What does it mean ...

[John317]

>>>.......As you study the New Testament about the Holy Spirit, what do you think it's saying? Are you saying you don't believe the translation "Holy Spirit" is correct?

In 1611, the translators opted for "Holy Ghost." The word "ghost" was Saxon for "breath." The word "spirit" was coined from the Latin word for breath: "spiritus."

This all goes back to Genesis:

Ge 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The idea of "spirit" as some immaterial matter is very recent and post-biblical.

Bill Ross

Please study these texts:

The Holy Spirit and His Work

1. WHAT precious promise did Jesus make to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion?

"I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever." John 14:16.

2. Who is the Comforter, and what was He to do?

"But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you." Verse 26, R.V.

3. Why cannot the world receive Him?

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him." Verse 17.

4. How intimate is His union with believers?

"But ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." Same verse.

5. Whose presence does the Holy Spirit bring to the believers?

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Verse 18.

6. What promise is thus fulfilled?

"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:20. See also John 14:21-23.

7. What threefold union is thus established?

"At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you." Verse 20.

NOTE.-Rom. 8:9 shows the Spirit of each of the three persons of the Godhead to be one and the same Spirit.

8. How does Jesus, through the Spirit, seek an entrance to every heart?

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.

9. Why was it necessary for Christ to go away?

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." John 16:7.

10. What was the Comforter to do when He came?

"And when He is come, He will reprove [margin, convince] the world of sin, arid of righteousness, and of judgment." Verse 8.

11. By what other title is the Comforter designated?

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." John 15:26.

12. What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do?

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come." John 16:13.

NOTE.-The Spirit speaks (1 Tim. 4:1); teaches (1 Cor. 2:3); bears witness (Rom. 8:16); makes intercession (Rom. 8:26); distributes the gifts (1 Cor. 12:11); and invites the sinner (Rev. 22:17).

13. Whom did Christ say the Holy Spirit would glorify?

"He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." Verse 14.

NOTE.-It is plain from these scriptures that the Holy Spirit is the personal representative of Christ upon the earth, abiding in the church by dwelling in the hearts of the believers. It follows that any attempt to make a man the vicegerent of Christ in the place of the third person of the Godhead is an attempt to put man in the place of God. Thus does the fundamental principle of the Papacy set aside the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

14. How has God revealed to US the hidden things of the kingdom?

"But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Cor. 2:10.

15. Who moved upon the prophets to give their messages?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

16. After Pentecost, how was the gospel preached?

"With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." I Peter 1:12.

17. How are believers sealed?

"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Eph. 1:13.

18. What warning is therefore given?

"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.

19. Is there a limit to the strivings of God's Spirit?

"And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Gen. 6:3.

NOTE.-The limit is determined by the creature rather than by the Creator. It is when there is an utter abandonment to evil, and further appeals would be without avail. God foreknowing all things, may designate a definite period of probation for man, as in the case of the one hundred and twenty years before the flood (Gen. 6:3); but His Spirit never ceases to strive with man as long as there is hope of his salvation.

20. For what did David pray?

"Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." Ps. 51:11.

21. How willing is God to give to us the Holy Spirit?

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" Luke 1:13.

[John317]

You said earlier on a post I can't locate at the moment, that you believe Jesus committed sin. Is that your own personal opinion or is it something you believe the Bible teaches?

The Bible, of course, says Jesus was "without sin," etc.

[John317]

>>>So one of the main reasons you don't have confidence in the Christian texts is that you cannot point in the direction of God's dwelling place?

I mean the whole cosmology.

>>>The Bible does not tell us which direction it is in. Why is that of importance to you?

But it does. It is supposed to be "up" and "above." Every page of the Bible presupposes a cosmology where the realm of the gods is just above a sky dome which has small lights embedded in it.

Now that we have manned space flights, it all seems so silly.

Bill Ross

Well, then, if "up" and "above" are directions for you, then you have your directions. But if you asked me for directions, and I said, "up" or "out there" or "above," would you consider those directions?

What you say about "space flights" making the idea of heaven silly, reminds me of the things the Russian communist cosmonauts said after their space flights. It shows a gross lack of understanding of the Bible and of God.

[BibleShockers]

>>>You mean that I'm spending my time here so you can stave off Alzheimer's disease?

Who are you? Have we met before? (Hee hee). Do you want me to get Alzheimer's?!

I'm not sure why you are here. Why are you here? Have you learned nothing from me? And if so, why not take Paul's attitude:

Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

I am here to further an accurate understanding of "the Bible" - both my own understanding and that of others. I was under the impression that we were conversing well, without undue heat.

>>>I thought you are seeking for truth in God's Word.

Evidently you don't believe it to be God's Word. Is that right? Is it just a collection of human documents as far as you're concerned?

Not "human documents" but rather significant documents by the most literate people in human history.

>>>Do you believe Hebrews 11: 6?

Please refer to my earlier comment about "believe":

>>>But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

So says an anonymous ancient text.

>>>And Acts 4: 12--

And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.

The real question, then, is, have you (or do you) accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and the Lord of your life?

I "have" but eventually I outgrew it.

>>>Take a look at this:

Romans 3:21-26

...The bottom line for all of us is whether we have faith in God, diligently seek Him out, and have true faith in Jesus Christ.

I realize that. But if the Bible IS true than your faith will be rejected because you worship the antichrist. You bear the trinitarian number on your forehead.

And am I correct that you think that you hold that failure to concur that Jesus is the second member of "The Trinity" or to observe the 7th day rest condemns one just as surely as denying that Jesus was raised by God from the dead?

Biblical Christianity is extinct. SDA is NOT Biblical Christianity. It is contra-Pauline. I think you should know that.

Bill Ross

[John317]

>>>You mean that I'm spending my time here so you can stave off Alzheimer's disease?

Who are you? Have we met before? (Hee hee). Do you want me to get Alzheimer's?!

I'm not sure why you are here. Why are you here? Have you learned nothing from me? And if so, why not take Paul's attitude:

Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

I am here to further an accurate understanding of "the Bible" - both my own understanding and that of others. I was under the impression that we were conversing well, without undue heat.

I live in Southern California, kind of between San Bernardino and Palm Springs. And if I could talk to you in person, that would be outstanding.

I'm here simply because I love Jesus Christ and enjoy talking to people about Him and about the Bible that testifies to Him.

[John317]

And am I correct that you think that you hold that failure to concur that Jesus is the second member of "The Trinity" or to observe the 7th day rest condemns one just as surely as denying that Jesus was raised by God from the dead?

No, that is not correct. I don't believe that and neither does the Seventh-day Adventist Church. There will be many people saved in God's kingdom who did not accept the doctrine of the Trinity and who did not know about, or keep, the seventh day Sabbath.

Now if a person rejects Jesus as his Savior and Lord, and rejects the Bible's teaching on Christ's death and resurrection, the Bible gives no assurance that this is true faith in God.

[John317]

JOHN3:17--

>>>Do you believe Hebrews 11: 6?

Quote:

BILL ROSS-- Please refer to my earlier comment about "believe":

Do you believe your son? Do you believe what he tells you?

That is the same sense in which I am asking you if you believe the New Testament? Do you accept it as true?

Do you believe 2+3= 200?

Do you believe 2+3= 5?

What would you have told Jesus if He had asked you the same question that He asked Martha in John 11: 26, "And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

[John317]

JOHN3:17-->>>But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

[BibleShockers]

>>>...1. WHAT precious promise did Jesus make to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion?

"I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever." John 14:16.

The word translated "Comforter" refers to someone who assists one prepare their defense in court (the anscestor of the legal advocate) or who mediates on one's behalf. This is an anthropomorphism. What he is promising is that he will send the divine breath, and that will give them the utterance that they need, akin to the speaking of foreign languages in Acts 1.

>>>2. Who is the Comforter, and what was He to do?

"But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you." Verse 26, R.V.

Um, your "reliable translation" has replaced "the breath that is holy" with "the Holy Spirit." Note the Greek construction:

to pneuma to agion

Here is that construction explained:

***

The Restrictive Use of the Attribute Adjective: For example John 10:11 Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd". In Greek, the word order is "I am the shepherd the good", that is 'article', 'noun', 'article', 'adjective'. This is the second way the attributive adjective can be formed. The noun 'shepherd' is being modified by the adjective 'good'. Notice that 'good' still comes after the second definite article which modifies this noun. This position helps to emphasis the quality of "good" as if to say that not all shepherds are good. It could be translated, "I am the shepherd, that is, the good one (as opposed to the others who are not good)".

***

So this is not a name but a kind of breath. We see the same in 15:26:

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth [the truthful breath], which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

>>>3. Why cannot the world receive Him?

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him." Verse 17.

In the "Restrictive Adjectival Construction" this would read "the truthful breath."

>>>4. How intimate is His union with believers?

"But ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." Same verse.

Note that "spirits" do not have location (or so I am told) but breath does. It can be around you and it can be in you.

>>>5. Whose presence does the Holy Spirit bring to the believers?

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Verse 18.

Note the context is a trial:

Luke 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:

12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

>>>6. What promise is thus fulfilled?

"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:20. See also John 14:21-23.

I'm not sure what you are going for there.

>>>7. What threefold union is thus established?

"At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you." Verse 20.

"among you."

>>>NOTE.-Rom. 8:9 shows the Spirit of each of the three persons of the Godhead to be one and the same Spirit.

Breath can be shared. For example:

Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

>>>8. How does Jesus, through the Spirit, seek an entrance to every heart?

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.

This is not a reference to the heart. This is a reference to a magic ceremony where one would host a demon.

>>>9. Why was it necessary for Christ to go away?

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." John 16:7.

Ok.

>>>10. What was the Comforter to do when He came?

"And when He is come, He will reprove [margin, convince] the world of sin, arid of righteousness, and of judgment." Verse 8.

That is what breath that is holy and truthful does.

>>>11. By what other title is the Comforter designated?

"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me." John 15:26.

"the truthful breath."

>>>12. What did Jesus say the Spirit of truth would do?

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come." John 16:13.

"the truthful breath."

>>>NOTE.-The Spirit speaks (1 Tim. 4:1); teaches (1 Cor. 2:3); bears witness (Rom. 8:16); makes intercession (Rom. 8:26); distributes the gifts (1 Cor. 12:11); and invites the sinner (Rev. 22:17).

"the truthful/holy breath." God's breath. They considered the breath to be an intelligent, life giving organ, as they did the muscles, the heart, the kidneys and the lungs.

>>>13. Whom did Christ say the Holy Spirit would glorify?

"He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." Verse 14.

Ok.

>>>NOTE.-It is plain from these scriptures that the Holy Spirit is the personal representative of Christ upon the earth, abiding in the church by dwelling in the hearts of the believers.

Do you agree that the restrictive adjectival construction forbids reading this as a name but is instead a substance of a certain quality? And that that substance is "breath?" PNEUMA.

>>>It follows that any attempt to make a man the vicegerent of Christ in the place of the third person of the Godhead is an attempt to put man in the place of God. Thus does the fundamental principle of the Papacy set aside the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

"The Vicar of Christ?" The Catholic Church is such an abomination.

>>>14. How has God revealed to US the hidden things of the kingdom?

"But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1 Cor. 2:10.

The breath was considered by the ancients to be the seat of self-awareness per the creation account. So Paul says we gain God's thoughts when we gain his breath.

>>>15. Who moved upon the prophets to give their messages?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

There is no definite article so it should read "being driven along by holy wind".

>>>16. After Pentecost, how was the gospel preached?

"With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." I Peter 1:12.

No article. Make that "with holy breath".

>>>17. How are believers sealed?

"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Eph. 1:13.

A seal was placed on cargo until it was released from the shippers. This is the figure.

>>>18. What warning is therefore given?

"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.

Restrictive construcion: "the breath of God, that is holy."

>>>19. Is there a limit to the strivings of God's Spirit?

"And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Gen. 6:3.

A reference to his own breath that he breathed into the clay statues of himself, which was considered an intelligent organ.

>>>NOTE.-The limit is determined by the creature rather than by the Creator. It is when there is an utter abandonment to evil, and further appeals would be without avail. God foreknowing all things, may designate a definite period of probation for man, as in the case of the one hundred and twenty years before the flood (Gen. 6:3); but His Spirit never ceases to strive with man as long as there is hope of his salvation.

Removal of the breath returns the dirt to its inanimate state:

Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit [breath] is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Psalm 104:

29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit [breath], they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

>>>20. For what did David pray?

"Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." Ps. 51:11.

Ps 51: LXXe

10 (50:10) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit [breath] in my inward parts [ie: in my lungs].

11 (50:11) Cast me not away from thy presence; and remove not thy holy Spirit [Restrictive: your breath that is holy] from me [or I will become inanimate mud].

12 (50:12) Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: establish me with thy {1} directing Spirit [breath - speak to me]. {1) Gr. governing}

>>>21. How willing is God to give to us the Holy Spirit?

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" Luke 1:13.

No article. Just "give holy breath."

Your turn:

Does the Bible say that man was made "body, soul and spirit" or that he was made a mud statue of God, given God's breath and became a living person?:

Ge 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Mud+divine breath=living person

This is the paradigm that gives rise to all of the talk of intelligent, life giving breath that has been incorrectly changed to "spirit" by religionists. "Spirit" itself was coined from the Latin term "spiritus" which meant "breath." "Ghost" comes from the Anglo term for breath.

The key to understanding the Bible's teaching on this matter is to get Gen 2:7's perspective - that the breath is more than just air. Then the whole thing is consistent. Then we see what this means:

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit [breath]: for the letter killeth, but the spirit [breath] giveth life.

Why? Because "the breath of life" gave life to Adam.

So here:

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit [breath] that quickeneth [animates]; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit [breath], and [thus] they are life [giving].

So here:

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit [breath of life].

Ro 8:11 But if the Spirit [breath] of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit [breath] that dwelleth in you.

The breath gives life. So said Moses. "the breath of life."

Jesus, Peter and Paul tie "breath" and "words" together:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration [in-breathing] of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit [breath] that quickeneth [animates]; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit [breath], and [thus] they are life [giving].

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were driven along by holy breath/wind." 2 Peter 1:21.

And so on.

Once you recognize the "roots" of all these verses is in Genesis, a whole new world of clarity occurs on almost every page.

Bill Ross

[BibleShockers]

>>>You said earlier on a post I can't locate at the moment, that you believe Jesus committed sin. Is that your own personal opinion or is it something you believe the Bible teaches?

The Bible, of course, says Jesus was "without sin," etc.

It says he was tested in all points like as we are except sin." This is because he did not have sin living in his flesh.

But if you read the passage you see it is an argument that Jesus HAD TO have shared our moral failure in order to qualify as a high priest. And he made a sacrifice for sin (himself) before entering into intercessory service. As Paul says, Jesus "died to sin."

This is why he didn't cast the first stone and why he refused to be called good.

Bill Ross

http://bibleshockers.blogspot.com

[BibleShockers]

>>>I live in Southern California, kind of between San Bernardino and Palm Springs. And if I could talk to you in person, that would be outstanding.

I'm here simply because I love Jesus Christ and enjoy talking to people about Him and about the Bible that testifies to Him.

Well, if you are ever in Alabama, let me know.

You have been most cordial, you are well versed and I appreciate your dialectic approach to discussion, which I also favor.

Psychologists have identified why people have "road rage" so often but not "sidewalk rage" so much. People who bump into each other on the street instinctively "make it better" by a brief gesture or an "excuse me" and such. But in a car (as on the Internet) one cannot see such gestures so well and people often act ugly - myself included. But we seem to have avoided that unpleasantry. Also, you've avoided inflammatory words and instead put your energy into your arguments, which is so gratifying. It is not always so.

I meant what I said about my experience with SDAs. Serious minded, but warm. I can say the same about JWs. Not so of all fundies, as I'm sure you can testify to!

Bill Ross

[BibleShockers]

>>>Do you believe that God exists and that He loves you?

I used to.

Bill Ross

[John317]

>>>Do you believe that God exists and that He loves you?

I used to.

Bill Ross

What happened to change you?

[John317]

Shall we talk about the Scriptures themselves? Here are some of the verses dealing with them.

The Scriptures

1. BY what name are the sacred writings of the Bible commonly known?

"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?" Matt. 21:42.

2. What other title is given this revelation of God to man?

"And He answered and said unto them, My mother and My brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it." Luke 8:21.

3. How were the Scriptures given?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim. 3:16.

4. By whom were the men directed who thus spoke for God?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

5. What specific instance is mentioned by Peter?

"Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." Acts 1:16.

6. How does David express this same truth?

"The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue." 2 Sam. 23:2.

7. Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men?

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets." Heb. 1:1.

8. For what purpose were the Scriptures written?

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4.

9. For what is all scripture profitable?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16.

10. What was God's design in thus giving the Scriptures?

"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Verse 17.

11. What estimate did Job place upon the words of God?

"Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." Job 23:12.

12. Upon what evidence did Jesus base His Messiahship?

"And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27.

13. What three general divisions did Jesus recognize as including all the writings of the Old Testament?

"And He said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me." Verse 44.

14. What does God's character preclude Him from doing?

"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." Titus 1:2.

15. What is God called in the Scriptures?

"He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." Deut. 32:4.

16. What, therefore must be the character of His word?

"Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth." John 17:17

17. What test should therefore be applied to every professed teacher of truth?

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.

18. What does God design that His word shall be to us in this world of darkness, sin, and death?

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. 119:105.

19. To what extent has God magnified His word?

"Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." Ps. 138:2.

NOTE.-God did this by backing His promises with an oath based upon Himself. Heb. 6:13,14. By this He pledged and placed at stake His name, or character, for the fulfillment of His word.

20. In what is the true poetry of life to be found?

"Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." Ps. 119:54.

21. How long will the word of God endure?

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever." Isa. 40:8. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35.

[BibleShockers]

Just a few responses:

>>>3. How were the Scriptures given?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim. 3:16.

"In-breathing."

>>>4. By whom were the men directed who thus spoke for God?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

"by being driven by holy breath/wind"

>>>5. What specific instance is mentioned by Peter?

"Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus." Acts 1:16.

Restrictive adjectival construction: "the breath that is holy"

>>>6. How does David express this same truth?

"The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue." 2 Sam. 23:2.

No article. "A breath of the lord"

>>>7. Who, therefore, did the speaking through these men?

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets." Heb. 1:1.

A prophet was a "mouthpiece."

>>>9. For what is all scripture profitable?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16.

"In-breathing."

>>>17. What test should therefore be applied to every professed teacher of truth?

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.

Here is how the Jerusalem Bible puts it:

18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me shall be for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Zion.

19 And when they shall say unto you: ‘Seek unto the ghosts and the familiar spirits, that chirp and that mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living unto the dead

20 for instruction and for testimony?’—Surely they will speak according to this word, wherein there is no light.—

21 And they shall pass this way that are sore bestead and hungry; and it shall come to pass that, when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse by their king and by their God, and, whether they turn their faces upward,

Bill Ross

http://bibleshockers.blogspot.com

[BibleShockers]

>>>What happened to change you?

Mostly, when I came to understand "the Bible" I could no longer consider it a credible book. It described a world that is not like the real world, with a city of people living up above a sky dome. It is a patently false world.

I also came to see that the religion therein was extinct and that if it were true, no one would be saved anyway!

Bill Ross

[John317]

>>>What happened to change you?

Mostly, when I came to understand "the Bible" I could no longer consider it a credible book. It described a world that is not like the real world, with a city of people living up above a sky dome. It is a patently false world.

I also came to see that the religion therein was extinct and that if it were true, no one would be saved anyway!

Bill Ross

Thanks for that reply, Bill.

Everyone has different motivations for studying the Bible. Those motivations color their viewpoint. That is why the responses that we give to the gospel and to the Bible indicate something about our heart and how we relate to God.

Not too many years ago, lots of my friends would only read the Bible with the intention of making fun of it or finding fault with it. They made no secret of the fact that they hated it and hated any idea of God. So I know what that is like. They were militant atheists. They had their motives. I have mine.

The problem with approaching the Bible with that attitude, though, is that it colors one's attitude to the point where a person can be unable to see what is right in front of them. We see what we want to see, to a great degree.

There is no such thing as a totally objective view of God or of the Bible. I love the Bible and I love God and Christ, and therefore I am the first to tell you or anyone else that I am not looking at these things with a completely objective eye. I am a partisan for Jesus Christ and for the Bible.

[John317]

Just a few responses:

>>>3. How were the Scriptures given?

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim. 3:16.

"In-breathing."

The Greek word is theopneustos-- "Godbeathed". It means "inspired by God."

So this verse means that the Scriptures were given by inspiration of God.

Quote:

>>>4. By whom were the men directed who thus spoke for God?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

"by being driven by holy breath/wind"

It says the God's holy men spoke or wrote as they were moved by God's Spirit. You might say "wind" from God. In any case, it means that it was not written on the basis of those men's own volition but God spoke through them. You may not believe this, but that is what the Bible at 2 Peter 1: 21 is saying. Of course you have to decide whether to believe what it says. That is a choice you have to make. No one can make it for you.