July 7, 2013

From Bill Dayton... Why So Many churches?


Why So Many churches?

There are literally thousands of different churches in the United States all claiming to teach the truth of God. We need to ask ourselves, “Why are there so many different churches with different names and beliefs?” God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)

In looking for a church, which church will we look for?
 
 A church assembling by Christ’s authority and with a Bible name only? (Matthew 18:20; Romans 16:16).

 A worldwide church that we can read about in the Bible? (Romans 16:16)
 
  A church with the gospel as its drawing card no amusements to draw crowds? (Romans 1:14-16; 1 Corinthians 1:18-23).
  A church where nothing is taught but the Bible, and the New Testament is its guide? (Hebrews 12:24; 1 Peter 4:11; James 1:25).
  A church that teaches its members to live in keeping with the principles taught by Jesus Christ? (Romans 2:21-22; Philippians 1:27).
  A church supported by the free-will offerings of its members, as Paul gave orders to the churches in Galatia and Corinth? (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
 
  A church guided by its head only, and that head having only “one body” — the church? (Colossians 1:18, 20-24; Ephesians 1:22-23).
  A church that stands for the purity of the gospel both in doctrine and practice? Gal.1:6-9; Eph.1:22-23
Restore Once More”... the church in our community that imitates the pattern of the first century and honors the name of Christ. Acts 4:10-12; 20:28

Till He Comes….Bill

From Jim McGuiggan... Is this not astonishing?

Is this not astonishing?

Imagine this: For reasons we're not permitted to wonder at God decides to glorify himself by creating billions of humans and predestinating them to sin and to become so morally corrupt that as The Westminster Confession puts it, they become entirely inclined to all that is evil and completely adverse to all that is good—they're incapable of desiring God's will much less doing it. That is what God wants and what Godirresistibly brings about.
Then in light of what he has purposed and accomplished God regards every human being of all the ages as rebels, as spiritually dead and alienated from him as the result of Adam's sin (they use Romans 5:17, 19 to "prove" this). 
Out of those teeming millions he chose a certain number and consciously—because he wanted to—bypassed the vast majority of those he fathered by creation; leaving them as he foreordained them to be, unchangeably corrupted by sin.
He chooses to work a moral miracle on his chosen group so that they are morally transformed. That group is no longer incapable of desiring and obeying God—in fact they are given a new heart so that they would be incapable of rejecting the will of God until they die. This chosen group cannot permanently walk away from God; they cannot be lost even if for many years they actively rebel against God. God cannot be thwarted, you see.
This chosen group must be reconciled to God, of course, so God provides the means and grounds for their reconciliation—Jesus Christ. He deliberately refuses to reconcile the vast majority of the human family and he does it because it pleases him to refuse to do it. This is called "glorifying himself".
So when Jesus came he did not come to bring salvation through reconciliation with God to the entire human family. He came to provide all that for this chosen group. For this, the chosen ones sing his praise and tell him how generous he is for saving them. After all, this chosen group tells us, he could have damned us the way he has damned the majority of the human family.
There we have it: God creates billions, arranges it so that they are born morally paralysed, damns the bulk of them to eternal fire, rescues a minority and calls himself generous and gracious.
That's Calvinism as offered by people like Gill, Clark, Steele, Piper, Sproul, Pink, Geivett, W.G Phillips, Calvin and others.
Is it not as astonishing as it is ugly?

©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 Jim McGuiggan... Horrendous doctrine (2)

Horrendous doctrine (2)

Look we all know God can't do wrong and that in light of Jesus Christ he is worthy of nothing but our ceaseless devotion and praise as we delight in him! In pieces like this, it isn't God we're opposing but what we construe to be man-made images of him.
In the book of Job it wasn't God Job was screaming at—he raged against the God the wise teachers were preaching and in the end God vindicated him and rebuked the wise men. If it were humorous we could smile at the teachers who dish out outrageous doctrine about God and when you protest they say something like, "It isn't me you're arguing with—it's God!" They use words about God like "sovereignty" and "fathomless wisdom" and "matchless glory" and "love inexpressible" and "pure grace" as if they alone saw God in this light. They insist that God alone should have all the praise as if they were ignorant of the fact that millions who reject their outrageous doctrines insist on that as well. Build up the adjectives to the third heaven about the wonder of God, his holy love and boundless generosity and the rank and file among us will say a heartfelt and soul-deep Amen to every bit of it and then they'll add their own.
The hot protest against the worst face of Calvinism is not a protest against the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; it's against what people are saying about him. There were those in Jeremiah's day who said God had cast off his people and God said the rising sun and the stars in heaven branded that claim a lie (Jeremiah 33:19-26). There are those in these and past days who say that God has no love for the vast majority of the human family and Jesus said the rising sun and the falling rain branded that teaching as a sectarian, nationalist and religious lie (Matthew 5:43-48).
Hard-line Calvinist, John Piper, thinks because he makes God the centre of everything that the rest is self-explanatory. But the God he puts at the centre of everything is the God he defines as the God whose essence is his absolute freedom to do whatever he chooses (he gets this, he says, from Exodus 33:19). This certainly makes philosophical sense and is supported by the biblical witness but Piper takes that truth and carries it to conclusions that are plainly at odds with the biblical witness. (Job's three friends did the same thing with truths they called on.) Manifestly a God that is limited by absolutely nothing outside himself is capable of doing exactly what he wants and that means he can show mercy on whoever he shows mercy on but that truth doesn't explain what he meant in Exodus 33 or Romans 9:15 with their specific contexts.
A God whose essence is as Piper defines him could create humans, ordain their Fall (as Piper insists he did) and damn everyone one of them—those that die in infancy included—without batting an eyelid. That is what Piper insists he did with the bulk of humanity (though he does some special pleading concerning dying infants because they don't get to hear the will of God). You would think that Piper would be delighted at that, for after all, what God does is to glorify himself by making himself the treasure of a minority of sinners and all his works—without exception, reprobation included—are geared for that purpose. So God's aim in his eternal ordination to reprobation of the vast majority of humans since the creation is to give Piper and other chosen ones grounds to rejoice in Him as their only treasure.
In light of how Piper defines the essence of God, when God chooses to do whatever he chooses to do that's the end of the matter—it's the complete explanation of the matter. After that, talk about God being inscrutable makes no sense and talk about the "decisive" or "ultimate" cause of reprobation being in God's inscrutable will is something of a cop-out. Piper will say the "decisive" or "ultimate" cause of reprobation is in God; but that hints at the suggestion or possibilityof the existence of a "relative" or "intermediate" cause outside God—whereas in Piper's theology there is only one cause, not more than one, a single, solitary, lone, uncontested cause—God wanted to do it and he did it.That, says Piper, is the essence of Godship; that's what being "God" means and for God to act as God he must (says Piper) do all he does unconditionally, unmoved by anyone or any consideration outside himself. As surely as God cannot lie he cannot act having been moved by anything outside himself (which is one of the bases on which Piper justifies unconditional election and reprobation).
If God eternally purposed ceaseless conscious torture for billions of humans it had to be unconditional, it had to be independent of any evil they might end up doing. To put the matter plainly, hard line Calvinists like John Piper tell us that God didn't purpose everlasting conscious torture for the bulk of humanity because he foresaw the evil that we would do.
"Ah, but we ended up doing evil so we deserve punishment; so how dare we complain about God's eternal decision that wasn't based on what we deserve." So speak the Calvinistic hardliners from Calvin to the present.
Look, you must grasp what happens here. The doctrine (as consistently expressed—well, almost consistently—by people of Piper's persuasion) says our eternal reprobation is not based on what we deserve—that is, the decision was not made on the basis of the evil God foresaw in us. It had nothing to do with what we "deserve"—God consigns billions to everlasting and ceaseless torture not because they "deserved" it but for no other reason than that he wanted to do it!
But that doctrine is so morally revolting that even hard-line Calvinists scramble around for some way to make it look right. Calvin confessed that such a decree by God was "horrible" and he asked the question, "Why did God from the first predestine some to death, when as yet they were not in existence, they could not have merited sentence of death?" (Institutes of the Christian Religion: 3.23.3) And how does he answer the question? In essence he says, "Who's asking?" Then he reminds us how sinful we all are and what nerve we have to question God, he talks a bit about human sin, realizes he's moving away from his decrees doctrine and goes back to saying, "We must always return to the mere pleasure of the divine will, the cause of which is hidden in himself." (3.23.4) In short, Calvin had no idea why God would be pleased to consign billions of as-yet non-existent humans to eternal conscious torture (not mere death) but he insisted that something in God pleased him to do it. I could easily theorize why a Zeus or one of those other mythical thugs would do it but that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus would do it? Perish the very thought!
Piper by speaking of the "decisive" and "ultimate" cause of reprobation as being in God leaves the door open as if there might be other contributing causes in Man, though he cannot and doesn't believe that. Still the seed is planted by "decisive" and "ultimate". In 1903 American Presbyterians added a DECLARATORY STATEMENT to The Westminster Confession, relating particularly to this entire reprobation decree issue: "The Presbyterian church…does authoritatively declare as follows: that men are fully responsible for their treatment of God's gracious offer; that his decree hinders no man from accepting that offer; and that no man is condemned except on the ground of his sin." ([As quoted in P.K Jewett's Election and Predestination, page 75.] 
Aside from the fact that they insist that God foreordained humanity's Fall so that no one (at least since Adam) chooses to do evil because humans are born "totally opposed to all good and entirely inclined to all evil" and they're born that way because God decided before the world began that they should be born that way. God eternally purposed it and in time he arranged all that happens so that it happens the way he wants  it to happen and people are born incapable of choosing good. That is consistent Calvinism and then they tell us, "We deserve to be punished for our evil." We are as we are because God arranged it that way and when we act as God ordained that we should act he punishes us for doing what he predestined us to do. This, the hardliners tell us, even though they also tell us it cannot be something in us that makes God act in judgment. When you press them on this they say things like, "You can't make me choose between those two on the basis of 'alien logic'." Or they say, "It's inscrutable." Or they say, "Sinful humans have their nerve to question God."
 It isn't God we question; it's the doctrines of sinful fellow-humans that we question!
Why argue about this since we all end up sinning and deserve condemnation? Infants that die don't sin and yet Augustine and Calvin had them writhing in hell.
Many creeds waltz around the fact that in Calvinism babies are said to be born hating God and morally polluted but not all evade that conclusion—some offer no hope for infants who die. Calvin didn't and wouldn't.
Why argue about all this? Let me ask this: Which comes first, God's predestinating decree that we would sin or our being sinful? We're told that when God predestinates sinners to be saved there's nothing they can do to thwart his decree—it's his will and he'll get it, however complex the procedure. When he predestinates an as-yet uncreated human family to be sinners there's nothing they can do to thwart his decree—it's his will and he'll get what he wants.
So, do we have a sin-stricken, sin-loving human family? We do! It's what God wanted. Which came first—our love of sin or God's irresistible decree that we would be born loving sin?
We didn't become sinners and sin-lovers in our teens or older—this doctrine teaches us that we were born to sin and love sin in accordance with God's irresistible will. He irresistibly foreordains it before we existed and when it turns out as he has irresistibly willed it he condemns us for being like that. Even in infancy we're condemned for it and need to be forgiven of it! [Some hardliners say that infants are saved but it's without faith, without a new birth by the Spirit. What else are you going to tell broken-hearted parents?]
Does it make any difference which comes first—God's decree or our human nature/behaviour? How could it not make a difference?
Consistent Calvinists will have nothing to do with what is called the infralapsarian view. That view says that when God was formulating his decrees of election (assigning these to life) and reprobation (assigning these to eternal conscious torture) he was thinking of the human family as it became after the Fall and in light of their sinfulness.Piper and Calvin before him will have nothing to do with that. No, consistent Calvinists hold the supralapsarian view which says that God made his decrees conceptually before his decree that the human family would fall in sin. His decrees were a done deal regardless of the human family!
God irresistibly ordained that the human family sin.
God irresistibly ordained that the majority of the human family should not want nor should it be offered life with him.
God punishes those whose evil life he irresistibly ordained.
And yet the evil of the humans is not what moved God to decree their reprobation or judgment.

This is what's being taught about God and I think somebody should protest against it (and thankfully vast numbers do!).
This hardline Calvinism generates all kind of bad fruit. In light of hardline Calvinism silly things like "open theism" begin to look good to sensitive people.

©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 Jim McGuiggan... Horrendous doctrine (1)

Horrendous doctrine (1)

One of the worst faces of Reformed doctrine is its insistence that God has set his love on a small fraction of the human family. The story is that before he created the human family God chose some to enjoy eternal life with him and the rest he consigned to eternal torture. Some of these teachers are bolder than others and without apology they insist that not only did God foreordain the saved to be saved (independent of anything God foresaw in them) he also foreordained the lost to eternal torture (independent of anything he foresaw in them). Others who sense the horror of such a view try to ease the situation by saying that God chose some and "simply passed by" the rest. Hard-line Calvinist, John Piper (rightly in my view), thinks that lacks consistency and follows John Calvin who made no bones about it: he said God created some (including those that die in infancy) for no other reason than to consign them to eternal torture. (He admitted it was a horrible decree but thought if the Bible taught it he should go along with it.)
Many of us take 1 John 2:2 at face value and think that Christ died to deal with the sins of the entire human family (even John Calvin believed that) but people like Piper and Sproul, Packer and Feinberg tell us that "the world" really means the elect that are scattered throughout the nations of the world. They limit the love of God to the relatively few he chose.
Piper in a book of over 300 pages tells us how thrilled and pleased God is with all his works—including sea monsters, wild donkeys and flowers of the field but he has no section dealing with God's delight over the human family. That's hardly surprising since he thinks God has planned to torture billions of conscious beings, ceaselessly and for ever. I came across only three passing remarks about God's love of the entire human family; one implies it and another is qualified with a "but". The best he could do was to say, "I do not deny that God loves the world of lost men" and then he tells us that God is compassionate to the non-elect. I find it astonishing that people can tell you with a straight face that God loves and is compassionate to those he has created for no other reason than to torture them eternally. Piper thinks when we press him with something like that we're using "alien logic" and he will not allow us, he says, to force him to make a choice but to make clear what it is that Piper says he won't be forced to choose between let me spell it out.  Piper says: God "loves" those he has created for no other purpose than to torture them eternally. Piper teaches that God (in essence) says to billions: "I love you." Piper also teaches that God (in essence) says to the same billions: "I created you for no other purpose than to torture you everlastingly." Piper says, "You can't make me choose between those two 'truths'."
In point of fact I have misrepresented Piper somewhat for he follows hard-liner Jonathan Edwards who insisted that God foreordained these people to eternal and ceaseless torture to show his glory. Piper quotes Edwards to say that without the foreordained billions (writhing eternally) God's glory wouldn't be fully seen.
Thankfully the Bible doesn't teach anything like that. Most of us are happy to take John 3:16 as it sits and believe that God loves the entire human family and that life is possible for all. The "world" in that text according to Calvinists who are Calvinists means only the elect who are scattered through the world. There's no doubt that in some contexts the word "world" doesn't mean every single individual but the context should be allowed to determine that and not an already adopted theological stance.
John 3:16-17 has this: "For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." So what are we to make of that? "For God so loved the elect…God did not send his Son to the elect to condemn the elect but to save the elect through him"?
I suppose that'll satisfy someone.
In the meantime: If you want nothing to do with Jesus and his Holy Father that is tragic beyond expression but don't let Piper or anyone else tell you that you were ordained not to want Jesus and then eternally tortured for not wanting Jesus.
Better still, why don't you focus on the obvious meaning of John 3:16 and believe that you are one of the "whosoevers" and give your life to him in faith.
Write me if you think I can help in some way.

©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 Mark Copeland... The Way, The Truth, And The Life (Jn.14:6)



                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                The Way, The Truth, And The Life (14:6)

INTRODUCTION

1. Two of the most remarkable statements by Jesus are found in one
   verse...
   a. "I am the way, the truth, and the life." - Jn 14:6
   b. "No one comes to the Father except through Me." - ibid.

2. These statements were made in a discussion with His disciples...
   a. As He prepared them for His impending death - Jn 14:1-4
   b. Which prompted questions by Thomas and Philip - Jn 14:5,7-9

[In making such statements, Jesus claims to be three things:  "The Way,
The Truth, And The Life."  Let's take a closer look, where we first
observe that Jesus is...]

I. THE WAY

   A. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD...
      1. Jesus clearly claims to the be only way to God - Jn 14:6
      2. As Peter would later proclaim, there is no salvation but
         through Him - cf. Ac 4:12
      -- This may sound politically incorrect, but Jesus states it
         nonetheless

   B. HOW JESUS IS THE WAY TO THE FATHER...
      1. By revealing Him, stressed in the gospel of John - Jn 14:7-9;
         cf. Jn 1:18; 12:44-45
      2. By opening the way to Him, emphasized in the book of Hebrews
         - He 10:19-20
      3. By serving as our high priest, another theme in Hebrews - He 2:
         17-18; 4:14-16; 10:21-22
      4. He now intercedes for us
         a. As our Advocate - 1Jn 2:1
         b. At the right hand of God - Ro 8:34
         c. The one (and only) Mediator between God and man - 1Ti 2:5
         d. Who ever lives to intercede for us! - He 7:24-25
      -- By virtue of His life on earth, His death on the cross, and now
         His service in heaven, Jesus is truly the only way to God!

[Jesus not only is the way to God, He is also...]

II. THE TRUTH

   A. WHAT IS TRUTH...?
      1. The very question posed by Pontius Pilate - Jn 18:38
      2. Consider the meaning of the Greek words translated as "true"
         and "truth":
         a. True (alethes) - "unconcealed, manifest...actual, true to
            fact" - Vine
         b. True (alethinos) - "denotes 'true' in the sense of 'real,
            ideal, genuine;'" - ibid.
         c. Truth (aletheia)
            1) "objectively, signifying 'the reality lying at the basis
               of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a
               matter' (Cremer)" - ibid.
            2) "subjectively, 'truthfulness,' 'truth,' not merely
               verbal, but sincerity and integrity of character" - ibid.
      -- When Jesus speaks of truth, it describes that which corresponds
         to reality, what is factual and absolute, not relative

   B. HOW JESUS IS THE TRUTH...
      1. He proclaims that truth is real and knowable - Jn 8:32
      2. He proclaims that truth can set one free from the bondage of
         sin - Jn 8:32-34
      3. His doctrine is the way to truth that frees one from sin - 
         Jn 8:31-32,34-36
      4. He faithfully proclaimed His Father's Word, which is truth
         - cf. Jn 17:14,17
      -- By abiding in Jesus' teachings, we can know the truth and the
         freedom it offers!

[Freedom from the bondage of sin becomes even more meaningful when we
consider how Jesus is...]

III. THE LIFE

   A. HE OFFERS ABUNDANT LIFE...
      1. As He promised in His discourse as the Good Shepherd - Jn 10:
         10-11
      2. Jesus offers a peace the world cannot give - Jn 14:27; 16:33;
         cf. Php 4:6-7
      3. He gives us His love, which passes knowledge - Jn 15:10; cf. Ep 3:19
      4. He provides His joy, that is inexpressible - Jn 15:11; cf. 1 Pe 1:8
      -- With such peace, love, and joy, what an abundant life Jesus
         offers!

   B. HOW JESUS PROVIDES ABUNDANT LIFE...
      1. By His doctrine regarding the new birth
         a. We must be born again - Jn 3:3
         b. We must be born again of water and the Spirit - Jn 3:4-5
      2. By sending the Spirit who gives the new birth and new life
         a. The Spirit who regenerates us in baptism - Tit 3:5-6
         b. The Spirit who becomes for us "rivers of living water" - 
            Jn 7:37-39; cf. Ga 5:22-23
      -- Jesus provides abundant life His through gospel, by which we
         are born again to a new life which the Spirit makes possible
         - cf. 1Pe 2:22-25

CONCLUSION

1. Jesus is truly the way, the truth, and the life...
   a. The way to knowing and experience God as our Heavenly Father
   b. The embodiment of truth that provides freedom from the guilt and
      bondage of sin
   c. The source of life that is blessed now and lasts forever!

2. Has Jesus become your way to God, your truth, and your life...?
   a. To a close and personal relationship with God?
   b. To deliverance from the guilt of sin through the blood of Christ?
   c. To an abundant life by virtue of a spiritual rebirth and the
      blessings that follow?

Jesus may be "the" way, truth, and life, but He is of no value unless He
becomes "your" way to the true salvation that leads to eternal life with
God.  Have you responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ...? - cf. Mk 16:
15-16; Ac 2:38; 22:16


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Mark Copeland... By This All Will Know (Jn.13:34-35)



                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                    By This All Will Know (13:34-35)

INTRODUCTION

1. How is the world to know that we are truly disciples of Christ,
   members of His body?
   a. Is it by the name we wear?
   b. Is it by having the right doctrine, organization, worship, etc.?

2. It is certainly important to have all these things; but if we
   think...
   a. That by these things alone we are truly the disciples of Jesus
   b. That by these things alone the world will know we are Christ's
      disciples
   ...then we are sadly mistaken!

3. Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus identified a key mark of
   discipleship...
   a. He gave what He called "a new commandment" - Jn 13:34
   b. It was a command to "love one another" - Jn 13:34
   c. He said "by this all will know" who were His disciples - Jn 13:35

4. Love for one another is how people will know that we are truly the
   disciples of Jesus...
   a. Do we know what kind of love that is?
   b. How do we develop that kind of love?
   c. How do we demonstrate this love?

[In this study I wish to encourage the kind of love Jesus commands of
us, so that "By This All Will Know" that we are truly His disciples!
Let's begin with...]

I. THIS LOVE DEFINED

   A. IT IS A NEW KIND OF LOVE...
      1. There had always been the love of family, friends, etc.
      2. The OT taught to "love your neighbor as yourself" - Lev 19:18
      3. But Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you
         love one another" - Jn 13:34
         a. This is not simply a command to love one another
         b. But a command to love one another in a special way
      -- Jesus is calling us to new and higher standard of love!

   B. IT IS A SACRIFICIAL LOVE...
      1. What kind of love does Jesus command?
         a. "as I have love you, that you also love another"
         b. It is a love patterned after Jesus' love for us
         -- This is what makes it a new and higher standard of love!
      2. The love Jesus had for us can be summarized in one word:
         sacrificial
         a. As Jesus explained in Jn 15:13
         b. As John wrote in 1Jn 3:16-18
         c. As Paul commanded in Ep 5:1-2
      3. It was this kind of love manifested by the first disciples of
         Jesus
         a. The church in Jerusalem - Ac 2:44-45
         b. The churches in Macedonia - 2Co 8:1-5

   C. IT IS A VISIBLE LOVE...
      1. By such love Jesus declared "all will know that you are My
         disciples" - Jn 13:35
         a. The implication is that such love will be visible and
            observable
         b. And visible by ALL, not just by brethren!
      2. To be a visible love, requires a love...
         a. That goes beyond the four walls of the church building
         b. That extends beyond the few hours we are assembled together
         c. That can be observed by those of the world and in the world
      -- In some way, the world needs to have the opportunity to
         observe the disciples in action, in which their love that is
         patterned after Jesus' love can be seen

[Being a "warm and friendly church" while assembled is commendable, but
it alone does not fulfill the command to have a new, sacrificial, and
visible love patterned after the love of Jesus!

If we wish to manifest this kind of love in our lives, where do we
begin?  Consider...]

II. THIS LOVE DEVELOPED

   A. WE ARE TAUGHT BY GOD...
      1. The Thessalonians excelled in this love - 1Th 4:9-10
      2. For they had been "taught by God to love one another"
      3. Certainly God's own love for us teaches us how to love
         - cf. 1Jn 4:9-11
      -- Think of the Father's own sacrificial love for us, in sending
         His Son to be the propitiation for our sins!

   B. WE LEARN FROM JESUS...
      1. Jesus' own example of sacrifice teaches the true meaning of
         love - 1Jn 3:16
      2. The more we contemplate upon the example of Jesus' life and
         death, the more likely we will love like He did!

   C. WE ARE TO BE STIRRED UP BY BRETHREN...
      1. We are to stir one another to love and good works - He 10:24
      2. An important means of doing this is by frequent assembling
         - He 10:25
      -- Perhaps one reason why some don't love as they should, is
         because they don't assemble like they should!

[Through careful study of the Father's love for us, the Savior's love
for us, and through frequent assembling where we stir up another to
love and good works, we can develop the kind of love "By Which All Will
Know" we are Jesus' disciples.  Finally, a thought or two about...]

III. THIS LOVE DEMONSTRATED

   A. IN OUR ASSEMBLY...
      1. When we are assembled and have guests, we have an opportunity
         to demonstrate our love for another
      2. What do our guests see?  Do they see Christians who...
         a. Are glad to see one another?
         b. Are willing to take the time to visit with each other?
         c. Even know each other's name?
      -- Our assemblies may be the only time some guests have the
         opportunity to see Christians interact; do they see an evident
         love and concern for one another?

   B. IN OUR COMMUNITY...
      1. We often have the opportunity to be together in ways that
         others can see...
         a. Perhaps we work with other Christians
         b. Or we have neighbors that are Christians
         c. Or we gather to visit, or do things together
      2. What do those in the world see?  Do they see an interaction
         that...
         a. Reveals a strong love and appreciation for one another?
         b. Shows a sincere interest in each other's well-being?
      3. Where there are differences, is the way we handle them
         different?
         a. Christians will often sin against one another, offend one
            another
         b. But will they see long-suffering and a quickness to
            forgive, even as Christ forgave us? - cf. Ep 4:32; Col 3:13

CONCLUSION

1. Jesus has revealed a powerful tool to persuade the world that we are
   His disciples...
   a. Certainly we show our discipleship by faithfulness to His
      doctrine - cf. Jn 8:32
   b. But in a world that cares little for doctrinal distinctiveness,
      a Christ-like love for one another is how Jesus would have us
      convince the world! - cf. Jn 13:34-35

2. How is your love for your brother in Christ?
   a. Is it Christ-like, i.e., a sacrificial love?
   b. Is it observable, i.e., do people see your brotherly love in our
      assemblies and community?

3. If you admit your love for your brethren needs work (and we all can
   improve)...
   a. Look to God and Jesus as the ultimate teachers of what it means
      to love one another
   b. Utilize opportunities to be with brethren
      1) Which provides occasion to grow and display your love
      2) Which can serve to stir you to love and good works - cf.
         He 10:24-25

So remember...

   "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as
   I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all
   will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
   another." (Jn 13:35)

   "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
                                                  (1Jn 4:11)



Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Mark Copeland... Is God Your Father? (Jn.8:42)



                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                       Is God Your Father? (8:42)

INTRODUCTION

1. We often hear people speak of the "Fatherhood of God"...
   a. Suggesting that all people are the children of God
   b. There is some truth to that, for we are all the offspring of God
      - cf. Ac 17:28-29

2. Yet in one sense, not everyone has God as their Father...
   a. Jesus identified some who did not have God as their Father - Jn 8:42
   b. He even said their father was the devil! - Jn 8:44

3. Who is your Father?  God or the devil...?
   a. If God is your Father, you will love Jesus - cf. Jn 8:42
   b. Love of the Son is proof that we have God as our Father

[Do we love the Son?  How does love for Jesus express itself?  We prove
that God is our Father when we love the Son in at least seven ways.  For
example...]

I. BY TRUSTING IN JESUS

   A. CAN LOVE EXIST WHERE THERE IS NO TRUST...?
      1. Between husband and wife?
      2. Between friends?

   B. SO TRUST IN JESUS IS INHERENT TO LOVING HIM...
      1. He asks us to trust Him - cf. Jn 14:1
      2. How can we say that we love Him, if we don't trust Him?

   C. DO WE REALLY TRUST JESUS...?
      1. To be the way, the truth, the life (enough to put our souls in
         His hands)? - Jn 14:6
      2. To be the provider of our daily needs (enough to put the
         kingdom first)? - Mt 6:33

[If we trust Jesus in this way, we must surely love Him - and thus God
is our Father!  But we also show our love for Jesus...]

II. BY OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS

   A. KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS IS INDICATIVE OF LOVE...
      1. As Jesus made clear, time and again - Jn 14:15,21,23,24; 15:10
      2. Can anything be more clear?
         a. Yet some might accuse us of "legalism" because we stress
            keeping His commands
         b. If keeping His commandments is legalism, then I plead
            guilty, because:
            1) I love Him and want to abide in His love
            2) Don't you?

   B. YET MANY FAIL TO DO WHAT JESUS TEACHES...
      1. He said to repent (Mk 1:14-15) - but many don't, while
         professing to love Him
      2. He said to be baptized and observe all that He commanded 
         (Mk 16:16; Mt 28:19-20) - yet many say baptism is not a
         necessary command

[Jesus said it best in Lk 6:46...why bother to call Him Lord if we don't
do what He says?  If God is our Father, we will obey Jesus Him gladly
because we love Him.  We also show love for Jesus...]

III. BY DELIGHTING IN HIS COMPANY

   A. IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, YOU ENJOY BEING WITH THEM...
      1. E.g., friends, loved ones
      2. Can you imagine someone loving Jesus, but not wanting to be
         with Him?

   B. YET IT SEEMS DO NOT ENJOY BEING WITH CHRIST...!
      1. Demonstrated by their disregard for His Word revealed by the
         Spirit - Jn 16:12-14
         a. They don't make the effort to read it
         b. They don't take advantage of opportunities to study it
      2. Demonstrated by their lack of prayer which Jesus is willing to
         answer - cf. Jn 14:13-14
         a. They don't pray as they should privately
         b. They don't appreciate the blessing of congregational prayer
      3. Demonstrated by their sporadic attendance - cf. Mt 18:20
         a. Where Jesus has promised to be present
         b. Where many seem to pass by opportunities to assemble

   C. WHY SUCH DISREGARD FOR THE COMPANY OF CHRIST...?
      1. For those new in faith, it is likely ignorance
      2. For others, Satan and sin has hardened them into complacency
         - cf. He 3:12-14

[If we love Jesus, we will love the opportunities to be in His company.
We will also show our love...]

IV. BY SPEAKING ABOUT HIM

   A. WE OFTEN DEMONSTRATE LOVE THIS WAY...
      1. "Let me tell you about my grandchildren!"
      2. "You want to see the latest pictures?"

   B. SO THE EARLY CHURCH DEMONSTRATED THEIR LOVE FOR JESUS...
      1. E.g., the apostles - Ac 5:41,42
      2. E.g., those scattered abroad by persecution - Ac 8:1,4

   C. DO WE NOT LOVE THE LORD...?
      1. How can we be the children of God, if we are ashamed to speak
         of His Son?
      2. Imagine treating your family that way

[We should always be ready to speak about Jesus (cf. 1Pe 3:15).  We
also show our love...]

V. BY WILLINGLY SUFFERING FOR HIM

   A. MANY MAKE GREAT SACRIFICES FOR OTHERS...
      1. Parents give up much to be able to have and support children
      2. People are willing to jeopardize their lives for loved ones
      3. Even a dog will risk his life to save his master

   B. DO WE LOVE OUR LORD ANY LESS...?
      1. Especially when we receive salvation through His suffering?
         - He 5:7-9
      2. Paul called Timothy to join in suffering with him for Christ
         - cf. 2Ti 1:7-12
      3. Peter likewise enjoins all to suffer willingly if need be - cf.
         1Pe 2:19-21; 4:1

[Another way to express our love for Jesus, and thereby prove that God
is our Father...]

VI. BY LONGING TO BE LIKE HIM

   A. CHILDREN DEMONSTRATE LOVE THROUGH IMITATION...
      1. By adapting mannerisms of the parents they love
      2. Some good, some not (such as bad habits)

   B. CAN ONE SAY THEY LOVE JESUS, BUT NOT WANT TO BE LIKE HIM...?
      1. Especially when imitating Jesus is the goal of Christian
         doctrine?
      2. Note Col 3:9-11; Ga 2:20

[Finally, we show love for Jesus...]

VII. BY DESIRING TO PLEASE HIM

   A. CONSIDER PEOPLE IN LOVE...
      1. What man or woman won't go out of their way to please the one
         they love?
      2. They'll change clothes, mannerisms, hobbies, etc.

   B. CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE SIMILAR...
      1. For we are a pure virgin betrothed to Christ - cf. 2Co 11:2
      2. Because of His love for us, we should live for Him - 2Co 5:
         14-15
      3. Do you have a compelling desire to please Christ?
      4. You do if you truly love Him!

CONCLUSION

1. If one does not love the Lord Jesus, they are accursed - cf. 1Co 16:22
   a. Why?  Because if you do not love Jesus then God is not your
      Father, Satan is!
   b. If God is your Father, then you will love the Son and demonstrate
      in these various ways!

2. How does one initially become a child of God? - cf. Ga 3:26-27
   a. It involves faith, and putting Christ on in baptism
   b. This demonstrates our love for Christ as well
   c. For we are willing to become one with Him, just as two in marriage
      become one out of love

Is God your Father?  Do you love Jesus enough to obey Him and become a
child of God?




Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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July 6, 2013

From Gary... Precious little additions


When I first saw Walter Vogt's picture, frankly, I was very impressed by it.  The sharp contrast of the colors is very striking indeed.  And as I looked at the raindrops on this beautiful flower (if anyone knows what it is- please e-mail me) I thought about the preceding storm and that after the tumult, something wonderful was left behind. Small drops of nourishment and beauty that almost make you rejoice for the disturbance.  It is to those drops that I would like to focus my attention today and reflect a bit on their importance.  First though, please be kind enough to read the Scripture I chose today for a companion to Walt's picture...

2 Peter, Chapter 1
2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,  3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;  4 by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.  5 Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;  6 and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;  7 and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.  8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

God wants you. God loves you. God is pleased when you obey his Gospel and are added to HIS family.  Now, its time for the newborn spiritual child to grow. Grow, by the power of his word and absorbing the perfect spiritual principles therein to advance toward perfection.  An ever increasing closeness that we understand as we practice things like moral excellence, self-control, patience and love.  These and more are like the nourishing raindrops on that yellow bloom above.  In fact, they come from above- and not from any raindrop either.  This passage from Peter is important- read and read it again- several times; reflect and grow!!!  You will never think about rain quite the same way ever again!!!  Once again, NICE PICTURE - Walt!!!  

From Gary... Bible Reading and Study, July 6


Bible Reading and Study, July 6

July 6
2 Kings 4-6

2Ki 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant feared Yahweh: and the creditor has come to take for himself my two children to be slaves.
2Ki 4:2 Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? tell me; what do you have in the house? She said, Your handmaid has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.
2Ki 4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow containers from of all your neighbors, even empty containers. Don't borrow just a few.
2Ki 4:4 You shall go in, and shut the door on you and on your sons, and pour out into all those containers; and you shall set aside that which is full.
2Ki 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door on her and on her sons; they brought the containers to her, and she poured out.
2Ki 4:6 It happened, when the containers were full, that she said to her son, Bring me another container. He said to her, There isn't another container. The oil stopped flowing.
2Ki 4:7 Then she came and told the man of God. He said, Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and you and your sons live on the rest.
2Ki 4:8 It fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where there was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread.
2Ki 4:9 She said to her husband, See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, that passes by us continually.
2Ki 4:10 Let us make, Please, a little chamber on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a seat, and a lamp stand: and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he shall turn in there.
2Ki 4:11 It fell on a day, that he came there, and he turned into the chamber and lay there.
2Ki 4:12 He said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. When he had called her, she stood before him.
2Ki 4:13 He said to him, Say now to her, Behold, you have cared for us with all this care; what is to be done for you? would you like to be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the army? She answered, I dwell among my own people.
2Ki 4:14 He said, What then is to be done for her? Gehazi answered, Most certainly she has no son, and her husband is old.
2Ki 4:15 He said, Call her. When he had called her, she stood in the door.
2Ki 4:16 He said, At this season, when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son. She said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.
2Ki 4:17 The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said to her.
2Ki 4:18 When the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
2Ki 4:19 He said to his father, My head, my head. He said to his servant, Carry him to his mother.
2Ki 4:20 When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then died.
2Ki 4:21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door on him, and went out.
2Ki 4:22 She called to her husband, and said, Please send me one of the servants, and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
2Ki 4:23 He said, Why would you want go to him today? it is neither new moon nor Sabbath. She said, It shall be well.
2Ki 4:24 Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; don't slacken me the riding, unless I ask you to.
2Ki 4:25 So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. It happened, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is the Shunammite:
2Ki 4:26 please run now to meet her, and ask her, Is it well with you? is it well with your husband? is it well with the child? She answered, It is well.
2Ki 4:27 When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, Let her alone: for her soul is troubled within her; and Yahweh has hid it from me, and has not told me.
2Ki 4:28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Didn't I say, Do not deceive me?
2Ki 4:29 Then he said to Gehazi, "Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand, and go your way. If you meet any man, don't greet him; and if anyone greets you, don't answer him again. Then lay my staff on the face of the child."
2Ki 4:30 The mother of the child said, As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. He arose, and followed her.
2Ki 4:31 Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Therefore he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child has not awakened.
2Ki 4:32 When Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid on his bed.
2Ki 4:33 He went in therefore, and shut the door on them both, and prayed to Yahweh.
2Ki 4:34 He went up, and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands: and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child grew warm.
2Ki 4:35 Then he returned, and walked in the house once back and forth; and went up, and stretched himself on him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
2Ki 4:36 He called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. When she was come in to him, he said, Take up your son.
2Ki 4:37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out.
2Ki 4:38 Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.
2Ki 4:39 One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered of it wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of stew; for they didn't recognize them.
2Ki 4:40 So they poured out for the men to eat. It happened, as they were eating of the stew, that they cried out, and said, man of God, there is death in the pot. They could not eat of it.
2Ki 4:41 But he said, Then bring meal. He cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. There was no harm in the pot.
2Ki 4:42 There came a man from Baal Shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. He said, Give to the people, that they may eat.
2Ki 4:43 His servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that they may eat; for thus says Yahweh, They shall eat, and shall leave of it.
2Ki 4:44 So he set it before them, and they ate, and left of it, according to the word of Yahweh.
2Ki 5:1 Now Naaman, captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.
2Ki 5:2 The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maiden; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
2Ki 5:3 She said to her mistress, Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! then would he recover him of his leprosy.
2Ki 5:4 One went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maiden who is of the land of Israel.
2Ki 5:5 The king of Syria said, Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. He departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing.
2Ki 5:6 He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter has come to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may heal him of his leprosy.
2Ki 5:7 It happened, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he tore his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man does send to me to recover a man of his leprosy? but consider, please, and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.
2Ki 5:8 It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Why have you torn your clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
2Ki 5:9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
2Ki 5:10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.
2Ki 5:11 But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
2Ki 5:12 Aren't Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
2Ki 5:13 His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, My father, if the prophet had asked you do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? how much rather then, when he says to you, Wash, and be clean?
2Ki 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
2Ki 5:15 He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, please take a present from your servant.
2Ki 5:16 But he said, As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. He urged him to take it; but he refused.
2Ki 5:17 Naaman said, If not, yet, please let there be given to your servant two mules' burden of earth; for your servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to Yahweh.
2Ki 5:18 In this thing Yahweh pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Yahweh pardon your servant in this thing.
2Ki 5:19 He said to him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
2Ki 5:20 But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: as Yahweh lives, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
2Ki 5:21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he alighted from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
2Ki 5:22 He said, All is well. My master has sent me, saying, Behold, even now there are come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets; please give them a talent of silver, and two changes of clothing.
2Ki 5:23 Naaman said, Be pleased to take two talents. He urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants; and they bore them before him.
2Ki 5:24 When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house; and he let the men go, and they departed.
2Ki 5:25 But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, Where do you come from, Gehazi? He said, Your servant went nowhere.
2Ki 5:26 He said to him, Didn't my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and sheep and cattle, and male servants and female servants?
2Ki 5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cling to you and to your seed forever. He went out from his presence a leper, as white as snow.
2Ki 6:1 The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, See now, the place where we dwell before you is too small for us.
2Ki 6:2 Let us go, please, to the Jordan, and every man a beam from there, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. He answered, Go!
2Ki 6:3 One said, "Please be pleased to go with your servants." He answered, "I will go."
2Ki 6:4 So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.
2Ki 6:5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master! for it was borrowed.
2Ki 6:6 The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, threw it in there, and made the iron float.
2Ki 6:7 He said, "Take it." So he put out his hand and took it.
2Ki 6:8 Now the king of Syria was warring against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.
2Ki 6:9 The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, Beware that you not pass such a place; for there the Syrians are coming down.
2Ki 6:10 The king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he saved himself there, not once nor twice.
2Ki 6:11 The heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said to them, Won't you show me which of us is for the king of Israel?
2Ki 6:12 One of his servants said, No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber.
2Ki 6:13 He said, Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him. It was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
2Ki 6:14 Therefore sent he there horses, and chariots, and a great army: and they came by night, and surrounded the city.
2Ki 6:15 When the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. His servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
2Ki 6:16 He answered, Don't be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.
2Ki 6:17 Elisha prayed, and said, Yahweh, Please open his eyes, that he may see. Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
2Ki 6:18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, Please smite this people with blindness. He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
2Ki 6:19 Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek. He led them to Samaria.
2Ki 6:20 It happened, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Yahweh, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. Yahweh opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
2Ki 6:21 The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I strike them? shall I strike them?
2Ki 6:22 He answered, You shall not strike them: would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
2Ki 6:23 He prepared great provision for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
2Ki 6:24 It happened after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up, and besieged Samaria.
2Ki 6:25 There was a great famine in Samaria: and behold, they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
2Ki 6:26 As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, there cried a woman to him, saying, Help, my lord, O king.
2Ki 6:27 He said, If Yahweh doesn't help you, from where could I help you? From of the threshing floor, or from the winepress?
2Ki 6:28 The king said to her, "What ails you?" She answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'
2Ki 6:29 So we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, 'Give your son, that we may eat him;' and she has hidden her son."
2Ki 6:30 It happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes (now he was passing by on the wall); and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth within on his flesh.
2Ki 6:31 Then he said, God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stay on him this day.
2Ki 6:32 But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? behold, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door fast against him: isn't the sound of his master's feet behind him?

2Ki 6:33 While he was yet talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him: and he said, Behold, this evil is of Yahweh; why should I wait for Yahweh any longer? 



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.

2 Kings


2 Kings 4 1
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your
servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear Yahweh: and the creditor
is come to take to him my two children to be bondservants.
And a woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha saying, Thy servant
my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant feared Jehovah; and the creditor
is come to take my two children to be bondmen.
And a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets hath cried unto
Elisha, saying, `Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou hast known that thy
servant was fearing Jehovah, and the lender hath come to take my two children to
him for servants.`
2 Kings 4 2
Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? tell me; what have you in the house? She said, Your
handmaid has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.
And Elisha said to her, What shall I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in the house? And
she said, Thy handmaid has not anything at all in the house but a pot of oil.
And Elisha saith unto her, `What do I do for thee? declare to me, what hast thou in
the house?` and she saith, `Thy maid-servant hath nothing in the house except a
pot of oil.`
2 Kings 4 3
Then he said, Go, borrow you vessels abroad of all your neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not
a few.
And he said, Go, borrow for thyself vessels abroad from all thy neighbours, empty vessels;
let it not be few;
And he saith, `Go, ask for thee vessels from without, from all thy neighbours --
empty vessels -- let [them] not be few;
2 Kings 4 4
You shall go in, and shut the door on you and on your sons, and pour out into all those vessels;
and you shall set aside that which is full.
and go in, and shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and pour out into all those
vessels, and set aside what is full.
and thou hast entered, and shut the door upon thee, and upon thy sons, and hast
poured out into all these vessels, and the full ones thou dost remove.`
2 Kings 4 5
So she went from him, and shut the door on her and on her sons; they brought [the vessels] to
her, and she poured out.
And she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons: they brought [the
vessels] to her, and she poured out.
And she goeth from him, and shutteth the door upon her, and upon her sons; they
are bringing nigh unto her, and she is pouring out,
2 Kings 4 6
It happened, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, Bring me yet a vessel. He said to
her, There isn`t another vessel. The oil stayed.
And it came to pass when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, Bring me yet a
vessel. And he said to her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.
and it cometh to pass, at the filling of the vessels, that she saith unto her son,
`Bring nigh unto me a vessel more,` and he saith unto her, `There is not a vessel
more;` and the oil stayeth.
2 Kings 4 7
Then she came and told the man of God. He said, Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt, and live you
and your sons of the rest.
And she came and told the man of God; and he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and
live thou [and] thy sons on the rest.
And she cometh and declareth to the man of God, and he saith, `Go, sell the oil, and
repay thy loan; and thou [and] thy sons do live of the rest.`
2 Kings 4 8
It fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him
to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread.
And it came to pass on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a wealthy woman;
and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, [that] as oft as he passed by, he
turned in thither to eat bread.
And the day cometh that Elisha passeth over unto Shunem, and there [is] a great
woman, and she layeth hold on him to eat bread, and it cometh to pass, at the time
of his passing over, he turneth aside thither to eat bread,
2 Kings 4 9
She said to her husband, See now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, that passes by us
continually.
And she said to her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God, who
passes by us continually.
and she saith unto her husband, `Lo, I pray thee, I have known that a holy man of
God he is, passing over by us continually;
2 Kings 4 10
Let us make, Please, a little chamber on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table,
and a seat, and a lamp stand: and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he shall turn in there.
Let us make, I pray thee, a small upper chamber with walls, and let us set for him there a
bed, and a table, and a seat, and a lampstand; and it shall be when he cometh to us, he
shall turn in thither.
let us make, I pray thee, a little upper chamber of the wall, and we set for him
there a bed, and a table, and a high seat, and a candlestick; and it hath been, in
his coming in unto us, he doth turn aside thither.`
2 Kings 4 11
It fell on a day, that he came there, and he turned into the chamber and lay there.
And it came to pass on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the upper
chamber, and lay there.
And the day cometh, that he cometh in thither, and turneth aside unto the upper
chamber, and lieth there,
2 Kings 4 12
He said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. When he had called her, she stood before
him.
And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And he called her, and she stood
before him.
and he saith unto Gehazi his young man, `Call for this Shunammite;` and he calleth
for her, and she standeth before him.
2 Kings 4 13
He said to him, Say now to her, Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care; what is to
be done for you? would you be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? She
answered, I dwell among my own people.
And he said to him, Say now to her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this
care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the
captain of the host? And she said, I dwell among mine own people.
And he saith to him, `Say, I pray thee, unto her, Lo, thou hast troubled thyself
concerning us with all this trouble; what -- to do for thee? is it to speak for thee
unto the king, or unto the head of the host?` and she saith, `In the midst of my
people I am dwelling.`
2 Kings 4 14
He said, What then is to be done for her? Gehazi answered, Most assuredly she has no son, and
her husband is old.
And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi said, Verily, she has no son, and
her husband is old.
And he saith, `And what -- to do for her?` and Gehazi saith, `Verily she hath no son,
and her husband [is] aged.`
2 Kings 4 15
He said, Call her. When he had called her, she stood in the door.
And he said, Call her; and he called her; and she stood in the doorway.
And he saith, `Call for her;` and he calleth for her, and she standeth at the opening,
2 Kings 4 16
He said, At this season, when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son. She said, No, my
lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.
And he said, At this appointed time, when thy term is come, thou shalt embrace a son.
And she said, No, my lord, man of God, do not lie to thy handmaid.
and he saith, `At this season, according to the time of life, thou art embracing a
son;` and she saith, `Nay, my lord, O man of God, do not lie unto thy maid-servant.`
2 Kings 4 17
The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had
said to her.
And the woman conceived, and bore a son at that appointed time in the next year as
Elisha had said to her.
And the woman conceiveth and beareth a son, at this season, according to the
time of life, that Elisha spake of unto her.
2 Kings 4 18
When the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
And the child grew, and it came to pass one day, that he went out to his father to the
reapers.
And the lad groweth, and the day cometh that he goeth out unto his father, unto
the reapers,
2 Kings 4 19
He said to his father, My head, my head. He said to his servant, Carry him to his mother.
And he said to his father, My head, my head! And he said to the servant, Carry him to his
mother.
and he saith unto his father, `My head, my head;` and he saith unto the young man,
`Bear him unto his mother;`
2 Kings 4 20
When he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees until noon, and then
died.
And he carried him, and brought him to his mother; and he sat on her knees till noon,
and died.
and he beareth him, and bringeth him in unto his mother, and he sitteth on her
knees till the noon, and dieth.
2 Kings 4 21
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut [the door] on him, and went out.
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut [the door] upon him,
and went out.
And she goeth up, and layeth him on the bed of the man of God, and shutteth [the
door] upon him, and goeth out,
2 Kings 4 22
She called to her husband, and said, Please send me one of the servants, and one of the donkeys,
that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
And she called to her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and
one of the asses, and I will run to the man of God, and come again.
and calleth unto her husband, and saith, `Send, I pray thee, to me, one of the young
men, and one of the asses, and I run unto the man of God, and return.`
2 Kings 4 23
He said, Why will you go to him today? it is neither new moon nor Sabbath. She said, It shall be
well.
And he said, Why wilt thou go to him to-day? It is neither new moon nor sabbath. And she
said, [It is] well.
And he saith, `Wherefore art thou going unto him to-day? -- neither new moon nor
sabbath!` and she saith, `Peace [to thee]!`
2 Kings 4 24
Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; don`t slacken me the
riding, except I bid you.
Then she saddled the ass, and said to her servant, Drive and go forward; slack not the
riding for me, except I bid thee.
And she saddleth the ass, and saith unto her young man, `Lead, and go, do not
restrain riding for me, except I have said [so] to thee.`
2 Kings 4 25
So she went, and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. It happened, when the man of God saw
her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is the Shunammite:
And she went and came to the man of God, to mount Carmel. And it came to pass when the
man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, there is the
Shunammite:
And she goeth, and cometh in unto the man of God, unto the hill of Carmel, and it
cometh to pass, at the man of God`s seeing her from over-against, that he saith
unto Gehazi his young man, `Lo, this Shunammite;
2 Kings 4 26
please run now to meet her, and ask her, Is it well with you? is it well with your husband? is it
well with the child? She answered, It is well.
run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with
thy husband? is it well with the child? And she said, It is well.
now, run, I pray thee, to meet her, and say to her, Is there peace to thee? is there
peace to thy husband? is there peace to the lad?` and she saith, `Peace.`
2 Kings 4 27
When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to
thrust her away; but the man of God said, Let her alone: for her soul is vexed within her; and
Yahweh has hid it from me, and has not told me.
And she came to the man of God to the mountain, and caught him by the feet; and Gehazi
drew near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, Let her alone, for her soul is
troubled within her, and Jehovah has hidden it from me, and has not told me.
And she cometh in unto the man of God, unto the hill, and layeth hold on his feet,
and Gehazi cometh nigh to thrust her away, and the man of God saith, `Let her
alone, for her soul [is] bitter to her, and Jehovah hath hidden [it] from me, and
hath not declared [it] to me.`
2 Kings 4 28
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Didn`t I say, Do not deceive me?
And she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
And she saith, `Did I ask a son from my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?`
2 Kings 4 29
Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and go your way: if
you meet any man, Don`t greet him; and if anyone greets you, don`t answer him again: and lay
my staff on the face of the child.
And he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thy hand, and go thy way. If
thou meet any man, salute him not, and if any salute thee, answer him not again; and lay
my staff upon the face of the lad.
And he saith to Gehazi, `Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thy hand, and go;
when thou dost meet a man, thou dost not salute him; and when a man doth salute
thee, thou dost not answer him; and thou hast laid my staff on the face of the
youth.`
2 Kings 4 30
The mother of the child said, As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you. He
arose, and followed her.
And the mother of the lad said, As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave
thee! And he rose up and followed her.
And the mother of the youth saith, `Jehovah liveth, and thy soul liveth -- if I leave
thee;` and he riseth and goeth after her.
2 Kings 4 31
Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither
voice, nor hearing. Why he returned to meet him, and told him, saying, The child has not
awakened.
And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the lad; but there
was neither voice, nor sign of attention. And he returned to meet him, and told him
saying, The lad is not awaked.
And Gehazi hath passed on before them, and layeth the staff on the face of the
youth, and there is no voice, and there is no attention, and he turneth back to
meet him, and declareth to him, saying, `The youth hath not awaked.`
2 Kings 4 32
When Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid on his bed.
And when Elisha came into the house, behold, the child was dead, [and] laid upon his bed.
And Elisha cometh in to the house, and lo, the youth is dead, laid on his bed,
2 Kings 4 33
He went in therefore, and shut the door on them both, and prayed to Yahweh.
And he went in and shut the door upon them both, and prayed to Jehovah.
and he goeth in and shutteth the door upon them both, and prayeth unto Jehovah.
2 Kings 4 34
He went up, and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and
his hands on his hands: and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child grew warm.
And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes
upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands, and bent over him; and the flesh of the child
grew warm.
And he goeth up, and lieth down on the lad, and putteth his mouth on his mouth,
and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands, and stretcheth himself upon
him, and the flesh of the lad becometh warm;
2 Kings 4 35
Then he returned, and walked in the house once back and forth; and went up, and stretched
himself on him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
And he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and bent over him.
And the lad sneezed seven times, and the lad opened his eyes.
and he turneth back and walketh in the house, once hither and once thither, and
goeth up and stretcheth himself upon him, and the youth sneezeth till seven
times, and the youth openeth his eyes.
2 Kings 4 36
He called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. When she was come in to him,
he said, Take up your son.
And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. And he called her; and she came to
him. And he said, Take up thy son.
And he calleth unto Gehazi, and saith, `Call unto this Shunammite;` and he calleth
her, and she cometh in unto him, and he saith, `Lift up thy son.`
2 Kings 4 37
Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her son,
and went out.
And she came and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her
son, and went out.
And she goeth in, and falleth at his feet, and boweth herself to the earth, and
lifteth up her son, and goeth out.
2 Kings 4 38
Elisha came again to Gilgal. There was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were
sitting before him; and he said to his servant, Set on the great pot, and boil stew for the sons of
the prophets.
And Elisha came again to Gilgal. And there was a famine in the land; and the sons of the
prophets were sitting before him. And he said to his servant, Set on the great pot, and
boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.
And Elisha hath turned back to Gilgal, and the famine [is] in the land, and the sons
of the prophets are sitting before him, and he saith to his young man, `Set on the
great pot, and boil pottage for the sons of the prophets.`
2 Kings 4 39
One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered of it wild
gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of stew; for they didn`t recognize
Then one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered
from it his lap full of wild colocynths, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage;
for they did not know them.
And one goeth out unto the field to gather herbs, and findeth a vine of the field,
and gathereth of it gourds of the field -- the fulness of his garment -- and cometh
in and splitteth [them] into the pot of pottage, for they knew [them] not;
2 Kings 4 40
So they poured out for the men to eat. It happened, as they were eating of the stew, that they
cried out, and said, man of God, there is death in the pot. They could not eat of it.
And they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the
pottage, that they cried out and said, Man of God, there is death in the pot! And they
could not eat [it].
and they pour out for the men to eat, and it cometh to pass at their eating of the
pottage, that they have cried out, and say, `Death [is] in the pot, O man of God!`
and they have not been able to eat.
2 Kings 4 41
But he said, Then bring meal. He cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that
they may eat. There was no harm in the pot.
And he said, Then bring meal. And he cast [it] into the pot, and said, Pour out for the
people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.
And he saith, `Then bring ye meal;` and he casteth into the pot, and saith, `Pour
out for the people, and they eat;` and there was no evil thing in the pot.
2 Kings 4 42
There came a man from Baal-shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first-fruits,
twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of grain in his sack. He said, Give to the people, that they
may eat.
And there came a man from Baal-shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the
first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and fresh ears of corn in his sack. And he said, Give
to the people that they may eat.
And a man hath come from Baal-Shalishah, and bringeth in to the man of God
bread of first-fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in its husk, and
he saith, `Give to the people, and they eat.`
2 Kings 4 43
His servant said, What, should I set this before a hundred men? But he said, Give the people, that
they may eat; for thus says Yahweh, They shall eat, and shall leave of it.
And his attendant said, How shall I set this before a hundred men? And he said, Give the
people that they may eat; for thus saith Jehovah: They shall eat, and shall have to spare.
And his minister saith, `What -- do I give this before a hundred men?` and he
saith, `Give to the people, and they eat, for thus said Jehovah, Eat and leave;`
2 Kings 4 44
So he set it before them, and they ate, and left of it, according to the word of Yahweh.
And he set [it] before them, and they ate and left [thereof], according to the word of
Jehovah.
and he giveth before them, and they eat and leave, according to the word of
Jehovah.
2 Kings 5 1
Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and
honorable, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor,
[but he was] a leper.
And Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man before his master,
and honourable, for by him Jehovah had given deliverance to Syria; and he was a mighty
man of valour, [but] a leper.
And Naaman, head of the host of the king of Aram, was a great man before his lord,
and accepted of face, for by him had Jehovah given salvation to Aram, and the man
was mighty in valour -- leprous.
2 Kings 5 2
The Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little
maiden; and she waited on Naaman`s wife.
And the Syrians had gone out in bands, and had brought away captive out of the land of
Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman`s wife.
And the Aramaeans have gone out [by] troops, and they take captive out of the
land of Israel a little damsel, and she is before the wife of Naaman,
2 Kings 5 3
She said to her mistress, Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! then
would he recover him of his leprosy.
And she said to her mistress, Oh, would that my lord were before the prophet that is in
Samaria! then he would cure him of his leprosy.
and she saith unto her mistress, `O that my lord [were] before the prophet who [is]
in Samaria; then he doth recover him from his leprosy.`
2 Kings 5 4
One went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maiden who is of the land of Israel.
And he went and told his lord saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of
Israel.
And [one] goeth in and declareth to his lord, saying, `Thus and thus she hath
spoken, the damsel who [is] from the land of Israel.`
2 Kings 5 5
The king of Syria said, Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. He departed, and
took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand [pieces] of gold, and ten changes of
And the king of Syria said, Well! go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he
departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand [shekels] of gold, and
ten changes of raiment.
And the king of Aram saith, `Go thou, enter, and I send a letter unto the king of
Israel;` and he goeth and taketh in his hand ten talents of silver, and six thousand
[pieces] of gold, and ten changes of garments.
2 Kings 5 6
He brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come to you, behold, I
have sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may recover him of his leprosy.
And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, And now, when this letter comes
to thee, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest cure him of his
leprosy.
And he bringeth in the letter unto the king of Israel, saying, `And now, at the
coming in of this letter unto thee, lo, I have sent unto thee Naaman my servant,
and thou hast recovered him from his leprosy.`
2 Kings 5 7
It happened, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he tore his clothes, and said, Am I
God, to kill and to make alive, that this man does send to me to recover a man of his leprosy? but
consider, I pray you, and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.
And it came to pass when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his
garments, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends to me to cure
a man of his leprosy? Wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeks an occasion
against me.
And it cometh to pass, at the king of Israel`s reading the letter, that he rendeth
his garments, and saith, `Am I God, to put to death and to keep alive, that this
[one] is sending unto me to recover a man from his leprosy? for surely know, I
pray you, and see, for he is presenting himself to me.`
2 Kings 5 8
It was so, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he
sent to the king, saying, Why have you torn your clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall
know that there is a prophet in Israel.
And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his
garments, that he sent to the king, saying, Why hast thou rent thy garments? let him
come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
And it cometh to pass, at Elisha the man of God`s hearing that the king of Israel
hath rent his garments, that he sendeth unto the king, saying, `Why hast thou
rent thy garments? let him come, I pray thee, unto me, and he doth know that
there is a prophet in Israel.`
2 Kings 5 9
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots, and stood at the door of the house of
Elisha.
And Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the doorway of the
house of Elisha.
And Naaman cometh, with his horses and with his chariot, and standeth at the
opening of the house for Elisha;
2 Kings 5 10
Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh
shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.
And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and
thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
and Elisha sendeth unto him a messenger, saying, `Go, and thou hast washed seven
times in Jordan, and thy flesh doth turn back to thee -- and be thou clean.
2 Kings 5 11
But Naaman was angry, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to
me, and stand, and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place, and
recover the leper.
And Naaman was wroth, and went away and said, Behold, I thought, He will certainly
come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of Jehovah his God, and wave his hand
over the place, and cure the leper.
And Naaman is wroth, and goeth on, and saith, `Lo, I said, Unto me he doth
certainly come out, and hath stood and called in the name of Jehovah his God, and
waved his hand over the place, and recovered the leper.
2 Kings 5 12
Aren`t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I
not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of
Israel? may I not wash in them and be clean? And he turned and went away in a rage.
Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of
Israel? do I not wash in them and I have been clean?` and he turneth and goeth on
in fury.
2 Kings 5 13
His servants came near, and spoke to him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid you do
some great thing, wouldn`t you have done it? how much rather then, when he says to you, Wash,
and be clean?
And his servants drew near, and spoke to him and said, My father, [if] the prophet had
bidden thee [do some] great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather
then, when he says to thee, Wash and be clean?
And his servants come nigh, and speak unto him, and say, `My father, a great
thing had the prophet spoken unto thee -- dost thou not do [it]? and surely, when
he hath said unto thee, Wash, and be clean.`
2 Kings 5 14
Then went he down, and dipped [himself] seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of
the man of God; and his flesh came again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Then he went down, and plunged himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the
saying of the man of God. And his flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he
was clean.
And he goeth down and dippeth in Jordan seven times, according to the word of
the man of God, and his flesh doth turn back as the flesh of a little youth, and is
clean.
2 Kings 5 15
He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he
said, See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, please
take a present from your servant.
And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before
him; and he said, Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; and
now, I pray thee, take a present of thy servant.
And he turneth back unto the man of God, he and all his camp, and cometh in, and
standeth before him, and saith, `Lo, I pray thee, I have known that there is not a
God in all the earth except in Israel; and now, take, I pray thee, a blessing from
thy servant.`
2 Kings 5 16
But he said, As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none. He urged him to take it;
but he refused.
But he said, As Jehovah liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none! And he urged
him to take it; but he refused.
And he saith, `Jehovah liveth, before whom I have stood -- if I take [it];` and he
presseth on him to take, and he refuseth.
2 Kings 5 17
Naaman said, If not, yet, please let there be given to your servant two mules` burden of earth; for
your servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to other gods, but to
Yahweh.
And Naaman said, If not, then let there, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules`
burden of [this] earth; for thy servant will no more offer burnt-offering and sacrifice to
other gods, but to Jehovah.
And Naaman saith, `If not -- let be given, I pray thee, to thy servant, a couple of
mules` burden of earth, for thy servant doth make no more burnt-offering and
sacrifice to other gods, but to Jehovah.
2 Kings 5 18
In this thing Yahweh pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to
worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow
myself in the house of Rimmon, Yahweh pardon your servant in this thing.
In this thing Jehovah pardon thy servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon
to bow down there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down myself in the house of
Rimmon -- when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon thy servant, I
pray thee, in this thing.
For this thing Jehovah be propitious to thy servant, in the coming in of my lord
into the house of Rimmon to bow himself there, and he was supported by my hand,
and I bowed myself [in] the house of Rimmon; for my bowing myself in the house of
Rimmon Jehovah be propitious, I pray thee, to thy servant in this thing.`
2 Kings 5 19
He said to him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
And he said to him, Go in peace. And he departed from him a little way.
And he saith to him, `Go in peace.` And he goeth from him a kibrath of land,
2 Kings 5 20
But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master has spared this Naaman
the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: as Yahweh lives, I will run after
him, and take somewhat of him.
And Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master has spared
Naaman, this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought; but as Jehovah
liveth, I will run after him and take somewhat of him.
And Gehazi, servant of Elisha the man of God, saith, `Lo, my lord hath spared
Naaman this Aramaean, not to receive from his hand that which he brought;
Jehovah liveth; surely if I have run after him, then I have taken from him
something.`
2 Kings 5 21
So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw one running after him, he alighted from the
chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
And Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he
sprang down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
And Gehazi pursueth after Naaman, and Naaman seeth one running after him, and
alighteth from off the chariot to meet him, and saith, `Is there peace?`
2 Kings 5 22
He said, All is well. My master has sent me, saying, Behold, even now there are come to me from
the hill-country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets; please give them a talent
of silver, and two changes of clothing.
And he said, All is well. My master has sent me saying, Behold, even now there are come
to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets; give them, I pray
thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of raiment.
And he saith, `Peace; my lord hath sent me, saying, Lo, now, this, come unto me
have two young men from the hill-country of Ephraim, of the sons of the prophets;
give, I pray thee, to them, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.`
2 Kings 5 23
Naaman said, Be pleased to take two talents. He urged him, and bound two talents of silver in
two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants; and they bore them
before him.
And Naaman said, Consent to take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents
of silver in two bags, with two changes of raiment, and laid them upon two of his young
men; and they bore them before him.
And Naaman saith, `Be pleased, take two talents;` and he urgeth on him, and
bindeth two talents of silver in two purses, and two changes of garments, and
giveth unto two of his young men, and they bear before him;
2 Kings 5 24
When he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house; and he
let the men go, and they departed.
And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand, and stowed them in the
house; and he let the men go, and they departed.
and he cometh in unto the high place, and taketh out of their hand, and layeth up
in the house, and sendeth away the men, and they go.
2 Kings 5 25
But he went in, and stood before his master. Elisha said to him, Whence come you, Gehazi? He
said, Your servant went no where.
And he entered in and stood before his master. And Elisha said to him, Whence [comest
thou], Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
And he hath come in, and doth stand by his lord, and Elisha saith unto him,
`Whence -- Gehazi?` and he saith, `Thy servant went not hither or thither.`
2 Kings 5 26
He said to him, Didn`t my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you?
Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive groves and vineyards, and
sheep and oxen, and men-servants and maid-servants?
And he said to him, Did not my heart go, when the man turned again from his chariot to
meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and
vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and bondmen, and bondwomen?
And he saith unto him, `My heart went not when the man turned from off his
chariot to meet thee; is it a time to take silver, and to take garments, and olives,
and vines, and flock, and herd, and men-servants, and maid-servants?
2 Kings 5 27
The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave to you, and to your seed forever. He went out from
his presence a leper [as white] as snow.
But the leprosy of Naaman shall fasten upon thee, and upon thy seed for ever. And he went
out from his presence leprous, as snow.
yea, the leprosy of Naaman doth cleave to thee, and to thy seed, -- to the age;` and
he goeth out from before him -- leprous as snow.
2 Kings 6 1
The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, See now, the place where we dwell before you is too strait
for us.
And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell before
thee is too strait for us.
And sons of the prophet say unto Elisha, `Lo, we pray thee, the place where we are
dwelling before thee is too strait for us;
2 Kings 6 2
Let us go, we pray you, to the Jordan, and take there every man a beam, and let us make us a place
there, where we may dwell. He answered, Go you.
Let us go, we pray thee, to the Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make
us a place there, where we may dwell. And he said, Go.
let us go, we pray thee, unto the Jordan, and we take thence each one beam, and we
make for ourselves there a place to dwell there;` and he saith, `Go.`
2 Kings 6 3
One said, Be pleased, I pray you, to go with your servants. He answered, I will go.
And one said, Consent, I pray thee, to go with thy servants. And he said, I will go.
And the one saith, `Be pleased, I pray thee, and go with thy servants;` and he saith,
`I -- I go.`
2 Kings 6 4
So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down wood.
And he went with them. And they came to the Jordan and cut down the trees.
And he goeth with them, and they come in to the Jordan, and cut down the trees,
2 Kings 6 5
But as one was felling a beam, the ax-head fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my
master! for it was borrowed.
And it came to pass as one was felling a beam, that the iron fell into the water; and he
cried and said, Alas, master, and it was borrowed!
and it cometh to pass, the one is felling the beam, and the iron hath fallen into the
water, and he crieth and saith, `Alas! my lord, and it asked!`
2 Kings 6 6
The man of God said, Where fell it? He showed him the place. He cut down a stick, and cast it in
there, and made the iron to swim.
And the man of God said, Where did it fall? And he shewed him the place. And he cut
down a stick, and cast it in thither, and made the iron to swim.
And the man of God saith, `Whither hath it fallen?` and he sheweth him the place,
and he cutteth a stick, and casteth thither, and causeth the iron to swim,
2 Kings 6 7
He said, Take it up to you. So he put out his hand, and took it.
And he said, Take [it] up to thee. And he put out his hand and took it.
and saith, `Raise to thee;` and he putteth forth his hand and taketh it.
2 Kings 6 8
Now the king of Syria was warring against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants, saying,
In such and such a place shall be my camp.
And the king of Syria warred against Israel; and he took counsel with his servants,
saying, In such and such a place [shall be] my camp.
And the king of Aram hath been fighting against Israel, and taketh counsel with
his servants, saying, `At such and such a place [is] my encamping.`
2 Kings 6 9
The man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, Beware that you not pass such a place; for there
the Syrians are coming down.
And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a
place, for thither the Syrians are come down.
And the man of God sendeth unto the king of Israel, saying, `Take heed of passing
by this place, for thither are the Aramaeans coming down;
2 Kings 6 10
The king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of; and he
saved himself there, not once nor twice.
And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of,
and he was on his guard there. [That took place] not once, nor twice.
and the king of Israel sendeth unto the place of which the man of God spake to
him, and warned him, and he is preserved there not once nor twice.
2 Kings 6 11
The heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and
said to them, Won`t you show me which of us is for the king of Israel?
And the heart of the king of Syria was troubled because of this thing; and he called his
servants, and said to them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?
And the heart of the king of Aram is tossed about concerning this thing, and he
calleth unto his servants, and saith unto them, `Do ye not declare to me who of us
[is] for the king of Israel?`
2 Kings 6 12
One of his servants said, No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the
king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber.
And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet that is in
Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
And one of his servants saith, `Nay, my lord, O king, for Elisha the prophet, who
[is] in Israel, declareth to the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in the
inner part of thy bed-chamber.`
2 Kings 6 13
He said, Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him. It was told him, saying, Behold, he
is in Dothan.
And he said, Go and see where he is, and I will send and fetch him. And it was told him
saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
And he saith, `Go ye and see where he [is], and I send and take him;` and it is
declared to him, saying, `Lo -- in Dothan.`
2 Kings 6 14
Therefore sent he there horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and
surrounded the city.
And he sent thither horses and chariots, and a great host, and they came by night and
surrounded the city.
And he sendeth thither horses and chariot, and a heavy force, and they come in by
night, and go round against the city.
2 Kings 6 15
When the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host with horses
and chariots was round about the city. His servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
And when the attendant of the man of God rose early and went forth, behold, an army
surrounded the city, with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my
master! how shall we do?
And the servant of the man of God riseth early, and goeth out, and lo, a force is
surrounding the city, and horse and chariot, and his young man saith unto him,
`Alas! my lord, how do we do?`
2 Kings 6 16
He answered, Don`t be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.
And he said, Fear not, for they that are with us are more than they that are with them.
And he saith, `Fear not, for more [are] they who [are] with us than they who [are]
with them.`
2 Kings 6 17
Elisha prayed, and said, Yahweh, Please open his eyes, that he may see. Yahweh opened the eyes of
the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire
round about Elisha.
And Elisha prayed and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see. And
Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full
of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
And Elisha prayeth, and saith, `Jehovah, open, I pray Thee, his eyes, and he doth
see;` and Jehovah openeth the eyes of the young man, and he seeth, and lo, the hill
is full of horses and chariots of fire, round about Elisha.
2 Kings 6 18
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, Please smite this people with
blindness. He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And they came down to him; and Elisha prayed to Jehovah and said, Smite this nation, I
pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of
Elisha.
And they come down unto it, and Elisha prayeth unto Jehovah, and saith, `Smite, I
pray Thee, this nation with blindness;` and He smiteth them with blindness,
according to the word of Elisha.
2 Kings 6 19
Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you
to the man whom you seek. He led them to Samaria.
And Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will
bring you to the man whom ye seek. And he led them to Samaria.
And Elisha saith unto them, `This [is] not the way, nor [is] this the city; come after
me, and I lead you unto the man whom ye seek;` and he leadeth them to Samaria.
2 Kings 6 20
It happened, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Yahweh, open the eyes of these
men, that they may see. Yahweh opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the
midst of Samaria.
And it came to pass when they entered into Samaria, that Elisha said, Jehovah, open the
eyes of these [men] that they may see. And Jehovah opened their eyes, and they saw, and
behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
And it cometh to pass, at their coming in to Samaria, that Elisha saith, `Jehovah,
open the eyes of these, and they see;` and Jehovah openeth their eyes, and they see,
and lo, in the midst of Samaria!
2 Kings 6 21
The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I strike them? shall I strike
them?
And the king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite? shall I
smite [them]?
And the king of Israel saith unto Elisha, at his seeing them, `Do I smite -- do I
smite -- my father?`
2 Kings 6 22
He answered, You shall not strike them: would you strike those whom you have taken captive
with your sword and with your bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and
drink, and go to their master.
And he said, Thou shalt not smite [them]: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast
taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? Set bread and water before them, that
they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
And he saith, `Thou dost not smite; those whom thou hast taken captive with thy
sword and with thy bow art thou smiting? set bread and water before them, and
they eat, and drink, and go unto their lord.`
2 Kings 6 23
He prepared great provision for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away,
and they went to their master. The bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
And he prepared a great repast for them, and they ate and drank; and he sent them away,
and they went to their master. And the bands of Syria came no more into the land of
Israel.
And he prepareth for them great provision, and they eat and drink, and he
sendeth them away, and they go unto their lord: and troops of Aram have not
added any more to come in to the land of Israel.
2 Kings 6 24
It happened after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and
besieged Samaria.
And it came to pass after this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and
went up and besieged Samaria.
And it cometh to pass afterwards, that Ben-Hadad king of Aram gathereth all his
camp, and goeth up, and layeth siege to Samaria,
2 Kings 6 25
There was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until a donkey`s head was
sold for eighty [pieces] of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove`s dung for five [pieces] of
silver.
And there was a great famine in Samaria; and behold, they besieged it, until an ass`s
head was worth eighty silver-pieces, and the fourth part of a cab of dove`s dung five
silver-pieces.
and there is a great famine in Samaria, and lo, they are laying siege to it, till the
head of an ass is at eighty silverlings, and a forth of the cab of dovesdung at five
silverlings.
2 Kings 6 26
As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, there cried a woman to him, saying, Help, my
lord, O king.
And it came to pass as the king of Israel was passing by upon the wall, there cried a
woman to him saying, Help, my lord O king!
And it cometh to pass, the king of Israel is passing by on the wall, and a woman
hath cried unto him, saying, `Save, my lord, O king.`
2 Kings 6 27
He said, If Yahweh doesn`t help you, whence shall I help you? out of the threshing floor, or out of
the winepress?
And he said, If Jehovah do not help thee, whence should I help thee? Out of the threshing-
floor, or out of the winepress?
And he saith, `Jehovah doth not save thee -- whence do I save thee? out of the
threshing-floor, or out of the wine-vat?`
2 Kings 6 28
The king said to her, What ails you? She answered, This woman said to me, Give your son, that we
may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.
And the king said to her, What aileth thee? And she said, This woman said to me, Give thy
son, that we may eat him to-day, and we will eat my son to-morrow.
And the king saith to her, `What -- to thee?` and she saith, `This woman said unto
me, Give thy son, and we eat him to-day, and my son we eat to-morrow;
2 Kings 6 29
So we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, Give your son, that we may
eat him; and she has hid her son.
And we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, Give thy son, that we
may eat him; and she has hidden her son.
and we boil my son and eat him, and I say unto her on the next day, Give thy son,
and we eat him; and she hideth her son.`
2 Kings 6 30
It happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes (now he was
passing by on the wall); and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within on his flesh.
And it came to pass when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his
garments; and he was passing by upon the wall, and the people looked, and behold, he had
sackcloth within upon his flesh.
And it cometh to pass, at the king`s hearing the words of the woman, that he
rendeth his garments, and he is passing by on the wall, and the people see, and lo,
the sackcloth [is] on his flesh within.
2 Kings 6 31
Then he said, God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand
on him this day.
And he said, God do so, and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall
remain on him this day!
And he saith, `Thus doth God do to me, and thus He doth add -- if it remain -- the
head of Elisha son of Shaphat -- upon him this day.`
2 Kings 6 32
But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him; and [the king] sent a
man from before him: but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See you how
this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? behold, when the messenger comes, shut
the door, and hold the door fast against him: isn`t the sound of his master`s feet behind him?
And Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him. And [the king] sent a man before
him. Before the messenger came to him, he himself said to the elders, Do ye see how this
son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? See, when the messenger comes; shut
the door, and keep him off with the door: is not the sound of his master`s feet behind him?
And Elisha is sitting in his house, and the elders are sitting with him, and [the
king] sendeth a man from before him; before the messenger doth come unto him,
even he himself said unto the elders, `Have ye seen that this son of the murderer
hath sent to turn aside my head? see, at the coming in of the messenger, shut the
door, and ye have held him fast at the door, is not the sound of the feet of his lord
behind him?`
2 Kings 6 33
While he was yet talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him: and he said,
Behold, this evil is of Yahweh; why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?
And while he yet talked with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. And [the
king] said, Behold, this evil is of Jehovah: why should I wait for Jehovah any longer?
He is yet speaking with them, and lo, the messenger is coming down unto him,
and he saith, `Lo, this [is] the evil from Jehovah: what -- do I wait for Jehovah any

more?`

Study Questions

What was done for the Shunamite woman? 4:17

Was there death in the pot? 4:38-41

Naaman was a _______________? 5:1

How was Naaman to be cured? 5:10

After Naaman was cured, what did he come to know? 5:15

Gehazi's greed resulted in him becoming a ________? 5:21-27

What did Elisha see? 6:17

Why did the Syriams flee? 7:6-7


Jul. 6, 7
Acts 6

Act 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
Act 6:2 The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.
Act 6:3 Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Act 6:4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."
Act 6:5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;
Act 6:6 whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Act 6:7 The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Act 6:8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
Act 6:9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10 They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
Act 6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God."
Act 6:12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,
Act 6:13 and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."

Act 6:15 All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel. 



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.

Acts


Acts 6 1
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a grumbling
of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily
But in those days, the disciples multiplying in number, there arose a murmuring of the
Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily
ministration.
And in these days, the disciples multiplying, there came a murmuring of the
Hellenists at the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the
daily ministration,
Acts 6 2
The twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, "It is not appropriate for us to
forsake the word of God and serve tables.
And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to [them], said, It is not
right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables.
and the twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, `It is not
pleasing that we, having left the word of God, do minister at tables;
Acts 6 3
Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and
of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of
[the] [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business:
look out, therefore, brethren, seven men of you who are well testified of, full of the
Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity,
Acts 6 4
But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."
but *we* will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.
and we to prayer, and to the ministration of the word, will give ourselves
continually.`
Acts 6 5
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith
and [the] Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas,
and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch,
And the thing was pleasing before all the multitude, and they did choose Stephen,
a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor,
and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,
Acts 6 6
whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.
whom they did set before the apostles, and they, having prayed, laid on them
[their] hands.
Acts 6 7
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly.
A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very
greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.
And the word of God did increase, and the number of the disciples did multiply in
Jerusalem exceedingly; a great multitude also of the priests were obedient to the
faith.
Acts 6 8
Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought wonders and great signs among the
people.
And Stephen, full of faith and power, was doing great wonders and signs among
the people,
Acts 6 9
But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of
the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.
And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen, and of
Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
and there arose certain of those of the synagogue, called of the Libertines, and
Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia, and Asia, disputing with
Stephen,
Acts 6 10
They weren`t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he was
speaking;
Acts 6 11
Then they secretly induced men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against
Moses and God."
Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words
against Moses and God.
then they suborned men, saying -- `We have heard him speaking evil sayings in
regard to Moses and God.`
Acts 6 12
They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came on him and seized him, and
brought him in to the council,
And they roused the people, and the elders, and the scribes. And coming upon [him] they
seized him and brought [him] to the council.
They did stir up also the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and having come
upon [him], they caught him, and brought [him] to the sanhedrim;
Acts 6 13
and set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against
this holy place and the law.
And they set false witnesses, saying, This man does not cease speaking words against the
holy place and the law;
they set up also false witnesses, saying, `This one doth not cease to speak evil
sayings against this holy place and the law,
Acts 6 14
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change
the customs which Moses delivered to us."
for we have heard him saying, This Jesus the Nazaraean shall destroy this place, and
change the customs which Moses taught us.
for we have heard him saying, That this Jesus the Nazarean shall overthrow this
place, and shall change the customs that Moses delivered to us;`
Acts 6 15
All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an
angel.
And all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as [the] face of an
angel.
and gazing at him, all those sitting in the sanhedrim saw his face as it were the

face of a messenger.


Study Questions

Who was performing great wonders and signs? 6:8