(06/19/2021) The Leper Keeps Sabbath?

John Steel, Jesus heals 10 Lepers

Today, we have a multiple-choice pop quiz! It is written: James 2: 14-18, King James Version (KJV): 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Select the best answer for the following question from the list below: Why does a leper keep the seventh day Sabbath?

THE GOLDEN ARROW: And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (Luke 17: 12-19, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Why So Many Churches? (10/17/2020); GOD Can Forgive Us (09/13/2020); Divine Protection Against Covid-19? (04/26/2020); Getting Help From Church? (02/09/2020); He Healed Them All (10/20/2019); According To The Pattern (09/27/2018); Sabbath Now and Then? (08/15/2018); Naaman the Leper (12/21/2012)

WHY DOES THE LEPER KEEP THE SABBATH?

• A. Because he is a priest

• B. Because he is a king

• C. Because he is a covenant-keeper

• D. Because he is a leper

• E. Because he is hoping to be healed

• F. Because he is hoping for rest

• G. Because he is hoping to be with family and friends

• H. Because he is willing to obey divine law

• I. Because it is a good/bad habit

• J. To stay alive (like breathing)

• K. Because it is his way of life

• L. Because it is a work of faith

• M. To stave off any further curse (afraid not to)

• N. Because he is a child of GOD

• O. To express gratitude and give thanks

• P. All of the above

• Q. None of the above

Consider again the following that uses language from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible:

1. Exodus 20: 8-11, KJV: 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

2. 2^nd Chronicles 26: 16-21, KJV: 16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense. 17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men: 18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God. 19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar. 20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him. 21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.

3. Isaiah 58: 13-14, KJV: 13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, Isaiah 56: 1-7, KJV: 1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.). Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 10:35 AM June 19, 2021 @The-Ten-Lepers-John-Steel.jpg (806×1069) (bp.blogspot.com)

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(10/29/2019) By Death and Resurrection

Today, reply is on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as a divine process to establish the new creation that must appear through divine judgment, death, and resurrection, rather than through human love, marriage, and sexual reproduction. Eternal life entails more than the lifestyles and daily routines of mankind on the earth; a “birth” must occur through his resurrection, not through the operations of faith, or the works a sinner may complete. Marriage, childbearing, managing ones own household, and raising ones own children often are understood as behavior and conduct that are only carnal, material, and social. Correctly understood these also are divine operations carried out and performed on the earth through ones consciousness and self-will (willpower) that should be directed and influenced by the sovereign will of GOD. It is written: Matthew 22: 23-33, King James Version (KJV): 23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on Religion and Spirituality who uses the ID “Anonymous” (no profile is shown) posted the following:

Why didn't Jesus choose to get married and have children, if that is really the best way?

There's an old phrase, "What Would Jesus Do?". Well it appears the answer is to live a celibate, non-sex existence. Jesus could have chosen to say look, I'm going to get married to show the humans this is best, have a bunch of kids. No, Jesus apparently shows there is very much value in celibacy, in controlling your passions

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3: 8-11, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Christ Displayed Authentic Humanity (10/09/2019); New Birth By Resurrection (09/27/2019); Divine Purposes Are Unchanging (04/22/2019); The Fall of Mankind (05/16/2019); Appetite and Human Sexuality? (10/19/2018); The Flesh An Obstacle? (07/29/2016); The Great Commission Obeyed? (01/12/2016); Gender and Salvation? (10/01/2015)

“Anonymous”, divinity appears using human flesh and visible form (we say, the Incarnation) to restore the aspects of full life essence (breath; spirit substance; word) imparted to Adam from the makeup of GOD that were lost by mankind through transgression of divine law. The eunuch comes into view as one who is human and an offspring of man, yet, is neither male nor female. Within created beings and living creatures, life essence can be communicated and directed to every aspect of a carnal form (e.g., limbs, organs, tissues) using blood. Christ as High Priest performs atonement using the content of divine blood that includes awareness, existence, and active presence. Thus, the eternal purpose for the ministry and priesthood of Jesus Christ on the earth also is to be seen as (1) the demonstration of authentic humanity; (2) showing the correct expression of human commitment, personhood, and love when in covenant relationship with divinity; (3) enduring suffering and death to fulfill mortality and remove the limiting conditions imposed on the duration of human life through sin; (4) performing a once-and-for-all atonement for remission of sin; and (5) manifesting the righteousness within the covenant law, not responding only to the letter of the law. The appearing of Christ reveals the divine fullness (i.e., the totality of all spirit substance; the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) whose character, makeup, and process are spirit. Newness of life is not by having babies; human consciousness and self-will (willpower) are to conform to Christ. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from the music ministry of John Michael Talbot:

1. Isaiah 56: 1-7, King James Version (KJV): 1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

2. Matthew 19: 8-12, KJV: 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

3. Romans 6: 3-5, KJV: 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpsnlZ5BhWg.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 10:05 AM, October 29, 2019 @ https://i.pinimg.com/736x/4f/16/e2/4f16e22fd8b22a8310df01fb4ffc7371.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(07/29/2016) The Flesh An Obstacle?

Today, Scripture points are shared on the questionable argument that gender or one’s genitals have caused the shortcomings of mankind as a life companion to divinity. Thinking in accordance with the flesh, a man’s body is intended only for sex, sports, warfare, and perhaps, marriage. Yet, rightly understood, the entire human body is to be a vessel containing divine spirit. To truly exist having eternal access to GOD, mankind must become immortal, incorruptible, spiritually pure, righteous, and undefiled. While upon the earth, mankind can continually display material existence, life, and carnal form; however, it only ever will be spirit content from the makeup of GOD that makes possible consciousness of, exchange, interaction, and continuing relationship with the Holy. In the same way mankind must discover GOD by encounter, growth, and revelation, mankind must come to know the possibilities and potential of humanity, and oneself as an offspring of GOD through discovery, judgment, and gradual process (we say, being born again, and growing up again). The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Brian” (Level 1 with 12 points, a member since November 03, 2013) posted the following:  


Why did God give Men a penis; knowing that not all of them would be legit in using it (marital relationship). Not all men find wives, right?

Update: I mean really: So all men That god gave penises to; and do not find wives...are doomed to hell? Little Johnny in the bathtub discovers at age 7 that a penis is more than just to pee with. All men seek after sex sooner or later; via masturbation or the real thing. Is God Setting certain men up for failure? The bible says adultery, or fornication is hell bound activity. Should we really take that serious? If so, I should cut my penis off right? Because I never had a wife.

Update 2: God should of preplanned a bit. He should of thought. " I know this dude will never marry, so I won't give him a penis to break my commandments" If all sheep in the flock are important to the shepard; this forsight is needed.  


THE GOLDEN ARROW: For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5: 14-25, King James Version, KJV)  


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Why Is Lust Condemned? (07/20/2016); Gender, Sex and Christian Beliefs? (05/18/2016); The Gender of GOD? (12/29/2015); Gender and Salvation? (10/01/2015); (The Mistakes In Youth? 08/24/2015); Sun Worship? (07/27/2015); Masturbation and Religion? (02/01/2015)  


“Brian”, the many aspects of divine existence, life, and sacred process must also appear to created beings and living creatures as fixed conditions that do not respond to the changing desires and will of the living. Divinity does not focus upon gender, the penis, and sexual joining as men might. Such focus derives from aspects of “the flesh,” a peculiar life system within the full Creation characterized by appetite (e.g., hunger, thirst, sexual cravings), sensation (e.g., hearing, seeing, tasting, touching), and emotion/mental functions (e.g., anger, fear, imagination, recall). Those who mock the handiwork of GOD do so as fools, ignorant, immature, those who do not know their own true place with GOD, or have rejected it, and those who are vain (i.e., lacking imparted, indwelling substance (we say, breath, life essence, spirit, word) from the makeup of Deity). Using the crude and finite standards of the living (e.g., academic education, intellect, logic, philosophy, science, technology) the comprehensive genius of GOD can only appear to them as unacceptable and warped. Consider again the divine view as stated in language from the Bible:

(1.) 1st Corinthians 12: 17-19, King James Version (KJV): 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

(2.) 1st Corinthians 12: 23-26, KJV: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

(3.) Isaiah 56: 1-5, KJV: 1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Matthew 19: 7-12, KJV: 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. 10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


 THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

 

(01/12/2016) The Great Commission Obeyed?

Examples from Scripture are shared illustrating how the  disciples of Jesus obeyed his command to take the Gospel to all the world.  Consider again the following verses and the discussion below: 

Matthew 28:  19-20, King James Version (KJV):  19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Psalms 22:  26-28, KJV: 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied:  they shall praise the LORD that seek him:  your heart shall live for ever.  27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD:  and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.  28 For the kingdom is the LORD’s:  and he is the governor among the nations.

Romans 1:  15-17, KJV:  15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:  for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:  as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 4:  2, KJV:  2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them:  but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Gabriella” (Level 2 with 375 points, a member since June 03, 2014) posted the following:


What are some examples throughout the book of Acts that specifically shows the apostles fulfilling the Great Commission?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them:  and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem:  and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:  and much people was added unto the Lord.  (Acts 11:  19-24, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Resurrection of Jesus Acknowledged? (04/03/2015); Cornelius, and Prayer By Sinners? (03/09/2015); How Many Apostles? (04/30/2014); The Ruler Of the Earth? (05/01/2014); Saul of Tarsus (03/26/2014); The Nature of Scripture (03/27/2014); About Preaching the Gospel (04/18/2013); When Jesus Comes Back? (04/19/2013)


“Gabriella”, here are 4 passages from the holy writings that may be helpful:

(1.)  Acts 10:  34-48, King James Version (KJV):  34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.  36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:  (he is Lord of all:)  37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;  38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power:  who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.  39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:  40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;  41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.  42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.  44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.  45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,  47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?  48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

(2.)  Acts 8:  5-8, KJV:  5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.  6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them:  and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  8 And there was great joy in that city.

(3.)  Acts 8:  26-40, KJV:  26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.  27 And he arose and went:  and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,  28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.  29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.  30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?  31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.  32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:   33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.  34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?  35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.  36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:  and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?  37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still:  and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.  39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more:  and he went on his way rejoicing.  40 But Philip was found at Azotus:  and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

There are many other verses that should be carefully considered, correctly understood, and made a part of ones spiritual arsenal.  (For example, (4.)  Acts 16:  23-34, KJV:  23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:  24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.  25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:  and the prisoners heard them.  26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken:  and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.  27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.  28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm:  for we are all here.  29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,  30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.  34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(10/01/2015) Gender and Salvation?

Today, Scripture points are shared on equal access to Christ for males and females with prophecies and signs of the end times.  Rather than the peculiar issues of equality and social justice, the assurances and promises of GOD in Christ address impartial (we say, righteous) judgment and spiritual unity (we say, oneness without sameness).  Thus, consider again the following assurance to eunuchs (we say, those underdeveloped or surgically altered), and the verses from the Bible that appear below:  Isaiah 56: 1-7, King James Version (KJV):   1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice:  for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people:  neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer:  their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.  The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Margot” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since October 1, 2015) posted the following:


Does the bible mention something about not being able to tell women & men apart as a sign of the end?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away.  (2nd Timothy 3:  1-5, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Should Men Take Their Hats Off? (05/15/2014); The Issue Is Not Accuracy (05/16/2014); A Life Companion? (11/07/2012); On Asking Why (11/08/2012); Saved in Childbearing? (10/31/2012); After the Rapture? (11/01/2012); Women Ordained to Minister? (10/27/2012); Does Everyone Go To Heaven? (10/28/2012); The Gender of Angels? (10/09/2012); Sin Unknown? (10/10/2012)


“Margot”, the Bible declares that, through the ministries of Jesus Christ (upon the earth as well as from heaven as Risen Lord), all mankind now has an advocate, a redeemer, and a savior who intercedes on our behalf in the presence of GOD.   The male and female have equal access to divinity, are assured that their appearance in judgment will be met without bias or favor due to masculinity and femininity, and such differences as gender, nationality, ethnic origin, or sexual identity are no barrier to their attaining benefits from GOD.  For each believer, the Spirit of GOD completes water baptism (death of ones inborn spirit), and rebirth supplying inseparable spirit substance from the makeup of GOD such as faith, forgiveness, holiness, hope, longsuffering, love, wisdom and wrath against sin.  Here are a few verses from the Bible that have helped many Christian believers to avoid error and spiritual confusion about gender and salvation.  Correctly understood, just as they are neither mortal nor immortal, angels, devils and other spirit beings are neither male nor female; and these verses do not speak at all about androgeny, bisexuality, hermaphrodites, homosexuality, and various same-sex issues:

(1.)  Galatians 3:  26-29, King James Version (KJV):  26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

(2.)  Proverbs 22:  2, KJV:  2 The rich and poor meet together:  The LORD is the maker of them all.

(3.)  Romans 10:  12, KJV:  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  Colossians 3:  9-11, KJV:  9 Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds;  10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:  11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:  but Christ is all, and in all.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
 Washington, DC