Phrase Study

Wow, another semester gone! It is hard to believe that with the commencement of the 09-10 school year I will be a senior. I have been preaching more recently and have been doing some more personal study too, I much prefer to do study when it is for me rather than an assignment, though I do enjoy many of those also.
Recently, in doing a phrase study from the Greek text, I ran across some interesting similarities across some texts that many render into English different ways. My first reaction is to scratch my head in wonder. How can three to five words that are in the same context, the same case, gender, number etc mean two different things?
I have to come down on the side of order and put my presuppositions to bed and look intently at the meaning of each and in doing so I have come to a new conclusion. What is that conclusion you might be asking yourself or what in the world is this nut talking about. Well, I do not want to try and sway you by saying what I have concluded just yet. I will, in due time. I would really love to do this in a discussion format as it would be much more profitable to your own study. But since hardly anyone ever reads this blog, that would make discussion impossible. Since that is the case, I would ask that if you have any preconceived notions about works, or about the blood of Christ, John's Baptism or Christian Baptism, put them to bed and let them get a good rest while you wrap your mind around these facts. I have prepared a phrase study sheet that I made as I went through this it is a concise sheet, and I ask that you pray earnestly before you read beyond the solid line that separates this section and the phrase sheet. I would ask that you look at each of these in the Greek text, as I have given you the words and if you have a Bible software like Logos and have a language package use it, do not be afraid of the Greek, if you do not have a program go to this site from there you need only put in the text and click the Greek tab and you will go to that text and they use mouse over technology so it will show you the grammar. The idea is that if grammar rules apply then you can have one and only one way of understanding these texts, if the rules do not apply then scripture can be made to mean whatever we want it to be. Though some days that option would be nice, especially when I am running behind and the speed limit is not as fast as I would have it to be,you know what I am saying, but that is not God or His way. He is not a God of chaos, He is a God of order, or law and order. Which means that He has set rules that must be obeyed if we are to truely understand and enjoy the full richness of His word and His Kingdom. I pray that you will be strengthened, encourage, and blessed by this study, and further more I pray that you will consider that once I believed differently than I do now. And the change came because I have taken the time to learn the language and do dozens hours of tireless study all the while not favoring what I want to hear or favoring what is popular. Rather, I have desired to know God's truth no matter how hard it is to understand, no matter how much it flies in the face of man centered teaching, or no matter how unpopular it may be. I also ask that you remember God said He would use that which seems foolish to confound the wise, which my dear brother or sister I no longer consider myself wise but woe, according to the popular mindset I am a fool, and I am grateful to God for humbling me. The last thing I would ask is this, Pray, Pray that God would give you a real desire to know His truth, and that no matter what, you would come to Him in total submission and that if you find what you currently believe in contradiction to what you are about to study, that you would be honest with God and yourself and that before you close your heart and your mind that you would bow in prayer again and ask God to help you understand. Well, here you go, May the Lord richly bless your desire to know the truth and may the truth set you free and may you mine from the study the wealth of the Kingdom riches!_____________________________________________________
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(Mark 1:4, NASB95) "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."

(Luke 3:3, NASB95) "And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;"

(Luke 24:47, NASB95) "and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."

(Acts 2:38, NASB95)"Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

(Matthew 26:28, NASB95) "for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."

εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. The words are pronounced Ace, Aphesin, Hamartion, which in the English is for forgiveness “of” sins.

The first word εἰς “Ace” The preposition “for” (Greek, eis) means “to obtain” (Thayer, 94). The phrase may be rendered: “so that sins might be forgiven” (Arndt, 228)

The second word, ἄφεσιν “Aphesin” is a Singular Feminine Noun in the accusative case, the accusative case is the case of the direct object

The third word, ἁμαρτιῶν “Hamartion” is a Feminine Plural Noun in the Genitive case, this case roughly corresponds to our English possessive case. Hence, the genitive expresses possession.

Some believe that this phrase in Acts 2:38 means that we are baptized because our sins are already forgiven, and if this is true then we must by the rules of grammar, hold that grammatically in each of the examples the same construction must be true.

For example:

(Mk 1:4 & Lk 3:3) John was preaching a baptism because the sins had already been forgiven.

(Lk 24:47) And Jesus talking to His disciples would be saying that we repent because our sins have already been forgiven

(Act 2:38) would be baptism because sin has been forgiven, (please note the only grammatical difference in this text, is the article and the personal pronoun, denoting your personal sins)

(Mat 26:28) would have to read that Jesus’ blood was poured out because sin was already forgiven. (No body holds to this, though they should if they say Acts is to be rendered this way)

In each of these examples if we interpret them as I have described above, the Christ’s death was senseless, as would be repentance.

However the truth is, the rules of grammar, will not allow such a loose and inconsistent interpretation. We know Jesus’ blood was shed for the forgiveness of sin, not because sin had been forgiven, then by the rules of grammars we must conclude that Repentance and Baptism are for forgiveness. Christ’s shed blood makes it possible for all to receive forgiveness, and in order for us to receive it we must believe, confess (both our sins and Jesus’ name), repent, and be baptized. It is not salvation by works it is submitting to God’s will, and doing God’s will, God’s way, not ours.

This phrase study was inspired by Brother Alger Fitch, from a conference in which he spoke on Baptism, in 1998 which I purchased from our church library.

Excellent Post to Pass Along

One of the blogs that I read frequently had a link to this article and I too am going to recommend this short reading. And like Brother John, I will be working on incorporating this within my family as well, it certainly sounds like a neat way to open up some excellent discussion and Bible study among the family. Please follow this link "Pray Through the Bible" and maybe you too can work this discipline into your daily routine.

May the God of Heaven reward your efforts to bring your family closer to Him through His Word!

Bring BSM into your New Year!

By the title I am guessing you have at least two questions, what is BSM and why would you want to bring it into your New Year?
Well, first let me introduce you to Bible Study Magazine “BSM” is published by Logos Bible Software. My first thought when I heard about a paper magazine produced by a company who deals only with electronic resources, well let’s just say it was less than favorable, after all how good could a company who deals in e-publications do in a paper world.
Well, I got the inaugural issue and I flipped through it and noticed the quality of the production, so my first impression was good. I decided to jump right in and find an article, well being in college and just finishing my third and final semester of Greek, I naturally chose “Greek Word Study without Greek” which lay out in four easy steps to get at a realistic and usable definition of Greek words from scripture. I just finished Greek Exegesis and in four steps, they did an excellent job of conveying one portion of the exegete’s task. BSM’s explanation of the use of resources used in doing these studies was thoughtful, clear and backed-up by their own powerhouse of on line resources.
From there I decided to involve my whole family, so I made 6 copies of the Bible Word Find, from 2 Kings 18, and the race was on, unfortunately for me the wife won and finished the puzzle in a matter of a few minutes, followed by me and then each of the kids rolled in one by one. Fun was had by all and we spent sometime connecting in a different way and the kids can’t wait for the next issue and neither can I, I want a rematch.

Included in this magazine is a 8-week Bible Study, that will keep you engaged in each issue until the next one arrives at the door. This is a useful and encouraging resource for everyone, from an average Christian who just wants to learn more about the God who they serve or the Bible Professor who is looking for something different. Bottom line I liked the magazine so much that I am now a subscriber and am looking forward to the next issue.

Great Job Logos and Bible Study Magazine, I highly recommend this magazine as a resource no house should be without, so get yours today at www.BibleStudyMagazine.com

What is in your Bible?

Have you ever wondered why some bibles have 66 books some have more some have less or maybe who has what books? well with this handy little chart by Logos Bible Study Magazine will be of great interest to you.



I hope you enjoy and have a wonderful and safe New Year and may 2009 be the year of The Lord in my life and yours life and in our World too.

I hated to say good-bye

Well... I am not sure even where to begin. Almost 14 yrs ago we brought home a not so little fur ball and named him Zeus, we knew he was going to be big, after all what choice would a dog that was 50% Black Lab and 50% Great Pyrenees have but too be large. And he was not only large he was larger than life. Zeus had the best disposition of any animal I have ever known or seen, he was a lover of both animal and human.
With our kids he was the greatest, he was a friend and a protector, he loved and watched over each one of them. I generally am the last one to go to sleep in the house, I think it is the dad in me, I don't know. There where many of nights when Zeus would get up look over to me and the wife to make sure we where alright and he would make his rounds. He would check on each kid and make a trip or two around the house to make sure all was right and in order and then he would return and lay down and take his place by my side.
For the past few months he has been down with degenerative arthritis of the hips and in the past month he has not been able to get up on his own and has relied on us to help him up so he could go out or get some food and we were happy to oblige since he has always been there for us.

Yesterday, my friend began to passing blood in his urine and this morning we had to put him to sleep as he was now in pain and not even able to woof. And you have to know Zeus to appreciate the bark because it was not just a bark or a yap, it was a WOOF, one that would bring fear in your heat just when he wanted to say hello.

The lady where I work offered to allow us to bury him on her farm since we could not afford to have him cremated. Thanks to our neighbor for going with me and helping me dig the hole and place Zeus in and gently cover him up. Zeus now rests under a beautiful Oak tree, in a pasture where I am sure if he were still alive he would have loved to run and play.

I hated to say good-bye, I hated it when my wife's dog Willy passed away in 2007 and once again I hated to say good-bye. I hate it for my kids who have all grown up with Zeus, so please pray with me for them that they are able to share their pain, share their feelings, their grief and their sense of loss, and pray that they will be able to share the love and memories that they have a of the greatest friend (wife not included) and dog I have ever had or known. Lastly pray that in this they would find peace and comfort from their family and friends and that we would all enjoy and cherish our treasured memories of Zeus who was more than "just a dog" he was one of a kind and a member of the family who we will all miss greatly.

Coming home will never be the same again, Zeus we love you and we will always miss you!