JY Bible Notes 聖經小筆記

  By  Jason Jackson  at https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1246-cruel-and-unusual-postponement Digest: It is sad when murderers receive more pity than those who are slaughtered at their whims. No wonder Solomon declared, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set on them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Murder did not become illegal at Sinai (cf. Genesis 9:6), nor did it cease from being a crime when the law of Moses was nailed to the cross. Murder is wrong because of the nature of the offense. While the nation of Israel was obligated to pursue criminal matters, today God authorizes civil authorities in the administration of justice (cf. Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 1:8-10). It is erroneous to argue against capital punishment on the basis that God said, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). The “theologians” who gather at the gates of San Quentin to display their protest signs till midnight ought to consider t

By T.A. I agree that capital punishment should be carried out if there is no doubt of the perpetrator's guilt and if the crime requires a death penalty. There had been so much violence in antediluvian times (Genesis 6:5-8) that God decided to destroy all flesh except for those on the ark with Noah.  After Noah came out of the Ark, God said, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Genesis 9:5,6). Therefore God requires capital punishment.   Our God is very merciful and through Christ man's sins can be forgiven, but sin has its consequences. God will forgive man "of" his sins but not "in" his sins; man must repent and bring forth fruits that demonstrate repentance (Matthew 3:8).   But even when a person repents there will still be consequences to his sin. If the sin is murder society may still require that he receive the death sentence. Christ will be the final Judge (John 5:22) and Go

by Dave Miller, Ph. D.  at https://apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=7&article=683  Digest: NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING Moving to the New Testament, which reveals God’s will this side of the cross, the matter of capital punishment is treated virtually the same. The New Testament clearly teaches that capital punishment is God’s will for human civilization. Consider, for example, Romans 13:1-4. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to exec

from Kwan Tai Choom    “不能把你们当作属灵的，只得把你们当作属肉体，在基督里为婴孩的。”（林前 3：1）    基督徒属灵的生命，也有婴孩、成人的分别；有人虽然信主多年，仍是婴孩，没有长大成人满有基督长成的身量。这样的人在属灵的力量上很软弱，时常摇动，受骗，站立不稳（弗 4：13，14）。 而有人则已长大成人，有智慧，刚强，能胜过那恶者（约壹 2：14）。    为婴孩的特点是仍属肉体，照世人的样子行，有嫉妒、纷争（林前 3：3），以及其他属肉体和世俗的事，经常受肉体情欲的控制，胜不过世界的吸引、迷惑。 而长大成人的人，却是属灵的人，能看透万事（林前 2：15），能帮助别人（加 6：1），凡事随从圣灵而行（罗 8：6-10；加 5：25），不再贪爱世界、随从世俗、体贴肉体，将孩子的事，连心思意念都改变了（林前 13：11）。    为什么有人如婴孩，有人如成人呢？这是因为属灵追求的缘故。如果婴孩没有好好的饮食、营养，就不能长大。照样属灵生命的长大也需吃东西，不只吃奶，还要逐渐吃干粮（彼前 2：1；林前 3：1，2；来 5：12，13）。在神的话语和真道上受更深造就，特别是在认识基督上得以长大成人，这都需要圣灵的工作；越随从圣灵，就越成为属灵的人，生命就越长迸（罗 8：6）。

  From: TFTW Bible College How can we show the love of God and the love for our fellow man? We can do it both physically and spiritually. Physically, we can treat others as we would like to be treated. “ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. ” ( Matthew 7:12 ) Spiritually, we can put the eternal salvation of the other person above other things. Could we say the best thing that could happen to someone would be that they go to Heaven when they die? If so, then agape love would be wanting what is best for the other person, even if you don’t get what you want. Therefore, if I am to show agape love to others spiritually, I will want them to learn about the steps to salvation and living faithfully, even if it means I don’t get what I want. Any embarrassment, my comfort level, the money I can afford to give, or even public ridicule should not stand in the way of loving the souls of other people. Church

  From: TFTW Bible College The love we have for each other needs to be continuous. “ Let brotherly love continue. ” ( Hebrews 13:1 ) How can we practice brotherly kindness? See each member of the body as equal and loved by God.  Do good to each other when you have an opportunity.    “ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. ” ( Galatians 6:10 )  Comfort and build each other up.  “ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. ” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ) If we are busy building each other up we won’t have time to tear each other down with gossip and backbiting and complaining.  Provoke, or urge each other, to love each other and do good deeds.  “ And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ” ( Hebrews 10:24 ) Forbear, or simply put up with, each other.  Just because we are all Christians in the body doesn’t mean that our personalities automaticall

  From: TFTW Bible College The definitions for the word translated “godliness” can mean “reverent” and “pious.” The word “pious” can mean “fidelity” and dutifulness.” If we try to put these things together we might say that “godliness” is living like God by being reverent, faithful, and dutiful to the Father.  Jesus fits the definition and is our example of godliness. “ And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ” ( 1 Timothy 3:16 ) Living a godly life is being like God by reverently and dutifully obeying God like Jesus did. Think about when Jesus was about to go to the cross and die as the perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty for man’s sins. He did not want to go through the agony of the cross. No one would! He even prayed to God about avoiding it. “ And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying,

  From: TFTW Bible Collge Patience may be defined as the practice of temperance consistently over time. In other words, someone who exercises self-control over and over again may be called a “patient” person. Patience is one of those things that doesn’t come just by knowledge and understanding. It takes trials and tribulations. It takes chances for us to need to exercise self-control. And times, when we need to exercise self-control, maybe some of the harder times. “ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ” ( Romans 5:3 ) “ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ”  ( James 1:3 ) But, if we can consistently exercise self-control over time, then we will be adding patience to our lives.  The parable of the sower talks about the seed that had no root and only endured for a time. “ And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness

  From: TFTW Bible College Temperance is “self-control.” This is where we take the knowledge of what we have learned from God’s word and we let that knowledge take control of our lives. Instead of just acting or reacting how we might have done in the past, we let the word of God and the example of Jesus dictate our actions. We need to believe it is possible not to sin! Since we are human, we may accept the idea that we are sinners but incorrectly allow that to excuse future sins or be lazy about avoiding sin. This is a defeatist attitude and we get the idea that we will fail before we even get started! Jesus was human and had the same freewill to sin as we do. Yet, He showed it was possible not to sin, just as it was possible to sin. Every chance to sin is also a chance NOT to sin! “ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, t

  From: TFTW Bible College We need to add knowledge to our virtue. We can’t do what is right if we don’t know what is right! Knowledge of God’s word is required. The requirement of knowledge is built into the purpose of life. “ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. ” ( Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ) We can’t keep the commandments of God if we don’t know what they are. We can’t be more like Jesus if we don’t know what He is like! Adding virtue means we start looking for what is right and we are open to receive it. Adding knowledge gives us information about what is right and helps us to learn it. Remember, the reason for gaining knowledge is twofold: 1) to grow as a Christian, and 2) to be able to teach others. “ Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all lo

 From: TFTW Bible Collge Virtue can be defined as “moral excellence.”  In essence, we are talking about what is right.  We need to add to our faith that which is morally good and right.  How do we know what is good?  It is good when it is approved of by God. The Bible is our source of learning what is approved of by God. “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. ” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ) What we learn, how we correct ourselves, and how we know to do good works all come from the Bible. Once again, we need to be studying, learning, and then putting good works into practice. Looking for what is right is one thing, but we also need to be open to receive it. Some people sit and hear a preacher stating that the Bible says they need to stop doing something and the people say “Amen,” stating that they agree. But, then th

From: TFTW Bible College In  Matthew 25:14-30 , Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is like a man who traveled into a far country and delivered goods unto his servants.  To one he gave five talents (amounts of money), to another two, and to another one.  After a while, he came back and asked them what they had done with what they had been given.  The ones with the five and two talents had taken the money and used it to earn more.  The master spoke to each one of them.  “ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ”  ( Matthew 25:21 )  A couple of things to note here: 1) the servants were called faithful, and 2) the servants had been busy working for the master in order to make a profit.  In contrast, the one who had been given one talent said, “ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is  thin

From: TFTW Bible Collge In fact, the Bible makes it very clear that once you start following Christ, it is up to you to continue to follow Christ. Let’s look at some ways Paul’s writings in the Bible show us that you can “fall from grace,” or lose your salvation. Paul wrote to Christians in Corinth and said, “ Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. ” ( 1 Corinthians 10:12 ) Paul also wrote, “ For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”  ( 2 Timothy 4:10 ) To “forsake” means to leave something behind on purpose. Apparently, Demas was working with Paul.   “Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. ” ( Philemon 1:24 ) But, using his own free will, Demas decided to leave the work of Christianity behind and did it on purpose. Paul explains the reason as the fact that Demas “ loved this present world. ” Demas forgot about the better life to come in Heaven a

  From: TFTW Bible Collge The Bible says, “ So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ” ( Romans 10:17 ) We get a biblical faith by basing it on biblical evidence, the word of God. We do not construct our faith in our own feelings and ideas. If we place our faith in that, then we are just putting our faith in our own faith, and not the truth of God’s word. “ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ” ( Hebrews 11:1 ) Biblical faith is not blind faith but is based on evidence. In previous lessons we have seen the evidence for the existence of God, that the Bible is the communication from Him, and so forth. Our Christian faith must come by hearing and obeying the word of God! Therefore, a Christian must be a follower of Christ that is full of the faith that based on the word of God, a believer in that word, and one who practices the teachings of Jesus. A Christian is one who stays true to the example of life Jesus gave us and

  From: TFTW Bible College Singing is a way to musically talk to God and give Him our worship. Remember, that when we worship, we are approaching God to give Him our love, honor, and respect. Another purpose of singing is to teach each other. God saw fit for us to come together as an assembly, so there must be a good benefit to being together. Besides praying for each other,  we can teach, admonish (warn or correct), and remind each other of biblical truths through song. “ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ” ( Colossians 3:16 ) Paul told the church in Colossae to put the word of Christ in them, and then he told them how to do it, by teaching and admonishing each other with songs. Singing has the purpose of teaching because the words are what is important. Great songs teach us great lessons about how to live and how to treat each other. Gre

 From: TFTW Bible College Finding an authority in the New Testament for Christians to pray to God is not hard. Jesus did it and we even have writing from Paul that says prayer is acceptable to God. “ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; ” ( 1 Timothy 2:1-3 ) Coming together as a congregation to worship God on the first day of the week is a good time to offer prayer to God. It allows members to share their prayer requests with each other and pray for each other. Prayers may include adoration of God. “ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ” ( Matthew 6:9 )  The prayers may include confessions of sins and asking for forgiveness. “ And forgive us our debts, as we forgive