Posted on 12/06/2014 3:04:38 PM PST by Salvation
No problem
2 Timothy 2:15
Sometimes words just fail me.
What’s wrong? Isn’t that verse one of the ones that Catholics are exposed to as they allegedly make it through the Bible every three years in the mass?
Surely, they ought to have run into it sometime or another on one of their trips through Scripture?
My understanding is that firstborn is a “legal” term to designate the first child born, regardless of whether or not there are any subsequent children. An only child would be designated as “firstborn” as well as any eldest child.
Thanks. Your manners speak volumes.
Blessings to you - especially during Advent!
You are partially correct. First born doesn't always mean there are others.
However, if we examine the Greek some light is shed on this topic.
The Greek word used in Luke's account to describe Mary's first born is πρωτότοκον (πρωτότοκος). From HELPS Word-studies it means first, preeminent. Strongs Concordance notes it to mean first born, eldest.
It is the word we derive prototype from. A prototype is the first...usually with more to follow.
It allows for others to follow.
If Luke had wanted to say this was Mary's only child he would have used Υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ. This is what John used in John 3:16 in describing Jesus as the only Son of God.
The Greek μονογενῆ means one and only; one of a kind. Υἱὸν means son. Hence, the only Son. We know Jesus is the only Son of God.
That Luke did not use this greek word choice tells us that the door is open for Mary and Joseph to have other children. As we examine the text of the NT we find they did have other children when we see references to the brothers and sisters of Christ in the NT.
Hope this helps.
Again, I intend no sarcasm: have you ever asked someone if they will pray for you, or remember you in their prayers? The Bible says, “pray one for another,” then do to feel that doing so is or is not mediating in some way?
In Acts, when Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, I give to thee: in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise, and walk!” (I love that part!) wasn’t Peter a mediator?
If you read again the paragraph I wrote above the post, I mentioned that Jesus said to the Apostles, “whose sins you shall forgive shall be forgiven them.” I don’t believe Jesus said that and no one was forgiven. John the Baptist preached the repentance of sin, but had not the authority given the Apostles by Jesus to forgive sins.
Being an ambassador, which we are told we are, and praying for one another, which are are told to do, is not the same as being a mediator.
The Holy Spirit in Scripture tells us that there is only one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ.
Your issue is with the word of God, not me for telling you what it says.
Is there some sort of requirement for cognitive disconnect in order to be a Catholic? Or is the need for a stick so great that they will make things up? I can tell you that I wouldn't even want to understand how you made that leap in your mind.
Of course he is claiming that. Catholics tell us that they have that power all the time.
Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
I find it very sad that those who have subjected themselves to the lies of the Catholic Church don't know the God of scripture.
And faithful Catholics will all cry Amen.
“..Clueless...”
Ad hominem name calling and mocking is mean spirited and not Christian.
Placemarker
“Your issue is with the word of God...”
Your issue is with the word of God.
Scripture tells us that there is only one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. Correct and also Catholic belief.
Requesting intercessory prayer from someone is not forbidden by Scripture. Requesting intercessory prayer from another person does not somehow morph into the mediator role of Christ that is His alone, and all Catholics recognize this.
Since you are not Catholic, you have no business reinterpreting wrongly what we supposedly believe, and deliberately distorting Catholic practices to appear unscriptural. Non Catholics have no authority to twist Catholic beliefs to appear unscriptural when there are clear prooftexts in the bible allowing intercessory prayer.
“Ergo, unnecessary for salvation or maturity.”
So, God is wrapping up Creation, and He says (to Himself), “Let’s see. How many Graces are necessary at a bare minimum for salvation?”
And He bestows just these Graces on mankind.
But wait! Many still send themselves to Hell, even though those “necessary” Graces are available. What does He do now? He says, “Tough bananas. Other people made it to Heaven with just those Graces. They should have tried harder.”
Does that square with His desire that all should be saved?
Or does He give more Graces, above and beyond the merely “necessary,” that more should be saved? And given that He is outside of time, and omnipotent, would he wait to bestow “super-necessary” Graces, or would He give them to us in the beginning?
The notion that a Grace does not exist because it is (in some man’s eyes) not “necessary” for salvation, is of and from Satan.
“Quote from the Apostle Paul, encouraging believers to learn to study God’s Word - and to diligently apply themselves to it.”
The apostle Paul wrote to the evangelist Timothy, Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). This verse well-illustrates the need for understanding that word meanings may change, and we must be ever on guard against misapplying or twisting scripture, even when we try to teach the truth. The rendering, study to show thyself approved unto God is found only in the King James Version, translated in the year 1611. In 1611 the word study meant strive, or be diligent. Thus the New American Standard Bible renders the verse, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. The New International Version renders the verse, Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
http://www.housetohouse.com/BibleQuestions.aspx?Letter=all&Question=4082
"So, God is wrapping up Creation, and He says (to Himself), “Let’s see. How many Graces are necessary at a bare minimum for salvation?” And He bestows just these Graces on mankind."I utterly reject the unBiblical proposition your post contains. By arguing this way, your post minimizes what God has abundantly given. I can only hope your post was not thought out very well and is not a reflection of what you might believe."The notion that a Grace does not exist because it is (in some man’s eyes) not “necessary” for salvation, is of and from Satan."
I am astounded you would post this during Advent.
God has already provide His grace to redeem everyone on earth. They must respond. His Grace isn't "minimum." It is overflowing and abundant. He gave His Son. He paid for the sins of all mankind on the cross. He graciously gave the One thing that could yield salvation.
What your post describes as "graces" minimizes what God has accomplished on the cross when He said, "It is finished."
Even the Apostle Paul said, "Thank God for His indescribable gift!"
Yet, your post attempts to sneak some good old fashioned paganism into the equation and make the amazing gift of God seem parsimonious. Christ's sacrifice isn't the minimum. It is more than can ever be used up. God isn't stingy. His grace in Christ is overflowing.
Please rethink your non-Biblical assertions.
“It’s in that book”
So, we should heed 2 Timothy 2:15, but ignore First Timothy 2:12: “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use authority over the man: but to be in silence.”
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