Thanks for your comment Gerald. Even though I didn't expand my comment to Pepe about Jesus breaking the Law, rather, mentioning that "Jesus was showing to those Pharisees that the Sabbath observance must not interfere with sustaining life", there still remains the problem of the nature of the Law & its requirements.
The Law given to Israel was "holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" ( Romans 7:12) in every respect, and its very nature called for strict unswerving obedience or face dire consequences. In those instances (of Jesus & His disciples picking ears of corn on the Sabbath Day, or the man picking up sticks on the Sabbath, even this woman caught in adultery), all required the death penalty ( Exodus 31:14; Numbers 15:32-36; Leviticus 20:10). So, the Pharisees could rightly (according to the Law they were under) demand the death penalty for that woman; though one could argue whether they even had the authority to make such judgement as Israel's monarchies and authoritative judicial system had long ended, and these religious leaders were simply self-appointed (spiritual) leaders, post captivity.
When Jesus came on the scene and not only taught Truths that went against pharisaical teachings, He also presented Himself to them as the Lord of the Sabbath ( Mark 2:28). Of course, Jesus' Deity is clearly seen in that claim, but the point of His Words to them was that as Lord, He had both the rule and the last Word concerning the Law. The Law-giver Who took on human flesh, preparing to sacrifice His Life so that God's Grace for salvation could be imparted to all who call upon His Name, was in the throes of ushering a new Law that would clearly reflect that Grace - a Law of Love, Compassion, & Forgiveness. The Old Law couldn't do that: severe punishment for any departure from it was certain. Onto Page 2.
The Sabbath Day was given specifically as a day of rest. There was no core requirement that it should also be a worship day, though the Jewish priests conducted their business continually throughout the week. So even now, if any desire to still abide by the fourth Commandment, then to give that seventh day entirely to rest, recuperation, & spiritual activities would be in order. But to insist that those who are In Christ must worship only on that day, goes against NT teaching; even as you quoted Mark 2:27, where Jesus was reprimanded for 'working' (i.e. picking ears of corn to satisfy hunger) on the Sabbath. Yes, by Law, Jesus broke that Commandment, but Jesus was showing to those Pharisees that the Sabbath observance must not interfere with a necessity of life (in this case, hunger). Why? The Sabbath was given for man's benefit (for rest & rejuvenation) and not the other way around (i.e. for man to have to suffer in hunger, thereby negating the complete rest that the Sabbath Day was meant to give him). And of course, through His Sacrifice, Jesus altogether removed the commandments that kept man bound in his sin, nailing them to the Cross ( Colossians 2:9-17). And if we still adhere to the Law, the apostle states that "we have fallen from grace" ( Galatians 5:4), for we simply cannot be justified through the Law and Grace - it is one or the other and to expect justification by the Law will not work before God.
I realize that I have written much but I really hope you might read these verses given and wait on God's Spirit to help you understand and appropriate these Truths in your heart. It won't be easy because of past recollections, but I pray that the Holy Spirit would help you understand the great significance of Christ's death for us, justifying by faith and not by to the Law, and even changing those apostles who once strongly held onto Jewish Laws and traditions, to wholly embrace Christ & obedience to His Law through the Spirit. Blessings.
As a seven day adventist. I now live in foreign country. I've met a new church community here. There go to Church on Sunday. Not a Catholic church. I continue to struggle going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday. What does the bible verse really mean about Mark 2:27. The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath? What does that really mean?
Isaiah 1:13 - a day like Sabbath intended to honor God was made an iniquity and offensive. Someone's heart, motive, and conduct seems integral in honoring God, not merely in the ritual itself.
Mark 2:27 The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.
Jesus was accused of breaking the Sabbath. Legalistic people accused him of wrongdoing. If Jesus was here today and you didn't know it, would some legalistic Christians shame and accuse Him of breaking the law and try to kill Him (again)?
Hello Sarahirena and thanks for your question. I'm unsure whether your question on the keeping of the Sabbath Day is simply for understanding what Israel was required by God to do on that day, or whether, you are wanting to observe that day yourself and enquiring about what was permissible. So, I'll assume the first, and give you some Scriptures for you to read on the subject.
Exodus 34:21 (no work in the fields); Jeremiah 17:21,22; Amos 8:4,5 (not carrying any load and doing business); Exodus 16:28-30 (not to leave the precincts of the home); Exodus 35:2,3 (light no fires/no cooking); Numbers 15:32-36 (no gathering of firewood). These are some of the restrictions placed on the children of Israel; if they disobeyed, as the man gathering sticks did, it meant death. Very harsh punishment, but that was what the Law demanded, requiring strict obedience to God.
And when the Jewish leaders (the Pharisees and Saducees) came on the scene during the second temple period (i.e. after the Persian king Cyrus began to release the Jewish captives back to their homeland & helped in the building of this temple), these 'new' religious leaders began to add many laws & regulations to the existing Laws given by God to Israel. And it was these leaders that accused Jesus and His disciples for picking and eating corn from the fields on the Sabbath Day (which was not lawful to do). But Jesus explained ( Mark 2:23-28), that the Sabbath day was given for man's benefit and not the other way around. So, if you are hungry, then you are entitled to 'work' by picking or purchasing food to satisfy your need, even though the Letter of the Law prohibited it.
So the Sabbath Day (with the other 9 commands, plus many others) were given to Israel so they might have a day of rest from their hard labors in the field, etc and be refreshed for the next six days work. And this Day was "holy" because it was 'set apart' from the other days. And these commands were for Israel - not given to the Church.
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
Dear "Bill", when we talk about sin it is so that when you have decided and do not want to touch this what is left. Then do not deviate from that thought. You have to throw it away. So you prove to the spirits that you don't want to see this there anymore. Flammable, burn it. And so on. The next time you are tempted, you run to Jesus. Fall on your knees and ask for help and forgiveness. He who has touched everything unthinkable so that He could bear our sins. When you do that He will come to your rescue. He has promised to be with you.
We pray in Jesus' name that you strengthen "Bill" Jesus with power from on high so that he can withstand and resist the evil day, hour and second. We ask for mercy in Jesus' name. Thank you for answered prayers in Jesus Christ's Holy Name, Amen Mark 2:23-28
Dear God Almighty Father and Creator, You who understand all things and also know when we need help. So let this be a cry to You Lord Jesus in due time. We pray that "Frank" here will gain clarity in his thoughts and can act accordingly Amen in the Lord Jesus Christ Holy Name above all other names, Amen. Mark 2:18-22
Dear God Father in Heaven, thank you for being with us in everything we do. Everything we say and in every decision we make. We pray so fervently that you will reveal yourself to us in every situation where we are unsure Lord. Give us space to see your presence. We ask You Lord for the spirit of wisdom, Amen in Jesus Name. Thank you for answering our prayers in Jesus Christ's Holy Name. Thank you for being with us. Mark 2:18-22 God bless
The persecution of Christ: The Pharisees and many sides of evil.
I am not sure of anyone that has studied this but it doesn't take long to realize just how sickening it truly was in regard to the Pharisees. Jesus no doubt had righteous indignation; and eventually upbraided them severely starting with the initial overturning of the moneychangers table and the later one along with an entire chapter in Mattew where He upbraided them for their various forms of hypocrisy no less than SEVEN times. That; no doubt didn't help matters with their persecution; but He knew His time was coming for the cross and that until that time they couldn't do anything about their seething wrath in order to destroy Him.
Of course; if we step back we realize that it shouldn't have been this way. The Pharisees should have been the first ones to recognize and embrace Jesus as the Messiah and it took some real effort to have such unbelief. What was the law Jesus told men to follow; basically do what they say but do not follow their example ( Matthew 23:3). This was late in the game during His final days on earth before Calvary; but the law was started by God and could not be altered; just overtaken by the covenant of grace established to bring in all men; Jews then Gentiles into the fold of God (see John 10:16). But Christ came for the lost; not for self righteous who "needed no physician" ( Mark 2:17). And that is where we will start at the onset of His ministry.
They started their trash talking (I can't define it as anything else) earlier in verse 6. But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts, 7"Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
After the healing of the paralytic and some time passed the next insult was this When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Thus Jesus responded with verse 17
Jesus was accused and questioned as to His motives and actions
Jesus emphasized the needs for more laborers to be sent into the harvest.
Verses 1 through 8 show a many with "Palsy" which could be defined as one of at least several conditions leading to paralysis.
In this case Jesus emphasized first that the man's sins were forgiven. This caused the scribes to accuse Him of blasphemy. (verse 3). We note that this was "within their hearts" but Jesus of course knew what was in the hearts of men so He challenged them as to what was easier forgiving sin or healing someone. (verses 4-6). The man was then healed; and unlike these religious hypocrites; the multitudes praised Him (verse 8).
We see an interlude in verse 9 when a "happenstance" meeting with Matthew occurs; and according to Mark 2:13-17 this was the same as Levi the son of Alpheus who also in this version was accused by the Pharisees of being a sinner (actually that Jesus with numerous bad characters) as though it somehow tarnished His character. Interesting the Disciples of John asked Him the same thing in verse 14 with another parable sort of response from Christ about the wineskins in verse 15-17. I won't get into interpretation details here.
Verses 18-19 has a statement of a ruler asking about his now deceased daughter who he had faith that Jesus could heal. That is interrupted in verses 20-22 of the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed. Verse 23-25 showed that despite the sarcasm of the mourners (probably paid to be dramatic) Jesus healed the girl; then His fame went forth. Verses 27-31 show the healing of 2 blind men who disobeyed instructions NOT to tell anyone what happened. Verses 32-33 show a "dumb" man (who couldn't speak) have a demon cast out enabling him to speak; but was accused of the Pharisees of having Satan or prince of devils give Him the power. It ends with a call for laborers.
Hello Timmywynne. There are many Scriptures that point to the Triune Nature of God, and specifically, that Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit are revealed to us from the very Being of God the Father. When we think of the Trinity, we know we won't find that word in the Bible, as it is purely a descriptive word of what the Bible declares to be the fullness of God's Being. So to the verses you seek, and you will need to read them fully in your Bible.
Of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 9:6,7 (an Old Testament Prophecy); Micah 5:2 & John 1:1-14 (from everlasting); Matthew 1:22,23; Mark 2:5-7; John 8:56-58; John 16: 27,28; John 17:4,5; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:13; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:8-10; 1 John 5:7; 1 John 5:20.
Of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 12:31; Luke 1:34,35; Luke 11:13; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3; Acts 8:29; Acts 13:4; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:26,27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 5:6.
The above are a few Scriptures that point to the deity of Jesus Christ & God's Spirit: all showing that they don't work independently from God, but have been sent out from God, from God's Being, to accomplish His Purposes in the world. And we know that Jesus, as the Word of God clothed with humanity, is the very expression of God to the world ( John 14:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2). Hope these will help you in your study of this very important doctrine. Blessings.
Christ did not make atonement for sin to give us whole bodies, as many teach. That will only take place at the resurrection of the Last Day when we shall instantly be changed from corruption to incorruption, and from mortal to immortal. Our present bodies are fashioned from the dust of the ground and shall return to the dust. When mankind fell into sin, God cursed the ground from which man was formed. Surely, it can be said, if Christ died to give us physical health or physical healing, then the gospel is an abject failure, because each and every day, approximately 150,000 people on average die all over the world. They die for a variety of reasons, most of which relate to physical disease of one form or another. If they became a true child of God, are they prevented from physically dying? No. If someone who is sick becomes well again, is the faith of that person what healed him? God can heal, but God can heal in the life of one who is not saved just as quickly as one who is saved. The emphasis of the gospel is on the spiritual, not the physical. The believers who have experienced the first resurrection, namely the resurrection of their sin-sick souls, shall receive a brand new incorruptible spiritual body at the Last Day.
When Christ and the apostles performed miracles and healed the sick and gave sight to the blind, those were physical portraits pointing to some spiritual aspect. Once Christ went back to heaven and the apostles died, any miracles of that kind ceased. When Christ healed the sick, he did so to demonstrate that he has power on earth to forgive sins.
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (see also Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24)
Great Scriptures Everett that you have given to clearly show the the Nature of the Triune God & the Deity of Christ Who has come forth from (Gk. Ek: to come out of - not a separate a creation) the Father. If I might include these others in support of your list: Mark 2:5-7; John 16:28; John 17:5; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-8. To deny these Scriptures, distorts the whole Character of God and dilutes His great sacrificing Love reaching out to & imploring sinful men to turn from sin unto the Love of God in Christ. We need to take all Scriptures into account or else our view will be lop-sided & erroneous. GBU.
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land./So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake".
Healing the land and healing of nations are held together by the river of time. Elisha having a double portion of his mentor stands now as the double for Jesus Christ. Healing of the land with the new cruze of salt foreshadows indwelling Spirit and it signals a believer as a vessel unto honour. "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."( Mark 2:22).
Elisha standing as a double performed this miracle according the word. So his authority is of the Word made flesh. "Thus saith the Lord" is backed by the tag 'unto this day'. Blessings from the waters above the firmament we see at the waters of Marah, "And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet."(Ex.15:25) The cruze of salt and tree are thus physical objects pointing out to the cross and the baptism of the Spirit. Blessing promised under the covenant make use of the physical world for a single purpose. To lead a believer to the rest of God. This healing of the land leads to the new earth. The healing of nations is in context of the tree of life and for the saved nations on the earth. "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb./In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Re.22:1-2)
Mark 2:22 - And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
Literally it is wineskins. Here's what He is saying:
When you put wine into these wine skins for fermentation, when the gases began to escape from the grape, the wine skins expand with the wine. When it is through expanding, the skins are in one place, and the skins harden, they stay just in one place. You take it and you and pour it out.
So, if you take an already used wine skin that has already stretched to its maximum and is already hardened, and if you put new wine in it, when the new wine begins to expand, it is going to crack and break and your wine is gone. You put new wine in new wine skins. So, He says the problem here is that I didn't come to pour new wine (the Spirit of God), into an old religious system. It doesn't work!
That is why John the Baptist told the Jewish people that they must repent and turn to Messiah for their salvation, and that they could no longer depend upon Judaism because Jesus didn't come to breathe new life into an old system. He called people to follow Him. As a matter of fact, He didn't breathe life into any system. He came to call people to follow Him!
Mark 3:3 - And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
Jesus tells this man with the withered hand, He says "Stand out here, in the middle." That would be the literal translation.
Mark 3:14 - And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
That little phrase "send them forth" is the verb form of apostle, APOSTELLO. Jesus sent them out with the commission to preach. That's what an apostle is, someone who has been appointed by God and has been sent out on a commission to proclaim God's word.
Mark 1:21 - And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Here is the literal translation of this verse:
"And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and was teaching." The literal translation is in the Imperfect Tense in the Greek which shows habit.
Mark 1:42 - And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
So, Jesus touched this leper. You can just hear the crowd gasping, you know? He touched him! And Jesus says to him, I will; that is, I am willing, be thou clean.
And as soon as he had spoken, guess what happened? Immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. I emphasize this to you because it is important that everything happen immediately with Jesus because if it just clears up gradually over a couple days, people can say "Well, he got healed somewhere else!" Immediately the leprosy left him!
Mark 2:5 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Again, "sick of the palsy" is one Greek word that means paralyzed.
Mark 2:14 - And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
So as Jesus passed by, he saw Levi. This is Matthew. He is also called Levi. He was sitting at the "receipt of custom," which means that he was a tax collector. But not just any ordinary tax collector because he was Jewish, and he was working for the Roman government to collect taxes from his own people. His own people considered him a traitor. He didn't care because he got rich. He taxed the people what the Roman government wanted, and then he taxed them for what he wanted. And they hated him.
It is thus approaching the Bible with out the aid of the Spirit heresies have come unrestrained. John's epistle speaks of those who have the Son has also the Father. Jesus defended his disciples "And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn."
Under the provision of the Covenant the seven days refer to the MOU and the Word is ultimate authority not to be confused by legal terms of the ungodly world. Holiness of God cannot deny himself.
So on Day 6 God blessed man in the Man component.(Ge.1:28)
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." God allowed the Man to fulfill according what they covenanted in the triune godhead.
"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre./Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."(Ps.45:6-7)
Luke and Matthew also give the context and the quote, "And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."( Luke 6:5;12:8) The everlasting covenant is between two equals so the eternal word is the Law backed by the kingdom of the Father. In case of faith we have the basis of these two worlds (He.11:3) which we shall leave aside for the moment. What are the equal entities here? They are Power on the part of God Wisdom on the part of Man. St Paul separates Man as the Lord of heaven, from man who is the earthy. "The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven."(1 Co.15:47-48)
When Jesus was born of woman his deity was never in jeopardy since he is the Word become flesh and sent with the divine Mandate. ( John 3:16)
When Jesus spoke "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" it is this Word was God it refers.( John 1:1; 5:17-23)
Speaking of the context Mark 2:24 we have the Pharisees questioning "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."
Next point of Sabbath is that the day Seven. God has decree the day which touches his Alpha Omega aspect. " I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee./Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."(Ps.2:7-8) There is no sanctity for observing Sabbath without the Son element incorporated in our lives. This heresy has arisen because the Christians interpret the word of God literally and assume it is the seventh day of a week. It is an error. It is thus approaching the Bible with out the aid of the Spirit. John's epistle speaks of those who have the Son has also the Father.
New wine in new bottles refer to the new creation. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(2 Co.5:17). Abiding in Christ is new altogether because it is fruits of the Spirit we are discussing. "I am the true vine" Jesus said and new vine refers to the newness of the palate. When Jesus promised to sup with a believer it is a reference to drinking new in the kingdom of his Father. "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."(Matt.26:29;Re.3:20)
Luke 5:38-39
"But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved." Jesus assured us "Without me you can do nothing"( John 15:3) Jesus as the Word become flesh promised to drink with us in his Father's kingdom. We are new and in our spiritual bodies we are the new bottles referred in this quote. The wine is of vintage quality that is same yesterday, today and forever. In v.39 it is 'the old'.
Unlike other two gospels St Luke extends the meaning of the parable further.
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
"No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse./ And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."
The saying of Jesus is mentioned in both versions of Matthew and Luke.
We shall examine it from the specific, in the resistance of the Jews to him. They judged him from their holier-than-thou attitude as the people of the Law. What had the Law of Moses become? It was a treatise collated from the everlasting covenant, which before the advent of the Son in the fulness of time was given to the nation of Israel as the path to righteousness. Garment as in the Parable of the Wedding Guest refers to righteousness. So when Jesus spoke the parable it was in condemnation of what had come up as tradition. It was as unexpected as tares from the Parable. "An enmy hath done this'. From the manner the scribes and the Pharisees held on to the traditions of their fathers which only allowed them to fill up to the measure of their fathers. In his woe to ye tirade he faulted them,"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."(Matt.23:23). Their hypocritical observation of paying tithes and worship rather to be seen of men than any real change in their old selves was new. This mix and match of old with new did not sit well.
In Luke we have " But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved./No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better."(5:38-39)
New wine in new bottles refer to the new creation.
"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Jesus as the Son of God knew what was in the mind of man. But he did not make it a point to separate man according to his profession or morals before he condescended to sit with him or sup in any convivial company. But when he say faith among them he responded. It was thus at the house he came to heal the man with palsy what struck him was the faith of four who took trouble to bring him to the fore. "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."(2:5).He understood man was sinful so how sinful the matter of degrees did not interest him. The word of his Father was sent out calling all unto repentance. It was potent enough to enthuse the good to hear the call and make peace with God. For example St Luke speaks of Simeon of Jerusalem who was just and devout,"waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him./And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ./ And he came by the Spirit into the temple."( Luke 2:25-27). God let him see his heart's desire before he died. Then there was Anna the prophetess. It is of them Jesus meant when he referred the righteous. They were led by the Spirit of Christ and the anointing of the Holy Ghost would come only after hid resurrection.
But sinners whom came as in the case of Levi or the man with palsy did not came across him by coincidence,- but the call had gone forth before the worlds began and went to the ends of the world; it was their faith in exercising completed the calling and election sure. vv.15-16 The house of Levi was a microcosm of the world. So many were saved as there were many who went away as they came in because of their disbelief.
1:22-24 "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,/ Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us?"
How come the Gospels are replete with the aspect of Trinity and yet man stumble over it? Devil has set him to coin outlandish concepts of 'accelerationalism' as though an historical imperative to bring down his own house. God is in charge and ungodly men cannot know the unclean spirit that spins his head to think of his home a charnel house. This is how the unclean spirit tore down the man in the synagogue of Capernaum.
Similarly when Jesus would heal the man with palsy, his detractors cried 'blasphemy'. Do we not see it in our own times, After kicking the dog what does man say, He howls, hasten his end,'hang him',
Jesus worked so he would say,"Mu Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
vv.10-12
"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)/I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house./And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all.
Mark 2:1-12 "We never saw it on this fashion" (1 of 2)
"And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."
Authority of Jesus evidently came from the doctrine of his Father; and the word become flesh could say,"I am the truth". Unlike the scribes whose authority, as Jesus faulted them, reeked of hypocrisy (1:22) he walked the straight and narrow line. John testifies,"For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken./I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."( John 12:49-50) Where did he learn from? He was in the bosom of his Father so what he said and did was defining the Father inside out.( John 1:18)
While healing the man with palsy, his response we read,"immediately" he arose. He proved "I and my Father are one" and Mark's delineation spares no pains to tell this relation. "He that has the Father has the Son as well. He that has the Son has the Father also' when Jesus made it possible 'inso much that they were all amazed." They glorified God.( 1 John 2:23)
In the previous chapter he was in a synagogue in Capernaum, the unclean spirit 'cried out,"I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." In the world of the Spirit even unclean spirits know the Holy One of God" but they do not want to follow him. In what was the scribes and the Pharisees who did not live by what they preached? Their uncleanness arose from hypocrisy a spiritual malady. Mark here takes us again to Capernaum. In the domestic setting what does the scribes say," Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"(2:7) He was indeed of God to see through them. The tag 'immediately' in v.8 "And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit", is an indication that his deity worked even when he emptied himself.
Hence, Scriptures such as have referred to here & in other discussions: Mark 2:5-7; John 1:1-14; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; & others, are relevant in our discussions. I don't expect that we deal with all of these in one hit (maybe just the John 1 only), but in my understanding, these portions speak of Jesus prior to His coming to Earth - and these are the verses that we understand differently. The verses that speak of Jesus after His coming to Earth can only be correctly understood if we know Who He was before His coming.
You've shared John 1:1 just here, in reference to "what beginning" is spoken about. You understood it as "it was the word of God in Jesus", and also in other comments, that this 'beginning' is the beginning of Jesus' Ministry. So what I understand from you, is that when Jesus began His Ministry, God's Word came to Him/into Him, thus He brought that Word given to Him to the people.
The subject in John 1:1-18 is "the Word". Leaving aside for a moment 'Jesus receiving God's Word in the beginning of His Ministry', we read in John 1 that "the Word" was in "the beginning, with God & was God". So this Word is God (i.e. God cannot be Who He is without His Word actively in Him - also comparable to the Holy Spirit Who is God & a characteristic of His Existence, for out of God issues forth both His Word & His Spirit. All things were made by God through His Word (v 3), bringing Light & Life (v 4). Then John the Baptist says that he wasn't that Light but was to be a witness to it (vv 6-8); that Light which would come upon all men, made the world, but His own people rejected Him (vv 9-11). Onto Page 3.
"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath./ Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.( Mark 2:27-28) So what does Sabbath really mean?
First reference to it comes at the end of the creation account. The first day, second day and so on, and is not about a week, an error commonly made by Christians everywhere. It is about a day, the day appointed for the Son. God sent the Son as the Word become flesh, so the significance of Sabbath can only be understood from the ministry of reconciliation of Jesus Christ. "By him all things consist" makes the day, which God sanctified on the day seven is subservient to the position of the Son. He is the Lord of Sabbath. Day is sanctified by the word of truth.(John17:17)
Sabbath is rest to which He has entered. It is in pluperfect indicating His Will has already settled the Salvation Plan in his core Will. "And he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.(Ge.2:2)". "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you ( John 14:20-NIV)". God exhorts us to reverence His sanctuary.
Abiding in Christ therefore is the Sabbath that works.(Heb.13:8).
Thank you for this discussion, it is good to hear salvation is not dependent on this doctrine I have been told in many Churches I have attended I was not saved and was a heretic and shunned.
You know Greek better than I, but my understanding is the word Godhead which was added in the 1500s was translated twice and is misleading. Godhead is in the Bible 3 times, Acts 17:29, Greek word theios which means divine, Romans 1:20, Greek word theiotes which means divinity, divine nature, and Colossians 2:9 Greek word Theotetos which means deity.
The verse Colossians 2:9, in Jesus, dwelleth all the fulness of the deity of God, Jesus was filled without measure with God's Spirit/Holy Spirit John 3:34. John the Baptist said God had told him when Jesus was anointed/baptized John 1:32-33. God dwelt in Jesus and empowered Him by the Spirit. God gave Jesus power and authority Matthew 11:27. In John 1:14 we probably differ, God in Jesus dwelt/tabernacled among us. God was manifest in Jesus, John 12:49John 14:10.
Mark 2:5-8 in Matthew 11:25 Things were hidden from the wise and prudent, Scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees were the ones accusing Jesus of blasphemy, as we see in Matthew 9:6-8, the same event multitudes glorified God. Jesus was given full authority in Matthew 28:18 and John 17:2-3 that we should know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom the Father sent, same as all the introductions, greetings, and blessings given to the followers of Christ in the New Testament were from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and in Revelation 21:22.
All authority has been given to Jesus by the Father until the last enemy, death is put under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:25-28Revelation 20:14.
Yes, this has been discussed before. There are those who believe Jesus is God, and those who don't. I know where you stand, and you know where I stand. I'm glad to know that you also disagree with both the Mormon and JW's view on who Jesus is. Many cult groups deny the deity of Jesus Christ, and also deny that He is God.
I wasn't speaking about the trinity although I believe in a Triune God. This comes mainly from Colossians 2:9. I'm not sure if there's a clearer statement than that! In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in bodily form! In 1 John 5:20, there are two great statements of fact; Jesus Christ is the true God, and He is the eternal life!
I didn't know that today in Christianity, salvation is dependent on the belief in the Trinity doctrine. I stand with you when I say that I don't believe that is a requirement for salvation. The bible teaches that salvation is obtained by surrendering one's life to Jesus Christ and being born from above.
Your questions are fair and might challenge someone to question their belief as Jesus being God. A fair question was also asked in Mark 2:5-8. To a man who was sick of the palsy, Jesus said, "thy sins be forgiven thee." For that, the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy. Their question was "Who can forgive sins but God only?" Good question! God is the only one who can forgive sins, so why is this man (Jesus) committing blasphemy?
This is not the first time He was accused of blasphemy. He was accused of blasphemy for making Himself equal with God, claiming to be the Son of God, which to those who heard Him, they understood very well that the phrase "Son of God" was the same as claiming to be God. So, they had every right to accuse Him of blasphemy, unless of course Jesus was (and is) God, which I believe He is!
Ronald, thank you so much for reading my original 2-part post, and thank you for sharing your belief on this important topic. Blessings to you also!
The Law given to Israel was "holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" ( Romans 7:12) in every respect, and its very nature called for strict unswerving obedience or face dire consequences. In those instances (of Jesus & His disciples picking ears of corn on the Sabbath Day, or the man picking up sticks on the Sabbath, even this woman caught in adultery), all required the death penalty ( Exodus 31:14; Numbers 15:32-36; Leviticus 20:10). So, the Pharisees could rightly (according to the Law they were under) demand the death penalty for that woman; though one could argue whether they even had the authority to make such judgement as Israel's monarchies and authoritative judicial system had long ended, and these religious leaders were simply self-appointed (spiritual) leaders, post captivity.
When Jesus came on the scene and not only taught Truths that went against pharisaical teachings, He also presented Himself to them as the Lord of the Sabbath ( Mark 2:28). Of course, Jesus' Deity is clearly seen in that claim, but the point of His Words to them was that as Lord, He had both the rule and the last Word concerning the Law. The Law-giver Who took on human flesh, preparing to sacrifice His Life so that God's Grace for salvation could be imparted to all who call upon His Name, was in the throes of ushering a new Law that would clearly reflect that Grace - a Law of Love, Compassion, & Forgiveness. The Old Law couldn't do that: severe punishment for any departure from it was certain. Onto Page 2.
The Sabbath Day was given specifically as a day of rest. There was no core requirement that it should also be a worship day, though the Jewish priests conducted their business continually throughout the week. So even now, if any desire to still abide by the fourth Commandment, then to give that seventh day entirely to rest, recuperation, & spiritual activities would be in order. But to insist that those who are In Christ must worship only on that day, goes against NT teaching; even as you quoted Mark 2:27, where Jesus was reprimanded for 'working' (i.e. picking ears of corn to satisfy hunger) on the Sabbath. Yes, by Law, Jesus broke that Commandment, but Jesus was showing to those Pharisees that the Sabbath observance must not interfere with a necessity of life (in this case, hunger). Why? The Sabbath was given for man's benefit (for rest & rejuvenation) and not the other way around (i.e. for man to have to suffer in hunger, thereby negating the complete rest that the Sabbath Day was meant to give him). And of course, through His Sacrifice, Jesus altogether removed the commandments that kept man bound in his sin, nailing them to the Cross ( Colossians 2:9-17). And if we still adhere to the Law, the apostle states that "we have fallen from grace" ( Galatians 5:4), for we simply cannot be justified through the Law and Grace - it is one or the other and to expect justification by the Law will not work before God.
I realize that I have written much but I really hope you might read these verses given and wait on God's Spirit to help you understand and appropriate these Truths in your heart. It won't be easy because of past recollections, but I pray that the Holy Spirit would help you understand the great significance of Christ's death for us, justifying by faith and not by to the Law, and even changing those apostles who once strongly held onto Jewish Laws and traditions, to wholly embrace Christ & obedience to His Law through the Spirit. Blessings.
Mark 2:27 The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.
Jesus was accused of breaking the Sabbath. Legalistic people accused him of wrongdoing. If Jesus was here today and you didn't know it, would some legalistic Christians shame and accuse Him of breaking the law and try to kill Him (again)?
Exodus 34:21 (no work in the fields); Jeremiah 17:21,22; Amos 8:4,5 (not carrying any load and doing business); Exodus 16:28-30 (not to leave the precincts of the home); Exodus 35:2,3 (light no fires/no cooking); Numbers 15:32-36 (no gathering of firewood). These are some of the restrictions placed on the children of Israel; if they disobeyed, as the man gathering sticks did, it meant death. Very harsh punishment, but that was what the Law demanded, requiring strict obedience to God.
And when the Jewish leaders (the Pharisees and Saducees) came on the scene during the second temple period (i.e. after the Persian king Cyrus began to release the Jewish captives back to their homeland & helped in the building of this temple), these 'new' religious leaders began to add many laws & regulations to the existing Laws given by God to Israel. And it was these leaders that accused Jesus and His disciples for picking and eating corn from the fields on the Sabbath Day (which was not lawful to do). But Jesus explained ( Mark 2:23-28), that the Sabbath day was given for man's benefit and not the other way around. So, if you are hungry, then you are entitled to 'work' by picking or purchasing food to satisfy your need, even though the Letter of the Law prohibited it.
So the Sabbath Day (with the other 9 commands, plus many others) were given to Israel so they might have a day of rest from their hard labors in the field, etc and be refreshed for the next six days work. And this Day was "holy" because it was 'set apart' from the other days. And these commands were for Israel - not given to the Church.
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
We pray in Jesus' name that you strengthen "Bill" Jesus with power from on high so that he can withstand and resist the evil day, hour and second. We ask for mercy in Jesus' name. Thank you for answered prayers in Jesus Christ's Holy Name, Amen Mark 2:23-28
I am not sure of anyone that has studied this but it doesn't take long to realize just how sickening it truly was in regard to the Pharisees. Jesus no doubt had righteous indignation; and eventually upbraided them severely starting with the initial overturning of the moneychangers table and the later one along with an entire chapter in Mattew where He upbraided them for their various forms of hypocrisy no less than SEVEN times. That; no doubt didn't help matters with their persecution; but He knew His time was coming for the cross and that until that time they couldn't do anything about their seething wrath in order to destroy Him.
Of course; if we step back we realize that it shouldn't have been this way. The Pharisees should have been the first ones to recognize and embrace Jesus as the Messiah and it took some real effort to have such unbelief. What was the law Jesus told men to follow; basically do what they say but do not follow their example ( Matthew 23:3). This was late in the game during His final days on earth before Calvary; but the law was started by God and could not be altered; just overtaken by the covenant of grace established to bring in all men; Jews then Gentiles into the fold of God (see John 10:16). But Christ came for the lost; not for self righteous who "needed no physician" ( Mark 2:17). And that is where we will start at the onset of His ministry.
They started their trash talking (I can't define it as anything else) earlier in verse 6. But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts, 7"Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
After the healing of the paralytic and some time passed the next insult was this When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, "Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Thus Jesus responded with verse 17
Jesus healed men
Jesus forgave sins of men
Jesus was accused and questioned as to His motives and actions
Jesus emphasized the needs for more laborers to be sent into the harvest.
Verses 1 through 8 show a many with "Palsy" which could be defined as one of at least several conditions leading to paralysis.
In this case Jesus emphasized first that the man's sins were forgiven. This caused the scribes to accuse Him of blasphemy. (verse 3). We note that this was "within their hearts" but Jesus of course knew what was in the hearts of men so He challenged them as to what was easier forgiving sin or healing someone. (verses 4-6). The man was then healed; and unlike these religious hypocrites; the multitudes praised Him (verse 8).
We see an interlude in verse 9 when a "happenstance" meeting with Matthew occurs; and according to Mark 2:13-17 this was the same as Levi the son of Alpheus who also in this version was accused by the Pharisees of being a sinner (actually that Jesus with numerous bad characters) as though it somehow tarnished His character. Interesting the Disciples of John asked Him the same thing in verse 14 with another parable sort of response from Christ about the wineskins in verse 15-17. I won't get into interpretation details here.
Verses 18-19 has a statement of a ruler asking about his now deceased daughter who he had faith that Jesus could heal. That is interrupted in verses 20-22 of the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed. Verse 23-25 showed that despite the sarcasm of the mourners (probably paid to be dramatic) Jesus healed the girl; then His fame went forth. Verses 27-31 show the healing of 2 blind men who disobeyed instructions NOT to tell anyone what happened. Verses 32-33 show a "dumb" man (who couldn't speak) have a demon cast out enabling him to speak; but was accused of the Pharisees of having Satan or prince of devils give Him the power. It ends with a call for laborers.
Of Jesus Christ: Isaiah 9:6,7 (an Old Testament Prophecy); Micah 5:2 & John 1:1-14 (from everlasting); Matthew 1:22,23; Mark 2:5-7; John 8:56-58; John 16: 27,28; John 17:4,5; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:13; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:8-10; 1 John 5:7; 1 John 5:20.
Of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 12:31; Luke 1:34,35; Luke 11:13; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-11; Acts 5:3; Acts 8:29; Acts 13:4; Romans 8:14; Romans 8:26,27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:30; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 5:6.
The above are a few Scriptures that point to the deity of Jesus Christ & God's Spirit: all showing that they don't work independently from God, but have been sent out from God, from God's Being, to accomplish His Purposes in the world. And we know that Jesus, as the Word of God clothed with humanity, is the very expression of God to the world ( John 14:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 4:2). Hope these will help you in your study of this very important doctrine. Blessings.
Christ did not make atonement for sin to give us whole bodies, as many teach. That will only take place at the resurrection of the Last Day when we shall instantly be changed from corruption to incorruption, and from mortal to immortal. Our present bodies are fashioned from the dust of the ground and shall return to the dust. When mankind fell into sin, God cursed the ground from which man was formed. Surely, it can be said, if Christ died to give us physical health or physical healing, then the gospel is an abject failure, because each and every day, approximately 150,000 people on average die all over the world. They die for a variety of reasons, most of which relate to physical disease of one form or another. If they became a true child of God, are they prevented from physically dying? No. If someone who is sick becomes well again, is the faith of that person what healed him? God can heal, but God can heal in the life of one who is not saved just as quickly as one who is saved. The emphasis of the gospel is on the spiritual, not the physical. The believers who have experienced the first resurrection, namely the resurrection of their sin-sick souls, shall receive a brand new incorruptible spiritual body at the Last Day.
When Christ and the apostles performed miracles and healed the sick and gave sight to the blind, those were physical portraits pointing to some spiritual aspect. Once Christ went back to heaven and the apostles died, any miracles of that kind ceased. When Christ healed the sick, he did so to demonstrate that he has power on earth to forgive sins.
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (see also Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24)
Continued in Part 4
And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land./So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake".
Healing the land and healing of nations are held together by the river of time. Elisha having a double portion of his mentor stands now as the double for Jesus Christ. Healing of the land with the new cruze of salt foreshadows indwelling Spirit and it signals a believer as a vessel unto honour. "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."( Mark 2:22).
Elisha standing as a double performed this miracle according the word. So his authority is of the Word made flesh. "Thus saith the Lord" is backed by the tag 'unto this day'. Blessings from the waters above the firmament we see at the waters of Marah, "And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet."(Ex.15:25) The cruze of salt and tree are thus physical objects pointing out to the cross and the baptism of the Spirit. Blessing promised under the covenant make use of the physical world for a single purpose. To lead a believer to the rest of God. This healing of the land leads to the new earth. The healing of nations is in context of the tree of life and for the saved nations on the earth. "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb./In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Re.22:1-2)
Mark 2:22 - And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.
Literally it is wineskins. Here's what He is saying:
When you put wine into these wine skins for fermentation, when the gases began to escape from the grape, the wine skins expand with the wine. When it is through expanding, the skins are in one place, and the skins harden, they stay just in one place. You take it and you and pour it out.
So, if you take an already used wine skin that has already stretched to its maximum and is already hardened, and if you put new wine in it, when the new wine begins to expand, it is going to crack and break and your wine is gone. You put new wine in new wine skins. So, He says the problem here is that I didn't come to pour new wine (the Spirit of God), into an old religious system. It doesn't work!
That is why John the Baptist told the Jewish people that they must repent and turn to Messiah for their salvation, and that they could no longer depend upon Judaism because Jesus didn't come to breathe new life into an old system. He called people to follow Him. As a matter of fact, He didn't breathe life into any system. He came to call people to follow Him!
Mark 3:3 - And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
Jesus tells this man with the withered hand, He says "Stand out here, in the middle." That would be the literal translation.
Mark 3:14 - And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
That little phrase "send them forth" is the verb form of apostle, APOSTELLO. Jesus sent them out with the commission to preach. That's what an apostle is, someone who has been appointed by God and has been sent out on a commission to proclaim God's word.
Mark 1:21 - And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Here is the literal translation of this verse:
"And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and was teaching." The literal translation is in the Imperfect Tense in the Greek which shows habit.
Mark 1:42 - And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
So, Jesus touched this leper. You can just hear the crowd gasping, you know? He touched him! And Jesus says to him, I will; that is, I am willing, be thou clean.
And as soon as he had spoken, guess what happened? Immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. I emphasize this to you because it is important that everything happen immediately with Jesus because if it just clears up gradually over a couple days, people can say "Well, he got healed somewhere else!" Immediately the leprosy left him!
Mark 2:5 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Again, "sick of the palsy" is one Greek word that means paralyzed.
Mark 2:14 - And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
So as Jesus passed by, he saw Levi. This is Matthew. He is also called Levi. He was sitting at the "receipt of custom," which means that he was a tax collector. But not just any ordinary tax collector because he was Jewish, and he was working for the Roman government to collect taxes from his own people. His own people considered him a traitor. He didn't care because he got rich. He taxed the people what the Roman government wanted, and then he taxed them for what he wanted. And they hated him.
It is thus approaching the Bible with out the aid of the Spirit heresies have come unrestrained. John's epistle speaks of those who have the Son has also the Father. Jesus defended his disciples "And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn."
Under the provision of the Covenant the seven days refer to the MOU and the Word is ultimate authority not to be confused by legal terms of the ungodly world. Holiness of God cannot deny himself.
So on Day 6 God blessed man in the Man component.(Ge.1:28)
"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." God allowed the Man to fulfill according what they covenanted in the triune godhead.
"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre./Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."(Ps.45:6-7)
Luke and Matthew also give the context and the quote, "And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."( Luke 6:5;12:8) The everlasting covenant is between two equals so the eternal word is the Law backed by the kingdom of the Father. In case of faith we have the basis of these two worlds (He.11:3) which we shall leave aside for the moment. What are the equal entities here? They are Power on the part of God Wisdom on the part of Man. St Paul separates Man as the Lord of heaven, from man who is the earthy. "The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven."(1 Co.15:47-48)
When Jesus was born of woman his deity was never in jeopardy since he is the Word become flesh and sent with the divine Mandate. ( John 3:16)
When Jesus spoke "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" it is this Word was God it refers.( John 1:1; 5:17-23)
Speaking of the context Mark 2:24 we have the Pharisees questioning "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."
Next point of Sabbath is that the day Seven. God has decree the day which touches his Alpha Omega aspect. " I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee./Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."(Ps.2:7-8) There is no sanctity for observing Sabbath without the Son element incorporated in our lives. This heresy has arisen because the Christians interpret the word of God literally and assume it is the seventh day of a week. It is an error. It is thus approaching the Bible with out the aid of the Spirit. John's epistle speaks of those who have the Son has also the Father.
New wine in new bottles refer to the new creation. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(2 Co.5:17). Abiding in Christ is new altogether because it is fruits of the Spirit we are discussing. "I am the true vine" Jesus said and new vine refers to the newness of the palate. When Jesus promised to sup with a believer it is a reference to drinking new in the kingdom of his Father. "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."(Matt.26:29;Re.3:20)
Luke 5:38-39
"But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved." Jesus assured us "Without me you can do nothing"( John 15:3) Jesus as the Word become flesh promised to drink with us in his Father's kingdom. We are new and in our spiritual bodies we are the new bottles referred in this quote. The wine is of vintage quality that is same yesterday, today and forever. In v.39 it is 'the old'.
Unlike other two gospels St Luke extends the meaning of the parable further.
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
"No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse./ And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."
The saying of Jesus is mentioned in both versions of Matthew and Luke.
We shall examine it from the specific, in the resistance of the Jews to him. They judged him from their holier-than-thou attitude as the people of the Law. What had the Law of Moses become? It was a treatise collated from the everlasting covenant, which before the advent of the Son in the fulness of time was given to the nation of Israel as the path to righteousness. Garment as in the Parable of the Wedding Guest refers to righteousness. So when Jesus spoke the parable it was in condemnation of what had come up as tradition. It was as unexpected as tares from the Parable. "An enmy hath done this'. From the manner the scribes and the Pharisees held on to the traditions of their fathers which only allowed them to fill up to the measure of their fathers. In his woe to ye tirade he faulted them,"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."(Matt.23:23). Their hypocritical observation of paying tithes and worship rather to be seen of men than any real change in their old selves was new. This mix and match of old with new did not sit well.
In Luke we have " But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved./No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better."(5:38-39)
New wine in new bottles refer to the new creation.
"When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Jesus as the Son of God knew what was in the mind of man. But he did not make it a point to separate man according to his profession or morals before he condescended to sit with him or sup in any convivial company. But when he say faith among them he responded. It was thus at the house he came to heal the man with palsy what struck him was the faith of four who took trouble to bring him to the fore. "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."(2:5).He understood man was sinful so how sinful the matter of degrees did not interest him. The word of his Father was sent out calling all unto repentance. It was potent enough to enthuse the good to hear the call and make peace with God. For example St Luke speaks of Simeon of Jerusalem who was just and devout,"waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him./And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ./ And he came by the Spirit into the temple."( Luke 2:25-27). God let him see his heart's desire before he died. Then there was Anna the prophetess. It is of them Jesus meant when he referred the righteous. They were led by the Spirit of Christ and the anointing of the Holy Ghost would come only after hid resurrection.
But sinners whom came as in the case of Levi or the man with palsy did not came across him by coincidence,- but the call had gone forth before the worlds began and went to the ends of the world; it was their faith in exercising completed the calling and election sure. vv.15-16 The house of Levi was a microcosm of the world. So many were saved as there were many who went away as they came in because of their disbelief.
1:22-24 "And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,/ Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us?"
How come the Gospels are replete with the aspect of Trinity and yet man stumble over it? Devil has set him to coin outlandish concepts of 'accelerationalism' as though an historical imperative to bring down his own house. God is in charge and ungodly men cannot know the unclean spirit that spins his head to think of his home a charnel house. This is how the unclean spirit tore down the man in the synagogue of Capernaum.
Similarly when Jesus would heal the man with palsy, his detractors cried 'blasphemy'. Do we not see it in our own times, After kicking the dog what does man say, He howls, hasten his end,'hang him',
Jesus worked so he would say,"Mu Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
vv.10-12
"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)/I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house./And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all.
"And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion."
Authority of Jesus evidently came from the doctrine of his Father; and the word become flesh could say,"I am the truth". Unlike the scribes whose authority, as Jesus faulted them, reeked of hypocrisy (1:22) he walked the straight and narrow line. John testifies,"For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken./I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."( John 12:49-50) Where did he learn from? He was in the bosom of his Father so what he said and did was defining the Father inside out.( John 1:18)
While healing the man with palsy, his response we read,"immediately" he arose. He proved "I and my Father are one" and Mark's delineation spares no pains to tell this relation. "He that has the Father has the Son as well. He that has the Son has the Father also' when Jesus made it possible 'inso much that they were all amazed." They glorified God.( 1 John 2:23)
In the previous chapter he was in a synagogue in Capernaum, the unclean spirit 'cried out,"I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God." In the world of the Spirit even unclean spirits know the Holy One of God" but they do not want to follow him. In what was the scribes and the Pharisees who did not live by what they preached? Their uncleanness arose from hypocrisy a spiritual malady. Mark here takes us again to Capernaum. In the domestic setting what does the scribes say," Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"(2:7) He was indeed of God to see through them. The tag 'immediately' in v.8 "And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit", is an indication that his deity worked even when he emptied himself.
Hence, Scriptures such as have referred to here & in other discussions: Mark 2:5-7; John 1:1-14; John 20:27,28; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; & others, are relevant in our discussions. I don't expect that we deal with all of these in one hit (maybe just the John 1 only), but in my understanding, these portions speak of Jesus prior to His coming to Earth - and these are the verses that we understand differently. The verses that speak of Jesus after His coming to Earth can only be correctly understood if we know Who He was before His coming.
You've shared John 1:1 just here, in reference to "what beginning" is spoken about. You understood it as "it was the word of God in Jesus", and also in other comments, that this 'beginning' is the beginning of Jesus' Ministry. So what I understand from you, is that when Jesus began His Ministry, God's Word came to Him/into Him, thus He brought that Word given to Him to the people.
The subject in John 1:1-18 is "the Word". Leaving aside for a moment 'Jesus receiving God's Word in the beginning of His Ministry', we read in John 1 that "the Word" was in "the beginning, with God & was God". So this Word is God (i.e. God cannot be Who He is without His Word actively in Him - also comparable to the Holy Spirit Who is God & a characteristic of His Existence, for out of God issues forth both His Word & His Spirit. All things were made by God through His Word (v 3), bringing Light & Life (v 4). Then John the Baptist says that he wasn't that Light but was to be a witness to it (vv 6-8); that Light which would come upon all men, made the world, but His own people rejected Him (vv 9-11). Onto Page 3.
"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath./ Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.( Mark 2:27-28) So what does Sabbath really mean?
First reference to it comes at the end of the creation account. The first day, second day and so on, and is not about a week, an error commonly made by Christians everywhere. It is about a day, the day appointed for the Son. God sent the Son as the Word become flesh, so the significance of Sabbath can only be understood from the ministry of reconciliation of Jesus Christ. "By him all things consist" makes the day, which God sanctified on the day seven is subservient to the position of the Son. He is the Lord of Sabbath. Day is sanctified by the word of truth.(John17:17)
Sabbath is rest to which He has entered. It is in pluperfect indicating His Will has already settled the Salvation Plan in his core Will. "And he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.(Ge.2:2)". "On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you ( John 14:20-NIV)". God exhorts us to reverence His sanctuary.
Abiding in Christ therefore is the Sabbath that works.(Heb.13:8).
Acts 16:13, Acts 17:2 Acts 18:4
"Protestants do not realize that by observing Sunday they accept the authority of the Spokesperson, the Pope." ( Our Sunday Visitor February 5, 1950.)
Thank you for this discussion, it is good to hear salvation is not dependent on this doctrine I have been told in many Churches I have attended I was not saved and was a heretic and shunned.
You know Greek better than I, but my understanding is the word Godhead which was added in the 1500s was translated twice and is misleading. Godhead is in the Bible 3 times, Acts 17:29, Greek word theios which means divine, Romans 1:20, Greek word theiotes which means divinity, divine nature, and Colossians 2:9 Greek word Theotetos which means deity.
The verse Colossians 2:9, in Jesus, dwelleth all the fulness of the deity of God, Jesus was filled without measure with God's Spirit/Holy Spirit John 3:34. John the Baptist said God had told him when Jesus was anointed/baptized John 1:32-33. God dwelt in Jesus and empowered Him by the Spirit. God gave Jesus power and authority Matthew 11:27. In John 1:14 we probably differ, God in Jesus dwelt/tabernacled among us. God was manifest in Jesus, John 12:49 John 14:10.
Mark 2:5-8 in Matthew 11:25 Things were hidden from the wise and prudent, Scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees were the ones accusing Jesus of blasphemy, as we see in Matthew 9:6-8, the same event multitudes glorified God. Jesus was given full authority in Matthew 28:18 and John 17:2-3 that we should know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom the Father sent, same as all the introductions, greetings, and blessings given to the followers of Christ in the New Testament were from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and in Revelation 21:22.
All authority has been given to Jesus by the Father until the last enemy, death is put under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:25-28 Revelation 20:14.
May our discussion inspire study.
God bless,
RLW
Yes, this has been discussed before. There are those who believe Jesus is God, and those who don't. I know where you stand, and you know where I stand. I'm glad to know that you also disagree with both the Mormon and JW's view on who Jesus is. Many cult groups deny the deity of Jesus Christ, and also deny that He is God.
I wasn't speaking about the trinity although I believe in a Triune God. This comes mainly from Colossians 2:9. I'm not sure if there's a clearer statement than that! In Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in bodily form! In 1 John 5:20, there are two great statements of fact; Jesus Christ is the true God, and He is the eternal life!
I didn't know that today in Christianity, salvation is dependent on the belief in the Trinity doctrine. I stand with you when I say that I don't believe that is a requirement for salvation. The bible teaches that salvation is obtained by surrendering one's life to Jesus Christ and being born from above.
Your questions are fair and might challenge someone to question their belief as Jesus being God. A fair question was also asked in Mark 2:5-8. To a man who was sick of the palsy, Jesus said, "thy sins be forgiven thee." For that, the scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy. Their question was "Who can forgive sins but God only?" Good question! God is the only one who can forgive sins, so why is this man (Jesus) committing blasphemy?
This is not the first time He was accused of blasphemy. He was accused of blasphemy for making Himself equal with God, claiming to be the Son of God, which to those who heard Him, they understood very well that the phrase "Son of God" was the same as claiming to be God. So, they had every right to accuse Him of blasphemy, unless of course Jesus was (and is) God, which I believe He is!
Ronald, thank you so much for reading my original 2-part post, and thank you for sharing your belief on this important topic. Blessings to you also!