The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  Matthew 27:32 reads as follows:

"32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name.  They compelled this man to carry his cross."

This verse in the Holy Bible has a cross-reference to John 19:17: verses sixteen and seventeen read as follows:

"16 So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.  So they took Jesus, 17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha."

     At the first, we find, when comparing the two above-given passages from the Holy Bible, that Simon carrying the cross of Jesus is equated with Jesus bearing His own cross.  Moreover, the phrase "bearing his own cross," in verse seventeen ( above ), has a cross-reference to Luke 14:27, which reads as follows: "27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."  Considering this latter statement of Jesus ( see verse three ) together with verse seventeen, bearing one's own cross is the same as Jesus bearing His own cross.

     This observation clearly shows that Simon, in bearing the cross of Jesus, was also bearing his own cross, which means that the military service of a Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) is to bear his or her own cross, which is the same as one bearing the cross of Jesus.  Verse thirty-two, above ( and please read verses twenty-seven through thirty-two to get the immediate context ), is Scriptural authority for a military draft ( though we do not currently have one here in America ).  One conclusion, at which we must arrive, is that it is a sin ( see 1 John 3:4, for example ) to dodge such a draft.

     A second conclusion, which is based on the fact that women can be disciples of Jesus and bear their own crosses, is that Christian women can also serve in the military.  Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151, John 17:1, 3, and 17, and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, 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: Please read the Thursday, October 15, 2015 entry to this weblog to find additional facts regarding this subject.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the voice; being entitled: COMPASS: THE STUDY BIBLE FOR NAVIGATING YOUR LIFE.  The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible:

"Italic type indicates words not directly tied to the dynamic translation of the original language.  These words bring out the nuance of the original, assist in completing ideas, and often provide readers with information that would have been obvious to the original audience.  These additions are meant to help the modern reader better understand the text without having to stop and read footnotes or a study guide."  [  See COMPASS: THE STUDY BIBLE FOR NAVIGATING YOUR LIFE, THOMAS NELSON, NASHVILLE, DALLAS, MEXICO CITY, RIO DE JANEIRO, Compass Bible Copyright 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc., The Voice translation 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society, p. vii.  ]

Moreover, Titus 1:6 reads as follows:

"6 Here's what you should look for in an elder: he should be above suspicion; if he is married, he should be the husband of one wife, raise children who believe, and be a person who can't be accused of rough and raucous living."

     The phrase "if he is married," as we read immediately above, is troubling.  This same passage, in the King James Version ( KJV ) of the Holy Bible, which is the standard ( though not a perfect one ) by which all English versions of the Holy Bible are measured, reads as follows:

"If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly."  Clearly, an elder is to be the husband of one wife, which means that he is married.

     The questionable phrase referenced above is an error in translation.  There is at least one other questionable phrase in this version of the Holy Bible, but it is still workable, though.  Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151, John 17:1, 3, and 17, and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, 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 voice; being entitled: COMPASS: THE STUDY BIBLE FOR NAVIGATING YOUR LIFE.  Matthew 27:26-32 read as follows:

"26 So Pilate released Barabbas, and he had Jesus flogged and handed over to be crucified.  27 The governor's soldiers took Jesus into a great hall, gathered a great crowd, 28 and stripped Jesus of His clothes, draping Him in a bold scarlet cloak, the kind that soldiers sometimes wore.  29 They gathered some thorny vines, wove them into a crown, and perched that crown upon His head.  They stuck a reed in His right hand, and then they knelt before Him, this inside-out, upside-down King.  They mocked Him with catcalls.

Soldiers: Hail, the King of the Jews!

30 They spat on Him and whipped Him on the head with His scepter of reeds, 31 and when they had their fill, they pulled off the bold scarlet cloak, dressed Him in His own simple clothes, and led Him off to be crucified.  32 As they were walking, they found a man called Simon of Cyrene and forced him to carry the cross."

The word "draft" is defined as follows:

". . . . - v.t.   . . . .   2  To select and draw off, as for military service; conscript. . . ."  [  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. 294.  ]

     Moreover, the word "conscript," in the above-given definition, is defined as follows:

". . . adj.   1  Registered; enrolled.   2  Compulsorily enlisted, as a soldier or an armed force.   - n.  One who is compulsorily enrolled for military service; a draftee.   - v.t.  . . .  To force into military service; draft. . . ."  [  Ibid., pp. 213, 214.  ]

The word "Cyrene," as found in verse thirty-two ( above ), is defined as follows:

". . . a city of Libya in northern Africa (Matt.  27:32); probably modern Shahhat."  [  See BIBLE ALMANAC, PACKER, JAMES I., A.M., D.Phil., TENNEY, MERRILL C., A.M., Ph.D., and WHITE, WILLIAM, JR., Th.M., Ph.D., THE OLD-TIME GOSPEL HOUR, LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, Copyright 1980 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, p. 693.  ]

Thus, Simon, a man from Libya, was forced ( or drafted ) into military service by the governor's soldiers ( cf. verses twenty-seven and thirty-two ).

     Simon was a family man, for we find in Mark 15:21 that he was "the father of Rufus and Alexander."  However, the name of his wife is not mentioned in the sacred text of the Holy Bible ( see also Luke 23:26, for example ).  There is no indication in Scripture of him attempting to dodge this draft.

     His military service was singular in nature, namely, to bear the cross of Jesus.  The soldiers who drafted him were not only opposed to Jesus, they were directly involved in His crucifixion ( see verse thirty-one ).  Bearing the cross of Jesus carries with it the understanding that He is opposed to the concept of freedom of religion ( or the justifying of false religion - see Matthew 7:21-23, for example ), for example.

     Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) who join the United States military will have such an influence on their fellow soldiers ( see Ephesians 4:25, for example ).  Those who are drafted ( if there is one in the future ) must do the same.  Follow Simon's example.

     Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151, John 17:1, 3, and 17, and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, 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 voice; being entitled: COMPASS: THE STUDY BIBLE FOR NAVIGATING YOUR LIFE.  2 Timothy 2:15 reads as follows:

"15 Timothy, do everything you can to present yourself to God as a man who is fully genuine, a worker unashamed of your mission, a guide capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the word of truth."

In order for us, as Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), to meet the qualification for being a guide, as described in verse fifteen ( above ), we must first understand the word of truth.

     In Acts 8:31, the Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip, "How can I understand it unless I have a mentor?"  Philip had previously asked him if he understood the meaning of what he was reading ( see verse thirty, and please read verses twenty-six through forty to get the immediate context ).  From this passage in the Holy Bible, we see that Philip proved to be an effective mentor or guide, for example.

     We find no examples in the Holy Bible of women baptizing anyone, therefore, they have no authority to do this, since the heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) has not specified it in His word ( see Deuteronomy 4:2, Matthew 28:18-20, John 5:26, 27 ( KJV, for example ); 8:26; 10:30, 14:6; 17:1, 3, and 17, 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" ); 10:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), Galatians 4:30, Colossians 2:8, 9 ( KJV, for example ); 3:17, 1 John 5:7 ( KJV, for example ), and Revelation 22:18, 19, for example ).  However, Christian women can be mentors or guides ( see Titus 2:3-5, for example ).  As Christian mentors, we must give Scriptural answers.

     Please click on the link below to read today's bulletin regarding this subject:

<http://1drv.ms/1GbWbQy>.

Also, please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21; 11:14-28 ( 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 click on the back arrow ( on your web browser ) 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 ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ).  1 Corinthians 7:17-24 read as follows:

"17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.  This is my rule in all the churches.  18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised?  Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision.  Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised?  Let him not seek circumcision.  19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.  20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.  21 Were you a slave when called?  Do not be concerned about it.  (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)  22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord.  Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.  23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.  24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God."

Moreover, Ephesians 4:1-12 read as follows:

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.  8 Therefore it says, 'When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.'  9 (In saying, 'He ascended,' what does it mean but that he also descended into the lower regions, the earth?  10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)  11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

     The word "parenthetical" is defined as follows:

". . . adj.   1  Pertaining to a parenthesis.  2  Abounding in parentheses.  3  Thrown in; episodical. . . ."  [  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. 706.  ]

Paul ( see 1 Corinthians 1:1 ) wrote ( see 9:1; 16:21, for example ) the parenthetical statement ( at the end of verse twenty-one, above ) as a means of setting the context for what he would be writing in verse twenty-two.  Here, he throws in the concept of gaining one's freedom as a means of stressing obedience to the gospel of our Lord Jesus ( see 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 ( especially verses 8-10, for example ), for example ).

     Specifically, one is freed from his or her past sins when he or she is baptized, by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ ( see Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example; KJV, for example ), Romans 3:21-26 ( especially verse 25, for example; KJV, for example ); 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ), Colossians 1:15-20 ( especially verse 20, for example ), and Revelation 1:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ), for example ).  Thus, in this parenthetical statement, Paul was simply stating that one needs to avail himself or herself of the opportunity to gain freedom from his or her past sins.  This observation agrees with the context of the next two verses, where the concept of being called ( as we read in the first verse twenty-two, above ) is a reference to obedience to the gospel of our Lord Jesus, and the first verse twenty-three ( above ), teaches that we, as Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), being slaves of Christ ( again, as we read in the first verse twenty-two ), were bought with His blood: we are His property ( see Leviticus 25:44, 45, Acts 2:41, 47 ( KJV, for example ); 20:17-28 (  especially verse 28, for example; KJV, for example ), Romans 10:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); 12:1-8 ( especially verse 5, for example ); 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), for example ), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 ( especially verses 19 and 20, for example ), Ephesians 1:15-23 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ), and Hebrews 9:11-14 ( especially verse 14, for example ), for example ).

     The final thought of Paul, in this context, is that of remaining in whatever condition one is in when called ( as we read in the first verse twenty-four, above ).  Namely, if one is free, then he or she must remain free.  Likewise, if one is a slave, then he or she must remain a slave.  One implication, regarding this observation, is that not only is the free person called to have a ministry in the kingdom of God ( of which the New Testament church, the church of Christ, is the earthly realm - see Daniel 2:31-45 ( especially verse 44, for example ), Joel 2:28-32, Matthew 16:17, 18, Luke 1:26-33 ( especially verse 33, for example ), Acts, chapter 2, and Romans 16:16, for example ), but the lowly slave, as well.  This means that the heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16: 6:9, 14, for example ) calls one to the ministry regardless of his or her social status: He "shows no partiality" ( see Acts 10:34 ).

     The question, then, becomes one with respect to an individual's calling.  What were you, the reader, called to be in His kingdom?  From the list that we find in the first verse eleven ( above ), apostles with miraculous powers and prophets are no longer necessary ( see Mark 16:20, John 2:11 ( see John 2:11 ( KJV; with center-column references ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "miracles" ), Acts 1:12-26 ( especially verses 21 and 22, for example ), and 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, for example, and cf. the footnote for 2 Corinthians 8:23 to get the alternative translation for the word "messengers").

     Therefore, in this context, one's calling is that of evangelist, shepherd, and/or teacher.  Christian women can be teachers ( see 2 Timothy 1:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ); 3:10-17 ( especially verse 15, for example ), and cf. Ephesians 6:4, for example ) but they are not allowed to be evangelists, in the full sense of that calling ( see 1 Timothy 2:12, for example, and cf. Luke 15:8-10, for example ), or shepherds.  A Christian man, though, can have the calling of evangelist ( see 2 Timothy 1:2; 4:2, for example ), shepherd ( 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and 1 Peter 5:1-11 ( especially verses 1-4, for example ), for example ), or teacher ( see Acts 11:19-26 ( especially verses 25 and 26, for example ), for example ), or all three.

     Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151, John 17:1, 3, and 17, and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).  If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me be e-mail at:

     <rewillis1_1@juno.com>

     <Russell E. Willis>.

NOTE: Please read the Wednesday, September 16, 2015 and Monday, September 28, 2015 entries to this weblog to find additional facts regarding this subject.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the MODERN ENGLISH VERSION ( MEV ).  Luke 17:11-19 read as follows:

"11 As Jesus went to Jerusalem, He passed between Samaria and Galilee.  12 As He entered a village, there met him ten men who were lepers, who stood at a distance.  13 They lifted up their voices, saying, 'Jesus, Master, have pity on us!'  14 When He saw them, He said to them, 'Go, show yourselves to the priests.'  And as they went, they were cleansed.  15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned with a loud voice glorifying God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks.  And he was a Samaritan.  17 Jesus said, 'Were not the ten cleansed?  Where are the nine?  18 Were there not any found to return and give glory to God except this foreigner?'  19 Then He said to him, 'Rise, go your way.  Your faith has made you well.'"

As Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), are we thankful that we have been cleansed of our spiritual leprosy?

     Please click on the link below to read today's bulletin regarding leprosy, spiritual leprosy, and baptism:

<http://1drv.ms/1OqB2os>.

Also, please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see John 17:1, 3, and 17, and 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>.

NOTE: You will need to click on the back arrow ( on your web browser ) 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 ENGLISH BIBLE; being entitled: THE NEW ENGLISH BIBLE WITH THE APOCRYPHA.  Psalm 128:1 reads as follows:

"1 Happy are all who fear the LORD, who live according to his will."

The psalmist, here, presents the requirement for happiness.

     If one fears the LORD, it follows that he or she will live according to His will.  What is His will?  The heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) desires that we love our neighbor as ourself ( see Matthew 22:39, for example ), for example.

     One inherent lesson, in this passage from the Holy Bible, is a love of self, though we are not to think too highly in this regard ( see Romans 12:3, for example ).  This love of self means that we will not intentionally harm ourselves, rather, we provide and care for our own body, which is "how Christ treats the church, because it is his body" ( see Ephesians 5:29, 30 ).  Suicidal intent violates His command ( see Ecclesiastes 12:13 and Romans 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), for example ) for love, as it relates to oneself.

     Moreover, "everyone who hates his brother is a murderer" ( see 1 John 3:15 ).  A second lesson Jesus ( see Matthew 22:29 ) taught ( as referenced above - see also John 8:26; 10:30; 14:6, 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, and 1 John 5:7 ( KJV, for example ), for example ) is that of having the same love for one's neighbor as for self.  Love "thinks no evil" ( see 1 Corinthians 13:5; MEV, for example ) and, thus, hatred for our neighbor is a thought that must not occur.  Murderous intent violates His command for love of neighbor.

     Anyone who desires suicide, murder, or both, does not fear the LORD and, therefore, is not a happy individual.  Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151, John 17:1, 3, and 17, and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, 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>.