Bible Discussion Thread Page 2

Very Good point Bro Giannis!

Thanks and God bless.

Giannis,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. The emphasis is on Jesus' position of authority and power, which you have shown.

Amen!

Giannis,

You make an interesting point. You write,"Next why in Stephen's stoning Jesus is not sitting but standing? Because His child was going to be stoned and die. How would it appear to Stephen to see Jesus just sit comfortably on His throne at the same time that he wan stoned?" Human tendency is to read much into gestures as you mention. "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;/That ye may eat the flesh of kings,"(Re.19:17-18) Angel in the sun is about under the sun in the sense the preacher deals with it. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Thereafter the angel is inviting the fowls ' that fly in the midst of heaven'. Similarly "And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem."(1 Chr.21:16) We look at him sent from heaven rather than his standing. So it is his Will is the driver. We see the Lamb, "and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion," Do we look his standing on the mount or the decree of the Father, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Hermeneutics that foolish teacher follow skip the lead of the Spirit and divine Will.

Chris,

May I add to this, the quote "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,/And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."(Ac.7:55-56) The Holy Spirit sets Jesus on the right hand of God. The next verse is what he quotes Stephen."This is a validation of the decree of the Father, " Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."(Ps.110:1) compare with these in the same Psalm, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek./The Lord at thy right hand" In v.5 The Lord "shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath." The right hand refers to his Son "after our image" or Jesus Christ 'after our likeness". In the Parable of Jesus, "When the Son of man shall come in his glory," the nations designates as the sheep on the right hand. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." In Jesus's name is whoever Jesus designates as blessed." Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." That is the right side in terms of the covenant under seven days.

From the above, the conclusion is clear:

The right hand designates the Word become flesh. The right arm by the same token refers to the salvation aspect. "For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them." Ps.44:3 Three refers to the Son . Firstly Jesus Christ as the true Light secondly the everlasting covenant, the Law aspect. Thirdly the arm signifying salvation. "saving strength of his right hand"(Ps.20:6). "And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me."(Is.63:5)

Cursed is the man who make flesh his arm.

Hi Brother Chris and Jesse.

Here's what I find that may or may not be significant.

In Acts 7:56 the word for standing I believe is "histemi"

A prolonged form of a primary word stao (of the same meaning and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively) used in various applications (literally or figuratively): - abide appoint bring continue covenant establish hold up lay present set (up) stanch stand (by forth still up).

Mark 14:62 and Luke 22:69

Christ is "sitting" refers to the fact that His work of redemption is done.

Hebrews 10:12-13.

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

In Luke 22:69 Jesus states "Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God" and then they ask him "Art thou then the Son of God? ( They understood his claim to sit on the right hand of the power of God makes him God.)

And he said unto them, (I am.)

And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

They accused him of Blasphemy!

God's right hand" refers to the Messiah, the LORD Jesus Christ, and He is of equal position, honor, power, and authority with God!

I may be wrong but I believe there is figurative emphasis on the standing and sitting.

God bless.

Apologies for an error. Mark 6:10 should read as Luke 6:10.

(Acts Part 12):

Acts 5:17 - Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

The Sadducees and the Pharisees were the two groups that were dominant within Judaism. The Sadducees did not believe in the afterlife. They did not believe in angels, and they did not believe in spirits.

So, they come, and they were the dominant ones leading within the Sanhedrin, and they were filled with indignation. The word indignation in the Greek is the word "to boil." They were boiling mad. They were raging mad!

Acts 5:23 - Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Saying, The prison truly we found having been shut. The word "shut" is called the Perfect Tense. "It's as locked and shut up as it was when we put them in there!"

Now, in all safety, that is, all the security measures were in place. Nothing was touched! And the keepers, (that is, guards) who were watching the prison.

They had been still standing there, another Perfect Tense.

Everything was the same as the night before! It's still locked up, all the security people in line, and even the guards still standing outside the prison.

And they look in and there's no prisoners! And he says when we had the place opened up, we found nobody inside.

Acts 5:24 - Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

Literally in the Greek, that last phrase meant that they were worried about where this thing was going to lead. People are getting healed, people are getting saved, and now they find out that with the prison doors locked, and the guards still standing there, all of a sudden God's people got delivered! "Where's that going to lead?"

Biblical Greek Perspective

(Acts Part 11):

Acts 5:5 - And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And while Ananias was hearing these words, he fell down and gave up the ghost. The phrase "gave up the ghost" is one Greek word EXEPSYXEN meaning he breathed out and that was it. He took his last breath, and he breathed out.

Acts 5:10 - Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

And she fell down immediately at his feet and yielded up the ghost. (Again, she breathed her last). And the young men came in and found her dead. Obviously, they are a little surprised. "What's going on here?"

And they carried her out and buried her. Literally in the Greek text, Verse 10 says "they buried her face to face with her husband." That's how the Greek text reads.

Acts 5:13 - And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

And of the rest durst, (dared/ETOLMA) no man to join himself to them: but the people magnified or glorified them.

You talk about an opportunity for witnessing! The people just said "No way do I want to become a Christian. You lie and you're dead (referring to Ananias and Sapphira)! I don't want anything to do with them and that type of fellowship."

It's kind of interesting that the Lord continued to add people to the church, even in spite of all that! Mainly because it was the power of God saving people.

(Acts Part 9):

Acts 3:15 - And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Literal translation: "You have killed the author of life." Whom God has raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Acts 3:26 - Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

The word iniquities is the word wickedness or evil. So, he says God first sent Him to bless you, and to turn you away from your evil, and look what you did to Him!

Acts 4:13 - Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Literally, "unlearned" means ungrammared. That's what the word is. It means these people don't have any kind of education. They're just dumb fisherman!

But it's the word "ignorant" in this verse that really draws attention. It is the Greek word IDIOTES which origin is IDIOS. It's where we get our English word idiot from. Except the word itself, idiot, is not really used in a disparaging way. IDIOS in Greek means privately taught. It would be equivalent to home schooling today. An IDIOS is somebody who doesn't go through the public system.

And so, they took notice of them that they had not been to the Rabbinical schools on theology. Oh, they were up to date all right! But they just noticed that they don't have any degrees from the "University of Jerusalem," that they haven't been to the Rabbinic schools.

But look what they did notice. They took knowledge that they had been with Jesus. That's why they are the way they are! It's not because of their education, but because of their relationship.

(Acts Part 8):

Acts 2:45 - And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

So, they sold their possessions and their goods, and they parted them to all the men, to every man that had need. The term "had need" in the Imperfect Tense means that continuously the people had a need.

Let's say for instance that I went to work, and I got a paycheck of 100 dollars for this week. Whatever I make, I go and give it to the church and the church gives back to me what I need. Now I might only need 50 dollars for that week. The extra 50 dollars goes to somebody that's in need. I only get what I need!

And so, when it came time to take care of the need, if there was a need and you had to sell your property, they just did it because my property belongs to the Lord and to the church.

Acts 2:46 - And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

And they continually, daily with one accord, (again, with one purpose and one passion), they were in the temple, and they were breaking bread from house to house.

Not only with the communion, but they also had the suppers together from house to house. I like that part! It's like an "early church potluck!"

Acts 3:2 - And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

And there was a certain man lame from his mother's womb. He was carried, Imperfect Tense, meaning he was constantly carried. Every day they carried him, and they laid him at the front of the temple.

They laid him daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful. This is the east gate as it leads into the temple. And he would ask for alms. The word alms mean acts of mercy.

(Acts Part 7):

Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Peter said to them, Repent.

The word repent (METANOEO) means make a decision for change. It also carries with it the understanding that you can't change yourself. You're just making the decision for change, and you're surrendering your life to Christ for Him to make the change.

Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

The term "save yourselves" in the Greek, that is what's called a Passive Voice. It's literally "be saved!" It means that you are receiving the action of the salvation. You can't save yourself! Be saved. Let God save you. Call upon Him to save you. Be saved from this untoward, literally, crooked generation.

Acts 2:44 - And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

And all that believed. That's a Present Participle. Everybody believing, they were together and had all things in common.

The word "common" is the word KOINONIA. It is the same word for fellowship. The early church, when it says they had all things in common, what it really means is that "Whatever is yours is mine, and whatever is mine is yours!"

Whatever a person owns, it's put into the "big pot" with everybody else, and it belongs to everybody!

(Acts Part 6):

Acts 2:11 - Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

The word "wonderful" comes from the Greek word MEGALEIA that means great, or greatness. From, or through these languages, they were speaking the great things of God.

Acts 2:13 - Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

The word "new" is the Greek word GLEUKOSE that means sweet wine. And so, the people who were mocking would actually be the Palestinian Jews who are there in town (the home town people), because to them, they wouldn't understand what they were saying.

Acts 2:17 - And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

It says, "And it shall come to pass." In the Greek text it says "And it will be." And in Verse 21, it says "And it shall come to pass," and it's literally, "And it will be!" Two platform verses!

Acts 2:18 - And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

He says even on my servants (DOULOUS) and on my handmaidens (DOULAS), meaning slaves, both male and female, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: That is, speak the word of God!

Acts 2:24 - Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

The word "pains" is a Greek word used for the birth pains of a woman in labor.

Thanks again brother Jesse for these ongoing clarifications & teaching of biblical texts; and now looking forward to learning more from the Acts of the Apostles.

I noted your Acts 2:3, "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them"; where you've explained the "as of" denoting a similarity or appearance of fire, but not actually fire. Also, I found interesting that you have seen 'glossai' as pertaining to languages (i.e. the appearance of divided languages coming upon them, and presumably the apostles then spoke accordingly to those languages). I have always imagined that the 'tongues' here (glossai) spoke of the similarity or appearance to the human tongue, not referring specifically to language(s), but to its appearance as of a flickering flame resembling a tongue. So, your explanation is something quite new to me & worth bearing in mind.

And back to the "as of" fire phrase; as you wrote this was not an actual fire, but resembled it. This could be the same word (hosei) used in Matthew 3:16, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending LIKE (hosei) A dove, and lighting upon him". We see the illustration so often of a dove descending upon the Lord, that many Christians now believe that an actual dove, the shape of which the Holy Spirit assumed to come upon Jesus. Which of course is sacrilege according to the commandment ( Exodus 20:4,5; Deuteronomy 4:16-19). Rather, it seems that 'hosei' is used here as well, to show that the Holy Spirit's descent upon Jesus was seen just 'as a dove would flutter & glide towards the ground' and had nothing at all to do with an actual bird. I hope I'm using 'hosei' correctly in both Acts 2:3 & Matthew 3:16. Blessings.

Brother Chris,

I believe your application of the Greek word HOSEI used in Both Acts 2:3 and Matthew 3:16 is correct. There was a point early on in my walk with the Lord where I used to envision a pure white dove descending from heaven upon Jesus at His baptism. It seems so easy to miss some of those little catch phrases in our study of the word.

In Acts 2:3, it's interesting because they could see an appearance of these languages dividing up and it sat upon each one of them. What they actually saw I'm not sure, but I can't help but wonder why it would happen like this for them.

I also find it interesting that both fire and wind to a Jewish person represents the very Spirit and presence of God. We see the wind in Acts 2:2. As you're probably aware, the word wind and the word Spirit, both in Hebrew and in Greek is the same word.

I look back at John Chapter 3, where Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born from above (experience a spiritual birth from heaven). And in John 3:8, Jesus says that it's like the wind, you don't know where it's coming from or where it's going to go afterwards.

It seems to me that He's interchanging wind with spirit, and the sound of the wind was to a Jewish person, the coming of the Holy Spirit. So, in Acts Chapter 2, here are Jewish people, in the upper room, they hear the sound of wind, and they have seen languages sitting upon each one of them (as of) fire sitting upon each one of them. Fascinating!

Blessings to you also!

Thanks again brother Jesse for those interesting & useful comments. Indeed, as we read any Scripture, it would be such a great thing if we could truly understand the working of the Jewish or Greek mind when references such as to the wind & spirit (as you mentioned) are given. Those of us who don't have those languages nor the cultures that go along with them, can quite easily miss out on the finer points of the message (such as Jesus talking with Nicodemus or the extraordinary things occurring at Pentecost) & just gloss over them or apply our own interpretation. Though having said that, I'm sure the Lord understands how His Word would be read decades and centuries after the events, & forgives us our ignorance of such things, yet expects that the application of the Truths contained in His Word are clearly understood by the help of His Spirit & adhered to. Many thanks again & blessings brother.

(Acts Part 4):

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

He says men and brothers, this scripture must needs, and the literal translation: it is necessary for the scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, (or Holy Spirit) by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

The scripture he's making reference to is Psalm 41 Verse 9, where David talked about my own familiar friend has lifted up his heel against me.

Acts 1:20 - For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

Peter goes on to say it is written in the book of the Psalms, let his habitation be desolate (quoting from Psalm 69:5). And then he quotes from Psalm 109:8, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick, literally his overseeing in the Greek.

Acts 1:24 - And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

That phrase "knowest the hearts" in Greek is all one word and it means a heart knower. That's the Lord! Thou heart knower Lord! He knows everybody's hearts. You knowest the hearts of all men. Show whether of these, that is, which of these two you have chosen.

Acts 2:2 - And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Please notice that right before the phrase "rushing mighty wind," it says "as of" a rushing mighty wind.

There was no wind! The sound was like, and in Greek it's very specific. Through the Greek text, you can pick out the details. It doesn't say it was a mighty rushing wind. It says it was "as of" or like a mighty rushing wind. But you could hear the sound. It was like wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

(Acts Part 3):

Acts 1:11 - Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Notice that they called them Galileans. I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but all of the disciples were Galileans except for Judas. He's the only one that was not a Galilean. He was from the city of Iscariot outside of Galilee.

He says you men of Galilee. Why do you stand here gazing up into heaven? That's a good one! We just saw the Lord go up through the clouds and you're asking us why?

Well, there's actually a doctrinal statement. The Jews, from Daniel 7:13, which tells us that Messiah, when He comes, He's going to come in the clouds.

They didn't know if He was going to go up, or come back down. They didn't know what the timetable was. Plus, they were probably in shock. Here we go again. After our hopes are sky high, now He's gone again!

So, they are looking up in the clouds because their hope is that Messiah would come in the clouds. So, he's telling them that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven. One day He's coming again and He will receive us into the clouds.

Acts 1:14 - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

So, these all continued with one accord. I'm sure you already know this, but that's not a Honda! These all continued, and it literally means with one passion or one purpose. They were all there for one thing. It's kind of nice that when you are with other believers and you are all there for the same reason.

It says in prayer and supplication. In the Greek text, supplication means petitions, specific prayers, where prayer in general is just for general prayer.

(Acts Part 2):

Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

He says you are going to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. There's a difference in texts when He says you shall be witnesses unto me. Some manuscripts say of me, the Genitive Case.

You'll be my witnesses, not witnesses for me. But either one that you use, it is interesting that it is presented as fact. It doesn't say that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you ought to be, or you should be. He says you (will be) my witnesses.

That's because at the end of John Chapters 14 and 16, He says when the Holy Spirit comes, He will testify of me. It is the Holy Spirit in every believer that testifies to Christ through the believer.

We don't testify. We don't ever bring anybody to Christ. It's the Holy Spirit through us. So, you will be my witnesses, factual statement!

Acts 1:10 - And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

The literal translation says two men "had been standing" by them in white apparel. The description tells us that they were probably angels. It doesn't say they are angels. Some scholars believe that this is Moses and Elijah. They had been standing there the whole time. They didn't see them because they were looking up.

Hi Brother Jesse.

What you wrote here I think is a very important point and sometimes it's not enough emphasis put on it.

" You'll be my witnesses, not witnesses for me. But either one that you use, it is interesting that it is presented as fact. It doesn't say that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you ought to be, or you should be. He says you (will be) my witnesses.

That's because at the end of John Chapters 14 and 16, He says when the Holy Spirit comes, He will testify of me. It is the Holy Spirit in every believer that testifies to Christ through the believer.

We don't testify. We don't ever bring anybody to Christ. It's the Holy Spirit through us. So, you will be my witnesses, factual statement!

Great point!

Sadly sometimes we do things of the flesh and contribute it to the HolySpirit as well.

Thanks and Blessings.

Hello Brother Spencer,

Amen, it happens a lot! It's like hearing people tell you they are doing God's work for Him! My response to that would be to ask, "How's that working out for you?" If God is depending on us to do His work for Him, He's in trouble I would say. He may use us, which He often does, but it's His work and it is Him doing the work. It's designed that way so that we have nothing to boast of!

Blessings to you!!!

Amen Brother Jesse.

John 6:28-29 reads "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Afterwards we benefit from Philippians 2:13

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

God bless.