First I want to thank everyone for responding to my Bible questions from the book of Matthew. It was alot of help. There is help in a multitude of Christian "wisemen" & wisewomen". So here are some more serious questions to help me understand more of GOD's Word.
1. Mark 7:5 Unclean hands are not sanitary. This verse "seems" to indicates more than just disregard to ceremonial washing.
2.Mark 7:10 Cursing parents today is not a sentence to death. Many Pre-Christians did this, so why did Jesus "indicate" that it is still a sin requring death?
3.Mark 7:24 Why did Jesus want His presence a secret? For rest?
4. Mark 8:23 Hands upon him O.K., but why spit also necessary?
5.Mark10:29 What if someone want to follow what really seems to be a call from GOD, but cannot, because of family responsibilities? I recall reading Katherine Kuhlman divorced/ left her husband because her ministry was so demanding on her. I think GOD wouldn't want anyone to leave family.
6.Mark 16:17-18 This is not all true.
7.Luke 2:1 Is this "decree from Caesar Augustus" still in existence, available to read, and if so is it dated? What time of the year was it proclamed? Winter, Spring, etc.?
8.Luke 2:35 Indicates maybe Mary died by a (Roman) sword?
9. Luke 3:16 What is the "fire"?
10.Luke 8:20-21 Why no follow-up? I wonder if Jesus stopped right away and talked to them or not?
11.Luke 9:61 Seems to be a reasonable request.
12.Luke 12:47,47 Degrees of punishment before or after death?
13.Luke 20:36 so we will become EQUAL to the angels?
Thanks again for any comments.
1) This has to do with the many rules that the pharisees imposed on people that are not in the law itself. They tended to see what they saw as gaps in the law and they decided they would fill those supposed holes with legalistic rules.
2) Jesus here is addressing again the extra rules that pharisees made up that often went contrary to the law.
3) I think your thought of rest would be the reason for keeping his presence secret, I mean he went all the way to Tyre, that's a fair distance outside of the more "jewish" areas.
4) Lol, there are many things that Jesus does for which there is no explanation in the bible. There are those that would say this was done to teach his disciples something, if so there is no direct explanation of what that is. Many speculate, but I would suggest that only God knows exactly why.
5) Look at verse 23 "Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”" This section is talking about those that are rich here on earth and refuse to give up time with their earthly riches to spend love and time on God. This is taking time away from family, friends, work, etc. to spend time with God one on one and to spend time in ministry. The bible also clearly states the importance of family, friends, and work; so we need to find a balance.
6) I am confused by your statement that not all of this is true. . .most of this can be found fulfilled in the book of acts alone. God also gifts believers in many different ways, there are those who can speak in tongues, heal, etc. He is not saying that every believer will do all of these but in a community of believers who are strong in the faith these will be seen.
7) Yes, I don't know exactly all the details but I do know Sir William Ramsay, a preeminent archaeologist from the 1800s, set about trying to dispute the gospel of Luke. He found this statement to be true and in the end of his search stated that luke was a historian of the highest caliber, Ramsay also became a christian. Here are some of the things Ramsay found:
· Critics thought that there was no Roman census as indicated in Luke 2:1. Ramsey discovered there was a Roman census every 14 years beginning with Emperor Augustus.
· Critics thought that Quirinius was not governor of Syria at the time of Jesus’ birth as indicated in Luke 2:2. Ramsey discovered that Quirinius was governor of Syria in about 7 b.c.
· Critics thought that people did not have to return to their ancestral home as indicated in Luke 2:3. Ramsey discovered that people did have to return to their home city— verified by an ancient Egyptian papyrus giving directions for conducting a census.
· Critics questioned the existence of the treasurer of the city of Corinth, Erastus (Romans 16:23). Ramsey discovered a city pavement in Corinth bearing the inscription “Erastus, curator of public buildings, laid this pavement at his own expense.”
· Critics thought that Luke’s reference to Gallio as proconsul of Achaia was wrong (Acts 18:12). Ramsey discovered the Delphi inscription, which reads, “As Lucius Junius Gallio, my friend and pro*consul of Achaia...
8) Simeon is talking about signs and a real sword cannot pierce the soul. What Simeon specifically meant here is not 100% known, though many believe it is foreshadowing the pain that Mary would feel when Jesus' destiny came to fruition in his death on the cross.
9) Look at the next verse, "His winnowing fan
is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn;
but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." This would be the Lake of Fire (Hell)
10) We don't know for sure, but considering his statement I would assume he probably kept teaching and healing.
11) Jesus asked the men to follow him, unlike his disciples these men gave excuses why they couldn't right away. This is a message also for many today who know that God calls us to ministry, sharing the gospel, etc and so many say things like "I will, but let me first do __________". When God calls we are to listen and not give excuses.
12) Verse 47 and the 1st half of verse 48 is talking about those that do not know God's Will/Word and those who don't. More mercy will be given to those who don't know better, but those who know better, but still go against God's will and Word will bear the full brunt of God's Justice. Now look at the 2nd half of verse 48, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." This is obviously also talking about levels of responsibility in the Kingdom of God, such as:
Pastors - the bible tells us that they will be held responsible not only for themselves, but also for those in their church.
Husbands - the bible tells us that husbands will be held responsible not just for themselves, but for their whole family (did they teach God's word, did they pray with their family, etc).
13) Take a look at the verse closely, "nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels
and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection." If we take into account the 'and' there seems to be a separation between us not dying once we get to heaven (thus equal to the angels) AND us being sons(children) of God. So we will be equal but different because we will be there by the gift of grace, where as they have been in the presence of God since the beginning.
