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 →
Jesus Casts Out the Demon from Boy
Volume 3, Number 46“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 14:(Demon Possession/Spiritual Wickedness - Part 1):To date we have considered 15 of the 25 times Jesus Christ is recorded as having uttered the Greek word Pisteuo translated “believe” in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In this study we find Him saying believe twice when He cast an evil spirit/devil-demon out of a young boy after His disciples were unable to do so. During this incident, the father of the boy also uttered the word “believe” once. The account of this incident is found in all 3 gospels, Matthew 17:14 -... Continue reading →
Raising 12-year old Girl from Dead & Healing the woman
Volume 3, Number 45“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 13:To date we have considered 13 of the 25 times Jesus Christ is recorded as having uttered the Greek word Pisteuo translated “believe” in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Today, we find Jesus using this word while bringing a 12-year-old girl back to life from death. This incident is recorded in all three Gospels, Matthew 9:18 - 26; Mark 5:22 - 43 & Luke 8:41 - 56, but only Mark and Luke record that He used the word believe. Each account differs slightly based on the observations of the respective... Continue reading →
Jesus' Parable of the Two Sons - Representing Israel
Volume 3, Number 44“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 12:We continue in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke with our examination of the Greek word Pisteuo translated “believe.” To date we have considered 10 of the 25 times Jesus Christ is recorded as having uttered this word in these 3 books. Today we find He used it 3 times in a lesson He gave to Israel's Chief Priests and Elders, condemning them because they refused to believe John the Baptist's message of repentance. This was just after they are recorded as having used the word “believe” while reasoning among themselves... Continue reading →
Jesus Teaches Child Like Humility
Volume 3, Number 43“Believe” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 11:We continue examining 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 possessed boy,6. Twice... Continue reading →