Tag: Stand Fast

Stand Fast Part 7

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

We submit the following facts in Scripture to prove a Divine Trinity of separate persons in the Godhead (continues): [20] The words through and by, used of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, but not once of the Father, prove that God is a separate Person and the Head and Director of all things done by and through them (1Cor. 3:23; 11:3; John 10:29; 14:28; 16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Acts 2:33-34): (1) Through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:2; Rom. 1:8; 5:1, 9, 11; 6:23; 7:25; 15:17; 16:27; 1Cor. 15:57; 2Cor. 3:4; Gal. 3:14; 4:7; 5:10; Eph. 2:7, 18; Php. 4:7, 13; Tit. 3:6; Heb. 13:21; 1Pet. 1:22; 4:11; 1Jn. 4:9); (2) By Jesus Christ (John 1:3, 10, 17; 10:9; Acts 4:10; 10:36; Rom. 2:16; 3:22; 5:17, 21; Gal. 1:1; Eph. 1:5; 3:9; Col. 1:15-20; 3:17; Heb. 1:1-3; 1Pet. 2:5; 5:10); (3) Through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:2; 21:4; Rom. 8:13; 15:13, 19; Gal. 5:5; Eph. 2:22; Heb. 9:14); (4) By the Holy Spirit (Ezek. 11:24; Mic. 3:8; Zech. 4:6; Matt. 12:28; Luke 2:27; 4:1; Acts 11:28; Rom. 5:5; 15:19; 1Cor. 2:10; 6:11; 12:3, 13).

‘Loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.’ Six facts about God: He has loved us (2Thess. 2:16; John 3:16). He has given us everlasting consolation (2Thess. 2:16; Acts 13:15). He has given us good hope through grace. He comforts our hearts (2Thess. 2:17). He establishes us in good words. He establishes us in good works.

Stand Fast Part 6

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

We submit the following facts in Scripture to prove a Divine Trinity of separate persons in the Godhead (continues): [18] Two and three Persons are referred to in every New Testament book (Matt. 3:16-17; 12:31-32; 17:5; 22:43-45; 28:19; Mark 1:1-2, 10; 13:32; Luke 1:32-35; 2:40, 52; 3:22; 4:1; 18; 9:35; 23:46; 24:39 with John 4:24; John 1:1-3, 14, 18; 5:17-25, 31-38; 6:37, 44-46, 57; 7:16-18, 28, 37-39; 8:13-19, 26-38, 42, 54; 10:15-18, 24, 29, 36; 12:26-31, 44, 49-50; 14:1-26, 28-30; 15:1-26; 16:1-33; 17:1-26; 18:11; 20:17, 21; 11; 20:17, 21; Acts 1:7-8; 2:24-36; 3:13-26; 4:10, 26-31; 5:29-33; 7:37, 55-56; 8:12-17; 9:17; 10:38-48; 17:31; Rom. 1:3, 7, 9; 5:1-11; 8:1-13, 26-39; 1Cor. 1:3-9; 2:10; 3:23; 8:6; 11:3; 12:3; 15:57; 2Cor. 1:2-3; 5:17-21; 13:14; Gal. 1:1-3; Eph. 1:2-3; 3:14; 4:3-6; 6:23; Php. 1:2; 2:5-11; Col. 1:2-3, 13-19; 3:1; 1Thess. 1:1-10; 3:13; 2Thess. 1:1-2; 2:16; 1Tim. 1:2; 2:5; 5:21; 6:14-16; 2Tim. 1:2; 4:1; Tit. 1:4; 2:13; Phm. 1:3). In no conceivable way can we force a meaning of three persons in one person; three beings in one being; or three manifestations of only one person in any of these or any other scripture. [19] Three distinct and separate witnesses bear witness of Christ (1Jn. 5:5-11, 13, 20). Both God and man require this many personal and separate witnesses to confirm any point (Matt. 18:16; 2Cor. 13:1). The water and blood of 1John 5:8 could not be accepted as accredited personal witnesses to confirm any point (Matt. 18:16; 2Cor. 13:1). The water and blood of 1John 5:8 could not be accepted as an accredited personal witness in themselves. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the only personal witnesses of this passage. If we consider these to be only one person, then there are not the required number of witnesses to establish the truth of the Sonship of Jesus Christ. We are forced by facts to admit all of 1John 5:7-8 as inspired Scripture and therefore, the fact that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate and personal witnesses instead of being only one person or witness. Indeed, many scriptures confirm these three witnesses: (1) The Father (Jer. 29:23; Mal. 3:5; John 5:31-37; Rom. 1:9; Heb. 1:1-2; 2:3-4); (2) The Son (Isa. 55:4; John 18:37; 1Tim. 6:13; Rev. 1:5); (3) The Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16; John 15:26; Heb. 10:15; 1Jn. 3:6). If all three are witnesses, then they must be separate Persons. The water and the blood simply confirm the intelligent testimonies of the three Persons of the Godhead and give additional weight to the Sonship of Jesus.

To be continued…

Stand Fast Part 5

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

We submit the following facts in Scripture to prove a Divine Trinity of separate persons in the Godhead (continues): [10] Two Persons are mentioned and required to understand the plain language of Psalm 2:1-12; 9:19; 132:17; Pro. 30:4; Isa. 4:2; 10:16-17; 28:16; 49:1-10; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12; 62:11; Mic. 5:1-5; Jer. 23:4-8; 33:14-26; Zech. 3:8-10; 6:12-13. In these passages one is anointed, becomes the son of, is sent by, is taught by, and becomes the servant of the other; and both are called Lord. [11] Three self-acting Persons – the Lord God, the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit – are referred to as blessing, anointing, sending, and doing things for one another in Isaiah 11:2; 42:1-7; 48:16; 59:21; 61:1-2; 63:1-14; Zech. 12:10-13:2. [12] In Zechariah 1:7-21 the Lord of Hosts and the angel of the Lord (also called Lord, Zech. 1:19-20; 2:1-13) are talking together. One Lord says of the other Lord that He has sent Him to Israel (Zech. 2:8-13). One Lord refers to Himself as “Me” and the Lord of Hosts as “His” and “He” (Zech. 2:8-11). The conference continues throughout Zechariah until Zechariah 13:6-7 where both Lords are called fellows or associates. [13] Jesus Christ is called the son of Abraham, David, Mary, and of God (Matt. 1:1; Mark 1:1; 6:3). He is just as much a separate person from God as He is of these other persons. [14] Two Persons are referred to many times in the New Testament (Matt. 11:27; Luke 23:46; John 1:1-2, 18; 5:19-20; 14:1-9; 16:15; 17:3, 10; Acts 2:38-39; 3:13-26; Php. 2:5-11; Eph. 3:5; Col. 1:5; 2Thess. 2:16-17; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 20:6; 22:3). [15] Two and three Persons are mentioned in the introductions to New Testament books (Rom. 1:1-4, 7; 1Cor. 1:3; Jas. 1:1; 1Pet. 1:1-3; 2Jn. 1:3; Rev. 1:1-6; etc.). [16] God is the head of Christ and thus greater than He in position (1Cor. 3:23; 11:3; 1Chron. 29:11; John 14:28). [17] Christ is the mediator between God and man, not between Himself and man (1Tim. 2:5).

To be continued…

Stand Fast Part 4

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

We submit the following facts in Scripture to prove a Divine Trinity of separate persons in the Godhead (continues): [3] Plural pronouns are used of God, proving plurality of persons (Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isa. 6:8; John 14:23; 17:11, 22-23). [4] First, second, and third personal pronouns are used hundreds of times in Scripture, referring to one, two, and three persons of the Godhead in the same sense they are used for men. Sometimes the different members of the Deity use them to and of one another in the same sense man uses them. In John 17:1-26 alone Jesus uses them 162 times in speaking to and of His Father (cp. John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15). Sometimes singular pronouns are used of the whole Godhead of three members as a unity (Ex. 20:3; Isa. 44:6, 8; 45:5, 21; 46:9; Hos. 13:4), just like the whole church as a unit is spoken of as a man and “he” (Eph. 2:14-15; 4:13; 5:25-27; 2Thess. 2:7-8). [5] “Man is become as one of us” proves the plurality of persons (Gen. 3:22). [6] Two and three Persons called God have been seen by the same men at the same time and places as being separate persons (Dan. 7:9-14; Matt. 3:16-17; John 1:31-34; Acts 7:54-60; Rev. 6:16; 7:9-17; 21:22; 22:3). [7] Two Lords are mentioned in Genesis 19:24; one on earth and one in heaven. [8] Two Persons are referred to in the Old Testament – compare Psalm 8:5-6 with Hebrews 2:5-18; Psalm 16:8-10 with Acts 2:25-36; Psalm 22:1-22 with Matthew 27:35, 27:39-43, 27:45-46; Hebrews 9:14; 10:5-12; Psalms 40:6-10 with Hebrews 10:5-7; and Psalm 45:6-7 with Hebrews 1:8-9. [9] Two Lords are mentioned sitting side by side (Ps. 110:1, 5; Matt. 22:44; 26:64; Acts 2:33-34; 7:54-56; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pet. 3:22; Rev. 22:3).

To be continued…

Stand Fast Part 3

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

We submit the following facts in Scripture to prove a Divine Trinity of separate persons in the Godhead: [1] The word “one” means one in unity as well as one in number. It means unity in 1John 5:7, as it does in John 17:11, 17:21-23, and yet these three Persons, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, are spoken of as one each in number and individuality in Scripture. There is one God the Father, one Lord Jesus Christ, and one Holy Spirit (1Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:3-6). Thus, there are three separate Persons in divine individuality and divine plurality. The Father is called God (1Cor. 8:6), the Son is called God (Isa. 9:6, 7; Heb. 1:8; John 1:1-2; 20:28), and the Holy Spirit is called God (Acts 5:3-4). As individual persons, each can be called God and collectively they can be spoken of as one God because of their perfect unity. The word “God” is used either as a singular or a plural word, like sheep. Everything that could be spoken of God collectively applies equally to each member of the Godhead as an individual, but some things are said of each person of the Deity as to position, office, and work that could not be spoken as of the other members of the Godhead. The Father is the head of Christ (1Cor. 11:3); the Son is the only begotten of the Father (2Jn. 1:3), and the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Acts 2:34). [2] Names of God prove plurality of persons. The Hebrew word ’Elohiym is the word for God in Genesis 1:1 and over 2,700 other places in the Old Testament It is a uni-plural noun meaning Gods and is so translated 239 times (Gen. 3:5; Ex. 22:28; 1Sam. 4:8; Dan. 2:11; 4:6-9; 5:11, 14; etc.). Sometimes ’Elohiym is used with plural verbs and pronouns, “the Gods they caused me to wander” (Gen. 20:13), and “there the Gods they appeared unto him” (Gen. 35:7).

To be continued…

Stand Fast Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

Angels, cherubim, seraphim, and all other spirit beings have spirit bodies and personal souls and spirits. They have been seen with the natural eyes of men over 100 times in Scripture. If all other spirit beings have spirit bodies, could not the members of the Trinity also have spirit bodies? The 284 passages on spirits in Scripture prove that spirit bodies are just as real and capable of operation in the material world as our flesh bodies. There is no such thing as a world of creations made up of invisible substances. The so-called spirit world must be understood simply as spirit beings inhabiting material worlds created by God. Heaven itself is a material place (Gen. 1:1; Heb. 11:10-16), having cities, mansions, furniture, inhabitants, living conditions, etc.

God has been seen physically by human eyes many times (Gen. 18:1-33; 19:24; 32:24-30; Ex. 24:11; 33:11-33; Jos. 5:13-15; Jdg. 6:11-23; 13:3-25; 1Chron. 21:16-17; Job 42:5; Isa. 6:1-13; Ezek. 1:26-28; 10:1, 20; 40:3; Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-10; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4:2-5; 5:1, 5-7, 11-14; 6:16; 7:9-17; 19:4; 21:3-5; 22:4).

With over 20,000 references to God in Scripture, we get to know all we need to know about the subject. If we will take the Bible literally as to what it says about Him, as we do with other things the subject will be very clear; but if we make God a mystery, ignoring the plain statements of Scripture about Him, and refusing to believe the many descriptions of God given by those who have seen one, two, and three separate persons called “God,” then we will remain in ignorance.

There are indeed a few figurative statements about God in Scripture, as there are about man and other things, but shall we do away with the reality of man and these other things because of a few figures of speech? Let us make man mere salt and lights (Matt. 5:13-14) if we are going to do away with God because of a few figures of speech.

To be continued…

Stand Fast Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

2Thessalonians 2:15-17 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. 

‘And God, even our Father.’ Another clear reference to two separate and distinct persons. What we mean by Divine Trinity is that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead, each one having His own personal spirit body, personal soul, and personal spirit in the same sense each human being, angel, or any other being has his own body, soul, and spirit. We mean by the body, whether a spirit body or a flesh body, the house for the indwelling of the personal soul and spirit. The soul is that which feels and the spirit is that which knows.

The doctrine of the Trinity can be clearly seen, being understood by the visible things that are made, even to His eternal power and Godhead (Rom. 1:20). What on earth was created in the image and likeness of God? Man (Gen. 1:26-28). Do God’s image and likeness consist only of moral and spiritual powers? If so, it can be concluded that man is only a moral and spiritual being. Is God bodiless? If so, we can conclude that man is also bodiless.

Is God only one being made up of several persons or beings in the one being? If so, we can conclude that man is one person or being made up of many. Does God need a flesh body to have any kind of body? No! There are such things as spirit and heavenly bodies. From 1Corinthians 15:35-38, we learn that all things in creation – grain, fish, birds, beasts, man, angels – have bodies, sizes, shapes, and forms.

The Bible declares that God has a body, shape, image, likeness, physical parts, a personal soul and spirit, and all other things that constitute a being or a person with a body, soul, and spirit.

To be continued…

Stand Fast

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 3:6-10 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? 

‘Good tidings of your faith and charity, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us.’ The only place (except Luke 1:19) where euangelizo does not refer to the gospel. The good news Timothy brought back to Paul was: their faith, their love, and their affection for Paul.

‘If you stand fast in the Lord.’ We live only if we stand fast in Christ (Heb. 3:6, 12-14). We must at all times be aware that we can backslide and that no amount of preaching “once-save-always-saved” can cancel what the Word of God clearly states. There are seven stages of apostasy: Refusal to hear God (Heb. 3:7). Hardness of heart through refusal to hear and obey God (Heb. 3:8, 13, 15). Unbelief is a consequence of hardening the heart against God (Heb. 3:12). Departure from the living God. Open rebellion against God to provoke and tempt Him (Heb. 3:8-9, 16). Habitual sinning, careless living, and flagrant violation of God’s laws (Heb. 3:10, 17). Apostasy – all faith in God and His redemptive work thrown overboard – beyond all hope of repentance because of no more faith (Heb. 3:11, 18-19).

‘Perfect’ [Greek: katartizo] arrange; adjust, to adjust; put in order again; restore; repair; settle by mediation. Translated “mend” (Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19); “restore” (Gal. 6:1); fit (Rom. 9:22); “prepare” (Heb. 10:1-39); “frame” (Heb. 9:3); “perfectly joined together” (1Cor. 1:10); “be and make perfect” (Matt. 21:16; Luke 6:40; 1Thess. 3:10; 2Cor. 13:11; Heb. 13:21; 1Pet. 5:10).

Stand Fast

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

‘Stand fast’ – Keep rank. Do not be disorderly or retreat. Keep unity. Let nothing divide you so that satan can defeat you.

‘Liberty’ – this refers to the freedom of the gospel of the new covenant (4:21-31; Jas. 1:25; 2:12). The old covenant was one of bondage, sin, and death; the new is one of freedom, righteousness, and life. The Messiah was to bring liberty from the curse and all its effects (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18). All Christians enjoy liberty (2:4; 5:1, 13; Rom. 8:21; 1Cor. 8:9; 10:29; 1Pet. 2:16). The Spirit brings it (2Cor. 3:17). Liberty is not to be abused or used for an occasion to sin (5:13; 1Cor. 8:9; 1Pet. 2:16).

‘Christ has made us free.’ Christ Himself is the one who sets free from the law of Moses (Rom. 10:4; Eph. 2:14-15; Col. 2:14-17).

‘Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ Two things are commanded here: Stand fast in liberty from all bondage to the law (5:1; 3:10-12; Col. 2:14-17). Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage to the law (5:1; Acts 15:10).

‘Entangled again’ [Greek: enecho] to be held or caught; entangled in. Make a definite break from all keeping of the law and let your freedom from it be settled once and forever. Recognize that you are under a new covenant and that you are out from all observance of Jewish rites, ceremonies, commandments, days, sabbaths, seasons, times, years, and whatever else is in the Jewish law (Col. 2:14-17; Eph. 2:14-15).

‘Yoke of bondage’ Observing any or all the Mosaic laws, commandments, rituals, or any jot or tittle of the law is considered a yoke of bondage (4:24; Acts 15:10). If one goes back to keeping the law, he is under obligation to keep the whole contract (3:10-12; 5:3; Jas. 2:10). If one wants to know whether he is allowed to steal, murder, commit adultery, or keep any sabbath, then let him go to the new contract. You are only under the law when you choose to break it.