarus did not go anywhere, nor did he see anyone, nor did he speak, eat, feel, or think. He was simply dead. When he was raised to life he began again to do all those things. In this respect the whole world sleeps in death, waiting for the resurrection — unaware of what is transpiring in the meantime, because the dead do not sense, feel or think anything.

“The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

“There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

In John 5:28,29 Jesus said that the hour is coming when all in their graves will come forth. If their souls were already in heaven, then there would be no need for Jesus to say that he would bring them forth from the grave? If physical bodies were needed in heaven, how have these presumably immortal souls survived without them? Scripture also tells us that

“flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Seeking After Immortality

The Bible never equates immortality with the soul of common man, only with the saints, and then only as a gift for faithfulness (Romans 2:7, 1 Corinthians 15:53-54). The sleeping, unconscious dead will one day be awakened from their graves (John 5:28,29; Job 14:11-15; Psalm 17:15; Acts 24:15,16). At that time,

‘the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea’ (Isaiah 11:9).

‘Many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths’ (Micah 4:2).

In God’s kingdom on earth, mankind will be raised from the dead and have their first real opportunity to learn God’s ways of righteousness because Satan will be bound and will no longer be able to deceive the world (Revelation 20:3) (Br. Peter Karavas, 2011).

The Dead Raised To Life In the Resurrection Age

“Possibly the spirit that returns to God contains the unique ‘data’ of each individual can be compared to computer information on a removable disk. The resurrection of an individual could be a recreation after the pattern of Adam. The original body had passed to dust so a new one, either spiritual or fleshly, would be created. The individual again comes to life when the (unique?) spirit is returned to the body and he becomes a living soul again. Whatever the exact process is, we know the resurrected fleshly body will be in its intended perfected state. Job intimates that the flesh will be fresher than a child’s and will have the beauty and vitality of youth (Job 33:25)” (Robert Davis, The Herald of Christ’s Kingdom article.)

Spirit

The word “spirit” in the Old Testament is usually from the Hebrew ruach, and in the New Testament it is usually from the Greek pneuma. Both terms refer to breath, inhalation, or the movement of air, whether gentle or forceful. But as these are invisible forces, the words are applied by extension to the “spirit” of a person which is the invisible mental force, personality, influence, or disposition of a person.

Thus the Old Testament uses ruach when speaking of the “spirit” of Jacob, Elijah, Cyrus, Zerubbabel, Joshua, God, and others. The New Testament uses pneuma when speaking of the “spirit” of Paul, Christ, and God.

These words are also used to describe the influence of various non-personal but good “spirits” — the spirit of Truth, Holiness, Life, Faith, Wisdom, Grace and Glory — and of an opposite spirit of Jealousy, Judgment, Burning, Heaviness, Infirmity, Divination, Bondage, Slumber, Fear and Error.

Ruach also refers to the “spirit of life” which we receive from God, which figuratively “returns” to him when we die.

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

This does not imply a transport of persons. It applies to the motivating force of life, of both good and bad people alike.

Both words sometimes refer to the essence of a person, that is, their identity, character, personality. In this sense Jesus commended his “spirit” to God when he died, which was restored on the third day when God raised Jesus from the dead (Luke 23:46, Psalms 31:5).

In this sense also Paul speaks of the “spirits of just men,” the faithful Ancient Worthies of the Old Testament, who were matured by the things they suffered, and await their resurrection reward in the Kingdom (Hebrews 12:23, 11:40).

None of these cases teach that any conscious entity persists after the death of a person, except metaphorically, in the memory of God. Not until the resurrection does a person who has died live again as a conscious, sentient being. The great hope for the world lies in such a Resurrection from the Dead.

“There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:15).

“The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth” (John 5:28,29).

This assurance was secured for us at great cost, both by God who gave His dearest treasure, his son Jesus, and by Jesus who labored in his ministry for 3 ½ years, suffered accusation from the religious leaders of his day, and died for our sins on the cross.

“Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust … [to] bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh” (1 Peter 3:18). “By man [Adam] came death, by man [Jesus] came also the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:21).

For the saints of the Gospel Age, this resurrection occurs during the present “Harvest” period. For the remainder of the world, the resurrection will occur during the coming Millennium.

Do Angels Have a Soul?

As with human being, angels are souls, for they are the union of the spirit of life, together with a body, in this case a spiritual body.

“The first man Adam was made a living soul…” (1 Corinthians 15:45).

It would be the same with the angelic hosts, but on a higher scale.

“There are also celestial bodies … but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another” (1 Corinthians 15:40).

——-

Acknowledgment & References

We are thankful for the permission of sharing content from a study titled “Soul and Spirit,” drawn from a study by Br. Gilbert Rice, featured in the “Faithbuilders Fellowship” Journal.
http://www.2043ad.com/journal/2006/01_jan_06.pdf

“Immortality and the Human Soul,” The Bible versus Tradition—Article IV, April 1959 in The Dawn – A Herald of Christ’s Presence (Monthly Magazine) Rutherford, NJ, USA.
http://www.dawnbible.com/1959/5904tbs1.htm

“Immortality of the Soul” by Br. Peter Karavas. The Herald of Christ’s Kingdom Magazine, May-June 2011.
http://www.heraldmag.org/2011/11mj_3.htm

“The Resurrection of the Dead” by Br. Robert Davis. The Herald of Christ’s Kingdom.
http://www.heraldmag.org/literature/doc_14.htm

Suggested Further Reading

Volume 5 of “Studies in the Scriptures” — “The Atonement Between God and Man” by Br. Charles Taze Russell, pages 383-404, Study 13, “Hopes For Life Everlasting and Immortality Secured by the Atonement.”

“What Is the Soul?” by Br. Robert Seklemian
http://www.heraldmag.org/olb/contents/treatises/seklemians%20discourses.htm

ACTS 23:6 — HOPE & RESURRECTION. Part A: What Is Jesus All About?https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/11/03/acts-236-hope-resurrection-part-a-what-is-jesus-all-about/

ACTS 23:6 — HOPE & RESURRECTION. Part B: Will Mankind Resurrect With the Same Mind?
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/11/05/acts-236-hope-resurrection-part-b-will-mankind-resurrect-with-the-same-mind/

ACTS 23:6 — HOPE & RESURRECTION. Part C: The Order of the Resurrection Process
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/11/11/acts-236-hope-resurrection-part-c-the-order-of-the-resurrection-process/

This post’s URL:
https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2018/07/14/ezekiel-184-what-the-bible-teaches-about-soul-and-spirit/

Preceding articles

Matthew 11:20-24 Encouragement for John and Reproach for cities 5 Reproached Cities a Lesson for Judgment Day

Matthew 12:38-42 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Signs in Jonah and the Queen of the South

The Acts Of The Sent Ones Chapter 2

Additional reading

+++

Is it true that all Non-Christians today will go to hell

Category:

Bible study, Jesus Christ, Jeshua Messiah, Welfare and health

Tagged with:

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #9 Restored names and Sacred Name Bibles

In the previous chapter we showed that in the 1980ies and 1990ies publishers looked for way to have some cheap material easily printed and reproduced. For them the Word of God or the Bible looked very handy to use, because when they changed here and there some words they could publish it freely without having to bother about copyrights. In those years lots of economical and political problems started showing up, the Gulf War and beginning pressure from Islamic terrorist groups, making that people went looking for alternatives and solutions for making their life better.

The classic New Testament edition of The Good News Bible

From the time that all sorts of translations were provided for different groups of people, like housewives, prisoners, blue-coloured workman, modern women and modern man – Good News for modern man New Testament in Today’s English Version

Many publishers knocking the ball around presented booklets, pocket editions but also hard-covers with fragments and with full texts of the Bible. Many wanted to bring out a ‘fresh’ or ‘up-to-date’ Bible translations which could draw on a particular group of people or could be favoured by a particular denomination. For some it did not matter so much when the words got twisted a little-bit or when the translation was so loosely done it went very far from the original Holy Writings. The Good News Bible, which also presented a version for the ‘modern man’ is such a Bible translation were too much liberty is taken, but which manage to continue to exist until today.

Poverty and Justice Bible (CEV) Though for those thematic bibles, like the Poverty and justice Bible [2009; using the clear Contemporary English Version (CEV) text], the Street bible (2003) or The Word on the Street (2004), which was was one of the bestselling religious books for the next two years, Modern Man Bible, Women’s devotional Bible,the aim may well have been to help people to apply God’s Word to their everyday life, but too many do forget that all those notes are human additions. Lots of readers of such works take those human notes as part of the bible and start thinking that the bible is saying what those theologians say.

The full versions and study Bibles, like the The Full Life Study Bible (revised as the Life in the Spirit Study Bible) could find a long life, whilst the books which had only a selection of Bible texts have disappeared in obscurity.

The Liberator (2006) a retelling of the life of Jesus based on the gospels Matthew, Mark and Luke, could find perhaps a prolonged life because of the Lacey Theatre Company toured shows based on this book in 2007 and 2008, and extracts also being performed in “St David’s Praise” (31 May 2008, St David’s Hall in Cardiff).

English: Titlepage and dedication from a 1612-...

Titlepage and dedication from a 1612-1613 King James Bible, printed by Robert Barker. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Coming closer to the 400th birthday of the publication of the Authorised King James version, several companies also started bringing new King James Versions, whilst others found it time to not only update the language but to restore the names and present the words like it would be linguistic right.

Some of the new King James versions around the turn of the century did not alter the language much, like the minor very conservative update of the King James Version, the 21st Century King James Version bible, which stays true to the Textus Receptus and does not delete Bible passages based on Alexandrian Greek manuscripts. Obsolete and certain archaic words are eliminated but further it preserves the traditional Biblical language, making it possible to have all those using a King James Bible to follow easily. The 21st Century King James Version has also been released in an edition with the Apocrypha and without the unusual formatting; this is known as the Third Millennium Bible.

Having taken 7 years to complete the New King James Version (NKJV) already commissioned in 1975, published by HarperCollins (a subsidiary of News Corp), conceived by Arthur Farstad with 130 biblical scholars, pastors, and theologians, alters the language more significantly from the 1611 King James Version, but still trying to retain the purity and stylistic beauty of the original.
The exceptionally rich and accurate translation of the Holy Scripture became first available in 1982 but got more in the picture around the 400th birthday of the original KJV, also receiving some new study edition.

The NKJV Study Bible The purpose of the New King James Version was to preserve the authority and accuracy, as well as the rhythm and beauty of the original King James while making it understandable to 21st century readers. The result is an even better King James, scrupulously faithful to the original, yet truly updated to enhance its clarity and readability. There are several other good modern Bible translations available, but none does a better job of presenting the accuracy, beauty, and clarity that Bible readers need than the New King James Version. The Second Edition includes more features according the editors to make it the best all-purpose study Bible which sold to date: more than 1.3 million and more than 60 million copies for the stand alone NKJV.

The NKJV claiming to be “more accurate” because it leaves untranslated words like “Gehenna,” “Hades” and “Sheol” is misleading the people and has the only reason not to bump some church-member’s head. They choose for security not to knock against those who keep insistently wrong teachings of having gehenna/hades/sheol being a place of doom, the hell, where so called sinners would be penalised for their sins, instead of an abode of the dead, the grave/tomb. For that reason also many present bibles are afraid to print the Divine Name of God (יהוה) where it stood in the original writings, because also there people would come clearly to see about whom is been spoken and soon would come to see the difference between Jehovah God and Jehovah God His only begotten beloved son, יהושׁע Jeshua, where all of those KJV’s print Jesus.

But some of the newer versions restored the names. By them avoiding, where most trinitarians loved to see “Lord“, having titles placed instead of the original names, using the names of the people makes it much clearer for the bible reader about whom is been spoken, and as such mistaking one person fro the other is avoided. This way the Restored Name Versions and the New European Version are King James versions which haven taken up the old way of presenting God’s Name like it was in the original King James version, to leave no doubt when is spoken about the God of gods or about the son of God.

For the English Bible translations God’s Divine Name was already in the William Tyndale Bible of 1530 and in the King James Version in 1611. The excuse of avoiding the risk of taking God’s name (יהוה/YHWH) in vain, according to devout Christians was not necessary any more, because Jeshua liberated us from the curse of sin and restored the relationship between God and man. After the sacrifice of God‘s only begotten son, man does not have to be afraid any more to come up to God and speak to Him using His Sacred Name. Being convinced of the restored relationship and feeling that we as children of God not only may use His Name but should spread His Name, several Sacred Name Bibles started seeing the light.

When we look at the original texts and see how frequent that Divine Name appears, and hear how God speaks about His Name, we should comprehend its importance. The Tetragrammaton occurs 6,828 times in the Hebrew text (BHK and BHS). This is confirmed by the Theologisches Handwörterbuch zum Alten Testament, Vol. I, edited by E. Jenni and C. Westermann, 3rd ed., Munich and Zurich, 1978, cols. 703, 704. The New World Translation renders the Tetragrammaton as “Jehovah” in all occurrences.

The knowledge of the correct pronunciation of God’s name was there at the time of Christ, as it was heard at least by the high priest until 70 CE and respectively its utterance was common practice until at least the 1st century CE, but Hebrew speaking people can and do read the name in some groups as well as the majority of Messianic Jews who also accept that the relationship between God and man is restored by the Mashiah or Messiah.

The Jerusalem Bible: Reader’s Edition Hardcover – Abridged, February 15, 2000

Though throughout history there have been several versions which used God’s Name Jehovah or placed Yahweh for the Tetragrammaton, like The Jerusalem Bible (JB or TJB) (translated from the French La Bible de Jérusalem of 1956, revived and updated in 1973), first introduced to the English-speaking public at the time when the fear for the users of God’s Name (the Jehovah Witnesses started growing) in 1966 and published by Darton, Longman & Todd. As a Catholic Bible, it includes the traditional 73 books found in most English translations until the mid 19th century: the 39 books shared with the Hebrew Bible, along with the seven deuterocanonical books as the Old Testament, and the 27 books shared by all Christians as the New Testament. It also contains copious footnotes and introductions. It is the basis of the Lectionary for Mass used in Catholic worship throughout England, Wales, and the majority of the English-speaking world outside the United States and Canada, though the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has approved other translations for conditional liturgical use.

The New American Bible (With the Revised Book of Psalms and the Revised New Testament) New American Bible Revised ed. Edition by World Bible Publishing St

For the dioceses of the United States and the Philippines the New American Bible (NAB) Catholic Bible translation first published in 1970 is used, also being approved by the Episcopal Church in the United States. The spelling of proper names found in this edition departs from the ones found in older Catholic Bible versions, such as the Douay, and instead adopts those commonly found in Protestant Bibles.

The Revised New American Bible (RNAB) had the traditional phraseology — absent from the 1970 edition — restored to the New Testament, and having several non-traditional gender-neutral terms incorporated in its 1986 version. The New Testament was almost completely revised, and bears a much closer resemblance to the 1941 Confraternity version, as opposed to the much more periphrastic 1970 NAB NT. In 1991 the Book of Psalms was amended to introduce the use of extensive gender-neutral language. The last update is from 2011, including the newly revised Old Testament and re-revised Psalms, and the revised New Testament from the second edition.

Several English people did not like it that God’s Name was printed and would have preferred the Name of God be left unpronounced, or substituted with Lord or another title. In 1985, the English translation was completely updated. This new translation — known as the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB) — was freshly translated from the original languages and not tied to any French translation any-more (except indirectly, as it maintained many of the stylistic and interpretive choices of the French Jerusalem Bible).

When the the Catholic Truth Society in 2007 published the CTS New Catholic Bible, consisting of the original 1966 Jerusalem Bible text, prepared by the faculty of the Dominican Biblical School in Jerusalem, on the basis of the Hebrew and Greek and revised to match its use in lectionaries throughout most English-speaking countries, in conformity with the directives of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and the Pontifical Biblical Commission the name “Yahweh” was replaced by “the LORD” throughout the Old Testament, which frequently departs from the traditional Masoretic text, and the Psalms have been completely replaced by the 1963 Grail Psalter. The revised text is accompanied by new introductions, and textual and liturgical notes, supplemented as needed with material from the notes to the New Jerusalem Bible.

In the 1990s the ex-Jehovah Witness Mark Heber Miller started working at a contemporary American literal version with limited paraphrase translation with non-trinitarian notes. The Nazarene Friends, several Bible Students and the Belgian Christadelphians started using his work in progress. The Nazarene Friends and Belgian Christadelphians from the end of the 1990s started distributing a digital version in the Online Bible Biblical software program, with Larry Pierce, of his bible translation 21st Century Version of the Christian Scripture and of his Nazarene commentary. After several Windows renovations and adaptations in the Online Bible program those modules did not work any more, and no computer technician could be found to rework the material. As such we and many others can not use it digitally, though brother Marcus Ampe is working at it and placing it again in an Online Bible module. The printed copies where offered to the public from 2007 onwards.

Concerning “the scriptures” we can think of any Religious texts (also known as scripture, or scriptures, from the Latin scriptura, meaning “a writing” ) having the texts which various religious traditions consider to be sacred, or central to their religious tradition.

Religious texts may be used to evoke a deeper connection with the divine, convey spiritual truths, promote mystical experience, foster communal identity, and to guide individual and communal spiritual practice. {Free encyclopedia Wikipedia on Religious text}

But we, like other Belgian Christadelphians, Messianic Jews and Messianic Christians (sic), use also a literal Bible translation with the name “The Scriptures“, which follows the order of books of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Tanakh, and restored the Name of the Most High, (יהוה) throughout. Where it had become fashion in the 1980ies and 1990ies to replace the tetragrammaton with the title Lord instead of putting the Divine Name where it should belong, in 1998 the Institute for Scripture Research (ISR) published “a literal translation of the Bible in English”. In the 2009 version they made it easier having the Hebrew names of Book Titles placed on the right hand pages with corresponding traditional English names on the left hand pages. They do not only use the divine Name (the tetragrammaton), יהוה, {Jehovah} but also restored original Hebrew personal names of people and places, such as “Yirmeyahu” for Jeremiah, “Yeshayahu”, for Isaiah and “Mosheh” for Moses and in the Messianic Scriptures, or New Testament, יהושׁע { Y’hoshua / Yeshua = Jeshua for Jesus his real name}, “Mattithyahu” for Matthew etc..

(Hebrew names are also used where possible for annual festival days, as well as being used, minimally, for ambiguous words).

Opposite to the Hebraic Roots Version Scriptures (HRV), which contains over 2000 footnotes giving important alternate readings from the Aramaic Peshitta Tanakh, Aramaic Targums, Dead Sea Scrolls, Greek Septuagint, and Samaritan Pentateuch, The Scriptures has no place given for doctrinal comments from footnotes, explanatory notes etc., (including deletion of prophecy hairlines) in favour of more useful notes – thus clearing away obstacles to your unbiased study of Scripture.

For many english people accustomed to the KJV order of books it may demand some adaptation to come used to the original order of the Tanakh (Old Covenant Scriptures) which is restored according to the order of the Hebrew Scriptures, i.e. Torah, Neviim, Kethuvim. In the newer versions the New Covenant Writings (Brit Chadasha / New Testament), its allusions to the Tanakh are printed in Bold, and cross referenced to the Tanakh (Old Covenant Scriptures).

Dr. Chris J. Koster, with the aid and support of other scholars and textual experts from both Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds in different parts of the world, was the original translator for the South African and English version. He formed the ISR so that it could continue the work, even after his death (+4 May 1995). At the ISR, which also publishes the Hebraic Roots Version Scriptures (HRV), the board of directors is now overseeing the on-going work of translation and revision. It was around the time of his death that brother Marcus Ampe got to know him and his work and asked if he could make a Dutch version of the work. He had requested the version in Afrikaans, but never got it. The text fragments from 1993/1995 he got and 1998 had some little differences with the 2009 and 2010 versions. (At the moment in the ecclesia we use the 1998 and 2010 version, next to the NWT and the Bible Students Reference bible.) Because of his daily work and Marcus Ampe writing for several websites the translation-work got very much slowed down, also by his work on the Christadelphian modules for the Online Bible program.

Don Esposito, Senior Elder of the Congregation of YHWH Jerusalem, for his Hebrew Roots Version used the original names of our Creator, but presented it from the Paleo Hebrew as YAHWEH (יהוה HWHY/YHWH), and for God’s Son, our Saviour he used Yahshua (יהושׁע Yeshua/Jeshua in modern spelling), throughout. Because there was no letter J at that time he kept to the Y. Though than you also could say there did not exist a letter u and still should use the v or also for the w one still should, in that instance use, the vv. We do know also in the Catholic Imprimatur Bibles from the 1950ies there was written Yehowah, but in later prints this became modernised to Jehovah. The “New Testament” portion is titled “The Ketuvim Netzarim” (“Writings of the Nazarenes”) and is also a Messianic Sacred Name Edition and is translated from the original Aramaic and Hebrew. The NT books are also in the original manuscript order (The Gospels; Acts; James, 1&2 Peter; 1,2,3 John, Jude; Pauline Epistles; Revelation) but the titles of the books are their Hebraic names. The HRV also divides the books into two sections The B’sorah (Goodnews) and The Sh’lukhim (Emissaries).

The HRV Complete Bible is by many considered to be the first complete Messianic Study Bible.

It was the 1993 Chris J. Koster version of the Scriptures which was also used for the HalleluYah Scriptures (HS). Designed for the Hebrew Roots of the Faith of the people of Israel with the Messianic restoration of the name of Elohim transliterated as YaHUaH from the tetragrammaton and God as YAH, Daniel W Merrick, PhD searched the Paleo Hebrew phonetic that show the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith which are embedded in many old testament prophesies and translated and transliterated the Hebrew Bible and Messianic writings.

Holding HalleluYah Scriptures Shalom and Max Weiss also known as Deborah (Debra) and Ken Allen or Deborah and Ken Wessel, from New Zealand, seem to be the sole “voice” of www.halleluyahscriptures.com/ www.halleluyahscripturesproject.com (which is Halleluyah Scriptures in print since 2009) having Alan Horvath (Alan J. Post) as their frontman. The direction of Halleluyah Scriptures has been carried out publicly by Debra and Ken Allen-Wessel. Alan Horvath (the Vice President) has been recently thrust to the forefront as a public voice for H.S. and all funds, mail, etc have been redirected from Fort Wayne to New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Further there where Ted Ramp, President of Halleluyah Scriptures Inc. (Incorporated Dec. 6, 2012) – Fort Wayne, IN, Robin Ramp, Secretary of Halleluyah Scriptures Inc. , Erik Klausner, Marilyn Nave and Nance Whitaker who seem to have broken with Deborah (Debra) and Ken Allen and their the Halleluyhah Scriptures.

dss The HalleluYah Scriptures wants to be the purest version and the closest to the Hebrew than any other version by far, and wants to take it very seriously the Torah Commands not to mention the names of false mighty ones especially when it pertains to the Father, His Son and His people…

This has taken years of research as it is not always obvious that English words are derived from pagan deities. Much diligent research has been done into assuring that there are no pagan words used to describe our wonderful Father and His Son and as such we also do not find the false name of the Messiah which was given in the 4th century to the rabbi, but which is now the common name, Jesus, coming from Issou or Hail Zeus. In this version all paganism and names of false gods that have traditionally been used in translation when pertaining to the the Father, His Son and His people have been avoided, and in many cases retain a Hebrew transliteration if the word is linked to paganism, though we do find some words which are still presented like a name, like Satan, though in the Name Meaning guidebook they print it right giving the reading the real English word ‘adversary’. The reason they probably did not translate it this way in their translation is perhaps some of their translators do want to believe in a devilish figure, called ‘Satan‘ instead of heaving any adversary being called so.

Although the English language is replete with words derived from pagan deities, this translation has attempted to remove most, if not all of these words when attributed to the Almighty, His Son or His people. Problem for translators is that certain words or Hebrew terms have no comparison in English.

HalleluYah Scriptures chose to retain the Hebrew term “qodesh” for ‘holy’ or ‘set-apart’ (for we are qodesh and not Set apart from Him), and removed all occurrences of the word “set” in obedience to the Word (Exodus 23:13, Josiah 23:7, Psalms 16:4). eg.

Underneath you may find on the left the HalleluYah Scriptures words and on the right the versions other restored Name Scriptures use:

qodesh vs set-apart*
Qadosh One vs Set-apart One*
qodeshi vs set-apart one*
qodeshim vs set-apart ones*
qodeshah vs set apartness*
put vs set*
depart vs set* out
lit vs set* (on fire)

Due to the fact that the term “spirit” in English carries so many confusing possibilities from ghosts to alcohol, HalleluYah Scriptures renders the Spirit of Yah in it’s Hebrew form Ruaḥ or Ruaḥ ha’Qodesh, like you may find Ruach also in “The Scriptures” and mark Heber Miller his 21st Century bible translation and the Nazarene Commentary.

In the HalleluYah Scriptures you may find Ruaḥ ha’Qodesh vs Set-apart Spirit, Ruaḥ vs Spirit and Ruaḥoth vs Spirits.

For the Messiah/Mashiah/Masschiah, to maintain the Hebrew origin of many words borrowed from the Greek texts, HalleluYah Scriptures used the Hebrew words in the following Mashiaḥ vs Messiah, Mashiaḥiyim vs Messianic, talmidim vs taught ones, Gĕy-Hinnom vs Gehenna, Shabbath vs Sabbath and Shabbathoth vs Sabbat.

Because the title Master is linked etymologically with the goddess Maia through the common root word “Meg” the original Hebrew form of Adonai used in the Hebrew scrolls is used as the title for the Almighty. Some people teach that Adon is a pagan word based on the greek false god Adonis. But the Hebrew is the original form where as Adonis is just a copy used for wicked means. It does not mean the word Adonai is pagan.

To retain the Hebrew origin of the qodesh Moedim (Appointed Times/Festivals) HalleluYah Scriptures rendered these Festivals in Hebrew.

HalleluYah Scriptures uses the words on the left.

Pesaḥ vs Passover

Matstsoth vs Unleavened Bread

Shaḇuoth vs Weeks

Yom Teruah vs Trumpets

Yom Kippurim vs Atonement

Sukkoth vs Booths

Yoḇĕl vs Jubilee

LIFE vs. HAI

The translators and publisher’s idea is that adding footnotes etc. is in conflict with the Word of God. According to them nearly all translations (including all Restored Name versions) add italicized words to the text in the attempt to ‘clarify’ certain portions causing much confusion and damage with the addition of these italicized words and in many cases goes against Deuteronomy 4:2 not to add to the Word.

Although there are a few situations where the context or root word may be translated with an ‘added’ word, HalleluYah Scriptures chose to remove as many as physically possible while maintaining a coherent translation. Space does not permit the number of italicized words that were removed and/or reworded, but amounts to well over 80% from the total of added words.

In many cases this required re-writing an entire verse to conform with the original language and this was not an easy job taking many months. The HalleluYah Scriptures translation team are working on the other 20% of added words and will make the changes in following print runs when completed.

HalleluYah Scriptures Review + Parallel + Hebrew Bible + Sacared Bible + Restored Name Bible + The Best Bible & Devine Name Bible + The Scriptures & Cepher Yahweh & Yahwah & waterproof bible 3 For over 2 years a translation team has worked on two special editions, the HalleluYah Scriptures and Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled with the Jews their own language, Hebrew. That special book contains around 300 prophecies of Ha’Mashiach (Jeshua the Messiah) in the first Covenant alongside all their fulfilments recorded in the Renewed Covenant.

This will aid many people who do not believe that our Saviour was the promised Redeemer of Yisrael/Israel. This book will prove without a shadow of a doubt that Jeshua (Jesus Christ) is the Saviour.

***

You may visit the HalleluYah Scriptures web site and read more about this important project that has touched and changed thousands of lives forever. http://www.Halleluyahscriptures.com

***

No Footnotes, No Explanatory References, No Doctrines of Man! Just the Word of YHWH…

HalleluYah Scriptures Paralell Hebrew Bible & Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled New Book

***

Besora An other version using the Paleo Hebrew for the Names of the Creator and The Messiah is the Besora of Yahushua (Besorah being the Hebrew word for “message” or “report” = The message of Jeshua). Sadly, this translation has a number of notes throughout, including 60-odd pages of man’s writings, pictures and poems, with misleading doctrines. They transliterated the Name of the Messiah as Yahusha.

The Christadelphians have also some projects where a restored name version is sent out to those who want to read the word of God, so that it can be as a lamp to man’s feet and a light to our path, Psalms 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19. They have “The Scriptures” with the tetragrammaton and God’s Name Jehovah in it, but also distribute two older King James versions (with Jehovah) and a new King James version with the (transcribed) name Yahweh in it.

New European Version of the Bible with commentary

The New European Version of the Bible is a remediation of the King James Version into modern English, correcting some glaring issues in translation here and there. The NEV Bible is published in hard copy with a brief commentary on a few verses from each chapter, printed at the bottom of each page. At the back of the volume, there is a reduced version of the book Bible Basics. There is also an online version provided which has a dedicated page for each chapter of the Bible. On each page there is the Bible text, basic commentaries and links to other resources relevant to that chapter. There is also a “Deeper commentary” tab on each chapter. This gives some deeper insights on some Old Testament chapters; and in the New Testament, this tab connects to the New European Commentary. This is an in-depth, verse by verse commentary on the entire New Testament.

Duncan Heaster

The NEV is published by Carelinks Ministries who say to pray earnestly that this Bible and the distribution of it will play a part in the spreading of the Gospel worldwide before Christ returns. Though also for this editor we must give a warning.
They say they are Christadelphian, but out of experience we have found that they do not take on a Christian attitude, namely not willing to share brotherly love with each other. We do have the impression it is more a cult organisation around one ex-communicate Christadelphian preacher, Duncan Heaster who has written over 20 books and having edited “Gospel News” magazine for over 20 years, has a team of followers round him, who do a lot of great work, but once people get baptised in their organisation they do not want them to have contact with others. They do not want their members to share with other Christadelphians or Bible students. So please if you order a copy by them and would become interested in what they teach and want to get baptised, never forget those who brought you into contact with them.

We also want to make it clear that the New European Version isn’t a fresh translation. It is more a re-working into modern English of the Old and New Testament as found in the King James and American Standard Versions. In some difficult and controversial areas, the original Greek text has been retranslated in an attempt to provide dynamic equivalence in modern English, seeking to provide a text which is familiar to those who have been used to the traditional Bible versions, and yet which is sensitive to the needs of those for whom English is a second language. During the years 2010 – 2014, the project of sending Bibles to those who need them and supporting them in their Bible reading [or Bible studies] with other books and article, now being funded by Bibles Worldwide Trust has sent out over 50,000 Bibles. The largest numbers are to Russian speaking countries, to Africa and to many English speaking countries.

***

Free Bible Distribution, New European Version Free Bible with commentary

***

Find a.o.

The 21st Century King James Version of the Holy Bible (KJ21®)
KJ21-Bible on line
New King James Version on line
Compare Translations
The Jerusalem Bible
The Jerusalem Bible (Catholic)
Catholic Jerusalem Bible on line
The Jerusalem Bible in pdf
Daily Reading for Thursday, November 24th, 2016: Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen
Have any Christian denominations publicly raised concerns about the Catholic Jerusalem Bible?
NAB – Books of the Bible in Canonical Order
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) owning the copyright on the New American Bible, revised edition translation.
USCCB- Revised Edition of New American Bible
Articles on the New American Bible, revised edition (NABRE), the first major update to the New American Bible (NAB) translation in 20 years
Vatican The New American Bible on line
New American Standard Bible NAS on line – 1971, widely regarded as one of the most literally translated of 20th-century English Bible translations next to the New World Translation.
21st Century Version of the Christian Scripture or Mark Heber Miller Bible
Friends of the Nazarene a spiritual community of Messianic Christians
21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures (NCMM)
Newspaper article on Mark Heber Miller
Download Nazarene Commentary 2000
ISR – The Scriptures
HRV Scriptures
Hebraic Roots Bible – pdf
HalleluYah Scriptures
If you are interested in what form and style the HalleluYah Scriptures will look like Read This.
HalleluYah Scriptures review
We’ve been duped! {Note: Marcus Ampe also had promoted the HalleluYah Scriptures in 2011 and later and got many complaints. This year he contacted that organisation again an could find a copy in his letterbox this October. We too are willing to give another chance to that organisation, and therefore would like to ask readers who order a copy to let us know how it goes and if they really get a copy for free or at reasonable price and how long after they ordered it.}
Entire New Testament commentary here (pdf) or by book at NEV info
The Holy Bible Old and New Testament New European Version (Word format)
For your hardopy Free New European Version Bible
NEV Bible with commentary for Windows Phone [.xap file]
NEV Bible and Commentary for E-Sword [.bblx file]
NEV Bible for MySword .bbl file
NEV Bible for theWord .ont file
NEV Bible with commentary for Android [.apk file]
About Carelinks Ministries
Audio Bible NEV (New European Version)

Preceding articles:

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #1 Pre King James Bible

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #2 King James Bible versions

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #3 Women and versions

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #4 Steps to the women’s bibles

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #5 Further steps to women’s bibles

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #6 Revisions of revisions

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #7 Jewish versions

Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #8 Selective Bibles and selective people

Building up the spirit of the soul

A fact of History or just a fancy Story

Additional reading

+++

Matthew 1:18-25 – Genesis of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:18-25 – The Genesis of Jesus Christ

MT1:18 But thus was the genesis[1] of Jesus Christ.[2] His mother Mary had been promised in marriage[3] to Joseph. Before they came together[4] she was found to be pregnant[5] from the holy Pneuma.[6] MT1:19 But, Joseph her man[7] was righteous[8] and he was unwilling to make a public spectacle[9] of Mary so he intended to release her secretly.[10] MT1:20 But, thinking about these matters, look! an angel[11] of YHWH[12] appeared to Joseph in a dream,[13] saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to receive to yourself[14] Mary your woman, for the thing generated[15] by Pneuma in her is holy. MT1:21 She will give birth to a son and you[16] [Joseph] will call his name ‘Jesus’ for he will save[17] his people[18] from their sins.”[19] MT1:22 The whole of this happened so that the things might be fulfilled as spoken through the prophet [Isaiah],[20] saying, MT1:23 “Look! The virgin[21] will be pregnant and will give birth to a son and they[22] will call his name ‘Immanuel’[23] which is translated to mean, ‘With Us The God.’” [Isaiah 7:14] MT1:24 When Joseph awakened from sleep he did as directed by the angel of YHWH and he took along his woman [to his home]; MT1:25 and Joseph did not know[24] Mary until after she gave birth to a son.[25] Joseph called his name ‘Jesus.’

[1] Genesis: The Greek is GENESIS and may be rendered “birth.”

[2] Jesus Christ: The first occurrence of this form: the title or designation combined with the name of our Lord. This form occurs 150 times in the Christian Bible, the most often in the Letter to the Romans. The phrase means “Jesus the christened one; or Jesus the Messiah; Jesus the Anointed.”

[3] Promised in marriage: Or, KJV: espoused; TCNT: engaged.

[4] Came together: Inferring sexual intercourse. TCNT: while she was still a virgin; WEY: before they were united in marriage.

[5] Pregnant: The Greek GASTRI and means literally “found in belly” as it is in many languages. Or, KJV: with child; GDSP: about to become a mother.

[6] Holy Pneuma: Or, holy spirit. This is the first occurrence of the phrase referring to the Mental or Intellectual Power of the Absolute God. That is, the invisible force or pressure by which the Creator accomplishes his will and purpose. We will use pneuma throughout as the word “spirit” in English has taken on something of the meaning of “ghost” or a spirit being. The complete phrase “holy pneuma” occurs 100 times in the Bible with the first occurrence at Psalm 51:11. It only occurs three times in the Hebrew Bible. It is most often used in the Acts of the Apostles. For details on this subject see the publication De Trinitatis Erroribus. The word “spirit” occurs 820 times in the Bible with the first occurrence at Genesis 1:2. “Spirit” is used most often in the Book of Acts. The Hebrew is ruach and is variously rendered breath and wind.

[7] Man: The Greek is ANER and may mean “husband.”

[8] Righteous: Or, “just.” He had a well-known reputation so that his character was such.

[9] Public spectacle: Or, KJV: public example; ABUV: not willing to expose.

[10] Release her secretly: Or, GDSP: break off the engagement privately; BECK: divorce her secretly. The Jewish engagement was considered a virtual marriage and thus required some formal divorce or release. It is likely their marriage was arranged by both families upon which the “engagement” began. Since this was a formal matter between families in public then a formal release was binding. Engaged couples could have sexual intercourse without this being viewed as prostitution (or, fornication). However, once doing so the man had to marry the woman, forgo divorce, and give her father a payment for damages to his virgin daughter.

[11] Angel: The first angel mentioned in the Christian Bible. The word “angel(s)” occurs 370 times in the Bible, the first at Genesis 16:7. “Angel” occurs most often in the Book of Acts. This angel is identified by Luke as Gabriel, the angel of the Book of Daniel.

[12] YHWH: The Greek is AGGELOS KYRIOU [without the article] and would surely be a Hebraism in Matthew’s Gospel. Though it should read “angel of (the) Lord” there is a reasonable possibility that the Tetragram YHWH might occur here. There is no question YHWH occurred in the Hebrew Bible and there is a possibility YHWH occurs in some portions of the Christian Bible. Hereafter we will add YHWH in brackets when the “Lord” under consideration is clearly Yahweh or Jehovah.

[13] Dream: The first occurrence of the word in the Christian Bible. The word group occurs 125 times with the first at Genesis 20:3 and most often in the Book of Genesis. There is an interesting statement at Job 7:14; 33:15.

[14] Receive to yourself: Or, NEB: to take Mary home. Note John 14:3 and the same Greek word.

[15] Generated: The Greek is GENNETHEN and is rendered: KJV: conceived; NOR: expect Child within.

[16] You: The Greek is singular referring specifically to Joseph.

[17] He will save: The meaning of “Jesus” is “Yahweh Saves.”

[18] His people: Note it is “his people” indicating some previous relationship with Israel as the “angel of Yahweh.” (Compare Daniel 12:1; Exodus 23:23)

[19] Sins: The key purpose of Messiah’s birth is as a Sin-Bearer (Consider Isaiah chapter 53). Nothing in the name Jesus emphasis any other reason than he will be the main instrument in the forgiveness of the sins of the Jews. Nothing here points to mankind in general. The interpretation of “his people” (TON LAON) could refer to those in the New Israel, the Community of the Saints.

[20] Spoken through the prophet [Isaiah]: That is Isaiah 7:14. NOTE: All true quotes are in BLUE. Hebraisms, paraphrases, allusions or conflates are in GREEN. The words of Jesus are in RED.

[21] Virgin: The Greek is PARTHENOS and reminds one of the Parthenon in Athens. The Greek word PARTHENOS is that one chosen by the Jewish scribes in the third century BC when translating the Hebrew of Isaiah 7:14.

[22] They: Indicating both Joseph and Mary.

[23] Immanuel: See Isaiah 8:8. Possibly one of the sons of Isaiah whose name was fulfilled in the context of Isaiah 8:10 where the Hebrew has the name in the phrase. The Jewish Greek Bible, the Septuagint (LXX), “Yehowah God is with us.”

[24] Did not know: Or, PME: had no intercourse with her. Compare Genesis 4:1 and compare the Greek language with 1 Corinthians 7:1. Mary remained a “virgin” until after the birth of Jesus when she bore four more sons and an unknown number of daughters (Matthew 12:46; 13:55).

[25] Son: KJV: “firstborn son.” (Compare Luke 2:7)

This text of the Gospel of Matthew is a new version, the 21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures [NCMM], as an additional part of Nazarene Commentary 2000©. This rendering by Mark Heber Miller may be considered a literal version with limited paraphrase.

BS notes:

Iesou => Jesus = “Hail Zeus”, the name given to the Nazarene Jew at the Council of Nicaea in 325 to come to terms with the three-headed greek-roman gods. Up until about 360, theological debates mainly dealt with the divinity of the son, which had to be the seame one as the son-god of the Romans and the Greeks. The worshipping of that son and the use of the statues in the community should be allowed for all the sorts of worshippers, so that the market vendors could sell their statues at liberty to any worshipper. Jeshua, Joshua (/ˈdʒɒʃuːə/) or Jehoshua (Hebrew: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yĕhôshúa or Hebrew: יֵשׁוּעַ Yĕshúa; Aramaic: ܝܫܘܥ‎ Isho; Greek: Ἰησοῦς, Arabic: يوشع بن نون‎ Yūshaʿ ibn Nūn, Turkish: Yuşa) Yeshua (ישוע, with vowel pointing יֵשׁוּעַ – yēšūă‘ in Hebrew) which means “Jehovah saves/Jehovah is salvation” or “the Help(ipa) from Jehovah” or “From Jehovah comes salvation”, for the politicians had to become the second person of their tri-une godhead. The main god Zeus (Ancient Greek: Ζεύς) had to be the “Father of Gods and men” (πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε, patḕr andrōn te theōn te) and as such should be the god of Greeks, Romans and Christians because Jupiter (Latin: Iuppiter; /ˈjʊpɪtɛr/; genitive case: Iovis; /ˈjɔːvɪs/) or Jove is the king of the gods and the god of sky and thunder in myth.

By the time of the 4° Century CE lots of false teachers had managed to introduce the Roman teachings of their gods back into the teachings of their followers. Lots of people found it easier to adapt to the new religion because it had adapted itself to their faith. for them it was than much easier to accept Jesus to be the King of kings, to be the god of light, the god of thunder, the god of miracles, the god of enlightenment, etc.

Preceding articles:

Upcoming articles:

English: Mother Mary with the Holy Child Jesus...

Mother Mary with the Holy Child Jesus Christ, Oil/canvas, 1913 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Find also to read:

+++

The Theodotus Inscription (larryhurtado.wordpress.com)
there were Greek-speaking Jews in Jerusalem in the time in view. Note also the reference to the “synagogue of the freedmen” in Acts 6:9, who are portrayed as tackling Stephen, likely Jews manumitted from slavery in Diaspora locations who had relocated in Jerusalem.
Interpreting the story (poemsinseason.wordpress.com)
Gospel writers Matthew and Luke
are the approved suppliers
of the raw materials
from which we cobble together our Christmas stories;
faith being the thread that seeks,
gathers and ties the meaning.
Blessed And Holy Christmas To All (mylordmyfriend.com)
The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is the most wonderful and vital fact to the truth of the Good News, which brings newness of life to all who accept.
Most Americans believe in the Virgin Birth – and that torture is cool (patheos.com)
According to a new Pew Survey of over 1,500 U.S. adults, 73 percent say they believe Jesus was born to a virgin, and 74 percent say they believe Jesus’s birth was announced to the shepherds by an angel (among Protestant respondents, that rate is 91 percent and 90 percent, respectively). 78 percent of women say they believe in the virgin birth, 65 percent of the respondents said they believe all elements of the Christmas story are factually true.
Did the early church invent the divinity of Jesus over a long period of time? (gunnyg.wordpress.com)
How early is the doctrine ofthe divinity of Jesus?When I answer this question, I only want to use the earliest, most reliable sources – so I can defend them on historical grounds using the standard rules of historiography.
Basic Living in Christ (fromthepreacherspc.org)
In chapters 1-2, Paul has maintained that Christ is “all-sufficient” in matters of salvation and overcoming sin… Colossians 2:10
Family Night Out rocks – Church social signals start of Christmas season (jamaica-gleaner.com)
In making reference to the book of Acts in the Bible, pastor of the church, Dwight Fletcher, told The Sunday Gleaner that fellowship is a God-given mandate. He pointed out that it is imperative the people of God build on the traditions of the early church, and added that he anticipates great things going forward.
Pastor J. D. Greear Takes on the Holy Spirit In “Jesus Continued…” (blackchristiannews.com)
Pastor J.D.Greearmay be one of the most influential pastors you’ve never heard of. He’s not preaching prosperity on television or advising the President. He’s never made the “TIME 100″ or The New York Times bestsellers list. ButGreear has built a massive, multi-campusmegachurch amid the modest city of Raleigh, North Carolina, and he is quietly amassing influence among conservative evangelicals.The subtitle of his most recent book, “Jesus Continued…: Why the Spirit Inside of You is Better Than the Jesus Beside You,” caught my attention, and I decided to invite him to discuss the idea at “On Faith and Culture.” Here we discuss how he thinks some of his fellow Christians have misunderstood the Holy Spirit and how he hopes they’ll change.
Stormy Seas (alighttomyway.wordpress.com)
My only hope is to stay in the boat, holding on to my Savior, riding out the storm together. In this account in the book of Acts, God didn’t calm the storm. But the people on board made it safely to shore. This tells me that my circumstances might not change. The cancer diagnosis might not be a mistake. A broken relationship might not heal. Whatever the cause of my anxiety, depression, fear, might not magically disappear.
Can God Get to You? (vincefrese.com)

Category:

Bible Quotes, Jesus Christ, Jeshua Messiah

Tagged with:

Meaning of “speaking in tongues”

Meaning of filled with the Holy Spirit and “speaking in tongues”

In Acts 2:4-11, where the disciples first started speaking in tongues we get the first impression of what it really meant.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together and were confounded, because every man heard them speaking in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, “Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how then do we each hear them speaking in our own tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, Medes, Elamites and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”” (Acts 2:4-11 KJ21)

Speaking in Tongues Real or Fake In Greek, the word for tongue is the same as the word for language. We do find the “glossa” or speaking in another kind of language also in 1 Corinthians 13:1, referring to a state of high spiritual excitement or ecstasy from inspiration, unconscious of external things wholly absorbed in adoring communication with God, breaking forth into abrupt expressions of praise and devotion which are not coherent and therefore not always intelligible to others.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1 KJ21)

So “speaking in tongues” is identical to “speaking in languages”. In the passage cited, it is clear that the apostles spoke in the languages of the Parthians, Medes, Elamites, etc.

The followers of Christ gathered in the upper room who received the comforter or Holy Spirit, got gifted to relate to other’s with common ground and got inspired to tell others about what they understood from what they learned before from Christ Jesus and from what is written in the scrolls or Holy Scriptures.

The word ‘spirit’ in Hebrew is the same word (ruakh) ‘ruach‘ as ‘breath’ or ‘wind’. These are the first two uses in the Bible Genesis 1:2 and Genesis 6:3 and we can find many verses where the (Holy) Spirit is personified, but this happens less with the Spirit or the Holy Spirit than with several other concept words (e.g. the flesh, sin, the world, creation, etc). So, overall, the way that the phrase “the Holy Spirit” is used in the Bible indicates a concept, a way of expressing characteristics or activities of God, or of holiness in those who follow his Son, not a sentient being or literal power. The addition of the adjective ‘holy’ or ‘set apart‘ is as simple as it appears – a spirit which is holy, a spirit of holiness, something special, something different than other things, ‘set-apart’. And the presence of the definite article, “the”, indicates a specific holy spirit, a specific spirit of holiness. In many cases, “the Spirit” means exactly the same as “the Holy Spirit”, since the idea of holiness is understood by context.

God gave His Word to the people. He made it clear that it was the word for all. Everyone can take up the Bible and read in it. But at the time of the first century of this Common Era Jesus had promised those who where willing to listen to his and his Fathers Words would receive the Send One of his Father, the Holy Spirit or the Force of God which would enlighten them. People with the eyes of the lord would get the Force of God (the Holy Spirit) to be able to interpret the Bible with common sense. God didn’t make anything in the Bible complicated but men tend too just too suit their selfish needs.

Christ had given his apostles “power” [Greek dynamis] but not “spirit” [pneuma]. Jesus knew that only his Father can draw people closer to Him and give them the most necessary power and spirit. But Jesus also knew God would not leave Jesus his followers on their own. Jesus was sure his Father would send a comforter or Help so that the apostles and other disciples could continue the work Jesus had tarted on this earth. In Christ Jesus we might have an Advocate, Comforter, Paraclete from the verb parakaleo, to call alongside, (1 John 2:1) but without the Work of God Jesus would have been nothing and we would be nothing. All the Power comes from Jehovah God. Christ breathed this “holy spirit”, holy breath, into the disciples on that first Sunday morning, when their thoughts where with Christ Jesus. From this it is easy to see where Paul found the idea of that “breath” of Christ as an allegory of the new breath, new life, in the believer as he or she walks towards the kingdom. (Rom 5:5, 2 Co 1:22, 2 Co 3:3, Gal 4:6)

For Jesus the Advocate or Comforter is ‘The Spirit of Truth’, which enable men to worship God the right way. After the apostles where blessed with the gift of the Spirit they also could go out and bring the word of the Spirit to life bearing witness.

“But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”” (John 4:23-24 KJ21)

“”But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth who proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me.” (John 15:26 KJ21)

“However when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak from Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come.” (John 16:13 KJ21)

“These things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13 KJ21)

“In Christ ye also trusted after ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation. In Him also after ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,” (Ephesians 1:13 KJ21)

“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you for salvation, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJ21)

“We are of God; he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby we know the Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:6 KJ21)

“This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” (1 John 5:6 KJ21)

File:17 Lorenzo Veneziano, Apostle Peter Preaching. 1370 Staatliche Museen, Berlin..jpg

The apostle Peter preaching – 1370, Lorenzo Veneziano, Staatliche Museen, Berlin

(Remember also that the gifts/powers “of” the Spirit, cannot be the spirit itself, or the word “of” is redundant.)

God provided those fearful men to have contact with others so that they also could get to know the Word of God. God made it possible that they could answer their many questions in a language which they could understand. Those men got the possibility of interpretation of tongues (like spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12:10). From God they received the ability to understand many mysteries and received lots of knowledge, which they also could give to others so that they, at their turn, could grow.

Some may think the gift of speaking in tongues is also a gift for some today. That the gifts fail to meet the qualifications of the “Spirit of Truth” promised in John ch.14-16 is evident even from 1 Corinthians itself, where context shows that the gifts were failing and tongues already had ceased (compare 1Co14:2 with Acts 2:6,8,11) even when Paul was writing (also see ‘Have the Holy Spirit gifts died out?‘). It also fails the Deuteronomy 13:3 test that even successful miracles were no guarantee of truth, but just the opposite.

If the “Advocate” and “Spirit of Truth” contains any element of Christ’s own activity, then inevitably we are forced to see Christ as the major person in the promise of “another advocate”, simply because there is no other person between God and man, so there is no other advocate. Jesus has become the only mediator between God and men. The main argument in favour of Christ himself, in a different role, himself being the “another advocate” he promised, is the lack of other persons to concretely be between man and God.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJ21)

The gifts of the Spirit appear to have ceased with the death of the Apostles (including Paul) as they were the only ones who could pass on the gifts by the laying of hands or Imposition of Hands. For some if the apostles had not been able in some way or other to transmit the gifts hat they possessed in a pre-eminent degree the Holy Spirit would have been a belief of little value for the later church if they had not been able in some way or other to transmit the gift. But those believers or denominations add than straight away: “Of course, not to every one, but only to those who could be regarded as their successors in office.” But what was given to the apostle should not mean it is also given to any successor of that apostle. It was that special high measure of the gift of the spirit which is peculiar to the apostles. For example:

“whom they set before the apostles. And when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.” (Acts 6:6 KJ21)

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” (Acts 19:6 KJ21)

“Therefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee through the putting on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6 KJ21)

In the early times Simon tried to buy this power of passing on the Spirit but found that it was something only the apostles could do.

“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.”” (Acts 8:18-19 KJ21)

The Spirit gifts were given for a purpose — to help convince people that the gospel message was true (Mark 16:15,17-18) and establish the early Christian church (Eph. 4:8-14). Once Christianity was established (Eph. 4:13 — ‘mature’, perfect), the gifts passed away (1 Cor. 13:10).

At the beginning of the Church of God the frightened apostles did need a incentive and some pep-talk. They needed help to come over their fear and to go out into the world to witness about the works of Christ. But once they had received the power to overcome their fear they did not need the Spirit gifts any more because they had the full revelation of God in the Bible to guide them (2Tim. 3:16-17)

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly equipped for all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJ21)

“Juanita Bynum speaking in tongues on Facebook.”

Today we too have the full Scripture to guide us. The Bible is the Word of God, which should be our Watchtower and the Light for the world. The Holy Scriptures, or Bible has everything we need to make us ‘competent, equipped for every good work’. In the times of the New Testament, they only had the Old Testament and a few of the books of the New Testament as they were written. When the Bible was finally completed, the gifts ceased to be.

In Hebrews 6:4-5, the author speaking of the Spirit gifts says that they were a taste of the powers of the age to come:

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the world to come,” (Hebrews 6:4-5 KJ21)

Preceding articles:

Hebraic Roots Bible Book of The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2

The Acts Of The Sent Ones Chapter 2

The day of the festival of Pentecost

Nazarene Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2 v1-13 Working Spirit

Speaking in tongues

Tongues a sign of authenticity or divine backing

Our readers who speak Dutch can find a similar discussion in Dutch in our previous postings:

“In Talen sprekend”

“Teken van authenticiteit of goddelijke backing” & in

Betekenis van ‘Spreken in Tongen’ en ‘Uitstorting van de Geest’

Please read also:

Did the Inspirator exist
The manager and Word of God
Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #1 Creator and His Prophets
Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #6 Words to feed and communicate
Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #7 Prayer #5 Listening Ear
Creator and Blogger God 1 Emptiness
Creator and Blogger God 2 Image and likeness
Creator and Blogger God 3 Lesson and solution
Creator and Blogger God 4 Expounding voice
Creator and Blogger God 5 Things to tell
Creator and Blogger God 6 For His people
Creator and Blogger God 7 A Blog of a Book 1 Believing the Blogger
Missional hermeneutics 3/5
God Helper and Deliverer
The radiance of God’s glory and the counsellor
He has given us the Pneuma, the force, from Him
Promise of Comforter
Speaking in tongues
The inspiring divine spark
Worship and worshipping
Make a joyful noise unto Yahweh, rejoice, and sing praise unto Jehovah
Song of Praise for the Elohim Set-Apart
Songs of Moses and the servants of God
144 000 following the Lamb
A secret to be reveiled
Faith a commitment to the promises of Christ and to to the demands of Christ
A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for
A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
God’s Special Gift
Singing gift from God
A Breath for tomorow
Prophets making excuses
The great ideal of this age
Words in the world
United people under Christ
God make us holy
Be holy
Get up in the morning and pray for the Lord’s blessings
Be still and listen
Listen, or thy tongue will keep thee deaf
When discouraged facing opposition
Kindness
Speaking in a language which nobody in the meeting can understand does not from a proof of kindness or love for the other members at the meeting. In the first place we should show the Gift of Love, and so should do our best that everything we have to say can be understood by all around us.
It is often forgotten that:
Christianity is a love affair
and that everything should have its fundament in this gift of having special attention to the others in creation. The things we receive from god we should love to share with others and we would do everything to be sure that others can understand those blessings and can enjoy those gifts as well.
By speaking in words nobody else can understand we can not really help them nor would be building them up. though at the first place we should be willing to witness for Jehovah and to bring the Good News of the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God.
The Spirit of God imparts love,inspires hope, and gives liberty
With the words we utter in the congregation we should be trying to bring understandable edifying words to the meeting. Like Jesus Christ, the son of God, pulls us from the dark and lightens our path making clear all the signs which direct to the One and Only One God, God of gods, the Father of Jesus Christ, Jeshua, the son of Mary (Miriam/Maria) and Joseph, from the tribe of king David, we too should try to be clear guides like the
Ember and light the ransomed of Jehovah
Our hope should be that our community can grow and we should work for it, encouraging everybody in words they can grip.
Be an Encourager
Our Contribution – Contributie, bijdrage should not be with financial gifts nor with our so called ‘gifts of tongues’ but with our clearness and willingness to help all people around us, especially in our own community or parish. Often we do find in such churches where they put an importance on the ‘Speaking in tongues’ that after they spoke in such non-understandable language, that the preacher touches or lays hand on that person, let everybody pray for that person, and afterwards demands a financial contribution. By all the hocus pocus many are taken by the happening they do not understand, but do not want to show it to others, and therefore try to contribute more than the other person, so to give a sign he or she believes a great miracle is taking place.
What we should be giving is our spirit, our love, our effort and that what can be good for the whole community:
Blessed are those who freely give
Not enlightened by God’s Spirit
Pope Francis I on the Holy Spirit
Why hasn’t anything been inspired recently? Revelation was the last inspired book and it was a long time ago. Why aren’t there any more?

Additional reading:

Tongues

The Gifts of the Spirit – Speaking in Tongues
Altogether there were eight different gifts in this list and it is noteworthy that the gift of the tongues and their interpretation were listed last as being of the least importance. The reason for this would be that these gifts were effective in the ecclesias generally for their immediate profit but the ability to speak in tongues or languages was only useful when preaching in a foreign country where that language was spoken.
It must be remembered that the use of the gift of tongues or different languages was not mentioned in any of the four gospel records. This is because the preaching of Jesus was confined to those of his own race, the Jews and occasionally to Samaritans who apparently could also speak the same language as the Jews.
+
It is only natural that the brethren and sisters should be enthusiastic about using these gifts of the Spirit. Paul describes this as follows, “When ye come together, everyone of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” (1 Cor.14:26) Here Paul points out that the Spirit gifts were given for the express purpose of edifying the Church. This means that the gift of tongues must be used to the same end. So Paul adds, “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.” (14:27-28)
The whole purpose of these gifts of the Spirit was to build up the Church with knowledge and understanding so that it attains a state of maturity, an appropriate Holy Temple for God to dwell in. Consequently Paul, when writing to the Ephesian Church about these gifts wrote, “And he gave some apostles, and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph.4:11-13)
Do You Speak in Tongues?
What would you say if we told you that speaking in tongues was necessary for your eternal salvation? Many of you would be trembling in fear because you have never spoken in tongues. Yet there are members of the Pentecostal church who insist that you are not sealed by the Spirit of God unless you speak in tongues. In other words, speaking in tongues is the outward sign of your redemption and salvation.
Brief hiatus
First, a happy Shavuos (celebrating the giving the of the Torah at Mt. Sinai) to all those celebrating and a happy Pentecost (celebrating the Holy Ghost descending on the early Christian apostles) to all those celebrating.
These holidays are sometimes celebrated through study, and especially to those of you who are studying, I wish that you enjoy full fruits of your study and that your study brings understanding and wisdom.
Tuning-in to the Holy Spirit
Powerful and peaceful transformation!!! That is one sentence that captures the Pentecost event.
+
How can we as Christians become so powerfully transformed that we become transforming witnesses to others and abide in Christ’s own peace? How can we have this powerful transforming experience?
+
The first way of tuning-in to the Spirit is by constant prayer. The disciples gathered to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Though the gift of the Holy Spirit was promised to them, prayer remains necessary. Prayer opens our hearts to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus even promised that the Holy Spirit is the guaranteed answer to every prayer: “How much more will my Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?” We must pray always and everywhere in the ways that we find helpful like the Holy Rosary, pray with the scriptures, pray at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, etc. We close ourselves to the Spirit the moment we give up prayer.
Pentecost Preaching
Just as Jesus promised He bestows the Holy Spirit on His apostles and the church. “A sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” “Tongues of fire.” “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Being Governed by the Spirit
When are minds are dominated by worldly and sinful thoughts, then those thoughts control us and we act upon them. However, when we focus our thoughts on Christ, then we live a life of peace. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct your thoughts and allow God to work in and through you!
+
The Holy Spirit is miraculously bestowed – manifested in the power of the wind and fire so that His church and His pastors are equipped and prepared to be a witness to Jesus, the Savior of the world, in word (Acts 2:14-36, 38-40) and deed (Acts 2:42-47). So that in the preached Gospel, Holy Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper the forgiveness or salvation that Jesus won for the world is bestowed to died-for sinners like you and me! That you believe that not only did Jesus die for the world but that He died For You!
A Rushing Mighty Wind
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Acts for today!
The Holy Spirit is necessary and available to every follower of Christ today! It is through God’s Spirit that we are wooed to Christ and it is by that same Spirit we will move and operate in our giftings as we serve Him. The same giftings and blessing that those men and women received on the day of Pentecost are the same giftings and blessing that we can receive today!
What does it mean to speak in tongues? by Todd Clippard
In its simplest form, speaking in tongues simply means to speak in an established and understandable language. English is a tongue, as is Spanish, French, German, and a host of other languages one might mention. To speak in tongues, in a biblical sense, is to speak a language one has never studied or learned.
+
If the Holy Spirit could enable them to speak one foreign language, why not more than one? This would be consistent with the promise Jesus made to the apostles in Acts 1:4-8, where they would be able to communicate the word of God no matter where they were.
+
To be able to communicate the gospel to all mankind at that time would require the ability to speak whatever language was spoken by the indigenous peoples.
The Baptism In The Holy Spirit for All is the Biblical Norm.
Those that are especially effective when using tongues, be it in prayer, bringing a word that requires interpretation seem to have some kind of proper office or function. 1 Corinthians 12:28 reads, “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues”.
+
If it was a “federal” outpouring, ie: tongues of fire, wind, and speaking in tongues that does not have to be repeated because the rest of the world will straightway receive on conversion, one can discount everything I say in this chapter of the book. But if it was an infusion that every single born again Christian who ever lives qualifies to have a similar experience we need to be concerned about those who have not received it. It is this writers conviction that what happened in Acts 2: 4 is for everybody who believes. It is the inheritance of every child of God.
+
It is this writers opinion that wherever in the New Testament the phrase “filled with the Spirit” is used it is referring to either the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the manifestation of speaking in tongues, or prophecy. Or for people who have already received their baptism in the Holy Spirit, it is a statement or encouragement to utilise those gifts.
Impartation to Team Acts 19:1-7.
the bible teaches that there are some gifts, even some characteristics, some intuitive blessings of God, that under His leading and initiation, can be given to somebody else by some sort of action that commonly, externally looks artificially symbolic to the untutored. What I am saying here is denigrated and even ridiculed by some Christians, with questions like; “What if the person isn’t worthy of the imparted blessing?” (Is anybody “worthy”?). “How can we be sure it was God’s will for a blessing to be imparted?” “Isn’t this putting into human hands something that is totally God’s responsibility and ability?”
+
There were gifts that Paul imparted to Timothy through prophecy and the laying on of hands. Paul was present when the impartation was made, and he encourages Timothy to keep those moments in the fore front of his mind to inspire him in the midst of life’s battles. That is, that by faith, Timothy was to remember how things that were intrinsic to Paul’s gifting and authority, had been given to Timothy by the laying on of Paul’s own hands.
The English Dictionary defines, “impartation,” and, “to impart,” as Firstly, to communicate (information); relate. Secondly, to give or bestow, especially some abstract quality: to impart wisdom. Plain enough. The word used in the Greek New Testament is, μεταδίδωμι, transliterated as “ metadidomi”, phonetically spelt as “met-ad-id’-o-mee”. It means, simply, “to offer by way of change. One offers so that a change of ownership is produced. One shares; sometimes merely: One imparts, bestows. “ In short, “One shares , and one gives.” I am speaking like a geek of Greek (which I am not), to make the point that there is no theological skulduggery here. We are simply using a commonly spoken word, but using it in the realm of the Spirit. Biblical examples of impartation of spiritual life, or gifts are quite plentiful. It is my conviction that Paul imparted the gifts and aspects of authority of his apostolic ministry to those twelve disciples. (Acts 19:6). I believe that the apostle taught his new team of twelve the power of apostolic impartation, by he himself imparting much to them as he taught.
Speaking in Tongues
Does the Bible say that all who would have God’s spirit would “speak in tongues”?

1 Cor. 12:13, 30: “Truly by one spirit we were all baptized into one body . . . Not all have gifts of healings, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they?” (Also 1 Corinthians 14:26)

1 Cor. 14:5: “Now I would like for all of you to speak in tongues, but I prefer that you prophesy. Indeed, he that prophesies is greater than he that speaks in tongues, unless, in fact, he translates, that the congregation may receive upbuilding.”
+
Can the ability to “speak in tongues” come from a source other than the true God?

1 John 4:1: “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression [“every spirit,” KJ, RS], but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God.” (See also Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Corinthians 11:14, 15.)

Speaking in Tongues—Is It From God? — Watchtower Online …
Significantly, the Bible does not mention that Jesus or any of the pre-Christian prophets miraculously spoke in tongues that they had not learned. The gift of tongues bestowed upon Jesus’ disciples, then, evidently had some additional objective.
Speaking in Tongues—A Growing Phenomenon
In his book Tongues of the Spirit, Cyril G. Williams suggests that there may be a “correlation between a sense of failure, and the desire for ‘tongues.’” He describes it as a release mechanism that has “therapeutic value as a reducer of tension” and a “resolver of inner conflict.” Frustration in church work, emotional stress, failure in a career, bereavement, domestic tensions, or illness in the family are cited as factors that contribute to such ecstatic speech.
Similarly, in The Psychology of Speaking in Tongues, John P. Kildahl says that “anxiety is a prerequisite for developing the ability to speak in tongues.” Through personal research and careful interviewing, it was found that “more than 85% of the tongue-speakers had experienced a clearly defined anxiety crisis preceding their speaking in tongues.” For example, a mother wanted to speak in tongues so that she could pray for her son who was sick with cancer. A man began to speak in tongues during his period of indecision over an offered job promotion. A woman began speaking in tongues within a week after her husband joined Alcoholics Anonymous.
Speaking in Tongues—Is It From God?
When writing to Christians in the city of Corinth, some of whom apparently could speak in tongues, Paul explained that “tongues are for a sign . . . to the unbelievers.” (1 Corinthians 14:22) Hence, along with other miraculous abilities, the power to speak in tongues was an indication to observers that the newly formed Christian congregation had God’s approval and backing. The miraculous gifts were like a street marker pointing out where truth-seekers should now go to find God’s chosen people.
+
Clearly, modern-day speaking in tongues is very different from the gift of holy spirit given to Jesus’ early followers. In fact, there is no reliable record of anyone receiving that same miraculous power since the death of the apostles. This is not surprising to Bible readers. Regarding the miraculous gifts, including that of speaking in tongues, the inspired apostle Paul prophesied: “They will cease.” (1 Corinthians 13:8) How, then, can one discern who has the holy spirit today?
Who Give Evidence of Having Holy Spirit?
Jesus well knew that the gift of tongues would cease relatively soon after the formation of the Christian congregation. Shortly before he died, Jesus mentioned a timeless sign, or mark, that would identify his true followers. “By this all will know that you are my disciples,” he said, “if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) In fact, in the same verse where God’s Word foretold that the miraculous gifts would eventually cease, it says: “Love never fails.”—1 Corinthians 13:8.
Is Speaking in Tongues an Evidence of True Worship?
Jesus cured the sick, raised the dead and performed many other amazing deeds. These miraculous powers identified him as a true prophet and servant of God, just as the performing of miracles established Moses’ authenticity as God’s prophet. However, speaking in tongues was not one of the miraculous powers exercised by Jesus. It was not until the festival of Pentecost A.D. 33 that this gift was first received, and on that occasion it served as an effective evidence that Christians had God’s spirit upon them.
In the late spring of A.D. 33 the Jews had gathered from inside and outside the Roman Empire for their annual festival of Pentecost. Just ten days before, Jesus had ascended into heaven, and, in obedience to his instructions, 120 of his disciples were waiting in Jerusalem to receive the promised “power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
Tongues, Speaking in
Jesus said that holy spirit would come upon his followers and that they would be witnesses of him to the most distant part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) He instructed them to “make disciples of people of all the nations.” (Matt. 28:19) He also foretold that ‘this good news of the kingdom would be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all nations.’ (Matt. 24:14) Who today, both as a group and individually, are doing this work? In harmony with what Jesus said, should we not look for this as an evidence that a group has holy spirit?
Is the Gift of Tongues Part of True Christianity
“I Felt, as I listened to him praying in tongues, as if there were an electrifying charge in the air,” said Bill after he and six others had gathered before the preacher near the church altar. Do such experiences repeat the first-century operation of the holy spirit? Do they identify the religion of the Bible? We can find satisfying answers by carefully examining the Scriptures.
Is speaking in tongues Biblical?
The sin of the Corinthian church was that it elevated one gift (i.e., speaking in tongues) above all other gifts in importance and desireability, and the church taught all members to seek the attainment of that gift. Paul responded by teaching that this kind of thinking regarding spiritual gifts is wrong.
Speaking in Tongues : Real or Fake?
There seems to be three divisions in the use of tongues: First, a private prayer language that is not interpreted; second, a language that is interpreted — this defines proper usage in the Christian congregation; and third, missionary context — that is, it appears in the context of evangelism where people are presenting the gospel.
+
Sometimes some people speak false gibbish, some times people speak in devil tongues but other times some people do correctly use the real gift from God known as speaking in tongues. If and when done from and of God, it is Biblical. The ministers that forbid it are going against 1 Cor. 14:39 “forbid not to speak with tongues”! Paul’s solution to the tongues problem in the Corinthian Church was not to forbid tongues, but to correct the improper use of the gift from God.
The Cripplegate on Cessation and Continuation
Very few theologians believe that there are Apostles in the church today. That fact alone means that they are “cessationists” in at least some sense of the word. In fact, in his book, To be Continued?, Sam Waldron has demonstrated that the cessation of the office and gift of the Apostle implies the cessation of the other miraculous/revelatory gifts.

But for those who would dispute even that, and argue that there are indeed Apostles in the church today, Nate provides five reasons why that is not the case.

Speaking in tongues. Heresy
“Keep in mind, then, that the word tongues in the Greek means traditional languages. It is used in the New Testament fifty times and is never used to teach some heavenly speech of ecstasy. The Bible says nothing about going into a frenzy, a trance or an ecstasy to receive a ‘gift of tongues.’

Out of sixty-six books in the Bible, only three mention tongues except one reference related to the Jews in the book of Isaiah. And where it is most mentioned, in 1 Corinthians, God through Paul is correcting and regulating.
+
If the church that you attend speaks in jibber-jabber tongues, then you are in a false cult my friend, and it would be advisable to leave immediately. Biblical churches center around the plain and simple preaching of God’s Word and Soul Winning.

+++

Day 5 – Miracles, Power & More (citychurchuth.wordpress.com)
Pastor Tom explained that speaking in tongues was a gift for ANYONE who has excepted Christ to receive that wanted it, not a reward that you had to work for; this surprised me! He also said scripture talks about praying in the spirit edifying you, in other words, charging you up! I knew that this is something I wanted and needed to have in my life. At the end of the message Pastor Tom called those up who were wanting to receive this gift. To my surprise it was the majority of the congregation and the team.
Three Questions About Speaking In Tongues – by Jim Dearman (Questions 2 and 3) (braggschurchofchrist.com)
Is there an apostle still living today? No. So there is no one who can give this power to anyone else. And no one is still alive today who was given this power by an apostle. Therefore, the gift of tongue speaking is not available today.
Speaking in Tongues (truthinwisdom.net)
Now the Holy Spirit sets the foundation for our communication with God, and we communicate with the Holy Spirit through our spirit. Now the soul mediates desires and observations between spirit and body, so it sets the foundation for the body to express the spirit, and that expression is observed through speaking in tongues.
William Dwight McKissic Gives a Biblical Basis for Speaking in Tongues In Private (blackchristiannews.com)
Based on the context of Jesus’ statement, coupled with Paul’s statement on the subject (1 Cor. 12:30), Jesus clearly did not teach that all believers everywhere, would speak in tongues–but He certainly was saying some believers, somewhere would speak in tongues. How can the IMB disqualify, what Jesus qualified? And that is speaking in tongues. Neither did Jesus preclude or promote the notion that his reference to “new tongues” would be limited to public forums–to the exclusion of private worship and devotion.
Three Questions About Speaking in Tongues, By Jim Dearman (1st Question) (braggschurchofchrist.com)
Many people say they are able to speak in tongues today as some in New Testament times did. They claim this power is given by the Holy Spirit. By looking at three questions about tongue speaking we can know whether or not this miraculous gift is still available today.
+
Today, those who claim to be “Pentecostal” in their practice of tongue speaking are not doing what was done on Pentecost at all. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit gave the apostles the power to communicate the gospel to people in the native languages of those people. Such is not being done today.
Ask for His Holy Spirit: #11 (mylegacyofferings.com)
Knowing that God has sent a helper for us is so wonderful. How often do we actually admit our need or ask for His Spirit to be with us?
Holy Spirit Remains The Same (weushe.org)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Tongues a sign of authenticity or divine backing (belgianbiblestudents.wordpress.com)

Category:

Bible study, Christendom, Christianity, God Jehovah Yahweh (English), Jesus Christ, Jeshua Messiah

Tagged with:

Betekenis van ‘Spreken in Tongen’ en ‘Uitstorting van de Geest’

Betekenis van vervuld zijn met de Heilige Geest en het “spreken in tongen”

Pinksterfeest

In Handelingen van de apostelen hoofdstuk 2 verzen 4-11 lezen wij dat de discipelen begonnen in tongen te spreken en krijgen we de eerste indruk van wat dat werkelijk betekende. Er is sprake van de in de bovenkamer schuilende volgelingen van Jezus die allen vervuld werden met de Heilige Geest en begonnen “met andere tongen” te spreken, zoals de Geest hun gaf uit te spreken. Alsook vinden wij dat zij na de uitstorting van de Heilige Geest naar buiten durfden gaan om daar de te Jeruzalem wonende Joden, vrome mannen uit allerlei volken, die daar waren voor het Pinksterfeest, aan te spreken. Mits zij uit verschillende windstreken kwamen spraken die vrome Joden ook verschillende talen. Maar toen de Kracht van God als een bries (ruach) over hen was gekomen konden zij de menigte aanspreken op zulke wijze dat een iegelijk hen hoorde in hun eigen taal. Waardoor de omstaanders zich verwonderden en tot elkander zegden : “Ziet, zijn niet alle dezen, die daar spreken, Galileers? En hoe dan doen zij het dat wij we elkaar horen in onze eigen taal, waarin wij geboren zijn?” Het was namelijk een ongelooflijke gebeurtenis waarbij Parthen, Meden, Elamieten en de bewoners in Mesopotamië, Judea en Cappadocië, Pontus en Asia, Frygië en Pamfylië, Egypte en dezen uit de delen van Libye, en vreemdelingen van Rome, zowel Joden als proselieten (of nieuwbekeerden), Kretenzers en Arabieren hen konden horen in hun eigen taal spreken over de grote werken Gods.

“Zij werden allen vervuld van de heilige Geest en begonnen in vreemde talen te spreken, naargelang de Geest hun te vertolken gaf. Nu woonden er in Jeruzalem Joden, vrome mannen, die afkomstig waren uit alle volkeren onder de hemel. Toen dat geluid ontstond, liep het volk te hoop en tot zijn verbazing hoorde iedereen hen spreken in zijn eigen taal. Zij waren buiten zichzelf en zeiden vol verwondering: ‘Maar zijn al die daar spreken dan geen Galileeers? Hoe komt het dan dat ieder van ons hen hoort spreken in zijn eigen moedertaal? Parten, Meden en Elamieten, bewoners van Mesopotamie, van Judea en Kappadocie, van Pontus en Asia, van Frygie en Pamfylie, Egypte en het gebied van Libie bij Cyrene, de Romeinen die hier verblijven, Joden zowel als proselieten, Kretenzen en Arabieren, wij horen hen in onze eigen taal spreken van Gods grote daden.’” (Handelingen 2:4-11 WV78)

Glossa

In het Grieks is het woord voor tong hetzelfde als het woord voor taal. We vinden “glossa” of het spreken in een ander soort taal ook in 1 Korinthiërs 13:01, verwijzend naar een toestand van hoge geestelijke opwinding of extase van inspiratie, onbewust van externe dingen geheel en in aanbiddende communicatie met God geabsorbeerd, uit brekend in abrupte uitingen van lof en toewijding die niet coherent zijn en daarom niet altijd begrijpelijk voor anderen. Maar daar spreekt de schrijver over het in talen spreken van wezens, maar dit echter zonder het essentiële element van het spreken, namelijk de liefde. Want zonder enige liefde voor de ander in het spreken, zal dat uiten van klanken er slechts op neer komen klanken te zijn die zelfs misschien luid en schel kunnen klinken.

“Al spreek ik met de tongen van engelen en mensen: als ik de liefde niet heb, ben ik een galmend bekken of een schelle cimbaal.” (1 Corinthiërs 13:1 WV78)

Uit deze en nog enkele andere teksten in de Bijbel kunnen wij opmaken dat het “spreken in tongen” gaat over het zich uiten in een taal of dus gelijk is aan “spreken in talen“. In de voorgaande aangehaalde passage, is het duidelijk dat de apostelen spraken in de talen van de Parthen, Meden, Elamieten, enz.De volgelingen van Christus die bijeen waren in de bovenzaal, die met de Kracht van God werden overgoten of de Heilige Geest ontvingen, verkregen daar de begaafdheid zich met gemeenschappelijke grond te verhouden tot anderen en raakten geïnspireerd om anderen te vertellen over wat zij begrepen van wat ze voorheen geleerd hadden van Christus Jezus en van wat er geschreven is in de rollen of de Heilige Schrift.

Adem en wind

Het woord ‘geest’ is in het Hebreeuws hetzelfde woord (ruakh) ‘ruach’ als ‘adem‘ of ‘wind‘. Dit zijn de eerste twee toepassingen in de Bijbel vermeld in Genesis 1:2 en Genesis 6:3 en we kunnen vele verzen vinden waar de (Heilige) Geest wordt verpersoonlijkt, maar minder met de Geest of de Heilige Geest dan met een aantal andere concept woorden gebeurt (bijv. het vlees, de zonde, de wereld, wijsheid, schepping, enz.). Dus, over het algemeen, de manier waarop de zinsnede “de Heilige Geest” wordt gebruikt in de Bijbel geeft een concept, een manier van uiten van kenmerken of activiteiten van God weer, of van heiligheid in hen die Zijn zoon volgen, en niet zo zeer een levend wezen of een letterlijk iets of iemand, maar eerder een kracht. De toevoeging van het adjectief ‘heilig‘ of ‘apart gezet’ is zo simpel als het lijkt – een geest die heilig is, een geest van heiligheid, iets speciaals, iets anders dan andere dingen, ‘apart geplaatst’. En de aanwezigheid van het lidwoord, “de”, wijst op een specifieke heilige geest, een specifieke geest van heiligheid. In veel gevallen, betekent “de Geest” precies hetzelfde als “de Heilige Geest”, omdat het idee van heiligheid wordt begrepen door de context.

Woord voor allen

God Zijn Woord gaf aan het volk. Hij maakte duidelijk dat het was het woord voor iedereen. Iedereen kan de bijbel nemen en er in lezen . Maar tijdens de eerste eeuw van deze jaartelling had Jezus hen beloofd die bereid waren om te luisteren naar zijn en zijn vaders woorden dat hij een Zendeling zou sturen. De gezondene zou komen van zijn Vader. Deze Vader, de Allerhoogste zou Zijn Kracht over Jezus zijn volgelingen komen uitstorten. De Heilige Geest of de kracht van God, die zij zouden ontvangen zou hen verlichten. Mensen met de ogen gericht naar Jezus zouden de Kracht van God (de Heilige Geest) krijgen om om de Bijbel te kunnen interpreteren met gezond verstand. God heeft niets te maken met een ingewikkelde de Bijbel, maar de mens heeft de neiging om deze gewoon te willen aanpassen aan zijn egoïstische behoeften.

Mogelijkheid maar noch geen geest

Christus had zijn apostelen “macht” [Grieks dynamis] gegeven, maar niet “geest” [pneuma]. Jezus wist dat alleen zijn Vader mensen dichter tot Hem kan trekken en hen de meest noodzakelijke kracht en geest kan geven. zelfs hier op aarde kon Jezus niets verwezenlijken zonder de kracht van zijn Vader. Maar Jezus wist ook dat God hem noch zijn volgelingen in de steek zou laten. God zou Jezus niet zo maar laten vertrekken en zijn volgelingen op hun eigen achte laten. Jezus was er zeker van dat zijn Vader een Trooster zou sturen of hen helpen, zodat de apostelen en de andere leerlingen het werk dat Jezus had opgestart op deze aarde zou kunnen verder gaan.

Advocaat of Trooster

In Christus Jezus kunnen we een advocaat, Trooster, Parakleet van het werkwoord parakaleo, herkennen, (1 Johannes 2:1), maar zonder het Werk van God zou Jezus niets zijn geweest en zouden wij niets zijn. Alle macht komt van Jehovah God. Christus ademde deze “heilige geest”, heilige adem, in de discipelen op die eerste zondagmorgen, wanneer hun gedachten daar met Christus Jezus waren. Hieruit is het gemakkelijk om te zien waar Paulus de idee vond van die ‘adem‘ van Christus als een allegorie van de nieuwe adem, nieuw leven, in de gelovige als hij of zij loopt naar het koninkrijk. (Romeinen 5:05, 2 Korinthiërs 1:22, 2 Korinthiërs 3:03, Gallaten 4:06)

Jezus is de advocaat of de Trooster ‘De Geest van Waarheid “, die het mogelijk maakt mensen tot God op de juiste manier te aanbidden. Na Jezus verkregen ook de apostelen onder de Genade van God de kracht door de zegening met de gave van de Geest om Jezus zijn werk voort te zetten. Na het neerkomen van de Heilige Geest konden zij ook verder de wereld in gaan gaan en het woord van de Geest tot leven in hun getuigenis afleggen.

Uur van de waarheid

Voor hen was het uur gekomen dat zij als ware aanbidders de Vader aanbaden in geest en in waarheid en zijn Woord verkondigden waar zij zich ook maar konden begeven.

“Maar er zal een uur komen, ja het is er al, dat de ware aanbidders de Vader zullen aanbidden in geest en waarheid. De Vader toch zoekt mensen die Hem zo aanbidden. God is geest, en wie Hem aanbidden moeten Hem in geest en waarheid aanbidden.’” (Johannes 4:23-24 WV78) “Wanneer de Helper komt, die Ik u van de Vader zal zenden, de Geest der waarheid die van de Vader uitgaat, zal Hij over Mij getuigenis afleggen.” (Johannes 15:26 WV78) “Wanneer Hij echter komt, de Geest der waarheid, zal Hij u tot de volle waarheid brengen; Hij zal niet uit zichzelf spreken, maar spreken al wat Hij hoort en u de komende dingen aankondigen.” (Johannes 16:13 WV78)

Mogelijkheid of Durf tot spreken

Door het neerdalen van de Heilige Geest konden die in de bovenkamer verzamelde aanbidders van God, niet enkel God in geest en in waarheid aanbidden, maar ook in geest en waarheid over Hem spreken. Na de komst van die Trooster, de Geest der Waarheid, die van de Vader uitgaat, getuigde deze van Jezus en kregen zij het volle inzicht van die beloofde Messias.

Die Geest der Waarheid bracht de gedachten niet over als uit een ander personage dan God. In de Schrift staat zelfs opgetekend dat Hij ook al sprak deze in al de waarheid niet uit Zichzelf sprak maar al wat Hij hoorde ging Hij spreken. En Hij zou hen dingen te komen laten zien die God hen ook wenste te zien. Zoals de woorden niet echt het spreken van de vlammen was, was het in tongen spreken van de apostelen geen spreken met letterlijk meerdere tongen, maar het zich uiten met woorden, die niet aangeleerd zijn door de menselijke wijsheid, maar die de Heilige Geest hen had geleerd. Zij konden zich uiten in meerdere talen die door de anderstaligen konden begrepen worden. In die tijd werden aldus de apostelen verzegeld met de Heilige Geest van de belofte. (Efeziërs 1:13)

“En daarover spreken wij, niet met woorden ontleend aan menselijke wijsheid, maar onderricht door de Geest, geestelijke gaven uitleggend aan geestelijke mensen.” (1 Corinthiërs 2:13 WV78) “Wij echter moeten God altijd danken voor u, broeders, vrienden van de Heer. want vanaf het begin heeft God u uitgekozen om door de Geest die heilig maakt en door uw geloof in de waarheid gered te worden.” (2 Thessalonicen 2:13 WV78)“In Christus zijt ook gij, nadat gij het woord der waarheid, het evangelie van uw heil, hebt aanhoord, in Hem zijt ook gij tot het geloof gekomen, verzegeld met de heilige Geest der belofte,” (Efeziërs 1:13 WV78)

Bijzonderheid tot verwondering

Door de omstaanders in hun eigen taal te kunnen aanspreken konden zij hen doen opzien om naar hen te luisteren en konden meerderen overtuigen over de positie van Jezus en over wat hen kon te wachten staan als zij zich bekeerden. Door het neerdalen van de Heilige Geest verworven zij ook krachten welke hun broederschap sterk maakte en hen deed verbinden met meerdere uiteenlopende groepen van mensen. Het apart plaatsen of heilig worden kon ook de toehoorders toekomen indien zij zich wensten te dopen in Jezus naam.

Voor anderen moest de uitwerking van Gods Kracht ook een teken zijn dat zij waren gebonden aan elkaar als broeders, door de geliefde van God en omdat God ook hen had gekozen voor zaligheid, in heiligmaking door de Geest en geloof in de waarheid. Door het hoorbare signaal konden mensen inzicht krijgen en zien dat die enthousiastelingen ‘uit God’ waren of bij god hoorden.Maar men kan ook zeggen dat het diegenen waren die God reeds kenden die de apostelen hoorden, konden begrijpen en welwillend waren om op hun spreken in te gaan. Maar ook vandaag geldt nog steeds dat diegenen die niet van God houden noch van God willen weten, niet enkel hun oor niet bij god te luisteren zullen willen leggen, maar ook niet bij mensen die van God houden. Diegene die niet bij God hoort zal ook onze stem niet horen. Hieraan kennen wij, de Geest der waarheid, en de geest der dwaling.

“Maar wij horen bij God, en wie God werkelijk kent luistert naar ons. Wie niet van God is weigert naar ons te luisteren. Zo onderscheiden wij de geest der waarheid van de geest der dwaling.” (1 Johannes 4:6 WV78)

Getuigenis van water en bloed

Tegenover hem die door water en bloed is gedoopt, namelijk Jezus, de Christus is het de Geest die getuigt, omdat de Geest de waarheid is.

“Hij is het die gekomen is met water en bloed, Jezus Christus. Hij is gekomen niet door water alleen, maar door water en door bloed. De Geest betuigt het, omdat de Geest de waarheid is.” (1 Johannes 5:6 WV78)

God voorzag in die angstige mensen een middel om contact te hebben met anderen, zodat ook zij konden kennismaken met het Woord van God. God maakte het mogelijk dat zij hun vele vragen in een taal konden beantwoord krijgen die ze konden begrijpen. Die mannen kregen de mogelijkheid van interpretatie van tongen (zoals er graag over gesproken wordt in 1 Korintiërs 12:10).

“om wonderen te doen, de gave van de profetie, de onderscheiding van geesten, velerlei taal of de vertolking ervan.” (1 Corinthiërs 12:10 WV78)

Van God ontvingen ze de mogelijkheid om vele mysteries begrijpen en kregen zij veel kennis, die ze ook zouden kunnen geven aan anderen, zodat zij, op hun beurt, konden groeien.

Gaven voor de apostelen

Sommigen denken dat de gave van het spreken in tongen ook een geschenk is voor sommigen vandaag. Dat de gaven niet aan de kwalificaties komen van de “Geest der Waarheid” beloofd in Johannes ch.14-16 , blijkt duidelijk, zelfs uit 1 Korinthiërs zelf, waar de context laat zien dat de geschenken falende werden en spreken in tongen al was opgehouden (vergelijk 1Co14: 2 met Handelingen 2:6,8,11), zelfs wanneer Paulus schreef. Ook de Deuteronomium 13:03 test slaagt niet om te doen geloven dat spreken in tongen vandaag nog op gaat. Het zegt zelfs dat succesvolle mirakels geen garantie zijn voor de waarheid, maar juist het tegenovergestelde.

“Wie in vervoering spreekt, spreekt niet voor de mensen, maar voor God; hij uit in geestverrukking geheimzinnige klanken en niemand begrijpt hem.” (1 Corinthiërs 14:2 WV78)

De Pleiter en Middelaar

Als de “Advocaat” en “Geest der Waarheid” een element van eigen activiteit van Christus bevat, dan zijn we onvermijdelijk gedwongen om Christus te zien als de belangrijkste persoon in de belofte van “een andere pleiter”, simpelweg omdat er geen andere persoon tussen God en de mens meer is, dus is er geen andere advocaat. Jezus is de enige Middelaar tussen God en de mensen. Het belangrijkste argument in het voordeel van Christus zelf, in een andere rol, beloofde hij zelf de “andere pleitbezorger ‘, is het gebrek aan andere personen om concreet tussen de mens en God te zijn.

“Want er is een God en ook een middelaar tussen God en mensen, de mens Christus Jezus,” (1 Timoteüs 2:05 KJ21)

Ook hier horen wij dat er slechts één God is en dat tussen Hem in de mens er een bemiddelaar is, welke Jezus Christus de Messias is, die zit aan de rechterhand van God en dus niet de positie van God heeft ingenomen. Mits er die bijzondere bemiddelaar is welke ook Hogepriester is hoeven wij geen andere voorsprekers te hebben.

Tijdelijke Noodzaak van gaven

Met de dood van de apostelen (waaronder Paulus) waren de gaven van de Geest ook niet meer nodig in essentie en bleken zij gestopt zijn als waren ze de enigen die de giften konden doorgeven.

Toen Paulus of andere apostelen mensen hun de handen oplegde, kwam de Heilige Geest over hen, en konden zij ook in tongen spreken en profeteren.

“Dezen werden aan de apostelen voorgedragen, die na gebed hun de handen oplegden.” (Handelingen 6:6 WV78)

“Nadat Paulus hun de handen had opgelegd, kwam de heilige Geest over hen; ze spraken in talen en profeteerden.” (Handelingen 19:6 WV78)

“Vergeet dus niet het vuur aan te wakkeren van Gods genade die in u is door de oplegging van mijn handen.” (2 Timotheüs 1:6 WV78)

In de vroege tijden probeerde Simon om deze kracht van het doorgeven van de Geest te kopen, maar vond dat het enkel iets was dat de apostelen konden doen.

“Simon, die zag dat door de handoplegging van de apostelen de Geest geschonken werd, bood hun geld aan en zei: ‘Geeft ook mij die macht, dat ieder aan wie ik de handen opleg de heilige Geest ontvangt.’” (Handelingen 8:18-19 WV78)

“Maar Petrus gaf ten antwoord: ‘Wees ten ondergang gedoemd, jij met je geld, omdat je gemeend hebt de gave Gods voor geld te kunnen krijgen. Je hebt part noch deel aan deze leer, want je hart is niet oprecht tegenover God. Leg die slechte gezindheid van je af en bid de Heer, dat die slechte gedachte je vergeven mag worden. Ik zie dat je bitter bent als gal en in boosheid verstrikt.’ Simon antwoordde: ‘Bidt gij voor mij tot de Heer, dat mij niets mag overkomen van wat gij gezegd hebt.’” (Handelingen 8:20-24 WV78)

Door de oplegging van de handen der apostelen kon toentertijd de Heilige Geest gegeven worden. Het was een geschenk van God dat de apostelen met zich mochten dragen.

Doel voor opbouw van vroeg Christelijke Kerk

De Gaven van de Geest werden gegeven voor een doel – om mensen te helpen overtuigen dat het evangelie waar was (Marcus 16:15,17-18) en voor het vaststellen van de vroeg-christelijke kerk (Efeziërs 4:8-14). Zodra het christendom werd opgericht (Ef. 4:13 – ‘volwassen’, perfect, werd), hielden de gaven op te bestaan (1 Kor 13:10.).

“Daarom zegt de Schrift: Hij is opgevaren naar den hoge, Hij heeft gevangenen meegevoerd, Hij heeft gaven gegeven aan de mensen. Hij is opgestegen: dit betekent dat Hij eerst in de diepte is afgedaald tot op de aarde. Hij die is neergedaald, is dezelfde die ook is opgestegen hoog boven alle hemelen, om het heelal te vervullen. Hij heeft ook gaven gegeven: sommigen maakte Hij apostelen, anderen profeten, anderen evangelisten, weer anderen herders en leraars, om de heiligen toe te rusten voor het werk der bediening, tot opbouw van het lichaam van Christus, totdat wij allen tezamen komen tot de eenheid in het geloof en de kennis van Gods Zoon, tot de volmaakte Man, tot de gehele omvang van de volheid van de Christus. Dan zullen wij niet langer onmondig zijn, heen en weer geslingerd en meegesleurd door elke windvlaag, ik bedoel, elke leer die door het valse spel van sluwe mensen wordt uitgedacht om tot dwaling te verleiden.” (Efeziërs 4:8-14 WV78)

“Maar wanneer het volmaakte komt, heeft het onvolmaakte afgedaan.” (1 Corinthiërs 13:10 WV78)

Bij het begin van de Kerk van God waren er de bange apostelen die een stimulans en wat pep-talk konden gebruiken. Ze hadden die oppepper nodig om hen te helpen over hun angst heen te komen en om uit te gaan in de wereld om te getuigen over de werken van Christus. Maar zodra ze de macht hadden gekregen om hun angst te overwinnen waren de gaven van de Geest niet meer nodig want ze hadden de volledige openbaring van God in de Bijbel om hen te begeleiden (2Tim. 3:16-17).

“Elk door God geinspireerd geschrift dient ook om te onderrichten in de waarheid en dwalingen te weerleggen, om de zeden te verbeteren en de mensen op te voeden tot een rechtschapen leven, zodat de man Gods voor zijn taak berekend is en toegerust voor elk goed werk.” (2 Timotheüs 3:16-17 WV78)

Vandaag

Vandaag hebben ook wij de volledige Schrift om ons te leiden, lering en weerlegging te geven. De meerdere boeken kunnen nu tot ons onderricht dienen. De Bijbel is het Woord van God, welk onze Wachttoren en het Licht voor de wereld zou moeten zijn. De Heilige Schrift, of de Bijbel heeft alles wat we nodig hebben om ons tot “bevoegden, tot alle goed werk” te maken.

In de tijd van het Nieuwe Testament, hadden ze alleen het Oude Testament en een paar van de boeken van het Nieuwe Testament als ze werden geschreven, zoals de brieven die naar bepaalde mensen of gemeenschappen werden geschreven. Wanneer de Bijbel eindelijk voltooid was, hielden de gaven op te bestaan.

In Hebreeën 6:4-5, spreekt de auteur over de Geestelijke gaven en zegt dat ze een voorproefje van de krachten van de toekomende eeuw zijn omdat het onmogelijk is, degenen, die eens verlicht waren en geproefd hadden van de hemelse gave en deelgenoten waren aan de heilige Geest, en het goede Woord van God om deze te evenaren of met gelijke gaven op te volgen.

De apostelen hebben de beginselen van het woord van Christus door gegeven en hebben de gemeenten opgeroepen om zich zo te gedragen dat er niet weer een fundament moet gelegd worden van bekering van dode werken, en van geloof in God, van de leer van het doopsel maar ook van oplegging der handen.

Geen herkansing

Volgens de apostelen is het ook onmogelijk, hen die eenmaal verlicht geworden zijn, en de hemelse gave hebben gesmaakt, en afvallen om hen wederom te vernieuwen tot bekering. De apostelen wensten nu dat een iegelijk dezelfde ijver bewijst tot de volheid van de hoop, ten einde toe; opdat zij niet traag zouden worden, maar navolgers van hen die door geloof en geduld de beloften beërven.

“Laten we daarom niet meer terugkomen op de elementaire christelijke leer. We willen niet opnieuw het fundament leggen van geloof in God en van berouw over daden die ons de dood brachten. We willen niet opnieuw spreken over reinigingsriten en handoplegging, over de opstanding der doden en het onherroepelijke oordeel. Laten we liever op weg gaan naar volwassenheid. En met Gods hulp zullen we haar bereiken. Want wanneer mensen eenmaal het licht hebben gezien en van de hemelse gave hebben geproefd en deelgenoot werden van de heilige Geest, wanneer zij de voortreffelijkheid van Gods woord en de krachten van de toekomstige wereld hebben ervaren en na dit alles afvallen, kunnen zij onmogelijk weer tot bekering worden gebracht; want op hun manier hebben zij de Zoon van God opnieuw gekruisigd en aan bespotting prijsgegeven. Wanneer de grond de telkens neervallende regen indrinkt en voor die hem bewerken bruikbaar was voortbrengt, deelt hij in de goddelijke zegen. Maar als hij distels en dorens voortbrengt, is het duidelijk dat hij niet deugt; de vervloeking is nabij en het einde is verbranding. Maar ook al spreken wij zo streng: in uw geval, vrienden, zijn wij overtuigd van iets beters: gij zijt op weg naar het heil. God is rechtvaardig; Hij kan niet vergeten wat gij uit liefde voor zijn naam hebt gedaan, al de diensten die gij de heiligen hebt bewezen en nog bewijst. Maar ik wensen dat ieder van u dezelfde vurige ijver blijft tonen, totdat uw hoop geheel in vervulling is gegaan. Ge moogt niet lui worden, maar moet een voorbeeld nemen aan hen die door geloof en geduld deel krijgen aan de beloften.” (Hebreeën 6:1-12 WV78)

Er moet dus niet teruggegaan worden naar de tijd van het ontstaan van de kerkgemeenschap. Zeker niet bij diegenen die al het licht hebben gezien en van de hemelse gave hebben geproefd en deelgenoot werden van de heilige Geest. Zij moeten zich kunnen verheugen in de Woorden van de Heilige Schrift zoals God hen ze geopenbaard heeft. Zij horen de voortreffelijkheid van Gods woord te herkennen en te erkennen en geen behoeften te hebben aan andere vreemde ‘tongen’ , talen of klanken.

Voorgaande artikels:

Op de Dag van het Pinksterfeest

In Talen sprekend

Teken van authenticiteit of goddelijke backing

Wordt vervolgd

engelse versie / English version: Meaning of “speaking in tongues”

Aanvullende lectuur:

Anderen hun visie / Others their viewpoint:

What does it mean to speak in tongues? by Todd Clippard
There is a general misunderstanding, especially among modern pentecostals and charismatics as to the nature of tongues. Those who claim to speak in tongues today are referring to ecstatic utterances made after a so-called personal manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
+
In its simplest form, speaking in tongues simply means to speak in an established and understandable language. English is a tongue, as is Spanish, French, German, and a host of other languages one might mention. To speak in tongues, in a biblical sense, is to speak a language one has never studied or learned. Let’s look at the first incidence of this kind of tongue speaking in the Bible.
+
the apostles had the ability to speak in more than one foreign language. If the Holy Spirit could enable them to speak one foreign language, why not more than one?

Do churches of Christ practice tongue-speaking? By, Todd Clippard
Churches of Christ do not practice tongue-speaking.
+
If tongue-speaking is still a reality today, then every spiritual gift must also be in force and practiced in the sight of all people. But, as we all know, these things are not taking place today.

Who was able to speak in tongues during New Testament times?
There were three groups in the New Testament who could speak in tongues, or languages they had never studied.

William Dwight McKissic Gives a Biblical Basis for Speaking in Tongues In Private
Jesus affirmed speaking in tongues. He told the eleven that they could expect as one of the signs that would be visible or audible among those who believe is that “they will speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17). No matter how one etymologically and theologically parses this statement by Jesus, they would have to conclude that Jesus’ statement here is an affirmation of speaking in tongues. He did not elaborate, give details, qualify his statement, define tongues, or distinguish between public or private tongues here. He did not say if it would be a one-time occurrence among certain people groups or an ongoing experience among certain believers. But what He did say is this: Counted among those who name His name should be those who speak with “new tongues.”
+
One of the errors of Pentecostalism–or at least among many of them–has been to insist that all who are filled with the Holy Spirit are to also speak in tongues. That was not true in the Book of Acts, neither is it true today. I am convinced though that the private devotional lives of the Samaritans who were filled with joy (Acts 8:5), Phillip and the Ethiopian were all invigorated by the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The Gift Of Tongues

Original Word: γλῶσσα, ης, ἡ > Short Definition: the tongue, a language, nation
Definition: the tongue, a language, a nation (usually distinguished by their speech).

from the Strong’s, Tongue simple means Language or a Nation, used to describe a nation’s speech. For instance, Americans speak English and Germans speak German.
+
When Jesus was alive with his disciples, he instructed them not to preach to anyone who was not a Jew. You can read this in (Matthew 10). However, after Jesus died and resurrected, the command changed drastically. Jesus told his disciples almost the exact opposite in (ACTS 1:8). The time had come for the Apostles to preach to everyone whether or not they were Jew. Since Jesus went to his own people and they ended up killing him, Jesus made it then possible for anyone to be saved just by believing in him. This is the new covenant(testament). But how could the Apostles preach to everyone without being able to communicate with them? Good question! This is why Jesus gave them the gift of tongues so that they could preach to the Greek, Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamians, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontos and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, In Egypt, Libya about Cyrene and so on… you can read the full list in (Acts 2:9-10) The apostles needed to preach to everyone and the only way to do so was to be able to speak those people’s language or tongue.
+
Does God really need to give us a specific language to talk to him with? Doesn’t God read our thoughts? Do we really think he needs us speaking gibberish before he answers your prayers?

Mark Driscoll Preaches About the Gift of Tongues

Cessationists, such as influential pastor and traditional Calvinist John MacArthur, believe that 1 Corinthians 13:8 and other Biblical passages indicate that the divine ability to speak in other languages or an unknown tongue (glossolalia) ended with the apostles’ deaths, as did prophetic revelations and faith-healings through individuals. Some Christians, however, believe that these Holy Spirit-inspired gifts will continue until Christ’s return.

Category:

Geschiedenis, God Jehovah Jahweh (Nederlands), Jezus Christus, Jeshua Messias, Kerkplanting

Tagged with:

Those grafted in again

The apostle Paul wrote about the dispersion, the dispersed House of Israel. They had been “without covenant“, but Paul was sent out to recover them. So they were “grafted in again“ (Romans 11/23). Or, Grafted back in“. If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been […]

Cart ministry is back

Rob Mac wonders when the door to door will return? He wrote this a while back, and went sharing it again. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses hate the door to door ministry, although they won’t readily admit it. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses have developed ‘creative’ ways of counting their time doing this work, and many strategies for avoiding actually […]

Religion and believers #14 Church and state

Constantine wanted unity in his realm, and his call in 325 C.E. for a council of his bishops at Nicaea, located in the Eastern, Greek-speaking domain of his empire, across the Bosporus from the new city of Constantinople was in a certain way his goal to achieve some agreement by which many could live. Constantine […]

Religion and believers #13 Superstition, misunderstanding and hatred leading up to the Nicene Creed

Superstition, misunderstanding and hatred caused the Christians trouble for many generations, and governmental repression they had to suffer occasionally, as a result of popular disturbances. No systematic effort was made by the imperial authorities to put an end to the movement until the reign of the Roman emperor (249–251) who fought the Gothic invasion of […]

Religion and believers #12 Ranking and days for days to holding worship in secret

Self-enhancing When the apostles had died there came a time when those in charge of teaching and going around telling about the gospel, started coming to see themselves as special people. Some even started to consider themselves as ‘clergy of the highest order’. After a time the organisation of the church was given only to […]

what, why, outcome??

Originally posted on Living Life in a Fish Bowl!:
How’s your prayer life? What is prayer? Communicating with God – the One who rules the universe and all the galaxies beyond, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere Asking Him to intervene on a particular situation or person Asking for His peace, joy, love, hope…

4 mistakes when reading the parables of Jesus

Remembering Jesus’s two purposes for teaching in parables will help us to overcome four common mistakes.

Jesus Revealing the Secrets of God’s Kingdom

Jesus once gave a series of seven Kingdom illustrations in close connection with one another. We should remember that the most important reason for his telling such short stories is to persuade people to enter the kingdom of which he speaks.

Onze verzoeken klinkend als de gebeden van Jezus

Klinken onze gebeden als het gebed van Jezus Christus? Hierboven wordt niet gevraagd of u het modelgebed dat Jezus de wereld gaf, bidt. Vermoedelijk bidden heel wat christenen regelmatig het “Onze Vader“. Hierbij kan de vraag gesteld worden of zij wel degelijk de inhoud er van beseffen. Velen denken namelijk dat zij na hun dood […]

Kracht en heerlijkheid behoren God toe

Als afsluiting van het modelgebed Het Onze Vader kunnen wij nog eens benadrukken hoe wij Gods Naam, Heerlijkheid of Glorie, Macht en Kracht hoogschatten.

Can a person be too Christian to lead a modern political party

Christians in politics have been accommodated through a policy of don’t-ask, don’t-tell, but some argue endlessly about which bathrooms trans people should be allowed to use. Cisgender psychologists and sexologists pathologise the transgender experience according to their own biases, cisgender insurance executives arbitrarily what is and isn’t “necessary care” for transgender policyholders, and so on.

Antizionisme is geen antisemitisme

Het kan niet genoeg herhaald worden: antizionisme is geen antisemitisme.

Zionisme

Originally posted on Quo Vadis:
Zionisme is het (blijven) streven naar en behoud van een Joodse staat. Anti-zionisme is dus het verzet tegen de enige joodse staat. Behalve de genoemde landen met een islamitische meerderheid, zijn praktische alle andere landen, incl Israel, seculier, geen enkele religie is dominant en er is godsdienstvrijheid. Godsdienstvrijheid is één…

Remedie tegen de ziekte van het nationalisme

Een kijk (door Willem Frederik Veltman) op wat de beste remedie is tegen nationalisme.

Was it a year not to step on the toes?

Introducing a news website that may well deserve your attention as it also debunks fake news and brings out the true facts.

Wat betekend wedergeboren uit water en geest?

Tegenover de wereldse geboorte staat een geestelijke geboorte die uit water en geest wordt beklonken.

The Importance of Self-Care in Today’s Busy World

Originally posted on Raising Me:
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With constant demands from work, family, and social obligations, it’s no wonder that people often neglect their own self-care. However, taking care of oneself is crucial for overall health and well-being. In…

Doing more

Originally posted on My blog full of dreams and thoughts:
What do you wish you could do more every day? Taking time for myself and practicing self-care is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. It allows me to recharge and refocus, reducing stress levels and improving my overall well-being. Practicing self-care can take…

A lack of responsibility for your life

A lack of responsibility for your life may show up in the following ways: pessimistic thinking, a victimized mentality, frequent arguments, indecision, stagnancy, and codependency. When we become responsible for our lives, we notice more things going in our favor. If you want to create a better quality of life, filled with peace and joy, […]

There’s more to life than work

There’s more to life than work – as everyone but the Tories and Kim Kardashian knows John Harris

Agora A meeting place for Bible students, containing the writings of George Booker and many other Christadelphians.
Belgian Christadelphians English Google site of the Belgian Christadelphians
Belgische Brüder und Schwestern in Christus oder Christadelphians Deutsche Seite der Belgischen Brüder in Christus
Belgische Broeders in Christus Nederlandstalige WordPress site van de Belgische Broeders in Christus
Belgische Christadelphians Nederlandstalige artikelen van de Belgische Christadelphians of Broeders in Christus
Belgische Vrije Christadelphians / Belgian Free Christadelphians – Old Google Main Website Interesting pages of the Brethren in Christ giving answers on many subjects. – Boeiende bladzijden en Hoofdwebsite van de Belgische Christadelphians of Broeders in Christus.
Bijbelvorser Flemish Bibleresearcher – Vlaams Bijbelvorser
Broeders in Christus Vlaamse Broeders in Christus of Christadelphians
C4All Christ For All – Presenting ways to find Christ in your life
C4U Christ For you & Christadelphians for you
Christadelphes Belges
Christadelphia Association of the Christadelphian community – Vereniging van de Christadelphians
Christadelphia – City of Christ Community of true followers of Christ
Christadelphia Worldwide Worldwide Bible-based community of believers
Christadelphian Ecclesia The Church community in Belgium of the Christadelphians. – Kerkgemeenschap van de Broeders in Christus.
Christadelphian World News and thoughts from the Christadelphian Worldpointview. – Een kijk op het wereldgebeuren vanuit het standpunt van de wereld der Christadelphians.
Christadelphians on Facebook Facebookaccount, a place to connect
Christadelphians on Tumblr Short notices from Christadelphians
Dawn Christadelphians Living and preaching First Century Christianity
De Weg naar God
Exploring the Bible 26-lesson postal/web correspondence course working following the consistent message of the Bible through from Genesis to Revelation
Glad Tidings Monthly magazine to encourage the study of the Bible as God’s inspired message to mankind
God vinden
Hoop tot Leven – Redding in Christus Betreft de Hoop die wij kunnen hebben in de Redding door Jezus Christus.
Messiah for all Presentation of Jesus Christ the Messiah, showing the necessity of him for us
Op zoek naar God
Our World
Relating to God (Weebly.com)
Relating to God (WordPress Blog)
Stepping Toes A provocative Christadelphian website – Een durvende in vraag steller
The Biblesite To encourage the reading and study – and therefore the knowledge – of God’s Word

	Wat betekend wederge… on Als broeders en zusters samen…
	Wat betekend wederge… on Doopsel en bloedvergieten ter…
	Luke 2 – The Nazaren… on Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commen…
	Luke 2 – The Nazaren… on Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commen…
	There is prosperity… on When a person looks for or has…
	There is prosperity… on Left in the dark or being in t…
	There is prosperity… on Matthew 24 about temples or Ho…
	There is prosperity… on Back from gone #2 Aim of godly…
	Luke 2 – The Nazaren… on Mark 8:27-29 Simon Peter said…
	Luke 2 – The Nazaren… on The Climax of Matthew’s…
	Luke 2 – The Nazaren… on Matthew 24:4-8 – The Nazarene’…
	Luke 2 – The Nazaren… on Matthew 22:41-46 – The Nazaren…
	Luke 2 – The Nazaren… on Matthew 1:18-25 – Genesis of J…
	Luke 2 – The Nazaren… on Luke 2 – The Nazarene’s Commen…
	Ten years ago those… on Good or bad preacher

An other Christian WordPress.com site – Een andere Christelijke WordPress.com site

Posts tagged ‘Ruach’

A soul is a living being, whether animal or human, and neither animals nor humans are immortal.

“The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Additional reading

Related

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Additional reading

Further reading

Related articles

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Matthew 1:18-25 – The Genesis of Jesus Christ

Find also to read:

Related articles

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Meaning of filled with the Holy Spirit and “speaking in tongues”

Please read also:

Additional reading:

Related articles

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Betekenis van vervuld zijn met de Heilige Geest en het “spreken in tongen”

Pinksterfeest

Glossa

Adem en wind

Woord voor allen

Mogelijkheid maar noch geen geest

Advocaat of Trooster

Uur van de waarheid

Mogelijkheid of Durf tot spreken

Bijzonderheid tot verwondering

Getuigenis van water en bloed

Gaven voor de apostelen

De Pleiter en Middelaar

Tijdelijke Noodzaak van gaven

Doel voor opbouw van vroeg Christelijke Kerk

Vandaag

Geen herkansing

Aanvullende lectuur:

Anderen hun visie / Others their viewpoint:

Rate this:

Share this:

Like this:

Search – Zoekopdracht

Translate – Traduction – Vertaling

Email Subscription

Categories – Categoriën

Most frequent Subjects – Meest besproken onderwerpen

Most recent articles by authors - Meest recente artikelen per schrijver

Recent Posts – Recentste Berichten

Top Posts & Pages

Recent Posts from our other site concerning adversaries of Jehovah God: Unmasking anti Jehovah sites and people

Recent Posts from our fellow Biblestudents > Biblescholars: Bijbelvorser = Bible Researcher

Recent Posts on the Lifestyle Magazine: Stepping Toes

Recent Posts on the other Lifestyle Magazine and Readers Digest: From guestwriters

Archives – Archief voorgaande berichten

Pages – Paginas

Top Clicks - Populairste koppelingen

Recent Comments

Addresses & Linkpages - Linkpaginas

Bible Students - Bijbelonderzoekers

Christadelphian

Jeshuaist

News sites & Lifestyle Magazines

Of interest

Blogs I Follow

Posts I Like

Category cloud

Tag Cloud