Now Saul had a son, Jonathan, near David’s own age. He and David became fast friends and loved one another as brothers. Saul the king became very jealous of David because the people praised him after his fight with Goliath. He even threatened to take David’s life. He tried to catch him in his own house, but David’s wife let him down from a window by a rope and he escaped. He met his friend Jonathan, who told him that he should flee. They renewed their promises of friendship, which they kept ever afterward.
From his meeting with Jonathan, David went forth to be a wanderer, having no home as long as Saul lived. He found a great cave, called the cave of Adullam, and hid in it. Soon people heard where he was, and from all parts of the land, especially from his own tribe of Judah, men who were not satisfied with the rule of King Saul gathered around David.
Saul soon heard that David, with a band of men, was hiding among the mountains of Judah, and that among those who aided him were certain priests.
This enraged King Saul, and he ordered his guards to kill all the priests. The guards would not obey him, for they felt that it was a wicked thing to lay hands upon the priests of the Lord.
But he found one man whose name was Doeg, an Edomite, who was willing to obey the king. And Doeg, the Edomite, killed eighty-five men who wore the priestly garments.
All through the land went the news of Saul’s dreadful deed, and everywhere the people began to turn from Saul, and to look toward David as the only hope of the nation.
When Saul died he was followed by David, the shepherd boy, now grown to manhood and greatly loved by the people. He had many battles to fight with the Philistines and was nearly always victorious. He was a warrior king; but he was more than a warrior. He played on his harp and composed many beautiful hymns and songs, which are collected in the book of Psalms. He was a good king and tried to obey God’s command. He had a long reign and his people were happy and prosperous. He had many sons and daughters and beautiful palaces for them to live in.
I have here a knife. It was given me by a friend, a token of his affection and esteem, when I went aboard the steamer in Manila, Philippine Islands, to return to the homeland. All these years since then the knife has been on my study desk, daily teaching me. What lessons does this knife teach?
First of all the knife tells me of Strength. The most important part of this knife is what I call the backbone. It is the main portion of the knife to which all the blades are fastened, as well as the polished pearl handle. This would be a weak and useless knife did it not have a backbone. It says to me every day “Be strong, stand up, have convictions, be steadfast.”
Lesson number two, Discipline. This knife has been subjected to many trials and tests. The steel of which these blades are made had to go through a hard, hot, trying process before they were tempered and fit to take an edge and hold it. Sometimes I rebel about certain processes of the days, then I think of my knife and learn from it the lesson of discipline.
The third lesson this knife teaches me is Neatness. Now I can picture the man who bought this knife. As he went into the store, he stood before the glass show case wherein were displayed scores of different kinds of knives. There were dark knives and light knives, big knives and little knives. His eye caught this knife, with its graceful lines, its smooth pearl handle, and he said, “That is a neat knife, I’ll take that one.” People are attracted to you by your neatness.
The fourth lesson is Usefulness. Really it is quite wonderful the variety of uses to which this knife can be put. Here is a big blade, and a small blade; here is a blade with a file; folded in the back is a tiny pair of scissors. So the great test of life is its usefulness.
MEMORY VERSE, I Corinthians 9: 22
“I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
MEMORY HYMN
“Jesus calls us.”
1. Jesus calls us o’er the tumult Of our life’s wild, restless sea; Day by day his sweet voice sounding, Saying, “Christian, follow me.”
2. Brothers Simon, Andrew heard it By the Galilean lake, Turned from home, and toil, and kindred, Leaving all for His dear sake.
3. Jesus calls us from the worship Of the vain world’s golden store, From each idol that would keep us, Saying, “Christian, love me more.”
4. In our joys and in our sorrows, Days of toil and hours of ease, Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”
5. Jesus calls us—By your mercies, Savior, may we hear your call, Give our hearts to your obedience, Serve and love you best of all.
Do you need victory, provision, blessings, healing, or a miracle? God is more than able. Let’s look at the Bible to see some examples of people receiving what they needed. The pattern that quickly emerges is what you need follows obedience to God’s Word.
Joshua and the Battle of Jericho
Joshua 6:2-5 And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus, shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
Joshua 6:20-21 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.
Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath
Both Elijah and the widow was in need of food. She had a little bit for her and her son. He had no food. God said the food would not run out until the draught was over if the woman feed the prophet 1st.
1 Kings 17:7-16 Sometime later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him:“Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” So, he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So, there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.
Elisha and the Widow’s Oil
The oil continued until there was no more jars. The widow was able to sell the oil to pay the debt, and she still had money to live on. However, she had to gather the jars.
2 Kings 4:1-4 A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” So, she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So, the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”
Naaman was cleansed of leprosy after he washed 7 times as instructed in the Jordan river.
So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
Water into wine
The servants had to fill the stone water pots and serve it to the governor of the feast before the water was made into wine.
John 2:1-10 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Blind man who washed in the pool of Siloam
The man did not regain his sight until he washed in the pool of Siloam.
John 9:1-7 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Jesus said it best in Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The outpouring of God’s spirit molded together a spiritual body (group of believers scripturally defined as the New Testament church.
Ephesians 1:22-23 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Supernatural manifestations of the Spirit occurred, commonly referred to as gifts of the Spirit. By supernatural, we mean something that cannot be explained or understood by human reasoning. Do not limit God to our understanding.
Isaiah 58:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts
Similarly, the same book that teaches about the use of spiritual gifts states:
Corinthians 2:11 (KJV) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God
THE GIFTS ARE TO PROFIT THE CHURCH
The spiritual gifts are given by God to His church to profit the church and its members.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
There are those today who contend that the church can no longer experience these gifts. There is nothing in scriptures that says so. To the contrary, the gifts will remain in the church until Christ’s second coming.
1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God, which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
There are also those who over emphasis some Spiritual Gifts to the ignoring of the other Spiritual Gifts. Neither is correct. All gifts are needs; just as all people are needed. The human body has many members, such as hands, fingers, etc. So also, is the body of Christ. There are many members of one body, and all are important.
1 Corinthians 12: 20-22 But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
The difference between the Gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit ➤ The gifts of the Spirit are not to be confused with the fruit of the Spirit. ➤ The fruit of the Spirit is spiritual grace in the character of the believer. ➤ The gifts of the Spirit are divine enablements to strengthen and encourage the church.
Great Care in Their Operation
Care must be taken in the operation of the gifts.
The Corinthian church became unbalanced in the operation of the more spectacular gifts.
Many churches today have likewise become unbalanced in the operation of the various gifts.
THE NINE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
1 Corinthians 12:1-12
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now, there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;
to another, the word of knowledge by the same Spirit,
To another faith by the same Spirit,
to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles;
to another prophecy,
to another discerning of spirits;
to another divers kinds of tongues;
to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ
Power to Know Supernaturally
The Word of Wisdom
The word of wisdom and knowledge are supernatural manifestations of the Spirit.
They exist far above their natural and human counterpart
Sometimes, God gives a specific word of wisdom for a particular situation.
The word wisdom implies a thought or utterance through the direct operation of the Holy Spirit
An example of this gift is in Acts where Paul perceived a shipwreck.
Acts 27:10 And sand unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Acts 27:34Wherefore I pray you to take some meat for this is for your health: forthere shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
The Word of Knowledge
Every Christian must endeavor to “grow in grace” and in the knowledge of our Lord.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
The word of Knowlege includes facts from God about people, places, things, and events that a person could not possibly know unless God reveals it to them.
An example of the word of Knowledge is Peter’s supernatural knowledge of the secret sin of Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5:1-10 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
Discerning of Spirits
Is the ability on a particular occasion, to ascertain whether a spirit or action is of God.
The purpose of this gift is to detect true or false.
An example was when Paul rebuke of a spirit possessing a girl.
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Today we should use this gift to determine whether or not the person, word, or spirit is of God.
Remember that not everyone who claims to be of God is of God and not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will be saved.
Matthew 7: 21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Power to Act Supernaturally
Faith
The spiritual gift of faith is to be distinguished from saving faith or daily faith. The gift of faith is a measure of faith above the faith that all of us have.
Examples are the faith of Peter and John for the lame man.
Acts 3:2-11, 16 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 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: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Working of Miracles
A supernatural release of God’s power through a person’s life to affect an immediate super- natural event. It is an event that cannot be explained by “natural law”.
Examples are the raising of Dorcas and Eutychus back to Life and special miracles in Paul’s ministry at Ephesus.
Dorcas:
Acts 9:36-40 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
Eutychus:
Acts 20:9-10 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
Special miracles in Paul’s ministry at Ephesus:
Acts 19:11-12 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
The Power to Speak Supernaturally
Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is a specific message from God to the hearers in their own language.
True prophecy will always be in harmony with God’s word.
The gift of prophecy brings edification, exhortation, and comfort to the church
1 Corinthians 14:3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1 Corinthians 14:5 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
Tongues
Speaking with Tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown to the speaker.
There are three different kinds of tongues
It is initial evidence when someone is baptized with the Holy Ghost. Think about stammering lips of a repentant person crying out to God. It often times sounds similar to a crying child that is trying to talk.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:6 (KJV) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Speaking to God in personnel prayer
1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 For it I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Addressing the church, coupled with interpretation
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
Prophesied in the Old Testament
Isaiah 28:11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue will be speak to this people. To whom he said. This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear
Interpretation of Tongues
By this gift, a person interprets a message in tongues for the church. When a person brings a message to the church through the gift of tongues, the gift of interpretation of tongues is used to edify the church.
1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
If there is no interpreter, the one speaking in the unknown tongue should keep silence in the church, although he can continue to pray in tongues personally.
1 Corinthians 14:28 (KJV) But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church and let him speak to himself, and to God.
The pastor should always have the oversight in the operation of the gifts.
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three and let the other judge.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
After Abel was slain, and his brother Cain had gone into another land, again God gave a child to Adam and Eve. This child they named Seth; and other sons and daughters were given to them; for Adam and Eve lived many years. But at last they died, as God had said they must die, because they had eaten of the tree that God had forbidden them to eat.
By the time that Adam died, there were many people on the earth; for the children of Adam and Eve had many other children; and when these grew up they had other children; and these had children also. These men and women and children lived in tents. They owned sheep and cattle, and they moved about with them, wherever they could find pasture. The children played around the tent doors, and sat beside the camp-fires in the evenings, where they all sang together, and the older people told them stories. And after a time this land where Adam’s sons lived began to be full of people.
It is sad to tell that as time went on more and more of these people became wicked, and fewer and fewer of them grew up to become good men and women. All the people lived near together, and few went away to other lands; so it came to pass that even the children of good men and women learned to be bad, like the people around them, and no longer did what was right and good.
And as God looked down on the world that he had made, he saw how wicked the men in it had become, and that every thought and every act of man was evil and only evil continually.
But while most of the people in the world were very wicked, there were some good people also, though they were very few. The best of all the men who lived at that time was a man whose name was Enoch. He was not the son of Cain, but another Enoch, who came from the family of Seth, the son of Adam, who was born after the death of Abel. While so many around Enoch were doing evil, this man did only what was right. He walked with God and God walked with him, and talked with him. And at last, when Enoch was a very old man and weary with life, God took him away from earth to heaven. He did not die, as all the people have since Adam disobeyed God, but “he was not, for God took him.” This means that Enoch was taken up from earth without dying.
All the people in the time of Enoch were not shepherds. Some of them had learned how to make rude bows and arrows and axes and plows. And after a long time they melted iron, and they made knives and swords and dishes to use in their homes. They sowed grain in the fields and reaped harvests, and they planted vines and fruit trees. But God looked down on the earth and said:
“I will take away all men from the earth that I have made; because the men of the world are evil, and do evil continually.”
But even in those bad times God saw one good man. His name was Noah. Noah tried to do right in the sight of God. As Enoch had walked with God, so Noah walked with God, and talked with him. And Noah had three sons; their names were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth.
God said to Noah, “The time has come when all the men and women on the earth are to be destroyed. Every one must die, because they are all wicked. But you and your family shall be saved, because you alone are trying to do right.”
Then God told Noah how he might save his life and the lives of his sons. He was to build a very large boat, as large as the largest ships that are made in our time; very long, and very wide and very deep; with a roof over it; and made like a long, wide house in three stories; but so built that it would float on the water. Such a ship as this was called “an ark.” God told Noah to build this ark, and to have it ready for the time when he would need it.
“For,” said God to Noah, “I am going to bring a great flood of water on the earth to cover all the land and to drown all the people on the earth. And as the animals on the earth will be drowned with the people, you must make the ark large enough to hold a pair of each kind of animals and several pairs of some animals that are needed by men, like sheep and goats and oxen; so that there will be animals as well as men to live upon the earth after the flood has passed away. And you must take in the ark food for yourself and your family, and for all the animals with you; enough food to last for a year, while the flood shall stay on the earth.”
And Noah did what God told him to do, although it must have seemed very strange to all the people around, to build this great ark where there was no water for it to sail upon. And it was a long time, because this ship was so big, that Noah and his sons were at work building the ark, which God had told them to build, while the wicked people around wondered, and no doubt laughed at Noah for building a great ship where there was no sea.
At last the ark was finished, and stood like a great house on the land. There was a door on one side, and a window on the roof, to let in the light. Then God said to Noah:
“Come into the ark, you and your wife, and your three sons, and their wives with them; for the flood of waters will come very soon. And take with you animals of all kinds, and birds, and things that creep; seven pairs of these that will be needed by men, and one pair of all the rest, so that all kinds of animals may be kept alive upon the earth.”
So Noah and his wife, and his three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, with their wives, went into the ark. And God brought to the door of the ark the animals, and the birds, and the creeping things of all kinds; and they went into the ark. And Noah and his sons put them in their places, and brought in food enough to feed them all for many days. And then the door of the ark was shut and no more people and no more animals could come in.
In a few days the rain began to fall, as it had never rained before. It seemed as though the heavens were opened to pour great floods upon the earth. The streams filled, and the rivers rose higher and higher, and the ark began to float on the water. The people left their houses and ran up to the hills; but soon the hills were covered, and all the people on them were drowned.
Some had climbed up to the tops of higher mountains, but the water rose higher and higher, until even the mountains were covered and all the people, wicked as they had been, were drowned in the great sea that now rolled over all the earth where man had lived. And all the animals, the tame animals, cattle, and sheep, and oxen, were drowned; and the wild animals, lions, and tigers, and all the rest were drowned also. Even the birds were drowned, for their nests in the trees were swept away, and there was no place where they could fly from the terrible storm. For forty days and nights the rain kept on, until there was no breath of life remaining outside of the ark.
The water rose higher and higher
After forty days the rain stopped, but the water stayed upon the earth for more than six months, and the ark with all that were in it floated over the great sea that covered the land. Then God sent a wind to blow over the waters, and to dry them up; so by degrees the waters grew less and less. First mountains rose above the waters, then the hills rose up, and finally the ark ceased to float and lay aground on a mountain which is called Mount Ararat.
But Noah could not see what had happened on the earth, because the door was shut, and the only window was up in the roof. But he felt that the ark was no longer moving, and he knew that the water must have gone down. So, after waiting for a time, Noah opened a window, and let loose a bird called a raven. Now the raven has strong wings; and this raven flew round and round until the waters had gone down, and it could find a place to rest, and it did not come back to the ark.
After Noah had waited for it awhile, he sent out a dove; but the dove could not find any place to rest, so it flew back to the ark, and Noah took it into the ark again. Then Noah waited a week longer, and afterward he sent out the dove again. And at the evening, the dove came back to the ark, which was its home; and in its bill was a fresh leaf which it had picked off from an olive tree.
So Noah knew that the water had gone down enough to let the trees grow again. He waited another week, and sent out the dove again; but this time the dove flew away and never came back. And Noah knew that the earth was becoming dry again. So he took off a part of the roof, and looked out, and saw that there was dry land all around the ark, and the waters were no longer everywhere.
Noah had now lived in the ark a little more than a year, and he was glad to see the green land and the trees once more. And God said to Noah:
“Come out of the ark, with your wife, and your sons, and their wives, and all the living things that are with you in the ark.”
So, Noah opened the door of the ark, and with his family came out, and stood once more on the ground. And the animals, and birds, and creeping things in the ark, came out also, and began again to bring life to the earth.
The first thing that Noah did when he came out of the ark, was to give thanks to God for saving all his family when the rest of the people on the earth were destroyed. He built an altar, and laid upon it an offering to the Lord, and gave himself and his family to God and promised to do God’s will.
And God was pleased with Noah’s offering, and God said:
“I will not again destroy the earth on account of men, no matter how bad they may be. From this time no flood shall again cover the earth; but the seasons of spring and summer and fall and winter, shall remain without change. I give to you the earth; you shall be the rulers of the ground and of every living thing upon it.”
Then God caused a rainbow to appear in the sky, and he told Noah and his sons that whenever they or the people after them should see the rainbow, they should remember that God had placed it in the sky and over the clouds as a sign of his promise, that he would always remember the earth, and the people upon it, and would never again send a flood to destroy man from the earth.
So as often as we see the beautiful rainbow, we are to remember that it is the sign of God’s promise to the world.
Adán y Eva vivieron felices en el jardín durante un período de tiempo. Nadie sabe exactamente cuánto tiempo vivieron en el jardín. Sin embargo, la mayoría de nosotros hemos oído hablar del fatídico día en que Eva fue engañada. Vamos a examinar los eventos fatídicos de ese día.
Evidentemente, Eva se había acercado al Árbol del Conocimiento del Bien y del Mal. El diablo vio su oportunidad de pervertir a las personas que Dios había creado con tanto amor.
Génesis 3:1-7 Pero la serpiente era astuta, más que todos los animales del campo que Jehová Dios había hecho; la cual dijo a la mujer: ¿Conque Dios os ha dicho: No comáis de todo árbol del huerto?2 Y la mujer respondió a la serpiente: Del fruto de los árboles del huerto podemos comer;3 pero del fruto del árbol que está en medio del huerto dijo Dios: No comeréis de él, ni le tocaréis, para que no muráis.4 Entonces la serpiente dijo a la mujer: No moriréis;5 sino que sabe Dios que el día que comáis de él, serán abiertos vuestros ojos, y seréis como Dios, sabiendo el bien y el mal.6 Y vio la mujer que el árbol era bueno para comer, y que era agradable a los ojos, y árbol codiciable para alcanzar la sabiduría; y tomó de su fruto, y comió; y dio también a su marido, el cual comió así como ella.7 Entonces fueron abiertos los ojos de ambos, y conocieron que estaban desnudos; entonces cosieron hojas de higuera, y se hicieron delantales.
Lo primero que noto es que Eva realmente no conocía ni comprendía las palabras de Dios. Ella añadió a lo que había dicho al decir “ni lo tocaréis”. También debilitó lo que dijo al señalar que “no sea que muráis”. No sea que significa que es posible, pero no una certeza. Cuando te diriges al Nuevo Testamento, vemos la escritura de Pablo. 1 Timoteo 2:13-14 Porque Adam fue formado primero, luego Eva. Y Adam no fue engañado, sino que la mujer, siendo engañada, cayó en la transgresión.
Ahora comparemos lo que dijo Satanás con lo que dijo Dios.
Las palabras de Satanás: ¿De veras ha dicho Dios: No comeréis de ningún árbol del jardín?
Las palabras de Dios: Y el Señor Dios mandó al hombre, diciendo: De todo árbol del jardín podrás comer libremente; pero del árbol del conocimiento del bien y del mal no comerás de él, porque el día que de él comas, ciertamente morirás.
Satanás comenzó con lo negativo. Dios comenzó con lo positivo. A Satanás le gusta señalar que te estás perdiendo algo. Dios muestra las cosas que sí tienes.
Esta táctica funciona bien con aquellos que realmente no conocen la palabra de Dios por sí mismos. Por eso se nos ordena en 2 Timoteo 2:15.
Estudia para presentarte aprobado ante Dios, como un obrero que no tiene de qué avergonzarse, manejando bien la palabra de verdad. Satanás también atacó las motivaciones de Dios. Hizo parecer que Dios estaba reteniendo el bien de Adán y Eva. ‘Y la serpiente dijo a la mujer: No moriréis de ninguna manera; porque Dios sabe que el día que comáis de él, serán abiertos vuestros ojos, y seréis como dioses, conociendo el bien y el mal.’ Adán cometió un error al no explicar bien la Palabra de Dios a Eva. Ella fue engañada por falta de conocimiento. Lo triste es que Adán sabía que comer de ese árbol era desobedecer la Palabra de Dios.
Considera estas escrituras:
Romanos 5:12-19: Por tanto, como el pecado entró en el mundo por un hombre, y por el pecado la muerte, así la muerte pasó a todos los hombres, por cuanto todos pecaron.Pues antes de la ley, había pecado en el mundo; pero donde no hay ley, no se inculpa de pecado.No obstante, reinó la muerte desde Adán hasta Moisés, aun en los que no pecaron a la manera de la transgresión de Adán, el cual es figura del que había de venir. Pero el don no fue como la transgresión; porque si por la transgresión de aquel uno murieron los muchos, abundaron mucho más para los muchos la gracia y el don de Dios por la gracia de un hombre, Jesucristo.Y con el don no sucede como en el caso de aquel uno que pecó; porque ciertamente el juicio vino a causa de un solo pecado para condenación, pero el don vino a causa de muchas transgresiones para justificación.Pues si por la transgresión de uno solo reinó la muerte, mucho más reinarán en vida por uno solo, Jesucristo, los que reciben la abundancia de la gracia y del don de la justicia. Así que, como por la transgresión de uno vino la condenación a todos los hombres, de la misma manera por la justicia de uno vino a todos los hombres la justificación de vida.19 Porque así como por la desobediencia de un hombre los muchos fueron constituidos pecadores, así también por la obediencia de uno, los muchos serán constituidos justos.
Afortunadamente, Jesús vino a salvarnos de nuestros pecados.
The poetical and wisdom books are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Hebrew poetry is based on parallelism that uses repetition and contrast
The Book of Job
Job 42:10 And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
1. Author Uncertain (Some believe Moses to be the author)
2. Date Unspecified date (Fifteenth – Second Century B.C.)
3. Theme The Suffering of the Godly and the Sovereignty of God
4. Purpose The purpose of the book of is to show the goodness of God and the wisdom of His providence and sovereignty even in trials experienced by those who trust in Him.
5. Content
Setting and Background: Job 1:1-2:10
Job 1:8-10 “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shun evil?” “So, Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Job loses property and children
Job loses his health
Job 2:9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Job 2:10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Job and his three friends Job 2:11-31:40
Job 2:11 Now, when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place-Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him.
Job’s friends told him that sin had caused his suffering, but Job maintained his innocence
Elihu’s words: Job 2:11-31:31
Job 32:2-3 Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also, against his three friends, his wrath was aroused because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job.
Elihu speaks on the goodness of God
God speaks: Job 42:1-17
Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
Ending: Job 42:1-17
Job 42:1-6 Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor[a] myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”
Job 42:10 And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
The Holy Spirit works and empowers in many ways. The following is not an exhausted list of the many ways that the Holy Spirit works.
THE SPIRIT GIVES IMMORTALITY AT CHRIST’S RETURN
The baptism of the Holy Ghost bestows the same power that resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead.
According to Romans 8:11 we must have the spirit of Christ to be resurrected in the last days.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you
Additional Scriptures that refer to the Spirit.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality
THE SPIRIT GIVES POWER
The baptism of the Holy Ghost gives the believer tremendous power to witness for the Lord. Without the Holy Ghost, the disciples would have been powerless in the hostile world they lived in. Jesus said:
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
THE SPIRIT TEACHES
The Bible is not merely a product of human thinking and ability but:
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
Since it required inspiration of the Spirit for the writing of Scriptures, it also requires the inspiration of the Holy Ghost to understand God’s Word fully. Jesus promised that the Spirit would:
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Spirit Shows things to come
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
The Spirit GIVES RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND Joy
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
1 Peter1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
THE SPIRIT IMPARTS THE LOVE OF GOD
The gift of the Holy Ghost is a baptism of the love of God a boundless love that proceeds from God Himself, fills our souls, and then overflows from our lives like a mighty rushing river.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The Holy Spirit leads/ directs
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Acts 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
The Holy Spirit Searches and reveals
1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
The Holy Spirit Gives Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:1-4 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
JESUS SPOKE OF THIS EXPERIENCE Jesus spoke of this experience when He said
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
PAUL PREACHED IT
Paul emphasized it with the words
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Christ actually comes and takes up His abode in a human body (temple).
1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is promised to all who obey God’s command to repent and who exercise faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul described it as: Joy unspeakable.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost
PETER TOLD OF IT
Peter spoke in Acts about the experience of the Holy Ghost. Later he described the feeling when the Creator dwells within his creation through the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
The Evidence of the Holy Ghost
Acts 2:1-3 records the initial outpouring of the Holy Hust, when the believe the upper room spoke with other tongues.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Who spoke in tongues in the Scriptures?
EVERYONE IN THE UPPER ROOM
On the Day of Pentecost all 120 were filled;
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Among them were Mary, mother of Jesus, Jesus’ four half-brothers, and all the disciples.
SAMARITANS RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST
The Samaritans received the same experience and an outward sign to tell everyone when people received the Holy Ghost.
Even Simon the sorcerer knew they had received a heavenly gift and sought to buy the power
Acts 8:9-13 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
GENTILES RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST
The Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius and other Gentiles, and they spoke with other tongues
This sign convinced the skeptical Jewish Christians that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost, and this sign alone was sufficient for Peter to proclaim that the Gentles had received the same Holy Ghost experience
Acts 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 11:15-17 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
DISCIPLES OF JOHN THE BAPTIST RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST
In Acts 19, a group of John the Baptist’s disciples were rebaptized in Jesus’ name by the apostle Paul, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
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