How do preachers or teachers explain this?

[GWH]

Many people believe that there is Biblical evidence that Joseph probably had already died by that time. One of them is that in John 19:26-27, these provisions of Jesus telling John to take Mary into his home would not be necessary for a woman who was not a widowed.

It just seems odd that the death of Joseph would not have been noted more specifically.

 

[Wansvic]

JOHN 14:12
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

The key in that scripture is the phrase, "because I go unto my Father." The greater works depended on Jesus leaving. Until His death, resurrection, ascension, and glorification, the Holy Ghost could not be given (John 7:39). Jesus said it was necessary for Him to go away so the Comforter could come (John 16:7).

Scripture reveals that Jesus shed forth the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:33). And upon being filled with the Holy Ghost believers were empowered to preach the gospel, lead people to repentance, water baptize them in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and see and/or assist in them receiving the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:36-42). Through this, people were not just physically healed—they were born again unto eternal life.

The greater works are not greater miracles than Jesus performed, but the greater redemptive work possible because Jesus completed His work and returned to the Father

 

[frederickdoc]

I already explained that I will not answer your question until you recant of your baseless accusation that I don’t know the Lord.

Your words are the problem here. For months, you have been saying that I don’t know the Lord. For months I have been requesting evidence for your accusations. Instead of providing any evidence at all, you have repeated the same tired statements that show nothing.

I have even told you clearly what such evidence would involve, and you have failed to provide it.

The truth is that your accusations are merely your own empty opinions, but you repeat them as though they were Scripture itself.

So instead of more irrelevant nonsense, show us the evidence.

Or be proven a false accuser by your refusal.

What not comming up in many words I would just say i Have been baptized in Jesus name alone
Then there is no accusation or excuse

 

[Godsgood]

I already explained that I will not answer your question until you recant of your baseless accusation that I don’t know the Lord.

Your words are the problem here. For months, you have been saying that I don’t know the Lord. For months I have been requesting evidence for your accusations. Instead of providing any evidence at all, you have repeated the same tired statements that show nothing.

I have even told you clearly what such evidence would involve, and you have failed to provide it.

The truth is that your accusations are merely your own empty opinions, but you repeat them as though they were Scripture itself.

So instead of more irrelevant nonsense, show us the evidence.

Or be proven a false accuser by your refusal.

I already explained that I will not answer your question until you recant of your baseless accusation that I don’t know the Lord.
The Lord Jesus, in His role as the Son of the living God, did not allow the very harsh things that the Jews said about Him to become a reason for Him not to share the truth with them.
JOHN 10:20
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Because He loves His neighbor.
MARK 12:31
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

But in your case, if you believe that what you have is the truth but you withhold it from others, then you do not love your neighbor. You only love yourself. It is as if you are only following “love yourself as yourself.” What you are doing is contrary to what the Lord Jesus teaches and commands.



So instead of more irrelevant nonsense, show us the evidence.
What you are saying is the opposite of what the Lord Jesus teaches those who follow Him. The evidence of those chosen by God is the mark of a person who has failed, a mark that comes from God Himself and not from the person. The person who fails the test is the one who will later show evidence through his testimony that he has come to know the one true God. And those chosen by God will know whether the person who previously failed the test has truly passed.

Therefore, your repeated statement that I have no evidence is actually the opposite of the truth. This is like what happened to Saul, who became Paul. When he was still Saul, he failed the test because the Lord exposed him before His chosen people. But when Saul passed the test and came to know the one true God, he went to the disciples and showed evidence that he had come to know the one true God. That is why they accepted him.
ACTS 9:17-19
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 ;And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

You asked me, “Which spirit is teaching you?” I will return the question to you: Which spirit is teaching you, and why is what you are sharing here the opposite of the truth?
The Lord has shown me someone who knows nothing except how to twist the truth.
He also teaches others, which is why he has his own disciples, who are enemies of God.
I can share with you who he is, if you want me to.

 

[Godsgood]

Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, that came to pay our sin debt through His Sacrificial death, and subsequent resurrection.

If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that He was raised from the grave, you will be saved.

There.

I just did a greater work.

I reached potentially millions of people worldwide.

This was something neither Jesus or the Apostles could do in their day.

Please forgive me, but I do not see that what you are doing equals or surpasses what the Lord Jesus did. What you are doing is simply a natural result of today’s technology. And if we consider it, what you are doing is not dangerous because you are using modern technology.


On the other hand, what the Lord Jesus did was face-to-face. That is why there were times when people threw stones at Him, wanted to harm Him, and He had to leave in order to avoid them. I know that something like that does not happen to you when you use modern technology.

Therefore, it cannot be considered equal to or greater than the Lord’s feeding of the multitude and His raising of the dead.

 

[Godsgood]

No, it is not. Not even remotely.

I don’t know why you said that you are even refusing it.

I already explained that I will not answer your question until you recant of your baseless accusation that I don’t know the Lord.

 

[Dino246]

I already explained that I will not answer your question until you recant of your baseless accusation that I don’t know the Lord.
The Lord Jesus, in His role as the Son of the living God, did not allow the very harsh things that the Jews said about Him to become a reason for Him not to share the truth with them.
JOHN 10:20
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

Because He loves His neighbor.
MARK 12:31
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

But in your case, if you believe that what you have is the truth but you withhold it from others, then you do not love your neighbor. You only love yourself. It is as if you are only following “love yourself as yourself.” What you are doing is contrary to what the Lord Jesus teaches and commands.



So instead of more irrelevant nonsense, show us the evidence.
What you are saying is the opposite of what the Lord Jesus teaches those who follow Him. The evidence of those chosen by God is the mark of a person who has failed, a mark that comes from God Himself and not from the person. The person who fails the test is the one who will later show evidence through his testimony that he has come to know the one true God. And those chosen by God will know whether the person who previously failed the test has truly passed.

Therefore, your repeated statement that I have no evidence is actually the opposite of the truth. This is like what happened to Saul, who became Paul. When he was still Saul, he failed the test because the Lord exposed him before His chosen people. But when Saul passed the test and came to know the one true God, he went to the disciples and showed evidence that he had come to know the one true God. That is why they accepted him.
ACTS 9:17-19
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 ;And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

You asked me, “Which spirit is teaching you?” I will return the question to you: Which spirit is teaching you, and why is what you are sharing here the opposite of the truth?
The Lord has shown me someone who knows nothing except how to twist the truth.
He also teaches others, which is why he has his own disciples, who are enemies of God.
I can share with you who he is, if you want me to.

And still you persist with your baseless accusations. You really don't get the concept of relevant evidence.

 

[Dino246]

I don’t know why you said that you are even refusing it.

I already explained that I will not answer your question until you recant of your baseless accusation that I don’t know the Lord.

Your post is nonsensical.

 

[DavidLamb]

Who is the “we” here?

I thought the same. I have never heard or read of anybody calling him "celibate Joseph."

 

[Wansvic]

Have you not read the book of Acts? Prison doors flying open, people dropping dead for lying to God, people being laid in the street so Peter's shadow could fall on them and be healed? Not sure what more you want.

Note the verse states, yes, the works that I do you will do also. However, you will do even greater works than these. (John 14:12)

The apostles did not perform miracles greater than Jesus' greatest miracles. Jesus raised the dead, healed every kind of disease, calmed storms, walked on water, and fed thousands. Scripture never presents the disciples as surpassing Him in miraculous power.

After Jesus' ascension, believers carried out a greater redemptive work. Beginning in Jerusalem, they preached Christ's completed death, burial, and resurrection, called people to repentance, baptized them in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and witnessed people receiving the Holy Ghost (Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38; Acts 8; Acts 10; Acts 19). This ministry resulted in people experiencing the NT rebirth —something that could not occur before Jesus poured out the Holy Ghost.

Since Jesus' ascension, believers have taken the gospel to all nations, and multitudes continue to enter God's kingdom.

 

[GWH]

I thought the same. I have never heard or read of anybody calling him "celibate Joseph."

I do, and we all should as much as we call Mary virginal.

 

[DavidLamb]

I do, and we all should as much as we call Mary virginal.

So long as that doesn't mean that Joseph remained celibate and Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus.

 

[Dino246]

I do, and we all should as much as we call Mary virginal.

“Should”?

What is important is that Jesus has no earthly father; His conception in Mary was a miracle.

In light of that, Joseph’s status fades to irrelevance… just as Scripture presents.

 

[Godsgood]

I already explained that I will not answer your question until you recant of your baseless accusation that I don’t know the Lord.

Your words are the problem here. For months, you have been saying that I don’t know the Lord. For months I have been requesting evidence for your accusations. Instead of providing any evidence at all, you have repeated the same tired statements that show nothing.

I have even told you clearly what such evidence would involve, and you have failed to provide it.

The truth is that your accusations are merely your own empty opinions, but you repeat them as though they were Scripture itself.

So instead of more irrelevant nonsense, show us the evidence.

Or be proven a false accuser by your refusal.

What you're saying is that God's way of understanding His Word is through the hermeneutical method. If that's really true, then why don't you answer the question about John 14:12 to demonstrate that the hermeneutical method is indeed the correct approach?
If you refuse to answer, then it appears that your understanding of the hermeneutical method is as follows:

1. If you don't know the answer, don't answer the question.
2. But don't admit that you don't know the answer.
3. End the discussion by criticizing the other person.
4. Then change the subject.

Could it be that this is what you think the hermeneutical method is, and that's why this is how you conduct the discussion?

 

[Dino246]

What you're saying is that God's way of understanding His Word is through the hermeneutical method. If that's really true, then why don't you answer the question about John 14:12 to demonstrate that the hermeneutical method is indeed the correct approach?
If you refuse to answer, then it appears that your understanding of the hermeneutical method is as follows:

1. If you don't know the answer, don't answer the question.
2. But don't admit that you don't know the answer.
3. End the discussion by criticizing the other person.
4. Then change the subject.

Could it be that this is what you think the hermeneutical method is, and that's why this is how you conduct the discussion?

You are still dodging.

Show the evidence for your accusations, or recant.

 

[Drich]

JOHN 14:12
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

It's simple. Put this verse back into it's original context and look to see who Jesus was speaking to.. Was He speaking to a large crowd like He was when He gave the sermon on the Mount? or was He speaking to a much smaller group of disciples?

John 14:1
14 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father too. But now you know the Father. You have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.”

9 Jesus answered, “Philip, I have been with you for a long time. So you should know me. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father too. So why do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The things I have told you don’t come from me. The Father lives in me, and he is doing his own work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or believe because of the miracles I have done.

12 “I can assure you that whoever believes in me will do the same things I have done. And they will do even greater things than I have done, because I am going to the Father. 13 And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you. Then the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. 14 If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.

As you can see Jesus is speaking to his disciples. While some of the things He said are universally accepted, somethings where directed at them specifically. we know this because as you point out not all who believe in Jesus have these abilities, but all of the disciples turned apostles did.

 

[Wansvic]

It's simple. Put this verse back into it's original context and look to see who Jesus was speaking to.. Was He speaking to a large crowd like He was when He gave the sermon on the Mount? or was He speaking to a much smaller group of disciples?

John 14:1
14 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father too. But now you know the Father. You have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.”

9 Jesus answered, “Philip, I have been with you for a long time. So you should know me. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father too. So why do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The things I have told you don’t come from me. The Father lives in me, and he is doing his own work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or believe because of the miracles I have done.

12 “I can assure you that whoever believes in me will do the same things I have done. And they will do even greater things than I have done, because I am going to the Father. 13 And if you ask for anything in my name, I will do it for you. Then the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. 14 If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.

As you can see Jesus is speaking to his disciples. While some of the things He said are universally accepted, somethings where directed at them specifically. we know this because as you point out not all who believe in Jesus have these abilities, but all of the disciples turned apostles did.

Jesus was speaking to His disciples, but notice what He actually said: "He that believeth on me" (John 14:12). His comment indicates the promise was not just for them but all future believers. Also, notice in Mark 16:17 He says, "These signs shall follow them that believe," not just the original apostles.

The book of Acts confirms this. All those who are filled with the Holy Ghost minister in the power of the Spirit. Note Stephen (Acts 6:8), Philip (Acts 8:5-13), Ananias (Acts 9:17-18), and the believers at Corinth (1 Corinthians 12-14) demonstrate that spiritual gifts and God's working were not limited to the apostles.

Scripture does explain that believers receive different gifts and ministries (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 29-30), so not every believer performs the exact function. But, that is different from saying Jesus' promises were only for the apostles. The New Testament consistently presents the same gospel, the same Holy Spirit, and the same power of God at work in all who believe, according to His will (Hebrews 2:3-4; 1 Corinthians 12:7).

 

[Godsgood]

Through John 14:12, God will reveal who truly believes in and follows Him, as well as those who are merely pseudo-Christians.

Perhaps we don't even need to discuss how believers can do greater works than the Lord Jesus did. Let's simply ask whether anyone has done the same works He did.

Who among those who claim to believe in and follow the Lord Jesus has done what He did when He fed the 5,000 men, besides the women and children? Or when He raised the 12-year-old girl to life, not to mention Lazarus, whom He raised even after his body had begun to decay?

Who among those who claim to believe in and follow the Lord Jesus has equaled these works that He performed?

We can discuss later how they have done greater works than the Lord Jesus. For now, let's focus on whether they have at least equaled what He did.

MARK 5:41-42
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

JOHN 14:12
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

It is very important to know the Lord Jesus through the revelation of God the Father or through a miracle from heaven.

MATTHEW 16:15-17
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

For it is only through truly knowing the Lord that the truth will be revealed, that the Lord Jesus has two roles that He fulfills.
MATTHEW 16:15-17
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 

[Godsgood]

You are still dodging.

Show the evidence for your accusations, or recant.

1. If you don't know the answer, don't answer the question.
2. But don't admit that you don't know the answer.
3. End the discussion by criticizing the other person.
4. Then change the subject.

 

[GWH]

“Should”?

What is important is that Jesus has no earthly father; His conception in Mary was a miracle.

In light of that, Joseph’s status fades to irrelevance… just as Scripture presents.

Should, because true.
Mary had nothing to do with the miracle.
In light of that, veneration of Mary fades to equal relevance.