How many truly understand this.....
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This still does not answer the questions: why were they "cut to the heart" and gnash on Stephen with their teeth if they could not/did not understand the words Stephen spoke to them? And why would Stephen even speak to them if he knew they could not even understand what he was preaching anyway?
The fact they became angry at Stephen is proof they heard and understood what he said. They did not become and and kill him for no particular reason.
The passages you quoted does not say they cannot see and hear, for they can but simply refuse to do so. The verse say they could "at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
In Eph 3:3,4 Paul told them when ye read ye may understand. Paul did NOT say when ye read ye may understand only with miraculous help from the Holy Spirit.
If the Holy Spirit is giving understanding to many on this forum, He is doing a mighty awful job for just look at the contradiction He is creating.
Lastly, it has not been proven by any one that Stephens hearers in Acts 7 could not heard and understood what he was preaching.
If the Holy Spirit is giving understanding to many on this forum, He is doing a mighty awful job for just look at the contradiction He is creating.
Lastly, it has not been proven by any one that Stephens hearers in Acts 7 could not heard and understood what he was preaching.
They hear the words outwardly, but they do not receive them, perceive them, nor believe them inwardly. The scriptures are clear why they were angry and cut in the heart.
Acts 7:51-54[SUP]51 [/SUP]Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
[SUP]52 [/SUP]Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
[SUP]53 [/SUP]Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
[SUP]54 [/SUP]When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth."
The darkness just got rebuked by the Light, they just got reproved by the Spirit, and cut to the quick by the words of God...
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Acts 7:51-54[SUP]51 [/SUP]Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
[SUP]52 [/SUP]Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
[SUP]53 [/SUP]Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
[SUP]54 [/SUP]When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth."
The darkness just got rebuked by the Light, they just got reproved by the Spirit, and cut to the quick by the words of God...
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The testimony of Jesus Christ is the Spirit of prophecy. If you are not sealed by God with the Holy Spirit you also will not be able to receive Jesus' testimony. Notice again what John the Baptist says here of the Lord.
John 3:31-33[SUP] "[/SUP]He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
[SUP]32 [/SUP]And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
[SUP]33 [/SUP]He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."
Notice only those who have the seal receive His testimony, and the seal is the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:22
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
John 3:31-33[SUP] "[/SUP]He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
[SUP]32 [/SUP]And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
[SUP]33 [/SUP]He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."
Notice only those who have the seal receive His testimony, and the seal is the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:22
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
The carnal mind is mind of natural man, which works according to the man own heat desires, but when the one submit oneself to the will of God, and stop following the man's own heart desires, then the carnal mind of the flesh will mortify and the mind of the Spirit will replace it.
The mind of the flesh is for death, but the mind of the Spirit is for the life.
The mind of the flesh is for death, but the mind of the Spirit is for the life.
Matthew 15:9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Matthew 23:16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’
Matthew 5:2 and he began to teach them.
Matthew 5:19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Sounds to me like a new understandings of these commands, that is not perceived by our own understandings, and which that was taught by man, but a new understanding that will transform our minds from our old way of thinking).
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Matthew 23:16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’
Matthew 5:2 and he began to teach them.
Matthew 5:19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Sounds to me like a new understandings of these commands, that is not perceived by our own understandings, and which that was taught by man, but a new understanding that will transform our minds from our old way of thinking).
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 4:23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 4:23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
D
In respects to asking for wisdom (and asking in faith) being the stipulation behind the same this can be understood as he that comes to God must believe that He is and is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. The fool says in his heart there is no God.
But wisdom is shown as the principal thing also
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
And the first thing Solomon asks God for
2Ch 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
Even as it says,
Prov 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
2Ch 1:11 God said to Solomon,
Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
And the same was granted and more in Solomons case, but here...
James 4:2 Ye lust, ( riches and wealth ) and have not: ye kill ( the life of your enemies) and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, (((( because ye ask amiss )))) that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Its more the asking amiss there, not many wise, wisdom is definately the principal thing
1Cr 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
Notice the ability to judge and wisdom
2Ch 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
James asks,
Who is a wise man "endured with knowledge" among you?
Wisdom is the principal thing
Prov 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
and (then) with all **thy getting** get understanding.
Job 38:36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts?
or who hath given understanding to the heart?
Prov 17:17 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Dan 9:19 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel,
I snipped that out of another study, but it shows wisdom is principal but in that getting isnt always understanding either, because it does say with all thy getting (in respects to the principal thing) get understanding. Being strengthened from the principal thing through faith, and dependence on the gifts given us of God through the Spirit.
But wisdom is shown as the principal thing also
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
And the first thing Solomon asks God for
2Ch 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
Even as it says,
Prov 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
2Ch 1:11 God said to Solomon,
Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
And the same was granted and more in Solomons case, but here...
James 4:2 Ye lust, ( riches and wealth ) and have not: ye kill ( the life of your enemies) and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, (((( because ye ask amiss )))) that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Its more the asking amiss there, not many wise, wisdom is definately the principal thing
1Cr 6:5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
Notice the ability to judge and wisdom
2Ch 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
James asks,
Who is a wise man "endured with knowledge" among you?
Wisdom is the principal thing
Prov 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
and (then) with all **thy getting** get understanding.
Job 38:36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts?
or who hath given understanding to the heart?
Prov 17:17 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Dan 9:19 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel,
I snipped that out of another study, but it shows wisdom is principal but in that getting isnt always understanding either, because it does say with all thy getting (in respects to the principal thing) get understanding. Being strengthened from the principal thing through faith, and dependence on the gifts given us of God through the Spirit.
It's those who "receive" the Word, and truly "hear" the Word, and truly "understand" the words of God who are the ones who bear good fruit.
Matthew 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
No, in 1 Cor chapter 2 Paul speaks of 1) Spiritual man and 2) natural man. The context has nothing to do with the Calvinistic idea of "regenerate" or "unregenerate" nor does it say the natural man is an 'unregenerate" that cannot understand the bible/spiritual things.
In the context of 1 Cor 2 Paul is contrasting the wisdom of man versus Divine inspiration/revelation of God.
1 Cor 2:11 "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."
Paul is saying here that you do not know what is in my mind unless I reveal it to you. I do not know what is in your mind unless you reveal it to me. Likewise neither you or I know what is in the mind of God unless God reveals it to us.
How did God reveal what is in His mind to you and me?
By choosing "spiritual men", the inspired writers of the bible (as the apostles) and God's spirit through miraculous revelation revealed 'words' (1 Cor 2:13) to these inspired men who wrote those words down so you and I can read those inspired words and know what is in the mind of God, [see Eph 3:3,4.]
The 'natural men' is you and I who were not given this supernatural ability of inspiration to receive inspired words from God's spirit. You and I have human knowledge (knowledge of things as math, science, philosophies) and we could never with that human knowledge receive those inspired words of God & know what is in God's mind for that took supernatural inspiration given by God.....and God only gave that ability to those inspired writers of the bible (spiritual men). Yet you and I as natural men can read those inspired words written down for us and know what is in the mind of God. Again, see Eph 3:3,4
Again, the 'natural man' is not some 'unregenerate' that is unable to read/hear and understand the bible. If this natural man cannot read the bible and understand what he is reading, then how in the world can this natural man read a newspaper, magazine or watch tv and understand what he is reading/hearing? The fact is, he can understand the bible just as he can read and understand a newspaper or magazine article. In other posts of mine, I gave examples from the bible of lost, unforgiven men who heard the gospel preached, they understood what they heard and it made them angry, (Acts 7:54,58; Acts 22:22) When natural men read the bible and understand it, some choose to believe it while others choose not to believe it. The Calvinistic idea of 'regenerate' and 'unregenerate' is not in the text, is not biblical for that idea puts moral culpability upon God.
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Galatians 4:29
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
John 8:40
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
John 8:40
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
1 John 3:12
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
The Holy Spirit brought conviction in their hearts that they were sinners and guilty before the Lord. It is very likely that they had heard it all before but when the Holy Spirit made it evident to them that they deserved to go to hell the truth of the message came home. Gods word always provokes a reaction in the heart of the hearer. Some respond by turning to Christ the rest turn away. John 3:18-21
For the cause of Christ
Roger
For the cause of Christ
Roger
None of these verses say the 'natural man' cannot read/hear the bible and understand it.
Can the "natural man' read/hear newspapers, magazines and the tv and understand them? If so, there is no reason to think he cannot also read and understand the bible....reading and understanding is reading and understanding whether it's a newspaper or the bible.
Can the "natural man' read/hear newspapers, magazines and the tv and understand them? If so, there is no reason to think he cannot also read and understand the bible....reading and understanding is reading and understanding whether it's a newspaper or the bible.
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Yes, the Holy Spirit convicts people's heart when His word, the bible is read/preached and NOT separate and apart from His word by some miraculous means.
Those lost, unforgiven Jews in Acts 2 heard and understood Peter's "words" and were pricked in their heart by those inspired "words" of Peter. Acts 11:14 the Gentiles would be saved by "words", they would hear those gospel words, understand them and obey them.
We've already been over this, the word of God is spiritual but the mind of man is carnal.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.