Epaggelia

We must come to the Bible, not to have our opinions confirmed, our prejudices reinforced, our pet issues endorsed, or our “proof texts” approved, but to hear the voice of God and learn of his will for our life. We must have a spirit of obedience and submission to the authority of his word each time we read the Bible. The attitude of the Psalmist is one we would do well to imitate:

“Open my eyes,” he says, “that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm 119:18)

Paul gives this instruction to Timothy: “Reflect” he says, “on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (2 Timothy 2:7) And to the community of believers in Philippi he says, “And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” (Philippians 3:15) The use of our mind, along with the guidance of the Spirit, is indispensable in our interpretation of the Bible. His goal is clearly given in Romans 8:28-29, conform to Christ.
“The Bible can mean anything you want it to mean” is a common enough claim and there is a sense in which that is true. The Bible can be made to say anything you want it to say if you approach it with a certain frame of mind that fails to observe some basic rules of interpretation. The existence of cults confirms how a bad interpretation of Scripture produces bad results. And even “mainstream” Christians sometimes have beliefs and practices that owe their existence to a wrong interpretation of Scripture.

So how can we interpret the Bible correctly? When we come to Scripture we must do so in a spirit of humility and dependence upon the Holy Spirit. The author of the Bible is the Holy Spirit and he is its best interpreter. We need to keep the following scriptures ever before us:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” (1 Peter 1:10-11)

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21)

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher and you are all brothers. And call no one your ‘father’ on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one teacher, the Christ” (Matthew 23:9-10).  “Nevertheless you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you that you do not know the truth, but that you do know it, and that no lie is of the truth”. (1st John 2:20-21)

His introduction as a Judge is similiar to Samuel. His birth was announced by an angel, Judges 13:3. But Samuel’s birth was ushered in with God’s answer to Hannah’s prayer, 1st Sam.1:20, 2:21. Whenever this happens, be it with Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Hannah, Mary or Elizabeth, there is a common theme between them all. A holy child is produced from God’s strength. Luke 1:35, Romans 15:13, 1st Thessalonians 1:5, Revelation 20:6. With holiness, comes power, that is strength to do what God wants us to do, rather than our own self interests.

What is the purpose of a Nazarite vow? Numbers 6:3,21.  It is a way of showing our separation, or consecration for the holiness that God gives to a person’s heart.

Could the diet of Manoah’s wife, as preparation for conception, be evidence for the anti-abortion cause? Why couldn’t baby Samson start the vow as a boy, before he became a man? Why begin the vow in the womb? Jer.1:4-5. How did Samson begin and end his life?

The Angel of the Lord appeared as a man to Manoah’s wife, but had glory which made her feel in awe of his presence. Judges 13:6

Gen. 31:11-13 shows us the true identity of the Angel of the Lord, see also Gen. 32:24-30. When he appeared the second time, his name is called, “WONDERFUL”, Judges 13:18. How can you see a person’s name?  This must be a reference to the Messiah in Isaiah 9:6.

The story of Samson is the longest of the Judges, except for Samuel, who is also called a Judge. 1st Sam. 7:15

Every parent should ask God the same question Manoah asks, see Judges 12:13. What is our rule/standard of life?

What happened when Manoah sacrificed the goat & grain on the rock?

The story of Samson’s parents is the foundation for his success as a Deliverer. God works through prayer. If we want our lives to be powerful, what must we have? If we want our community/society or nation to be godly, what must parents be doing?

Without holiness we will not see God, Hebrews 12:14.

The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart —Jeremiah 17:1.  Our heart is affected by the sin we commit. We need help in obtaining a healthy heart.  A bypass or medicine will not do the job, we need a complete transplant!  God says, “ I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart” Jer. 24:7. God knows we need Him and His forgiveness. Jesus claims to be a surgeon/physician for our heart. Matthew, Mark & Luke all record the same claim, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Mt.9:12-13, Mk.2:17, Lk.5:31-32.

Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant to teach us that we must forgive from the heart, as God forgives from His heart. Mt. 18:23-35. The fact is, a sinful heart can not forgive like Christ forgives, unless it is born anew.  Forgive each other as Christ has forgiven you, Eph. 4:32
Heb 10:19-23  Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,  by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,  let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Just as surely as the blood of Christ given 2000 years ago can not touch our physical hearts, neither can it purify water in a baptistry or muddy river. But by faith, we trust God’s promise in the blood to cleanse our spiritual heart, renewing us, our WHOLE being. Then, and only then can we be presentable and accepted by God as a new creature.  2Co 5:16-17, From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.  Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him that way no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Today when someone becomes a Christian, they are operated on, Col. 2:11-12, in the operation of God, their heart is circumcised by Christ.  After the work of God initiates a new creation, He then gives himself as a personal trainer, to help us maintain and grow the fruit of the Spirit.

He has come to live with us in the Spirit of Christ, He says through the prophet Jeremiah and the apostle Paul, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. 2nd Corinthians 3:3 & Jeremiah 31:33.

Do you personally believe in this promise?

Grace indeed, is the greatest word in the greatest book, the Bible. If not for God’s grace, we would know nothing of His love for us personally, nor would we ever have even heard about the blood of Jesus. Without God’s grace, there would be no Jesus, no New Testament and no hope of salvation. Our world would be a horrific place in which to live without the grace of God. Read Mark 2:1-12, Did the man DESERVE God’s power to be healed because of his faith, or did God heal him because of his faith in God’s gracious power?

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Does our faith EVOKE God’s blessings, or make demands on Him?

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Grace, Hebrews 10:29.

The apostle Paul instructs us to be strong in God’s grace, 2^nd Tim. 2:1.

Paul believed that Christians stand in the grace of God, Romans 5:2.

The grace of God causes salvation to appear to all of us, Titus 2:11.

By grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is

the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8-9

…as God has dealt to each person a measure of  faith. Romans 12:3

What does God’s grace teach us?  See Titus 2:11-14.  Can we see God’s grace?  See Acts 11:23.  When we do see God’s grace, do we call it grace, or ignore the giver of all good and perfect gifts, James 1:17.  If we use the word “grace’, as the Bible uses it, we will grow strong in His grace and stand in it firmly. This is good news, it is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense!  Do you have those Riches?

It takes time to become a soldier. If you are recruited by the Department of Defense, it will take MONTHS to get your first active post. Before you become a fully fledged soldier, you must first be qualified, taking an oath.  Secondly you must be trained in basic protocol.  Thirdly, you must be educated in your particular assignment.  Fourthly you must be transported to your first base of operation.  Then your able to be a soldier and help defend the freedoms and liberties of the Nation you serve.  Christians are enlisted into an Army, which has Jesus Christ as our Captain. His Spirit gives Christians nourishment and training to become an active soldier, to help defend His fellow citizens in the Kingdom of God. Why? To accomplish the mission of saving souls from the schemes of Satan, our arch enemy in this life, helping them become members of God’s secure eternal city, the New Jerusalem. Christians have their own citizenship in Heaven,(Philippians 3:20). 

Now where is your oath? Jesus said if you confess me before men, I will confess you before my Father in Heaven.  (Matthew 10:32)

Where is your training & education? The word of God. Sharpen your sword and exercise it’s use daily, (Ephesians 6:17)

Where is your base of operation? Wherever God gives you the opportunity to share or show the good news of Christ! Therein lay the power to be a fully fledged soldier of Christ, do not get entangled in the affairs of this world and it’s distractions away from the good news of Christ. Keep growing in His grace and knowledge, so that we can continue to keep sharing our faith, which is a shield to protect us from all the fiery darts of temptation that are fired against us every day.  Fight the good fight of overcoming evil with the good you can do, and you will taste the victory over temptation in your daily life, while helping someone else get recruited into the most glorious and victorious Army ever built. (Romans 12:21). One of the best tactics of the Army of Christ, is that we never kill the soldiers of the evil one, we simply attempt to recruit them, but at the end of every day, it’s up to them to volunteer or not. Our Captain is the Lord of love and it’s hard to kick against the goads of Christ, no matter how vicious an enemy we face. We win in Him!

To call someone “Lord” doesn’t mean much today, as Festus called Agrippa “lord”, is the way the word is used flippantly in politics, Acts 25:26. But as Jews and Christians use the word “Lord”, it should be used only in reference to our God of omnipotent rule.

            Jesus is Lord over terrestrial forces, he proved this first in the making of wine from water, Jn. 2:1-12. And in instantly creating loaves & fishes for over 9,000 people in different occasions, Jn. 6:1-4, Mk.8:1-10, and also for instantly withering the fig tree, he proved his sovereign judgment in nature, Mt.21:18-22. And over celestial forces, proving this when he walked on water, Mk. 6:45-52, Jn.6:15-21. And over our climate, he proved it when he stilled the storm & sea, Mk. 4:35-41, Mt. 8:23-25.  He holds everything together, Col. 1:17, Heb. 11:3.  And over animals, showing instant control in riding the young colt of a donkey, never trained nor ridden on before, during the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Lk. 19:28-40. And of the sabbath, fulfilling the old law of Moses with it’s prophecies and making null & void all of it’s commandments against us on the cross, Lk. 6:1-5, Col. 2:14.  And over the demons, proving this when demons cried out for mercy in His presence, and He showed them none, Luke 8:26-39, 11:24. Jesus is also Lord over the human body, the most complicated and amazing of His creations, He proves this in the many marvellous healings of human weaknesses and deformities in His miracles, Mat. 4:24 & Jn. 21:25.  He is the firstfruit of the Resurrection in overcoming death, Jn. 11:25-26.

            Is Jesus Lord over our life?  One day He will be Lord over EVERYONE in judgment, 2^nd Ths. 1:7-10.  It is wise to be in submission to His Lordship now, before He arrives. Both Paul & Thomas showed their submission to Jesus as Lord.

Paul the Apostle knew that to call Jesus his Lord meant sacrifice, Php. 3:8.  If we make Jesus our personal Lord, we submit everything we are and everything we have beneath His control, for then will we truly know how great and merciful a Lord He really is, Ps 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. Ps 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.  Ps 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;  Ps 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.  Ps 145:8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

Thomas the Apostle knew Jesus as The Lord and expressed his personal and public dedication to Him as offering his own life, Jn. 11:15-16, but The Lord Jesus was not truly his own Lord, until he saw Jesus resurrected, THEN, Thomas said, “My Lord, My God”, Jn. 20:28.  Secular history records Thomas as a lifelong faithful apostle and left this earth as a martyr for his Lord.  We may not physically see Jesus, but we do have the mind of Christ in His word, 1Cor. 2:16, and the Spirit of Christ in our heart, Rom. 8:9.  If you are looking you can see His Lordship.  This can only be seen with the eyes of your understanding from your inner being, which Paul talks about in Eph. 1:18, 3:16.  His Lordship can create a new life in us, if we will accept his gift and entry terms into the Kingdom, Ac. 2:38-39, 22:16. Repentance and baptism is not done simply to show the world that Jesus is Lord.  Obeying the commands of Jesus in repentance, confession and baptism are simply demonstrations of our faith in the promises the Lord Jesus makes.  What is His promise?  He will remove your sins and give Himself to you.  Acts 2:36-39

 The Lordship of Jesus can be seen today in His…

…Supper and Cup, 1^st Cor. 10:21 & 11:20

 … Day, Revelation 1:10.

And in our conversation, Romans 10:9, 1^st Corinthians 12:3.

 His Lordship is seen in the fact that He has been appointed HEAD over His body. What He wants done, should be at least attempted by us. Today in the USA, many see Christianity as an enterprising business, an organization that uses a message to make money.  This is sad, because whenever a “body” is turned into a business it is usually referred to as prostitution. Let us make Jesus and His will, the command of our heart, and try to give everything that is His, freely. Freely we received, freely we must give.

The Apostle Paul struggled with this subject, and teaches us that our only problem is our mortal weakness of ignorance. The fact that we are human, means that we can not know the future for certain. We therefore can not know clearly what we should pray for in every circumstance.  Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”.  But this is only true, if we are solely leaning upon our own humanity, experience and knowledge. What if we lean on God, His word and what we have learned from Him? Then we can indeed know what His will is and pray accordingly. Whatever areas of our life which are not commented on in Scriptures, indeed leave us ignorant of His will, but when the Scriptures speak about God’s will for our lifestyle, work and attitude, then we know what to pray for with certainty and can pray with clarity and confidence. The Hebrew writer proclaimed this in Heb. 4:15-16 & 10:19-22. Confidence in prayer, can only come, when we understand what the blood of Jesus does for us, and what the will of God is for our daily lives.  God wants us each to have confidence. How do we get this? A clean & clear heart, as well as a lifestyle that is pleasing and obedient to God. Read 1^st John 3:21-22.

Here are subjects every Christian should have confidence in praying about:

 1. God’s Strength & Wisdom, Ephesians 3:14-16, James 1:5.  Saint’s perseverance and requests, to grow in The Spirit, 2^nd Cor. 1:21-22, Acts 8:14-16,  Eph. 6:17-18 & Jn. 17:11-16.  Saint’s love and holiness to grow, and the Father’s name is sanctified,“hallowed”,  1^st Ths. 3:11-13, Jn. 17:22-26, Mt. 6:9.   Saint’s thankfulness to grow, 1^st Thes. 5:18-19.

2. Evangelists message to have boldness & open doors, so that God may grant  repentance, Eph. 6:19, Col. 4:3. Rom. 15:30 &  2^nd Cor. 1:10-11, 2^nd Tim. 2:25.    Harvest laborers, sowers & reapers, to perform God’s work, His kingdom’s will be  done, Mat. 6:10,13, 9:36-38 & Jn. 4:33-35.

3. People in Government to use authority for the promotion of peace, godliness &  honesty, 1^st Tim. 2:1-2, Rom. 13:4, Psa. 46:9.

4. Persecuted Saints, Hebrews 13:3.

5. Enemies of The Church, Mat. 5:44.

6. Forgiveness for ourself the sinner, and the salvation of your neighbor, Rom. 10:1,  Heb. 7:24-25 and also the sinning saint,  Mt. 6:12, Ac.10:4, 8:21-24, Luke 23:34  & 17:1-5.  Personal deliverance from Satan’s temptations, Mt. 6:13. Luke 23:46,  Prayer is to be used, to place ourselves into His care & direction. We know our souls are located in Christ, but do we put our events, behaviour and interests into the Father’s hands? This is linked to the growth of sanctification. 2^nd Peter 3:18. Helping us make ourselves available for His deliverance from Satan.

7.  Personal daily necessities, Casting your care upon Him, Mt. 6:11. Matthew 27:46 &  1^st Peter 5:7