Gary Patton's List: religion

• What is the Significance of the New Testament's use of the Word "Ekklesia?"
• at the beginning of the Tribulation

• Romans 11:17-21
• do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches
• Do not be arrogant,^{E)" class="crossreference">} but tremble.^{F)" class="crossreference">} ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

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• everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will live eternally; and on the last day, I am the One who will resurrect him.
• “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
• If the Father who sent Me does not draw you, then there’s no way you can come to Me. But I will resurrect everyone who does come on the last day.

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• Luke 12:47-49

  • "Sin is Not Without Consequences for Christians"
    Christians Beware!
    
    In Luke 12:47-49, Jesus clearly warns us that we will suffer severe consequences ...even in Christ... when we do not act on what we know to be right.
    
    © GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2013-02-03)
• ⁴⁷ “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows

  • Because Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave to cover them as proof of His Father's acceptance of God the Son's sacrifice for our awful behaviour, does not mean He ignores our sin when we KNOW better.
• From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

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• Romans 5:3-5

  • What The Bible Says Is Below
    
    What Others Say on This Subject
    
    "Like a fence, character cannot be strengthened by whitewash." ~ American proverb
    
    What I Suggest About This Passage
    
    In Romans 5:3-5, of the New Covenant section of the Christian Bible, Jesus' Apostle (sent-out-one), Paul tells us what produces character.
    
    And building R-E-A-L character (Relational-Engaging-Authentic-Loving & Life-giving) is what God is about during the earthly portion of a Jesus Follower's eternal life.
    
    You can read my further comments on this passage in e-Sticky Notes attached to individual verses below. To see them, click the small, numbered icon at the beginning of an highlighted Verse.
    
    © GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2013-01-25)
• we^{a]" class="footnote">[a]} also rejoice in our sufferings,^{A)" class="crossreference">(A)} because we know that suffering produces perseverance;^{B)" class="crossreference">(B)} ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope.

  • Non one I know likes the idea of suffering. (I know no masochists. :-))
    
    But our ever-loving heavenly Father promises that our trials will produce the perseverance indicated in verse 4 here as essential to producing character He wants in us. He says so at James 1:2-8 at http://diigo.com/0qoff .
    
    In addition, in One Corinthians 10:13 at http://diigo.com/0jmgy God also promises some incredibly exciting things that will accompany EVERY trial He allows to come our way. Check these out. You'll be encouraged.
• does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love^{D)" class="crossreference">(D)} into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,^{E)" class="crossreference">(E)} whom he has given us.

  • Many people, including nominal Christians, confirm in survey after survey that they often, or even usually, feel hopeless.
    
    This verse makes clear that the hope which God the Father places in the hearts of Jesus Followers by sending the Holy Spirit to live in us (One Corinthians 6:18-20 at http://diigo.com/0qjns) is 'sure' because He is ever-loving as confirmed at One John 4:15-17 at http://diigo.com/0qe80 .

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• Luke 12:47-48

  • "God punishes Conscious Sin More Harshly"
    
    What Others Say on This Subject
    
    "The wages of sin is death!" ~ Apostle Paul at http://diigo.com/0vy1l
    
    What I Suggest About This Passage
    
    Luke 12:47-4 below seems to confirm a crucial Biblical principle of justice. It is that the more knowledge we have that our action is wrong, the more guilty we are, and the more deserving of punishment.
    
    You can read my further comments on this passage in e-Sticky Notes attached to individual verses below. To see them, click the small, numbered icon at the beginning of an highlighted Verse.
    
    What The Bible Says Is Below
    
    © GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-05-18)
• The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.
• the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.

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• 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

  • "Who Is 'The god of This Age' and What's That god Up To"
    
    2 Corinthians 4:3-4 makes clear that someone or something prevents many, called unbelievers in the Christian New Covenant (Testament), from hearing the "Gospel" (Good News") of Jesus of Nazareth.
    
    Irrespective of the debate about who or what, that god (small 'g') may be, there can be no real debate about Whom the Biblical Christ mentioned in this passage is. He IS historical, real Jesus of Christian Bible ... NOT the ahistorical, mythical Isa of the Islamic Qur'an.
    
    This is true regardless of what some Christians or churches teach, as I outline in my e-Sticky Note comments below.
    
    GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-02-19 & 2011-12-20)
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• if our gospel^{A)" class="crossreference">} is veiled
• if our gospel^{A)" class="crossreference">(A)} is veiled

  • The Gospel here referred to in the Koine Greek in which the New Covenant of the Bible originally was written means "Good News". This "Good News" is the miracle that every wo(man) can be reconciled to the One God regardless of the personal sins and their sin nature.
    
    The Gospel confirms that this reconciliation is only available through Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew), the "Son of God" or "God the Son" is the One God Almighty, Who operates in concert with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
    
    Jesus Himself says that He is "the only way" back to God in John 14:6 at http://diigo.com/0qe5p . The historical Jesus was more than a Prophet and a good man. When considering Who He really was, people have ONLY three options:
    1. Jesus was a liar.
    2. Jesus was a lunatic
    3. Jesus was Lord God ...and Who He said He was;
    
    Reconciliation with God occurs when anyone believes and acts on the historical fact that Jesus, God in flesh and bones, Emmanuel, God with us, came to earth, lived a sinless life, died to pay the penalty that sinning requires and rose from His grave proving victory of sin and it's penalty death in separation from God.
    
    As the Son of God, Jesus is the Second Person of what Jesus Followers call the "Trinity" or God as "Three in One". These three Persons are God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
    
    And this Jesus is NOT the Muslim Isa of the Qur'an as I outline in my explanation of Who is the 'Christ' mentioned in Verse 3.
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• it is veiled to those who are perishing

  • Who are "the perishing" referred to here by Paul, Jesus' "Apostle" or "sent out one".
    
    They are everyone who does not believe in nor actively follow Jesus.
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• The god^{D)" class="crossreference">(D)} of this age

  • Many Christians argue this 'god' is Satan. Some argue it's 'materialism'. Still others put forward other candidates.
    
    Since everything negative comes from the Devil according to the Bible in John 10:10 at http://diigo.com/0kmqx , I vote for Satan being "the god" of this passage.
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• The god^{D)" class="crossreference">} of this age
• has blinded^{F)" class="crossreference">} the minds of unbelievers
• the glory of Christ,^{G)" class="crossreference">(G)} who is the image of God.^{H)" class="crossreference">}

  • Jesus the Christ (Messiah) is NOT the Isa of the Islamic Qur'an as one can confirm by reading how He is described by the Muslim Deity, Allah, in their principal Holy Book ...especially Qur'an:
    • 3:52 (Jesus & His Apostles were Muslims);
    • 4:157 (He was not crucified);
    • 4:171-172 (only a prophet & will be judged for not worshipping Allah);
    • 5:116 (never proclaimed His deity);
    • 6:101 (was ONLY human)
    • 6:106 (not God Almighty);
    • 19:35 (not God the Son);
    • 19:88-89 (His Sonship a monstrous lie);
    • 23:88-92 (not Lord over all)
    • 25:2 (not part of Trinity);
    • 39:4 (not God the Son), and
    • 72:3 (not worthy of worship).
    
    You can find an actual comparison of verses regarding what the Christian Bible vs. the Muslim Qur'an says about Jesus. I outline these in my short article "The R.E.A.L. Jesus vs. unR.E.A.L. Isa". Its one of my YouVersion Bible Notes.
    
    Currently, there is a dramatic upsurge in the historically ever-present persecution of all Infidels (non-Muslims). It is taking place throughout the world in Arab lands, African lands, Asian lands, and Sinic lands. Wherever Muslims are a majority, the largest non-Muslim religious group, Christians, are under vicious Muslim attack, often by ordinary Street Muslims ...not just well-publicized, so-called radical Islamists.
    
    This horrible persecution is commanded in all the forms outlined below by Islam's holiest book, the Qur'an. The Qur'anic verses noted below are the directives for legal persecution Infidels because all are still supported as applicable by every School of Islamic Jurisprudence, regardless of sect.
    
    The Qur'an bluntly states that, especially Christians and Jews among Infidels, the "People of the Book" are the "worst of creatures" related to "apes and pigs". (Qur'an 4:51-52; 5:59-60; 98:6)
    
    Christian persecution right now includes such atrocities as:
    • destruction of ancient religious artifacts and church burnings (dictated by the still-followed 7th Century "Pact of Umar" at http://diigo.com/0mmsj ),
    • extortions (the jizya, i.e., tribute payments and subjugated, second-class existence for those who refuse to convert to Islam commanded by Qur'an 9:29),
    • crucifixions, disfigurements, and mutilations (5:33),
    • enslavement of Christian women and children as concubines (23:5-6 & 70:29-30),
    • forced conversion to Islam (using numerous verses re the superiority and ultimate domination of Islam)
    • misogynism towards second class citizens (d'himmis) (2.228, 2.282 and 4.11)
    • mob riot and terrorization (8:39)
    • property theft () plus,
    • murders (9:5), and commonly,
    • rapes and sodomizations of wo(men) and even children as documented at http://is.gd/mbINU1 (23:5-6 & 70:29-30 ).
    
    The Qur'an further states clearly, and in context, that Allah, the Muslim deity, motivates all this horror ...directly. (Qur'an 8:9-12)
    
    You can find documentation of the above by non-Christian, third-party groups on many Web sites. Two I trust are those of Raymond Ibrahim, who publishes a monthly Report: "Muslim Persecution of Christians at http://is.gd/XJmoVH plus Barnabas Aid at http://is.gd/kZZ3lE . You also can donate, with confidence to support our Christian Brothers and Sisters in a country of your choice whenever you feel led at the Barnabas Aid site.
    
    Please further educate yourself about the dangers of radical Islam, the religion which is a whole life ideology ...not just its violent jihadist Muslim practitioners.
    
    Then, those of you who Follow Jesus, please join me in praying for the Muslim persecutors as well as those they persecute in EVERY non-Muslim faith group plus even their so-called 'apostate' coreligionists.
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• Hebrews 4:11-15 
• Hebrews 4:11-15

  • "Jesus is The Word of God ...Not The Christian Bible"
    
    The Writer of Hebrews declares very clearly here in Hebrews 4:12-13 that Jesus IS the Word of God ...not the Bible. Portions of the latter, I feel, are better described as "the "word(s) of God".
    
    This comment includes the Gospels of 'The Word of God'?
    
    GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-08-26)
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• For ^(C)the word of God

  • In John 1:1, at http://diigo.com/0mjuf , Jesus also is called "The Word ('Logos' in Greek) of God".
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• And ^(J)there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are ^(K)open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

  • Verses 13 here confirms even more clearly, I suggest, that the Son of God ...not the Bible... is the "Word of God" ...unless one tries to argue that the Writer here is personifying the Bible when s(he) uses the words "he" and "him" in this verse.
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• Hebrews 11:1-6

  • "Faith Trumps Knowing" http://diigo.com/0vhnu
    
    Hebrews 11:1 & 6 highlighted below prove the accuracy of my S-M-A-R-TTip™ which says:
    "Believing is more powerful than knowing!" ~ gfp '42™
    
    GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2013-01-06)
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• Now faith is being sure of what we hope for^{A)" class="crossreference">(A)} and certain of what we do not see.^{B)" class="crossreference">}
• And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him^{I)" class="crossreference">(I)} must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

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• 1 Timothy 6:11-13

  • "How to Live A Life Lived & Finished Well"
    
    1 Timothy 6:11-13 clarifies how Jesus would have His Followers lead a life of passion and perseverance.
    
    Only in this way can a Jesus Follower fulfill the destiny the One God prepared for each of His Sons and Daughters before the beginning of time as outlined in the Bible at http://diigo.com/0n20e .
    
    And we can only do this by letting our Lord live His life out through us as it says at http://diigo.com/0jggi .
    
    GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-12-27)
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• Colossians 2:6-20

  • "Freedom From Rituals, Rites and Rules of Religion plus Human Regulations"
    
    In Colossians 2:6-20. The Apostle (Sent-Out-One) Paul clearly explains why the above is true and why Jesus condemned the "traditions of the Elders" in Mark 7:4-13 at http://diigo.com/0v710 .
    
    GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-12-21)
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• 1 Corinthians 2:9

  • "The Benefits of Living In the Kingdom of God"
    
    In 1 Corinthians 2:9 below of the Christian New Covenant, the One God explains how truly glorious it is to be re-united in his "Kingdom on Earth" with Him through the redeeming and sacrificial death of Jesus
    
    GaryFPatton
    © Copyright gfp '42™ 2012-11-27
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• it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—

  • How exciting is that as your benefits for being a Jesus Follower in these "End of Times"? How to become one is outlined in Romans 10:8-12 at http://diigo.com/0lk6j ?
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• So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.
• Here they crucified him, and with him two others^{F)" class="crossreference">}—one on each side and Jesus in the middle
• Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth,^{G)" class="crossreference">} the king of the jews.^{H)" class="crossreference">}
• written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.
• When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes

  • First Century peoples had a VERY different attitude towards nudity than more modern ones. Ancient people groups bathed or performed ritual purification rites publicly in the nude using either in public baths or lakes and waterways.
    
    Nonetheless, stripping their condemned criminals nude, both females and males, before hanging them on a cross was an additional degradation and humiliation performed intentionally by the Romans who perfected the cruel torture of death by crucifixion.
    
    Of the three largest religious groups in the world today, the great majority of their members eschew public nakedness. They all do so for purely cultural, not religious, reasons, despite what many of them believe about their Holy Books. Their Holy Books do not prohibit public nudity. In fact, all are at least neutral on the subject.
    
    For example, most Christians now confuse simply being naked in the presence of another with always having sexual intercourse. They've done so since about the early 19th Century and the advent of Victorian prudery which was inaugurated by the church.
    
    Modern Jews, also, have abandoned their Biblical tradition of public, nude bathing for ritual purification.
    
    Many Muslim males passionately avoid any display of skin in public except that of the hands and face. Some Muslim cultural traditions require females above puberty to wear a burqua which totally hides their bodies in public and prohibits them being with a non-relative male in public on the pain of severe physical and emotional penalties.
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• This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled^{K)" class="crossreference">} which said,

  “They divided my garments among them
      and cast lots for my clothing.
•  Later, knowing that all was now completed,^{S)" class="crossreference">} and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled,^{T)" class="crossreference">} Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar^{U)" class="crossreference">} was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”^{V)" class="crossreference">} With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
•  Now it was the day of Preparation,^{W)" class="crossreference">} and the next day was to be a special Sabbath
• one of the soldiers pierced^{Z)" class="crossreference">} Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.^{AA)" class="crossreference">}
• These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled:^{AD)" class="crossreference">} “Not one of his bones will be broken,”^{b]" class="footnote">[b]}^{AE)" class="crossreference">} ³⁷ and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”^{c]" class="footnote">[c]}

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• almost

  • "Genocide In Canada"
    
    As the only nation in the world with absolutely no protection for the pre-born, Canada murdered almost 100,000 children in 2009 ...a national disaster.
    
    And far more females than males are murdered!
    
    GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-12-10)
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• 100,000 documented terminations

• Why Zombies Should Matter to Christians

  • "Why Zombies Should Matter"
    
    This article would better be titled: "Why Zombies Should Matter to All Those Who Don't Now Follow Jesus!"
    
    Read on to discover why this is true and what one can do to avoid a horrible coming reality!
    
    GaryFPatton (gfp '42™ 2012-12-08)
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• Zombies now are featured in top-rated cable TV shows, and in apocalyptic novels and survival guides.
• The zombie myth is rooted in something quite real, and quite terrifying. The zombie stories emerged in a Caribbean context of brutal slavery. The zombie’s horror is that he is, she writes, a slave forever. After all, if even death cannot free you, you can never be free.
• That’s exactly the point, and here’s why it should matter to Christians.

  • Truthfully, it's not Jesus Followers who need to pay rapt attention to what follows here and why they should care ...but everbody who is NOT a Jesus Follower. (BTW, that's NOT automatically the same as calling yourself a Christian.)
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• They are horrifying because they represent what ought to repulse us: the rotting decay of death. But they still walk. And, beyond that, they still crave. In their search for human brains, they are driven along by their appetites, though always under the sway of a slavemaster’s will.
• That’s our story

  • By "our", the author means the "human" story!
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• The biblical story of the Fall of humanity is one of a humanity that comes under the sway of death by obeying the appetite.
• He sentences us to the curse of death so that, ultimately, we can be redeemed.

  • The Bible makes clear that our first parents died both physically, eventually, and also spiritually, immeditely, because they were NO longer in relationship with our God.
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• The Gospel tells us that, apart from Christ, we were walking in the flesh, that is slavishly obeying our biological impulses and appetites without the direction of the Spirit. As such, we were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
• This walking death, the Apostle Paul writes, was driven along as we “carried out the desires of the body and the mind” (Ephesians 2:3).
• Caribbean people could resonate with the horror of zombies because they knew what it was like to be enslaved by evil people, with no hope of escape.
• The Gospel doesn’t just extend our lives forever into eternity. That’s what we, left to ourselves, think we want.
• Jesus points out that he wants to eternalize his present state rather than to be hidden in the life of Jesus Himself. That’s a zombie walk, and Jesus loves us too much for that.
• Jesus offers instead life, and that abundantly, as we eat of His flesh, drink of His blood, share in His triumph over the accusing slavemaster.

  • You can read Jesus' promise at http://diigo.com/0jtyy for being fully engaged with Him and letting Him live His life out through you while we're on the planet. That's what in ancient times people would have heard when Jesus told His listeners they had to "eat his fish and drink his blood".
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