Category Archives: Bible

Bible

Ascension Day with high expectation

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Ten days before the Jewish feast of Pentecost, Jesus met with his disciples on a normal Thursday. The disciples had high expectations that Jesus would now establish the kingdom.

But Jesus did not want to set a time for this and promised them divine power through the Holy Spirit, who would lead them into the whole world (Acts 1:6-8).

As Jesus ascended to heaven before their eyes on the Mount of Olives and disappeared from their sight through a cloud, Jesus opened a new chapter. God’s presence is experienced new through the Holy Spirit.

Suddenly, two angels appeared and explained that Jesus was now in heaven and would one day return to earth from there.

Bible

The Bible – myths and facts

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The Bible describes how people experienced God and what he showed them. It does not philosophise about what God might be like.

Faith without biblical history becomes philosophy instead of theology.

The different perspectives make the picture more complete and therefore more credible.

Peter puts it in a nutshell in 2 Peter 1:16: ‘We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.’

Paul writes to Timothy: ‘All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.’ (2 Timothy 3:16).

Bible

Spirit-led faith

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Apollos believes in Jesus, but he lacks the immerse in the work of the Holy Spirit that enables him to live an empowered life in Christ (Acts 18:25).

It is the difference between an intellectual faith and a Spirit-led faith with a living relationship with the heavenly Father.

Apollos is willing to listen to uneducated believers. Priscilla and Aquila share their experiences of faith and widen Apollos’ understanding of the way with Jesus.

The Holy Spirit guides and inspires people to follow Christ.

This experience makes him a newly blessed instrument in the hand of God in the region of Achaia, where Corinth is also located.

more from Acts: https://jesus-news-israel.net/tag/acts/

Bible, Jesus

The Son of David

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The crowds shouted: Hosanna to the Son of David! (Matthew 21:9)

God promised in Isaiah 11:1 that a son of David would ascend the eternal throne.

Jesus’ case before Pilate was about the question of kingship.

God is the King of the Jews, whom the people now reject for the second time in John 19:15. ‘We have no king but Caesar.’

Some gladly accept Jesus as Saviour and helper in times of need. Jesus wants to be more. He wants to be our King.

The question is whether we give Jesus authority or deny it to him. Who we give power to in our lives – what or who rules us.

Bible

Trust in God helps to endure times of drought

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Jeremiah 17:5.7-8 is a call to wisdom.

Our decisions have consequences. We are challenged to think from the end and to stay with the source despite all opposition.

In the face of a hopeless situation, Jeremiah finds in God what sustains and nourishes him.

Those who trust in God will have everything they need to live, even in drought, even in difficult times.

Bible

What motivates the church service

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The understanding of church has changed. Alternative models are currently being proposed. But church is more than just a meeting place for generations. In our church, we have discussed what motivates us to attend church services.

First and foremost is the presence of God. Jesus promised in Matthew 18:20 that he is among us. Something in the church service speaks to us. We are encouraged by conversations, singing together, prayers and friendly encounters.

For us, the focus is the Bible. Looking at the contexts and backgrounds opens up a new perspective on God, the world and ourselves.

The third point is the exchange after the service. Seeing each other regularly, asking questions or praying for challenging situations is a help for everyday life. Sometimes you get a advice on who you can turn to. Continue reading What motivates the church service →

Bible

Jealousy leads to opposition

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Paul and Barnabas go directly to Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14-52). This is the first sermon by Paul that we know of, and it shows what is important to him.

Paul shows that through Jesus our lack has been overcome. The law does not cancel out our failing (sin) (Acts 13:38), but through reconciliation with God we receive forgiveness.

After a week of good dialogue and contact, jealousy arises. Paul and Barnabas are negated. Not for theological reasons, but out of pure envy.

Joseph’s brothers in the Old Testament were also envious and no longer had a kind word for him (Genesis 37:4, 11).

Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6 and announces that they will now turn to the gentiles (Acts 13:47).

Those who can rejoice in God despite opposition will be filled more and more with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52).

more from Acts: https://jesus-news-israel.net/tag/acts/

Bible

Called by the Holy Spirit

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Suddenly, the Holy Spirit (and not the church) called Saul and Barnabas to a new ministry. They went to the homeland of Barnabas in Cyprus.

In the Roman provincial capital, they were warmly welcomed by the governor Sergius Paulus. Cyprus thus became the first country in the world to be ruled by a Christian.

Elymas, the governor’s counsellor, shows how Satan wants to divert people from the path of faith. As a deceiver and enemy of all righteousness, he perverts the straight path of God (Acts 13:10). The movement of Jesus’ disciples was called “the way” at that time (Acts 9:2; 24:14).

Elymas earns what he is spreading: Darkness. Paul performs the first miracle. Now the name change takes place (verse 12). In resistance Saul becomes Paul – in resistance we are formed. Paul does not become proud, but small. Saul means the one who is prayed for. Paul means the little one.

more from Acts: https://jesus-news-israel.net/tag/acts/

 

Bible, Jesus

The wise men from the East

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January 6th is Epiphany. The day is also known as Theophany. This day is the second oldest Christian holiday after Easter. Before the calendar reform, it marked the beginning of the year.

Today, the revelation of Jesus’ divinity is celebrated on this day. Depending on the region and church, this day commemorates the birth of Jesus with the worship of the Jewish shepherds, the adoration of the wise men, the baptism of Jesus or the first miracle at the wedding in Cana.

We remember the story from Matthew 2:1-12.

There it is not written that the men were kings. The number is also unclear.

It is striking that only the astrologers knew about this star, but not the people in Jerusalem. Therefore, it cannot have been a comet.

If Jesus was born in 7 BC according to the meeting of the planet Jupiter and Saturn, Herod had the opportunity to meet the wise men and try to kill the child before his death in 4 BC.

The three gifts ensure the family’s survival as they flee to the Jewish diaspora in Egypt.

God knows what we need and when. Help came out of nowhere at just the right time.

God’s timetable is not always comprehensible to us. He does not protect us from difficulties, but he helps us through them. God’s timing and his help are what make up the Christian faith.