The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Revised Standard Version ( NRSV ).  Acts 26:19-23 read as follows:

"19 'After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance.  21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.  22 To this day I have had help from God, and so I stand here, testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would take place: 23 that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.'"

Here, Paul makes his defense before King Agrippa ( please read chapter twenty-five, verse one, through the end of chapter twenty-six, to get the immediate context ).

     He speaks of repentance and turning to God ( as is indicated in verse twenty, above ).  The Greek word ( Greek [ 3340 ] ) for the word "repent," in this passage in the King James Version ( KJV ) of the Holy Bible, is defined as follows: "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (mor. feel compunction). . . ."  [  See Strong's EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS, PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS 01961-3473, ISBN 0-917006-01-1, ( A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF THE WORDS IN THE GREEK TESTAMENT; WITH THEIR RENDERINGS IN THE AUTHORIZED ENGLISH VERSION.  BY JAMES STRONG, S.T.D., LL.D., p. 47. ).  ]

The word "compunction," in the above-given definition, is defined as follows: ". . . n.  1  Self-reproach for wrong-doing; a sense of guilt; remorseful feeling. . . ."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY  10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, p. 207.  ]

     Moreover, the Greek word ( Greek [ 1994 ] ) for the word "turn," in the same above-referenced passage in the King James Version ( KJV ) of the Holy Bible, is defined as follows: "to revert (lit., fig. [ sic ] or mor.). . . ."  [  See Strong's EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, HENDRICKSON PUBLISHERS, PEABODY, MASSACHUSETTS  01961-3473, ISBN 0-917006-01-1, ( A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF THE WORDS IN THE GREEK TESTAMENT; WITH THEIR RENDERINGS IN THE AUTHORIZED ENGLISH VERSION.  BY JAMES STRONG, S.T.D., LL.D., p. 32. ).  ]

The word "revert," in the definition given immediately above, is defined as follows: ". . . v.i.   1  To go or turn back to a former place, condition, attitude, topic, etc. . . . ."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY  10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, p. 828.  ]

Thus, Paul spoke of reconsidering one's sinful ( see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17; and 1 John 3:4, for example ) actions, having remorse in response to them, and going back to God.

     Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding repentance and turning to God, for example:

Also, please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on it, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New Revised Standard Version ( NRSV ).  Romans 13:8-10 read as follows:

"8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  9 The commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet'; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."

Abortion is murder, which is condemned in verse nine ( above ).

     All women who abort their unborn babies must be punished for doing so.  This heinous act is premeditated by the mother, and is performed by a doctor.  This means that the mother is a willing participant in this sin ( see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; Romans 4:13-15 ( especially verse 15, for example ); 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17; and 1 John 3:4, for example ).

     The act of abortion is a direct violation of the statement "'Love your neighbor as yourself'" ( as we read in verse nine ).  A mother who aborts her unborn baby does wrong to her neighbor ( as is condemned in verse ten ) who was carried in her womb.  She must receive the maximum penalty for doing that ( see Genesis 9:1-17 ( especially verse 6, for example ); Matthew 1:16 ( ESV, for example ); 6:11; 26:47-56 ( especially verse 52, for example ); Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example; KJV, for example ); Romans 10:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); Galatians 4:30; Colossians 2:6-19 ( especially verse 14, for example ); Hebrews, chapter 8 ( especially verse 13, for example ); chapter 9 ( especially verses 15-18, for example ); and Revelation 13:1-10 ( especially verse 10, for example ), for example ).

     Please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the King James Version ( KJV ).  Proverbs 23:23 reads as follows: "23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

Verse twenty-three ( above ), has a cross-reference to Matthew 13:44, which reads as follows:

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

     Psalm 119:11 reads as follows: "11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."  This passage in the Holy Bible has two cross-references: (1) Psalm 37:31 and (2) Luke 2:19.  Psalm 37:30, 31 read as follows: "30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.  31 The law of his God is in his heart: none of his steps shall slide."

     Luke 2:19 reads as follows: "19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  Taking all of these passages from the Holy Bible into consideration, it should be clear that verse twenty-three is not referring to a stock market, for example.  Moreover, with verses forty-four, eleven, thirty, and thirty-one, respectively, in mind, we find that the field represents one's heart, and the treasure hidden within it is God's law ( His word - see also Psalm 119:65-72 ( especially verse 72, for example ), for example ).
     Since this treasure is His law, and Jesus ( see 13:36; John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:6; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:8, 9, and 1 John 5:6, 7, for example ) said the kingdom of heaven is like unto it, this means that the kingdom of heaven is within the heart of every Christian.  Additionally, Luke 17:20:21 read as follows:
"20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."  The phrase "the kingdom of God is within you," in verse twenty-one, has a cross-reference to Romans 14:17, which reads as follows: "17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
     The phrases "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" are the same: they have the same meaning ( cf. Matthew 18:1-5 ( especially verse 3, for example ) and Luke 18:15-17 ( especially verse 16, for example ), for example ).  From the first verse seventeen ( above ), we also find that the kingdom of God is focused on the inner man, namely, righteousness, peace, and joy, being in the Holy Ghost.  The heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) gives the Holy Ghost to those who obey him ( see Acts 5:32, for example ).
     Thus, when one is baptized, by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of his or her past sins ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example ); Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ); chapter 11 ( especially verse 26, for example ); Romans 3:21-31 ( especially verse 25, for example ); 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); 12:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ); Galatians 3:26, 27; Ephesians 1:15-23 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ); Colossians 1:9-20 ( especially verse 20, for example ); 1 Peter 1:1-3 ( especially verse 2, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ), for example ), he or she has been given the earnest of the Spirit in his or her heart by God ( see 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22, for example ).  Therefore, the kingdom of God ( or heaven ) is given by God in the heart of every Christian through the Spirit: this is how we have righteousness, peace, and joy.  The Spirit is the truth, which is the heavenly Father's word ( see John 17:1, 3, and 17, for example ).
     Finally, as Christians, we must keep all the things concerning the heavenly Father's word, and ponder them in our hearts ( as taught in verse nineteen, above, and please read verses eight through twenty to get the immediate context ).  Please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:3, for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>
     <Russell E. Willis>.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  Ephesians 5:15-21 read as follows:

"15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.  17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."

The Old Testament became obsolete when Jesus died on the cross of Calvary, though we can still learn from it ( see Matthew 1:16; 6:11; Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example; KJV, for example ); Romans 10:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); Galatians 4:30; and Hebrews, chapter 7 ( especially verse 11, for example ); chapter 8 ( especially verse 13, for example ), for example ): this means that the Jewish system of worship is no longer valid.

     Under the New Testament, we, as Christians ( see Galatians 3:26, 27, for example ), sing and make melody to the Lord with our hearts ( as is taught in verse nineteen, above ): God has not commanded the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship of Him ( see Matthew 4:10, for example ) under this covenant.  Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding references to mechanical instruments of music, for example, in the Holy Bible:

Also, please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).

     If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on it, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the REVISED STANDARD VERSION ( RSV ).  Romans 14:12, 13 read as follows:

"12 So each of us shall give account of himself to God.  13 Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother."

Verse thirteen ( above ) has two cross-references: (1) Matthew 7:1 and (2) 1 Corinthians 8:13.

     Matthew 7:1 reads as follows: "'Judge not, that you be not judged.'"  First Corinthians 8:13 reads as follows: "13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall."  In the first verse thirteen, the apostle Paul ( see 1:1 ) wrote ( see 7:1; 9:1; and 16:22, for example ) that we, as the heavenly Father's saints ( see Exodus 24:7, 8; Psalm 50:5 ( KJV, for example ); Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14; Mark 16:16; Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example; KJV, for example ); John 1:24-29 ( especially verse 29, for example ); Acts 2:38; 10:34-43 ( especially verse 43, for example ); 11:26; Romans 1:7; 5:1; 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); 15:13; Colossians 1:15-20 ( especially verse 20, for example ); Hebrews, chapter 7 ( especially verses 22 and 27, for example ); 10:19-25 ( especially verse 22, for example ); 12:18-24 ( especially verse 24, for example ); 1 Peter 1:1, 2 ( especially verse 2, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ), for example ), are not to pass judgment on one another hypocritically ( keeping in mind the context of the first five verses of Matthew, chapter seven ).

     Additionally, Paul, here, is not writing that we are not to pass judgment on one another at all, for he also writes that we are to decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in our brother's way.  It is a sin ( see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17; and 1 John 3:4, for example ), not only to be the source of spiritual stumbling or hindrance for a brother ( see 2 Corinthians 11:29, for example ), but also to judge that one for falling spiritually when we caused it ( see also the second verse thirteen ).  It is with this in mind, that we must remember that "each of us shall give account of himself to God" ( as we read in verse twelve ).

     Please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  2 Timothy 2:3 reads as follows: "3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

The phrase "a good soldier of Christ Jesus," in verse three ( above ), has a cross-reference to 1 Timothy 1:18: verses eighteen and nineteen read as follows:

"18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience.  By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith."

     Hebrews 10:22 reads as follows: "22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."  The phrase "sprinkled clean," in verse twenty-two, has four cross-references, one of which is to chapter twelve, verse twenty-four, which reads as follows: "24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."  Moreover, the phrase "washed with pure water," also in verse twenty-two, has a cross-reference to 1 Corinthians 6:11, which reads as follows: "11 And such were some of you.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

     The phrase "you were washed," in verse eleven, has three cross-references, one of which is to Acts 22:16, which reads as follows: "16 And now why do you wait?  Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name."  Therefore, the phrase "washed with pure water," in verse twenty-two, is a reference to baptism, and the phrase "sprinkled clean," here, is a reference to the effect of the sprinkled blood of Jesus ( such blood being implied in verse twenty-four, and cf. chapter 7 ( especially verse 27, for example ); 11:4; Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example; KJV, for example ); and 1 Peter 1:1-3 ( especially verse 2, for example ), for example ), with which one comes in contact through this act ( see also Colossians 1:15-23 ( especially verse 20, for example ), for example ).  Since, in this context, baptism results in one having a good conscience, and possessing faith and a good conscience are required in order to wage the good warfare, a good soldier of Christ Jesus is a Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ).

     Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding military concepts in the Holy Bible, for example:

Also, please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on it, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.

The Holy Bible.

      Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the REVISED STANDARD VERSION ( RSV ).  2 Timothy 2:15 reads as follows:

"15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Moreover, John 17:17 reads as follows: "17 Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth."

     Jesus said to the heavenly Father ( see verses one through three, and see also 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14; Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ); Colossians 2:8, 9 ( KJV, for example ); and 1 John 5:7 ( KJV, for example ), for example ) that His word is truth ( as indicated in the first verse seventeen, above ).  Therefore, the phrase "word of truth," in verse fifteen, is a reference to God's word, the Holy Bible.  Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, for example:

     Also, please read the Holy Bible ( see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: You will need to close the appropriate tab ( in your web browser ), with the name of the bulletin on it, to exit the bulletin back to this weblog.