From Mark Copeland... Salutation To The Philippians (1:1-2)

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                  Salutation To The Philippians (1:1-2)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our previous lesson we introduced the book of Philippians as a book
   that is very relevant to our times

2. As we actually begin our study of this epistle, we shall examine
   Paul's salutation as found in the first two verses...

[First, we notice...]

I. THE "AUTHOR" OF THIS EPISTLE

   A. IDENTIFIED AS "PAUL"...
      1. This is the apostle Paul, of course
      2. Who was once the "persecutor" - Ac 8:1,3
      3. But is now the "persecuted"
         a. For he is writing this while in Roman custody - Php 1:12-14
         b. During the time period mention in Ac 28:30

   B. HE IS JOINED IN THE SALUTATION BY "TIMOTHY"...
      1. A travelling companion who joined Paul during his second
         journey - Ac 16:1-3
      2. He was a young man, devoted to serving Paul, whom Paul loved as
         a son - Php 2:19-22
      3. He later was the recipient of two other epistles by Paul (1 & 2
         Timothy)

   C. TOGETHER, THEY ARE DESCRIBED AS "SERVANTS"...
      1. A title of humility, it denotes dependence, obedience, and
         acknowledgment of ownership
      2. Used in connection with Jesus Christ...
         a. It is a word with real dignity
         b. Indicates intense devotion to the Lord

[Having considered those responsible for this epistle, we next take a
look at those to whom it is addressed...]

II. THE "RECIPIENTS" OF THIS EPISTLE

   A. IDENTIFIED AS "SAINTS IN CHRIST JESUS"...
      1. The term "saint" was a common term by which ALL Christians were
         called in the New Testament
         a. Literally, it means "holy one" - cf. 1Pe 2:9
         b. The basic idea behind the word is that of "separation", for
            the purpose of consecration
      2. But note that they were called saints "in Christ Jesus"
         a. It is in Him that we are set apart
         b. Only by virtue by being in Him and having our sins forgiven
            by His blood can we be called saints - cf. Re 1:5-6; 5:9-10
      3. It is interesting to notice the contrast between "servants"
         and "saints"
         a. By using such terms, Paul immediately humbles himself and
            exalts those to whom he is writing
         b. Thereby practicing what he later preaches in regards to
            humility - cf. Php 2:3

   B. IN PARTICULAR, THEY ARE THE SAINTS "WHO ARE IN PHILIPPI"...
      1. That is, the church in Philippi
      2. The beginning of the church is found in Ac 16:9-15
         a. Prompted by the "Macedonia Call"
         b. Started with the conversion of Lydia
      3. Its early growth is also found in Acts 16 (verses 16-40)
         a. With the conversion of the Philippian jailor and his
            family
         b. With the church meeting in Lydia's home
         c. And with Luke staying at Philippi after Paul's departure
      4. Several things may be said about the characteristics of the
         church
         a. It appears to be predominantly Gentile (lack of a synagogue
            in Philippi would suggest this)
         b. It appears to be predominantly female (implied by meeting in
            Lydia's home and the reference to women in Php 4:2)
         c. They were very supportive in the preaching of the gospel
            - Php 4:15-16
         d. They provided for needy saints in other areas - 2Co 8:1-5
         e. They cared for Paul in his distress - Php 4:10,14

   C. ALSO ADDRESSED WERE THE "BISHOPS AND DEACONS"...
      1. In this verse, we see the organization of a local church as
         God intended
         a. It is made up of "saints" (the members)
         b. It is overseen by "bishops"
         c. It is served with the assistance of "deacons"
      2. Concerning the "bishops" (translated "overseers" in some 
         versions)...
         a. These were men charged with guarding the flock and providing
            spiritual food
         b. They were also called "elders" (or "presbyters"), and 
            "pastors" (or "shepherds") - cf. Ac 20:17,28; 1Pe 5:1-2
            1) For they were older men
            2) And they were to feed (or pastor) the flock under
               their charge
         c. According to the New Testament...
            1) They had to meet certain qualifications before they were
               appointed to serve as "elders-bishops-pastors" - 1Ti 3:
               1-7; Tit 1:5-9
            2) There was always a plurality in the congregation, never
               just one - cf. Ac 14:23; Ac 20:17; Php 1:1
      3. Concerning the "deacons"...
         a. The term means "servants" or "ministers"
         b. They also had to meet certain qualifications - 1Ti 3:8-13
         c. They served the needs of the congregation, under the
            oversight of the bishops (elders-pastors)

[So the recipients of this epistle was a well-established congregation,
one that had demonstrated their love and support for the apostle Paul.

Finally, we briefly notice the greetings given to them...]

III. THE "GREETINGS"

   A. "GRACE"...
      1. This was the common greeting of the Greeks
      2. It speaks of wishing unmerited favor and kindness upon them

   B. "PEACE"...
      1. This was common greeting of the Jews ("Shalom!")
      2. It speaks of the result of receiving favor and kindness

   C. "FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST"...
      1. This is the source of grace and peace which Paul desires the
         Philippians to receive
      2. For when one has received unmerited favor and kindness from God
         through His Son Jesus Christ, one truly receives peace:
         a. Peace with God - Ro 5:1
         b. Peace with men - Pr 16:7
         c. Peace with one's self - Php 4:6-7

CONCLUSION

1. At this point, we can see that this epistle is a personal letter
   between...
   a. A man in chains who is accompanied with a dear friend
   b. And a congregation of holy people whose love for this man has
      been demonstrated on several occasions

2. In the next lesson, we shall examine the "joyful thanksgiving" on the
   part of Paul for the fellowship he has enjoyed with the church at
   Philippi

In the meantime, are you experiencing the grace and peace that comes only
from "God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Jim McGuiggan... GENTLE JESUS, MEEK AND MILD

GENTLE JESUS, MEEK AND MILD

 You might remember in the Kevin Costner and Sean Connery version of The  Untouchables that Costner (Eliot Ness) approaches Connery (Jimmy Malone) and asks him for his help to wipe out the Capone organization. Malone well knew that Ness hadn’t counted the cost so he hisses at him at several critical moments during their enterprise, “What are you prepared to do?” Malone is gunned down and as he dies, choking in his blood he pushes important information into Ness’s hand, looks in strained intensity into Ness’s face and hoarsely demands with his last breath, “What are you prepared to do?”

It’s right and proper to pay close attention to the qualities of Jesus Christ that please us. The warm compassion, the generous open heart that welcomed the outsiders and the pity that moved him to help so many. But for all his warmth and gentleness there was inflexibility with him when it came to his Holy Father’s will and human redemption so that more than once the stern character of grace showed. “I came not to bring peace on earth but a sword,” he said abruptly to his hearers (Matthew 10:34). 

I think it’s correct to say that we tend to swing between a flinty righteousness and a weak-kneed indulgence. This is due not only to lack of wisdom and warmth but also to the lack of gracious holy earnestness. God is more than willing to bear with our sulks or resentment when we don’t see him to be soft and tender as we’d like him to be. His holy earnestness and love, that purposes to redeem us and the world, takes priority over whether we like him or not. We’re too weak and ignorant in those areas to risk our popularity with one another and it shows in subtle and not so subtle ways.

Without the cross at the center of our own experience with Christ, life is reduced to the merely ethical and the blessings that will come if we’re all nicer to each other. In this way the focus on families becomes self-serving and the insistent call for church unity (with dogmatic issues sidelined) is reduced to all of us being tolerant with and nice to one another. That way we can all enjoy peace and tranquillity in the loving arms of Jesus as we continue to lean upon his breast. We call each other to bend over backwards to accommodate one another rather than calling one another to bend over backwards to accommodate God in trust-filled holy obedience. We tend to listen to the Word not do discover what God requires of us but what he will tolerate in light of the agendas we like to pursue. His agenda—world salvation by redemption—that centers in the cross is derailed while we make the church environment even crozier. ["Let's bring in some drums and guitars, or ballet interpretations of texts or long and pleasing sections of the Andy Griffith Show or Walt Disney movies. That'll draw people in and keep the church folk happy."]

Early in the 1900’s P.T. Forsyth was pretty much a lone voice that blazed against religion that had become little more than an advocate of moral evolution and “Let’s all be neighborly.” There was nothing rude about the Principal of Hackney College but he was prepared to speak the truth as he saw it. No one was more concerned about ethics than Forsyth (he spoke of “holiness” rather than moral or ethical uprightness) but he rightly saw that if we don’t have cruciform vision, that ethics is severed from the gospel and that’s only another mask for death.

 “Disaster should end dainty and dreamy religion, and give some rest to the winsome Christ and the wooing note” he said at the outbreak of WWI. “It should discourage a religion more romantic than classic, which sacrifices the institutional truth of faith entirely to its intimate mood, a religion bland and brotherly, in which the ethical note of justification is smothered in a spurious type of reconciliation…It is a wickeder world than our good nature had come to imagine, or our prompt piety to fathom. [In light of the war] We see more of the world Christ saw and it calls for a vaster salvation and a diviner Christ than the one we were sinking to believe in. And it must cast us back on resources in that Savior which the mental coziness of comfortable religion, lying back for a warm bath in its pew, was coming to stigmatize as gratuitous theology.”

He was right and if you take a look and listen  to what's being offered as evangelical religion you'll know he's even more right today! Our popular talk of forgiveness through the cross ends up being little more than talk about forgiveness and God’s pity so that the cross is reduced to God’s finest expression of sweetness.

Faith in the crucified One becomes nothing more than a confession that we can’t save ourselves and that confirms our status as objects of sweet pity. Our ceaseless calls to better ethical behavior [the kind of thing even atheists call for] fall short of the call to saving faith, which has its ethical base in nothing less than the holy cross that alone satisfies the Holy Father. [Penal substitution is sick theology!] The church’s message then becomes a call to gradual moral development rather than radical redemption via the cross and it offers fine-tuning rather than radical redemption. We begin to think that the kingdom of God is established by niceness and tolerance. Christ didn’t seem to think that was so. 

The disturbing and demanding Christ

Forsyth’s views were based first on how he read scripture and those views were confirmed in light of how we humans are. There was a day in the middle of all the hoopla, when great crowds were streaming after him in the fever of band-wagon excitement when the Master turned to them and said, “If any one comes to me and hates not his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-27)

 “Cannot be my disciple.” He says it three times in nine verses so I presume he meant us to take it seriously. If you don’t hate father and mother you can’t be my disciple. If you don’t take up your own cross and follow me you can’t be my disciple. If you don’t renounce all you have you can’t be my disciple (14:33). What’s he got against families and parents? What’s he got against my wanting to live life with my own agenda?

None of this has that soothing sound we’d expect from a “gentle Jesus meek and mild” but it wasn’t the only time he said something like this. Earlier he spoke of his own approaching violent death and immediately added (Luke 9:23-24), “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” There’s that cross business again and what’s worse he has thrown in a “daily” experience of it. It’s not very soothing. On the whole (though I don’t think it’s any less demanding) I think we prefer the sound of, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” There’s room to maneuver in those words, you can sort of debate what “love” is and who’s included in “one another” (a la “who is my neighbor?”). But there’s something flat and toneless, something uncompromising about selecting a rough stake you to get yourself hung on. “You want to be mine?” he asks, eyeing one of the big pre-prepared stakes lying around. “Grab one of those and follow me.” I suppose there are some things you could never say with a smile and that might be one of them.

It was probably on that very occasion when he said he was to be die violently at the hands of the religious leaders that Peter strenuously objected to that kind of talk (Matthew 16:21-23). I might have said Peter’s, God forbid, Lord, irritated Jesus except that I think that “irritated” wouldn’t be strong enough. I think he was passionately angry with his friend. I wonder what made Jesus so inflexible when it came to the cross issue? “Get behind me, Satan!” he says to Peter. “You’re a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men.” What do you make of that?

Then turning to the rest of the disciples he said abruptly, “If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” What’s all this taking up crosses business? And “follow” him; follow him where? Where do we think he was going dragging a cross? And, again, what does he have against parents and families that would lead him to talk like this (Matthew 10:34-37):

      Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Whatever else is true about all this, cross bearing must become personal to us for we’re told to take up “our” cross. Luke has Christ speaking to “all” and speaking of “any man” so the call to take up the cross is not confined to a particular group of disciples or leaders. And we’re told that it is to be a “daily” experience (Luke 9:23). It’s clear from this that the call is not just an initial commitment but also something that is to be renewed as discipleship develops.

The Christ of the cross assaulted the world powers. Of course he was interested in bringing forgiveness to individual sinners!!!!!!!! But to leave it there is to distort the gospel message. He came to create a new humanity, he came to bring about a new creation in which a new humanity would live—a humanity re-created in his image. A new nation that would follow him to make war against the powers that have become the instruments of the world-spirit; powers that enslave humans who are created in the image of God and were created for better things than what they're now wallowing in.

 

What's this "taking up the cross" business?

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Ben Fronczek... Acts 18 & 19 – A Different Baptism

Acts 18 & 19 – A Different Baptism

A Different Baptism

Read: Acts 18:23-26

In the last sermon we talked about Aquila and Priscilla and their encounter in Ephesus with a man from Alexandria named Apollos. In this lesson I would like to consider a couple more things in this text that I did not have time to talk about last time. 

First of all I would like to talk a little about Apollos himself. From the text we know that he was from Alexandria, which was a great city in north Africa.  It was also the capital of Egypt. Alexandria was not only a center of learning, at one time it was home of one of the greatest libraries of the ancient world. Historians also tells us that almost a third of the population were Hellenistic Jews. In verse 24 we read that Apollos was a learned man. He was obviously educated. We also read that he had a thorough knowledge of the Scripture (which is referring to the writings of the OT). We also read that he was an eloquent and powerful speaker. Probably what most would consider a scholar.  So, he was not only well educated, and smart, and could speak well, we also read that he knew something about Jesus and presented what he knew to his fellow Jews in the local synagogue here in Ephesus. Exactly what he knew and what he preached, we don’t know. But we do know Apollos only knew about the Baptism of John the Baptist, so his message and full understanding of the Gospel message was incomplete if not erroneous.

Jesus had instructed His disciples in Matthew 28  “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  (So this is where Apollos fell short)

In Marks Gospel account of this in vss. 16 15-16 he records Jesus also saying, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”  

So this is a very, very important matter So how much was Apollos’ teaching lacking? We don’t know. We only know that Acts 18 indicates that the Baptism of John was not enough. Even though he was smart, eloquent, and sincerely wanted to serve God, his message and understanding concerning baptism was incomplete. Therefore we read that Priscilla and Aquila quietly invite him over to their home to teach him a little bit more. Now what I finds interesting is the fact that the author of Acts, Luke, continues on and shares with us another similar story in the following verses in Acts 19. Now you have to remember, Luke did not divide his letter into chapters and verses, rather this was done by translators of the original texts later on. So there was no pause between the story we just read about Apollos and the one we I about to read in Acts 19.

Read: Acts 19:1-7  “ While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples  and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when  you believed?”  They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 

So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”   “John’s baptism,” they replied.

Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”  On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.  There were about twelve men in all.”

Do you see the similarity? In both accounts Luke is letting us know that we are dealing with devout disciples. Yet in both stories Luke stresses the fact that they had only received the baptism of John the Baptist. Thought devout,  their full understanding and knowledge of what Jesus wanted done was incomplete. And when they learn of their short coming, there is no hesitation. They are baptized and hence receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. In both stories we see intelligent capable disciples, who continued to hungered and thirsted for truth, and who were humble enough to heed the instruction they received. We should have such a spirit! A commentator by the name of Kent wrote, “The entire Book of Acts depicts the transition from Judaism to Christianity. It is not surprising, therefore, to find imperfect forms of faith during those epochal days.” Yet these men were still very teachable. They did not say like I’ve heard more than once, “Oh wait I have to go back and ask my minister about this,” even though they can read the word for themselves.

So what’s the big deal, isn’t one baptism as good as another? Wasn’t John the Baptist also sent from God? Obviously there was a difference. These people would not have had to be re-baptized if John’s  baptism was sufficient. So what’s the real deal about baptism any way? Even though Baptism in both cases involved plunging  a person under water, the reason or purpose in each instance is different. We are told here, that John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, a preparation for the coming kingdom, in preparation for the coming Messiah Jesus, and what He was about to offer.   

Read Matthew 3:1-6  “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

   “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,   ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
   make straight paths for him.’”

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.  People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.  Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

In the Gospel of Luke chpt. 3 it says that John came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  I like the way the NLT put it, 

“Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.”

In other word John was out there preaching, ‘Get your act together, the prophesied Messiah is coming.’ I’ve heard that phrase, ‘baptism of  repentance’ ever since I first became a Christian. But really what does it mean. Repentance is the key word. So what constitutes repentance here? It is not just saying that we are sorry for our sins. It is more than just feeling bad about the choices we have made. It is an admission of a wrongful life. It is turning away from one thing in order to embrace something new.  It’s turning from your way to God and His way! John lets his audience know that if one is not willing to give up his own selfish, misguided path, he cannot experience the joyful life of the kingdom to come.     

Read Luke 3:7-16  “John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ⁹The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”       “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.  John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

When we come to the point in our lives when we realize that our self directed steps have worn us down and we feel hollow, the Lord invites us to change direction and come to Him. But the life He invites us to only comes through death to self. We have to stop living for our self. We have to die to our selfish, self centered ways, and choose Him and His way. For, He is the way, the truth and His, is the only way to real life, life to the full, life in the Kingdom, and true forgiveness. And those us who like those Pharisees refuse His call to die to self will not experience kingdom life, even if we are baptized. If we are unwilling to die to our own self interests, we will never find life; or at least the kind of life God wants us to have. In other words, we have to put Him first before self. So John called his listeners to bear fruit,  demonstrating their repentance. He told the tax collectors to be honest and the soldier to live with integrity and contentment. While this may sound like simple external changes, they are radical changes of one’s heart and direction of life. If one does this they no longer live for self. We surrender our own kingdoms to embrace and infinitely larger kingdom. Preaching repentance did not stop with John.  It was also the very message of our Lord Jesus. While at a dinner party with tax collectors and sinners, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law started complaining to Jesus disciples about what Jesus was doing there. Jesus then told them in 

Luke 5:31 “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

If we will not give up our own selfish, self centered behavior, and unless we die to those things  we won’t be fit for the kingdom of God. 

In Luke 9 23-25, Jesus said,  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?  If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”    

So we need to die to self. In light of this; Repentance therefore leads to baptism.  It’s where we die to self.  John the Baptist saw baptism as a sign of one’s willingness to turn away from the fruitless life of self-worship in preparation of the arrival of Jesus and a new life in God’s kingdom.

Jesus offered a baptism of ever-greater power. 

Baptism is a sign of our faith and willingness to take seriously the call to deny self, and repent, and it is also a sign that we are willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus and die. We hear the Gospel. With great remorse and growing excitement we repent of that life away from God, and then we walk with our Lord into that watery grave and die. We who trust in the redemptive work of Jesus, who are willing to turn away from a life of self-direction, are cleansed of sin after we die to self in the grave represented by baptism. But that is not all!  When we are Baptized in the name of Jesus, we are now ready to receive the Holy Spirit of God who will live inside us and direct our steps in our new walk.

Now Baptism is not a mindless ritual through which we magically receive salvation. It is an intentional walk into death upon repentance, where we by faith encounter the blood of Jesus, which give us new life. In Roman 6 Paul tells us that Baptism is a participation in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. In Colossians 2 we are told that in the waters of Baptism Jesus performs a spiritual circumcision on us. In the OT, circumcision was a mark or sign on the man’s body that he was a Jew, a descendant of Abraham.  The Christian’s baptism is not like the circumcision the sons of Abraham had to go through, but rather it is a spiritual circumcision that Jesus personally performs on all of us, both men and women. It’s not only a mark or seal which identifies us as God’s own and initiates us into God’s family and kingdom, it also cleanses us and removes that sinful part of us.

Read Colossians 2:9-13  “ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,  and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.  In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.  When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins”

With Jesus graciously providing us with a new life, pure and sanctified, the Holy Spirit then come in and begins guide us in new our live. He gradually guides us and transforms us into the image of Christ when we learn to die to self  and  try to keep in step with Him. That’s why Aquila and Priscilla were so compelled to pull Apollos aside and teach Him about the Christian’s baptism. And I believe that’s why Luke mentions Paul’s encounter with the disciples in Ephesus in Acts 19. Because even though these were good and faithful men, it was not enough. Aquila, Priscilla and Paul knew how important the Christian’s Baptism is and just had to speak up. And today we also have many erroneous ideas about baptism going around. The first time I was baptized I was baptized as a infant. After reading scripture I realized as a baby, I had nothing to repent of. I did not choose to deny self and follow Jesus. I did not make any kind of personal commitment to Jesus. As a matter of fact I wasn’t even buried in a grave of water like they were in that first century. Someone dipped their finger in holy water and made the sign of the cross on my forehead. I knew I had to be re-baptized like these individual here in Acts. Some teach that we are save (free from sin) by faith in Jesus some time before we are Baptized. And then they are baptized some time later because it’s the right thing to do. They think they are saved when they first accept Jesus into their heart. I think I see a problem with that after reading out text. Right here in Acts we read about a number of individuals called DISCIPLES, who probably loved Jesus very, very much,  one of whom is preaching Jesus, yet they had to be corrected. Why? Because even though they knew Jesus, and loved Him, and were devout believers who had already been baptized, that baptism was not right or good enough. I truly believe there are a lot of disciples out there like these men who are good and faithful, even regular church attendees who were not baptized with a proper or clear understanding of what they were doing. Maybe they weren’t properly taught, or didn’t understand what they were doing. Believe me when I tell you that I do not doubt anyone’s faith in Jesus or sincerity. Yet is issue of baptism has become a stumbling block and has led to division in Christendom. So what are we to do? I think these stories are here for a reason. I believe the Lord is showing us by example that we have an obligation to address this issue with the love, and the concern that Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul had. I believe it’s OK to ask someone, even in the church when and how they became a Christian, even about their baptism. But I believe it should always be in a spirit of love, concern and humility.  And if you find that someone is in error, ask them in a loving way if you could share your view with them because you have seen or learned something little different in the scriptures that just may interest them. Maybe after hearing this today you may realize that you were taught differently, your own baptism may not be in line with what we talked about in this lesson. I think it is a good thing to reflect on why we were baptized, and take time to compare what we did to what we find in scripture.  Ask yourself if you really did it for the right reason. Did I repent and turn to God? Did I do it specifically to have Jesus remove my sin and perform a spiritual circumcisionon me? Question? Do you want to take that chance and gamble that God will accept your baptism if you didn’t do it for the right reason, or if you did not do it in the same manner as they did in the New Testament?  Isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?   Many years ago, after I started carefully studying this subject in my Bible, (even before I became an active member of any church), I realized much like Apollos and these other men that I needed to be re-baptized. After studying God’s word, and learned these truths,  I felt so much better for doing it for the right reasons and in the manner. My encouragement this week is to make a serious study of this subject. And don’t let yourself get caught up on old traditions, or what other people tell you.  It’s all right there in there in you Bible.

From Gary... Bible Reading and Study October 12

Bible Reading and Study    

October 12

The World English Bible

Oct. 12

Proverbs 9-11

Pro 9:1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

Pro 9:2 She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.

Pro 9:3 She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

Pro 9:4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

Pro 9:5 "Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

Pro 9:6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."

Pro 9:7 He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

Pro 9:8 Don't reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Pro 9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Pro 9:10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Pro 9:11 For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

Pro 9:12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

Pro 9:13 The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.

Pro 9:14 She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

Pro 9:15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

Pro 9:16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

Pro 9:17 "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."

Pro 9:18 But he doesn't know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Pro 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

Pro 10:2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.

Pro 10:3 Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.

Pro 10:4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.

Pro 10:5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.

Pro 10:6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Pro 10:7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Pro 10:8 The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.

Pro 10:9 He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

Pro 10:10 One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.

Pro 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Pro 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.

Pro 10:13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

Pro 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

Pro 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Pro 10:16 The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.

Pro 10:17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.

Pro 10:18 He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.

Pro 10:19 In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.

Pro 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Pro 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.

Pro 10:22 Yahweh's blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

Pro 10:23 It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.

Pro 10:24 What the wicked fear, will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

Pro 10:25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.

Pro 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

Pro 10:27 The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Pro 10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.

Pro 10:29 The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

Pro 10:30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

Pro 10:31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Pro 10:32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.

Pro 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, but accurate weights are his delight.

Pro 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.

Pro 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

Pro 11:4 Riches don't profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Pro 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Pro 11:6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.

Pro 11:7 When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, and expectation of power comes to nothing.

Pro 11:8 A righteous person is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked takes his place.

Pro 11:9 With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

Pro 11:10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is shouting.

Pro 11:11 By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

Pro 11:12 One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.

Pro 11:13 One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

Pro 11:14 Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

Pro 11:15 He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, but he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.

Pro 11:16 A gracious woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.

Pro 11:17 The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

Pro 11:18 Wicked people earn deceitful wages, but one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

Pro 11:19 He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.

Pro 11:20 Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.

Pro 11:21 Most certainly, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.

Pro 11:22 Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

Pro 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Pro 11:24 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.

Pro 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.

Pro 11:26 People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

Pro 11:27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who searches after evil, it shall come to him.

Pro 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

Pro 11:29 He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Pro 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.

Pro 11:31 Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner!

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Proverbs

Proverbs 9 1

Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;

Wisdom hath builded her house, She hath hewn out her pillars -- seven.

Proverbs 9 2

She has prepared her meat. She has mixed her wine. She has also set her table.

she hath slaughtered her cattle, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also prepared her table;

She hath slaughtered her slaughter, She hath mingled her wine, Yea, she hath

arranged her table.

Proverbs 9 3

She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:

she hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the summits of the high places of the city,

She hath sent forth her damsels, She crieth on the tops of the high places of the

city:

Proverbs 9 4

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,

`Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.` Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,

Proverbs 9 5

"Come, eat some of my bread, Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled.

`Come, eat of my bread, And drink of the wine I have mingled.

Proverbs 9 6

Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."

Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence.

Forsake ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 9 7

He who corrects a mocker invites insult. He who reproves a wicked man invites abuse.

He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked

[man] [getteth] to himself a blot.

The instructor of a scorner Is receiving for it -- shame, And a reprover of the

wicked -- his blemish.

Proverbs 9 8

Don`t reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you. Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise [man], and he will love thee.

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee, Give reproof to the wise, and he loveth thee.

Proverbs 9 9

Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Impart to a wise [man], and he will become yet wiser; teach a righteous [man], and he

will increase learning.

Give to the wise, and he is wiser still, Make known to the righteous, And he

increaseth learning.

Proverbs 9 10

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is

understanding.

The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is

intelligence.

The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy

Ones [is] understanding.

Proverbs 9 11

For by me your days will be multiplied. The years of your life will be increased.

For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.

For by me do thy days multiply, And added to thee are years of life.

Proverbs 9 12

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself. If you mock, you alone will bear it.

If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear

it.

If thou hast been wise, thou hast been wise for thyself, And thou hast scorned --

thyself bearest [it].

Proverbs 9 13

The foolish woman is loud, Undisciplined, and knows nothing.

The foolish woman is clamorous; she is stupid, and knoweth nothing.

A foolish woman [is] noisy, Simple, and hath not known what.

Proverbs 9 14

She sits at the door of her house, On a seat in the high places of the city,

And she sitteth at the entry of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

And she hath sat at the opening of her house, On a throne -- the high places of the

city,

Proverbs 9 15

To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their ways,

to call passers-by who go right on their ways:

To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths.

Proverbs 9 16

"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. And to him that is void of understanding she saith,

`Who [is] simple? let him turn aside hither.` And whoso lacketh heart -- she said to him,

Proverbs 9 17

"Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant."

Stolen waters are sweet, and the bread of secrecy is pleasant.

`Stolen waters are sweet, And hidden bread is pleasant.`

Proverbs 9 18

But he doesn`t know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; [that] her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

And he hath not known that Rephaim [are] there, In deep places of Sheol her invited ones!

Proverbs 10 1

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; But a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

The Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the grief of

his mother.

Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son causeth a father to rejoice, And a foolish son [is]

an affliction to his mother.

Proverbs 10 2

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death.

Treasures of wickedness profit not, And righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 10 3

Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, But he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.

Jehovah suffereth not the soul of the righteous [man] to famish; but he repelleth the

craving of the wicked.

Jehovah causeth not the soul of the righteous to hunger, And the desire of the

wicked He thrusteth away.

Proverbs 10 4

He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, But the hand of the diligent brings wealth.

He cometh to want that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Poor [is] he who is working -- a slothful hand, And the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Proverbs 10 5

He who gathers in summer is a wise son, But he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who

causes shame.

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that

causeth shame.

Whoso is gathering in summer [is] a wise son, Whoso is sleeping in harvest [is] a

son causing shame.

Proverbs 10 6

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Blessings are upon the head of a righteous [man]; but the mouth of the wicked covereth

violence.

Blessings [are] for the head of the righteous, And the mouth of the wicked cover doth violence.

Proverbs 10 7

The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.

The memory of the righteous [man] shall be blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot.

The remembrance of the righteous [is] for a blessing, And the name of the wicked doth rot.

Proverbs 10 8

The wise in heart accept commandments, But a chattering fool will fall.

The wise in heart receiveth commandments; but a prating fool shall fall.

The wise in heart accepteth commands, And a talkative fool kicketh.

Proverbs 10 9

He who walks blamelessly walks surely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.

He that walketh in integrity walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Whoso is walking in integrity walketh confidently, And whoso is perverting his

ways is known.

Proverbs 10 10

One winking with the eye causes sorrow, But a chattering fool will fall.

He that winketh with the eye causeth grief, and a prating fool shall fall.

Whoso is winking the eye giveth grief, And a talkative fool kicketh.

Proverbs 10 11

The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, But violence covers the mouth of the  wicked.

The mouth of a righteous [man] is a fountain of life; but the mouth of the wicked covereth

violence.

A fountain of life [is] the mouth of the righteous, And the mouth of the wicked cover doth violence.

Proverbs 10 12

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all wrongs.

Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all transgressions.

Hatred awaketh contentions, And over all transgressions love covereth.

Proverbs 10 13

Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, But a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.

In the lips of an intelligent [man] wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him that is

void of understanding.

In the lips of the intelligent is wisdom found, And a rod [is] for the back of him

who is lacking understanding.

Proverbs 10 14

Wise men lay up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.

The wise lay up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool is near destruction.

The wise lay up knowledge, and the mouth of a fool [is] near ruin.

Proverbs 10 15

The rich man`s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

The rich man`s wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

The wealth of the rich [is] his strong city, The ruin of the poor [is] their poverty.

Proverbs 10 16

The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.

The labour of a righteous [man] [tendeth] to life; the revenue of a wicked [man], to sin.

The wage of the righteous [is] for life, The increase of the wicked for sin.

Proverbs 10 17

He is in the way of life who heeds correction, But he who forsakes reproof leads others  astray.

Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.

A traveller to life [is] he who is keeping instruction, And whoso is forsaking rebuke is erring.

Proverbs 10 18

He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.

He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.

Whoso is covering hatred with lying lips, And whoso is bringing out an evil report is a fool.

Proverbs 10 19

In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, But he who restrains his lips does wisely.

In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that restraineth his

lips doeth wisely.

In the abundance of words transgression ceaseth not, And whoso is restraining

his lips [is] wise.

Proverbs 10 20

The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.

The tongue of the righteous [man] is [as] choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth.

The tongue of the righteous [is] chosen silver, The heart of the wicked -- as a little

thing.

Proverbs 10 21

The lips of the righteous feed many, But the foolish die for lack of understanding.

The lips of a righteous [man] feed many; but fools die for want of understanding.

The lips of the righteous delight many, And fools for lack of heart die.

Proverbs 10 22

The blessing of Yahweh brings wealth, And he adds no trouble to it.

The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow to it.

The blessing of Jehovah -- it maketh rich, And He addeth no grief with it.

Proverbs 10 23

It is a fool`s pleasure to do wickedness, But wisdom is a man of understanding`s pleasure.

It is as sport to a foolish [man] to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

To execute inventions [is] as play to a fool, And wisdom to a man of understanding.

Proverbs 10 24

What the wicked fear, will overtake them, But the desire of the righteous will be granted.

The fear of a wicked [man], it shall come upon him; but the desire of the righteous shall

be granted.

The feared thing of the wicked it meeteth him, And the desire of the righteous is given.

Proverbs 10 25

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; But the righteous is an everlasting

foundation.

As a whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no [more]; but the righteous is an everlasting

foundation.

As the passing by of a hurricane, So the wicked is not, And the righteous is a

foundation age-during.

Proverbs 10 26

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, So is the sluggard to those who send him.

As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

As vinegar to the teeth, And as smoke to the eyes, So [is] the slothful to those sending him.

Proverbs 10 27

The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, But the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

The fear of Jehovah addeth days, And the years of the wicked are shortened.

Proverbs 10 28

The prospect of the righteous is joy, But the hope of the wicked will perish.

The hope of the righteous is joy; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

The hope of the righteous [is] joyful, And the expectation of the wicked perisheth.

Proverbs 10 29

The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, But it is a destruction to the workers of

iniquity.

The way of Jehovah is strength to the perfect [man], but destruction to the workers of iniquity.

The way of Jehovah [is] strength to the perfect, And ruin to workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 10 30

The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not dwell in the land.

The righteous [man] shall never be moved; but the wicked shall not inhabit the land.

The righteous to the age is not moved, And the wicked inhabit not the earth.

Proverbs 10 31

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut off.

The mouth of a righteous [man] putteth forth wisdom; but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, And the tongue of frowardness is cut out.

Proverbs 10 32

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked is perverse.

The lips of a righteous [man] know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked is

frowardness.

The lips of the righteous know a pleasing thing, And the mouth of the wicked perverseness!

Proverbs 11 1

A false balance is an abomination to Yahweh, But accurate weights are his delight.

A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; but a just weight is his delight.

Balances of deceit [are] an abomination to Jehovah, And a perfect weight [is] His delight.

Proverbs 11 2

When pride comes, then comes shame, But with humility comes wisdom.

[When] pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.

Pride hath come, and shame cometh, And with the lowly [is] wisdom.

Proverbs 11 3

The integrity of the upright shall guide them, But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

The integrity of the upright guideth them; but the crookedness of the unfaithful

destroyeth them.

The integrity of the upright leadeth them, And the perverseness of the

treacherous destroyeth them.

Proverbs 11 4

Riches don`t profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.

Wealth profiteth not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.

Wealth profiteth not in a day of wrath, And righteousness delivereth from death.

Proverbs 11 5

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, But the wicked shall fall by his own

wickedness.

The righteousness of the perfect maketh plain his way; but the wicked falleth by his own

wickedness.

The righteousness of the perfect maketh right his way, And by his wickedness doth the wicked fall.

Proverbs 11 6

The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, But the unfaithful will be trapped by evil desires.

The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; but the treacherous are taken in their

own craving.

The righteousness of the upright delivereth them, And in mischief the

treacherous are captured.

Proverbs 11 7

When a wicked man dies, hope perishes, And expectation of power comes to nothing.

When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish; and the hope of evil [men]

perisheth.

In the death of a wicked man, hope perisheth, And the expectation of the iniquitous hath been lost.

Proverbs 11 8

The righteous is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked takes his place.

The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

The righteous from distress is drawn out, And the wicked goeth in instead of him.

Proverbs 11 9

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But the righteous will be delivered

through knowledge.

With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the

righteous delivered.

With the mouth a hypocrite corrupteth his friend, And by knowledge the

righteous are drawn out.

Proverbs 11 10

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. When the wicked perish, there is

shouting.

When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish,

there is shouting.

In the good of the righteous a city exulteth, And in the destruction of the wicked

[is] singing.

Proverbs 11 11

By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the

wicked.

By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of

the wicked.

By the blessing of the upright is a city exalted, And by the mouth of the wicked

thrown down.

Proverbs 11 12

One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, But a man of understanding holds his  peace.

He that despiseth his neighbour is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his

peace.

Whoso is despising his neighbour lacketh heart, And a man of understanding

keepeth silence.

Proverbs 11 13

One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, But one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit

concealeth the matter.

A busybody is revealing secret counsel, And the faithful of spirit is covering the

matter.

Proverbs 11 14

Where there is no wise guidance, the nation falls, But in the multitude of counselors there is victory.

Where no advice is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Without counsels do a people fall, And deliverance [is] in a multitude of

counsellors.

Proverbs 11 15

He who is collateral for a stranger will suffer for it, But he who refuses pledges of collateral is secure.

It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure.

Evil [one] suffereth when he hath been surety [for] a stranger, And whoso is hating

suretyship is confident.

Proverbs 11 16

A gracious woman obtains honor, But violent men obtain riches.

A gracious woman retaineth honour; and the violent retain riches.

A gracious woman retaineth honour, And terrible [men] retain riches.

Proverbs 11 17

The merciful man does good to his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh.

A kind man is rewarding his own soul, And the fierce is troubling his own flesh.

Proverbs 11 18

The wicked earns deceitful wages, But he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

The wicked is getting a lying wage, And whoso is sowing righteousness -- a true

reward.

Proverbs 11 19

He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.

As righteousness [tendeth] to life, so he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.

Rightly [is] righteousness for life, And whoso is pursuing evil -- for his own death.

Proverbs 11 20

Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, But those whose ways are

blameless are his delight.

The perverse in heart are abomination to Jehovah; but they that are perfect in [their]

way are his delight.

An abomination to Jehovah [are] the perverse of heart, And the perfect of the way

[are] His delight.

Proverbs 11 21

Most assuredly, the evil man will not be unpunished, But the seed of the righteous will be

delivered.

Hand for hand! an evil [man] shall not be held innocent; but the seed of the righteous

shall be delivered.

Hand to hand, the wicked is not acquitted, And the seed of the righteous hath

escaped.

Proverbs 11 22

Like a gold ring in a pig`s snout, Is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

A fair woman who is without discretion, is [as] a gold ring in a swine`s snout.

A ring of gold in the nose of a sow -- A fair woman and stubborn of behaviour.

Proverbs 11 23

The desire of the righteous is only good. The expectation of the wicked is wrath.

The desire of the righteous is only good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

The desire of the righteous [is] only good, The hope of the wicked [is] transgression.

Proverbs 11 24

There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is

right, but [it tendeth] only to want.

There is who is scattering, and yet is increased, And who is keeping back from

uprightness, only to want.

Proverbs 11 25

The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.

The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

A liberal soul is made fat, And whoso is watering, he also is watered.

Proverbs 11 26

He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him

who sells it.

He that withholdeth corn, the people curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of

him that selleth it.

Whoso is withholding corn, the people execrate him, And a blessing [is] for the

head of him who is selling.

Proverbs 11 27

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, But he who searches after evil, it shall come to  him.

He that is earnest after good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for mischief, it shall

come upon him.

Whoso is earnestly seeking good Seeketh a pleasing thing, And whoso is seeking

evil -- it meeteth him.

Proverbs 11 28

He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a leaf.

Whoso is confident in his wealth he falleth, And as a leaf, the righteous flourish.

Proverbs 11 29

He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind. The foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit wind; and the fool shall be servant to the

wise of heart.

Whoso is troubling his own house inheriteth wind, And a servant [is] the fool to

the wise of heart.

Proverbs 11 30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and the wise winneth souls.

The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life, And whoso is taking souls [is] wise.

Proverbs 11 31

Behold, the righteous shall be repaid in the earth; How much more the wicked and the sinner!

Behold, the righteous shall be requited on the earth: how much more the wicked and the

sinner.

Lo, the righteous in the earth is recompensed, Surely also the wicked and the

sinner!

Study Questions

How many pillars are there in the house of wisdom? 9:1
 
The fear of the LORD is? 9:10
 
What is the end of the diligent? 10:4
 
What does the fear of the LORD do? 10:27
 
Who conceals a matter? 11:13

The World English Bible

Oct. 12

Ephesians 3

Eph 3:1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,

Eph 3:2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;

Eph 3:3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,

Eph 3:4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

Eph 3:6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,

Eph 3:7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

Eph 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Eph 3:9 and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;

Eph 3:10 to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,

Eph 3:11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;

Eph 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

Eph 3:13 Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

Eph 3:14 For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

Eph 3:16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

Eph 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Eph 3:18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

Eph 3:19 and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Eph 3:20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Eph 3:21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. 

 

The Composite Bible

The World English Bible

Darby's Translation

Young's Literal Translation

The Composite Bible is a effort to understand the Bible by considering it from different perspectives and different levels of literalcy. First, read the World English Bible (the least literal-black text) for comprehension of the text. Next, read both the World English Bible with the Darby Translation (more literal-blue text)to make comparisons and lastly, read all three versions (Young's is the most literal translation- red text) at one time to obtain an overview of the text. Doing this will make you think about what the Scriptures are actually saying and avoid reading in a superficial manner.

Ephesians

 

Ephesians 3 1

For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,

For this reason *I* Paul, prisoner of the Christ Jesus for you nations,

For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you the nations,

Ephesians 3 2

if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;

(if indeed ye have heard of the administration of the grace of God which has been given

to me towards you,

if, indeed, ye did hear of the dispensation of the grace of God that was given to me

in regard to you,

Ephesians 3 3

how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,

that by revelation the mystery has been made known to me, (according as I have written

before briefly,

that by revelation He made known to me the secret, according as I wrote before in few [words] --

Ephesians 3 4

whereby, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;

by which, in reading it, ye can understand my intelligence in the mystery of the Christ,)

in regard to which ye are able, reading [it], to understand my knowledge in the

secret of the Christ,

Ephesians 3 5

which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

which in other generations has not been made known to the sons of men, as it has now

been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in [the power of the] Spirit,

which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now

revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit --

Ephesians 3 6

that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

that [they who are of] the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint

partakers of [his] promise in Christ Jesus by the glad tidings;

that the nations be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His

promise in the Christ, through the good news,

Ephesians 3 7

whereof I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

of which I am become minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me,

according to the working of his power.

of which I became a ministrant, according to the gift of the grace of God that was

given to me, according to the working of His power;

Ephesians 3 8

To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the

unsearchable riches of Christ,

To me, less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, to announce among the

nations the glad tidings of the unsearchable riches of the Christ,

to me -- the less than the least of all the saints -- was given this grace, among the

nations to proclaim good news -- the untraceable riches of the Christ,

Ephesians 3 9

and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been

hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;

and to enlighten all [with the knowledge of] what is the administration of the mystery

hidden throughout the ages in God, who has created all things,

and to cause all to see what [is] the fellowship of the secret that hath been hid

from the ages in God, who the all things did create by Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 3 10

to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,

in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made

known through the assembly the all-various wisdom of God,

that there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in

the heavenly [places], through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God,

Ephesians 3 11

according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus, our Lord;

according to [the] purpose of the ages, which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord,

according to a purpose of the ages, which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Ephesians 3 12

in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.

in whom we have boldness and access in confidence by the faith of him.

in whom we have the freedom and the access in confidence through the faith of him,

Ephesians 3 13

Therefore I ask that you may not lose heart at my troubles for you, which are your glory.

Wherefore I beseech [you] not to faint through my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

wherefore, I ask [you] not to faint in my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Ephesians 3 14

For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ,

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ],

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 3 15

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

of whom every family in [the] heavens and on earth is named,

of whom the whole family in the heavens and on earth is named,

Ephesians 3 16

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

in order that he may give you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened

with power by his Spirit in the inner man;

that He may give to you, according to the riches of His glory, with might to be

strengthened through His Spirit, in regard to the inner man,

Ephesians 3 17

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and

grounded in love,

that the Christ may dwell, through faith, in your hearts, being rooted and founded in love,

that the Christ may dwell through the faith in your hearts, in love having been

rooted and founded,

Ephesians 3 18

may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and

height and depth,

in order that ye may be fully able to apprehend with all the saints what [is] the breadth

and length and depth and height;

that ye may be in strength to comprehend, with all the saints, what [is] the

breadth, and length, and depth, and height,

Ephesians 3 19

and to know Christ`s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge; that ye may be filled

[even] to all the fulness of God.

to know also the love of the Christ that is exceeding the knowledge, that ye may be

filled -- to all the fulness of God;

Ephesians 3 20

Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

But to him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according

to the power which works in us,

and to Him who is able above all things to do exceeding abundantly what we ask

or think, according to the power that is working in us,

Ephesians 3 21

to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.

to him be glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the age of ages. Amen).

to Him [is] the glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus, to all the generations of the

age of the ages. Amen.

Study Questions

Who are the fellow partakes in the Gospel? 3:6
 
How does Christ dwell in our hearts? 3:17