1. The 3000 who were saved at Pentecost were made up of many different people, but we don't really know.
2. The righteous will be taken and the unrighteous will be left.
3. Paul is speaking to the Galatian Jews.
4. Here is where it gets a little tricky....some of you said yes, while others said no.
Well, not too bad for starters. My original post, after all, was about education. God wants us to study to show ourselves approved unto Him. He does not want us ignorant, especially where His Word is concerned. Nothing makes me angrier than to hear someone say, "I never study for a class I am teaching (or a sermon I am preaching), I just wait till I get there and let the Holy Spirit give me the words."
My next question for that person is, "What does the Holy Spirit have to work with? You've given Him a box of marbles and you've even lost all but one of them." Oh well, so much for my sermon on that little off-shoot.
Now, back to the matter at hand. I have always believed that the best teacher NEVER gives you the answer you seek, but rather teaches you how to search for and arrive at the answer. My sons will be the first to tell you that it always irritated them when they came to me for a quick answer and I would give them, "Look it up!"
In order to find the answer to the four questions, let's take a look at each of the scriptures above.
The story of Pentecost is found in Acts 2:1-12. In true literary style, we must ask a few questions. Do you remember what those questions are? Does the old, "who, what, when, where, why and how" ring a bell? You got it!!! Those are the questions we start with. Who are the people involved in the Acts 2:1-12 story line? Well, my Bible says in verse 5, "There were Jews living in Jerusalem devout men from every nation under heaven." Verses 9-11 goes on to list the nations they represented.
What was going on and when did this event occur? Verse 1 tells us it was Pentecost. This special day occurs; 50 days after Passover. If you want to read all about how they were to observe Pentecost, go back to Deuteronomy 16:9-12, but the original Pentecost was much earlier. To read about it go back to Exodus 19-20.
Where did this event happen? Verse 5 mentions that there were devout men in Jerusalem. In keeping with the Pentecost celebration, (and if you study the requirements for it), you find that Pentecost or Shavuot as the Jews refer to it, is one of three festivals requiring all males to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. (Deuteronomy 16:16 Pentecost or Shavuot is also the culmination of the Feast of Weeks.)
Okay, why and how? Ooh, this one is going to get deep. Are you ready? (I am leading you through this one to give you an example, okay?) For every antithetical action, there must be a corrective action. The very first Pentecost took place 50 days after the first Passover. This is in Exodus 19-32, but there is one very important verse of scripture. Exodus 32:28, but I would ask that you read the entire 32nd chapter. It is very important and verse 28 is only a part of the why and how. Our English translations can only convey a portion of the true Pentecost story. Oh, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have only known in a very small part and we have missed so much of the story!!!!!!!!!!
What was going on and when did this event occur? Verse 1 tells us it was Pentecost. This special day occurs; 50 days after Passover. If you want to read all about how they were to observe Pentecost, go back to Deuteronomy 16:9-12, but the original Pentecost was much earlier. To read about it go back to Exodus 19-20.
Where did this event happen? Verse 5 mentions that there were devout men in Jerusalem. In keeping with the Pentecost celebration, (and if you study the requirements for it), you find that Pentecost or Shavuot as the Jews refer to it, is one of three festivals requiring all males to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. (Deuteronomy 16:16 Pentecost or Shavuot is also the culmination of the Feast of Weeks.)
Okay, why and how? Ooh, this one is going to get deep. Are you ready? (I am leading you through this one to give you an example, okay?) For every antithetical action, there must be a corrective action. The very first Pentecost took place 50 days after the first Passover. This is in Exodus 19-32, but there is one very important verse of scripture. Exodus 32:28, but I would ask that you read the entire 32nd chapter. It is very important and verse 28 is only a part of the why and how. Our English translations can only convey a portion of the true Pentecost story. Oh, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have only known in a very small part and we have missed so much of the story!!!!!!!!!!
Now, on to question 2: Matthew 24:37-44 Let's look again at our six questions.
Who does Jesus use as a reference in the taking away comparison? Genesis 6:1 - 9:17
What type of person then will be left behind, the righteous or the unrighteous?
When will this occur? Where will the ones go who are taken away?
If it were not going to be carried out in the same manner as that particular time in history, why did he not compare it to the taking away of Elijah instead?
How are we to prepare for this taking away?
How are we to prepare for this taking away?
Question 3 and 4: Paul addressing the Galatians; Who were these believers, Jews or Gentiles and was he telling them that the Law was no longer valid?
Look very closely at the scripture in question, Galatians 3:1. It is absolutely imperative to back up a few verses in order to see the issue clearly in this passage, because this question goes hand in hand with question 4. Now back up to Galatians 2:1.
Who is Paul directing his message to?
Where was Paul going with this issue? Is he saying the Law was completely done away with?
If so, when was the Law done away with?
If the Law has been done away with, how can Jesus say in Matthew 5:17-19
17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19“Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
If the Law hasn't been done away with, then what is the main subject matter of the discourse?
Why is it necessary for Paul to address this issue?
Can you see that some of the scriptures you thought you knew well........maybe you didn't know quite as well as you thought? Does asking some hard questions about those scriptures make you stop and think a little more? Perhaps we need to think a little more on the last subject above. The Law really isn't what you have always thought. It isn't and never was a means of salvation. The Law is and always was a means of connecting to the Father. Just in the same manner a husband and wife connect and communicate to keep their marriage vibrant, alive and intimate.
Who is Paul directing his message to?
Where was Paul going with this issue? Is he saying the Law was completely done away with?
If so, when was the Law done away with?
If the Law has been done away with, how can Jesus say in Matthew 5:17-19
17“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19“Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
If the Law hasn't been done away with, then what is the main subject matter of the discourse?
Why is it necessary for Paul to address this issue?
Can you see that some of the scriptures you thought you knew well........maybe you didn't know quite as well as you thought? Does asking some hard questions about those scriptures make you stop and think a little more? Perhaps we need to think a little more on the last subject above. The Law really isn't what you have always thought. It isn't and never was a means of salvation. The Law is and always was a means of connecting to the Father. Just in the same manner a husband and wife connect and communicate to keep their marriage vibrant, alive and intimate.
Now, ask yourself these questions:
a. Did Jesus observe the Law?
b. Did Jesus tell others to observe the Law?
c. Did Jesus ever tell anyone NOT to observe the Law?
d. Did His disciples continue to observe the Law after His death and resurrection? (if not, why were they observing Pentecost see question 1)
e. Did Paul observe the Law throughout the New Testament?
If Jesus did away with the Law, then are we free to commit adultery and murder, to lie, steal, and covet and no longer need to observe the Sabbath? Oh, and we can now take the Lord God's name in vain? Imagine a marriage where a spouse did those things and had no desire to spend time with their partner on the designated date night. Well? If the Law is no longer valid........you know if the speed limit is no longer valid, then I can go as fast as I want and nothing can happen to me, right?
THINK ABOUT IT! LET IT SINK IN!
Do you think you have enough educational help for now, to find the answers to all four questions?
Can you begin taking these steps to look at other scripture in a different light? Reading the Bible is about more than picking out a verse and making an entire theology out of it. We must educate ourselves about the Scriptures and what God is and isn't saying. For far too long men have taken a verse here and a verse there and have preached sermons and taught lessons or based entire theologies on those verses alone. Take the churches that handle snakes or even the Westboro Baptist Church for example. Both of those beliefs are as off base as the entire Muslim religion.
If the scripture you are interpreting appears to be in contradiction to other scripture you are missing something in your interpretation, for scripture NEVER contradicts itself. God is not a God of contradiction or confusion! The problem is us! We read a verse and build a belief on it. When we begin to educate ourselves on the truth of the Word, we find that the Word flows like honey from Genesis to Revelation and is smooth as silk!
Let me say this again..... Church we can not take the liberty of picking one verse here and there!!!! We would never dream of taking a verse from a Mozart opera, a line from Edgar Allen Poe, a quote from Martin Luther King and a sermon or two from Billy Graham and building a congregation of believers from that. That example unfortunately is how we view scripture. We take a verse from a song (Psalms), a verse from a poem (Song of Songs), a verse from one of the Gospels (John) and a few verses from Paul's writings and put them together to build an entire theology. The reason our way doesn't flow like honey is due to the fact we don't look at the verses we choose in context and from the perspective of the people who wrote them.
It is of the utmost importance that we look at EVERY single word of scripture from the proper perspective and this requires us to educate ourselves on what that perspective is. I will let you in on a little secret......it is not a modern day American perspective!!! God wants us to know the truth and when you know the truth....IT WILL SET YOU FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep on studying so that you will not be ashamed when you stand before your God on judgment day! I know you want to hear Him say, "Well done good and faithful servant!!!"
If the scripture you are interpreting appears to be in contradiction to other scripture you are missing something in your interpretation, for scripture NEVER contradicts itself. God is not a God of contradiction or confusion! The problem is us! We read a verse and build a belief on it. When we begin to educate ourselves on the truth of the Word, we find that the Word flows like honey from Genesis to Revelation and is smooth as silk!
Let me say this again..... Church we can not take the liberty of picking one verse here and there!!!! We would never dream of taking a verse from a Mozart opera, a line from Edgar Allen Poe, a quote from Martin Luther King and a sermon or two from Billy Graham and building a congregation of believers from that. That example unfortunately is how we view scripture. We take a verse from a song (Psalms), a verse from a poem (Song of Songs), a verse from one of the Gospels (John) and a few verses from Paul's writings and put them together to build an entire theology. The reason our way doesn't flow like honey is due to the fact we don't look at the verses we choose in context and from the perspective of the people who wrote them.
It is of the utmost importance that we look at EVERY single word of scripture from the proper perspective and this requires us to educate ourselves on what that perspective is. I will let you in on a little secret......it is not a modern day American perspective!!! God wants us to know the truth and when you know the truth....IT WILL SET YOU FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep on studying so that you will not be ashamed when you stand before your God on judgment day! I know you want to hear Him say, "Well done good and faithful servant!!!"
