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sicshootspeople · 6 years ago

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My Christian Journey

This year (2018) has a been a rollercoaster ride for me; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. There are too many ups and down that, I couldn’t handle it myself (See my other blog: #DepressionAndAnxiety). I came to Church as often as I can praying and pleading for guidance during my hardships. But after going to Church I feel that something is missing, maybe my faith wasn’t strong as it was before or I became a Sunday Christian without even knowing it. So I started to have my spiritual journey.

Last August 2018 I started to attend CCF - Christ’s Commission Fellowship (August 5 to be exact). I’ve been watching their videos for the previous months especially Pastor Bong Saquing since my colleague/friend Paulo recommended it to me and I learned a lot from it and started to become curious what it’s like feels like to attend CCF. It was my first time to attend a non-Catholic Church, not culturally shookt (yes millennial) but I was welcomed with a smile from everyone; the Ushers, Church-goers, Pastor in CCF - Las Piñas was welcoming. Even though I was alone, I feel that the Holy Spirit is guiding me. The experience was intimate; from the praise songs, the discussion about the Series - Legit, everything hit me in the heart. After the service, I wanted to go to the Welcome Center but there’s no one there and out of my shyness, I decided to leave and get my coffee at my favorite Coffee Shop and re-read every Bible verse that was discussed during the service.

2nd Sunday (August 12) I was not able to attend the Service because I woke up in the afternoon (sarap matulog eh). 😅 But I watched the live broadcast of the Sunday Message Service entitled “By His Power Be His Witness”. Pastor Ricky Sarthou and Pastor Nett Gochuico discussed our purpose: Sharing the Gospel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ivAkBh3hGg&t=5s).

3rd Sunday (August 19) I woke up late again but I checked the schedule of CCF - Bay Area and found out that they have a 3 PM service. I was anxious that I will be late because it’s already 2:20 PM and I was still not able to ride a jeep but luckily through God’s will there was no traffic at the expressway. 😁 CCF - Bay Area was a bigger center, the Ushers, Church-goers, Pastor was welcoming. The Usher (I forgot to get her name so I will call her Tita) greeted me and asked if this was my first time to attend the service, I answered no but I cleared that I already attended CCF at LP. The second question that she asked if I wanted to join a D-Group, I answered yes but I cleared that I was not a member yet and I’m still a Catholic; she answered with a smile and said: “It’s okay, everybody’s welcome here”. 😊 The service that I attended was in Filipino-English, but when the worship song was played I was singing along as if I know the lyrics a long time ago. The topic was a replay of last week but I was still amazed by the story of Pastor Nett. When the service ended, Tita ushered me to the Welcome Center and Bro Caesar welcomed me and shared the gospel with the 4 of us (3 are also new to CCF, sorry I forgot their names). 😅 Bro Caesar shared the good side and bad side of the gospel. I was intrigued by his sharing that I immediately searched for it after attending the service. After searching the internet I found a similar article: God is Just (https://www.allaboutgod.com/god-is-just.htm).

4th Sunday (August 26) I attended CCF’s 34th Anniversary at CCF Center, Pasig. Just a background, I was worried if I can attend anniversary at CCF Center because I don’t have extra money left (Yes, #PetsaDePeligro feels) but I remember that I have collected new 5 peso coins in my coin box. After counting all the 5 peso coins, I decided that I will attend the anniversary at CCF Center. I left our house before 12nn because I might encounter traffic heading north. I rode MRT from Taft to Ortigas, luckily my Beep Card still has P75 load so I have extra money for transportation. 😏 After arriving at Ortigas, I checked if I can ride a jeep going to the CCF Center but the route is away so I rode a taxi. The CCF Center was huge and state of the art and a lot of people waiting for the next service. If my memory serves me well, I think I arrived at 1:30 pm so I took a seat near the Welcome Center. After the 12nn service, I entered the auditorium and seated in the center row (3rd row to be exact). The auditorium was huge, I know that it’s huge watching it from live streaming but in person, it’s much larger than expected. Everyone was busy so I decided to take pictures. As usual practice, 30 minutes before the start of service is Prayer Time. The service started with worship and everything was magical, everything was prepared well. The worship was great, all the songs are like arrows strafe into my heart then the message of Pastor Pastor Peter Tan-Chi was heartwarming. He discusses the “Grow in Christlike Compassion” which is rooted in the bible verse Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” also known as “The Great Commission”. And Pastor Peter expounded that our mission is to be a Disciple of Jesus that will make Christ-committed followers. What also struck me is the quote of Pastor Peter: “The greatest tragedy is not death but life for a wrong purpose.” When Pastor Peter asked if someone wanted to promise to his life to follow Lord Jesus Christ, I raised my right hand with confidence. And that day I promised to Lord Jesus that I will surrender my life to follow Him just like a broken vessel, once lost but found, once blind but now I see the amazing grace of Jesus Christ for me. After the service, I patiently waited so that I could personally thank Pastor Bong and Pastor Peter about their impact through my Christian Faith, luckily I was able to take a picture with Pastor Bong but not with Pastor Peter because I was shy to take a picture because my turn was already over.

After the service, I went to the Welcome Center and was welcomed by one of the Ushers (sorry I forgot their names) and joined the group of 2 high school boys that are attending CCF - Elevate. He discussed "What is the Best Decision you've made in your life?" and "The 4 Important Truths that we must know". Truth #1 - God loves you and desires that you have eternal life with Him (John 3:16), have an abundant and meaningful life with Him (John 10:10). Truth #2 - Man has a sin problem that separates him from God; everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23) and the penalty of sin is death (Romans 6:23). He expounded that the Bible talks about Different Kinds of Death; Physical Death (Hebrews 9:27) and Spiritual Death or Eternal Separation from God (Revelation 21:8). He continues with a question “Since sin separates man from God, what is the solution to this problem?”, we answered one by one and he summarised that “We often think that Religion, Good Works, Good Morals are the solution. But there is only one solution from God” which lead to Truth Number 3. Truth #3 - Jesus Christ is God's only way to eternal life. Why? He is the only way (John 14:6), He completely paid the penalty of our sins (1 Peter 3:18), His resurrection proves that He is the Son of God, The Messiah, The Only Living Savior (Romans 1:3-4), He promises eternal life (John 3:36). Truth #4 - We must place our faith in Jesus Christ to save us; we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Based on Ephesian 2:8-9, if salvation can be expressed in a formula: Faith in Jesus + Nothing from us = Salvation. Good works are not the means to salvation, rather they are the evidence of your salvation. We show our faith in Jesus Christ by 1 - Accepting His gift of eternal life. 2 - Turning away from our sins. Surrendering our lives to Him (Romans 6:23, Matthew 16:24). God promised that you can know today that you have eternal life when you trust in Jesus (1 John 5:13). After the discussion he asks us a question “Are you willing to make a decision to trust and follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior” and we responded Yes and prayed in faith. He finally discussed if we have trusted Jesus Christ then the following things have happened to us: Your eternal life with God begins today (John 6:40). All of your sins are paid and forgiven - past, present and future sins (Colossians 1:13-14). You are a new person in God’s eyes, a new life has begun for you (2 Corinthians 5:17). You became a Child of God (John 1:12). And our session was ended with a prayer; I thanked him and my group-mates for the opportunity to share this wonderful experience at the CCF Welcome Center.

As of today, I’m still attending at CCF Bay Area every Sunday and already have my own D-Group with Kuya Glenn, John Rey and hopefully, I can serve through one of its ministry. My life is imperfect and I am not perfect, I still have my struggle until now. But as I grow, in my relationship with Jesus, He gives me the grace to resist and to overcome sin. I know that my discipleship is gonna be a long journey and my transformation is not yet complete but knowing that my entire being is not mine but God’s, my response is to give my all to Him (Yes all, even love life). Galatians 2:20 NIV says “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Hope that somehow you are inspired with my testimony. I am Lucky Salonoy, once lost but now found by Him who redeems, confirms, strengthens, restores and makes things all new. Soli Deo Gloria! ☝🏼

#my christian journey #christian journey #christian #ccf #sicshootspeople

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encouragementdailyblog · 4 years ago

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"Stand Firm In Your Work Of Service, Be Encourage Once Again" BE ON YOUR GUARD; STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH; BE COURAGEOUS; BE STRONG. DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE. You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. Fellow brothers and sisters, in Christ, it is perfectly ok to allow what you see another do in work of service to the Lord. Have a encouraging effect on your spirit in fact you should look for this spiritual encouraging throughout your travels. As you journey in discipleship with Christ, for the Glorifying of God. Seek it out when at all necessary for the journey of a disciple of Christ, can be heavy and draining of spiritual encouragement. Submit yourselves to those who you see truthfully doing work of service for the Lord, for this submitment will bring you spiritual encouragement. Thus allowing you to do or continue your work of service for the Lord. Amen.. "Spiritual Food For Thought" Is above In All BOLD Lettering. Timothy J. Bell.. Some or all parts quoted form 1 Corinthians 16:13‭-‬18 NIV.. #inthistogether www.facebook.com/encouragementdailyblog #encouragementdailysblog #nospiritualdistancing {Sd 8/25/20} https://www.instagram.com/p/CETqw10FtnX/?igshid=bbcnwlzdhgka

#inthistogether #encouragementdailysblog #nospiritualdistancing

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bibleversestoliveby · 6 years ago

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30 Bodybuilding & Fitness Bible Verses

Bodybuilding and fitness bible verses As a christian, we owe it to our-self to keep our body strong and healthy. Going to the gym and exercising your body or lifting weight is no sin so I encourage all Christians to go for regular exercise and even yoga workouts. The only challenge I have observed and noticed amount Christians especially the youth is some go to the gym for the wrong motive while some go for the right reasons. I will breakdown what I mean by that.

Wrong Motive for going to gym

A good number of christian youths go to the gym because they want to attract the opposite sex or make themselves attractable. This leads to vanity hence you may end up making your body or shape an idol for others to lust after which is a sin. What does the bible say about causing others to sin: Mark 9:42 - If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea (NIV) Proverbs 6:25 - Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids (NKJV) 2 Timothy 2:22 - Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (NIV) Matthew 5:28 - But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (NIV)

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Right Motive for going to Gym

The reason why I go to gym to exercise my body is not only to keep me my body fit and healthy, but also to purify my heart & soul. When it comes to purifying my heart and soul, I need to be conscious of the contents of my heart and mind and ensuring its free from sinful or evil thoughts, hence helping me to have a clear productive mind. According to the writer of Proverbs, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." (Prov. 4:23 AMP). As you can see, the "heart" is pivotal part of the our emotions and will. Lets take a look at The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2 NIV). Other reasons to exercise With the right exercise plan, you can have a good sleepProper exercise helps increase your energyHelps with improved thinking ability and memory recollectionThere is nothing as good as appreciating once bodyAlso helps with improved physical and mental awareness

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30 Bible verses about bodybuilding and Fitness

Ezekiel 37:6 (NIV) - 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ Proverbs 31:17 (NIV) - 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) - 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) - 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) - 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) : The Need for Self-Discipline - 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) - 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) - 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lordlooks at the heart.” Hebrews 5:14 (NIV) - 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) - 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV) - 13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Philippians 4:13 (NIV) - 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Romans 12:1 (NIV) - 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) - 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) - 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Ephesians 6:10 (NIV) - 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power Psalm 139:14 (NIV) - 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Acts 1:8 (NIV) - 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV) - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens Ephesians 6:11 (NIV) - 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes Romans 8:37 (NIV) - 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Hebrews 12:11-12 (NIV) - 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 1 John 4:4 (NIV) - 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Jeremiah 9:24 (NIV) - 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) - 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Luke 22:25 (NIV) - 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. Mark 10:42 (NIV) - 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) - 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do. 1 Corinthians 6:13 (NIV) - 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Checkout our 50 Motivational & Spiritual Quotes for Fitness Read the full article

#bestmotivationalquotes #bodybuildingmotivationalquotes #fitnessmotivation #gymmotivation #gymmotivationquotes #gymquotes #gymstatus #inspirationalquotes #inspirefitness #motivationalquotes #motivationalquotesforstudents #motivationalquotesforwork #motivationalwords #positivequotes #workoutmotivation

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cfijerusalem · 6 years ago

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TEKOA, GUSH ETZION

Tekoa, Israel, is a settlement located about 20 km northeast of Hebron. It is also about 16 km south of Jerusalem and is in the immediate vicinity of the Palestinian village of Tuqu. It is under the jurisdiction of Israel under the Gush Etzion Regional Council. Two years ago its population was about 3,750 people. Established as a Nahal (army) outpost in 1977, it was handed over to civilian residents. It is named after the home of the Prophet Amos, as the neighboring town of Nokdim indicates he was a shepherd. See Amos 1:1. It is also close to Bethlehem and the foot of the Herodium (Herod’s Tomb).

As usual, the international community contests Tekoa as a legal settlement, but then again, “what’s new?” The entire Land of Israel is given to the Jewish people by the Lord God Almighty, written clearly in the Book of Books, the Bible, but the world still disputes it. Therefore, it is a “target” for terrorism at times.

The wonderful people who live there are raising their families, many according to the Torah, the Jewish Scriptures, as God has instructed them. It is an important place to visit when you come to Israel, and a high priority city for which to pray. There is an unnamed figure, a woman, from Tekoa mentioned in the Bible.

View of Tekoa from the Herodium (CC BY-SA 3.0, by Deror Avi, Wikipedia)

She appears in 2 Samuel 14, after Absalom has been banished following his murdering of Amnon. Joab wants David to be reconciled to Absalom, and he sent men to Tekoa to find a wise woman.

All over Israel are the Biblical towns, villages and cities from the Bible, some raised up again, some with archeological digs and work still going on but the Land of Israel is rising, and it is raising up its Biblical foundations, confirming the Bible to be as true as when it was given to the world. Thank you, wherever you are, for praying for Tekoa.

LET US COME TOGETHER IN THE SPIRIT OF PRAYER:

Thank God for Tekoa being mentioned in God’s Word, something we can base our prayers upon. See Jeremiah 6:1; 2 Samuel 14:2; and Amos 1:1. Also mentioned in 2 Chronicles 20:20.

Praise Him for protecting the citizens who are called to fulfill God’s commandments to possess the Land. “But I said to you, “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the nations” (Leviticus 20:24, NIV).

Pray for each family to be kept safe from harm and danger, and that Israel’s IDF soldiers will stand in the gap for her day and night. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).

Quote God’s Word against the forces of evil, Hamas (which means “violence” in Hebrew), and against terrorism of all kinds coming from surrounding Arab villages, the children and youth who have been taught from birth to hate the Jewish people, instead of living with them in peace. “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day” (Psalm 91:5, KJV).

Stand in the Gap as farmers farm the fields, children ride buses to school, families celebrate Shabbat and God’s Biblical festivals In their homes, and for Shabbat services to not be interrupted by evil intentions to kill, maim and murder. Pray for the roads to Tekoa, and surrounding areas, that they will be safe and that security forces will be on supernatural alert. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13, NASB).

Claim the Promises for Tekoa to be fully included in the inheritance of the Land of Israel and to know the peace in their home town that will be in the Coming Kingdom of God, when all weapons of military warfare are turned into implements of agriculture rather than for taking someone’s life. “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4, NIV).

Tekoa has had numerous instances of terrorism over the past year with innocent people being murdered by the spirit of hatred. Surround her with God’s Promises, claiming them, and quoting them in your prayers. God’s Word is final – and all of the hatred being spewed out from surrounding Palestinian villages, will not change God’s Mind – Israel belongs to God and His Chosen People. Let us walk in tune with the Spirit of God and in truth.

In His Service Sharon Sanders

Christian Friends of Israel - Jerusalem email: [email protected]

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minnamarie1983-blog · 8 years ago

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Bible verses for Friday June 2,2017

Confidence bible verses 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. NIV 2 Corinthians 3:4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. NIV Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. NIV 2 Corinthians 2:3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. NIV --- Courage bible verses Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." [Deuteronomy 31:6] "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." [Joshua 1:9] "So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"" [Hebrew 13:6] "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!" [Psalm 31:24] "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do." [Luke 12:4] "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4] "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." [Ephesians 6:10] "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" [Psalm 118:6] -- Friendship bible verses A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." [Proverbs 18:24] "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." [Proverbs 27:17] "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." [Proverbs 17:17] "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy." [Proverbs 27:6] "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me." [Psalm 41:9] "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends." [Proverbs 16:28] "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13] "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty." [Job 6:14 --- Hope quotes Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. NIV Titus 2:13 While we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ NIV 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect NIV -- James bible verses James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. NIV James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds NIV James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. NIV James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. NIV James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. NIV -- Love bible verses Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away." [ESV, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7] "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." [1 John 4:8] "We love because he first loved us." [1 John 4:19] "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." [1 Corinthians 13:13] "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." [1 John 4:18] "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses." [Proverbs 10:12] "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." [1 Peter 4:8] --

#confidence bible verses #courage bible verses #friendship bible verses #hope bible verses #James bible verses #love bible verses

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ahopkins1965 · 5 years ago

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What Does the Bible Say about Fasting?

Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies / What Does the Bible Say about Fasting?

Meg Bucher | Writer and Author

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

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Fasting is often accompanied by prayer in the Bible. In the Old Testament, fasting was symbolic of grieving or repenting of sin. In the New Testament era we live in, fasting is a way to grow closer to God, much like we do through prayer. Similar to God’s instructions on prayer, fasting is to be a largely private affair. “Fasting is a temporary renunciation of something that is in itself good, like food, in order to intensify our expression of need for something greater - namely, God and his work in our lives,” John Piper informs on desiringGod.org.

Scripture is clear, as we learn from Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, fasting is not to be a showy act of legalistic and religious pomp and circumstance. Fasting is a personal connection to our God, a reflection of our commitment to and recognition of our dependence on Him.

Fasting Examples in the Bible

Fasting is mentioned over 70 times throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, there were two types of fasting: public and private. According to the Harpercollins Bible Dictionary, public fasts were accompanied by prayer, supplication, and sackcloth, while private fasts were seen of acts of penance. Below are some examples of fasting in the Bible, and there are many more examples to be found.

Moses Fasted before Receiving the Ten Commandments

“So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.” Exodus 34:28

Moses fasted for 40 days and forty nights, without food and water Scripture says. It’s not possible for humans to survive that long without food or water. Here, we witness a supernatural fast in the pages of Scripture. Only God could sustain Moses for that long without substance. At the end of the fast, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

Daniel Fasted and Prayed to Understand a Vision

“I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.” Daniel 10:3 ESV

This particular fast is in response to a vision Daniel had, but this is not the first time in Scripture to record Daniel fasting. Daniel 1:8 reads, “But Daniel resolved he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank.” The food and drink the king’s court was consuming violated the laws God’s people followed, and so David denied himself in obedience to the Lord. For Daniel, fasting preceded revelation in regard to his vision as to what would happen to God’s people in the future.

David Fasted in Mourning the Loss of His Son and Best Friend

“And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” 2 Samuel 1:12, ESV

It’s common to find fasting, especially in the Old Testament, as an expression of grief and sadness. Though King Saul had chased David viciously, the king’s son Jonathan and David were best of friends. Later in David’s life, he also mourned the loss of his own son. “David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. On the seventh day the child died” (2 Samuel 12:15-18 ESV). According to the NIV Study Bible, his servants were afraid to tell David his son had died, fearing his reaction. If the child in fact was only seven days old, he was not even named or circumcised yet, and so not counted among the Israelites.

John the Baptist Fasted by Sticking to a Strict Diet throughout his Life

“Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” Matthew 3:4 ESV

John the Baptist lived in the wilderness and survived on a diet one who lived in the wilderness might survive on. “John the Baptist observed one almost continual fast, his diet being locusts and wild honey, his disciples naturally had great respect for that rite.” The Fourfold Gospel Commentary, John’s ways held purpose. “John’s simply food, clothing and lifestyle were a visual protest against self-indulgence.” (NIV Study Bible)

Jesus Fasted in the Desert when Tempted by Satan

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’ And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.”’” Luke 4:1-4 ESV

Jesus did not need food to sustain Him. Fully God and fully man, He knew His Father’s Word and will. The providence of the Father would sustain Jesus through the forty days in the desert. A supernaturally divine fast, impossible for just a man to survive, but Jesus was not just a man. He was the Son of God. The very Word of God quoted the Word of God: “Man shall not live by bread alone.”

The Early Church Fasted before Appointing Leaders and Elders, and When Enduring Trials

“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3 ESV

The early church was under severe persecution. They had an uphill battle ahead of them, yet they persevered. There was fasting prior to the consecration of teacher and elders (Acts 13:2-3) and during times of trials (Acts 27:1-38). The strength they gathered in getting as close as they could to God, many times through fasting, gave them the strength and supernatural direction they needed to make decisions about leaders and carry the gospel message forward.

For more verses about fasting in the Bible, click here.

What Does the Bible Say about the Practice of Fasting?

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18

Many scholars are quick to point out that Jesus does not say “if” we fast, but “when.” It was assumed that followers of Christ would fast. However, Jesus also makes a point to shut down any legalistic or religious formality to fasting, telling his followers they should not be fasting to be noticed, nor fast in such a way as to draw attention.

Jesus’ command for people to pull themselves together before they go out in public was to highlight the importance of fasting as a connection to God. Only He needs to know we are fasting. Fasting reminds us to be grateful to God for His providence and provision. “The understanding is that we would recognize fasting as a habit of grace, a gift from God which He has given to His people in order for us to have a greater, heightened, awareness for the things of God,” Stephen Um says for thegospelcoalition.org.

Matthew 9:14-17 says, “Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisee fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” (ESV)

Jesus told them to fast after He had gone to heaven. That’s our cue. The new wine that can’t fit into old wineskins signifies Christ came. For believers, His presence is an everyday reality through the Holy Spirit. We are created to crave more of our heavenly Father, and our souls ache for the day our Savior returns. Fasting is a way to express the ache and desire, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

“Christian fasting is unique among all the fasting of the world,” says John Piper, “It is unique in that it expresses more than longing for Christ or hunger for Christ’s presence. It is a hunger that is rooted in -based on- an already present, experienced reality of Christ in history and in our hearts.”

Fasting is a form of worship, an acknowledgment that we need God more than food. Fasting is not the same as a diet; nor is losing weight the goal of a fast. Gratitude for the food God provides gives worship to God! In all we do, the aim is to keep God on the throne of our hearts, the center of our lives, and the top of our minds.

Should Christians Still Fast Today?

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Jesus did not command fasting, but it was a normal occurrence in His earthly time, and it would have made sense to His followers to take up this practice as a spiritual discipline. Fasting is not just for food, but food is widely used in different types of fasting. Fasting from food should be progressive and can be full or partial. Sam Storms, in his Crosswalk.com article, “What Christians Need to Know about Fasting,” lists the following different types of fasts: a partial fast, abstaining from a particular food; a liquid fast, abstaining from all solid foods; an absolute fast, abstaining from all food and liquids, and a supernatural fast, as in Moses refraining from eating or drinking for 40 days.

Fasting could be refraining from Netflix, spending the time it takes to binge a whole season in prayer or dedicate the same amount of time in prayer as our weekly screen time report reveals. Put thought into what you are abstaining from, and your fast can be short, intermittent, or longer. There’s not one type of fast that fits all; it’s important that the fast is between you and God rather than a group fad you’re joining.

A Prayer for Fasting

Father,

Praise You for this day, and Your purpose for it. God, when we yearn to be close to You, to hear You clearly, remind us of the obedient pursuit of fasting and prayer. Clear our heart of all clutter threatening to throw us off focus and drift from Your will for our lives. Thank You for Jesus, Father. For sending Your one and only Son to earth, and to die on the cross sacrificially for us. Let us love You with all we are, glorify and worship You through fasting, prayer, and the everyday choices we make with each day You bless us with. Give us the strength and perseverance to walk through jubilant times and somber ones, all in a way that brings honor to Your name.

In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, Amen.

The bottom line is, fasting is an important part of the Christian life. Right alongside prayer, fasting is how we grow closer to our great God. We celebrate Jesus’ victory over death here on earth but look forward to the immensity of His presence upon His return.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/RoterPanther

Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ as an author, freelance writer, and blogger at Sunny&80. Her first book, “Friends with Everyone,” is available on amazon.com. She earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay at home and raise her two daughters. Besides writing, she leads a Bible Study for Women and serves as a Youth Ministry leader in her community. She lives in Northern Ohio with her husband, Jim, and two daughters.

This article is part of our larger Spiritual Life resource meant to answer your questions about the Bible, God and the Christian faith. Visit our most popular questions on “What does the Bible say about…” questions answered by well known Christians and theologians to find more inspiration. Remember that as you read these articles, the Holy Spirit will give you understanding and discernment to make the right decision for your walk with Jesus Christ! If you know others struggling with these faith questions, please share and help others discover the truth on these controversial topics.

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dailybiblelessons · 5 years ago

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Ash Wednesday

Hebrew Scripture Lesson from The Twelve Prophets: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

(The alternate reading, Isaiah 58:1-12, is below)

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near— a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.¹

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God?

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.

Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, ‘where is their God?’”

¹This verse is reflected in two passages about The Desolating Sacrilege, Matthew 24:15-27 and Mark 13:14-23.

Hebrew Scripture Lesson from The Latter Prophets: Isaiah 58:1-12

(The alternate reading, Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, is above)

Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?¹ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

¹This verse is quoted in Luke 4:18-19, a passage about the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth.

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.¹ Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

¹This verse is quoted in part in Romans 3:4, part of a passage about Jews and the law.

New Testament Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,

“At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”¹

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as imposters, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see—we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

¹Isaiah 49:8

New Testament Gospel Lesson: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

There is a parallel passage about storing treasures in heaven at Luke 12:33-34.

[{Matthew 5:1-2}When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them saying:]

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Years ABC Ash Wednesday

Selections are from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings copyright © 1995 by the Consultation on Common Texts. Unless otherwise indicated, Bible text is from New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV) copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Footnotes in the Hebrew Scriptures that show where the passage is used in the Christian Scriptures are based on information from the The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) by David H. Stern, Copyright © 1998 and 2006 by David H. Stern, used by permission of Messianic Jewish Publishers, www.messianicjewish.net. All rights reserved worldwide. When text is taken from the CJB, the passage ends with (CJB) and this copyright notice applies. Footnotes in the Christian Scriptures that show where a passage from the Hebrew Scripture is used are from The New International Version Bible ® (NIV®), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. When text is taken from the NIV, the passage ends with (NIV) and the foregoing copyright notice applies. Parallel passages are as indicated in the Modern English Version Bible, copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Used by permission. All rights reserved. When text is taken from the MEV, the passage ends with (MEV) and the foregoing copyright notice applies. Image Credit: Ash Wednesday by Michael Gilbertson using Photoshop 30 January 2016

#ABC Ash Wednesday #Lent

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trinitiesblog · 6 years ago

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podcast 257 - A letter from the Lord Jesus: About God and Me

Big news! I can announce today that I have received a new letter from the Lord Jesus. An angel who said his name was “Boloni” appeared to me and showed me where the golden plates were buried. (I am not at liberty to disclose this location.)

I thought this was a most unusual method of delivery, especially as the soil was fresh; the plates had just been buried. You see, this is no ancient composition written in Greek or Aramaic or Reformed Egyptian. Evidently, in the intervening period, the Lord Jesus has learned English. And it’s clear that he has continued to be attentive to our theological situation.

Naturally, I was only allowed to borrow the golden plates long enough to transcribe them; the angel waited while I did this, then carted them off into the sky in a flaming armored car.

As I read and re-read this epistle I realized that the Lord was continually referring to or quoting the New Testament, so I added a number of footnotes, mostly for scriptural citations. I was quite surprised to see that Jesus always quotes the NRSV. Sorry, ESV and NIV – evidently this is the new Authorized Version.

In any case, it seems to me that this letter contains an important message for our day. Jesus forcefully addresses some widespread confusions about who he is, calling Christians back to an apostolic christology.

You can download and print my transcription here.

Links for this episode:

Shirk: Associating Others with Allah

The Definition of Chalcedon

Is Jesus a Human Person?

The Nicene Creed

Clarifying Catholic Christologies

God and his Son: the logic of the New Testament

Metaphysics and Logic of the Trinity

podcast 227 – Who Should Christians Worship?

podcast 214 – Has Bauckham clarified his “divine identity” theory? – Part 2

podcast 213 – Has Bauckham clarified his “divine identity” theory? – Part 1

podcast 226 – Biblical Words for God and for his Son Part 3 – post-biblical uses of biblical words, and new words

podcast 225 – Biblical Words for God and for his Son Part 2 – Old “Lord” vs. New “Lord”

podcast 224 – Biblical Words for God and for his Son Part 1 – God and “God” in the Bible

podcast 70 – The one God and his Son according to John

podcast 85 – Heretic! Four Approaches to Dropping H-Bombs

Texts quoted or referred to in this episode: Acts 3:22, 7:37; Deuteronomy 8:15; John 1:17-18; Exodus 3:15; John 10:33-36; John 8:40; Numbers 23:19; John 17:1-3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 5:20; John 4:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 42-56; 1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16; 2 Timothy 1:10; Romans 1:23; John 1:29; Matthew 3:17, 17:5; Hebrews 2:14-18, 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Romans 5:8; Mark 15:32, 39; Mark 14:36; Philippians 2:8-9; Mark 14:62; Ephesians 1:20; Revelation 7:17; Daniel 7:14; John 20:17; Matthew 27:37, 39; James 1:13; Luke 4:1-13; Hebrews 4:15; Luke 5:16, 11:41; Luke 2:41-42, 47; Matthew 6:5-13; Mark 9:37; Luke 4:18; John 5:36, 14:10-11; Acts 2:22; Acts 2:43, 4:30, 5:12, 6:8; John 10:22-39; John 10:30; 1 Corinthians 3:8; Revelation 3:12; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Mark 12:29; John 14:8-11; Colossians 1:15; John 14:10; Hebrews 8:1; John 20:28; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 John 1:3; John 4:25-26. Compare: John 14:24-25; Philippians 2:6-11; Revelation 5:9-10; Matthew 9:2-8; John 20:23; Mark 13:32; John 14:26; John 5:19-20; Psalm 89:6, Isaiah 40:18; Deuteronomy 10:17; Romans 11:33-35; Matthew 26:59-66, 27:17,22, 29, 37, 42-44; Mark 14:55-65, 15:2-5, 12, 18, 26, 32; Luke 22:66-71, 23:1-5; John 18:33-38; Romans 1:4; Hebrews 1:8; Luke 2:11; Jude 1:4; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 22:13; John 20:17; Romans 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3,17; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6, 3:2, 12; Revelation 15:3-4; John 17:1-3; 1 John 5:19-20; Genesis 32:22-32; Genesis 18:1-22; Exodus 24:9-11; Romans 8:3; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2; Philippians 2:7; Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18; Romans 1:3; Acts 2:22; John 8:40; 1 Corinthians 15:47; John 3:13; Luke 1:32; Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 22:16; Hebrews 1:1-2; Colossians 1:13-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Mark 10:6, 13:19. Compare: Romans 1:20; Acts 4:24, 14:15, 17:24-31; Hebrews 11:3; Ephesians 3:9?; 1 Timothy 4:3-4; Revelation 4:11, 10:6, 14:7; Isaiah 44:24b; Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26; Psalm 33:6; John 1:1-3; Luke 1:31; Psalm 33:6; Proverbs 8:22-31; Matthew 11:19, 13:53; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:2-3; Hebrews 1:2; John 4:22; Genesis 41:37-45; Acts 17:31; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 1 Corinthians 15:42-46; Philippians 2:11; Revelation 6:16, 7:14; John 8:40; Hebrews 2:17, 3:1, 4:14-15, 6:20, 8:1, 9:11; 1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 1:17-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 11:3; Mark 12:35-37; Mark 12:36; Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:36; John 13:20; 1 John 4:15; John 18:20; John 15:15; Mark 1:3; Matthew 1:23; Hebrews 1:10-12; Matthew 14:33; Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:62; John 11:25-27; Matthew 16: 15-17; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20; John 20:31; John 6:68; John 8:28, 12:49, 14:10; Acts 2:22; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:27.

https://trinities.org/blog/podcast-257-a-letter-from-the-lord-jesus-about-god-and-me/

#Apologetics #Bible #Christology #Creeds #Divine Attributes #Heresy &038; Orthodoxy #History #Incarnation #Monotheism #Podcast #Unitarianism #Worship

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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 2 years ago

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A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God

1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. — Hebrews 4 | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:11; Deuteronomy 1:32; Joshua 11:23; Joshua 22:4; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Job 26:6; Psalm 45:3; Psalm 95:11; Psalm 149:6; Ezekiel 20:38; Matthew 4:1; Matthew 4:3; Luke 22:28; Acts 3:19; Romans 3:3; 2 Corinthians 9:13; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 3:6-7; Hebrews 3:11; Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 3:18; Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 12:15; Hebrews 14:13; 2 Peter 2:6; Revelation 6:11; Revelation 14:13

#the Sabbath Rest #the Word of God #Jesus the Great High Priest #Hebrews 4 #The Epistle of Hebrews #New Testament #NIV #holy bible #New International Version #Biblica Inc.

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mtalviharju022583-blog · 6 years ago

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Confidence Ephesians forgiveness quotes 1-5-2019

Confidence bible verses

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. NIV

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus NIV

2 Corinthians 3:4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. NIV

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV

Hebrews 13:17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. NIV

2 Corinthians 2:3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. NIV

2 Thessalonians 3:4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. NIV

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." NIV

Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. NIV

Ephesians bible verses

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – NIV

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. NIV

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. NIV

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. NIV

Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love NIV

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. NIV

Forgiveness bible verses

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." NIV

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV

Luke 24:47 And repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. NIV

Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. NIV

#confidence bible verses #ephesians bible verses #forgiveness bible verses

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mtalviharju1983 · 6 years ago

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Confidence Ephesians forgiveness quotes 9-2-2018

Confidence bible verses

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. NIV

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus NIV

2 Corinthians 3:4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. NIV

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV

2 Thessalonians 3:4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. NIV

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." NIV

Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. NIV

Ephesians bible verses

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called NIV

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. NIV

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord NIV

Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. NIV

Ephesians 1:12 In order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. NIV

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. NIV

Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. NIV

Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism NIV

Forgiveness bible verses

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' NIV

Mark 1:4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. NIV

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. NIV

Daniel 9:9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; NIV

#confidence bible verses #ephesians bible verses #forgiveness bible verses

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encouragementdailyblog · 4 years ago

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"Though Outwardly We Are Wasting Away, Yet Our Spirits Are Being Renewed Day By Day." Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. Therefore we do not lose heart. THEREFORE WE DO NOT LOSE HEART. THOUGH OUTWARDLY WE ARE WASTING AWAY, YET INWARDLY WE ARE BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. So, continue in faith people of God, unfocused by this world's uncertainties. For although there's troubles that lurk upon us at every trun they achieve for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Amen.. "Spiritual Food For Thought" Is above In All BOLD Lettering. Timothy J. Bell.. Some or all parts quoted from 2 Corinthians 4:1‭-‬2‭, ‬7‭-‬10‭, ‬13‭-‬14‭, ‬16‭-‬18 NIV.. www.facebook.com/encouragementdailyblog #encouragementdailysblog #inthistogether #nospiritualdistancing {Sd 6/29/20} https://www.instagram.com/p/CCA6XymlrhH/?igshid=mb8ot1819gn0

#encouragementdailysblog #inthistogether #nospiritualdistancing

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thejoydaily-blog · 7 years ago

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Always Singing One Note—A Vernacular Bible

Why William Tyndale Lived and Died

Always Singing One Note—A Vernacular Bible

Why William Tyndale Lived and Died

2006 Desiring God Conference for Pastors

Resource by John Piper

Topic: Biography

What Was the “One Note” He Always Sang?

Stephen Vaughn was an English merchant commissioned by Thomas Cromwell, the king’s adviser, to find William Tyndale and inform him that King Henry VIII desired him to come back to England out of hiding on the continent. In a letter to Cromwell from Vaughan dated June 19, 1531, Vaughan wrote about Tyndale (1494-1536) these simple words: “I find him always singing one note.”1 That one note was this: Will the King of England give his official endorsement to a vernacular Bible for all his English subjects? If not, Tyndale will not come. If so, Tyndale will give himself up to the king and never write another book.

This was the driving passion of his life—to see the Bible translated from the Greek and Hebrew into ordinary English available for every person in England to read.

Henry VIII was angry with Tyndale for believing and promoting Martin Luther’s Reformation teachings. In particular he was angry because of Tyndale’s book, Answer to Sir Thomas More. Thomas More (famous for his book Utopia and the movie A Man for All Seasons) was the Lord Chancellor who helped Henry VIII write his repudiation of Luther called Defense of the Seven Sacraments. Thomas More was thoroughly Roman Catholic and radically anti-Reformation, anti-Luther, and anti-Tyndale. So Tyndale had come under the same excoriating criticism by Thomas More.2 In fact More had a “near-rabid hatred”3 for Tyndale and published three long responses to him totaling near three-quarters of a million words.4

But in spite of this high court anger against Tyndale, the king’s message to Tyndale, carried by Vaughan, was mercy: “The kings’ royal majesty is . . . inclined to mercy, pity, and compassion.”5

The thirty-seven-year-old Tyndale was moved to tears by this offer of mercy. He had been an exile from his homeland for seven years. But then he sounds his “one note” again: Will the king authorize a vernacular English Bible from the original languages? Vaughan gives us Tyndale’s words from May, 1531:

I assure you, if it would stand with the King’s most gracious pleasure to grant only a bare text of the Scripture [that is, without explanatory notes] to be put forth among his people, like as is put forth among the subjects of the emperor in these parts, and of other Christian princes, be it of the translation of what person soever shall please his Majesty, I shall immediately make faithful promise never to write more, not abide two days in these parts after the same: but immediately to repair unto his realm, and there most humbly submit myself at the feet of his royal majesty, offering my body to suffer what pain or torture, yea, what death his grace will, so this [translation] be obtained. Until that time, I will abide the asperity of all chances, whatsoever shall come, and endure my life in as many pains as it is able to bear and suffer.6

In other words, Tyndale will give himself up to the king on one condition—that the king authorize an English Bible translated from the Greek and Hebrew in the common language of the people.

The king refused. And Tyndale never went to his homeland again. Instead, if the king and the Roman Catholic Church would not provide a printed Bible in English for the common man to read, Tyndale would, even if it cost him his life—which it did five years later.

The Great Achievement: New Testament and Reformation

When he was twenty-eight years old in 1522, he was serving as a tutor in the home of John Walsh in Gloucestershire spending most of his time studying Erasmus’ Greek New Testament which had just been printed six years before in 1516. And we should pause here and make clear what an incendiary thing this Greek New Testament was in history. David Daniell describes the magnitude of this event:

This was the first time that the Greek New Testament had been printed. It is no exaggeration to say that it set fire to Europe. Luther [1483-1546] translated it into his famous German version of 1522. In a few years there appeared translations from the Greek into most European vernaculars. They were the true basis of the popular reformation.7

Every day William Tyndale was seeing these Reformation truths more clearly in the Greek New Testament as an ordained Catholic priest. Increasingly he was making himself suspect in this Catholic house of John Walsh. Learned men would come for dinner, and Tyndale would discuss the things he was seeing in the New Testament. John Foxe tells us that one day an exasperated Catholic scholar at dinner with Tyndale said, “We were better be without God’s law than the pope’s.” In response Tyndale spoke his famous words, “I defy the Pope and all his laws. . . . If God spare my life ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plow, shall know more of the Scripture than thou dost.”8

Four years later Tyndale finished the English translation of the Greek New Testament in Worms, Germany, and began to smuggle it into England in bails of cloth. He had grown up in Gloucestershire, the cloth-working county, and now we see what that turn of providence was about.9 By October of 1526 the book had been banned by Bishop Tunstall in London, but the print run was at least three thousand. And the books were getting to the people. Over the next eight years, five pirated editions were printed as well.10

In 1534 Tyndale published a revised New Testament, having learned Hebrew in the meantime, probably in Germany, which helped him better understand the connections between the Old and New Testaments. Daniell calls this 1534 New Testament “the glory of his life’s work.”11 If Tyndale was “always singing one note,” this was the crescendo of the song of his life—the finished and refined New Testament in English.

For the first time ever in history, the Greek New Testament was translated into English. And for the first time ever the New Testament in English was available in a printed form. Before Tyndale there were only hand-written manuscripts of the Bible in English. These manuscripts we owe to the work and inspiration of John Wyclif and the Lollards12 from a hundred-thirty years earlier.13 For a thousand years the only translation of the Greek and Hebrew Bible was the Latin Vulgate, and few people could understand it, even if they had access to it.

Before he was martyred in 1536 Tyndale had translated into clear, common English14 not only the New Testament15 but also the Pentateuch, Joshua to 2 Chronicles, and Jonah.16 All this material became the basis of the Great Bibleissued by Miles Coverdale in England in 153917 and the basis for the Geneva Bible published in 1557—“the Bible of the nation,”18 which sold over a million copies between 1560 and 1640.

We do not get a clear sense of Tyndale’s achievement without some comparisons. We think of the dominant King James Version as giving us the pervasive language of the English Bible. But Daniell clarifies the situation:

William Tyndale gave us our English Bible. The sages assembled by King James to prepare the Authorized Version of 1611, so often praised for unlikely corporate inspiration, took over Tyndale’s work. Nine-tenths of the Authorized Version’s New Testament is Tyndale’s. The same is true of the first half of the Old Testament, which was as far as he was able to get before he was executed outside Brussels in 1536.19

Here is a sampling of the English phrases we owe to Tyndale:

“Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)

“The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be merciful unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

“There were shepherds abiding in the field” (Luke 2:8).

“Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

“Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9).

“The signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3)

“The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

“He went out . . . and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75). Those two words are still used by almost all modern translations (NIV, NASB, ESV, NKJV). It has not been improved on for five hundred years in spite of weak efforts like one recent translation: “cried hard.” Unlike that phrase, “the rhythm of his two words carries the experience.”20

“A law unto themselves” (Romans 2:14)

“In him we live, move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

“Fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12).

According to Daniell, “The list of such near-proverbial phrases is endless.”21Five hundred years after his great work “newspaper headlines still quote Tyndale, though unknowingly, and he has reached more people than even Shakespeare.”22

Luther’s translation of 1522 is often praised for “having given a language to the emerging German nation.” Daniell claims the same for Tyndale in English:

In his Bible translations, Tyndale’s conscious use of everyday words, without inversions, in a neutral word-order, and his wonderful ear for rhythmic patterns, gave to English not only a Bible language, but a new prose. England was blessed as a nation in that the language of its principal book, as the Bible in English rapidly became, was the fountain from which flowed the lucidity, suppleness and expressive range of the greatest prose thereafter.23

His craftsmanship with the English language amounted to genius.24

He translated two-thirds of the Bible so well that his translations endured until today.25

This was not merely a literary phenomenon; it was a spiritual explosion. Tyndale’s Bible and writings were the kindling that set the Reformation on fire in England.

How Did Tyndale Accomplish This?

The question arises: How did William Tyndale accomplish this historic achievement? We can answer this in Tyndale’s case by remembering two ways that a pastor must die in the ministry. We must die to the notion that we do not have to think hard or work hard to achieve spiritual goals. And we must die to the notion that our thinking and our working is decisive in achieving spiritual goals.

Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:7, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” First, think. Work. Don’t bypass the hard work of thinking about apostolic truth. But second, remember this: “the Lord will give you understanding.” You work. He gives. If he withholds, all our working is in vain. But he ordains that we use our minds and that we work in achieving spiritual ends. So Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” The key to spiritual achievement is to work hard, and to know and believe and feel and be happy that God’s sovereign grace is the decisive cause of all the good that comes.

The way these two truths come together in Tyndale’s life explains how he could accomplish what he did. And one of the best ways to see it is to compare him with Erasmus, the Roman Catholic humanist scholar who was famous for his books Enchiridion and The Praise of Folly and for his printed Greek New Testament.

Erasmus was twenty-eight years older than Tyndale, but they both died in 1536—Tyndale martyred by the Roman Catholic Church, Erasmus a respected member of that church. Erasmus had spent time in Oxford and Cambridge, but we don’t know if he and Tyndale ever met.

On the surface, one sees remarkable similarities between Tyndale and Erasmus. Both were great linguists. Erasmus was a Latin scholar and produced the first printed Greek New Testament. Tyndale knew eight languages: Latin, Greek, German, French, Hebrew, Spanish, Italian, and English. Both men loved the natural power of language and were part of a rebirth of interest in the way language works.

For example, Erasmus wrote a book called De copia that Tyndale no doubt used as a student at Oxford.26 It helped students increase their abilities to exploit the “copious” potential of language. This was hugely influential in the early 1500s in England and was used to train students in the infinite possibilities of varied verbal expression. The aim was to keep that language from sinking down to mere jargon and worn-out slang and uncreative, unimaginative, prosaic, colorless, boring speech.

One practice lesson for students from De copia was to give “no fewer than one hundred fifty ways of saying ‘Your letter has delighted me very much.’” The point was to force students “to use of all the verbal muscles in order to avoid any hint of flabbiness.”27 It is not surprising that this is the kind of educational world that gave rise to William Shakespeare (who was born in 1564). Shakespeare is renown for his unparalleled use of copiousness in language. One critic wrote, “Without Erasmus, no Shakespeare.”28

So both Erasmus and Tyndale were educated in an atmosphere of conscious craftsmanship.29 That is, they both believed in hard work to say things clearly and creatively and compellingly when they spoke for Christ.

Not only that, but they both believed the Bible should be translated into the vernacular of every language. Erasmus wrote in the preface to his Greek New Testament,

Christ wishes his mysteries to be published as widely as possible. I would wish even all women to read the gospel and the epistles of St. Paul, and I wish that they were translated into all languages of all Christian people, that they might be read and known, not merely by the Scotch and the Irish, but even by the Turks and the Saracens. I wish that the husbandman may sing parts of them at his plow, that the weaver may warble them at his shuttle, that the traveler may with their narratives beguile the weariness of the way.30

Tyndale could not have said it better.

Both were concerned with the corruption and abuses in the Catholic Church, and both wrote about Christ and the Christian life. Tyndale even translated Erasmus’ Enchiridion, a kind of spiritual handbook for the Christian life—what Erasmus called philosophia Christi.

But there was a massive difference between these men, and it had directly to do with the other half of the paradox, namely, that we must die not just to intellectual and linguistic laziness, but also to human presumption—human self-exaltation and self-sufficiency. Erasmus and Luther had clashed in the 1520s over the freedom of the will—Erasmus defending human self-determination and Luther arguing for the depravity and bondage of the will.31Tyndale was firmly with Luther here.

Our will is locked and knit faster under the will of the devil than could an hundred thousand chains bind a man unto a post.32

Because . . . [by] nature we are evil, therefore we both think and do evil, and are under vengeance under the law, convict to eternal damnation by the law, and are contrary to the will of God in all our will and in all things consent to the will of the fiend.33

It is not possible for a natural man to consent to the law, that it should be good, or that God should be righteous which maketh the law.34

This view of human sinfulness set the stage for Tyndale’s grasp of the glory of God’s sovereign grace in the gospel. Erasmus—and Thomas More with him—did not see the depth of the human condition, their own condition, and so did not see the glory and explosive power of what the reformers saw in the New Testament. What the reformers like Tyndale and Luther saw was not a philosophia Christi but the massive work of God in the death and resurrection of Christ to save hopelessly enslaved and hell-bound sinners.

Erasmus does not live or write in this realm of horrible condition and gracious blood-bought salvation. He has the appearance of reform in the Enchiridion, but something is missing. To walk from Erasmus into Tyndale is to move (to paraphrase Mark Twain) from a lightning bug to a lightning bolt.

Daniell puts it like this:

Something in the Enchiridion is missing. . . . It is a masterpiece of humanist piety. . . . [But] the activity of Christ in the Gospels, his special work of salvation so strongly detailed there and in the epistles of Paul, is largely missing. Christologically, where Luther thunders, Erasmus makes a sweet sound: what to Tyndale was an impregnable stronghold feels in the Enchiridion like a summer pavilion.35

Where Luther and Tyndale were blood-earnest about our dreadful human condition and the glory of salvation in Christ, Erasmus and Thomas More joked and bantered. When Luther published his 95 theses in 1517, Erasmus sent a copy of them to More—along with a “jocular letter including the anti-papal games, and witty satirical diatribes against abuses within the church, which both of them loved to make.”36

I linger here with this difference between Tyndale and Erasmus because I am trying to penetrate to how Tyndale accomplished what he did through translating the New Testament. Explosive reformation is what he accomplished in England. This was not the effect of Erasmus’ highbrow, elitist, layered nuancing of Christ and church tradition. Erasmus and Thomas More may have satirized the monasteries and clerical abuses, but they were always playing games compared to Tyndale.

And in this they were very much like notable Christian writers in our own day. Listen to this remarkable assessment from Daniell, and see if you do not hear a description of certain emergent church writers and New Perspectivechampions:

Not only is there no fully realized Christ or Devil in Erasmus’s book . . . : there is a touch of irony about it all, with a feeling of the writer cultivating a faintly superior ambiguity: as if to be dogmatic, for example about the full theology of the work of Christ, was to be rather distasteful, below the best, elite, humanist heights. . . . By contrast Tyndale . . . is ferociously single-minded [“always singing one note”]; the matter in hand, the immediate access of the soul to God without intermediary, is far too important for hints of faintly ironic superiority. . . . Tyndale is as four-square as a carpenter’s tool. But in Erasmus’s account of the origins of his book there is a touch of the sort of layering of ironies found in the games with personae.37

It is ironic and sad that today supposedly avant-garde Christian writers can strike this cool, evasive, imprecise, artistic, superficially reformist pose of Erasmus and call it “post-modern” and capture a generation of unwitting, historically naïve, emergent people who don’t know they are being duped by the same old verbal tactics used by the elitist humanist writers in past generations. We saw them last year in Athanasius’ day (the slippery Arians at Nicaea), and we see them now in Tyndale’s day. It’s not post-modern. It’s pre-modern—because it is perpetual.

What drove Tyndale to sing “one note” all his life was the rock-solid conviction that all humans were in bondage to sin, blind, dead, damned, and helpless, and that God had acted in Christ to provide salvation by grace through faith. This is what lay hidden in the Latin Scriptures and the church system of penance and merit. The Bible must be translated for the sake of the liberating, life-giving gospel.38

There is only one hope for our liberation from the bonds of sin and eternal condemnation, Tyndale said: “Neither can any creature loose the bonds, save the blood of Christ only.”39

By grace . . . we are plucked out of Adam the ground of all evil and graffed [sic] in Christ, the root of all goodness. In Christ God loved us, his elect and chosen, before the world began and reserved us unto the knowledge of his Son and of his holy gospel: and when the gospel40 is preached to us openeth our hearts and giveth us grace to believe, and putteth the spirit of Christ in us: and we know him as our Father most merciful, and consent to the law and love it inwardly in our heart and desire to fulfill it and sorrow because we do not.41

This massive dose of bondage to sin and deliverance by blood-bought sovereign grace42 is missing in Erasmus. This is why there is an elitist lightness to his religion—just like there is to so much of evangelicalism today. Hell and sin and atonement and sovereign grace were not weighty realities for him. But for Tyndale they were everything. And in the middle of these great realities was the doctrine of justification by faith alone. This is why the Bible had to be translated, and ultimately this is why Tyndale was martyred.

By faith are we saved only in believing the promises. And though faith be never without love and good works, yet is our saving imputed neither to love nor unto good works but unto faith only.43

Faith the mother of all good works justifieth us, before we can bring forth any good work: as the husband marryeth his wife before he can have any lawful children by her.44

This is the answer to how William Tyndale accomplished what he did in translating the New Testament and writing books that set England on fire with the reformed faith. He worked assiduously like the most skilled artist in the craft of compelling translation, and he was deeply passionate about the great doctrinal truths of the gospel of sovereign grace. Man is lost, spiritually dead, condemned. God is sovereign; Christ is sufficient. Faith is all. Bible translation and Bible truth were inseparable for Tyndale, and in the end it was the truth—especially the truth of justification by faith—that ignited Britain with reformed fire and then brought the death sentence to this Bible translator.

The Implacable Opposition to the Bible

It is almost incomprehensible to us how viciously opposed the Roman Catholic Church was to the translation of the Scriptures into English. John Wyclif and his followers called “Lollards”45 had spread written manuscripts of English translations from the Latin in the late 1300s. In 1401 Parliament passed the law de Haeretico Comburendo—“on the burning of heretics”—to make heresy punishable by burning people alive at the stake. The Bible translators were in view.

Then in 1408 the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Arundell, created the Constitutions of Oxford which said,

It is a dangerous thing, as witnesseth blessed St. Jerome to translate the text of the Holy Scripture out of one tongue into another, for in the translation the same sense is not always easily kept. . . . We therefore decree and ordain, that no man, hereafter, by his own authority translate any text of the Scripture into English or any other tongue . . . and that no man can read any such book . . . in part or in whole.46

Together these statutes meant that you could be burned alive by the Catholic Church for simply reading the Bible in English. The dramatist John Bale (1495-1563) “as a boy of 11 watched the burning of a young man in Norwich for possessing the Lord’s prayer in English. . . . John Foxe records . . . seven Lollards burned at Coventry in 1519 for teaching their children the Lord’s Prayer in English.”47

Tyndale hoped to escape this condemnation by getting official authorization for his translation in 1524. But he found just the opposite and had to escape from London to the continent where he did all his translating and writing for the next twelve years. He lived as a fugitive the entire time until his death near Brussels in 1536.

He watched a rising tide of persecution and felt the pain of seeing young men burned alive who were converted by reading his translation and his books. His closest friend, John Frith, was arrested in London and tried by Thomas More and burned alive July 4, 1531, at the age of twenty-eight. Richard Bayfield ran the ships that took Tyndale’s books to England. He was betrayed and arrested, and Thomas More wrote on December 4, 1531, that Bayfield “the monk and apostate [was] well and worthily burned in Smythfelde.”48

Three weeks later the same end came to John Tewkesbury. He was converted by reading Tyndale’s Parable of the Wicked Mammon which defended justification by faith alone. He was whipped in Thomas More’s garden and had his brow squeezed with small ropes till blood came out of his eyes. Then he was sent to the Tower where he was racked till he was lame. Then at last they burned him alive. Thomas More “rejoiced that his victim was now in hell, where Tyndale ‘is like to find him when they come together.’”49

Four months later James Bainham followed in the flames in April of 1532. He had stood up during the mass at St. Augustine’s Church in London and lifted a copy of Tyndale’s New Testament and pleaded with the people to die rather than deny the word of God. That virtually was to sign his own death warrant. Add to these Thomas Bilney, Thomas Dusgate, John Bent, Thomas Harding, Andrew Hewet, Elizabeth Barton and others, all burned alive for sharing the views of William Tyndale about the Scriptures and the reformed faith.50

Why this extraordinary hostility against the English New Testament, especially from Thomas More who vilified Tyndale repeatedly in his denunciation of the reformers he burned? Some would say that the New Testament in English was rejected because it was accompanied with Reformation notes that the church regarded as heretical. That was true of later versions, but not the first 1526 edition. It did not have notes, and this is the edition that Bishop Tunstall had burned in London.51 The church burned the word of God. It shocked Tyndale.

There were surface reasons and deeper reasons why the church opposed an English Bible. The surface reasons were that the English language is rude and unworthy of the exalted language of God’s word; and when one translates, errors can creep in, so it is safer not to translate; moreover, if the Bible is in English, then each man will become his own interpreter, and many will go astray into heresy and be condemned; and it was church tradition that only priests are given the divine grace to understand the Scriptures; and what’s more, there is a special sacramental value to the Latin service in which people cannot understand, but grace is given. Such were the kinds of things being said on the surface.

But there were deeper reasons why the church opposed the English Bible: one doctrinal and one ecclesiastical. The church realized that they would not be able to sustain certain doctrines biblically because the people would see that they are not in the Bible. And the church realized that their power and control over the people, and even over the state, would be lost if certain doctrines were exposed as unbiblical—especially the priesthood and purgatory and penance.

Thomas More’s criticism of Tyndale boils down mainly to the way Tyndale translated five words. He translated presbuteros as elder instead of priest. He translated ekklesia as congregation instead of church. He translated metanoeoas repent instead of do penance. He translated exomologeo as acknowledge or admit instead of confess. And he translated agape as love rather than charity.

Daniell comments, “He cannot possibly have been unaware that those words in particular undercut the entire sacramental structure of the thousand year church throughout Europe, Asia and North Africa. It was the Greek New Testament that was doing the undercutting.”52 And with the doctrinal undermining of these ecclesiastical pillars of priesthood and penance and confession, the pervasive power and control of the church collapsed. England would not be a Catholic nation. The reformed faith would flourish there in due time.

What It Cost Tyndale to Translate the Bible

What did it cost William Tyndale under these hostile circumstances to stay faithful to his calling as a translator of the Bible and a writer of the reformed faith?

He fled his homeland in 1524 and was killed in 1536. He gives us some glimpse of those twelve years as a fugitive in Germany and the Netherlands in one of the very few personal descriptions we have from Stephen Vaughan’s letter in 1531. He refers to

. . . my pains . . . my poverty . . . my exile out of mine natural country, and bitter absence from my friends . . . my hunger, my thirst, my cold, the great danger wherewith I am everywhere encompassed, and finally . . . innumerable other hard and sharp fightings which I endure.53

All these sufferings came to a climax on May 21, 1535, in the midst of Tyndale’s great Old Testament translation labors. We can feel some of the ugliness of what happened in the words of David Daniell: “Malice, self-pity, villainy and deceit were about to destroy everything. These evils came to the English House [in Antwerp], wholly uninvited, in the form of an egregious Englishman, Henry Philips.”54 Philips had won Tyndale’s trust over some months and then betrayed him. John Foxe tells how it happened:

So when it was dinner-time, Master Tyndale went forth with Philips, and at the going forth of Poyntz’s house, was a long narrow entry, so that two could not go in a front. Mr. Tyndale would have put Philips before him, but Philips would in no wise, but put Master Tyndale before, for that he pretended to show great humanity. So Master Tyndale, being a man of no great stature, went before, and Philips, a tall comely person, followed behind him: who had set officers on either side of the door upon two seats, who, being there, might see who came in the entry: and coming through the same entry, Philips pointed with his finger over Master Tyndale’s head down to him, that the officers who sat at the door might see that it was he whom they should take. . . . Then they took him, and brought him to the emperor’s attorney, or procurer-general, where he dined. Then came the procurer General to the house of Poyntz, and sent away all that was there of Master Tyndale’s, as well his books as other things: and from thence Tyndale was had to the castle of Filford, eighteen English miles from Antwerp, and there he remained until he was put to death.55

Vilvorde Castle is six miles north of Brussels and about the same distance from Louvain. Here Tyndale stayed for 18 months. “The charge was heresy, with not agreeing with the holy Roman Emperor—in a nutshell, being Lutheran.”56 A four-man commission from the Catholic center of Louvain was authorized to prove that Tyndale was a heretic. One of them named Latomus filled three books with his interactions with Tyndale and said that Tyndale himself wrote a “book” in prison to defend his chief doctrinal standard: Sola fides justificat apud Deum—Faith Alone Justifies Before God. This was the key issue in the end. The evil of translating the Bible came down to this: are we justified by faith alone?

These months in prison were not easy. They were a long dying leading to death. We get one glimpse into the prison to see Tyndale’s condition and his passion. He wrote a letter to in September, 1535, when there seems to have been a lull in the examinations. It was addressed to an unnamed officer of the castle. Here is a condensed version of Mozley’s translation of the Latin:

I beg your lordship, and that of the Lord Jesus, that if I am to remain here through the winter, you will request the commissary to have the kindness to send me, from the goods of mine which he has, a warmer cap; for I suffer greatly from cold in the head, and am afflicted by a perpetual catarrh, which is much increased in this cell; a warmer coat also, for this which I have is very thin; a piece of cloth too to patch my leggings. My overcoat is worn out; my shirts are also worn out. He has a woolen shirt, if he will be good enough to send it. I have also with him leggings of thicker cloth to put on above; he has also warmer night-caps. And I ask to be allowed to have a lamp in the evening; it is indeed wearisome sitting alone in the dark. But most of all I beg and beseech your clemency to be urgent with the commissary, that he will kindly permit me to have the Hebrew Bible, Hebrew grammar, and Hebrew dictionary, that I may pass the time in that study. In return may you obtain what you most desire, so only that it be for the salvation of your soul. But if any other decision has been taken concerning me, to be carried out before winter, I will be patient, abiding the will of God, to the glory of the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ: whose spirit (I pray) may ever direct your heart. Amen W. Tindalus57

We don’t know if his requests were granted. He did stay in that prison through the winter. His verdict was sealed in August, 1536. He was formally condemned as a heretic and degraded from the priesthood. Then in early October (traditionally October 6), he was tied to the stake and then strangled by the executioner, then afterward consumed in the fire. Foxe reports that his last words were, “Lord! Open the King of England’s eyes!”58 He was forty-two years old, never married and never buried.

Tyndale’s Closing Words to Pastors

His closing words to us in this conference on the theme “How Must a Pastor Die” are clear from his life and from his writings. I will let him speak them in his own words from his book The Obedience of a Christian Man:

If God promise riches, the way thereto is poverty. Whom he loveth he chasteneth, whom he exalteth, he casteth down, whom he saveth he damneth first, he bringeth no man to heaven except he send him to hell first. If he promise life he slayeth it first, when he buildeth, he casteth all down first. He is no patcher, he cannot build on another man’s foundation. He will not work until all be past remedy and brought unto such a case, that men may see how that his hand, his power, his mercy, his goodness and truth hath wrought all together. He will let no man be partaker with him of his praise and glory.59

Let us therefore look diligently whereunto we are called, that we deceive not ourselves. We are called, not to dispute as the pope’s disciples do, but to die with Christ that we may live with him, and to suffer with him that we may reign with him.60

For if God be on our side: what matter maketh it who be against us, be they bishops, cardinals, popes or whatsoever names they will.61

So let Tyndale’s very last word to us be the last word he sent to his best friend, John Frith, in a letter just before he was burned alive for believing and speaking the truth of Scripture:

Your cause is Christ’s gospel, a light that must be fed with the blood of faith. . . . If when we be buffeted for well-doing, we suffer patiently and endure, that is thankful with God; for to that end we are called. For Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps, who did no sin. Hereby have we perceived love that he laid down his life for us: therefore we ought to be able to lay down our lives for the brethren. . . . Let not your body faint. If the pain be above your strength, remember: “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, I will give it you.” And pray to our Father in that name, and he will ease your pain, or shorten it. . . . Amen.

David Daniell, William Tyndale: A Biography (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994), p. 217.

2 For example, in More’s 1529 book, Dialogue Concerning Heresies.

3 Daniell, Tyndale, p. 4.

4 Thomas More wrote vastly more to condemn Tyndale than Tyndale wrote in his defense. After one book called An Answer Unto Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue(1531), Tyndale was done. For Thomas More, however, there were “close on three quarters of a million words against Tyndale . . . [compared to] Tyndale's eighty thousand in his Answer.” Ibid., p. 277.

5 Ibid., p. 216.

6 Ibid.

7 William Tyndale, Selected Writings, edited with an introduction by David Daniell (New York: Routledge, 2003), p. ix. “Modern champions of the Catholic position like to support a view of the Reformation, that it was entirely a political imposition by a ruthless minority in power against both the traditions and the wishes of the pious people of England. . . . The energy which affected every human life in northern Europe, however, came from a different place. It was not the result of political imposition. It came from the discovery of the Word of God as originally written . . . in the language of the people. Moreover, it could be read and understood, without censorship by the Church or mediation through the Church. . . . Such reading produced a totally different view of everyday Christianity: the weekly, daily, even hourly ceremonies so lovingly catalogued by some Catholic revisionists are not there; purgatory is not there; there is no aural confession and penance. Two supports of the Church’s wealth and power collapsed. Instead there was simply individual faith in Christ the Saviour, found in Scripture. That and only that ‘justified’ the sinner, whose root failings were now in the face of God, not the bishops or the pope.” Daniell, Tyndale, p. 58.

8 Daniell, Tyndale, p. 79.

9 “Not for nothing did William Tyndale, exiled in Cologne, Worms and Antwerp use the international trade routes of the cloth merchants to get his books into England, smuggled in bales of cloth.” Ibid., p. 15.

10 Ibid., p. 188.

11 Ibid., p. 316.

12 “In the summer of 1382, Wyclif was attacked in a sermon preached at St. Mary's, Oxford, and his followers were for the first time denounced as ‘Lollards’—a loose and suitably meaningless term of abuse (‘mutterers’) current in the Low Countries for Bible students, and thus heretics.” David Daniell, The Bible in English: Its History and Influence (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003), p. 73.

13Gutenberg’s printing press came in 1450.

14“Tyndale transmitted an English strength which is the opposite of Latin, seen in the difference between ‘high’ and ‘elevated’, ‘gift’ and ‘donation’, ‘many’ and ‘multitudinous.’” Daniell, Tyndale, p. 3.

15Tyndale did not follow Luther in putting Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation in a special section of the New Testament set apart as inferior. “Tyndale, as shown later by his preface to James in his 1534 New Testament, is not only wiser and more generous—he is more true to the New Testament.” Ibid., p. 120.

16This is available now in print with all its original notes and introductions: Tyndale’s Old Testament, translated by William Tyndale (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992); as is Tyndale’s New Testament, translated by William Tyndale (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989).

17How could it be that Tyndale was martyred in 1536 for translating the Bible into English, and that his New Testament could be burned in London by Bishop Tunstall, and yet an entire printed Bible, essentially Tyndale’s, The Great Bible, could be published in England three years later officially endorsed by this Bible-burning bishop? Daniell explains: “Tunstall, whose name would shortly appear on the title pages approving two editions of the Great Bible, was playing politics, being a puppet of the Pope through Wolsey and the king, betraying his Christian humanist learning at the direction of the church, needing to be receiving [Thomas] Wolsey's favor. . . . To burn God's word for politics was to Tyndale barbarous.” Tyndale, p. 93.

18 Tyndale, Selected Writings, p. xi.

19Tyndale, p. 1. Daniell speaks with more precision elsewhere and says that the Authorized Version is 83 percent Tyndale’s (Tyndale, Selected Writings, p. vii). Brian Moynahan, in God’s Bestseller: William Tyndale, Thomas More, and the Writing of the English Bible—A Story of Martyrdom and Betrayal (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2002, p. 1), confirms this with his estimates: Tyndale’s words “account for 84 percent of the [King James Version] New Testament and 75.8 percent of the Old Testament books that he translated.” Daniell also points out how remarkable the Old Testament translations were: “These opening chapters of Genesis are the first translations—not just the first printed, but the first translations—from Hebrew into English. This needs to be emphasized. Not only was the Hebrew language only known in England in 1529 and 1530 by, at the most, a tiny handful of scholars in Oxford and Cambridge, and quite possibly by none; that there was a language called Hebrew at all, or that it had any connection whatsoever with the Bible, would have been news to most of the ordinary population.” Tyndale, p. 287.

20 Tyndale, Selected Writings, p. xv.

21 Tyndale, p. 142.

22Ibid., p. 2.

23Ibid., p. 116.

24Tyndale, Selected Writings, p. xv.

25 Daniell, Tyndale, p. 121. “Tyndale gave the nation a Bible language that was English in words, word-order and lilt. He invented some words (for example, ‘scapegoat’) and the great Oxford English Dictionary has mis-attributed, and thus also mis-dated a number of his first uses.” (Ibid., p. 3)

26 “Tyndale could hardly have missed De copia.” Daniell, Tyndale, p. 43. This book went through 150 additions by 1572.

27 Ibid., p. 42.

28 Emrys Jones, The Origins of Shakespeare (New York: Oxford University Press, 1977), p. 13.

29 “Tyndale as conscious craftsman has been not just neglected, but denied: yet the evidence of the book that follows makes it beyond challenge that he used, as a master, the skill in the selection and arrangement of words which he partly learned at school and university, and partly developed from pioneering work by Erasmus.” Daniell, Tyndale, p. 2.

30 Ibid., p. 67.

31 Erasmus’ book was titled On the Freedom of the Will, and Luther’s was The Bondage of the Will.

32 Tyndale, Selected Writings, p. 39.

33 Ibid., p. 37.

34 Ibid., p. 40.

35 Daniell, Tyndale, pp. 68-69.

36 Ibid., p. 254.

37 Ibid., pp. 69-70.

38 “Central to Tyndale’s insistence on the need for the Scriptures in English was his grasp that Paul had to be understood in relation to each reader’s salvation, and he needed there, above all, to be clear.” Ibid., p. 139.

39Tyndale, Selected Writings, p. 40.

40 Here is Tyndale’s definition of the “gospel” that rings with exuberant joy: “Evangelion (that we call the gospel) is a Greek word and signifieth good, merry, glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a man's heart glad and maketh him sing, dance, and leap for joy. . . . [This gospel is] all of Christ the right David, how that he hath fought with sin, with death, and the devil, and overcome them: whereby all men that were in bondage to sin, wounded with death, overcome of the devil are without their own merits or deservings loosed, justified, restored to life and saved, brought to liberty and reconciled unto the favor of God and set at one with him again: which tidings as many as believe laud, praise and thank God, are glad, sing and dance for joy.” Ibid., p. 33.

41 Ibid., p. 37.

42 “Tyndale was more than a mildly theological thinker. He is at last being understood as, theologically as well as linguistically, well ahead of his time. For him, as several decades later for Calvin princes and in the 20th century Karl Barth) is the overriding message of the New Testament is the sovereignty of God. Everything is contained in that. It must never, as he wrote, be lost from sight. . . . Tyndale, we are now being shown, was original and new—except that he was also old, demonstrating the understanding of God as revealed in the whole New Testament. For Tyndale, God is, above all, sovereign, active in the individual and in history. He is the one as he put it, in whom alone is found salvation and flourishing.” Ibid., p. ix.

43 Ibid., p. 38.

44 Daniell, Tyndale, pp. 156-157.

See note 12.

46 Moynahan, God’s Bestseller, p. xxii.

47 William Tyndale, The Obedience of A Christian Man, edited with an introduction by David Daniell (London: Penguin Books, 2000), p. 202.

48 Moynahan, God’s Bestseller, p. 260.

49 Ibid., p. 261.

50 The list and details are given in Daniell, Tyndale, pp. 183-184.

51 Daniell, Tyndale, pp. 192-193.

52 Ibid., p. 149.

53 Ibid., p. 213.

54 Ibid., p. 361.

55 Ibid., p. 364.

56 Ibid., p. 365.

57 Ibid., p. 379.

58 Ibid., pp. 382-383. “Contemporaries noted no such words, however, only that the strangling was bungled and that he suffered terribly.” Moynahan, God’s Bestseller, p. 377.

59 Tyndale, The Obedience of a Christian Man, p. 6.

60 Ibid., p. 8.

61 Ibid., p. 6.

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rebeccalovesnightsky · 7 years ago

Text

They are garment for you and you are garment for them. - Quran 2:187

The quran was sent down for all mankind, men and women. (6:130; 2:185; 72:6). The linguistic characteristic of the quran with its arabic grammar is special - the forms of address which are in masculine plural include the women, too. (2:25; 82; 172; 178; 183; 3:130; 4:43;136; 5:6; 8:74).

Yet still, sometimes women are mentioned together with men. (3:195; 4:124; 9:72; 16:97; 33:35, 73; 40:40, 47:19; 48:5; 57:12).

The creation of the women and the creation of the men happened in the same way. (4:1, 6:2, 7:189, 30:20, 35:11, 39:6, 40:67).

The sin that got Adam and Eve banned from paradise was not Eves fault (like in Christianity). It was either the fault of both of them (2:35, 36; 7:189; 30:20; 35;11, 39;6, 40:67) or the fault of Adam alone.

...

33:35 Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.

3:195 Their Lord answered the Prayer thus: "I will not suffer the work of any of you, whether male or female, to go to waste; each of you is from the other."

16:97 Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

9:71 The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger.

24:26 Vile women are for vile men, and vile men for vile women. Good women are for good men, and good men for good women

4:32 For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned.

Hadith: "Women are the “twin-halves of men” [Abu Dawud, Sunan] and Ibn Hajr al-Asqalani comments that this shows that men and women are equal in rulings unless specified; thus a translation that clarifies the purport would be “spouses”. [Ibn Hajr, Fath al-Bari] - copied from: CLICK

The terms "women" and "men" have both been mentioned 24 times in the Quran.

...

A humans value lies in fear of God alone:

Abu Nadrah reported: I heard the sermon of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, during the middle of the day. The Prophet said, “O people, your Lord is one and your father Adam is one. There is no virtue of an Arab over a foreigner nor a foreigner over an Arab, and neither white over black nor black over white, except through righteousness. Have I not delivered the message?”- Musnad Ahmad 22978

49:13: O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

There has never been such an equality in the western world:

Click here for Twenty Vile Quotes Against Women By Church Leaders from St. Augustine to Pat Robertson

THE BIBLE STATES (No, the Old Testament is not abrogated. Even If it was, it came from God, right?):

1 Corinthians 11:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV): For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.

1 Timothy 2:14 New International Version (NIV): And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

Genesis 3:16 New International Version (NIV) To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Not a virgin in wedding night? Outch, not good: Deuteronomy 22:20-21 New International Version (NIV) If, however, the charge is true and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house and there the men of her town shall stone her to death. She has done an outrageous thing in Israel by being promiscuous while still in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from among you. (And how the heck can she prove that she was a virgin?)

Leviticus 21:9 - New International Version - If a priest's daughter defiles herself by becoming a prostitute, she disgraces her father; she must be burned in the fire.

Numbers 31 - 17,18 - New International Version (NIV) - Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.

1 Corinthians 7, New International Version (NIV) - “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”

Leviticus 20:18 "'If a man has sexual relations with a woman during her monthly period, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has also uncovered it. Both of them are to be cut off from their people.

Deuteronomy 25:11-12 - New International Version (NIV) If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, 12 you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.

Proverbs 11:22 - Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. (??!)

Leviticus 15:19-24 - Common English Bible (CEB) Female genital emissions 19 Whenever a woman has a discharge of blood that is her normal bodily discharge, she will be unclean due to her menstruation for seven days. Anyone who touches her will be unclean until evening. 20 Anything on which she lies or sits during her menstruation will be unclean. 21 Anyone who touches her bed must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and will be unclean until evening. 22 Anyone who touches anything on which she has sat must wash their clothes, bathe in water, and will be unclean until evening. 23 Whenever anyone touches something—whether it was on the bed or where she has been sitting—they will be unclean until evening. 24 If a man has sexual intercourse with her and her menstruation gets on him, he will be unclean for seven days. Any bed he lies on will be unclean.

Please don't be offended by all those verses, nice christians out there. Christian missionaries do this ALL THE TIME with quran verses, so let me do it, too.

...

Up until the 19th century basically everyone (politicans, scientists, theologians) was arguing If women were humans or not and if yes, If they are full-value-humans or just an inferior special form. This has never been the case with Islam, a religion that was founded in the 7th century. There has never been the question If women have souls, either.

....

Umar ibn al Khattab admitted that no one gave women any value before Islam. (Al-Bukhari, Sahih, VII, s.46 (Libas, 31); Muslim, Sahih II, s. 1108 (Talaq, 5/31))

....

- There is a whole sura with our name: "The women".

- The first martyr in Islam was a woman - Sumayya.

- The first person to ever say the schahada was a woman - Chadidscha.

- Chadidscha got greeted once by Allah through Muhammad, Al Bukhari 3820 and Muslim 2432

- There is a whole sura called "Maryam", because Allah indeed loved Jesus mother. She is far more mentioned in the Quran than in the bible and Allah speaks in high terms of her in the Quran.

- Two women got a direct revelation from Allah: the mother of Moses and Maryam again.

- Two women saw Jibril: Hajar and - again - Maryam.

- Allah mentions the prayer of Aisya, wife of the tyrannic Pharao, in the Quran: 66:11

- The 58th sura was named after a woman. It is called Al-Mujadilah - The Pleading Woman. It was Chaula, a woman who was upset that her husband divorced her in an incorrect way (the divorce was invalid). - 58:1: Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah . And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing. - In the following verses the woman received her right.

- Allah sent down Quran verses just becauses muslimas wanted this:

Umm Salama, wife of the prophet, asked him why men are always mentioned in all topics and not women. The verse 33:35 (above) came down because of it. (Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, VI, s.301: Tabari, Tafsir, XXII, s.10) She was not the only woman who wanted an explicit mention and therefore told everyone. How is this possible, confident women in islam?

It is also narrated that Umm Salama said "I have heard no verse that mentions the emigration of the women.", which is why 3:195 (also above) came down. (At-Tabari, Tafsir, IV, s.215).

...

A man came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your father. " [Sahih Al-Bucharyy Nr. 5971]

#islam

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