Romans Chapter 16
Paul commends Phebe to you, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Receive her in the Lord and become as saints. Assist her in whatever business she has need of, she has been a succourer of many, including Paul.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, his helpers in Jesus Christ, who have for his life laid down their own necks. He gives thanks not only to them, but also to all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise, greet the church that is their house. Salute his well beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruit of Achaia.
Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor for us.
Salute Andronicus and Junia, his kinsmen and fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles who believed in Christ before Paul did.
Greet Amplias, his beloved in the Lord. (Whoa! Is that his girlfriend/boyfriend or something else?)
Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys, another beloved.
Salute Apelles who is approved in Christ. Salute anyone who is in the Aristobulus’ household.
Salute his kinsman Herodion. Greet anyone in the household of Narcissus. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor for the Lord. Salute the much beloved Persis who has labored interminably in the lord.
Salute Rufus who is chosen by the Lord, and our mothers.
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and all their brethren.
Salute Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister and Olympas and all the saints that are with them.
Salute one another with a holy kiss. (Much like Judas did to Jesus. I’m sorry, did Paul tell us that he was imprisoned and then proceed to list a million and one followers of JC who will most likely be persecuted. Is this a death list? And to betray them with a kiss… that is just plan classic.) The churches of Christ salute you.
Now mark anyone who causes divisions and offenses contrary to what you have learned and avoid them. For they don’t serve the Lord, but rather their own bellies. By good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple.
You obedience has come. Paul is glad on your behalf but he wants you to be wise to those things that are good and be ignorant of those concerning evil. (Smart plan… that’s sarcasm in case it doesn’t come through clearly enough).
The God of peace will bruise Satan under your feet. The grace of JC be with you. Amen.
Done? Nope now we get a little post script from Tertius?
Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsman, salute you.
I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
Gaius, my host, and the whole church salute you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you and Quartus, a brother.
The grace of our Lord JC be with all of you. Amen.
Now to him that has the power to establish you according the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret since the world began, but is now manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Know God, glory through JC for ever. Amen.
“Romans” was written to the Roman people from Corinthus and sent by Phebe who was a servant of the church at Cenchrea.
The end!
On to Galatians for me… hope it’s better, see you in a few days while I try glean some kind of positive meaning out of any of this hateful, mean and vindictive book.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Acts Chapter 16
He came to Derbe and Lystra and behold! A certain disciple name Timotheus, who was the son of a certain women, a Jewess! And a devout Jewess at that but his dad was a Greek. The brethren at Lystra and Iconiusm spoke well of Tim. Paul would go forth with Tim and circumcised him to please the Jews in the area because they all knew his dad was a Greek.
Wow, this whole circumcision issue just goes on and on. JC never even mentions it. It is crazy.
As they went through the cities they told them rules to obey, you know the ones ordained by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were establish in the faith and more people joined every day.
Now after they had gone throughout Phrygia and Galatia they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.
Really? The Holy Ghost forbid that? God doesn’t want to include Asia in his loving embrace and plans for everlasting salvation? That doesn’t seem very nice.
After then went to Mysia and they thought about going to Bithynia but the Spirit didn’t move them to go there. After passing by Musia they came down to Troas.
Paulie had a vision that night. It was a Macedonian who prayed for him to come to Macedonia to help them. After his vision he told his pals that they should go to Macedonia to preach the good news, because the Lord wanted it. He told them their route, they should go form Troas strait to Samothracia and the next day to Neapolis, and then to Philippie, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony. So they were in that city for certain days. On the Sabbath they left for the city’s riverside where people didn’t pray and he sat down and spoke with a woman who lived there and a certain woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple…
I have comment here, Lydia might have just become my new biblical favorite, because she sells purple, not purple dye, purple cloth, purple pigment, it just says she sells purple. Purple is one of my least favorite color but I can help but be intrigued by her selling a color.
Lydia is firm the city of Thyatira, where they worshipped the Lord openly and she followed what Paul said. When she was baptized and she sought them saying if you think I’m faithful, come stay at my house.
As they went to pray a certain girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination met them. Her masters mad a lot of money off of her fortune telling, which good for her, it’s better than turning trick. Well, this girl followed them around telling people that they were servants of God and where here to show the way to salvation. She did that every day for a while until one day Paul turned and said “I command you in the name of JC to come out of her” and that spirit came out within the hour!
Okay wait a minute, doesn’t this directly contradict the who JC argument about the house divided falling. You know the one that JC mentions that if he were the devil he wouldn’t be able to cast out devils. I mean one has to believe this spirit that she was possessed with was evil or why would Paulie banish it from her. So why would she be telling folks that these guys are preaching the good news? I mean wouldn’t that be doing God’s bidding, and if she was possessed by evil wouldn’t the devil’s house be divided? So was she possessed by a good spirit? Could the devil cast out a good spirit? Is Paul the Devil?
Anyway when the girl’s masters saw that she couldn’t see the future anymore, and they lost their easy income was easy. They were pissed so they caught Paul and Silas and brought them to the rulers and the magistrates saying “ These guys are Jews and they are causing trouble in our city. They teach unlawful customs to us Romans!” As the crowd rose up, the Magistrates stripped Paul and Silas and beat them, throwing them in jail for safe keeping. They chained their feet and trust them into the inner prison.
At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God and the prisoners hear them. All of a sudden there was an earthquake! The foundations of the prison were shaken, the doors were opened and their bonds on their hands were loose.
The warden of the prison woke up and saw the prison door were open so he drew his sword to kill himself, assuming the prisoners had fled. But Paul stopped him, saying “Don’t hurt yourself, we are all here!” So the warden called for a light and sprang in, trembling and he fell down in from Paul and Silas and brought them out, asking what he could do to be saved. Of course they told him to belive in the Lord JC and he and his household would be saved. And they spoke the word of the Lord to his household. The Warden took them that hour, washed their wounds and he and his family were baptized right away. When he brought them into his house and gave them meat they all rejoiced.
Then next day the magistrates sent the sergeant out telling them to let those men go. The warden told Paul that the magistrate had freed them go in peace.
But this wasn’t good enough for Paul. After all they beat him openly being Romans, and cast them into prison, and they want to free him privately. No they could come get Paul themselves. The magistrates were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. So they let them out in a more public manner but asked them to leave the city. And when they left the prison, they went back to Lydia’s to see the brethren and comfort them but then they departed.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Romans Chapter 15
Romans Chapter 15
We that are strong should help those that are sick and not just please ourselves. Let everyone please their neighbors for their good. Even Christ didn’t please himself. As it is written, he took the reproaches against all others onto himself.
Whatever things were written before things were written down for our learning, we through patience and the comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation wants you to be kind to one other according to JC. You should all with one mind and mouth glorify God, the papa of JC.
You should receive one another as Christ has received us all to the glory of God.
Now Paul says that JC was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, sent to confirm the promises make to the fathers and also so that the Gentiles might also Glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, To do this I will spread and sing your name among the Gentiles. Again he said, Rejoice Gentile, with God’s people. And again, Praise the Lord, Gentiles, and praise him, all you folks.
And again, Esaias said, there’ll be a root of Jesse and he shall rise to reign of over the Gentiles and the Gentiles should trust him.
Now the God of hope fills you will all joy and peace in believing, so you can abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Paulie is persuaded by you, his brothers that you are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and the ability to warn and advise each other.
Nevertheless, he has written more boldly to you to put you in the right frame of mind because God gave him grace. He is the minister of JC to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of god, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. He glories through JC all things that pertain to God.
He will not dare apeak of any things that Christ has not taught him to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed. (Wow, that must have been one hell of a long vision that Paul had to learn all this stuff directly from JC who he never met).
Through huge signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, he preached the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. He’s tried to do this to build on another man’s foundation.
But as it is written, “To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.” Because of this Paul has been much hindered in coming to you. He has no more place where he is, and he does have a great desire to come to you. Whenever he takes his journey to Spain, he’ll come to you. He trusts that he’ll manage to see you in his journey and be brother on his way by you after being filled by your wonderful company.
Now he’d heading to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. It has pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make contributions for the poor saints which are in Jerusalem. It has please them very much. If the Gentiles have been made partakers of these spiritual things, then it is their job to minister to those who are involved in carnal activities.
When Paul has performed this and has sealed this fruit to them, he’ll come by you guys in Spain. When he comes, he’ll come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now brothers, for Christ’s sake, and the love of the Spirit, strive together and pray for Paulie, so that he can be delivered from those that don’t believe in Judaea, and that his service will be accepted by the saints. Pray that he can come to you with the joy and will of God and will be refreshed with you.
Now the God of peach be with you all. Amen.
And also with you Paulie. Only one more chapter of this drivel.
We that are strong should help those that are sick and not just please ourselves. Let everyone please their neighbors for their good. Even Christ didn’t please himself. As it is written, he took the reproaches against all others onto himself.
Whatever things were written before things were written down for our learning, we through patience and the comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation wants you to be kind to one other according to JC. You should all with one mind and mouth glorify God, the papa of JC.
You should receive one another as Christ has received us all to the glory of God.
Now Paul says that JC was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, sent to confirm the promises make to the fathers and also so that the Gentiles might also Glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, To do this I will spread and sing your name among the Gentiles. Again he said, Rejoice Gentile, with God’s people. And again, Praise the Lord, Gentiles, and praise him, all you folks.
And again, Esaias said, there’ll be a root of Jesse and he shall rise to reign of over the Gentiles and the Gentiles should trust him.
Now the God of hope fills you will all joy and peace in believing, so you can abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Paulie is persuaded by you, his brothers that you are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and the ability to warn and advise each other.
Nevertheless, he has written more boldly to you to put you in the right frame of mind because God gave him grace. He is the minister of JC to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of god, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. He glories through JC all things that pertain to God.
He will not dare apeak of any things that Christ has not taught him to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed. (Wow, that must have been one hell of a long vision that Paul had to learn all this stuff directly from JC who he never met).
Through huge signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, he preached the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. He’s tried to do this to build on another man’s foundation.
But as it is written, “To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.” Because of this Paul has been much hindered in coming to you. He has no more place where he is, and he does have a great desire to come to you. Whenever he takes his journey to Spain, he’ll come to you. He trusts that he’ll manage to see you in his journey and be brother on his way by you after being filled by your wonderful company.
Now he’d heading to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. It has pleased those of Macedonia and Achaia to make contributions for the poor saints which are in Jerusalem. It has please them very much. If the Gentiles have been made partakers of these spiritual things, then it is their job to minister to those who are involved in carnal activities.
When Paul has performed this and has sealed this fruit to them, he’ll come by you guys in Spain. When he comes, he’ll come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now brothers, for Christ’s sake, and the love of the Spirit, strive together and pray for Paulie, so that he can be delivered from those that don’t believe in Judaea, and that his service will be accepted by the saints. Pray that he can come to you with the joy and will of God and will be refreshed with you.
Now the God of peach be with you all. Amen.
And also with you Paulie. Only one more chapter of this drivel.
Acts Chapter 15
A certain man who came from Judea taught the brethren “If you aren’t circumcised like Moses, you can’t be saved.”
Really? Keeping your gentiles in a natural state is really an offense to God? Why did he make them that way if he wanted you to change them? Okay… enough about genitalia. You think they would mention that when they were warning us about the Holy Ghost.
Paul and Barnabas had a big dispute with them about that. They decide that Barney and Paulie and certain others should go visit the apostles in Jerusalem and the elders and ask them what they think about circumcision. They passed through Phenice and Samaria talking about the conversion of Gentiles and bringing great joy to the brethren.
When they finally came to Jerusalem, they went to the church of the apostles and elders and talked about thethings God had done with them. Up rose a certain sect of Pharisees who believed you had to be circumcised to keep the law of Moses. The apostles and elders considered this. After they argued a while, Peter rose up and saying “Men and brethren, you how a long time ago God made the choice that the Gentiles would listen to me and believe. God knows hearts and watches and gives them Holy Ghost like he did us, and didn’t give them any difference from us, purifying their hearts by faith.
So why tempt your God to put a yoke around the necks of the disciples, a yoke that neither we or our fathers could bear? But we believe that through the grace of Lord Jesus Christ we will be saved, just like them.
Ah yes isn’t that the crux of things, why ask a tough question we can’t answer? Why would you even expect a real answer? Just believe and you will be saved like us.
The multitude kept quiet and listened to Barney and Paulie talking about the miracles and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. After they had held their piece, James started talking saying “Hey everybody, listen to me! Simeon has talked about how God first visited the Gentiles to find people for his name. It’s written that the prophets agree with this. After this I will return and rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen down. I will build it in the ruins and set it up so the remaining men who seek the Lord, and all of the gentiles who call my name saying the Lord does all of these things. God knows all of his works from the beginning of the world. I say we shouldn’t trouble the Gentiles that are turned to God. But we should tell thane to abstain from idols, fornication, things that are strangled, and blood. They preach what Moses said in every city, in every synagogue every Sabbath.”
Ah yes, this is how we convert people, by telling them they don’t really have to obey all of the old laws.
That please the Apostles and elders, and the whole church. They sent some men, Judas Barsabas, and Silas with Paul and Barney back to Antioch. They wrote letters, greeting the Gentiles Brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. The letters said things like this “As much as we’ve heard that some of us have troubled you with our words, threatening your soul saying you have to be circumcised to keep the law, but we gave no such commandment. We all think the it’s good that we’ve sent these chosen men with our beloved Barney and Paulie, men who have risked their lives in JC’s name! We have send you Judas and Silas who will tell you this things. The Holy Ghost likes it when we don’t have a great burden with these things, like abstaining from meats offered to idols, and form blood, things that are strangled, from fornication. If you stay away from those things you’ll do well. Fare thee well!”
When they were dismissed, they came to Antioch, when they gathered a crowd together, the delivered the letter, and everyone rejoiced for the consolation. Judas and Silas were prophets too, and they urged the brethren and confirmed them. After they stayed a while, they left the brethren to go see the apostles except for Silas who was happier staying there.
Paulie and Barney continued to Antioch teaching and preaching the of the Lord with many others. One day Paulie said to Barney “Let’s for again and visit our brethren in every city that we’ve preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing?”
Barney decided to take John Mark with them. But Paulie didn’t like that idea, so he left them in Pamphylia and didn’t with them. They actually had a big fight about this, so Barney to Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas and the brethren recommended them by the grace of God to go through Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches. So they did.
Wow so they never really tell us what Paul and Barney’s fight was about? Probably about circumcision.
Really? Keeping your gentiles in a natural state is really an offense to God? Why did he make them that way if he wanted you to change them? Okay… enough about genitalia. You think they would mention that when they were warning us about the Holy Ghost.
Paul and Barnabas had a big dispute with them about that. They decide that Barney and Paulie and certain others should go visit the apostles in Jerusalem and the elders and ask them what they think about circumcision. They passed through Phenice and Samaria talking about the conversion of Gentiles and bringing great joy to the brethren.
When they finally came to Jerusalem, they went to the church of the apostles and elders and talked about thethings God had done with them. Up rose a certain sect of Pharisees who believed you had to be circumcised to keep the law of Moses. The apostles and elders considered this. After they argued a while, Peter rose up and saying “Men and brethren, you how a long time ago God made the choice that the Gentiles would listen to me and believe. God knows hearts and watches and gives them Holy Ghost like he did us, and didn’t give them any difference from us, purifying their hearts by faith.
So why tempt your God to put a yoke around the necks of the disciples, a yoke that neither we or our fathers could bear? But we believe that through the grace of Lord Jesus Christ we will be saved, just like them.
Ah yes isn’t that the crux of things, why ask a tough question we can’t answer? Why would you even expect a real answer? Just believe and you will be saved like us.
The multitude kept quiet and listened to Barney and Paulie talking about the miracles and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. After they had held their piece, James started talking saying “Hey everybody, listen to me! Simeon has talked about how God first visited the Gentiles to find people for his name. It’s written that the prophets agree with this. After this I will return and rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen down. I will build it in the ruins and set it up so the remaining men who seek the Lord, and all of the gentiles who call my name saying the Lord does all of these things. God knows all of his works from the beginning of the world. I say we shouldn’t trouble the Gentiles that are turned to God. But we should tell thane to abstain from idols, fornication, things that are strangled, and blood. They preach what Moses said in every city, in every synagogue every Sabbath.”
Ah yes, this is how we convert people, by telling them they don’t really have to obey all of the old laws.
That please the Apostles and elders, and the whole church. They sent some men, Judas Barsabas, and Silas with Paul and Barney back to Antioch. They wrote letters, greeting the Gentiles Brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. The letters said things like this “As much as we’ve heard that some of us have troubled you with our words, threatening your soul saying you have to be circumcised to keep the law, but we gave no such commandment. We all think the it’s good that we’ve sent these chosen men with our beloved Barney and Paulie, men who have risked their lives in JC’s name! We have send you Judas and Silas who will tell you this things. The Holy Ghost likes it when we don’t have a great burden with these things, like abstaining from meats offered to idols, and form blood, things that are strangled, from fornication. If you stay away from those things you’ll do well. Fare thee well!”
When they were dismissed, they came to Antioch, when they gathered a crowd together, the delivered the letter, and everyone rejoiced for the consolation. Judas and Silas were prophets too, and they urged the brethren and confirmed them. After they stayed a while, they left the brethren to go see the apostles except for Silas who was happier staying there.
Paulie and Barney continued to Antioch teaching and preaching the of the Lord with many others. One day Paulie said to Barney “Let’s for again and visit our brethren in every city that we’ve preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing?”
Barney decided to take John Mark with them. But Paulie didn’t like that idea, so he left them in Pamphylia and didn’t with them. They actually had a big fight about this, so Barney to Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas and the brethren recommended them by the grace of God to go through Syria and Cilicia confirming the churches. So they did.
Wow so they never really tell us what Paul and Barney’s fight was about? Probably about circumcision.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Romans Chapter 14
Romans Chapter 14
You can receive God’s message even if you’re weak in faith, but not if you’re going to continue to have doubts and continuously question it. (Okay, the line is “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to doubtful disputations.” My interpretation is, you can get faith as long as you choose not to question it, which isn’t the normal position of a skeptic. They tend to be, by their very nature, of the questioning variety.)
One type of person believes that he can eat all things: another, who is weak, only eats herbs (is that a direct affront to the Buddhist belief that you should do no harm? Or is it just a general ridicule of all vegetarians?)
Whoever eats shouldn’t despise those who don’t eat, but likewise those that don’t eat shouldn’t judge the folks who do because God has received him. (Does God not receive vegetarians? Poor Seventh Day Adventists?)
Who are you that judges another man’s servants? It is only his own master’s judgment that will concern him. He’ll be held up because god can make him stand.
One man esteems one day above another, but another man esteems every day. Let every man make up his own mind on this issue. He that regards the day gives it to the Lord, he that doesn’t regard it, doesn’t do it for God. He that eats, gives thanks to the Lord, but he that doesn’t eat, doesn’t give thanks to god.
No one lives only to themselves, and therefore no one dies that way. We live and die as creature’s of God. (Playthings, I like to say… err, uh, that is if this book hadn’t persuaded me that God doesn’t exist). Christ died, rose, and revived so that he could be Lord of the dead and the living.
Who do you judge your brother? (Because he has so many flaws and I love him, somehow I think that my judgment will push him in the right direction, even if that is a little misguided. That’s just how I am. Oh, sorry. Paulie wasn’t talking about MY brother!) Why do you set no store by your brother? We all stand before Christ’s judgment.
For it is written, as I live, said the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God (er, uh… that’s still you, right god?).
So every one of us needs to give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let’s not judge one another anymore and let’s not put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in their bro’s way.
Paul knows and is persuaded by JC that nothing is inherently unclean, but if someone thinks something is unclean then that thing will be unclean to him.
But if your brother is upset with your meat, you’re not walking charitably. (Uh huh, sure.) Don’t destroy him with your meat, for whom Christ died. (Christ died for my meat? That translation just can’t be right. What?)
Don’t let evil be spoken of you when you’re doing good. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but rather it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
He that serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men. Therefore, let’s follow after things that make for peace, and obtain things that we can edify each other with. Meat does not destroy the work of God. All things are pure, but it is evil if a man eats with offence.
Don’t eat or drink flesh or win or anything that makes your brother stumble or take offence, or is made weak by.
Do you have faith? Have it yourself before God. To be happy, don’t condemn yourself for the thing that you allow. He that doubts is damned if he eats because he’s not eating faithfully. Whatever is not of faith is of sin.
(Just me, or was that an entire chapter of jibberish? I don’t even know what Paul is telling me to do and what I’m not supposed to do. )
You can receive God’s message even if you’re weak in faith, but not if you’re going to continue to have doubts and continuously question it. (Okay, the line is “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to doubtful disputations.” My interpretation is, you can get faith as long as you choose not to question it, which isn’t the normal position of a skeptic. They tend to be, by their very nature, of the questioning variety.)
One type of person believes that he can eat all things: another, who is weak, only eats herbs (is that a direct affront to the Buddhist belief that you should do no harm? Or is it just a general ridicule of all vegetarians?)
Whoever eats shouldn’t despise those who don’t eat, but likewise those that don’t eat shouldn’t judge the folks who do because God has received him. (Does God not receive vegetarians? Poor Seventh Day Adventists?)
Who are you that judges another man’s servants? It is only his own master’s judgment that will concern him. He’ll be held up because god can make him stand.
One man esteems one day above another, but another man esteems every day. Let every man make up his own mind on this issue. He that regards the day gives it to the Lord, he that doesn’t regard it, doesn’t do it for God. He that eats, gives thanks to the Lord, but he that doesn’t eat, doesn’t give thanks to god.
No one lives only to themselves, and therefore no one dies that way. We live and die as creature’s of God. (Playthings, I like to say… err, uh, that is if this book hadn’t persuaded me that God doesn’t exist). Christ died, rose, and revived so that he could be Lord of the dead and the living.
Who do you judge your brother? (Because he has so many flaws and I love him, somehow I think that my judgment will push him in the right direction, even if that is a little misguided. That’s just how I am. Oh, sorry. Paulie wasn’t talking about MY brother!) Why do you set no store by your brother? We all stand before Christ’s judgment.
For it is written, as I live, said the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God (er, uh… that’s still you, right god?).
So every one of us needs to give an account of himself to God. Therefore, let’s not judge one another anymore and let’s not put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in their bro’s way.
Paul knows and is persuaded by JC that nothing is inherently unclean, but if someone thinks something is unclean then that thing will be unclean to him.
But if your brother is upset with your meat, you’re not walking charitably. (Uh huh, sure.) Don’t destroy him with your meat, for whom Christ died. (Christ died for my meat? That translation just can’t be right. What?)
Don’t let evil be spoken of you when you’re doing good. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but rather it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
He that serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men. Therefore, let’s follow after things that make for peace, and obtain things that we can edify each other with. Meat does not destroy the work of God. All things are pure, but it is evil if a man eats with offence.
Don’t eat or drink flesh or win or anything that makes your brother stumble or take offence, or is made weak by.
Do you have faith? Have it yourself before God. To be happy, don’t condemn yourself for the thing that you allow. He that doubts is damned if he eats because he’s not eating faithfully. Whatever is not of faith is of sin.
(Just me, or was that an entire chapter of jibberish? I don’t even know what Paul is telling me to do and what I’m not supposed to do. )
Acts Chapter 14
It came to pass in Iconium, that they, Paul and Barnabas both went to the synagogue to speak and a big crowd of Jew and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the Gentiles. They stayed there a long time talking boldly about the Lord’s grace, and they showed them many signs and wonders. But the people of the city were divided, part of them were following the Jews and part were following the apostles.
Both the Gentiles and Jews with their rulers, joined up together to attack the apostles and planed on stoning them. They found out about it, and ran off to Lystra, Derbe ad Lycaonia and the surrounding region where they preached the gospel.
A certain man sat in Lystra who couldn’t use his feet, he had been born cripple and never walked. He heard Paul speak, Paul perceived that he had the faith to be healed. Of course you need faith to be healed. Paul told this guy to stand up on his feet. The guy leaped up and walked. When the people saw what Paul had done they lifted up their voices saying “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men”
They called Barnabas, Jupiter, Paul and Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Jupiter who was in front of the city gates had brought oxen and garlands to be sacrificed for the people.
When Barnabas and Paul heard about they tore their cloths, and ran through the crowd crying out “Sirs, why do you do these things, we are men with similar passions, and we’re telling you to turn away from these vanities and turn to living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in the sea. In the past God was tolerant of all nations doing their own thing. Even so he showed himself to you, doing good, giving you rain and fruitful seasons, and filling our hearts with food and gladness."
After they said these things they could barely restrain the people from sacrificing to them. Wow people are fickle and dumb in the bible. Along came certain Jews form Antioch and Iconium, provided an even more persuasive argument.
Which considering how dumb and fickle these people are, could have been as persuasive as “Hey you people listen to me, now believe me and follow me!”
Well these new folks convinced the crowd to stone Paul and they dragged him out of the city limits presuming he was dead. But he wasn't so the as the disciples stood around him he got up and he went to Barnabas to Derbe.
When they had preached the gospel to the city of Derbe they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, urging them to continue in the faith, and after a lot of work and trouble enter the kingdom of God. When they confirming the souls of the disciples, and ordained all of the elders in the churches and prayed with them and fasted. The praised them to the Lord who they believed in.
After they had Passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia, and preached the crowd in Perga, and went down to Attalia, and sailed to Antioch, where they worked to recommended the grace of God. When they came together they practiced what God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles. The disciples stayed with them a long time.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Romans Chapter 13
Romans Chapter 13
Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. There is no power but God’s, the powers that exist are all ordained by God. If you resist the power and the ordinance of God then you will be damned. Rules are not a terror to good, but rather to evil. So now are you afraid of their power? Do that which is good and you’ll be praised.
Rulers are the ministers of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid, because the ruler has his sword for a reason. He is the minister of God and an avenger who will execute wrath on anyone who does evil.
But you need to be submissive, not just for fear of his wrath, but also for conscience sake. So, you should pay your tribute because they are God’s ministers attending always to this very thing. Render your leaders all their dues, pay tribute to those to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear and honor to whom honor is due.
Don’t owe any many any thing, but love one another, for he that loves has fulfilled the law (is this the same law that you on and off care about Paul?) Don’t commit adultery, don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t bear false witness, don’t covet, and if there’s some other commandment then it can be understood by saying that you should love your neighbor as yourself. (Err… uh… Paul, maybe little more studying of the old testament would teach you that the one’s your missing are… 1. No worshipping other gods, 2. No making idols… sometimes it’s written images, 3. No blaspheming in the lord’s name… this especially includes the holy spirit, but we don’t learn that until the new testament which Paul didn’t have, 4. Keep the Sabbath holy… which we know JC wasn’t a big fan of, and 5. Honor your mom and dad. Contrary to what is written in the New Testament gospels, love your neighbor as you love yourself is a sweet sentiment but not one of the ten commandments, nor does it adequately express the intent of the missing commandments. Time to go back to the synagogue for some religious education Paulie, or should I call you Saulie?)
Love doesn’t do bad things its neighbor, so love fulfills the law.
Now that we know the time, it is high time to awake out of sleep. Our salvation is nearer than we believed. The night is almost done and the day is at hand, so let’s cast off the darkness and put on an armor of light. Let’s walk honestly, just like in the day. Let’s not go out rioting drunkenly, and stay away from the whore houses, and let’s not have strife and envy.
Get on board with Jesus and ignore your fleshy pursuits to fulfil those lusts.
Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. There is no power but God’s, the powers that exist are all ordained by God. If you resist the power and the ordinance of God then you will be damned. Rules are not a terror to good, but rather to evil. So now are you afraid of their power? Do that which is good and you’ll be praised.
Rulers are the ministers of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid, because the ruler has his sword for a reason. He is the minister of God and an avenger who will execute wrath on anyone who does evil.
But you need to be submissive, not just for fear of his wrath, but also for conscience sake. So, you should pay your tribute because they are God’s ministers attending always to this very thing. Render your leaders all their dues, pay tribute to those to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear and honor to whom honor is due.
Don’t owe any many any thing, but love one another, for he that loves has fulfilled the law (is this the same law that you on and off care about Paul?) Don’t commit adultery, don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t bear false witness, don’t covet, and if there’s some other commandment then it can be understood by saying that you should love your neighbor as yourself. (Err… uh… Paul, maybe little more studying of the old testament would teach you that the one’s your missing are… 1. No worshipping other gods, 2. No making idols… sometimes it’s written images, 3. No blaspheming in the lord’s name… this especially includes the holy spirit, but we don’t learn that until the new testament which Paul didn’t have, 4. Keep the Sabbath holy… which we know JC wasn’t a big fan of, and 5. Honor your mom and dad. Contrary to what is written in the New Testament gospels, love your neighbor as you love yourself is a sweet sentiment but not one of the ten commandments, nor does it adequately express the intent of the missing commandments. Time to go back to the synagogue for some religious education Paulie, or should I call you Saulie?)
Love doesn’t do bad things its neighbor, so love fulfills the law.
Now that we know the time, it is high time to awake out of sleep. Our salvation is nearer than we believed. The night is almost done and the day is at hand, so let’s cast off the darkness and put on an armor of light. Let’s walk honestly, just like in the day. Let’s not go out rioting drunkenly, and stay away from the whore houses, and let’s not have strife and envy.
Get on board with Jesus and ignore your fleshy pursuits to fulfil those lusts.
Acts Chapter 13
In the church at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers for example, Barnabas, Simeon who is called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch and Saul. They ministered to the Lord, and fasted. The Holy Ghost told them to “Separate Barnabas and Saul because I have work for them”. When they had fasted and prayed, they sent them off to do the Holy Ghosts work in Seleucia and Cyprus.
When they were at Salamis preaching the word of God in the synagogues they John joined them in preaching. When they had gone through the island of Paphos they found a sorcerer, ooo how exciting, who was a false prophet, a Jew named Barjesus. Oh I was almost hoping in was Bejesus you know the one that’s always scared out of you? Barjesus was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man who called for Barnabas and Saul to hear the word of God.But Elymas (which is his interpreted name) tried to turn the deputy, Sergius Paulus away from the faith.
Saul, who is also called Paul, (Holla! We’ve got Paul in the house!) who was filled with the Holy Ghost, looked at him and said “You’re full of subtly and all sorts of mischief you child of the devil, you enemy of righteousness, won’t you stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? The hand of the Lord is now on you, and you will be blind, and not see the sun for a season!” A mist fell on the dude and he couldn’t see any more. He had to be led out by his hand. That really stinks.
The deputy was astonished at the doctrine of the Lord but he believed. I’m sure, I’m sure anyone would believe just to appease this angry force so they wouldn’t go blind. But that doesn’t make you love it.
Paul and company left Paphos to go to Perga in Pamphylia, and John returned to Jerusalem. When they led Perga they came to Antioch in Pisidia and when to the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down. After reading the law and prophets, the rulers of the synagogue asked if anyone had anything good to say, than say it.
Paul stood up and beckoned the folks with his hand saying “Men of Israel, and God fearing folk listen to me. The God of the people of Israel chose our dads and exalted the people who were strangers living in the land of Egypt. God brought them out with a high arm.”
Okay seriously didn’t we have Stephen tell us this same history in this same book? Do we have to go over that again? And isn’t all in Exodus too? Whatever.
“God suffered forty year of his people wandering the wilderness. When he destroyed the seven nations in the land of Chanaan and divided them by lot.
After that he gave them judges for four hundred and fifty years until Samuel the prophet. After that they wanted a king so God gave them Saul, the son of Cis, a man form the tribe of Benjamin for forty years. After he removed hi, he raised David up to be their king. God gave David a testimony, and said that he found David the son of Jesse to be a man after his own heart and would fulfill his will. According to his promise Jesus was a descendant of David.
When John first preached before his coming the baptism and repentance of the people of Israel. Ad John did his work he asked if they though he was the one. Then he told them about how he wasn’t fit to lace the shoes of the guy who is coming. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and who ever fears God, the word of salvation is sent to you. The people live in Jerusalem, and their rulers didn’t recognize JC as the one that would fulfill the prophecies, and they ended up fulfilling the prophecy by condemning him. Even though they didn’t find a real reason to kill him they wanted Pilate to have him killed. When they had fulfilled the scripture, they took him down from the tree, (Really tree again? Why don’t we wears trees then as a religious symbol?) and put him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead. He was seen for many days by those who had been with him in Jerusalem and Galilee who are his witnesses to the people.
We give you glad tidings, how the promise which was made to the fathers, God has fulfilled for their children. He raised up Jesus again, (again?) as it’s written in the second psalm, “You are my Son, this day I have become your dad.” As to how he raised him up from the dead, never to return to decompose, he said he would give you the mercies of David. In another psalm he said you shouldn’t make you Holy One see corruption. Once David has served his own generation with God’s will, he fell asleep and was laid with his fathers, that would be he died, and his body did decompose. But the one God raised again, didn’t decompose.”
Beat that dead horse Paul! But did the dead horse decompose? Or did God raise the horse again…
You all should know that that man preached to you about the forgiveness of sins. Those who believe are justified from everything, but you couldn’t be justified by the law of Moses. Beware in case the thing that are spoken by the prophets come to you. Look you people who despise, and wonder and die, for I will do something that you won’t believe even though a man tells you about it.” Not unusual Paul I’ve got to say.
When the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles wanted that they could hear these words the next Sabbath. When the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious folks, followed Paul and Barnabas who persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
When the Jews was the crowds they were jealous and spoke against what Paul was talking about contradicting and blaspheming. Folks just let Paulie contradict himself. Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly said that the word of God should have spoken to you first but seeing that you pushed it away, and you judge yourself unworthy of everlasting life so we turned to the Gentiles.
The Lord commanded us telling us to be a light to the Gentiles that we should be salvation to the ends of the earth. When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the rod of the lord. Those who were ordained gained eternal life. And the word of the Lord was published throughout the region.
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and pushed them off of their coasts. So they dusted off their feet and came to Iconium and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Romans Chapter 12
Romans Chapter 12
Paul beseeches you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living, holy and acceptable sacrifice to God. Afterall, it’s a perfectly reason service to provide to your lord and savior.
Don’t conform to this world, instead transform by renewing your mind so that you can prove what the good, acceptable and perfect will of God is. Paul says through the grace given to him that every man among you shouldn’t think more highly of himself than he ought to (ummm, isn’t it self-evident that people should not do things other than what they ought to… whatever). All men should think soberly of himself because God has accordingly dealt to every man a measure of faith (maybe he missed me because I’m not a man, do you think?)
Just as we have many members in on body and not all members hold the same office, so we, the many are actually one body in Christ and every one is a member of the other. But everyone has different gifts according the grace bestowed upon us. These gifts could include prophesy according to the proportion of faith you possess. These could include ministry or ministering, or teaching, of exhortation, or giving simply, or ruling diligently, or showing mercy cheerfully. (All these things and more could by YOUR gift!)
Don’t let love be deceitful or disguised. Hate all things that are evil and cling to things that are good. Be affection to one another with brotherly love, prefer one another in honor (does that mean honor other Christians more than non-christians? Not totally sure.) Don’t be lazy in your business, be fervent in spirit as you serve god, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, always pray and make sure you understand the necessity of saints (am I wrong or is that the first mention of saints in the new testament?), be hospitable.
Continuing…
Bless those who persecute you. In fact, only give blessings, don’t curse. Rejoice with others who are rejoicing, and weep with those who are crying. Treat everyone the same. Don’t mind status, but speak to men of low estate. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.
Don’t retaliate with evil against someone who has done evil to you. Be open and honest with everyone. As much as you possibly can manage, try to live peacefully with all men. (I think that needs to be a stronger mandate, but I’m finally starting to see where some of the nice morals come from in this book… why they’re not from JC at all, they’re just from Paul’s random ramblings! Hey, I’ll take it, telling people to be good is better than telling them that you’re not here to bring peace on earth, but rather to judge and destroy).
Dearly beloved (oh, Paul loves everyone! He’s in a happy mood today, I like that!!!!), don’t take vengeance yourself, but let wrath have its own place. It is written, “Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Uh, yeah, you be nice so God can be mean… I was hoping for a nicer sentiment, like evil is its own punishment so there’s no need for vengeance. I’m not too keen on a vengeful dude in the sky just waiting to take his revenge. That’s just scary and weird… just when I think I get a chapter I can kind of sort of get behind, they always ruin it with their fire and brimstone talk).
If your enemy hungers then feed him, if he is thirsty give him a drink, by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head (uh… I was kind of thinking it might just make him see what a little kindness can do… I’m not into heaping fire onto people’s heads. That’s mean and gross).
Don’t be overcome with evil, instead overcome evil with good.
Paul beseeches you, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living, holy and acceptable sacrifice to God. Afterall, it’s a perfectly reason service to provide to your lord and savior.
Don’t conform to this world, instead transform by renewing your mind so that you can prove what the good, acceptable and perfect will of God is. Paul says through the grace given to him that every man among you shouldn’t think more highly of himself than he ought to (ummm, isn’t it self-evident that people should not do things other than what they ought to… whatever). All men should think soberly of himself because God has accordingly dealt to every man a measure of faith (maybe he missed me because I’m not a man, do you think?)
Just as we have many members in on body and not all members hold the same office, so we, the many are actually one body in Christ and every one is a member of the other. But everyone has different gifts according the grace bestowed upon us. These gifts could include prophesy according to the proportion of faith you possess. These could include ministry or ministering, or teaching, of exhortation, or giving simply, or ruling diligently, or showing mercy cheerfully. (All these things and more could by YOUR gift!)
Don’t let love be deceitful or disguised. Hate all things that are evil and cling to things that are good. Be affection to one another with brotherly love, prefer one another in honor (does that mean honor other Christians more than non-christians? Not totally sure.) Don’t be lazy in your business, be fervent in spirit as you serve god, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, always pray and make sure you understand the necessity of saints (am I wrong or is that the first mention of saints in the new testament?), be hospitable.
Continuing…
Bless those who persecute you. In fact, only give blessings, don’t curse. Rejoice with others who are rejoicing, and weep with those who are crying. Treat everyone the same. Don’t mind status, but speak to men of low estate. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.
Don’t retaliate with evil against someone who has done evil to you. Be open and honest with everyone. As much as you possibly can manage, try to live peacefully with all men. (I think that needs to be a stronger mandate, but I’m finally starting to see where some of the nice morals come from in this book… why they’re not from JC at all, they’re just from Paul’s random ramblings! Hey, I’ll take it, telling people to be good is better than telling them that you’re not here to bring peace on earth, but rather to judge and destroy).
Dearly beloved (oh, Paul loves everyone! He’s in a happy mood today, I like that!!!!), don’t take vengeance yourself, but let wrath have its own place. It is written, “Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Uh, yeah, you be nice so God can be mean… I was hoping for a nicer sentiment, like evil is its own punishment so there’s no need for vengeance. I’m not too keen on a vengeful dude in the sky just waiting to take his revenge. That’s just scary and weird… just when I think I get a chapter I can kind of sort of get behind, they always ruin it with their fire and brimstone talk).
If your enemy hungers then feed him, if he is thirsty give him a drink, by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head (uh… I was kind of thinking it might just make him see what a little kindness can do… I’m not into heaping fire onto people’s heads. That’s mean and gross).
Don’t be overcome with evil, instead overcome evil with good.
Acts Chapter 12
King Herod was working hard to annoy the church. And I mean he was working really hard, he killed John’s brother James with a sword. Well, that very much pleased the Jews, so then he threw Pete in jail too! This was during the time of the unleavened bread. He had a whole bunch of soldiers watching Peter. He planned on bringing him out at Easter. Peter was kept in prison but he kept praying even though he couldn’t go to church.
Herod would have brought him out. That night Peter was sleeping between soldiers, bound with two chains, and with guards at the door. And the angel of the Lord came to him, a light shining in the prison and he hit Peter on the side, telling him to get up quickly. And his chains fell off his hands. The angel told him to get dressed and follow him. Pete followed him out, but didn’t know if this was real or a vision. They past the first two wards of the prison and out the gates of the city which totally opened on its own! He walked through the gate and then the angel left.
After he thought about what happened, he went to John Mark’s mother Mary’s house, where a lot of people were praying. When Pete knocked a girl named Rhoda answered the door. She was so happy to see Peter she forgot to open the gate and told everyone that Pete was at the gate. Well everybody told her she was crazy. She objected, and they told her that it must be her angel. Peter kept knocking at the gate so eventually they came out to see him and they were astonished.
Because why would they listen to a girl, she must be hysterical! She couldn’t possibly be right.
He told them to quiet down as he told this amazing story about how the Lord delivered him from prison. He told them to go share this with James and his brethren and he left to go someplace else.
Well as it turns out the soldiers noticed that Pete was missing. When Herod looked for him to put him to death and couldn’t find him, he commanded that his guards be executed instead. That’s Herod for you, he’s always been known for his special brand of compassion. Herod wasn’t done being upset, he was also highly displeased with the folks of Tyre and Sidon, but they came to agreement with him because they became friends with Blastus, the king’s chamberlain their friend, and they needed the peace because their country was dependant on the Herod’s country.
Herod, all dressed up in his royal clothes made a speech to them. They people were so impressed with his speech that they cried out that it wasn’t the voice of a man but of God. So the Lord in his infinite compassion struck Herod the King dead. Because he wanted to wanted to punish him for trying to kill JC’s BFF Pete? Nope, he killed him because Herod didn’t give glory to God. Herod wasn’t even the one who said he was God! It was some other guy! But Herod was the one who was eaten by worms, and he gave up the ghost.
The word of God grew and multiplied.
Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, where they had fulfilled their ministry and took John Mark with them for their next adventure.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Romans Chapter 11
Romans Chapter 11
Paul asks if God has cast his people away? God forbid. Paul’s also an Israelite, you know, from the seed of old Abe and the tribe of Ben (ooo, Benji doesn’t get mentioned to often as one of the illustrious forefathers).
God hasn’t cast away his people, and he knew he wouldn’t ahead of time. Don’t you remember what the scripture said about Elias? He was going to make an intercession to God against Israel, reminding our fair Lord that these folks have killed all God’s prophets and wrecked his altars, and now I (poor Elias) am left alone and they’re coming for me.
But what did God say to him? He said that he had reserved seven thousand men who have not bowed to Baal. (I like that throughout the bible there is no forceful declaration that Baal doesn’t exist, only that he isn’t fit to be worshipped. I find that amusing. Also, the normal God we talk about doesn’t seem to have problems with the other thousands and thousands of gods that were being worshipped at the time. It seems Baal is his main competitor. Just kind of interesting… I’m making a mental note to learn more about my friend Baal).
Even so, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Because it’s by grace, it’s not related to the deeds that you perform (in case you forgot, Paul not a big believer in the whole actions speak louder than words thing). If it is related to deeds then it’s no longer grace, or work wouldn’t be work any more.
What then? Israel hasn’t obtained what it was seeking, but the election has obtained it. Unfortunately the rest were blinded until this day. Paul’s parenthetical note tells that the scripture says God gave these people the spirit of slumber, eyes that did not see and ears that did not here.
And David said their table would be made a snare and trap and stumblingblock and also a recompense to them. Their eyes should be darkened so they could not see and their backs should be bowed.
Paul asks if they have stumbled so much that they will fall? God forbid. Instead, because of their fall salvation has been opened up to the gentiles to provoke their jealousy. (Oh, that’s a fabulously thought out plan… well I was going to save a bunch of people, but they suck, so now I’ll save some others so they’ll see how good they could have had it. Super mature. Go God!)
Now when they fall they get the riches of the world and as they diminish it enriches the Gentiles, how much more full can you get? (I think I see where Hilter got his ideas. Umm, is this screwed up to anyone else?)
Paul’s talking to you Gentiles! He considers himself the apostle of the Gentiles and he magnifies his office. If by any means he can provoke the people of his flesh to emulate him, then he might be able to save a few. But, if casting them away means the reconciliation of the world, what will receiving them be except life from the dead?
If the firstfruit is holy, then the lump is also holy and the root and the branches. If some of the branches are broken off and you are a wild olive tree that was grafted with them and with them partake of the root and fat of the olive tree, don’t boast against the branches. If you boast then you don’t bear the root, but the root bears you.
You will then say that the branches were broken off so you could be grafted in. Well, because of unbelief they were broken off and you got to your precious olive tree through your faith. Don’t be highminded, but be fearful. If God didn’t spare the natural branches then take heed because he won’t spare you.
Behold the goodness and severity of God. Those who are fallen get the severity and you precious lovelies get the goodness as long as you continue to behave yourselves. If you don’t, you’ll be cut off.
And also, if any of the Israelites start believing again then they can be grafted back in because that’s how cool God is.
If you were cut out of the olive tree, which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a nice olive tree, how great would it be if the natural branches were grafted back into their own tree?
Paul doesn’t want y’all to be ignorant of this mystery, or you might be wise in your own conceits. The blindness that happened in Israel was to enrich the lives of the Gentiles.
So Israel will be saved, it is written that “there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness form Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes, but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as you in times past have not believed God, you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief. Even non believers right now can obtain mercy through you because God has concluded all the unbelief so he can have mercy upon all. (What, now we get mercy even if we don’t believe? That’s a first.)
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! His judgments and his ways are beyond our comprehension (errr, you can say that again Paulie, mostly because they’re nonsensical).
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been his counselor? Who has first given to him and it will be returned to him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Ugh.
Paul asks if God has cast his people away? God forbid. Paul’s also an Israelite, you know, from the seed of old Abe and the tribe of Ben (ooo, Benji doesn’t get mentioned to often as one of the illustrious forefathers).
God hasn’t cast away his people, and he knew he wouldn’t ahead of time. Don’t you remember what the scripture said about Elias? He was going to make an intercession to God against Israel, reminding our fair Lord that these folks have killed all God’s prophets and wrecked his altars, and now I (poor Elias) am left alone and they’re coming for me.
But what did God say to him? He said that he had reserved seven thousand men who have not bowed to Baal. (I like that throughout the bible there is no forceful declaration that Baal doesn’t exist, only that he isn’t fit to be worshipped. I find that amusing. Also, the normal God we talk about doesn’t seem to have problems with the other thousands and thousands of gods that were being worshipped at the time. It seems Baal is his main competitor. Just kind of interesting… I’m making a mental note to learn more about my friend Baal).
Even so, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Because it’s by grace, it’s not related to the deeds that you perform (in case you forgot, Paul not a big believer in the whole actions speak louder than words thing). If it is related to deeds then it’s no longer grace, or work wouldn’t be work any more.
What then? Israel hasn’t obtained what it was seeking, but the election has obtained it. Unfortunately the rest were blinded until this day. Paul’s parenthetical note tells that the scripture says God gave these people the spirit of slumber, eyes that did not see and ears that did not here.
And David said their table would be made a snare and trap and stumblingblock and also a recompense to them. Their eyes should be darkened so they could not see and their backs should be bowed.
Paul asks if they have stumbled so much that they will fall? God forbid. Instead, because of their fall salvation has been opened up to the gentiles to provoke their jealousy. (Oh, that’s a fabulously thought out plan… well I was going to save a bunch of people, but they suck, so now I’ll save some others so they’ll see how good they could have had it. Super mature. Go God!)
Now when they fall they get the riches of the world and as they diminish it enriches the Gentiles, how much more full can you get? (I think I see where Hilter got his ideas. Umm, is this screwed up to anyone else?)
Paul’s talking to you Gentiles! He considers himself the apostle of the Gentiles and he magnifies his office. If by any means he can provoke the people of his flesh to emulate him, then he might be able to save a few. But, if casting them away means the reconciliation of the world, what will receiving them be except life from the dead?
If the firstfruit is holy, then the lump is also holy and the root and the branches. If some of the branches are broken off and you are a wild olive tree that was grafted with them and with them partake of the root and fat of the olive tree, don’t boast against the branches. If you boast then you don’t bear the root, but the root bears you.
You will then say that the branches were broken off so you could be grafted in. Well, because of unbelief they were broken off and you got to your precious olive tree through your faith. Don’t be highminded, but be fearful. If God didn’t spare the natural branches then take heed because he won’t spare you.
Behold the goodness and severity of God. Those who are fallen get the severity and you precious lovelies get the goodness as long as you continue to behave yourselves. If you don’t, you’ll be cut off.
And also, if any of the Israelites start believing again then they can be grafted back in because that’s how cool God is.
If you were cut out of the olive tree, which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a nice olive tree, how great would it be if the natural branches were grafted back into their own tree?
Paul doesn’t want y’all to be ignorant of this mystery, or you might be wise in your own conceits. The blindness that happened in Israel was to enrich the lives of the Gentiles.
So Israel will be saved, it is written that “there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness form Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes, but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as you in times past have not believed God, you have now obtained mercy through their unbelief. Even non believers right now can obtain mercy through you because God has concluded all the unbelief so he can have mercy upon all. (What, now we get mercy even if we don’t believe? That’s a first.)
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! His judgments and his ways are beyond our comprehension (errr, you can say that again Paulie, mostly because they’re nonsensical).
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been his counselor? Who has first given to him and it will be returned to him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.
Ugh.
Acts Chapter 11
The apostles and brethren in Judea hear the Gentiles had received the word of God. When Pete came back to Jerusalem, he had the circumcised folks to contend with. They said “You went to the uncircumcised and ate with them!” Pete was prepared and told them about his vision.
Wow, Luke really feels it necessary to retell the same story that was just in the last chapter. In considerable detail. Even though we read about it in the last chapter. The chapter right before this one.
“ I saw the heavens open and a certain vessel descended upon me, like a great sheet knit at the four corners and let down to the earth. Inside were all sorts of four footed beast of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds. A voice came to him telling me to “Arise, Peter; kill, and eat.” That upset me because I keep Kosher and didn’t eat common or unclean animals. But the voice told him that “What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.” I told them how this was done three times, and the vessel went back to heaven and how three men from Caesarea came to see me. Six men came with me and they went to the man’s house. He showed us how he had seen an angel in the house who had told him to summon me to tell this guy words that would save everyone in his house. As I began to speak the Holy host fell on them, like it did with us in the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord how he said that John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Ghost. God gave them the gift that he gave us, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Who am I to withstand God?” Who indeed Pete? Who indeed?
When they heard these things, they held their peace glorifying God saying that God had given the Gentiles the ability to repent.
As they were scattered abroad, the news of Steven’s persecution travelled as far as Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, only preaching the word to the Jews. And some of them were form Cyprus and Cyrene, who when they came to Antioch spoke to the Greeks preaching about Lord Jesus. Well, the land of the lord was with them because they were converting folks left and right.
The new of these things came to the church in Jerusalem, and the sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God he was glad, and gave them earnest advice that they would join with the Lord with all of their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost, and faith, and he added many followers.
Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul. When he found him they went to Antioch. They taught in the church there for about a year. The disciples in Antioch were the first to be called Christians.
Prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch. One of them named Agabus had been told by the Spirit that there would be a a great dearth throughout the world which would come in the days of Claudius Caesar. The disciples were determined to send relief to their brethren in Judea, every man giving what they could. They send it to elders with Barnabas and Saul. Which is really nice. I mean sending relief to those in need is always a really nice thing to do. Go disciples!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Romans Chapter 10
Romans Chapter 10
Brothers, Paul’s deepest wish is that Israel should be saved. It’s what he prays to God for. He bears record that the Israelites have a zeal for God, but it’s not according to knowledge. You see kids, these folks are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and of how to go about becoming righteous themselves. Problem is they haven’t properly submitted themselves to God. (I know everyone already knows this, but I’m pretty sure most Jewish people would disagree, as a faith they seem to believe strongly that they have submitted themselves to God’s will and his laws… but whatever, I get it, this is some new sect so they have to tell everyone before them that they had it all wrong).
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for all the believers. (Damn, Paul sure hates the law doesn’t he?)
Moses described the righteousness which is the law, and the man that does those things will live by them. (Er, uh, yeah, if you do something it automatically becomes part of your life… hmmm).
But faith speaks to this idea: doesn’t it say in your heart who will ascend to heaven? (My heart doesn’t like heaven, but it would tell me that everyone who wants to go can go if it exists). Paul puts in a side not that tells us that all this is to bring Christ down from heaven. (Dare I even go into the WTF of this? Why are WE trying to bring him down: a) he’s happy up there, b) he said he’d come like a million times regardless of what humanity does or doesn’t do, c) why are we so concerned about it anyway?)
Or, who will descent into the deep? His side not here says, this is to bring up Christ again from the dead. (Ugh, isn’t he already in heaven? Why are we raising him from the dead again if he’s already risen, how man mortal bodies did he leave down here?)
But what said all this? (If you think the answer is Paul, I’m with you.) The word is with you, in your mouth and heart, and guess what y’all? It’s the word of faith which we preach. If you confess with that mouth of yours about our pal JC and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you’ll be saved.
With his heart a man can believe himself into righteousness, and with his mouth he can make a confession and get salvation. The scripture said that whoever believed in him will not be ashamed. (Seriously? Because I used to believe in JC, at least in some degree, and this book has made me terribly ashamed of that.)
There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (that’s true. In my elementary school the Greeks had all the fun parties and cool stuff and in my high school all the Jewish kids had that… so I agree, same, same.) The same Lord is available to all who chose to call. Whoever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (including or excluding those who cannot be forgiven because in the past they have blasphemed the holy spirit?).
How can those who have not believed call on the Lord? And how can they believe in him if they haven’t heard of him? And how can they hear of him without a preacher? (Well, if you have an omnipotent God who created the whole universe and call, maybe he should have let more than a few thousand people know what was happening. It’s a really unreliable source this “oh-so-powerful” dude chose to spread his precious word).
And how shall they preach, except to be sent out into the world? It is written that those who preach the gospel and bring glad tidings of good things have beautiful feet. (Well, beautiful feet and glad tidings are nice).
But, they haven’t all obeyed the gospel (always have to throw in something negative, don’t we?). Esaias asked the Lord who believed their report?
So then faith comes by hearing the word of God. But Paul wonders, haven’t they heard? Sure they have. The sound went into all the earth and the words went to the ends of the world. (Or just around the Mediterranean, but whatever, that’s the whole earth from his perspective I suppose).
But Paul says, didn’t Israel know? Moses said that he would he would provoke you to jealousy by those that are not a people and by a foolish nation, he will anger you. (Great, sounds very sensible).
But Esaias is very bold, and he said that he was found by people who weren’t even looking for him, he was made manifest to those who didn’t ask for him. But to Israel he said that all day long he has stretched out his hands to a disobedient and contradictory people.
Brothers, Paul’s deepest wish is that Israel should be saved. It’s what he prays to God for. He bears record that the Israelites have a zeal for God, but it’s not according to knowledge. You see kids, these folks are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and of how to go about becoming righteous themselves. Problem is they haven’t properly submitted themselves to God. (I know everyone already knows this, but I’m pretty sure most Jewish people would disagree, as a faith they seem to believe strongly that they have submitted themselves to God’s will and his laws… but whatever, I get it, this is some new sect so they have to tell everyone before them that they had it all wrong).
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for all the believers. (Damn, Paul sure hates the law doesn’t he?)
Moses described the righteousness which is the law, and the man that does those things will live by them. (Er, uh, yeah, if you do something it automatically becomes part of your life… hmmm).
But faith speaks to this idea: doesn’t it say in your heart who will ascend to heaven? (My heart doesn’t like heaven, but it would tell me that everyone who wants to go can go if it exists). Paul puts in a side not that tells us that all this is to bring Christ down from heaven. (Dare I even go into the WTF of this? Why are WE trying to bring him down: a) he’s happy up there, b) he said he’d come like a million times regardless of what humanity does or doesn’t do, c) why are we so concerned about it anyway?)
Or, who will descent into the deep? His side not here says, this is to bring up Christ again from the dead. (Ugh, isn’t he already in heaven? Why are we raising him from the dead again if he’s already risen, how man mortal bodies did he leave down here?)
But what said all this? (If you think the answer is Paul, I’m with you.) The word is with you, in your mouth and heart, and guess what y’all? It’s the word of faith which we preach. If you confess with that mouth of yours about our pal JC and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you’ll be saved.
With his heart a man can believe himself into righteousness, and with his mouth he can make a confession and get salvation. The scripture said that whoever believed in him will not be ashamed. (Seriously? Because I used to believe in JC, at least in some degree, and this book has made me terribly ashamed of that.)
There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (that’s true. In my elementary school the Greeks had all the fun parties and cool stuff and in my high school all the Jewish kids had that… so I agree, same, same.) The same Lord is available to all who chose to call. Whoever call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (including or excluding those who cannot be forgiven because in the past they have blasphemed the holy spirit?).
How can those who have not believed call on the Lord? And how can they believe in him if they haven’t heard of him? And how can they hear of him without a preacher? (Well, if you have an omnipotent God who created the whole universe and call, maybe he should have let more than a few thousand people know what was happening. It’s a really unreliable source this “oh-so-powerful” dude chose to spread his precious word).
And how shall they preach, except to be sent out into the world? It is written that those who preach the gospel and bring glad tidings of good things have beautiful feet. (Well, beautiful feet and glad tidings are nice).
But, they haven’t all obeyed the gospel (always have to throw in something negative, don’t we?). Esaias asked the Lord who believed their report?
So then faith comes by hearing the word of God. But Paul wonders, haven’t they heard? Sure they have. The sound went into all the earth and the words went to the ends of the world. (Or just around the Mediterranean, but whatever, that’s the whole earth from his perspective I suppose).
But Paul says, didn’t Israel know? Moses said that he would he would provoke you to jealousy by those that are not a people and by a foolish nation, he will anger you. (Great, sounds very sensible).
But Esaias is very bold, and he said that he was found by people who weren’t even looking for him, he was made manifest to those who didn’t ask for him. But to Israel he said that all day long he has stretched out his hands to a disobedient and contradictory people.
Acts Chapter 10
There was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, who was a centurion of the Italian band. I don’t think that it was a music band. He was a devout man, who feared god, is that a good thing? He gave alms to the people and prayed to God “alway” I only point that out as a quote, because I’ve never seen a singular version of “always”. Evidently he had seen a vision about an angel of God coming to him in the ninth hour of the day saying his name. He asked what the Lord wanted and God told him that his prayers and alms made a memorial before God. God tells him that he should send men to Joppa to call for Simon Peter. He’s living with Simon the tanner, you know the one who lives by the seaside, and he’ll tell you what you ought to do.
Cornelius rounded up two of his household servants, and a devout soldier who waited on them all the time and sent them to Joppa. As they went on their journey, and got cose to the city, Peter went up onto the roof to pray. He got hungry, and really would have eaten, but he fell into a trance. Pete saw the heavens open and a certain vessel descended upon him, like a great sheet knit at the four corners and let down to the earth. I think that sounds like a parachute! Inside were all sorts of four footed beast of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds! Woo hoo it’s like a zoo in there!
A voice came to him telling him to “Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.” Well, that upset Pete, because he must have kept Kosher and didn’t eat common or unclean animals. But the voice told him that “What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.” This was one three times, and the vessel went back to heaven. I’m not sure if the animals stayed or if the parachute just blew away or what?
While Peter doubted his vision, and what it meant, the men Cornelius sent showed up. They called up asking if this was where Simon Peter was staying. Pete was lost in contemplation, so the spirit kind of nudged him telling him these three guys were looking for him? The spirit told Pete to quit his doubting and get down there to go with them. So Pete goes down, tells them he’s Peter and asks them why they are looking for him.
They told him Cornelius the centurion, a good man who fear God, was told by an angel to send for you so he could hear your words. Pete went away with them, and some of his brethren went with him. The next morning they got to Caesarea where Cornelius waited for them with his friends and family. As Peter came in Cornelius fell down at his feet and worshipped him. Peter helped him up telling him he was just a man. He talked to all the folk telling them that even though it’s unlawful for a Jew to keep company with people from another nation, but God showed me that I shouldn’t call any man common or unclean. I’ve got to agree with that Pete! I mean religion shouldn’t really be exclusive.
Pete tells Cornelius that he came without question as soon as he was sent for but asked why the heck did you send for me? Cornelius told him that he had been fasting, and saw a man in bright clothing, who told me God remembered my prayer and alms.
Oh he’d been fasting, and Pete had been hungry, are these visions hunger induced?
He told me to send for you. So I did and now you are here. Now we are all hear in the presence of God, to hear God’s commandments. Pete tells him that truthfully he perceives that God doesn’t really respect people.
Seriously? Does that strike anyone else as a little wrong?
But in every nation who fears god, and is righteous, is accepted with him. The word of God was sent to the children of Israel, preaching peach with J the C, the Lord of all. The word was published through all of Judea, and Galilee, after J the B preached about baptism. God anointed Jesus o Nazareth, with the Holy Ghost, and with power. He went around doing good, and healing those who had been oppressed by the devil. Because God was with him. And we witnessed all the things he did in the did in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, and they killed him and hung him on a tree. And God raised him up on the third day showed him to some people. Not to everyone but to God’s chosen witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people, and to tesistify that he was the one to be ordained by god to be the Judge of the quick and the dead.
Okay it actually said the quick and dead, and I think quick mean s life or alive here but it's a great turn of a phrase.
To those who have witnessed the prophets, whoever believes him can have their sins forgiven. As Pete spoke these words, the Holy Ghost came to everyone who heard the word.
Oh he’d been fasting, and Pete had been hungry, are these visions hunger induced?
He told me to send for you. So I did and now you are here. Now we are all hear in the presence of God, to hear God’s commandments. Pete tells him that truthfully he perceives that God doesn’t really respect people.
Seriously? Does that strike anyone else as a little wrong?
But in every nation who fears god, and is righteous, is accepted with him. The word of God was sent to the children of Israel, preaching peach with J the C, the Lord of all. The word was published through all of Judea, and Galilee, after J the B preached about baptism. God anointed Jesus o Nazareth, with the Holy Ghost, and with power. He went around doing good, and healing those who had been oppressed by the devil. Because God was with him. And we witnessed all the things he did in the did in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem, and they killed him and hung him on a tree. And God raised him up on the third day showed him to some people. Not to everyone but to God’s chosen witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people, and to tesistify that he was the one to be ordained by god to be the Judge of the quick and the dead.
Okay it actually said the quick and dead, and I think quick mean s life or alive here but it's a great turn of a phrase.
To those who have witnessed the prophets, whoever believes him can have their sins forgiven. As Pete spoke these words, the Holy Ghost came to everyone who heard the word.
The folks her were circumcised were astonished because a bunch of the gentiles that came with Pete were also given the gift of the Holy Ghost. They heard them speak with tongues and magnified God. Peter asked them if any man could forbid the water to baptize people in the name of the Lord. They asked Pete to stay with them a while.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Romans Chapter 9
Romans Chapter 9
Paul says that the truth is in Christ and he’s not lying. His conscience bears witness in the Holy Ghost. He has great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart (poor Paul)!
He could wish the he was accursed from Christ in favor of his brethren, his own kinsmen according to the mortal rules. They are Israelites who the aforementioned adoption, glory, covenants, giving of law, service of God and the promises were given to. It is for them and their fathers that Christ came in the flesh, who is over everyone else. He’s blessed by God forever. Amen. (He loves to say “Amen” when he mentions old JC… I’m not a fan. It feels very tacked on to my ears, but that’s just me.)
It’s not like the word of God didn’t take any effect (errr, did someone say that it hadn’t?). They are not all Israel who are from Israel (come again?). They’re also not all children even though they’re the seed of Abraham, but in Isaac they’ll be called seed.
That is, those folks who are the “children of the flesh” aren’t the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Whose kids now?)
This is the word of promise, “At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son”. (Oh are we back to the sex with corpse thing again?) “And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac”. Paul adds in some parenthesis here to tell us that the children who were not yet born had not done any good or evil, so the purpose of God, according to election could stand not of deeds but solely of his calling. (So, it’s not really important what you do, you’re either called by God or you’re not… okay, right.) Back to the quotation… “It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.” (Wow, Bec’s must have been shocked, everyone knows children have to serve their parents. In this world who serves who is a finite matter and one of critical importance… it’s all very unnatural to us Americans… but whatever). This is the last line of what Paul is quoting from the Old Testament… “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (Ouch! That’s mean, right? But, Jacob Have I Loved is a darn decent book for adolescents. I recommend it).
What shall we say then? (I don’t know Paul, enlighten us, will you?) Is there unrighteousness with God? (ooo ooo… I know the answer is it, God Forbid?) God Forbid. (Love it when I’m right, at least the guy is consistent).
God told Moses that he’d have mercy on whoever he felt like have mercy on and compassion would be the same. (Nice, not capricious at all). So then, it’s not what someone wants, nor is it for someone to run, it’s all about who God wants to show mercy to.
The scripture said to the Pharaoh, that it is even for this purpose that he was raised, so God could show his power in him, and that his name can be declared thoughout all the earth. (I wonder if the Pharoah laughed when God told him that. I’m pretty sure most of the Pharoah’s weren’t big on spreading the word about the errr… uh… one true god).
Therefore he had mercy on whoever he wanted and he hardened to any he didn’t want to have mercy on. (I’m not sure if that’s God or the Pharoah, but either way it’s not really the type of justice I like to strive for).
We might ask Paul, why does he still find fault? Who has resisted his will? (I don’t know why we’d ask that, I think it might be better to ask something like, how does God decide who to be merciful towards? It might give you a better idea of what kind of a loonie you’re dealing with. Secondly, who HASN’T resisted his alleged will at this point?)
Paul asks us who we are to reply against God? Should you ask your creator why you were made in the way that you were? (Uh, I don’t see why not. Sometimes when I sew a stuffed animal I pretend it talks to me and asks me questions like why one arm is shorter than the other. I’m honest enough to say that I either cut the fabric wrong of stitched too far in, but I also tell them that I love them anyway and I hope they’re not mad because I messed up).
Doesn’t the potter have power over the clay, of the same lump that makes one vessel into honor and another to dishonor? (So I guess potter’s don’t talk to their pots the way I talk to my creations. Even my shirts sometimes ask me why I picked the ugly fabric that I did, or why the hem is so uneven).
What if God, who is willing to show his wrath and make his power known endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. (I would say, God should probably chill out if he’s making wrath vessels).
He might make known the riches of his wonderful glory on the vessels of mercy which he has already prepared. (Um, maybe he needs more mercy vessels and few wrath vessels… just a thought).
Even us, the people he has called, not just Jews, but also Gentiles? (Like Romans, for example).
He said in Osee that he would call them his people who were not even his people and he would call her beloved who was not beloved. (Aww, I hope everyone is beloved of someone… but I’m glad everyone is not Beloved from that horrible Toni Morrison book).
And it will come to pass in the place where it was said that you are not my people, there they will be called the children of the living God. (Eck. What place? What people?)
Esaias cried concerning Israel (is that John the Baptist, or no?). though the number of the children of Israel are like the sand of the sea, only remnant will be saved. Then he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness. The Lord will make short work on earth.
And as Esaias said before, Thankfully the Lord left us a seed, otherwise we’d be like Sodoma and Gomorrha.
What should we say then? (I know you’ll tell us Paulie) The Gentiles, who didn’t follow righteousness have still attained the righteousness of faith.
But Israel, who did follow righteousness, didn’t attain it.
Why? Because they didn’t seek it through faith but by the law. They stumbled at the stumblingstone (sounds hard to avoid, it is called a stumblingstone).
As it is written, “Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed”.
Yeah, okay. Nothing more to add, except… when will this project be over. My mind is reeling over my own stupidity for assuming there was going to be something meaningful and good in this book!
Paul says that the truth is in Christ and he’s not lying. His conscience bears witness in the Holy Ghost. He has great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart (poor Paul)!
He could wish the he was accursed from Christ in favor of his brethren, his own kinsmen according to the mortal rules. They are Israelites who the aforementioned adoption, glory, covenants, giving of law, service of God and the promises were given to. It is for them and their fathers that Christ came in the flesh, who is over everyone else. He’s blessed by God forever. Amen. (He loves to say “Amen” when he mentions old JC… I’m not a fan. It feels very tacked on to my ears, but that’s just me.)
It’s not like the word of God didn’t take any effect (errr, did someone say that it hadn’t?). They are not all Israel who are from Israel (come again?). They’re also not all children even though they’re the seed of Abraham, but in Isaac they’ll be called seed.
That is, those folks who are the “children of the flesh” aren’t the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Whose kids now?)
This is the word of promise, “At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son”. (Oh are we back to the sex with corpse thing again?) “And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac”. Paul adds in some parenthesis here to tell us that the children who were not yet born had not done any good or evil, so the purpose of God, according to election could stand not of deeds but solely of his calling. (So, it’s not really important what you do, you’re either called by God or you’re not… okay, right.) Back to the quotation… “It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.” (Wow, Bec’s must have been shocked, everyone knows children have to serve their parents. In this world who serves who is a finite matter and one of critical importance… it’s all very unnatural to us Americans… but whatever). This is the last line of what Paul is quoting from the Old Testament… “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (Ouch! That’s mean, right? But, Jacob Have I Loved is a darn decent book for adolescents. I recommend it).
What shall we say then? (I don’t know Paul, enlighten us, will you?) Is there unrighteousness with God? (ooo ooo… I know the answer is it, God Forbid?) God Forbid. (Love it when I’m right, at least the guy is consistent).
God told Moses that he’d have mercy on whoever he felt like have mercy on and compassion would be the same. (Nice, not capricious at all). So then, it’s not what someone wants, nor is it for someone to run, it’s all about who God wants to show mercy to.
The scripture said to the Pharaoh, that it is even for this purpose that he was raised, so God could show his power in him, and that his name can be declared thoughout all the earth. (I wonder if the Pharoah laughed when God told him that. I’m pretty sure most of the Pharoah’s weren’t big on spreading the word about the errr… uh… one true god).
Therefore he had mercy on whoever he wanted and he hardened to any he didn’t want to have mercy on. (I’m not sure if that’s God or the Pharoah, but either way it’s not really the type of justice I like to strive for).
We might ask Paul, why does he still find fault? Who has resisted his will? (I don’t know why we’d ask that, I think it might be better to ask something like, how does God decide who to be merciful towards? It might give you a better idea of what kind of a loonie you’re dealing with. Secondly, who HASN’T resisted his alleged will at this point?)
Paul asks us who we are to reply against God? Should you ask your creator why you were made in the way that you were? (Uh, I don’t see why not. Sometimes when I sew a stuffed animal I pretend it talks to me and asks me questions like why one arm is shorter than the other. I’m honest enough to say that I either cut the fabric wrong of stitched too far in, but I also tell them that I love them anyway and I hope they’re not mad because I messed up).
Doesn’t the potter have power over the clay, of the same lump that makes one vessel into honor and another to dishonor? (So I guess potter’s don’t talk to their pots the way I talk to my creations. Even my shirts sometimes ask me why I picked the ugly fabric that I did, or why the hem is so uneven).
What if God, who is willing to show his wrath and make his power known endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction. (I would say, God should probably chill out if he’s making wrath vessels).
He might make known the riches of his wonderful glory on the vessels of mercy which he has already prepared. (Um, maybe he needs more mercy vessels and few wrath vessels… just a thought).
Even us, the people he has called, not just Jews, but also Gentiles? (Like Romans, for example).
He said in Osee that he would call them his people who were not even his people and he would call her beloved who was not beloved. (Aww, I hope everyone is beloved of someone… but I’m glad everyone is not Beloved from that horrible Toni Morrison book).
And it will come to pass in the place where it was said that you are not my people, there they will be called the children of the living God. (Eck. What place? What people?)
Esaias cried concerning Israel (is that John the Baptist, or no?). though the number of the children of Israel are like the sand of the sea, only remnant will be saved. Then he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness. The Lord will make short work on earth.
And as Esaias said before, Thankfully the Lord left us a seed, otherwise we’d be like Sodoma and Gomorrha.
What should we say then? (I know you’ll tell us Paulie) The Gentiles, who didn’t follow righteousness have still attained the righteousness of faith.
But Israel, who did follow righteousness, didn’t attain it.
Why? Because they didn’t seek it through faith but by the law. They stumbled at the stumblingstone (sounds hard to avoid, it is called a stumblingstone).
As it is written, “Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed”.
Yeah, okay. Nothing more to add, except… when will this project be over. My mind is reeling over my own stupidity for assuming there was going to be something meaningful and good in this book!
Acts Chapter 9
Saul was talking about threatening and killing the Lord disciples and went to the high priest. He wanted the high priest to give him letters so he could gather JC’s follows on the way to Damascus. He’d bring those folks back to Jerusalem. On his way to Damascus a light from heaven shown around Paul and he fell to ground. A voice spoke saying “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul was confused and asked who the heck was talking to him. Well it turns out it was JC talking to him. JC tells him “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Um… is this where Paul becomes obsessed with….
Saul is astonished and trembling. He asks JC “ Lord, what do you want me to do?” JC tells him to go the city and there he’ll be told what to do. The folks traveling with Saul were speechless, having heard a voice, but not seeing anyone. When Saul go up from the ground he was blind! And he wasn’t used to being blind so they had to lead him by the hand all the way to the city. Good thing he wasn’t alone when this happened. He couldn’t see for three whole days and he didn’t eat or drink for three days.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias who had a vision of the Lord. The Lord told him to go to Straight Street and look for Saul of Tarsus in the house of Judas. He will be praying there. See, the Lord gave Saul a vision that Ananias would heal him. Ananias was a little reluctant because he had heard of Saul and his wicked ways. How Saul likes to jail JC’s followers and all. But god told him that Saul was his chosen vessel. JC had plans for Saul, he would show him great things, but he would also suffer in JC’s name.
Ananias went on his way and found Saul, he told him “Brother, the Lord JC totally appeared to you, and he sent me to fill you with the Holy Ghost and to give you your sight.” Well the scales fell from his eyes and he could see. He was baptized.
When Saul received meat, he was strengthened. Saul spent some time with the disciples in Damascus and he preached that JC was in fact the Son of God. The people who heard Saul were all “Isn’t this the guy who arrested all of the believers? What happened?” Saul just kept getting stronger, proving to the Jews that this was very Christ. So after a while, the Jews took council to kill him. But Saul knew there plans. So while they waited at the gate at night, the disciples smuggled him out during ht eday in a basket.
When Saul came back to Jerusalem, he joined the disciples but they were afraid of himand didn’t believe that he could b a disciple. Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them he was legit and how he boldly preached about JC in Damascus. So he became part of the crew.
And he spoke boldly to the Greeks, but they wanted to kill him. When the brethren found out so they brought him to Caesarea and on to Tarsus. Then the churches throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria were improved, and those walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Ghost were multiplied. Wow. We are supposed to fear the Lord and by comforted by the Holy Ghost? Yikes!
Peter passed through all quarters, he came down to the saint dwelling in Lydda. He found a guy named Aeneas, who had been stuck it bed for eight years with the palsy. Peter told him “JC makes you whole!” and Aeneas rose from the bed. Well when the people in Lydda and Saron saw that they turned to the lord.
Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, who was full of good works and deeds. WOW A GIRL DISCIPLE!!! Really? I am impressed. I think this is the first time I’ve heard a female being referred to as a disciple. Oh but wait, she’s sick and dies. Of course she does. They lay her out in the upper chamber.
Lydda being close to Joppa, the disciples sent for Peter, telling him to hurry. Peter come over to find her in the upper chamber, and the widows were weeping and showing the colthes that Dorcas/Tabitha made when she was alive. Peter takes one look at her and prays and tell her to arise. When she opened her eyes and saw Peter and sat up. He gave her his hand and lited her up. He called the saints and widows and presented the living Tabitha/Dorcas to them. Needless to say even more people started to believe. I am all about this female disciple and all but I still have severe reservations about raising the dead. Really I do.
Peter stayed in Joppa for a while with Simon who was a tanner.
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