Question 364: Does A Man Have Two Natures?
Answer:
In Romans 7:25 Paul says: "So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of YHVH, but with the flesh the law of sin." The argument of the preceding verses has been the hopelessness of the struggle which that man must fight who strives to obtain salvation through the Law. He is defeated by his own body or the flesh, as Paul calls it. It drags him down and forces him to obey and to yield to its cravings; so that in his despair he cries, "What I would I do not; but what I hate that do I." The picture is one that appeals to every unconverted man's experience. His reason, his pride, his manliness directs him to renounce some sin, such as drunkenness or lust. He resolves, but suddenly the craving arises and in spite of the resolves of his mind - his real ego - he is swept off his feet and yields to his passion. The revelation of Moshiach as a helper crosses Paul's mind and he thanks YHVH. In the eighth chapter he is going to explain this at length, but he halts here at verse 25, to mark the stage reached by the man he is describing. "With the mind, I myself," the real ego am serving YHVH; while with the flesh, the animal nature, I am serving sin. In Romans 8:10 this problem is solved. Through Moshiach the spirit is strengthened and the flesh is controlled and subdued. He is freed by the spirit of life (Romans 8:3).
Question 363: Is Misfortune A “Judgement” Of YHVH?
Answer:
We have no right to sit in judgment on others and when some people censoriously announce that a misfortune which befalls a person or a community is "a judgment" of YHVH, they assume undue authority. We are distinctly warned against judging others. See Moshiach's teaching on this subject Luke 13:4.
Question 362: How Long Have We Had A Trained Ministry?
Answer:
The Bible informs us that even in the days of Samuel there were "schools of the prophets," in which men were trained for the high function of moral and spiritual teaching. The priests and Levites were trained in the knowledge of the ecclesiastical Law and the ceremonies, In later Jewish history, twelve great institutions for educating priests, teachers and elders existed. Yeshua Himself passed a considerable portion of His ministry in instructing and training His disciples. We read in Acts that the apostles imitated His example in personally instructing the younger disciples. John spent his later years teaching at Ephesus, qualifying youths for the ministry and Mark did likewise at Alexandria. Early believer’s training schools were established in Caesarea, Antioch, Laodicea, Nicomedia, Athens, Edessa, Seleucia, Carthage and in Mesopotamia and there were many minor institutions of the same class. Thus, all the evidence goes to show that even from the earliest days, those who were designed to convey YHVH's message to the hearts of men were set apart, consecrated and fitly prepared. It is so today. A trained and educated ministry is essential to the advancement of religion just as training and preparation are needed in other vocations. The apostles, even if they had nothing more, had a course of several years' personal training with the great Master as their teacher before they were sent out on their full mission. It is true that many converted laymen and women too, have done and are doing noble work in soul saving, but they are exceptional and the fact that their labours are owned and blessed of YHVH is not a valid argument against a trained ministry, but rather the reverse. With due training they might have accomplished even more.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Question 361: What Are The Qualifications Of A Minister?
Answer:
A true minister of the Gospel must possess, above everything else, an intense love for Moshiach and a great love for his fellowmen. These two qualifications will necessarily give him an intense passion to save souls and this is the true secret of success. He must love Moshiach so much and love people so much that he will long to proclaim Moshiach's message to men and win them to Him. He must understand the Gospel - must feel its operation in his own heart and must know that "it is the power of YHVH unto salvation, to everyone that believeth." He must understand that the Gospel is the message of YHVH's free grace to men by which He forgives and sanctifies them and he must know how to lead men, not to try to save themselves by efforts and vows, but to accept humbly YHVH's infinite gift of a present salvation. A minister should have common sense and a well-balanced mind. He should have a clear voice and the ability to express himself clearly and forcibly in speech; if eloquently, so much the bet ten He should have modesty and tact and these even without much social experience, will lead him to conduct himself correctly and winsomely. His studies should lead him to know more of Moshiach, to know more of the Gospel, to know more of men and to acquire more skill in delivering the message. He must study voice culture, rhetoric and some elocution - though this last is dangerous, as it is apt to make a speaker affected, which is fatal to real success. He must study the Bible and should study theology and psychology. Special emphasis must be laid upon understanding people. A technical theological education sometimes lifts a man away from the people he must help instead of putting him into closer touch with them. He must understand how people live and work and suffer and think and must be sympathetic with and well informed about the movements they are making toward greater liberties and better social conditions. This understanding of people, individually and in groups, will help him to convince them of their need of Moshiach for their souls and for society. He should, if possible, also has some knowledge of business affairs so that in the conduct of his church he will not fall into financial and legal snares.
One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Titus 1:12
Per John Gill, numerous ancient poets agreed in characterizing Cretians as given to dishonesty and violence. In this verse, Paul quoted the poet Epimenides on this score. There are numerous quotes in the Bible of extra-biblical literary sources, and none of those quotes mean that the original source should be included in the Bible.
Fragment 4: Annihilation of the Realm of Death
From the beginning you are immortal and children of eternal life. You wished to distribute death amongst yourselves so as to consume it and annihilate it, and so that death might die in and through you. For when you dissolve the world and are not yourselves dissolved, you rule over creation and over the whole of corruption.
--Valentinus
I don't know what to make of this, but there are some interesting parallels between Jesus' transfiguration (Matthew 17) and the Wedding at Cana (John 2):
-Both events are said to have happened "after X days".
-Jesus went to a place with a select group of followers.
-One event was on a mountain (possibly Mt Tabor) and the other in a valley (near Mt Tabor).
-A voice at both events (YHVH and Mary) said "Listen to him".
-Jesus' physical appearance was changed at one and he changed the physical properties of wine at the other.
-The Glory of God appeared on the mountain and Jesus "manifested his glory" in the valley.
-The disciples kept silent after the transfiguration and the servants kept silent after the wedding.
#biblepatterns #yitro
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WORD FOR TODAY “what is true love…sacrifice:“. Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
WISDOM FOR TODAY: Pro 8:17 "I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.
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