Your faith in Christ, and the faith of Christ...

 

Your faith in Christ, and the faith of Christ...

You are saved by the faith of Christ, and your faith in Christ is a manifestation of that salvation by the faith of Christ...

 

Screen shot on 'pistis' above is taken from http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4102&t=KJV.

Believe (verb) and faith (noun) basically mean the same thing??? Popular and deceiving notions die hard!!

The devil wants God's children to major on their faith in Christ, but neglect the faith of Christ, i.e. His fidelity and faithfulness!

A brother commenting on an article on Eph 2:8 said, "By saying "the verse does not say “through believing” (a verb) but “through faith” (a noun)," the article is misleading because both faith and believing come from the same Greek root word 'pistis'. These English words 'faith' and 'believing' basically mean the same thing."

That of course is speaking ignorantly. The verb believe and the noun faith DO NOT basically mean the same thing. To say so is basically ignorant of the way pistis is used in the NT.

Please note that pistis as used in the NT has two basic but DISTINCT meanings as shown in the screen shot above.

Believing as a result of the conviction of the truth concerning anything, and the character of fidelity and faithfulness of one who can be relied on are OBVIOUSLY not basically the same!

In the King James' NT you don't find the word 'faithfulness.' The reason is very simple. The word 'pistis' when translated as noun 'faith' - in certain context speaks of the character of fidelity or faithfulness of the person who can be relied on. The concept of character of fidelity and faithfulness in the NT is conveyed through the noun 'faith.'

Now, look at Eph 2:8... and consider carefully.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith...."

Ask yourself, and put your hand to your tender heart.
Did God save you by His grace (the manner of saving you) through your act of believing in him, or through the fidelity and faithfulness of Jesus Christ?

There are only two choices... so pretty easy to make. Choose one, and live with it!!! And may the Lord bless you! Believe the truth, and not the lie you have been taught!!!

I praise the Lord for the fidelity and faithfulness of Christ... the BASIS and the GROUND on my salvation by God's free grace!

======

See some comments here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200352996643004&set=a.10200352993722931.1073742053.1097484914&type=1&theater

Bible Conference : Salvation by Grace - Singapore (Aug 2-3)

Subject : Salvation By Grace
Date : Aug 2-3 (Saturday/Sunday)
Venue : Bayview Hotel, Emerald Room (Level 4).
30 Bencoolen Street, S18962.

August 2nd Saturday
- 9.00am :
Why Grace - Seven Reasons for Unconditional Grace
- Why is God's grace unconditional in nature? We examine man's situation and why salvation by grace must be unconditional.

- 11.00am:
Design of Grace - the Phases & Components of Grace
- The Bible must be rightly divided, and grace is a most important example of the divisions that must be made. Find out what Scripture really says about salvation and how to rightly divide major terms associated with grace.

- 2.00pm
Timing Errors on Grace - Regeneration, Conversion and the Purpose of the Gospel
- Regeneration & conversion - there can be confusion on what happens and when with God's scheme of grace. In this message we will sort out the Bible timing of key aspects of grace.

August 3rd Sunday
- 9.00am
Historical Errors on Grace - Calvinism, Arminianism and other views
- Confusion over the meaning of God's grace in salvation is not new. We will review the history of key movements and individuals to clarify long standing errors regarding salvation by grace.

- 11.00am:
False Graces - Contemporary Errors
- There are many perversions of grace in our day. We wil examine Scripture to identify passages which are used and abused to mislead men regarding the truth of grace.

- 2.00pm
Assurance of Grace
- How can I know that I am a recipient of God's grace? Come hear certain and sure evidences from the Bible by which you can KNOW that you are a child of God and heaven is your home!

These meetings are opened to all, and are FREE.
All are invited. Please share this news with your friends.

THE SPEAKER
Our speaker this time is Brother Newell Eastland - a resident and native of Greenville, South Carolina. Brother Newell was raised as a conservative Presbyterian. He has been a student of Scripture for 40 years. He was converted to the true doctrines of grace while a ministerial student at Bob Jones University. He was one of the founding members of the Church of Greenville in 1980. He leads congregational singing in the first assembly on Sundays. He has preached in other churches in several states and fills in often when the pastor, brother Jonathan Crosby, has been away from services. He has a 35-year career in IT covering a broad range of areas. His wife, son, and two married children with their spouses are all members of the Church of Greenville.

For further information, please contact me at singpenang@gmail.com or these contact in Singapore
- Titus Chan 65-93983652
- Josiah Lau 65-90914941 ;
- Ruth Chan 65-82770107 .

Bible Conference: Prophecy: Fulfilled, Blundered, Ignored - KL July 29/30 (Tue - Wed)

 

Subject : Prophecy - Fulfilled, Blundered, Ignored.
Date : July 29/30 (Tuesday/Wednesday)
Venue : First Baptist Church (Chinese Congregation)
Subang (Jln SS17/1D)

July 29th Tuesday
- 9.00am : Why Prophecy? - The Importance and
Background of Bible Prophecy
- 11.00am : Prophecy 101 - Daniel 2 & 7 The Four World
Empires
- 2.00pm : The 70s Tie-in - The Seventy Weeks of Daniel
& The Destruction of Jerusalem (1)
- 3.30pm : The 70s Tie-in - The Seventy Weeks of Daniel
& The Destruction of Jerusalem (2)

July 30th Wednesday
- 9.00am : Premillennialism and Israel.
- 11.00am : Perilous Times - The Ignored End Time
Prophecy

These meetings are opened to all, and are FREE.
Light refreshment and lunch will be provided.

All are invited. Please share this with your friends.

THE SPEAKER
Our speaker this time is Brother Newell Eastland - a resident and native of Greenville, South Carolina. Brother Newell was raised as a conservative Presbyterian. He has been a student of Scripture for 40 years. He was converted to the true doctrines of grace while a ministerial student at Bob Jones University. He was one of the founding members of the Church of Greenville in 1980. He leads congregational singing in the first assembly on Sundays. He has preached in other churches in several states and fills in often when the pastor, brother Jonathan Crosby, has been away from services. He has a 35-year career in IT covering a broad range of areas. His wife, son, and two married children with their spouses are all members of the Church of Greenville.

For more information please contact Dr Khaw Eng Sun @ 012-3055029, or Adam Wells @ 012-3102231.

My email is singpenang@gmail.com

Bible Conference: Godly Wisdom - Penang, July 26-28 (Sat - Mon)

Godly Wisdom

Subject : Godly Wisdom
Date : July 26/28 (Sat,Sun,Mon))
Venue : Sungai Dua Church, Jalan Sungai Dua (next to University Science Malaysia).

Godly Wisdom is so necessary for godly living in this increasingly dysfunctional generation!

The Bible is a treasure trove of practical wisdom!  Dealing primarily with the wisdom books of Scripture in this Conference, we will define wisdom and related terms, delve into its source, and consider its value for those who seek it.

July 26th Saturday
- 9.00am : The Search for Wisdom
- 11.00am : The Definition, Source and Value
- Lunch
- 2.00pm : Money, Business and Success

July 27th Sunday
- 9.00am : Marriage, Sex and Children
- 11.00am : Godly Character
- Lunch
- 2.00pm : Authority and Politics

July 28th Monday
- 9.00am : Food, Drink and Vices
- 11.00am : Christian Ethics
- Lunch

The above talks shall be held at the premises of Sungai Dua Church (next to USM), located along Jalan Sungai Dua.

Refreshment and lunch will be provided.

All are invited. Please share this with your friends.

THE SPEAKER
Our speaker this time is Brother Newell Eastland - a resident and native of Greenville, South Carolina. Brother Newell was raised as a conservative Presbyterian. He has been a student of Scripture for 40 years. He was converted to the true doctrines of grace while a ministerial student at Bob Jones University. He was one of the founding members of the Church of Greenville in 1980. He leads congregational singing in the first assembly on Sundays. He has preached in other churches in several states and fills in often when the pastor, brother Jonathan Crosby, has been away from services. He has a 35-year career in IT covering a broad range of areas. His wife, son, and two married children with their spouses are all members of the Church of Greenville.  

For further information, please contact me at singpenang@gmail.com.
Or call 016-4611417

Baptism... the answer of a good conscience toward God

A baptism...


After the morning service and some refreshment, the church adjourned to a beach 10 minutes' drive away to witness the administration of water baptism on Jo-Ezer. The Lord provided us a quiet spot along the beach facing the Straits of Penang, with trees providing pleasant shade from the blazing noon sun! The cool breeze was refreshing.

We sang the hymn "One day when heaven was filled with His praises."
I read and commented from Acts 8 on the confession of the Ethiopian eunuch,and Apostle Peter's word on baptism being the answer of a good conscience toward God.

Jo-Ezer gave a brief testimony, and he was duly baptized. It was low tide, and we had to wade quite far out to administer the immersion.

Then we concluded with singing "Jesus keep me near the cross" and closed with prayers. We left the beautiful spot REJOICING in our hearts!

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."


Baptism is... the answer of a good conscience toward God...

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Pet 3:21).

This important verse teaches three important facts about baptism in the King James Bible that we fully believe:

Baptism only saves figuratively by representing Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

Baptism does not actually or literally wash away sin or sins in any respect.

Baptism is only for believers that already have a good conscience toward God.

Can you clearly identify these three important facts from I Peter 3:21?

This verse has been corrupted so badly in modern versions that its three points of doctrine have been destroyed.

Our English word baptize comes from the Greek bapto and baptizo. We say it means to dip, immerse, or submerge. Catholics and their daughter churches say it means to sprinkle, pour, or wet with water. Since Roman Catholics used Latin from the beginning, what do they know about a Greek word? What about Greek Catholics or Greek Orthodox? They should know their own language, right? How do they apply bapto and baptizo – always as dipping or submerging, which they do three times, even though they practice infant baptism.  

Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQzHH7qMqSs




What is the good conscience involved in baptism?

Read here: http://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/baptism-conscience.pdf

"... Five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come..." - dating Revelation

"And there are seven kings: five are fallen,
 and one is, and the other is not yet come;
and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.....”

1. Julius Caesar (49/44bc)
2 Augustus (31bc/14ad)
3. Tiberius (14-37ad)
4. Gaius,/Caligula (37-41ad)
5. Claudius (41-54ad) "... five are fallen,"
6. Nero (54-68ad) - "... and one is..."
7. Vespasian (69-79ad)  "... the other is not yet come."

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10202369014762197&set=a.1182086067794

"... five are fallen, and one is..."

Rev 17:6-13 “...... And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.....”

Who were the seven kings? Which five had fallen? Which one was reigning at the time Revelation was being written? Who was the other to come?

Were these the kings spoken of?
1. Julius Caesar (49/44bc)
2 Augustus (31bc/14ad)
3. Tiberius (14-37ad)
4. Gaius,/Caligula (37-41ad)
5. Claudius (41-54ad)
6. Nero (54-68ad) - "... and one is..."
[Galba (68-69ad); Otho (69ad); Vitellius (69ad)  - these three in parenthesis since their combined reign was so short, and was hardly any reign at all. These three DID NOT CONTINUE... they were cut off as speedily as they became king. See note ## below.]
7. Vespasian (69-79ad)  "... he must continue a short space...]

The first persecution of Christianity by Imperial Rome occurred from AD 64-8 (ending at the death of Nero). Nero instigated a reign of terror which brought the severe persecution upon the churches and the exile of apostle John to the isle of Patmos. This persecution was not only the first and one of the most severe, but it was the one that brought about the deaths of at least two of Christianity’s greatest leaders: Peter and Paul.

## From June, 68, through Dec 69, the Roman Empire suffered through a gruesome and severe Civil War that almost brought the Empire down, and that had reverberations throughout the Empire. This era witnessed the remarkable and unique “Year of Four Emperors” (A.D. 68-69): Nero committed suicide in June, A.D. 68, at the outbreak of civil revolt. Galba from Spain declared himself emperor and was accepted as such by the Praetorian Guard and Senate. In January, A.D. 69, the Praetorians switched their allegiance to Otho and slew Galba. The Rhine armies then proclaimed Vitellius emperor. His armies defeated Otho’s forces at Bednacum. Upon Otho’s suicide on April 17, A.D. 69, Vitellius was declared emperor. Later the Eastern provinces declared Vespasian emperor. Vespasian then took Rome in a destructive and bloody battle, which saw the death of Vitellius on Dec 20, 69.

And, with the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem in 70AD by Vespasian, Christianity would be clearly distinguished forever from Judaism.

(information taken from "Before Jerusalem Fell" by Kenneth Gentry).

How accurate is the above information?

Does Rev 17 passage above give a clue to the date when Revelation was written?
----------

11 comments

Charles Page
"Most modern scholars believe it was written around AD 95, with some believing it dates from around AD 60." -Wikipedia

Scofield(1917) says 96 AD which represents the best Oxford Scholarship.

Charles Page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Gentry
http://www.raptureready.com/who/Kenneth_Gentry.html

Sing F Lau
Interesting thoughts, Steve. Thanks. [A Steve deleted his comments]
Perhaps the seven may be arranged like this...with Galba, Otho and Vitellius as parenthesis since their combined reign was so short, and was hardly any reign at all.

1. Julius Caesar (49/44bc)
2 Augustus (31bc/14ad)
3. Tiberius (14-37ad)
4. Gaius,/Caligula (37-41ad)
5. Claudius (41-54ad)
6. Nero (54-68ad)
- Galba (68-69ad); Otho (69ad);  Vitellius (69ad)
7. Vespasian (69-79ad).

Sing F Lau
1:1 ¶ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 ¶ Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

"... things which must SHORTLY come to pass... for the time is AT HAND..."
- only an early date makes sense of the imminence concerning the momentous events that were unfolding... the unleashing of the wrathful persecution by Nero, followed by the fierce vengeance on Jerusalem by Titus, and later Vespasian.

On the late date theory, what are the things that must shortly come to pass?

Charles Page
enjoying this discussion!

for me, it is amazing that all the years from Bible college it was a given that the authorship was a later date. Naturally for a pre-mil that would not be a problem since all the prophecies are for a distant future.

This early date makes the whole Bible come alive! It is consistent with Daniel's prophecies as given before hand and none of my teachers was willing to teach a later date for Daniel and Ezekiel's authorship!

I'd like to remember their arguments against a latter date for Daniel and Ezekiel.

This makes 1 Thess 5 and II Thess 2 and 3 really come alive with meaning and relevance for the first century.

Sing F Lau
A Brother wrote this:
"The external evidence that the Revelation to John occurred about 90 AD instead of pre-70 AD is based on one statement by Irenaeus. Irenaeus lived from 130-202 AD and wrote the statement around 180 to 190 AD. Although there are differing views regarding the interpretation of Irenaeus’ statement, Gentry accepts the translation commonly used by those who believe in the late date. Irenaeus wrote on the subject of the Antichrist (666) mentioning that the Revelation did not call him by name: “For if it were necessary that his name should be declared clearly at the present time, it would have been announced by who saw the revelation. For it was seen, not long ago, but almost in our generation, toward the end of the reign of Domitian.”

Irenaeus based this upon what he “remembered” the aged Polycarp say when Irenaeus was a mere child in which he had taken no notes but based this statement upon his long-ago memory. (Polycarp had known the Apostle John). It has been pointed out that Irenaeus, though a very valuable ancient writer, was very much subject to error, especially on matters of chronology. He even advocated that Jesus’ ministry lasted some 15 years and that He was over 40 years of age when He died! It is also noted that even Irenaeus wrote as if the revelation must have occurred at an earlier time. In his writing, spoke of the copies that had been made of the revelation to John some of which were very ancient copies. It would not be likely that he would have referred to copies made less than a century from the occurrence as being ancient.

Several other possibilities are mentioned regarding what Irenaeus wrote: He could have had information that related to Domitian’s brief reign for Vespasian in AD 70 when he had “full consular authority—imperio consular.” Irenaeus may have confounded this evidence with Domitian’s later reign as emperor. Many things are listed that would make one question whether or not the witness of Irenaeus is credible. Gentry concludes: “A bold ‘thus saith Irenaeus,” cannot be conclusive of the matter.”

Gentry gives much information regarding the likelihood that “Revelation deals with Christ’s Judgment Coming “upon the generation of those Jews who crucified Him.

==========

One statement by Irenaeus on what he heard Polycarp said when he was a mere child.
I would rather trust in the plain statement by the aged Apostle John, and work from there!

Charles Page
aren't we under an awful Premillennial captivity when it comes to the Revelation? Woke up this morning with this on my mind. The later date for the authorship of Revelation is set in concrete.

Potentially renders the Book a mere historical account rather than a supernatural foretelling of things to come!

Under the false guise that it is all yet to come. A grand deception!

What thinkest thou of the Gibeonites?

We be come from a far country: 

now therefore make ye a league with us.

 From a very far country thy servants are come

 because of the name of the LORD thy God..

 We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.

What thinkest thou of the Gibeonites?

Deceivers? Desperadoes desiring deliverance?

I wish many more have the same sense of urgency and earnestness of these Gibeonites. If their wiliness is all we could see, I fear we have missed the WHOLE point!!!

Let's meet the incredible Gibeonites...Joshua 9

They did know a few things, and earnestly acted upon them, and they were blessed abundantly!!!

1. They KNEW, by the commandment of God, that they should be exterminated...

"...And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?... And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing."

2. They also KNEW there is a commandment of God whereby they may be spared... and they desperately hanged on to, and leveraged earnestly on that commandment...

"... Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are VERY FAR OFF from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations." Read Deu 20:11-15 to appreciate the context.

The Gibeonites latched on to that commandment of the LORD God and SUED for peace and life...

- "And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a FAR COUNTRY: now therefore make ye a league with us." Jos 9:6.

- "And they said unto him, From a VERY FAR COUNTRY thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt..." Jos 9:9.

- "And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the VERY LONG JOURNEY." Jos 9:13.

- "And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are VERY FAR from you; when ye dwell among us?" Jos 9:22.

3. They KNEW too that the Israelites would honor an oath made in the name of the LORD God of Israel. So they rested not till they obtain an oath of peace from Israel.

- "And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt... We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us....And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them." Jos 9:9,10,15

They obtained what they so desperately desired and sought for!

- 18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation HAD SWORN TO THEM by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We HAVE SWORNUNTO THEM by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of THE OATH WHICH WE SWARE UNTO THEM. Jos 9.

4. They knew there would be abundant mercies.

- When their deceitful way to seek for mercy was discovered... this was all their plea, "And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do."

- They desperately wanted to live, and they were let to live! "This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of THE OATH WHICH WE SWARE UNTO THEM."

- The Israelites wanted to make the Gibeonites their own bondmen, "And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water UNTO ALL THE CONGREGATION; as the princes had promised them."

5. Joshua elevated them to be bondmen unto the LORD God of Israel...

- "Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water FOR THE HOUSE OF MY GOD." 9:23.

- "And so did he [Joshua] unto them, and DELIVERED THEM out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not." 9:26

- "And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, AND FOR THE ALTAR OF THE LORD, even unto this day, in the place which HE SHOULD CHOOSE." 9:27.

WHAT INCREDIBLE blessings Joshua secured for these Gibeonites who came to seek for refuge, in the only way they knew how!!!

 6. What contrast to the others

 ALL the others in the land were doing this:

9:1 ¶ And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;

2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

BUT the Gibeonites did this:

3 ¶ And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors...

6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.

That should put the so called "wiliness" of the Gibeonites in its proper light.