10/16/19

"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS" Beware Of Evil Companions (1:10-19) by Mark Copeland


"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"

Beware Of Evil Companions (1:10-19)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our study of Proverbs thus far, we have seen that wisdom
   requires...
   a. Fearing the Lord, so that we heed His Word - Pr 1:7
   b. Respecting our parents, so that we listen to their advice - Pr 1:8-9

2. What about our friends...?
   a. Our peers with whom we spend so much time?
   b. Might they not be a source of good counsel, i.e., wisdom?

[Indeed they can (cf. Pr 27:9).  But the wrong kind of friends must be
avoided.  This is illustrated in our text for this study (Pr 1:10-19)
which contains...]

I. FATHERLY WARNING CONCERNING EVIL COMPANIONS

   A. DO NOT CONSENT TO THEIR COUNSEL...
      1. A father’s advice:  "If sinners entice you, do not consent"
         - Pr 1:10
      2. Especially when they seek to entice you to do evil - Pr 1:11-12
      3. When they tempt you with promises of easy gain - Pr 1:13-14
      -- The example is enticement to murder and robbery

   B. DO NOT WALK WITH THEM...
      1. Keep away from such "friends" who are quick to do evil - Pr 1:15-16
      2. Their efforts are ultimately in vain - Pr 1:17
      3. Eventually they will pay with their own lives - Pr 1:18-19
      -- Such is the way of greed; it destroys those who possess it

[While the example in our text pertains to murder and robbery, the
principle holds to true to all kinds of sinful conduct.  So let’s expand
on the lesson to be learned here...]

II. THE DANGER OF EVIL COMPANIONS

   A. THEY PERSUADE THROUGH ENTICEMENT...
      1. Like the serpent tempted Eve, sinful friends will appeal to:
         a. The lust of the flesh ("good for food")
         b. The lust of the eyes ("pleasant to the eyes")
         c. The pride of life ("desirable to make one wise") - cf. Gen 3:6
      2. Evil friends will offer easy gain
         a. Such as wealth without work
         b. Such as pleasure without commitment
         c. Such as companionship without cost
      -- It sounds so good and easy, doesn’t it?

   B. THEY IGNORE THE COST OF SIN...
      1. That sin destroys those who possess it
         a. So called "friends" will eventually turn on one another
         b. If they will sin with you, how do you know they won’t sin
            against you?
         c. They will be friends only as long as it benefits themselves
      2. That sin eventually exposes those who continue in it
         a. "Be sure your sin will find you out" - Num 32:23
         b. Sin requires lies and deception; eventually one gets caught
            in their web of lies
         c. Sin often carries a physical price that cannot be hidden
            1) Addiction (drugs)
            2) Disease (STDs)
            3) Unwanted pregnancy
      -- Evil companions never talk about the cost of sin, do they?

[Finally, let's glean from our text what is...]

III. THE SOLUTION TO EVIL COMPANIONS

   A. DON’T LISTEN TO THEM...
      1. "Do not consent..." - Pr 1:10
      2. What they promise they cannot really deliver, at least for long
      3. The truly blessed man does not walk in their counsel - Ps 1:1
      -- Be wise enough not to heed their enticing words

   B. STAY AWAY FROM THEM...
      1. "Do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their
         path" - Pr 1:15
      2. Do not let them be your companions - Pr 13:20
      3. Especially if they are unbelievers - 2Co 6:14-18
      -- Be even wiser to avoid letting them become your companions

CONCLUSION

1. This is not to say that we cannot try to save them...
   a. We must be separate from the world, but we cannot isolate
      ourselves - cf. 1Co 5:9-11
   b. Even Jesus was a friend to sinners - Mt 11:19

2. But we must be honest with ourselves...
   a. Do we influence them more than they do to us?
   b. If not, then we should stay away until we are strong enough to be
      a positive influence

What we have studied in Pr 1:10-19 perhaps is best summarized by the
apostle Paul:

      Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."
                                                - 1Co 15:33

To be wise, we must know who to listen to (God, parents, and good
friends), and who not to listen to (anyone who would entice us to do
evil)...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

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Hosanna! by Dave Miller, Ph.D.




Hosanna!

by Dave Miller, Ph.D.


It was the final week of Jesus’ life on Earth. He had set His face to go to Jerusalem for some time (Luke 9:51). As He and His disciples were approaching Jerusalem, He instructed two of them to stop off at Bethphage—a tiny village about one-half mile east of Jerusalem on the south slope of the Mount of Olives. They were told they would find a female donkey and her foal that they were to untie and bring to the Savior. When questioned about their action, they were to assure the questioners that the Lord had temporary need of them, with the implication being that the owner—no doubt a disciple himself, or at least sympathetic to Christ—would give his consent.
Upon their return from this assignment, the disciples placed their outer cloaks (worn over their tunics or shirts) on the unbroken, saddleless colt, implying royal honor, even as in the case of Jehu’s elevation to kingship in 2 Kings 9:13. With Jesus seated on the colt, they continued their approach to Jerusalem, and were met by a considerable multitude of Jewish pilgrims who had come to observe the Passover. They had heard of His approach, and went out to give Him escort. The inspired writers inform us that this circumstance was a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy—specifically, Isaiah 62:11 and Zechariah 9:9: “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
The crowd of enthused worshippers commenced to litter the roadway with tree branches and articles of clothing, and to wave the branches of palm trees. To Jews, palm branches symbolized rejoicing and victory (Leviticus 23:40). The great multitude of Revelation 7:9 uttered praise and adoration to God and the Lamb, while holding palm branches in their hands.
Notice what some members of the crowd shouted: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” What an incredible scene! The entire scenario fills us with wonder and a sense of awe. But what does it mean? Why did this event occur? Why did Jesus even participate in a so-called “triumphal entry”? What is with the crowds? Why did they come forth and hail our Lord as if they were convinced that He was the Son of God, especially in view of the fact that in just four days they would turn on Him and clamor for His execution?
Two textual indicators help us to size up the situation. First, the people were curious about Christ’s ability to perform signs. John informs us that many people had been informed of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, and the crowds were still buzzing about that (John 12:18). But keep in mind that most people ultimately did not view the miracles of Jesus as proof of His divine identity (and therefore their need to bow before Him in obedient submission). Rather, they saw Him as a curiosity—someone Who could offer them physical advantages. Remember the comment Jesus made to the crowd whom He fed miraculously with a few loaves and fish? “You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26). In other words, just like people today, they were after the thrill, the excitement, and the materialistic possibilities—not the spiritual, eternal riches.
Second, it is clear that most of the Jews of Jesus’ day were looking for a physical king. The people of Jesus’ day were restless and waiting. They were looking and expecting. They were yearning and hoping for someone to change their oppressed condition. The foreign invader—the mighty Roman—had entered their land and subjugated them to foreign rule. What a degrading, humiliating situation! The average Jew hated the Roman invader, and saw him as low-class, pagan trash. Jews constantly were looking for every possible opportunity to antagonize their Roman oppressors with ultimate hopes of driving them from Palestine. These nationalistic hopes and expectations were centered on the Messiah predicted by the Old Testament prophets.
But a major misconception dominated the Jewish mentality: they were certain that the long-awaited Messiah would come in the form of a worldly, militaristic king Who would sit on an earthly throne—the throne of David—and reign in Jerusalem over a renewed Davidic kingdom. Even the apostles were infected with this materialistic understanding of the kingdom of Christ—as is evident in such incidents as Peter’s attempt to defend Christ with a sword (John 18:10), and the disciples’ question just prior to Christ’s ascension, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). On one occasion, the crowd even tried to take Jesus forcibly and make Him a king (John 6:15). Notice—in the four accounts of this triumphal entry—the terminology of the crowd in alluding to Jesus: “son of David”; “kingdom of our father David”; and “king of Israel.” These appellations show they were looking for a physical kingdom.
What was the significance of the expressions shouted by the crowd? What did they mean by their use of the term “hosanna”? These Jewish pilgrims simply were alluding to Psalm 118:25-26, which was a customary psalm to recite at the Feast of Tabernacles and other Jewish festivals. “Hosanna” is two words in the Hebrew—hoshea-na. “Hoshea” is an imperative meaning “Save!” “Na” is a particle of entreaty tacked on to the imperative, meaning “I pray” or “I plead.” So it roughly means, “please save.” In the context of the psalm, “hosanna” is a cry for help, a supplicatory plea for God to extend salvation. “In the highest” means in the highest degree or heavens. They were calling for salvation from the ultimate source—Heaven itself. “Hosanna” seems to have evolved through the centuries to the point that, by Jesus’ day, it was more of an exclamation of joy—a shout of praise and acclaim. People probably so use it today. But notice carefully its true biblical import.
Here is Jesus, sandwiched within a throng of people offering an imploring cry to God to bring to reality the salvation expected at the coming of the Messianic King. Though they conceptualize a physical kingdom, here is Jesus, fulfilling the kingly prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 in a joyous, triumphant setting reminiscent of the Feast of Tabernacles, with palm and willow branches waving and littering the pathway. The scene evoked, from those who were present, an exclamation appropriate to that occasion. But in the process, they were, in fact, unwittingly greeting the true King David and Messiah! Here was the King of kings, and Lord of lords—and they did not even grasp it! Here was the One Who could bestow upon them a salvation far beyond what David or any human king could offer. “Hosanna in the highest” actually refers to the fact that Jesus was the King who was about to bring salvation to the people from Heaven—not the ridding of the Romans from their land, but the eradication of sin from their lives, making it possible for them to enter the kingdom that cannot be shaken and that will last eternally (Hebrews 12:28; Revelation 11:15). Only deity can save in the true sense (Psalm 3:8; Isaiah 43:11; Jeremiah 3:23; Hosea 13:4).
Notice, then, the following observations and lessons to be gleaned from this biblical account:
First, perhaps the central purpose of the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem was to demonstrate Jesus’ approach to His coronation—which was heavenly rather than earthly. People constantly look in all the wrong places for the fulfillment of their dreams and wishes. They thought they wanted an earthly king to give them physical, psychological, and emotional relief. But they did not need that! What they needed was a divine king who could give them spiritual and eternal relief from the true hardship of life—sin.
The Jews had gone through this once before—in 1 Samuel 8. They thought they needed an earthly king then, too. But they did not—God was their king. Here they are again seeking earthly salvation, when the One Who could give them eternal salvation was in their very midst. Earthly kings fail and fade. Jesus was about to experience the ultimate death of human history, and then to rise victoriously from the dead and to ascend into Heaven itself in order to sit down upon His throne to rule and reign over a kingdom that would last throughout time—throughout all of world history—at which time He would turn the kingdom over to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24).
Second, notice the sharp contrast between the triumphal entry of King Jesus and the triumphal entries of worldly rulers. The Romans were well known for their triumphs. A Roman triumph consisted of the conqueror returning from his victorious campaigns to Rome, where he was greeted by throngs of grateful citizens. The road was strewn with flowers. Trumpet blasts heralded his procession through the city. He rode in a magnificent, gilded chariot pulled by four white horses. He wore a royal, purple robe, laced with gold and hung by jeweled shoulder clasps. He held an ivory scepter in his hand, and wore a laurel crown on his head. He was surrounded by lictors and slaves who lined the street with golden bowls of rare perfumes that were burned to fill the air with fragrance. On his way to the Senate, he would pause to offer a sacrifice to the gods, consisting of a splendid horned bull.
But look at Jesus! He was surrounded by crowds that did not even comprehend the true significance of the occasion, and that soon would clamor for His blood. He was seated on a donkey—a symbol of peace, unlike the horse and chariot, which are symbols of war. There was nothing degrading about riding on a donkey, but it signified his meekness, humility, and nonviolent intentions. There were no trumpet blasts, no flowers on the pathway, no incense fragrance filling the air. The only sacrifice was the one that He Himself soon would make in behalf of others.
If you had been a Roman bystander observing this incident, you surely would have considered this entrance to be somewhat cheap, second-rate, and even laughable. It lacked the pomp and circumstance so typical of human invention. Surely you have noticed the element within churches of Christ in our day that is attempting to refurbish worship and doctrine. Some wish to include solos, choirs, and worship teams who use microphones and electronic synthesizers to “enhance” the song service. They want to lift up their arms and sway to the music. They want to choreograph dramatic performances, and even incorporate orchestral and instrumental music. Can we not see that such self-centered, self-serving activity does not represent or please God? God’s handling of the promotion and propagation of His will lacks the hype, the bells and whistles, the smoke and mirrors, and the theatrics of humanly instigated religion. God does not approve of “showbiz religion” or “Hollywood hallelujahs” (Matthew 23:5-7; Mark 5:15). Our culture is entertainment oriented and emotion driven. Hence, the tinsel and glitter associated with physical stimulation and fleshly pleasure in the world has made its way into many congregations, and Christians are falling prey to the false notion that “God is pleased when we’re pleased.” But Jesus’ words in Matthew 15:9 still ring relevant today: “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
Third, do we understand the genuine joy, the happiness, and the gladness that is ours in Christ? When we sing “hosanna,” we ought to be conscious of the fact that we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus in the waters of baptism. His triumphal entry into heaven has paved the way for us! Salvation is available to us! The cry, the earnest plea for God to save us, is realized in the person of Jesus Christ our Savior, Who gave Himself on our behalf and extends perfect peace and complete satisfaction to us if we will but obey the Gospel plan of salvation and live the Christian life.
I wonder how many people were in the multitude that escorted Jesus into Jerusalem? Scores? Hundreds? But we know for a fact that all of that seemingly genuine religious expression was short lived, if not fake. The people were just going through the motions. They must have felt extremely religious and right with God. But human feelings never have been a trustworthy barometer of one’s spiritual status.
Are you a Christian? Have you submitted yourself to the specific prerequisites enjoined upon us before we can receive the atoning benefit of Christ’s blood? Have you confessed your faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (John 8:24; Romans 10:9-10)? Have you repented of your sins, and turned to God Almighty (Acts 26:20; Luke 13:3)? Have you scripturally acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus in your life by implementing your penitent trust in the waters of baptism (Acts 2:38)? Do not be influenced by family or friends. You must make the decision on your own, and refrain from being influenced by the opinions of mere humans. When the Pharisees heard the crowd referring to Jesus as the King Who comes in the name of the Lord, when they heard the cries of “hosanna to the son of David,” they called to Jesus from the crowd and urged Him to rebuke the people for making such statements. Jesus responded, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out” (Luke 19:40). Oh yes, you and I must render submission to the King of kings, even if everyone else forsakes Him.
As a Christian, are you merely going through the motions? Do you worship sincerely? Do you seek to serve other people every day? Do you strive to eliminate from your mind and life those things that are unbecoming of a child of God? Do you know that as Jesus drew near to the city of Jerusalem, with all of those people expressing apparent recognition of His person, He began to weep over the city’s inhabitants because He knew they just did not understand. He offered them forgiveness, blessing, and peace, but their failure to embrace and practice genuine Bible religion meant He would give them instead judgment, wrath, and destruction. May none of us fall short of His intention for us, and may we be willing to do what it takes. May we sing with genuineness the words of Carl Tuttle:
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest;
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest;
Lord, we lift up Your name,
With hearts full of praise;
Be exalted, O Lord my God,
Hosanna in the highest.

Homer Sometimes Nodded, but the Bible Writers Never Did! by Wayne Jackson, M.A.




Homer Sometimes Nodded, but the Bible Writers Never Did!

by Wayne Jackson, M.A.


Horace (65-8 B.C.), a Latin lyric poet, wrote: “Sometimes even the noble Homer nods” (Ars Poetica, 1.359). Homer was the blind Greek poet of the eighth century B.C., so well known for his works, the Iliad and the Odyssey. What Horace suggested was this: As accomplished as Homer was, he sometimes erred with reference to the facts of the incidents he mentioned.
More than a quarter of a century ago, the late B.C. Goodpasture, respected editor of the Gospel Advocate for some thirty-eight years, published an article in that journal titled “Homer Sometimes Nods” (1970). The thrust of this fascinating essay was to show that human authors, regardless of their genius and skill, are fallible. Thus, in spite of their consummate care, they will “nod” or “slip” on occasion. By way of contrast, the writers of the biblical record never “nodded.” Even though many of them were not professional scholars (cf. Acts 4:13), nonetheless they wrote with astounding precision. The only reasonable conclusion the honest student may draw is this: their work was overseen by the Spirit of God. [I acknowledge my indebtedness to the revered Goodpasture for the idea embodied in this article, and for a few of the examples that illustrate the concept developed.]

TO ERR IS HUMAN

A poet once quipped: “To err is human....” How very true. Humans err. God does not. And that is why the careful student can discern clearly the difference between a document that is a mere human composition, and one which was penned under the guidance of the infallible Creator of the Universe.
Herodotus was a Greek historian of the fifth century B.C. Cicero called him “the father of history.” He wrote nine books dealing with the Greek and Persian wars, together with a history of the customs and geography of those empires. In one of his writings, Herodotus claimed that the reason the oxen in Sythia grew no horns was because it was too cold there (4.29). Apparently, he never had heard of reindeer!
Aristotle, the famous Greek scholar of the fourth century B.C., was renowned for his knowledge. Yet he made some colossal speculative blunders. In his work titled Parts of Animals, he argued that within the human body, man’s soul is “lodged in some substance of a fiery character.” He contended that the brain “is a compound of earth and water.” He further suggested that sleep is caused by the blood flowing into the brain, thus making it heavy. This, he declared, “is the reason why drowsy persons hang the head” (Book II, Chapter 3).
Marcus Porcius Cato was a Roman statesman who died about the mid-second century B.C. His famous work, De agri cultura (“On Farming”), has survived. In one passage (71) he gave a remedy for treating an ailing ox. It consisted of forcing down the ox a raw hen egg, swallowed whole, followed the next day by a concoction of leek and wine. However, this treatment—in order to be efficacious—absolutely had to be administered from a wooden vessel while both the ox and the administrator were standing (cited by Sarton, 1959, p. 408). It is obvious that the method of administration would have nothing to do with the curative value of Cato’s concoction. Yet such is the nature of human superstition.
Flavius Josephus was a Jewish writer who authored several works regarding the Hebrew nation, its fortunes, and its fate. Though considered a respectable historian for his day, he frequently slipped. For instance he declared that during the siege of Jerusalem (A.D. 70), a heifer, being led to be sacrificed in the temple, gave birth to a lamb (Wars, 6.3). Josephus also spoke of a certain place in Egypt where fierce serpents “ascend out of the ground unseen, and also fly in the air” (Antiquities, 2.10.2).
Samuel Johnson was the author of the first bona fide English dictionary. He also produced a Grammar of the English Tongue. In that work, the celebrated writer stated that the letter “H seldom, perhaps never, begins any but the first syllable” of a word. Regrettably he had not noticed that “h” commenced the second syllable in “perhaps.” His humiliation must have been keen.
The famous poet, Lord Byron, wrote a magnificent composition that he titled, “The Destruction of Sennacherib.” In beautiful rhyme this literary masterpiece dramatically told of the devastating deaths of the 185,000 Assyrian soldiers who once threatened Jerusalem in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah. The poet slipped, though, because the rebel monarch Sennacherib was not destroyed when Jehovah’s messenger smote that vast heathen camp. The king was several miles away at Lachish when the destruction occurred. He eventually returned to his home in the east and was slain by his own sons—in fulfillment, incidentally, of sacred prophecy (2 Kings 19:7; 36-37).
Adam Clarke was probably the most famous scholar produced by the Methodist Church. He spent forty years writing his famous Commentary on the Holy Bible. As meticulous as he was, Clarke occasionally erred. For example, in commenting on Genesis 1:16, he suggested that the Moon has streams and vegetation, and is inhabited by intelligent beings. Our modern space explorations have proved that speculation quite erroneous. Clarke also stated that Jewish historian Josephus never mentioned the Syrian soldier, Naaman. He was wrong, though, because Josephus asserted that the warrior who mortally wounded Ahab, by shooting an arrow randomly into the air, was Naaman (Antiquities, 8.15.5).
Alexander Cruden produced a widely used concordance of the English Bible, a task for which he was well qualified by virtue of many years of scripture study (even though, at times, he suffered from emotional illness). Yet in his volume, Explanations of Scripture Terms, concerning the whale Cruden wrote: “The [whale is the] greatest of the fishes that we know of ” (1840, p. 366). He erred. Actually, the whale is a mammal, and not a fish at all.
The religion of Islam claims that the Qur’an is inspired of God. Clearly, however, it is not, for it is flawed by many examples of “nodding.” For instance, the Qur’an suggests that the human fetus results from “sperm” [no mention of an egg] that changes into “a clot of congealed blood,” which then becomes bones, later to be covered with flesh (sura 23:14). This hardly is an accurate description of fetal development.
The Book of Mormon is revered by millions of “Latter-Day Saints.” It purports to be an infallible revelation from God given to Joseph Smith Jr. by an angel of the Lord. Whoever composed the narrative, however, “nodded” more than once (one almost is tempted to say he lapsed into a coma!). For instance, in Alma 7:10 it is said that Jesus Christ was born in Jerusalem. But, as every school child knows, the Lord was born in that “little town of Bethlehem” (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1). The Spirit of God makes no such blunders. Again, according to the Book of Mormon, a man by the name of Nephi was using a “compass” to find his direction in the sixth century B.C. (1 Nephi 16:10; 2 Nephi 5:12). It is well known, of course, that the mariner’s compass was not in use until at least a thousand years after the birth of Christ. This is a critical anachronism in Mormonism’s “sacred” book. Joseph Smith Jr. also taught that there were people living on the Moon—six feet tall, dressed like Quakers, and with a life span of 1,000 years (Huntington, 1892, 3:263). Brigham Young, Smith’s successor, when asked about this matter, concurred, suggesting that such beings lived on the Sun as well (Young, 13:271).
Mary Baker Eddy founded the “Christian Science” movement. She produced a book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which she claimed was co-authored by God. But Mrs. Eddy more than nodded when, in that volume, she wrote: “Man is not matter—made up of brains, blood, bones, and other material elements.... Man is spiritual and perfect; and because of this, he must be so understood in Christian Science.... Man is incapable of sin, sickness, and death” (1934, p. 475). In spite of her denial of human mortality, she died December 3, 1910.
I cannot conclude this section without acknowledging my own fallibility. When I penned my little book, Biblical Studies in the Light of Archaeology (1982), I stated that “Henry Winckler” of the German Orient Society discovered the ancient Hittite capital of Boghazkoy. That was a “slip.” It was “Hugo Winckler,” not “Henry.” Henry Winkler was the “Fonz” of the old “Happy Days” television show! This merely demonstrated what many had suspected already—I am not inspired of God!

BIBLICAL ACCURACY

By way of glaring contrast, the holy writers of the biblical records never “nodded.” Their works are characterized by a razor-sharp accuracy that defies explanation, save on the ground that they were controlled by the Spirit of God. Consider the following factors.
(1) The first two chapters of the Bible contain the divine record of the commencement of the Universe, including the Earth and its inhabitants. Though it was penned thirty-five centuries ago, there is not a syllable in this account that is at variance with any demonstrable fact of science. Any book on astronomy or Earth science, penned fifty years ago, already is obsolete. And yet Genesis, simple and sublime, is factually flawless. The Mosaic narrative asserts that the Universe had a “beginning” (1:1), which is perfectly consistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Contrast this with the Enuma Elish, the Babylonian creation tablets, which asserts the eternality of matter (see Pfeiffer, 1966, p. 226). The Genesis record affirms that creation activity was concluded by the end of the sixth day (2:1-3). Science says, as per the First Law of Thermodynamics, that nothing is being created today. No less than ten times Genesis 1 affirms that biological organisms replicate “after [their] kind.” In passing, we must note that modern pseudoscience (i.e., the theory of evolution) is dependent upon the notion that in the past organisms have reproduced after their non-kind! The biblical account, however, is perfectly in harmony with the known laws of genetics.
(2) The medical knowledge revealed in the Bible record truly is astounding. It is well known, for instance, that in the antique world, medicine was based upon myth and superstition. This was true both in Babylon and in Egypt. For example the Papyrus Ebers (from the sixteenth century B.C.), edited by Georg M. Ebers in 1874, offered some very strange remedies for various illnesses. Here is a prescription for folks who are losing their hair: “When it falls out, one remedy is to apply a mixture of six fats, namely those of the horse, the hippopotamus, the crocodile, the cat, the snake, and the ibex. To strengthen it, anoint with the tooth of a donkey crushed in honey” (as quoted in McMillen, 1963, p. 11). Even the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus, one of the more sophisticated examples of Egyptian medical “science,” contains a spell for “transforming an old man into a youth of twenty.”
In spite of the fact that Moses was reared in an Egyptian environment, and “was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22), not one time did the great law-giver incorporate any of this magical mumbo-jumbo into the Scriptures. On the contrary, Moses was far ahead of his time in terms of medicine and sanitation. A careful study of Leviticus 13, with reference to certain skin diseases, reveals some rather modern techniques, e.g., diagnosis of certain symptoms, treatment to lessen spread (e.g., disinfection), and quarantine. No other law code in the whole of ancient history came anywhere near rivaling these health regulations. Consider, for instance, the fact that the “leper” was required to “cover his upper lip” (Leviticus 13:45). Dr. J.S. Morton has noted: “Since the leprosy bacilli are transmitted from nasal drippings and saliva, this practice of having lepers cover their upper lips was a good hygienic policy” (1978, p. 255). Concerning Moses’ procedures for quarantining, Dr. William Vis has written:
To show how far Moses was ahead of modern society we need only to remind ourselves that the word quarantine originated in the fourteenth century when the Italian ports of Venice and Genoa first refused admission to immigrants who might be harboring plague and required them to stay on board for forty days, hence the word quarantine. Even in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries leprosy spread over southern Europe until the principles of Moses were re-enacted successfully (1950, p. 244).
(3) When the Encyclopaedia Britannica first was published, it had so many mistakes relative to American geography and topography that the publishers of the New American Cyclopedia issued a special pamphlet correcting the numerous blunders of its British rival. J.W. McGarvey once noted that when Tacitus wrote his celebrated work, Germany, which dealt with the geography, manners, customs, and tribes of Germany, it contained so many errors that many were inclined to doubt that this well-known Roman historian could have produced such a flawed volume (1956, 3:26-27). The Encyclopaedia Britannica stated concerning Tacitus’ work that “the geography is its weak point” (1958, 21:736).
The biblical writings contain literally hundreds of references to geography and topography relating to those lands that the prophets and apostles traversed. For example, we are quite casual in our topographical allusions. One is said to travel from Atlanta up to Chicago, whereas Chicago is almost 500 feet lower than Atlanta. Usually we speak of going “up” north and “down” south. With the biblical writers, elevation references always are precise. One travels from Jerusalem (in the south) “down” to Antioch, some 150 miles to the north (Acts 15:1-2). Not once is there a geographical or topographical blunder in the sacred volume, in spite of the fact that the ancients did not possess the sophisticated instruments that we have today.
Here is another amazing fact. In the book of Acts, the historian Luke mentions thirty-two countries, fifty-four cities, and nine of the Mediterranean islands (Metzger, 1965, p. 171). There is not the slightest mistake in any of his references. Luke has been criticized over the centuries to be sure; his influence has increased, however, while his critics’ credibility has decreased!

ALLEGED SLIPS

Over a span of many centuries, hostile critics of the Bible have charged the sacred writers with “nodding.” Time after time, however, when the true facts have come to light, the Scriptures have been vindicated. Reflect upon a few examples of such.
The Genesis record declares that while he was in Egypt, Pharaoh presented Abraham with some camels (Genesis 12:16). Liberal writers disputed this. T.K. Cheyne wrote: “The assertion that the ancient Egyptians knew of the camel is unfounded” (1899, 1:634). Professor Kenneth Kitchen has shown, however, that “the extant evidence clearly indicates that the domestic camel was known [in Egypt] by 3,000 B.C.”—long before Abraham’s time (1980, 1:228).
On several occasions in the book of Genesis it is recorded that Abraham and Isaac had associations with the Philistines (cf. Genesis 21; 26). Liberal scholars consider these references to be anachronistic (details from a later age inappropriately inserted into the patriarchal account). H.T. Frank characterized the allusions as “an historical inaccuracy” (1964, p. 323). It has been shown, however, that “Philistine” was a rather generic term and that there is no valid reason to doubt that these groups were in Canaan before the arrival of the main body in the early twelfth century B.C. (Unger, 1954, p. 91; Archer, 1964, p. 266; Harrison, 1963, p. 32). Harrison noted that the archaeological evidence “suggests that it is a mistake to regard the mention of the Philistines in the patriarchal narratives as an anachronism” (1983, p. 362).
Elsewhere, I have catalogued no less than twenty major “slips” with which the biblical writers have been charged (Jackson, 1982). Each has evaporated with the passing of time and the exhumation of evidence.
Yes, even the noble Homer may nod; those guided by the Spirit of God, however, never did. You can trust the Bible!

REFERENCES

Archer, Gleason (1964), A Survey of Old Testament Introduction (Chicago, IL: Moody).
Cheyne, T.K. (1899), Encyclopedia Biblica (London: A. & C. Black).
Cruden, Alexander (1840), Cruden’s Explanations of Scripture Terms (London: Religious Tract Society).
Eddy, Mary Baker (1934), Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (Boston, MA: The First Church of Christ, Scientist).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, (1958), “Tacitus,” (London: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.).
Frank, H.T. (1964), An Archaeological Companion to the Bible (London: SCM Press).
Goodpasture, B.C. (1970), “Homer Sometimes Nods,” Gospel Advocate, 112[21]:322,325.
Harrison, R.K. (1963), The Archaeology of the Old Testament (New York: Harper & Row).
Harrison, R.K. (1983), The New International Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology, ed. Edward Blaiklock and R.K. Harrison (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).
Huntington, Oliver B. (1892), “Inhabitants of the Moon,” Young Woman’s Journal.
Jackson, Wayne (1982), Biblical Studies in the Light of Archaeology (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).
Kitchen, K.A. (1980), The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. J.D. Douglas (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale).
McGarvey, J.W. (1956 reprint), Evidences of Christianity (Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate).
McMillen, S.I. (1963), None of These Diseases (Westwood, NJ: Revell).
Metzger, Bruce M. (1965), The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, and Content (Nashville, TN: Abingdon).
Morton, J.S. (1978), Science in the Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody).
Pfeiffer, Charles (1966), The Biblical World (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).
Sarton, George (1959), A History of Science (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press).
Unger, Merrill (1954), Archaeology and the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).
Vis, William R. (1950), “Medical Science and the Bible,” Modern Science and the Christian Faith (Wheaton, IL: Van Kampen).
Young, Brigham (1854-75), Journal of Discourses (Liverpool, England: F.D. Richards).

Hezekiah Bulla: More Evidence for Bible Inspiration by Kyle Butt, M.Div.




Hezekiah Bulla: More Evidence for Bible Inspiration

by Kyle Butt, M.Div.


Outspoken unbelievers have attacked the Bible for years. They accuse it of being filled with errors and contradictions. For those who have listened to their accusations, it may come as a surprise to find out that the Bible is the most historically accurate book in the world. There has never been a single legitimate mistake found in its pages. To those who are familiar with the field of archaeology, the Bible’s accuracy comes as no surprise. In fact, over the centuries, thousands of discoveries have come to light that corroborate biblical stories and statements.
An exciting new discovery adds further weight to the case for the Bible’s accuracy and inspiration. In the Old Testament, we read about a king named Hezekiah. Second Kings 18:1 says that Hezekiah was “the son of Ahaz, king of Judah.” On December 2, 2015, a press release from Hebrew University in Jerusalem explained that a small clay seal was discovered near the Temple mount. The text on the seal reads, “Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah” (Smith, 2015). This seal is called a bulla (bullae is the plural form). Clay bullae like this were used to seal documents. There are other such seals, but this one is the first of an Israelite or Judean king that has been discovered by professional archaeologists in situ (in the location where it was left) (Smith). Dr. Eilat Mazer and her team unearthed the bulla in a garbage heap, along with more than 30 other bullae.
The fact that the Bible is the inspired Word of God has long been a settled question (Butt, 2007). Finds like this one, however, add increasing weight to the ever growing mound of evidence that confirms the divine origin of the glorious book we call the Bible.

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle (2007), Behold! The Word of God (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press), http://www.apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/Behold%20the%20Word%20of%20God.pdf.
Smith, Dov (2015), “First Seal Impression of an Israelite or Judean King Ever Exposed in Situ in a Scientific Archaeological Excavation,” PhysOrg, http://phys.org/news/2015-12-israelite-judean-king-exposed-situ.html.
Recommended Resources

THINGS THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY PREACHED IN CONTEMPORARY CHURCHES BY STEVE FINNELL



THINGS THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY PREACHED IN CONTEMPORARY CHURCHES  BY STEVE FINNELL



What doctrines are usually avoided when preaching in today's churches?

1. The sin of abortion.

2. The sin of drunkenness.

3. The sin of premarital sex.

4. The sin of homosexuality.

5. The sin of adultery.

6. The sin of perverting the gospel of Christ.

7. Preaching that false doctrines taught in many denominational churches and cults.

8. Preaching about the sin of Christians who have membership in the church of Freemasonry.

9. Preaching against the false doctrine that infants are born guilty of Adam's sin. In other words the false doctrine of original sin.

10. Pointing out the false doctrine that unbelievers are subjects for water baptism. That being unbelieving infants.

11. Baptizing for the dead, by proxy.

12. The erroneous doctrine that sprinkling and pouring are simply additional modes of being immersed. All being water baptism.

13. Preaching against the false doctrine of salvation by faith only; therefore excluding immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins.

14. Preaching that men saved by grace alone is not found in the Bible.

15. Teaching that Christians need to repent in order to enter the kingdom God. That living an unrepentant lifestyle can prevent a Christian from inheriting eternal life.

16. Teaching that praying to the Virgin Mary and other dead saints is worship and that worshipping anyone but God is sin.

17.  That the supernatural gifts of prophecies, tongues, and knowledge ceased to exists at the completion of the Bible. God's complete revelation to mankind.  

These 17 subjects are not normally preached in today's churches.

-------------------------------------------------------

What normally is preached in the contemporary church?

 Jesus loves everyone, do not worry, because Christians are sinners saved by grace.

All denominations and cults are going to heaven. They just taking different paths.   

Just believe in Jesus and you are saved and can never be lost. Do worry about sin in your life. The warnings about falling from grace have been misinterpreted.

Just claim to be a Christian and you are on your way to heaven.

-------------------------------------------------------

 NOTE: 75% of people in the USA claim to be Christians.  


Greek Words for Love in the New Testament by Roy Davison



Greek Words for Love in the New Testament
[1] = ἀγαπάω (agapaō), to love. - [2] = ἀγάπη (agapē), love. - [3] = φιλέω (phileō), to love; to kiss. - [4] = φίλος (philos), friend. - [5] = φιλία (philia), friendship, love. - [6] = φιλαδελφία (philadelphia), brotherly love. - [7] = φιλάδελφος (philadelphos), one having brotherly love. - [8] = φιλόστοργος (philostorgos), friendly affection. - [9] = φίλανδρος (philandros), love for one's husband. - [10] = φιλότεκνος (philoteknos), love for one's children. - [11] = φιλανθρωπία (philanthrōpia), love for mankind, (loving) kindness. - [12] = φιλόθεος (philotheos), one who loves God.

Matthew 5:43 [1]
You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
Matthew 5:44 [1]
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:46 [1]
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 6:5 [3]
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Matthew 6:24 [1]
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 10:37 [3]
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 11:19 [4]
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children.
Matthew 19:19 [1]
“'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Matthew 22:37 [1]
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
Matthew 22:39 [1]
And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Matthew 23:6 [3]
They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 24:12 [2]
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
Matthew 26:48 [3]
Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”
Mark 10:21 [1]
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
Mark 12:30 [1]
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.
Mark 12:31 [1]
And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:33 [1]
And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Mark 14:44 [3]
Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”
Luke 6:27 [1]
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luke 6:32 [1]
But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luke 6:35 [1]
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Luke 7:5 [1]
for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.
Luke 7:6 [4]
Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.”
Luke 7:34 [4]
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
Luke 7:42 [1]
And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?
Luke 7:47 [1]
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
Luke 10:27 [1]
So he answered and said, “'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'”
Luke 11:5 [4]
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;'”
Luke 11:6 [4]
for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
Luke 11:8 [4]
I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Luke 11:42 [2]
But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Luke 11:43 [1]
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke 12:4 [4]
And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luke 14:10 [4]
But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.
Luke 14:12 [4]
Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.”
Luke 15:6 [4]
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
Luke 15:9 [4]
And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'
Luke 15:29 [4]
So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.
Luke 16:9 [4]
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
Luke 16:13 [1]
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Luke 20:46 [3]
“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
Luke 21:16 [4]
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
Luke 22:47 [3]
And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.
Luke 23:12 [4]
That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.
John 3:16 [1]
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:19 [1]
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:29 [4]
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
John 3:35 [1]
The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
John 5:20 [3]
For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
John 5:42 [2]
But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
John 8:42 [1]
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
John 10:17 [1]
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
John 11:3 [3]
Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
John 11:5 [1]
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
John 11:11 [4]
These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
John 11:36 [3]
Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
John 12:25 [3]
He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:43 [1]
for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 13:1 [1]
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
John 13:23 [1]
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:34 [1]
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35 [2]
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 14:15 [1]
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:21 [1]
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:23 [1]
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 14:24 [1]
He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
John 14:28 [1]
You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I.
John 14:31 [1]
But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
John 15:9 [1] [2]
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
John 15:10 [2]
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
John 15:12 [1]
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:13 [2] [4]
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
John 15:14 [4]
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
John 15:15 [4]
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 15:17 [1]
These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:19 [3]
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 16:27 [3]
for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
John 17:23 [1]
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17:24 [1]
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:26 [1] [2]
And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
John 19:12 [4]
From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
John 19:26 [1]
When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”
John 20:2 [3]
Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
John 21:7 [1]
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
John 21:15 [1] [3]
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
John 21:16 [1] [3]
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
John 21:17 [3]
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
John 21:20 [1]
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
Acts 10:24 [4]
And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Acts 19:31 [4]
Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
Acts 27:3 [4]
And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
Acts 28:2 [11]
And the natives showed us unusual kindness.
Romans 5:5 [2]
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:8 [2]
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:28 [1]
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:35 [2]
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:37 [1]
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:39 [2]
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 9:13 [1]
As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
Romans 9:25 [1]
As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
Romans 12:9 [2]
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Romans 12:10 [6] [8]
Be [8] kindly affectionate to one another with [6] brotherly love
Romans 13:8 [1]
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:9 [1]
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Romans 13:10 [2]
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 14:15 [2]
Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
Romans 15:30 [2]
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
1 Corinthians 2:9 [1]
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 4:21 [2]
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
1 Corinthians 8:1 [2]
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
1 Corinthians 8:3 [1]
But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1 Corinthians 13:1 [2]
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:2 [2]
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:3 [2]
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:4 [2]
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
1 Corinthians 13:8 [2]
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:13 [2]
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 14:1 [2]
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 16:14 [2]
Let all that you do be done with love.
1 Corinthians 16:22 [3]
If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!
1 Corinthians 16:24 [2]
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
2 Corinthians 2:4 [2]
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
2 Corinthians 2:8 [2]
Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
2 Corinthians 5:14 [2]
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 6:6 [2]
by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
2 Corinthians 8:7 [2]
But as you abound in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us - see that you abound in this grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:8 [2]
I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
2 Corinthians 8:24 [2]
Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 9:7 [1]
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 11:11 [1]
Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!
2 Corinthians 12:15 [1]
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
2 Corinthians 13:11 [2]
Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (13) [2]
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Galatians 2:20 [1]
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 5:6 [2]
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Galatians 5:13 [2]
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:14 [1]
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:22 [2]
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Ephesians 1:4 [2]
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Ephesians 1:6 [1]
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:15 [2]
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
Ephesians 2:4 [1] [2]
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
Ephesians 3:17 [2]
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:19 [2]
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 4:2 [2]
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
Ephesians 4:15 [2]
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ -
Ephesians 4:16 [2]
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 5:2 [1] [2]
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:25 [1]
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Ephesians 5:28 [1]
So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
Ephesians 5:33 [1]
Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 6:23 [2]
Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:24 [1]
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Philippians 1:9 [2]
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
Philippians 1:17 (16) [2]
but the latter [preach Christ] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
Philippians 2:1 [2]
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
Philippians 2:2 [2]
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Colossians 1:4 [2]
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
Colossians 1:8 [2]
who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Colossians 1:13 [2]
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Colossians 2:2 [2]
that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
Colossians 3:12 [1]
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:14 [2]
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Colossians 3:19 [1]
Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 [2]
remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
1 Thessalonians 1:4 [1]
knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
1 Thessalonians 3:6 [2]
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you -
1 Thessalonians 3:12 [2]
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
1 Thessalonians 4:9 [1] [6]
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Thessalonians 5:8 [2]
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 [2]
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 [2]
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
2 Thessalonians 2:10 [2]
and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 [1]
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
2 Thessalonians 2:16 [1]
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
2 Thessalonians 3:5 [2]
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
1 Timothy 1:5 [2]
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
1 Timothy 1:14 [2]
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:15 [2]
Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
1 Timothy 4:12 [2]
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 6:11 [2]
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
2 Timothy 1:7 [2]
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:13 [2]
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:22 [2]
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 3:4 [12]
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
2 Timothy 3:10 [2]
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
2 Timothy 4:8 [1]
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:10 [1]
for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica - Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
Titus 2:2 [2]
that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
Titus 2:4 [9] [10]
that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children
Titus 3:4 [11]
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared [love ... toward man]
Titus 3:15 [3]
All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Philemon 5 [2]
hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
Philemon 7 [2]
For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
Philemon 9 [2]
yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you - being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ -
Hebrews 1:9 [1]
You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
Hebrews 6:10 [2]
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 10:24 [2]
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
Hebrews 12:6 [1]
For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
Hebrews 13:1 [6]
Let brotherly love continue.
James 1:12 [1]
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 2:5 [1]
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
James 2:8 [1]
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
James 2:23 [4]
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
James 4:4 [4] [5]
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that [5] friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1 Peter 1:8 [1]
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:22 [1] [6]
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere [6] love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
1 Peter 2:17 [1]
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
1 Peter 3:8 [7]
having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous
1 Peter 3:10 [1]
For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
1 Peter 4:8 [2]
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 5:14 [2]
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
2 Peter 1:7 [2] [6]
to godliness [6] brotherly kindness, and to [6] brotherly kindness love.
2 Peter 2:15 [1]
They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
1 John 2:5 [2]
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
1 John 2:10 [1]
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 John 2:15 [1] [2]
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 3:1 [2]
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:10 [1]
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:11 [1]
For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
1 John 3:14 [1]
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
1 John 3:16 [2]
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:17 [2]
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:18 [1]
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:23 [1]
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
1 John 4:7 [1] [2]
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:8 [1] [2]
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:9 [2]
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:10 [1] [2]
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:11 [1]
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:12 [1] [2]
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
1 John 4:16 [2]
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:17 [2]
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:18 [2]
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1 John 4:19 [1]
We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:20 [1]
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
1 John 4:21 [1]
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
1 John 5:1 [1]
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
1 John 5:2 [1]
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
1 John 5:3 [2]
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
2 John 1 [1]
The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,
2 John 3 [2]
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
2 John 5 [1]
And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
2 John 6 [2]
This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
3 John 1 [1]
The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
3 John 6 [2]
who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,
3 John 14 (15) [4]but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Jude 1 [1]
To those who are called, sanctified ['loved' in many manuscripts] by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
Jude 2 [2]
Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Jude 12 [2]
These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;
Jude 21 [2]
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Revelation 1:5 [1]
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
Revelation 2:4 [2]
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Revelation 2:19 [2]
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
Revelation 3:9 [1]
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie - indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Revelation 3:19 [3]
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Revelation 12:11 [1]
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelation 20:9 [1]
They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
Revelation 22:15 [3]
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Verse fragments are from the NKJV.
Compiled by Roy Davison - http://www.oldpaths.com/RD