This month we looked at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. This is not the last we will hear from Wayne Swokowski. Beginning in July, we will spend the rest of the year looking at a HUGE revelation God has given to Wayne and myself. In the meantime, we need to address a couple of crucial topics...
This blog is closing in on its 1000th post. Throughout the almost five year history of this blog, I have been repeatedly asked, "What is the blog about?". For more than five years I have struggled to give a coherent, succinct explanation of the revelation God has given to me for the past seventeen years. However, Jonathan Fries has helped me understand the answer to that question...
What is this blog about?
Answer: Words.
The cause of this blog is the focus on words. Everything else is an effect...
Words are important.
We think in terms of words.
We communicate with words.
However, I have found that people don't Consciously have definitions for the words they use.
That is the revelation...
There are people who have spent their entire career/life learning...earning advanced degrees...teaching others...referenced as experts...in authority over others...given respect, and they can't state a definition for the crucial words they use.
Think about this: a teenager can expose an "expert" with one question.
"What is your definition for...?"
These "experts" have built their entire life/career on a foundation that can be evaporated with one question.
If the teenager has the definition, then the teenager is more intelligent than the "expert".
The minimum requirement for intelligent thinking is being able to explain the definitions of the words you use.
Again, the revelation is: Most people can't explain the definitions for the words they use...especially the "experts".
This month, we looked at this passage:
"1 I charge thee in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables." (II Timothy 4:1-4)
In verse 2, "word" is logos...the spoken word that brings Understanding.
We have seen Truth is a Right WHAT with a Right HOW/WHY.
A Fact is a Right WHAT. A Fact is Knowledge. Realize, there are "experts" that define Truth as "an accurate representation of reality" or simply, "reality". Actually, that is the definition of Facts...and people don't recognize this unsound doctrine.
The Bible did not tell us to speak Facts. The Bible told us to speak Truth.
The Right WHY is Understanding.
People not enduring sound doctrine would be people who don't have a Right WHY supporting their Right WHAT. It would be people who could not explain the definition behind the words they use to explain their beliefs. This is why Paul stated we ought to preach the spoken word that brings Understanding...the spoken word that has a Right WHY associated with it.
I believe we are living during the time referenced in II Timothy 4:1-4. We are living during a time when the church in America has embraced the belief that we cannot know the HOW/WHY...that we only have unsound doctrine. In fact, the church in America actually believes it is wrong to know the HOW/WHY.
If this sounds new to you, you probably aren't aware of the Godless Christianity Movement. Here is an excerpt from a post titled, "The Godless Christianity Movement":
In April 2009, Newsweek's cover story was: "The End of Christian America"
Basically, Newsweek stated that people are fleeing the church because it isn't ACTUALLY making a difference in peoples' lives.
Here is a key excerpt from the article:
The term was popularized during what scholars call the "death of God" movement of the mid-1960s—a movement that is, in its way, still in motion. Drawing from Nietzsche's 19th-century declaration that "God is dead," a group of Protestant theologians held that, essentially, Christianity would have to survive without an orthodox understanding of God. Tom Altizer, a religion professor at Emory University, was a key member of the Godless Christianity movement, and he traces its intellectual roots first to Kierkegaard and then to Nietzsche. For Altizer, a post-Christian era is one in which "both Christianity and religion itself are unshackled from their previous historical grounds." In 1992 the critic Harold Bloom published a book titled "The American Religion: The Emergence of the Post-Christian Nation." In it he cites William James's definition of religion in "The Varieties of Religious Experience": "Religion … shall mean for us the feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they consider the divine."
Remember our two questions:
WHY are MOST Christians convinced they have to be right AND NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT they believe?
WHY are MOST Christians convinced it is Wrong to understand the HOW and WHY supporting their WHAT?
The answer to both questions is:
In the 1960's, Christian leaders decided to take Christianity in a direction that would go WITHOUT an orthodox UNDERSTANDING of God. It was an intentional choice to embrace the wildest rationalization: it is Wrong to state the HOW and WHY supporting our Christian beliefs (WHAT).
This is WHY I wrote "Modeling God"!
"Modeling God" presents an understanding of God (HOW/WHY)...which is the OPPOSITE of the strategy embraced for the last forty years by "Christian leaders"!
The Newsweek excerpt references the "God is dead" movement...
GOD IS DEAD
On April 8, 1966, Time Magazine's cover asked: Is God Dead?
The title of the cover story was "Toward a Hidden God". By 1966, atheists were making a convincing argument that God either never existed or doesn't currently exist. Their argument is fairly simple: If God exists then why is there evil in the world?
When ANYONE attempts to give an explanation to this question, they immediately must deal with two issues:
-If God is all-powerful, why is there evil? Is it because God wants bad things to happen?
-What is God's Nature? If your explanation is contradictory, then God doesn't exist.
Church leadership couldn't answer these questions without stating God is less powerful than evil OR that God doesn't exist (because they couldn't give a non-contradictory definition for God).
Forty years ago, church leadership made a conscious decision to respond by stating that Christians will go without an orthodox understanding (logical explanation) for God! In fact, this was the cause of the "Jesus Movement". Churches began focusing people on Jesus instead of God the Father. (Remember, the critical doctrine concerning Jesus is that He is fully man and fully God...which not only STILL requires a definition for "God", but additionally requires a definition for man!) Churches began talking almost exclusively about Jesus and ignoring any discussion about God the Father...which means, the church was moving "towards a hidden God"!
SUMMARY
Over forty years ago, the church in America chose to embrace unsound doctrine in the most foundational belief: The Nature of God.
Tomorrow, we will introduce the next Series which will address sound Doctrine...
Next Post
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Word In The Bible: Summary
March 2011 marked the eighth consecutive record breaking month for visits to this blog. Also, this is the tenth consecutive month of increased visits. The number of regular readers to this blog has increased, as well as the quality and quantity of their insightful comments. Again, thank you to everyone who has contributed to the content and discussion on this blog.
This month we looked at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible.
The first week of this Series covered the written word.
In the Old Testament, the word used for the written word was Strong's #3791 kathab which described the written word used for documenting information.
In the New Testament, the word used for the written word was Strong's #1124 graphe . We saw the New Testament stated the written word documented information that would never cease from being a fact. The New Testament also stated the written word would be fulfilled.
The second week of this Series covered the first type of spoken word.
In the Old Testament, the words used to denote this first spoken word were:
Strong's #1697 dabar - "a word; by impl. a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adv. a cause"
Strong's #559 amar - "a prim. root; to say"
In the New Testament, the greek word used for the first spoken word was logos. The greek word lego indirectly denoted spoken words because it is used for the words say, tell, etc. These usages are associated with Understanding.
We saw guarding this first spoken word of God results in a blessing, persecution, and eternal life. Keeping the spoken word involves the following: hearing, believing, receiving (with joy), abiding, doing, understanding, remembering and not following man-made tradition.
Furthermore, we saw the Bible showed the spoken word related to Understanding is a cause and the effects are powerful and concerned themselves with creation or destruction: speaking boldly, being filled with the Holy Spirit, commanding unclean spirits, signs, wonders, multiplying disciples, examing the written word daily, sanctification, reproof, rebuke, exhort, teach, discernment, resisting the anti-Christ and making progress in love that is apparent to all.
The third week of this Series covered the second type of spoken word.
In the New Testament, the greek word used for the second spoken word was rhema. Other greek words that referred to this second spoken word were epo, rheuo, and ereo.
We saw rhema is the spoken word of God that flows like water because it is grace...the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
In the Old Testament during the fifth dispensation, God's method of influencing the heart of the individual was by His written word...through the Scriptures. Today, God's method is by His spoken word by the Holy Spirit.
Notice, God's spoken word by the Holy Spirit would not contradict His written word by the Scriptures. Also, God's spoken word by the Holy Spirit would become God's spoken word for Understanding after it had been spoken.
We saw rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that comes to us by the Holy Spirit and can lead to Salvation.
The rest of the month was spent looking at references to rhema throughout the rest of the New Testament.
If we had to summarize this Series, it would be:
God first speaks the Word as revelation (rhema/Wisdom).
Then, this word is spoken to others for Understanding (logos).
Then, the word is documented as Knowledge (graphe).
The objective of all of this is to bring life (zoe/Salvation) to everyone.
Tomorrow, we will look at this Series from a philosophical Perspective as we get ready for the next Series...
Next Post
This month we looked at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible.
The first week of this Series covered the written word.
In the Old Testament, the word used for the written word was Strong's #3791 kathab which described the written word used for documenting information.
In the New Testament, the word used for the written word was Strong's #1124 graphe . We saw the New Testament stated the written word documented information that would never cease from being a fact. The New Testament also stated the written word would be fulfilled.
The second week of this Series covered the first type of spoken word.
In the Old Testament, the words used to denote this first spoken word were:
Strong's #1697 dabar - "a word; by impl. a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adv. a cause"
Strong's #559 amar - "a prim. root; to say"
In the New Testament, the greek word used for the first spoken word was logos. The greek word lego indirectly denoted spoken words because it is used for the words say, tell, etc. These usages are associated with Understanding.
We saw guarding this first spoken word of God results in a blessing, persecution, and eternal life. Keeping the spoken word involves the following: hearing, believing, receiving (with joy), abiding, doing, understanding, remembering and not following man-made tradition.
Furthermore, we saw the Bible showed the spoken word related to Understanding is a cause and the effects are powerful and concerned themselves with creation or destruction: speaking boldly, being filled with the Holy Spirit, commanding unclean spirits, signs, wonders, multiplying disciples, examing the written word daily, sanctification, reproof, rebuke, exhort, teach, discernment, resisting the anti-Christ and making progress in love that is apparent to all.
The third week of this Series covered the second type of spoken word.
In the New Testament, the greek word used for the second spoken word was rhema. Other greek words that referred to this second spoken word were epo, rheuo, and ereo.
We saw rhema is the spoken word of God that flows like water because it is grace...the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
In the Old Testament during the fifth dispensation, God's method of influencing the heart of the individual was by His written word...through the Scriptures. Today, God's method is by His spoken word by the Holy Spirit.
Notice, God's spoken word by the Holy Spirit would not contradict His written word by the Scriptures. Also, God's spoken word by the Holy Spirit would become God's spoken word for Understanding after it had been spoken.
We saw rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that comes to us by the Holy Spirit and can lead to Salvation.
The rest of the month was spent looking at references to rhema throughout the rest of the New Testament.
If we had to summarize this Series, it would be:
God first speaks the Word as revelation (rhema/Wisdom).
Then, this word is spoken to others for Understanding (logos).
Then, the word is documented as Knowledge (graphe).
The objective of all of this is to bring life (zoe/Salvation) to everyone.
Tomorrow, we will look at this Series from a philosophical Perspective as we get ready for the next Series...
Next Post
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ereo In The New Testament
This month we have been looking at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. Each week has covered a different translation of words in the Bible.
(This month marked the eighth consecutive record breaking month for visits to this blog. Also, this is the tenth consecutive month of increased visits. The number of regular readers to this blog has increased, as well as the quality and quantity of their insightful comments. Again, thank you to everyone who has contributed to the content and discussion on this blog.)
In the previous post, we looked at the only usage of rheuo in the New Testament. Here is the summary:
We have covered the only usage of rheuo in the New Testament.
Jesus stated that from within the Believer powerful and revelatory spoken words would flow that led to Salvation. These words would result in eternal life and were the effect of grace...the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
Today, we will look at other roots of rhema...
In the post that introduced this topic of rhema, we saw the following:
Strong's #4487 rhema - "from 4483; an utterance (individ., collect. or spec.);"
Strong's #4483 ereo - "alt. for 2036; perh. akin (or ident.) with 4482 (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. speak or say:"
Strong's #4482 rheuo - "to flow ("run", as water):-flow."
The previous post covered the only usage of Strong's #4482 rheuo.
Previously, we have covered the examples of Strong's #4487 rhema. In fact, we've even covered usages of Strong's #2036 epo during the conclusion of these examples. This leaves the usages of Strong's #4482 ereo (also referred to as rheo.)
EREO IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
There are twenty-seven usages of ereo in the New Testament. Twenty of these usages were in The Gospel According to Matthew. Fourteen of these usages refer to the powerful and revelatory word spoken by the prophets in the Old Testament. For example, here is the first usage:
"22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:22-23)
In verse 22, "spoken" is ereo.
During last year's Series, we saw that Jesus spoke truth directly during His Premiere Teaching. In fact, we saw one of the purposes of Jesus' Premiere Teaching was to widen doctrine. The other six usages of ereo were spoken by Jesus while widening doctrine during His Premiere Teaching.
In the following passage, "said" is ereo and referred to the powerful and revelatory word that had been spoken previously. Also, "say" is lego and referred to Jesus helping the people to Understand the reason why the doctrine was widened:
"20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.
23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,
24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.
31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;
35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.
38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:
44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust." (Matthew 5:20-45)
Here are the doctrines Jesus widened...
-Matthew 5:20-26: Paying our spiritual debts as soon as possible.
-Matthew 5:27-32: Including the causes resulting in adultery and putting away.
-Matthew 5:33-37: Not taking oaths to God. This section is interesting because the word "speech" in verse 37 is logos. Jesus stated that our spoken word of Understanding ought to be "yes" or "no"...and anything other than that is of the evil one. Rationalizations, avoidance of stating your will, blameshifting, etc. is of the devil according to Jesus.
-Matthew 5:38-45: Another reason why we ought to love our enemies.
The only other usage of ereo in The Gospels is Mark 13:14 (which was also stated in Matthew 24:15).
"14 But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:" (Mark 13:14)
Paul used ereo three times...
The first usage is in an often misunderstood passage that was covered in-depth on this blog.
"9 For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10 And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac--
11 for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,
12 it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (Romans 9:9-13)
In verse 9, "word" is logos. In verse 12, "said" is ereo. In verse 13, "written" is a form of graphe. All three types of words were mentioned (respectively): Understanding, Wisdom, and Knowledge.
Paul stated Abraham got a spoken word of Understanding from God concerning the reason why God has different purposes for different people. Then Paul stated the powerful and revelatory word by God was spoken to Rebecca that Esau would serve Jacob. Paul then confirmed this ereo with the Knowledge from the written word with a quote from The Book of Malachi.
The Calvinist will interpret this passage as God determining who attains Salvation and who doesn't. The context of the quote from Malachi actually stated that even though Jacob was loved by God while Esau was hated, Jacob still chose to reject God.
Here is an excerpt from the post titled, "Romans 9":
Here is the very beginning of Malachi 1:
"1 The burden of the word of Jehovah to Israel by Malachi.
2 I have loved you, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith Jehovah: yet I loved Jacob;
3 but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.
4 Whereas Edom saith, We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places; thus saith Jehovah of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and men shall call them The border of wickedness, and The people against whom Jehovah hath indignation for ever.
5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, Jehovah be magnified beyond the border of Israel.
6 A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar. And ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Jehovah is contemptible.
8 And when ye offer the blind for sacrifice, it is no evil! and when ye offer the lame and sick, it is no evil! Present it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee? or will he accept thy person? saith Jehovah of hosts."
The Malachi passage is between God and Israel...between a father/master and a child/servant. God is pointing out that He is NOT the CAUSE of Israel's problems! In fact, God is saying that Israel is interpreting this verse the same way as the Calvinists...and it is wrong!
If "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" meant that Jacob was predetermined to attain Salvation, why did the context stated Jacob chose to reject God?
Later in this same chapter from Romans 9, Paul wrote:
"25 As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.
26 And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God." (Matthew 9:25-26)
In verse 25, "saith" is lego. In verse 26, "said" is ereo.
Paul stated Hosea spoke words to give us Understanding...which, at that time, was a powerful and revelatory spoken word concerning how people that weren't "beloved" by God would become "beloved".
Again, the context of Romans chapter 9 showed "election" meant the selected by God as an effect of the choice of the individual. God does not MAKE people selected to go to Heaven against their will. God selects the people who go to Heaven in response to the choice of the individual.
Here is the next usage of ereo by Paul...
"16 Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise." (Galatians 3:16-18)
In verse 16, "were the promises spoken" actually referenced ereo twice. In verse 16, "saith" is lego. In verse 17, "say" is lego.
Paul stated the promises spoken to Abraham by God were ereo...the powerful and revelatory Word of God. Then, Paul explained the Understanding behind this promise: God's powerful and revelatory spoken word came before the written word of The Law...so everyone has the ability to have the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God that leads to Salvation.
Now we see, Paul's usages of ereo each supported each other...
Finally, the word ereo was used in two verses in The Book of Revelation:
"9 And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course." (Revelation 6:9-11)
In verse 10, "saying" is lego. In verse 11, "said" is ereo.
The martyrs ask a question in order to get Understanding. Then a powerful and revelatory word will be given in response.
Here's the final usage of ereo in the New Testament...
"1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.
2 And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads." (Revelation 9:1-4)
In verse 4, "said" is ereo.
A powerful and revelatory word was spoken to the locusts. The locusts were told they could hurt only the humans that did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
SUMMARY
We have seen that rhema, epo, rheuo, and ereo all pointed to the revelatory and powerful spoken word of God in the New Testament.
Tomorrow, we will summarize this month's Series...
Next Post
(This month marked the eighth consecutive record breaking month for visits to this blog. Also, this is the tenth consecutive month of increased visits. The number of regular readers to this blog has increased, as well as the quality and quantity of their insightful comments. Again, thank you to everyone who has contributed to the content and discussion on this blog.)
In the previous post, we looked at the only usage of rheuo in the New Testament. Here is the summary:
We have covered the only usage of rheuo in the New Testament.
Jesus stated that from within the Believer powerful and revelatory spoken words would flow that led to Salvation. These words would result in eternal life and were the effect of grace...the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
Today, we will look at other roots of rhema...
In the post that introduced this topic of rhema, we saw the following:
Strong's #4487 rhema - "from 4483; an utterance (individ., collect. or spec.);"
Strong's #4483 ereo - "alt. for 2036; perh. akin (or ident.) with 4482 (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. speak or say:"
Strong's #4482 rheuo - "to flow ("run", as water):-flow."
The previous post covered the only usage of Strong's #4482 rheuo.
Previously, we have covered the examples of Strong's #4487 rhema. In fact, we've even covered usages of Strong's #2036 epo during the conclusion of these examples. This leaves the usages of Strong's #4482 ereo (also referred to as rheo.)
EREO IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
There are twenty-seven usages of ereo in the New Testament. Twenty of these usages were in The Gospel According to Matthew. Fourteen of these usages refer to the powerful and revelatory word spoken by the prophets in the Old Testament. For example, here is the first usage:
"22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:22-23)
In verse 22, "spoken" is ereo.
During last year's Series, we saw that Jesus spoke truth directly during His Premiere Teaching. In fact, we saw one of the purposes of Jesus' Premiere Teaching was to widen doctrine. The other six usages of ereo were spoken by Jesus while widening doctrine during His Premiere Teaching.
In the following passage, "said" is ereo and referred to the powerful and revelatory word that had been spoken previously. Also, "say" is lego and referred to Jesus helping the people to Understand the reason why the doctrine was widened:
"20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.
23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,
24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.
31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;
35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.
38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy:
44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust." (Matthew 5:20-45)
Here are the doctrines Jesus widened...
-Matthew 5:20-26: Paying our spiritual debts as soon as possible.
-Matthew 5:27-32: Including the causes resulting in adultery and putting away.
-Matthew 5:33-37: Not taking oaths to God. This section is interesting because the word "speech" in verse 37 is logos. Jesus stated that our spoken word of Understanding ought to be "yes" or "no"...and anything other than that is of the evil one. Rationalizations, avoidance of stating your will, blameshifting, etc. is of the devil according to Jesus.
-Matthew 5:38-45: Another reason why we ought to love our enemies.
The only other usage of ereo in The Gospels is Mark 13:14 (which was also stated in Matthew 24:15).
"14 But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:" (Mark 13:14)
Paul used ereo three times...
The first usage is in an often misunderstood passage that was covered in-depth on this blog.
"9 For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10 And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac--
11 for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth,
12 it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
13 Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (Romans 9:9-13)
In verse 9, "word" is logos. In verse 12, "said" is ereo. In verse 13, "written" is a form of graphe. All three types of words were mentioned (respectively): Understanding, Wisdom, and Knowledge.
Paul stated Abraham got a spoken word of Understanding from God concerning the reason why God has different purposes for different people. Then Paul stated the powerful and revelatory word by God was spoken to Rebecca that Esau would serve Jacob. Paul then confirmed this ereo with the Knowledge from the written word with a quote from The Book of Malachi.
The Calvinist will interpret this passage as God determining who attains Salvation and who doesn't. The context of the quote from Malachi actually stated that even though Jacob was loved by God while Esau was hated, Jacob still chose to reject God.
Here is an excerpt from the post titled, "Romans 9":
Here is the very beginning of Malachi 1:
"1 The burden of the word of Jehovah to Israel by Malachi.
2 I have loved you, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith Jehovah: yet I loved Jacob;
3 but Esau I hated, and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.
4 Whereas Edom saith, We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places; thus saith Jehovah of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and men shall call them The border of wickedness, and The people against whom Jehovah hath indignation for ever.
5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, Jehovah be magnified beyond the border of Israel.
6 A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar. And ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Jehovah is contemptible.
8 And when ye offer the blind for sacrifice, it is no evil! and when ye offer the lame and sick, it is no evil! Present it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee? or will he accept thy person? saith Jehovah of hosts."
The Malachi passage is between God and Israel...between a father/master and a child/servant. God is pointing out that He is NOT the CAUSE of Israel's problems! In fact, God is saying that Israel is interpreting this verse the same way as the Calvinists...and it is wrong!
If "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" meant that Jacob was predetermined to attain Salvation, why did the context stated Jacob chose to reject God?
Later in this same chapter from Romans 9, Paul wrote:
"25 As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.
26 And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God." (Matthew 9:25-26)
In verse 25, "saith" is lego. In verse 26, "said" is ereo.
Paul stated Hosea spoke words to give us Understanding...which, at that time, was a powerful and revelatory spoken word concerning how people that weren't "beloved" by God would become "beloved".
Again, the context of Romans chapter 9 showed "election" meant the selected by God as an effect of the choice of the individual. God does not MAKE people selected to go to Heaven against their will. God selects the people who go to Heaven in response to the choice of the individual.
Here is the next usage of ereo by Paul...
"16 Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise." (Galatians 3:16-18)
In verse 16, "were the promises spoken" actually referenced ereo twice. In verse 16, "saith" is lego. In verse 17, "say" is lego.
Paul stated the promises spoken to Abraham by God were ereo...the powerful and revelatory Word of God. Then, Paul explained the Understanding behind this promise: God's powerful and revelatory spoken word came before the written word of The Law...so everyone has the ability to have the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God that leads to Salvation.
Now we see, Paul's usages of ereo each supported each other...
Finally, the word ereo was used in two verses in The Book of Revelation:
"9 And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course." (Revelation 6:9-11)
In verse 10, "saying" is lego. In verse 11, "said" is ereo.
The martyrs ask a question in order to get Understanding. Then a powerful and revelatory word will be given in response.
Here's the final usage of ereo in the New Testament...
"1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.
2 And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads." (Revelation 9:1-4)
In verse 4, "said" is ereo.
A powerful and revelatory word was spoken to the locusts. The locusts were told they could hurt only the humans that did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
SUMMARY
We have seen that rhema, epo, rheuo, and ereo all pointed to the revelatory and powerful spoken word of God in the New Testament.
Tomorrow, we will summarize this month's Series...
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Monday, March 28, 2011
Rheuo In The New Testament
This month we have been looking at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. Each week has covered a different translation of words in the Bible. In the previous post, we looked at a complicated example of rhema from John's Gospel. Here is the summary:
Again, we have seen rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that leads to Salvation. In John chpater 6, we saw rhema was associated with life...zoe...the spiritual ability to repair.
Today, we will look at more usages of rhema with zoe...
RHEUO IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
In the post that introduced this topic of rhema, we saw the following:
Strong's #4487 rhema - "from 4483; an utterance (individ., collect. or spec.);"
Strong's #4483 ereo - "alt. for 2036; perh. akin (or ident.) with 4482 (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. speak or say:"
Strong's #4482 rheuo - "to flow ("run", as water):-flow."
We also saw there was only one usage of rheuo in the Bible. Today, we will look at this passage...
JOHN 7
"31 But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done?"
(In this verse, "said" is lego. The multitude wanted to Understand through logic whether Jesus was the Christ.)
"32 The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
33 Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me.
34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come."
(In verse 33, the word "said" is epo...which pointed to rhema. The Pharisees were concerned the multitude would believe Jesus was the Christ, so they attempted to capture Him. Jesus then stated a revelatory and powerful word that indirectly pointed to His Death.)
"35 The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36 What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come?"
(In verse 35, "said" is lego. In verse 36, "word" is logos and "said" is epo. The Jews' response was to attempt to Understand Jesus' revelatory and powerful word. Notice the disconnect. Jesus' spoke on a spiritual level and the multitude thought and spoke on a mental level only.)
"37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink."
(In this verse, "saying" is lego. Jesus spoke a word for Understanding. This was meant to bridge the gap between the multitudes' focus on Understanding and Jesus' powerful and revelatory message. In fact, the next verse is rhema...)
"38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water."
(In this verse, "scripture" is graphe...the written word that brings Knowledge. The word "said" is epo. The word "flow" is the only usage of rheuo in the Bible. The word "living" referenced zoe.)
(Jesus stated the written word spoke a powerful and revelatory word. What was this powerful and revelatory word? From within the Believer powerful and revelatory spoken words would flow that led to Salvation.)
(Clearly, this is a message on a spiritual level. Taking these previous two verses together, Jesus taught (Understanding) by referencing the powerful and revelatory word (Wisdom) in the written word (Knowledge). Jesus completed the bridge from the written word through mental Understanding through spiritual revelation that would lead to Salvation. There is nothing more Jesus could have done. It was now the responsibility of the individual whether he/she chose to believe Jesus was the Son of God. In fact, verse 38 began with "He that believeth on me..." This was stated without qualifiers. It is possible for everyone to believe on Jesus.)
"39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified."
(The word "spake" is epo. However, not only does spake point to a powerful and revelatory word spoken on a spiritual level, the rest of the verse blatantly stated Jesus spoke this rhema by the Holy Spirit.)
(Then, John's explanation referenced Pentecost...which was a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29. Notice the imagery of the Holy Spirit flowing...poured out like rhema:
"28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.")
(I have not found any scripture from the Old Testament that specifically stated that within the individual will flow living waters. Some versions translate "within him" to "belly"...and there are verses in the Old Testament that referenced the belly. Isaiah 55:1-2 referenced waters that could not be bought and spending money on anything other than bread:
"1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.")
(Mini-summary: Jesus bridged the gap from His spiritual message to their Understanding. Would the people choose to walk over this bridge?)
"40 Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet."
(In this verse, "words" is logos and "said" is lego. Some of the multitude Understood. Some of the multitude chose to Understand and proclaim Jesus as the Prophet.)
"41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee?"
(In this verse, both usages of "said" are lego. Others in the multitude Understood Jesus was the Christ...but some Understood that Jesus began His Ministry in Galilee and the Christ was from the lineage of David...meaning He should have come from Bethlehem.)
"42 Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?"
(In this verse, "scripture" is graphe and "said" is epo. The people stated the written word recorded a revelatory word concerning the origin of the Christ. Taking the previous three verses together, we see the multitude built their own bridge. In an attempt to Understand, they referenced the Knowledge from the written word that recorded Wisdom about the Christ's origin. What was the result?)
"43 So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him."
(Some believed and some didn't. Some even wanted to be like the Pharisees and capture Jesus. This proves the Pharisees chose to not believe...just like some of the multitude. People in the multitude chose to become like the Pharisees. Once again, the Bible demonstrated: The information was available to all...and the responsibility was up to the individual.)
"45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?"
(In verse 45, "said" is epo. The officers spoke a word that was not previously mentioned in the word. The officers wanted to know why they didn't capture Jesus.)
"46 The officers answered, Never man so spake."
(In this verse, "spake" was generic and the context also pointed to the manner in which Jesus spoke. Basically, the officers stated they have never heard a man say anything like what Jesus said...taking into account all generic forms of speaking they had experienced. The officers were overwhelmed.)
"47 The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also led astray?
48 Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?
49 But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed."
(The Pharisees were afraid the officers believed Jesus. Then, the Pharisees wanted to find out if any other rulers or Pharisees chose to believe Jesus. Next, the Pharisees rationalized the multitude's choice to believe Jesus as an effect of lack of Knowledge. The Pharisees were focused on Knowledge. The Pharisees were in pride because of Knowledge. The Pharisees could not conceive that anyone would know more than them. We've seen the multitude were thirsty for Understanding...and Jesus responded with Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge.)
"50 Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them),
51 Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?"
(In verse 50, "saith" is lego. Nicodemus spoke Understanding to the Pharisees who were in pride over Knowledge. Nicodemus asked if the law first required that Jesus would be heard from directly and His actions were documented before a judgment was pronounced. The Pharisees had already judged Jesus because they were in pride over Knowledge...to the point they were violating the law they claimed to know more than anyone. Nicodemus pointed out the Pharisees were holding others to a standard they didn't hold themselves to. If the Pharisees admitted this, it would be confession. If the Pharisees justified themselves, this would become hypocrisy.)
"52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."
(In this verse, "said" is epo. The Pharisees justified themselves by speaking a word with no basis in God's word. The Pharisees proved they were hypocrites.)
"53 And they went every man unto his own house:"
(This chapter ended in isolation. The Pharisees separated from each other to discontinue their ability to Understand.)
SUMMARY
We have covered the only usage of rheuo in the New Testament.
Jesus stated that from within the Believer powerful and revelatory spoken words would flow that led to Salvation. These words would result in eternal life and were the effect of grace...the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
Tomorrow, we will look at other roots of rhema...
Next Post
Again, we have seen rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that leads to Salvation. In John chpater 6, we saw rhema was associated with life...zoe...the spiritual ability to repair.
Today, we will look at more usages of rhema with zoe...
RHEUO IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
In the post that introduced this topic of rhema, we saw the following:
Strong's #4487 rhema - "from 4483; an utterance (individ., collect. or spec.);"
Strong's #4483 ereo - "alt. for 2036; perh. akin (or ident.) with 4482 (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. speak or say:"
Strong's #4482 rheuo - "to flow ("run", as water):-flow."
We also saw there was only one usage of rheuo in the Bible. Today, we will look at this passage...
JOHN 7
"31 But of the multitude many believed on him; and they said, When the Christ shall come, will he do more signs than those which this man hath done?"
(In this verse, "said" is lego. The multitude wanted to Understand through logic whether Jesus was the Christ.)
"32 The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.
33 Jesus therefore said, Yet a little while am I with you, and I go unto him that sent me.
34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, ye cannot come."
(In verse 33, the word "said" is epo...which pointed to rhema. The Pharisees were concerned the multitude would believe Jesus was the Christ, so they attempted to capture Him. Jesus then stated a revelatory and powerful word that indirectly pointed to His Death.)
"35 The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
36 What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot come?"
(In verse 35, "said" is lego. In verse 36, "word" is logos and "said" is epo. The Jews' response was to attempt to Understand Jesus' revelatory and powerful word. Notice the disconnect. Jesus' spoke on a spiritual level and the multitude thought and spoke on a mental level only.)
"37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink."
(In this verse, "saying" is lego. Jesus spoke a word for Understanding. This was meant to bridge the gap between the multitudes' focus on Understanding and Jesus' powerful and revelatory message. In fact, the next verse is rhema...)
"38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water."
(In this verse, "scripture" is graphe...the written word that brings Knowledge. The word "said" is epo. The word "flow" is the only usage of rheuo in the Bible. The word "living" referenced zoe.)
(Jesus stated the written word spoke a powerful and revelatory word. What was this powerful and revelatory word? From within the Believer powerful and revelatory spoken words would flow that led to Salvation.)
(Clearly, this is a message on a spiritual level. Taking these previous two verses together, Jesus taught (Understanding) by referencing the powerful and revelatory word (Wisdom) in the written word (Knowledge). Jesus completed the bridge from the written word through mental Understanding through spiritual revelation that would lead to Salvation. There is nothing more Jesus could have done. It was now the responsibility of the individual whether he/she chose to believe Jesus was the Son of God. In fact, verse 38 began with "He that believeth on me..." This was stated without qualifiers. It is possible for everyone to believe on Jesus.)
"39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified."
(The word "spake" is epo. However, not only does spake point to a powerful and revelatory word spoken on a spiritual level, the rest of the verse blatantly stated Jesus spoke this rhema by the Holy Spirit.)
(Then, John's explanation referenced Pentecost...which was a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29. Notice the imagery of the Holy Spirit flowing...poured out like rhema:
"28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.")
(I have not found any scripture from the Old Testament that specifically stated that within the individual will flow living waters. Some versions translate "within him" to "belly"...and there are verses in the Old Testament that referenced the belly. Isaiah 55:1-2 referenced waters that could not be bought and spending money on anything other than bread:
"1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.")
(Mini-summary: Jesus bridged the gap from His spiritual message to their Understanding. Would the people choose to walk over this bridge?)
"40 Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet."
(In this verse, "words" is logos and "said" is lego. Some of the multitude Understood. Some of the multitude chose to Understand and proclaim Jesus as the Prophet.)
"41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, What, doth the Christ come out of Galilee?"
(In this verse, both usages of "said" are lego. Others in the multitude Understood Jesus was the Christ...but some Understood that Jesus began His Ministry in Galilee and the Christ was from the lineage of David...meaning He should have come from Bethlehem.)
"42 Hath not the scripture said that the Christ cometh of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?"
(In this verse, "scripture" is graphe and "said" is epo. The people stated the written word recorded a revelatory word concerning the origin of the Christ. Taking the previous three verses together, we see the multitude built their own bridge. In an attempt to Understand, they referenced the Knowledge from the written word that recorded Wisdom about the Christ's origin. What was the result?)
"43 So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him."
(Some believed and some didn't. Some even wanted to be like the Pharisees and capture Jesus. This proves the Pharisees chose to not believe...just like some of the multitude. People in the multitude chose to become like the Pharisees. Once again, the Bible demonstrated: The information was available to all...and the responsibility was up to the individual.)
"45 The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?"
(In verse 45, "said" is epo. The officers spoke a word that was not previously mentioned in the word. The officers wanted to know why they didn't capture Jesus.)
"46 The officers answered, Never man so spake."
(In this verse, "spake" was generic and the context also pointed to the manner in which Jesus spoke. Basically, the officers stated they have never heard a man say anything like what Jesus said...taking into account all generic forms of speaking they had experienced. The officers were overwhelmed.)
"47 The Pharisees therefore answered them, Are ye also led astray?
48 Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?
49 But this multitude that knoweth not the law are accursed."
(The Pharisees were afraid the officers believed Jesus. Then, the Pharisees wanted to find out if any other rulers or Pharisees chose to believe Jesus. Next, the Pharisees rationalized the multitude's choice to believe Jesus as an effect of lack of Knowledge. The Pharisees were focused on Knowledge. The Pharisees were in pride because of Knowledge. The Pharisees could not conceive that anyone would know more than them. We've seen the multitude were thirsty for Understanding...and Jesus responded with Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge.)
"50 Nicodemus saith unto them (he that came to him before, being one of them),
51 Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?"
(In verse 50, "saith" is lego. Nicodemus spoke Understanding to the Pharisees who were in pride over Knowledge. Nicodemus asked if the law first required that Jesus would be heard from directly and His actions were documented before a judgment was pronounced. The Pharisees had already judged Jesus because they were in pride over Knowledge...to the point they were violating the law they claimed to know more than anyone. Nicodemus pointed out the Pharisees were holding others to a standard they didn't hold themselves to. If the Pharisees admitted this, it would be confession. If the Pharisees justified themselves, this would become hypocrisy.)
"52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet."
(In this verse, "said" is epo. The Pharisees justified themselves by speaking a word with no basis in God's word. The Pharisees proved they were hypocrites.)
"53 And they went every man unto his own house:"
(This chapter ended in isolation. The Pharisees separated from each other to discontinue their ability to Understand.)
SUMMARY
We have covered the only usage of rheuo in the New Testament.
Jesus stated that from within the Believer powerful and revelatory spoken words would flow that led to Salvation. These words would result in eternal life and were the effect of grace...the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
Tomorrow, we will look at other roots of rhema...
Next Post
Friday, March 25, 2011
Complicated Rhema From John's Gospel
This month we have been looking at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. Each week we will cover a different translation of words in the Bible. In the previous post, we looked at crucial examples of rhema from John's Gospel. Here is the summary:
We have seen that Jesus stated the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God leads to Salvation and will not contradict any word from God...whether spoken or written.
We have one more passage to cover from John's Gospel...and it is complicated.
COMPLICATED RHEMA FROM JOHN'S GOSPEL
One of the most complicated chapters in The Gospels is John 6...especially the end of the chapter. We will look at this section in detail...after looking at a brief overview of the preceding verses.
John 6:1-14 Jesus fed the multitudes with five loaves and the two fishes. Jesus could have sent the people away. Instead, Jesus intentionally fed the people to draw everyone to Himself. The people recognized He was a Prophet.
John 6:15-25 Jesus realized the crowd would make Him king by force, so He sent the disciples across the sea in a boat. Later at night, Jesus walked on the water to them. The multitude awoke the next morning, saw Jesus was gone and went to the other side of the sea. When they saw Jesus, they wondered how He got to the other side.
John 6:26-40 Jesus told the multitude they didn't seek Him for spiritual reasons, but for physical reasons...because they ate bread. Jesus told them to seek spiritual bread, not physical bread. The people asked Jesus what they needed to do to do the works of God. Jesus said to believe in the one God sent...then explained He was the "bread of life".
Jesus never said, "I am the Son of God" because that would be prideful. That direct statement would be testifying of Himself. God testified on Jesus' behalf TWICE...at His Baptism and at the Transfiguration. It is proof that someone is NOT a prophet when he/she says he/she is a prophet. It is proof that someone is NOT a Messiah when he says he is a Messiah. Consequently, Jesus had to state this fact indirectly.
So far, this chapter showed Jesus drew EVERYONE to Himself by miraculously feeding them. The people chose to follow Jesus and asked Him questions. Jesus then answered their questions with an indirect explanation He is the Christ. Jesus fed them physical bread in order to illustrate He was the spiritual bread.
Now, we can look at the rest of the chapter...
"41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven.
42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven?"
(The word "said" in verse 41 is epo...which pointed to rhema. The words "said" and "say" in verse 42 are lego...which pointed to logos. The Jews murmured because of Jesus revelatory and powerful statement He is the bread that came from Heaven. Then the Jews asked in order to get Understanding about the statement Jesus made to give Understanding. The Jews didn't Understand Jesus' statement was rhema...that it was revelatory. The Jews thought Jesus was speaking logically according to the physical.)
"43 Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves."
(In this verse, "said" is lego...which is according to Understanding.)
"44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me.
46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life.
48 I am the bread of life."
(Jesus stated that no one can come to Him except the Father draws the person. This verse is used by Calvinists to say that God chooses who goes to Heaven and who goes to hell against the will of the individual. Notice, like with most Calvinist statements, the next verse provides the correct context. Jesus stated the written word in the prophets stated they shall all be taught of God. Then, Jesus stated the person who believes has eternal life. The context puts the responsibility on the individual. God draws all people...and it is up to the individual whether he/she chooses to believe. This was the same context from the beginning of this chapter when Jesus drew all people to Himself by feeding them.)
(The last two verses in this section stated the individual that believes on the one who has seen the Father has eternal life. Then Jesus stated He is the bread of life. The word "life" in both verses is zoe. This is not physical life. This is the spiritual life...the ability to repair.)
"49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
50 This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world."
(Again, in this section, "living", "live", and "life" all point to zoe. Notice, Jesus stated He will give His flesh for the life of the world. Jesus provided enough of a sacrifice for the entire world...everyone who ever lived and ever will live. Jesus didn't provide just enough of a sacrifice for only those who make it to Heaven. Jesus spoke of spiritual life by Him giving up His physical life on the cross. However, the Jews who didn't realize this was rhema, did not Understand...)
"52 The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
(The word "saying" is lego...which pointed to Understanding. The Jews didn't Understand.)
"53 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves."
(This was a hard saying. The word "said" was epo...which pointed to rhema. The word "say" was lego...which pointed to Understanding. The word "life" was zoe. Jesus statement itself was revelatory. Jesus stated that He was providing Understanding when He made the hard saying. The end of the statement was meant to point out He was speaking of a "life" the person did not have in themselves...which is different than physical life. Notice, for now, this "life" was not something the person had without God...)
"54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me.
58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum."
(Jesus did not directly state He is the Son of God. However, this passage blatantly showed Jesus indirectly stated is the Son of God. Jesus stated He would raise people up at the last day. He stated the Father sent Him. He stated people would have eternal life because of Him.)
"60 Many therefore of his disciples, when the heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?"
(The word "saying" in this verse is lego. The disciples stated Jesus' explanation was hard to Understand in a logical fashion according to the physical.)
"61 But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, Doth this cause you to stumble?"
(In this verse, "said" is lego. Jesus was asking them a question to help them understand the moment. Again, nothing in this verse spoke to God predetermining who would believe and who would not believe. Jesus asked the disciples if they were choosing not to believe.)
"62 What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life."
(In verse 63, the word "words" is rhema. The word "spoken" is generic. The word "life" is zoe. Jesus blatantly stated He spoke a powerful and revelatory word that focused on the spiritual and result in eternal life...Salvation. Once again, rhema results in Salvation.)
"64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him."
(Jesus knew this because of the thought process of the people...not because God predetermined who would believe and not believe against the will of the individual. The Calvinist would make the point Jesus could do anything, so it must be because Jesus didn't want them to believe. Actually, during last year's Series, we saw in Matthew chapter 12, the more Jesus taught truth directly, the more the Pharisees rejected Jesus. In fact, we saw this was the reason Jesus adjusted His method of teaching to parables...stories...art. The reason people would not believe was not because Jesus prevented them, but because of the choice of the individual...)
"65 And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father."
(This verse has been misinterpreted by Calvinists. The first "said" is lego...which pointed to Understanding. The second "said" is epo...which pointed to revelation. Jesus made the following statement in order to give people Understanding: Because of the information in the previous statement, Jesus made the earlier revelatory and powerful statement about God drawing people. The previous statement concerned people choosing not to believe. The earlier revelatory and powerful statement is that God draws everyone. The context of this entire chapter, as well as this section, showed God draws everyone and it is the choice of the individual to allow the rhema to result in Salvation.)
"66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."
(Notice, this verse, which is John 6:66, resulted in followers leaving Jesus. I've dealt with this in another post, but there are three interesting questions to ask someone concerning this chapter:
1) Did Jesus intentionally draw everyone to Himself by feeding people?
2) Did Jesus intentionally tell people the hard saying?
3) Did Jesus know people would be choose to not follow Him because of the hard saying?
Jesus chose quality over quantity. Most people today would take the multitude of people following the physical instead of the select few who chose to follow the spiritual. I've even talked with an elder of a church who stated his church needs to appeal to the worldly view of the immature "Christians" that attend his church. John 6:66 showed that many of the people chose to turn away from Jesus.)
"67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away?"
(The word "said" is epo. Jesus' question spoke to Salvation. Jesus asked the twelve, including Judas, if they would also choose to turn away.)
"68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God."
(In verse 68, the word "words" is rhema. Peter stated Jesus had the rhema that led to Salvation. In fact, Peter stated that the twelve knew and believed Jesus is the Son of God.)
"70 Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71 Now he spake of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve."
(In verse 71, "spake" is lego...which pointed to Understanding. Jesus' response to Peter speaking for the choice of the twelve was to state He had first chosen them...and that by Understanding, He spoke that one of them would betray Him.)
SUMMARY
Again, we have seen rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that leads to Salvation. In John chpater 6, we saw rhema was associated with life...zoe...the spiritual ability to repair.
On Monday, we will look at more usages of rhema with zoe...
Next Post
We have seen that Jesus stated the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God leads to Salvation and will not contradict any word from God...whether spoken or written.
We have one more passage to cover from John's Gospel...and it is complicated.
COMPLICATED RHEMA FROM JOHN'S GOSPEL
One of the most complicated chapters in The Gospels is John 6...especially the end of the chapter. We will look at this section in detail...after looking at a brief overview of the preceding verses.
John 6:1-14 Jesus fed the multitudes with five loaves and the two fishes. Jesus could have sent the people away. Instead, Jesus intentionally fed the people to draw everyone to Himself. The people recognized He was a Prophet.
John 6:15-25 Jesus realized the crowd would make Him king by force, so He sent the disciples across the sea in a boat. Later at night, Jesus walked on the water to them. The multitude awoke the next morning, saw Jesus was gone and went to the other side of the sea. When they saw Jesus, they wondered how He got to the other side.
John 6:26-40 Jesus told the multitude they didn't seek Him for spiritual reasons, but for physical reasons...because they ate bread. Jesus told them to seek spiritual bread, not physical bread. The people asked Jesus what they needed to do to do the works of God. Jesus said to believe in the one God sent...then explained He was the "bread of life".
Jesus never said, "I am the Son of God" because that would be prideful. That direct statement would be testifying of Himself. God testified on Jesus' behalf TWICE...at His Baptism and at the Transfiguration. It is proof that someone is NOT a prophet when he/she says he/she is a prophet. It is proof that someone is NOT a Messiah when he says he is a Messiah. Consequently, Jesus had to state this fact indirectly.
So far, this chapter showed Jesus drew EVERYONE to Himself by miraculously feeding them. The people chose to follow Jesus and asked Him questions. Jesus then answered their questions with an indirect explanation He is the Christ. Jesus fed them physical bread in order to illustrate He was the spiritual bread.
Now, we can look at the rest of the chapter...
"41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven.
42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven?"
(The word "said" in verse 41 is epo...which pointed to rhema. The words "said" and "say" in verse 42 are lego...which pointed to logos. The Jews murmured because of Jesus revelatory and powerful statement He is the bread that came from Heaven. Then the Jews asked in order to get Understanding about the statement Jesus made to give Understanding. The Jews didn't Understand Jesus' statement was rhema...that it was revelatory. The Jews thought Jesus was speaking logically according to the physical.)
"43 Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves."
(In this verse, "said" is lego...which is according to Understanding.)
"44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me.
46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he that is from God, he hath seen the Father.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth hath eternal life.
48 I am the bread of life."
(Jesus stated that no one can come to Him except the Father draws the person. This verse is used by Calvinists to say that God chooses who goes to Heaven and who goes to hell against the will of the individual. Notice, like with most Calvinist statements, the next verse provides the correct context. Jesus stated the written word in the prophets stated they shall all be taught of God. Then, Jesus stated the person who believes has eternal life. The context puts the responsibility on the individual. God draws all people...and it is up to the individual whether he/she chooses to believe. This was the same context from the beginning of this chapter when Jesus drew all people to Himself by feeding them.)
(The last two verses in this section stated the individual that believes on the one who has seen the Father has eternal life. Then Jesus stated He is the bread of life. The word "life" in both verses is zoe. This is not physical life. This is the spiritual life...the ability to repair.)
"49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
50 This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world."
(Again, in this section, "living", "live", and "life" all point to zoe. Notice, Jesus stated He will give His flesh for the life of the world. Jesus provided enough of a sacrifice for the entire world...everyone who ever lived and ever will live. Jesus didn't provide just enough of a sacrifice for only those who make it to Heaven. Jesus spoke of spiritual life by Him giving up His physical life on the cross. However, the Jews who didn't realize this was rhema, did not Understand...)
"52 The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
(The word "saying" is lego...which pointed to Understanding. The Jews didn't Understand.)
"53 Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves."
(This was a hard saying. The word "said" was epo...which pointed to rhema. The word "say" was lego...which pointed to Understanding. The word "life" was zoe. Jesus statement itself was revelatory. Jesus stated that He was providing Understanding when He made the hard saying. The end of the statement was meant to point out He was speaking of a "life" the person did not have in themselves...which is different than physical life. Notice, for now, this "life" was not something the person had without God...)
"54 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he that eateth me, he also shall live because of me.
58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven: not as the fathers ate, and died; he that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum."
(Jesus did not directly state He is the Son of God. However, this passage blatantly showed Jesus indirectly stated is the Son of God. Jesus stated He would raise people up at the last day. He stated the Father sent Him. He stated people would have eternal life because of Him.)
"60 Many therefore of his disciples, when the heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?"
(The word "saying" in this verse is lego. The disciples stated Jesus' explanation was hard to Understand in a logical fashion according to the physical.)
"61 But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, Doth this cause you to stumble?"
(In this verse, "said" is lego. Jesus was asking them a question to help them understand the moment. Again, nothing in this verse spoke to God predetermining who would believe and who would not believe. Jesus asked the disciples if they were choosing not to believe.)
"62 What then if ye should behold the Son of man ascending where he was before?
63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life."
(In verse 63, the word "words" is rhema. The word "spoken" is generic. The word "life" is zoe. Jesus blatantly stated He spoke a powerful and revelatory word that focused on the spiritual and result in eternal life...Salvation. Once again, rhema results in Salvation.)
"64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him."
(Jesus knew this because of the thought process of the people...not because God predetermined who would believe and not believe against the will of the individual. The Calvinist would make the point Jesus could do anything, so it must be because Jesus didn't want them to believe. Actually, during last year's Series, we saw in Matthew chapter 12, the more Jesus taught truth directly, the more the Pharisees rejected Jesus. In fact, we saw this was the reason Jesus adjusted His method of teaching to parables...stories...art. The reason people would not believe was not because Jesus prevented them, but because of the choice of the individual...)
"65 And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father."
(This verse has been misinterpreted by Calvinists. The first "said" is lego...which pointed to Understanding. The second "said" is epo...which pointed to revelation. Jesus made the following statement in order to give people Understanding: Because of the information in the previous statement, Jesus made the earlier revelatory and powerful statement about God drawing people. The previous statement concerned people choosing not to believe. The earlier revelatory and powerful statement is that God draws everyone. The context of this entire chapter, as well as this section, showed God draws everyone and it is the choice of the individual to allow the rhema to result in Salvation.)
"66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him."
(Notice, this verse, which is John 6:66, resulted in followers leaving Jesus. I've dealt with this in another post, but there are three interesting questions to ask someone concerning this chapter:
1) Did Jesus intentionally draw everyone to Himself by feeding people?
2) Did Jesus intentionally tell people the hard saying?
3) Did Jesus know people would be choose to not follow Him because of the hard saying?
Jesus chose quality over quantity. Most people today would take the multitude of people following the physical instead of the select few who chose to follow the spiritual. I've even talked with an elder of a church who stated his church needs to appeal to the worldly view of the immature "Christians" that attend his church. John 6:66 showed that many of the people chose to turn away from Jesus.)
"67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away?"
(The word "said" is epo. Jesus' question spoke to Salvation. Jesus asked the twelve, including Judas, if they would also choose to turn away.)
"68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we have believed and know that thou art the Holy One of God."
(In verse 68, the word "words" is rhema. Peter stated Jesus had the rhema that led to Salvation. In fact, Peter stated that the twelve knew and believed Jesus is the Son of God.)
"70 Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71 Now he spake of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve."
(In verse 71, "spake" is lego...which pointed to Understanding. Jesus' response to Peter speaking for the choice of the twelve was to state He had first chosen them...and that by Understanding, He spoke that one of them would betray Him.)
SUMMARY
Again, we have seen rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that leads to Salvation. In John chpater 6, we saw rhema was associated with life...zoe...the spiritual ability to repair.
On Monday, we will look at more usages of rhema with zoe...
Next Post
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Crucial Rhema in John's Gospel
This month we have been looking at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. Each week we will cover a different translation of words in the Bible. In the previous post, we looked at two crucial examples of rhema from Matthew's Gospel. Here is the summary:
We covered two crucial rhema passaged from Matthew's Account.
The first passage showed we will be judged by our spoken words that are an Effect of a Cause. We can be forgiven (as it relates to Salvation) for any Unprofitable words we speak except for when we speak a revelatory word against the Holy Spirit...a word that has no connection, correct or incorrect, with God's Word.
The second passage showed that confronting a Believer who sins is the powerful and revelatory word that leads to Salvation. Choosing to hear this rhema results in Salvation regardless of whether the Believers agrees or not. Choosing not to hear this rhema results in becoming an Unbeliever...loss of Salvation.
Today, we will look at other crucial usages of rhema in The Gospels...
CRUCIAL RHEMA IN JOHN'S GOSPEL
Here is the first of three crucial passages from John's Account that used the word rhema:
"45 Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, on whom ye have set your hope.
46 For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" (John 5:45-47)
The last word in this passage ("words") is rhema. Jesus referenced the written word of God through Moses as foundation for His revelatory and powerful spoken word. Jesus asked how people could believe His rhema if they did not believe the written word.
Remember, the revelatory and powerful spoken word of God will not contradict the written word of God.
Here is the second crucial passage:
"44 And Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me."
(The word "said" is epo...which referred to rhema. What is stated here by Jesus is revelatory and powerful.)
"45 And he that beholdeth me beholdeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.
47 And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."
(In verse 47, the word "sayings" is rhema. Jesus stated that He would not judge the person who doesn't keep His powerful and revelatory spoken word that leads to Salvation.)
"48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day."
(The word "sayings" is rhema. The word "word" is logos. Jesus stated the person who does not receive His rhema is judged by the spoken word of Understanding. We've seen that logos is a Cause. God will judge people by their Causes...by their faith which is made up of their Understanding and Experience.)
"49 For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak." (John 12:44-50)
(The conclusion of Jesus' Words is interesting. Verse 49 has Jesus talking about what He says and what He speaks. Is there a difference?)
(In verses 49 and 50, every usage of "speak" was a generic reference. In verse 49, the word "say" is epo. In verse 50, the word "said" is a form of epo. So, Jesus stated that everything He said was from God whether it was revelatory and powerful or not. However, everything God speaks is, by definition, rhema.)
In both passages, we've seen rhema is the revelatory and powerful spoken word of God that brings Salvation...and rhema would not contradict any word of God, whether written or spoken.
We've covered this last passage in a previous Series...
"1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit."
(We've covered the fact that God equated Profitability and Rigtheousness with Salvation. God's response to people who are fruitful is to cut them back so they can produce more. With God, there are no finish lines...)
"3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you."
(In this verse, "word" is logos and "spoken" is generic. Jesus stated the disciples were clean because of the Understanding they got by Jesus' spoken word. Remember, Judas had already left the Last Supper when Jesus had spoken these words.)
"4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
(Jesus stated that those who don't abide in Him will not receive Salvation. What did Jesus state it would take to receive Salvation?)
"7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
(In this verse, "words" is rhema. Not only is Salvation received when we allow God's rhema to abide in us, we will be able to ask whatsoever we will and it will be done. Notice, we would ask according to God's Will if we truly had God's rhema (grace) abiding in us.)
"8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples.
9 Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
12 This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you." (John 15:1-12)
We have seen from the I John Series, one of the proofs we are Believers is if we love other Believers. That is exactly what Jesus stated to the Believing disciples during the Last Supper.
SUMMARY
We have seen that Jesus stated the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God leads to Salvation and will not contradict any word from God...whether spoken or written.
We have one more passage to cover from John's Gospel...and it is complicated.
Next Post
We covered two crucial rhema passaged from Matthew's Account.
The first passage showed we will be judged by our spoken words that are an Effect of a Cause. We can be forgiven (as it relates to Salvation) for any Unprofitable words we speak except for when we speak a revelatory word against the Holy Spirit...a word that has no connection, correct or incorrect, with God's Word.
The second passage showed that confronting a Believer who sins is the powerful and revelatory word that leads to Salvation. Choosing to hear this rhema results in Salvation regardless of whether the Believers agrees or not. Choosing not to hear this rhema results in becoming an Unbeliever...loss of Salvation.
Today, we will look at other crucial usages of rhema in The Gospels...
CRUCIAL RHEMA IN JOHN'S GOSPEL
Here is the first of three crucial passages from John's Account that used the word rhema:
"45 Think not that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, on whom ye have set your hope.
46 For if ye believed Moses, ye would believe me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" (John 5:45-47)
The last word in this passage ("words") is rhema. Jesus referenced the written word of God through Moses as foundation for His revelatory and powerful spoken word. Jesus asked how people could believe His rhema if they did not believe the written word.
Remember, the revelatory and powerful spoken word of God will not contradict the written word of God.
Here is the second crucial passage:
"44 And Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me."
(The word "said" is epo...which referred to rhema. What is stated here by Jesus is revelatory and powerful.)
"45 And he that beholdeth me beholdeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.
47 And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."
(In verse 47, the word "sayings" is rhema. Jesus stated that He would not judge the person who doesn't keep His powerful and revelatory spoken word that leads to Salvation.)
"48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day."
(The word "sayings" is rhema. The word "word" is logos. Jesus stated the person who does not receive His rhema is judged by the spoken word of Understanding. We've seen that logos is a Cause. God will judge people by their Causes...by their faith which is made up of their Understanding and Experience.)
"49 For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak." (John 12:44-50)
(The conclusion of Jesus' Words is interesting. Verse 49 has Jesus talking about what He says and what He speaks. Is there a difference?)
(In verses 49 and 50, every usage of "speak" was a generic reference. In verse 49, the word "say" is epo. In verse 50, the word "said" is a form of epo. So, Jesus stated that everything He said was from God whether it was revelatory and powerful or not. However, everything God speaks is, by definition, rhema.)
In both passages, we've seen rhema is the revelatory and powerful spoken word of God that brings Salvation...and rhema would not contradict any word of God, whether written or spoken.
We've covered this last passage in a previous Series...
"1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit."
(We've covered the fact that God equated Profitability and Rigtheousness with Salvation. God's response to people who are fruitful is to cut them back so they can produce more. With God, there are no finish lines...)
"3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you."
(In this verse, "word" is logos and "spoken" is generic. Jesus stated the disciples were clean because of the Understanding they got by Jesus' spoken word. Remember, Judas had already left the Last Supper when Jesus had spoken these words.)
"4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
(Jesus stated that those who don't abide in Him will not receive Salvation. What did Jesus state it would take to receive Salvation?)
"7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
(In this verse, "words" is rhema. Not only is Salvation received when we allow God's rhema to abide in us, we will be able to ask whatsoever we will and it will be done. Notice, we would ask according to God's Will if we truly had God's rhema (grace) abiding in us.)
"8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples.
9 Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
12 This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you." (John 15:1-12)
We have seen from the I John Series, one of the proofs we are Believers is if we love other Believers. That is exactly what Jesus stated to the Believing disciples during the Last Supper.
SUMMARY
We have seen that Jesus stated the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God leads to Salvation and will not contradict any word from God...whether spoken or written.
We have one more passage to cover from John's Gospel...and it is complicated.
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Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Crucial Rhema in Matthew's Gospel
This month we have been looking at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. Each week we will cover a different translation of words in the Bible. In earlier posts, we looked at the examples of rhema from The Gospels and from Paul. In the previous post, we looked at examples of rhema from the rest of the New Testament. Here is the summary:
We have seen throughout the New Testament that rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings Salvation. We've also seen that rhema becomes logos, the spoken word that brings Understanding.
Several of these passages used both rhema and logos. There are more passages like these in The Gosples. Let's look at some of those passages today...
CRUCIAL RHEMA IN MATTHEW'S GOSPEL
We've covered the following two passages during last year's Series on The Gospel According to Matthew.
This first one caused a lot of discussion and fear. Let's look at it in terms of this month's Series. My comments are in parenthesis...
"31 Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven."
(The word "say" is lego. Jesus spoke a word for the purpose of Understanding: there is a sin that is NOT forgiven. Remember, Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. What is blasphemy against the Spirit?)
"32 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come."
(The word "speak" is epo. Yesterday, we saw epo was related to rhema. The word "word" is logos. So, Jesus said whoever speaks in a powerful and revelatory manner a word of Understanding against Jesus will be forgiven. So, it is possible to be forgiven for stating something "revelatory" (has no reference in the written word) that leads to misunderstanding about Jesus. However, whoever speaks in a revelatory manner against the Holy Spirit will not be able to be forgiven. This would seem to indicate that the person who speaks wrongly about the Holy Spirit from an understanding manner...from the Scriptures...is able to be forgiven. Notice, the anti-Christ and false prophet during The Tribulation will speak in a revelatory manner against the Holy Spirit.)
"33 Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit."
(This is CAUSALITY. The Cause is whether the tree is "good" or "corrupt". The Effect is whether the fruit is "good" or "corrupt". Jesus stated you OUGHT to state your will about the Cause and then be consistent with stating your will about the Effect. Why did Jesus explain Causality relative to a tree?)
"34 Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
(Jesus name-called the Pharisees: "offspring of vipers". Wow! Jesus called the Pharisees evil...their Cause. Then, Jesus asked how they could speak good. Jesus stated the heart is the Cause and what we speak is the Effect. The words "speak" and "speaketh" in this passage were generic versions of speaking...neither specific to Understanding or revelatory information. This makes sense because all speaking is an Effect of what comes out of the heart. If the speaking is rhema, it is because of the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.)
"35 The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."
(In this verse, "bringeth forth" means "to cast out". So, this not only covered what was said...it would also covered what was done. However, in this passage "treasure" is Strong's #2344 thesauros - "a deposit, i.e. wealth". Notice our word thesaurus comes from this greek word for treasure. What is a thesaurus? It is a list of words grouped by similar meaning...similar definitions...similar Causes. Words and their definitions are the treasure...)
"36 And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
(Here are the roots of the words used in this verse: "say" is lego, "word" is rhema, "speak" is generic, and "account" is logos. And Jesus gave a spoken word of Understanding: every Unprofitable revelatory word (that doesn't have a basis in God's Word) that men speak will require an explanation of the Causes on Judgment Day. This verse deals with both Salvation and Reward. It deals with Reward when the words are spoken about people. It deals with Salvation when these words are spoken about God...especially the Holy Spirit.)
"37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:31-37)
(In this verse, both usages of "words" are logos. Notice, these words are an Effect of our Understanding. The Understanding is the Cause. God judges Causes. Therefore, it is Right and Just of God to judge us by our spoken words that are an Effect of our Causes.)
(The summary of this passage from Matthew's Account is we will be judged by our spoken words that are an Effect of a Cause. We can be forgiven (as it relates to Salvation) for any Unprofitable words we speak except for when we speak a revelatory word against the Holy Spirit...a word that has no connection, correct or incorrect, with God's Word.)
(The next crucial passage from Matthew's Account concerns confrontation...)
"15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
(In this verse, "tell" is Strong's 1651 elegcho - "to confute, admonish:-convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove." We saw that "brother" referred to Believer. Jesus stated that we must confront a Believer if they sin against us. We also know that Jesus said to instantly and completely forgive an Unbeliever when they sin against you. These are Jesus' Words. However, today, most "Christians" are taught to instantly forgive the Believer who sins against them AND confront (and judge) the Unbeliever who sins against them. We saw this is a blatant example of the church of today following man-made tradition instead of Jesus' Words.)
"16 But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established."
(In this verse, "word" is rhema. Notice, the sin by the Believer would not be something from God's Word. It would be an instant that is powerful and revelatory. This verse literally said confronting a Believer is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings Salvation. Remember, the previous verse said the confrontation resulted in gaining a brother...Salvation.)
"17 And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican." (Matthew 18:15-17)
(In this verse, "tell" is epo...which alludes to rhema. The powerful and revelatory spoken word is told to the church...and the result of the believer not hearing this rhema is being treated as an Unbeliever...which is loss of Salvation.)
SUMMARY
We covered two crucial rhema passaged from Matthew's Account.
The first passage showed we will be judged by our spoken words that are an Effect of a Cause. We can be forgiven (as it relates to Salvation) for any Unprofitable words we speak except for when we speak a revelatory word against the Holy Spirit...a word that has no connection, correct or incorrect, with God's Word.
The second passage showed that confronting a Believer who sins is the powerful and revelatory word that leads to Salvation. Choosing to hear this rhema results in Salvation regardless of whether the Believers agrees or not. Choosing not to hear this rhema results in becoming an Unbeliever...loss of Salvation.
Tomorrow, we will look at other crucial usages of rhema in The Gospels...
Next Post
We have seen throughout the New Testament that rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings Salvation. We've also seen that rhema becomes logos, the spoken word that brings Understanding.
Several of these passages used both rhema and logos. There are more passages like these in The Gosples. Let's look at some of those passages today...
CRUCIAL RHEMA IN MATTHEW'S GOSPEL
We've covered the following two passages during last year's Series on The Gospel According to Matthew.
This first one caused a lot of discussion and fear. Let's look at it in terms of this month's Series. My comments are in parenthesis...
"31 Therefore I say unto you, Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven."
(The word "say" is lego. Jesus spoke a word for the purpose of Understanding: there is a sin that is NOT forgiven. Remember, Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. What is blasphemy against the Spirit?)
"32 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come."
(The word "speak" is epo. Yesterday, we saw epo was related to rhema. The word "word" is logos. So, Jesus said whoever speaks in a powerful and revelatory manner a word of Understanding against Jesus will be forgiven. So, it is possible to be forgiven for stating something "revelatory" (has no reference in the written word) that leads to misunderstanding about Jesus. However, whoever speaks in a revelatory manner against the Holy Spirit will not be able to be forgiven. This would seem to indicate that the person who speaks wrongly about the Holy Spirit from an understanding manner...from the Scriptures...is able to be forgiven. Notice, the anti-Christ and false prophet during The Tribulation will speak in a revelatory manner against the Holy Spirit.)
"33 Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit."
(This is CAUSALITY. The Cause is whether the tree is "good" or "corrupt". The Effect is whether the fruit is "good" or "corrupt". Jesus stated you OUGHT to state your will about the Cause and then be consistent with stating your will about the Effect. Why did Jesus explain Causality relative to a tree?)
"34 Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
(Jesus name-called the Pharisees: "offspring of vipers". Wow! Jesus called the Pharisees evil...their Cause. Then, Jesus asked how they could speak good. Jesus stated the heart is the Cause and what we speak is the Effect. The words "speak" and "speaketh" in this passage were generic versions of speaking...neither specific to Understanding or revelatory information. This makes sense because all speaking is an Effect of what comes out of the heart. If the speaking is rhema, it is because of the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.)
"35 The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."
(In this verse, "bringeth forth" means "to cast out". So, this not only covered what was said...it would also covered what was done. However, in this passage "treasure" is Strong's #2344 thesauros - "a deposit, i.e. wealth". Notice our word thesaurus comes from this greek word for treasure. What is a thesaurus? It is a list of words grouped by similar meaning...similar definitions...similar Causes. Words and their definitions are the treasure...)
"36 And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
(Here are the roots of the words used in this verse: "say" is lego, "word" is rhema, "speak" is generic, and "account" is logos. And Jesus gave a spoken word of Understanding: every Unprofitable revelatory word (that doesn't have a basis in God's Word) that men speak will require an explanation of the Causes on Judgment Day. This verse deals with both Salvation and Reward. It deals with Reward when the words are spoken about people. It deals with Salvation when these words are spoken about God...especially the Holy Spirit.)
"37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12:31-37)
(In this verse, both usages of "words" are logos. Notice, these words are an Effect of our Understanding. The Understanding is the Cause. God judges Causes. Therefore, it is Right and Just of God to judge us by our spoken words that are an Effect of our Causes.)
(The summary of this passage from Matthew's Account is we will be judged by our spoken words that are an Effect of a Cause. We can be forgiven (as it relates to Salvation) for any Unprofitable words we speak except for when we speak a revelatory word against the Holy Spirit...a word that has no connection, correct or incorrect, with God's Word.)
(The next crucial passage from Matthew's Account concerns confrontation...)
"15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
(In this verse, "tell" is Strong's 1651 elegcho - "to confute, admonish:-convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove." We saw that "brother" referred to Believer. Jesus stated that we must confront a Believer if they sin against us. We also know that Jesus said to instantly and completely forgive an Unbeliever when they sin against you. These are Jesus' Words. However, today, most "Christians" are taught to instantly forgive the Believer who sins against them AND confront (and judge) the Unbeliever who sins against them. We saw this is a blatant example of the church of today following man-made tradition instead of Jesus' Words.)
"16 But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established."
(In this verse, "word" is rhema. Notice, the sin by the Believer would not be something from God's Word. It would be an instant that is powerful and revelatory. This verse literally said confronting a Believer is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings Salvation. Remember, the previous verse said the confrontation resulted in gaining a brother...Salvation.)
"17 And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican." (Matthew 18:15-17)
(In this verse, "tell" is epo...which alludes to rhema. The powerful and revelatory spoken word is told to the church...and the result of the believer not hearing this rhema is being treated as an Unbeliever...which is loss of Salvation.)
SUMMARY
We covered two crucial rhema passaged from Matthew's Account.
The first passage showed we will be judged by our spoken words that are an Effect of a Cause. We can be forgiven (as it relates to Salvation) for any Unprofitable words we speak except for when we speak a revelatory word against the Holy Spirit...a word that has no connection, correct or incorrect, with God's Word.
The second passage showed that confronting a Believer who sins is the powerful and revelatory word that leads to Salvation. Choosing to hear this rhema results in Salvation regardless of whether the Believers agrees or not. Choosing not to hear this rhema results in becoming an Unbeliever...loss of Salvation.
Tomorrow, we will look at other crucial usages of rhema in The Gospels...
Next Post
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Rhema In The Rest Of The New Testament
This month we have been looking at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. Each week we will cover a different translation of words in the Bible. In the previous post, we looked at the examples of rhema from Paul. Here is the summary:
Paul understood rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God that comes to us by the Holy Spirit and leads to Salvation.
Today, we will look at the rest of the passages that referenced rhema in the New Testament.
RHEMA IN THE REST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Book of Hebrews began with the following sentence:
"1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,
2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;
3 who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Verse 3 ("word") referenced rhema. Jesus upholds all things by the rhema of His power. Again, rhema is the powerful spoken word of God.
Also, in The Book of Hebrews in the passage that gave the definition of faith, we find:
"1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.
2 For therein the elders had witness borne to them.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear." (Hebrews 11:1-3)
Hebrews 11:3
Verse 3 ("word") referenced rhema. The powerful and revelatory spoken word of God framed the worlds...and we understand this by faith.
In the next chapter of Hebrews, we see several references to the spoken word of God. Before we look at this passage, let's have a quick review...
We saw the New Testament referenced two types of spoken words. The first one we covered was logos. We also saw the verb form of this word was lego. The conclusion we reached about this spoken word was presented in the post titled, "The Spoken Word's Effect":
The Bible showed the spoken word related to Understanding. The spoken word is a cause and the effects are powerful and concerned themselves with creation or destruction: speaking boldly, being filled with the Holy Spirit, commanding unclean spirits, signs, wonders, multiplying disciples, examing the written word daily, sanctification, reproof, rebuke, exhort, teach, discernment, resisting the anti-Christ and making progress in love that is apparent to all.
We found there was a second spoken word of God in the New Testament. Here is an excerpt from a post titled, "The Other Spoken Word (New Testament)":
One root of rhema was Strong's #4483 ereo. There were 26 usages of this word in the New Testament.
One root word was Strong's #4482 rheuo. There was only one usage of this word in the New Testament.
The final root word we saw was Strong's #2036 epo. There were 977 usages of this word in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, epo is the verb form of rhema.
Now, let's look at this passage with comments in parenthesis...
"18 For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;"
(This verse stated: and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of rhema; which voice that heard entreated that no logos more should be spoken unto them;. The author contrasted our ability to get rhema from God to when Moses got rhema from God. Moses went to a physical place to receive a powerful and revelatory word from God. We get rhema upon our heart through grace via the Holy Spirit. The people of Moses' time did not want any more words that brought Understanding...they didn't want the rhema to be used in order to bring Understanding by logos.)
"20 for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;
21 and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:"
(The word "said" in verse 21 is epo...the saying of rhema. Moses spoke rhema in response to the physical power he experienced in God's presence.)
"22 but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel."
(The writer blatantly stated that we get rhema from a setting even more glorious and powerful than Moses.)
"25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:
26 whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven."
(Verse 26 ("saying") referenced lego...speaking logos. The words spoken as warnings referenced in verse 25 were rhema. When these words were not listened to, they turned into logos for us. These words ought to bring us Understanding.)
"27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:
29 for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:18-29)
Verse 27 ("word") referenced the logos in the previous verse. We ought to let this spoken word bring understanding so that we accomplished what the author encouraged us to do at the beginning of the passage: appreciate the rhema. In fact, verse 28 blatantly drew this conclusion when it referenced grace.
Peter also wrote about rhema...
"24 For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
25 But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you."
Both usages of "word" in verse 25 referenced rhema. The rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word by God that abides forever...and is spoken by people to bring Salvation.
Peter also began the third chapter in his second letter with a passage that referenced both spoken words. Again, comments in parenthesis:
"1 This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance;
2 that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:"
(Verse 2 referenced rhema. Peter stated the holy prophets and Jesus spoke rhema.)
"3 knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts,
4 and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."
(Verse 4 referenced lego. Verse 3 was focused on Knowledge. Verse 4was focused on Understanding. People are speaking in order to Understand whether they are in the last days or not. However, the application in this passage was these people will not Understand they are in the last days.)
"5 For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;
6 by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (II Peter 3:1-7)
Verses 5 and 7 both referenced logos. Peter stated that people ought to remember the spoken word of God that has been documented in order to bring Understanding.
The first word that ought to bring Understanding is how God separated the waters during creation. This came from Genesis 1. In fact, during this month's Series, we covered how God created by speaking:
"1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day." (Genesis 1:1-8)
The second word that ought to bring Understanding is how God will use fire to judge.
We covered Zechariah chapter 13 in last year's Series with a post titled, "Matthew 26:31-35". Here is the specific verse:
"9 And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God." (Zechariah 13:9)
Again, this passage from Peter shows how rhema becomes logos.
Jude also reference rhema and lego...
"17 But ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 That they said to you, In the last time there shall be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts." (Jude 1:17,18)
Verse 17 referenced rhema. Verse 18 ("said") referenced lego. Jude reminded the reader of the powerful and revelatory words spoken by the apostles that brought the specific Understanding about the time of the last days.
Finally, let's look at a passage from The Book of Revelation:
"13 These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast.
14 These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire.
17 For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.
18 And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."
Verse 17 referenced rhema. God's Plan that will be accomplished as documented by the conclusion of The Book of Revelation consists of rhema...
SUMMARY
We have seen throughout the New Testament that rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings Salvation. We've also seen that rhema becomes logos, the spoken word that brings Understanding.
Several of these passages used both rhema and logos. There are more passages like these in The Gosples. Let's look at some of those passages tomorrow...
Next Post
Paul understood rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God that comes to us by the Holy Spirit and leads to Salvation.
Today, we will look at the rest of the passages that referenced rhema in the New Testament.
RHEMA IN THE REST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Book of Hebrews began with the following sentence:
"1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners,
2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;
3 who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 having become by so much better than the angels, as he hath inherited a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Verse 3 ("word") referenced rhema. Jesus upholds all things by the rhema of His power. Again, rhema is the powerful spoken word of God.
Also, in The Book of Hebrews in the passage that gave the definition of faith, we find:
"1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen.
2 For therein the elders had witness borne to them.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear." (Hebrews 11:1-3)
Hebrews 11:3
Verse 3 ("word") referenced rhema. The powerful and revelatory spoken word of God framed the worlds...and we understand this by faith.
In the next chapter of Hebrews, we see several references to the spoken word of God. Before we look at this passage, let's have a quick review...
We saw the New Testament referenced two types of spoken words. The first one we covered was logos. We also saw the verb form of this word was lego. The conclusion we reached about this spoken word was presented in the post titled, "The Spoken Word's Effect":
The Bible showed the spoken word related to Understanding. The spoken word is a cause and the effects are powerful and concerned themselves with creation or destruction: speaking boldly, being filled with the Holy Spirit, commanding unclean spirits, signs, wonders, multiplying disciples, examing the written word daily, sanctification, reproof, rebuke, exhort, teach, discernment, resisting the anti-Christ and making progress in love that is apparent to all.
We found there was a second spoken word of God in the New Testament. Here is an excerpt from a post titled, "The Other Spoken Word (New Testament)":
One root of rhema was Strong's #4483 ereo. There were 26 usages of this word in the New Testament.
One root word was Strong's #4482 rheuo. There was only one usage of this word in the New Testament.
The final root word we saw was Strong's #2036 epo. There were 977 usages of this word in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, epo is the verb form of rhema.
Now, let's look at this passage with comments in parenthesis...
"18 For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them;"
(This verse stated: and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of rhema; which voice that heard entreated that no logos more should be spoken unto them;. The author contrasted our ability to get rhema from God to when Moses got rhema from God. Moses went to a physical place to receive a powerful and revelatory word from God. We get rhema upon our heart through grace via the Holy Spirit. The people of Moses' time did not want any more words that brought Understanding...they didn't want the rhema to be used in order to bring Understanding by logos.)
"20 for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned;
21 and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:"
(The word "said" in verse 21 is epo...the saying of rhema. Moses spoke rhema in response to the physical power he experienced in God's presence.)
"22 but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,
23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel."
(The writer blatantly stated that we get rhema from a setting even more glorious and powerful than Moses.)
"25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:
26 whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more will I make to tremble not the earth only, but also the heaven."
(Verse 26 ("saying") referenced lego...speaking logos. The words spoken as warnings referenced in verse 25 were rhema. When these words were not listened to, they turned into logos for us. These words ought to bring us Understanding.)
"27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:
29 for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:18-29)
Verse 27 ("word") referenced the logos in the previous verse. We ought to let this spoken word bring understanding so that we accomplished what the author encouraged us to do at the beginning of the passage: appreciate the rhema. In fact, verse 28 blatantly drew this conclusion when it referenced grace.
Peter also wrote about rhema...
"24 For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
25 But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you."
Both usages of "word" in verse 25 referenced rhema. The rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word by God that abides forever...and is spoken by people to bring Salvation.
Peter also began the third chapter in his second letter with a passage that referenced both spoken words. Again, comments in parenthesis:
"1 This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance;
2 that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:"
(Verse 2 referenced rhema. Peter stated the holy prophets and Jesus spoke rhema.)
"3 knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts,
4 and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation."
(Verse 4 referenced lego. Verse 3 was focused on Knowledge. Verse 4was focused on Understanding. People are speaking in order to Understand whether they are in the last days or not. However, the application in this passage was these people will not Understand they are in the last days.)
"5 For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;
6 by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (II Peter 3:1-7)
Verses 5 and 7 both referenced logos. Peter stated that people ought to remember the spoken word of God that has been documented in order to bring Understanding.
The first word that ought to bring Understanding is how God separated the waters during creation. This came from Genesis 1. In fact, during this month's Series, we covered how God created by speaking:
"1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day." (Genesis 1:1-8)
The second word that ought to bring Understanding is how God will use fire to judge.
We covered Zechariah chapter 13 in last year's Series with a post titled, "Matthew 26:31-35". Here is the specific verse:
"9 And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God." (Zechariah 13:9)
Again, this passage from Peter shows how rhema becomes logos.
Jude also reference rhema and lego...
"17 But ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 That they said to you, In the last time there shall be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts." (Jude 1:17,18)
Verse 17 referenced rhema. Verse 18 ("said") referenced lego. Jude reminded the reader of the powerful and revelatory words spoken by the apostles that brought the specific Understanding about the time of the last days.
Finally, let's look at a passage from The Book of Revelation:
"13 These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast.
14 These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire.
17 For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.
18 And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."
Verse 17 referenced rhema. God's Plan that will be accomplished as documented by the conclusion of The Book of Revelation consists of rhema...
SUMMARY
We have seen throughout the New Testament that rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings Salvation. We've also seen that rhema becomes logos, the spoken word that brings Understanding.
Several of these passages used both rhema and logos. There are more passages like these in The Gosples. Let's look at some of those passages tomorrow...
Next Post
Monday, March 21, 2011
Rhema According To Paul
This month we have been looking at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. Each week we will cover a different translation of words in the Bible. In the previous post, we looked at the examples of rhema in the The Book of Acts. Here is the summary:
rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings grace/wisdom.
RHEMA ACCORDING TO PAUL
Today, we will look at all of Paul's usages of rhema...
"8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach:
9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:8-10)
Both usages of "word" in verse 8 are rhema. Paul stated the rhema is in the mouth and the heart...and it leads to Salvation. Seven verses later, Paul wrote:
"17 So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
18 But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world." (Romans 10:17,18)
Verse 17 ("word") and verse 18 ("words") both referenced rhema. Paul wrote that faith was an effect of hearing the rhema...and this powerful and revelatory spoken word would reach unto the ends of the world.
The next passage from Paul concerned the revelation Paul received...
"1 I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),
4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (II Corinthians 12:1-4)
Verse 4 ("words") referenced rhema when it came to what Paul heard while he was caught up into Paradise. These powerful and revelatory spoken words were "not lawful for a man to utter". The Law was used to bring about God's Plan. This passage stated Paul heard words that would have altered God's Plan. We've covered this before: Paul got revelation he could not blatantly state. However, he did write about some of this information, which we covered in a post titled, "The Tarsus Code".
The next chapter of II Corinthians began with this verse:
"1 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established." (2 Corinthians 13:1)
Again, "word" referenced rhema. Paul stated that rhema is established with two or three witnesses. Two or three people are required to confirm the spoken word from God is accurate and worthy of standing for others to reference.
We saw Paul gave the Meaning of Life in his letter to the Ephesians. In the climactic chapter, Paul showed Paradise consisted of Jesus being married to the Church. What happens during eternity?
"24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;
26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
27 that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:24-27)
Jesus will sanctify and cleanse His Bride "by the washing of water with the word". This referenced rhema. We saw rhema is the spoken word that flows like water...which is grace. Paul stated Jesus will speak powerful and revelatory words to His Bride.
In the next (and final) chapter, Paul wrote the following:
"17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
19 And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:17-20)
This passage concerned "The Armor of God".
Paul stated the sword of the Spirit is the rhema of God. Again, we saw grace is the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life. It is rhema by the Holy Spirit. In this passage, Paul blatantly stated rhema is the sword of the Holy Spirit.
SUMMARY
Paul understood rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God that comes to us by the Holy Spirit and leads to Salvation.
Tomorrow, we will look at the rest of the passages that referenced rhema in the New Testament.
Next Post
rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings grace/wisdom.
RHEMA ACCORDING TO PAUL
Today, we will look at all of Paul's usages of rhema...
"8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach:
9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:8-10)
Both usages of "word" in verse 8 are rhema. Paul stated the rhema is in the mouth and the heart...and it leads to Salvation. Seven verses later, Paul wrote:
"17 So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
18 But I say, Did they not hear? Yea, verily, Their sound went out into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world." (Romans 10:17,18)
Verse 17 ("word") and verse 18 ("words") both referenced rhema. Paul wrote that faith was an effect of hearing the rhema...and this powerful and revelatory spoken word would reach unto the ends of the world.
The next passage from Paul concerned the revelation Paul received...
"1 I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),
4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (II Corinthians 12:1-4)
Verse 4 ("words") referenced rhema when it came to what Paul heard while he was caught up into Paradise. These powerful and revelatory spoken words were "not lawful for a man to utter". The Law was used to bring about God's Plan. This passage stated Paul heard words that would have altered God's Plan. We've covered this before: Paul got revelation he could not blatantly state. However, he did write about some of this information, which we covered in a post titled, "The Tarsus Code".
The next chapter of II Corinthians began with this verse:
"1 This is the third time I am coming to you. At the mouth of two witnesses or three shall every word established." (2 Corinthians 13:1)
Again, "word" referenced rhema. Paul stated that rhema is established with two or three witnesses. Two or three people are required to confirm the spoken word from God is accurate and worthy of standing for others to reference.
We saw Paul gave the Meaning of Life in his letter to the Ephesians. In the climactic chapter, Paul showed Paradise consisted of Jesus being married to the Church. What happens during eternity?
"24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;
26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
27 that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:24-27)
Jesus will sanctify and cleanse His Bride "by the washing of water with the word". This referenced rhema. We saw rhema is the spoken word that flows like water...which is grace. Paul stated Jesus will speak powerful and revelatory words to His Bride.
In the next (and final) chapter, Paul wrote the following:
"17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
19 And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:17-20)
This passage concerned "The Armor of God".
Paul stated the sword of the Spirit is the rhema of God. Again, we saw grace is the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life. It is rhema by the Holy Spirit. In this passage, Paul blatantly stated rhema is the sword of the Holy Spirit.
SUMMARY
Paul understood rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word of God that comes to us by the Holy Spirit and leads to Salvation.
Tomorrow, we will look at the rest of the passages that referenced rhema in the New Testament.
Next Post
Friday, March 18, 2011
Rhema in The Book of Acts
This month we are going to look at a very powerful teaching from Wayne Swokowski concerning the translation of the word word in the Bible. Each week we will cover a different translation of words in the Bible. In the previous post, we looked more examples of rhema in the Gospels. Here is the summary:
rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word. While the source is God, angels and people are able to speak rhema to people. Also, people are unable to understand the rhema if they lack understanding/faith.
Tomorrow, we will look at more attributes of rhema...
RHEMA IN THE BOOK OF ACTS
Today, we will cover all the usages of rhema in The Book of Acts.
The first occurred at Pentecost:
"14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words." (Act 2:14)
Peter introduced his explanation for what happened during Pentecost by asking people to listen to rhema. Clearly, this was a moment when the spoken word was powerful and revelatory.
The next example occurred once apostles were put in jail by the high priest:
"17 But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,
18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.
19 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,
20 Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life." (Act 5:17-20)
An angel of God told them to speak in the temple to the people all the rhema of this Life. Again, the rhema was revelatory and powerful. However, this stated rhema was also able to give Life...to repair.
The apostles were again brought before the high priest and the council:
"29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.
31 Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him." (Act 5:29-32)
In verse 32, "things" is rhema. Peter told the religious leaders of that time the Holy Spirit and the apostles were witnesses of the revelatory and powerful spoken word that brings repair.
In the next chapter, the apostles identified seven people to handle the daily ministration...to directly serve the peoples' immediate needs while the apostles gave themselves to the word and prayer. One of these seven people was Stephen...
"8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
9 But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.
11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,
13 and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:
14 for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.
15 And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." (Acts 6:9-15)
In this passage, rhema was referenced twice: verse 11 and verse 13. Even the enemies of the faith recognized Stephen spoke revelatory and powerful words. However, they believed these revelatory and powerful words were evil.
Later, Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to play a part in Cornelius' conversion:
"21 And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee." (Act 10:21-22)
A holy angel told these people to hear the rhema from Peter.
Peter met Cornelius. Cornelius told Peter how Cornelius fasted for four days and was visited by an angel who spoke about Peter. Here is Peter's response:
"34 And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.
36 The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) --
37 that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.
40 Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,
41 not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.
43 To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word." (Acts 34-44)
Verse 37 ("saying") and verse 44 ("words") both referenced rhema. Verses 36 and 44 ("word") both referenced logos .
Peter stated the rhema was published...which consisted of the logos. The passage concluded by stating everything Peter spoke was rhema...and then the Holy Spirit fell on all those that heard the logos.
We've seen the written word (graphe) brings knowledge...the what.
We've seen the spoken word (logos) brings understanding...the why.
Now, we can see the revelatory and powerful spoken word (rhema) brings wisdom...the how.
Here is an excerpt from a post that explained Wisdom:
Wisdom is shown in our decisions (actions). Wisdom is proven by profitability. Someone who has wisdom makes profitable choices in the Long Term. Someone who lacks wisdom makes unprofitable choices, even though they look profitable in the short-term.
Proverbs says wisdom is the principle thing (Proverbs 4:7). It also says we are supposed to get wisdom and understanding. Now we can see why wisdom is principle and understanding follows closely behind. We are supposed to be profitable and wisdom is what drives our profitability. In addition, it is hard to have wisdom when we don’t understand the implications.
We've seen that rhema is grace.
Understanding leads to wisdom...and wisdom to understanding. rhema leads to logos...and logos leads to rhema.
There is an exception. Look at the following verse:
"5 But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)
God gives wisdom to people even if they don't have knowledge or understanding. How is that possible? Grace. God gives people grace...rhema...wisdom if they ask for it.
In the next chapter, Peter goes to Jerusalem to explain the events surrounding the previous story...
"12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:
13 and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit." (Acts 11:12-16)
Again, rhema was referenced twice in this passage: verse 14 ("words") and verse 16 ("word"). Peter restated it he spoke rhema...and the Holy Spirit fell on the listeners just like it did during Pentecost...the first reference of rhema in The Book of Acts. Then, Peter stated he remembered the rhema from Jesus...which was revelatory and powerful.
In chapter 13, Paul spoke to the people of Perga in Pamphylia. After Paul's teaching...
"42 And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God." (Acts 42-44)
Verse 42 stated the people wanted this rhema to be spoken to them next week. What Paul spoke was revelatory and powerful. Verse 44 stated the next week, the whole city gathered together to hear the logos of God. People came to get understanding.
In chapter 16, Paul and Silas were imprisoned. The keeper of the prison tells Paul and Silas that the magistrates have told him to let them go. Here was Paul's response...
"37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.
38 And the sergeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;
39 and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed." (Acts 16:37-40)
Verse 38 referenced the word rhema. The powerful and revelatory information was that Paul and Silas were Romans. The effect of this rhema was that the magistrates were in fear...because these words from Paul showed the magistrates that they were no wise. The magistrates had made a bad decision.
In chapter 26, Paul preaches to King Agrippa...
"24 And as he thus made his defense, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad.
25 But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness." (Acts 26:24-25)
Pauls' words made him appear mad/crazy/insane to Festus. However, Paul replied that he spoke rhema of truth and soberness. Remember, in yesterday's post, the women's rhema about Christ's Resurrection seemed like idle words to the apostles.
Finally, late in the concluding chapter of The Book of Acts, rhema is referenced in verse 25:
"24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,
26 saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
27 For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them." (Acts 28:24-27)
Paul spoke rhema which was from God through Isaiah. The passage specifically referenced that it is possible for an individual to resist the effects of rhema.
SUMMARY
rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings grace/wisdom.
On Monday, we will look at examples of rhema according to Paul.
Next Post
rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word. While the source is God, angels and people are able to speak rhema to people. Also, people are unable to understand the rhema if they lack understanding/faith.
Tomorrow, we will look at more attributes of rhema...
RHEMA IN THE BOOK OF ACTS
Today, we will cover all the usages of rhema in The Book of Acts.
The first occurred at Pentecost:
"14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words." (Act 2:14)
Peter introduced his explanation for what happened during Pentecost by asking people to listen to rhema. Clearly, this was a moment when the spoken word was powerful and revelatory.
The next example occurred once apostles were put in jail by the high priest:
"17 But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,
18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.
19 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,
20 Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life." (Act 5:17-20)
An angel of God told them to speak in the temple to the people all the rhema of this Life. Again, the rhema was revelatory and powerful. However, this stated rhema was also able to give Life...to repair.
The apostles were again brought before the high priest and the council:
"29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.
31 Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him." (Act 5:29-32)
In verse 32, "things" is rhema. Peter told the religious leaders of that time the Holy Spirit and the apostles were witnesses of the revelatory and powerful spoken word that brings repair.
In the next chapter, the apostles identified seven people to handle the daily ministration...to directly serve the peoples' immediate needs while the apostles gave themselves to the word and prayer. One of these seven people was Stephen...
"8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
9 But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.
11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,
13 and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:
14 for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.
15 And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." (Acts 6:9-15)
In this passage, rhema was referenced twice: verse 11 and verse 13. Even the enemies of the faith recognized Stephen spoke revelatory and powerful words. However, they believed these revelatory and powerful words were evil.
Later, Peter was led by the Holy Spirit to play a part in Cornelius' conversion:
"21 And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee." (Act 10:21-22)
A holy angel told these people to hear the rhema from Peter.
Peter met Cornelius. Cornelius told Peter how Cornelius fasted for four days and was visited by an angel who spoke about Peter. Here is Peter's response:
"34 And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.
36 The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) --
37 that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree.
40 Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,
41 not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.
43 To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word." (Acts 34-44)
Verse 37 ("saying") and verse 44 ("words") both referenced rhema. Verses 36 and 44 ("word") both referenced logos .
Peter stated the rhema was published...which consisted of the logos. The passage concluded by stating everything Peter spoke was rhema...and then the Holy Spirit fell on all those that heard the logos.
We've seen the written word (graphe) brings knowledge...the what.
We've seen the spoken word (logos) brings understanding...the why.
Now, we can see the revelatory and powerful spoken word (rhema) brings wisdom...the how.
Here is an excerpt from a post that explained Wisdom:
Wisdom is shown in our decisions (actions). Wisdom is proven by profitability. Someone who has wisdom makes profitable choices in the Long Term. Someone who lacks wisdom makes unprofitable choices, even though they look profitable in the short-term.
Proverbs says wisdom is the principle thing (Proverbs 4:7). It also says we are supposed to get wisdom and understanding. Now we can see why wisdom is principle and understanding follows closely behind. We are supposed to be profitable and wisdom is what drives our profitability. In addition, it is hard to have wisdom when we don’t understand the implications.
We've seen that rhema is grace.
Understanding leads to wisdom...and wisdom to understanding. rhema leads to logos...and logos leads to rhema.
There is an exception. Look at the following verse:
"5 But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5)
God gives wisdom to people even if they don't have knowledge or understanding. How is that possible? Grace. God gives people grace...rhema...wisdom if they ask for it.
In the next chapter, Peter goes to Jerusalem to explain the events surrounding the previous story...
"12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:
13 and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit." (Acts 11:12-16)
Again, rhema was referenced twice in this passage: verse 14 ("words") and verse 16 ("word"). Peter restated it he spoke rhema...and the Holy Spirit fell on the listeners just like it did during Pentecost...the first reference of rhema in The Book of Acts. Then, Peter stated he remembered the rhema from Jesus...which was revelatory and powerful.
In chapter 13, Paul spoke to the people of Perga in Pamphylia. After Paul's teaching...
"42 And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God." (Acts 42-44)
Verse 42 stated the people wanted this rhema to be spoken to them next week. What Paul spoke was revelatory and powerful. Verse 44 stated the next week, the whole city gathered together to hear the logos of God. People came to get understanding.
In chapter 16, Paul and Silas were imprisoned. The keeper of the prison tells Paul and Silas that the magistrates have told him to let them go. Here was Paul's response...
"37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.
38 And the sergeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;
39 and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed." (Acts 16:37-40)
Verse 38 referenced the word rhema. The powerful and revelatory information was that Paul and Silas were Romans. The effect of this rhema was that the magistrates were in fear...because these words from Paul showed the magistrates that they were no wise. The magistrates had made a bad decision.
In chapter 26, Paul preaches to King Agrippa...
"24 And as he thus made his defense, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad.
25 But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness." (Acts 26:24-25)
Pauls' words made him appear mad/crazy/insane to Festus. However, Paul replied that he spoke rhema of truth and soberness. Remember, in yesterday's post, the women's rhema about Christ's Resurrection seemed like idle words to the apostles.
Finally, late in the concluding chapter of The Book of Acts, rhema is referenced in verse 25:
"24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,
26 saying, Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
27 For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them." (Acts 28:24-27)
Paul spoke rhema which was from God through Isaiah. The passage specifically referenced that it is possible for an individual to resist the effects of rhema.
SUMMARY
rhema is the powerful and revelatory spoken word that brings grace/wisdom.
On Monday, we will look at examples of rhema according to Paul.
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