BibleForums Christian Message Board - Blogs http://bibleforums.org/blog.php A free online Christian Community. Active, moderated Christian Message Board. en Sat, 18 May 2013 09:11:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://bibleforums.org/images/misc/rss.jpg BibleForums Christian Message Board - Blogs http://bibleforums.org/blog.php research http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3502-research Sat, 04 May 2013 00:57:15 GMT I've come to the conclusion that I need to massively upgrade my knowledge of England.

I'm especially trying to learn more about London.

I'm also trying to learn more about Cornwall, which, from what I can tell, is a lot different than the rest of England.

I've been reading that England includes some islands. I want to learn more about that.

I need to learn more about how England came to control Scotland and Wales.

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I've started doing research on the Bible Student Movement. From what I understand, the Jehovah's Witness religion came from the Bible Student Movement.

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I'm still trying to learn more about Arminianism. ]]> gringo300 http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3502-research research on Calvinism http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3499-research-on-Calvinism Thu, 02 May 2013 22:41:43 GMT From what I can tell, there are two Lapsarian Views in Calvinism, each with multiple names.

I've read that there are Calvinists that don't adhere to either Lapsarian View.

I've seen the terms "Five Point Calvinism" and "Five Point Calvinists". These are referring to the TULIP doctrine.

I've read that many Calvinists say that you HAVE to believe in all five points of the TULIP doctrine to be a Calvinist. However, I've read that there are people who self-identify as Calvinists who say they believe in less than all five points (from one point to four points, not necessarily the SAME one to four points). I'll just leave it to people who self-identify as Calvinists to argue with each other over who is and isn't a "real" Calvinist. ]]> gringo300 http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3499-research-on-Calvinism Faith alone?? http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3492-Faith-alone Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:25:31 GMT "How can you believe in salvation by faith alone when the only occurrence of ‘faith alone’ in the Bible (James 2:24) says that salvation is not by faith alone?"

It is entirely true that the one verse in the Bible that contains the exact phrase “faith alone” seems to argue against salvation by faith alone. James 2:24 reads, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (ESV). However, rejecting the doctrine of salvation by faith alone based on this verse has two major problems. First, the context of James 2:24 is not arguing against the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Second, the Bible does not need to contain the precise phrase “faith alone” in order to clearly teach salvation by faith alone.

James 2:14-26, as a whole, and especially verse 24, causes a lot of confusion. The passage definitely seems to cause serious problems for the “salvation by faith alone” concept. First, we need to clear up a misconception, namely, that James means the same thing by “justified” in James 2:24 that Paul means in Romans 3:28. Paul is using the word justified to mean “declared righteous by God.” Paul is speaking of God’s legal declaration of us as righteous as Christ’s righteousness is applied to our account. James is using the word justified to mean “being demonstrated and proven.”

The 2011 NIV provides an excellent rendering of James 2 “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” (emphasis added). Similarly, the NLT translation of James 2:24 reads, “So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone” (emphasis added). The entire James 2:14-26 passage is about proving the genuineness of your faith by what you do. A genuine salvation experience by faith in Jesus Christ will inevitably result in good works (Ephesians 2:10). The works are the demonstration and proof of faith (James 2:18). A faith without works is useless (James 2:20) and dead (James 2:17); in other words, it is not true faith at all. Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith will never be alone.

While James 2:24 is the only verse which contains the precise phrase “faith alone,” there are many other verses that do, in fact, teach salvation by faith alone. Any verse that ascribes salvation to faith/belief, with no other requirement mentioned, is a declaration that salvation is by faith alone. John 3:16 declares that salvation is given to “whoever believes in Him.” Acts 16:31 proclaims, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” See also Romans 3:28; 4:5; 5:1; Galatians 2:16; 3:24; Ephesians 1:13; and Philippians 3:9. Many other scriptures could be referenced in addition to these.

In summary, James 2:24 does not argue against salvation by faith alone. Rather, it argues against a salvation that is alone, a salvation devoid of good works and obedience to God’s Word. James’s point is that we demonstrate our faith by what we do (James 2:18). Regardless of the absence of the precise phrase “faith alone,” the New Testament definitely teaches that salvation is the product of God’s grace in response to our faith. “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? . . . On that of faith” (Romans 3:27). There is no other requirement.

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/faith-al...#ixzz2QYGImQJv ]]> Jireh http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3492-Faith-alone <![CDATA["What does it mean for salvation to be a gift from God?"]]> http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3491-quot-What-does-it-mean-for-salvation-to-be-a-gift-from-God-quot Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:23:05 GMT The word gift is an important one in the Bible, and it is good that we understand its definition and implications. In the New Testament, there are several Greek words translated “gift.” Some of these words are used in contexts other than God’s... The word gift is an important one in the Bible, and it is good that we understand its definition and implications.

In the New Testament, there are several Greek words translated “gift.” Some of these words are used in contexts other than God’s gift of salvation, such as the reciprocal gift-giving of celebrants (Revelation 11:10), the things received from fathers (Matthew 7:11), offerings to a ministry (Philippians 4:17), and the gifts of the magi (Matthew 2:11).

However, when it comes to the matter of our salvation, the New Testament writers use different Greek words—words that emphasize the gracious and absolutely free quality of the gift. Here are the two words most commonly used for the gift of salvation:

1) Dorea, meaning “a free gift.” This word lays particular stress on the gratuitous nature of the gift—it is something given above and beyond what is expected or deserved. Every New Testament occurrence of this word is related to a spiritual gift from God. It is what Jesus offers to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:10). It is called the “free gift” in Romans 5:15. It is the “unspeakable [or indescribable] gift” in 2 Corinthians 9:15. This gracious gift is identified as the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38; 8:30; and 11:17.

The adverb form of this word is dorean, translated “freely” in Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Revelation 21:6; 22:17. In Romans 3:24, immediately following God’s pronouncement of our guilt, we have this use of dorean: “Being justified FREELY by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The gift of salvation is free, and the motive for the gift is nothing more than the grace of the Giver.

2) Charisma, meaning “a gift of grace.” This word is used to define salvation in Romans 5:15-16. Also, in Romans 6 “For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT [charisma] of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This same word is used in conjunction with the gifts of the Spirit received after salvation (Romans 12:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10).

Obviously, if something is a “gift of grace,” it cannot be earned. To work for something is to deserve it, and that would produce an obligation—a gift of debt, as it were. That is why works destroy grace (Romans 4:1-5; 11:5-6).

When presenting salvation, the New Testament writers carefully chose words that emphasize grace and freedom. As a result, the Bible could not be more clear—salvation is absolutely free, the true gift of God in Christ, and our only responsibility is to receive the gift by faith (John 1:12; 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/salvatio...#ixzz2QYIceeGa ]]> Jireh http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3491-quot-What-does-it-mean-for-salvation-to-be-a-gift-from-God-quot 4-24-13 http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3489-4-24-13 Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:24:27 GMT I think I have a basic understanding of the Lapsarian Views within Calvinism now. - I still need to get a better concept of Arminianism. - I still need to get a better concept of Seventh Day Adventism. I think I have a basic understanding of the Lapsarian Views within Calvinism now.

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I still need to get a better concept of Arminianism.

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I still need to get a better concept of Seventh Day Adventism. ]]> gringo300 http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3489-4-24-13 For a second or so. http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3488-For-a-second-or-so Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:41:16 GMT For a second or so.


I look and ask why did I feel like I did today ... Only for a second or so I felt so hollow a place were I wouldn't want to go ... A place without Jesus the worlds so vast ... A place beyond life as we know we have to go ... To a place we don't know ... Without the ones we know ... Don't let me go with out your comfort I've come to know ... Say the words so that comfort won't go and leave me frightened and hollow down below in hell were I just do not want to go.


Reading Exodus 4.


Alan :)


These are the words of comfort that came ... ALAN COLTART ... I will never leave you. ]]> Amencorner http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3488-For-a-second-or-so Changing ISP... http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3486-Changing-ISP Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:58:26 GMT Eliminating this phone/Internet account sometime this week, while converting other phone account to include Internet. Some re-routing of wires and I believe a new IP address.

If'n ya don't hear from me its because I've been erased.

Was only a figment of your virtual imagination (nightmare) anyhow:crazy:


. ]]> IMINXTC http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3486-Changing-ISP 4-20-13 http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3484-4-20-13 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:35:14 GMT I'm in a really weird position.

I know more now than I've ever known before in my entire life, and I'm learning more all the time.

There is undoubtably a greater degree of factual accuracy to what I believe I know than ever before in my entire life, and, undoubtably, the degree of factual accuracy to what I believe I know is growing greater all the time.

So why do I feel so frustrated??? ]]> gringo300 http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3484-4-20-13 What does it mean for salvation to be a gift from God? http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3482-What-does-it-mean-for-salvation-to-be-a-gift-from-God Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:08:51 GMT *The word gift *is an important one in the Bible, and it is good that we understand its definition and implications. In the New Testament, there are several Greek words translated “gift.” Some of these words are used in contexts other than God’s... The word gift is an important one in the Bible, and it is good that we understand its definition and implications.

In the New Testament, there are several Greek words translated “gift.” Some of these words are used in contexts other than God’s gift of salvation, such as the reciprocal gift-giving of celebrants (Revelation 11:10), the things received from fathers (Matthew 7:11), offerings to a ministry (Philippians 4:17), and the gifts of the magi (Matthew 2:11).

However, when it comes to the matter of our salvation, the New Testament writers use different Greek words—words that emphasize the gracious and absolutely free quality of the gift. Here are the two words most commonly used for the gift of salvation:

1) Dorea, meaning “a free gift.” This word lays particular stress on the gratuitous nature of the gift—it is something given above and beyond what is expected or deserved. Every New Testament occurrence of this word is related to a spiritual gift from God. It is what Jesus offers to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:10). It is called the “free gift” inRomans 5:15. It is the “unspeakable [or indescribable] gift” in2 Corinthians 9:15. This gracious gift is identified as the Holy Spirit inActs 2:38;8:30; and11:17.

The adverb form of this word is dorean, translated “freely” inMatthew 10:8;2 Corinthians 11:7;Revelation 21:6;22:17. InRomans 3:24, immediately following God’s pronouncement of our guilt, we have this use of dorean: “Being justified FREELY by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The gift of salvation is free, and the motive for the gift is nothing more than the grace of the Giver.

2) Charisma, meaning “a gift of grace.” This word is used to define salvation inRomans 5:15-16. Also, inRomans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT [charisma] of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This same word is used in conjunction with the gifts of the Spirit received after salvation (Romans 12:6;1 Timothy 4:14;2 Timothy 1:6;1 Peter 4:10).

Obviously, if something is a “gift of grace,” it cannot be earned. To work for something is to deserve it, and that would produce an obligation—a gift of debt, as it were. That is why works destroy grace (Romans 4:1-5;11:5-6).

When presenting salvation, the New Testament writers carefully chose words that emphasize grace and freedom. As a result, the Bible could not be more clear—salvation is absolutely free, the true gift of God in Christ, and our only responsibility is to receive the gift by faith (John 1:12;3:16;Ephesians 2:8-9).

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/salvatio...#ixzz2QYK9uHOg ]]> Jireh http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3482-What-does-it-mean-for-salvation-to-be-a-gift-from-God Faith Alone http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3480-Faith-Alone Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:49:08 GMT "How can you believe in salvation by faith alone when the only occurrence of ‘faith alone’ in the Bible (James 2:24) says that salvation is not by faith alone?"

It is entirely true that the one verse in the Bible that contains the exact phrase “faith alone”seemsto argue against salvation by faith alone.James 2:24reads, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (ESV). However, rejecting the doctrine of salvation by faith alone based on this verse has two major problems. First, the context ofJames 2:24is not arguing against the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Second, the Bible does not need to contain the precise phrase “faith alone” in order to clearly teach salvation by faith alone.

James 2:14-26, as a whole, and especially verse 24, causes a lot of confusion. The passage definitely seems to cause serious problems for the “salvation by faith alone”concept. First, we need to clear up a misconception, namely, that James means the same thing by “justified” inJames 2:24that Paul means inRomans 3:28. Paul is using the wordjustifiedto mean “declared righteous by God.” Paul is speaking of God’s legal declaration of us as righteous as Christ’s righteousness is applied to our account. James is using the wordjustifiedto mean “being demonstrated and proven.”

The 2011 NIV provides an excellent rendering ofJames 2:24: “You see that a person isconsidered righteousby what they do and not by faith alone” (emphasis added). Similarly, the NLT translation ofJames 2:24reads, “So you see, we areshown to be right with Godby what we do, not by faith alone” (emphasis added). The entireJames 2:14-26passage is about proving the genuineness of your faith by what you do. A genuine salvation experience by faith in Jesus Christ will inevitably result in good works (Ephesians 2:10). The works are the demonstration and proof of faith (James 2:18). A faith without works is useless (James 2:20) and dead (James 2:17); in other words, it is not true faith at all. Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith will never be alone.

WhileJames 2:24is the only verse which contains the precise phrase “faith alone,” there are many other verses that do, in fact, teach salvation by faith alone. Any verse that ascribes salvation to faith/belief, with no other requirement mentioned, is a declaration that salvation is by faith alone.John 3:16declares that salvation is given to “whoever believes in Him.”Acts 16:31proclaims, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”Ephesians 2:8says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” See alsoRomans 3:28;4:5;5:1;Galatians 2:16;3:24;Ephesians 1:13; andPhilippians 3:9. Many other scriptures could be referenced in addition to these.

In summary,James 2:24does not argue against salvation by faith alone. Rather, it argues against a salvation that is alone, a salvation devoid of good works and obedience to God’s Word. James’s point is that we demonstrate our faith by what we do (James 2:18). Regardless of the absence of the precise phrase “faith alone,” the New Testament definitely teaches that salvation is the product of God’s grace in response to our faith. “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? . . . On that of faith” (Romans 3:27). There is no other requirement.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/faith-al...#ixzz2QYFq04kp




 ]]> Jireh http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3480-Faith-Alone 4-12-13 http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3477-4-12-13 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:18:46 GMT I'm continuing to attempt to do research on Calvinism and Arminianism.

I need to learn more about what's known as Lapsarian Views within Calvinism.

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It's pretty clear to me at this point that Seventh Day Adventism and the Jehovah's Witness religion are closely associated.

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I still need to learn more about Mormonism.

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I need to learn more about Christadelphianism.

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I need to learn more about Gnostic Christianity. How this could have possibly been derived from the Bible, I just can't figure out. ]]> gringo300 http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3477-4-12-13 As An Aside... http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3472-As-An-Aside Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:33:40 GMT Sliced from an article I've been working on - a somewhat off topic sentiment - yet grounds, perhaps for another article.

One of the many perks of being over 60 and having been a Christian for over 45 years is the tacit, universal (in cheek), carte blance permission to speak very openly, however bluntly [some might call it eccentricity] on many topics. From this perspective of experience, I would say I have a great deal of trouble understanding how any believer can expect to regularly experience fhe fullness of overcoming, spiritual strength on his or her own, having somehow been alienated from continuing flesh-and-blood fellowship and the companionship of other believers and the constant hearing/washing of the word. And, most pertinently, the Internet can be a wonderul supplement to but never a substitute for active membership in the body of Christ. A marvelous tool, no doubt, yet potentially dangerous to the unwary soul; how in the world can any anonymous, 'avatar and icon' Internet experience be considered as fully, wholesomely spiritual?}

"O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth." Ps 96:9 ]]> IMINXTC http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3472-As-An-Aside After the Crucifixion... The Three Days and the Three Nights http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3467-After-the-Crucifixion-The-Three-Days-and-the-Three-Nights Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:09:40 GMT
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40)

If Matthew 12:40 literally means three days and three nights then the crucifixion cannot be on Friday. Some say rather than a literal three days it is an old idiom referring to the two days prior to the day being spoken of. We have found nothing to substantiate this view. The Friday crucifixion is the most widely held view due to the traditional celebration of Easter. Did the crucifixion actually take place on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday?

In order to make the most informed estimate, we need to examine the Sabbath. The original Hebrew word “Shabbath” is defined as: an intermission, the day of rest, the holy seventh day; a week (Leviticus 23:15 [cf. Deuteronomy 16:9; Matthew 28:1]), the sacred seventh year, a sabbatical year.

Leviticus 23:1-4 lets us know about the “weekly sabbath,” that day set aside each week to honor the Lord. Verse three defines how a sabbath is to be observed, i.e., “…but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation: you shall do no servile work therein: it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.”

However, these are NOT the only sabbaths. Besides the weekly sabbaths there are the High Sabbaths related to the Hebrew Feasts (or Festivals), described in Leviticus 23:4-44.
These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work. (Leviticus 23:4-8)

For example, the verses above speak of two feasts, Passover and Unleavened Bread. Passover starts on the 14th day of Nisan (Hebrew month) and lasts one day. The Feast of Unleavened Bread starts the next day (i.e., the 15th of Nisan) and lasts for seven days.

Please note, the Passover is not a High Sabbath day, this important fact is often overlooked. You can tell because the usual command for a sabbath of “an holy convocation and no servile work is to be done,” is not given for Passover. So while Passover is a feast day, it is not a sabbath day. “Why is that important?” you ask. It was on this day Jesus did the work of redemption. Servile work would have been unlawful on a Sabbath day, so God ordained for this day to be a festival, remembering the lamb's blood that caused the angel to “Passover” the Israelites in Egypt and pointing to the Lamb who would shed His blood for all mankind.

One other important feast day is not a High Sabbath day, the Feast of First Fruits. Interestingly enough, this is the day of Jesus' resurrection.

The Lord set forth two sabbath days each for the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles. Leviticus 23:7-8 tells us that both the first and seventh (last) day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is an holy convocation and to do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:35-36 states the same for the Feast of Tabernacles. As you go through the remaining feasts you will see the same instruction.


Next we need to examine what Jesus said regarding His death.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:40 NKJV)

(Just a side note: for those who say the story of Jonah is untrue and just a legend—it appears that Jesus doesn't agree with them!)
Jesus said three days and three nights. There is absolutely no way to get three days and three nights from Friday to Sunday. The chart below shows this, remember a Jewish day starts at sunset rather than midnight.
Day 1 = Friday before Sunset
night 1 = Friday sunset - Saturday sunrise
Day 2 = Saturday sunrise - Saturday sunset
Night 2 = Saturday sunset - Sunday sunrise
Day 3 = Sunday sunrise - resurrection
Assuming Jesus rose from the dead AFTER sunrise on Sunday, which is not stated as such in the Scriptures (the Scriptures merely state that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb right after sunrise), there still are only two nights. There is no way to get three nights in this scenario. To dogmatically choose this position of crucifixion on Friday and Resurrection on Sunday is to choose a position contrary to Jesus' own prophecy.


Another Scripture to consider is John 12:1, “Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany…”. Jesus was travelling from Jericho. If the crucifixion took place on Friday (which had to also be Passover), then this journey took place on the sabbath. Travelling that distance on the sabbath was legally out of the question for a devout Jew.

What if the crucifixion took place on Thursday? This would certainly add the additional night we need to fulfill Jesus' prophecy, but it raises a problem with the days because you have to count partial days for either the crucifixion or resurrection, but not for both. The partial days problem can be argued successfully but not conclusively because, as stated earlier, all we are told about the resurrection is that Jesus arose on the day after the weekly sabbath. This could be anytime from Saturday just after sunset to the point where Mary Magdalene saw Him, after sunrise.


Proponents of a Thursday crucifixion might argue counting a partial day for Thursday (the crucifixion), a day for Friday, a day for Saturday (day) and that Jesus arose just after sunset at the beginning of the fourth day which would not be counted. In addition, there would be three full nights in between as well. So Thursday can be argued from the Scriptures.


It is possible to argue for a Wednesday crucifixion if you don't count partial days (i.e. knowing that Jesus died at 3:00 p.m., you don't count the three hours of Wednesday as a full 12 hour day). The scenario would be as follows:

Day 0 = Wednesday 3:00pm - sunset
Night 1 = Wednesday sunset - Thursday sunrise
Day 1 = Thursday sunrise - Thursday sunset
Night 2 = Thursday sunset - Friday sunrise
Day 2 = Friday sunrise - Friday sunset
Night 3 = Friday sunset - Saturday sunrise
Day 3 = Saturday sunrise - Saturday sunset

In this view, Jesus is resurrected sometime between sunset on Saturday and sunrise on Sunday, which would be a partial night and therefore not counted.
Now why did the early church decide it was Friday? Read the following verse:
Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:42-43 NKJV)

They assumed since it was the day before the sabbath, it meant Friday. Here is where our background on the sabbath sheds some light. We know that since the crucifixion was on the Passover, it was automatically the day before a sabbath, no matter what day it was on, because the High Sabbath day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread was the next day. Again, no matter what day Passover was on, the next day was automatically a sabbath.


Holding to a Friday crucifixion really is at odds with Scripture. Scripture does say that it was the Feast of First Fruits when He arose, so we know that the resurrection was Sunday (i.e., sunset Saturday — Sunday sunrise). Therefore, using Jesus' own words we conclude it was a Wednesday or Thursday crucifixion


If we factor in two more important points there is a stronger case for a Thursday crucifixion:
When the Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the Bible (66 books, written by 40 authors over 2000 years), He wove various clues into the text in order for us to verify the authenticity of the Bible. As we see prophecy come to pass we gain more respect for the Word because only the God who knows the end from the beginning could predict with 100% accuracy. God's plan for redemption is the message of the Scriptures, it is the gospel, or “good news.” There are proclamations or subtle clues on literally every page.


The Feasts were not only historic (i.e., to be celebrated once they left Egypt and settled into the Promised Land of Israel), but also prophetic, pointing to the Savior (readHebrews 8:1-10:39). It is no coincidence that Jesus was crucified on Passover, the same day God saved the Hebrews from the death in Egypt by placing blood of a lamb on the door posts and door jambs (making a cross). It is no coincidence that Jesus arose from the dead on the feast of First Fruits. It is no coincidence that the Church was officially given the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel on the Feast of Pentecost.

There are many other accounts in the Scripture that point specifically to Christ's redemption of mankind. Let's go back to Genesis and visit Noah. It is generally held that the ark is a “type” of Jesus. The ark saved Noah and his family from the wrath of God's judgment upon the evil world. Jesus offers salvation to all those who trust in Him, sparing them from judgment for their sins.
The ark rested, or finished the work of saving Noah's family on a significant day.
Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. (Genesis 8:4 NKJV)

God instituted a calendar change explained in Exodus, and the seventh month became the first month. It turns out that the same day the ark rested is the 17th day of Nisan, which just happens to be three days and three nights after the 14th of Nisan (the future Passover feast). So that would mean that in prophetic illustration, God caused the ark to rest from the flood (His wrath on an evil world) on the same day that Jesus would rise from the dead to save mankind from the future wrath upon a Christ–rejecting world. Coincidence? Highly unlikely.


Note that for this to be a true prophetic model, the only day of the week that works for a Sunday resurrection on the 17th of Nisan, is a Thursday crucifixion on the 14th day of Nisan.
The last argument for a Thursday crucifixion comes from the actions of Mary Magdalene. Why did Mary wait until Sunday to go to the tomb with the ministering oils and herbs? If the crucifixion took place on Wednesday, then Thursday would have been the High Sabbath, making it impossible for her to go to the tomb on that day, but Friday would have been a normal day, with no restrictions. If on the other hand Thursday was the day of the crucifixion, then Friday would have been the high sabbath, and Saturday would have been the weekly sabbath (making it impossible for her to go on Friday or Saturday), leaving Sunday as the first “legal” day she could have made the trip.
With all of that said, it must be noted that the day of the week is not something we know from Scripture. If God wanted us to know whether it was Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, it would have been clearly stated.


What we do know is that it occurred on Passover as a model of the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb, and that He rose again on the Feast of First Fruits, since He is the First Fruit of the resurrection. It is fine to hold a personal view, but unwise to become dogmatic about it. We should celebrate the cross and the resurrection every day of our earthly visit.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/crux.cfm




 ]]> Jireh http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3467-After-the-Crucifixion-The-Three-Days-and-the-Three-Nights Prayer for Good Friday... http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3466-Prayer-for-Good-Friday Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:00:47 GMT O LORD, my God and Savior - Mockery was a great ingredient to your woes. Judas mocked You in the Garden; the chief priests and scribes laughed you to scorn; Herod set you at nought; the servants and the soldiers jeered and harassed you with...
O LORD, my God and Savior -

Mockery was a great ingredient to your woes.
Judas mocked You in the Garden;
the chief priests and scribes laughed you to scorn;
Herod set you at nought;
the servants and the soldiers jeered and harassed you with brutal insults;
Pilate and his guards ridiculed Your royalty, even though it was truth;
and on Your cross—where you bled through your hands, your feet, your brow—all sorts of horrid jests and hideous taunts were hurled at You.

Such ridicule is always hard to bear, but all the more when we are in intense agony.
And all the more when it is so heartless, so cruel, that it cuts us to the quick.
As I picture you hanging on Your cross, my great God and Savior crucified, I cannot bear the thought. Your frail and beaten Self was racked with anguish far beyond all mortal guess. A motley mob wagged their heads and thrusted out the lip in bitterest contempt and insult toward you, a suffering victim. So humble a Savior!
O Jesus, “despised and rejected of men,” “acquainted with grief and sorrow,” how could You die for men who treated You so ill, so poorly, so horridly? How? Herein is love so amazing, love divine, yes, love beyond degree! We, too, have despised You in the days of our own unregenerate state, and even since our new birth we have set the world on high in our hearts, and yet You bled to heal our wounds and died to give us life.
Oh, that we could set You on a glorious high throne in all men’s hearts! We would ring out Your praises over land and sea till men should as universally adore as once they did unanimously reject.

Your creatures wrong You, Oh sovereign LORD! And yet, Your grace comes down to us like a river from that Cross. You died and rose again that we might do the same. So we run to you, from the foot of that cross to the foot of Your throne, hearts bursting forth with thanksgiving and praise, “Oh God, take me! Like You there is no other! My life is purchased and Yours!”


(adapted from Charles H. Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening devotional which is available free at the Blue Letter Bible website, along with many more Spurgeon resources.)

http://blogs.blueletterbible.org/blb...day-this-week/

 ]]> Jireh http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3466-Prayer-for-Good-Friday Hate. http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3465-Hate Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:26:34 GMT _Hate._It’s hard to believe one can be hated for who we are … And what we do. If we look at history and even today … how people hate certain groups and races of people to a point they were prepared to exterminate them. If we are hated because of the... Hate.

It’s hard to believe one can be hated for who we are … And what we do. If we look at history and even today … how people hate certain groups and races of people to a point they were prepared to exterminate them. If we are hated because of the life Jesus has given us within … Hard and unbelievable as it is we should rejoice … Those that hate .. point out our weaknesses and failings and become very angry with who we are … and what we do …. Then we have to be careful and remember who we are … not letting our old nature take the bait.

Reading Matthew 18.

Alan ]]> Amencorner http://bibleforums.org/entry.php/3465-Hate