The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New International Version ( NIV ).  Psalm 37:4 reads as follows:  "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."  Moreover, Ephesians 1:3 reads as follows:  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."

     The word "brat" is defined as follows:  "n.  A child: now only contemptuously."  [  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. 124.  ]

Christians are children of God ( see Psalm 50:5 ( KJV, for example ); 119:65-72, 142, 151, Matthew 16:16, Mark 16:16, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17, Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ); 11:26, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ); 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); 10:17, Galatians 3:26, 27 ( KJV, for example ), 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ).  The wicked will speak with pride and contempt against us ( see Psalm 31:17, 18 - please read all of Psalm 31 to get the context ).  Thus, in this regard, Christians are brats of God.  Jesus ( see Matthew 10:5 ) said the following in Matthew 10:22:  "All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

     Additionally, the word "spoil" is defined as follows:  "v.  spoiled or spoilt, spoiling  v.t. . . . .  2  To weaken or impair the character or personality of, especially by overindulgence: Spare the rod and spoil the child. . . . .  See synonyms under CORRUPT, DECAY, DEFILE, INDULGE, PAMPER. . . " ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  [  Ibid., p. 931.  ]

The word "pamper" is defined as follows:  "v.t.   1  To treat too indulgently; gratify the whims or wishes of; coddle. . . ."  [  Ibid., p. 700 ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  ]

With Psalm 37:4 in mind, if we, as Christians, delight ourselves in the LORD, He will give us the desires of our hearts:  He will pamper us ( in the sense of gratifying our wishes ).  Ephesians 1:3 ( RSV ) reads as follows:  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  Truly, as Christians, we are spoiled ( in the positive sense of being pampered, that is, by having our wishes gratified, as a result of delighting in the LORD ) brats ( as the wicked view us ).

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 New International Version ( NIV ).  Acts 12:1-4 read as follows:  "It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.  He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.  When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.  This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each.  Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover."  Persecution of Christians ( members of the New Testament church, the church of Christ - see Psalm 50:5 ( KJV, for example ), Matthew 16:16, Acts 2:38, 41, and 47 ( NKJV, for example ); 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ); 11:26, Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); 12:3-5 ( especially verses 4 and 5, for example ); 16:16, Galatians 3:26, 27, and Ephesians 1:15-23 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ), for example ), by the governing authorities, is taught in the above-given passage from the Holy Bible.  Regardless of whether Christians are persecuted in this way, we are to submit to them ( see Romans 13:1, 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 ); being entitled: The Scofield Study Bible.  The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible:  "The last fifty years have witnessed an intensity and breadth of interest in Bible study unprecedented in the history of the Christian Church.  Never before have so many reverent, learned, and spiritual men brought to the study of the Scriptures minds so free from merely controversial motive.  A new and vast exegetical and expository literature has been created, inaccessible for bulk, cost, and time to the average reader.  The winnowed and attested results of this half-century of Bible study are embodied in the notes, summaries, and definitions of this edition.  Expository novelties, and merely personal views and interpretations, have been rejected."  [  See HOLY BIBLE, SCOFIELD STUDY SYSTEM, AUTHORIZED KING JAMES VERSION, NEW YORK, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, The Scofield Reference Bible, Copyright 1909, 1917; copyright renewed, 1937, 1945 by Oxford University Press, Inc., p. iii.  ]

     Jesus ( see Mark 16:9 ) said the following in Mark 16:16:  "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."  Moreover, Acts 2:38, 41, and 47 read as follows:  "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  Praising God, and having favour with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."  The phrase "gladly received," in Acts 2:41, implies that no one is to be forced into being baptized.  Baptism is required in order to be saved, but each individual must be persuaded to be baptized, and not forced to do so.

     2 Corinthians 5:10, 11 read as follows:  "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  Furthermore, Proverbs 25:15 reads as follows:  "By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  Proverbs 25:15 ( NIV ) reads as follows:  "Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone."

     With Proverbs 25:15 in mind, princes ( or rulers ) are those who would be accustomed to having things their way ( so to speak ).  According to Proverbs 25:15 ( NIV ), patience is one thing that is required in order to persuade someone to do something.  Additionally, we find in this verse in the Holy Bible, the phrase "a gentle tongue can break a bone."  What does this phrase mean?

     To begin with, we must realize that the force necessary to break a bone is significant.  Secondly, the phrase "a gentle tongue," refers to gentle speech.  Thus, being successful at persuading someone to do something requires gentle speech.  Therefore, the phrase "a gentle tongue can break a bone," means that gentle speech will have a significant impact, with regard to persuading someone to do something.

     If we consider the word "ruler" ( or "prince" ) in a figurative sense, Proverbs 25:15 would apply to someone who is stubborn or strong-willed ( accustomed to having his or her own way ( so to speak )).  Thus, in order to persuade a stubborn, or strong-willed, person to do something requires patience and gentle speech.  With all of the above-given information in mind, if we are to persuade a stubborn, or strong-willed, person to be baptized into Christ ( see Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ), Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ) and Galatians 3:27, for example ), we must have patience and use gentle speech.

     The Bible video ( associated with following link ) has been included for you, the reader, to view.  Please click on the link below:

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELlT0ZCT29fSkdvU0k/edit?usp=sharing>.
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:  The New Testament church is the church of Christ ( see Matthew 16:18 and Romans 16:16, for example ).  Moreover, the disciples "were called Christians first in Antioch" ( see Acts 11:26; KJV; The Scofield Study Bible, for example ): they were not called Stoneites or Campbellites.  [  See Handbook OF Denominations IN THE UNITED STATES: NEW TENTH EDITION, MEAD, FRANK S., Abingdon Press, NASHVILLE, Copyright 1985, 1990, 1995 by Abingdon Press, pp. 94, 95.  ]

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New International Version ( NIV ).  Mark 8:22-26 read as follows:  "They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.  He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.  When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, 'Do you see anything?'  He looked up and said, 'I see people; they look like trees walking around.'  Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes.  Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.  Jesus sent him home, saying, 'Don't go into the village.'"  What can we learn from this passage in the Holy Bible?

     After Jesus spat on the blind man's eyes and initially touched them, He asked the man if he saw anything.  The man said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."  What is the spiritual meaning of this statement?

     When we consider that the man was initially blind, such blindness spiritually represents unbelief.  The apostle Paul ( see 2 Corinthians 1:1 ) recorded the following in 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4:  "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."  The phrase "the god of this age," in 2 Corinthians 4:4, is a reference to the devil ( see Ephesians 2:2; 6:11, 12, and Revelation 12:9, for example ).  [  See also:  HOLMAN BIBLE DICTIONARY, BUTLER, TRENT C., Ph.D., HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, Copyright 1991 Holman Bible Publishers, p. 359.  ]

     The devil blinds the minds of unbelievers.  However, the spiritual meaning of the statement, made by the man who was initially blind, is that he was beginning to see something of a spiritual nature.  Specifically, the statement made by this man would be a reference to animism.

     The word "animism" is defined as follows:  "The term 'animism' comes from the Latin word anima, which means 'soul' or 'breath.'  As such, it refers to that which empowers or gives life to something.  It follows, then, that animism is the religion that sees the physical world as interpenetrated by spiritual forces-both personal and impersonal-to the extent that objects carry spiritual significance and events have spiritual causes."  [  See THE COMPACT GUIDE TO WORLD RELIGIONS, Halverson, Dean C., BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA  55438, Copyright 1996, International Students, Inc., p. 37.  ]

Thus, without providing a detailed explanation of why animism is false religion at this point ( though that would be a good subject for a future posting to this weblog ), a basic consideration will show why.  Namely, why would anyone attribute the characteristics of soul or breath to an inanimate object, like a tree?  That is exactly what the man, who was initially blind, did.

     One lesson we learn from this man's statement is that, when people leave their sinful state of unbelief ( see Mark 16:16, Hebrews 3:12, and 1 John 3:4 ( KJV, for example ), for example ), they may initially turn to animism, or some other false religion which involves some belief in gods or God ( though such false religions do not teach what the Holy Bible teaches concerning God, as the one, true God - see Jeremiah 10:10 and John 17:1-5 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ).  A second observation, regarding this man's contact with Jesus, is that He had to touch the man's eyes a second time, in order for him to see clearly.  The lesson to be learned here is that repeated contact with Jesus is necessary to escape the error of false religion ( cf. John 8:31, 32, Romans 3:25, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, James 1:27, and 1 John 1:1-2:2; 4:6, for example ) and, thus, the lack occurring in this situation is not to be associated with Jesus:  it is to be associated with the man, who was initially blind.

     How do we have contact with Jesus today, since He is now in heaven ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, Acts 1:1-9 ( especially verse 9, for example ); 2:32, 33, for example )?  Jesus' word is God, the Father's word ( the Holy Bible - see Psalm 119:65-72, 142, 151, Matthew 1:16; 16:16, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, Titus 1:1, 2, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ).  In order to see Jesus ( the truth - recall John 14:6 ) clearly, we must repeatedly study the Holy Bible ( see Mark 16:20, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 1:10, 20, and 21, and recall 1 John 5:6, for example ).  Therefore, we have contact with Jesus, in a figurative sense, when we study the Holy Bible.

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 New International Version ( NIV ).  The apostle Paul ( see 1 Corinthians 1:1 ) recorded the following in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  Paul was writing to "the church of God in Corinth" ( see 1 Corinthians 1:2 ) and, thus, he was writing to the Christians in Corinth ( see Acts, chapter 2 ( especially verses 41 and 47, for example; NKJV, for example ); 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example; NKJV, for example ); 11:1-26 ( especially verse 26 ), Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); 12:3-8 ( especially verses 4 and 5, for example ), Galatians 3:26, 27, and Ephesians 1:15-23 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ), for example ).

     Paul teaches that Christians go into strict training, so that we will "get a crown that will last forever" ( see verse 25 of the above-quoted passage from the Holy Bible ).  How strict is this training?  Jesus ( see Luke 9:21 ) said the following in Luke 9:23-25:  "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.  What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"

     What does the phrase "deny himself," in Luke 9:23, mean?  The apostle Paul ( see Galatians 1:1 ) recorded the following in Galatians 2:20:  "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  The apostle Paul, in writing, "I have been crucified with Christ," in Galatians 2:20, was teaching that he had been baptized into Christ ( recall Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), for example ).  Thus, during the act of baptism, when a person is raised from the watery grave of baptism ( see Colossians 2:1-12 ( especially verses 11 and 12, for example ) and recall Acts 8:36, for example ), from that point forward, that one is to cease doing his or her own will, and do the will of Christ ( see Psalm 119:65-72; 142, 151, Matthew 1:16, John 1:1, 14; 7:16; 8:26, 28, 29, and 54; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( NKJV, for example; with center-column references ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Titus 1:1, 2, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ).  Hence, we read the phrase "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me," in Galatians 2:20.

     The Bible video ( associated with the following link ) is included for you, the reader, to view.  Please click on the link below:

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELlR1VjV3UxSE0tZmM/edit?usp=sharing>.

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:  With regard to the above-referenced Bible video, the word "Christmas" is not a Bible term.  Additionally, the Holy Bible does not specify the exact date that Jesus was born, though we can rightly conclude from Luke 2:8 that He was most likely born during the spring or fall ( please read Luke, chapters 1 and 2, to get the context - [  See also:  BIBLE ALMANAC, PACKER, JAMES I., A.M., D.Phil., TENNEY, MERRILL C., A.M., Ph.D., WHITE, WILLIAM, JR., Th.M., Ph.D., THE OLD-TIME GOSPEL HOUR, LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, Copyright 1980 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, p. 62. ] ).  Thus, the date of December 25th is merely a tradition of men ( see Mark 7:1-13 ( especially verse 9, for example ), for example ):  it is not specified anywhere in the Holy Bible.  Finally, Jesus was baptized to mark the beginning of His earthly ministry ( see Psalm 2:7, Matthew 3:13-17 ( especially verse 17, for example ), Hebrews 1:5; 5:5, for example ).

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the New International Version ( NIV ).  Galatians 1:8, 9 read as follows:  "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!  As we have already said, so now I say again:  If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!"  The apostle Paul ( see Galatians 1:1 ) used strong words of condemnation regarding the preaching of something other than the gospel of Christ ( see Galatians 1:7 ).  Considering Galatians 1:6, 7 together, the apostle Paul teaches that a gospel different from the gospel of Christ is "really no gospel at all" ( recall verse 7 ).

     Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) today must strongly condemn the preaching of anything other than the gospel of Christ.  Moreover, any man ( see 1 Timothy 2:12, for example ) who preaches something other than the gospel of Christ is not a gospel preacher ( see Acts, chapter 10 ( especially verses 22 and 42, for example ), Acts 15:7, and 2 Timothy 4:2, for example ).  Proverbs 14:12 reads as follows:  "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."  The preaching of something other than the gospel of Christ may seem right to the men engaged in it, but their end will be spiritual death ( separation from God - see Psalm 5:1-5 ( especially verses 4 and 5, for example ); 119:65-72, 142, 151, Proverbs 12:15, Matthew 7:21-23 ( especially verse 23, for example ); 13:36-43 ( especially verses 41 and 42, for example ), Luke 18:9-14 ( especially verse 11, for example ), John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Titus 1:2, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ).  They must repent ( see Luke 13:3, for example ).

     Jesus ( see Mark 1:14 ) said in Mark 1:15:  ". . . .  Repent and believe the good news!"  Jesus ( see Mark 16:14 ) said in Mark 16:15, 16:  "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."  The Bible video ( associated with the following link ) is available for you, the reader, to view.  Please click on the link below:

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELlc3k3SkdRc1R1dGs/edit?usp=sharing>.

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 New International Version ( NIV ).  Psalm 10:1-5 read as follows:  "Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.  He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.  In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.  His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies."  Additionally, Psalm 141:10 reads as follows:  "Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety."

     From Psalm 10:5, we see that the ways of the wicked man "are always prosperous" whereas, in Psalm 141:10, the plans of the wicked will backfire ( as has been described in a previous posting to this weblog ).  Does this observation indicate a contradiction?  We find the answer to this question when we consider the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

     In Matthew 27:22, Pilate asked, "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?"  At the end of that same verse in the Holy Bible, we see the response of Jesus' enemies:  "They all answered, 'Crucify him!'"  Jesus was crucified on the cross of the Skull ( see Luke 23:26-43 ( especially verse 33, for example ), for example ).  There He died ( see Luke 23:44-49 ( especially verse 46, for example ), for example ).  Jesus was buried in a tomb "in which no one had yet been laid" ( see Luke 23:53, for example ( please read Luke 23:50-56, for example, to get the immediate context )).  God, the Father raised Jesus ( God, the Son ) from the dead ( see Mark 16:1-20, Acts 2:22-32, John 10:30; 14:6, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Colossians 2:8, 9 ( especially verse 9, for example ), Titus 1:2, and 1 John 5:6-8, for example ).

     With all of the above-given information in mind, it would seem that the enemies of Jesus had prospered in their goal: He died on the cross of the Skull.  However, their success ( see Psalm 10:5; NABRE ) was only temporary.  Their plan had ultimately backfired, since Acts 2:32 reads as follows:  "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact."  See also Romans 6:1-4, 10, for example.  Thus, there is no contradiction associated with the consideration of Psalm 10:5 and Psalm 141:10.  Please study the Holy Bible ( see 2 Timothy 2:15, 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 New International Version ( NIV ).  John 4:1-26 read as follows:  "The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.  When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.  Now he had to go through Samaria.  So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.  Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.  It was about the sixth hour.  When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Will you give me a drink?'  (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)  The Samaritan woman said to him, 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman.  How can you ask me for a drink?'  (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)  Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.'  'Sir,' the woman said, 'you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep.  Where can you get this living water?  Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?'  Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'  The woman said to him, 'Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.'  He told her, 'Go, call your husband and come back.'  'I have no husband,' she replied.  Jesus said to her, 'You are right when you say you have no husband.  The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.  What you have just said is quite true.'  'Sir,' the woman said, 'I can see that you are a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.'  Jesus declared, 'Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.'  The woman said, 'I know that Messiah' (called Christ) 'is coming.  When he comes, he will explain everything to us.'  Then Jesus declared, 'I who speak to you am he.'"

     With the above-given passage from the Holy Bible in mind, Jesus treated the Samaritan woman as a person worthy of a meaningful discussion.  He did not treat her as a sex object.  Moreover, Jesus did not come to this earth for the purpose of having a physical, sexual relationship with a physical wife, though He taught clearly concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage in Matthew 19:1-12, for example.  Jesus ( see Luke 19:9 ) stated His purpose for coming to this earth, as follows:  "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" ( see Luke 19:10 ).

     A Bible video ( associated with the following link ) has been included for you, the reader, to view.  Please click on the link below:

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwt40y5qiELlVDVhLVlXeUVrc2M/edit?usp=sharing>.

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

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>