Speaking In Another Language

I found this very informative write up at Got Questions that helped me with more understanding of "speaking in tongues" or more correctly, "speaking in other languages".

https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-in-tongues.html

This following paragraph stood out for me as I have no idea if I speak in tongues of another identifiable human language as no one has ever told me "I hear you speaking in __________ language!"

"Acts chapter 2 describes the first occurrence of the gift of tongues. On the day of Pentecost, the apostles spoke in tongues. Acts chapter 2 makes it clear that the apostles were speaking in a human language (Acts 2:6-8). The word translated “tongues” in both Acts chapter 2 and 1 Corinthians chapter 14 is glossa which means “language.” It is the word from which we get our modern English word “glossary.” Speaking in tongues was the ability to speak in a language the speaker does not know, in order to communicate the gospel to someone who does speak that language. In the multicultural area of Corinth, it seems that the gift of tongues was especially valuable and prominent. The Corinthian believers were able to better communicate the gospel and God’s Word as a result of the gift of tongues. However, Paul made it abundantly clear that even in this usage of tongues, it was to be interpreted or “translated” (1 Corinthians 14:13, 27). A Corinthian believer would speak in tongues, proclaiming God’s truth to someone who spoke that language, and then that believer, or another believer in the church, was to interpret what was spoken so that the entire assembly could understand what was said."

This is what the scripture says in Acts 2:1-8 and I have underlined and changed the color to red on the words that jump out to me,

'And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?'

I have no doubt about being filled with the Holy Spirit personally.  I can feel him in me and I have heard him audibly speak to me one time.  He is as real to me as a person standing next to me but I am unable to see him visually with my eyes.  I do not know if the tongue/language that I speak is or is not another language of another nation here on earth since I cannot verify it.  I have never spoken out in a public meeting to test it.  I thought it was a prayer language but apparently a "prayer language" is something totally different but I do use this same language in my prayer time on occasion.  I do have several other gifts from the Holy Spirit so if speaking in another language is not one I have, I have no problem with that.  He is God.  I am not.

Got Questions has a good response about the Spiritual Gifts I also thought worth mentioning.

https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-gifts-survey.html

We are each uniquely and wonderfully made by the Creator and I cannot and will not say one is or isn't filled with the Holy Spirit because another human says so. I cannot and will not say one is or isn't saved by the blood of Jesus if they have been baptized in his name and walk as a follower of Christ. The final answer comes from God.

Jesus told us that we would be known by our fruit.  He does not say how many or how few fruit but only that a barren tree will be cut down and burned.  I see much of the fruit in my 68 years of life and feel no shame.  I will continue to do my best to remain fruitful for my Lord until I draw my last breath.  Thanks for hearing me out as I continue learning, seeking and growing by the revelation and discernment of the Spirit of God in me.

Yehovah Elohim

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

From the very beginning of Biblical scripture we hear the word "God".  Our human minds place him as the creator of our world and everything in it and mankind.  The ruler of our lives.  The one who loves us and saves us from death and destruction.  The one who makes the final determination if we live past this life into the next or places us in eternal punishment that we rightly deserve as sinful creatures.

Of course only those who have searched their hearts and minds for the spiritual part of life are the ones who question any of the spiritual aspects of life.  Those who turn their back on any part of a spiritual life are lost in a void of darkness by their own choosing.  All human beings of a certain age at one point of time question why they are alive and breathing on earth.  All human beings of a certain age at one point of time in their lives question what happens at death. 

Many argue there is no God and there is no Supreme Creator.  They choose death and the grave at the end of their lives.  They choose not to open their spirit to God.  They make their choice and live with it.  Once in a while something happens in their lives to open them up to question their decision but too many times they turn their back and walk away because faith is not something scientific.  They choose to believe in the power of science which saves no one spiritually.

In this first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, the word God in Hebrew is the word Elohim.  Elohim is a plural word for God. God the Father.  God the Son.  God the Holy Spirit.  The Hebrew writer using the word Elohim tells us he knew the triune nature of God.  Something like this can only be revealed to the human spirit by the Spirit Creator.  These revelations can only come into a human mind and a human spirit by a supernatural Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing earthy that can reveal this to the human brain of mankind.

All throughout Chapter 1 of Genesis the word Elohim is used to describe God.  The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit were creating together as One.  Elohim!

In all of the verses of Genesis 1 until Genesis 2:3 only Elohim is used when referring to God.  Then in verse 3 of Chapter 2 the writer uses the terms "Lord God" not just Elohim.  Lord in Hebrew is the word Yehovah.  The Hebrew writer uses only the word Elohim to describe God until the point of creation when Elohim has completed his or their creation work and blessed, sanctified and rested on the seventh day in Genesis 2:3.  After that, starting in verse 4, Lord God becomes the words used to describe God.  Yehovah Elohim!

Yehovah means eternal or self existent. Yehovah is our eternal God.  God the Father.  In combining Yehovah with Elohim we have our separately existing yet triune God.  Father, Son and Spirit.  One, yet three.  Eternally self existent.  Eternally together.  

When the creation of mankind is described in Genesis 1:26-27 by Elohim it is stated that we are created in the three images of Elohim.  When you read the following verse think Elohim for each word God; 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ~ Genesis 1:26-27

We are created in the Godhead images of Elohim, the Father, the Son and the Spirit!  We are three in one as He is three in one.  

Matthew 27:46 tell us as Jesus was dying on the cross, just before his very last breath, he cried out, 

Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?

'Eli' is a form of the Hebrew word Elohim.  Jesus is calling out to the Father and Spirit.  The word 'lama' means why and the word 'sabachthani' means left me alone.  The human Jesus cries out to them, Elohim, that he feels all alone on the cross for that moment.  The human Jesus shows his humanity to the world.  We are each crying out to Elohim that we feel we are alone.  But we are not, even when our feelings try to tell us differently. Our spirit and Elohim are together!

And the LORD , he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. ~ Deuteronomy 31:8

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ~ Deuteronomy 31:6

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ~ Hebrews 13:5

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. ~ Joshua 1:9

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ~ Joshua 1:5

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. ~ Matthew 28:18-20

Discourage, Encourage, Courage

These words just popped into my head while preparing for our Power of Twelve meeting in a few hours.  Three words with so much difference in meaning.

It seems like each time I am preparing myself for a meeting and wanting the Holy Spirit to move in our time together, a bit of discouragement comes on me.  I throw it aside as fast I can but nonetheless it comes into my mind.  I think about the ladies who will not be attending due to circumstances of life and then wonder who else will not come.  The questions come at me, are they tired of the group, is it not fulfilling to them spiritually, did I say something wrong that offended them, does it not meet their needs of encouragement any longer? Every time it is some kind of question and usually it's an attack on me, that I am not doing something right or that I am not hearing from the Lord in a positive uplifting way and therefore it's not apparent when we gather. When I feel a bit of discouragement it generally passes quite fast as I pray to the Lord and ask him to tell me something positive or to give me joy that I am doing his will by opening my home and continuing on in his plan for these women, whomever they are, that do come into my home to have love and fellowship, even if it is only a few!

Once I come to the Lord in prayer and seek him, the encouragement comes!  I just got the sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning the toilet done and I feel at peace!  He has encouraged me to clean up and get prepared for my sisters to come.  All of these women mean so much to me and to my life.  They each have such a special place in my heart for being a part of my life and this group and I know the Lord feels even more encouragement than I.  He smiles with pride that month after month we gather for this small amount of time and share him and our hearts with one another!  He is in love with us as much as we are in love with him.  That is one of the most beautiful things about all of this.  The love!! His love, our love for him and our love for one another. We are sisters in the Lord seeking him and his encouragement is so apparent in our lives.  Look at all the love that is in our lives on a day to day basis.

Then I think of the word courage.  I never had the courage that I have now to speak up and speak out about Jesus Christ, the savior of all.  I would love to be one who could shout it from a rooftop but feel I am too old for that kind of experience.  Therefore I am led to shout it out to this group of sisters and to share the words he gives me to share.  Each one of them have different things happening in their lives that are not pleasant.  Each one of them have trials and tribulations.  Each one of them has people that bring them sorrow but also people who bring them joy.  If I can help them focus on the joy, then hallelujah.  If I can speak a word of encouragement, then hallelujah.  If I can speak a word of wisdom, hallelujah!  I know that sometimes I am out on social media speaking words that are not encouraging and I hope that each one of them forgive me for my discouraging words.  I have lots of faults and hope my sisters still love me when my human nature and mouth are not so encouraging.  God knows I beat myself up enough over some of my words and he also informs me when I have overstepped my bounds.  Sometimes it takes courage to admit one needs to be silent and let him speak to souls without my help.  

The Lord does not want us to be discouraged.  He wants us to have the courage to encourage those who have not accepted Jesus as their savior.  He wants us to love the lost.  Love the sinner for all of us are sinners who he paid the price of salvation for.  He just loves us that much and encourages us to do the same out there in this crazy world, one day at a time!!

Mary is NOT the queen of heaven

A close study of the "queen of heaven" in the Bible shows this woman was associated with false gods and pagan rituals.  A closer study shows she was the wife of King Nimrod and that she prayed to the underworld.  She was titled the queen of heaven and hell, was a pagan priestess, and was filled with evil.

The only scriptures where the queen of heaven is mentioned are in Jeremiah as he warns the people against idol worship. God tells them He will no longer protect and guide them because of this evil worship of false gods.

Jeremiah 7:18-19 (NKJV) 'The children gather wood, the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven; and they pour out drink offerings to other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger. Do they provoke Me to anger?” says the Lord . “ Do they not provoke themselves, to the shame of their own faces?”'

Jeremiah 44:17 (NKJV) But we will certainly do whatever has gone out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. For then we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble.

Jeremiah 44:18 (NKJV) But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.”

Jeremiah 44:19 (NKJV) The women also said, “And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did we make cakes for her, to worship her, and pour out drink offerings to her without our husbands’ permission?”

Jeremiah 44:25 (NKJV)

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: ‘You and your wives have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled with your hands, saying, “We will surely keep our vows that we have made, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her.” You will surely keep your vows and perform your vows!’ For their obstinance and unwillingness to stop performing idol worship The Lord says to them,

Jeremiah 44:26-27 (NKJV) 'Therefore hear the word of the Lord , all Judah who dwell in the land of Egypt: ‘Behold, I have sworn by My great name,’ says the Lord , ‘that My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “The Lord God lives.” Behold, I will watch over them for adversity and not for good. And all the men of Judah who are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by famine, until there is an end to them.'

In 1954  Pope Pius XII of the Roman Catholic church decided to officially  declare Jesus' mother the queen of heaven.  For years the Catholic church had worshiped Mary even when Jesus had specifically said to only hear the word of God and keep it when a woman called blessings upon His mother Mary.

Luke 11:27-28 (NKJV) 'And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”'

The word of God says,

Hosea 13:4 (NKJV) “Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me.

I Corinthians 8:4 (NKJV) Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

Exodus 20:3 (NKJV) “You shall have no other gods before Me.

Isaiah 45:5 (NKJV) I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,

Deuteronomy 32:39 (NKJV) ‘Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.

Isaiah 44:6 (NKJV) “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

Jesus plainly stated that ONLY the Lord God is to be worshiped.

Luke 4:8 (ESV) And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

Exodus 34:13-16 (NKJV) 'But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods.'

When the Pope decided to officially declare Mary to be the queen of heaven he associated Mary with the only queen of heaven mentioned in Bible scripture in Jeremiah. The queen of heaven in scripture is a pagan queen, wife of Nimrod, who prayed to the underworld. The Catholic church did Mary no favors at all by associating her to a pagan priestess of the underworld.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_of_Heaven_(antiquity)

The Seven Churches (Revelation Chapters 2 & 3)

As Born-Again Spirit-Filled Christians we strive daily to be in the Church of Smyrna.  The last thing we ever want is to be affiliated, in any way, with the Church of Laodicea.  Those who fit into the Church of Laodecia will not be saved and will be cast into the Lake of Death. The other five churches have many issues to overcome but we can also have hope that the Lord will continue to guide us and forgive us as we choose to repent from our sins and walk with Him.   

Godly Authority Over Christians

Jesus was put and trial and crucified because the religious authorities of his time hated that he did not always obey the religious laws.  He called himself the son of God which was considered blasphemy.  He defied the Sabbath ordinances or laws set by the religious leaders. Even today if Jesus were here on earth he would say “No” to some of the requirements of the laws and would choose between obeying the laws of a nation and the commands of God.  He would follow His Father even though it may be breaking the human government law and he would still remain completely sinless.  There are times we must make the same choices.

'When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” '

Matthew 12:2-8

We find in Romans 12 Paul was speaking of love and continued on in Romans 13 assuming a government is acting within its God-appointed parameters and in love. When it does not, other choices may need to be made by the individual Christian.

'Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. '

Romans 13:1-5

'Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! '

Acts 5:29

'If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” '

Daniel 3:16-18

By the discernment of the power of the Holy Spirit we will know if the government is acting in love or in power.  Adhering to government authority that tells us to do something contrary to scripture and contrary to God’s commandments is not sinful and we are not held to the authority of that government.

An evil government that persecutes and terrorizes the people has no authority in the lives of God’s people therefore honor and respect are not required.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/the-fourfold-gospel/by-sections/jesus-defends-disciples-who-pluck-grain-on-the-sabbath.html

https://www.crossway.org/articles/should-christians-always-submit-to-the-government-romans-13/

https://research.lifeway.com/2018/07/13/did-jesus-break-the-law/

Deliver

 

Our word for the month is DELIVER!

Psalms 91:14-16 says 14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (ESV English Standard Version)

But......you know me and I am a word nut especially when it comes to scripture! 

I looked up the King James Version which is supposed to be the closest English Version of the Hebrew words used in the Old Testament.  The KJV version uses the word "deliver" in verse 14 and verse 15 while the above ESV version uses the word "deliver" in verse 14 and "rescue" in verse 15.

When we talked about this we assumed the words were interchangeable but they are 2 different words in Hebrew!

The first "deliver" (vs 14) is the Hebrew word "palet" meaning to slip out, cause to deliver, carry away, escape. 

The second "deliver" is the Hebrew word "chalats" meaning to pull off, to depart, strengthen, to arm, to prepare, to deliver and equip for fight.  This word "chalats" pertains to prepared and equipped armed soldiers ready for battle!  Oh wow!!

Now I don't know how each of you feel about the power of these verses of the Lord God speaking to the believer but it really hit my spirit.  These words are not the same and are not interchangeable.  The first “deliver” in verse 14, the Lord is telling us that He will help us escape, carry us away.  He says He will protect us because we love Him and He loves us.  The second “deliver” (rescue in ESV) in verse 15, He is telling us that in times of trouble He will give us the armor, ammunition, and strength as His soldiers who are in a battle.  Remember we talked about the spiritual battle going on right now.  We can see it but those who live in the world are blinded to the things of the spirit.  All they see is death and destruction which is why fear and anger are at such high levels today.  They need that “mustard seed” of faith to open their eyes and their hearts.

Here is Deb’s version of these verses:

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will “arm him, strengthen him, prepare him for battle” and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

 

P.S. We missed our sisters who were either not feeling well or out and about spreading the word of God to their families and friends! Our next meeting will be on July 10^th and if there weather is sunny and dry we should move out chairs outside!! I love you all and pray the Lord blesses you each day till we see each other!

 

A Study on Nicolaitans, Nicolas and Nicodemus

I am studying Revelation and began looking into the Nicolaitans.  I was going to start a new thread but this one popped up but with very little study information.

It seems the Nicolaitans may originally have been followers of Nicolas spoken of in Act 6:5 which makes sense to me since he is the only Nicolas in the Bible appointed to minister the word of Jesus and then something went wrong with his ministry.

Acts 6:5 - And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

Rick Renner has a very good and thorough explanation of Nicolas and the Nicolaintans and why, by the time Jesus spoke to John on Patmos, He expressed hatred for their deeds.

https://renner.org/article/who-were-the-nicolaitans-and-what-was-their-doctrine-and-deeds/

My feeling today is that the spirit of the Nicolaitans is firmly back in the churches that allow a compromise of the Word of God.  Idolatry (money,power,greed, possessions), all sexual perversions, self promotion, self centeredness, self help, self ______ (you fill in the blank), no judgement allowed from fellow believers, basically lukewarm, politically correct Christianity.  Of course a large part of the problem is the teachers and preachers at the pulpit who follow this Nicolaitan doctrine, beliefs and deeds.

Jesus did not vocalize hatred to much, but we know He hated what the Nicolaitans were doing. 

More study information from Bible Gateway

https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Nicolaus

Nicolaus

NICOLAUS nĭk’ ə lā’ əs (Νικόλαος, G3775, conqueror of the people), the proselyte of Antioch chosen as one of the seven men to serve the church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). The reference to a proselyte meant that he was a Gentile who had become a convert to Judaism, and subsequently to Christianity. Because his name was Gr., as well as the others among the seven men chosen to distribute the food in the dole practiced by the Jerusalem church, it has been supposed that the others were proselytes also. It seems rather that they were all Gentiles, and the designation “proselyte” applied only to Nicolaus meant that he alone had come to Christianity through Judaism, the other six having come directly from paganism, or at least not having been converted to Judaism. This, of course, raises the entire question of circumcision and its importance in the Early Church. Because of a due consideration for the importance of such Jewish practices even in the Early Church, it has been most often assumed that all seven were either proselytes or Jews using Gr. names.

Nicolaus was thought by the Church Fathers to have been the founder of the heretical sect known as the Nicolaitans (Rev 2:6, 15). Irenaeus excused him from responsibility for this by indicating that it was a misunderstanding of his teaching that had produced the Nicolaitans. Nicolaus, according to Irenaeus, had taught that “the flesh must be abused.” By this he had meant that the body must be buffeted to be kept under control. The Nicolaitans changed his teaching to mean that the flesh could be treated in any fashion, that the flesh was insignificant and of no concern. Thus a man could live in any fashion that he wished; all of which led to shameless immorality. On the basis of this teaching the followers of Nicolaus practiced all kinds of wickedness.

The Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary says that the name Nicolas is the same as Nicodemus. This does not prove out completely true to me.

To me there is a huge discrepancy in the definitions Nicolas - A Christian and Nicodemus - An Israelite.

Strong's Concordance G3530

Nikodémos: Nicodemus, an Israelite

Original Word: Νικόδημος, ου, ὁ

Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine

Transliteration: Nikodémos

Phonetic Spelling: (nik-od'-ay-mos)

Definition: Nicodemus, an Israelite

Usage: Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin.

Derived From G3534 and G1218 and primary word G3529

Strong's Concordance G3534

nikos: victory

Original Word: νῖκος, ους, τό

Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter

Transliteration: nikos

Phonetic Spelling: (nee'-kos)

Definition: victory

Usage: victory.

Strong's Concordance G1218

démos: a district or country, the common people, esp. the people assembled

Original Word: δῆμος, οῦ, ὁ

Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine

Transliteration: démos

Phonetic Spelling: (day'-mos)

Definition: a district or country, the common people, the people assembled

Usage: properly: the people, especially citizens of a Greek city in popular assembly, but in NT, multitude, rabble.

Strong's Concordance G3529

niké: victory

Original Word: νίκη, ης, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine

Transliteration: niké

Phonetic Spelling: (nee'-kay)

Definition: victory

Usage: victory, a victorious principle.

The name Nicolas in Act 6:5 is G3532 derived from G3534 and G2004.

Strong's Concordance G3532

Nikolaos: Nicolaus, a Christian, probably not connected with the sect bearing the same name (my note: this is speculation and should not be a part of this definition)

Original Word: Νικόλαος, ου, ὁ

Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine

Transliteration: Nikolaos

Phonetic Spelling: (nik-ol'-ah-os)

Definition: Nicolaus, a Christian, probably not connected with the sect bearing the same name (again my note: this is speculation and should not be a part of this definition)

Usage: Nicolaus, a proper name.

Strong's Concordance G3534 - see above definition

Strong's Concordance G2004

epitassó: to arrange upon, i.e. to command

Original Word: ἐπιτάσσω

Part of Speech: Verb

Transliteration: epitassó

Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-tas'-so)

Definition: to arrange upon, to command

Usage: I give order, command, charge.

G2004 is derived from G1909 and G5021

Strong's Concordance G1909

epi: on, upon

Original Word: ἐπί

Part of Speech: Preposition

Transliteration: epi

Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee')

Definition: on, upon

Usage: on, to, against, on the basis of, at.

Strong's Concordance G5021

tassó: to draw up in order, arrange

Original Word: τάσσω

Part of Speech: Verb

Transliteration: tassó

Phonetic Spelling: (tas'-so)

Definition: to draw up in order, arrange

Usage: (a) I assign, arrange, (b) I determine; mid: I appoint.

My Notes: 

Nicolaitans exalted and held in highest esteem the clergy over the people.  The Catholic church, with the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, etc. is an example of the Nicolaitan ideals.  Nicolaitans also had an attitude of compromise, which is associated with Balaam.  The churches today who allow homosexuality in it's pastors and members or any  church than condones any sexual immorality is an example of Nicolaitan ideals. Any church that condones or compromises sin is guilty of Nicolaitan ideals. 

Verily Verily - I Tell You The Truth

 

There are 77 times recorded in the King James Bible where Jesus begins with saying "Verily" or "Verily, verily" and this means "I tell you the truth" and then He goes on to speak of that truth. There are 30 incidents in Matthew.  There are 15 times in the book of Mark. There are 8 in Luke and there are 24 times in John.  

Over and over throughout His ministry and life He would start by telling the people; 

"This is the truth I am speaking."

"Hear this truth."

"I am telling you the truth."

"What I am about to say is the truth."

Over and over He wanted to make the truth very plain to all people.  Even the thief dying on his cross along side of Jesus received the truth from Jesus.

Luke 23:43 (KJV) And Jesus said unto him, 

Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

The sinner on the cross received the truth from God the Son.  The Savior of all who call upon His name and believe He is who He said He is!  Jesus told the thief that today, this day, your body will die but your spirit will go with me into paradise, the perfect garden, Eden, the park, the place of perfection I have created for you, my chosen one.  Jesus prefaced this statement with the word "Verily" to express that it is truth! The undeniable and full truth of what He does for those who believe in who He is, those He loves and whom He has chosen to be with Him in a perfect place of life after this worldly life in this fallen world.  The gift of salvation, the saving of our souls forever!

This world is not the place the Father created for His people.  He had a perfect place planned with nothing but perfection for His people.  This place became tainted with sin  when the evil one became disobedient, fell from grace and was cast out of the place of perfection and onto this world where he enticed mankind to also sin causing death to our bodies. Here on the earth we were born into we each must make a choice to hear the Lord's words of truth and accept them or hear them and deny them.

John 6:47 (KJV)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Every single time Jesus spoke the word "Verily" He was saying Amen, So be it, this is truth, truth what I am saying, believe what I tell you, believe what I say, this is verified, this is established, this is sure, this is true.  

John 14:6 (KJV) - Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

God Made Man

 'Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. '
Genesis 2:7

I love the word of God.  There is so much deep inside of the verses set before us and there are times He will lead us to search the meaning.  Today I fell on this beautiful scripture that records the first man the God created.

These words came to Moses from the Father and were recorded.  Moses would have used a Hebrew form of language and most of the words have more than one meaning.  I wanted to study the words dust and ground that the first man was formed from and see what the Holy Spirit might reveal.

The first man is whom we call Adam because the Hebrew words for man is adam, pronounced awdawm.  The meaning of awdawm is ruddy (having a redness), human, the species of mankind, person, man.  The word awdawm is derived from the other Hebrew word adam, pronounced awdam, which means to show blood, turn rosy, ruddy, red.  From these words we can understand that the verse says  "Then the Lord God made adam", a man with red blood.  

This adam, man, was made from the "dust of the ground". The Hebrew word dust is aphar, pronounced awfar, meaning dust (powder, gray) ashes, clay, earth, ground.  The word gray puzzled me.  Why would the color gray be a part of the meaning of the word dust?  Because dust is gray and has no life.  It is dry and barren of life. Ashes are the same being nothing but a gray powder. 

Moving to the word ground, it is the Hebrew word adamah, pronounced adawmaw.  Adamah means soil, earth, land, ground but is derived from a second Hebrew word adam, pronounced awdam, having the meaning of blood, red.

God the Father took some of the dry, lifeless gray dust, a pile of ashes, from the earth He had just created the week before and formed man, adam in the Hebrew language.  Then the miraculous happened. The Father breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of His man.   The soil, the earth, the ground, the gray dust He had gathered became blood red, ruddy, and the dust was gray and lifeless no longer.

When Father God breathed life into the nostrils of the adam he became a living soul.  Adam had become a living, breathing, blood red, person, body, life, a single individual man.  What was moments before, only gray lifeless dust, been changed into a red blooded soul breathing life.  The Father had made the perfect adam from His new earthly creation.  He had made this adam in His image to share all this creation with and specifically placed adam into a garden He had made to the east of where He had created adam in a place He called Eden. I love that the word Eden means fenced, delicate, delightful, pleasurable garden.  The Father had made the perfect home for His man, His Adam.