June 2, 2021

Help! by Gary Rose



This is one of my very favorite astronomy pictures from NASA. From the Sun ( first picture, top left ) to that which lies beyond our wildest dreams ( last picture, bottom right ) I am continually amazed at the grandeur and the vastness of this universe we dwell in.


Human beings have accomplished a great deal since the first man ( Adam ) walked the Earth. We have subdued almost the entire planet ( with the exception of the frigid poles). We have landed on the moon and begun to understand even our own genetic makeup. Our society ( for the most part ) has changed from Agrarian one, to one that is becoming more and more cosmopolitan and dependent upon computers. Who knows; in the near future we may even see a merger of computers and man himself?


But, in spite of these things, we are still like we were eons ago, with the same shortcomings; pride, arrogance, greed and a rather long list of attitudes and actions that may eventually lead to a nuclear holocaust more devastating than anything we could ever imagine!


Help, we need help if we are to continue as a species. Help, if we ever want to live eternally. Specifically, we need JESUS to Help us. Consider the following passage from the book of Hebrews…


Hebrews 2 ( World English Bible )

1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.

2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense;

3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard;

4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?

5 For he didn’t subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels.

6 But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? (Consider Lk 19:10 GR)

7 You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor.

8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet.

9 But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone.

10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

12 saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.”

14 Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the seed of Abraham.

17 Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.


Human Beings are made in the image and likeness of God himself. But, our desire to exalt ourselves has led to sin and separation from his creator. Face it, we are no longer in the garden of Eden. Which is why God the father sent Jesus into the world – TO HELP US!


Want that help? Submit to Jesus; obey his Gospel and live! As vast and wonderful as the universe is, that is nothing compared to heaven, eternal life and direct fellowship with the creator of it all.


Tonight, after it becomes totally dark, go outside and look at the stars and think about this… The God who made everything you see humbled himself to suffering for you – even to the point of dying an awful death on a Roman cross. Humble yourself in return. Love him in return, make him YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR. Obey him in all things and receive the HELP which only he can provide!

Bible Reading for June 2nd and 3rd by Gary Rose

 

Bible Reading for June 2nd and 3rd

World  English  Bible

 

June 2

Ruth 1, 2

Rth 1:1 It happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Rth 1:2 The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Rth 1:3 Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Rth 1:4 They took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they lived there about ten years.

Rth 1:5 Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband.

Rth 1:6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that Yahweh had visited his people in giving them bread.

Rth 1:7 She went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah.

Rth 1:8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, Go, return each of you to her mother's house: Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Rth 1:9 Yahweh grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

Rth 1:10 They said to her, No, but we will return with you to your people.

Rth 1:11 Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

Rth 1:12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons;

Rth 1:13 would you therefore wait until they were grown? would you therefore stay from having husbands? nay, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of Yahweh is gone forth against me.

Rth 1:14 They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her.

Rth 1:15 She said, Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god: return after your sister-in-law.

Rth 1:16 Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God;

Rth 1:17 where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me."

Rth 1:18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

Rth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. It happened, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and the women said, Is this Naomi?

Rth 1:20 She said to them, "Don't call me Naomi, call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Rth 1:21 I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty; why do you call me Naomi, seeing Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"

Rth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.


Rth 2:1 Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech, and his name was Boaz.

Rth 2:2 Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor. She said to her, Go, my daughter.

Rth 2:3 She went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Rth 2:4 Behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said to the reapers, Yahweh be with you. They answered him, Yahweh bless you.

Rth 2:5 Then said Boaz to his servant who was set over the reapers, Whose young lady is this?

Rth 2:6 The servant who was set over the reapers answered, It is the Moabite lady who came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Rth 2:7 She said, Please let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves. So she came, and has continued even from the morning until now, except that she stayed a little in the house.

Rth 2:8 Then said Boaz to Ruth, Don't you hear, my daughter? Don't go to glean in another field, neither pass from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.

Rth 2:9 Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them: haven't I commanded the young men not to touch you? and when you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

Rth 2:10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner?

Rth 2:11 Boaz answered her, It has fully been shown me, all that you have done to your mother-in-law since the death of your husband; and how you have left your father and your mother, and the land of your birth, and have come to a people that you didn't know before.

Rth 2:12 May Yahweh repay your work, and a full reward be given you from Yahweh, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Rth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of your handmaidens.

Rth 2:14 At meal time Boaz said to her, Come here, and eat of the bread, and dip your morsel in the vinegar. She sat beside the reapers, and they reached her parched grain, and she ate, and was sufficed, and left of it.

Rth 2:15 When she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don't reproach her.

Rth 2:16 Also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it, and let her glean, and don't rebuke her.

Rth 2:17 So she gleaned in the field until even; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley.

Rth 2:18 She took it up, and went into the city; and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth and gave to her that which she had left after she was sufficed.

Rth 2:19 Her mother-in-law said to her, Where have you gleaned today? and where have you worked? blessed be he who did take knowledge of you. She showed her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.

Rth 2:20 Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, Blessed be he of Yahweh, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. Naomi said to her, The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.

Rth 2:21 Ruth the Moabitess said, Yes, he said to me, You shall stay close to my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

Rth 2:22 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not meet you in any other field.

Rth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.



June 3

Ruth 3

Rth 3:1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?

Rth 3:2 Now isn't Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he winnows barley tonight in the threshing floor.

Rth 3:3 Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, and put your clothing on yourself, and go down to the threshing floor, but don't make yourself known to the man, until he has finished eating and drinking.

Rth 3:4 It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall mark the place where he shall lie, and you shall go in, and uncover his feet, and lay down; then he will tell you what you shall do.

Rth 3:5 She said to her, All that you say I will do.

Rth 3:6 She went down to the threshing floor, and did according to all that her mother-in-law told her.

Rth 3:7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

Rth 3:8 It happened at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet.

Rth 3:9 He said, Who are you? She answered, I am Ruth your handmaid: spread therefore your skirt over your handmaid; for you are a near kinsman.

Rth 3:10 He said, Blessed are you by Yahweh, my daughter: you have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as you didn't follow young men, whether poor or rich.

Rth 3:11 Now, my daughter, don't be afraid; I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people does know that you are a worthy woman.

Rth 3:12 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman; however there is a kinsman nearer than I.

Rth 3:13 Stay this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman's part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman for you, then will I do the part of a kinsman for you, as Yahweh lives: lie down until the morning.

Rth 3:14 She lay at his feet until the morning. She rose up before one could discern another. For he said, Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.

Rth 3:15 He said, Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it; and she held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and he went into the city.

Rth 3:16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Who are you, my daughter? She told her all that the man had done to her.

Rth 3:17 She said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said, "Don't go empty to your mother-in-law."

Rth 3:18 Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he has finished the thing this day."


Rth 4:1 Now Boaz went up to the gate, and sat him down there: and behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by; to whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. He turned aside, and sat down.

Rth 4:2 He took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit down here. They sat down.

Rth 4:3 He said to the near kinsman, Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:

Rth 4:4 I thought to disclose it to you, saying, Buy it before those who sit here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it: but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is none to redeem it besides you; and I am after you. He said, I will redeem it.

Rth 4:5 Then said Boaz, On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance.

Rth 4:6 The near kinsman said, I can't redeem it for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance: take my right of redemption on you; for I can't redeem it.

Rth 4:7 Now this was the custom in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man drew off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.

Rth 4:8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, Buy it for yourself. He drew off his shoe.

Rth 4:9 Boaz said to the elders, and to all the people, You are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

Rth 4:10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead not be cut off from among his brothers, and from the gate of his place: you are witnesses this day.

Rth 4:11 All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, which two built the house of Israel: and treat you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

Rth 4:12 and let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the seed which Yahweh shall give you of this young woman.

Rth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son.

Rth 4:14 The women said to Naomi, Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel.

Rth 4:15 He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.

Rth 4:16 Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it.

Rth 4:17 The women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they named him Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Rth 4:18 Now this is the history of the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron,

Rth 4:19 and Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father of Amminadab,

Rth 4:20 and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became the father of Salmon,

Rth 4:21 and Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed,

Rth 4:22 and Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David. 

 

Jun.  2

John 9

Joh 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.

Joh 9:2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Joh 9:3 Jesus answered, "Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.

Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him who sent me, while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.

Joh 9:5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

Joh 9:6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man's eyes with the mud,

Joh 9:7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means "Sent"). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.

Joh 9:8 The neighbors therefore, and those who saw that he was blind before, said, "Isn't this he who sat and begged?"

Joh 9:9 Others were saying, "It is he." Still others were saying, "He looks like him." He said, "I am he."

Joh 9:10 They therefore were asking him, "How were your eyes opened?"

Joh 9:11 He answered, "A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.' So I went away and washed, and I received sight."

Joh 9:12 Then they asked him, "Where is he?" He said, "I don't know."

Joh 9:13 They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees.

Joh 9:14 It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.

Joh 9:15 Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, "He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see."

Joh 9:16 Some therefore of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he doesn't keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was division among them.

Joh 9:17 Therefore they asked the blind man again, "What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."

Joh 9:18 The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight,

Joh 9:19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"

Joh 9:20 His parents answered them, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Joh 9:21 but how he now sees, we don't know; or who opened his eyes, we don't know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself."

Joh 9:22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

Joh 9:23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age. Ask him."

Joh 9:24 So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner."

Joh 9:25 He therefore answered, "I don't know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see."

Joh 9:26 They said to him again, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

Joh 9:27 He answered them, "I told you already, and you didn't listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don't also want to become his disciples, do you?"

Joh 9:28 They insulted him and said, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.

Joh 9:29 We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don't know where he comes from."

Joh 9:30 The man answered them, "How amazing! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.

Joh 9:31 We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.

Joh 9:32 Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind.

Joh 9:33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."

Joh 9:34 They answered him, "You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?" They threw him out.

Joh 9:35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of God?"

Joh 9:36 He answered, "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?"

Joh 9:37 Jesus said to him, "You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you."

Joh 9:38 He said, "Lord, I believe!" and he worshiped him.

Joh 9:39 Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, that those who don't see may see; and that those who see may become blind."

Joh 9:40 Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, "Are we also blind?"

Joh 9:41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains. 

 

Jun. 3

John 10

Joh 10:1 "Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn't enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Joh 10:2 But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Joh 10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.

Joh 10:4 Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Joh 10:5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers."

Joh 10:6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn't understand what he was telling them.

Joh 10:7 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep's door.

Joh 10:8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn't listen to them.

Joh 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture.

Joh 10:10 The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Joh 10:12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them.

Joh 10:13 The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep.

Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own;

Joh 10:15 even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.

Joh 10:16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd.

Joh 10:17 Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.

Joh 10:18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father."

Joh 10:19 Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words.

Joh 10:20 Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is insane! Why do you listen to him?"

Joh 10:21 Others said, "These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn't possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?"

Joh 10:22 It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem.

Joh 10:23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

Joh 10:24 The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

Joh 10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don't believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, these testify about me.

Joh 10:26 But you don't believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Joh 10:28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Joh 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.

Joh 10:30 I and the Father are one."

Joh 10:31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him.

Joh 10:32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?"

Joh 10:33 The Jews answered him, "We don't stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God."

Joh 10:34 Jesus answered them, "Isn't it written in your law, 'I said, you are gods?'

Joh 10:35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can't be broken),

Joh 10:36 do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You blaspheme,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God?'

Joh 10:37 If I don't do the works of my Father, don't believe me.

Joh 10:38 But if I do them, though you don't believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

Joh 10:39 They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand.

Joh 10:40 He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed.

Joh 10:41 Many came to him. They said, "John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true."

Joh 10:42 Many believed in him there.

The Word "Church" by Sandra F. Cobble

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Cobble/Sandra/Fontaine/1933/church.html

The Word "Church"

Usually when one begins a word study he goes to a concordance and then to a lexicon. If he were studying the word "church" he would find that it is translated from the Greek word, "ekklesia", which originates from "ek" (out of) and "kaleo" (call), thus, "called out." Immediately, if he professes to be a Christian, there comes to his mind, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called (kalesantos-aorist participle of kaleo) you out (ek) of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). And that is a good starting point. Now let us take into consideration an extremely important aspect of word study -- CONTEXT.

According to The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament by Moulton and Milligan, "ekklesia" meant originally "any public assembly of citizens summoned by a herald" (page 195). According to Bauer's lexicon, "ekklesia" is found in the writings of Euripides, the Greek tragic dramatist, and Herodotus, a Greek historian; both of whom wrote in the fifth century B.C. And Orpheus, priest of Dionysus, "formed for himself the 'ekklesian', a group of wild animals, who listen to him, in the Thracian mountains where there are no people" (Bauer).

While "ekklesia" may have reference to the New Testament church, it is also used in the Septuagint in reference to the community of the Israelites. In Greek history, it is used in reference to the community of Pythagoras (Bauer). And even in the New Testament it may not refer to the Christian church. During the riot which Demetrius, the silversmith, stirred up in Ephesus, Gaius and Aristarchus were seized and brought unto an "ekklesia" (Acts 19:23-41). Thus, from general contexts, we may determine that "ekklesia," of itself, has no especially Christian, Judean, nor even religious denotation.

Having made that determination, let us now consider "ekklesia" in the New Testament era. To begin this phase of our study, we will briefly take into consideration SYNTAX -- how words fit together.

The preposition "ek" serves to further define "klesia," the substantival form of "kaleo," to which it is attached. It is used only with the ablative (some grammarians refer to the ablative as the genitive of separation) case which may be described as the "whence" case -- it indicates from whence something is separated; in other words, its source or origin. Thus, "klesia" is further defined as having a source "out of" which it came. If the source of the call follows immediately, as it often does, the source will be in the ablative case. Sometimes the writer assumes that the reader already KNOWS the source. And with diligent examination the source can usually be determined. With that in mind, let us return to some specific contexts.

In Acts 19:25 we find that Demetrius called the workmen together, which call ultimately resulted in the assembly at Ephesus. Thus, Demetrius is seen as the source out of which the call originated.

Now let us consider what is generally spoken of as the New Testament church. In 2 Samuel 7:11-16 the Lord promised David He would "set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels" (vs. 12). And in verse 16 the Lord promises, "And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever."

According to the genealogy of Matthew, Jesus Christ is the son of David (1:1) In Acts 2:30 Peter refers to the promise made to David, "Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne." Peter then goes on to interpret the promise, "He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses" (vs. 31-32). And in verse 36 Peter says, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Paul says God "hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" (Colossians 1:13). Peter speaks of "the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11). Therefore, we see through the scriptures that Jesus Christ, the seed of David, and His everlasting kingdom are the fulfillment of the promises make to David. Speaking of Christ, Paul says, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18). From these passages we determine that God, through Jesus Christ, is the source from whom the call originated.

The "ekklesia" referred to as the New Testament church are those who have been assembled into the body of Christ through hearing, believing, and obeying that call.

And to whom has that call been made? Peter, preaching on the day of Pentecost, says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to ALL that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:38-39). On Mar's Hill, Paul proclaimed that God, "Now commandeth ALL men EVERYWHERE TO REPENT (Acts 17:30)."

Sandra F. Cobble

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

DECEITFUL WORKERS? by steve finnell

 

http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com/2016/11/deceitful-workers-by-steve-finnell-once.html
 

DECEITFUL WORKERS? by steve finnell


Once a person has been deceived it is next to impossible to get them them to repent and and believe the truth. When confronted with the truth they normally will simply ignore it. Pride is a terrible road block to admitting error. Even when Scripture is quoted, it is ignored in favor of a long held lie. No one likes to admit they have been deceived into believing Satan's lies.

2 Corinthians 11: 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.(NKJV)

No one is going to believe someone who openly admits they are perverting the gospel of Christ. Men need to be convinced they are being taught by apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms forms himself into an angel of light.(NKJV)

Satan is the great deceiver.

How are believers in Christ deceived?
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds  may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (KJV)

Adam and Eve spoke directly to God and were deceived by Satan. Why would anyone believe that Satan's spokesmen cannot deceive men today?

2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you may well put up with it. (NKJV)

The Jesus of the Bible, the one Paul and the apostles preached, said (Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.)

Are those who claim that Jesus did not mean you had to be baptized in water in order to be saved the deceivers or is Jesus Christ the deceiver?

If you are preaching that Jesus said you do not have to be baptized in water to be saved, are not preaching another gospel plan of salvation?

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (NKJV)

Was the apostle Paul deceiving all men when he told them they all had the opportunity to accept God's grace and be saved or are those who claim God only offers grace to a select few, and that all others will burn in hell are the ones guilty of deception?  

Matthew 4:10 The Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve."(NKJV)

Who are the deceivers, the ones who say that praying to the Pope, the Virgin Mary and other dead saints is worship and therefore a sin against God or are the ones who say praying to the Pope, the Virgin Mary, and other dead saints is not worship and is acceptable to God?

Deceitful worker can only flourish when men are too proud to admit the Bible is correct and doctrine contrary to Scripture is a perversion of the truth.