The Big Picture: scripture

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Is Jesus the Messiah? A Look at the Hebrew Scriptures

For centuries, the Jewish people have awaited the arrival of the Messiah—the anointed one who will bring redemption and establish God’s kingdom. But what if the Messiah has already come? What if the very scriptures of the Tanakh (Jewish Bible) reveal His identity?

The apostle Paul, a devout Jew trained in the Torah, wrote extensively about the Messiah in his letter to the Romans. But his arguments were not based on new teachings; rather, they were deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. Let’s explore how Paul’s writings align with the prophecies of the Tanakh.

1. The Messiah Must Be from the Line of David

Paul states in Romans 1:3 that the Messiah was “made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” This is a direct reference to the Jewish expectation that the Messiah would come from David’s lineage.

2 Samuel 7:12-16 – God promises David that his throne will be established forever.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 – The Messiah is called the “righteous Branch” from David’s line.
Micah 5:2 – The ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem, David’s hometown.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem and traced His lineage directly to David, fulfilling this requirement.

The dispensation of God which is given to me for you

The Mystery Revealed

"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints." (Colossians 1:25-26, KJV)

Throughout the ages, God has worked through distinct dispensations, each revealing His purpose at its appointed time. The passage above highlights an incredible truth—Paul was entrusted with a unique dispensation, one that had never before been revealed. It was a mystery, hidden from generations past, but now made manifest.

This means that the gospel and doctrine given to Paul were not simply a continuation of what had come before. They were not an extension of the kingdom promises given to Israel, nor were they a repackaging of the message preached by the twelve apostles. Paul received something entirely new—a gospel of grace that was distinct from Israel’s prophetic program.

A Brand-New Gospel and Doctrine

Many today fail to recognise the vital distinction between the earthly ministry of Jesus to Israel and the heavenly revelation of Christ to Paul. Jesus’ earthly ministry was directed to the Jews:

"I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24, KJV)

Honouring Scripture Over Emotion: Learning from Paul’s Example

In moments of provocation, how do we respond? Do we let our emotions dictate our actions, or do we submit ourselves to the authority of God's Word? Paul’s encounter with the high priest in Acts 23:2-5 offers a powerful example of humility, self-control, and unwavering reverence for Scripture—an attitude we should value and imitate.

Paul’s Immediate Reaction

When struck unjustly, Paul’s first response was sharp: “God shall smite thee, thou whited wall” (Acts 23:3). His words carried righteous indignation, exposing the hypocrisy of Ananias, who violated the law he claimed to uphold. Yet, when informed that he had spoken against the high priest, Paul did not defend his initial reaction or justify his anger. Instead, he immediately submitted to the truth of Scripture, quoting Exodus 22:28: “Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.”

This swift correction is remarkable. Paul could have clung to his frustration, arguing that Ananias was corrupt and undeserving of honour. But he did not. His commitment to God’s Word outweighed his personal feelings, reminding us that Scripture, not emotion, must govern our responses.

What Lessons Can We Learn From This

What Does It Mean to 'Not Be Under the Law?'

Paul’s teaching that believers are “not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14) has often been misunderstood, sometimes leading people to believe they have no moral obligations or restrictions whatsoever. But the reality is far richer. To truly grasp this concept, we must explore four key aspects: freedom from the Mosaic Law as a means of justification, walking in the Spirit through the Word of God, avoiding legalism and condemnation, and understanding the common misconceptions about the law.

Righteousness by faith, not by law

First, being free from the law means grace believers are no longer required to follow the Mosaic Law to attain righteousness. Paul explains this beautifully in Galatians 3:24-25: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Before Christ, the law served as a guide, teaching people about sin and their need for salvation. Its purpose was not to save, but to point them to Christ. However, now that Christ has come, believers now live under grace through faith in Him, not under a rigid law system for righteousness. Romans 6:14 clearly states: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” This doesn’t mean that sin is now acceptable, but rather that righteousness is a result of faith, not legal adherence. Through His death and resurrection, Christ fulfilled the law so that believers could be declared righteous through His finished work, not through personal effort.

May God Have Mercy on Your Soul: An Expression of Ignorance

As I watched a funeral on TV, I heard the minister say the following, "Rest in peace <person's name>, may God have mercy on your soul." Those words stuck with me and the more I thought about them, the more I was struck by the absolute ignorance embedded in this statement—an ignorance that disregards the foundational truth of the gospel and the finished work of the cross of Christ. It revealed how tradition and empty expressions continue to be spoken without thought, maintaining a cycle of religious negligence rather than biblical accuracy. This phrase, like others that I list at the end of the post**, have become a customary utterance, mindlessly repeated without questioning its meaning or validity in light of God’s revealed truth. Seeing this, I felt it necessary to bring attention to not only this statement but others also, that persist as vain customs, promoting human imagination rather than biblical reality. Words carry weight, and when they contradict the truth of Scripture, they must be identified and dismissed as meaningless rhetoric—mere traditions of men that veil the absolute authority of God’s Word.

This article serves as a call to recognize such errors and return to the certainty of sound doctrine, particularly the gospel of God's grace as taught in Paul’s epistles.

The Hollow Tradition of a Fruitless Expression

"May God have mercy on your soul."

Exposing the Wiles of the Devil: How Satan Twisted Scripture Then and Now

Throughout history, Satan has persistently sought to distort God's truth and lead humanity astray. His strategies, from the temptations he presented to Jesus in the wilderness to today's tactics that sow confusion and false doctrine, remain as cunning as ever. By understanding these methods, we can better guard against deception and remain steadfast in the truth revealed in Scripture.

Satan’s cunning is notably evident in his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, as described in Matthew 4. By selectively quoting and twisting Scripture, he attempted to manipulate Jesus into sinning or misusing His divine authority. These events not only provide insight into Satan’s strategies during Jesus' time but also shed light on how his deceptive tactics continue to lead people into darkness today.

People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #3)

This post is written for the sole purpose of illustrating the ignorance of sound doctrine on social media these days. My aim is to emphasize the absolute necessity of studying the Bible for oneself and seeking answers from the source instead of relying on imaginations or opinions given by people, who may be sincere, but are as ignorant as the one who asked the question to start with.

So, let's begin by stating the question that was asked in the beginning of a social media thread,

QUESTION: "How can Christians catch the Spirit?"

Below is the third of a few answers that were supplied to this question on social media. They appear to be sincere but are unfortunately completely false or have parts that are from the imaginations of men who have not sought out the truth in the Word of God. After this 'answer', and a few more that I will write about later, I add comments as to why the answer is wrong and what the Word of God actually says about it.

False Imagination #3

To catch the Spirit we need to know what are the commandments that Jesus gave? They are in Matthew 5:3–16 plus the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36–40). Strive to master all of the provisions in the Sermon on the Mount because as you do you will draw closer to God and feel His Spirit more abundantly in your life.

My comments:

People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #2)

So, let's begin by stating the question that was asked in the beginning of the thread,

QUESTION: "How can Christians catch the Spirit?"

Below is the second of a few answers that were supplied to this question on social media. They appear to be sincere but are unfortunately completely false or have parts that are from the imaginations of men who have not sought out the truth in the Word of God. After this 'answer', and a few more that I will write about later, I add comments as to why the answer is wrong and what the Word of God actually says about it.

False Imagination #2

You will get the Holy Spirit if and when God Almighty chooses to grant it to you. The fact is most do NOT receive the grant of Holy Spirit, but that is NOT a bad thing.

Born again (baptized/anointed) by Holy Spirit is reserved for just a very few here on earth. This anointing or appointing only is for those who have been selected from among humans by God Almighty HIMSELF to serve in heaven as kings and priest alongside Jesus Christ. They receive a gift of Holy Spirit that assures them that they are HIS adopted children. The number of these is exactly 144,000, no more, no less.

My comments:

People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #1)

So, let's begin by stating the question that was asked in the beginning of the thread,

QUESTION: "How can Christians catch the Spirit?"

Below is the first of a few answers that were supplied to this question on social media. They appear to be sincere but are unfortunately completely false or have parts that are from the imaginations of men who have not sought out the truth in the Word of God. After this 'answer', and a few more that I will write about later, I add comments as to why the answer is wrong and what the Word of God actually says about it.

False Imagination #1

If you are a Christian and accept Christ, the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost is in you. To activate it, you need to do one very important thing: Let the Holy Spirit decide certain life decisions for you. To tell if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you, you will feel some things feel “right”, or some things feel “wrong”. Society sometimes calls it a “gut instinct”. However, in this case, you will feel in your intuition that some things are what God wants you to do, while some just feel off.

My comments:

Start this lesson series here:
Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 13 - Shall we sin, because we are not under the law)

In Romans 6:1-13, Paul teaches us that in a positional (or heavenly) state, we are dead to sin, having been crucified with Christ, and that we need to accept this by faith so that as Christ was resurrected by the power of God, we too can walk in that newness of the resurrection life of Christ. In additional to coming to this understanding concerning sin, we are also introduced to the truth that we are dead to the law by the body of Christ. See these few verses to highlight the fact,

Rom.3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; … 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. …
Rom.6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Though Paul expounds on this topic in chapter 7, he starts this topic in chapter 6 with another rhetorical question to counteract and neutralise the reasoning mind of believers, saying, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?”

The Spirit of God in His Word and the Spirit of Christ in Life

Read the following passage and note the capitalized text.

Rom 8:5-9 For they that are after the flesh DO MIND the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [DO MIND] the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be CARNALLY MINDED is death; but to be SPIRITUALLY MINDED is life and peace. (7) Because the CARNAL MIND is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the SPIRIT OF GOD dwell in you. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he is none of his.

We have the state of carnal mindedness and the state of spiritual mindedness. In addition, we have reference to the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. In the context of this passage, what is the Spirit of God compared to the Spirit of Christ? Here is my interpretation:

The SPIRIT [WORD] OF GOD is the wisdom and knowledge of God that comes by His Word.
The SPIRIT OF CHRIST is the salvation life of God that comes by trusting in Christ.

Continuing with this passage in Romans,

Rom 8:10-11 And if CHRIST BE IN YOU [to be justified (saved)], the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the SPIRIT [WORD] OF HIM [GOD] that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

You wouldn't even know you had the Holy Spirit unless the Bible told you.

Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh, Gal.3:3? So how did the Galatians get the Spirit of God? By the hearing of faith which comes through the written word. Ephesians 1:13 says, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, unto the day of redemption." You were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise until the day of redemption. Did you feel that happen when you got saved? Did you feel the Spirit of God come into you and circumcise you, and put off the body and the sins of the flesh, and take your soul and join it to the Lord Jesus Christ? You didn't feel any of these things. The Word says that we walk by faith. You wouldn't even know you had the Holy Spirit unless the Bible told you. The Holy Spirit did not come upon you like with Peter, James, and John, when they started talking in tongues, displaying mighty signs and miracles, and laying hands on the sick. Their dispensation was one of signs and sight. The truth is that we are in a different dispensation: one of faith; not of feelings! Thus, anyone who is seeking for the Spirit through signs, through feelings, through their physical senses, are not walking in the faith of our doctrine. They are living in ignorance of the written word of God according to the doctrine given to the Body of Christ through Paul’s epistles.

What does the scriptures say? The scriptural truth is that once you hear the gospel and put your trust in Jesus Christ, you are regenerated by the Spirit of God, and that Spirit of God baptizes you into Christ, sealing you there to the day of redemption. Then from that moment on you are to ‘drink in that spirit’ that comes from spending time in the word of God, 1Cor.12:13, not seeking it by the laying on of hands or trying to find that fresh anointing of the spirit at the church alter. The written word of God is God’s spirit and life, Jn.6:63. When you partake in the word, you are ‘filled by God’s spirit’, Eph.5:18, renewed in your mind, increasing in the mind of Christ, 1Cor.2:16, in tune with the will and the judgements of God. We receive the Spirit of God by spending time in His Word and we walk by that Spirit when we give ourselves over in obedience to that word that is Spirit and life within us.

How do we effectively serve God and live for Him

The biggest hinderance in your life regarding serving and living for God is not your flesh. Your flesh is not the obstacle that hinders you from serving God. Neither is it sin. Neither is it your will, your procrastination, your weakness, habits, or commitments. How about getting prayed for? How about alter calls to be filled with the Holy Spirit? How about fasting and other spiritual activities? No. No, and no! So, what then is the greatest hinderance to serving God? It is unbelief and negligence of the written Word of God. You don’t need more willpower, or to do better, or try harder tomorrow. You need to get into the Bible and start believing it!

You see, ignorance is unbelief. The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”. Thus, you don’t have to hear the word of God, and then choose to ignore it, to be in unbelief. Unbelief, through ignorance, is already upon you by simply not hearing the word. Paul says, “I obtained mercy because I did in ignorantly, in unbelief”. Ignorance and unbelief are connected. To elaborate on this, also consider the following. In Romans 14, Paul writes about being weak in the faith or strong in the faith. The state of your faith is connected to knowledge. Why cannot the ‘weak brother’ eat meat that was offered in the idol’s temple? Because when he goes to eat the meat, he is eating with the knowledge that that idol was a god. He is weak in the faith! He is ignorant of the knowledge of the truth in God’s word. Knowledge and faith go hand in hand just as much as ignorance and unbelief go together. Faith is not subject to you, to your thoughts, your emotions, or your understanding of life and truth. Faith is defined and established in the written word of God and is subject to that truth only.

So, to step up to the next level in serving and living for God, you need to stop ignoring and neglecting the written word of God. You need to hear the word of God. You need to read it and get it into you. You need to understand its doctrine and adhere to that which is written and addressed to you in this dispensation of grace. Nothing else but the knowledge of the written word is what will stablish you in the faith and in godly service to God. Amen.

Words carry Spirit

Words possess a spiritual dimension. When you receive a word, it takes residence in your heart, carrying the essence and spirit of the one that inspired it. Similarly, words come from the heart of the giver and convey their will, wisdom, and purpose. This is why Jesus rightly said, “My words are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

Today, the words of God are compiled into the canon of scripture. Reading the written words in the Bible can convey the spirit of God into our hearts. Have a look at the following passage:

1Co 2:11-12 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Did you notice the word 'spirit' in the part "the spirit which is of God;"? It is not a capital “S”. What is being referenced here? It is not the Holy Spirit. Rather it is the written Word of God! The "spirit which is of God" refers to the Bible. As you read and believe the written word, you are partaking in the essence and spirit of the one that inspired it. Essentially, you are receiving God’s (Holy) Spirit, which is the inspiration, and power, and truth within those words, bringing life, knowledge, conviction, and God’s will, by His Spirit.

When you grasp the truth of the ‘spirit’ of God, you will start to better understand verses such as these:

Rom_7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

(By gaining knowledge in the newness of the ‘spirit’ that we can start to walk by the ‘Spirit’. Rom.8; Gal.5)

2Co 3:6-8 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (7) But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: (8) How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

Eph_1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

2Th_2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

I cannot believe all the Bible because man compiled the canon of scripture

SOCIAL MEDIA CONVERSATION concerning this post:

https://thebigpictureviews.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-bible-should-be-understood-not-used.html

COMMENT:

I say this with love and respect...

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