"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.…" (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Jesus never said he was God. He is the Son of God and came to mankind as the “image” of the invisible God.
“No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son-- the One who is at the Father's side-- He has revealed Him...he is the image of the invisible God..." (John 1:18; Colossians 1:15)
Many intelligent, rational, and thinking men drift away from institutional religions to focus solely on the potential of mankind apart from God. But if they studied the Jesus of the Bible they would find that “the man Christ Jesus” is the very man that they propose we all can and should be. And Jesus is the "image" of what all mankind will eventually become…
"And God said, let us make mankind in our image.” (Genesis 1:26)
For my wife, children and grandchildren..and anyone else who may be interested!
Showing posts with label ransom for all. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ransom for all. Show all posts
Sons of Gehenna
“You will listen and listen, yet never understand; and you will look and look, yet never perceive ... you go round the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever it may happen -- you make him a son of gehenna twofold more than yourselves” (Matthew 13:14; 23:15 YLT)
Jesus was talking to the most prominent religious leaders of his day. They just could not overcome their own traditions, even when the very image of God was standing in front of them. All their efforts in building up their religious institution was not making any difference for God or the lives of people. God would later inspire Paul to write Timothy and make sure he knew what he was to teach…
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior wills ALL men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth… there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth...it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL men, especially of believers. Prescribe and TEACH THESE THINGS.” (1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-7; 4:9-11)
You can pastor a church, become a missionary, pray without ceasing, study the bible with every waking hour, author a bestselling Christian book and build a new church on every block in every city of the world… but if you do not believe and teach what God says above...all your works may just become fuel for the fire…
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
Jesus was talking to the most prominent religious leaders of his day. They just could not overcome their own traditions, even when the very image of God was standing in front of them. All their efforts in building up their religious institution was not making any difference for God or the lives of people. God would later inspire Paul to write Timothy and make sure he knew what he was to teach…
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior wills ALL men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth… there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth...it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL men, especially of believers. Prescribe and TEACH THESE THINGS.” (1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-7; 4:9-11)
You can pastor a church, become a missionary, pray without ceasing, study the bible with every waking hour, author a bestselling Christian book and build a new church on every block in every city of the world… but if you do not believe and teach what God says above...all your works may just become fuel for the fire…
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
Our Advocate
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)
The death of Jesus was the “propitiation” for all of the sins of the world. Propitiation has the idea of a place where MERCY begins. It is the place where the mercy of God in resurrecting the dead is manifested – starting with Christ Jesus who promised to return and resurrect "all people" from death.
The Bible says Jeus “gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:6).
Ransom is payment to the captor for releasing the hostages. It is NOT the payment for the SINS of the hostages! Otherwise none of us would die. Mankind is held hostage by our captor, death. The cost to release the hostages was Christ Jesus identifying himself with us in death so that he could then lead those captive by death into abundant, everlasting life by means of resurrection. It is the gracious "gift" of our "Advocate" to us, not a payment for works that we may do….
“But to each one of us GRACE was GIVEN according to the measure of Christ’s GIFT. Therefore it says, WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN…He who descended is himself also he who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might COMPLETE ALL…until WE ALL attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” (Ephesians 4:7-13)
The death of Jesus was the “propitiation” for all of the sins of the world. Propitiation has the idea of a place where MERCY begins. It is the place where the mercy of God in resurrecting the dead is manifested – starting with Christ Jesus who promised to return and resurrect "all people" from death.
The Bible says Jeus “gave himself as a ransom for all people” (1 Timothy 2:6).
Ransom is payment to the captor for releasing the hostages. It is NOT the payment for the SINS of the hostages! Otherwise none of us would die. Mankind is held hostage by our captor, death. The cost to release the hostages was Christ Jesus identifying himself with us in death so that he could then lead those captive by death into abundant, everlasting life by means of resurrection. It is the gracious "gift" of our "Advocate" to us, not a payment for works that we may do….
“But to each one of us GRACE was GIVEN according to the measure of Christ’s GIFT. Therefore it says, WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN…He who descended is himself also he who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might COMPLETE ALL…until WE ALL attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God.” (Ephesians 4:7-13)
Is There Faith On The Earth?
From God’s perspective we were saved before the foundation of the world…
“…He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” (Ephesians 1:3-5)
From the perspective of Christ Jesus we were saved when he died on the cross to ransom all…
“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all…” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
From a believer’s perspective, we are saved when we are given faith to believe what God did through Christ Jesus…
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:-8)
From the institutional church’s perspective, however, none are saved until they believe the requirements of that particular institution which include, at a minimum, one or more of the following requirements: 1) Believe in God; 2) accept the offer from God to save them; 3) repent of sin; 4) get baptized in water and/or the Holy Spirit; 5) join and tithe to their particular church…and 6) really, really mean it!
But do not let religion rob you of the good news…ALL are saved and All will believe and we are to labor for and teach this.
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)
Many turned from the good news, following the teaching of men, and it amazed Paul…
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)
No wonder Jesus lamented…
“...when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7-8)
“…He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.” (Ephesians 1:3-5)
From the perspective of Christ Jesus we were saved when he died on the cross to ransom all…
“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all…” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
From a believer’s perspective, we are saved when we are given faith to believe what God did through Christ Jesus…
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:-8)
From the institutional church’s perspective, however, none are saved until they believe the requirements of that particular institution which include, at a minimum, one or more of the following requirements: 1) Believe in God; 2) accept the offer from God to save them; 3) repent of sin; 4) get baptized in water and/or the Holy Spirit; 5) join and tithe to their particular church…and 6) really, really mean it!
But do not let religion rob you of the good news…ALL are saved and All will believe and we are to labor for and teach this.
“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:9-11)
Many turned from the good news, following the teaching of men, and it amazed Paul…
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)
No wonder Jesus lamented…
“...when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7-8)
Bad News - Good News
The bad news…
“…when you were slaves of sin…the outcome of those things is death.” (Romans 6:20-21)
The good news…
“…you were not ransomed with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot... who gave Himself as a ransom for all..." (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:6)
“…when you were slaves of sin…the outcome of those things is death.” (Romans 6:20-21)
The good news…
“…you were not ransomed with corruptible things, like silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot... who gave Himself as a ransom for all..." (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:6)
“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away….THIS SALVATION, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. It is NOT to angels that he has subjected the WORLD TO COME, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: What is MANKIND that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet. In putting everything under them (mankind), God left nothing that is not subject to them. YET AT PRESENT we do not see everything subject to them (mankind). But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, NOW crowned with glory and honor BECAUSE HE SUFFERED DEATH, so that by the grace of God he might taste death FOR EVERYONE.” (Hebrews 2:1-9)
God’s plan to save all of mankind is pretty simple…religious men just do not believe Him. Nevertheless, MANKIND is to have “everything under his feet” IN THE WORLD TO COME. Not yet but AFTER the resurrection. Just as everything was put under the feet of Jesus AFTER his resurrection, so will it be for the rest of mankind. Christ Jesus was the firstfruits…it is God’s plan. You cannot change it so enjoy the knowledge of it and don’t let religious dogma rob you of the joy of knowing what IS TO COME.
“…in Christ ALL shall be made alive, but each in their own order, Christ the firstfruits…I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made FOR ALL PEOPLE…This is good, and pleases GOD OUR SAVIOR, who WILLS all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth…There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, THE MAN Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom FOR ALL MANKIND to be witnessed at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying…” (1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Timothy 2:1-7)
God’s plan to save all of mankind is pretty simple…religious men just do not believe Him. Nevertheless, MANKIND is to have “everything under his feet” IN THE WORLD TO COME. Not yet but AFTER the resurrection. Just as everything was put under the feet of Jesus AFTER his resurrection, so will it be for the rest of mankind. Christ Jesus was the firstfruits…it is God’s plan. You cannot change it so enjoy the knowledge of it and don’t let religious dogma rob you of the joy of knowing what IS TO COME.
“…in Christ ALL shall be made alive, but each in their own order, Christ the firstfruits…I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made FOR ALL PEOPLE…This is good, and pleases GOD OUR SAVIOR, who WILLS all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth…There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, THE MAN Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom FOR ALL MANKIND to be witnessed at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying…” (1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Timothy 2:1-7)
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)
Sometimes I wonder how many Christians actually believe what the Bible teaches. God has promised to save the world. Is that too hard for Him?
“…God our Savior; Who WILL have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-7 KJV)
How is it that those who claim to believe in Him do not believe what He says? Regardless of what men have taught for 2000 years, I prefer to believe God and hold fast to my hope without wavering.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
Sometimes I wonder how many Christians actually believe what the Bible teaches. God has promised to save the world. Is that too hard for Him?
“…God our Savior; Who WILL have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-7 KJV)
How is it that those who claim to believe in Him do not believe what He says? Regardless of what men have taught for 2000 years, I prefer to believe God and hold fast to my hope without wavering.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
"He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world...In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ...according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us...according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will..." (Ephesians 1:4-9)
Unfortunately Christianity has made salvation an act of man's free will rather than the will of God. All we can do is come to the knowledge and believe what God has done for us. Some come to the knowledge of His salvation in this life, ALL in the next. Either way it is a time to rejoice and to praise Him for "the glory of His GRACE".
Note above that it is God who makes "known to us the mystery of His will"… and has "predestined" us to be sons. So what is the will of God?
“…God our Savior; Who WILL have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-7 KJV)
Unfortunately Christianity has made salvation an act of man's free will rather than the will of God. All we can do is come to the knowledge and believe what God has done for us. Some come to the knowledge of His salvation in this life, ALL in the next. Either way it is a time to rejoice and to praise Him for "the glory of His GRACE".
Note above that it is God who makes "known to us the mystery of His will"… and has "predestined" us to be sons. So what is the will of God?
“…God our Savior; Who WILL have ALL MEN to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom FOR ALL, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-7 KJV)
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord . . . . .” (Genesis 6:8)
Why did Noah find GRACE in the eyes of the Lord? Because it is the nature of God to be gracious and merciful.
Noah and his family were saved from the flood by the grace of God…but that salvation was temporary…he and his family eventually died. That is God’s will for this present evil age. But it is also God’s WILL and plan that ALL mankind be saved from STAYING dead…again by the loving GRACE of God…it is called the RESURRECTION. It is our blessed hope, and it will be glorious!
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men…” (Titus 2:11)
“For by grace are you saved through faith…it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8)
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” (1 Timothy 2:3-7)
Why did Noah find GRACE in the eyes of the Lord? Because it is the nature of God to be gracious and merciful.
Noah and his family were saved from the flood by the grace of God…but that salvation was temporary…he and his family eventually died. That is God’s will for this present evil age. But it is also God’s WILL and plan that ALL mankind be saved from STAYING dead…again by the loving GRACE of God…it is called the RESURRECTION. It is our blessed hope, and it will be glorious!
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men…” (Titus 2:11)
“For by grace are you saved through faith…it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8)
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” (1 Timothy 2:3-7)
“I exhort, then, first of all, there be made supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all MEN: for kings, and all who are in AUTHORITY…for this is right and acceptable before God our Savior, who doth will all MEN to be SAVED, and to come to the full knowledge of the TRUTH; for there is one God, and one mediator of God and of men, the MAN Christ Jesus, who did give himself a ransom for ALL -- the testimony in its own times...in regard to which I was set a preacher and apostle...I do not lie...a TEACHER of nations, in faith and TRUTH…Let a WOMAN in quietness learn in all subjection, and a WOMAN I do not allow to TEACH…but to be in quietness, for Adam was first formed, then Eve, and Adam was NOT deceived, but the WOMEN, having been deceived, into transgression came...” (1 Timothy 2)
Why does Paul mot allow women to teach?
Paul apparently believed MEN are to have “authority” in the family, governments, and the Church which includes the role of teaching the TRUTH. That may be why Paul said he did not allow WOMEN to teach or have authority over men and that women were to learn from the husband in quietness and subjection. And Paul said the reason was because it was the woman who was “deceived” in Eden…a sin that resulted in the death sentence for mankind.
I wonder if Paul would be welcome in most Churches and encouraged to instruct that women are not to teach? It is not politically correct…but it is what Paul says and most of you reading this call the Bible the Word of God.
Many men and women are being taught from the Bible by women in Churches and various television and internet ministries. Their listeners seem to enjoy the teaching and have good things to say about them. But is it ideal…or even OK with God?
In my over 63 years in the Baptist church I have seen changes in its stand on women taking the role of a teacher in the Church. And I personally know of some women who are now teaching who at one time would have never taken on the role because of what Paul said to Timothy above. What changed? It wasn't the Bible.
I cannot help but wonder about a women who takes on the role of “bible teacher” - the authority Paul believed God had given to men. Should they expect God to bless that ministry and keep it free from deception…wouldn’t that be sinning and expecting God to bless the sin?
Just some random thoughts.
Paul apparently believed MEN are to have “authority” in the family, governments, and the Church which includes the role of teaching the TRUTH. That may be why Paul said he did not allow WOMEN to teach or have authority over men and that women were to learn from the husband in quietness and subjection. And Paul said the reason was because it was the woman who was “deceived” in Eden…a sin that resulted in the death sentence for mankind.
I wonder if Paul would be welcome in most Churches and encouraged to instruct that women are not to teach? It is not politically correct…but it is what Paul says and most of you reading this call the Bible the Word of God.
Many men and women are being taught from the Bible by women in Churches and various television and internet ministries. Their listeners seem to enjoy the teaching and have good things to say about them. But is it ideal…or even OK with God?
In my over 63 years in the Baptist church I have seen changes in its stand on women taking the role of a teacher in the Church. And I personally know of some women who are now teaching who at one time would have never taken on the role because of what Paul said to Timothy above. What changed? It wasn't the Bible.
I cannot help but wonder about a women who takes on the role of “bible teacher” - the authority Paul believed God had given to men. Should they expect God to bless that ministry and keep it free from deception…wouldn’t that be sinning and expecting God to bless the sin?
Just some random thoughts.
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