Daily Bread - Nov 17 2006
John 8:3 - "But the scribes and the Pharisees brought to Him a woman having been taken in adultery and stood her in their midst."
Many scholars believe that the passage contained in John 7:53 through John 8:11 is not original. The story of the woman caught in the act of adultery is considered by these scholars to have been an oral tradition in the early church but was not in the original manuscript of the gospel of John.
However, it is equally important to remember that most of these scholars doubt that John the brother of James the son of Zebedee and disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ wrote this gospel. Their basis for not believing that this passage is original is that approximately 27 manuscripts out 5130 omit this passage. In any other discipline, the 27 manuscripts would be viewed as being wrong and the majority would be considered as the more accurate representations of the original. Those who argue to omit this passage believe that they should give more weight to the older manuscripts such as a (Sinaiticus), B (Vaticanus), p66 and p75. The assumption is that these older manuscripts are more accurate. Unfortunately, there are many reasons to question the accuracy of some of these particular "older" manuscripts. There are also some of the oldest manuscripts which contain this passage, such as, p23, p25, p37 p45, A, and others.
Another bias of these scholars is the assumption that the shorter version of a passage is likely to be the original. This is yet another reason they argue to exclude this passage on the adulterous woman. It is argued that the list of manuscripts that do not contain this passage are diverse from different geographical areas, but the same argument can be used in favor of this passage. It is also argued that the majority of lectionaries do not mention this passage, yet in the legalistic and institutionalized Christian environment such as were in Rome, Greece, and Egypt it is not surprising that it would not have been popular to talk about an adulterous woman having been so favorably treated by Jesus.
Jerome said in (A.D. 346-420) that this passage was contained in "many Greek and Latin manuscripts" while he was yet alive. Certainly these manuscripts that were available to Jerome were an accurate representation of the original gospel.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Friday, November 17, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Daily Bread - Nov 16 2006
1 Peter 2:5 -"We also as living stones are built up a spiritual house into a holy priesthood lifting up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Even as it takes many members to be a body, it takes many stones to be a house. God has so ordained that the individual believers go beyond their individualism to find a unity which will result in a place from which spiritual sacrifices may be offered that are acceptable to God. In the first covenant, God established a place of worship, a Priesthood, and the proper protocol for worship. Today that has all been changed. Father is now looking for those who will worship in Spirit and in truth and who are willing to walk in the unity of the Spirit that produces the house from which God is praised (John 4:24; Ephesians 2:20-22).
A spiritual house is produced when God's people gather together in unity and the Holy Spirit is allowed to take charge. The stones serve only that the house may exist and, as such, their individualism, while noted, is lost in the splendor of the building itself. The church is entirely a supernatural working of the grace of God governed by the Holy Spirit with one purpose: to reveal Jesus Christ. Those gatherings, which are merely the activities of men and of individual worth, cannot claim to be the church; for the church is the activity of Christ, the fullness of God (Ephesians 1:23).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingnplace.org
1 Peter 2:5 -"We also as living stones are built up a spiritual house into a holy priesthood lifting up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Even as it takes many members to be a body, it takes many stones to be a house. God has so ordained that the individual believers go beyond their individualism to find a unity which will result in a place from which spiritual sacrifices may be offered that are acceptable to God. In the first covenant, God established a place of worship, a Priesthood, and the proper protocol for worship. Today that has all been changed. Father is now looking for those who will worship in Spirit and in truth and who are willing to walk in the unity of the Spirit that produces the house from which God is praised (John 4:24; Ephesians 2:20-22).
A spiritual house is produced when God's people gather together in unity and the Holy Spirit is allowed to take charge. The stones serve only that the house may exist and, as such, their individualism, while noted, is lost in the splendor of the building itself. The church is entirely a supernatural working of the grace of God governed by the Holy Spirit with one purpose: to reveal Jesus Christ. Those gatherings, which are merely the activities of men and of individual worth, cannot claim to be the church; for the church is the activity of Christ, the fullness of God (Ephesians 1:23).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingnplace.org
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Daily Bread - Nov 15 2006
1 Peter 4:5 - "Who shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
One of the most important things that everyone must understand is that we will all give an account to God for the things that we have done in this life (Hebrews 9:27). Every person has been honored with the privilege of living in Father's sacred gift called life. The way in which we live our life is very important to God, and, make no mistake; He will judge us.
We are His workmanship and, as such, we have been endowed with the ability to do what is just and good. Consider the fact that we were created for His pleasure and He takes no pleasure in unrighteousness. We were created for His glory and there is no glory in wronging and abusing others. God wants us to walk in reverence of Him and He wants us to love every person. There are many people who think that they can do whatever they want to do and that somehow they can escape accountability. But God says there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed and that every secret will be shouted from the housetops (Luke 12:2-3). The way that we live our life is so important to God that He will even hold us accountable for every idle word that we speak (Matthew 12:36).
God has made known in His word what He will hold us accountable for. Jesus said that even though all judgment was committed to Him, He would judge no man; rather, the word that He had spoken would be our judge in the last day (John 12:48). It is Jesus who will judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5). It is Jesus who will bring the hidden things to light and will reveal the counsels of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:5).
When the saints of God appear before Christ Jesus they will be judged for both the good and the bad things that they have done (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 1:17). There are two places of judgment: the judgment seat of Christ where every redeemed person will be judged and the Great White Throne Judgment where all those who refused salvation will be judged (Romans 14:10; Revelation 20:11-12).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
1 Peter 4:5 - "Who shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
One of the most important things that everyone must understand is that we will all give an account to God for the things that we have done in this life (Hebrews 9:27). Every person has been honored with the privilege of living in Father's sacred gift called life. The way in which we live our life is very important to God, and, make no mistake; He will judge us.
We are His workmanship and, as such, we have been endowed with the ability to do what is just and good. Consider the fact that we were created for His pleasure and He takes no pleasure in unrighteousness. We were created for His glory and there is no glory in wronging and abusing others. God wants us to walk in reverence of Him and He wants us to love every person. There are many people who think that they can do whatever they want to do and that somehow they can escape accountability. But God says there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed and that every secret will be shouted from the housetops (Luke 12:2-3). The way that we live our life is so important to God that He will even hold us accountable for every idle word that we speak (Matthew 12:36).
God has made known in His word what He will hold us accountable for. Jesus said that even though all judgment was committed to Him, He would judge no man; rather, the word that He had spoken would be our judge in the last day (John 12:48). It is Jesus who will judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5). It is Jesus who will bring the hidden things to light and will reveal the counsels of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:5).
When the saints of God appear before Christ Jesus they will be judged for both the good and the bad things that they have done (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 1:17). There are two places of judgment: the judgment seat of Christ where every redeemed person will be judged and the Great White Throne Judgment where all those who refused salvation will be judged (Romans 14:10; Revelation 20:11-12).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - Nov 14 2006
John 3:8 - "The Spirit breathes out where He wills and His voice you hear but you do not know where He comes from and where He is going; so is everyone who has been begotten of the Spirit."
The Greek word 'pneuma' is found both at the beginning and at the end of this verse. One of the important issues to consider is that as the Spirit is so are those begotten by the Spirit.
Now it would make no sense at all if, for the sake of consistency, 'pneuma' was translated wind; for then as the wind is so are those begotten of the wind. The issue is not the inability of man to understand the mysterious nature of the wind but the fact that man cannot understand the realm of the Kingdom of God unless they are born of the Spirit. Although 'pneuma' can be translated wind, of the 360 times that it occurs in the New Testament it never means wind (A.T. Robertson, Word Picture New Testament). Thus, there is no reason to translate 'pneuma' wind even though it may be translated both wind and spirit.
The Latin version also translates 'pneuma' as 'Spirit' in this verse. The Holy Spirit is not only the subject of this passage He is the one by whom we are begotten. The mystery surrounding the Spirit's activity also surrounds those begotten of Him; for as the world cannot know Him neither can the world know those begotten of Him (John 14:17; 17:14; 1 John 4:17).
Green's Literal Translation by JP Green Sr. also supports a similar translation of this passage: "The Spirit breathes where He desires and you hear His voice, but you do not know from where He comes and where he goes - so is everyone who has received birth from the Spirit."
Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus because of the sound of the Holy Spirit that he heard in the voice of Jesus and because of the miracles which He had done. Although many things about the life and ministry of Jesus seemed to be out of sync with the Pharisees' doctrine, the heart of Nicodemus was drawn by the voice of the Holy Spirit. If Nicodemus was ever to understand the ways of the Spirit of God he would first have to be born of the Spirit.
The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit because they make no sense to him (1 Corinthians 2:14). The world cannot receive the Spirit because it cannot see Him nor know Him (John 14:17). However, once we have been begotten of God our senses are awakened to the reality of the ways and nature of God, and we are allowed of God to see what eyes have not seen and ears have not heard nor the hearts of man ever pondered (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
John 3:8 - "The Spirit breathes out where He wills and His voice you hear but you do not know where He comes from and where He is going; so is everyone who has been begotten of the Spirit."
The Greek word 'pneuma' is found both at the beginning and at the end of this verse. One of the important issues to consider is that as the Spirit is so are those begotten by the Spirit.
Now it would make no sense at all if, for the sake of consistency, 'pneuma' was translated wind; for then as the wind is so are those begotten of the wind. The issue is not the inability of man to understand the mysterious nature of the wind but the fact that man cannot understand the realm of the Kingdom of God unless they are born of the Spirit. Although 'pneuma' can be translated wind, of the 360 times that it occurs in the New Testament it never means wind (A.T. Robertson, Word Picture New Testament). Thus, there is no reason to translate 'pneuma' wind even though it may be translated both wind and spirit.
The Latin version also translates 'pneuma' as 'Spirit' in this verse. The Holy Spirit is not only the subject of this passage He is the one by whom we are begotten. The mystery surrounding the Spirit's activity also surrounds those begotten of Him; for as the world cannot know Him neither can the world know those begotten of Him (John 14:17; 17:14; 1 John 4:17).
Green's Literal Translation by JP Green Sr. also supports a similar translation of this passage: "The Spirit breathes where He desires and you hear His voice, but you do not know from where He comes and where he goes - so is everyone who has received birth from the Spirit."
Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus because of the sound of the Holy Spirit that he heard in the voice of Jesus and because of the miracles which He had done. Although many things about the life and ministry of Jesus seemed to be out of sync with the Pharisees' doctrine, the heart of Nicodemus was drawn by the voice of the Holy Spirit. If Nicodemus was ever to understand the ways of the Spirit of God he would first have to be born of the Spirit.
The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit because they make no sense to him (1 Corinthians 2:14). The world cannot receive the Spirit because it cannot see Him nor know Him (John 14:17). However, once we have been begotten of God our senses are awakened to the reality of the ways and nature of God, and we are allowed of God to see what eyes have not seen and ears have not heard nor the hearts of man ever pondered (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Monday, November 13, 2006
Daily Bread - Nov 13 2006
John 3:6 - "What is begotten of the flesh is flesh and what is begotten of the Spirit is Spirit."
It is worth taking note of the fact that the miracle birth of Jesus was described as being begotten of the Spirit, "for that which was begotten in Mary was of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). Of course there is a unique and very important difference between the message to Nicodemus and the birth of Jesus - for Jesus was the Eternal God incarnated into flesh.
When a man is begotten of the Spirit a "new man" created in Christ Jesus is brought forth. This new creation does not co-exist with the corrupt nature of unredeemed man for Paul revealed that the "old man" was crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed and likens the new birth to being raised up with Christ (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:11).
Paul further takes up the contrast between the "flesh" and the "Spirit" or the "unredeemed man" and "those born of the Spirit" in Romans 8. He makes it perfectly clear that when a person is redeemed they are no longer classified as being "in the flesh" but in Christ Jesus which he equates to being born of the Spirit (Romans 8:1-9). Jesus is not presenting a "Spirit Nature" that would co-exist with an "unredeemed nature" but rather an opportunity for a total regeneration of the nature of man (Titus 3:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
John 3:6 - "What is begotten of the flesh is flesh and what is begotten of the Spirit is Spirit."
It is worth taking note of the fact that the miracle birth of Jesus was described as being begotten of the Spirit, "for that which was begotten in Mary was of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). Of course there is a unique and very important difference between the message to Nicodemus and the birth of Jesus - for Jesus was the Eternal God incarnated into flesh.
When a man is begotten of the Spirit a "new man" created in Christ Jesus is brought forth. This new creation does not co-exist with the corrupt nature of unredeemed man for Paul revealed that the "old man" was crucified with Christ that the body of sin might be destroyed and likens the new birth to being raised up with Christ (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:11).
Paul further takes up the contrast between the "flesh" and the "Spirit" or the "unredeemed man" and "those born of the Spirit" in Romans 8. He makes it perfectly clear that when a person is redeemed they are no longer classified as being "in the flesh" but in Christ Jesus which he equates to being born of the Spirit (Romans 8:1-9). Jesus is not presenting a "Spirit Nature" that would co-exist with an "unredeemed nature" but rather an opportunity for a total regeneration of the nature of man (Titus 3:5).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
Daily Bread - Nov 11 2006
John 10:10 - "The thief does not come except that he may steal, slaughter, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
The life that Jesus is referring to is a life full of the Holy Spirit; for it is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that Christ Jesus lives in us (1 John 3:24; 4:13;5:12; Galatians 2:20; John 14:23; 17:21). The life that is in Christ Jesus is the life that Father intended all men to have when He created Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; 4:23; Colossians 3:10). It is a life that not only reveals His glory but enjoys all of His goodness (John 17:22; 1:16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11; Romans 15:13; 14:17).
This life that is in Chirst Jesus has joy unspeakable, peace that passes understanding, and divine love (1 Peter 1:8; Philippians 4:7; John 13:34; 15:12).
All of these glorious expressions of life flow out of us like rivers of living water.
The life of God produces the righteousness of God and the Holiness of God (Galatians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 3:21; Romans 14:17). The abundant life that is in Christ Jesus is eternal life which is not only a duration of time but a quality of life. Eternal life is not only for the future it is something that God's people possess now, and it is this life that is a light to the world and the salt of the earth (1 John 1:2; 3:15; 5:11,13; 5:20; John 3:15; 6:54; 17:3; Romans 5:21; 6:23;1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:13,14).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
John 10:10 - "The thief does not come except that he may steal, slaughter, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
The life that Jesus is referring to is a life full of the Holy Spirit; for it is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that Christ Jesus lives in us (1 John 3:24; 4:13;5:12; Galatians 2:20; John 14:23; 17:21). The life that is in Christ Jesus is the life that Father intended all men to have when He created Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; 4:23; Colossians 3:10). It is a life that not only reveals His glory but enjoys all of His goodness (John 17:22; 1:16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11; Romans 15:13; 14:17).
This life that is in Chirst Jesus has joy unspeakable, peace that passes understanding, and divine love (1 Peter 1:8; Philippians 4:7; John 13:34; 15:12).
All of these glorious expressions of life flow out of us like rivers of living water.
The life of God produces the righteousness of God and the Holiness of God (Galatians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 3:21; Romans 14:17). The abundant life that is in Christ Jesus is eternal life which is not only a duration of time but a quality of life. Eternal life is not only for the future it is something that God's people possess now, and it is this life that is a light to the world and the salt of the earth (1 John 1:2; 3:15; 5:11,13; 5:20; John 3:15; 6:54; 17:3; Romans 5:21; 6:23;1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:13,14).
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org
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