-
NO CONDEMNATION
no condemnation | amenbible Back to Main Page
Many a time, based on Romans 8:1, Christians like to quote “No condemnation” for all their sins. They believe, that whatever sins they committed and are committing, Jesus paid for it all. That means, they believe Jesus has forgiven believers past, present, and forever with a sinner’s prayer.
QUESTIONS:-
– Is that what Romans 8:1 is saying?
– What exactly Apostle Paul is talking about in Romans 8?
– Shall Christians be under condemnation if they are living in sins?
– What is the obligation of believers, based on Romans 8:12?
– What is the meaning of “will die”? Is that Spiritual dead or bodily dead? (Rom 8:12-13)
– What does it mean “Those who are in Christ Jesus”? (Rom 8:12-13)PARTIAL QUOTING ON ROMANS 8:1
Ironically, most of the Bible translations do not end at “No condemnation” in Romans 8:1. In actual fact, Apostle Paul continues to say in verse 1, by saying “who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”.Please look at the scripture translations on NKJV, KJV, AMPC, and YLT below.
(NKJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Rom 8:1) (KJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:1) (AMPC) 1 THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. (Rom 8:1) (YLT) 1 There is, then, now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit; (Rom 8:1) (NIV) 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1) Well, some might say that both NIV nor NTL’s translation does not have the second portion of “who walk not according to the Spirit”. And they further highlight and believe both NIV and NTL are having the right translation from Greek.
In light of this, let’s continue reading Romans 8:5-15
(NIV) 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:5-15) LET”S EXAMINE THE MEANING BY VERSE BY VERSE EXPLANATIONS
Let’s recap Romans 8:5-15 with simplified pointers using NIV. (Using NIV just in case people are saying NIV closer to the Greek):-
– Those who live in flesh vs. those who live in the Spirit (verse. 5)- The mind governed by the flesh is death. (verse. 6).
# What does it mean by “Death” here?
# Paul is comparing and contrasting those believers who are living under the flesh or under the Spirit in verse. 6
# He is not talking about bodily death. Rather he is talking about Spiritual death in verse. 6– The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God’s law. And those who live in the flesh cannot please God (verses. 7-8)
# Contrast to some believers’ beliefs. Christians do live in God’s law. Christians do have the so-called “Police” to govern them.
# Contrast some of the preachers say that “Law” is “Behaviour modification”. [We shall explain and discuss separately what God’s law is separate.]– Here is the problem with the verse. 9.
# However, a lot of people like to jump to vs. 9 by saying:-“You see, verse 9 is saying Christians are not in the realm of fresh. Believers are already in the realm of the Spirit”
# Appearantly, the answer is No. That is partial bible reading.Verse. 9 is saying “If”. “If… indeed”… Paul doesn’t say “Certainly”
– Likewise for verse 10. There is a condition… “If Christ is in you”.
# It further says “the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” It means by not living in the fresh is righteousness.– Again, verse 11 is saying “IF”.
# “If the Spirit is in those believers, He who raised Jesus from the bodily dead will give life to Christians’ mortal bodies (provided the Spirit is in them.)
– Verse 12-13, is saying:-
# that believers’ obligation is to live under the leading of the Spirit and not by the flesh.
# should the Christians live under the flesh, they will die (Spiritually).
# Importantly, Paul is referring to the Spiritual dead here. He is not referring to bodily death. Everyone, Christian or non-Christian will eventually die. It will be reluctant if Paul is talking able bodily dead since everyone will be dying one day.# Paul further says in verse 13 that believers will live “If” believers will live under the leading of the Spirit. By living under the flesh, believers will die Spiritually. This is what Paul is saying.
– Verse 14-15 is the most highlighted in Romans 8
Again, Christians are claiming to be children of God. They are proclaiming that they are no longer slaves that fear again. They are being adopted with sonships. They can cry out “Abba Father”
# No. This is half quoting on verse 14-15. That is not Apostle Paul’s teaching.
# Vs. 14 begin with “FOR THOSE WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT”. A lot of believers and preachers like to omit this phrase. This is a conditional phrase.
# Which means if believers are living NOT under the Spirit but under the flesh, they are not children of God.CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is good to read the bible book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse then paraphrase a verse or half a verse from the bible. In a nutshell, if a believer is living under the flesh, “Once saved, always saved” might not hold water or be biblical to him. [We shall discuss “Once saved, always saved” separately.] And that, Christians are having two identities:-
– Old self
– New selfTherefore, believers are supposed to live under the “newest life/ self”. Obviously, Romans 8:1 is saying only those believers who are walking in the Spirit are not being condemned. Those Christians who continue to walk in the flesh are falling into condemnation.
Notice, that all translations of verse 1 say “For those who are in Christ Jesus.” The true meaning of “In Christ Jesus” is that it is referring to those who live a life led by the Spirit. Should a believer be living by the flesh, he is not living “In Christ Jesus.”
Last but not least, the root cause of condemnation, based on Romans 8 is those believers who live under the flesh or living under sins
Hence, the root cause for believers being condemned is not under “stressed” as some of the sermons highlighted.READ:-
WILL THE WRATH OF GOD AND HIS PUNISHMENT FALL ON CHRISTIANS?
END TIMES:- THE BOOK OF LIFE OPENS
amenbible.com | Main Page Back to Main Page
As a Christian, I have been asking:-
– What to believe in?
– What is the gospel?Of course, different Christians believing God differently. For instance:-
– Some belief in godly career direction.
– Some looking for a godly life partner
– Some are struggling in finance and need a godly financial breakthrough.
– Some are seeking peace
– Some just inspire to worship God, etc.Should we continue with the list, perhaps we can safely and surely say that at different stages in life, we are having different needs or checklists.
THE CRUCIAL QUESTION
But, when Christians are saying that they believe in the bible or Jesus, what does it mean exactly? If we are believing in the gospel, what exactly to believe in? What are the gospel and baptism? And what is their interrelationship then?
Before we look into the “Crucial Question”, let’s look at how and what apostle Paul warned the Corinthians churches in Second Corinthians chapter 11.
According to Paul, Eve fell, lured away because she entertained the smooth tongue of slightly seductive words from the snake. Paul continued by saying that should the believers tolerate the snake’s clever lies as Eve was, is like accepting:-
– a different Jesus
– a different Spirit
– a different Gospel.The full context is as below:-
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT
3 I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ—in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake’s clever lies.
4 For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a DIFFERENT Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the GOSPEL you received from us! (2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT)2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT | amenbible.com Apparently, Eve only tolerated the snake slightly. She might never have thought of being fallen away from God’s presence with just a slight belief being deviated from His word.
Paul was making a compare and contrast in the Book of Second Corinthians. A slight twist in God’s word or a slight difference in believing God’s word is treated as:-
– minds being corrupted
– being abandoned from pure devotion to Christ
– deceived by Satan.And, to Paul, a slight difference is not God’s word at all but it is Satan’s truth. Similarly, a slight unbelieving is total devastation and destruction.
With that in mind, we shall then look into “The Crucial Question”, on what exactly the gospel, baptism, and belief are and their interrelationship.
Of course, modern-day teaching is saying:-
– the gospel is “GOOD NEWS.”
– any preaching on poverty, suffering for Christ, or the wrath of God is not “Good News”. Thus, that teaching is not from God.
– the gospel is the “Gospel of Grace.”
– whatever believers need, Christ has not just paid it all, but also fully supplied it all. It only needs faith for the believers to take from God all the blessedness and good gifts.
– baptism is merely a public declaration that they are Christ’s followers. It is just symbolism. Nothing significant.
There are many verses talking about baptism, the gospel, and belief. However let’s look at Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3 below:-Mark 1:1-5, GNT
1 This is the GOOD NEWS about JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God. 2 It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: “God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’ 3 Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” 4 So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. “TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SINS and be baptized,” he told the people, “and GOD WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.” 5 Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. THEY CONFESSED THEIR SINS, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:1-5, GNT)Matthew 3:1-3 GNT
1 At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. 2 “Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”
3 John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said, “Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” (Matthew 3:1-3, GNT
—
6 They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan. (Matthew 3:6, GNT)Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3:1-3 | amenbible.com WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS?
What do these two portions of scripture highlight?
Firstly, from Mark’s account, the gospel begins or starts from John the Baptist in preparing the path for Jesus’ earthly ministry.That means the gospel is not just merely a simple verse or phrase of “GOOD NEWS” that can be covered. In brief, the gospel covers the entire life of Jesus and His mission to release the Holy Spirit for mankind.
Secondly, in any case, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospel Books. It involves the story of the entire life of Jesus, His callings, His way of doing things, and His mission.
Thus, believers/ preachers have to draw the integrated meaning from all four gospel Books, look at different angles and perspectives to understand the purpose of Christ, and comprehend His gospel.
Should we just take a verse or half a verse to draw its definition, we would say:-
- The thief who was crucified with Jesus never went through water baptism. He never produced any good work/ fruit after believing in Christ at the cross.
- Romans 10:8-9 only requires the mouth to declare and the heart to believe that God raised Jesus from death and shall be saved.
- John 3:16. Just believe alone.
- Don’t need evidence of fruits and good work for full salvation.
- Water baptism is insignificant.
- Once saved, always saved, by reciting the sinner’s player alone.
- Similarly, there are many disputes and wrong teaching of cessationism of prophesying, tongues, and healing.
- Bible readers will discover many of the scriptures, verses can never identify or even against each other and etc
- Should that be the case, the bible is full of contradictions, errors, and disputable.
- People like to cover up those disputes by suggesting not just 4 Gospel books but need to add in some more books like “The Gospel from Thomas” etc
THE BOOKS OF THE GOSPELS
Nevertheless, based on past studies, prove that fruits, good works, and conduct of believers are paramount for full salvation. Do revisit these studies, if needed:-
– END TIMES:- THE BOOK OF LIFE OPENS
– JESUS IS MY FRIEND – PART 1There again, if we go back to both Matthew and Mark’s accounts, the gospel is a call for non-believers to turn away from their sins by confessing them and be baptized subsequently. The scripture continues by telling us “AND GOD WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.”
Putting Mark 1 and Matthew 3 into perspective, it is never the case for non-believers to declare all their sins are being forgiven at the salvation call prior to admitting and confessing their sins first.
And, baptism is not just symbolism or mere public declaration as Christ’s followers alone. It has to turn away from its sins first.
Besides, Jesus was commanding His disciples to baptize those who want to give their lives to Jesus in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Perhaps, this is the only commanding verse in the entire bible where three Names (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) appear at the same time. It shows the seriousness and importance of baptism. That suggests baptism is not just symbolic. It is renouncing sinful living.Please do not read that verse by saying believers are protected by the trinity God. Because they have to abandon their sins first. And the next verse, in Matthew 28:20, is saying, “AND TEACH THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.” This is another commanding verse for the obedience of God’s people after they have received baptism. It is not a protection verse.
Should we take the Great Commandment from Mark’s account, it states clearly that:
– Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16, GNT)
– It is a “AND” condition for believing and baptism in order to be saved.The scripture reference as below:-
Matthew 28:19-20, GNT
19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: BAPTIZE THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, GNT)Mark 16:15-18, GNT
15 He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in my name; they will speak in strange tongues;
18 if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18, GNT)Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-18 | amenbible.com BE BAPTIZED
Let’s look at another verse to confirm Mark’s teaching below:-Acts 1:4-5; 8 GNT
4 And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised.
5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:4-5; 8 GNTActs 1:4-5; 8 | amenbible.com Obviously, some scholars are saying Mark 16 was added in verses. They are saying the original manuscript comes without those verses. Nevertheless, these verses are in line with Acts 1:8 which says the power of the Holy Spirit will manifest until “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”
And we saw many spiritual powers and breakthroughs happen in the book of Acts. Unless we believe that “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH” is already over if not, the spiritual power will continue to manifest.
That is not in line with cessationism theology that says all the healing, prophecy, and speaking in Tongues are over. Besides, our next and future generations do need those manifestations to believe and witness Him too. Spiritual powers and wonders had not ended in the first century and are not going to end in our generation. Rather, it has to be till “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”
On one extreme, people are saying that God/ Jesus never comes to prosper believers. Prosperity is a bad word, to some denominations.
Nevertheless, apostle John did pray for Gaius to be prospered in 3 John 1:2 [Recap: 3 JOHN (PROSPER IN ALL THINGS)]
Besides, God did prosper Abraham, Isaac, King David, and King Solomon in the Old Testament.
On top of that, in Deuteronomy, Moses reminded God’s people that He was the one who gave power for them to become rich. We are serving the same God, regardless of the old or New Testament. Those blessings and prosperity are not just spiritual, but tangible ones.
SEEK YE FIRST
Of course, on the other extreme, it is wrong to camp on prosperity and guarantee all believers to be wealthy and healthy universally.At least we don’t see monetary prosperity for all first-century apostles. Indeed, the apostle Paul was living by tents-making to earn his living (Acts 18:3).
There again, there are many verses talking about how God provides for His people. One of the famous scriptures is known as “Seek Ye first.”
Matthew 6:33, GNT
33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with WHAT HE REQUIRES OF YOU, and he will provide you with all these other things.Matthew 6:33, NIV
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33, AMPC
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.Matthew 6:33 | amenbible.com Modern teaching likes to camp the above verse on Christ’s righteousness. It is not about believers’ righteousness, they said. According to their teaching should the believers behold His glory, His imputed righteousness, God will give them all things.
On the other hand, some interpret Matthew 6:33 as spiritual blessings, got nothing to do with bodily, earthly blessings.
But the context is talking about the physical beauty of those flowers and the earthly edible food for those birds.
Furthermore, it is saying “Do not worry about what you eat, or wear.” It is not about spiritual beauty and spiritual food. Jesus did not talk about spiritual beauty and food. Rather, Jesus was referring to physical wellness and not future spiritual glory.
In addition, the context is not referring to God shall provide for the “Need and not the want” of the believers. The author was comparing and contrasting to a super wealthy King Soloman, who was living not just in need but a luxurious life. The fact is, rich or poor, God is their provider.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MATTHEW 6:33
From “CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE”, shows that the resurrected Jesus was concerned about the continuity of His earthly evangelism and mission. Jesus was beseeching His people to continue in the propagation of God’s kingdom. Personally, I believe this is the meaning of “Seek first His kingdom.”And based on GNT and AMPC, the second part of the context talk about His requirements for the believers. It is not about His imputed righteousness. It is about believers’ right doing. [Further reading about the word righteousness can be found here]
SLIGHT UNBELIEVING IS NOT BELIEVING. SLIGHT TWISTED TRUTH IS NOT THE TRUTH
In summary, scripture does not contradict itself. Should believe need to paraphrase, alter the bible’s original context, interpret every verse with the lens of grace, and see Jesus fulfilled or supplied in every verse, that is not believing. THAT IS SELECTIVELY BELIEVED.And should we need to interpret verses by saying cessation; all the healing, prophecy, and speaking in Tongues are over, that is not inclined with God’s word. That is not just doubt, but strips Church’s power and reduces it to be like any earthly social community; without godly, spiritual powers. That is partial believing and constitutes unbelieving.
CONCLUSION
May the Lord help me/us in believing Him and His word absolutely, simply like a child/ Children.By upholding and endorsing paraphrasing or cessation theologies, it will bring ruin to God’s words, and strip His spiritual powers and His truth. Let God be God. He is having personal assignments, plans, and purposes for each and every one. He is holding on to every believer’s destination.
Certainly, God is the One who blesses and prospers all His people. Nevertheless, Jesus’ primary first earthly mission was to point the way for believers to seek God’s kingdom, live a godly life, and bear witness to His kingdom with His spiritual powers till the ends to come.
Yes, the bible does mention of “Gospel of Grace.’ It means by grace people are giving the gospel. It doesn’t mean Jesus came to pour out His financial blessings for nothing. Jesus also said, “Come follow me; take up your cross, etc.”
Jesus’ primary role is not here to bless and bless; supply and supply His people for nothing. His spiritual powers are manifesting with a purpose.
In conclusion, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospel Books. The gospel is not just merely a simple verse or phrase of:
– GOOD NEWS
– Gospel of Grace
that can be covered. Truly, the gospel is covering the entire life of Jesus and His mission to release the Holy Spirit for mankind. Believers have to embrace His heart to seek God’s kingdom in witnessing His glory.Again, Eve might not know that she could be fallen away from God’s presence with just a slight belief deviating from His word. Nevertheless, her story is written to forewarn believers from adopting her step.
Believe absolutely. And not selectively or partially. Amenbible.
Read:-
RIGHTLY DIVIDE HIS WORD (1)
BALAAM
AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD
BELIEVE ABSOLUTELY | AMENBIBLE 
main page | amenbible CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE
Back to Main Page
There is a beautiful story on miraculous catches of fish in John 21:2-11.BACKGROUND IN JOHN CHAPTER 20
Perhaps, it is good to look at the background of the story a chapter prior to the miraculous catches of fish; in chapter 20, before drawing a conclusion. Because of space, I shall not attach any verse from John 20. Individuals are encouraged to read their own bible in John chapter 20. A short outline of the story of John 20 unveils below:– Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene visited the tomb. But she found that the tomb’s entrance was open. She ran to inform Jesus’ disciples (Peter and John) in John 20:1-2.
– The disciples went to the tomb. And the bible records verses 8 to 10 as below:-
(John 20:8-10, GNT)
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed.
(9 They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.)
10 Then the disciples went back home.John 20:8-10, GNT | Amenbible – Ironically, those disciples believed Jesus wasn’t in the tomb. In other words, it was an emptied tomb.
– Let me repeat again that yes, they believed the tomb was emptied. But after believing that it was an empty tomb, they chose to go home (John 20:8-10). Their hearts weren’t warmed by the fact that Jesus was being resurrected.
– Apparently, after being with Jesus for 3 ½ years, they did not know His way of teaching. They had not understood from Jesus’ sharing that He must rise from death.
– Indeed, Mary Magdalene returned with those disciples a second time. But she remained there and wept outside the tomb even when the disciples went back to their home.
– Obviously, from John 20:13 to 16, Magdalene couldn’t recognize the resurrected Lord who appeared to her.
– Jesus revealed Himself and wanted Mary Magdalene to inform His disciples that: ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ (John 20:17, NIV). Magdalene took heed of Jesus’ instruction in verse 18, by informing His disciples. This time around, she told them not only that the tomb was emptied, but that she had seen the resurrected Jesus physically.
– The following verses on John 20:19 to 29 tell us that Jesus went and appeared twice to His disciples. However, Thomas wasn’t with them in the first round then. On His second visit, Jesus allowed Thomas to put his finger into His wounded hands and told Thomas: “Stop your doubting, and believe!” In a matter of fact, He was clearing Thomas’ doubt.
– Without a doubt, the above demonstrated that the resurrected Jesus:-
1) was very much concerned about His disciples and the continuity of His earthly mission work.
2) wasn’t recognized by Magdalene and His disciples. That means the resurrected Jesus could be totally different bodily.– Based on John 21:14, the miraculous catch of fish was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples.
John 21:12-14 GNT
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord.
13 So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish.
14 This, then, was the THIRD TIME Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from death.John 21:12-14 GNT | Amenbible With that, we should have completed the short exposition in John 20.
Just to highlight that there are numerous sermons saying that the resurrected Jesus came to declare peace not just to Jesus’ earthly disciples but it includes new covenant believers.
Thus, believers should have all the peace needed in life no matter whatsoever circumstances they are undergoing, they said. Furthermore, they are saying should you are receiving the right gospel, it shall be living troubleless, carefree lives.
However, let’s look at Luke’s account, below:-
(Luke 24:36-46, GNT)
36 While the two were telling them this, suddenly the Lord himself stood among them and said to them, “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”
37 They were TERRIFIED, thinking that they were SEEING A GHOST.
38 But he said to them, “Why are you alarmed? Why are these doubts coming up in your minds?
39 Look at my hands and my feet, and see that it is I myself. Feel me, and you will know, FOR A GHOST DOESN’T HAVE FLESH AND BONES, as you can see I have.”
40 He said this and showed them his hands and his feet.
41 They still could not believe, they were so full of joy and wonder; so he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 They gave him a piece of cooked fish,
43 which HE TOOK AND ATE IN THEIR PRESENCE.
44 Then he said to them, “These are the very things I told you about while I was still with you: everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.”
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and said to them, “This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later,Luke 24:36-46, GNT | Amenbible Prominently, Luke’s account tells us that Jesus was there to claim His dismayed disciples that He was not a ghost by saying “Peace be with you” and by eating with those disciples.” A ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones”, said Jesus. In any case, a ghost can’t eat. The idea of eating with the disciples was to demonstrate that He wasn’t a ghost
Jesus did not tell the believers peace from all the troubled, tribulations, and the unwanted world, as what the modern-day teaching like to claim. He said “Peace be with you” to claim the terrified disciples that He wasn’t a ghost.
From there, the story of miracle catches of fish unfolding in chapter 21 as below:
John 21:2-11 GNT
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael (the one from Cana in Galilee), the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus were all together.
3 Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.”
“We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing.
4 “As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Then he asked them, “Young men, haven’t you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered.
6 He said to them, “Throw your net out on the RIGHT SIDE of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and COULD NOT PULL IT BACK in, because they had caught so many fish.
7 The DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken his clothes off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples came to shore in the boat, pulling the net full of fish. They were not very far from land, about a hundred yards away.
9 When they stepped ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it and some bread.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, A HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE in all; even though there were so many, STILL THE NET DID NOT TEAR.”John 21:2-11 GNT | Amenbible Indeed, this is not just a lovely but a marvelous, candid story. Jesus appeared to them a third to reinstate His identity and strengthen their faith. As a matter of fact, after appearing to them a second time, they had yet to revive their vision and mission of spreading His gospel. They setback to their old habit as fishermen rather than their call as fishers of men (Mark 1:17).
RECEIVE GOD’S WORD WITH REVELATION
Nevertheless, I am very puzzled by some of the modern-day teachings. Among those, there is a teaching saying that believers need to “Receive God’s word with revelation (Let’s give a short name as RGWR)”.The meaning of “RGWR ” is not the same as “Rhema Word”. It is not the same as God giving Spiritual revelation with certain insight, inspiration, vision, and dreams for upcoming events ahead either.
Rather, the “Receiving God’s Word with Revelation (RGWR)” is focusing on certain words or verses in the bible to draw their meaning.
For instance, in John 21:4-11, the “RGWR” is citing 4 Revelation Words as below:-
- 1) Right Side
The “Right Side” is deemed as the key to the miraculous catch of fish (Verse 6). To RGWR, the right side speaks for God’s favor, honor, etc, they say. - 2) Empowerment
The appearance of Jesus empowered Peter to pull the net on the seashore (verse 11) that few strong guys couldn’t drag in the fishing net from the sea (Verse 6) - 3) 153
Not only that, the other Revelation Word for RGWR is “153 fishes”, in verse 11. To them, in Greek/ Hebrew, “153” represents:
# victory,
# I am God,
# I the God,
# wisdom, etc - 4) The disciple whom Jesus loved
The next Revelation Word for RGWR is “The disciple whom Jesus loved” (verse 7).
It is a form of self-boosting and self-declaring the love of Jesus. Based on this verse, many teachings and believers are self-declaring that they are “THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED” among the Christian community.
MY PERSONAL FINDINGS AND SUMMARY
In the light of seeking His truth, my personal study on this RGWR is as follows:-(1) RIGHT-SIDE
Truly, there are quite many verses talking about the “Right Hand” in the bible. Some of the verses of “Right Hand” speak for God’s favour and honour”. But John 21 is talking about “Right SIDE”, not “Right HAND”.And there aren’t any connecting elements on the “Right Side” as God’s favour or honor in the bible.
However, there is a similar or parallel event in the miraculous catches of fish in Luke 5: 1-6. The context in Luke 5:4-6 as follows:
(Luke 5:4-6, NIV)
4 When He (Jesus) had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “PUT OUT INTO DEEP WATER, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. “Luke 5:4-6, NIV | Amenbible Should we compare and contrast both scriptures in John 21 and Luke 5, we would find out that there are commonalities and differences between these two events, as below:
- There isn’t any mention of the “right side” in Luke’s story.
- In Luke 5, those people were not Jesus’s followers yet.
- Whereas, John 21, was about the downcast of Jesus’ earthly disciples after Jesus was crucified on the cross.
- There were miraculous catches of fish in both stories.
- In Luke 5, Jesus told the pre-disciples to “put out into deep water and let down the nets” (Verse 4).
- Whilst in John 21 verse 6, Jesus told His disciples “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
- With two different instructions given by Jesus, both stories resulted in miracle catches of fish.
- And in Luke 5, there wasn’t recorded the exact number of fish caught.
(2) 153
Neither do I comprehend Greek nor Hebrew. Thus, I can’t really explain the meaning of 153. However, I am skeptical about those explanations of the figurative of 153 as victorious, I am God, I the God or wisdom, etc. The Bible doesn’t show another 153 for further study and comparison.Nevertheless, in Genesis 14:14, it is recorded that Abram rescued his nephew with 318 trained men. I don’t hear any consistent explanation of the meaning of 318 from those same group of bible teachers who teach 153. Thus, no comment.
On the other hand, it seems that Jewish should be the ones demonstrating higher proficiency in the Hebrew language. But most of them have not come to know Jesus as their personal savior.
Since Jewish can master the Hebrew language greater than any non-Jewish but have not come to know the Lord, is the bible originally written in Hebrew that important?
Furthermore, those bible teachers who come up with the explanation of 153 might not be able to communicate and command the Hebrew language in day-to-day conversation. Can they really teach the Hebrew language correctly?
Besides, many scholars are saying that there are differences between modern Hebrew and ancient (Biblical) Hebrew. It is just like modern English versus ancient English. There were drastic differences between the two in terms of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and spelling.
Hence, I can only say that the bible is very precise in small detail. Even the exact number of 153 fish being caught and 318 trained men are being recorded.
(3) THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED
Should we continue the story in John 21:15-19, we would notice that Jesus appeared to Peter first after the miraculous catch of 153 fishes. Importantly, Jesus did not appear to the “disciple whom Jesus loved” first. And Jesus appointed Peter as the chief of those disciples. Not John.The point here is, we can self-declare or proclaim “I am the disciple whom Jesus loved”. But Jesus did not appoint John as the chief. Three times, Jesus did not entrust His sheep/ lamb to “THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED”. In life, usually, we entrust important tasks to our closest friend, especially as the will’s executor or an administrator.
And the resurrected Jesus could be so different bodily that all His disciples and Mary Magdalene can’t recognize Him. That includes “The disciple whom Jesus loved.”
When Peter knew it was Jesus, he was the first to react and jump into the sea and not John… “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” That speaks for his heart for Jesus rather than John.
(4) EMPOWERMENT
Physics would suggest that it is easier to drag a fishing net on the seashore than in the sea that is subject to gravity force and sea tiding. It is not the appearance of Jesus that empowered Peter with physical strength per se.
CONCLUSION
Personally, I believe it is not the “Right Side” or left side that is paramount in life. The most important thing in life is to hear the instruction from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They know where the fishes are in the river and ocean.The Holy Spirit might be revealing and asking individuals to move into the “Right side” or “launch their vessel into the deeper ocean.” Similarly, the Holy Spirit might want individuals to switch careers, change ministry, or relocate to another country. Pure obedience to His instructions is the key to success. I pray that I would take heed and be attentive to His calling.
In conclusion, personally, I believe the “Receiving God’s Word with Revelation (RGWR)” teaching alters the meaning of John 20 and 21. At least, it does not portray these two chapters of scripture rightly.
I would describe John 20 and 21 as Jesus’ appearance to those eye-witnessed disciples:-
– to reinstate His identity,
– strengthen the disciples’ faith,
– focus on His written word and
– urging them to continue spreading His gospel on the earth.Those disciples were with Jesus physically for 3 ½ years, but they weren’t recognized His way from the bible. Much more can happen to new covenant believers. We can be very familiar with the stories but without knowing the Savior’s heart. I pray that may the Lord unveils my and our eyes to Him from the written word.
Last but not least, it is good to check the biblical meaning by reading the bible, chapter by chapter; verse by verse on the whole portion of the entire message rather than trying to draw His truth with just a few so-called Revelation Words.
Jesus always spent time in His earthly ministry alone with God the Father was an example for believers. Private devotion to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is paramount as a Christian. Hear Him daily.
We all want the presence of the Lord to help us, prosper us, and guide us. But altering the biblical meaning by replacing it with a few so-called Revelation Words might be diluting His truth. Amenbible
-
AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD
As He is so are we in this world (1 John 4:17b) | amenbible
If I write a long letter, the readers have to read the whole letter from the introduction to the conclusion. If the readers still can’t understand, they have to re-read it again, and again. But if an individual only takes a verse, half a verse, or a sentence, and tries to paraphrase, it would have problems.Worst still, if it takes a verse, cuts, copies, and joins to another verse, that is not right. Most likely, that individual is trying to justify his point. Not the point of the writer.
Similarly, it is like taking my head and pasting it on Mr. B’s photo. Take Mr. A’s legs and paste them on Mr. B. That will form another picture.
Truly, the Bible cannot be subjected to individual interpretation.
For instance 1 John 4:17 “….as He is, so are we in this world.”
That verse never says Jesus is without sickness in heaven, so are we in this world.
The complete verse reads as “(NKJV) 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)”.
We can’t just take half a verse and paraphrase until out of context. In reality, the context is talking about “love”. If we read the whole chapter, it means, that as Jesus is “loved”, so we have to exercise that “love” to others in this world. It doesn’t mean as Jesus is healthy, without sickness, with no cancer in heaven, so are we in this world now. If we still want to claim “as Jesus is….”, it can also paraphrase as:-
Today Jesus is seated as the lamb of God in heaven, are you and me the lamb of God too?
Obviously, NO. We can’t say as Jesus is the Lamb of God in heaven, “so are we as the lamb of God in this world.”Again, Jesus is our redeemer, are you going to redeem me or I redeem you in this world?
In the Book of Revelation, the 24 elders are kneeling in worshiping God in Heaven. Does that mean I need to kneel before you or you on me in this world?
There again, Jesus is seated as King in heaven. Are you and me a king too in this world? No way.
The following verses on 1 John 4:19-21 tell us because God first loved us, we ought to use His love to love our brothers. Those who still hate his brothers are liars. Thus, the context for 1 John 4:17 is talking about “love” and not as Jesus is “healthy in heaven, so are we in this world.”
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying Jesus cannot heal us. Yes, God can heal us.
Nevertheless, we have to keep the purity of the interpretation of the scripture. If we allow our own interpretation, the whole bible can be cut, copied, pasted, and connected into thousands of thousands of different Bibles. Context is king on a portion of scripture. But keep cutting a verse or half a verse, connecting all over the places, would be distorting His truth. Amenbible
END TIMES POST:-
End Times:- The Book Of Life Opens
End Times: Summer
End Times: Daniel’s 70
末世：但以理的70个7
End Times: Armageddon
末世：哈米吉多顿
RECENT POST:-
I Will Be Your God
Nephilim
Kingdoms
New Spirit And New Law
2 Gospel
End Times: Summer
The Day Jesus Was Crucified
Feet Washing
Believe – John 3:16
TOP POSTS:-
3 John (Prosper In All Things)
As He Is, So Are We In This World
Arise, Shine
Cast Your Net On The Right Side
Earnest Prayer
End Times:- The Book Of Life Opens
See Jesus: (1 Corinthians 10)
amenbible.com | Main Page 
Back to Main Page
As a Christian, I have been asking:-
– What to believe in?
– What is the gospel?Of course, different Christians believing God differently. For instance:-
– Some belief in godly career direction.
– Some looking for a godly life partner
– Some are struggling in finance and need a godly financial breakthrough.
– Some are seeking peace
– Some just inspire to worship God, etc.Should we continue with the list, perhaps we can safely and surely say that at different stages in life, we are having different needs or checklists.
THE CRUCIAL QUESTION
But, when Christians are saying that they believe in the bible or Jesus, what does it mean exactly? If we are believing in the gospel, what exactly to believe in? What are the gospel and baptism? And what is their interrelationship then?
Before we look into the “Crucial Question”, let’s look at how and what apostle Paul warned the Corinthians churches in Second Corinthians chapter 11.
According to Paul, Eve fell, lured away because she entertained the smooth tongue of slightly seductive words from the snake. Paul continued by saying that should the believers tolerate the snake’s clever lies as Eve was, is like accepting:-
– a different Jesus
– a different Spirit
– a different Gospel.The full context is as below:-
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT
3 I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ—in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake’s clever lies.
4 For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a DIFFERENT Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the GOSPEL you received from us! (2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT)2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT | amenbible.com Apparently, Eve only tolerated the snake slightly. She might never have thought of being fallen away from God’s presence with just a slight belief being deviated from His word.
Paul was making a compare and contrast in the Book of Second Corinthians. A slight twist in God’s word or a slight difference in believing God’s word is treated as:-
– minds being corrupted
– being abandoned from pure devotion to Christ
– deceived by Satan.And, to Paul, a slight difference is not God’s word at all but it is Satan’s truth. Similarly, a slight unbelieving is total devastation and destruction.
With that in mind, we shall then look into “The Crucial Question”, on what exactly the gospel, baptism, and belief are and their interrelationship.
Of course, modern-day teaching is saying:-
– the gospel is “GOOD NEWS.”
– any preaching on poverty, suffering for Christ, or the wrath of God is not “Good News”. Thus, that teaching is not from God.
– the gospel is the “Gospel of Grace.”
– whatever believers need, Christ has not just paid it all, but also fully supplied it all. It only needs faith for the believers to take from God all the blessedness and good gifts.
– baptism is merely a public declaration that they are Christ’s followers. It is just symbolism. Nothing significant.
There are many verses talking about baptism, the gospel, and belief. However let’s look at Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3 below:-Mark 1:1-5, GNT
1 This is the GOOD NEWS about JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God. 2 It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: “God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’ 3 Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” 4 So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. “TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SINS and be baptized,” he told the people, “and GOD WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.” 5 Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. THEY CONFESSED THEIR SINS, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:1-5, GNT)Matthew 3:1-3 GNT
1 At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. 2 “Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”
3 John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said, “Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” (Matthew 3:1-3, GNT
—
6 They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan. (Matthew 3:6, GNT)Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3:1-3 | amenbible.com WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS?
What do these two portions of scripture highlight?
Firstly, from Mark’s account, the gospel begins or starts from John the Baptist in preparing the path for Jesus’ earthly ministry.That means the gospel is not just merely a simple verse or phrase of “GOOD NEWS” that can be covered. In brief, the gospel covers the entire life of Jesus and His mission to release the Holy Spirit for mankind.
Secondly, in any case, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospel Books. It involves the story of the entire life of Jesus, His callings, His way of doing things, and His mission.
Thus, believers/ preachers have to draw the integrated meaning from all four gospel Books, look at different angles and perspectives to understand the purpose of Christ, and comprehend His gospel.
Should we just take a verse or half a verse to draw its definition, we would say:-
- The thief who was crucified with Jesus never went through water baptism. He never produced any good work/ fruit after believing in Christ at the cross.
- Romans 10:8-9 only requires the mouth to declare and the heart to believe that God raised Jesus from death and shall be saved.
- John 3:16. Just believe alone.
- Don’t need evidence of fruits and good work for full salvation.
- Water baptism is insignificant.
- Once saved, always saved, by reciting the sinner’s player alone.
- Similarly, there are many disputes and wrong teaching of cessationism of prophesying, tongues, and healing.
- Bible readers will discover many of the scriptures, verses can never identify or even against each other and etc
- Should that be the case, the bible is full of contradictions, errors, and disputable.
- People like to cover up those disputes by suggesting not just 4 Gospel books but need to add in some more books like “The Gospel from Thomas” etc
THE BOOKS OF THE GOSPELS
Nevertheless, based on past studies, prove that fruits, good works, and conduct of believers are paramount for full salvation. Do revisit these studies, if needed:-
– END TIMES:- THE BOOK OF LIFE OPENS
– JESUS IS MY FRIEND – PART 1There again, if we go back to both Matthew and Mark’s accounts, the gospel is a call for non-believers to turn away from their sins by confessing them and be baptized subsequently. The scripture continues by telling us “AND GOD WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.”
Putting Mark 1 and Matthew 3 into perspective, it is never the case for non-believers to declare all their sins are being forgiven at the salvation call prior to admitting and confessing their sins first.
And, baptism is not just symbolism or mere public declaration as Christ’s followers alone. It has to turn away from its sins first.
Besides, Jesus was commanding His disciples to baptize those who want to give their lives to Jesus in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Perhaps, this is the only commanding verse in the entire bible where three Names (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) appear at the same time. It shows the seriousness and importance of baptism. That suggests baptism is not just symbolic. It is renouncing sinful living.Please do not read that verse by saying believers are protected by the trinity God. Because they have to abandon their sins first. And the next verse, in Matthew 28:20, is saying, “AND TEACH THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.” This is another commanding verse for the obedience of God’s people after they have received baptism. It is not a protection verse.
Should we take the Great Commandment from Mark’s account, it states clearly that:
– Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16, GNT)
– It is a “AND” condition for believing and baptism in order to be saved.The scripture reference as below:-
Matthew 28:19-20, GNT
19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: BAPTIZE THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, GNT)Mark 16:15-18, GNT
15 He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in my name; they will speak in strange tongues;
18 if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18, GNT)Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-18 | amenbible.com BE BAPTIZED
Let’s look at another verse to confirm Mark’s teaching below:-Acts 1:4-5; 8 GNT
4 And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised.
5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:4-5; 8 GNTActs 1:4-5; 8 | amenbible.com Obviously, some scholars are saying Mark 16 was added in verses. They are saying the original manuscript comes without those verses. Nevertheless, these verses are in line with Acts 1:8 which says the power of the Holy Spirit will manifest until “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”
And we saw many spiritual powers and breakthroughs happen in the book of Acts. Unless we believe that “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH” is already over if not, the spiritual power will continue to manifest.
That is not in line with cessationism theology that says all the healing, prophecy, and speaking in Tongues are over. Besides, our next and future generations do need those manifestations to believe and witness Him too. Spiritual powers and wonders had not ended in the first century and are not going to end in our generation. Rather, it has to be till “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”
On one extreme, people are saying that God/ Jesus never comes to prosper believers. Prosperity is a bad word, to some denominations.
Nevertheless, apostle John did pray for Gaius to be prospered in 3 John 1:2 [Recap: 3 JOHN (PROSPER IN ALL THINGS)]
Besides, God did prosper Abraham, Isaac, King David, and King Solomon in the Old Testament.
On top of that, in Deuteronomy, Moses reminded God’s people that He was the one who gave power for them to become rich. We are serving the same God, regardless of the old or New Testament. Those blessings and prosperity are not just spiritual, but tangible ones.
SEEK YE FIRST
Of course, on the other extreme, it is wrong to camp on prosperity and guarantee all believers to be wealthy and healthy universally.At least we don’t see monetary prosperity for all first-century apostles. Indeed, the apostle Paul was living by tents-making to earn his living (Acts 18:3).
There again, there are many verses talking about how God provides for His people. One of the famous scriptures is known as “Seek Ye first.”
Matthew 6:33, GNT
33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with WHAT HE REQUIRES OF YOU, and he will provide you with all these other things.Matthew 6:33, NIV
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33, AMPC
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.Matthew 6:33 | amenbible.com Modern teaching likes to camp the above verse on Christ’s righteousness. It is not about believers’ righteousness, they said. According to their teaching should the believers behold His glory, His imputed righteousness, God will give them all things.
On the other hand, some interpret Matthew 6:33 as spiritual blessings, got nothing to do with bodily, earthly blessings.
But the context is talking about the physical beauty of those flowers and the earthly edible food for those birds.
Furthermore, it is saying “Do not worry about what you eat, or wear.” It is not about spiritual beauty and spiritual food. Jesus did not talk about spiritual beauty and food. Rather, Jesus was referring to physical wellness and not future spiritual glory.
In addition, the context is not referring to God shall provide for the “Need and not the want” of the believers. The author was comparing and contrasting to a super wealthy King Soloman, who was living not just in need but a luxurious life. The fact is, rich or poor, God is their provider.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MATTHEW 6:33
From “CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE”, shows that the resurrected Jesus was concerned about the continuity of His earthly evangelism and mission. Jesus was beseeching His people to continue in the propagation of God’s kingdom. Personally, I believe this is the meaning of “Seek first His kingdom.”And based on GNT and AMPC, the second part of the context talk about His requirements for the believers. It is not about His imputed righteousness. It is about believers’ right doing. [Further reading about the word righteousness can be found here]
SLIGHT UNBELIEVING IS NOT BELIEVING. SLIGHT TWISTED TRUTH IS NOT THE TRUTH
In summary, scripture does not contradict itself. Should believe need to paraphrase, alter the bible’s original context, interpret every verse with the lens of grace, and see Jesus fulfilled or supplied in every verse, that is not believing. THAT IS SELECTIVELY BELIEVED.And should we need to interpret verses by saying cessation; all the healing, prophecy, and speaking in Tongues are over, that is not inclined with God’s word. That is not just doubt, but strips Church’s power and reduces it to be like any earthly social community; without godly, spiritual powers. That is partial believing and constitutes unbelieving.
CONCLUSION
May the Lord help me/us in believing Him and His word absolutely, simply like a child/ Children.By upholding and endorsing paraphrasing or cessation theologies, it will bring ruin to God’s words, and strip His spiritual powers and His truth. Let God be God. He is having personal assignments, plans, and purposes for each and every one. He is holding on to every believer’s destination.
Certainly, God is the One who blesses and prospers all His people. Nevertheless, Jesus’ primary first earthly mission was to point the way for believers to seek God’s kingdom, live a godly life, and bear witness to His kingdom with His spiritual powers till the ends to come.
Yes, the bible does mention of “Gospel of Grace.’ It means by grace people are giving the gospel. It doesn’t mean Jesus came to pour out His financial blessings for nothing. Jesus also said, “Come follow me; take up your cross, etc.”
Jesus’ primary role is not here to bless and bless; supply and supply His people for nothing. His spiritual powers are manifesting with a purpose.
In conclusion, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospel Books. The gospel is not just merely a simple verse or phrase of:
– GOOD NEWS
– Gospel of Grace
that can be covered. Truly, the gospel is covering the entire life of Jesus and His mission to release the Holy Spirit for mankind. Believers have to embrace His heart to seek God’s kingdom in witnessing His glory.Again, Eve might not know that she could be fallen away from God’s presence with just a slight belief deviating from His word. Nevertheless, her story is written to forewarn believers from adopting her step.
Believe absolutely. And not selectively or partially. Amenbible.
Read:-
RIGHTLY DIVIDE HIS WORD (1)
BALAAM
AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLDBELIEVE ABSOLUTELY | AMENBIBLE main page | amenbible CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE
Back to Main Page
There is a beautiful story on miraculous catches of fish in John 21:2-11.BACKGROUND IN JOHN CHAPTER 20
Perhaps, it is good to look at the background of the story a chapter prior to the miraculous catches of fish; in chapter 20, before drawing a conclusion. Because of space, I shall not attach any verse from John 20. Individuals are encouraged to read their own bible in John chapter 20. A short outline of the story of John 20 unveils below:– Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene visited the tomb. But she found that the tomb’s entrance was open. She ran to inform Jesus’ disciples (Peter and John) in John 20:1-2.
– The disciples went to the tomb. And the bible records verses 8 to 10 as below:-
(John 20:8-10, GNT)
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed.
(9 They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.)
10 Then the disciples went back home.John 20:8-10, GNT | Amenbible – Ironically, those disciples believed Jesus wasn’t in the tomb. In other words, it was an emptied tomb.
– Let me repeat again that yes, they believed the tomb was emptied. But after believing that it was an empty tomb, they chose to go home (John 20:8-10). Their hearts weren’t warmed by the fact that Jesus was being resurrected.
– Apparently, after being with Jesus for 3 ½ years, they did not know His way of teaching. They had not understood from Jesus’ sharing that He must rise from death.
– Indeed, Mary Magdalene returned with those disciples a second time. But she remained there and wept outside the tomb even when the disciples went back to their home.
– Obviously, from John 20:13 to 16, Magdalene couldn’t recognize the resurrected Lord who appeared to her.
– Jesus revealed Himself and wanted Mary Magdalene to inform His disciples that: ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ (John 20:17, NIV). Magdalene took heed of Jesus’ instruction in verse 18, by informing His disciples. This time around, she told them not only that the tomb was emptied, but that she had seen the resurrected Jesus physically.
– The following verses on John 20:19 to 29 tell us that Jesus went and appeared twice to His disciples. However, Thomas wasn’t with them in the first round then. On His second visit, Jesus allowed Thomas to put his finger into His wounded hands and told Thomas: “Stop your doubting, and believe!” In a matter of fact, He was clearing Thomas’ doubt.
– Without a doubt, the above demonstrated that the resurrected Jesus:-
1) was very much concerned about His disciples and the continuity of His earthly mission work.
2) wasn’t recognized by Magdalene and His disciples. That means the resurrected Jesus could be totally different bodily.– Based on John 21:14, the miraculous catch of fish was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples.
John 21:12-14 GNT
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord.
13 So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish.
14 This, then, was the THIRD TIME Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from death.John 21:12-14 GNT | Amenbible With that, we should have completed the short exposition in John 20.
Just to highlight that there are numerous sermons saying that the resurrected Jesus came to declare peace not just to Jesus’ earthly disciples but it includes new covenant believers.
Thus, believers should have all the peace needed in life no matter whatsoever circumstances they are undergoing, they said. Furthermore, they are saying should you are receiving the right gospel, it shall be living troubleless, carefree lives.
However, let’s look at Luke’s account, below:-
(Luke 24:36-46, GNT)
36 While the two were telling them this, suddenly the Lord himself stood among them and said to them, “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”
37 They were TERRIFIED, thinking that they were SEEING A GHOST.
38 But he said to them, “Why are you alarmed? Why are these doubts coming up in your minds?
39 Look at my hands and my feet, and see that it is I myself. Feel me, and you will know, FOR A GHOST DOESN’T HAVE FLESH AND BONES, as you can see I have.”
40 He said this and showed them his hands and his feet.
41 They still could not believe, they were so full of joy and wonder; so he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 They gave him a piece of cooked fish,
43 which HE TOOK AND ATE IN THEIR PRESENCE.
44 Then he said to them, “These are the very things I told you about while I was still with you: everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.”
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and said to them, “This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later,Luke 24:36-46, GNT | Amenbible Prominently, Luke’s account tells us that Jesus was there to claim His dismayed disciples that He was not a ghost by saying “Peace be with you” and by eating with those disciples.” A ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones”, said Jesus. In any case, a ghost can’t eat. The idea of eating with the disciples was to demonstrate that He wasn’t a ghost
Jesus did not tell the believers peace from all the troubled, tribulations, and the unwanted world, as what the modern-day teaching like to claim. He said “Peace be with you” to claim the terrified disciples that He wasn’t a ghost.
From there, the story of miracle catches of fish unfolding in chapter 21 as below:
John 21:2-11 GNT
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael (the one from Cana in Galilee), the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus were all together.
3 Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.”
“We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing.
4 “As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Then he asked them, “Young men, haven’t you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered.
6 He said to them, “Throw your net out on the RIGHT SIDE of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and COULD NOT PULL IT BACK in, because they had caught so many fish.
7 The DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken his clothes off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples came to shore in the boat, pulling the net full of fish. They were not very far from land, about a hundred yards away.
9 When they stepped ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it and some bread.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, A HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE in all; even though there were so many, STILL THE NET DID NOT TEAR.”John 21:2-11 GNT | Amenbible Indeed, this is not just a lovely but a marvelous, candid story. Jesus appeared to them a third to reinstate His identity and strengthen their faith. As a matter of fact, after appearing to them a second time, they had yet to revive their vision and mission of spreading His gospel. They setback to their old habit as fishermen rather than their call as fishers of men (Mark 1:17).
RECEIVE GOD’S WORD WITH REVELATION
Nevertheless, I am very puzzled by some of the modern-day teachings. Among those, there is a teaching saying that believers need to “Receive God’s word with revelation (Let’s give a short name as RGWR)”.The meaning of “RGWR ” is not the same as “Rhema Word”. It is not the same as God giving Spiritual revelation with certain insight, inspiration, vision, and dreams for upcoming events ahead either.
Rather, the “Receiving God’s Word with Revelation (RGWR)” is focusing on certain words or verses in the bible to draw their meaning.
For instance, in John 21:4-11, the “RGWR” is citing 4 Revelation Words as below:-
- 1) Right Side
The “Right Side” is deemed as the key to the miraculous catch of fish (Verse 6). To RGWR, the right side speaks for God’s favor, honor, etc, they say. - 2) Empowerment
The appearance of Jesus empowered Peter to pull the net on the seashore (verse 11) that few strong guys couldn’t drag in the fishing net from the sea (Verse 6) - 3) 153
Not only that, the other Revelation Word for RGWR is “153 fishes”, in verse 11. To them, in Greek/ Hebrew, “153” represents:
# victory,
# I am God,
# I the God,
# wisdom, etc - 4) The disciple whom Jesus loved
The next Revelation Word for RGWR is “The disciple whom Jesus loved” (verse 7).
It is a form of self-boosting and self-declaring the love of Jesus. Based on this verse, many teachings and believers are self-declaring that they are “THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED” among the Christian community.
MY PERSONAL FINDINGS AND SUMMARY
In the light of seeking His truth, my personal study on this RGWR is as follows:-(1) RIGHT-SIDE
Truly, there are quite many verses talking about the “Right Hand” in the bible. Some of the verses of “Right Hand” speak for God’s favour and honour”. But John 21 is talking about “Right SIDE”, not “Right HAND”.And there aren’t any connecting elements on the “Right Side” as God’s favour or honor in the bible.
However, there is a similar or parallel event in the miraculous catches of fish in Luke 5: 1-6. The context in Luke 5:4-6 as follows:
(Luke 5:4-6, NIV)
4 When He (Jesus) had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “PUT OUT INTO DEEP WATER, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. “Luke 5:4-6, NIV | Amenbible Should we compare and contrast both scriptures in John 21 and Luke 5, we would find out that there are commonalities and differences between these two events, as below:
- There isn’t any mention of the “right side” in Luke’s story.
- In Luke 5, those people were not Jesus’s followers yet.
- Whereas, John 21, was about the downcast of Jesus’ earthly disciples after Jesus was crucified on the cross.
- There were miraculous catches of fish in both stories.
- In Luke 5, Jesus told the pre-disciples to “put out into deep water and let down the nets” (Verse 4).
- Whilst in John 21 verse 6, Jesus told His disciples “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
- With two different instructions given by Jesus, both stories resulted in miracle catches of fish.
- And in Luke 5, there wasn’t recorded the exact number of fish caught.
(2) 153
Neither do I comprehend Greek nor Hebrew. Thus, I can’t really explain the meaning of 153. However, I am skeptical about those explanations of the figurative of 153 as victorious, I am God, I the God or wisdom, etc. The Bible doesn’t show another 153 for further study and comparison.Nevertheless, in Genesis 14:14, it is recorded that Abram rescued his nephew with 318 trained men. I don’t hear any consistent explanation of the meaning of 318 from those same group of bible teachers who teach 153. Thus, no comment.
On the other hand, it seems that Jewish should be the ones demonstrating higher proficiency in the Hebrew language. But most of them have not come to know Jesus as their personal savior.
Since Jewish can master the Hebrew language greater than any non-Jewish but have not come to know the Lord, is the bible originally written in Hebrew that important?
Furthermore, those bible teachers who come up with the explanation of 153 might not be able to communicate and command the Hebrew language in day-to-day conversation. Can they really teach the Hebrew language correctly?
Besides, many scholars are saying that there are differences between modern Hebrew and ancient (Biblical) Hebrew. It is just like modern English versus ancient English. There were drastic differences between the two in terms of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and spelling.
Hence, I can only say that the bible is very precise in small detail. Even the exact number of 153 fish being caught and 318 trained men are being recorded.
(3) THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED
Should we continue the story in John 21:15-19, we would notice that Jesus appeared to Peter first after the miraculous catch of 153 fishes. Importantly, Jesus did not appear to the “disciple whom Jesus loved” first. And Jesus appointed Peter as the chief of those disciples. Not John.The point here is, we can self-declare or proclaim “I am the disciple whom Jesus loved”. But Jesus did not appoint John as the chief. Three times, Jesus did not entrust His sheep/ lamb to “THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED”. In life, usually, we entrust important tasks to our closest friend, especially as the will’s executor or an administrator.
And the resurrected Jesus could be so different bodily that all His disciples and Mary Magdalene can’t recognize Him. That includes “The disciple whom Jesus loved.”
When Peter knew it was Jesus, he was the first to react and jump into the sea and not John… “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” That speaks for his heart for Jesus rather than John.
(4) EMPOWERMENT
Physics would suggest that it is easier to drag a fishing net on the seashore than in the sea that is subject to gravity force and sea tiding. It is not the appearance of Jesus that empowered Peter with physical strength per se.
CONCLUSION
Personally, I believe it is not the “Right Side” or left side that is paramount in life. The most important thing in life is to hear the instruction from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They know where the fishes are in the river and ocean.The Holy Spirit might be revealing and asking individuals to move into the “Right side” or “launch their vessel into the deeper ocean.” Similarly, the Holy Spirit might want individuals to switch careers, change ministry, or relocate to another country. Pure obedience to His instructions is the key to success. I pray that I would take heed and be attentive to His calling.
In conclusion, personally, I believe the “Receiving God’s Word with Revelation (RGWR)” teaching alters the meaning of John 20 and 21. At least, it does not portray these two chapters of scripture rightly.
I would describe John 20 and 21 as Jesus’ appearance to those eye-witnessed disciples:-
– to reinstate His identity,
– strengthen the disciples’ faith,
– focus on His written word and
– urging them to continue spreading His gospel on the earth.Those disciples were with Jesus physically for 3 ½ years, but they weren’t recognized His way from the bible. Much more can happen to new covenant believers. We can be very familiar with the stories but without knowing the Savior’s heart. I pray that may the Lord unveils my and our eyes to Him from the written word.
Last but not least, it is good to check the biblical meaning by reading the bible, chapter by chapter; verse by verse on the whole portion of the entire message rather than trying to draw His truth with just a few so-called Revelation Words.
Jesus always spent time in His earthly ministry alone with God the Father was an example for believers. Private devotion to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is paramount as a Christian. Hear Him daily.
We all want the presence of the Lord to help us, prosper us, and guide us. But altering the biblical meaning by replacing it with a few so-called Revelation Words might be diluting His truth. Amenbible
-
WORTHY LIVING
worthy living | amenbible Back to Main Page
A well-known politician used to say that he spent all his life building a nation.Similarly, as believers, we have to use and build our earthly lives for eternity. We have to walk rightly for our next glorious eternality. Salvation comes with a cost. Not just reciting a sinner prayer alone.
(Ephesians 5:19-25, NIV)
Verse 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious:-
– sexual immorality,
– impurity and
– debauchery;
– verse 20 idolatry and witchcraft;
– hatred, discord,
– jealousy,
– fits of rage,
– selfish ambition,
– dissensions,
– factions
– verse 21 and envy;
– drunkenness,
– orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Ephesians, 5:19-25)Certainly, right believing in the scripture, will produce right walking and living with Him.
However, it seems like living a life that is led by the Spirit is much easier. Believers only need to aim at one “Fruit” of the Spirit. The word fruit is written in the singular. Of course, it consists of 9 different aspects of that fruit.
Just to sidetrack, when we make a decision, sometimes we say “We have peace”. But that “Peace” is only one aspect of the entire fruit.
As compared to living in flesh, the word “Acts” is written in the plural. It consists of 16 prohibited actions.
Last but not least, the bible outlines clearly that those believers don’t crucify their flesh, don’t live a Spirit-led life “Will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (verse 21) That means, they won’t be entering into eternality with God. The word “Those who live like that” in verse 21 also implies that Christians can either live by flesh or be led by the Spirit.
Apostle Paul continues his morality preaching on Galatians 6:7-8 “(NIV) 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8, NIV)
In short, we have to use our leasehold; earthly lives, living up to God’s standard, for future eternality.
READ:-
ARISE, SHINE
MOST POPULAR:-
END TIMES:- THE BOOK OF LIFE OPENS
AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD
amenbible.com | Main Page Back to Main Page
As a Christian, I have been asking:-
– What to believe in?
– What is the gospel?Of course, different Christians believing God differently. For instance:-
– Some belief in godly career direction.
– Some looking for a godly life partner
– Some are struggling in finance and need a godly financial breakthrough.
– Some are seeking peace
– Some just inspire to worship God, etc.Should we continue with the list, perhaps we can safely and surely say that at different stages in life, we are having different needs or checklists.
THE CRUCIAL QUESTION
But, when Christians are saying that they believe in the bible or Jesus, what does it mean exactly? If we are believing in the gospel, what exactly to believe in? What are the gospel and baptism? And what is their interrelationship then?
Before we look into the “Crucial Question”, let’s look at how and what apostle Paul warned the Corinthians churches in Second Corinthians chapter 11.
According to Paul, Eve fell, lured away because she entertained the smooth tongue of slightly seductive words from the snake. Paul continued by saying that should the believers tolerate the snake’s clever lies as Eve was, is like accepting:-
– a different Jesus
– a different Spirit
– a different Gospel.The full context is as below:-
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT
3 I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ—in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake’s clever lies.
4 For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a DIFFERENT Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the GOSPEL you received from us! (2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT)2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT | amenbible.com Apparently, Eve only tolerated the snake slightly. She might never have thought of being fallen away from God’s presence with just a slight belief being deviated from His word.
Paul was making a compare and contrast in the Book of Second Corinthians. A slight twist in God’s word or a slight difference in believing God’s word is treated as:-
– minds being corrupted
– being abandoned from pure devotion to Christ
– deceived by Satan.And, to Paul, a slight difference is not God’s word at all but it is Satan’s truth. Similarly, a slight unbelieving is total devastation and destruction.
With that in mind, we shall then look into “The Crucial Question”, on what exactly the gospel, baptism, and belief are and their interrelationship.
Of course, modern-day teaching is saying:-
– the gospel is “GOOD NEWS.”
– any preaching on poverty, suffering for Christ, or the wrath of God is not “Good News”. Thus, that teaching is not from God.
– the gospel is the “Gospel of Grace.”
– whatever believers need, Christ has not just paid it all, but also fully supplied it all. It only needs faith for the believers to take from God all the blessedness and good gifts.
– baptism is merely a public declaration that they are Christ’s followers. It is just symbolism. Nothing significant.
There are many verses talking about baptism, the gospel, and belief. However let’s look at Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3 below:-Mark 1:1-5, GNT
1 This is the GOOD NEWS about JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God. 2 It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: “God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’ 3 Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” 4 So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. “TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SINS and be baptized,” he told the people, “and GOD WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.” 5 Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. THEY CONFESSED THEIR SINS, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:1-5, GNT)Matthew 3:1-3 GNT
1 At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. 2 “Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”
3 John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said, “Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” (Matthew 3:1-3, GNT
—
6 They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan. (Matthew 3:6, GNT)Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3:1-3 | amenbible.com WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS?
What do these two portions of scripture highlight?
Firstly, from Mark’s account, the gospel begins or starts from John the Baptist in preparing the path for Jesus’ earthly ministry.That means the gospel is not just merely a simple verse or phrase of “GOOD NEWS” that can be covered. In brief, the gospel covers the entire life of Jesus and His mission to release the Holy Spirit for mankind.
Secondly, in any case, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospel Books. It involves the story of the entire life of Jesus, His callings, His way of doing things, and His mission.
Thus, believers/ preachers have to draw the integrated meaning from all four gospel Books, look at different angles and perspectives to understand the purpose of Christ, and comprehend His gospel.
Should we just take a verse or half a verse to draw its definition, we would say:-
- The thief who was crucified with Jesus never went through water baptism. He never produced any good work/ fruit after believing in Christ at the cross.
- Romans 10:8-9 only requires the mouth to declare and the heart to believe that God raised Jesus from death and shall be saved.
- John 3:16. Just believe alone.
- Don’t need evidence of fruits and good work for full salvation.
- Water baptism is insignificant.
- Once saved, always saved, by reciting the sinner’s player alone.
- Similarly, there are many disputes and wrong teaching of cessationism of prophesying, tongues, and healing.
- Bible readers will discover many of the scriptures, verses can never identify or even against each other and etc
- Should that be the case, the bible is full of contradictions, errors, and disputable.
- People like to cover up those disputes by suggesting not just 4 Gospel books but need to add in some more books like “The Gospel from Thomas” etc
THE BOOKS OF THE GOSPELS
Nevertheless, based on past studies, prove that fruits, good works, and conduct of believers are paramount for full salvation. Do revisit these studies, if needed:-
– END TIMES:- THE BOOK OF LIFE OPENS
– JESUS IS MY FRIEND – PART 1There again, if we go back to both Matthew and Mark’s accounts, the gospel is a call for non-believers to turn away from their sins by confessing them and be baptized subsequently. The scripture continues by telling us “AND GOD WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.”
Putting Mark 1 and Matthew 3 into perspective, it is never the case for non-believers to declare all their sins are being forgiven at the salvation call prior to admitting and confessing their sins first.
And, baptism is not just symbolism or mere public declaration as Christ’s followers alone. It has to turn away from its sins first.
Besides, Jesus was commanding His disciples to baptize those who want to give their lives to Jesus in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Perhaps, this is the only commanding verse in the entire bible where three Names (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) appear at the same time. It shows the seriousness and importance of baptism. That suggests baptism is not just symbolic. It is renouncing sinful living.Please do not read that verse by saying believers are protected by the trinity God. Because they have to abandon their sins first. And the next verse, in Matthew 28:20, is saying, “AND TEACH THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.” This is another commanding verse for the obedience of God’s people after they have received baptism. It is not a protection verse.
Should we take the Great Commandment from Mark’s account, it states clearly that:
– Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16, GNT)
– It is a “AND” condition for believing and baptism in order to be saved.The scripture reference as below:-
Matthew 28:19-20, GNT
19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: BAPTIZE THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, GNT)Mark 16:15-18, GNT
15 He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in my name; they will speak in strange tongues;
18 if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18, GNT)Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-18 | amenbible.com BE BAPTIZED
Let’s look at another verse to confirm Mark’s teaching below:-Acts 1:4-5; 8 GNT
4 And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised.
5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:4-5; 8 GNTActs 1:4-5; 8 | amenbible.com Obviously, some scholars are saying Mark 16 was added in verses. They are saying the original manuscript comes without those verses. Nevertheless, these verses are in line with Acts 1:8 which says the power of the Holy Spirit will manifest until “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”
And we saw many spiritual powers and breakthroughs happen in the book of Acts. Unless we believe that “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH” is already over if not, the spiritual power will continue to manifest.
That is not in line with cessationism theology that says all the healing, prophecy, and speaking in Tongues are over. Besides, our next and future generations do need those manifestations to believe and witness Him too. Spiritual powers and wonders had not ended in the first century and are not going to end in our generation. Rather, it has to be till “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”
On one extreme, people are saying that God/ Jesus never comes to prosper believers. Prosperity is a bad word, to some denominations.
Nevertheless, apostle John did pray for Gaius to be prospered in 3 John 1:2 [Recap: 3 JOHN (PROSPER IN ALL THINGS)]
Besides, God did prosper Abraham, Isaac, King David, and King Solomon in the Old Testament.
On top of that, in Deuteronomy, Moses reminded God’s people that He was the one who gave power for them to become rich. We are serving the same God, regardless of the old or New Testament. Those blessings and prosperity are not just spiritual, but tangible ones.
SEEK YE FIRST
Of course, on the other extreme, it is wrong to camp on prosperity and guarantee all believers to be wealthy and healthy universally.At least we don’t see monetary prosperity for all first-century apostles. Indeed, the apostle Paul was living by tents-making to earn his living (Acts 18:3).
There again, there are many verses talking about how God provides for His people. One of the famous scriptures is known as “Seek Ye first.”
Matthew 6:33, GNT
33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with WHAT HE REQUIRES OF YOU, and he will provide you with all these other things.Matthew 6:33, NIV
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33, AMPC
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.Matthew 6:33 | amenbible.com Modern teaching likes to camp the above verse on Christ’s righteousness. It is not about believers’ righteousness, they said. According to their teaching should the believers behold His glory, His imputed righteousness, God will give them all things.
On the other hand, some interpret Matthew 6:33 as spiritual blessings, got nothing to do with bodily, earthly blessings.
But the context is talking about the physical beauty of those flowers and the earthly edible food for those birds.
Furthermore, it is saying “Do not worry about what you eat, or wear.” It is not about spiritual beauty and spiritual food. Jesus did not talk about spiritual beauty and food. Rather, Jesus was referring to physical wellness and not future spiritual glory.
In addition, the context is not referring to God shall provide for the “Need and not the want” of the believers. The author was comparing and contrasting to a super wealthy King Soloman, who was living not just in need but a luxurious life. The fact is, rich or poor, God is their provider.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MATTHEW 6:33
From “CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE”, shows that the resurrected Jesus was concerned about the continuity of His earthly evangelism and mission. Jesus was beseeching His people to continue in the propagation of God’s kingdom. Personally, I believe this is the meaning of “Seek first His kingdom.”And based on GNT and AMPC, the second part of the context talk about His requirements for the believers. It is not about His imputed righteousness. It is about believers’ right doing. [Further reading about the word righteousness can be found here]
SLIGHT UNBELIEVING IS NOT BELIEVING. SLIGHT TWISTED TRUTH IS NOT THE TRUTH
In summary, scripture does not contradict itself. Should believe need to paraphrase, alter the bible’s original context, interpret every verse with the lens of grace, and see Jesus fulfilled or supplied in every verse, that is not believing. THAT IS SELECTIVELY BELIEVED.And should we need to interpret verses by saying cessation; all the healing, prophecy, and speaking in Tongues are over, that is not inclined with God’s word. That is not just doubt, but strips Church’s power and reduces it to be like any earthly social community; without godly, spiritual powers. That is partial believing and constitutes unbelieving.
CONCLUSION
May the Lord help me/us in believing Him and His word absolutely, simply like a child/ Children.By upholding and endorsing paraphrasing or cessation theologies, it will bring ruin to God’s words, and strip His spiritual powers and His truth. Let God be God. He is having personal assignments, plans, and purposes for each and every one. He is holding on to every believer’s destination.
Certainly, God is the One who blesses and prospers all His people. Nevertheless, Jesus’ primary first earthly mission was to point the way for believers to seek God’s kingdom, live a godly life, and bear witness to His kingdom with His spiritual powers till the ends to come.
Yes, the bible does mention of “Gospel of Grace.’ It means by grace people are giving the gospel. It doesn’t mean Jesus came to pour out His financial blessings for nothing. Jesus also said, “Come follow me; take up your cross, etc.”
Jesus’ primary role is not here to bless and bless; supply and supply His people for nothing. His spiritual powers are manifesting with a purpose.
In conclusion, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospel Books. The gospel is not just merely a simple verse or phrase of:
– GOOD NEWS
– Gospel of Grace
that can be covered. Truly, the gospel is covering the entire life of Jesus and His mission to release the Holy Spirit for mankind. Believers have to embrace His heart to seek God’s kingdom in witnessing His glory.Again, Eve might not know that she could be fallen away from God’s presence with just a slight belief deviating from His word. Nevertheless, her story is written to forewarn believers from adopting her step.
Believe absolutely. And not selectively or partially. Amenbible.
Read:-
RIGHTLY DIVIDE HIS WORD (1)
BALAAM
AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLDBELIEVE ABSOLUTELY | AMENBIBLE main page | amenbible CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE
Back to Main Page
There is a beautiful story on miraculous catches of fish in John 21:2-11.BACKGROUND IN JOHN CHAPTER 20
Perhaps, it is good to look at the background of the story a chapter prior to the miraculous catches of fish; in chapter 20, before drawing a conclusion. Because of space, I shall not attach any verse from John 20. Individuals are encouraged to read their own bible in John chapter 20. A short outline of the story of John 20 unveils below:– Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene visited the tomb. But she found that the tomb’s entrance was open. She ran to inform Jesus’ disciples (Peter and John) in John 20:1-2.
– The disciples went to the tomb. And the bible records verses 8 to 10 as below:-
(John 20:8-10, GNT)
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed.
(9 They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.)
10 Then the disciples went back home.John 20:8-10, GNT | Amenbible – Ironically, those disciples believed Jesus wasn’t in the tomb. In other words, it was an emptied tomb.
– Let me repeat again that yes, they believed the tomb was emptied. But after believing that it was an empty tomb, they chose to go home (John 20:8-10). Their hearts weren’t warmed by the fact that Jesus was being resurrected.
– Apparently, after being with Jesus for 3 ½ years, they did not know His way of teaching. They had not understood from Jesus’ sharing that He must rise from death.
– Indeed, Mary Magdalene returned with those disciples a second time. But she remained there and wept outside the tomb even when the disciples went back to their home.
– Obviously, from John 20:13 to 16, Magdalene couldn’t recognize the resurrected Lord who appeared to her.
– Jesus revealed Himself and wanted Mary Magdalene to inform His disciples that: ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ (John 20:17, NIV). Magdalene took heed of Jesus’ instruction in verse 18, by informing His disciples. This time around, she told them not only that the tomb was emptied, but that she had seen the resurrected Jesus physically.
– The following verses on John 20:19 to 29 tell us that Jesus went and appeared twice to His disciples. However, Thomas wasn’t with them in the first round then. On His second visit, Jesus allowed Thomas to put his finger into His wounded hands and told Thomas: “Stop your doubting, and believe!” In a matter of fact, He was clearing Thomas’ doubt.
– Without a doubt, the above demonstrated that the resurrected Jesus:-
1) was very much concerned about His disciples and the continuity of His earthly mission work.
2) wasn’t recognized by Magdalene and His disciples. That means the resurrected Jesus could be totally different bodily.– Based on John 21:14, the miraculous catch of fish was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples.
John 21:12-14 GNT
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord.
13 So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish.
14 This, then, was the THIRD TIME Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from death.John 21:12-14 GNT | Amenbible With that, we should have completed the short exposition in John 20.
Just to highlight that there are numerous sermons saying that the resurrected Jesus came to declare peace not just to Jesus’ earthly disciples but it includes new covenant believers.
Thus, believers should have all the peace needed in life no matter whatsoever circumstances they are undergoing, they said. Furthermore, they are saying should you are receiving the right gospel, it shall be living troubleless, carefree lives.
However, let’s look at Luke’s account, below:-
(Luke 24:36-46, GNT)
36 While the two were telling them this, suddenly the Lord himself stood among them and said to them, “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”
37 They were TERRIFIED, thinking that they were SEEING A GHOST.
38 But he said to them, “Why are you alarmed? Why are these doubts coming up in your minds?
39 Look at my hands and my feet, and see that it is I myself. Feel me, and you will know, FOR A GHOST DOESN’T HAVE FLESH AND BONES, as you can see I have.”
40 He said this and showed them his hands and his feet.
41 They still could not believe, they were so full of joy and wonder; so he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 They gave him a piece of cooked fish,
43 which HE TOOK AND ATE IN THEIR PRESENCE.
44 Then he said to them, “These are the very things I told you about while I was still with you: everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.”
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and said to them, “This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later,Luke 24:36-46, GNT | Amenbible Prominently, Luke’s account tells us that Jesus was there to claim His dismayed disciples that He was not a ghost by saying “Peace be with you” and by eating with those disciples.” A ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones”, said Jesus. In any case, a ghost can’t eat. The idea of eating with the disciples was to demonstrate that He wasn’t a ghost
Jesus did not tell the believers peace from all the troubled, tribulations, and the unwanted world, as what the modern-day teaching like to claim. He said “Peace be with you” to claim the terrified disciples that He wasn’t a ghost.
From there, the story of miracle catches of fish unfolding in chapter 21 as below:
John 21:2-11 GNT
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael (the one from Cana in Galilee), the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus were all together.
3 Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.”
“We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing.
4 “As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Then he asked them, “Young men, haven’t you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered.
6 He said to them, “Throw your net out on the RIGHT SIDE of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and COULD NOT PULL IT BACK in, because they had caught so many fish.
7 The DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken his clothes off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples came to shore in the boat, pulling the net full of fish. They were not very far from land, about a hundred yards away.
9 When they stepped ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it and some bread.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, A HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE in all; even though there were so many, STILL THE NET DID NOT TEAR.”John 21:2-11 GNT | Amenbible Indeed, this is not just a lovely but a marvelous, candid story. Jesus appeared to them a third to reinstate His identity and strengthen their faith. As a matter of fact, after appearing to them a second time, they had yet to revive their vision and mission of spreading His gospel. They setback to their old habit as fishermen rather than their call as fishers of men (Mark 1:17).
RECEIVE GOD’S WORD WITH REVELATION
Nevertheless, I am very puzzled by some of the modern-day teachings. Among those, there is a teaching saying that believers need to “Receive God’s word with revelation (Let’s give a short name as RGWR)”.The meaning of “RGWR ” is not the same as “Rhema Word”. It is not the same as God giving Spiritual revelation with certain insight, inspiration, vision, and dreams for upcoming events ahead either.
Rather, the “Receiving God’s Word with Revelation (RGWR)” is focusing on certain words or verses in the bible to draw their meaning.
For instance, in John 21:4-11, the “RGWR” is citing 4 Revelation Words as below:-
- 1) Right Side
The “Right Side” is deemed as the key to the miraculous catch of fish (Verse 6). To RGWR, the right side speaks for God’s favor, honor, etc, they say. - 2) Empowerment
The appearance of Jesus empowered Peter to pull the net on the seashore (verse 11) that few strong guys couldn’t drag in the fishing net from the sea (Verse 6) - 3) 153
Not only that, the other Revelation Word for RGWR is “153 fishes”, in verse 11. To them, in Greek/ Hebrew, “153” represents:
# victory,
# I am God,
# I the God,
# wisdom, etc - 4) The disciple whom Jesus loved
The next Revelation Word for RGWR is “The disciple whom Jesus loved” (verse 7).
It is a form of self-boosting and self-declaring the love of Jesus. Based on this verse, many teachings and believers are self-declaring that they are “THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED” among the Christian community.
MY PERSONAL FINDINGS AND SUMMARY
In the light of seeking His truth, my personal study on this RGWR is as follows:-(1) RIGHT-SIDE
Truly, there are quite many verses talking about the “Right Hand” in the bible. Some of the verses of “Right Hand” speak for God’s favour and honour”. But John 21 is talking about “Right SIDE”, not “Right HAND”.And there aren’t any connecting elements on the “Right Side” as God’s favour or honor in the bible.
However, there is a similar or parallel event in the miraculous catches of fish in Luke 5: 1-6. The context in Luke 5:4-6 as follows:
(Luke 5:4-6, NIV)
4 When He (Jesus) had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “PUT OUT INTO DEEP WATER, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. “Luke 5:4-6, NIV | Amenbible Should we compare and contrast both scriptures in John 21 and Luke 5, we would find out that there are commonalities and differences between these two events, as below:
- There isn’t any mention of the “right side” in Luke’s story.
- In Luke 5, those people were not Jesus’s followers yet.
- Whereas, John 21, was about the downcast of Jesus’ earthly disciples after Jesus was crucified on the cross.
- There were miraculous catches of fish in both stories.
- In Luke 5, Jesus told the pre-disciples to “put out into deep water and let down the nets” (Verse 4).
- Whilst in John 21 verse 6, Jesus told His disciples “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
- With two different instructions given by Jesus, both stories resulted in miracle catches of fish.
- And in Luke 5, there wasn’t recorded the exact number of fish caught.
(2) 153
Neither do I comprehend Greek nor Hebrew. Thus, I can’t really explain the meaning of 153. However, I am skeptical about those explanations of the figurative of 153 as victorious, I am God, I the God or wisdom, etc. The Bible doesn’t show another 153 for further study and comparison.Nevertheless, in Genesis 14:14, it is recorded that Abram rescued his nephew with 318 trained men. I don’t hear any consistent explanation of the meaning of 318 from those same group of bible teachers who teach 153. Thus, no comment.
On the other hand, it seems that Jewish should be the ones demonstrating higher proficiency in the Hebrew language. But most of them have not come to know Jesus as their personal savior.
Since Jewish can master the Hebrew language greater than any non-Jewish but have not come to know the Lord, is the bible originally written in Hebrew that important?
Furthermore, those bible teachers who come up with the explanation of 153 might not be able to communicate and command the Hebrew language in day-to-day conversation. Can they really teach the Hebrew language correctly?
Besides, many scholars are saying that there are differences between modern Hebrew and ancient (Biblical) Hebrew. It is just like modern English versus ancient English. There were drastic differences between the two in terms of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and spelling.
Hence, I can only say that the bible is very precise in small detail. Even the exact number of 153 fish being caught and 318 trained men are being recorded.
(3) THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED
Should we continue the story in John 21:15-19, we would notice that Jesus appeared to Peter first after the miraculous catch of 153 fishes. Importantly, Jesus did not appear to the “disciple whom Jesus loved” first. And Jesus appointed Peter as the chief of those disciples. Not John.The point here is, we can self-declare or proclaim “I am the disciple whom Jesus loved”. But Jesus did not appoint John as the chief. Three times, Jesus did not entrust His sheep/ lamb to “THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED”. In life, usually, we entrust important tasks to our closest friend, especially as the will’s executor or an administrator.
And the resurrected Jesus could be so different bodily that all His disciples and Mary Magdalene can’t recognize Him. That includes “The disciple whom Jesus loved.”
When Peter knew it was Jesus, he was the first to react and jump into the sea and not John… “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” That speaks for his heart for Jesus rather than John.
(4) EMPOWERMENT
Physics would suggest that it is easier to drag a fishing net on the seashore than in the sea that is subject to gravity force and sea tiding. It is not the appearance of Jesus that empowered Peter with physical strength per se.
CONCLUSION
Personally, I believe it is not the “Right Side” or left side that is paramount in life. The most important thing in life is to hear the instruction from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They know where the fishes are in the river and ocean.The Holy Spirit might be revealing and asking individuals to move into the “Right side” or “launch their vessel into the deeper ocean.” Similarly, the Holy Spirit might want individuals to switch careers, change ministry, or relocate to another country. Pure obedience to His instructions is the key to success. I pray that I would take heed and be attentive to His calling.
In conclusion, personally, I believe the “Receiving God’s Word with Revelation (RGWR)” teaching alters the meaning of John 20 and 21. At least, it does not portray these two chapters of scripture rightly.
I would describe John 20 and 21 as Jesus’ appearance to those eye-witnessed disciples:-
– to reinstate His identity,
– strengthen the disciples’ faith,
– focus on His written word and
– urging them to continue spreading His gospel on the earth.Those disciples were with Jesus physically for 3 ½ years, but they weren’t recognized His way from the bible. Much more can happen to new covenant believers. We can be very familiar with the stories but without knowing the Savior’s heart. I pray that may the Lord unveils my and our eyes to Him from the written word.
Last but not least, it is good to check the biblical meaning by reading the bible, chapter by chapter; verse by verse on the whole portion of the entire message rather than trying to draw His truth with just a few so-called Revelation Words.
Jesus always spent time in His earthly ministry alone with God the Father was an example for believers. Private devotion to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is paramount as a Christian. Hear Him daily.
We all want the presence of the Lord to help us, prosper us, and guide us. But altering the biblical meaning by replacing it with a few so-called Revelation Words might be diluting His truth. Amenbible
-
AT THE CROSS, HE IS BELIEVERS’ ATONEMENT
While Isaiah 53:4-5 and Matthew 8:17 indicate Christ’s atonement for both physical and spiritual healing. However, with the limited contemporary experience of such healing fuels the Cessationism doctrine to deny their continuation and manifestation of such healing, signs, wonders, prophesying etc. While the Word of Faith Movement advocates for declarative, proclamation and call out healing, similar to speak God’s word by declaring ‘Let there light (Genesis 1:3)’.THEOLOGY VS. DOCTRINE
However, God’s truth cannot rely on theology. Through the years, there are hundreds of theologies, movements, and denominations developed. All these movements and theologies came and gone.Nonetheless, only His truth that is based on doctrine and context stands forever. The Bible is the only authority.
Before we jump to a conclusion, perhaps it is good to look at 1 Peter 2:24,
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV)Compare and contrast with Isaiah 53:4-5 and Matt 8:17, the greatest difference for 1 Peter 2:24 is the phrase “so that we might die to sin, and live for righteousness”.
What’s so big a deal about that phrase?
My understanding is as below:-
Firstly, both Isaiah 53 and Matthew 8 are written for pre-believers. Before Jesus glorified the Father and the coming of the Spirit, no one was a believer.Secondly, Peter’s account is written for Christians. Before coming to verse 24, Apostle Peter writes in verse 10 “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:10)”
Thus, Peter is addressing born-again Christians.
Thirdly, there are two parts to Christianity.
John 8 highlights an incident of a woman caught in the very act of adultery. Jesus passes His verdict as:-
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)
There are two portions of John 8:11:-
– Part 1, Neither do I condemn you, and
– Part 2, Go and sin no more.As a pre-believer, Jesus “Neither I do condemn you”. He accepted pre-believers as it is.
However, Christians don’t continue to live in the first portion. Believers have to live on “Go and sin no more”.
Perhaps, full grace Christians might shout that no one can live a sinless life. That’s right. That is why believers have to confess their shortcomings. Both 1 John 1:9, and James 5:14-15 are two of the provisions or ways out for believers should they be caught in sin.
Context is king. in opening verse, Peter commands moral purity, urging believers to ‘rid yourselves of all’ vices (1 Peter 2:1). This aligns with verse 24, which emphasizes dying to sin and living for righteousness
Further evidence is found in John 5. After healing a man infirm for 38 years (John 5:1-9), Jesus warns him in verse 14: ‘Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.’ This suggests consequences for Christians who, despite receiving grace and healing, persist in sin.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Matthew 8:17 and Isaiah 53:4-5 are not for believers to confess. These verses are for pre-believers.Instead, 1 Peter 2:24 is for believers. Christians have to clearly divide the word. Christians no longer live under Jesus’ earthly Ministry. Christians are living under the Church age, Grace Generation, or the Holy Spirit era.
In summary, believers are supposed to live under “Go and sin no more” and not “Neither do condemn you”.
And the meaning of “So that we might die to sins and live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24)”, is literally dying to sin and not imputed dying to sin.
READ:-
WORTHY LIVING
WILL THE WRATH OF GOD AND HIS PUNISHMENT FALL ON CHRISTIANS?
END TIMES:- THE BOOK OF LIFE OPENS
amenbible.com | main page Back to Main Page
As a Christian, I have been asking:-
– What to believe in?
– What is the gospel?Of course, different Christians believing God differently. For instance:-
– Some belief in godly career direction.
– Some looking for a godly life partner
– Some are struggling in finance and need a godly financial breakthrough.
– Some are seeking peace
– Some just inspire to worship God, etc.Should we continue with the list, perhaps we can safely and surely say that at different stages in life, we are having different needs or checklists.
THE CRUCIAL QUESTION
But, when Christians are saying that they believe in the bible or Jesus, what does it mean exactly? If we are believing in the gospel, what exactly to believe in? What are the gospel and baptism? And what is their interrelationship then?
Before we look into the “Crucial Question”, let’s look at how and what apostle Paul warned the Corinthians churches in Second Corinthians chapter 11.
According to Paul, Eve fell, lured away because she entertained the smooth tongue of slightly seductive words from the snake. Paul continued by saying that should the believers tolerate the snake’s clever lies as Eve was, is like accepting:-
– a different Jesus
– a different Spirit
– a different Gospel.The full context is as below:-
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT
3 I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ—in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake’s clever lies.
4 For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a DIFFERENT Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the GOSPEL you received from us! (2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT)2 Corinthians 11:3-4 GNT | amenbible.com Apparently, Eve only tolerated the snake slightly. She might never have thought of being fallen away from God’s presence with just a slight belief being deviated from His word.
Paul was making a compare and contrast in the Book of Second Corinthians. A slight twist in God’s word or a slight difference in believing God’s word is treated as:-
– minds being corrupted
– being abandoned from pure devotion to Christ
– deceived by Satan.And, to Paul, a slight difference is not God’s word at all but it is Satan’s truth. Similarly, a slight unbelieving is total devastation and destruction.
With that in mind, we shall then look into “The Crucial Question”, on what exactly the gospel, baptism, and belief are and their interrelationship.
Of course, modern-day teaching is saying:-
– the gospel is “GOOD NEWS.”
– any preaching on poverty, suffering for Christ, or the wrath of God is not “Good News”. Thus, that teaching is not from God.
– the gospel is the “Gospel of Grace.”
– whatever believers need, Christ has not just paid it all, but also fully supplied it all. It only needs faith for the believers to take from God all the blessedness and good gifts.
– baptism is merely a public declaration that they are Christ’s followers. It is just symbolism. Nothing significant.
There are many verses talking about baptism, the gospel, and belief. However let’s look at Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3 below:-Mark 1:1-5, GNT
1 This is the GOOD NEWS about JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God. 2 It began as the prophet Isaiah had written: “God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.’ 3 Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” 4 So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. “TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SINS and be baptized,” he told the people, “and GOD WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.” 5 Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. THEY CONFESSED THEIR SINS, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:1-5, GNT)Matthew 3:1-3 GNT
1 At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching. 2 “Turn away from your sins,” he said, “because the Kingdom of heaven is near!”
3 John was the man the prophet Isaiah was talking about when he said, “Someone is shouting in the desert, ‘Prepare a road for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!’” (Matthew 3:1-3, GNT
—
6 They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan. (Matthew 3:6, GNT)Mark 1:1-5 and Matthew 3:1-3 | amenbible.com WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS?
What do these two portions of scripture highlight?
Firstly, from Mark’s account, the gospel begins or starts from John the Baptist in preparing the path for Jesus’ earthly ministry.That means the gospel is not just merely a simple verse or phrase of “GOOD NEWS” that can be covered. In brief, the gospel covers the entire life of Jesus and His mission to release the Holy Spirit for mankind.
Secondly, in any case, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospel Books. It involves the story of the entire life of Jesus, His callings, His way of doing things, and His mission.
Thus, believers/ preachers have to draw the integrated meaning from all four gospel Books, look at different angles and perspectives to understand the purpose of Christ, and comprehend His gospel.
Should we just take a verse or half a verse to draw its definition, we would say:-
- The thief who was crucified with Jesus never went through water baptism. He never produced any good work/ fruit after believing in Christ at the cross.
- Romans 10:8-9 only requires the mouth to declare and the heart to believe that God raised Jesus from death and shall be saved.
- John 3:16. Just believe alone.
- Don’t need evidence of fruits and good work for full salvation.
- Water baptism is insignificant.
- Once saved, always saved, by reciting the sinner’s player alone.
- Similarly, there are many disputes and wrong teaching of cessationism of prophesying, tongues, and healing.
- Bible readers will discover many of the scriptures, verses can never identify or even against each other and etc
- Should that be the case, the bible is full of contradictions, errors, and disputable.
- People like to cover up those disputes by suggesting not just 4 Gospel books but need to add in some more books like “The Gospel from Thomas” etc
THE BOOKS OF THE GOSPELS
Nevertheless, based on past studies, prove that fruits, good works, and conduct of believers are paramount for full salvation. Do revisit these studies, if needed:-
– END TIMES:- THE BOOK OF LIFE OPENS
– JESUS IS MY FRIEND – PART 1There again, if we go back to both Matthew and Mark’s accounts, the gospel is a call for non-believers to turn away from their sins by confessing them and be baptized subsequently. The scripture continues by telling us “AND GOD WILL FORGIVE YOUR SINS.”
Putting Mark 1 and Matthew 3 into perspective, it is never the case for non-believers to declare all their sins are being forgiven at the salvation call prior to admitting and confessing their sins first.
And, baptism is not just symbolism or mere public declaration as Christ’s followers alone. It has to turn away from its sins first.
Besides, Jesus was commanding His disciples to baptize those who want to give their lives to Jesus in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Perhaps, this is the only commanding verse in the entire bible where three Names (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) appear at the same time. It shows the seriousness and importance of baptism. That suggests baptism is not just symbolic. It is renouncing sinful living.Please do not read that verse by saying believers are protected by the trinity God. Because they have to abandon their sins first. And the next verse, in Matthew 28:20, is saying, “AND TEACH THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.” This is another commanding verse for the obedience of God’s people after they have received baptism. It is not a protection verse.
Should we take the Great Commandment from Mark’s account, it states clearly that:
– Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16, GNT)
– It is a “AND” condition for believing and baptism in order to be saved.The scripture reference as below:-
Matthew 28:19-20, GNT
19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: BAPTIZE THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,
20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, GNT)Mark 16:15-18, GNT
15 He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 Believers will be given the power to perform miracles: they will drive out demons in my name; they will speak in strange tongues;
18 if they pick up snakes or drink any poison, they will not be harmed; they will place their hands on sick people, and these will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18, GNT)Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-18 | amenbible.com BE BAPTIZED
Let’s look at another verse to confirm Mark’s teaching below:-Acts 1:4-5; 8 GNT
4 And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised.
5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:4-5; 8 GNTActs 1:4-5; 8 | amenbible.com Obviously, some scholars are saying Mark 16 was added in verses. They are saying the original manuscript comes without those verses. Nevertheless, these verses are in line with Acts 1:8 which says the power of the Holy Spirit will manifest until “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”
And we saw many spiritual powers and breakthroughs happen in the book of Acts. Unless we believe that “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH” is already over if not, the spiritual power will continue to manifest.
That is not in line with cessationism theology that says all the healing, prophecy, and speaking in Tongues are over. Besides, our next and future generations do need those manifestations to believe and witness Him too. Spiritual powers and wonders had not ended in the first century and are not going to end in our generation. Rather, it has to be till “THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”
On one extreme, people are saying that God/ Jesus never comes to prosper believers. Prosperity is a bad word, to some denominations.
Nevertheless, apostle John did pray for Gaius to be prospered in 3 John 1:2 [Recap: 3 JOHN (PROSPER IN ALL THINGS)]
Besides, God did prosper Abraham, Isaac, King David, and King Solomon in the Old Testament.
On top of that, in Deuteronomy, Moses reminded God’s people that He was the one who gave power for them to become rich. We are serving the same God, regardless of the old or New Testament. Those blessings and prosperity are not just spiritual, but tangible ones.
SEEK YE FIRST
Of course, on the other extreme, it is wrong to camp on prosperity and guarantee all believers to be wealthy and healthy universally.At least we don’t see monetary prosperity for all first-century apostles. Indeed, the apostle Paul was living by tents-making to earn his living (Acts 18:3).
There again, there are many verses talking about how God provides for His people. One of the famous scriptures is known as “Seek Ye first.”
Matthew 6:33, GNT
33 Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with WHAT HE REQUIRES OF YOU, and he will provide you with all these other things.Matthew 6:33, NIV
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33, AMPC
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.Matthew 6:33 | amenbible.com Modern teaching likes to camp the above verse on Christ’s righteousness. It is not about believers’ righteousness, they said. According to their teaching should the believers behold His glory, His imputed righteousness, God will give them all things.
On the other hand, some interpret Matthew 6:33 as spiritual blessings, got nothing to do with bodily, earthly blessings.
But the context is talking about the physical beauty of those flowers and the earthly edible food for those birds.
Furthermore, it is saying “Do not worry about what you eat, or wear.” It is not about spiritual beauty and spiritual food. Jesus did not talk about spiritual beauty and food. Rather, Jesus was referring to physical wellness and not future spiritual glory.
In addition, the context is not referring to God shall provide for the “Need and not the want” of the believers. The author was comparing and contrasting to a super wealthy King Soloman, who was living not just in need but a luxurious life. The fact is, rich or poor, God is their provider.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MATTHEW 6:33
From “CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE”, shows that the resurrected Jesus was concerned about the continuity of His earthly evangelism and mission. Jesus was beseeching His people to continue in the propagation of God’s kingdom. Personally, I believe this is the meaning of “Seek first His kingdom.”And based on GNT and AMPC, the second part of the context talk about His requirements for the believers. It is not about His imputed righteousness. It is about believers’ right doing. [Further reading about the word righteousness can be found here]
SLIGHT UNBELIEVING IS NOT BELIEVING. SLIGHT TWISTED TRUTH IS NOT THE TRUTH
In summary, scripture does not contradict itself. Should believe need to paraphrase, alter the bible’s original context, interpret every verse with the lens of grace, and see Jesus fulfilled or supplied in every verse, that is not believing. THAT IS SELECTIVELY BELIEVED.And should we need to interpret verses by saying cessation; all the healing, prophecy, and speaking in Tongues are over, that is not inclined with God’s word. That is not just doubt, but strips Church’s power and reduces it to be like any earthly social community; without godly, spiritual powers. That is partial believing and constitutes unbelieving.
CONCLUSION
May the Lord help me/us in believing Him and His word absolutely, simply like a child/ Children.By upholding and endorsing paraphrasing or cessation theologies, it will bring ruin to God’s words, and strip His spiritual powers and His truth. Let God be God. He is having personal assignments, plans, and purposes for each and every one. He is holding on to every believer’s destination.
Certainly, God is the One who blesses and prospers all His people. Nevertheless, Jesus’ primary first earthly mission was to point the way for believers to seek God’s kingdom, live a godly life, and bear witness to His kingdom with His spiritual powers till the ends to come.
Yes, the bible does mention of “Gospel of Grace.’ It means by grace people are giving the gospel. It doesn’t mean Jesus came to pour out His financial blessings for nothing. Jesus also said, “Come follow me; take up your cross, etc.”
Jesus’ primary role is not here to bless and bless; supply and supply His people for nothing. His spiritual powers are manifesting with a purpose.
In conclusion, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospel Books. The gospel is not just merely a simple verse or phrase of:
– GOOD NEWS
– Gospel of Grace
that can be covered. Truly, the gospel is covering the entire life of Jesus and His mission to release the Holy Spirit for mankind. Believers have to embrace His heart to seek God’s kingdom in witnessing His glory.Again, Eve might not know that she could be fallen away from God’s presence with just a slight belief deviating from His word. Nevertheless, her story is written to forewarn believers from adopting her step.
Believe absolutely. And not selectively or partially. Amenbible.
Read:-
RIGHTLY DIVIDE HIS WORD (1)
BALAAM
AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLDBELIEVE ABSOLUTELY | AMENBIBLE main page | amenbible CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE
Back to Main Page
There is a beautiful story on miraculous catches of fish in John 21:2-11.BACKGROUND IN JOHN CHAPTER 20
Perhaps, it is good to look at the background of the story a chapter prior to the miraculous catches of fish; in chapter 20, before drawing a conclusion. Because of space, I shall not attach any verse from John 20. Individuals are encouraged to read their own bible in John chapter 20. A short outline of the story of John 20 unveils below:– Early in the morning, Mary Magdalene visited the tomb. But she found that the tomb’s entrance was open. She ran to inform Jesus’ disciples (Peter and John) in John 20:1-2.
– The disciples went to the tomb. And the bible records verses 8 to 10 as below:-
(John 20:8-10, GNT)
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed.
(9 They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.)
10 Then the disciples went back home.John 20:8-10, GNT | Amenbible – Ironically, those disciples believed Jesus wasn’t in the tomb. In other words, it was an emptied tomb.
– Let me repeat again that yes, they believed the tomb was emptied. But after believing that it was an empty tomb, they chose to go home (John 20:8-10). Their hearts weren’t warmed by the fact that Jesus was being resurrected.
– Apparently, after being with Jesus for 3 ½ years, they did not know His way of teaching. They had not understood from Jesus’ sharing that He must rise from death.
– Indeed, Mary Magdalene returned with those disciples a second time. But she remained there and wept outside the tomb even when the disciples went back to their home.
– Obviously, from John 20:13 to 16, Magdalene couldn’t recognize the resurrected Lord who appeared to her.
– Jesus revealed Himself and wanted Mary Magdalene to inform His disciples that: ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ (John 20:17, NIV). Magdalene took heed of Jesus’ instruction in verse 18, by informing His disciples. This time around, she told them not only that the tomb was emptied, but that she had seen the resurrected Jesus physically.
– The following verses on John 20:19 to 29 tell us that Jesus went and appeared twice to His disciples. However, Thomas wasn’t with them in the first round then. On His second visit, Jesus allowed Thomas to put his finger into His wounded hands and told Thomas: “Stop your doubting, and believe!” In a matter of fact, He was clearing Thomas’ doubt.
– Without a doubt, the above demonstrated that the resurrected Jesus:-
1) was very much concerned about His disciples and the continuity of His earthly mission work.
2) wasn’t recognized by Magdalene and His disciples. That means the resurrected Jesus could be totally different bodily.– Based on John 21:14, the miraculous catch of fish was the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples.
John 21:12-14 GNT
12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord.
13 So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with the fish.
14 This, then, was the THIRD TIME Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from death.John 21:12-14 GNT | Amenbible With that, we should have completed the short exposition in John 20.
Just to highlight that there are numerous sermons saying that the resurrected Jesus came to declare peace not just to Jesus’ earthly disciples but it includes new covenant believers.
Thus, believers should have all the peace needed in life no matter whatsoever circumstances they are undergoing, they said. Furthermore, they are saying should you are receiving the right gospel, it shall be living troubleless, carefree lives.
However, let’s look at Luke’s account, below:-
(Luke 24:36-46, GNT)
36 While the two were telling them this, suddenly the Lord himself stood among them and said to them, “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”
37 They were TERRIFIED, thinking that they were SEEING A GHOST.
38 But he said to them, “Why are you alarmed? Why are these doubts coming up in your minds?
39 Look at my hands and my feet, and see that it is I myself. Feel me, and you will know, FOR A GHOST DOESN’T HAVE FLESH AND BONES, as you can see I have.”
40 He said this and showed them his hands and his feet.
41 They still could not believe, they were so full of joy and wonder; so he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 They gave him a piece of cooked fish,
43 which HE TOOK AND ATE IN THEIR PRESENCE.
44 Then he said to them, “These are the very things I told you about while I was still with you: everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.”
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and said to them, “This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later,Luke 24:36-46, GNT | Amenbible Prominently, Luke’s account tells us that Jesus was there to claim His dismayed disciples that He was not a ghost by saying “Peace be with you” and by eating with those disciples.” A ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones”, said Jesus. In any case, a ghost can’t eat. The idea of eating with the disciples was to demonstrate that He wasn’t a ghost
Jesus did not tell the believers peace from all the troubled, tribulations, and the unwanted world, as what the modern-day teaching like to claim. He said “Peace be with you” to claim the terrified disciples that He wasn’t a ghost.
From there, the story of miracle catches of fish unfolding in chapter 21 as below:
John 21:2-11 GNT
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael (the one from Cana in Galilee), the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus were all together.
3 Simon Peter said to the others, “I am going fishing.”
“We will come with you,” they told him. So they went out in a boat, but all that night they did not catch a thing.
4 “As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Then he asked them, “Young men, haven’t you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered.
6 He said to them, “Throw your net out on the RIGHT SIDE of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and COULD NOT PULL IT BACK in, because they had caught so many fish.
7 The DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken his clothes off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples came to shore in the boat, pulling the net full of fish. They were not very far from land, about a hundred yards away.
9 When they stepped ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it and some bread.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore full of big fish, A HUNDRED AND FIFTY-THREE in all; even though there were so many, STILL THE NET DID NOT TEAR.”John 21:2-11 GNT | Amenbible Indeed, this is not just a lovely but a marvelous, candid story. Jesus appeared to them a third to reinstate His identity and strengthen their faith. As a matter of fact, after appearing to them a second time, they had yet to revive their vision and mission of spreading His gospel. They setback to their old habit as fishermen rather than their call as fishers of men (Mark 1:17).
RECEIVE GOD’S WORD WITH REVELATION
Nevertheless, I am very puzzled by some of the modern-day teachings. Among those, there is a teaching saying that believers need to “Receive God’s word with revelation (Let’s give a short name as RGWR)”.The meaning of “RGWR ” is not the same as “Rhema Word”. It is not the same as God giving Spiritual revelation with certain insight, inspiration, vision, and dreams for upcoming events ahead either.
Rather, the “Receiving God’s Word with Revelation (RGWR)” is focusing on certain words or verses in the bible to draw their meaning.
For instance, in John 21:4-11, the “RGWR” is citing 4 Revelation Words as below:-
- 1) Right Side
The “Right Side” is deemed as the key to the miraculous catch of fish (Verse 6). To RGWR, the right side speaks for God’s favor, honor, etc, they say. - 2) Empowerment
The appearance of Jesus empowered Peter to pull the net on the seashore (verse 11) that few strong guys couldn’t drag in the fishing net from the sea (Verse 6) - 3) 153
Not only that, the other Revelation Word for RGWR is “153 fishes”, in verse 11. To them, in Greek/ Hebrew, “153” represents:
# victory,
# I am God,
# I the God,
# wisdom, etc - 4) The disciple whom Jesus loved
The next Revelation Word for RGWR is “The disciple whom Jesus loved” (verse 7).
It is a form of self-boosting and self-declaring the love of Jesus. Based on this verse, many teachings and believers are self-declaring that they are “THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED” among the Christian community.
MY PERSONAL FINDINGS AND SUMMARY
In the light of seeking His truth, my personal study on this RGWR is as follows:-(1) RIGHT-SIDE
Truly, there are quite many verses talking about the “Right Hand” in the bible. Some of the verses of “Right Hand” speak for God’s favour and honour”. But John 21 is talking about “Right SIDE”, not “Right HAND”.And there aren’t any connecting elements on the “Right Side” as God’s favour or honor in the bible.
However, there is a similar or parallel event in the miraculous catches of fish in Luke 5: 1-6. The context in Luke 5:4-6 as follows:
(Luke 5:4-6, NIV)
4 When He (Jesus) had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “PUT OUT INTO DEEP WATER, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. “Luke 5:4-6, NIV | Amenbible Should we compare and contrast both scriptures in John 21 and Luke 5, we would find out that there are commonalities and differences between these two events, as below:
- There isn’t any mention of the “right side” in Luke’s story.
- In Luke 5, those people were not Jesus’s followers yet.
- Whereas, John 21, was about the downcast of Jesus’ earthly disciples after Jesus was crucified on the cross.
- There were miraculous catches of fish in both stories.
- In Luke 5, Jesus told the pre-disciples to “put out into deep water and let down the nets” (Verse 4).
- Whilst in John 21 verse 6, Jesus told His disciples “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
- With two different instructions given by Jesus, both stories resulted in miracle catches of fish.
- And in Luke 5, there wasn’t recorded the exact number of fish caught.
(2) 153
Neither do I comprehend Greek nor Hebrew. Thus, I can’t really explain the meaning of 153. However, I am skeptical about those explanations of the figurative of 153 as victorious, I am God, I the God or wisdom, etc. The Bible doesn’t show another 153 for further study and comparison.Nevertheless, in Genesis 14:14, it is recorded that Abram rescued his nephew with 318 trained men. I don’t hear any consistent explanation of the meaning of 318 from those same group of bible teachers who teach 153. Thus, no comment.
On the other hand, it seems that Jewish should be the ones demonstrating higher proficiency in the Hebrew language. But most of them have not come to know Jesus as their personal savior.
Since Jewish can master the Hebrew language greater than any non-Jewish but have not come to know the Lord, is the bible originally written in Hebrew that important?
Furthermore, those bible teachers who come up with the explanation of 153 might not be able to communicate and command the Hebrew language in day-to-day conversation. Can they really teach the Hebrew language correctly?
Besides, many scholars are saying that there are differences between modern Hebrew and ancient (Biblical) Hebrew. It is just like modern English versus ancient English. There were drastic differences between the two in terms of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and spelling.
Hence, I can only say that the bible is very precise in small detail. Even the exact number of 153 fish being caught and 318 trained men are being recorded.
(3) THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED
Should we continue the story in John 21:15-19, we would notice that Jesus appeared to Peter first after the miraculous catch of 153 fishes. Importantly, Jesus did not appear to the “disciple whom Jesus loved” first. And Jesus appointed Peter as the chief of those disciples. Not John.The point here is, we can self-declare or proclaim “I am the disciple whom Jesus loved”. But Jesus did not appoint John as the chief. Three times, Jesus did not entrust His sheep/ lamb to “THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED”. In life, usually, we entrust important tasks to our closest friend, especially as the will’s executor or an administrator.
And the resurrected Jesus could be so different bodily that all His disciples and Mary Magdalene can’t recognize Him. That includes “The disciple whom Jesus loved.”
When Peter knew it was Jesus, he was the first to react and jump into the sea and not John… “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” That speaks for his heart for Jesus rather than John.
(4) EMPOWERMENT
Physics would suggest that it is easier to drag a fishing net on the seashore than in the sea that is subject to gravity force and sea tiding. It is not the appearance of Jesus that empowered Peter with physical strength per se.
CONCLUSION
Personally, I believe it is not the “Right Side” or left side that is paramount in life. The most important thing in life is to hear the instruction from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They know where the fishes are in the river and ocean.The Holy Spirit might be revealing and asking individuals to move into the “Right side” or “launch their vessel into the deeper ocean.” Similarly, the Holy Spirit might want individuals to switch careers, change ministry, or relocate to another country. Pure obedience to His instructions is the key to success. I pray that I would take heed and be attentive to His calling.
In conclusion, personally, I believe the “Receiving God’s Word with Revelation (RGWR)” teaching alters the meaning of John 20 and 21. At least, it does not portray these two chapters of scripture rightly.
I would describe John 20 and 21 as Jesus’ appearance to those eye-witnessed disciples:-
– to reinstate His identity,
– strengthen the disciples’ faith,
– focus on His written word and
– urging them to continue spreading His gospel on the earth.Those disciples were with Jesus physically for 3 ½ years, but they weren’t recognized His way from the bible. Much more can happen to new covenant believers. We can be very familiar with the stories but without knowing the Savior’s heart. I pray that may the Lord unveils my and our eyes to Him from the written word.
Last but not least, it is good to check the biblical meaning by reading the bible, chapter by chapter; verse by verse on the whole portion of the entire message rather than trying to draw His truth with just a few so-called Revelation Words.
Jesus always spent time in His earthly ministry alone with God the Father was an example for believers. Private devotion to Jesus and the Holy Spirit is paramount as a Christian. Hear Him daily.
We all want the presence of the Lord to help us, prosper us, and guide us. But altering the biblical meaning by replacing it with a few so-called Revelation Words might be diluting His truth. Amenbible
About Me
In many instances, the bible’s truth is distorted by cutting, pasting, connecting, and paraphrasing into many meanings. On the other hand, some create a theology based on a singular verse or half a verse. With that, the whole bible is being re-produced into thousands upon thousands of different versions. And there are more than hundreds of different beliefs, theologies, and denominations been developed over the years.
Thus, Amenbible is inspired and determined to read and understand the bible book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse in drawing the truth of His word.
Need not mention, the aim is to keep the purity of the interpretation of the scripture.
And the desire is to know the doctrine than follow any theology.
Amenbible