Hard Verses: Not Your Namby Pamby Bible Study. These Bible Verses are Hard!

Hard Verses Episode 15: Baptism for the Dead; 1 Cor. 15:29 Thanks to Patrick Peters for the suggestion. The Problem. 1Co 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? What does it mean when it says they are baptized for the dead? Does that mean that you can be baptized for those that have already died? Prophet Joseph Smith first taught about the ordinance of baptism for the dead during a funeral sermon in August 1840. He read much of 1 Corinthians 15, including verse 29, and announced that the Lord would permit Church members to be baptized in behalf of their friends and relatives who had departed this life. He told them "the plan of salvation was calculated to save all who were willing to obey the requirements of the law of God" (Journal History of the Church, 15 Aug. 1840). https://www.mormon.org/faq/baptism-for-the-dead Proxie baptism maybe. Mormons use this as proof. Can we save those that have gone on before and were not living right? The Solution. Let me give the context, let us read some. 1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 1Co 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 1Co 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1Co 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 1Co 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 1Co 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 1Co 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 1Co 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. Let us not lose the meaning of the passage. Paul is teaching that there will be a resurrection of the dead. There was doubt about this resurrection. The pagans believed that there was corruptness in the body. This meant that purity was to come by shedding this body. Paul was using this practice of baptism (whatever that meant) to teach about the resurrection of the body. Many have suggested that this practice is lost to antiquity because we have nothing else to describe it. He was not teaching that we were to be baptized for the dead. This was just illustrative (Guy N. Woods). Notice the "they" instead of inclusive words like "we" or "us" which would indicate an outside group. Can you be baptized for someone else? Can you proxie other areas of the faith? Hearing the word of God? Believing/faith in that word and in God? Confessing Jesus before men? Repenting of sins? This just doesn't make sense. So to make baptism go to that area doesn't make sense. What could it mean? Could have been a practice of the surrounding pagans. Howard Winters (Commentary on First Corinthians, Practical and Explanatory pg. 217) puts it in a modern day saying, "Else what shall they do who violently attack others in order to end violence, if non-violence is their method ? Why then are they using violence?" Burton Coffman states the following: "The Indians bury a dog and a spear with the fallen warrior; and why should they do that, if there is no resurrection?" Both statements use illustrations without condoning the practice used in the example. One of the safest ways to interpret the passage, which lines up with every major doctrine in the NT is the following: The "they" are Christians that were baptized for their dead spiritual condition. To ask, "why are you being baptized to a spiritual death if you are not going to have a spiritual resurrection?" The lesson for us today. 1. Don't create doctrine out of a single verse, especially out of its context. 2. Don't take just part of a teaching, take it all. Tools I Used E-sword (Burton Coffman module). Commentary on the First Corinthians, Practical and Explanatory, Howard Winters. Seek the Old Paths, A study of the Church at Corinth, ed. Garland M. Robinson. Questions and Answers, Open Forum, Freed-Hardeman College Lectures, by Guy N. Woods. https://www.mormon.org/faq/baptism-for-the-dead Call to action. Subscribe and rate. You can also write a review. (Itunes). Check out the new Bible Study. "The Bible Genius Bible Study" now available for free on preacherbryan.com There are also the podcasts available on Youtube, look for "hard verses" with some additional videos besides the podcast. Check out my friends at Godseverlastingword.com.

  Hard Verses Episode 14: Face toward Jerusalem, Luke 9:51 Hard verses is a podcast not afraid to take on the harder verses in the Bible.  Each week we find difficult verses in God's word. Wanted to give props to Dr. Ed Gallagher for directing my mind to the verse because of his class. Limited Resource Dynamics in Ancient Israel. The Problem. Luk 9:51  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, Luk 9:52  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. Luk 9:53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. What was going on here? What does it mean that He "stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem?" He sent messengers to Samaria and did not receive Him, because His face was though he would go to Jerusalem????  All Jews were supposed to go to Jerusalem for three feast days, so why are the Samaritans made at Him now? The Solution. Luk 9:51  And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, Luk 9:52  And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. Luk 9:53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. Luk 9:54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

1. What does it mean that He "steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem?"

He resolved Himself to go to His death.

1. They rejected Him because His face was though He would go to Jerusalem.

The Samaritans knew where He was going.  The route (Josephus, Antiquities, 20.6.1) was that of one going to the Temple. The Samaritans had their own temple in Mt.Gerizim.  They thought that was the God ordained location.  They had Biblical reasons for that. Deu 11:29  And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal. What caused even more division is the destruction of the temple at Mt. Gerizim. After the end of the Babylonian Captivity, a large schism between the Samaritans and Judaism developed, with the Samaritans, but not the Jews, regarding Mount Gerizim as theholy place chosen by God.[3] Subsequently, in the Persian Period, the Samaritans built a temple there probably in the middle of 5th century BCE.,[11] arguing that this was the real location of the Israelite temple which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar,[26] The religious tension between the Jews and the Samaritans led to the temple on Gerizim being destroyed by either John Hyrcanus in the 2nd century BCE (according to Josephus)[27] or by Simeon the Just (according to the Talmud). The date of the Samaritan temple destruction, the 21st of Kislev, became a holiday for the Jews during which it is forbidden to eulogize the dead.[28] However, the mountain evidently continued to be the holy place of the Samaritans, as it is mentioned as such by the Gospel of John[29] and coins produced by a Roman mint situated in Nablus included within their design a depiction of the temple; surviving coins from this mint, dated to 138–161 CE, show a huge temple complex, statues, and a substantive staircase leading from Nablus to the temple itself.[30] (wiki page—sorry scholars). Joh 4:19  The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Joh 4:20  Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

• There was a true debate about where the temple should be.
• Jesus set her straight and told her how it was going to be.

Back to the original questions.

1. What does it mean that He "stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem?"
2. He sent messengers to Samaria and did not receive Him, because His face was though he would go to Jerusalem???? All Jews were supposed to go to Jerusalem for three feast days, so why are the Samaritans made at Him now?

  The lesson for us today. As we learn the word are we willing to change? Tools I Used Barnes, Pulpit, Josephus, TSK, Wikipedia   Call to action. Subscribe and rate. You can also write a review. (Itunes). Check out the new Bible Study.  "The Bible Genius Bible Study" now available for free on preacherbryan.com There are also the podcasts available on Youtube, look for "hard verses" with some additional videos besides the podcast. Check out my friends at Godseverlastingword.com.

  Hard Verses Episode 13: Mystery made known, Wanting to thank all those who have shared. It is working.  Wanted to thank Billy Hines for the suggestions. The Problem. Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. What mysteries were given? Do we know what the mysteries are? Are there still mysteries that we do not know in relation to this? The Solution. Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Mat 13:14  And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: Mat 13:15  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

• There are two groups;
  • Those "given to know the mysteries."
  • Those not given.
• Of these groups we can surmise that the disciples were given to know.
• Of the group would be the religious elites such as the Pharisees and Scribes.
• We see also that they would not understand because they had a spiritual condition that prevented them from seeing and understanding.

  What is the mystery that has been revealed? The mystery has been a long standing mystery. Rom 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Considered the prophecies from the Old Testament. Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Didn't prophets and heavenly beings know what was going on? Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Part of the mystery had to do with the Gentiles. Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. In the first century they were preaching about the revealed mystery. Mar 4:11  And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Eph 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Eph 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: So how was it revealed?  Did they figure it out? No. It was revealed. By revelation of God. Eph 3:3  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Eph 3:4  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Eph 3:5  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Eph 3:6  That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Rom 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Rom 16:26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: By the end of the book (the Bible) this had been fully revealed. Jud 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. There were already some trying to change the message. The church is supposed to teach and preach the whole gospel. Joh 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Act 20:26  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. Act 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. The lesson for us today. The mystery is revealed. What are we going to do with this revealed message? Are we teaching the entire gospel or some abbreviated version? Tools I Used TSK   Call to action. Iheartradio is now carrying my show. Subscribe.

  Hard Verses Episode 12: Marry only in the Lord; 1 Cor. 7:39 Wanted to thank everyone for sharing and all the positive response.  Wanted to thank everyone for all the new suggestions. Wanted to thank Larry White for the suggestion. The Problem. 1Co 7:39  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. What does it mean to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord? Can she only marry another Christian man? Can she only marry in a Christian manner? The Solution. The issue is what does "in the Lord" mean and then modify?

1. Earlier "in the Lord" is apparent to mean a Christian in Paul's other writings.

Rom 16:11  Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.                  The NIV actually translates this passage this way. 39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. Looking at other verses that may have to do with this, like being unequally yoked. 2Co 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2Co 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,                 Is this discussing marriage?  Not specifically. The Greek does not seem to indicate this. I had two peer reviewed articles that I received from a search and neither dealt with the issue of verse 39. I went through my commentaries and almost all said that the man has to be a Christian without explaining why.

1. Did a google search and came up with several church of Christ websites and one Jehovah Witness site (which did not explain the verse, just made an assertion).

The issue is that if this forbidding of marriage to unbelievers is to be taken from this verse 39 then it would be the only verse forbidding this. There is also the issue of how to rectify the situation if this is a sinful act.  Will the woman now need to divorce? According to Matthew 19:9, there is only one reason for divorce. Mat 19:9  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.                 Prior verses speak to woman staying married to their unbelieving husbands so that they may be converted. All this would be to point to the "in the Lord" as modifying the act of marrying. The woman would have to be married in a scriptural way.  They would not need to be married to someone with several wives.  They would also not need to marry someone that would require them to go to Pagan worship. This seems to be the way this is modified.  When looking at a very similar passage using "in the Lord," The modified object is a little easier to spot. Eph 6:1  Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Is "in the Lord" modifying Children, parents or the act of obeying? It seems obvious that this means the obedience is to be complete unless it requires a child to go against God's law.  

1. There is one other argument. This passage only applies because of the upcoming, eminent distress. This would mean that this verse is no longer applicable to us today.  Because there will be massive heart ache one needs to find a Christian spouse.  I personally don't see this view.  That would make sense to those debating whether to marry or not.  Since taking a spouse is an added burden in a time of hardship.

The lesson for us today. We need to be living our lives "in the Lord." Tools I Used http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/OnlyInTheLord.html http://westpalmbeachchurchofchrist.com/diff_quest/only_in_the_lord.html https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/313-should-a-christian-marry-outside-the-faith e-sword Modules Barnes, Burton Coffman, Clarke, JFB.   Call to action. Youtube is up.  "Hard Verses." Subscribe. If you have an Iphone or ipad, then you have Itunes.  Go to ITunes to the top right to the search box.  What is a search box?  It is a white rectangle with a magnifying glass on the left and a powder blue border around the box.  Put "Hard Verses" in the search. Hit enter.  Scroll down to the bottom of the page until to see the podcast section.  I should be the number one square picture. It has a picture of me with my parrot coffee cup.  Click on that. That is my show page. Underneath my picture is my subscribe button.  Hit that and all your dreams will come true.

  Hard Verses Episode 11: Calling on the Name of the Lord.  Romans 10   Wanted to thank Billy Hines for the suggestion of today's verses.  Also wanted to thank all of those that shared the episode last week.  I saw who you were.  Thank you so much.   The Problem. Romans 10 is pretty clear that we are to call upon the name of the Lord. Rom 10:8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Rom 10:12  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. After someone gives this verse, what do they tell people to do to call upon the name of the Lord? Many of the answers given beg the question. Can we actually find someone in the Bible that calls upon the name of the Lord? Sound Transition New Commercial Sound Transition The Solution. What is the word in question? To call upon ἐπικαλέομαι epikaleomai ep-ee-kal-eh'-om-ahee Middle voice from G1909 and G2564; to entitle; by implication to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.): - appeal (unto), call (on, upon), surname. Strong's Concordance   Romans was written according to some winter of A.D. 56-57.   Rom 10:8  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom 10:11  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Rom 10:12  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.   This was not first time that this was preached. We see it in Acts 2:21. Act 2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. This was said around AD 30.  This would be after the resurrection of Christ and His ascension into heaven and before the conversion of Saul of Tarsus.  Because the church was old enough to be persecuted by said Saul. And this was quoted in Joel. Joe 2:32  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.                 Peter's message and Paul's message should be same.  The Holy Spirit would have directed to give the same message from God.  They did not get to change the words to suit themselves  2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:   1Co 2:1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1Co 2:3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 1Co 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 1Co 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.   What did Peter and the other apostles do after preaching to call upon the name of the Lord? Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Act 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.   What about Paul? He wrote Roman's ten, shouldn't we have a record.   Act 9:17  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Act 9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.   Act 22:6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. Act 22:7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Act 22:8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. Act 22:9  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. Act 22:10  And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. Act 22:11  And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. Act 22:12  And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Act 22:13  Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. Act 22:14  And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. Act 22:15  For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. Act 22:16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. I thought Paul taught that it was just the calling on the name in chapter 10 of Romans? Had everyone read up to chapter 10 it would make more sense. Consider chapter six. Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: That is just Romans, correct? No. Col 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Gal 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Yes, but there is nowhere that the Bible states that baptism saves you, right? 1Pe 3:21  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Jesus never talked of baptism being necessary for salvation, right? Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. The lesson for us today. The story of the hammer drill.  You are doing it all wrong. Are we doing it all wrong with God's plan? Tools I Used Treasury of Scriptural knowledge. Call to action. You have the week off unless you think one of your friends and family need to understand this better.

  Please, Please, Please share on the social networks.  Thank you so much for the support. Hard Verses Episode 10: Blaspheming the Holy Spirit   Want to thank Ted Burleson.  About podcast and the class.   The Problem. Luk 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. How is it that speaking against the Son of God is forgivable but speaking against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven? If you speak against the Holy Ghost as a child or drunk or out of your mind would this mean you just give up and live like you want because you are eternally lost, no matter what you do? The Solution. Let's look at the parallels. Luk 12:8  Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: Luk 12:9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. Luk 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. Luk 12:11  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: Luk 12:12  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. Mat 12:22  Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. Mat 12:23  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? Mat 12:24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.Mat 12:25  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:Mat 12:26  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? Mat 12:27  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. Mat 12:28  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Mat 12:29  Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. Mat 12:30  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Mat 12:31  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. Mat 12:32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Mat 12:33  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.Mat 12:34  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Mat 12:35  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Mat 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Mat 12:37  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Mar 3:22  And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. Mar 3:23  And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? Mar 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.Mar 3:25  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Mar 3:26  And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. Mar 3:27  No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Mar 3:28  Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: Mar 3:29  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Mar 3:30  Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

1. What does it even mean to blaspheme?

Blasphemeo- to vilify, specifically to speak impiously, defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.  

1. How were they to blaspheme Jesus and still receive forgiveness? Consider Acts chapter 2.

Act 2:22  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Act 2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Act 2:24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Act 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Act 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  

1. How did they revile or speak evil of the Holy Spirit?

They had attributed the power of the Holy Spirit with the power of Satan.

1. Are we saying that those Pharisees saying these things are eternally lost? Consider the tense of the word blasphemeth.  There is a continual action.  If every time you see a miracle of God and attribute that to the work of Satan, there is not much hope for you.  Notice Mark 3:29  But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Mar 3:30  Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
2. Consider also that the words of the Holy Spirit that will be spoken through the apostles after the resurrection and ascension.  These would be the words of the New Testament, the new covenant.  The Christian age.  The final age on earth.  You miss this, that is it. Notice-- Luk 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. Luk 12:11  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: Luk 12:12  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
3. Consider for us today, Luke talks about confessing Jesus before men and then mentioning the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit. Consider who these people were that had this message. They were Pharisees, Scribes, Doctors of the law (lawyers).  They knew the law of Moses.  They knew the prophesies about the Messiah, yet they rejected the Messiah outright because of their reprobate heart. Is our heart so lost that we do not see the clear teaching of the gospel?
4. To sum up the most prevalent from the evidence about what the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost is, let me sum it up in points.
5. This was a spoken sin or sin of the tongue.
6. Mark clearly states that Jesus said this because they said , "He has an unclean spirit."
7. We see the Pharisees speaking ill of the power of God performing these miracles.
8. Consider Paul who stated that he had been formerly been "a blasphemer, a persecutor…"

1Ti 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.                 Notice what Paul's reaction was when faced with a miraculous event.  "This is by the power of Satan." NO! Act 9:1  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Act 9:2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Act 9:7  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Act 9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

1. Can we commit this sin today? Consider these verses. Consider the time frame.

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Was this sin ever mentioned in the New Testament church?  No. Now we have the gospel that was set motion because of the blood that was shed on Calvary.     The lesson for us today. There is a connection for us today. Is the word confirmed to us today and we are still rejecting it? Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Do you understand what the Bible says and you simply are not doing it? You need to recognize what you are doing. Are we not familiar with the message of the Holy Spirit through the apostles and prophets in the New Testament?  We may be speaking against something that you should be adhering to.  My mom tells the story of her praying, "I take your name in vain."   Tools I Used Student's Pericope book (I have a copy but it has not been published or printed yet).  Let me know if you are interested in getting a copy.  My section is placed in the show notes below. Burton Coffman module in e-sword. Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge module in e-sword. http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=11&article=1218#   Call to action. Share on social media, THIS EPISODE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE (Imagine a little child at Walmart screaming at you).  

  Hard Verses Episode 9: The Land of Nod   Wanted to take time to give a little thanks. Jake for loaning me his Zoom H4N to record. Wanted to thank Blue Microphones for sending us a replacement for the one with a hum in it. We have started a Bible study program at Flomaton entitled "Bible Genius" Making the weeks available online.   The Problem. The Land of Nod. Gen 4:13  And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Gen 4:14  Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. Gen 4:15  And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. Gen 4:16  And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. Gen 4:17  And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. Some questions should come to mind.

1. What is the deal with the land of Nod? Was there already people there? If so, where did they come from (thought God only miraculously created Adam and Eve?)
2. Where did Cain find him a woman?

Maybe a personal story or two about others that have encountered this issue.   The Solution. What are we assuming that is making this difficult?

1. That there was an established land called Nod that Cain went to.
2. That Cain received his wife from this land.

The Land of Nod- "Nod" means wandering. The land of Nod may have been founded way later.  (Prolepsis). Gen 13:1  And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. Gen 13:2  And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. Gen 13:3  And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; This is a problem because Bethel was not formed yet nor named.  It would be named by his now unborn grandson in Gen 28:19. Gen 28:18  And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. Gen 28:19  And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. The land could have been named at a later date like Abram going to Bethel when it would be named by his grandson decades later.   The issue of a wife, solved because it was his sister.  Just as Abram had his sister as his wife.   The lesson for us today. Things allowed in the Old Testament many times are not good for today. Don't kill your brother. Don't marry your sister. Don't take things out of the Bible that are not there.   Tools I Used http://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=6&article=696#   Call to action.  

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  Hard Verses Episode 8: Rahab Lied (Joshua 3, Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25). Wanted to thank Derek Crump for the suggestion for this episode.   The Problem. Let me take you back.  The children are about to go into the Promised Land in the book of Joshua.  This time they will make it.  The spies went into Jericho and this woman, Rahab the harlot, lied and hid the spies to have them escape.  She is heralded as a woman of faith and acclaim by God's inspired word (Heb. 11:31, James 2:25).  This means that God is tolerant of lying as long as it is for a greater good.  This is called "situational ethics."  Could this be the case?  I thought that all liars have their place in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).  This sounds like a problem. The Solution. What exactly does it say? Jos_2:1  And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. Jos 2:2  And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. Jos_2:3  And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. Jos 2:4  And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: Jos 2:5  And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. Jos 2:6  But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. Jos 2:7  And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. Jos 2:8  And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof; Jos 2:9  And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. Jos 2:10  For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. Jos 2:11  And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Jos 2:12  Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: Jos 2:13  And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. Jos 2:14  And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee. Jos 2:15  Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. Jos 2:16  And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way. Jos 2:17  And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear. Jos_6:17  And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. Jos_6:23  And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. Jos_6:25  And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

• What all did she do that was so notable?
  • She hid the spies (against the king's orders).
  • She bold-faced lied about their whereabouts and fabricated a story.
  • She proclaimed her belief in their Lord (He is God in heaven above and in earth beneath, Joshua 2:11).
  • She helped the spies out of the city.
  • She made them promise to remember her and her family when they came back.

Heb_11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

• Her faith saved her.
• When she received the spies.

  Jas_2:25  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

• She was justified by works.
• When she received the spies and helped them escape.

What is missing is a commendation for lying. Lying is a direct violation of God's law, Old and New Testament (Ex. 20:16Lev. 19:11; Prov. 6:6-19, Eph. 4:25, Col. 3:9).[1] The spies never asked her to lie.  The spies probably did not even know that she had lied.[2] Consider her position in life as well.  Wayne Jackson states the following" The case of Rahab is an example of where God honored a person due to their obedient faith in spite of a personal character flaw. Consider the following facts about this incident. Rahab was from a pagan environment. Her concept of morality and her personal lifestyle (she was a harlot) needed considerable refining. In spite of this sordid background, she had developed a genuine faith in Jehovah (Josh. 2:9ff.). She referred to Him as "God in heaven above, and on earth beneath...." Accordingly, when the spies approached her, she was not "disobedient" as were the others of Jericho, who perished in the destruction of the city, for she, through faith in God and His promises, received the spies in peace (Heb. 11:31), hid them, and sent them out another way (Jas. 2:25) [1986, 22:23].[3] It is apparent that Rahab did not continue to lie nor was she continuing her profession. What ever happened to Rahab? Mat 1:4  And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; Mat 1:5  And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; Mat 1:6  And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;   Rth 4:18  Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, Rth 4:19  And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, Rth 4:20  And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, Rth 4:21  And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, Rth 4:22  And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David. The lesson for us today. If we are looking in the Bible to find ways to sin, we need to stop. We can never be wrong by respecting the living God. We may not know everything the Bible says to do, but what we do know we need to do to the best of our ability. Tools I Used E-sword module "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" or TSK (it is free for download). Article used below ("Does the Story of Rahab Mean that God Condones Lying?" by Bert Thompson,Ph.D.: http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=6&article=733   Call to action.  

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Facebook- Bryan Cook Twitter- Preacherbryan Google +- Bryan Cook Snapchat but don't know what to do with it.   [1] List of scriptures taken from Apologetics Press, "Does the Story of Rahab Mean that God Condones Lying?" by Bert Thompson, Ph.D. [2] Ibid. [3] Ibid.

Hard Verses Episode 7: Inscription on the vesture and thigh (Rev. 19:16).     Wanted to clarify from last week the 1 Peter 3:18-19 (He spoke to the spirits that were in prison was from Don Gary, not Jordan Gray. The Problem. Rev 19:16 "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." Much of Revelation has difficulty in nailing down concrete situations and details because of the symbolic language used. This verse is no different. The book is coded up because otherwise it would not get delivered or cause problems for the messengers. The Solution. Rev 19:16 "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." The main problem we are having is a lack of historical knowledge on this custom. For time sack, I will not get into the previous and post verses but will focus strictly on this. What is a vesture? What is up with the thigh? "Two images likewise of this man are seen in Ionia, on the way that leads from Ephesus to Phocaea, and from Sardis to Smyrna. The figure is five palms in height; in his right hand he holds a dart, in his left a bow, armed after the manner of the Egyptians and Ethiopians. On a line drawn across the breast, from one shoulder to the other, are these words, written in Egyptian hieroglyphics: Εγω τηνδε την χωρην ωμοισι τοισι εμοισι εκτησαμην· 'I obtained this country by these my shoulders;'" i.e., by my own power. Heroditus, Euterpe speaking of the actions of Sesostris. In the Etruria Regalis of Dempster, in the appendix at the end of vol. ii., there is a beautiful female figure of brass, about twelve inches high, the hair gracefully plaited, and the head adorned with a diadem. She has a tunic without sleeves, and over that a sort of pallium. On the outside of the right thigh, close to the tunic, and probably on it, in the original, is an inscription in Etruscan characters. As these kinds of inscriptions on the thigh, the garments, and different parts of the body, were in use among different nations, to express character, conduct, qualities, and conquests, we may rest assured that to them St. John alludes when he represents our sovereign Lord with an inscription upon his vesture and upon his thigh; and had we not found it a custom among other nations, we should have been at a loss to account for its introduction and meaning here. Adam Clark Some suggestions from Pulpit Commentary below. (1) The name, written at length, is written partly upon the vesture and partly upon the thigh itself, where the garment would (in an equestrian figure) fall away from the thigh (Alford). (2) The name is written on the vesture, even (kai) on that part of it which covers the thigh (De Wette, Dusterdieck, Hengstenberg). (3) On the thigh, as the place where the sword usually hangs. (4) A reference to the custom of engraving the name of the artist upon the thigh of a statue (Cic., "Verr.," 4:43; see Wetstein). KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. As in Rev_17:14 (but inverted), where, as here, it portrays the victorious career of Christ over the "kings of the earth." - end of Pulpit Commentary. Studies in the Book of Revelation by Robert R. Taylor, Jr. An excerpt about Rev. 19:16. "Verse 16- On the garment and thigh of the Warrior King was an inscribed name- KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. In the Gospel Advocate Adult Quarterly for the Winter of 1978 we have this fine summary of Revelation 19:16: His Lordship and sovereignty are emphasized here. All are subjects to his power. Kings of the earth, however powerful, are beneath him; lords, however, great, must ultimately answer to him. It is said that in ancient times and in Oriental lands it was not uncommon for men of great power and prominence to have their names inscribed on their garments so that they might be quickly recognized. We must not assume that such was literally necessary for the Lord to do in order that he might properly be recognized; the statement is a figurative one and the reference symbolic; it simply suggests the supreme power and unquestioned sovereignty of the Lord when he triumphs over his enemies (p. 54).   What about this name? continued. the number seven finds a place in the scheme of the Apocalypse so often that the following fact is well worth noting: leaving out the "and," by which St. John tells us to add the two titles into one name, the combination "King of Kings, Lord of Lords," in Aramaic [font unavailable to render] adds up to 777.[1]   The lesson for us today.

• Do we recognize Jesus as Lord of lords and King of kings?
• Do we recognize His commandments as law or are they just suggestions?
• Love your enemy, Seek ye first, etc. just suggestions or commandments?

  Call to action.   Through e-sword (free for download, free to use) I used the following modules: Adam Clarke Burton Coffman Pulpit Commentary  

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  Hard Verses Episode 6: He Preached to the Spirits in Prison (1 Peter 3:19). Wanted to thank Sam Cook for the Intro work, Jordan Gray (actually Don Garey, sorry) for the suggestion and Alan Caudle for the legal disclaimer at the end. The Problem. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  1 Peter 3:18-20 KJV Who? Who is the "he" in "by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison?"   What? Who or what are the spirits in prison? What did He preach to the spirits in prison? When? When did He preach to the spirits in prison? Where? Where were the spirits in prison? Where did Jesus preach to the spirits? Why? Why did He preach to the spirits in prison? Sound Transition The Solution.

• The whole purpose of this section is to encourage the brethren about the suffering that was on them.
• I will give you two "safe"[1] ways to interpret this.
• Jesus through the preaching of the Apostles and others presented the gospel to those in the same condition as those in Noah's day. They would be captive and dead in their sin but now multitudes will come to Christ.

 

• Eph 2:17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.   –Jesus did not personally preach to the Gentiles but had his messengers bring the message.

• Could it be that Noah's message to the lost was through the Holy Spirit, (the "in which" refers to the Spirit and not Christ) or that Christ would have been the one preaching through Noah?
• There are three major sets of beliefs with many subsets concerning this including our "safe" way to interpret this.

1. A more recent view is what is stated by Pulpit Commentary. The preaching is in reference to men "alive after Pentecost to whom the gospel was preached by Christ through the apostles, men in a natural prison house of bandage to sin and Satan."[2]
2. An older theory that goes back to the third century AD, is that the spirits who are now in prison are "the disembodied souls of the people who perished in the Flood, and that the preincarnate Christ preached to them through Noah…"[3]
3. The apparent oldest of the theories identifies spirits in prison as fallen angels. There are writings (unscriptural and uninspired) that indicate that this may have been the belief at the time of Peter's writings. 1 Enoch predates not only Peter's writings but even the ministry of Christ.
   1. There is additional support for this in that 2 Peter 2:4,5 and Jude 6 discuss the fate of angels and demons.
      1. There is descriptions of Christ being over spiritual beings.
      2. There are descriptions of angels and demons being reprimanded and subjugated.
   2. Spirit in these contemporary (inspired writings) is generally shown to describe the supernatural unless described additionally as human.
   3. Those early (uninspired) writers all point to the great transgression of the angels as occurring before the flood. (it may be common myth).
   4. According to Hiebert, this theory went into disfavor with the fourth century church.

• Back to the original questions.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  1 Peter 3:18-20 KJV Who? Who is the "he" in "by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison?"

• Most would agree this is Christ even if pointing to the antecedent Spirit (the spirit of Christ).

  What? Who or what are the spirits in prison?

• Disembodied souls of the lost at the time of Noah. (This does not go with other scriptures).
• The souls in that lost condition of those during the time of the apostles preaching.
• Angelic beings that were disobedient during the time prior to the ark.

What did He preach to the spirits in prison?

• Disembodied souls lost at the time of Noah—
  • He really could not preach the gospel because His resurrection was not complete.
  • He would be giving them a second chance even though they rejected the message the entire century that Noah preached to them (not likely).
• The souls in a lost condition of sin.
  • Preached the gospel to come out of that.
  • They would be encouraged by this message (remember the purpose of this scripture). Only a few survived on the ark but many more are coming to know salvation through Christ.
• Angelic beings that were disobedient during the time prior to the ark.
  • This would have been a proclamation of victory over them.
  • Preaching is not always the gospel but can be a negative message.

When? When did He preach to the spirits in prison?

• Disembodied souls lost at the time of Noah.
  • He would have gone after dying on the cross and before or after His resurrection. (There is much confusion concerning the use of hell in the modern translations).
  • To say that Christ traveled to the side of Gehenna (think of Lazarus and the rich man- the fiery side), would be to add to the word. Jesus stated that He would be with the thief on the cross in Paradise after death, not Gehenna (splitting hairs, maybe?).

Where? Where were the spirits in prison? Where did Jesus preach to the spirits?

• Could the proclamation be made from heaven? Yes. Victory over death and the grave.  All power given unto Him over all things including spiritual.

  Why? Why did He preach to the spirits in prison?

• Was He giving a second chance?
• To the already departed human and the disobedient angel, there is no second chance.
• To the men and women still alive, there was a second chance to not be like Noah's generation that perished.
• Concerning the proclamation of victory over disobedient angels, this would have been in line with the proclamation that every knee will bow and tongue confess (Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10). This proclamation would also be encouraging to those currently suffering for Christ (remember the original intent of the section of scripture).

The lesson for us today. We can draw encouragement from this scripture as well.  Are we suffering because we are doing God's will? Keep in mind who is ultimately in charge. Maybe we need to be reminded of the entire population of the world drowning in a world-wide flood because they would not take the time to hear what God had to say. If we are lost and still in our sin then we are in bondage to something we have no way of getting out of ourselves.  We must heed the warning and obey the gospel.   Call to action. The links to the articles are here: http://apologeticspress.org/aparticle.aspx?cid=851 https://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/ted_hildebrandt/ntesources/ntarticles/bsac-nt/hiebert-1peter3-pt2-bs.htm Through e-sword (free for download, free to use) I used the following modules: Burton Coffman   Pulpit Commentary  

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Get connected: Facebook- Bryan Cook Twitter- Preacherbryan Google +- Bryan Cook   [1] Safe in that one could understand this without wandering from basic theological premises.  Other theories involve the use of more extravagant premises beyond basic theological tenets.  Could not think of another word to describe this (It is late when I am writing this). [2] The Suffering and Triumphant Christ: An Exposition of 1 Peter 3:18-22 by D. Edmond Hiebert.  His listing of the three theories is also used. [3] Ibid.