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Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / WHO DOES THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER PICTURE?

« Last post by doug on September 22, 2025, 11:03:21 am »

[Matthew 13:18 KJV] 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

Jesus is explaining this parable to his disciples.

I believe this parable represents the gospel of the kingdom preached to Israel.

[Matthew 13:19 KJV] 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Jesus says that the word being preached is indeed "the word of the kingdom" in verse 19 above.

The Davidic kingdom is promised to the believing remnant of Israel who will reign with Christ for a thousand years (Luke 1:32-33 Revelation 20:6).

The gospel of the kingdom preached by Christ and his disciples was that the Davidic kingdom was at hand (Matthew 4:17).

[Matthew 13:20-21 KJV] 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

The hearer received the word of the kingdom, but does not endure until the end. Enduring until the end is required to enter the kingdom. [Matthew 10:22 KJV] 22 And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

[Matthew 13:22 KJV] 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

The hearer received the word, but produced no fruit. Fruit is required to enter the kingdom. The kingdom was promised to the nation of Israel, if they believed the gospel of the kingdom, and produced fruit. If they didn't produce fruit, the kingdom would be given to the believing nation of Israel. [Matthew 21:43 KJV] 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

[Matthew 13:23 KJV] 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

This is the believing remnant of Israel that will inherit the Davidic kingdom on earth. This is the fruitful nation of Israel. The amount of fruit determines their positions of authority in the kingdom [Matthew 25:21 KJV] 21 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.)

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / DID ABRAHAM LOOK FORWARD TO THE CROSS?

« Last post by doug on September 21, 2025, 11:55:08 am »

[John 8:51-58 KJV] 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? 54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

The verse in view is 56:Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad.

I included all the other verses for context.

I contested the common saying that those before the cross looked forward to it. Some say that Abraham saw the cross and rejoiced in it (John 8:56). I don't hold to this view.

Upon examination of the surrounding verses of John 8:56 it is clear that the main thrust of these verses revolved around v51 where Jesus said "If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death."

The Jews were saying Abraham and the prophets were dead, but Jesus was saying if a man keep his saying, he will never taste death in v52.

Jesus responded by saying "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it] in v56, and was glad.". What Jesus was saying was that Abraham was not dead, but alive to see the coming of Christ.

[Hebrews 11:8-10 KJV] 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.

Abraham was not looking ahead for the cross, but rather, he was looking forward to a God built city according to v10 above.

[Luke 13:28 KJV] 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

Jesus confirmed that Abraham would inherit the kingdom he looked for.

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM

« Last post by doug on September 19, 2025, 11:14:04 am »

[Mark 4:11 KJV] 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:

The mystery of the kingdom is not the same mystery revealed to Paul.

Jesus was teaching about the Davidic kingdom on earth, in which, the believing remnant of Israel will reign with Christ for a thousand years.

Some examples of the mystery of the kingdom:

[Matthew 24:45-47 KJV] 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

What Jesus was revealing was that a faithful servant will be rewarded.

[Matthew 13:44 KJV] 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

What Jesus was revealing was that to enter the kingdom they had to sell all they had.

[Matthew 18:23, 32-33 KJV] 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. ... 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

What Jesus was revealing was for Israel to be forgiven they had to forgive.

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / REPENTANCE TO SALVATION

« Last post by doug on September 19, 2025, 10:29:22 am »

[2Corinthians 7:10 KJV] 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Paul is not saying that we are to be sorrowful for our sins and turn from them, to have salvation unto eternal life.

[1Corinthians 5:1-2 KJV] 1 It is reported commonly [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

The context of 2 Corinthians 7:10 is found in Paul's first epistle. Paul was admonishing the church members for not disciplining the fornicator.

The salvation in this verse is to prompt repentance to be delivered from sinning.

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / ROMANS REFUTES ACTS 28 POSITION

« Last post by doug on September 18, 2025, 10:56:43 am »

[Romans 3:24-26 KJV] 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

There are those who contend that Paul did not receive the mystery until he was in prison. They contend that only his prison epistles express the mystery, and all his other epistles reflected what was found in the old testament prophets. This is called Acts 28 right division.

The mystery revealed to Paul was hidden wisdom, things kept secret until revealed to us by God.

[Job 25:4 KJV] 4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean [that is] born of a woman?

Romans reveals the mystery of how God could forgive the sins of those who existed before the cross. Those in the old testament period did not know how God could forgive sins, as can be seen by Job above. How God could forgive sins was not made known to the prophets.

Some may say, well, the sacrifices in the old testament were the means to provide forgiveness of sins.
This notion is refuted by the following verse: [Hebrews 10:4 KJV] 4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Clearly Paul received the mystery, and revealed it in Romans. Romans is a non-prison epistle. Romans 3:25 reveals how God could forgive "sins that are past". Sins that are past are not our past sins before we were saved. Past sins are those committed by individuals before the cross.

The mystery revealed by Paul in Romans 3:25 refutes Acts 28 false teaching.

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / ONE DIED FOR ALL

« Last post by doug on September 17, 2025, 11:46:18 am »

[2Corinthians 5:14 KJV] 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

Many say that Abraham and all those in the old testament looked forward to the cross.

This is not the case.

The prophets in the old testament foretold Christ's suffering, death and resurrection, but NOT all that it accomplished.

What the cross accomplished was a secret not revealed until revealed through Paul.

Paul alone revealed that Christ died for ALL.

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / WHAT IS OUR GREAT COMMISSION?

« Last post by doug on September 17, 2025, 08:24:04 am »

[Matthew 28:19-20 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 alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Many say that the passage above is our "great commission".

[2Corinthians 5:18-21 KJV] 18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Jesus gave the "great commission" to his twelve disciples.

Paul is our apostle, and as such gives us, the body of Christ, our doctrine and commandments.

Jesus, through Paul, gave us our "great commission" in 2 Corinthians above.

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / WHAT DOES ABSENT FROM THE LORD MEAN?

« Last post by doug on September 16, 2025, 10:15:44 am »

[2Corinthians 5:6 KJV] 6 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

This verse is said to convey that when we die we go to the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must examine context for the meaning of verses.

[2Corinthians 5:1-2 KJV] 1 For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Paul is saying that our mortal bodies must be dissolved and be clothed with our redeemed bodies.

[1Corinthians 15:53 KJV] 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

Here we can see where Paul reiterates that our corruptible bodies must be changed to an immortal incorruptible body.

[Philemon 1:23 KJV] 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

I am not saying that when we die we don't go to the Lord Jesus. This verse says that we do. We will go to be with Christ when we die.

I am only saying that 2 Corinthians 5:6 is talking about our mortal bodies needing to be changed to be with Christ.

Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH?

« Last post by doug on September 15, 2025, 10:37:21 am »

[1Timothy 3:16 KJV] 16 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.

Many think that when this verse says God was manifest in the flesh, it is saying God was made flesh.

[Isaiah 7:14 KJV] 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

[Matthew 1:22-23 KJV] 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

What needs consideration is that 1 Timothy 3:16 says it is a mystery. That God would be among us in the flesh was not a mystery, but was found in Isiah.

[2Corinthians 4:10-11 KJV] 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

What I see is that God was manifest in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians above clearly states that the life of Jesus is manifest in us.

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Study to Shew Thyself Approved Unto God. . . / WHAT FOUNDATION IS THE CHURCH BUILT UPON?

« Last post by doug on September 12, 2025, 02:43:21 pm »

[EPHESIANS 2:19 KJV] 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

God has made a way to reconcile the world unto himself and form his household.

[Gal 3:26 KJV] 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

By faith in Christ Jesus we have been adopted into the family of God.

[EPHESIANS 2:20 KJV] 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

There are differing views in regard to the identity of the apostles and prophets.

Are the apostles such as Peter the foundation?

Are the old testament prophets likewise the foundation?

They both laid the foundation, which was Christ. The apostles preached Jesus as Christ, the Son of God, as well as the prophets. The prophets foretold his coming and his death and resurrection.

[1Pe 2:4-5 KJV] 4 To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Peter spoke of believing Israel as constituting a spiritual house. A house must have a foundation.

[Rev 21:14 KJV] 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The holy city of God identifies the twelve apostles as being the foundation.

[Eph 4:11-12 KJV] 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Christ revealed that there were apostles and prophets in the body of Christ church.

[Isa 28:16 KJV] 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Without controversy, Christ is the chief cornerstone, no matter what foundation is laid.

[EPHESIANS 2:21 KJV] 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Having laid the foundation, God grows his building.

[1Co 3:9-11 KJV] 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

The building is composed of the believing saints.

Paul says that by grace, he has laid the foundation.

How can Paul say he has laid a foundation when scripture says the foundation was laid upon the apostles and the prophets?

I contend that there are two foundations.

Peter and the apostles, and the prophets laid their foundation in God's household.

Paul laid his foundation in God's household.

God's building is built upon these two foundations.

There can be no other foundation laid but Christ Jesus.

[EPHESIANS 2:22 KJV] 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The body of Christ, and the believing remnant of Israel are built together to be an habitation of God.

[Eph 3:14-15 KJV] 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

The family of God is composed of those in heaven and earth. The believing remnant of Israel, and the body of Christ occupy heaven and earth. Both entities have Christ as their foundation.