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The Wonderful Draught of Fishes

THE WONDERFUL DRAUGHT OF FISHES

One day, as the crowds pressed round Him to hear the Word of God, Jesus came to the Lake of Gennesaret and saw two boats drawn up on the shore. Now one of these belonged to a man named Simon Peter, who was at the water’s edge washing his nets. Jesus entered into this boat and asked Simon to push it off from the land a little. Then He sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when He had done speaking to them, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught of fishes.” Simon, answering Him, said, “Master, we have toiled all through the night and have taken nothing, but as you wish it I will let down the net again.” And they let down the net into the sea, but it enclosed so great a multitude of fishes that they could not draw them up, and the net brake. Then Simon beckoned to his partners, James and John, who were in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both boats with the fishes, so that they began to sink.

THE WONDERFUL DRAUGHT OF FISHES

When Simon Peter saw it he fell down before Jesus, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all that were with him were astonished at the marvelous draught of fishes which they had taken. And Jesus said unto Simon, “Fear not, Simon Peter; from henceforth thou shalt be a fisher of men.” Meaning that he was to go about winning souls for God, instead of being a fisherman.

And when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all they had and followed Christ.

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Jesus in the Temple

JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

When Jesus was twelve years of age, His parents took Him with them to Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover. Great numbers journeyed from different parts to keep this feast; and travelled in companies or caravans, the women and old men riding on asses or mules, and the rest going on foot. Thus Joseph and Mary, with Jesus, left Nazareth, and with many others journeyed to Jerusalem, where they kept the Passover.

When the feast was ended, as they returned homewards, Joseph and Mary discovered that Jesus was missing; but supposing Him to have been somewhere among the company, they continued their first day’s short journey. When, however, evening came, and the caravan halted, and Jesus was nowhere to be found, His parents sorrowfully returned to Jerusalem seeking Him. At last, on the third day, they went to the Temple, and found Jesus sitting in the midst of the aged and learned Jewish doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. “And all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.”

His parents were amazed when they saw Jesus in such company. But Mary, while she rejoiced at finding Him, gently said, “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.” Jesus replied, “How is it that ye sought Me? Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?”

“SON, WHY HAST THOU THUS DEALT WITH US?”

Jesus was the Son of God, and doing God’s work was being about His Father’s business. Years afterwards He said, “I came not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.”

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The Angel’s Tidings

THE ANGEL’S TIDINGS

It was night. In the fields near Bethlehem a company of shepherds kept watch over their flocks. Probably they were holy men, and often thought of God in the stillness of the early morn. And now they may have been thinking of the coming of the promised Messiah.

While watching their flocks, the angel of the Lord came to these shepherds, and a dazzling light shone round about them. They were much afraid; but the angel said, “Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” And suddenly there was with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

THE SHEPHERDS WORSHIPPING THE INFANT JESUS

When the angels had departed, the shepherds returned to Bethlehem; and there, in a stable, they found the infant Jesus, lying in a manger, watched over and cared for by His mother Mary and Joseph. And so great was the surprise and joy of the shepherds that they went out and told all they met of the wondrous things which they had seen.

Shortly after the visit of the shepherds, the wise men from the East reached Bethlehem, and in a house, they found Joseph, and Mary, and Jesus. Then they fell down and worshipped Jesus, opening the treasures they had brought, and offering Him precious gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. But God warned them not to go back to Herod, to tell him where the new-born King of the Jews was, and they returned to their own country another way.

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¿Por qué el Libro de Enoc nunca fue canonizado?

Los libros de Enoc

El Libro de Enoc fue escrito antes del diluvio. Sin embargo, todo esto se supone que es el libro de Enoc. Sí, Santiago citó del libro de Enoc. Sin embargo, vivió mucho más cerca de la época de Enoc. Sí, es más que posible que Noé llevara el libro de Enoc en el Arca. Sí, es posible que se conservara en gran parte a lo largo de los años mientras los hijos de Israel eran llevados al exilio. Sin embargo, observen cuántas opciones diferentes hay para este libro. Esta es solo una escena de algunas de ellas. ¿Cómo puede alguien estar seguro de que la opción elegida es realmente la traducción verdadera del verdadero libro de Enoc? Hay razones por las que nunca fue canonizado. Canizado significa atribuirle una sanción o aprobación autoritaria a alguien.

Razones por las cuales nunca fue canonizada.

  1. Ya había sido rechazado por la Biblia hebrea. En general, los libros de la Biblia hebrea fueron canonizados. Esos libros se convirtieron en el Antiguo Testamento, tanto en la Biblia católica como en la protestante.
  2. Los eruditos generalmente coinciden en que el Libro de Enoc fue compuesto por múltiples autores a lo largo de varios siglos, lo que plantea dudas sobre su autenticidad y credibilidad.
  3. El Libro de Enoc se considera a menudo un texto apócrifo o pseudoepigráfico, términos utilizados para describir obras con autoría incierta u orígenes cuestionables.
  4. Jeremías 1:12 (Biblia Amplificada) Entonces el Señor me dijo: «Bien has visto, porque estoy velando activamente por mi palabra para que se cumpla. Ya que Dios vela por su palabra, ¿no crees que Dios se aseguraría de que los libros necesarios fueran canonizados? La canonización significa que se considera la Palabra inspirada de Dios.

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The Wise Men’s Visit

THE WISE MEN’S VISIT

The birth of Jesus Christ was announced by two remarkable events: the coming of wise men from the East, and the appearance of angels to some shepherds at Bethlehem.

The wise men were probably astronomers; and in watching the stars they had seen one that had led them to leave their own country, and take a long journey to Jerusalem. Most likely they rode on camels, and their journey was a tedious one. But at last they reached Jerusalem, where they inquired saying, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East and are come to worship Him.” Tidings of these inquiries were brought to King Herod, and when he heard them he was much troubled. He was a wicked king; and feared that if another king had been born, he would grow up and take the crown away. Herod was also cruel and treacherous, and while pretending to act rightly, often did many evil things. And now he intended to destroy the infant King, who might one day take his sceptre away.

So, he first sent for the learned men of the Jews, the chief priests and scribes, and demanded of them where Christ should be born; and when they had replied that it was to be in Bethlehem, he secretly called the wise men before him and inquired of them what time the star appeared. After getting the information he needed, he dismissed the wise men, bidding them to go to Bethlehem “and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found Him,” said Herod, “bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also.”

THE WISE MEN BEFORE THE KING

So the wise men left King Herod and Jerusalem, and journeyed onward towards Bethlehem; and the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child lay. And when they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy, for they knew they had found Him whom they had come so far to seek.

But the wise men did not bring Herod word where Jesus was; and he was so angry that shortly afterwards he sent his soldiers and slew all the children under two years of age that were in Bethlehem and its neighborhood. He thought by so doing to kill Jesus among them, but God prevented him from doing so.

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Persecution of the Church

Stephen Chosen

  • The church was growing so fast, they had as start sharing responsibilities. They were not spending enough time in prayer, preaching, and teaching the Word of God. Seven men were chosen, one was Stephen.
  • Stephen’s Qualifications
    • Stephen was full of “faith and power”
      • Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
    • He not only did what God wanted him to do, but he looked for other opportunities to serve.
    • He was so successful that he was picked as a target by the enemies of the church.
  • Stephen on Trial
    • Stephen’s opponents were no match for his wisdom and spirit.
      • Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
    • They hired false witnesses to testify against him.
      • Acts 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
      • This is similar to what they did against Jesus.
        • Mark 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. But neither so did their witness agree together.
  • Stephen Preaches and Dies
    • Men testified against Stephen, but they could not change his character.
    • The Jewish leaders became alarmed when they saw his shining face as an angel.
    • He preached about the way God dealt with Israel in the Old Testament.
    • He preached truths they could not contradict.
    • He finished up by proclaiming that his listeners had betrayed and slain the Son of God.
    • In anger, they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death.
      • Acts 7:57-60 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
    • One of the leaders of the persecution was Saul of Tarsus, who was a witness of and gave consent to have Stephen killed
    • As a result of the persecution, the truth spread into all of Judea and Samaria and into all the world.

Saul’s Part

  • Chapter 9 of The Book of Acts describes the conversion of Saul who became known as
    Paul.
  • Paul is a key figure in the New Testament.
  • Saul the Persecutor
    • When the Jewish leaders had stoned Stephen to death, Saul was in agreement with their
      actions
    • Saul launched an all-out persecution of the church.
      • Acts 8:3 (KJV) As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and
        haling men and women committed them to prison
        • Hale: to compel to go
  • Saul on the Damascus Road
    • On the way to Damascus, a bright light from heaven shone around Paul; then be heard a
      voice.
    • Paul had an encounter with Jesus and was fully persuaded to surrender to Him.
      • Acts 9:2-9 (KJV) And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
      • 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
      • 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
      • 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
      • 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
      • 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
      • 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
      • 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
    • Paul’s life was never the same from that point on.
    • It is the same with our conversion to Jesus:
  • Saul Receives His Sight
    • Saul was blinded by what he saw.
    • He was led to Damascus where the Lord sent him for further instructions, telling him he would find help there.
    • After Paul prayed and fasted for three days, the Lord sent a messenger to him.
    • A disciple named Ananias visited Saul, laid hands on him, and prayed,
    • Immediately, Saul received his sight and was filled with the Holy Ghost and Ananias baptized Paul.
      • Acts 9:17-18 (KJV) 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. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
    • Paul received both physical and spiritual sight that day.
      • Acts 9:19-21 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.  But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
        • straightway: Strong’s G2112 – eutheōs
          • εὐθέως euthéōs, yoo-theh’-oce; adverb from G2117; directly, i.e. at once or soon:—anon, as soon as, forthwith, immediately, shortly, straightway.
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The Children’s Six Minutes: Worship and Toil

WORSHIP AND TOIL

One day about one hundred years ago a little boy named Jean stood by his father’s side watching the setting sun sink into the waves of the sea. The glory of the scene stirred his boyish enthusiasm and he poured out his heart in an ecstasy of joy. The father reverently took off his cap and said, “My son, it is God.” The boy never forgot that word, “It is God.”

Jean came of a peasant family, so he had to take his place in the field and earn his bread “by the sweat of his brow.” On Sundays the fields were forsaken, and the family went to the village church where the father was the leader of the choir. After church friends and relatives sometimes came home to spend the afternoon with the family. One Sunday, soon after the return from church, the bent figure of an aged peasant slowly made his way along the road. There was something about the figure that struck the boy Jean. He took a piece of charcoal and hurriedly drew a sketch upon the wall. Every movement and attitude was so perfectly depicted that everybody laughed—everybody but the father. He sensed the gift possessed by his boy, whose growing talent he had been watching. “My Jean,” he said, “I will no longer hinder you from learning that which you are so anxious to know.”

Jean Francis Millet, for such is his full name, became the artist of peasantry. He never made any other boast. His character was of the highest. He had a firm faith in God. He believed in the Bible as the Word of God. He looked upon his use of the brush as preaching upon canvas the purity and truth he believed.

“The Angelus” is the name of the best-known picture that he painted. It shows two workers in a potato field, a man and a woman, who hear from the near-by village the faint tones of the Angelus bell calling them to prayer. They pause, stand erect, bow their heads and worship. It is a beautiful picture. I hope you have a copy framed in your room.

MEMORY VERSE, Luke 11: 1

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

MEMORY HYMN

“From every stormy wind that blows.”

THE CHILDREN’S SIX MINUTES by Bruce S. Wright

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Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Vocabulary

  • Spirit: G415
    • ἀνελεήμων aneleḗmōn, an-eleh-ay’-mone; from G1 (as a negative particle) and G1655; merciless:—unmerciful.
  • Longsuffering: G3115
    • μακροθυμία makrothymía, mak-roth-oo-mee’-ah; from the same as G3116; longanimity, i.e. (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude:—longsuffering, patience.
  • Gentleness: G5544
    • χρηστότης chrēstótēs, khray-stot’-ace; from G5543; usefulness, i.e. morally, excellence (in character or demeanor):—gentleness, good(-ness), kindness.
  • Temperance: G1466 
    • ἐγκράτεια enkráteia, eng-krat’-i-ah; from G1468; self-control (especially continence):—temperance.
  • Law: G3551
    • νόμος nómos, nom’-os; from a primary νέμω némō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):—law

Context

Author:Paul
Audience: Church of Galatia
When was it wrote: Around A.D. 49
Style:Epistle
PurposeInstruction

What does it say ?

It talks about the fruit of the spirit.

What Does it mean?

These fruits are the evidence of a developing Christian life; you can tell if someone is truly trying to walk with God by their being fruit.

Cross references:

King James Version

  • Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

  • Ephesians 5:9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

  • 1Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

  • James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  • Colossians 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Other translations

  • Amplified Holy Bible
    • Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
  • Holman Bible
    •  Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law
  • New revised Standard Version
    • Galatians 5:22-23 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

What should We do?

We all should try to grow in the fruit of the spirit by praying and reading our Bibles.

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Understanding the New Testament Church

The New Testament Church

  • Luke, in A.D. 63, wrote the book of Acts of the Apostles. This book records the birth, and inauguration of the New Testament church.
  • The church became a dynamic organism.
  • They proclaimed, with the anointing of the Holy Ghost, the purpose of God manifested
    through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
    • 2 Peter 1:16 (KJV) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty

FELLOWSHIP

  • Apostles’ Teaching (Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:42)
    • We need the Word of God to live by.
      • Matthew 28:20 (KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
        you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
      • Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
  • Fellowship of the Church
    • A phrase that describes the life of the early church is steadfast.
      • Acts 2:42-44 (KJV) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,
        and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
    • We are to first fellowship with Jesus Christ
      • 1 John 1:3 (KJV) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ
  • Breaking Bread from House to House
    • Witnesses told everyone about what God was doing in their day.
    • They went from house-to-house sharing the gospel.
      • Acts 20:20 (KJV) And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
  • Prayer
    • After the outpouring of the Holy Ghost the church kept praying.
    • Because of prayer, God gave the church favor with all the people and added to it daily.
      • Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

THE FIRST MIRACLE OF THE CHURCH

  • The first miracle performed after the ascension of Jesus was the healing of the lame man.
    • Acts 3:6-8  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
  • The miracle produced evidence that the power of Christ was upon His followers.
  • As a result of the healing, people gathered Peter preached his second sermon, and many
    believed, more souls were added.
    • This second sermon is recorded in Acts 3:12-26
    • After the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost, 3,000 more souls were added
    • After this miracle many more were added, 5,000
      • Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

THE GIVING SPIRIT OF THE CHURCH

  • There was a singleness of devotion and dedication of the early church.
  • They were God-centered and had a concerned with one another’s needs.
    • Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
  • The Lord’s Stewards
    • As stewards of the Lord’s blessings, those who prospered materially shared with others that had needs
      • Acts 4:34-35 (KJV) Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
  • Barnabas Shows the Way
    • Barnabas was a Levite.
      •  Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
    • He gave money after selling some land.
      • Acts 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
    • He uplifted and inspired many of the churches in his ministry and encouraged the apostolic circle to receive Paul as a fellow preacher.
      • Acts 9:26-28 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
      • Acts 11:25-26 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
      • Acts 131-4  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
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Should We Call God by His Hebrew Name?

It has been making the rounds for quite some time that we need to call God and Jesus by the Hebrew names. Some say that this may not apply to everybody. Others declare that you are worshiping an idol by not calling God by His Hebrew name. I am addressing those that make this a salvation issue.

Now I want you to think about this carefully. Yes, we are supposed to worship God as he desires and not by the traditions of men. However, I want you to answer two very important questions.

  1. Who created the languages?
  2. Who knows man’s heart?

The answer to question #1 can be found in Genesis 11:9. Therefore, is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. God created the languages when he confounded the language of all the earth. Therefore, isn’t logical that since he created the languages that he also understands the languages. I am not getting into the argument that says the words were mistranslated (that is for linguistics to figure out). God knows that those that speak English use the words that are English. Learning the Bible is hard enough without having to learn a new language just to pray. Remember that on the Day of Pentecost, God poured out His Spirit.

  • Acts 2:4-11 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Notice how that God started the church by translating the wonderful works of God into many different languages.

The answer to question #2 can be found in 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. If what is in your heart is correct, then your actions will be correct. Thankfully God is all knowing. He knows what you are trying to say. He knows the intent of your heart.

Now if you have a heart’s desire to learn Hebrew, by all means learn it, but don’t make others feel bad by acting like they are dishonoring God by not learning Hebrew. I would rather that people pray in whatever language that they know and seek God with all their heart, soul, and mind than get discouraged by not knowing how to pray in Hebrew.

It is good to learn Hebrew and Greek for studying the Bible, but when it is time to witness to others, even God on the Day of Pentecost translated it into their language. He started the church by translating what needed to be translated and it wasn’t just Hebrew that he translated the words into.

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bible, Bible Study, Christian Living, Scriptural Articles

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