The Holy Bible.

     Matthew 10:1-4 ( KJV ) read as follows:

"And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him."

Luke 6:12-16 ( KJV ) read as follows:

"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor."

Simon the Canaanite ( mentioned in Matthew 10:4 ) is the same man as Simon called Zelotes ( mentioned in Luke 6:15 ).  The word "Zelotes" in Luke 6:15 ( KJV; with center-column references ) has an equivalent translation which means "the Zealot."  The word "zealot" is defined as follows:

"A militant radical; one who acts with great zeal for a cause.  The term came to designate a particular segment of the Jewish population who continually tried to overthrow foreign oppression, especially the Roman rule in Palestine."  [  See HOLMAN BIBLE DICTIONARY, BUTLER, TRENT C., PH.D., HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, Copyright 1991 Holman Bible Publishers, pp. 1433, 1434.  ]

     Jesus ( see Luke 6:3, 9 ) specifically chose Simon called Zelotes to be one His original twelve apostles.  This man would, in today's language, be called a terrorist.  Simon called Zelotes, as one of Jesus' apostles, used his great zeal to preach the kingdom of God ( see Luke 9:2, for example ).

     Those of us who are Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) need to be careful that we do not prejudge people, with regard to their worthiness to hear and respond to God's word ( the Holy Bible - see Psalm 119:65-72, 142, John 1:1, 14, John 17:1, 17, Colossians 2:8, 9, 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, and 1 John 5:7, for example ).  Jesus said, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" ( see Matthew 11:7, 15, for example; KJV ).  Jesus also said, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" ( see Luke 19:9, 10, for example; KJV ).

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.

     Numbers 12:1-16 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses , [ sic ] because of the Ethiopian woman , [ sic ] whom hee [ sic ] had married : [ sic ] for he had married an Ethiopian woman.  And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken onely by Moses ? [ sic ]  Hath hee [ sic ] not spoken also by vs ? [ sic ]  And the LORD heard it.  (Now the man Moses was very meeke , [ sic ] aboue all the men which were vpon the face of the earth.)  And the LORD spake suddenly vnto Moses, and vnto Aaron, and vnto Miriam, Come out ye three vnto the Tabernacle of the Congregation : [ sic ] and they three came out.  And the LORD came downe in the pillar of the cloude, and stood in the doore of the Tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam : [ sic ] and they both came foorth.  And hee [ sic ] saide [ sic ] , [ sic ] Heare now my words : [ sic ] If there be a Prophet among you, I the LORD will make my selfe knowen vnto him in a vision, and will speake vnto him in a dreame : [ sic ] my seruant Moses is not so, who is faithfull in all mine house.  With him will I speake mouth to mouth euen apparently , [ sic ] and not in darke speeches, and the similitude of the LORD shall hee [ sic ] behold : [ sic ] wherefore then were yee not afraid to speake against my seruant Moses ? [ sic ]  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them , [ sic ] and he departed.  And the cloud departed from off the Tabernacle, and behold , [ sic ] Miriam became leprous , [ sic ] white as snow : [ sic ] and Aaron looked vpon Miriam , [ sic ] and behold , [ sic ] she was leprous.  And Aaron said vnto Moses, Alas my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sinne vpon vs, wherein we haue done foolishly , [ sic ] and wherein we haue sinned : [ sic ] let her not bee [ sic ] as one dead , [ sic ] of whom the flesh is halfe consumed, when he commeth out of his mothers wombe.  And Moses cryed vnto the LORD , [ sic ] saying , [ sic ] Heale her now , [ sic ] O God, I beseech thee.  And the LORD said vnto Moses , [ sic ] If her father had but spit in her face, should she not bee [ sic ] ashamed seuen dayes ? [ sic ]  let [ sic ] her be shut out from the campe seuen dayes , [ sic ] and after that let her be receiued in againe.  And Miriam was shut out from the campe seuen dayes : [ sic ] and the people iourneied not, til [ sic ] Miriam was brought in againe.  And afterward the people remoued from Hazeroth , [ sic ] and pitched in the wildernesse of Paran" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

Matthew 22:37-40 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"Iesus sayd [ sic ] vnto him , [ sic ] Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart , [ sic ] and with all thy soule , [ sic ] and with all thy minde.  This is the first and great Commandement.  And the second is like vnto it, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe.  On these two Commandements hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Romans 6:8-10 ( NKJV ) read as follows:

"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God" ( emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).

     From Numbers 12:14 we see that God, the Father ( see John 5:19-30 ( especially verses 26 and 27, for example ) and 1 John 5:7, for example ) despises racism.  Moreover, Jesus ( God, the Son ( see Matthew 16:13-17 ( especially verse 16, for example ), John 1:1, 14 and Colossians 2:8, 9, and recall 1 John 5:7, for example )) condemns racism, both by what He teaches in Matthew 22:39, and by what He did ( as it is mentioned in Romans 6:10 ( NKJV, for example ), for example ).  Finally, God, the Holy Spirit ( see 1 John 5:6, 7, for example ) condemns racism.  Specifically, when we study the Holy Bible ( God's word - see Psalm 119:65-72, John 17:1-26 ( especially verse 17, for example ), 2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, for example ), He guides us into all truth ( see John 16:13, for example ); therein learning that racism is a sin.  Thus, racism is condemned in the Holy Bible: it is a sin.

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 5:20-33 ( KJV; 1611 EDITION ) read as follows:

"Giuing thankes alwayes for all things vnto God , [ sic ] and the Father , [ sic ] in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ, submitting your selues one to another in the feare of God.  Wiues , [ sic ] submit your selues vnto your own husbands, as vnto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife , [ sic ] euen as Christ is the head of the Church : [ sic ] and he is the sauiour of the body.  Therefore as the Church is subiect vnto Christ , [ sic ] so let the wiues bee to their owne [ sic ] husbands in euery thing.  Husbands, loue your wiues, euen as Christ also loued the Church , [ sic ] and gaue himselfe for it : [ sic ] that he might sanctifie & cleanse it with the washing of water , [ sic ] by the word, that hee might present it to himselfe a glorious Church , [ sic ] not hauing spot or wrinkle , [ sic ] or any such thing : [ sic ] but that it should bee holy and without blemish.  So ought men to loue their wiues , [ sic ] as their owne bodies : [ sic ] hee that loueth his wife, loueth himselfe.  For no man euer yet hated his owne flesh : [ sic ] but nourisheth and cherisheth it, euen as the Lord the Church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.  For this cause shall a man leaue his father and mother, and shall be ioyned vnto his wife , [ sic ] and they two shalbe [ sic ] one flesh.  This is a great mysterie : [ sic ] but I speake concerning Christ and the Church.  Neuerthelesse , [ sic ] let euery one of you in particular, so loue his wife euen as himselfe, and the wife see that she reuerence her husband."

In the above-given passage from the Holy Bible, we see a description of the subject of submission that the apostle Paul wrote to "the Saincts [ sic ] which are at Ephesus , [ sic ] and to the faithfull in Christ Iesus" ( see Ephesians 1:1 ).  From verse 21, we see that Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) are to submit "one to another in the feare of God."

     Considering verse 22, wives are to submit to their own husbands "as vnto the Lord."  Furthermore, according to verse 24, wives are to be subject to their own husbands "in euery thing."  When we consider Matthew 7:12, for example, Jesus teaches that we are to treat others the way we want to be treated.  Moreover, based on what Hebrews 4:14, 15 teach, for example, we can conclude that Jesus never mistreated anyone.

     Therefore, with verses 22 and 24 in mind, wives are to submit to their own husbands in everything, as unto the Lord.  A wife does not have to submit to her husband; involving a situation whereby he threatens violence against her.  Husbands must love their wives and not mistreat them, and wives must reverence their husbands.  There is a problem with domestic violence here in America, and elsewhere in the world.

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 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>