The Holy Bible.

     Acts 20:28 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION - read Acts 20:17-28 to get the general context ) reads as follows:

"Take heed therefore vnto yourselues, & to all the flocke, [ sic ] ouer the which the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

     Ephesians 4:11 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"And he gaue some, Apostles: and some , [ sic ] Prophets : [ sic ] and some , [ sic ] Euangelists : [ sic ] and some, Pastors, and teachers."  

     1 Timothy 3:1-7 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"This is a true saying : [ sic ] If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good worke.  A Bishop then  must be blamelesse, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober , [ sic ] of good behauiour, giuen to hospitalitie, apt to teach , [ sic ] not giuen to wine , [ sic ] no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not couetous ; [ sic ] one that ruleth well his owne house, hauing his children in subiection with all grauitie.  ( For if a man know not how to rule his owne house , [ sic ] how shall he take care of the Church of God ? [ sic ] )  Not a nouice, lest being lifted vp with pride , [ sic ] hee fall into the condemnation of the deuill.  Moreouer , [ sic ] hee must haue a good report of them which are without , [ sic ] lest he fall into reproch [ sic ], and the snare of the deuill."

     1 Timothy 5:17-20 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  For the Scripture saith , [ sic ] Thou shalt not mousell the oxe that treadeth out the corne : [ sic ] and , [ sic ] The labourer is worthy of his reward.  Against an Elder receiue not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.  Them that sinne rebuke before all, that others also may feare."

     Titus 1:5-9 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting , [ sic ] and ordaine Elders in euery citie, as I had appointed thee.  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife , [ sic ] hauing faithfull children, not accused of riot, or vnruly.  For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God : [ sic ] not selfewilled, not soone angry , [ sic ] not giuen to wine , [ sic ] no striker , [ sic ] not giuen to filthie lucre, but a louer of hospitalitie, a louer of good men, sober, iust, holy, temperate, holding fast the faithfull word, as hee hath beene taught, that he may bee able by sound doctrine , [ sic ] both to exhort and to conuince the gainsayers."

     1 Peter 5:1-4 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"The Elders which are among you I exhort , [ sic ] who am also an Elder , [ sic ] and a witnesse of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be reuealed.  Feede the flocke of God which is among you, taking the ouersight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly : [ sic ] not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde : [ sic ] neither as being lords ouer Gods [ sic ] heritage : [ sic ] but being ensamples to the flocke.  And when the chiefe shepheard shall appeare, ye shall receiue a crowne of glory that fadeth not away."

     1 Peter 5:1-4 ( NKJV ) read as follows:

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as oveseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

     With all of the above-given information in mind, the Greek word ( Greek [ 4166 ] ) for the word "Pastors" in Ephesians 4:11 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) is defined as follows:

"a shepherd (lit. or fig.)."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 79.  ]

Since the word "Pastors" in Ephesians 4:11 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) means "a shepherd (lit. or fig.),"  and the phrases, "Feede the flocke" ( recall 1 Peter 5:2; KJV; 1611 EDITION ) or "Shepherd the flock" ( recall 1 Peter 5:2; NKJV ) appear in the context of elders, it is clear that the word "pastor" means "elder" and not "preacher."

     Furthermore, the words "Pastors," "Bishop," and "overseers" all refer to the same office, namely, that of an elder.  Moreover, the word "overseers" ( plural ) in Acts 20:28 clearly indicates that there must be more than one elder in a local congregation of the church.  Additionally, the prefix "arch-" is defined as follows:
"1  Chief; principal: archchancellor."  [  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. 53.  ]
     Thus, noting that the phrase, "the Chief Shepherd," in 1 Peter 5:4 ( NKJV ) is a reference to "our Lord Jesus" ( the initial preceding phrase has a cross-reference to Hebrews 13:20 ( in the KJV and NKJV of the Holy Bible with center-column references )), it is clear that Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.  Furthermore, since the word "bishop" means "overseer" ( recall 1 Timothy 3:1, where the equivalent translation for the word "bishop" is listed in the center-column reference ), a shepherd oversees the flock ( recall Acts 20:28; NKJV ), and the prefix "arch-" means "Chief," Jesus can rightly be called the Archbishop of the universal church.  There is only one Archbishop ( Jesus ) associated with the church.  Therefore, while the word "archbishop" is not found in the Holy Bible, the concept of Jesus being the Archbishop is taught in the Holy Bible.  The Holy Bible teaches that there is no such thing as a human archbishop.  Therefore, the denominational concept of a human archbishop is false teaching.

     When considering the qualifications listed for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, for example, we see clearly that an elder must be "the husband of one wife" ( recall 1 Timothy 3:2 ).  Therefore, women are not allowed to be elders.  A Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) man who desires to be an elder must meet all of the above-given qualifications for the office of elder, in order to be an elder.  The phrase, "hee must haue a good report of them which are without," in 1 Timothy 3:7 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) implies that an elder is a man who is a member of the church.

     Considering Acts 20:28, 1 Timothy 5:17-20, and 1 Peter 5:2 ( "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you . . . ."; NKJV ) together, we learn that while elders rule the local congregation of the church, of which they are members, only those elders who rule well ( and especially those who labor in the word and doctrine ) are to "be counted worthy of double honor" ( see 1 Timothy 5:17; NKJV ).  From 1 Timothy 5:20, we see that the elders who are sinning are to be rebuked by an evangelist ( see 1 Timothy 1:1, 2, 2 Timothy 1:1, 2 and 2 Timothy 4:5, for example ).  Thus, while elders rule the local congregation of which they are members, they do not enjoy an absolute rule.

As a note to the readers, I thank you for your patience while I produced this weblog posting.  As you can see, the subject of elders in the church is a complicated one.

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.

     1 Samuel 31:1-5 ( NKJV ) read as follows:

"Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.  Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons.  And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.  The battle became fierce against Saul.  The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers.  Then Saul said to his armorbearer, 'Draw you sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.'  But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid.  Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.  And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

What we read about in 1 Samuel 31:1-5 is a wartime event, whereby Saul and his armorbearer committed suicide.  The word "suicide" does not appear in the sacred text of the Holy Bible, however, the act of committing suicide is described in the above-given passage in the Holy Bible, for example.

     The word "suicide" is defined as follows:

"n.  1  The intentional taking of one's own life."  [  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. 964.  ]

The sixth commandment, Exodus 20:13 ( NKJV ), reads as follows:

"You shall not murder."

Also, the apostle Paul ( see Romans 1:1 ) recorded the following in Romans 13:9 ( NKJV ):

"For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

     Thus, though the Old Testament became obsolete when Jesus died on the cross of Calvary, we can still learn from it ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example ), Romans 15:4, Colossians 2:11-15 ( especially verse 14, for example ), Hebrews 8:1-13 ( especially verse 13, for example ), and Hebrews 9:16-22 ( especially verse 17, for example ), for example ).  The apostle Paul ( in the specific context of murder, which would include suicide ( or self-murder )) reaffirmed the teaching of the sixth commandment in the New Testament.  In general, suicide is condemned under the Old Testament, with the exception being during wartime events ( as is indicated in 1 Samuel 31:1-5, for example ).

     However, under the New Testament, suicide is condemned ( without exception ).  Judas Iscariot committed suicide ( see Matthew 26:1-16 ( especially verse 14, for example ) and Matthew 27:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ), for example ), but this event clearly appears in a negative context.  Therefore, under the New Testament ( which is the testament that is currently in force ), suicide is always a sin.

     Dear reader, if you are reading this weblog posting and are having suicidal thoughts - stop having those thoughts and DO NOT TAKE ACTION ON THOSE THOUGHTS!  Life is worth living.  Furthermore, if a person commits suicide, that person has no hope of going to heaven ( see Matthew 11:15, Mark 16:15, 16, Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:4-25 ( especially verse 22, for example ), Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verse 37, for example ), and Revelation 2:10, 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.

     Acts 26:4, 5 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"My maner [ sic ] of life from my youth , which was at the first among mine owne nation at Hierusalem [ sic ], know all the Iewes, which knew me from the beginning , (if they would testifie) that after the most straitest sect of our religion , I liued a Pharisee" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 1:10 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"Now I beseech you brethren by the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ , that yee all speake the same thing , and that there be no diuisions among you: but that ye be perfectly ioyned together in the same minde , and in the same iudgement [ sic ]."

The Greek word ( Greek [ 139 ] ) for the word "sect" in Acts 26:5 ( KJV, KJV; 1611 EDITION, and NKJV, for example ) is defined as follows:

"prop. a choice, i.e. (spec.) a party or (abstr.) disunion."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 7. ).  ]

     The word "sect" is also defined as follows:

"n.   1  A body of persons distinguished by peculiarities of faith and practice from other bodies adhering to the same general system; specifically, the adherents collectively of a particular creed or confession; a denomination, or an organized body of dissenters from an established or older form of faith."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONMYS, 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. 873.  ]

The word "dissenter" is defined as follows:

"n.   1  One who dissents or disagrees; one who declares his disapproval or disagreement."  [  Ibid., p. 284. ]

With all of the above-given information in mind, it is clear that there is no such thing as a denominational Christian.

     The word "sect" means "a choice."  However, God never gave us a choice of what to believe.  Ephesians 4:5 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"One Lord , [ sic ] one Faith, one Baptism."

     Therefore, since there is one faith, there is only one correct way to believe.  Furthermore, since the word "sect" also refers to dissenters, and the word "dissenter" means "one who declares his disapproval or disagreement," it is not possible for someone to simultaneously disapprove of, or disagree with, the one faith and still claim to be a Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ).  Finally, a Christian will fear God and keep all of His commandments; rather than keeping some of them and disapproving of, or disagreeing with, all the rest, for example ( see Ecclesiastes 12:13 and 1 John 5:3, for example ).  Thus, there is no such thing as a denominational Christian, and all of us who are Christians are to "speake the same thing" ( recall 1 Corinthians 1:10; KJV; 1611 EDITION ).

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.

     Ephesians 2:8, 9 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"For by grace are ye saued, through faith, and that not of your selues : it is the gift of God : not of workes , lest any man should boast."

The Greek word ( Greek [ 5485 ] ) for the word "grace" in Ephesians 2:8 ( KJV, KJV; 1611 EDITION, and NKJV, for example ) is defined as follows:

"graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstr. or concr.; lit., fig. or spiritual; espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 104. ).  ]

With the above-listed definition of the word "grace" in mind, where in the Holy Bible do we see an example of this graciousness of manner or act?

     John 3:16 ( NKJV ) reads as follows:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

In John 3:16, we see the epitome of God's grace - God's graciousness of manner or act - toward the human race.  That is, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to this Earth ( see John 3:17, for example ).

     Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life ( see Hebrews 4:15, for example ) and was crucified on the cross of Calvary for the sins of mankind ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example ) and Romans 6:10 ( NKJV - ". . . He died to sin once for all . . . ." - emphasis mine, R.E.W. ), for example ).  It was on this cross of Calvary where Jesus shed His cleansing blood ( see Matthew 26:28, John 1:29, and Revelation 1:5, for example ).  A person comes in contact with the blood of Christ when he or she is baptized by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of their sins ( see Acts 2:38, Acts 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ), Acts 22:16, and Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), for example ).

     With all of the above-mentioned information in mind, the word "grace," in this context, means that God has already done His part to provide the opportunity for salvation for everyone ( see 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 and recall Romans 6:10, for example ).  However, it is up to you to do your part to be saved - obedience to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ ( see Mark 16:16 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 ( especially verses 8 and 9, for example ), for example ).  See also James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10, 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.

     Philippians 2:4 ( NKJV ) reads as follows:

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

The Greek word ( Greek [ 4648 ] ) for the word - "look" - in Philippians 2:4 ( KJV and NKJV, or the word - "looke" ( KJV; 1611 EDITION )) is defined as follows:

"to take aim at (spy), i.e. (fig.) regard" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  [  See  ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 88. ).  ]

Furthermore, the word - "regard" - in the above-given definition is defined as follows ( sense 1 of this definition is assumed to be the appropriate sense ):

"v.t.   1  To look at or observe closely or attentively."  [  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. 814.  ]

     Moreover, the word - "responsibility" - is defined as follows ( senses 1 and 2 are assumed to be the appropriate senses of this definition ):

"n.   1  The state of being responsible or accountable.   2  That for which one is answerable; a duty or trust."  [  Ibid., p. 825 - emphasis mine, R.E.W.  ]

Also, the word - "responsible" - as it appears in the definition given immediately above, is defined as follows:

"adj.   1  Answerable legally or morally for the discharge of a duty, trust, or debt.   2  Having capacity to perceive the distinctions of right and wrong; having ethical discrimination.   3  Able to meet legitimate claims; having sufficient property or means for the payment of debts.   4  Involving accountability or obligation.   5  Denoting the status of a cabinet or ministry with respect to the legislative body to which it is answerable."  [  Ibid.  ]

Philippians 2:4 implies the concept of responsibility.  Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) are commanded by God ( see Psalm 119:72, Ecclesiastes 12:13, and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, for example ) to regard ( "To look at or observe closely or attentively" ( in a figurative sense )) not only our own interests, but also the interests of others.

     This concept of responsibility also applies to the government.  Consider the following quotation:

"Surrounding the royal court were such officials as 'the one who is over the house' a sort of Secretary of State or Prime Minister; the recorder who was a herald, press secretary, and chief of protocol combined; the chief scribe; counselors; priests; and prophets ( 1 Kings 4 ).  In addition, many attendants would minister to the king.  The king embodied the rule of the entire nation.  As he and his officials were just and faithful in ruling, the nation prospered.  As he and the officials were unjust, the nation suffered.  Likewise, the unjust actions of lesser officials ultimately was the responsibility of the king.  Thus the prophets accused the king of his actions and of the actions of those under him."  [  See  HOLMAN BIBLE DICTIONARY, BUTLER, TRENT C., PH.D., HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, Copyright 1991 Holman Bible Publishers, p. 572.  ]
See also Romans 15:4, 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.

     Psalm 79:11 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee, according to the greatnesse of thy power :  preserue thou those that are appointed to die."

The Hebrew word ( Hebrew [ 616 ] ) for the word - "prisoner" - in Psalm 79:11 ( KJV, KJV; 1611 EDITION, and NKJV ) is defined as follows:

"for 615."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Hebrew Bible with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 18. ).  ]

The word - "for" - in the above-given definition of Hebrew word ( Hebrew [ 616 ] ) is defined as follows ( sense 15 of this definition is assumed to be the appropriate sense ):

"prep. . . . . 15 As the equivalent to or requital of."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMNS, 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. 379.  ]

     With all of the above-mentioned information in mind, the definition of Hebrew word ( Hebrew [ 615 ] ) is given below ( it is also assumed that the phrase - "for 615" - as it is given in the definition of Hebrew word ( Hebrew [ 616 ] ), includes both the "etymology" and "radical meaning" portions of the definition of Hebrew word ( Hebrew [ 615 ] )):

"bound, i.e. a captive."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Hebrew Bible with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 18. ).  ]

Moreover, in the entire New Testament, there is one Greek word ( Greek [ 1198 ] ) for the word - "prisoner."  For example, Ephesians 3:1 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Iesus Christ for you Gentiles."

     The Greek word ( Greek [ 1198 ] ) is defined as follows:

"a captive (as bound)."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 26. ).  ]

There are many people who want to claim freedom.  However, what these people usually mean, when they use the word - "freedom" - is the "freedom" to commit sin.

     The apostle Paul ( see Romans 1:1 ) recorded the following in Romans 6:16-18 ( NKJV ), namely:

"Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?  But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.  And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."

Those people who want the "freedom" to commit sin are actually slaves of sin.  As a Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), my goal in this life is to be a slave of righteousness ( with the ultimate goal being - "life eternal" ( see Matthew 25:46 ( KJV ), for example )).  As a Christian, I want to spend the rest of my life on earth being a prisoner - of Jesus Christ.

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.

     2 Samuel 22:6 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"The sorowes of Hell compassed me about:  the snares of death preuented me."

The Hebrew word ( Hebrew [ 7585 ] ) for the word - "Hell" - in 2 Samuel 22:6 is defined as follows:

"hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates."  [ See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Hebrew Bible with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 147. ). ]

There is only one Hebrew word for the word - "hell" - in the Old Testament, namely, Hebrew [ 7585 ].

     However, in the New Testament, there are three different Greek words for the word - "hell."  For example, Matthew 5:22 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"But I say vnto you , that whosoeuer is angry with his brother without a cause , shall be in danger of the Iudgement : and whosoeuer shall say to his brother, Racha [ sic ], shal be in danger of the counsell: but whosoeuer shall say , Thou foole, shalbe in danger of hell fire."

The Greek word ( Greek [ 1067 ] ) for the word - "hell" - in Matthew 5:22 is defined as follows:

"valley of (the son of) Hinnom; gehenna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (fig.) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment."  [ See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 23. ). ]

     Matthew 11:23 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"And thou Capernaum, which art exalted vnto heauen , shalt be brought downe to hell : For if the mighty works which haue beene done in thee, had bin [ sic ] done in Sodome, it would haue remained vntill this day."

The Greek word ( Greek [ 86 ] ) for the word - "hell" - in Matthew 11:23 is defined as follows:

"properly unseen, i.e. "Hades" or the place (state) of departed souls."  [  Ibid., p. 6. ]

Finally, 2 Peter 2:4 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) reads as follows:

"For if God spared not the Angels [ sic ] that sinned , but cast them downe to hell , and deliuered them into chaines of darkness, to be reserued vnto iudgment :"

The Greek word ( Greek [ 5020 ] ) for the word - "hell" - in 2 Peter 2:4 is defined as follows:

"to incarcerate in eternal torment."  [ Ibid., p. 95. ]

     Thus, while there are some false teachers in this world who will wrongly claim that there is no hell, the Holy Bible clearly teaches the concept of hell, and that it is real.

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

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>