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Tag: Genesis

Predictions of Prophets and missions of gods
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Cover photo: statue of Emperor Claudius as the Greek god Jupiter.
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Some Prophets from Jerusalem

Now in those days, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
ACTS 11:27 Legacy Standard Bible

A believer in Christ, follower of a false prophet, worshiper of an ancient god or iconic contemporary might easily miss the significance of these four verses from ACTS of the Apostles.

As you may recall from our previous look at ACTS 11:26, we have been in Antioch for a year now.

https://talkofjesus.com/an-antioch-blueprint-of-church-evangelism/
Antioch was 3rd largest city in the Roman Empire, a commercial center of trade with all the world

‘Christians‘ – a label by outsiders

The followers of Jesus were so different from the culture around them.. Clearly the followers of the
Way’ .. people of all cultural backgrounds, weren’t Jews. Gentile observers called them, “little Christs.”
Tony Merida – Christ-centered Exposition – Exalting Jesus in Acts [p. 162]

As we observed last time these events took place around A.D. 40 just a few years after the resurrection of Jesus. But these are also tumultuous times for the Roman Empire ruling over a largely Greek-speaking world once ruled by Alexander the Great just three centuries earlier.

Conquering Roman leaders would march their captives into Rome and be worshiped as gods. These mere men likened themselves to the many idols of Rome and gods of ancient Greece and eastern lands where Jews were also led as captives centuries before.

“Only gods may choose new gods.
Claudius, as he refused the request of Alexandrian Greeks to dedicate a temple to his divinity
Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar Drusus (1 August 10 BC–13 October 54), originally known as Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, was the fourth Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 24 January 41 to his death in 54. – source

Claudius

On 24 January 41, Caligula was assassinated in a broad-based conspiracy involving Cassius Chaerea – a military tribune in the Praetorian Guard – and several senators..

The Senate quickly met and began debating a change of government, but this eventually devolved into an argument over which of them would be the new princeps. When they heard of the Praetorians’ claim, they demanded that Claudius be delivered to them for approval, but he refused, sensing the danger that would come with complying.

Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some historians, particularly Josephus, claim that Claudius was directed in his actions by the Judean King Herod Agrippa..

[Who we will meet later in Acts of the Apostles during upcoming missions of the Apostle Paul.]
Claudius was the first emperor proclaimed on the initiative of the Praetorian Guard instead of the Senate [of Rome]
source [more below]

Claudius was concerned with the spread of eastern mysteries within the city and searched for more Roman replacements.. He expelled foreign astrologers, and at the same time rehabilitated the old Roman soothsayers (known as haruspices) as a replacement..

Claudius forbade proselytizing in any religion, even in those regions where he allowed natives to worship freely. [Freedom from {other} religion – sound familiar?}]

It is also reported that at one time he expelled the Jews from Rome. [SEE ACTS 18]

In the world you will have tribulation..

Claudius restored the status of the peaceful Imperial Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaea as senatorial provinces.

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. – Acts 11:1

“And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ – Acts 11:16

Acts 11 continued

27 Now in those days, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.

The bold prophesy of future desolation

Who has ever heard of this prophet?

And what brashness to predict some future disaster coming to all the inhabited world!

A POWERFUL prince may predict what disaster he will bring upon the lands he will invade or a lord of legions may cause the devastation of his own citizens, but who can say what the Lord God will do to the whole world?

And who would believe it anyway?

(What can mere mortal men do even knowing of such disasters yet to come?)

Ἄγαβος? (Never heard of him.)

Agabus is a Christian prophet.

Luke’s account of this prediction reveals the power behind Agabus’ prediction of famine is none other than the Holy Spirit of God, Who has already intervened with some frequency in Acts of the Apostles.

From their own history the Jews know that God will certainly do what he reveals through his prophets.

دانيال (Daniel) 5 :: Open New Arabic Version (NAV)

When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he said to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem.. They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand came out and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.
.. Then Daniel was brought in before the king..
“This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.
Daniel 5:2a,4-5,13a,26 LSB

Joseph – a similar prophecy from Scripture

Even though you may not know of Agabus you likely know the preparation of Egypt due to the prophesy of Joseph. The Church, too, will take Agabus at his word through the Spirit and prepare itself from the famine yet to come.

التكوين (Genesis) 41 :: Open New Arabic Version (NAV)

Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream.. And the ugly and [lean of flesh] thin cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.
..seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. And behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; yet I have heard it said about you, that you hear a dream and that you can interpret it.”
Genesis 41:1a,4,5b-6,15

Joseph, Daniel, Agabus & the true Prophets of God

What is it that ALL these true Prophets of the Lord God have in common?

Daniel had reminded Belshazzar son of Nebuchadnezzar how the LORD had given his father power to rule.

“[lit. You king] O king, the Most High God granted the kingdom, grandeur, glory, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father.
Daniel 5:18 LSB

Joseph, Son of Israel (Jacob) gives Pharaoh a similar answer:

Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will answer concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.”
Genesis 41:16 LSB

The prophesies of the true prophet of God are neither self-serving nor words of their own AND the prophesy of the LORD will always take place as the Lord has revealed to his prophet.

Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah [the god speaks and he lives; treasury of the glorious rest; savior of the age]
Genesis 41:45a; link above to Strong’s H6847

The hundreds of disciples of the risen Christ who had received the Holy Spirit all knew that the prophesy of Agabus would be fulfilled, just as prophesies of saviors of their past had come true.

THEREFORE

Like Joseph, the disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (whom some present had witnessed after the Lord’s resurrection) obediently prepared for their certain future.

And as any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the service of the brothers living in Judea.
Acts 11:29 LSB

.. and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts of the Apostles 11:25b NASB

These men and women joined in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit believed this prophesy of Agabus that a famine was about to come upon the whole Roman world. They must support the Apostles of Jesus and fellow followers of The Way in Jerusalem. For these men would be blamed more than most and persecuted as Christians have already suffered even more so in these days to come.

And as for their contribution for fellow saints in Judea:

And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

These are politically troubling times not only in Jerusalem but in Rome and throughout the Roman Empire.

King Herod (as we have just learned) is all caught up in the politics and religion issues with Claudius, Emperor and lord Caesar of the whole world; which, of course, includes Jerusalem.
To be continued.. NEXT: in Jerusalem
August 1, 2022
Everythingology for an all-inclusive church
When did astrology become astronomy and science become ‘everythingology?’
Each time adam sought to explain life separate of the glory of God and science dismissed the study of God.
Roger@TalkofJESUS.com

Let’s study it:

The SCIENCE of false premise

Last time I asked you, (my fellow ‘Christian’ with little interest in ‘theology‘):

Did God really say, Church?

Does the person asking you about “Church“ really want to know what God said?

AND

I warned that not only is it unlikely any man or woman will ask you about your church, but that their least likely question to you will be about THE LORD GOD.

IF & WHEN, however, you happen to identify someone telling you about their science and religion of atheism

AND they want to prove to you WHY GOD is not,

Recognize that the enemy of Truth cannot prove anything from every false premise.

Take any observation of mankind:

James Webb Space Telescope Science
The James Webb Space Telescope will be a giant leap forward in our quest to understand the Universe and our origins. JWST will examine every phase of cosmic history: from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets to the evolution of our own solar system. The science goals for the Webb can be grouped into four themes:

The End of the Dark Ages: First Light and Reionization – JWST will be a powerful time machine with infrared vision that will peer back over 13.5 billion years to see the first stars and galaxies forming out of the darkness of the early universe.

Even the atheist must confess that they do not have the answer to WHY?
i.e. WHY the Big Bang?
(It is a theory with speculative premise, right?)
(explain please in your COMMENT to this post about ‘everythingology‘)

SO WHY does the ATHEIST persist in asking the CHRISTIAN, “Why?”

THEY would bring believers down to the despair of THEIR own depths.
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Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.
Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.

But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me. Selah

Psalm 49:14-15 ESV
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Science-onomy & Science-ology

At best, it’s speculative entertainment of an evolved brain of an ape, calculating how train B left the primordial station at the beginning of the line without a builder of its hypersonic engine, to arrive at their earth just in time for them to teach it as ‘proven science.’

WHY so much ‘SCIENCE’ built on FALSE PREMISE?
- Is their premise a veiled dismissal of God
  - (Most likely.)
- and does their ‘SCIENCE‘ disprove God’s Word?
  - (The goal of their questions)
Certainly NOT!

There is NO CONCLUSION for the a-theist,

because they understand that their END will be ashes and dust..

But then, the JUDGEMENT!

And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
Psalm 9:8 [Lexicon :: Strong’s H1777 – dîn – to judge, contend, plead]
1. Because the A-theist stands against the Lord God, THEY must continually QUESTION GOD: i.e. “Did God really say..?”
2. THEN (like Satan) an A-theist must reconstruct TRUTH
3. into a PROOF of Another-truth, built on a FALSE PREMISE.
  1. Some claim their Alternative-truth as proven ‘science.’
  2. Others claim their Alternative-truth as speculative ‘history.’
  3. Still others claim their Alternative-truths as SCIENCE-ONOMY (with any number of familiar names).
What can we know with certainty?

WHEN SCIENCE side-steps LOGIC by tiptoeing around TRUTH, it becomes religion – the A-theist’s doctrine of the distrust of Almighty God, built on inconclusive false premises leading to NO conclusion.
Roger@TalkofJESUS.COM
- What can we know about sociology or psychology with absolute certainty?
- What can we know about ecology or cosmology with absolute certainty?
  - Was a scientist nearby to record the age of the universe?
    Could our mathematical (algebraical) calculations of the numerous variable unknowns of scientific presuppositions of geology and archeology be wrong (inconclusive)?
- How did the archeologist measure rock formed before carbon?
- Did some astronomer set out his telescope and tape to measure the light of Creation?
  - Were ‘light-years’ recorded with white light, curved light, ultraviolet light, x-ray, blacklight or with a nuclear flash?
  - Could Almighty God cause light to travel a varying speeds through some parts of space?
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Who is this who darkens the divine plan
By words without knowledge?
“Now tighten the belt on your waist like a man [for battle],
And I shall ask you, and you inform Me!
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding,
“Who set its measurements? Since you know.
Or who stretched the measuring line over it?
Job 38:1-5 NASB20

Science-onomy

Origin & history
From Ancient Greek νόμος (“law, custom”).
Suffix
-nomy
a system of rules, laws, or knowledge about a body of a particular field; distribution, arrangement, management
Derived words & phrases
astronomy
Deuteronomy
“-onomy” – WordSense Online Dictionary (15th July, 2022) URL: https://www.wordsense.eu/-onomy/

Is ALL Law perfect? & do ALL Customs establish FACT?

Science-ology

ology (English)
Origin & history
From the suffix -ology in the names of many sciences
Suffix
-ology
1. Alternative form of –logy, used for phonological reasons when the preceding morpheme ends in certain consonant sounds.
2. (often, humorous) added to an ordinary English word to create a name for a (possibly non-existent) field of study.

-ology – branch of learning
“definition 2 of -ology best describes “everythingology“

Everythingology –

Everythingology – definition:
1. Endless study of everything;
2. Theoretical theology of humanity as god.
TalkofJESUS.com

History & Evolution of the SCIENCE of Everythingology
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Compare to: Ancient Aliens (source: History Channel)
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Proponents of hell’s Devils [PhD’s] esteemed by the Universities of Everythinology preach from their pulpits of MULTIPLE TRUTHS with theoretical atheistic clubs of pointed QUESTIONS seeking to validate their rejection of God. These Doctors of Blurred Science matriculated through curricular gauntlets of eminent scholars of philosophy, who grade ALL their best teaching assistants on the curve and fail any logical conspiracy purists who support a single Truth.

The indisputable EDUCATION of this great Blurred Science continues to evolve toward the perfection of self B.S. demands for our future generations. For example: the evolution of astrology evolves into astronomy — which in turn seeks to gain credibility under the cloak of astrophysics. ALL Science offers numerous examples of this progress away the ignorance of our primordial forebears who fought sabre-tooth and nail for our freedoms and survival.

ALL PhD’s of U of E speculate WHY by teaching darwinology, as professor progeny of history’s fittest primates, hoping by their unspoken premise to strike a mortal blow to the head of logical truth. Their multiple truths must include EVERY human of any theoretical variant — inclusive of all, that is, EXCEPT a man or a woman insistent on One Way, one Truth and One eternal life lived for One God.

Everything-ologists are Religious HUMANS

You will learn SCIENTIFIC teaching [in-doctrine-ation] by HUMANS, cloaked in coats of many truths taught from every scientific discipline; in order that you may apply their theories to humankind, mother earth’s environment and the cosmos for your inner-evolvement of self and the future evolution of SCIENCE into the oneness of HUMANITY.
Student Manual – Universities of Everythinology

These humans hold high reverence for philosophy, rather than tolerate a philosophical reverence of Truth.
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By now, you no doubt see through the academic robes of these Everythingologists exposing their humorous backsides by so many QUESTIONS asking WHY about GOD and Christ's Church. Perhaps if they had studied Orwellian theory [i.e. Animal Farm, 1984], they would name their church: "MINISTRY OF TRUTH." 

Perhaps in a not-so-humorous world of 2022 of 'the common era,' we have evolved into U.N. agencies of Everything-isms determined to bring the Church to Megiddo in a battle for Truth.
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REMEMBER: WHO IS ASKING?

(And WHAT are they subtly teaching?)

One ‘ology’ always absent in false teaching is “Christology,” the developed doctrine of Christ.

Christology

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Letter of Paul to the Romans 5:8 NASB

Already by the middle of the first century, the deity of Jesus was part of the faith of the universal church. It cannot and must not be compromised today.
John Stott – CHRIST the Cornerstone, p.304
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We will hear much more uncompromised Truth from John Stott, Boothe, Murray, Carson, Lloyd-Jones, Bunyan and other Christian theologians as we continue this SERIES addressing the issues of a 21st Century RECALL of the CHURCH.

Grace and peace, in our Lord Christ Jesus.
RH
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July 16, 2022
Did God really say, Church?
Yes! God said, “CHURCH.”

Let’s be clear up front. I can assure you through Scripture (the written word of God we call THE BIBLE) that our Creator said, “Church.”

So that we are on the same page (so to speak) I will get to a written definition of Church shortly. But first — and perhaps more importantly — I have a question to ask YOU.

WHO is Asking?
- Why is THIS important?
- Does the person asking you about “Church“ really want to know what God said?
- OR
- Is this question of theirs a veiled dismissal of God
  - AND built on a premise opposed to the Authority of God’s Word?
Who believes that God created the CHURCH?

FIRST: Most likely NO ONE has asked you about your “church.”

If you made a list including one hundred [100] from your neighborhood, work and extended family,
- HOW MANY would even ASK YOU ANYTHING about CHURCH or GOD or Jesus Christ?
Perhaps, one?
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(Not even Christians of our church typically engage each other in conversation about 'church'  beyond the walls of the church building or in our mortal time beyond a single worship service duplicated twice on Sunday.)
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SECONDLY: IF you ever hear a person ask you about your ‘church‘ and Scripture ,

ASK YOURSELF, “WHO IS ASKING?”

You probably know several variations of the original QUESTION directly from your Bible.

וְהַנָּחָשׁ הָיָה עָרוּם מִכֹּל חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל־הָאִשָּׁה אַף כִּֽי־אָמַר אֱלֹהִים לֹא תֹֽאכְלוּ מִכֹּל עֵץ הַגָּֽן׃
Bereishit (Genesis) 3:1 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)
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Of course most of us cannot read the original so we must rely on a translation of Scripture (me included)-- but (keep in mind) -- 

NO man or woman can claim truth while they reconstruct Scripture into words they want the Bible to say. 

WORDS have both meaning and intent. Therefore a preacher or teacher of the BIBLE MUST stick to preaching or teaching from a reliable English translation AND NOT SUBSTITUTE your own 'better,' less-offensive words.

The BIG QUESTION of THE DECEIVER goes something like the reconstruction by Satan sketched out (and linked) below.
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Does the preacher of the Word who shepherds your church have the integrity to ALWAYS use the written word of God from the Bible as written?
Roger@TalkofJESUS.com [Your response or question by email is welcome.]

Questioning and Reconstructing God’s Word
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An example from Genesis 3:
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Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.

And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said,
Genesis 3:1b NASB95

‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”
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Again, WATCH OUT! Whenever you hear anyone ask, 'has God said...'
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“Church“

Call it what you like, but different people mean different things when they say, ‘church.’

This is so even for members or attenders of the very same church. So let’s settle on some standard definitions of our references to ‘the church.’

ἐκκλησία – ek-klay-see’-ah [feminine noun]

Strong’s G1577 – ekklēsia [click for complete definition of ‘church’]
- a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place
No mention of the ‘church building’ here, although this ‘public place’ could be a building, tent, other home or anywhere two or three ‘citizens’ are gathered together.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; G1577 and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Gospel of Matthew 16:18 KJV – first use of the word ‘church‘ G1537 ekklēsia in the New Testament

Christians and unbelievers alike think of CHURCH as an exclusive reference to a building or place where JESUS worshipers gather together as a ‘religious’ routine typically on Sunday only.

However, a deeper look into how ‘church’ is used in the Bible — Old Testament AND New — will reveal a more significant connection of this ‘gathering of citizens’ to the LORD God.

Gather me the people together – קָהַל

The summons or call to worship is from the LORD Himself!

The first reference to the ‘church’ or gathering in the Greek Septuagint comes from the LORD through Moses. Each assembly of the hebrew people, the citizens called out of Egypt and frequently out of their tents in the wilderness, was called by the LORD GOD.

The LORD calls out the CHURCH, a chosen company of worshipers of the LORD our God.
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View a link to these references from the Septuagint in the common Greek of the first century Roman Empire when Israel no longer existed and JESUS taught in Galilee, Samaria and Judea.
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“Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Assemble the people to Me, that I may have them hear My words so that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’
Deuteronomy 4:10

“The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly..
“This is in accordance with everything that you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Do not let me hear the voice of the LORD my God again, and do not let me see this great fire anymore, or I will die!’
Deuteronomy 9:10; 18:16

It’s pretty serious business:

However, the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will wipe him out of My book. But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless on the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
Exodus 32:33-34 NASB20

— a chosen citizenry created in the image of the LORD against whom they turn (again and again)

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד׃
“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:4 :: WLC; 6:5 NASB20

Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the LORD, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.
Exodus 34:10 NASB20

— the LAW of the LORD our God (broken again and again)

“Be careful that you do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst.
Exodus 34:12 NASB20

— covenant, solemn promise after solemn promise (broken again and again)

“For when I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to their fathers, and they eat and are satisfied and become prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn Me and break My covenant.
Deuteronomy 31:20 NASB20

AND even in the New Testament

— an often apostate church continually asking, “DID GOD REALLY SAY?“

I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Paul’s letter to the Church at Galatia 1:6-7 NASB20

Did Scripture really say..?

Second Letter of Paul to Timothy

3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

YES, God — JESUS — really did say, CHURCH.

Scripture — spoken by the LORD, written in the Law and the Prophets, preached by the Lord Jesus Christ, taught by the Apostles — Scripture affirms Christ’s Church already built by HIM and in no need of tearing down out of a lack of faith.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man [messenger] of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

Why do you ask?
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"Did God really say, Church?" is our first post for a NEW TalkofJESUS.com SERIES, addressing philosophies and questions underlying intentional deconstruction of the 21st Century Church.
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Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
July 9, 2022