Jewish Hyprocrites and Believers Waiting for the Kingdom
Volume 3, Number 56“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 23:Part 2 of the Unjust Steward:Our last study was about the lesson Jesus taught His disciples with the parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16:1 - 13. We came here because we've been examining every occasion the Greek word pisteuo; usually translated “believe” is found in Matthew, Mark and Luke and it is used in Luke 16:11. However, it is not translated “believe” but instead “commit to trust” in the King James and “trust” in both the NIV and NIrV versions. We saw where Jesus taught His disciples several things with... Continue reading →
The Unjust Stewart
Volume 3, Number 55“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 22:Part 1 of the Unjust Steward:We've studied 20 of the 25 instances in Matthew, Mark and Luke where Jesus is recorded as having uttered the Greek word pisteuo; usually translated “believe”. Today this word brings us to Luke 16, a very unique chapter in the Bible. Unique for several reasons: the parable Jesus taught His Disciples in verses 1 - 13 appears to teach that the conduct of an unjust Stewart was praised by the owner; the story Jesus told about the rich man and Lazarus in verses 14 - 31 is... Continue reading →
Jesus' Teaching about Believing during the Tribulation
Volume 3, Number 54“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 21:We continue reviewing the use of the Greek word Pisteuo, translated “believe” in Matthew, Mark and Luke, where the following individuals are recorded as having uttered it:1. Once by the Angel Gabriel who was sent from God to speak to the Priest Zacharias, see Vol 3, No 35,2. Once by Elizabeth, wife of the Priest Zacharias, mother of John the Baptist, speaking to Mary, mother of Jesus, see Vol 3, No 36,3. 25 times by Jesus Himself,4. 5 times by Chief Priests, Scribes & Pharisees,5. Once by the father of the demon... Continue reading →
Jesus Expels Demon from Boy
Volume 3, Number 53“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 20:(Spiritual Wickedness - Part 7):We continue our study of the incident when Jesus healed the demon-possessed boy, as recorded in all 3 gospel records; Matthew 17:14 - 21; Mark 9:14 - 29 and Luke 9:37 - 45. Today we'll discuss why Jesus' disciples were unable to heal the boy while Jesus had no problem in doing so. The passage in Mark reads as follows:“And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him,... Continue reading →
Jesus Casts Out Demons
Volume 3, Number 52“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 19:(Spiritual Wickedness - Part 6):We took a little side trip in our last Faith Study with an article examining conscience in the Scriptures. Today we continue our study of the incident when Jesus healed the demon-possessed boy after His disciples were unsuccessful in doing so. Three gospels record this; Matthew 17:14 - 21; Mark 9:14 - 29 and Luke 9:37 - 45, but Mark gives the most complete description of the event:“And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And... Continue reading →
Conscience
Volume 3, Number 51Conscience: I wrote this article 30 years ago for the May 1981 edition of the Berean Search Light:What does the Word of God say about conscience? At least part of the definition of “conscience” in Webster's Dictionary boils down basically to this: If a person follows his conscience, that is, if he does what he believes is right and good, he will be happy and content in that part of his life. On the other hand, if he does something against what he believes is right, that is, against his conscience, he will fell guilty and unhappy. Of course, there... Continue reading →
Jesus Casts Out the Demon from Boy
Volume 3, Number 50“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 18:(Spiritual Wickedness - Part 5):On June 16, 2011 we began examining the occasion when Jesus cast a demon-spirit from a boy after His disciples were unable to do so (Vol 3, No 46.) Our study of the word “believe” brought us to this passage where Jesus used “believe” twice during this encounter, advising the boy's father what was required to heal his son. The father responded that he believed but asked Jesus to help him in his unbelief. All 3 gospels record this incident; Matthew 17:14 - 21; Mark 9:14 - 29... Continue reading →
Incorruptable Heavenly Spiritual Bodies
Volume 3, Number 49Dateline: Kodiak, Alaska“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 17:(Spiritual Wickedness and Our Heavenly Hope - Part 4):Our last study dealt with the opposition or battle that believers face; spiritual wickedness in the heavens: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies.” Ephesians 6:10... Continue reading →
The Doctrine of Devils
Volume 3, Number 48“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 16:(Demon Possession/Spiritual Wickedness - Part 3):Our last study examined the incident recorded in Matthew 17:14 - 21; Mark 9:14 - 29 and Luke 9:37 - 45 when Jesus cast a demonic-spirit out of a boy. We noted this activity is mentioned a number of times in the Gospels, so it appears demon possession was fairly common in Israel during the three years Jesus ministered there. It was also noted that the Old Testament only refers to something similar on two occasions, neither of which describe demon possession like in the Gospels.Today we... Continue reading →
Jesus Casts Out the Demon from Boy
Volume 3, Number 47“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 15:(Demon Possession/Spiritual Wickedness - Part 2):We have begun a study of the incident when Jesus cast a spirit-demon out of a young boy after His disciples were unable to do so. This account is found in all 3 gospels, Matthew 17:14 - 21; Mark 9:14 - 29 and Luke 9:37 - 45, however Mark gives the most complete description of the event:“And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly... Continue reading →