Out of many, one by Gary Rose

I wonder, exactly how did they do that?  I know, this tree was made by grafting, but exactly HOW?  For that matter, how many trees did they start with, for it appears that three of them are about the same size and one smaller? 

Well, I guess I will never know, but the result is stunning, nevertheless. As I looked at this tree I thought of  The United States Of America and of the Latin phrase   E pluribus unum  . I remember the phase, but looked it up anyway to be sure...

E pluribus unum. A motto of the United States; Latin for “Out of many, one.” It refers to the Union formed by the separate states.   E pluribus unum   was adopted as a national motto in 1776 and is now found on the Great Seal of the United States and on United States currency.

E pluribus unum - Dictionary.com

www.dictionary.com/browse/e-pluribus-unum

When this nation was formed, part of its conceptualization was that many people were to be brought together to form  a nation. How sad it is that today our people are encouraged to speak a foreign language instead of English.  

As I consider these things, I thought of how the Scriptures teach that the many nations (aka, Gentiles) and the Jews were to be brought together into a new nation of faith.

Paul says...

Romans, Chapter 11, World English Bible

  ¹ I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  ² God didn’t reject his people, which he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: ³ “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.”  ⁴ But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”  ⁵ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  ⁶ And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 

  ⁷  What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.  ⁸ According as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”   ⁹ David says, 
“Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,
a stumbling block, and a retribution to them.
  ¹⁰ Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see.
Bow down their back always.”

  ¹¹  I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.  ¹² Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?  ¹³ For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;  ¹⁴ if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.  ¹⁵ For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?  ¹⁶ If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.  ¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree;  ¹⁸ don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.  ¹⁹ You will say then, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.”  ²⁰ True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;  ²¹ for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.  ²² See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.  ²³ They also, if they don’t continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.  ²⁴ For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?  ²⁵ For I don’t desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you won’t be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,  ²⁶ and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, 
“There will come out of Zion the Deliverer,
and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
  ²⁷ This is my covenant to them,
when I will take away their sins.”

  ²⁸  Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.  ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.  ³⁰ For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,  ³¹ even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.  ³² For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all. 

  ³³  Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!   (emphasis added)
  ³⁴ “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
  ³⁵ “Or who has first given to him,
and it will be repaid to him again?”

  ³⁶  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen. 

Well, isn't that interesting?   The founding fathers had the same idea as God Almighty!!!  I bet they read their Bibles!!!

For that matter, the restoration movement in the U.S. had the same idea- to restore the original church by bringing together denominations by everyone just following the Bible and not some creed or man-made idea. In addition, just calling themselves Christians and nothing else.  Acts 11:25f.

  Out of many, one!!!  What a great idea!!! 

 ³³  Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!   (emphasis added)

Bible Reading July 16, 17 by Gary Rose

Bible Reading July 16, 17

World English Bible

July 16

1 Chronicles 10-12

1Ch 10:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.

1Ch 10:2 The Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

1Ch 10:3 The battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was distressed by reason of the archers.

1Ch 10:4 Then said Saul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it.

1Ch 10:5 When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died.

1Ch 10:6 So Saul died, and his three sons; and all his house died together.

1Ch 10:7 When all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them.

1Ch 10:8 It happened on the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

1Ch 10:9 They stripped him, and took his head, and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to their idols, and to the people.

1Ch 10:10 They put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.

1Ch 10:11 When all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

1Ch 10:12 all the valiant men arose, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

1Ch 10:13 So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of the word of Yahweh, which he didn't keep; and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire thereby,

1Ch 10:14 and didn't inquire of Yahweh: therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.

1Ch 11:1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David to Hebron, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.

1Ch 11:2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel: and Yahweh your God said to you, You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.

1Ch 11:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of Yahweh by Samuel.

1Ch 11:4 David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (the same is Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there.

1Ch 11:5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, You shall not come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.

1Ch 11:6 David said, Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief.

1Ch 11:7 David lived in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David.

1Ch 11:8 He built the city all around, from Millo even around; and Joab repaired the rest of the city.

1Ch 11:9 David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh of Armies was with him.

1Ch 11:10 Now these are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of Yahweh concerning Israel.

1Ch 11:11 This is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, the chief of the thirty; he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them at one time.

1Ch 11:12 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men.

1Ch 11:13 He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where there was a plot of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.

1Ch 11:14 They stood in the midst of the plot, and defended it, and killed the Philistines; and Yahweh saved them by a great victory.

1Ch 11:15 Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines were encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

1Ch 11:16 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

1Ch 11:17 David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me water to drink of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

1Ch 11:18 The three broke through the army of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to Yahweh,

1Ch 11:19 and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of these men who have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.

1Ch 11:20 Abishai, the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three; for he lifted up his spear against three hundred and killed them, and had a name among the three.

1Ch 11:21 Of the three, he was more honorable than the two, and was made their captain: however he didn't attain to thefirst three.

1Ch 11:22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he killed the twosons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and killed a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.

1Ch 11:23 He killed an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear.

1Ch 11:24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had a name among the three mighty men.

1Ch 11:25 Behold, he was more honorable than the thirty, but he didn't attain to the first three: and David set him over his guard.

1Ch 11:26 Also the mighty men of the armies: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,

1Ch 11:27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,

1Ch 11:28 Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite,

1Ch 11:29 Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,

1Ch 11:30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,

1Ch 11:31 Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,

1Ch 11:32 Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,

1Ch 11:33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,

1Ch 11:34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shagee the Hararite,

1Ch 11:35 Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,

1Ch 11:36 Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,

1Ch 11:37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,

1Ch 11:38 Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,

1Ch 11:39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,

1Ch 11:40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,

1Ch 11:41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,

1Ch 11:42 Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a chief of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,

1Ch 11:43 Hanan the son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,

1Ch 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,

1Ch 11:45 Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,

1Ch 11:46 Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,

1Ch 11:47 Eliel, and Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.

1Ch 12:1 Now these are those who came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, his helpers in war.

1Ch 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow: they were of Saul's brothers of Benjamin.

1Ch 12:3 The chief was Ahiezer; then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite, and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth, and Beracah, and Jehu the Anathothite,

1Ch 12:4 and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty, and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite,

1Ch 12:5 Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,

1Ch 12:6 Elkanah, and Isshiah, and Azarel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korahites,

1Ch 12:7 and Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.

1Ch 12:8 Of the Gadites there separated themselves to David to the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, that could handle shield and spear; whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the roes on the mountains;

1Ch 12:9 Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,

1Ch 12:10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,

1Ch 12:11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,

1Ch 12:12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

1Ch 12:13 Jeremiah the tenth, Machbannai the eleventh.

1Ch 12:14 These of the sons of Gad were captains of the army: he who was least was equal to one hundred, and the greatest to one thousand.

1Ch 12:15 These are those who went over the Jordan in the first month, when it had overflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.

1Ch 12:16 There came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the stronghold to David.

1Ch 12:17 David went out to meet them, and answered them, If you be come peaceably to me to help me, my heart shall be knit to you; but if you be come to betray me to my adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.

1Ch 12:18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty, and he said, "We are yours, David, and on your side, you son of Jesse: peace, peace be to you, and peace be to your helpers; for your God helps you." Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.

1Ch 12:19 Of Manasseh also there fell away some to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they didn't help them; for the lords of the Philistines sent him away after consultation, saying, He will fall away to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.

1Ch 12:20 As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of thousands who were of Manasseh.

1Ch 12:21 They helped David against the band of rovers: for they were all mighty men of valor, and were captains in the army.

1Ch 12:22 For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God.

1Ch 12:23 These are the numbers of the heads of those who were armed for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of Yahweh.

1Ch 12:24 The children of Judah who bore shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, armed for war.

1Ch 12:25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

1Ch 12:26 Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.

1Ch 12:27 Jehoiada was the leader of the house of Aaron; and with him were three thousand and seven hundred,

1Ch 12:28 and Zadok, a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty-two captains.

1Ch 12:29 Of the children of Benjamin, the brothers of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept their allegiance to the house of Saul.

1Ch 12:30 Of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand eight hundred, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers' houses.

1Ch 12:31 Of the half-tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, who were mentioned by name, to come and make David king.

1Ch 12:32 Of the children of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brothers were at their commandment.

1Ch 12:33 Of Zebulun, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, with all manner of instruments of war, fifty thousand, and who could orderthe battle array, and were not of double heart.

1Ch 12:34 Of Naphtali one thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty-seven thousand.

1Ch 12:35 Of the Danites who could set the battle in array, twenty-eight thousand six hundred.

1Ch 12:36 Of Asher, such as were able to go out in the army, who could set the battle in array, forty thousand.

1Ch 12:37 On the other side of the Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half-tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, one hundred twenty thousand.

1Ch 12:38 All these being men of war, who could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.

1Ch 12:39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brothers had made preparation for them.

1Ch 12:40 Moreover those who were near to them, even as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, food of meal, cakes of figs, and clusters of raisins, and wine, and oil, and cattle, and sheep in abundance: for there was joy in Israel.

July 17

1 Chronicles 13-15

1Ch 13:1 David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.

1Ch 13:2 David said to all the assembly of Israel, If it seems good to you, and if it is of Yahweh our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us;

1Ch 13:3 and let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we didn't seek it in the days of Saul.

1Ch 13:4 All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

1Ch 13:5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihorthe brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.

1Ch 13:6 David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God Yahweh that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name.

1Ch 13:7 They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

1Ch 13:8 David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

1Ch 13:9 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

1Ch 13:10 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God.

1Ch 13:11 David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzza; and he called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.

1Ch 13:12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

1Ch 13:13 So David didn't move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

1Ch 13:14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months: and Yahweh blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had.

1Ch 14:1 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.

1Ch 14:2 David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel's sake.

1Ch 14:3 David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David became the father of more sons and daughters.

1Ch 14:4 These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

1Ch 14:5 and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet,

1Ch 14:6 and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

1Ch 14:7 and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

1Ch 14:8 When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David: and David heard of it, and went out against them.

1Ch 14:9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.

1Ch 14:10 David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and will you deliver them into my hand? Yahweh said to him, Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.

1Ch 14:11 So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

1Ch 14:12 They left their gods there; and David gave commandment, and they were burned with fire.

1Ch 14:13 The Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley.

1Ch 14:14 David inquired again of God; and God said to him, You shall not go up after them: turn away from them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.

1Ch 14:15 It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall go out to battle; for God is gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.

1Ch 14:16 David did as God commanded him: and they struck the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

1Ch 14:17 The fame of David went out into all lands; and Yahweh brought the fear of him on all nations.

1Ch 15:1 David made him houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

1Ch 15:2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them has Yahweh chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him forever.

1Ch 15:3 David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Yahweh to its place, which he had prepared for it.

1Ch 15:4 David gathered together the sons of Aaron, and the Levites:

1Ch 15:5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and his brothers one hundred twenty;

1Ch 15:6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred twenty;

1Ch 15:7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and his brothers one hundred thirty;

1Ch 15:8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred;

1Ch 15:9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and his brothers eighty;

1Ch 15:10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and his brothers one hundred twelve.

1Ch 15:11 David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

1Ch 15:12 and said to them, You are the heads of the fathers'houses of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it.

1Ch 15:13 For because you didn't carry it at the first, Yahweh our God made a breach on us, because we didn't seek him according to the ordinance.

1Ch 15:14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

1Ch 15:15 The children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of Yahweh.

1Ch 15:16 David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, stringed instruments and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.

1Ch 15:17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

1Ch 15:18 and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.

1Ch 15:19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed with cymbals of brass to sound aloud;

1Ch 15:20 and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth;

1Ch 15:21 and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead.

1Ch 15:22 Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful.

1Ch 15:23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1Ch 15:24 Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed-Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1Ch 15:25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the house of Obed-Edom with joy.

1Ch 15:26 It happened, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, that they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

1Ch 15:27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites who bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: and David had on him an ephod of linen.

1Ch 15:28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps.

1Ch 15:29 It happened, as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.

Jul. 16, 17

Acts 11

Act 11:1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

Act 11:2 When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,

Act 11:3 saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!"

Act 11:4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,

Act 11:5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.

Act 11:6 When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.

Act 11:7 I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter, kill and eat!'

Act 11:8 But I said, 'Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.'

Act 11:9 But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, 'What God has cleansed, don't you call unclean.'

Act 11:10 This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.

Act 11:11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.

Act 11:12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house.

Act 11:13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, 'Send to Joppa, and get Simon, whose surname is Peter,

Act 11:14 who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.'

Act 11:15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.

Act 11:16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.'

Act 11:17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"

Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!"

Act 11:19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.

Act 11:20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Act 11:21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

Act 11:22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,

Act 11:23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.

Act 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

Act 11:25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.

Act 11:26 When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. It happened, that for a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Act 11:27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

Act 11:28 One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.

Act 11:29 As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea;

Act 11:30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. 

There is one body (Ephesians 4:4) by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/onebody.html

There is one body
(Ephesians 4:4)

The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23). Jesus said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). He did not say He would establish several thousand denominations.
Jesus prayed that His followers might be one.
"Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are" (John 17:11).
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me" (John 17:20-23).
To accomplish this oneness, the distinction between Jew and Gentile had to be erased.
Jesus said to the Jews: "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16).
Writing to Jews and Gentiles, Paul said: "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity" (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Even the high priest who had Christ crucified -- without understanding what he was saying -- was inspired by God to speak of the oneness of all believers in Christ. "And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, 'You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.' Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad" (John 11:49-52).
This oneness in Christ encompasses heaven and earth! God had purposed "to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth" (Ephesians 1:9,10 RSV).
Christ's prayer was answered. His followers are one. There is one body (Ephesians 4:4) consisting of all those who are in Christ.
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (Romans 12:3-5).
Our oneness is based on one baptism.
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-28).
"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:12,13).
This oneness expresses itself in the Lord's supper. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:16,17). On the first day of the week, Christians in countless numbers assemble to partake of the one Bread, the bread of life.
The one body has one Lord and one faith. Paul admonished: "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:1-6).
Our oneness is based on the oneness of the Father and the Son, as Christ said in His prayer.
"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
"But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ" (Matthew 23:8-10). "The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Mark 12:29).
"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17).
Our oneness is based on the one faith. We must "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). To be one, God's word must dwell in us richly: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:15-17).
When we worship God, we not only unite our voices but also our hearts. "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God" (Romans 15:5-7).
When, on the basis of God's word, we maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, we can be of one heart and soul.
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you" (2 Corinthians 13:11).
"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God" (Philippians 1:27,28).
"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like- minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:1-4).
"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body" (Colossians 3:14,15).
"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing" (1 Peter 3:8,9).
There is one body. Jesus prayed that His followers might be one, and this prayer was answered. His followers are one. There is one body which consists of all those who are in Christ. Our oneness is based on one baptism. This oneness expresses itself in the Lord's supper. It is based on the oneness of the Father and the Son. When we worship God, not only our voices, but also our hearts are united. Confessing and practicing the one faith, we maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and we are one in heart and soul.
Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

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