Bb – Un etíope pregunta sobre el cap. 53 de Isaías 8: 26-40

Un etíope pregunta sobre Isaías 53
8: 26-40

34 dC

Un etíope pregunta sobre Isaías 53 ESCUDRIÑAR: ¿Por qué el eunuco visitó Jerusalén? El eunuco estaba leyendo Isaías 53. ¿En qué encaja Yeshua en la imagen de Aquel que allí se describe? Si usted fuera Felipe usando Isaías 53, ¿qué enfatizaría sobre el evangelio? ¿Cómo preparó Dios el camino para su mensaje? ¿Cuál es la relación entre la preparación divina y la iniciativa humana en este relato? ¿Cuál es el significado de esta historia para la Iglesia/Comunidad Mesiánica que estaba siendo perseguida en Jerusalén? Hasta ahora, ¿cuál ha sido el efecto de la muerte de Esteban en Felipe? ¿Y sobre la Iglesia/Comunidad Mesiánica en su conjunto? ¿Qué es el camino de Isaías?

REFLEXIONAR: En cuanto a la forma en que Dios establece oportunidades para testificar (2:5-14, 3:6-16, 8:26-40), ¿cómo eso lo libera a usted de los temores en la evangelización? ¿Qué muestran estas historias sobre el contexto en el que se llevará a cabo la evangelización? En el fondo, ¿cree usted que los directores ejecutivos exitosos realmente necesitan el evangelio tanto como los mendigos pobres? (3:2) ¿Por qué si o por qué no? ¿Conocería usted la Biblia lo suficientemente bien como para responder a las preguntas del eunuco? ¿Cómo puede crecer en su fe para estar preparado para oportunidades sorpresivas?

Felipe figura en una segunda historia, que nuevamente se ocupa de la expansión misionera de la Iglesia. La historia se incluye aquí porque trata sobre Felipe y porque forma parte del progreso gradual, pero inexorable, en Hechos desde los comienzos judíos de la comunidad mesiánica en Jerusalén, hasta el crecimiento gentil de la Iglesia hasta lo último de la tierra (1:8). No sólo eso, sino que esta historia también incluye a aquellos que fueron excluidos de los plenos derechos del judaísmo. La forma en que se cuenta la historia guarda cierta semejanza con otro relato en el que un extraño se unió a dos viajeros y les abrió las Escrituras, participó en una acto de ordenanza bíblica y luego desapareció repentinamente de la vista (vea el comentario sobre La vida de Cristo, Mh – En camino a Emaús).177

Después de que Pedro y Juan regresaron a Jerusalén (8:25), Felipe recibió un nuevo encargo. La historia se pone en marcha por una orden angelical dada a Felipe que lo alejó del escenario del evangelismo exitoso (vea Ba – Simón el mago), y lo llevó a un lugar que no parecía tan prometedor. En aquel tiempo, un ángel del Señor habló a Felipe, diciendo: Levántate y ve hacia el sur, al camino que baja de Jerusalén a Gaza, el cual está deshabitado (8:26). Había dos caminos desde Jerusalén a Gaza, y el Espíritu le ordenó a Felipe que tomara el que rara vez se usaba. Entonces levantándose Felipe, fue. Y he aquí un hombre etíope, eunuco, funcionario de Candace, reina de los etíopes, el cual estaba sobre todo su tesoro, quien había ido a adorar a Jerusalén (8:27). No luchó con la idea un tanto loca de ir por un camino caluroso y desértico. Sin embargo, obedeció inmediatamente, vio a un eunuco etíope. Etiopía, al sur de Egipto, es la Cus bíblica (Segundo Samuel 18:21-32; Jeremías 46:9), identificándose su población con los hijos de Cam, a través de su primer hijo Cus. Según la Biblia, el rey Salomón desarrolló una amplia red comercial a través de Egipto y Cilicia hasta Seba (al sur de Arabia) a través del puerto recién construido de Ezion -Geber en el mar rojo (Primera de Reyes 9:26-28, 10:1-13). Josefo identificó a la reina de Seba como la reina de Etiopía (vea el comentario sobre la Vida de Salomón Bg – Salomón y la Reina de Seba).178 Esta remota, pero avanzada cultura fue objeto de infinita curiosidad para los griegos y romanos que la consideraban lo último de la tierra. En otras palabras, el eunuco había viajado una distancia no pequeña y era un funcionario de un reino no pequeño.179

Este funcionario de la corte era responsable de todo su tesoro. La palabra funcionario de la corte en griego es dynástes, y de aquí proviene la palabra dinastía. En Lucas 1:52 se usa para gobernantes. En Primera de Timoteo 6:15 se usa la misma palabra para referirse a Dios. El hecho de que se use esta palabra de él significa que tenía una posición muy alta e influyente en el gobierno. En términos modernos, fue ministro de finanzas de Etiopía, uno de los cargos más altos de su gobierno. Entonces, su influencia en Etiopía habría sido grande.

Candace, reina de los etíopes: Este no era un nombre propio, sino como César, Faraón y Abimelec, un título oficial. Debido a que el Reino de Etiopía era un matriarcado, el rey de Etiopía era considerado un hijo del sol y, por lo tanto, demasiado sagrado para realizar cualquiera de las funciones humanas de la realeza. Por lo tanto, la reina madre desempeñaba todos los deberes reales y siempre tuvo el título de Candace y el poder real detrás del trono.

Había ido a adorar a Jerusalén (8:27b) y ahora regresaba; adorar, del griego: proskynéo, que también significa besar el rostro. Estaba tan preocupado por su vida espiritual que viajó al menos sesenta días a Jerusalén para adorar al Dios de Abraham, Isaac y Jacob, pero su corazón todavía no estaba satisfecho. Este etíope representa a muchas personas hoy en día que son religiosas, leen las Escrituras y buscan la verdad, pero no tienen la fe salvadora en Yeshua Mesías. Son sinceros, pero están sinceramente perdidos. Necesitan que alguien les muestre el camino.180

El regresaba sentado en su carro leyendo al profeta Isaías (8:28), y el carro era tirado por bueyes. Esta era y es una práctica común en el Cercano Oriente, incluso cuando lo hacen para su propio conocimiento, sin ninguna intención de ser escuchados por otros. Mueven la cabeza, e incluso toda la parte superior del cuerpo, de un lado a otro mientras leen, y pronuncian palabras con un tono que se acerca más al canto que a nuestro modo desapasionado de leer.181 Sin la orquestación de los acontecimientos por parte del Ruaj, esta reunión nunca habría tenido lugar en absoluto. Una vez más esto enfatiza la obra soberana del Ruaj HaKodesh en la salvación.

¿Cómo un eunuco entró en contacto con el judaísmo? no se nos dice. El término eunuco normalmente indica una persona que ha sido castrada; A tales personas se les prohibía la entrada al Templo según la Torá de Moisés (Deuteronomio 23:1). Eso significaba que él nunca podría ser un prosélito pleno. Había tres niveles de relación de los gentiles con el judaísmo.

El primer nivel eran los temerosos de Dios: Estos eran gentiles que se convencieron de que ADONAI era el único Dios verdadero, abandonando su paganismo e idolatría, pero no eligieron convertirse en prosélitos de ninguna forma, y por lo tanto, no adoptaron las costumbres o prácticas judías (vea Be La visión del centurión).

El segundo nivel eran los prosélitos en la puerta: La Puerta era el muro intermedio de separación (Efesios 2:14) en el recinto del Templo que a los gentiles no se les permitía traspasar bajo pena de muerte (vea más abajo). Ellos adoptaron muchas prácticas judías como celebrar el Shabat y las fiestas de Israel, pero no llegaron a ser prosélitos completamente. La mayoría de estos eran hombres porque no se requería la circuncisión.

Y el tercer nivel eran Prosélitos del Pacto: Entraron al Pacto del Sinaí como judíos plenos, por así decirlo. La mayoría eran mujeres porque este nivel requería la circuncisión.182

Entonces, debido a que el eunuco etíope había sido castrado, hizo lo mejor que pudo y se convirtió en prosélito de la puerta. Y eso significaba que había adoptado muchas de las prácticas del judaísmo; de hecho, hizo todo lo que hubiera hecho un prosélito excepto la circuncisión. Sin embargo, a pesar de su poder y prestigio, el etíope tenía un gran vacío en el alma. Él había viajado a Jerusalén para adorar en ocasión de una de las tres fiestas de peregrinar, ya sea Sucot (Cabañas), Pesaj (Pascua) o Shavuot (Semanas), y estaba en su viaje a casa, pasando el tiempo leyendo su traducción griega del TaNaJ.183 Esta no fue una visita de estado, fue a adorar a ADONAI, él tenía hambre de la Palabra de Dios. Era este hombre con quien Felipe se encontraría en un camino solitario del desierto. El eunuco es un ejemplo clásico de aquel que estuvo a la altura de la luz que tenía. Luego Dios le dio la revelación completa de Yeshua Mesías a través del ministerio de Felipe.

En todo el TaNaJ, Isaías tiene la mayor esperanza para el eunuco en su descripción del futuro ideal de Dios, un futuro que promete un memorial en la casa de Dios, un nombre mejor que el de hijos e hijas, un nombre eterno que nunca será borrado (vea Isaías 56:3-8). El eunuco no sabía que estaba a punto de experimentar el cumplimiento de esas promesas. Y poco sabía Felipe de su propio papel en su cumplimiento. Probablemente Felipe todavía se preguntaba por qué Dios lo había enviado a este lugar solitario, y tal vez estaba un poco desconcertado por el extraño espectáculo del carro tirado por bueyes frente a él (avanzando lentamente a poco más que un paso de caminar), con su exótico pasajero y su séquito siguiéndolo detrás. Entonces, de repente, por segunda vez en la historia, Felipe recibió un mandato divino. Entonces el Espíritu dijo a Felipe: Acércate, y júntate a ese carro (8:29).184 Los rabinos enseñaban que cuando Dios habla en el cielo, “la hija de Su voz”, el batkol, o un eco, se escucha en la tierra. Después del último de los profetas, se consideró que Dios proveyó el bat-kol continuo brindando orientación a la gente (Tratado Yoma 9b).

A pesar de que el séquito del eunuco debió ser impresionante, Felipe no se dejó intimidar. Obedeciendo instantáneamente a la voz del Espíritu Santo, Felipe corrió hacia el carro que avanzaba lentamente y comenzó a trotar a su lado. Allí escuchó al etíope leer al profeta Isaías. Como era un hombre de posición, habría tenido un conductor manejando el carro tirado por bueyes. Por lo tanto, habría tenido tiempo de leer. No sólo eso, sino que, por la providencia de Dios, este hombre estaba leyendo una de las profecías mesiánicas clave que apuntaban a Yeshua (Isaías 52:11 a 53:12). En ese momento, Felipe probablemente supo que ADONAI le había dado una puerta abierta, un corazón preparado.

Cuando tuvo una oportunidad corriendo Felipe, lo oyó leyendo al profeta Isaías, y dijo: pero, ¿entiendes lo que lees? (8:30). Felipe no preguntaba si el eunuco entendía las palabras que estaba leyendo. Lo que realmente quería saber era: “¿Sabe de quién habla el pasaje?” Era bueno para el etíope leer Isaías, pero a menos que el entendimiento fuera traído a él, no habría ningún beneficio de su lectura. El libro de Hechos ya se ha referido cuatro veces a Yeshua como el Siervo de Dios (3:13 y 26, 4:27 y 30). La interpretación judía moderna entiende que este siervo es el pueblo de Israel y no el Mesías (vea el comentario sobre Isaías Iy La muerte del Siervo sufriente).

La experiencia de Felipe debería animarnos en nuestro testimonio personal del Señor. Para empezar, ADONAI dirigió a Felipe hacia la persona adecuada en el momento adecuado. Es poco probable que usted y yo tengamos un ángel que nos instruya, pero podemos conocer la guía del Espíritu Santo en nuestro testimonio si caminamos en el Espíritu y oramos por la dirección de Dios.185

Dios ya había preparado el corazón del hombre para recibir el mensaje de Felipe. Entonces el etíope contestó: Y ¿cómo podría, si alguno no me guía? Y rogó a Felipe que subiera a sentarse con él (8:31). Se dio cuenta de que necesitaba a alguien que interpretara el pasaje. El corazón del evangelista debe haber estado regocijándose en la confianza de que YHVH había preparado así a este eunuco. Tenía un espíritu de búsqueda, humildad y enseñanza. Pero el pasaje era Isaías 53:7b-8, y desconcertó al eunuco.

https://jaymack.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Acts-Bb-The-Ethiopian-Eunuch.jpeg

Como ministro de finanzas de Etiopía, era muy probable que hablara griego leyendo de la Septuaginta (LXX), el idioma internacional de la época. El pasaje de la Escritura que leía era éste:

Como oveja fue llevado a la matanza;
Y como cordero mudo delante del que lo trasquila,
Así no abrió su boca (8:32).

En la humillación su juicio fue quitado;
¿Quién contará su generación?
Porque su vida es quitada de la tierra (8:33)

Es decir, dado que Yeshua murió físicamente, no tendrá descendientes físicos. Esto es un lamento. Pero el lamento resulta injustificado en el caso de Yeshua, porque Él ha resucitado de entre los muertos, y en Él hay muchos hijos espirituales, como diría Isaías unos versículos después: verá Su descendencia, Vivirá por días sin fin, y la voluntad de YHVH triunfará en su mano (Isaías 53:10b LXX). Dios hace lo inesperado, proporcionando descendientes para Aquel que murió sin esposa ni hijos. Porque su vida fue quitada de la tierra.

Tomando la palabra, el eunuco dijo a Felipe: Te ruego, ¿de quién dice esto el profeta? ¿de sí, o de algún otro? (8:34). Su confusión es comprensible, ya que el pensamiento judío contemporáneo estaba dividido sobre la interpretación. Isaías no cumplió con los requisitos del pasaje, a pesar de que era un siervo de Dios. Entonces Felipe, abriendo su boca, y comenzando desde esta escritura, le proclamó a Jesús (8:35). La frase “abrir la boca” se utiliza cuando va a seguir algo de gran importancia. He aquí, pues, el clímax de la conversación. Felipe desarrolló algunos puntos en común con el etíope al hablar de Isaías, pero se dirigió a proclamar las Buenas Nuevas sobre Yeshua. Claramente, su primer paso fue mostrar que el Mesías fue quien cumplió la profecía de Isaías. Una descripción del carácter general de Yeshua y la forma en que sufrió injustamente y fue condenado a muerte probaría el punto.

El hecho es que Isaías 53:7-8 no fue toda la historia, sino sólo el punto de partida. Y yendo por el camino, llegaron a cierta agua; y el eunuco dice: ¡Mira, agua! ¿Qué impide que yo sea bautizado? (8:36) Obviamente, Felipe debe haberle hablado del discurso de Pedro sobre la respuesta apropiada a la Buena Nueva: ¡Arrepentíos y sea bautizado cada uno de vosotros en el nombre de Jesús el Mesías para perdón de vuestros pecados, y recibiréis el don del Espíritu Santo! (2:38). De la misma manera, se puede suponer que el eunuco debió darle a Felipe su profesión de fe en Yeshua Mesías.186 Entonces el eunuco mandó parar el carro; y ambos, Felipe y el eunuco, bajaron al agua, y lo bautizó (8:38) para poder hacer una confesión pública. Felipe estuvo de acuerdo y ambos bajaron al agua y Felipe lo sumergió. La inmersión es la confesión pública de una convicción interior. Entonces el eunuco no sólo confesó su fe personalmente a Felipe sino abiertamente delante de toda su caravana.

Pero la falta de una mención clara de la profesión de fe del eunuco, llevó a uno de los primeros escribas a “mejorar” la historia agregando este versículo. ” Y Felipe dijo: Si crees con todo tu corazón, puedes. Respondió él y dijo: Creo que Jesucristo es el Hijo de Dios (8:37)”. Los manuscritos más antiguos y confiables, sin embargo, no incluyen este versículo, así que yo tampoco.

Y cuando subieron del agua, el Espíritu del Señor arrebató a Felipe, y el eunuco no lo vio más, pero prosiguió gozoso su camino (8:39). La palabra arrebató, del griego: harpazo, significa arrebatado, ser llevado repentina y milagrosamente. Esta es la misma palabra que usó Pablo al describir el arrebatamiento de la Iglesia: Después nosotros, los que vivamos, los que hayamos quedado, seremos arrebatados simultáneamente con ellos en las nubes al encuentro con el Señor en el aire, y así estaremos siempre con el Señor (Primera Tesalonicenses 4:17). Al realizar este sorprendente milagro el Ruaj HaKodesh confirmó a toda la caravana que Felipe era en verdad su portavoz. En cuanto al eunuco, siguió su camino, gozoso del gozo en el Señor. El gozo del etíope, incluso después de la abrupta partida de Felipe, demostró que su fe estaba firmemente arraigada en Dios, no en Felipe. Lucas no nos cuenta la historia posterior del eunuco etíope, pero según el padre de la iglesia Ireneo, se convirtió en misionero entre los etíopes y quizás estableció la primera iglesia en el continente africano.187

Y Felipe fue hallado en Azoto, y al pasar, evangelizaba a todas las ciudades, hasta que llegó a Cesarea (8:40). Azoto (el nuevo nombre griego de Ashdod), estaba a unos 32 kilómetros al norte de Gaza. Felipe continuó haciendo la obra de evangelista. Allí se casó y se estableció (21:8-9). Como resultado, Cesarea se convirtió en el nuevo centro de los creyentes helenísticos de Judea. Puede haber sido debido a la predicación de Felipe en esta área que se establecieron iglesias en Lidia y Jope (vea Bd – Señales y milagros siguen a Pedro). Cesarea continuó siendo un refugio para los creyentes judíos helenísticos hasta el año 66 dC cuando, como resultado de la revuelta judía, los líderes de la congregación mesiánica en Cesarea emigraron del país a la provincia de Asia, o lo que hoy es Turquía.188

En octubre de 1857, J. Hudson Taylor comenzó a ministrar en Ningpo, China, y guió al Sr. Nyi a Cristo. El hombre estaba muy feliz y quería compartir su fe con los demás. El señor Nyi le preguntó un día a Hudson Taylor: “¿cuánto tiempo hace que tenéis las Buenas Nuevas en Inglaterra?” Taylor reconoció que Inglaterra conocía el evangelio desde hacía siglos.” Mi padre murió buscando la verdad”, dijo Nyi.” ¿Por qué no vinieron antes?” Taylor no tenía respuesta para esta penetrante pregunta. ¿Hace cuánto que conoces el evangelio? ¿Hasta qué punto lo has compartido personalmente?189

El Dios de Israel desea brindar a la gente Su descanso y paz a través de una relación eterna consigo Mismo. Los siguientes cinco principios, tomados del profeta Isaías, nos ayudan a reconocer cómo podemos tener esa relación. Así como los creyentes a menudo han usado una serie de versículos de Romanos llamado “el camino de romanos”, los creyentes mesiánicos, al testificar a los judíos, pueden usar una serie diferente de versículos de Isaías llamado “el camino de Isaías”.

Pecadores ante Dios

Todos nosotros somos como cosa impura, Y nuestra justicia como trapo de menstruo. Todos nosotros nos marchitamos como hojas, Y la mano de nuestras iniquidades nos arrastra como el viento (Isaías 64:6). Podemos juzgarnos a nosotros mismos según normas relativas, pensando: “yo soy tan bueno como cualquier persona” o “yo no soy peor que cualquier persona”. Sin embargo, Dios nos juzga a cada uno de nosotros según Sus normas absolutas de Sí mismo y de su Torá: Habla a toda la asamblea de los hijos de Israel, y diles: Sed santos, porque Yo, YHVH vuestro Dios, soy santo (Levítico 19:2). Según Sus normas, todos somos fracasos morales.

Por supuesto, usted puede ser una buena persona y quizás recuerde llamar a su mamá el Día de la madre; es sólo que usted y “la persona a su lado” todavía no alcanzan las elevadas normas santas de Dios. Por cierto, todo rabino o pastor mesiánico tiene el mismo problema. El Salmo 14:3 declara: Todos se desviaron, a una se han corrompido, No hay quien haga lo bueno, no hay ni siquiera uno. Todos nacemos con la enfermedad fatal del pecado transmitida a través de Adán. Así que nadie puede señalar con el dedo ni tirar piedras a nadie; todos tenemos el mismo gran problema del pecado original la naturaleza pecaminosa).

Separación de Dios

He aquí que no se ha acortado la mano de YHVH de modo que no puede salvar, Ni su oído se ha endurecido de modo que no puede oír. Son vuestras transgresiones las que se interponen entre vosotros y vuestro Dios; Son vuestros pecados los que os ocultan su rostro, e impiden que os oiga (Isaías 59:1-2). El resultado de nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa es una relación rota con Dios. Ahora usted puede orar e incluso ayunar, pero la Biblia es clara: Él no escuchará. ¡Es como si yo hubiera robado dinero y luego hubiera tenido el descaro de acercarme a usted y pedirle un regalo! Su respuesta debería ser: “primero abordemos la ofensa pasada, luego puedo considerar su necesidad presente o futura”. Dios quiere bendecirlo, pero la naturaleza pecaminosa de usted lo separa de Él y debe lidiar con ella primero antes de que Él pueda bendecirlo.

Dado que esta separación continúa hasta nuestra muerte, se convierte en un juicio de separación eterna de Dios. Esto rompe el corazón de Dios. Él realmente lo ama y desea que tenga vida eterna con Él. Por eso la historia no termina aquí, sino que continúa con la Buena Noticia para su vida.

Salvación en Dios

Todos nosotros nos descarriamos como ovejas, Cada cual se apartó por su camino, Pero YHVH cargó en Él el pecado de todos nosotros (Isaías 53:6). Dios ha provisto el camino de la salvación y del perdón, ya que no podemos hacer nada, ninguna buena acción, para salvarnos a nosotros mismos. Los mejores quince minutos de nuestra vida no pueden salvarnos; el mayor logro de nuestras vidas tampoco puede salvarnos. Debido a Su gran amor, Dios ha prometido enviar al Mesías a morir como expiación o pago por nuestros pecados. En el Nuevo Pacto, el Mesías Yeshua dice que Él vino para dar Su vida en rescate por muchos (Mateo 20:28b). Ésta es la salvación y la relación correcta que Dios ofrece gratuitamente.

El Salvador es Dios

Porque un Niño nos es nacido, Hijo nos es dado; El dominio estará sobre su hombro, Y se llamará su nombre: Admirable, Consejero, Dios Fuerte, Padre Eterno, Príncipe de Paz. Lo dilatado de su principado y la paz no tendrán fin Sobre el trono de David y sobre su reino, Para disponerlo y afirmarlo con la justicia y el derecho Desde ahora y para siempre. ¡El celo de YHVH Sebaot hará esto! (Isaías 9:6-7). Sólo Dios mismo podría proporcionar el sacrificio perfecto por los pecados, ya que sólo Él es perfecto. Qué maravilloso amor y humildad que el Dios Poderoso de Israel naciera, viviera como hombre y muriera como el pago perfecto por nuestros pecados. El Mesías Yeshua es Adonai, el Señor.

Seguridad eterna con Dios

Tú guardarás en completa paz a aquel cuyo pensamiento en ti persevera, Porque en ti ha confiado (Isaías 26:3). La paz perfecta (shalom shalom) se encuentra sólo en Dios y es accesible sólo a través de la fe en el Mesías. El reconocimiento simple de nuestros pecados y fe en el Mesías Yeshua como nuestro sustituto, nuestro sacrificio, nuestra expiación salvadora, es la acción necesaria para una relación correcta con Dios. La Biblia dice de Abraham: Y creyó a YHVH, y le fue contado por justicia (Génesis 15:6). Al igual que Abraham, usted puede tener una relación correcta con Dios por la fe en lo que sólo Él ha provisto. Aquí usted tiene una oración sencilla que le ayudará:

Señor, por favor perdóname por todos mis pecados a través del sacrificio del Mesías en la cruz por mí.
Ayúdame a seguir
a Yeshua y honrarte.
Gracias a
Ti por amarme. Amén. 190

Si ha hecho esta oración, mire el comentario sobre La Vida de Cristo Bw – Lo que Dios hace por nosotros en el momento de la fe.

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2024-09-05T23:13:59+00:000 Comments

Dh – Glosario

Glosario

Abba: Palabra aramea usada como término afectuoso para dirigirse al padre de alguien. Yeshua (Jesús) lo usó para referirse a Dios como Su Padre, y los creyentes en Jesús también lo usan hoy para dirigirse a Dios como Padre. En hebreo moderno, este nombre común significa papá, papito o papi (vea también Marcos 14:36 y Romanos 8:15).

Adar: duodécimo mes del calendario bíblico judío.

Adonai: literalmente, mi Señor, palabra que usa el TaNaJ para referirse a Dios.

ADONAI Elohim: Esta es la palabra hebrea para SEÑOR Dios. Este título vincula al Dios de Israel, el Dios del Pacto, con Dios como Creador del universo (vea también Génesis 2:4; Isaías 48:16; Salmo 72:18; Lucas 1:32; Apocalipsis 1:8).

ADONAI: El Tetragrámaton, significa el nombre de cuatro letras de YHVH. Dado que se desconoce su pronunciación, y también por respeto al nombre de Dios, los judíos tradicionalmente lo sustituyen por las palabras ADONAI y Ha’Shem. ADONAI, sin embargo, es más un nombre cariñoso como papi (vea también Éxodo 3:15; Jeremías 1:9; Salmo 1:2, Mateo 1:22; Marcos 5:19; Lucas 1:5; Juan 1:23).

ADONAI Nissi: el SEÑOR es nuestro estandarte (ver Éxodo 17:15; Salmo 20:1)

ADONAI Sebaot (ó YHVH-Sidkenu): El SEÑOR de los ejércitos angelicales del cielo (vea Segunda de Reyes 19:31; Salmo 24:10; Segunda de Corintios 6:18).

ADONAI Shalom: el SEÑOR de Paz

ADONAI Sidkenu: el SEÑOR nuestra Justicia

Adversario: Satanás, el diablo, el príncipe de la potestad del aire o la serpiente antigua.

Afikomen (o aficomen): Literalmente, “lo que viene después”. Pedazo de pan matzá que se esconde durante el Seder, que se encuentra y se come después de la tercera copa de redención.

Amén: Al final de una oración, esta palabra significa “Es verdad”, o “Que así sea” o “Que se haga realidad”, lo que indica que los lectores u oyentes están de acuerdo con lo que se acaba de decir. Aunque todo lo que Yeshua (Jesús) dijo era verdad, “amén” agrega un énfasis especial (vea también Deuteronomio 27:25; Jeremías 28:6; Salmo 41:14; Nehemías 8:6; Mateo 5:26; Marcos 10:15; Lucas 23:43; Juan 10:1).

Árbol de la Vida: El árbol en el centro del jardín del Edén (Génesis 2:9, 3:24), la fuente de la vida eterna. Las Escrituras apuntan a un futuro en el Brit Hadashah, con acceso al Árbol de la Vida. Mientras tanto, la Torá es como el Árbol de para los que de ella echan mano, y felices son los que la abrazan (Proverbios 3:18, véase también Apocalipsis 2:7, 22:2 y 14).

Ariel: león de Dios, altar del templo de Dios.

Aviv: el primer mes del año bíblico, correspondiente al moderno mes judío de Nisán.

Azazel: un chivo expiatorio o cabra-demonio enviado al desierto en Yom Kipur.

Baal o Ba’al: el principal dios masculino de los fenicios y cananeos. La palabra significa señor o amo.

Bar o Bat Mitzvá (Mitzvah): En hebreo para “Hijo o hija del Mandamiento”. Aunque no se menciona especícamente en la Biblia, es un ritual judío de mayoría de edad, en el que un hombre joven (o para una mujer joven Bat Mitzvah), elige seguir los mandamientos de sus antepasados y asume la responsabilidad de su propia relación con el Dios de Israel. Esta ceremonia normalmente se lleva a cabo a los 13 años para los niños o a los 12 años para las niñas. Posteriormente, se le considera teóricamente un adulto, pero en el judaísmo moderno esto es principalmente simbólico, y un niño/a no es tratado como un adulto.

Beit Lejem: Belén, lugar de nacimiento de David y Yeshua (Jesus), que significa casa del pan.

Bnei-Yisrael: Los hijos de Israel

Brit Hadashah: Nuevo Pacto en hebreo. La cristiandad comúnmente lo llaman el Nuevo Testamento.

Cohanim: sacerdotes. Los cohanim descendían de Aarón, el hermano de Moisés. Los saduceos pertenecían a la secta sacerdotal del judaísmo.

Cohen (o kohen): Sacerdote, hombre que ofrecía sacrificios y realizaba otros rituales religiosos en el Templo de Jerusalén.

Cohen (Sacerdote de) El Elyon: Sacerdote del Dios Altísimo

Cohen Rosh Gadol: Sumo Sacerdote que servía como principal oficial religioso, el único en entrar al Lugar Santísimo. Aarón, el hermano de Moisés, fue el primer hombre designado como Cohen Gadol. En épocas posteriores, el cohen gadol estuvo a cargo del Templo y su administración. El kohen gadol Caifás jugó un papel clave al interrogar a Yeshua en Su juicio. El escritor de Hebreos describe al Mesías como nuestro gran Cohen Gadol, quien nos da acceso al trono de Dios en el santuario celestial (ver también Levítico 21:10; Hageo 1:14; Nehemías 3:1; Mateo 26:57ss; Marcos 14:61 y siguientes; Juan 18:19ss y siguientes; Hebreos 4:14ss y siguientes y 10:19-22).

Corban: Sacrificio u ofrenda dedicada a Dios, especialmente para cumplir un voto. Si algo iba a dedicarse a Dios, generalmente no podía utilizarse para otros fines. Algunos fariseos y maestros de la ley utilizaron erróneamente esto como excusa para no sustentar a sus padres en su vejez, a pesar de que la enseñanza judía insistía en que el mandamiento de honrar al padre y a la madre se extendía a satisfacer sus necesidades físicas (vea Marcos 7: 11).

Diáspora, la Dispersión: la dispersión del pueblo judío por el mundo en el exilio. Al momento de escribir esto, casi 7 millones de judíos viven en Israel, y más de 8 millones de judíos viven en la diáspora (ver también Isaías 11:10; Juan 7:35).

Ejád o ejad: Palabra hebrea para “uno” o “unidad”. Ejad se usa en el Shema (Deuteronomio 6:4).

Elohim: Dios” en términos generales, o como Creador. Compárese con ADONAI, el “nombre del pacto” de Dios usado especialmente en Su relación con el pueblo judío. Elohim es la forma plural de El, que también se encuentra ocasionalmente en la Biblia con el mismo significado. Yeshua a veces es llamado Ben-Elohim, el Hijo de Dios (vea también Génesis 2:19; Isaías 61:11; Mateo 4:3; Marcos 1:1; Lucas 1:35; Juan 11:4).

El Shaddai: Dios Todopoderoso o Dios Omnipotente

Elyon: Un título para Dios, que significa Dios Altísimo (ver Lucas 1:35 y 76; Hechos 7:48). Una forma más larga es El Elyon, Dios Altísimo (vea también Deuteronomio 32:8; Isaías 14:14; Salmo 91:1; Hechos 16:17).

Emisarios: Apóstoles

Eretz Israel: La tierra de Israel (Primera de Samuel 13:19)

Fariseos: Una de las sectas del judaísmo en el primer siglo. Los fariseos tenían sus propios puntos de vista sobre cómo exactamente guardar la Torá. Estaban especialmente preocupados por la impureza ritual y (a diferencia de los saduceos) creían en la resurrección de los muertos. Mientras que los saduceos estaban más involucrados con el templo, los fariseos estaban más preocupados por la vida del hogar y la sinagoga.

Gehena: La palabra para “infierno”, el lugar de miseria y sufrimiento perpetuo después de esta vida. Proviene de la palabra griega Geenna y la palabra hebrea Ge-Hinnom, que significa el valle de Hinnom. De hecho, había tal valle con ese nombre al sur del Templo en Jerusalén. Se usaba como vertedero de basura y siempre había fuegos encendidos allí, lo que lo convertía en una imagen adecuada de la vida en el infierno. En fuentes judías, el término se usa como lo opuesto a Gan -Eden, o el Jardín del Edén o Paraíso. (Mateo 23:33; Marcos 9:43).

Gentiles: Un término para individuos o grupos de personas que no son judíos. En hebreo, una palabra común para gentil es goy o goyim es la forma plural (vea Isaías 8:23; Mateo 10:18; Marcos 10:33).

Go’el: Literalmente, un redentor, usado tanto para Dios como para las personas. En el libro de Ruth, go’el significa el pariente-redentor, un pariente cercano obligado a defender y proteger a sus parientes. El go’el podía comprar (redimir) tierras o a alguien que se vendiera como esclavo, y podía casarse con una viuda de la familia para proteger su futuro. El go’el humano es una imagen de Dios el Go’el mayor que nos protege y redime a nosotros, los miembros de Su familia (ver Ruth 3:9-12).

Goyim: Naciones, no judíos, gentiles

Halajá: El término proviene de la raíz hebrea andar y se refiere generalmente al conjunto de disposiciones legales provenientes de la Ley Oral o las reglas que rigen la vida judía (vea el comentario sobre La Vida de Cristo, haga clic Ei La Ley Oral). Una halajá es una decisión específica dada sobre un tema en particular, siendo “la halajá” la decisión aceptada y observada por toda la comunidad no mesiánica (judíos no creyentes en Yeshua).

Hag Ha-Matzá: La Fiesta de los Panes sin Levadura

Ha’Shem (o Ha-Shem): El Tetragrámaton, significa el nombre de cuatro letras de YHVH. Dado que se desconoce su pronunciación, y también por respeto al nombre de Dios, los judíos tradicionalmente lo sustituyen por las palabras ADONAI y Ha’Shem. ADONAI, sin embargo, es más un nombre cariñoso como papi. Mientras que ADONAI es un nombre más cariñoso como papá, mientras que Ha’Shem es un nombre más formal como señor (vea también Éxodo 3:15; Jeremías 1:9; Salmo 1:2, Mateo 1:22; Marcos 5:19; Lucas 1:5; Juan 1:23).

Helenista: En Brit Hadashah, se refiere a los judíos que vivían en la diáspora, o se habían mudado a Israel desde la diáspora, hablaban griego y eran más griegos en su cultura que los judíos tradicionales criados en Israel (Hechos 6:1, 9:29, 11:20).

Hijo de hombre: Un nombre que Yeshua (Jesús) comúnmente uso para referirse a Sí mismo. Proviene de Daniel 7:13-14, en el que el Hijo del Hombre se le da toda la autoridad. Este nombre a veces enfatiza la humanidad de Yeshua y otras veces Su deidad (Mateo 9:6; Marcos 9:31; Lucas 21:36; Juan 6:27).

Jametz o Hametz: Palabra hebrea para levadura, que hace crecer el pan. Dios le ordenó a Israel que no comiera jametz durante la Pascua, Yeshua enseña que tanto el bien como el mal se esparcen, de la misma manera que el jametz leuda toda la masa (vea también 16:6-12; Marcos 8:15; Lucas 12:1 Éxodo 12:20; Levítico 7:13; Amós 4:5; Mateo 13:33 y 13:21).

Jánuca: Significa dedicación, la fiesta que conmemora la victoria de los Macabeos sobre los ejércitos de Antíoco Epífanes en el año 165 aC y la reconstrucción y dedicación del Templo después de su profanación por los invasores sirios.

Jesed (oChesed): “misericordia”, “bondad” y/o “lealtad al pacto”. Es una palabra compleja que resume el amor complejo y abrumador amor de Dios por su pueblo, yendo más allá de los conceptos de amor, misericordia o bondad en conjunto (vea también Isaías 63:7; Zacarías 7:1; Salmo 13:1; Salmo 86:1; Salmo 107:1; Salmo 118:1; Salmo 136:1).

Justos del TaNaJ: Creyentes (o santos) del Antiguo Testamento

Kadosh (o Cadosh): Es la palabra hebrea para “santo”. Este término describe al pueblo apartado para Dios. ADONAI mismo es kadosh (Levítico 19:1-2). Muchas cartas a las comunidades (iglesias) recién formadas de Cristo podrían haberse dirigido a los santos (o seguidores) de Yeshua como los kedoshim (vea también Jeremías 2:3; Nehemías 8:10; Primera Corintios 1:2; Efesios 1:1; Filipenses 1:1; Colosenses 1:2).

Levita: Descendientes de la tribu de Leví, que servían en el Tabernáculo y el Templo como porteros, músicos, maestros y asistentes de los sacerdotes. Los escribas, o maestros de la Torá, originalmente procedían únicamente de entre los levitas y fueron los precursores de los fariseos. Más tarde, los fariseos se expandieron para incluir miembros de todas las tribus, sin que se requiriera filiación con Leví (vea también Éxodo 4:14; Ezequiel 48:12; Esdras 1:5; Juan 1:19).

LXX (Septuaginta): La traducción griega “oficial” del TaNaJ, que data del siglo III aC hasta el siglo IV dC. La traducción inicial fue de la Torá (los cinco libros de Moisés), que la Carta de Aristeas registra y que supuestamente fue hecha por setenta eruditos judíos en Alejandría (Egipto) de donde obtuvo su nombre (Septuaginta). Se le conoce comúnmente con la abreviatura LXX (70).

Maestro de Torá: Un erudito de Torá dedicado a interpretar y transmitir la Torá. Escribieron rollos de la Torá, actas de divorcio y otros documentos legales. El término hebreo es sofer.

Mashiaj (hebreo): Mesías, el Ungido (Mateo 26:63; Marcos 1:1; Juan 20:31).

Matzá (singular) o Matzot (plural): Pan que se elabora sin levadura y se come especialmente durante la fiesta de Pascua (Pesaj). Véase también jametz (véase también Éxodo 13:6; Levítico 2:5; Ezequiel 45:21; Mateo 26:17; Marcos 14:22; Lucas 22:19; Juan 13:26).

Meguilá (singular) o Megillot (plural): Los cinco libros de la Escritura utilizados para lecturas especiales durante las fiestas: Cantar de los Cantares, Rut, Lamentaciones, Eclesiastés y Ester.

Melquisedec: MalkiTsedéc, MalquiTsedek, Malki-tsédeq

Menorá (singular) o Menorot (plural): El (los) candelabro(s) de siete brazos diseñado y ordenado por Dios para el servicio en el Tabernáculo/Templo (Éxodo 25:32; Primera de Reyes 7:49; Zacarías 4:2).

Mesías (griego): Cristo, el Ungido, usado a menudo para hablar de un Redentor enviado por Dios para liberar a Su pueblo del exilio y la opresión (vea también Mateo 1:16; Marcos 8:29; Lucas 2:11 y Juan 1: 41).

Midrash: Interpretación o aplicación alegórica de un texto. Se espera que el oyente comprenda que el escritor del midrash no está exponiendo el significado claro del texto, sino que presenta sus propias ideas. El término proviene de la raíz posbíblica “buscar” o “exponer”.

Mikve: baño o piscina con un flujo de agua dulce; utilizado en el judaísmo ortodoxo hasta el día de hoy para la purificación ritual o limpieza ceremonial, realizada en varios momentos de la vida de una persona (vea Mateo 3:13 y Tito 3:5).

Mitzvá (singular) o mitzvot (plural): Un mandamiento de Dios. Otro significado, más moderno, es “una buena acción”, más ampliamente, un principio general para vivir (Deuteronomio 11:22; Segunda de Reyes 17:37; Proverbios 6:20; Mateo 26:10; Marcos 14:6).

Moshé: Moisés

Naciones, las: Las goyim o los gentiles

Olam haba: “La era venidera” o “el mundo venidero”. Describe un tiempo después de que el mundo sea perfeccionado bajo el gobierno del Mesías. Este término también se refiere al más allá, donde pasa el alma después de la muerte. Se puede contrastar con olam hazeh, “este mundo” (Mateo 12:32; Marcos 10:30; Lucas 18:30 y 20:35; Efesios 1:21; Hebreos 6:5; Apocalipsis 20-21).

Ómer: Significa “gavilla”, el manojo de cebada utilizado en la ofrenda de Primicias. Después del período del Templo llegó a identificarse con la cuenta del omer (Sefirat HaOmer), la cuenta de los días desde las Primicias hasta Shavuot (festas de las Semanas o Pentecostés).

Pacto: Teológicamente, habla de la relación contractual entre Dios y su pueblo. El término hebreo es brit. Véase también Brit Hadashah, la palabra hebrea para Nuevo Pacto (vea Génesis 6:18 y 17:2; Jeremías 31:30; Nehemías 9:32; Mateo 26:28; Marcos 14:24; Lucas 1:72).

Pesaj: Pascua. La fiesta judía que conmemora la liberación de la esclavitud egipcia. En los tiempos bíblicos, los judíos solían viajar al templo, sacrificar corderos allí y comer una comida especial que conmemoraba la salida de los judíos de la esclavitud en Egipto. Era una de las tres “fiestas de peregrinación” que se esperaba que todos los judíos sanos celebraran ante YHVH en Jerusalén. Hoy en día, Pesaj se celebra en casa con una comida especial llamada seder. Yeshua celebró la Pascua con Sus apóstoles (Mateo 26:18; Marcos 14:12; Lucas 22:7; Juan 13:1).

Prosélitos de la Puerta: Había tres niveles de relación de los gentiles con el judaísmo. Después de los temerosos de Dios, los prosélitos de la Puerta eran el segundo nivel. La Puerta era la pared intermedia de separación (Efesios 2:14) en el recinto del Templo que a los gentiles no se les permitía pasar bajo pena de muerte (vea el enlace, haga clic Bb – Un etíope pregunta sobre Isaías 53). Estos fueron gentiles que adoptaron muchas prácticas judías como celebrar Shabat y la fiesta de Israel, pero no se convirtieron en prosélitos completos. La mayoría de ellos eran hombres porque no requería circuncisión.

Prosélitos del Pacto: En el tercer nivel de relación de los gentiles con el judaísmo (vea arriba), había prosélitos del Pacto. Ellos entraron en el Pacto del Sinaí como judíos completos, por así decirlo. La mayoría eran mujeres porque este nivel requería la circuncisión.

Purim: Significa “suertes”, la festividad basada en la historia de Ester.

Rasheet (o Reishit): Uno de varios nombres para la Fiesta de las Primicias o de los Primeros Frutos.

Redimir: Liberar de la esclavitud, volver a comprar algo perdido, por un precio.

Rosh Hashaná: en hebreo significa “Cabeza del Año”. Conocido como el Año Nuevo judío o la Fiesta de las Trompetas.

Ruaj: Palabra hebrea para “espíritu”, “aliento” o “viento”. Yeshua explica el viento y el Espíritu a Nicodemo en Juan 3:5-8. Las Escrituras se refieren con frecuencia al Ruaj HaKodesh, el Espíritu Santo (Éxodo 35:31; Números 11:25; Malaquías 2:15; Hechos 2:2 y 10:44; Romanos 8:4-17).

Ruaj HaKodesh: Nombre hebreo para el Espíritu de Dios, o Espíritu Santo (Isaías 63:11; Salmo 51:13; Mateo 1:20; Marcos 1:8; Lucas 1:16; Juan 14:26).

Saduceos: Una de las sectas del judaísmo del siglo I. De los saduceos procedían los principales sacerdotes que administraban los asuntos del templo. A diferencia de los fariseos, no creían en la resurrección de los muertos (Mateo 16:12; Marcos 12:18; Lucas 20:27).

Sanedrín: Literalmente, la reunión de los sentados, como ser un juez sentado en un banco – término legal para un juez oficiante. Esta era la Corte Suprema del antiguo Israel. Ejercía autoridad legislativa y judicial (Mateo 26:59; Marcos 15:1; Lucas 22:66; Juan 11:47).

SEÑOR: Cuando los traductores de la Biblia King James en el siglo XVII llegaron a la palabra hebrea YHVH, necesitaban distinguirla de la palabra Señor, que significa maestro. Entonces, lo escribieron en mayúscula. Por lo tanto, SEÑOR es en realidad el Tetragrámaton, es decir, el nombre de cuatro letras de YHVH.

Seol: El equivalente hebreo del griego “Hades”, el lugar donde estan los muertos.

Shabat: El día de reposo, el séptimo día de la semana, cuando cesa el trabajo. En este día El pueblo de Dios está llamado a descansar y renovar su relación con su Creador, quien también descansó el séptimo día. El Shabat comienza el viernes por la noche al atardecer y termina el sábado por la noche después de que aparecen tres estrellas (Éxodo 20:10; Nehemías 9:14; Mateo 12:10; Marcos 1:21; Lucas 23:56; Juan 9:14).

Shaddai: Nombre común de Dios en el TaNaJ, generalmente traducido como Todopoderoso u Omnipotente. El nombre se usa a menudo en una combinación como El Shaddai, o Dios Todopoderoso (Génesis 17:1; Ezequiel 1:24; Job 11:7).

Shalom: La palabra hebrea para paz, plenitud, bienestar; un saludo usado al encontrarse o partir (Génesis 26:31; Primera Samuel 16:4; Segunda Crónicas 18:16; Mateo 10:13; Marcos 9:50; Lucas 1:28; Juan 14:27).

Shavuot: la fiesta de las Semanas (hebreo) o Pentecostés (griego), ya que llega siete semanas después de Pesaj; también llamado Pentecostés, de la palabra griega cincuenta porque se cuentan cincuenta días después de la Pascua. Es una de las tres “fiestas de peregrinación” que se esperaba que todos los judíos sanos celebraran ante YHVH en Jerusalén. Originalmente celebraba la cosecha, pero luego conmemoró el día en que Dios entregó la Torá a Israel. Después de la resurrección de Yeshua, los discípulos esperaron el regalo de Dios del Ruaj HaKodesh, que también llegó en Shavuot (Éxodo 34:22; Segunda de Crónicas 8:13; Hechos 2:1 y 20:16; Primera de Corintios 16:8).

Shekinah: La manifestación visual de la gloria de Dios.

Shofar: Un cuerno de carnero, usado en la Biblia para convocar ejércitos, llamar al arrepentimiento y en otras situaciones. Los sonidos de variada duración y cantidad, significaban diferentes instrucciones. Las trompetas de metal también se usaban para propósitos similares, pero exclusivamente por los cohanim. Hoy el shofar se utiliza en Rosh Hashaná de Yom Kippur, los Días Santísimos judíos. El shofar también marca el comienzo del Año del Jubileo (Levítico 25:9-10; Zacarías 9:14; Mateo 24:31; Primera de Corintios 15:52; Primera de Tesalonicenses 4:16-17).

Shub: volver, volverse o arrepentirse del mal.

Sinaí: la montaña en el desierto entre Egipto y la tierra de Israel.

Sinagoga: Un lugar de reunión de los judíos para escuchar la Torá, orar y adorar a Dios. Había muchas sinagogas en todo Israel y el mundo grecorromano (Mateo 4:23; Marcos 5:22; Lucas 4:16; Juan 9:22).

Sion (Sión): El Monte Sion, fue originalmente la Ciudad de David, al sur de la moderna Ciudad Vieja de Jerusalén. Más tarde, el nombre Sion pasó a referirse metafóricamente al Monte del Templo, Jerusalén o el pueblo de Israel. La colina que ahora se llama Monte Sion recibió su nombre en el siglo IV dC (Isaías 1:27; Salmo 65:2; Mateo 21:5; Juan 12:15).

Sucot: la fiesta de las cabañas, tabernáculos o enramadas, que celebra los cuarenta años en que el pueblo de Israel vivió en tiendas o cabañas en el desierto entre Egipto y la tierra de Israel. La palabra hebrea sucá significa cabaña y sucot es el plural y significa cabañas. Sucot es una de las tres “fiestas de peregrinar” que se esperaba que todos los judíos sanos celebraran ante YHVH en Jerusalén (Levítico 23:34; Zacarías 14:16; Segunda Crónicas 8:13; Mateo 17:4; Marcos 9:5; Lucas 9:33).

Sumergir: Sumergir todo el cuerpo bajo el agua como acto de dedicación al SEÑOR, o como profesión de fe en Yeshua. La palabra se ve a menudo en otras traducciones como “bautizar”. La ceremonia de inmersión se llama “inmersión” o “bautismo”. El primo de Yeshua era conocido como Juan el bautista o sumergidor (Mateo 3:1; Marcos 6:14; Lucas 7:20).

Tabernáculo: Una vivienda temporal, como las cabañas construidas durante Sucot. También se usa en el TaNaJ de la tienda en la que Dios habitó entre el pueblo judío, tanto en el desierto como en la tierra de Israel. Cuando la palabra se usa como verbo (tabernaculizar), se refiere a Yeshua (Jesús) viniendo a habitar entre Su pueblo (Juan 1:14), recordándonos el Tabernáculo en el desierto y también la Fiesta de los Tabernáculos (Éxodo 25:9; Primera Crónicas 6:17; Juan 1:14 y 7:2).

Talmid (singular) o Talmudin (plural): Estudiante o estudiantes.

Talmud: El cuerpo codificado de la Ley Oral Judía; Incluye creaciones literarias, leyendas, interpretaciones de las escrituras, compuesto por la Mishná y la Guemará. Fue escrito en hebreo por los Tahnahiem (vea el comentario sobre La vida de Cristo Ei – La ley oral) y generalmente se considera que fue editado alrededor del año 200 dC.

TaNaJ: La palabra hebrea TaNaJ es un acrónimo, basado en las letras T (para Tora), N (para “Nevi’im” o los Profetas) y J (para “Ketuvim” o las Escrituras Sagradas). Es la colección de las enseñanzas de Dios a los seres humanos en forma de documento. Este término se usa en lugar de la frase “el Antiguo Testamento o Antiguo Pacto”.

Temerosos de Dios: Había tres niveles de relación de los gentiles con el judaísmo. Los temerosos de Dios eran el primer nivel. Estos fueron gentiles que se convencieron de que ADONAI era el único Dios verdadero, abandonaron su paganismo e idolatría, pero no eligieron convertirse en prosélitos de ninguna forma, y por lo tanto no hubo adopción de costumbres o prácticas judías (vea enlace haga clic Be – La visión del centurión).

Torá: Literalmente, esta palabra hebrea significa enseñanza o instrucción (Éxodo 13:9; Isaías 2:3; Salmo 1:2; Mateo 5:17; Marcos 1:22; Lucas 24:44; Juan 7:19; Romanos 7:1ff; Primera Corintios 9:20-21; Gálatas 3:21). Puede usarse para los cinco libros de Moisés, o más generalmente para los mandamientos de Dios, o para todo el TaNaJ (Juan 10:34). Sin mayúsculas, la Torá puede entenderse generalmente como una ley o principio (Romanos 7:21-8:2).

Tzitzit: Flequillo que se ponía en una prenda de vestir de acuerdo con Números 15:37-41.

Yerushalayim: Jerusalén o Jerusalem

Yeshua: Jesús, el nombre hebreo del Mesías, y es una forma masculina y un juego de palabras con yeshu’a (salvación) (Mateo 1:21; Marcos 6:14; Lucas 2:21; Juan 19). :19).

YHVH: El Tetragrámaton, que significa el Nombre, el nombre de cuatro letras de Dios. Por lo tanto, Dios no tiene muchos nombres, Él tiene un solo nombre: YHVH (Yod Heh Vav Heh). Todos los demás nombres en la Biblia describen Sus características y Sus atributos.

Yisra’el: Israel.

Yochanan: Juan.

Yom Ha-Bikkurim: Uno de los varios nombres para la Fiesta de las Primicias o primeros frutos.

Yom Kippur: El Día de la Expiación, el cierre de los Grandes Días Sagrados, y considerado el día más sagrado del año en el judaísmo tradicional

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Ba – Simón el mago 8: 9-25

Simón el mago
Los samaritanos son salvados
mediante la predicación de Pedro
8: 9-25

34 dC
Los acontecimientos de Hechos 3-8 transcurren con creciente preocupación por parte de los judíos, y especialmente de las autoridades judías en Jerusalén. La creciente tensión dio lugar a una acción de vigilancia contra Esteban, y luego a un esfuerzo autorizado bajo el mando del
(rabino) Saulo para perturbar y destruir ese nuevo movimiento mesiánico, lo que implicó persecución e incluso la muerte de los creyentes. La persecución llevó a varios creyentes como Felipe a ir a Samaria y dar testimonio de Yeshua.

Simón el mago ESCUDRIÑAR: ¿Qué tienen en común Simón y Felipe en los versículos 5-11? ¿En qué se diferencian? ¿Cómo ha respondido la multitud a ambos hombres en el pasado? ¿Por qué vendrían Pedro y Juan a ellos? ¿Por qué el Padre podría retrasar el derramamiento de Su Espíritu hasta que Pedro y Juan estuvieran en escena? ¿Cree que esto fue más una lección para los samaritanos o para los apóstoles? ¿Por qué? ¿De qué manera la reacción de Simón hacia los apóstoles en los versículos 18 y 19, muestra su profundo conocimiento del evangelio? ¿Cree que las palabras de Simón en el versículo 24 revelan un cambio en su corazón? ¿Por qué si o por qué no?

REFLEXIONAR: ¿Con qué prejuicios culturales o étnicos lo criaron a usted? ¿Cómo está el evangelio rompiendo esos prejuicios en su vida? ¿Cuál fue su principal motivación al recibir a Jesús (Yeshua el Mesías) como Salvador? ¿Cuál es su principal motivación para continuar en la fe? ¿Ha disminuido o aumentado su influencia personal desde que se convirtió en creyente? ¿Cómo? ¿Por qué? ¿Le han obstaculizado de alguna manera los celos hacia otros creyentes?

Después de haber introducido a Felipe, el protagonista, en la historia, Lucas recurre ahora a Simón, el antagonista. Aunque Simón tenía un nombre hebreo, era un samaritano. Al principio Parecía ser un creyente genuino. Incluso alguien tan perspicaz como Felipe, lo aceptó como tal y se apegó. Simón incluso continuó con Felipe (8:13). Así, manifestó las tres marcas de un creyente genuino: creyó, fue obediente en bautismo y se apegó a Felipe. Entonces, Simón ilustra lo difícil que es distinguir el trigo de la cizaña (vea el comentario sobre La vida de Cristo Ev La parábola del trigo y la cizaña).

Y había grande gozo en aquella ciudad. Pero cierto varón de nombre Simón, había estado practicando magia en la ciudad y asombraba a la gente de Samaria, haciéndose pasar por alguien importante (8:9-10). ¿En qué se equivocó Simón? ¿Cómo alguien que estuvo tan cerca se perdió la verdadera salvación? La fe debe estar basada en la verdad, y la suya no la estaba. Este pasaje revela cuatro fallas flagrantes en la creencia de Simón.

En primer lugar, Simón falla, él tenía una visión equivocada de sí mismo, era egoísta. Practicar magia en la ciudad y asombrar al pueblo de Samaria le llevó a afirmar que era alguien grande. Es posible que Simón fuera simplemente un mago al que le gustaba tener poderes y controlar a la gente. O pudo haber sido el líder de una secta gnóstica judía herética. Los gnósticos generalmente creían en varios seres espirituales en una cadena de mando que conducía a Dios y proponían un conjunto de prácticas como medio para alcanzar niveles espirituales más altos en su culto religioso. Es muy posible que haya estado en contacto con lo sobrenatural; pero habría sido con demonios, no con el poder de Dios. El pecado de Simón en los versículos 18-23 a continuación confirma su impiedad.171 El dominio de Simón sobre el pueblo de Samaria era total. Todos le estaban prestando especial atención. Impresionados por sus poderes de lo oculto, ellos declararon erróneamente: Éste es el llamado gran poder de Dios (8:10b). Ese título demostró que Simón reivindicaba la deidad para sí mismo. Y por haberlos embelesado bastante tiempo con artes mágicas, le prestaban gran atención (8:11). Mientras Simón creyera que era una deidad, no podría llegar a tener un sentido adecuado de sí mismo. Sólo los humildes, conscientes de sus insuficiencias y carencias, tienen ese sentimiento de estar perdidos que los impulsa hacia ADONAI. Simón, firmemente atrapado en las garras del orgullo, no lo hizo.

En segundo lugar, Simón falla, él tenía una visión equivocada de la salvación. A través de la predicación de Felipe, estalló un avivamiento en la ciudad. Pero cuando creyeron a Felipe, que proclamaba las buenas nuevas acerca del reino de Dios y del nombre de Jesús el Mesías, fueron bautizados tanto hombres como mujeres (8:12). Los samaritanos necesitaban llegar a la conclusión de que el reino de Dios sería un reino judío y no un reino samaritano como habían pensado (vea el comentario sobre La vida de Cristo Ca Jesús habla con una mujer samaritana). Así, a medida que más y más personas creían en el Mesías para su salvación, Simón veía disminuir su número de seguidores. Su popularidad decreciente, su deseo de estar asociado con Dios de alguna manera y su deseo de aprender más sobre lo que percibía como el poder de Felipe, motivaron a Simón a creer. Y aun Simón mismo creyó, y habiendo sido bautizado, estaba apegado constantemente a Felipe; y se maravillaba al ver las señales milagrosas y los grandes portentos que se hacían. (8:13). Simón continuo con Felipe como una oportunidad para conseguir ese poder y tener más influencia sobre las personas. Tenía, por así decirlo, un interés profesional en descubrir la fuente del asombroso poder de Felipe. Pero su “fe” estaba basada en el poder de los milagros, no en el poder salvador del Mesías. Lo que él vio resultó en asombro, no en santidad.

Los samaritanos son salvos: Y los apóstoles que estaban en Jerusalén, al oír: ¡Samaria ha recibido la palabra de Dios! les enviaron a Pedro y a Juan, quienes, después de bajar, oraron por ellos para que recibieran el Espíritu Santo; porque aún no había descendido sobre ninguno de ellos, sino que sólo estaban bautizados en el nombre del Señor Jesús (8:14-16). Pedro y Juan fueron para comprobarlo, esta es la última mención de Juan en Hechos, cuando Pedro, y luego Pablo, toman el centro del relato. Los samaritanos despreciaban a Jerusalén, ¿rechazarían a los apóstoles por ser de la Ciudad Santa? ¿Rechazarían los judíos a los samaritanos? Les sorprendió que los samaritanos pudieran ser incluidos en el Reino porque practicaban una religión híbrida (Lucas 9:54). Entonces, los apóstoles fueron enviados por tres razones. Primero, autentificar la salvación de los samaritanos. En segundo lugar, porque Pedro tenía las llaves del Reino. Y en tercer lugar, oraron para que recibieran el Ruaj HaKodesh. Aunque estos samaritanos ya habían creído y habían sido bautizados por inmersión.

Aquellos que enseñan que los creyentes reciben el Espíritu después de la salvación, recurren a este y a otros pasajes similares en busca de apoyo. Aquí hay un ejemplo claro, argumentan, de personas que fueron salvas, pero no tenían el Ruaj HaKodesh. Tal enseñanza ignora la naturaleza transitoria de Hechos (vea más abajo). También falla frente a la clara enseñanza de las Escrituras de que, si alguno no tiene el Espíritu de Cristo Mesías, éste no es de Él (Romanos 8:9). No existe un creyente que aún no tenga el Ruaj HaKodesh, ya que por un Espíritu todos fuimos sumergidos en un solo cuerpo en el momento de la conversión (vea el comentario sobre La Vida de Cristo Bw – Lo que Dios hace por nosotros en el momento de la fe).

¿Por qué los samaritanos (y más tarde los gentiles) tuvieron que esperar a los apóstoles antes de recibir al Espíritu Santo? Si los samaritanos hubieran recibido el Espíritu Santo independientes de la iglesia/Comunidad Mesiánica, la ruptura entre ellos se podría haber perpetuado. Bien podría haber habido dos entidades separadas, una Iglesia o (Congregación Mesiánica) y una Iglesia Samaritana. Pero Dios diseñó una Congregación Mesiánica/Iglesia: Porque Él es nuestra paz, que de ambos hizo uno, y derribó la pared intermedia de separación, es decir, la enemistad (Efesios 2:14a).

Dios nunca llega tarde al diferir la venida del Espíritu hasta que llegaran Pedro y Juan. ADONAI preservó la unidad de la Congregación Mesiánica/Iglesia. Los apóstoles necesitaban ver por sí mismos y dar testimonio de primera mano a la Congregación Mesiánica/Iglesia en Jerusalén, de que el Espíritu había venido a los samaritanos. Además, los samaritanos necesitaban aprender que estaban sujetos a la autoridad de los apóstoles. Los creyentes judíos y los creyentes samaritanos estaban unidos en un solo Cuerpo. Cuando llegaron Pedro y Juan, les imponían las manos, y recibían el Espíritu Santo (8:17).172 En ninguna parte la Biblia enseña que el don de lenguas sea otra cosa que los lenguajes humanos.173

Una mirada más cercana a las llaves del Reino: En Cesarea de Filipo, Pedro declaró que Jesús era el Mesías, el Hijo del Dios viviente. En respuesta, Jesús dice en Mateo 16:19a: te daré las llaves del reino de los Cielos (vea el comentario La Vida de Cristo Fx Sobre esta roca edificaré mi iglesia). Siempre que la palabra llave o llaves se usa simbólicamente en la Biblia, representa la autoridad para abrir o cerrar puertas (Jueces 3:25; Primera de Crónicas 9:27; Isaías 22:20-24; Mateo 16:19a; Apocalipsis 1:18, 3:7, 9:1 y 20:1). Pedro será el encargado de abrir las puertas de la Iglesia. Él tiene un papel especial en el libro de los Hechos. En la Dispensación de la Torá (Ley), la humanidad fue dividida en dos grupos, judíos y gentiles. Pero en la Dispensación de la Gracia, por lo que sucedió en el período intertestamentario, hubo tres grupos de personas, judíos, samaritanos y gentiles (Mateo 10:5-6). Pedro sería la persona clave (juego de palabras) para traer a los judíos (vea Hechos 2), a los samaritanos (vea Hechos 8), y a los gentiles (Hechos 10) a la Iglesia al recibir el Espíritu Santo. Una vez que se abrió la puerta, permaneció abierta.

A medida que avancemos en el libro de Hechos, estaremos comparando la forma en que la salvación llega a judíos, samaritanos y gentiles, mostrando, como fue el caso con la forma en que Yeshua curaba, que no hay un orden específico establecido. Hechos es un libro de transición y un libro histórico, y no se puede establecer una doctrina basada en la historia. Usted basa la doctrina en declaraciones teológicas claras. Los hechos históricos pueden ilustrar la doctrina, pero no pueden desarrollarla por sí solos.

El don de lenguas (idiomas) se puede ver cuatro veces en el libro, Hechos 2, Hechos 8, Hechos 10 y Hechos 19. No existe un orden establecido que conduzca al bautismo en el Espíritu y al posterior hablar en idiomas. En Hechos 2, cuando la salvación llegó a los judíos, el orden fue primero el arrepentimiento, luego la inmersión en agua y luego recibir la inmersión en el Espíritu mediante el Ruaj HaKodesh, como se evidencia al hablar en idiomas. Aquí en Hechos 8 con la salvación llegando a los samaritanos, el orden fue este: primero creyeron, luego vino la inmersión en agua, luego llegaron los apóstoles, luego impusieron sus manos sobre los samaritanos, y luego recibieron la inmersión en el Espíritu Santo, y en opinión de este autor habría sido demostrado por los idiomas (lenguas) que ellos hablaron. Una vez más, no se construye doctrina sobre la historia. Tenga presente este orden y veremos en qué fue diferente con los samaritanos, los gentiles y los discípulos de Juan.

Para comprender las diferencias en las cuatro apariciones de los idiomas en Hechos, haremos seis preguntas a medida que lleguemos a cada pasaje. Sin embargo, el elemento común clave en los cuatro casos es que los idiomas (es decir, las lenguas) tienen como finalidad la autenticación.

1. ¿Quién lo recibió? Los creyentes de Samaria.

2. ¿Qué eran ellos? Eran samaritanos, a quienes históricamente no les agradaban los judíos y eran antagónicos hacia Jerusalén. De hecho, a menudo atacaron e incluso mataron a judíos que se dirigían desde Galilea a Jerusalén a través de Samaria (Lucas 9:51-53).

3. ¿Cuáles fueron las circunstancias? Felipe predicó a los samaritanos que creyeron y fueron salvos. Pero esto generó algunas preguntas por parte de los apóstoles en Sión que tenían en mente el viejo antagonismo samaritano. Entonces Pedro y Juan fueron enviados para autenticar estos informes.

4. ¿Cuál fue el medio? La imposición de manos de Pedro y Juan, apóstoles, que vinieron de Jerusalén.

5. ¿Cuál fue el propósito en este contexto? Como ocurre en todos los casos en el libro de los Hechos, hablar en lenguas se utiliza con fines de autenticación. Eso fue cierto en Hechos 2, es cierto aquí en Hechos 8, y será cierto en Hechos 10 y Hechos 19, los cuatro lugares donde se encuentra. Para los apóstoles judíos demostró que los samaritanos pudieron ser salvos. Fue difícil para ellos creerlo, pero eso es lo que autenticaría para los apóstoles en Sión. Y para los samaritanos autentificó la autoridad de los apóstoles judíos. Esto fue para enseñar a los samaritanos que no debían crear una Iglesia Samaritana separada, porque eso es exactamente lo que habían hecho, cuando los judíos los rechazaron en el tiempo que Esdras regresó a Palestina del cautiverio babilónico para reconstruir el Templo (vea el comentario sobre Esdras-Nehemías As Oposición a la reconstrucción del Templo). Ellos construyeron su propio templo rival en el monte Gerizim con un lugar santo y un lugar santísimo. Entonces, no debían construir una Iglesia Samaritana en oposición a la Iglesia/Comunidad Mesiánica.

6. ¿Cuáles fueron los resultados? Los samaritanos recibieron la inmersión del Espíritu Santo y se convirtieron en miembros del Cuerpo del Mesías, y nunca se estableció ninguna Iglesia Samaritana rival.174

En tercer lugar, Simón falla, él tenía una visión equivocada del Espíritu. Este pasaje revela el tercero de cuatro fallos flagrantes en la teología de Simón. Y viendo Simón que por la imposición de las manos de los apóstoles era dado el Espíritu, les ofreció dinero, diciendo: Dadme también este poder, para que a cualquiera que imponga las manos reciba el Espíritu Santo (18-19) como lo demuestra el hecho de hablar en otros idiomas, fue demasiado para él. Felipe lo había impresionado, pero Pedro y Juan lo habían abrumado. Era obvio que algo sobrenatural debía haber ocurrido. Simón les ofreció dinero para recibirlo. Trató a los dos apóstoles como si fueran compañeros practicantes de magia, y estaba dispuesto a negociar el precio para comprar el secreto de su poder. Sin embargo, nada de lo que Dios tiene está a la venta. Ciertamente no el Ruaj HaKodesh. Por lo tanto, Pedro se enojó y le dijo: “Tu plata sea contigo para destrucción, porque pensaste obtener el don de Dios por dinero. (la interpretación de JB Phillips, “¡Al diablo contigo y tu dinero!” transmite el sentido real de las palabras de Pedro) – porque pensabas que se podía comprar el don de Dios con dinero. La visión de Simón del Espíritu Santo como una mercancía que debía comprarse y agregarse a su repertorio de trucos espirituales, era completamente detestable y mostraba su condición perdida.

https://jaymack.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Acts-Ba-Simon-the-Sorcerer-300x141.jpeg

En cuarto lugar, Simón falla, él tenía una visión equivocada del pecado. Pedro luego de su condena a Simón, le hace un llamado a la salvación. Arrepiéntete pues, de esta tu maldad, y ruega al Señor, por si acaso te será perdonado el pensamiento de tu corazón; porque veo que estás en hiel de amargura y en prisiones de maldad (22-23). Pedro, usando la expresión para las ofensas más graves contra Dios en el TaNaJ (Deuteronomio 18:18-20), le advierte a Simón de la gravedad de su situación: que estás en hiel de amargura y en prisiones de maldad. Simón, sin embargo, no se dejó convencer. Aunque probablemente conmocionado y asustado, se negó a pedir perdón al Señor. En cambio, dijo: ¡Rogad vosotros por mí al Señor, para que ninguna de las cosas que habéis dicho venga sobre mí!”. Su única preocupación era escapar de las consecuencias de su pecado. Sin embargo, el verdadero arrepentimiento consiste en algo más que el mero dolor por el pecado. (Segunda Corintios 7:9-10).175

Ellos entonces, después de testificar fielmente y hablar la palabra del Señor, regresaron a Jerusalén evangelizando muchas aldeas de los samaritanos (8:25). En resumen, este archivo muestra el evangelio a medida que comienza a alejarse de una ocupación exclusiva por Israel. El evangelio es para cada persona, para que cada uno lo considere, se espera, con un oído y corazón que responda. Esto es tan cierto hoy como lo era entonces. Aquí vemos a los judíos cruzando fronteras raciales y étnicas con el evangelio, llevando el mensaje de esperanza a los samaritanos. Y tomar esa iniciativa está en el corazón de la misión de la Iglesia/Comunidad Mesiánica en el mundo: Entonces Jesús se acercó y les habló, diciendo: Toda potestad me ha sido dada en el cielo y en la tierra, Id pues, discipulad a todas las gentes, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre, del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo; enseñándoles a guardar todas las cosas que os mandé. He aquí Yo estoy con vosotros todos los días hasta el fin de los siglos (Mateo 28:18b-20).176

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Di – Notas finales

Notas finales

El libro de los Hechos desde una perspectiva judía

1. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, pág. 1-2.

2. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, páginas iii-iv.

3. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página xxxi.

4. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página xxxii-xxxxiii.

5. Caos carismático, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 1992, pág. 171-172.

6. Las raíces judías de los Hechos, por Joseph Shaulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2003, páginas xxxvi y xxxvii.

7. Fundamentos Mesiánicos, por Sam Nadler, Word of Messiah Ministries, Charlotte, NC, 2010, páginas 133-142.

Testimonio en Jerusalén 1:1 a 8:4

8. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 199.

9. Las raíces judías de los Hechos, por Joseph Shaulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2003, páginas 2-3.

10. acto 101.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

11. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 21.

12. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 15.

13. Ibid, página 18.

14. acto 101.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

15. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 24.

16. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 23.

17. Una vida con propósito, por Rick Warren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002, página 290.

18. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 217.

19. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 12.

20. acto 101.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

21. ¿Quién soy yo en Cristo?, por Neil Anderson, Regal Books, Ventura, California, 1973, páginas 213-219.

22. acto 101.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

23. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, páginas 126-127.

24. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 217-218.

25. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, pág. 29.

26. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 123.

27. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 28.

28. acto 101.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

29. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 59.

30. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, páginas 147-150.

31. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, pág. 39.

32. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 219 y 221.

33. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 65.

34. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 219.

35. God’s Appointed Times, por Barney Kasdan, Lederer Messianic Pub, Baltimore, MD, 1993, página 55.

36. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 221.

37. Charismatic Chaos, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 1992, páginas 173-174 y 226.

38. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 41.

39. gotquestions.org

40. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 216.

41. Los tiempos designados por Dios, por Barney Kasdan, Lederer Messianic Pub, Baltimore, MD, 1993, página 55.

42. Caos carismático, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, página 179.

43. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 46.

44. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 217 y 220.

45. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 123.

46. Ibid, página 123.

47. Ibid, página 123.

48. Ibid, páginas 116-118.

49. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 76.

50. act102.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

51. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 226.

52. act102.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

53. God’s Appointed Times, por Barney Kasdan, Lederer Messianic Pub, Baltimore, MD, 1993, página 56.

54. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 33.

55. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 84.

56. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 35.

57. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 43.

58. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 228.

59. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 158.

60. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 228.

61. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 87.

62. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 86.

63. act103.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

64. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 126.

65. El Mesías en el templo, de Roger Liebi, Christlicher Medien-Vertrieb, Dusseldorf, Alemania, 2012, página 335.

66. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 97.

67. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 128.

68. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 89.

69. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 221.

70. Charismatic Chaos, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, páginas 112-115 y 214-216.

71. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 89.

72. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 51.

73. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 230.

74. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 51.

75. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 40.

76. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 115-116.

77. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 51.

78. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 123.

79. Ibid, página 123.

80. act103.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

81. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, páginas 55-57.

82. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 97.

83. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 225-226.

84. Ibid, página 220.

85. Ibid, página 241.

86. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 49.

87. Una vida con propósito, por Rick Warren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002, página 282.

88. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 234.

89. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 138.

90. Respuestas a preguntas difíciles, por J. Carl Laney, WIPF & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 1997, página 245.

91. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 123.

92. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, páginas 49-50.

93. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 142.

94. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 51.

95. Respuestas a preguntas difíciles, por J. Carl Laney, WIPF & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 1997, página 245.

96. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 52.

97. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 108.

98. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 154.

99. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, páginas 211-213.

100. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 75.

101. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 53.

102. Ibid, página 54.

103. Ibid, página 55.

104. Manners and Customs of the Bible, por James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, 1972, página 441.

105. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 158.

106. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 56.

107. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 159.

108. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 266.

109. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 57.

110. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 153.

111. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 55.

112. act105.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

113. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, páginas 110-111.

114. Serie de cintas La vida de Cristo, de Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

115. act105.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

116. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 166.

117. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 166.

118. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 236.

119. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 167.

120. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 169.

121. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 91.

122. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 120.

123. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, pág. 234.

124. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 95.

125. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 297.

126. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 65.

127. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 20.

128. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 67.

129. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 303.

130. The Acts of the Apostles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 240 y 242.

131. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 311 y 313.

132. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 179-180.

133. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 316 y 319-320.

134. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1990, página 122.

135. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 71.

136. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 240.

137. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 187-188.

138. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 201.

139. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 34.

140. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 195-196.

141. act106.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

142. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Frank Gaebelein, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, volumen 9, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1982, página 337.

143. act107.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

144. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 135.

145. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 123.

146. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 205.

147. Ibid, páginas 203-207.

148. Ibid, páginas 209-211.

149. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, pág. 123.

150. Ibid, página 273.

151. Ibid, página 123.

152. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 245.

153. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 216.

154. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 247.

155. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 105.

156. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 39.

157. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 233.

158. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 247.

159. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 33.

160. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 224.

161. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 150.

162. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 225.

163. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 35 y 39.

164. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 35 y 39.

165. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 152.

166. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 231.

167. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 36.

Testimonio en Judea y Samaria 8:5 a 11:18

168. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 227-229.

169. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 152.

170. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 234-235.

171. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 250.

172. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 238-243.

173. Caos carismático, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, página 226.

174. act108.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

175. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 244-246.

176. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 336.

177. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 161.

178. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 414.

179. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Mi, 1998, página 295.

180. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 124.

181. Usos y costumbres de la Biblia, James Freeman, página 441.

182. El Mesías en el templo, de Roger Liebi, Christlicher Medien-Vertrieb, Dusseldorf, Alemania, 2012, página 169.

183. act108.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

184. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 224.

185. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 124.

186. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 164.

187. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 260.

188. act108.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

189. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 127.

190. ¿Cuál es el camino judío hacia Dios? por Sam Nadler, Ministerios Palabra del Mesías, Charlotte, Carolina del Norte, 2018.

191. 101 Himnos, por Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan 1982, página 28.

192. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 264.

193. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 253.

194. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 269 y 271.

195. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 255.

196. Caos carismático, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, página 187.

197. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 275.

198. Ibid, páginas 275-277.

199. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 44.

200. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 280.

201. act09.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

202. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 147.

203. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 112.

204. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 334-339.

205. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, páginas 148-149.

206. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 346.

207. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 251.

208. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 347.

209. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 548 y 552-553.

210. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 257.

211. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 294.

212. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 150.

213. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 533.

214. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 116.

215. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 253.

216. Ibid, página 253.

217. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 185.

218. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, páginas 180-181.

219. El mensaje de los Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 186.

220. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 558.

221. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 117.

222. Primicias de Sión, Torah Club, Shemini, Volumen 5, página 675.

223. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, páginas 187-188.

224. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 120.

225. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 64.

226. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, páginas 120-121.

227. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 258.

228. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 298.

229. Ibid, página 299.

230. The Genesis Record, de Henry Morris, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1976, páginas 294-295.

231. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 301.

232. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 260.

233. Caos carismático, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, página 226.

234. Ibid, página 183.

235. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 305.

236. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 195.

237. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 261.

238. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, página 311.

239. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 365.

240. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 161.

241. Caos carismático, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, página 184.

242. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 311-312.

243. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 261.

244. Testigo del Fin de la Tierra 11:19 al 28:31

245. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, páginas 10-13.

246. act11.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

247. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 615.

248. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 367.

249. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 198.

250. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 261-262.

251. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 419.

252. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 164.

253. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 370.

254. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 72.

255. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 263.

256. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 628, 630 632-633.

257. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 74.

258. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 135.

259. La Historia de la Iglesia: Eusebio, por Paul Maier, Amazon, 2.9.2-3.

260. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 175.

261. act12.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

262. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 175.

263. Manners and Customs of the Bible, por James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, 1972, página 442.

264. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 178.

265. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 387.

266. Hechos 1-12, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1994, páginas 325-326.

267. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 178.

268. Ibid, página 181.

269. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 265-266.

270. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 1-12, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1987, página 181.

271. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 213.

272. The Gospel Coalition, edición estadounidense, 3 de mayo de 2017, por Greg Lanier.

273. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 3.

274. Ibid, página 4.

275. Ibid, página 5.

276. act13.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

277. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 267.

278. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 146.

279. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 293.

280. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 9.

281. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 15.

282. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 164.

283. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 219.

284. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 447.

285. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 403.

286. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, páginas 450-451.

287. Respuestas a preguntas difíciles, por J. Carl Laney, WIPF & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 1997, página 247.

288. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 686 y 692-693.

289. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 268.

290. Una vida con propósito, por Rick Warren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002, página 190.

291. El regreso del cerdo kosher, por el rabino Itzhak Shapira, Lederer Books, una división de Messianic Jewish Publishers, Clarksville, Maryland, 2013, páginas 149-150.

292. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 150.

293. acto 13.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

294. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 123.

295. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 270.

296. acto 13.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

297. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 123.

298. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 746.

299. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 307.

300. acto 13.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

301. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 123.

302. Bocetos de la vida social judía en los días de Cristo, por Alfred Edersheim, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984, página 15.

303. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 40.

304. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 92.

305. Ibid, página 95.

306. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 764.

307. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 46.

308. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 95.

309. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 46.

310. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 772.

311. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 101.

312. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 20.

313. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, páginas 234-235.

314. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 20.

315. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 313.

316. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, páginas 230-231.

317. The Acts of the Apostles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 421 y 424.

318. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, páginas 231.

319. Manners and Customs of the Bible, por James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, 1972, página 444.

320. Una vida con propósito, por Rick Warren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002, página 274.

321. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 21.

322. act14.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

323. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 173.

324. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 318.

325. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 163.

326. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 107.

327. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 320.

328. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 23.

329. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 108.

330. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 273.

331. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 61.

332. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 273-275.

333. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 249.

334. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 496.

335. Catolicismo romano, por Loraine Boettner, The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Phillipsburg, Nueva Jersey, 1962, 104 a 122.

336. Caos carismático, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, página 213.

337. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 458-459.

338. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 503.

339. act15.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

340. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 277.

341. El regreso del cerdo kosher, por el rabino Itzhak Shapira, Lederer Books, una división de Messianic Jewish Publishers, Clarksville, Maryland, 2013, páginas 10-14.

342. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 118.

343. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 250.

344. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 280.

345. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 847.

346. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, páginas 174-175.

347. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 514.

348. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 75.

349. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 339.

350. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, G. Campbell Morgan, reimpresión de Amazon, 2012.

351. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1990, página 258.

352. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Vol 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, TN, 1992, páginas 340.

353. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, T, 2007, páginas 186-187.

354. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, páginas 257-258.

355. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2007, página 187.

356. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 176.

357. Las raíces judías de Hechos 1-15, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 856.

358. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 43.

359. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 473.

360. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 43.

361. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 131-132.

362. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2007, página 191.

363. act16.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

364. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 281-283.

365. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 44.

366. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 477.

367. Ibid, páginas 484-485.

368. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 142.

369. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 195.

370. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 284.

371. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 92.

372. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 145.

373. acto 16.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

374. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 93.

375. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 267.

376. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 95-96.

377. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 47.

378. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 90.

379. Ibid, página 96.

380. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 351.

381. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, páginas 184-185.

382. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 903.

383. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998, página 501.

384. act16.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

385. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 104.

386. Ibid, página 105.

387. Manners and Customs of the Bible, por James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, 1972, página 446.

388. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 153-154.

389. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 355.

390. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 108-109.

391. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 917.

392. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 49.

393. Manners and Customs of the Bible, por James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, 1972, página 446.

394. act16.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

395. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1990, página 270.

396. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 156.

397. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 503.

398. Ibid, página 503.

399. Ibid, página 504.

400. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 286.

401. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 121.

402. Charismatic Chaos, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, páginas 46 y 64.

403. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 271.

404. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 278.

405. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 210.

406. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 55.

407. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 200.

408. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, páginas 56-57.

409. act17.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

410. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 276.

411. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 130-131.

412. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 288.

413. acto 17.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

414. acto 17.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

415. Respuestas a preguntas difíciles, por J. Carl Laney, WIPF & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 1997, página 248.

416. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, páginas 282-283.

417. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 132-134.

418. Una vida con propósito, por Rick Warren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002, páginas 23-24.

419. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 63.

420. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 174.

421. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 289.

422. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 293.

423. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, páginas 221-222.

424. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 146.

425. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 292.

426. Ibid, página 293.

427. acto 18.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

428. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 289.

429. acto 18.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

430. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 1004-1005.

431. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 298.

432. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 300.

433. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 75.

434. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 389.

435. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 1013.

436. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 290-291.

437. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 390.

438. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 194.

439. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 394.

440. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 562.

441. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 589.

442. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 395-396.

443. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 235.

444. The Letters to the Churches, de William Ramsey, Sheffield Press, Sheffield, Inglaterra, 1986, página 211.

445. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 394-395.

446. The Book of Revelation, de Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1977, página 86.

447. Apocalipsis 1-11, por John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, página 58.

448. Un comentario sobre la revelación de Juan, por George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, página 37.

449. Apocalipsis 1-11, por John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, página 58.

450. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 398.

451. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 198.

452. Caos carismático, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, página 226.

453. act19.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

454. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 292.

455. Respuestas a preguntas difíciles, por J. Carl Laney, WIPF & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 1997, página 249.

456. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 174.

457. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 293.

458. Charismatic Chaos, por John MacArthur, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, páginas 202-203.

459. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 174-175.

460. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, páginas 310-311.

461. act19.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

462. Acts, de I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, páginas 312.

463. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 296.

464. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 181-182.

465. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 212.

466. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 180-181.

467. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 409.

468. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 244.

469. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 217.

470. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 244.

471. act18.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

472. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 188.

473. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 189-190.

474. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 91.

475. Ibid, páginas 95-96.

476. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 317.

477. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 97.

478. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 293.

479. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 228.

480. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 298.

481. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 425.

482. Una vida con propósito, por Rick Warren, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002, página 285.

483. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 231.

484. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 428.

485. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 230-231.

486. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 231.

487. Ibid, página 245.

488. act21.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

489. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 239.

490. Ibid, páginas 239-240.

491. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 333.

492. Ibid, página 315.

493. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 437.

494. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 252.

495. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 439-440.

496. Ibid, página 445.

497. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 643.

498. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 447.

499. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 302-303.

500. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 256.

501. El Mesías en el templo, de Roger Liebi, Christlicher Medien-Vertrieb, Dusseldorf, Alemania, 2012, página 377.

502. Josefo, Guerras 2.15.1

503. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 252.

504. El Mesías en el templo, de Roger Liebi, Christlicher Medien-Vertrieb, Dusseldorf, Alemania, 2012, página 380.

505. Ibid, página 377.

506. Ibid, páginas 168-170.

507. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, páginas 648-649.

508. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 258.

509. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 257.

510. act21.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

511. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 1199.

512. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 657.

513. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 260-261.

514. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 653.

515. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, páginas 336-337.

516. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 261.

517. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 305.

518. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 1209-1210.

519. Manners and Customs of the Bible, por James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, 1972, página 453.

520. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 306.

521. Respuestas a preguntas difíciles, por J. Carl Laney, WIPF & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 1997, página 250.

522. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 1214.

523. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 269-270.

524. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 307.

525. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 463.

526. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 265-266 y 268.

527. Ibid, página 271.

528. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 348.

529. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 1223-1224.

530. The Acts of the Apostles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 675 y 677.

531. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 349.

532. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 308.

533. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 465.

534. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 681.

535. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 466.

536. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 273.

537. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 679-684.

538. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 272.

539. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, páginas 276-277.

540. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 362.

541. act23.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

542. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, páginas 351-352.

543. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 123.

544. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 1243-1244.

545. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 469-470.

546. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 282.

547. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 129.

548. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 309.

549. Ibid, página 310.

550. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 293.

551. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 473.

552. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 369.

553. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 130.

554. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, páginas 678-679.

555. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 286.

556. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 477.

557. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 1272.

558. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 477.

559. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 1273-1274.

560. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 296.

561. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 310.

562. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 1278.

563. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 684.

564. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 290.

565. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 301.

566. Ibid, página 303.

567. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 480.

568. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 312.

569. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 483-484.

570. act24.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

571. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 293.

572. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 485.

573. christianheritagefellowship.com

574. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, página 26.

575. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 149.

576. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 718.

577. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 701.

578. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 488-490.

579. act25.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

580. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 718.

581. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 491-492.

582. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 724-725.

583. Ibid, páginas 726-727.

584. act25.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

585. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 494.

586. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 152.

587. act25.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

588. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 329.

589. The Acts of the Apostles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 731 y 734.

590. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 330.

591. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 303.

592. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 495-496.

593. Abid, página 498.

594. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 315.

595. act26.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

596. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 317.

597. Ibid, página 318.

598. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 508.

599. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 319.

600. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 509.

601. act26.mp3, Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

602. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 510.

603. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 303-306.

604. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 511.

605. Ibid, páginas 511-512.

606. Catolicismo romano, por Loraine Boettner, The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Phillipsburg, Nueva Jersey, 1962, 104 a 122.

607. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 514.

608. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 1422-1423.

609. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 272.

610. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 517.

611. El Libro de los Hechos, La guía inteligente de la Biblia, por Robert Girard, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee, 2007, página 317.

612. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, páginas 1432.

613. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 733.

614. The Acts of the Apostles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 636 y 639.

615. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 350.

616. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 1452.

617. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 521-522.

618. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, páginas 389-390.

619. Be Dynamic, Comentario del Nuevo Testamento sobre Hechos 13-28, por Warren Wiersbe, David Cook, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1988, página 167.

620. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 275.

621. Las raíces judías de Hechos 16-28, por Joseph Shulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2012, página 1458.

622. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 523-524.

623. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 313-316.

624. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 353.

625. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 321.

626. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 739.

627. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 526-527.

628. Manners and Customs of the Bible, por James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, 1972, página 455.

629. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 455.

630. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 415.

631. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 319-321.

632. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 359.

633. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, páginas 775-776.

634. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 280.

635. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, páginas 532-533.

636. Acts, por I. Howard Marshall, TNTC, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, página 417.

637. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 744.

638. Hechos 13-28, por John MacArthur, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 1996, página 363.

639. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 534.

640. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 329-330.

641. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 535.

642. Manners and Customs of the Bible, por James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, Nueva Jersey, 1972, página 455.

643. Hechos, por John Polhill, The New American Commentary, Volumen 26, Broadman Press, Nashville, Tennessee, 1992, página 536.

644. Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, por David Guzik, Enduring Word Commentary Series, Simi Valley, California, 2000, página 281.

645. Ibid, página 282.

646. Hechos, por Darrell Bock, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2007, página 747.

647. Paul, por Beth Moore, B&H Publishing Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, páginas 337-338.

648. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 322.

649. The Jewish Roots of Acts, por Joseph Shaulam, Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, Jerusalén, Israel, 2003, páginas xxxvi y xxxvii.

650. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, página 322.

651. Ibid, páginas 322-323.

652. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, por Ben Witherington III, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1998, página 123.

653. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 323-324.

654. bibleq.net

655. The Jewish New Testament Commentary, por David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, páginas 324-325.

656. El mensaje de Hechos, por John Stott, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1990, página 405.

657. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, por Walvoord y Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Il, 1988, pág. 431.

PÁGINA SIGUIENTE: Bibliografía Dj

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2024-09-03T12:37:15+00:000 Comments

Dj – Bibliografía

Bibliografía

Bock, Darrell. Hechos. Grand Rapids: Comentario exegético de Baker sobre el Nuevo Testamento, 1981.

Boettner, Loraine. Catolicismo romano. Phillipsburg: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1962.

Bruce, FF El Libro de los Hechos. Nuevo comentario internacional, 1988.

Coleman, Lyle. La Biblia de la serendipia. Grandes rápidos: Zondervan, 1988.

Cruse, Historia eclesiástica de CF Eusebio. Grand Rapids: Libros Baker, 1990.

Edersheim, Alfred. Bosquejos de la vida social judía en los días de Cristo. Grand Rapids: Compañía editorial Eerdmans, 1984.

Erickson, Millard. Teología cristiana. Grand Rapids: Casa del libro Baker, 1985.

Fee, Gordon y Stuart, Douglas. Cómo leer la Biblia en todo su valor. Grandes rápidos: Zondervan, 1982.

Primicias de Sión, Shemini, Volumen 5.

Hombre libre, James. Usos y costumbres de la Biblia. Plainfield: Logos Internacional, 1972.

Fruchtenbaum, Arnold. actos mp3

Fruchtenbaum, Arnold. Las Dispensaciones de Dios MBS041, San Antonio, Ministerios Ariel, San Antonio.

Gaebelin, Frank. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles, Grand Rapids, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Volumen 9, 1982.

Girard, Robert y Richards, Larry. Hechos: Serie La guía inteligente de la Biblia, Nashville, Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Guzik, David, Comentario versículo por versículo sobre Hechos, Simi Valley, Serie de comentarios Enduring Word, California, 2000.

Enciclopedia Judía.com

Josefo, Guerras de los judíos, 2002

Kasdan, Barney. Los tiempos designados por Dios, Lederer Messianic Publications, Baltimore, Maryland, 1993.

Ladd, George. Un comentario sobre el Apocalipsis de Juan. Grand Rapids: Compañía editorial Eerdmans, 1972.

Laney, J.Carl. Respuestas a preguntas difíciles. Grand Rapids: Publicaciones Kregel, 1997.

Lanier, Greg. The Gospel Coalition, edición estadounidense, 3 de mayo de 2017.

Liebi, Roger. El Mesías en el Templo. Düsseldorf, Christlicher Medien-Vertrieb, 2012.

Limbaugh, David. Jesús ha resucitado, Pablo y la Iglesia primitiva,

MacArthur, Juan. Hechos 1-12 y Hechos 13-28.

MacArthur, Juan. Caos carismático.

MacArthur, Juan. Apocalipsis 1-11. Chicago, Moody Press, Chicago, 1999.

Marshall, I. Howard. Hechos. TNTC, 1980.

Morgan, G. Campbell. Los hechos de los apóstoles. Reimpresión de Amazon, 2012.

Morris, Enrique. El registro del Génesis. Grand Rapids: Casa del libro Baker, 1976.

Morris, Enrique. La Biblia tiene la respuesta. Grand Rapids: Casa del libro Baker, 1991.

Mounce, Robert. El Libro del Apocalipsis. Grand Rapids, Compañía Editorial Eerdmans, 1977.

Nadler, Sam. ¿Cuál es el camino judío hacia Dios? Ministerios Palabra del Mesías, Charlotte, Carolina del Norte, 2015.

Osbeck, Kenneth W. 101 himnos. Grand Rapids, Editores Kregel 1982.

Paul: Noventa días en su viaje personal de fe, Amazon

Polhill, John. Hechos. La nueva serie de comentarios estadounidenses, Holman Reference, 1992.

Ramsay, WM San Pablo el Viajero y el Ciudadano Romano. Reimpresión. Grand Rapids: Casa del libro Baker, 1975.

Robertson, AT Acts, Volumen 3 de Imágenes de palabras en el Nuevo Testamento. Nashville: Broadman, 1039.

Shalum, José. Hechos 1-15. Jerusalén: Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, 2012.

Shalum, José. Hechos 16-28. Jerusalén: Ministerio de Instrucción Bíblica Netivyah, 2012.

Stott, Juan. El mensaje de Hechos. La Biblia habla hoy.

Walvoord, John y Zuck, Roy. El comentario del conocimiento bíblico del Antiguo Testamento. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985.

Wiersbe, Warren. Hechos 1-12. Colorado Springs: Publicado por David Cook, 1987.

Witherington, Ben. Los hechos de los apóstoles. 1997.

Wuest, Kenneth. Hechos a través de Efesios, una traducción ampliada, Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1958.

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Aw – Week 14: The Role and Priorities of the Wife Ephesians 5: 22-24

Week 14: The Role and Priorities of the Wife
Ephesians 5: 22-24

A woman who properly submits to her husband also submits to the Lord.

Because so much of the Church has long disregarded the full teaching of the Scriptures, many believers find some of its truths to be unfamiliar and even hard to accept. And because the Church has been so engulfed in, identified with, and victimized by worldly standards, God’s standards seem to be out-of-date, irrelevant, and offensive to modern thinking. His way is so high and contrary to the way of the world that it is incomprehensible to many in and out of the Church. Over and over again the B’rit Chadashah calls us to another dimension of existence, a new way of thinking, acting and living. To walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called . . . and clothe yourselves with the new nature created to be godly, which expresses itself in the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth (4:1 and 24), is to fulfill the high calling to which we were called in a completely new life and in a completely new, Spirit-filled way.

The matter of submission: Wives should submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22a; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:4-5). With an understanding of submission in mind, it must be noted that this command does not place the wife in an inferior position. All people, regardless of their position in life, are equal in standing before God through Messiah (Galatians 3:28). The world may place a greater or lesser value on persons as was true in the first century Roman Empire. In that world (and still in some places today), wives were considered as property and also greatly inferior to their husbands. The Rabbi encourages the wives to be in correct biblical submission – not subservient, but as a complement, an equal, to her husband.

Wives are always given great social status in Judaism as illustrated in the following rabbinic quote: Honor your wife, for thereby you enrich yourself. A man should be ever careful about the honor due to his wife, because no blessing is expected in his house except on her account (Tractate Bava Metzia 59a). It is therefore logical that the B’rit Chadashah affirms their distinctive role in marriage. Women have many gifts. The mothering instinct not seen in most men is something unique to women. In a connected theme, Sha’ul also encourages the Messianic wives to respect their husbands. Men often look for this in the marriage relationship and women should be motivated as they realize they are actually showing respect to Messiah in the process (5:33). But what are women to do if they are married to an unbeliever?

Guidelines for believers married to unbelievers who want to stay married (First Corinthians 7:12-14): Yeshua, in the course of His ministry, had never addressed this issue. But Paul, with no less authority did. With two sets of perfectly balanced sentences, he says that believers are not to initiate divorce proceedings: To the rest I say – I, not the Lord: if any brother has a wife who is not a believer, and she is satisfied to go on living with him, he should not leave her. Also, if any woman has an unbelieving husband who is satisfied to go on living with her, she is not to leave him (First Corinthians 7:12-13). Indeed, Peter also instructs married women that they should submit to their husbands, so that even if some of them do not believe the Word, they will be won over by your conduct (First Peter 3:1a). While Paul does not reflect on this here, it certainly must have been difficult for a woman in Corinth to stand out alone in a marriage and to accept Yeshua Messiah as her Lord and Savior. In most cases in Greco-Roman society, the religion of the father in the family was the religion of the whole household (Acts 16:33-34). Undoubtedly, then, for a wife to go against the religion of the household and become a believer must have, in some cases at least, led to intense friction in the home.

Believers married to unbelievers were not to worry that they, themselves, their marriage, or their children would be defiled by the unbelieving spouse. On the contrary, just the opposite is true. Divorce was to be avoided because the believing spouse was, and is, a channel of God’s grace in the marriage. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Being unequally yoked (see my commentary on Second Corinthians, to see link click Bi – Do Not Be Unequally Yoked with Unbelievers), one flesh with an unbeliever, can be frustrating, discouraging, and even costly. But it need not be defiling because one believer can sanctify a home. Sanctified here refers to being set apart. Sanctification in this context is matrimonial and familial, not personal or spiritual.

Furthermore, God looks on the family as a unit. Even if it is divided spiritually, and most of its members are unbelieving and immoral, the entire family is sanctified by the believer among them. Therefore, if an unbelieving spouse is willing to stay, the believer is not to seek a divorce. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy (1 Cor 7:14). Just the presence of one believer will protect the children. It is not that their salvation is assured, but that they are protected from undue spiritual harm and that they will receive spiritual blessing because they share the spiritual benefits of the believing parent. Often the testimony of the believing parent in this situation is effective, because the children see a clear contrast to the unbelieving parent’s life, and that leads them to salvation.

Guidelines for believers married to unbelievers who want to leave (First Corinthians 7:15-16): Paul now moves to the next step; there is an exception to the rule of no divorce. But if the unbelieving spouse leaves (Greek: chorizo, meaning separate), let him leave. In keeping with the whole argument, Paul once more qualifies the ideal with an exception. The believer may not pursue divorce, but if the pagan wants to leave, let them do so. This verse does not say, “If the pagan begins divorce proceedings.” Words mean something, and chorizo simply means to separate, or to leave. If a wife had to rely on a vindictive fleeing pagan husband to begin divorce proceedings, she would be left in a state of slavery. Her only crime was faith in Messiah. However, in circumstances like these, the brother or sister is not enslaved, and is able to divorce and remarry. God has called you to a life of peace, not slavery (First Corinthians 7:15).

Marriage was not designed for an evangelistic tool. Missionary dating is a bad idea; and missionary marriages are bad if the unbelieving spouse leaves. Far too many young brides or grooms have been led away from Messiah as a result of the influence of the unbelieving spouse. For the wife has no assurance that she will save her husband, and the husband has no assurance that he will save his wife (1 Cor 7:16)? To cling to a marriage in which the pagan is determined to end would inevitably lead to frustration and tension. The certain strain is not justified by the uncertain result. The guiding principle must be peace.

The manner of submission: The manner or attitude of submission is to be as they do to the Lord (5:22b). This does not mean that a wife is to submit to her husband in the same way she submits to the Lord, but rather that her submission to her husband is her service to the Lord. Everything we do in obedience to the Lord should also be done first of all for His glory and to please Him. A woman who properly submits to her husband also submits to the Lord. This explains why a believer should marry a believer and not become unequally yoked together with an unbeliever. Such a home invites civil war from the beginning.

The motive of submission: For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church (5:23a). Sha’ul will have more to say about this with regards to the role of the husband (see my commentary on Ephesians Bx – The Role and Priorities of the Husband), but the overriding principle is stated here. God’s directions are clear. The wife is called upon to place herself under the authority and leadership of her husband, and the husband is to love his wife as Messiah loved the Church. This does not mean that the husband should be a dictator or that the wife should be a doormat. The husband is to lead through sacrifice and love, and the wife is to submit with sincerity and respect.

The fact that the husband is to serve as the head of the family as a servant leader, exemplifies Yeshua Himself. He came as a leader by serving others, even to the point of self-sacrificing death on the Roman cross. This is clearly the greatest example husbands have and clearly defines the biblical idea of headship in marriage. Hence, the Rabbi encourages the wives to submit to their husbands even as they submit to Yeshua.

The model of submission: He Himself being the Savior of the Body (5:23b). The supreme and ultimate model of submission is Yeshua Messiah Himself, who performed the supreme act of submission by giving His own sinless life to save a sinful world. Messiah is the Savior of the Body, His Church, for whom He died on a Roman cross. He is the perfect Provider, Protector, and Head of His Church, which is His Body. He is the divine role model for husbands, who should provide for, protect, preserve, love, and lead their wives and families in the same way that Messiah cares for His Church. Wives are no more to be co-providers, co-protectors, or co-leaders with their husbands than the Church is to have such roles with Yeshua Messiah. But just as the Church submits to Messiah, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything (5:24). To follow God’s plan for the family not only is pleasing to Him, but is the only way to godlier, happier, and more secure homes. His plan is neither for the exaltation of men and the suppression of women, nor for the exaltation of women and the suppression of men, but for the perfection and fulfillment of both men and women as He has ordained them to be. Such perfection and fulfillment can only be made possible by the filling of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (see my commentary on Ephesians BtBe Filled with the Ruach).

2024-09-10T11:11:10+00:00Comments Off on Aw – Week 14: The Role and Priorities of the Wife Ephesians 5: 22-24

Ax – Week 14: The Role and Priorities of the Husband Ephesians 5: 25-33

Week 14: The Role and Priorities of the Husband
Ephesians 5: 25-33

Messiah’s sacrifice on the cross is the barometer for a husband’s love for his wife.

Sacrificial love (5:25b): The Torah model is a husband who loves his wife. Rabbi Sha’ul tells us that men are to emulate Messiah in their love for their wives. He says: Husbands, love your wives, just as the Messiah loved the Church, and gave Himself up for her (5:25 NIV). This is a sacrificial love. There is no bullying, there is no forced submission. Instead the biblical husband is to nourish and cherish his wife. To be her number one fan. One cannot cherish a person and at the same time disregard their wishes and opinions. Messiah-like headship is defined as servant-hood. Lording it over another person is something that the Master attributes to the ways of pagans. His disciples are to demonstrate leadership through their humble service: Yeshua said, “You know that among the Goyim, those who are supposed to rule them become tyrants, and their superiors’ become dictators. Among you, it must not be like that. On the contrary, whoever among you wants to be a leader must become your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave! For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve – and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:25-28). And Paul charges married men to love their wives and do not be embittered against them (Colossians 3:19). Again the key word is love (First Cor 13:4-7).

It is particularly important that we notice that the apostle never commands husbands to “make your wives submit to you.” The mitzvah of submitting to one’s husband belongs solely to the woman. It is the wife’s mitzvah, not the husbands. A husband need not worry that his wife is not submitting to him. That is her business, not his. The Bible does not give a man license to force his wife to obey him. Rather, he is to love her and treat her as a fellow heir. She is his partner, not his servant. A man who does not show his wife the dignity of being his fellow heir will not even be heard in heaven. Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered (First Peter 3:7). An insensitive man or harsh authoritarian that does not live with his wife in an understanding way is not worthy of even having his prayers answered. After all, he does not listen to his wife’s entreaties, so why should God listen to his? Thus, we learn that the biblical principles of submission and authority within the home depend upon a godly man who conducts himself according to the highest standards of Torah. A home ruled by the iron fist of harsh authoritarian is not worthy of the name of Messiah.

We have proven that YHVH is decidedly patriarchal. Wives do not have free-agency. They are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord (see my commentary on Ephesians, to see link click Bw The Role and Priorities of the Wife). And husbands are to love their wives, just as the Messiah loved the Church. The critical question is how did Messiah love the Church? Was there anything He would not do for the Church? What was his attitude toward the Church?

Mark answers these questions like this: For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). So if the husband puts his wife first in everything, thinking of her first, making sure all her needs are met by serving her, then that is much easier to submit to. But this kind of a relationship seems a lot different from: he shall rule over you (see the commentary on Genesis BfYour Desire Will Be for Your Husband, and He Will Rule Over You), doesn’t it? That sounds pretty harsh, not like a servant at all. Which is it? Does he come to serve or rule? Moreover, how is he to rule over her? If you think this is confusing, just look at the state of marital roles. It is one of the most confused areas in and out of the Church today. The main problem is confusion between man’s relationship with his wife, and his responsibility with what goes on in the marriage.

Let’s look at relationships first. The Bible clearly teaches that men and women are equals socially, psychologically, and spiritually. In other words, they are equals in their relationship with each other. God created us as equals (1:27-28), and we are to be one when married (2:24). We are equally sinful (Romans 3:23), and equally saved (John 1:12-13; Second Corinthians 5:17). Husbands and wives are to submit to each other sexually (First Corinthians 7:2-5), and socially (Ephesians 5:21). Furthermore, the Bible teaches that there shall be no sexual discrimination (Galatians 3:28). Men and women are equally dependent on God (First Corinthians 11:11-12), accepted equally as believers (Acts 5:14), and co-laborers for Him (Romans 16:1, 3-6; Philippians 4:3). So in their relationship, men and women are equals. There is no doubt about that. But there is another area that we need to look at.

The second area the Bible teaches us about is responsibility. Even though men and women are equal in their relationship to one another, men are ultimately held responsible for what goes on in the marriage. The Bible tells us that when Abram lied about Sarai being his wife, Pharaoh held Abram responsible (Genesis 12:17-20). Later, after God changed their names, Abraham and Sarah did the same thing again and Abimelech held Abraham responsible (Genesis 20:9). And it seems the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree, as Abraham’s son Isaac was held responsible for the lie about Rebekah (Genesis 26:9). Much later, God held David responsible for his sin with Bathsheba and sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke him. In Genesis, Adam and Eve both ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; in fact Eve led the way, but God held Adam responsible (Genesis 3:9). This principle is not only taught in the TaNaKh, but also in the B’rit Chadashah where Paul tells us that through one man sin entered the world (Romans 5:12, 14 and 17). Responsibility begs for accountability, and God held Adam responsible. Not only was the responsibility not the same for Adam and Eve, neither were their consequences. With the leader following and the follower leading, God declared that Adam would rule over Eve.

So with this understanding, we come back to the question: How shall the husband rule over his wife? Husbands and wives should make important decisions together as a team, but if they cannot agree, he has to make the call because he is responsible before God. How he handles the situation, how he listens to his wife and takes her feelings and opinions into consideration are important. She needs to be heard. Husbands who do not listen to their wives are fools, because Elohim made her a helper suitable for him (Genesis 2:18). If the wife does not feel like she is being heard or has any input in the marriage, it will crush her spirit and/or drive her away (physically and/or emotionally).

Purifying love (5:26-27): In order to set it apart for God . . . The Rabbi is no doubt alluding to the Jewish name of the marriage covenant – kiddushin (sanctified marriage). It is an illustration that every Jew would understand. As biblical marriage is a consecration of a woman to a man, so, too, it reminds every Jew of being set apart as a people for God. In fact, the phrasing of 5:26-27 (and the broader context of Ephesians) is reminiscent of the entire Jewish wedding ceremony . . . making it clean through immersion in the mikveh, so to speak (5:26). Here, the Rabbi makes another reference to the mikveh as he discusses family purity mitzvot, specifically in the Jewish wedding traditions. It was and still is a common practice for a Jewish groom and bride to separately take a ritual immersion in water at a mikveh just before the final step of their wedding. Rabbinic law dictates that a kosher (acceptable) mikveh must have at least 200 gallons of rainwater funneled into a pool. Each natural body of water (oceans, rivers, or lakes) is already considered acceptable. We find immersions in Scripture (Second Kings 5 and Matthew 3).

It should be noted that a person must be thoroughly clean before being totally immersed, thereby showing that the waters of the mikveh are not for physical cleansing, but for a spiritual purpose. In Jewish sources, the act of tevilah (immersion or baptism) is akin to being born again. The person who has sinned and becomes impure is transformed; he dies and is resurrected and becomes a new creation.

Rabbi Sha’ul makes an important point here by alluding to the custom of a mikveh on one’s wedding day. It is the responsibility of the new husband to make sure both he and his bride take this symbolic immersion as they start their lives together. This beautifully parallels the immersion of the Ruach that makes all believers clean as we become new creatures in Messiah (see the commentary on Second Corinthians BdA New Creation). Sha’ul emphasizes both aspects within the Jewish wedding customs. In a literal sense, Messianic husbands are to mentor their wives spiritually so that they are clean and without defect. Similarly, we believers are called to live as faithful brides and to participate in this mikveh in anticipation of our wedding day with Messiah. In order to present the Church to Himself as a bride to be proud of, without a spot, wrinkle or any such thing (Song of Songs 4:7), but holy and without defect (5:27). In so doing, we will be a spiritual bride this is holy, cleansed, without defect and waiting for Him.

Caring love (5:28-30): For a husband’s love for his wife to be like Messiah’s love for His Body, the Church, it must also be affectionately caring. This is how husband’s ought to love their wives – like their own bodies; for the man who loves his wife is loving himself. When she needs strength, he gives her strength. When she needs encouragement, he gives her that. And so with every other need she has. Why, no one ever hated his own flesh! On the contrary, he feeds it well and takes care of it, just as the Messiah does the Church, because we are parts of his Body.

Unbreakable love (5:31): Therefore a man will leave his father and mother and remain with his wife, and the two will become one flesh. Rabbi Sha’ul again refers back to the early verses of the Torah and God’s design for marriage. Yet, he takes it a step further in reminding the husbands to be godly leaders in their marriages. It is all illustrated in the Jewish understanding of marriage and the final step of the Jewish wedding ceremony. As the one-year engagement time draws to a close, the father of the groom initiates the last part of the ceremony with the sounding of the shofar. The general community, and even the bridal party, was never sure of the exact time, so they needed to be ready (see the commentary on The Life of Christ JwThe Parable of the Ten Virgins). At the sound of the shofar, the wedding procession would begin from the groom’s home to pick up the bride to bring her to the huppah (wedding canopy). There, the ketubah (written contract) would be signed and vows exchanged. The second cup of wine would be shared along with the seven blessings over the couple. At the completion of the ceremony, the couple would then be fully married and could live together with full conjugal rights.

Today, almost all the above elements are included in one ceremony in the modern Jewish wedding. They still speak volumes about our relationship with God and His plan for the future. Messianic Jews and Gentiles have become “engaged to Yeshua.” We currently await the sound of the shofar announcing the return of the groom, Yeshua Messiah (see the commentary on Leviticus Ee – Rosh ha’Shanah/Trumpets), to start the final wedding processional, and be reunited with Him to live together for the thousand-year Messianic Kingdom centered in Jerusalem. What a time of rejoicing that will be!

Mysterious love (5:32-33): The final step of the Jewish wedding ceremony contains symbolism about our personal relationship with God. There is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Messiah and the Church. A mystery in the bible is something once hidden, but now revealed (Colossians 1:26-27)? The sacred relationship between believing husbands and wives is indistinguishably related to the sacred relationship between Messiah and His Church. However, the text also applies to each of you individually: let each man love his wife as he does himself, and see that the wife respects her husband. Husbands, are we fulfilling our roles as servant leaders to our wives and family? Wives, are you living up to your high calling of being a suitable complement to your husband? We have all sent out our RSVPs by receiving Yeshua as our Redeemer. He desires for all people to attend this great Jewish wedding (see The Life of Christ HpThe Parable of the Great Banquet).

2024-09-10T11:05:56+00:000 Comments

Av – Week 13: Basic Symbols

Week 13: Basic Symbols

There are many symbols in the Scripture which point to Messiah. However, as far as those commanded for New Covenant believers, the Lord gave us two that testify of Him: Immersion and Communion. These are both aspects of our salvation. Immersion is done only once for it represents the once-for-all salvation a believer has in Yeshua (Ephesians 4:5). But Communion celebrated regularly, since it represents the continuing testimony of Messiah’s saving atonement for our sins. Both were instituted by the commands of our Lord (Matthew 28:19; First Corinthians 11:23-26).

Immersion: Faithful disciples follow Yeshua’s commandments, which include the act of Immersion. Then Yeshua came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh” (Matthew 28:18-19). The original intent of Immersion implied being submerged into the water. The word Immersion comes from the Greek word baptizo, meaning to dip, immerse or plunge (Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38). This term is also used in the textile trade for dyeing clothes, and would also describe a sunken ship. As a result, when Immersion was practiced in the Scriptures, it was always near plenty of water (John 3:23).

The symbolism of Immersion is a picture of what was spiritually accomplished when you came to faith in Yeshua. It is an outward manifestation of an inward reality. When you trusted in Messiah, you were spiritually Baptized into the Body of Messiah by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh. This is a onetime event enabling you to live out Messiah’s love and supernaturally empowering you to serve as a member of His Body (First Corinthians 12:13). Thus, physical Immersion pictures your salvation experience. Coming up out of the water is like your being raised up with Messiah, picturing His death and resurrection, “If we have been united with Him in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:5-6). You have a new life in Messiah.

Communion: Yeshua instituted Communion while celebrating Passover with His apostles (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24). The feast of Passover is a yearly reminder of God’s redemption of His people from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12). Yeshua used the third cup, traditionally called the Cup of Redemption, to represent Himself in the Seder meal (see my commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click KkThe Third Cup of Redemption). At Passover, the blood of the lamb kept judgment from the Israelites, as God said: when I see the blood I will pass over you (Exodus 12:13). Yeshua initiated the New Covenant in His blood as a picture of the fullness of this redemption (Jeremiah 31:31; Luke 22:20).

Paul gives more detail about Communion when he said: For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes (First Corinthians 11:26). What is the significance of the phrase till He comes? When Yeshua returns, we will no longer need the symbols, for the Reality will be with us! That is why it is for believers only – a testimony of faith in Yeshua’s death, resurrection, and return.

Both elements, the bread and the cup, are vitally important. The bread reminds us that He gave His body as payment for the sin debt we owed God (Second Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:5-10). Through His sacrifice we have forgiveness from God. The cup reminds us of His blood which cleanses the stain of sin (First John 1:7). Through the shedding of His blood, we have fellowship with God. In addition to Immersion and Communion, Tithing is an important aspect in the life of every believer.

Tithing: While we are still commanded to tithe today, most of us are not thinking of the tithe during the Dispensation of the Torah which would amount to about twenty-five percent! Giving in the Dispensation of Grace is proportionate. Today, giving is to be personally determined. Second Corinthians 9:7 tells us that each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. We are to give freely out of what the LORD has given freely. The cycle applies not only to material giving but also to every form of giving that is done sincerely to honor God and to meet a need. The way of God’s people has always been the way of giving. To guide us, the Bible teaches seven principles of scriptural giving.

First, giving from the heart is investing with God. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). Paul reiterated Messiah’s words when he wrote to the believers at Corinth, saying: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (Second Corinthians 9:6).

Second, genuine giving is to be sacrificial. David refused to give to the LORD that which cost him nothing. He insisted on paying for the threshing floor on which to build an altar to the LORD (Second Samuel 24:18-24). Generosity is not measured by the size of the gift itself, but by its size in comparison to what is possessed. The widow who put “two very small copper coins into the treasury gave more than all the others who gave large sums because they all gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on” (Mark 12:42-44; Luke 21:2-4).

Third, responsibility for giving has no relationship to how much the person has. People who are not generous when they are poor will not be generous when they are rich. They might give a larger amount, but they will not give a larger proportion. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10). It is especially important to teach younger children to give generously to God with whatever small amounts of money they receive, because the attitudes and patterns they set as children are likely to carry over into adulthood. God doesn’t need your money, but He wants your heart.

Fourth, material giving correlates to spiritual blessing. To those who are not faithful with mundane things such as money and other possessions, Messiah will not entrust things that are of far greater value. “So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own” (Luke 16:11-12).

Fifth, giving is to be personally determined. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (Second Corinthians 9:7). Righteous giving is done from a righteous and generous heart, not from legalistic percentages of quotas. The Macedonian believers gave abundantly out of their deep financial poverty because spiritually they were rich in love (Second Corinthians 8:1-2). The Philippian believers gave out of the spontaneous generosity of their hearts, not because they felt compelled to do so (Philippians 4:15-18).

Sixth, we are to give in response to need. The early messianic community in Jerusalem gave their resources without hesitation. Many of their fellow believers had become destitute when they trusted in Messiah and were ostracized from their families and lost employment because of their faith. Years later Paul collected money from the Galatian churches to help meet the great needs that continued to exist among the righteous of the TaNaKh in Jerusalem and that had been intensified by famine.

There have always been charlatans who manufacture needs and play on the sympathy of others. And there have always been professional beggars, who are able to work but would rather not. A believer in Yeshua has no responsibility to support such people and should take reasonable care to determine if and when real need exists before giving money. Believers with the gift of discernment are especially helpful in this regard. The one who is unwilling to work, Paul said: shall not eat (Second Thessalonians 3:10). Encouraging laziness weakens the character of the one who is lazy and also wastes God’s money.

Seventh, giving demonstrates love, not man-made commandments. The New Covenant contains no commands for specified amounts or percentages of giving. We need to support those who feed us spiritually (Matthew 10:5-11; Luke 9:1-5; First Timothy 5:17-18), but after that the percentage we give will be determined by the love of our own hearts and the needs of others. Under grace, believers are free from the demands of the Torah.

All of these seven principles in scriptural giving point to the obligation to give generously because we are investing in the Lord’s work, because we are willing to sacrifice for Him who sacrificed Himself for us, because it has no bearing on how much we have, because we want spiritual riches more than financial riches, because we have personally determined to give, because we want to meet as much need as we can, and because our love compels us to give. As in every area of our righteousness, the key is the heart, the inner attitude that should motivate what we say and do.

God does not need our gifts, because He is entirely self-sufficient. The need is on our part. Paul to the church at Philippi: I am not seeking the gift; rather, I am looking for what will increase the credit of balance in your spiritual account (Philippians 4:17). “When we give to the needy . . . then our Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward us” (Matthew 6:4b). The principle is this: if we remember, God will forget; but we forget, God will remember. Our purpose should be to meet every need we are able to meet and leave the bookkeeping to Him, realizing that we have only done what was our duty (Luke 17:10).

2024-09-10T10:59:27+00:000 Comments

Au – Week 12: Sharing Your Faith

Week 12: Sharing Your Faith

In Lesson 3 on prayer, I asked the question: How does a believer spiritually grow in the faith? I concluded that there are four essential areas that need to become more and more a vital part of our daily lives: prayer, reading the Scriptures, fellowship, and sharing our faith. These four areas cover the two basic directions of your spiritual growth: the vertical (with God) and the horizontal (with people). Prayer and reading the Scriptures will address the vertical relationship between you and the Lord. Fellowship and sharing your faith will focus on the horizontal relationships between you and other people. So sharing your faith is the final horizontal relationship habit for spiritual growth we will consider.

In a sense, you are like a starving person who has found the Bread of Life (John 6:35). Now that your soul is fed and filled, you go and tell others who are starving about this bread that they might live as well. The Scriptures teach that the redeemed share their faith in the Lord with others. Sing to the LORD, praise His name; praise His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples (Psalm 96:3-4). God desires to have people trust Him to be saved: Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other (Isaiah 45:22).

The LORD expects His redeemed people to share the truth of who He is, as the prophet said, You are My witnesses (Isaiah 43:10). These witnesses had the spiritual responsibility to warn others of their need for a Savior. When I (the LORD) say to a wicked person, “You will surely die,” and you do not want to warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin. But you will have saved yourself (Ezekiel 3:18-19).

One example of a reluctant witness was the prophet Jonah. Rather than obey God, Jonah ended up in the belly of a whale (see my commentary on Jonah, to see link click Ar The LORD Prepared a Great Whale to Swallow Jonah). Therefore, he was a picture of Israel sent by God to warn sinners of God’s righteous judgment on sins. Like, Jonah, we have not always been willing to share our faith. However, believers in Yeshua have the same God-given responsibility to tell others the Good News.

Yeshua said, “Whoever will confess Me before men, I will also confess that person before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever will deny Me before men, I will also deny that person before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). Just as you would expect your spouse or even a good friend to introduce you to their acquaintances and not to be ashamed of you, so also Messiah expects those who have trusted in Him to acknowledge Him, and not to be ashamed of Him. Since you are being discipled, you have obviously already confessed Him to someone. So congratulations, you’re off to a great start.

Fortunately, God does not give believers a responsibility without first giving them the power to fulfill it. The New Covenant teaches that all believers are enabled by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh to share their faith as His witnesses. Before his ascension back to heaven, Yeshua said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

We considered the Ruach in salvation more details in Lesson 8, but please notice from this verse that God’s power for your life is available for you to be a witness for Yeshua. The Spirit’s power enables you to love the unlovable and live in a way that pleases the Lord, and your new life in Messiah thus demonstrates a life changed by grace. Also, being a witness is who you are, not merely something you do.

There are many new believers that feel awkward or even frightened to share their faith, especially with their family and friends. But let me share a spiritual secret with you. The more you give away your faith, the more faith you will have. But the opposite is equally true, the less your share or give away your faith, the less you will have. As you grow in your relationship with the Lord, witnessing to others about the truth of Yeshua Messiah will help you gain spiritual power and mature in the faith. There are various ways to be a witness, confess, or share your faith. Let us consider four of them.

1. The practical witness: Yeshua taught us to be practical: Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:15-16). To whom does the lamp (or menorah) give light?

“To ____ who are __ the _______.”

This speaks of a house testimony, how we are to live in order to earn the right to be heard. Your family knows you well and usually won’t appreciate being “preached” at without seeing a change life. Please notice how carefully what light refers to in Matthew 5:15-16.

It refers to “______ _____.”

According to Matthew 5:15-16 how will people respond when they see your good works?

They will ___________ your ___________ in heaven.”

Not only does a practical witness earn the right to be heard, but it brings glory to our heavenly Father. Goodness and kindness are the evidence of a changed life, a witness all believers are expected and enabled have. Acts of kindness, both small and large, can open doors to further sharing one’s faith with those who see the difference that Messiah makes in your life.

2. The personal/private witness: Think of a friend with whom you can share important personal matters. What can be more important than the Great News of Messiah? Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Torah and also the Prophets wrote – Yeshua of Nazareth” (John 1:45). Here we see how Philip finds his friend Nathaniel and shares his faith in Yeshua. Notice how Philip refers to Him. Philip recognized Messiah through the Word of God. In fact, there are many prophecies about Yeshua written in the TaNaKh. In fact, all Scripture points to Messiah. Every biblical feast points to Him. Using Philip as an example, can you think of one friend with whom you can share the wonderful news of Yeshua?

When you do share your faith, remember that you are planting a seed, not an entire tree! Growth is dependent on the Lord, and the results are up to Him. What matters is to be faithful. I [Paul] planted the seed Apollos watered it, but God made it grow (First Corinthians 3:6). Here are some great words to follow on that point: Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone (Colossians 4:5-6). Seasoned with salt is like giving scraps of food, not the whole meal at once. A little salt makes food tasty; whereas salty food is hard to stomach. The idea is to share a bit at a time so you can gauge your friend’s interest. When you see your friend become disinterested, it is time to stop for a while. If you see some responsiveness, you can share a little more. What a joy it is to share the Lord and see friends become brothers and sisters in Messiah.

3. The proclaiming/public witness: There are times when the Lord provides an opportunity for believers to publicly proclaim their faith. These opportunities are usually reserved for the experienced, trained and mature in the faith. I say “usually” because you never know what the Lord may have for you. [Yeshua] said to them, “Thus it is written, that Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in His Name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:46-48). What was to be proclaimed?

“________________ and _______________ of _______ is to be proclaimed in His name.”

A public witness can begin with sharing in your home church how you came to faith in Yeshua. Or, with others from your church, you might hand out Good News literature to people in your community. Sometimes, a public witness may be sharing Messiah’s hope and love in a hospital or homeless shelter. Ask God to prepare you for just the right opportunity. You should be able to give your story or “witness” in a couple of minutes. What should you talk about? First, briefly describe your background and spiritual need; then briefly describe the circumstances of how you came to trust in Yeshua; conclude by talking about your life since you trusted in Messiah. These might include answers to prayer, changes in your life, peace in your heart, and perhaps a Scripture verse that is meaningful to you. Once you know what you want to say in a couple of minutes, share it with the person discipling you at your next scheduled meeting. A public witness can be a joyous victory in the Lord!

4. The persuasive witness: Though you need never be a pushy witness, you can be a persuasive witness. To persuade is to urge someone to action, or convince by appealing to reason and understanding. Consider this Scripture: We must all appear before the bema seat of Messiah, so that each one may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others (please read my commentary on Second Corinthians BcFor We Must All Appear Before the Bema of Messiah).

The fear of the Lord is tied to the judgment seat of Messiah. Thus, the reality of judgment upon the lost compels us to share. As it is developed through study and practice, a believer can be a very persuasive and bold servant of God. (like Stephen in Acts 6:8-10 or Apollos in Acts 18:24-28). Sometimes this persuasiveness is a particular gift God had given you at salvation, or during a time of opportunity. Not everyone has the gift of evangelism; nevertheless, every believer needs to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you (First Peter 3:15).

Please memorize the following Scriptures for your next appointment:

Psalm 96:3 and Matthew 5:15-16.

This week, pray that God will have someone with whom you can share your faith. Then be ready to share!

Take a moment to reflect on the insights and spiritual disciplines (prayer, Scripture study, fellowship, spiritual gifts and sharing your faith) that God has incorporated into your life.

(see my commentary on Acts AfThe Sacrificial Offerings, the Isaiah Avenue, and the Romans Road)

2024-09-10T10:58:50+00:000 Comments

At – Week 11: The Fundamentals

Week 11: The Fundamentals

For twenty-one centuries the Church, made up of Jewish and Gentile believers (Ephesians 2:14) has believed certain fundamentals of the faith. Those outside these fundamentals one cannot be considered to be a believer, and should be evangelized. There are certain doctrines, however, that we can disagree on. These include miracles, tongues, healings, prophecy, eternal security, the tribulation, and governance of the congregations of God. But these ten fundamentals below cannot be compromised.

1.      Monotheism, the concept of one God (Deuteronomy 4:35, 6:4).

2. The Deity of our Lord Yeshua Messiah (Matthew 26:63-64; Mark 14:61-64; Luke 22:70; John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8-9; Psalm 110:1).

3.      The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27).

4.      The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Rom 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Heb 9:12-14).

5.      The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; First Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15).

6.      The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; Second Timothy 3:16-17; Second Peter 1:20).

7. Salvation by grace (Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9; Romans 5:6-8).

8. Salvation through Yeshua Messiah alone (Acts 4:12; John 14:6), the only mediator between God and mankind (First Timothy 2:5).

9. The Trinity (Genesis 1:1 (Elohim, plural noun), 11:7 (Elohim, let us go down); Isaiah 6:8 (who will go for us), 48:16-17; Matthew 3:16-17 and 28:19; Luke 1:35 and 3:22; John 14:25-26; Acts 10:38; Romans 8:9-11; First Corinthians 12:4-6, Second Corinthians 13:13-14, and First Peter 1:2). The Trinity is an antimony, two things that seem to be contradictory, but both are true.

10. The Second Coming (First Thessalonians 4:16-17; Acts 1:10-11; Hebrews 9:28; Matthew 24:42-44; Titus 2:11-13; Revelation 1:4-8).

What God Does for Us at the Moment of Faith:

1.     God rescues us from the kingdom of darkness and makes us alive in Messiah (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:5; Romans 6:10; John 3:3-16; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

2. God raises us up and seats us in Messiah, at the right hand of the Father (Psalms 110:1; Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:34, 7:55; Ephesians 1:1, 3-4, 6, 9, 11-13, 20), whereas our High Priest, He continually intercedes for us (Job 16:19-21; Romans 8:26-27, 34; Hebrews 7:25; First John 2:1).

3. God unites us with Himself in Messiah (John 6:56, 17:20-23; Romans 7:4, 12:5; Ephesians 4:25, 5:30).

4. God seals us with His Ruach (Ephesians 1:13-14; Second Corinthians 1:21-22), and baptizes us in, by, and with the Ruach (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5, 11:16; First Corinthians 12:13), into the Body of Messiah (Galatians 3:27; First Corinthians 12:13).

5. God has peace with us through Messiah (Romans 5:1). Because “Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4b).

6. God transfers the righteousness of Messiah to us by faith, which is apart from works (2 Cor 5:19 and 21; Galatians 2:16, 3:6-9, 24; Rom 3:21-24, 5:9, 10:14).

7. God, as Judge, declares that the guilt and penalty for our sin has been paid for once and for all. He forgives us our sins and we have a right standing before Him. Therefore, we are justified (Romans 3:21-26; Titus 3:7; 1 Cor 6:11; Hebrews 10:10).

8. God adopts us into His family (Ephesians 1:4-5; John 1:12; Galatians 3:26-29).

9. God writes our name in the Lambs Book of Life (Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5, 20:12 and 15, 21:27).

Paul wrote: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, not any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation (that includes us), will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Once God does all of the above, we cannot possibly undo it (see the commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click MsThe Eternal Security of the Believer).

Propitiation: The averting of God’s wrath by the sacrifice of Messiah that satisfies every claim of God’s holiness and justice so that God is free to act on behalf of sinners. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land, for the sun stopped shining (Matthew 27:45: Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44-45a). Those three hours of darkness mark three hours of spiritual death. This was the cup that Yeshua did not want to drink, but would drink it if it was the Father’s will. For three hours, for the first time in all eternity, Yeshua Messiah is spiritually dead and suffers the wrath of God. During that time God the Father turned His back on God the Son as the Messiah became sin on our behalf. YHVH made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God (Second Corinthians 5:21). Peter said it this way: He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed (First Peter 2:24).

Imputation: To charge to another’s account. When John says the Spirit gives life (John 6:63a), he means that all the righteousness of Messiah is transferred to our spiritual account at the moment of faith. The theological name for this is imputation. The Bible teaches us that we have all inherited Adam’s sin nature. Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 5:12 and 3:23). In the TaNaKh, there had to be a sacrifice. Blood had to be shed, and a death had to occur; therefore, because of the death of Yeshua on the cross we have a perfect, absolute, righteousness that God the Father imputes to us through His Son. Because of our faith, we have passed God’s final exam of the universe with a hundred percent. When God sees us, He doesn’t see our sin, He sees the righteousness of His Son (Romans 1:17). We are in the Holy One, and He is in us. The only way we get to heaven is a result of the perfect righteousness of Yeshua Messiah. Therefore, what is true of Messiah is true of you.

Union with Messiah: The uniting of the believer to Messiah in such a way that what is true of Messiah becomes true of the believer, minus His deity. The result of what God does for us at the moment of faith, is that through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, there is the actual uniting of the believer to Messiah (Ephesians 1:1-14; John 17:21). The Spirit of God is placed in us and we are placed in Messiah at the moment of faith. This union is personal, intimate, and cannot be broken. Ever. In order to make the teaching drawn from nature to be clearly understood, Messiah said: I AM the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in (Greek: ev) Me and I in (Greek: ev) you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5). All believers have a “union with Messiah.” But if we attempt to operate independent of Him, we will not bear fruit. We can’t! Operating in the flesh will produce no lasting fruit.

Justification: The act of God whereby, negatively, He forgives the sins of believers and, positively, He declares them righteous by imputing the obedience and righteousness of Messiah to them by faith. This is a one-time act by God at the moment of faith. Truly, truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24). We will never die, we will merely change our address to the presence of God. To be justified means to be declared righteous. We are eternally righteous because we have [already] been justified at the moment we were saved. Many believers fear the prospect of facing an angry God; knowing He is holy and we are sinful. They haven’t grasped the fact that we have [already] been justified before our Holy Father because Yeshua has already paid the penalty for our sins, establishing our peace with God. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we [already] have peace with God through our Lord Yeshua Messiah (Romans 5:1).

Sanctification: To set apart, specifically, to the holy use and purposes of God. Yeshua said, “As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified” (John 17:16-19). To be sanctified means to be set apart, specifically for the holy uses and purposes of God. However, the word sanctify is archaic and removed from most people’s vocabulary today so I will use the phrase separated for holiness. What is the difference between being justified and being separated for holiness? Justification is a one-time act, accomplished by God. It is always spoken of in the past tense because we already belong to God, paid for by the blood of Messiah. However, sanctification, or being separated for holiness is a process that takes a whole lifetime. It is the work of God in which you cooperate (Romans 12:1-2; First Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 12:3-4; First Peter 5:8-9); and is a process Ephesians 4:11-16), trusting in God, apart from whom we can do nothing (John 15:5; Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11; Hebrews 2:18 and 4:14). He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Messiah Yeshua (Philippians 1:6). But even Paul, as a mature believer, struggled with sin until the end of his life (Romans 7:14-25 CJB).

Predestination and Election: The Bible teaches that we are dead in our sins and we are unable to make the first move in the salvation process. We are spiritually dead. It is not surprising then, that the Bible repeatedly teaches that salvation is the work of God. This is called predestination, and is confirmed by Yeshua in John 6:44, where He stated the truth that no one come to Him unless drawn by the Father (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4-5 and 11, 2:8; First Thessalonians 2:13).

So the question naturally arises, “Is there a place for human responsibility?” The answer is that the Bible affirms this truth as well. We are not merely preprogramed spiritual robots. We have free will to choose or reject Messiah. Isaiah 55:1, John 3:16, and Revelation 3:20, 22:17 invite whosever wills to come and be saved. This is called free will, or election. Isaiah 45:22 and Acts 17:30 command all mankind to turn to God, repent and be saved. First Timothy 2:4 and Second Peter 3:9 tell us that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should be saved. Finally, Yeshua said that the one who comes to Me, I will certainly not cast out (John 6:37). So which is it? Predestination or election? The answer is both. This may seem strange. However, this is called an antinomy. In the Bible, an antimony are two truths that seem to be opposite, but both are true and accepted by faith. For example, the Trinity is an antimony. God is One, but revealed in three distinct, separate personalities. Romans 9 teaches predestination, and Romans 10 teaches us that we have free will to accept or reject Messiah. Yeshua is the door of salvation (John 10:9), and as approach him we see the words, whosoever may come; but as the door closes behind us, we read, saved from the foundations of the world.

Omniscient: God is all knowing.

Omnipresent: God is present everywhere at the same time.

Omnipotent: God is all powerful, limitless in ability, within the range of His holy character.

Grace: The unmerited favor of God that cannot be earned. Getting what we don’t deserve.

Mercy: The deliverance from judgement. Not getting what we do deserve.

2024-09-10T10:58:10+00:000 Comments

As – Week 10: Fellowship

Week 10: Fellowship

Fellowship means participating with other believers in Messiah through group worship, the study of God’s Word, and witnessing to others. This was always an expectation of the Scriptures: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers [and sisters] to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1). And again: I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the House of ADONAI” (Psalm 122:1). Being in fellowship should be a joy for all children of God. Fellowship is the means that God uses to develop us in His love. Consider the following scripture: Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all ways into Messiah, who is the Head. From Him the whole body is fitted and held together by every supporting ligament (or believer). The proper working for each individual part produces the body’s growth, for building itself up in love (Ephesians 4:15:16).

When you trusted Yeshua as your Lord and Savior, He came to live in you through the Holy Spirit, and by that same Spirit of God, you were made a part of the spiritual Body of Messiah (First Corinthians 12:12-26). The Body of Messiah refers to the eternal and spiritual relationship you now have with every other believer in Yeshua. Messiah is the Head of the Body and believers are the various parts of the Body. Therefore, our fellowship with one another is the expression and experience of functioning as a Body under the direction of Messiah, the Head.

In the Body of Messiah, I may figuratively be merely a little finger, but even so, I have a useful purpose and service for the head. I can scratch, point and hold things. But this can only occur if I am attached to the body and under the direction of the head. I am unable to function spiritually when I am not attached to the body. Apart from the body, a severed little finger, by its erratic movements, may appear to live for a while, but it does so without any useful purpose. A believer who attempts to live without proper fellowship is also useless. He or she may appear alive, but eventually they lose vitality and spiritually wither away and become useless.

According to Ephesians 4:15-16, what and how are we to speak to each other?

Speaking the ______ in _____.

We are to be honest and truthful with each other, but not intentionally hurt one another’s feelings. Rather, we are to have loving concern for one another. Speaking the truth in love brings about a certain desired result: We spiritually grow together.

According to Ephesians 4:15-16, who do we grow up into?

We are to grow up in all ways into ________.

We are to grow up in all ways into Him, who is the Head. As we mature spiritually, His character is revealed through our individual personalities.

How is the body fitted and held together?

From Him the whole body is fitted and held together by ______________________.

Every supporting ligament (or believer) of the whole body is important. Each believer is a member that supplies what the other members need by speaking the truth in love, seen in encouragement, affirmation, instruction and so on. Without fellowship you can neither supply nor be supplied with what we all need for growth.

According to Ephesians 4:15-16 again, what specifically causes growth of the body of Messiah? The proper working for ____________________ produces the body’s growth.

The proper working for each individual part refers to the function of a discipled believer. It refers to each individual part pitching in and helping the body inside and outside of the congregation.

Part of speaking the truth in love means treating each other with respect (see my commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click GiIf a Brother or Sister Sin, Go and Point Out Their Fault). This seems like it is an easy principle to follow, yet so hard to do. Many friendships and many congregations of God break up over the failure to follow God’s Word.

Finally, what is the result of our growth? For building each believer _______________.

Love is one of the chief attributes of our Lord (First John 4:8). As we spiritually mature to become more like Messiah, we grow in His character. This is one reason why your fellowship with other believers is so vitally important, for your growth is God’s love relationship with you.

Please read Ephesians 4:15-16 in the following personalized format: Speaking the truth in love, I, and the rest of my fellow believers in the faith, grow up in all ways into Messiah, who is the Head. From Him the whole body is fitted and held together by what I supply and what is supplied to me by my fellow believers, according to our effective working together, by which I do my part, and they do theirs, which produces the body’s growth, for building itself up in love.

Right now, you may not be sure what you supply (your specific purpose or spiritual gifts), but as you grow and mature in fellowship your particular spiritual gifts will develop in loving effectiveness. When you trusted in Messiah and were made part of His spiritual body, you were at that time enabled by the Spirit of God to function as a member of His body.

As you spiritually mature, this enablement will become evident and relevant. For now, what is most important is to be regularly active in a fellowship that worships the Lord, studies and applies the Scriptures, and demonstrates love for one another as it exalts Yeshua Messiah.

Please read the following verse: And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to love (Greek: agape, meaning good will) and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day of the Lord approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).

In Hebrews 10:24-25 what are you asked to consider? __________________________________.

Since love refers to our attitude toward each other, and good deeds refers to our actions toward each other, why would Hebrews 10:24-25 encourage us to consider both areas of our relationship with one another?__________________________________________________________________

Please notice the relationship between the exhortation to consider how to motivate one another and not give up meeting together. Scripture encourages us to meet together because the biblical expectation is that we will do so. The purpose is to help one other to grow spiritually in love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24-25 acknowledges that some have poor fellowship habits because they were neglecting the meeting together with other believers. Look at these scriptures: I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the House of ADONAI” (Psalm 122:1), and, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).

Please read the one another verses from my commentary on Romans Af – The List of “one another” Commands.

Please memorize: Psalm 133:1.

Please write down where you meet for fellowship, and where it is located: __________________________________________________________________

Now, write down how the Lord has ministered in and through you this week in fellowship:

__________________________________________________________________

2024-09-11T11:04:06+00:000 Comments

Ar – Week 9: Spiritual Gifts

Week 9: Spiritual Gifts

Currently, there are two views about spiritual gifts in the Church. The first view is that none of the spiritual gifts have stopped. That ALL of the spiritual gifts present before the cross are still used by believers today. This can be seen in the charismatic or Pentecostal churches and denominations. Their evidence for this is the signs and miracles in the book of Acts. The second view, and I believe the correct view, is that some of the spiritual gives have stopped and are no longer used by believers today. For example Bezalel and Ohaliab were filled with the Spirit of God with the ability make ingenious designs, to forge with gold, silver and bronze, was well as cutting stones and carving wood, to work in all manner of craftmanship for the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-6). I don’t know of anyone today claiming this spiritual gift.

The book of Acts is a transitional book serving as a bridge between the life of Messiah and the epistles, or letters, in the B’rit Chadashah. Therefore, since Acts is a transitional book and a historical book, and you can’t establish doctrine based upon history. You base doctrine on theological statements in the epistles. Historical facts can illustrate the doctrine but they cannot develop doctrine on their own.

How would Yeshua start His Church? How would the Gospel spread from, “Jerusalem, and through all Judah, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8)? ADONAI gave the Spirit of God, and His authority to the 120 in the upper room (Acts 1:15) at Shavu’ot. They were baptized with the Ruach Ha’Kodesh and began to speak in known tongues/languages to the Jews who had come from all over the world. The disciples were able to preach the gospel to them in their own language so that could understand it.

Among the 120, however, the disciples in the upper room were given the power and authority that Yeshua had to authenticate their message. Yeshua used signs and miracles to authenticate His ministry. Four hundred years before Messiah was born, the rabbis divided miracles into two categories. The first category was that anyone could perform miracles if they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to do so. The second category were miracles that only the Messiah could perform based on Isaiah 35:5-6. The miracles that Yeshua performed during His earthly ministry authenticated that He was the promised Messiah of Isra’el (see my commentary on Isaiah, to see link click GlThe Three Messianic Miracles). Likewise, when Messiah ascended to be with the Father, and the Holy Spirit was sent to the Church, the apostles, and only the twelve chosen apostles were given the same exact ability to perform signs and miracles that Yeshua had (see my commentary on Acts Ap Peter Heals a Lame Beggar: A Closer Look at Miracles in Acts). As a result, there were a tremendous number of miracles performed by the apostles during the first half of the book of Acts. But as the Church grew and was established, the miracles decreased dramatically (see Acts Ae Miracles in the Book of Acts). When all the books of the Bible were written, the canon of Scripture was closed (see my commentary on Galatians Ae The Dates of Books in the B’rit Chadashah). There are four lists of spiritual gifts in the Bible: Romans 12:6-8; First Corinthians 12:8-10 and 28, Ephesians 4:11-12, and First Peter 4:9-10. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift. Usually, a dominant gift, and a secondary gift.

Who gives you your spiritual gift? At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit gives you your spiritual gift(s): Now to each one of the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (First Corinthians 12:7).

What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? To equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Messiah may be built up (Ephesians 4:12). A healthy church will have all the spiritual gifts. A church lacking some of these spiritual gifts cannot equip or build up its people. Your spiritual gift is for the benefit of others. Not yourself.

How do you know what is your spiritual gift? Think about what you love to do for the Lord. Your gift should excite you. You can’t wait to exercise it.

How do you know if you actually have that spiritual gift? A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17-18). Look for good fruit, and listen to the counsel of mature believers.

Spiritual gifts that are in operation today:

Exhortation (Romans 12:8): to come along side someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be. Those with this gift can uplift and motivate others as well as challenge and rebuke them in order to foster spiritual growth. The goal of an encourager is to everyone in the church continually building up the body of Messiah and glorifying God (Acts 11:23-24, 14:21-22).

Giving (Romans 12:8): to share what material resources you have with liberality and cheerfulness without thought of return. The Ruach Ha’Kodesh imparts this gift to some in the Church to meet the various needs of the church and its ministries, missionaries, or of people who do not have the means to fully provide for themselves. The goal is to encourage and provide, giving all the credit to God’s love and provision. Those with this gift love to share with others and the overflow of blessings God has given them. They are also excellent stewards and will often adjust their lifestyles in order to give more to the spread of the gospel and the care of the needy. They are grateful when someone shares a need with them and are always joyful when they can meet that need (Second Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:6-15; Acts 4:32-27; Galatians 4:15; Philippians 4:10-18).

Leadership (Romans 12:8; First Corinthians 12:28): It is closely related to administration. This leader can see the big picture, set priorities, organize, direct and lead others to godly goals with diligence. The leader is detail oriented, and they will go to great lengths to protect those under their care and are well equipped to lead through crisis situations. The Bible often uses the analogy of a shepherd to highlight the relationship between a leader and his or her followers. A good shepherd leads his/her sheep to safety and provides provisions and protections for his/her flock. The shepherd’s goal is not his/her own status, but rather to serve and improve the condition of his/her sheep (Titus 1:4-5; First Thes 5:12; First Timothy 3:4-5 and 12, 5:17).

Mercy (Romans 12:8): to be sensitive toward those who are suffering, where physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion, but more so, caring for them with love to help alleviate their distress. The gift of mercy is founded in God’s mercy towards us as sinners and is consistently expressed with great compassion. Those with this gift are able to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) and bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2). They are sensitive to the feelings and circumstances of others and can quickly discern when someone is doing well. They are typically good listeners and feel the need to simply “be there” for others (Mt 5:7; Lk 10:30-37; James 3:17; Jude 22-23).

Hospitality (First Peter 4:9-10): to warmly welcome people, even strangers, into one’s home or church as a means of serving those in need (Hebrews 13:2). Those with this gift are sensitive to the feelings of others. They can host small or larger groups, welcome visiting missionaries, and support the efforts of others in the exercise of their gift. In fact every small group or Sunday school class needs someone with this gift to help create an inviting and caring atmosphere.

Service/Helps (Romans 12:7; First Corinthians 12:28): to identify tasks that need to be done in God’s work, however menial, and use available resources to get the job done. So, the Twelve, called together the whole group of the disciples and said: It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve (Greek: diakonous) tables (6:2). It refers to any act of service done in genuine love for the edification of the believing community. Those with this gift do not seek recognition or a position in the spotlight, they just love to help out (Acts 20:35; Second Timothy 4:11).

Teaching (Romans 12:7; First Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11): The person with the gift of teaching loves to study. The delivery of the material is only the tip of the biblical iceberg. The vast majority of the time spent with this gift is studying. Without this gift the congregations of God would quickly fall into error and sin. They hate when Scripture is abused or taken out of context. They love the truth and speak the truth in love. The effect of their ministry is the upholding of God’s Word and the growth and maturity of His Bride until the day of His return (James 3:1).

Discernment (First Corinthians 12:10): the ability to distinguish truth from error or falsehood by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error or human power. The congregations of God need those with the gift to warn believers in times of danger or keep them from being led astray by false teaching (also see Acts 5:3-6, 16:16-18; First John 4:1).

Faith (First Corinthians 12:8-10): to be firmly persuaded of God’s power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose, and to display such a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction. The Holy Spirit distributes this gift to some in the congregations of God to encourage and build up the Church in her confidence in God. Those with the gift of faith trust that God is sovereign and He is good. They take Him at His word and put the full weight of their lives in His hands. They expect God to move and are not surprised when He answers a prayer or performs a miracle (Hebrews 11:1-40).

A Word of Knowledge (First Corinthians 12:8): is simply the Holy Spirit giving this spiritual gift to some believers to bring about understanding and to inform the church or individual believers. The person with this gift is usually well-versed in the Scriptures and often has committed much of it to memory. They can retain the truth and communicate it effectively at the appropriate times. The gift of knowledge allows a believer to relate the Scriptures, and especially the Gospel of Yeshua Messiah, to all aspects of life in this world. They can see how it connects to every situation and circumstance and how the reality and truth of the gospel is to inform every decision a believer makes (Romans 15:14; Second Corinthians 2:14).

Wisdom (First Corinthians 12:8): to apply knowledge to life in such a way as to make spiritual truths quite relevant and practical in proper decision-making and daily life situations for yourself of others. Wisdom doesn’t end with knowledge, but is expressed in transformed hearts and lives. They are able to take from their own life experiences and share what God has taught them through those things. They can easily recognize where a decision of action may lead and can warn against those that may be harmful or unfruitful. They can see through the confusion of a situation and can give direction that would help and individual or a group obtain a God-glorifying goal. The Church needs those with the spiritual gift of wisdom to guide her through uncertain of difficult times (First Corinthians 1:17-31, 2:1-16; Colossians 1:9-10, 2:1-3; James 3:13-18).

Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11): to be the messenger of the Good News and to proclaim that message with boldness. Evangelists are given the unique ability by the Holy Spirit to clearly and effectively communicate the gospel of Yeshua Messiah to others. They are burdened in their hearts for the lost and will go out of their way to share the truth to them. Evangelists are able to overcome the normal fear of rejection and engage non-believers in meaningful conversations about Messiah. This brings them great joy knowing that the feet that bring good news are beautiful to those who believe (Isaiah 52:7; also see Ephesians 4:11, Acts 8:5-12, 26-40, and 21:8; Matthew 28:18-20).

Pastor (Ephesians 4:11): to be responsible for spiritually caring for, protecting, shepherding, guiding, and feeding the flock entrusted to one’s care. The pastor loves the gospel of Yeshua Messiah and puts it at the center of his life and ministry. Pastors do not seek fame or recognition for themselves, but they are placed in a position of authority by the Holy Spirit. The role of a pastor is one of humility and service as he is reminded daily of his overwhelming need of God’s grace for the task at hand (Ephesians 4:11; Jeremiah 3:15; Acts 20:28, John 10:11-18).

These spiritual gifts were used during the first century of the Church,
but ceased at the end of book of Revelation and the apostolic age.

Prophecy (Romans 12:6; First Corinthians 12:10; Ephesians 4:11): There were prophets in New Testament times; Agabus (Acts 11:27-28, 21:10-11); Ana the prophetess (luke 2:36-38); Barnabas, Simon called Niger and Lucius the Cyrene (Acts 13:17); Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32); the four daughters of Philip who prophesied (Acts 21:9); and the apostle John who prophesied in the book of Revelation. Prophets foretold either near historical events or far eschatological events. Once the last book in the Bible was written, the canon of Scripture was closed and there was no need of any further revelation. God the Holy Spirit had equipped believers with everything they would need to live a victorious life, and prophecy passed away. There is no continuous revelation.

Apostle (Ephesians 4:11; First Corinthians 12:28): Yeshua chose twelve apostles. After Judas hung himself, Matthias was chosen to replace him (Acts 1:12-26). Paul was called by the Lord to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Romans 1:1; First Corinthians 1:1, etc). When those apostles died, the Church was established and there was no need for any more apostles.

Healings (First Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30): The apostles healed just like Yeshua healed (see A Closer Look at Miracles in Acts). Those who claim that they have the gift of healing today, should be able to heal just like Yeshua and the apostles.

Miracles (First Corinthians 12:10, 28): The apostles performed miracles just like Yeshua did (see Acts Ap – Peter Heals a Lame Beggar: A Closer Look at Miracles in Acts). But even the miracles in Acts were not normative that time. They were highly unusual and only used to authenticate the message of the apostles. The early church was not a miracle working church, it had miracle working apostles. Once the apostles passed away, those authenticating miracles were no longer needed because the Church had been established.

Tongues/languages (First Corinthians 12:10; 14:27-28 and Isaiah 28:11-12 below): The gift of languages or tongues (Greek: glossa, meaning the tongue that you speak with), can be seen four times in the book, Acts 2, Acts 8 Acts 10 and Acts 19. The same Greek word glossa is also used in First Corinthians 12-14. There is not set order leading up to immersion by the Spirit and subsequent speaking in tongues. Here in Acts 2 with salvation coming to the Jews, the order was first repentance, then water immersion, and then receiving Spirit immersion by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh as evidenced by speaking in languages. Again, you don’t build doctrine on history. Keep this order in mind and we will see how it was different with the Samaritans, the Gentiles and John’s disciples.

Isaiah had been accused of using words that could not be understood. So he turns it around and said to the drunks: Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people (Isaiah 28:11). The foreign lips and strange tongues he was referring to were the Assyrians. Because the Jewish religious leaders did not believe the prophet’s message that they shouldn’t enter a covenant with Egypt (and in 30:1-17 we will see that they go ahead with the covenant against Isaiah’s warning), the Assyrian army would invade Isra’el. And when they heard those strange tongues, the Assyrian language that they did not understand, it would sound like their own mocking stammering. The hearing of the Assyrian tongue would be a sign of their own unbelief.

This passage is referred to in the B’rit Chadashah where Paul quotes from Isaiah and says: Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers, specifically unbelieving Jews, the unbelievers of this people (First Corinthians 14:21-22). The purpose of tongues in a church or synagogue is not to bring unbelievers to faith. It has the same purpose it had in Isaiah 28. It is a sign of Jewish unbelief. It is not to bring them to Messiah, because Paul, quoting from this verse says, that even then they will not listen (First Corinthians 14:21b). Therefore, tongues are a sign of cursing because of Jewish unbelief, a sign of blessing because the Dispensation of Grace had begun, and a sign of authority (from apostles, prophets, or a nation, authenticating that it was God who was speaking). Peter, for example, had the keys to the Kingdom and would be responsible for ushering in the three major ethnic groups to the faith in the first century, Jews, Samaritans, and the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46).

Moses said that if the Israelites did not serve God joyfully and gladly then they would serve the enemies of the LORD. Isra’el’s enemies would put an iron yoke around their necks until they were destroyed (Deuteronomy 28:32). He continued to say: Yes, ADONAI will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand (Deuteronomy 28:49). If Isra’el had believed Isaiah’s message and not aligned with Egypt there would not have been any invasion.

So just as Isra’el’s disobedience in Deuteronomy led to the use of tongues as a sign of Jewish disobedience in the Land, so Isra’el’s disobedience in the rejection of Messiah led to the use of tongues as a sign of Jewish disobedience in the Dispensation of Grace.

Interpretation of Tongues -languages (First Cor 12:10; 14:27-28): Interpreting a known foreign language.

2024-09-11T11:13:39+00:000 Comments

Aq – Week 8: The Ruach Ha’Kodesh

Week 8: The Ruach Ha’Kodesh

The Ruach Ha’Kodesh (the Spirit of God) in Salvation: Perhaps the least understood person of the Trinity is the Ruach. There may actually be a good reason for this: His work is not to glorify or even bring attention to Himself, but to exalt Yeshua, who said of the Spirit, “He will testify of Me” (John 15:26 and 16:13-14). We can also clearly see from these verses that the Ruach Ha’Kodesh is not merely an impersonal force or influence. The Spirit of God is a person. Indeed, He has all the qualities of personality: intelligence (Romans 8:27), will (First Cor 12:11), can feel sad (Ephesians 4:30), can be resisted (Acts 7:51), can be extinguished (First Thess 5:19) and insulted (Hebrews 10:29). The Ruach Ha’Kodesh teaches, instructs, leads and directs (John 16). He can also be vilified (Luke 12:10), lied to (Acts 5:3), and sinned against (Matthew 12:31-32).

The Ruach Ha’Kodesh is God (Romans 8:9; John 14:26 and 15:26). As Yeshua is God in the flesh, the Spirit of God lives within you (John 14:17). The Ruach Ha’Kodesh possess the qualities of God: eternity (Hebrews 9:14), Omnipotence, being all powerful (Micah 3:8; Romans 15:13), Omnipresence, being present everywhere at the same time (Psalm 139:7-10), Omniscience, being all-knowing (First Corinthians 2:10-11), possessing life (Romans 8:2), holiness (Matthew 12:31-32) and truth (First John 5:6). Not only does the Ruach Ha’Kodesh have the attributes of God, be He does the work of God in creation (Genesis 1:2), in regeneration (John 3:8), in resurrection (Romans 8:11) and receives the honor due God (First Corinthians 3:16) because He is equal to God (2 Corinthians 13:14). Now that you’ve learned about the Spirit’s nature, you need to understand four wonderful works that He accomplishes in your life:

1. The Ruach regenerates you: He makes you alive to God forever! When you trusted in Yeshua for your salvation, the Spirit actually made you spiritually alive to God (Romans 8:11). Regeneration is receiving the full, free, and forever salvation: He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (Titus 3:5-6). This is also called a new birth, “The Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at My saying, “You must be born again” (John 3:6-7). In Messiah, all your sins were washed away. You were set apart for the purposes of God. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Yeshua Messiah and by the Spirit of God (First Corinthians 6:11).

2. The Ruach indwells you: In the TaNaKh the indwelling of the Spirit was only temporary. Hence King David prayed: Do not take Your Spirit from me (Psalm 51:11). In the B’rit Chadashah, however, He takes residence within us permanently (John 14:16; Ephesians 4:30). That is why you are called the Temple of the Spirit of God (First Corinthians 6:19-20). As the gracious choice of God, the Ruach came to live inside of you, not merely to be with you. The resources of the Spirit are illustrated by His titles like Helper and Advocate. Just as Messiah is your Advocate before the Father on your behalf (First John 2:1-2), so the Ruach Ha’Kodesh is the Father’s Advocate in you. As your indwelling Helper, He is able to intercede as you relate to God in prayer (Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20). And to convict us of wrongdoing!!!!!

At salvation, the Ruach Ha’Kodesh came to live inside you forever (Romans 5:5). At that same time you were given a down payment for eternity: Now it is God who makes you stand firm in Messiah. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership upon us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (Second Corinthians 1:21-22). Anointed means to be dedicated for God’s purposes, like the priests in the Torah (Leviticus 8:12, 30). This anointing enables you to learn His truths taught in God’s Word (First John 2:27). Sealed refers to God’s eternal guarantee that He will keep you secure in Messiah. The word for deposit (Greek: arrhabon) is used for an engagement ring in waiting for a wedding ring, the promise of things to come, the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-10).

You were included in Messiah when you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Ruach Ha’Kodesh, who is a deposit guaranteeing [your] inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14; Second Corinthians 5:5). This indwelling assures us that neither Satan nor his demons can posses you. For you are sealed in Messiah by the all-powerful Ruach Ha’Kodesh. The devil cannot overcome the Spirit because the One who is in you is greater than the [evil one] who is in the world (Matthew 12:29; 1 John 4:4). In fact, nothing can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:37-39).

You are saved with an eternal salvation (see my commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click MsThe Eternal Security of the Believer), based on faith in what Ruach Ha’Kodesh has already done for you, and not on any of your own deeds, either to save you or to keep you saved (Galatians 3:2-3). This doesn’t mean that you should sin up a storm because you know you are forgiven. Paul said: What shall we say, then? Shall we continue to sin so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Messiah Yeshua were baptized into His death (Romans 6:1-3). Therefore, it is by the Spirit of God that you are secure in your Savior forever.

3. The Ruach Ha’Kodesh baptizes you: When you trusted in Yeshua for your salvation, the Spirit of God baptized you into the Body of Messiah, making you a living member of His spiritual Body. This baptism of the Spirit is a onetime event, enabling you to live out Messiah’s love and supernaturally empowering you to serve as a member of His Body. As a result, you are eternally joined to Yeshua Messiah our Lord through the Spirit which thus joins you to all believers. For we are all baptized by one Spirit into one Body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink (First Corinthians 12:13).

You may have heard of ritual water baptism. This will be covered in depth in Lesson 13, but for now we should understand that water baptism is actually pictures the Spirit-baptism that took place at salvation. Just as all believers are baptized in/by or with (Greek: eis) the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (the real baptism), all believers are to be baptized in water (the ritual baptism) in obedience to Messiah (Matthew 28:18-19). This water baptism is an outward expression of an inward conviction. That’s why Ephesians 4:5 teaches that there is only one baptism for all believers.

Remember, you are in a relationship! The Spirit’s baptism joins you to Yeshua and is pictured in a variety of ways. Your union to Messiah is like: (1) A bride to her Husband (John 3:29; First Corinthians 6:17; Second Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:30-31; Romans 7:4; Revelation 19:7, 21:2). This is a picture of God’s love for you. (2) A body to a head (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:15-16; Colossians 1:18, 2:19). This is a picture of God’s direction for you. (3) A branch of a vine (John 15:1-5). This is a picture of God’s fruitfulness for you. (4) Stones of a temple on the strong foundation cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22; First Peter 2:4-9). This is a picture of God’s security for you. And (5) a member of a family (John 1:12; Hebrews 2:10-14). This is a picture of God’s family with you as one of His children.

The Spirit of God in Ministry: The moment you were saved the Spirit of God gifted you to serve Him effectively you’re your spiritual gift(s). Regardless of your particular gift, the purpose is always the same – for the common good, as opposed to personal, selfish gain (Acts 8:18-23). In other words, your spiritual gift is for the benefit of others. As you spiritually mature in Messiah whatever gift you have will perfectly fulfill God’s will for you, glorify Him in your life, and bless you for eternity.

You have learned that the Spirit regenerates you, indwells you and baptizes you. This is what God does for us at the moment of salvation and came as a free gift of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh by faith in Yeshua. The Ruach Ha’Kodesh’s part in salvation, is that you are justified. However, in another area – the filling of the Spirit – you live out the spiritual life. You are sanctified. We will cover that in Lesson 11: The Fundamentals. Being filled with the Spirit is something that you cooperate in with God. Through filling, God pours out His love through your life to others and sets you apart for His holy use.

In the Scriptures to be filled is used to mean “to be controlled by, or be under the influence of something or someone else.” To be filled with the Spirit, therefore, is to be controlled or strongly influenced by the Spirit. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). As drunkenness affects behavior for evil, being filled with the Spirit affects a person for good. As a drunken person is under the control of wine, so a Spiritually filled person is under the control of the Spirit. This does not make you a robot, without your own will. Rather, you freely comply with the Spirit and His purposes and His Word. That is what it means to be “spiritual.”

The filling of the Spirit is commanded by God: be filled with the Spirit, literally, stay filled (see my commentary on Ephesians BtBe Filled with the Ruach). As imperfect humans, we are leaky vessels of clay, and we need to be constantly refilled. This was true even for the apostles (Acts 2:4, 4:8 and 31, 9:17, 13:9). This continuous condition of being filled with the Spirit is dependent on our submission to the Spirit. You may wonder, can a believer resist the Spirit and still be a believer? Yes, people can resist the filling of the Spirit. In fact, the Bible deals extensively with this subject:

The [natural] man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (First Corinthians 2:14). Natural people, without the Spirit, are not saved.

The spiritually [compliant] man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment, “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Messiah (First Corinthians 2:15-16). Spiritual people are believers in Yeshua who understand and live life from a Biblical frame of reference in submission to the Spirit. They produce good fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The filling of the Spirit gives them a Godly perspective on life, and they yield their life to Yeshua and are therefore conformed, or molded like clay, into the image of Messiah (Romans 8:29a).

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly – mere [uncompliant] infants in Messiah. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere [unsaved] men (First Corinthians 3:1-3)? Worldly believers have been saved, but the world, their flesh and the devil (Ephesians 2:2-3a) have led them astray. They are believers, but without good spiritual fruit.

How can we be filled by the Spirit? When we are filled with the Spirit we:

(1) walk by the Spirit, living your daily life in His will and by His power (Galatians 5:25);

(2) pray in the Spirit, praying for God’s will to be done (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 3:3; Jude 20), even when you do not know the details of His will (Romans 8:26-27);

(3) are taught by the Spirit (First Corinthians 2:14; First John 2:27);

and (4) are led by the Spirit, to do those things which are pleasing to God, like repenting of worldly attitudes and activities (Romans 8:13-14; First John 1:9-10).

In short, the life you are living is God’s life: I have been crucified with Messiah and I no longer live [for I have died to self] but Messiah lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of god, who loved me and gave himself up for me (First Corinthians 2:20).

The evidence of the Spirit-filled life is called the fruit of the Spirit. It is the result of His working in and through you. The fruit of the Spirit reflects the characteristics of God, seen in those who live in submission to His Spirit, which is called godliness. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Several commands express how to be filled with the Spirit:

Do not grieve the Spirit. The Spirit grieves when a believer sins, because He knows the reality of what sin does both in the believer and in the believer’s relationship to Him (Psalm 32:1-8). In short, He knows the grief of sin before we do. He grieves until we confess and repent from our rebellion toward Him. The first step to being filled with the Spirit is to repent of all sin and to accept cleansing in the blood of Yeshua (1 John 1: 7-9).

Do not quench the Spirit. The Spirit is “quenched” or “stifled” when His prompting to submit, yield and respond to God’s Word is ignored. Those who confess their sins are cleansed but now need to yield to the Spirit and stop resisting Him. For instance, when you know He wants you to apologize to another person, not to resist His godly urging and worldly excuses. Instead, you are to yield to the Spirit and submit your will to His will, even as Yeshua did (Luke 22:42).

But we are to walk by the Spirit. To walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) is not merely obedience, but full dependence on the Spirit of God. We need to consciously depend on His power for daily living for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). God provides all the power you need to do His will for His glory (Romans 8:37; Philippians 4:13). As we walk by the Spirit we are enabled to love, forgive and be humble, or even bold, in ways that go beyond our own personalities.

Being filled with the Spirit is living as a spiritually yielded person. It is the evidence of your relationship with your God. He has told you, O man, what is good and what the LORD requires of you: To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). In doing these things, you are filled with the Spirit.

How is being filled with the Spirit different than being baptized by the Spirit? How are you filled with the Spirit? Memorize Galatians 5:16.

2024-09-10T10:56:45+00:000 Comments

Ap – Week 7: God the Father and the Trinity

Week 7: God the Father and the Trinity

God is able to be known, and at the same time, is full of incomprehensible mystery. One of those mysteries is the plurality of the Godhead. Our God, the God of the Bible, is one God in three Persons.

We call this the Trinity.

I wish I could eloquently and simply explain the mystery of the Trinity, but it is impossible. It’s like trying to explain the internet to an ant. But, despite the complexity of the plurality of the Godhead, the Trinity isn’t a liability to our faith; rather, it sets our faith apart from all other religions. Our finite minds can’t quite comprehend all of this, but I consider the Trinity to be the most beautiful and foundational truth of our faith.

Deuteronomy 6:4 declares: The LORD our God, the LORD is one (see my commentary on Deuteronomy, to see link click BwSh’ma Isra’el).

Isra’el’s God, the God we worship, is distinct and unequaled. He is not powerful over just one area of our life, but in all of life. He is sovereign, reigning over and in control of all things. He is altogether holy and set apart from everything and everyone. There is none like Him. Yet, He is infinitely faithful, making a way for us to be holy before Him, through the ministry of Himself, His Son, Yeshua Messiah, and the Ruach Ha’Kodesh. This is the delight and distinctiveness of our faith.

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, but the concept is made clearer as we study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. There are a dozen examples of the Trinity in the Scriptures, but three in particular are Isaiah 48:16-17, Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:38. These passages point to the Trinity as being active together, each Person coequal with the others. Each Person is eternal, having existed and will exist forever; being all-knowing (omniscient), all-powerful (omnipotent), ever-present (omnipresent), and unchanging. They are perfect in their union, sharing in divine perfection, action, and mission. There is no hierarchy with one Person being more powerful or supreme than the other.

Each Person of the Trinity is distinct from the others. The Father is not the Son or the Spirit, the Son is not the Spirit or the Father, and the Spirit is not the Father or the Son. The Father brings about the Son, and the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. They are unified, and yet distinct – one God – not three gods or three views of one Person. The Trinity is an antimony, two things seemingly at odds with each other, but both are true.

They are also distinct in their roles. The Father exercises the primary role in creation (working with the Son and the Spirit to create). The Son exercises the primary role in salvation (working with the Father and the Spirit to save). The Spirit exercises the primary role in our being set apart for God’s holy purposes (working with the Father and the Son in our being conformed into the image of Christ).

God chose us in Him by His eternal plan, sent Yeshua to redeem us by shedding His blood, then sealed us with His Spirit as a down payment of our eternal security. Without the plurality of the Godhead, our faith would be in vain.

It’s OK to be a little bit baffled about the Trinity. It is a mystery that will not be completely understood until we are in heaven. But that doesn’t mean we discard or ignore it. To know God is to know Him as the Trinity. And knowing the One we worship helps us to correctly talk about, think about, and praise Him. He is an incomprehensible mystery, yet close and personal. He is the Father who generates all life, the Son who reveals the Father and saves God’s people, and the Spirit who is the Giver of eternal life, comfort, and guidance.

ADONAI is three Persons – but one God. He is unlike anything or anyone in the universe. He is beyond what we can think or imagine. He is good, and He cares about you.

Finally, the Church has believed in the Trinity for 21 Centuries. Therefore, to be a believer, is to believe in the Trinity!

Study questions for Lesson Seven: God the Father and the Trinity

Can God be known? Yes

Is God a mystery? Yes

What do we call this mystery? The Trinity, One God in three Persons

Can our finite minds explain this mystery? No

Is the word Trinity found in the Bible? No

Then how is the concept made clear? When we study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation

What Scriptures point to the Trinity? Deut 6:4, Isaiah 48:16-17, Matthew 28:19, Acts 10:38

Is there a hierarchy within the Trinity? No, they are all co-equal

Is each person of the Trinity distinct from each other? Yes

Do they have different roles? Yes

What is the primary role of the Father? The Father exercises the primary role in creation

What is the primary role of the Son? The Son exercises the primary role in salvation

What is the primary role of the Spirit? Being set apart for God’s holy purposes

Is it ok to be a little baffled by the Trinity? Yes

When will we understand it completely? When we get to heaven

Can you be a believer and not believe in the Trinity? No!

2024-09-10T10:56:07+00:000 Comments

Ao – Week 6: The Eight Covenants of the Bible

Week 6: The Eight Covenants of the Bible 

Since much of ADONAI’s relationship to mankind is based upon covenantal relationships is a very important aspect of correctly understanding Scripture. The most common way to divide the Bible is by dispensationsThe dispensations, however, are based upon specific covenants, and knowledge of these covenants will help Bible readers to rightly divide the word of Truth (Second Timothy 2:15). Although the dispensations may come to an end, the covenants themselves often continue.

A. Types of Covenants: There are two types of covenants in the Bible: conditional and unconditional. It is important to distinguish between these two types of covenants in order to have a clear picture of what the Bible teaches.

1. Conditional Covenants:A conditional covenant is a bilateral covenant in which a proposal of God to mankind is characterized by this formula: God says, “If you will do such-and-such, then I will do such-and-such.” In other words, ADONAI promises to grant special blessings to His people . . . providing mankind fulfills certain conditions contained in the covenant. Sometimes this is called a Suzerain-Vassal Covenant (see my commentary on Deuteronomy, to see link click Ah – Treaty of the Great King). One’s response to the covenant agreement brings either blessings or cursing. The blessings are secured by obedience and man must meet the conditions before God will meet His. Two of the eight covenants are conditional: The Edenic and Mosaic Covenants.

2. Unconditional Covenants: An unconditional covenant is a unilateral covenant and is a sovereign act of God whereby He unconditionally obligates Himself to bring to pass definite blessings and conditions for the covenanted people. This covenant is characterized by the formula: “I will . . .” which declares ADONAI’s determination to do as He promises. Blessings are secured by the grace of God. There may be conditions in the covenant by which God requests the covenanted one to fulfill out of gratitude, but they are not themselves the basis of God’s fulfilling His promises. Six of the eight covenants are unconditionalThe Adamic Covenant, the Noahic Covenant, the Abrahamic Covenant, the Land Covenant, the Davidic Covenant and the New Covenant.

B. Covenants with Isra’el: Five of these covenants were made exclusively with Isra’el while the others were made with mankind in general. Only one of the five covenants made with Isra’el is conditional: the Mosaic Covenant. The other four covenants with Isra’el are all unconditionalthe Abrahamic Covenant, the Land Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and the New Covenant. 

Four things should be noted concerning the nature of the unconditional covenants made with Isra’el. First, they are literal covenants and their contents must be interpreted literally as well. Second, the covenants that God has made with Isra’el are eternal and are not in any way restricted or altered by time. Third, it is necessary to re-emphasize that these are unconditional covenants that are not abrogated because of Isra’el’s disobedience; because the covenants are unconditional and totally dependent upon God for fulfillment, their ultimate fulfillment can be expected. Fourth, these covenants were made with my kinsmen according the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as God’ children, the Sh’khinah of the covenants has been with them (Romans 9:3-4). These verses clearly point out that these covenants were made with the covenanted people and are Isra’el’s possession.

This is brought out again in Ephesians 2:11-12, where we read: Thus, remember your former state: you Gentiles by birth – called the Uncircumcised by those who, merely because of an operation on their flesh, are called the Circumcised – at that time had no Messiah. You were estranged from the national life of Isra’el. You were foreigners to the covenants embodying God’s promise. You were in this world without hope and without God. Five of the eight Bible covenants belong to the people of Isra’el and, as the passage notes, the Gentiles were considered foreigners to the covenants.

C. The timing principle of the covenants: A covenant can be signed, sealed, and made a special point of history, but this does not mean that all the provisions immediately go into effect. In fact, three different things happen once a covenant is sealed: first, some into effect right away; second, some provisions go into effect in the near future, which may be twenty-five years away or five hundred years away; and third, some provisions go into effect only in the distant prophetic future, not have been fulfilled to this day.

1. The Edenic Covenant (Genesis 1:28-30; 2:15-17; Hosea 6:7): The Edenic Covenant was made between God and Adam in the garden of Eden, in which Adam stood as the representative head of the human race. Thus, the actions of Adam are attributed to the whole of humanity. When man fell (Genesis 3:1-8)the Edenic Covenant, being conditional, came to an end, and was the basis for the Dispensation of Innocence (see my commentary on Genesis ApThe Dispensations of God).

2. The Adamic Covenant (Genesis 3:14-19): God and Adam are involved in this covenant in which Adam again represented the whole human race. Thus, the judgment on Adam is a judgment on all humanity. God individually addressed the serpentSatanEve, and Adam. The Adamic Covenant was the basis for the Dispensation of Conscience (see Genesis Bb The Dispensation of Conscience). As an unconditional covenant, is it still in effect.

3. The Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:1-17): This covenant was made between God and Noah. Like AdamNoah stood as the representative for the entire human race. As a result of the Flood, not only is all humanity descended from Adam, but also from Noah. The judgments of the Great Tribulation against the Gentiles will come because of violations of the Noahic Covenant. According to Isaiah 24:5-6, the judgment comes because humanity has violated the everlasting covenant, a name given to the Noahic Covenant in Genesis 9:16The Noahic Covenant became the basis for the Dispensation of Civil Government (see Genesis Ct – The Dispensation of Civil Government). Although that dispensation has been superseded, the unconditional nature of the Noahic Covenant is in effect today.

4. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, 12:7, 3:14-17, 15:1-21, and 17:1-21): God and Abraham are involved in this covenant, in which Abraham stood as the representative head of the whole Jewish nation, not for all humanity. Abraham was to be the father of a great nation, Isra’elHe was to possess all of the Promised Land. The nation of Isra’el was to become great, ultimately innumerable. It was to possess all of the Promised Land. It was to receive victory over its enemies. The fact that the promises were made to both Abraham and his seed shows that these blessings have not yet reached their fulfillment but await the Messianic Kingdom. The Gentiles would be blessed for blessing Isra’el and cursed for cursing Isra’el. Also, they were to receive spiritual blessings, but ultimately these were to come through one specific Seed of Abrahamthe Messiah. While the physical blessings were limited only to the Jews, the spiritual blessings were extended to the Gentiles, but only through the Messiah. Reducing the Abrahamic Covenant to its very basics, it can be seen that it contained three aspects: the Land aspect, the Seed aspect, and the Blessing aspect. The Land aspect is developed in the Land Covenant; the Seed aspect is developed in the Davidic Covenant; and the Blessing aspect is presented in the New CovenantThe Abrahamic Covenant became the basis for the Dispensation of Promise (see Genesis Ds – The Dispensation of Promise). Because it is unconditional, it is still in effect even though it has remained largely unfulfilled. The ultimate fulfillment will come in the Messianic Kingdom.

5. The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 20:1 to Deuteronomy 28:68): The parties involved in this covenant were God and Isra’elThe covenant was made with Isra’el and not merely with Moses acting as a representative of Isra’el (Exodus 19:3-8)The covenant was not made with the Gentiles or the Church, but with Isra’el only, a point also made in Deuteronomy 4:7-8; Psalm 147:19-20, and Malachi 4:4. A key provision of the Mosaic Covenant are the 613 commandments. This covenant was never given as a means for salvation (Romans 3:20 and 28; Galatians 2:16, 3:11 and 21). It was conditional, and resulted in blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. For the purposes of the Mosaic Covenant see my commentary on Deuteronomy Ay – Moshe and the Torah. The clear-cut teaching of the B’rit Chadashah is that the Mosaic Covenant is no longer in effect as a result of the death of the Messiah (Romans 7:5-6 and 10:4; Gal 3:19 to 4:7; Heb 7:11-18; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ephesians 2:14-15; Second Cor 3:3-11). The Mosaic Covenant was the basis for the Dispensation of the Torah (see my commentary on Exodus Da – The Dispensation of the Torah). Therefore, it has completely ceased to function as an authority over us and is no longer the rule of life for the believer. But today, it is our blueprint for living. The more we study and follow Torah, the more our lives will benefit.

6. The Land Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:1 to 30:20): This covenant was made between God and Isra’el, the same two parties as in the Mosaic Covenant. The importance of the Land Covenant is that it reaffirms the title deed to the Land as belonging to Isra’el. Although she would prove unfaithful and disobedient, this covenant says that the Land will never be taken from herThe Abrahamic Covenant teaches that ownership of the Land is unconditionalThe Land Covenant received its confirmation centuries later in Ezeki’el 16:1-63The Land aspect is developed in the Land Covenant, and being unconditional, is still very much in effect. Isra’el will repent at the end of the Great Tribulation (Hosea 6:1-3)the Messiah will return, Isra’el will be regathered and for the first time possess all of the Promised Land. Therefore, the Land Covenant was the basis for the Dispensation of the Messianic Kingdom (see my commentary on Revelation Fh The Dispensation of the Messianic Kingdom).

7. The Davidic Covenant (Second Samuel 7:11b-16 and First Chronicles 17:10b-14): This covenant was made between God and David, who stands as the head of the Davidic House and Dynasty, the only rightful claimant to the Davidic Throne in Jerusalem. For the provisions of the Davidic Covenant (see my commentary on the Life of David Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David). The unique importance of the Davidic Covenant is that it amplifies the Seed aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant. According to the Abrahamic Covenantthe Messiah was to be the Seed of Abraham. This merely stated that He was to be a Jew and could come from any of the Twelve Tribes. Later, in Jacob’s day, the Seed aspect was limited to a member of the Tribe of Judah only (Genesis 49:10). Now the Messianic Seed aspect is further narrowed to one family within the Tribe of Judah, the family of DavidThe Davidic Covenant is an unconditional – eternal covenant. Thus, the Davidic Covenant is the basis for the Eternal State (see my commentary on Revelation Fq The Eternal State).

8. The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34): This unconditional covenant is made between God and Isra’el, and receives further confirmation in Isaiah 55:3, 59:21, 61:8-9; Jeremiah 32:40; Ezeki’el 15:60, 34:25-31, 37:26-28; and Romans 11:26-27. It is an unconditional covenant made with Isra’el and not the Gentiles or the Church. For the provisions of the New Covenant see my commentary on Jeremiah Eo – The Days are Coming, declares the LORD, When I Will Make a New Covenant with the People of Isra’el. The blood of Messiah is the basis of The New Covenant that reveals the blessing aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant. And since the Gentiles are grafted in (Romans 11:16-18)they are able to participate in the blessings of the New Covenant, but are not a “partner,” so to speak, with Isra’el in those blessings. As a result, the New Covenant is the basis for the Dispensation of Grace (see the commentary on Hebrews Bp – The Dispensation of Grace).

In conclusion, all spiritual blessings for believers are in Messiah, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. And through His death on the cross for our sins, believers reap spiritual benefits that would never be theirs otherwise. The eight covenants of the Bible are very explicit in their provisions and are valuable for a proper understanding of Scripture.

2024-09-10T10:52:34+00:000 Comments

An – Week 5: The Dispensation of the Messianic Kingdom Isaiah 4:2-6, 11:1 to 12:6

Week 5: The Dispensation of the Messianic Kingdom
Isaiah 4:2-6, 11:1 to 12:6, 54:11-17 and 60:1-22

One of the most important things in understanding the Bible is rightly dividing the word of truth (Second Timothy 2:15 NJK). There are a number of ways we can divide the Bible to understand the different parts of the whole. One of the ways is by the dispensations contained in God’s Word. To understand what a dispensation is, we need to take a look at two Greek words. The first word is oikumenei from which we get our English word ecumenical. It means to manage, to regulate, to administer, or to plan. The second word is aion and it means age. It emphasizes the time element of the dispensation. So the term dispensation refers to a specific way by which God administers His program, His will, His rule, and His authority. Each dispensation is an age, because each dispensation covers a period of time. Dispensations are periods of time in which YHVH governs in a different way than He did previously.

There are seven dispensations described in the Bible: (1) the Dispensation of Innocence (Genesis 1:28 to 3:8); (2) the Dispensation of Conscience (Genesis 3:9 to 8:14), (3) the Dispensation of Civil Government (Genesis 8:15 to 11:32), (4) the Dispensation of Promise (Genesis 12:1 to Exodus 18:27), (5) the Dispensation of the Torah (Exodus 19:1 to Acts 1:26), (6) the Dispensation of Grace (Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21), and (7) the Dispensation of the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:1-10). The name Messianic Kingdom emphasizes the fact that God will return to the earth and reign as the Messiah, and the name Millennial Kingdom emphasizes that it will last for a Millennium or a thousand years. Different aspects of the Messianic Kingdom are discussed in other books of the Bible, especially the TaNaKh, one of those being Isaiah.

The key person in the dispensation of the Messianic Kingdom will be Yeshua Messiah, because He will be providing direct new revelation (Isaiah 2:2-4). This new revelation will be the basis of this new dispensation.

Mankind’s responsibility will be to the B’rit Chadashah, which was the same as in the sixth dispensation. This means accepting the gift of righteousness, which God offers to all mankind, through faith in Yeshua Messiah. But, in addition, obedience to the King and the new commands He will issue will be added. Therefore, in the dispensation of the Messianic Kingdom there will be something old and something new.

The test during that period will be for each one born in the Kingdom to personally receive and accept the King as his or her personal Lord, not in place of the Gospel but with the aid of the Gospel. To accept the gospel means that one believes that Yeshua died for his or her sins, was buried, and rose again (First Corinthians 15:3b-4).

There will also be a failure during the Messianic Kingdom. At the end of the Millennium men and women will fail to recognize Satan’s deception as he leads a rebellion against God and His authority. So many will be deceived, that in number, they will be like the sand on the seashore (Revelation 20:8b). They will be so bold as to try to invade Isra’el and Tziyon.

The judgment will be the total destruction of all these invading armies from around the world by fire out of heaven (Revelation 20:9).

The grace of God will be displayed during the dispensation of the Messianic Kingdom in three major ways. First, there will be the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the TaNaKh (see my commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click Mu354 Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ). Every prophecy that has remained unfulfilled will find its fulfillment during the Messianic Kingdom. Secondly, it will be a period of prosperity for everyone. Thirdly, there will be immortality for the saved, in that believers will not die. Only unbelievers in the Kingdom will die if they do not accept Messiah by the time they are one hundred years old (Isaiah 65:20).

This is the seventh and final dispensation. When it ends, history will move from time to eternity, as it enters the Eternal State (see my commentary on Revelation FqThe Eternal State).

2024-09-10T10:51:54+00:000 Comments

Am – Week 5: The Dispensation of Grace Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21

Week 5: The Dispensation of Grace
Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21

One of the most important things in understanding the Bible is rightly dividing the word of truth (Second Timothy 2:15 NJK). There are a number of ways we can divide the Bible to understand the different parts of the whole. One of the ways is by the dispensations contained in God’s Word. To understand what a dispensation is, we need to take a look at two Greek words. The first word is oikumenei from which we get our English word ecumenical. It means to manage, to regulate, to administer, or to plan. The second word is aion and it means age. It emphasizes the time element of the dispensation. So the term dispensation refers to a specific way by which God administers His program, His will, His rule and His authority. Each dispensation is an age, because each dispensation covers a period of time. Dispensations are periods of time in which God governs in a different way than He did previously.

There are seven dispensations described in the Bible: (1) the Dispensation of Innocence or Freedom (Genesis 1:28 to 3:5); (2) the Dispensation of Conscience or Self-Determination (Genesis 3:6 to 8:14), (3) the Dispensation of Civil Government (Genesis 8:15 to 11:32), (4) the Dispensation of Promise or Patriarchal Rule (Genesis 12:1 to Exodus 18:27), (5) the Dispensation of Torah (Exodus 19:1 to Acts 1:26), (6) the Dispensation of Grace (Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21), and (7) the Dispensation of the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 4:2-6, 11:1 to 12:6, 54:11-17, 60:1-22).

The sixth dispensation is called the Dispensation of Grace. While grace was evident in all other dispensations, it is in this dispensation that a very unique display of grace was manifested that was different from all former displays of grace. Concerning this dispensation, John 1:17 states: For the Torah was given through Moshe; grace and truth came through Messiah. Certainly, God was gracious before the coming of Jesus, for there are many evidences of YHVH’s grace throughout the pages of the TaNaKh. However, with the coming of Messiah, there was a totally unique display of grace. This is why it is called the Dispensation of Grace, and it is in effect at this present time.

This dispensation extends from Acts 2:1, with the beginning of the indwelling ministry of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh at Shavu’ot, through Revelation 19:21. It covers the entire period of the Church Age, and also the seven years of the Great Tribulation.

At the beginning of each dispensation there is one key person through whom God reveals the new features of that particular dispensation. The key person in the sixth dispensation was the apostle Paul after his Damascus Road experience (see my commentary on Acts, to see link click Bc Sha’ul Turns from Murder to Messiah). It was Sha’ul who uniquely received the revelation concerning the Dispensation of Grace. It was no accident that he received more revelation than any other apostle. Sha’ul wrote most of the letters of the B’rit Chadashah. It was he that received that special revelation concerning the dispensation of the grace of God (Ephesians 3:2 KJV). Sha’ul, the apostle to the Goyim (Acts 22:21 and Ephesians 3:1-13), more than any other apostle, is the key person for this dispensation.

Each dispensation also had a specific responsibility. Our responsibility during the Dispensation of Grace is obedience to the Jewish New Covenant (see my commentary on Jeremiah EoI Will Make a New Covenant with the People of Isra’el). Obedience to the B’rit Chadashah means to accept the gift of righteousness that ADONAI offers to everyone through the Messiah of Isra’el.

Not only does each dispensation come with a responsibility, but each also comes with a test. The specific test of this dispensation is simply this: Will you accept the gift? Will humanity, as a whole, accept the LORD’s offer of the free gift of salvation by the simple act of faith in the person of Yeshua Messiah? For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There will also be a failure during this dispensation. As with all the previous dispensations, the present one will also end in failure, and this can be seen in two ways. First, most will reject the free gift of salvation (see my commentary on The Life of Christ DwThe Narrow and Wide Gates). The majority of humanity will not come to a saving knowledge of Yeshua Messiah in our own day, any more than it was true before our time. The second way that failure is going to be seen is that the very organism that has a knowledge of the truth, the unbelieving visible church, will become apostate, and will even turn away from the truth (see Revelation BfThe Church at Laodicea).

After the failure there is the judgment. This dispensation will also end with judgment, the judgment of the Great Tribulation (see my commentary on Isaiah EuThe Rapture and the Great Tribulation). The Great Tribulation will fall upon the whole world in general, because humanity has failed to accept the free gift of salvation offered through Yeshua Messiah. Also, the unbelieving visible church will go into the Great Tribulation and suffer the wrath of God. But the believing invisible Church, the true believers in Yeshua Messiah, will be taken out of this earth before the Tribulation ever begins.

In every dispensation there is also the display of God’s grace. It is in this area that we also see the facet of grace. Grace will be seen through the Rapture of the Church in that the invisible Church, the true Body of Messiah, composed of Jews and Gentiles, all true believers, will be raptured out of this earth (see my commentary on Revelation ByThe Rapture of the Church). Even for those who have died, their bodies will be resurrected, so that even their bodies will not be on this earth during the seven years of the Great Tribulation. The rapture will be a unique display of grace during the Dispensation of Grace.

2024-09-10T10:50:28+00:000 Comments

Al – Week 5: The Dispensation of the Torah Exodus 19:1 to Acts 1:26

Week 5: The Dispensation of the Torah
Exodus 19:1 to Acts 1:26

The fifth dispensation is called the Dispensation of Torah. It was given through Moses and contained a total of 613 specific commandments in the Torah, the first five books of the TaNaKh. This dispensation begins with Exodus 19:1 and continues through Acts 1:16. It covers the period of time from the Exodus through the life of Messiah to the day of Pentecost, or festival of Shavu’ot.

There are seven dispensations described in the Bible: (1) the Dispensation of Innocence or Freedom (Genesis 1:28 to 3:5); (2) the Dispensation of Conscience or Self-Determination (Genesis 3:6 to 8:14), (3) the Dispensation of Civil Government (Genesis 8:15 to 11:32), (4) the Dispensation of Promise or Patriarchal Rule (Genesis 12:1 to Exodus 18:27), (5) the Dispensation of Torah (Exodus 19:1 to Acts 1:26), (6) the Dispensation of Grace (Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21), and (7) the Dispensation of the messianic or millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 4:2-6, 11:1 to 12:6, 54:11-17, 60:1-22).

The key person in the fifth dispensation was Moses. He was God’s, chosen mediator between Himself and His people.

Mankind’s responsibility was to obey the Mosaic Covenant. This involved two major areas. First, they were responsible to obey the 613 commandments of the Torah. Secondly, they were to obey the prophets God would send that would further elaborate on the Torah, define the law, give meaning to the Torah and explain it. In other words, they were to obey the commandments of the Torah and the prophets.

The test during that dispensation involved two things. First, they were to obey the entire Torah. They were to obey all of its 613 commandments because to break only one of these meant that they were guilty of breaking them all (James 2:10). The second part of the test was to believe and accept that God would raise up for them a prophet like Moshe from among the sons of Isra’el (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). In other words, they were to accept Christ once He came, because He was going to be a prophet to the people like Moses.

But then came the failure. They failed in both aspects of the test. First, they failed to keep the Torah (Romans 10:1-3). In fact, not only did they fail to keep the commandments of the Torah, but they tried to get around them. They created their own kind of righteousness by establishing what came to be known as the Oral Law, or the traditions of men (see my commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click EiThe Oral Law). Secondly, they also failed to accept Christ (Mark 3:22, Matthew 12:24, Luke 11:15-16). Jesus denounced the Scribes and Pharisees, the leadership of Isra’el of that day, because they first rejected His messianic claims, but worse, they were leading the nation to the rejection of Him (John 7:19-20).

As a result of the failure, came judgment in 70 AD, and it involved two things. First, the Temple and Jerusalem itself were destroyed. Secondly, the Jewish people were dispersed throughout the world and they were exiled from the Land until 1948.

Grace was seen throughout the Dispensation of Torah in two ways. First, the sacrificial system was provided because the Jew was not able to keep all 613 commandments. Whenever the individual Jew failed, his or her sin could be covered (not forgiven) by the sacrificial system. It was God’s system for restoring the sinner. However, these sacrifices during the Dispensation of the Torah, with the blood of bulls and goats, were like interest only payments. They could buy the individual Jew a little time, but not forgiveness. The animal sacrifices could not take away their sin. No Jew was ever saved because of any sacrifice brought to the Tabernacle or the Temple. The righteous of the TaNaKh were saved by grace through faith. But faith needs substance. So when individual Jews brought a sacrifice to the Tabernacle or Temple, faith was being demonstrated in the fact that he or she believed that by means of the shedding of blood his or her sins would be covered and fellowship with ADONAI would be restored. Secondly, grace was displayed during this dispensation by God’s provision of judges, kings and prophets. Judges were given to deliver the Jews from the conquest of various peoples. Righteous kings were sent to give them a kingdom of righteousness and justice. Prophets were provided for them to expound on the Torah, call the people back from sin, remind them of where they had failed, and call for repentance.

2024-09-10T10:14:50+00:000 Comments

Ak – Week 5: The Dispensation of Promise Genesis 12:1 to Exodus 18:27

Week 5: The Dispensation of Promise
Genesis 12:1 to Exodus 18:27

The fourth dispensation is given two names: the Dispensation of Promise or the Dispensation of Patriarchal Rule. The first name emphasizes that God was revealing Himself by making a specific series of promises. This dispensation gets its name from four B’rit Chadashah passages: Romans 4:1-26, Galatians 3:15-19. Hebrews 6:13-15 and 11:9. All four passages emphasize a promise to Abraham. The second name emphasizes the fact that the LORD is ruling by means of His patriarchs, primarily Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

There are seven dispensations described in the Bible: (1) the Dispensation of Innocence or Freedom (Genesis 1:28 to 3:5); (2) the Dispensation of Conscience or Self-Determination (Genesis 3:6 to 8:14), (3) the Dispensation of Civil Government (Genesis 8:15 to 11:32), (4) the Dispensation of Promise or Patriarchal Rule (Genesis 12:1 to Exodus 18:27), (5) the Dispensation of Torah (Exodus 19:1 to Acts 1:26), (6) the Dispensation of Grace (Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21), and (7) the Dispensation of the messianic or millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 4:2-6, 11:1 to 12:6, 54:11-17, 60:1-22).

The chief person in this dispensation is Abraham. He stands as the head of this new age and he was given new divine revelation that became the basis of a new dispensation.

Mankind’s responsibility was to believe in the promises of God. Although they may not be seen now, they were to believe in, trust in, and have faith in His promises. Abraham, of course, is our example. We are told in 15:6 that Abram believed the LORD, he had faith in the promises of ADONAI, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

The test during that dispensation was to stay in the Land that God had brought them.

The failure is seen in the tendency to leave the Land. For example, Abraham left the land in Genesis 12 and got himself into trouble. Later Jacob also left the Land and got his descendants into trouble. Isaac was contemplating leaving the Land in Genesis 26 when God warned him against doing so. Failure was also seen on the part of the Israelites because of their consistent tendency to leave the land. The brothers of Joseph sold him to someone who would make him a slave in Egypt.

Ultimately the judgment for their failure to stay in the land was slavery in Egypt.

Grace was seen in the fact that the nation of Isra’el was preserved whether they were in the land or outside of the land. God continued to guard the Seed of the Woman (see my commentary on Genesis, to see link click BeHe Will Crush Your Head, and You Will Strike His Heel), who would come through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

2024-09-10T10:11:41+00:000 Comments

Aj – Week 5: The Dispensation of Civil Government Genesis 8:15 to 11:32

Week 5: The Dispensation of Civil Government
Genesis 8:14 to 11:32

The third dispensation is called the Dispensation of Civil, or human, Government. It is called that because it is with this particular dispensation that man is given the right of life or death. He is given the authority to rule others. The concept of ruling and having power to execute or not to execute contains within it the concepts of human government. The principle is whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of man God made man (9:6). Therefore, man is given the authority to execute the murderer, and this carries with it the concept of rule, authority and government.

There are seven dispensations described in the Bible: (1) the Dispensation of Innocence or Freedom (Genesis 1:28 to 3:5); (2) the Dispensation of Conscience or Self-Determination (Genesis 3:6 to 8:14), (3) the Dispensation of Civil Government (Genesis 8:15 to 11:32), (4) the Dispensation of Promise or Patriarchal Rule (Genesis 12:1 to Exodus 18:27), (5) the Dispensation of Torah (Exodus 19:1 to Acts 1:26), (6) the Dispensation of Grace (Acts 2:1 to Revelation 19:21), and (7) the Dispensation of the Messianic or Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 4:2-6, 11:1 to 12:6, 54:11-17, 60:1-22).

The chief person in this dispensation is Noah. He received new specific divine revelation that told him exactly how this dispensation would be run.

Mankind’s responsibility was to obey the Covenant, or agreement with Noah.

The test during that dispensation was to rule properly, but they were not to unite under one government, and they were to disperse over all the earth.

But then came the failure. Man tried to unify, using the Tower of Babel as its center. It was both literal and symbolic. Literally, the Tower of Babel was an attempt to build a high tower for the purpose of studying the stars. They wanted to try to reach into the heavens, not to study astronomy, but to study astrology. In reality, they wanted to replace the LORD as the creator and center of the universe and put themselves in His place. They did not believe in the worship of one God, so they started worshiping many gods, which is polytheism. That was the physical purpose of the Tower of Babel. The symbolic purpose was to deliberately disobey the command to spread all over the world. The purpose of the Tower of Babel was to serve as a center of attraction, to keep humanity together so that they would not spread out and lose contact with each other. They wanted to build an empire. Nimrod was an empire builder and he was going to be at the center of it, not ADONAI.

As a result of the failure came the judgment, which was the confusion of tongues. Because of their rebellion against God and His authority, He confused their language. Their common language kept them together. Japanese tend to live around other Japanese people because they can communicate. It tends to make a country cohesive. With the lack of a common language there is turmoil, confusion, conflict and possibly war. By causing the confusion of language, the LORD forced a separation. Groups of people found others who could speak the same language and they moved to another part of the world to separate themselves from those they could not understand. Thus God accomplished His original desire in the Covenant with Noah.

Grace was displayed in the way ADONAI preserved His remnant. The specific remnant that God preserved is listed after the Tower of Babel incident. Chapter 11 traces the genealogy of Noah and Shem all the way down to Abraham, with whom the LORD will begin His next dispensation. So Elohim did preserve a remnant who will be the followers of the One true God during this dispensation. The promise He made about the seed of the woman (3:15), continued to be preserved in spite of the Flood and the Tower of Babel. God preserved the unique seed line through which the promise of Messiah would be fulfilled.

2024-09-10T10:09:04+00:000 Comments
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